Prolouge
Lily Evans found herself struggling with school for the first time when she was supposed to take her OWL exams in two weeks. Five years worth of school in several subjects, theoretical and practical knowledge and the pressure of having an image to uphold.
Marlene McKinnon didn't care about school. As long as she passed she was happy and that was what she always did anyways. But she helped Lily because she cared. Lily was her friend. She wouldn't just leave her in a situation like this, ever.
Pandora Black never really saw the need to study. She felt as if it would be wrong to study for an exam, after all it was supposed to test what she had learned. Studying felt like cheating to her and one thing that she disliked most was dishonesty.
Dorcas Meadowes actually enjoyed studying. She would bury her nose in books for hours on end, finding satisfaction in the results it would give her. It was a little distraction from everything else going on around her and it made her happy.
Alice Fortescue would watch Lily and Marlene stay up for hours, studying. Always hovering around in case they were in need of help or advice, knowing how she had felt in that situation herself. They never asked, but she would drop a hint or two occasionally as she passed their table.
Narcissist Black was exhausted by all of it. The busy atmosphere, the exhaustion on everyone's face, being able to relate to all of them a bit too much. She would have never admitted to it, of course, but she would slip the younger students little pieces of information.
Xenophilius Malfoy barely noticed it all, they chose not to. Instead, spending time on the edge of the forbidden forest and up at the Astronomy Tower, dreaming about a time after school, a time where they could perhaps be free, not punished for being who they were.