I just wanted to thank everyone for reviewing! I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I just hope you all like the next few chapters! Thanks again!
The Gryffindor "trio" walked into Transfiguration that afternoon. Hermoine was on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary. Much to her dismay, there was nothing.
"Please take your seats everyone, get out your homework and a spare piece of parchment. It's time for a test." Everyone groaned but they knew it was coming. Professor McGonagall had the test questions on the board.
"Now, when you finish the written portion, I want you to come up here and transfigure your animal into the vase. Get started!" The students all began working on the written portion of the test. Hermoine, of course, finished first and walked up to Professor McGonagall's desk.
"Oh, Miss Granger, alright, you're ready?"
"Yes, Professor McGonagall." After the first "swish and flick" Hermoine's owl turned into a beautiful crystal vase.
"Very good Miss Granger. I am thoroughly impressed. Not many can do that on the first try."
"Thank you Professor." She handed Minerva her parchment and then instead of returning to her seat, Hermoine stared at Professor McGonagall. Minerva looked over her glasses at the young girl.
"Was there something else Miss Granger?"
"Er...uh...no. Thanks." She walked quickly back to her seat and Minerva went back to her work, though she couldn't help feeling that Hermoine would figure out what was going on. The rest of the class walked up to her desk to transfigure their animals. It took a lot out of Minerva to put them all back to what they were originally, considering how many mistakes were made. She was exhausted by the end of the class. The bell rang and the students waited in their seats for their homework assignment. Minerva didn't even feel like looking at their homework from the night before.
"Class dismissed." The students faces turned to ones of confusion. Hermoine's hand raised high in the air. "Yes, Miss Granger?"
"Isn't there any homework Professor McGonagall?"
"Not tonight. Now, you all had better hurry up if you want to make Potions on time." Shouting and joyous laughter could be heard as the class exited, having no homework from "ole McGonagall."
"This is bloody amazing! No homework for the first time from McGonagall!" Ron was beaming from ear to ear.
"I don't think it's "bloody amazing" Ron! Can't you see? This is exactly what I've been talking about?" Hermoine was red in the face, trying to contain her temper.
"What?" Ron looked innocent when asking, but he was really asking just to bug Hermoine.
"Professor McGonagall! Something is wrong! She would never not give us homework!" Hermoine went to storm away, but Harry caught her by the arm.
"Ron, I'm afraid I'm beginning to see what Hermoine is saying." Ron looked from Harry to Hermoine and back again. He sighed.
"Does this mean we have to do investigating?" Harry and Hermoine smiled at each other, then at Ron. Ron reluctantly gave up. "Well, alright. But, let's try not to get caught this time. Professor Dumbledore can't save us many more times."
At the Halloween Ball that night, the Great Hall was decorated with pumpkins and bats flew all around. There was dancing for all who wished and the food kept replenishing itself throughout the night. Minerva and Albus watched from the table as the students enjoyed themselves.
"I do believe they are having a good time, don't you, Professor McGonagall?"
Albus winked at Minerva as she replied. "Yes, they seem to be." He reached under the table and caught her hand. They sat like this for awhile, until, suddenly, the lights went out. Screaming filled the air as shouts of Lumos were heard throughout the room. Dumbledore silenced everyone quickly and they all sat down at the tables. The weather had been nice, making it seem as if this was not a natural blackout.
"Everyone will be staying in here until the time comes when we have found out what this blackout means. Teachers, follow me please. Prefects, keep order while we are away and do not open the doors for anyone. Teachers will know the password to get in. Everyone, get some rest." With a wave of his wand, sleeping bags appeared for all the students. The teachers silently followed Dumbledore into the staff room, awaiting their instructions.
"Does anyone know a reason as to why this occured tonight?" None of the teachers had an explanation. "In that case, I would like you all to check your normal classrooms for anything suspicious and Head of Houses, check your towers. Madam Pomfrey, the hospital wing. And Mr. Filch, I would like you to escort Professor Sprout to the gardens to make sure everything is under control. Professor Hagrid, I want you to come with me. We will all meet back in here as soon as you are finished."
The teachers began to disperse and Albus suttly squeezed Minerva's hand as she left the room. Hagrid and Dumbledore left to go and check the forest.
Back in the Great Hall, Hermoine, Ron, and Harry got together. Mostly everyone was asleep so they were given the oppurtunity to plan out their "investigation."
"I say we just ask her if she's feeling alright." Hermoine frowned at Ron.
"And do you think she would actually answer you truthfully?" Ron shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know. It's just an idea. What do you think Harry?"
Harry shrugged just the same. "I don't know. Hermoine, this was your idea. What do you want to do?"
"Go to the library."
"Aw, what's the library gonna do Hermoine? Nothing! Nothing in some book is gonna tell you what is wrong with Professor McGonagall right now." Ron knew he was right this time.
"Well, you may not think so, but I do. So, I'll look in the morning, whether you two want to help me or not." She turned over abruptly and forced herself to succumb to sleep. Ron looked at Harry once more and shrugged again.
"Women. You never know what to do with them." The two boys fell asleep soon after. But the darkness grew blacker as evil surrounded Hogwarts, unbeknownst to all its inhabitants.