Chapter 11:The battle
The day had come, after all the physical training and reading all of the books she could find on duelling and spells, both offensive and defensive, time had caught up with her and today was the day. She could hardly eat at breakfast, everytime she saw food she thought she was going to be sick. She couldn't escape what was to come; every student and teacher in the school seemed to be talking about it.
"Hermione you'll be fine," Harry whispered to her at the breakfast table. Hermione nodded not trusting herself to talk.
"Would all the spectators please make their way to the arena and the two competitors wait with me!" Dumbledore shouted above the sound of hundreds of students making their way excitedly to the arena which had replaced the Quidditch pitch.
"Good luck!" Harry and Ron shouted, hugging her and following the diminishing crowd out of the hall. Hermione sighed nervously, the butterflies in her stomach emerging suddenly. Breathing slowly she walked up to the headmaster, Madam Pomfrey was already there talking calmly to Dumbledore. As she approached the two their conversation abruptly stopped.
"I would just like to wish both of you good luck and to relax. If you would follow me I will take you to the arena," Dumbledore said as he gestured towards the door with his right hand.
Time seemed to slow as they walked to the arena; all sound seemed to have disappeared. Hermione was numb and shaking violently as they turned the corner, her hand was tightly gripped around her wand, her only hope of victory.
There it was. The arena was gigantic, spreading the full length of the Quidditch pitch. The magical energy that was being emitted from it was incredible; the whole arena seemed to pulse and shimmer with threads of golden energy. As they approached it Hermione realised that this was the shield protecting the audience. The whole arena was made out of pure white stone, there was a small tunnel leading to the battle area inside but there was also two staircases leading up to the seating area. Dumbledore strode through the tunnel; darkness clouded her vision then an immense explosion of noise as she entered the dust filled arena. The crowd shimmered behind the shield as she made her way to the middle of the stadium. As she looked around she spotted a whole crowd of Gryffindor supporters holding enchanted banners with the Gryffindor lion on and her name. Moving further along the tiers of seating she saw the teacher's stands, they were right at the front and they were able to see everything that was going on concerning the duel and the spectators.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and a voice whispered,"good luck." She spun around to see Alice standing behind her smiling with encouragement. As she watched her closely the same strange golden pulse was being emitted from her. Then the thought struck her, she had made the arena's shield and she had put the same shield around herself. "Right then! I will be the referee for this duel and the medical help too, when I raise my wand and fire green sparks into the air the duel will begin. You both know the rules!" Alice shouted above the roar of the crowd. Madam Pomfrey came forward to face her, she bowed, Hermione followed suit. They both turned sharply and strode to opposite ends of the arena. Green sparks flew.
A jet of blue light came flying towards Hermione; she hastily put up a shield, the spell battered against it knocking her backwards slightly. Taking the opportunity Hermione sent a curse flying towards her opponent. Madam Pomfrey staggered backwards as the spell made contact with her body. Hermione sighed and smiled, maybe this wasn't going to be that hard. Keeping her shield up at all times Hermione continued to send spell after spell relentlessly at Madam Pomfrey. Surprised and shocked at the use of power being displayed by her opponent, Madam Pomfrey didn't have the chance to raise a successful shield, the curses, hexes and charms came hard and fast. Hermione moved confidently forward, she strengthened her shield. A blinding light came from in front of her; she raised her arm to protect herself, BAM! A powerful curse hit her shield from behind, swirling around quickly she found Madam Pomfrey standing calmly behind her. Hermione flicked her wrist and a jet of gold flames erupted from her wand tip, they encircled Madam Pomfrey in a tornado of heat. Hermione waited with baited breath, her hands were sweating and once again she was shaking badly. Red sparks.
"STOP!" Alice shouted from the side lines, she rushed forward. With a flick of her wrist the flames disappeared to show a tired looking Madam Pomfrey within. Alice whispered something in her ear, she nodded back. Alice placed her wand to her throat; her voice was being magically amplified. "It seems Miss Granger has won!" she said. The arena erupted with noise, the Gryffindors shouting loudest of all. Hermione sighed, it was all over and she had won. As she looked up to the teacher's stands, a familiar face frowned down at her. With a swish of black robes he disappeared through the crowds and out of sight.
"Well done," Alice whispered to her, placing her arm around her to support her, as she did so Hermione realised just how tired she was.
"You made the shield didn't you?" she asked Alice.
"Yes, I also made the arena. It's a replica of one I have fought in before, one of the best," she replied, starting to walk back to the tunnel.
"Where is the original?" Hermione asked. Alice stopped and looked at her; she then smiled and continued walking supporting Hermione's wait.
"Somewhere far away," she said quietly, almost to herself. As they emerged from the tunnel, bright sunlight hit her eyes and a crowd of gold and red engulfed her, cheering and congratulating her.
"GO HERMIONE!" Ron and Harry shouted as Alice pushed her way through the crowd.
"You were amazing Mione!" Ron shouted, he seemed to still be surprised at the outcome of the duel.
"Thanks," Hermione replied weakly.
The next thing Hermione knew she was sleeping in a hospital bed with clean white sheets surrounded by boxes of chocolates and cards. Her last thought before she fell asleep was one of relief for she had at least one this battle.