31 (Discussions)

Throughout the day, Harry and Hermione attended the rest of their lessons without Ron. In Transfiguration, they were learning more about the history of Metamorphagi, and the number of those creatures recorded in history. Of course, as Harry learned from Nymphadora Tonks, a person is born a Metamorphagus. So, nobody can learn how to become a Metamorphagus. Of course, being such a spectacular creature allows a person to change the color of hair or other parts of the body at will. That whole lesson reminded Harry about Tonks, the clumsy Auror.

In potions, for Harry's displeasure, Professor Snape was lecturing them about pre-N.E.W.T level testing that was going to start sometime during mid March. He intended to frighten everyone, by mentioning how difficult the questions were, and how they needed deep thought before one could write an answer. Wickedly, he told them that he'd write down the most difficult questions sixth years could expect. Indeed, the curriculum for the sixth years was getting a bit tougher, now that they were entering a new phase of wizard knowledge. For the pre-N.E.W.T tests, they needed to study theories developed behind some certain potions, how they could be applied in real life, and of course, the students were ought to know how to prepare a few potions. Professor Snape pictured pre-N.E.W.T tests as half of what the real N.E.W.T tests taken in seventh year were. He was delighted to use every single possible way to intimidate them, and frighten them. Neville was swallowing lumps, and Dean was scared. And poor Ron, had he been here, he would've thrown himself out the window. Harry and Hermione did sort of reject the idea of having high qualification tests just before the exams, but it was inevitable. It wasn't like their word against Professor Snape's. Besides, these preparatory tests will include not just Potions, but the rest of the major subjects studied in school.
Finally, the school day was over, and all the Gryffindors headed back to their common room.
What seemed like an army of ants crept through, pushing here and there, to take up some space. Harry and Hermione each went to their dormitories to change their clothes, for they were sweaty and stinky by now.
"I'd better take a shower," suggested Hermione, taking off her hair band.
"Me too," commented Harry, and took some clothes with him to the bathroom.

About half an hour later, Harry lay on his bed and petted Hedwig. He felt that she was the only non-human friend he could ever have. Sometimes, when it was night, and everyone was fast asleep, he would talk to her, as if he were talking to himself. Her bright amber eyes illuminated his four-poster bed. He kept stroking her head gently, and then fed her some owl treats, which she found very luscious. Finally, when she went to sleep, Harry opened up his Broomstick Servicing Kit, and took the magnificent Firebolt X6 out his old trunk. He polished it several times, even though it was gleaming like a brand new shoe. He fancied cutting off the small tips of the tail, to make the tail look nice and equal. And then, when he gave the Broomstick Servicing Kit one deep look, he remembered the old times. It so happened that he received it as a gift from Hermione before starting third year. He was reliving the moments now. He was writing his homework for History of Magic under the blanket, with one torch lit, when a bunch of owls came in, carrying him presents from Hermione, Ron, and Hagrid.

Once Harry had finished writing his Potions homework, he went downstairs, carrying his schoolbag and two quills. He wanted to complete his star chart for Astronomy beside the fire, where he could be inspired and think more about collisions of planets and stars in various galaxies. When he finally arrived at the armchair beside the fire, he was surprised to see a red haired friend sitting on it. It was Ron.
"So, you came back," mouthed Harry, sitting down beside his best friend.
"Madam Pomfrey reckoned I should go, or else I could've gone mad in the Hospital Wing," stammered Ron.
"You weren't going to; you're not a big maniac," giggled Harry.
"Skip the teasing," moaned Ron, "what did you guys have today?"
"Oh, you've missed a terrific lesson in Charms. We were dividing solid objects," acknowledged Harry, glad that Ron changed the subject himself.
"Dull, keep on talking," yawned Ron, stretching his hands in the air.
"McGonagall was talking about Metamorphagi today," tittered Harry, taking out his star chart and quill, "said that some of them used their power as camouflage when they were being chased by enemies. Sort of human chameleons, that's who they are."
"What about old greasy Snape?" asked Ron, grinning.
"The old hag was lecturing us about pre-N.E.W.T test that we had to write in March; he said they would decide if we should keep on taking all the subjects or drop some of them," explained Harry, loathing the idea of it.
"The twit, we've got end of the year exams in June. That won't leave us much time to study," muttered Ron, curling his lips.
"I bet you Hermione already started," laughed Harry, and began filling his star chart.

Harry was stuck in the last row. How the heck would Venus collide with Pluto to affect the solar systems of other worlds? He had to fill up the properties of Venus and Pluto. He also had to write a couple of lines about what type of future each of the planets indicated for wizard kind. The answer could be found in the textbook, but of course, Harry was too lazy to look it up.
Suddenly, the Gryffindor common room was occupied by all the sixth years, in addition to Dennis Creevey. Harry had almost forgot how much time had passed by. It was already six thirty, and the sixth years were due in the Study Society meeting.

"Ok, everyone," spoke Hermione, standing on a chair so that she was able to see everyone, "gather around in a circle, and take out your assignments for today."
Obediently, every sixth year scooted around in a circle, finding a perfect spot. Although Harry wasn't part of this study group, he liked watching them arguing about what to cover up first, how it's done, and what were the possible answers to each question.
"First of all, we'll discuss the Charms homework," informed Hermione, as she laid her completed homework in front of her.
"So, who came up with the idea of solid division anyway?" asked Neville, straight away.
"Ok, who here knows who the nutter is?" interrogated Ron, for he didn't attend Charms today in addition to the following classes.
"Found it, second line from chapter twenty one," yelled out Parvati Patil, "Luke the Second."
"Excellent," claimed Hermione, "now go ahead and jot it down."
Harry heard the soft noise their quills made as they drew the letters on the pieces of parchment.
"In what century was that?" requested Dean, perplexed.
"Found it as well," scoffed Parvati, "seventh century. Boy, the worms have eaten that fellow by now."
Hermione directed them to write the answer Parvati yelled out, adding some information about the season in which it happened.
"Allright, however did this charm help him with the escaped Hydra?" asked Ron, puzzled.
"The answer could be found in the first page of chapter twenty one," muttered Seamus, "just read the fourth and fifth paragraph."
"Good thinking, Seamus," spoke Hermione, beaming at everyone, "but I advise you to put it in your own words. Professor Flitwick will know who copied the answer straight of the book."
Unluckily, Harry, who was isolated from the study group, heard that. Earlier today, when he was looking for the answer to that particular question, he didn't even try to paraphrase it. Instead, he copied it straight away. He did feel guilty a bit, but so what? In his opinion, he thought that deducting half a mark or one wouldn't make much difference…that's if he wrote down the bonus, and got it right.
The third question was answered by Hermione herself, since no one was bright enough to remember what he or she saw during Charms. She told them about the difference a wrong wand wave could make with the size and shape of the two halves. Also, very smartly, she said that when a wizard comes to combine the two halves into one later, he would face some difficulty, and needed a more complex charm. Harry used that advantage, and secretly pulled out his Charms homework, and added that piece of information to the third question, although there was no much space left.
Now came the exciting part, the bonus question.
"This definitely needs some fueling for the mind," snarled Ron, waiting for Hermione to dictate them the answer.
"Yeah, nothing in the book is mentioned about combining liquid and solid division into one," agreed Lavender Brown.
"The same as her," lisped Dean, mystified.
"Listen, why don't you suggest some facts, and then maybe we could combine them into one logical answer?" asked Hermione. "I haven't answered it myself, because I wanted to hear your opinions."
"Well, we know that the wand movement differs," suggested Neville, but at first he hesitated.
"We also saw that a pink beam of light separated the water in the tank into two parts," added Seamus.
"While a blue beam of light surrounded the pebble, turned into smoke, and vanished," murmured Ron.
"That wasn't hard, was it?" asked Hermione, satisfied by their ability to think. "All you need is to lay out the similarities and differences."
"What else?" asked Neville, eager to get a full answer.
"Oh, I know," spoke Seamus right away, "maybe the result will include that of liquid division and solid division."
"Good idea," commented Hermione, "should we perhaps suggest a change in color of the beam, or how the object itself is going to be divided?"
"Both, I suppose," tittered Ron.
Harry had his eyes on his star chart, but his ears were carefully listening to the others' discussion.
"So, what do you think will happen?" asked Parvati, wondering which color would appear.
"I suggest that the beam of light will have the color of a rose," mouthed Dean, after thinking distinctly.
"Possibly," agreed Hermione, "any other suggestions?"
"Well," began Lavender, "maybe no explosion will be hear, but instead a drone."
"Lavender, there aren't any bees inside the object," giggled Ron.
"No Ron, Lavender could be right," agreed Hermione. Lavender stuck out her tongue for the embarrassed Ron.
"Ok," continued Parvati, "will there be any smoke?"
"There could be, but only a smattering of it," prattled Neville confidently.
"Good guess," complimented Hermione, "what else do you reckon is going to happen?"
For some moments, nobody answered, and Harry had stopped jotting down quick notes. He waited, but still, silence.
"I think something will change, too," yelled out Lavender suddenly.
"Yes?" asked Hermione, happy to get more possibilities.
"If we're going to combine liquid division with solid division," Lavender went on, "then isn't significant that the charm changes? I mean the words."
Everybody in the circle nodded, intrigued by such suggestion.
"Brilliant!" quacked Hermione. "How about Separatus Flugos?"
"A fairly good charm," commented Ron.
"Allright," added Hermione, "now just write everything we've discussed briefly, and if another idea comes to mind, say it out loud, and I'll be happy to hear it."
Immediately, the sixth year Gryffindors began writing on the parchments. The answer did seem a bit long, but they were hopeful to get some marks on it from Professor Flitwick.
Secretly, after being such an eavesdropper, Harry used his quick notes to write a paragraph that indicated the change in the charm, and how it was actually performed. He had a cunning grin on his face, and knew that he should've joined the Study Society.

Hermione handed Dennis Creevey some more parchment about planning for the next meeting, and a copy of this homework so that by May, he will have completed a whole review package for everyone in the seven years.

After that, the sixth years were revising three chapters from their Transfiguration textbook. There were about forty three pages to go over thoroughly. Hermione, the incredible leader, asked them several question about misunderstandings, and focused on the major lessons they covered in class. With the help of the gossiping Lavender Brown, and Neville's sudden confident ability to participate, Hermione managed to write down a revision table that was required for memorizing. She also drew some Venn diagrams to compare and contrast Metamorphagi and Animagi. In addition to that, Ron reminded Hermione about the necessary usage of the mind in some spells that transfigured raccoons into otters, crows into doves, foxes into cats, canaries into ducks, and porcupines into eagles. Of course, she recorded everything she could remember, in addition to the points Ron mentioned.
Finally, they were done revising that particular Transfiguration session, and Hermione handed what she just wrote to Dennis, trusting him to keep the notes somewhere safe.

And at five minutes after the eight o'clock hour, their meeting ended for today. Everyone was educated perfectly, and Ron was gratified that he suggested some vital points during the discussion.
"You and Lavender would make up a good match," suggested Hermione, as she put her books and quill into her schoolbag.
Ron was baffled of what she just said.
"What do you mean we make up a good match?" asked Ron, bewildered.
"Lavender interprets pictures and text, and combines them into one fine image. You, on the other hand, comment on everything we say and finish off somebody else's thought," explained Hermione, giggling at the pathetic Ron.
"Do you mean I have a big mouth?" inquired Ron, his ears turning pink. "You clearly haven't seen yourself in the mirror, you big wide large mouth!"
"Oh, so now I'm the gossiper? If it hadn't been for me, Ron, you would've failed every single subject!"
Harry was alarmed by her arising voice. Out of nowhere, he stepped between them, and took out his wand.
"End this argument," muttered Harry, "or I shall curse you into silence."
"She's the one who started it," tittered Ron angrily.
"He called me a big wide large mouth," claimed Hermione, glaring at Ron.
"Look, just apologize to each other, and amicably, end this ridiculous argument," sighed Harry.
"Sorry," mumbled Ron, out of the corner of his slips.
"I accept your apology," mouthed Hermione, and carried her schoolbag away to her dormitory.

"Say Ron," purred Harry, "while you were sleeping, Hermione and I came up with an idea about how to rescue Fred and George."
Ron raised his eyebrows, and a smile appeared slowly.
"Go on," wailed Ron, "it's about time to hear a solution."
"Here's what we planned," began Harry, rubbing his sweaty forehead, "we'll sneak out of the castle at night time, concealed under the Invisibility cloak. We'll use the cellar that I used in third year, to walk secretly into Hogsmeade. Of course, bringing the Marauder's Map would be essential. We'll sleep in that storage room still covered by the Invisibility cloak. When it's dawn, we set out to Hogsmeade, carefully, and approach your brothers' shop. First, it might be necessary to look through the window, just to explore where Dolohov's hiding, and the position of Fred and George. Then, one of us, possibly you, would charm something near the backdoor, to make it fall. If we're lucky, Dolohov will be attracted to that sudden movement, thinking that someone entered through the backdoor. While he's straightening up things, we quietly sneak through the front door. Then, if we are all ready, we stun him. Three stuns in the chest would be enough to diminish his strength. After that, we freeze him, and then tie him up with several thick ropes. If all goes right, we'll find Fred and George and rescue them, returning safely to Hogwarts."
Ron was absolutely amazed by his best friends' thinking.
"That's a fantastic adventure we'll be experiencing," cheered Ron, "but wait, once we tie up Dolohov, should we just keep him there?"
Ron was sounding more like Hermione, now. He was brining up things that never occurred to Harry, and created some impediments in the future.
"Well…we could just throw him off a cliff," giggled Harry. Ron laughed too.
"No, really, what will we do with him?" interrogated Ron again.
"We can't kill him, although he's a notorious murderer," hollered Harry.
"Why can't we? He's a dirty nutter, that's who he is. He deserves to die. He murdered Prewetts, almost got us killed in the Department of Mysteries last year, and kidnapped my brothers!"
"I know how you may feel Ron," confirmed Harry, "but if we kill him, we'll be nothing more than a bunch of murderers, just like he was."
That was a reasonable comment.
Hermione's footsteps were heard instantly, and she was scurrying down the stairs.
"What's all the chitter-chatter about?" she asked curiously.
"I was just informing Ron about our plan," declared Harry, "and he came up with another wonder that we would face. There must be some kind of telepathy between you two."
Hermione giggled as she sat down on the armchair.
"So, do you think it's good?" she asked Ron.
"Not good, improbable! Fantastic thoughts you've got!"
"Probably, you might as well be proud of us, right?" queried Hermione, grinning at him.
"Um…yeah, sure I am. I told you previously, you two are life savers!" sang Ron.
"I'm really eager to get this whole mess cleaned up," asserted Harry. "And to think, what will I do about June?"
Hermione sighed at once. Harry looked at her, and then remembered that Ron had no idea about what they saw in the kitchens.
"What? What's going to happen in June other than the end of the year exams?" questioned Ron.
Harry and Hermione looked at each other.
"What?" asked Ron again. "Is something wrong?"
It seemed like Harry and Hermione were communicating with each other by their minds. Should they tell him, or perhaps not?
"Ron, we've been hiding something from you," admitted Hermione, "we didn't want you to know at that point of time."
"Go ahead, spit it out," demanded Ron.
"Ron," muttered Harry, "one night, when you went to sleep, I saw something extraordinary traveling on the ceiling."
Ron was getting even more curious.
"It was a black shadow, taking the form of a wolf," added Hermione.
"We decided to follow it out, as it was leaving the common room," mouthed Harry.
"When we meandered around the dark corridors, we ended up in the kitchens, where Harry first saw the shadow," babbled Hermione.
"We both lit our wands, and I had the sword of Anystal, the present Professor Lupin gave me when he visited me in summer," stammered Harry.
"As we traveled around the murky kitchens, illuminated by my wand and Harry's sword, the sword pointed in different directions; it was acting like a compass," explained Hermione, slowing down.
"My sword glowed yellow, as Professor Lupin had informed me, whenever danger was near," murmured Harry softly.
"Then, suddenly, it was glowing yellow, and we knew for sure that the shadow was hovering only a few feet away from us," continued Hermione.
"A green beam of light shot out of the sword, and brightened the wall," claimed Harry.
"Outlined by bright light was the shadow itself," swallowed Hermione.
"Then, it talked to us. It said that it wasn't harmful, and its job was to warn us," yelped Harry heavily.
"The shadow explained how we were in danger of the last faithful creature Voldemort used," articulated Hermione solemnly.
"He said that a wolf, by the name of the wolf of the eight floor, was present here, at Hogwarts," declared Harry quickly.
Ron was skittish now, and kept on swallowing the lumps in his throat.
"The wolf has arrived here from Dark Valley," uttered Hermione.
"Wait a minute," shrieked Ron, "that's where the crows that attacked us came from!"
"Precisely," responded Harry, "and then it explained about the powers that the wolf had."
"It could suck souls out of the body," revealed Hermione.
"It could freeze someone," mumbled Harry.
Ron was breathing heavily now, scratching his head.
"This is familiar," he pointed out, cleverly, "this wolf…it has the abilities of a Dementor and a basilisk."
Harry and Hermione widened their eyes, surprised by Ron's notice.
"That's a good point," lisped Harry. "Then, it gave us a final warning, and left."
"It also instructed to depend on this sword, Anystal," indicated Hermione, pulling the sword out of Harry's large pocket.
"You carry that with you all the time?" inquired Ron, as he saw the magnificent sword.
"Yes, I couldn't be much warned, unless it's with me all the time," said Harry solemnly.
"But that wolf…why hasn't it attacked anyone yet?" interrogating Ron.
"Another good point," commented Hermione, "that shadow told us that currently, the wolf lies motionlessly on the floor of a deserted room on the eighth floor."
"It won't arise until the dawn of the first of June," explained Harry.
"When that time comes, one of them is going to defeat the other," notified Hermione.
"Who's them?" asked Ron.
"Voldemort…or me," spoke Harry.
And by those words, Ron was completely disturbed.
"All I can say is…. good luck, Harry," acknowledged Ron, sadly.
"I have a bit of obliging news for you Ron," exclaimed Harry, grinning.
"Really? What?"
"Tomorrow we have Quidditch practice, and I thought of your wish coming true. We'll try out the Wronski Feint!"
"Yes!" cheered Ron. "I've been longing for that!"
Hermione smiled fervently at Ron.
"Besides," spoke Hermione, "we've got another match coming up against Ravenclaw, and we must get back in shape."
"True," agreed Harry and Ron.

"You know," began Ron, "our life is just extraordinary, right? We'll get to try the Wronski Feint; we plan on rescuing Fred and George, we're worrying constantly about those pre-N.E.W.T tests, and we're scared of that wicked wolf."
Harry and Hermione nodded their heads.

Several of the Gryffindors were descending down the stairs, all ready to depart the common room. Harry, Ron, and Hermione just realized that it was dinnertime. And so, they left along with all the Gryffindors, heading to the Great Hall, their minds almost cracking up because of all the worries. It was just so overwhelming.