Hermione licked her lips nervously. She had learnt to control the squirming butterflies that she used to feel when she was younger before a test, but the edgy anticipation was still there. Far in the distance, she could make out Harry signalling to Ron, however, she kept her concentration fixed on the dottery little wizard at the front of the hall. Professor Flitwick had had to amplify his voice so he could be heard at the back, but this had resulted in a strange sound; something like a booming mouse. Hermione fiddled with her quill, annoyed at the long wait, vaguely checking that the nib had not broken. Finally, with a flick of the professor's wand, all the papers in the hall flicked over, and Hermione quickly opened the booklet, only glancing at the question before starting to scribble hurriedly. State the incantation, and describe the wand movement, to cause multiple barriers against unfriendly hexes.

Ron groaned as he picked himself up from the ground for the umpteenth time. "Hermione, I honestly can't see what's so important about these exams. It's not like they are at all important. I mean, they aren't going to get us anywhere, or anything, so..."

"These exams give an accurate indication of how we are progressing in our Newt levels, and help us and the teachers plan for next year when it counts," Hermione swiftly countered. "It wouldn't hurt so much if you put more concentration into it. You were doing fine before."

Ron glared at his girlfriend. "Yeah, that was before I was repeatedly hexed without warning from a certain someone," he muttered darkly.

"Leave her be, Ron. Besides, defence is important. Just don't think of it as exams, if that helps," Harry said before flourishing his wand again. "Ready?" he asked Ron, who nodded dully.

There was a flash of light, and Hermione blinked a few times, before finding Ron sprawled out on the cushions, his face covered in flapping bats. Hermione rolled her eyes, before muttering the counter curse to the Bat-Bogey Hex that Ginny had taught Harry. Letting Ron get up once more, she pulled her wand out, annoyed. "See, it's really not that hard. Just flick like this and then jab. Flick. Jab. No... Ron..." The tall boy had attempted a strange motion, resulting in his wand igniting. Yelping, he dropped it. Hermione doused it out with her own wand and picked it up, giving it back to Ron. "Honestly. I really can't see what's so difficult about it," she said, getting more irritated by the minute. "It's just a simple flick and jab. Yes... No!" Flowers now came out of his wand, instead of the green protective shield that was meant to be projected. "Merlin, Ron, what have you learnt these last 6 years? Sometimes, I honestly wonder why I bother..."

Ron turned on her. "Yeah, I wonder why you bother too," he growled. "I am obviously far too much of a simpleton to be even considered human! Too pathetic, too poor, too crap at everything..." He strode to the door of the classroom, only pausing at the entrance to turn and say, "You know, Hermione, you are meant to get over other people's faults. At least Lavender never cared if I got swish and flick or flick and bloody jab mixed up!" The door slammed behind him leaving a stunned silence.

Hermione blinked a few times before turning on Harry, who had been doing his best to remain invisible for the last few minutes. "Where is he going?" she demanded. "The practical is tomorrow, and he still can't get a simple barrier spell. And what on earth was he going on about Lavender for?" 

she added, frowning. Harry, who could keep a much cooler head during the pressure of exams, diplomatically started shouldering Hermione's bag and books. "Maybe it's best just to let him cool off a bit," he said softly. "He'll be more responsive with a cool head. Come on. Both you and I have got the practical. Should we study for transfiguration theory tomorrow?" This was one of the few occasions Harry would even think about suggesting study to Hermione. As he hoped, it distracted her somewhat, and she eagerly led the way back to the common room where, thankfully, Ron was not.

About two and a half hours, later, Harry was starting to regret his kindness. While she was no longer shouting, Hermione was getting increasingly edgy as she asked Harry to test her. On top of things, every minute that went by, Hermione would look towards the entrance door and then back to her watch. Harry, who knew she was waiting impatiently for Ron to turn up again so he could start practicing anew, did not have the heart to suggest he was in their dorm. Hermione would invariably force him to go wake him up. At ten thirty, Harry decided he had certainly done enough study. Asking Hermione one last question, he yawned obviously, and put down his book. "Righty-o Hermione," he said in an overly cheery voice, "I think I need my beauty sleep to get all this in my head. Don't study too long. Goodnight!" He quickly made his way to the stairs, before Hermione could stop him, but he suddenly heard her mutter to herself. "I suppose I'd better go find him," she said before abruptly getting up. Harry briefly thought about suggesting Ron was already in bed, but not wanting another shouting match, ran upstairs.

Hermione flinged on her cloak and headed out of the common room. She was relying on her 'prefect' status not to be questioned. The night was chilly for that time of year. It cooled her down, letting her think properly again. She made her way vaguely down towards the kitchens. She supposed she had been rather harsh on Ron. She loved him dearly and should have known better than to pressurise him. The one thing Ronald Weasley could not do was perform under Hermione pressure. However, it stressed her out when he could not perform. Surely the daft annoyance could have seen that she was only trying to help him. She sighed as she reached the kitchen. She disliked going in, seeing all the house elves. However, it was a known Weasley residence, so she pursed her lips and walked in. The large room was nearly empty. Hermione presumed that most of the house elves were cleaning the castle. However, though Ron was not there, Hermione found it particularly difficult to leave. The little hands that were there tried to force her to sit down and take all the food.

Once out in the corridor, Hermione shivered. She could not imagine where Ron might be. Teachers were patrolling and wouldn't appreciate a student, albeit a prefect, loitering in a classroom or corridor. And he was not likely to be in the library. The main door was locked, so no chance of being outside. That left...

Hermione was running up stairs three at a time. Why he might be in the owlery, she had no idea. However, it was getting late, and Hermione was starting to worry. When Ron was in a bad mood, he was prone to doing something rash. She just wanted to find him and kiss things better. Apologise, maybe, if her pride allowed it.



The owlery was virtually empty, save for a lone, old owl or two. Hermione was starting to panic. All she wanted was for Ron and her to be back in their common room, getting ready for bed, after a quick make up session. They needed their sleep if they wanted to do well in the exam.

Hermione started. What a fool she had been! Ron was probably snoring already. She blinked, before laughing hesitantly. Then she broke into a run, out of the owlery and down the tower stairs. She needed to be sure, and she wanted to go to bed. As she twisted around the corner, she felt her body suddenly tighten and go rigid. She opened her mouth to shout out, but a strange feeling occurred, as if her voice had been pulled out of her mouth. She fell silently into the shadows, paralysed and voiceless. Suddenly a slytherin, judging by his trimmings on the bottom of his cloak turned around the corner into the light. He was stopped by a deep voice from behind Hermione which spoke quietly. "Evening Draco."