Erin was tired and frustrated.   She just did not see the point to all of this studying.  Especially when Erin knew that she would advance to the fourth year no matter what she did academically.  She also had a hard time actually sitting still long enough to actually accomplish any studying.  This compounded the effect, since she was literally learning nothing.  Unsurprisingly, it was hard for her to care about grades when she already knew what she was going to do in her life.  Sighing, Erin put up a thick tome.  She had only been in the library for a grand total of five minutes, and for once she was only driving herself crazy.  Usually, her antics either disrupted classes or somehow managed to annoy other people.  Right now though, everyone else was busy with their own studying and consequently there was no one to keep Erin on track.  She was fed up with herself, and could not really find any means to keep herself studying for any prolonged period of time.

She had made a couple of lazy circles around the library in an effort to try to get something productive done, but thus far it had been an effort in futility.  Making an unlady-like snarl, she proceeded to shove all of her books into her bag, before heading to the librarian to check out whatever it was she had picked up.  She doubted she would study any better in the Slytherin common room, but at least there were a large number of silver objects to keep her entertained.  And maybe her roommates could keep her a little bit more on task.  She doubted it though. 

After finally getting to the librarian and placing various tomes placed in her book bag she was ready to storm the gates of Hogwarts.  Admittedly, she would be storming out rather than in, but the metaphor still held.  Not really looking forward to studying in the common room, she thought aloud, ”I just really don’t get the point of these tests.  It’s not like they matter anyways.” Though she was not speaking to anyone in particular, her thought was loud enough to be easily overheard.

The last "t" had been crossed, the last "i" had been dotted. Calliope gently blew across the parchment, allowing the last of the ink to dry. The blond leaned back against the chair, her slender form stretched gracefully. The now finished essay lay before her. The Ravenclaw began her post homework check. Calliope read, reread and triple checked the contents of the essay. A book lay open before her, she made sure to check her source and lightly tapped her fingers across the book's pages. Satisfied that she had exceeded the required foot, Calliope gently placed the parchment, quills and books back into her backpack. The drawstring closed around the opening, and the blond ensured that she had gathered all her items. Once, last term, she had left her Eagle Quill laying out in the library. When she had realized that it had not made it back into her possession, she had marched straight back. The librarian had not been sympathetic, and the quill had been nowhere. Since then, Calliope had always ensured that she left with everything she had arrived with.

A small stack of books remained, Calliope nestled them into the crook of her arm. She shook back her long blond hair, and did one last check of the table. A nice and relaxed evening was now in order. All the homework for tomorrow was complete, as well as the assignments due in the next few days. It was much better to have it all out of the way, in her mind. Now, the next few days could be spent at leisure. Or tentatively, unless the teachers decided to assign more homework. School work was Calliope's lifeline. It made her life seem in order, intact, if you will. It was the one thing that always made her feel at peace. Okay, so it probably made her a little weird, but uniqueness was something to be admired. Well, at least that was the thought that circled in her head most of the time. Hard work and dedication, it would pave the way for her life beyond Hogwarts. If she focused herself now, then success in adulthood was guaranteed. Calliope wanted to make her parents proud, she needed to prove that she was more than a pretty face.

"I just really don't get the point of these tests. It's not like they matter anyways."

Calliope literally froze in her tracks. Her petite face was elongated, her brow furrowed and she looked like someone had just told her all exams were cancelled. To Calliope, that would be beyond nightmarish. The books still lay in the crook of her arm, she hastily hurried towards the librarian. Once they had been checked out, she turned to look at girl. "Matter? Of course they matter! I couldn't help but overhear your statement. How else are we to be graded on ability and knowledge? They help provide a base on which to improve, or in some cases excel. Without them, all this would be fruitless!" Calliope finished, her cheeks now flushed with excitement. She couldn't help it, she felt passionately about her education, tests and all.

Erin could not help but roll her eyes.  If her vocabulary had been up to it, she would have called the prepubescent ravenclaw an overly articulate ass-kisser who had nothing better to do than shine the $#@ off the professors' boots.  As it was, she had not yet acquired the necessary eloquence.  Instead, she went for stereotyping.  Which was, in her opinion, rather useful.

"Oh wow, a Ravenclaw worried about tests.  That is something you don't see every day.  In case you hadn't noticed, everyone passes.  The tests just serve to judge who is brown nosing the professor best," Erin rebutted.   

Had she been thinking, she would have realized that she was arguing about the futility of studying in a library of all places.  Of course, Erin was tired and frustrated and this class mate of hers seemed to rub her the wrong direction. 

"Here's the thing about tests judging ability: If you had any spectacular talent, someone would already be paying you for your work," the 'like me' was left unsaid.  She did not discontinue here diatribe though, " As it is, these tests do little more than make people feel better or worse about themselves needlessly. Again, they do not matter.  I assure you, I will see you in fourth year classes regardless no matter what I score on them" Erin added, wondering what tree this raven fell out of.