Despite Hermione knowing deep down that these were all rumors, as the exams approached, she began to show so anxiety. Each ti, Anne would take Hermione aside, speak to her softly to comfort her, or bring her to the greenhouse cottage for extra study, or even take her to the kitchen to chat with house-elves and enjoy so delicious food.
Fanny, of course, didn’t miss these opportunities either, but saying she wasn’t nervous would be a lie; after all, this was the NEWT exams.
Apart from exam preparation, Anne had another responsibility. Over recent years, the Roland family had expanded rapidly, and with Diana becoming Minister for Magic in Britain, the family’s assets could not remain too overseas-focused; so needed to be brought back. Furthermore, extending the family’s business chain and establishing new companies required a lot of fresh blood, and Anne had been involved in creating recruitnt pamphlets for many Roland family companies, magical plant and herb farms, and overseas branches.
Soon, Anne encountered nurous seventh-year students interested in applying. Eventually, she booked an empty classroom and set aside a weekend afternoon to hold an introduction session for all students interested in Roland family companies, estates, publishing houses, and branches.
Nearly nine-tenths of the seventh-year students attended, along with a full turnout of fifth-year students who could choose employnt after OWLs, plus a smattering of other students from various years.
Drawing from her past-life experience, Anne prepared a PowerPoint-style presentation. Each company, estate, and branch had created magical demonstration scrolls, and in the classroom, almost everyone got a clear idea of potential employnt paths and career trajectories.
The new, innovative format worked extraordinarily well. By mid-presentation, even so teachers had arrived. Anne had designed a Q&A session afterward, but she regretted it; the questions were endless! From 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., three hours were spent solely on questions.
The session made headlines in the Daily Prophet and other major journals, as so students had recorded the entire event with magical recording spheres, and the Roland family gained significant exposure once again.
May 1 arrived, bringing a clear, sunny day. The castle lawns glead in the sunlight, and gentle ripples ford across the calm lake. With May ca end-of-term exams, OWLs, and NEWTs.
Under the supervision of the Minister for Magic, the Wizarding Examination Bureau was set up at Hogwarts. Notices detailing exam rules, penalties for cheating, and schedules were posted in all House common rooms.
The exams spanned two weeks. Anne finished before Hermione, since she only had seven subjects, while Hermione had ten. Mornings were for written tests, afternoons for practical exams.
In the last two days before exams, Hermione finally relaxed completely, surprising Anne, who had planned to comfort her. Hermione, holding Anne, said thoughtfully, “This morning at breakfast, I suddenly rembered how you spoke on stage. I felt a little dizzy… just a few months ago, we were constantly anxious about being discovered by Death Eaters.”
Hermione nuzzled Anne’s neck. “And a few months ago…” Her face paled briefly, then she shook her head, hugging Anne tighter. “Anyway, I understand now. It’s just an exam.”
The night before her exam, Anne slept well. Fanny had prepared a bottle of calming potion for her, and she rested peacefully. At breakfast, Anne saw Aunt Diana at the staff table and confidently smiled; Diana nodded in return.
The Great Hall was once again transford into an exam venue, with a giant hourglass placed in the center of the staff table. Anne was familiar with the exam procedures. After it began, she didn’t rush but scanned the hall for Hermione. They found each other, exchanged a smile, and then simultaneously began writing their answers.
Two hours later, students filed out. Anne and Hermione t in the entrance hall, and Fanny joined them. Anne handed out chocolates. The afternoon was devoted to practical spellwork.
One exam after another, day by day, the testing period passed swiftly.
On the last evening of the term, the Great Hall hosted a graduation party for all seventh-year students, organized under Fanny as the female student council president and the male council president.
Anne and Fanny co-designed the event. Anne added creative gas, magical elents, and invited Fred and George, who brought many new products from their joke shop, all provided free of charge.
They even pre-ordered a large barrel of “One for Skoll” drinks. House-elves, guided by Anne and helped by Hermione, prepared plenty of delicious food.
Music and dancing were, of course, integral. Anne invited a niche wizarding band, Wizard Voices, whose original style she appreciated, rather than the Weird Sisters.
The graduation party was lively. The four House banners and colors filled the hall. Students wore formal dresses and suits instead of robes. Though primarily for seventh-year students, other years could join as dance partners.
“Hey! Colin Creevey! Co here for a mont,” Anne whispered to Hermione, who was helping select food from afar.
“Oh! Miss Reeve? How can I help?” Colin responded cheerfully. He liked Anne because she was both Fanny’s friend and Harry’s.
“Could you do a favor?” Anne handed him an instant cara and a box of film. “There are 12 sheets in each. Can you take pictures of Hermione and whenever you can during the party?”
“Wow?” Colin took the cara. “Isn’t this the new model from earlier this year?”
“Yes! Please? Thank you so much!” Anne urged.
“Of course! Miss Reeve! I’d be delighted!” Colin replied enthusiastically.
“Thanks! I’ll find you when the party is almost over,” Anne said, standing. Colin ran off happily.
Hermione approached Anne with a plate of food. “Don’t eat too much tonight.”
“Okay,” Anne smiled, taking the plate.
After a simple al and so chat with familiar faces, the castle clock struck ten. Two-thirds of the candles in the Great Hall went out.
Wizard Voices took the stage. Under the soft amber lighting, Hermione’s pale skin shone against her light-blue dress. A teardrop-shaped translucent pendant on a delicate silver chain with flowing magical patterns rested at her neck. Anne’s heart skipped a beat.
Stepping closer, she wrapped one arm around Hermione’s waist and lifted her chin with the other to kiss her.
Hermione embraced Anne in return. Sweet and cool. Anne had just drunk a cup of lightly chilled peppermint-lemon-honey tea, which made the kiss feel refreshing and tinged with the subtle sweetness and acidity of the drink, a private delight only they shared. Their lips parted, leaving a lingering sweetness.
Anne licked her lips, squinting in a pleased smile. She released Hermione, stepped back slightly, and bowed slightly in an inviting gesture.
“Miss Granger, would you honor with a dance?”
Hermione winked playfully, placed her hand in Anne’s, and smiled aningfully. “Anne, my answer has always been yes.”
Anne was montarily stunned, then took Hermione’s hand with one hand and her waist with the other. Leaning slightly, she whispered teasingly by her ear, “I won’t keep you waiting long.”
Straightening up, they gazed at each other. Hermione blushed lightly, her eyes sparkling with joy, anticipation, and unmistakable love.
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