January, 1999
Hermione paced across the large restroom anxiously, holding the stick in both hands, her eyes darting up at the clock every few seconds. Time had never gone so slow. She tapped her foot and stared determinedly at the stick, and then she wondered if she was exuding enough emotion that magic would affect the accuracy of the test. The most important test of her life…She glared angrily at the stick, daring it to prove her wrong…why was she even in here, what was she doing with this stick in her hand? This was ridiculous, she was being irrational, it'd only been 19 days. For 19 days a cloud had hung over her head. Her eyes darted up to the clock: three, two, one. It was done; she could look down at the stick. Knowing wouldn't change reality. She was a reasonable person and right now she was doing what was reasonable. Adrenaline coursed through her and she prepared herself, but then she stopped, catching her reflection in the mirror…graduation, her parents, the Ministry, Harry and Ron…they would disappear. Her eyes filled with tears. She threw the stick into the trash bin and ran out of the restroom.
Thankfully, the corridors were empty; everyone was in class. She walked up to her dormitory, shoved her charms books into her bag and splashed water on her face, which had become red and splotchy. She had an hour before charms started. She took off her robes, curled up under the covers and cried as she had never cried before. She was lost; the one problem that Hermione couldn't figure out by spending an afternoon at the library.