Problem Solving
Hermione rushed into the Medical Wing in a panic. The sixth year had foregone going to Hogsmeade for the chance to do a bit of quiet revision. And ever since she discovered how to ask the Room of Requirements to produce the Library of Alexandria, accurate in ever detail except all of the books, scrolls and tablets were written in English, the Room had become her favorite study spot in the castle. She only discovered that something out of the ordinary for a Hogsmeade Saturday when she had emerged for dinner and learned that Voldemort had attacked the wizarding village.
And that Harry, Ron, and Neville were all in the Hospital wing after rallying the assembled students to somehow defeat the Dark Lord and his followers. She ignored the party that had broken out in nearly every part of the castle to find her friends.
"Hey, Hermione," Ron waved from his bed as she entered the Medical Wing. "Look, mates, it's Hermione."
"Hi, Hermione," Neville and Harry chorused happily.
"What did you three do?" she demanded. "How did you defeat Vol… Vol… The Dark Lord?"
"Who?" Neville asked before the three boys started giggling.
"Miss Granger," Poppy Pomfrey said from behind her, "all three of my patients are suffering from extended Cruciatus exposure. The only thing I could do to treat their pain was to administered inadvisable amounts of several pain killing potions. As a result of that, they are quite literally feeling no pain and are quite incoherent. I have not been able to determine if they have suffered any permanent cognitive damage and will not be able to until after they recover from the curse. So far, you are the only one they have recognized."
"Oh, dear," the brunette said, fearing the worst.
"Your spending time with them, speaking with them, keeping them focused can only help," Poppy continued.
"I can do that," Hermione nodded before turning back to the three boys.
"Are you lot alright?" she asked.
"Hello Hermione," Neville laughed. "Look, Lads, Hermione's here."
"Where have you been, Hermione?" Ron asked.
"You missed all the fun," Harry noted. "Madam Rosmerta was serving her butterbeer with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream in the mug. It was great!"
"Bleh," Neville said, sticking his tongue out. "That was horrible, Harry."
"Yeah," Ron agreed. "I don't think Harry's right in the head."
"As soon as Madam Pomphrey lets us out of these beds, we'll see who's not right in the head, Weasley," Harry responded hotly.
"Psst, Hermione," Neville whispered, distracting Hermione from her posturing friends.
"What is it Neville?" she responded.
"Do you know where the Dark Lord kept his armies?" Longbottom asked.
Finally, she was going to find out what happened in Hogsmeade. "Where, Neville, where did he keep them?"
"In his sleevies!" the young man laughed.
"In his sleevies?" Harry echoed.
"Nev, you're hilarious," Ron agreed.
"Boys," Hermione said quietly, wondering why she bothered, "I have to head down for dinner, but I'll be back right after."
"Okay," the three chorused with wide smiles on their faces.
"Before I go, I want to make sure you're okay. Could you all do a simple math problem for me?"
"Sure, Hermione," Harry agreed.
"Okay, Harry, what is three times three?"
Harry concentrated for a minute before answering, "931."
Oh, that wasn't good, the brunette thought. "Ron, how about you, what is three times three?"
"Tuesday!" Ron announced with a big grin.
Oh, dear, she thought before moving to her third friend. "Alright Neville, what's three times three?"
"Nine," Neville said confidently.
"Good job, Neville," she said feeling relief. If one of the trio had the ability to think logically, however minimally, there was hope for their recovery. "I'll be back after dinner; the elves are bringing yours now."
After Hermione had left the Medical Wing and the trio were digging into their meals, Ron broke the silence. "Neville, I never knew you were so good at math."
"Yeah," Harry agreed. "How did you do that?"
"It was simple," Neville said as he started in on his pudding. "When you two were answering, I didn't have a clue, but then it came to me, all I had to do was divide 931 by Tuesday."
"Oh," Harry nodded in understanding.
"So smart," Ron said shaking his head.