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Harry Potter: The Invisible Atom – Part 2

Hermione had dragged Harry and Ron out to the courtyard to get started on their homework. They only went with her because they didn't know what to do and hoped she would do it for them.

"So, do either of you know what a proton or a neutron is?" Hermione asked. The boys shook their heads. "They're what make up an atom. A proton has a positive charge, a neutron has a neutral charge, and an electron has a negative charge. Got it?"

"So, a proton is me, an electron is Draco Malfoy, and a neutron is Michael Corner?" Ron asked.

Hermione said, "Precisely. The electrons bounce around, and the protons and neutrons stay put."

"So the electrons are owls and the protons and neutrons are cats and toads?" Harry asked.

"Yes! I'm so glad that you're finally starting to get this!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Look, there's Draco Malfoy! I'm gonna use my wand to shoot electrons at him!" Ron shouted. Hermione rolled her eyes. The trio headed over to Malfoy, who was currently bullying a first year.

"What do you want, Weasley?" Malfoy spat.

Ron pointed his wand at him. "Taste, electrons, Malfoy!" Nothing happened.

Malfoy snorted. "Was that supposed to do something?"

"Ron, that won't work," Hermione said. "It wouldn't shock him anyway. The only way to shock him would be with a negatively-charged ion."

"What's an ion?" Ron asked.

"It's when an atom loses or gains an electron."

"I'm going to leave now," Malfoy said.

"Not until you taste ions, Malfoy!" Ron shouted. Again, nothing came out of his wand.

"Ron, you can't just shoot ions at Malfoy. They're floating in the air and they're everywhere. It doesn't make a difference."

Ron stamped his foot. "This sucks. I hate science."

"Should I go into the subject of isotopes?"

"NO!" shouted Harry, Ron, and Malfoy.

Hermione crossed her arms. "Fine. I guess you can do your homework on your own."

"No, Hermione, we need help with that! We don't know what to do!" Harry pleaded.

"Too bad. Find an example of atoms in the environment yourselves. It shouldn't be that hard." And then Hermione left, not knowing that Harry and Ron still didn't have a clue about what to do.