A/N: THIS IS AN INCOMPLETE CHAPTER!!! I AM DISCONTINUING THIS STORY!!!!!

Chapter Thirteen

Hermione sat anxiously in her seat. Yesterday, McGonogall had announced that the task was to be today. Hermione couldn't believe a week had past by so fast. Draco's mother was now situated in the guest bedroom of Hermione's house and Lucius Malfoy was enraged, but could do nothing as he was no longer legally married to Narcissa. Hermione had squeezed in an extra hour of studying this morning, and she sat, fidgeting slightly, awaiting her upcoming challenge.

"Ladies and Gentleman, Ghosts, Hogwartians. This is, I believe, the most difficult task that I ask the girls to do. However, this time, I ask all of you to stay and watch. No one shall be excluded and there won't be any harm done to the girls. Ladies, please step forward."

The six of them got off their seats and walked toward Professor McGonogall.

"They will face an obstacle course, this obstacle course, actually.", she waved her wand and suddenly the staff table vanished along with the rest of the staff, who reappeared in the back of the room. That left an empty stage. With another wave of her wand, Professor McGonogall had added a field full of Devil's Snare.

"Ew!", came Cho Chang's shriek. "That's-- That's gross!"

"You should have learned about this in Herbology. Your challenge is to get past the Devil's Snare. The first girl to get out get's top marks. Of course this is only Part One of today's task."

"There's more?", cried Hannah.

"Yes, m'dear. Now, if you'll please line up..."

The girls got in a single file line, all pushing one another in front of each other.

Hermione took a deep breath.

It's okay. It's not like I haven't done this before, she thought.Deep breaths, Hermione.

She stepped onto the raised platform and cautiously placed a foot on the soft, spongy plant. Nothing happened. She put her other foot forward and began to walk across the cushiony plant. Soon, the other girls followed her, Cho going rather reluctantly. Then as the six reached the very heart of the plant, it's tentacles shot forward and wrapped themselves tightly around the girl's chest.

Luna did not have to even hesitate. Her mind was at its most serene state. Her body was laying comfortably against the squishy plany and she almost fell asleep as she imagined the swaying arms were the plant's way of dancing for her, dancing to a silent song that only the Blibbering Humdinger understood... Soon, the arms stopped 'dancing' and Luna got up, brushed off her pants, bid the plant goodbye, and walked towards the Transfiguration Mistress.

Hermione observed the struggling girls for a while, and took a deep breath, relaxing into the tightening arms of the plant. Soon, the tentacles released themselves and Hermione was free to run to the other end of the platform. There was a cheer from the Gryffindors.

Pansy saw Hermione through the green tentacles and soon she managed to get her protesting body to relax. She thought about the beach glowing against the sunset with the tides flowing and ebbing back and forth... back and forth... The arms slackened and Pansy followed Hermione.

Lavender could barely see through the waving, slimy arms blocking her vision. She strained her head to remember something-- anything-- about Devil's Snare. Light, Sunshine! It was afraid of the light. She fumbled for her wand that was slowly slipping away from her fingers and waved it. The tentacles relieved her instantly at the flash of bright light. She ran off.

Hannah struggled for a while, her mind intent on getting away. Suddenly, Professor Sprout's voice filled her head: The Devil's Snare can be a highly dangerous plant. It's tentacle grip is deathly and can kill ou if allowed to hold on to you tightly enough. However, it's one weakness is the light. If you are away from your wand though, it also does not find pleasure in a lifeless victim. The more you struggle, the more it will tighten itself around you. If you stay still and relaxed, it will get bored of you and let go. Hannah relaxed a bit as she took in Sprout's words, and the plant let go of her.

Cho Chang, though, was not thinking at all. She, out of all the girls, struggled the hardest. She kicked at the plant, and punched it's slimy parts. Soon, she realized she was the only girl left in the plant. There was a flash of light and the plant had dissapeared.

Professor McGonogall said nothing as her eyes flashed over the six girls. She merely told them, "Deliberation Time. Everyone, out!"

Deliberation

Minerva waited for the shuffle of footsteps to fade away before speaking.

"I do not think we have anything to discuss this round? It is obvious who goes, and who stays?"

"Of course, Minerva, but it is very interesting that Miss Granger did not recieve top marks. She will be highly dissapointed.", smirked Severus.

"Miss Lovegood is not that thick!", cried Dumbledore.

"Of course not. We never implied that!", said Professor McGonogall.

"I never said you did.", replied Dumbledore.