Asher made his way outside into the courtyard, not having the energy or the inclination to head up the stairs to the library like he should so he could cram in some studying for the next exam.  He was so glad that they were almost over.  After the one he just took, the others should be easy, he'd left the room and ran down to the common room and put his bag inside and then headed outside.  It was a nice day, for a summer day, and he knew it was only going to get hotter, but he didn't care.

He made his way over to a tree and lay down in the grass underneath it, just enjoying himself for what seemed like ages, but in reality had only been a couple weeks.  He closed his eyes and let the warmth of the day wash over him.  He really wished, at this point, that the uniforms for Hogwarts would have variations for warm weather, the robes themselves could cause heatstroke.  He sat up and took off the robe and folded it up and lay back down with it under his head.

This was nice.[1]

1.	It's short, hope it's okay.

Josh walked out into the courtyard. It was halfway through the exams, which were always a stressful time. Sure, he had studied for them, but he always worried that he had blown it- especially since he usually finished early. looking around, he spotted Asher Chance. It might surprise some people, but he actually got along reasonably well with the Slytherin. Walking over, he sat down near Asher. " Hi Asher" he said " taking a break from the exams?"

Asher sat up and pulled his cloak back in front of him.  "Hey Josh.  Yeah, had to get out of the castle for a bit, getting kind of stuffy."  He looked at him, "What about you?" He got along with Josh rather well, I mean for a Slytherin and a Gryffindor, well, actually they got along well for anyone.  He wasn't a Slytherin that cared for blood status', besides it was always nice to have friends.

" More or less the same.  I just find exams stressful." Josh said. " I mean, I know I shouldn't need to worry- I doubt anyone could say I haven't done the work- but always worry I've blown it." Josh smiled weakly. " this year's been particularly bad- I've had my Prefect duties- and the patrols at night can be murder on your ability to sleep-  Quidditch, and the teachers seem to have been trying for a world record on homework levels." Josh added, looking exhausted.

"I know what you mean," Asher said as he plucked a blade of grass from the patch of ground in front of him, "Well, I don't have all the other stuff going on too, but exams are stressful enough as it is."  He thought for a moment, "You think they'd give the prefects and Quidditch players a break during this time though, it's got to be tough."

"at least it'll be over soon- the last exam's on the 11th, then the Leaving Feast. No doubt there'll be a pile of holiday homework, but we'll have over 2 months for that." Josh said, clearly no happier than Asher. He might be studious, but he had his limits- and the exams were fast reaching them. " You doing anything over the summer?" Josh asked, curious. He was going on a trip the school had organised ( with Charles jealous due to being too young) but didn't know if Asher had any plans.

After thinking for a moment Asher replied, "No, not really.  Most of my summer is going to be spent convincing my tomboy of a sister that it isn't a horrible thing that our mother is sending her to Beauxbatons instead of Hogwarts."  Asher was certainly not looking forward to helping out with that disaster. "I'd much rather go on the school trip, but mum said she is going to need me there since I'm the only one that Ava will really listen to."

"Is there any reason why your sister is going to Beauxbatons, not Hogwarts? family usually goes to the same school..." Josh asked, curious. It wasn't unheard of, but most of the time,kids went to the same school as the rest of their family- indeed, usually the same school their parents went to. "it's a shame you won't be on the trip, though, it should be fun." Josh added.

"Mum went to Beauxbatons.  She thinks that in order for my sisters to grow up to be powerful and refined young ladies, that they should go there.  I don't understand it myself, I mean, couldn't she just hire a governess or someone to teach them that." Asher sighed and continued, "I really just think that she is sending them away because she doesn't like how much they listen to me.  Sometimes they come to me when they have problems instead of her."  It was true, once when Ava had been chasing their youngest sister around in the field behind their house, she had tripped and fell down.  Sure, she came running in the house and their mother saw her, but it was him she came to, to fix her up and make her feel better.  "I just don't get it. You think my mum would like that my sisters listen to me."

Josh sometimes reflected that it was odd how many of his friends had trouble at home. " Um, I think it's more that your sisters seem to come to you in preference to her. It's jealousy, more or less." Josh said. " As for your sisters growing up powerful and refined, well, it can't hurt, I suppose. Hogwarts can do just as well, though. Look at my father- he attended Hogwarts, and can switch between an Auror and an aristocrat more or less at will. It's an attitude instilled from birth, more or less." Josh added , less than impressed.