Friday, the day that the guided dream would take place arrived, and Hermione found herself not being able to concentrate in class. Each teacher yelled at her at least twice during each class, yet Hermione didn't care. Throughout the whole day, she squirmed around in her desk, not paying the slightest attention to what anyone said to her.
Tonight would be the night that would determine whether or not Harry could be found. She was more nervous today than all the days of her life before this one put together—including her first day of Hogwarts and the Yule Ball.
After picking at her dinner, Hermione sat in the corner of the common room with Ron and Ginny until eight o'clock, when Dumbledore had asked her to meet him in his office with Ginny and Ron. For three hours they sat in near silence, while chaos surrounded them; they'd all talked about tonight's possibilities so many times the subject had been worn out.
At ten minutes to eight Hermione stood up and glanced over at Ron and Ginny. Both of them looked at her and stood up without a word. Hermione nodded at them and wordlessly walked out of the common room; Ron and Ginny followed, looking deep in thought.
As Hermione walked through the empty corridors with Ginny and Ron walking alongside her, she began to think of what would happen if Harry were found. Things will be so different if Harry comes back--when Harry comes back, Hermione corrected herself automatically. Before Harry disappeared, we were dating. What does it mean for "us" when he comes back? Does he even have feeling for me still? Hermione's mind flashed back to Ron holding her in his arms, and her stomach lurched. What would Harry think?
"Good evening Miss Granger, Miss Weasley, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said as the three of them walked into his office after knocking on the wooden door.
"Good evening Professor," Hermione, Ginny, and Ron replied.
"Please take a seat," Dumbledore said, gesturing towards the middle of the room where he drew up three wooden chairs with his wand. "Professor McGonagall and a few other Order members will arrive shortly."
Dumbledore's office looked the same as usual; with the portraits of old Headmasters and silver instruments on small wooden tables, but a few others had been set up for tonight's procedure. A bed had been conjured up from the Hospital Wing, and a bedside table stood next to it; numerous bottles that contained a variety of potions covered the table.
"Sir, if you don't mind me asking, how exactly is this going to work tonight?" Hermione asked, looking towards Dumbledore, while Ron and Ginny continued to stare at their surroundings.
Dumbledore pressed the tips of his long fingers together and smiled. "Of course I don't mind, Miss Granger. I daresay you would have to know tonight's procedure before we start anyways, seeing as tonight being as important as it is."
"First of all, you'll be given a potion that counter-acts the previous dreamless sleep potions you've taken the past few days. This potion," Dumbledore said, picking up a small glass bottle filled with a bright purple liquid, "is extremely strong and will ensure that you have a dream tonight. Most likely, Voldemort is connected between you and Harry and will immediately sense that you haven't taken any dreamless sleep potion tonight. He will plan the final attack for tonight. Once you've fallen asleep, Miss Granger, a few members of the Order and I will be seated around you, ready to help you at moment's notice. Of course, the majority of the task falls into your hands—you will need to use the guided dream techniques you recently learned to rescue Harry and get out any necessary information."
A moment's silence filled the room after Dumbledore finished speaking, in which all three teenagers absorbed the words that had been said.
"What will Ron and I do, Professor?" Ginny asked.
"You and your brother will also stay in my office, and help if needed," Dumbledore replied calmly.
"When do we start?" questioned Hermione.
"Well, you may start by taking this potion," Dumbledore answered, standing up and grabbing the bright purple potion from the table next to the bed. "You'll have about half and hour before you start feeling the potion's effects and the other Order members will have arrived by then."
Hermione nodded, and took the cold, glass bottle from Dumbledore. Ron and Ginny watched anxiously as Hermione uncorked the small bottle, and poured its contents into her mouth. Hermione shuddered as she swallowed.
"It's feels like ice," she muttered.
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, unfortunately most potions are unpleasant."
At that moment, the wooden door to Dumbledore's office opened, and Professor McGonagall walked in, followed by Lupin, Moody, and a giant black dog, which immediately turned into Sirius.
The teenagers and Dumbledore exchanged greetings the grim-looking Order members.
"Has Miss Granger taken the potion yet, Dumbledore?" McGonagall asked sharply.
"Yes, just now."
The others nodded, satisfied.
"Miss Granger, you may talk with Mister and Miss Weasley for a few minutes while I inform the others of how tonight will work," Dumbledore said, looking at the three teenagers.
The Weasleys and Hermione nodded, and instantly turned towards each other.
"Good luck, Hermione," Ginny said, squeezing Hermione's hand.
"Yeah, good luck," Ron replied, not looking at Hermione.
Hermione took a deep breath and replied, "Thanks. I really hope this works."
"We know you can do it Hermione; we believe in you," Ginny reassured Hermione.
Hermione gave both of them a weak smile.
By the time Dumbledore and the others had finished conversing, Hermione could feel herself nodding off.
"If you will, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, gesturing to the bed that awaited her presence.
Hermione nodded and shakily stood up. Once she had climbed into the bed, the others gathered around her in chairs that Dumbledore had conjured.
"Good luck, Hermione," said Lupin.
"Remember the dream guiding techniques," Moody growled.
"Yes, I will," Hermione responded.
"We'll be here the entire time, Hermione," Sirius stated. "Just focus on your task for tonight."
Hermione nodded again. "I will," she answered before falling into a deep sleep.