Title: Challenge
Rating: T
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Harry, Hermione, Ron
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 544
Summary: The Golden Trio faces a difficult challenge.
Notes: AU with a OC professor. Also, I'm not sure if this actually makes sense, but oh well.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Rescue the Story
365 Days of Drabbles Challenge: Prompt Used - Unfaithful
The forest was fast becoming dark and the various creatures were coming to life. Mysterious birds hooted in the distance and every now and then, they heard footsteps running by.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked for miles as they searched for a way out. "What's that over there? We've walked past it before."
They had been walking around in circles rather then moving forward.
"We need a plan," said Hermione.
Ron was quickly becoming irritated with the surroundings, moaning and jumping at every little sound. "What's that?" he cried, pointing to the floor.
A spider, no bigger than a common mouse, was roaming inches away from him.
Hermione whipped out her wand and vanished it, knowing the effect spiders had on him.
The footsteps in the distance were becoming closer, but Hermione said they should walk in that direction.
"Why should we?" Ron moaned.
"Because if we carry on this trail, we'll be stuck anyway. We don't really have anything to lose."
Harry nodded. "Who should take the lead?"
Hermione's eyes widened as both boys looked to her for directions, but then again, she should be used to it by now. They always seemed go to her for advice, and she had never been purposefully unfaithful. She has never purposefully led them astray. Thinking quickly, Hermione came to a decision. "Okay. Harry is in front because he's strong with offensive. I'm in the middle since I'm the most vulnerable. And Ron is the back because he can handle defense. Everyone understand?"
"Yes m'am," they simultaneously affirmed.
They walked carefully, both being on the lookout for anything that could pose a threat. The air seemed to be getting colder as Hermione rubbed her arms.
Harry stopped suddenly. Hermione followed suit, but Ron obviously hadn't been paying attention because he bumped into her, which caused her to jostle Harry.
Both of them turned around and glared at the careless redhead.
Ron scratched the back of his head and grinned sheepishly. "Sorry."
Harry and Hermione rolled their eyes.
"We should do warming charms," Harry said.
Hermione nodded, grateful that she hadn't been the only one feeling the temperature drop. She hadn't wanted to mention it if no one else was bothered by the cool air.
They quickly did the charms, and then began walking again. They were silent, only the crunch of weeds could be heard.
Suddenly, a sensation of freezing came over them. It was a different type of freezing, though. One that Harry was intimately familiar with.
Even before the cloaked figure appeared, Harry had his wand ready and shouted, "Expecto Patronum!" The stag Patronus appeared and the Dementor fled.
They continued walking and Ron used his quick thinking to save them from falling branches as some creature ran through the trees.
By the time they made it to where they had to be, where the footsteps had been heard coming from, the three of them had become a well-oiled machine. Even so, they all breathed a sigh of relief when they saw their professor and the other students.
Professor Erik gaily clapped his hands. "Congratulations! You three pass with flying colors."
The Golden Trio collapsed among the hollers of their students. It was over. The test was finished. And they couldn't wait to sleep.