Before the Exams

Ava sighed as she sat down in the Library, a large book held in her hands. Only a few more months She thought inside her head. It was in-fact, a few months before the upcoming examinations, Ava’s top priority was studying, no one could convince her otherwise. She opened her book, Magical Drafts and Potions, and began re-reading it for about the 14th time. Ayana, Ava’s best friend, had told her there was no need to worry about 1st year exams.

“It’s nothing much, only our 1st year. It can’t be that hard, really,”

“Ana, it’s best to study before it’s too late. You never know when it’s going to come in handy,”

Ayana shook her head, but waved goodbye and walked away towards the Gryffindor common room, claiming she had to do her homework.

Ava, who didn’t take Ayana’s advice, merrily skipped off to the library. Where she was sitting right now. The library was quiet and peaceful, with the rain pattering down on the windows and the sun slowly disappearing from sight. She began to read, her fingers gliding along the page as she read each line. A few more hours past by, as the sun had almost disappeared. Ava had been reading the whole time, flying chapters by chapters. She barely noticed how much time had gone by. Madam Pince slowly approached her.

Are you doing quite alright?

She asked Ava from behind her shoulder.
“O-oh yes Mrs. Pince. Perfectly fine,” Slowly closing her book. She realized she might have, perhaps, made a fool of herself. Reading for hours at a time.
“What book might that be?” Madam Pince asked before moving away. Ava murmured the title, quite a bit embarrassed to be asked such a question. Mrs. Pince muffled a silent giggle. “That? Why, Magical Drafts and Potions is not what I would have expected a young little girl to be reading for hours, now is it?”
Ava sighed, not amused by Madam Pince at all. Quite soon later Madam Pince left Ava alone. By then, Ava had gotten quite distracted. It was now time to leave the library for tonight. She would come back tomorrow for a fresh start.