As Nia tumbled through the door, she took a few moments to catch her breath and regain her composure. Perhaps it was the nerves, and the panic of being rained on with stinky gobstones, that had meant the shield charm had taken so much out of her. Nia was not sure. She did know however she had at least one more challenge ahead of her before this exam was over. Standing up, Nia took a deep breath as she prepared to face whatever came next. Knowing the DADA professor, it wasn't going to be nice.

She shivered, suddenly noticing the temperature drop. They hadn't covered any spells to warm up rooms though, had they? She tried to focus on what she had learnt, the pages of notes she had read and rewritten and read again. And then, as all the warm and happiness drifted away from her, Nia clicked what else was in the room with her. She swallowed slowly. It was a dementor. Bother.

Nia had never succeeded in getting a corporeal patronus, despite practicing. The most she'd ever managed was a fine wispy shape, not distinct enough to even recognise a sort of creature. She sighed, aware that the dementor was having more of an affect on her the longer she waited. She could chicken out, she was only a second year - she couldn't be expected to fend off a dementor, could she? There were plenty of fully qualified wizards that couldn't do it. No one would think any less of her for getting out of here. No Nia, she said sternly to herself, you are a Ravenclaw, you are braver than this. At least give it a go. What would Theo be like if you gave up? You can do this. You have to do this.

Nodding to herself, Nia held out her wand, trying to find any happy thoughts within her. It was so hard, she felt so alone. At the moment she'd give anything for even her crybaby of a twin to be there with here. That was saying something. Tears began to trickle down her cheeks. "I CAN do this!" she shouted at herself, and finally she found a happy memory. It was very recent, and she hoped it was strong enough to produce something. Anything. She visualised herself after the Quidditch match, the party in the Common Room, congratulating everyone - laughing, finally getting on with Mariel.

Her eyes widened as she realised the dementor was getting rather close. Concentrating on the Quidditch final, Nia did the wand movement she had practiced so often and said, "Expecto Patronum!" Her familiar wisp came out the end of her wand. Bother, she thought, and summoning up her happy feelings once more, tried again. "Expecto Patronum!"

This time it was slightly better (just a slightly thicker mist), and Nia watch as the dementor faltered. Stunned, she was stuck on the spot for a few seconds, before common sense kicked in and she ran for the door. Except it was dark, and the floor frosty and slippery. "Whoaaaaaaaaaa!" she cried, as she slid across the floor. It moved her away from the horrible creature but unfortunately not much closer to her escape. The dementor was still in the way. Plus she caught a flicker of a face in the corner. She was sure it was Professor Kazimeriz. It was enough to get her back into action quickly. There was no way she wanted him to have to step in and save her. She was Nia, the clever Newtington twin, and she would do this by herself.

Last time, she assured herself. Do this like the last one, better if possible. Just don't watch. Run. Ready with her plan, Nia thought of flying, the excitement it gave, the thrill of winning the Quidditch Cup for the second year running, of how proud her Dad would be. "EXPECTO PATRONUM," she said forcefully, and not even checking to see what had occured, she headed for the door as fast as she could. She didn't want to spend another second with that terrifying creature. The tears stung her face, and she was shaking. Please let there be some chocolate soon. And the end of this stupid exam.