Chapter 3:
Snape just stood there, in the doorway, for a moment. Then, as if he had seen nothing at all, he swiftly turned around and strolled down the corridor. Once she was sure that he was gone, Hermione began to talk again.
"Well, that was weird", she muttered.
Ginny nodded once. "Yeah."
For a second, everything looked alright. They could continue to roam the school at night, murdering innocent people. Then, Hermione thought of something. "Even though Snape didn't seem to see us, we're still busted."
Ginny looked confused. "Why?"
Hermione sighed. "Think, Ginny. Sure, Snape didn't see us, but do you remember who did?"
Ginny thought for a moment. "Oh, great", she growled. "Draco's gonna have the word around in about two seconds flat."
"And?" Hermione prompted.
"And what?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "You're hopeless, Ginny. Anyway", Hermione continued as Ginny gave her the evil stare, "once they figure out that we tried to murder Draco, it's a short road to figuring out that we plan to murder others."
"Oh", muttered Ginny. "Right."
"Yes", Hermione replied patiently.
There was silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts about how to defend their reputation.
"Wait a minute", Hermione realized. "Isn't it weird how we didn't meet up with the other Gryffindor people when we left?"
Ginny considered this for a moment. This thought had never quite occurred to her, up until Hermione had brought it up.
"I forgot about that", she confessed. "But, now that you remind me, it is kind of weird…." Her voice trailed off into nothingness.
Hermione shook her head. "Well, there's no time to think about it now. We have to get to class."
"That was horrible!" exclaimed Hermione as they escaped from Herbology. "It was even worse today than it usually is!"
Ginny nodded. "Yeah. It was as if they were trying to torture us!"
Hermione laughed. "Aren't they always? Well, we have to get back to the Great Hall. Dumbledore said that we're coming back to eat early."
"What time?" asked Ginny.
Hermione shrugged. "About 5:00 p.m."
Ginny gasped. "That is early!"
"I know", Hermione laughed.
Hermione turned around in the direction of their dorm. She thought about what to do, since they had been discovered. Sure as heck, Draco had told just about everyone by now, especially his closest friends. There was no way of convincing them that they were innocent.
"I'll see ya later," she told Ginny. Without another word, Hermione turned around and strolled leisurely down to the Gryffindor girls' dormitories.
Hermione rushed into the Great Hall, already late for dinner. Dumbledore noticed that she had not been in on time, but said nothing.
The plates came out, and it was time for everyone to eat. Hermione found a seat next to Ginny.
"So, have you thought of anything to say when Draco declares us guilty?"
Ginny shook her head. Then, without saying another word, she eagerly dug into the pudding.
As everyone was leaving to go back to dorms in a big huddle of people, Draco turned to Hermione and Ginny.
"I haven't told anyone about what you did," Draco whispered. "But, I overheard you two talking about it.."
Dang it, Hermione thought.
".. and I wanted to join your side."
