Dear All,
I am very sorry not to have published new chapters for a long time but I was quite busy these last months. However, now, I decided to go on my translation and be more serious about it. So, I will publish more ofter (at least once a week).
I hope you will like the rest of the story.
I wish you a pleasant reading!
MinnieMey
Chapitre 12 - Embarrassed
After a few hours, students arrived in the Common Room. Without looking at them, Hermione remained concentrated while reading "The most important discoveries throughout the 20th Century".
"What are you looking for?" A voice asked behind her.
Hermione jumped and her quill fell on the floor. She saw Remus pick her pen and give it back to her.
"Uh… yes, somehow," she answered faintly.
"Really? What are you searching for? I may help you!" Remus replied.
"Oh, don't worry, I'll be fine. I only do research for myself."
He looked at her suspiciously.
"Oh, really?" Remus browsed one of the books on the table.
Hermione realized she needed to give him more explanations: it was her first day at school, she had been expelled from McGonagall's course, she hadn't shown at her next lesson in the morning and she was doing some research in the Common Room, encircled by tons of books. Her behaviour was suspicious.
"Uh… Actually, I do some research on a memory I started at Beauxbâtons." She explained, trying to find an appropriate reason. "As it wasn't over and I enjoyed it, I wanted to finish it here."
She looked at Remus hoping he was convinced.
"What's the topic?" He asked with indifference. He took another book on the table, "The Greatest Mages", and opened it.
"Well… I look for some information on Clarence Wilford." She answered finally: she had decided to tell him the truth. Of course, she wouldn't tell him her story, she made a promise to Dumbledore. But a lie seemed truer if it was closed to reality.
"Who is he?" He asked.
"The inventor of the Time Turner."
"Fascinating!" He cried out. "Do these machines really work? I doubt it. It seems the so-called inventor became mad!" He sat down next to her.
"Oh, I don't know about this." She answered quickly. "But I also think he's fascinating. Unfortunately, I didn't find a lot on him. He doesn't have any official biography. So, I think it will take me a lot of time!"
"Do you want some help?" He asked with a smile. "I am very good at research, I always do it for my friends, I don't mind reading books."
Hermione considered his proposal for a few seconds. She didn't want anyone to know the truth about her. At the same time, she wanted to go back home as soon as possible. Remus would be of great help. Moreover, she liked Remus at her time and got along well with him. It would be nice to have a friend in the Marauders' time.
"Alright!" She said finally. "I already looked at these three books. You can take any of those in front of me. You need to look for: Clarence Wilford and Time Turner. As soon as you find something, mark it with this little paper!"
"Got it!" He answered with a smile.
Hermione smiled back. She hoped Remus would become a good ally. Then, she went on her research.
The Common Room's door opened. Lily, James, Peter and Sirius entered. Hermione finally had her answer: Sirius was out of the Common Room.
"Hello Hermione!" Lily said. "I have a note for you!"
Lily gave her a piece of parchment. Hermione took it and knew at once it came from Professor McGonagall. Her heart froze. The note indicated some instructions about her week of detention which would start that very first day, at 8 pm, in the Trophy Room at the second floor. She was mortified.
"What are you doing?" Lily asked, sitting next to her.
"Oh, some research on a memory I started at Beauxbâtons. I would like to finish it." She answered with a smile, trying to be as convincing as possible.
"Ok," said Lily without asking further questions. "Will you participate in the Magical Wizardry Knowledge Contest? In some tests, we still need one or two participants."
"The... what?" Hermione asked, frowning.
"But you already heard about it! I talked about it this morning: the Magical Wizardry Knowledge Contest with the Superior School of Sorcery from Wichita Falls. It will take place at Hogwarts in one week."
"Oh yes!" Hermione replied. She remembered Lily's speech. She heard it when she was waiting in the room next to the Great Hall. "Can you tell me more about this contest?" She had never heard about it.
Lily used this opportunity to explain what this contest was with such an enthusiasm that Hermione was a bit taken aback.
The Magical Wizardry Knowledge Contest was a contest that had existed for more than ten years and had become quickly popular. It took place every two years and consisted in confronting all wizardry schools from all around the world that wished to participate. They competed in all the school subjects: Transfiguration, Astronomy, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts… This contest was organized by the World Organization of Magic: The Organization would sort schools to compete against the others. Then, when a school wins, it will go to the second round and compete against a new one and so on, until only two schools remained. Each test was judged by experts in Magic that were all part of the World Organization of Magic in order to avoid special treatment or cheating. The final contest would take place in June after the end of all exams. Hogwarts already passed two rounds and the school will now compete against the Superior School of Sorcery from Wichita Falls, the favorite contestant of this year.
The contest was opened to any student that wished to participate, but finally chosen by the teacher in charge of the subject. And even if there had already been two rounds, lists of participants weren't closed and a professor could decide to recruit a new student for the next round. Only four students were selected by subject.
This year, Hogwarts would receive two to three foreign schools depending on how the competition would go. In a week, students from the American school will arrive. During the two weeks of contest, there will be many events:
13 tests for the 13 official subjects
A masked ball that will take place in the middle of the two weeks. Hogwarts invited the Pit Tigers, a very popular band at that time. Hermione wondered what kind of music they could play.
A great treasure hunt that will end the contest
Of course, there would be other small events that would be organized in parallel: a magic chest contest, a small Quidditch tournament… and of course the election of the King and Queen of the masked ball!
"I have been organizing our participation to this contest since last year," said Lily. "We have never taken part in it and I had to convince Professor McGonagall and the Headmaster. Finally, they agreed, and I am very happy to plan this first event at Hogwarts. I gathered a group of people who are helping me. It's gonna be crazy! It takes most of my time and I also have to study for my NEWT as well organizing the contest…"
"And to take care of me as well," said James with a tease tone.
"Of course!" She answered with a smile. "So, you see, my schedule is full… Um… Could you help me a little bit?" frankly asked Lily.
Hermione was taken by surprise. She didn't expect such request. To be part of this contest seemed interesting, but she had a whole week of detentions and she needed some time for her own research. She couldn't join Lily's group.
"I am sorry, Lily, but I'll be on detention this week. I cannot help you," she said, looking as sorry as she could.
"Yes, that's true. I understand." Lily answered, sighing. She looked disappointed.
"But I may be more available during the contest, I'll have more time," Hermione replied quickly, feeling her disappointment. "I could help you during this weekend. What do you think?"
Lily cheered up and smiled.
"Let's go eating!" She claimed with a happier voice. "We only have 30 minutes left before Charms!"
"Hallelujah!" James and Sirius said at the same time.
