"Harry, where do you think Hermione's gotten to? She should have been back a half hour ago" Ron said, staring at the blank piece of parchment that was supposed to hold his essay. "At this rate, we'll never get our homework done".
"Maybe she got caught by Filch. He's probably got her locked in a closet somewhere as punishment". Harry rolled his eyes. He wouldn't put it past Filch to do that.
"Do you think she went to Hagrid's?"
"Ron, why would she go to Hagrid's without us? Especially when we were about to do homework" Harry scoffed.
"Maybe it's her way of telling us that we actually have to do the work on our own. Stupid essay. How am I supposed to know the eight properties of this bloody plant? I can't even pronounce its bloody name." Ron got up and sulked across the room to a chair by the fireplace. He had just flung himself into it as Hermione came running into the common room.
Ron immediately jumped up. "Hermione! Where in the bloody hell have you been?" He demanded. "We were supposed to start this a half hour ago! Now we'll never get it done!" He started to walk angrily toward her when Harry jumped in front of him.
"Ron, stop." He said putting his arm out to hold him back. Turning to Hermione, he screwed up his face in empathy and confusion. "What happened? Why does it look like you've been crying?"
"It's…nothing" said Hermione between breaths. She started to walk toward the dormitories when she stopped and turned to face her two best friends.
"Harry…do you think I could borrow the Marauder's Map for a little while?"
"Of course, but what's going on? Are you okay?"
"I don't want to explain it." Hermione said, becoming visibly irritated by being questioned.
"You don't have to get mad. I was just making sure you were okay. That's what friends do."
"Well, if those are the conditions under which I get the map, then fine! Don't give it to me. I'm going to bed!" and with that, she stomped up the stairs and slammed the dormitory door.
"Crazy witch, that one" Ron said and he slumped back into the table chair to get a start on the essay he knew he would never finish.
Harry, more confused than ever, shook his head and got started on his own essay.
