Chapter 16: The Test
It was business as usual when they returned from the Christmas Break. Hermoine slipped into her routine, studying, and hanging out with Ron, Harry and Patrice. It was half way through February when Mrs. Coeur approached her.
"Tomorrow you will be taking the test," she said, and Hermoine had to grin. She thanked the professor for her help, then she hurried to tell her friends about the test.
She arrived early, eagerly waiting for Mrs. Coeur to come to her.
"Miss Granger, good to see you," Mrs. Coeur said with a smile. "Are you ready?"
"Always, Mrs. Coeur," Hermoine replied sincerely.
"Good. Did you bring your wand?"
"Yes."
"Set it aside, and take this one," Mrs. Coeur handed her a plain wooden wand. Now, we begin."
Whatever Hermoine had expected the test to be, it was not what they had done. It was like an exam of what they had learned the year before, but Hermoine was using someone else's wand. It felt queer in her hands, not quite right.
"Well done," Mrs Coeur said. "That is enough for today. We shall complete the test tomorrow, Hermoine." Hermoine left, feeling dejected. She had expected more challenge then that, though she wasn't sure as to why.
She went to the common room. Patrice was sitting a table, bent over a heavy book.
"Hey," Hermoine said, plopping down beside her friend. "Where are Harry and Ron?"
"Dunno," Patrice replied distantly. She turned the page of the book. "They went to visit Hagrid after lunch. Why?" Hermoine looked for the time.
"I just want to know what kind of mischief those two are up to," Hermoine replied with a shrug. Patrice grinned.
Hermoine did not worry about her friends until neither of them showed up for dinner. Hagrid was sitting with the other professors, talking cheerfully to Mrs. Coeur. Hermoine felt her stomach sink. He looked over at her, and smiled. Hermoine waited until the students had cleared out, then she went to talk to Hagrid.
"Have you seen Harry, Hagrid?" the big man shook his head.
"No, I 'aven't seen um. Why'd ask?"
"Oh, no reason," Hermoine replied quietly. "Just, didn't see where they headed off to after supper." She had a horrible sinking feeling.
Hermoine hurried up to her bedroom. Patrice was still downstairs, talking with some first years. Hermoine opened the window, and looked out. It was too dark to see. Reluctantly, Hermoine reached under her bed, and pulled out her broom. It had once belonged to Viktor, and he had given it to her in the summer. She climbed out the little window, and flew off into the night. She had to find them!
Hermoine scanned the grounds carefully. She prayed that Harry and Ron had not been taken into the Forbidden Forest. She didn't think she had the strength to go into the forest alone.
"Hermoine!" called a voice. Hermoine pulled to a stop, as Patrice flew up beside her.
"Patrice, what are you doing out here? It could be dangerous!"
"I was just about to ask you the same question," Patrice replied. "What's wrong?"
"Harry and Ron weren't at dinner."'
"Really? I thought I saw them." Patrice frowned. "Where do you think they are?" Hermoine shrugged, searching the ground intensely. She saw two people below, standing on the lake shore. She flew toward them at breakneck speed, Patrice hot on her trail.
She jumped off the broomstick, and ran through the sand toward her friends. Ron and Harry were tied to a stake, like witches at a burning, with wood piles all around them. They were gagged, and blindfolded. Hermoine climbed up the shaky wooden pile. She untied their blindfolds and gags.
"Hermoine, it's a trap," Harry whispered. "Run!" Patrice stood below them, a grin on her face. She was changing, ever so slowly, into an older woman.
"Well done, Mr Potter," she said. "A little slow on the uptake, but well done none the less." Hermoine shoved the broom at Harry.
"Get out of here," she whispered.
"Hermoine and I will hold her off," Ron added, giving her a nod. "Go!"
"But," Harry protested.
"I said GO!" Hermoine drew out her wand, and aimed it at the woman.
"I've seen your spells girl," the woman said with a smile. Hermoine ground her teeth. Her wand went flying out of her hand. Hermoine turned, and saw Patrice standing on the shoreline. Her head spun, as she turned from one to the other.
"What is going on?" cried Ron.
"Be quiet, Ron," Patrice said, venom seeping into her voice. "It is not you we are after. Leave, and we will let you live."
"I won't leave her," Ron declared, touching Hermoine's hand. "She's my friend."
"As you wish," the woman said, shrugging. She raised her wand, and mumbled an incantation. Hermoine cried out in shock as a huge fireball rolled through the air. Time seemed to slow down. Ron pushed her, sending her tumbling down the wooden stack to the feet of the woman. Ron disappeared in the fire.
"No!" screamed Hermoine. She ran toward the flame. The woman caught her and held her firmly. "Ron!" She could hear Ron's cries. "Let me GO!" she roared. The woman stumbled back. Hermoine burst into the flames. They parted around her. Hermoine reached Ron. She escaped the fire with him, carrying him on her back.
Ron lay motionless on the ground, the woman and Patrice hung back.
"Ron!" she cried, "Ron, wake up!" He was covered with heavy burns. She heard laughter. The woman was laughing.
"Foolish boy. Now, because he stood by you, he is dying!" Hermoine turned angrily on the woman.
"Monster!" she threw her head back. Lightning jumped out of her hands, and struck the woman.
