Chapter 7
Hermione appeared for the second time today in the atrium at the Ministry of Magic. She hurried towards the far end, past the fountain of magical brethren to the golden gates. Luckily there was a lift waiting at the end of the corridor, she ran inside and pressed the small number two on the wall. The lift door closed and moved uninterrupted up to the Auror department. The door opened and she traced the same path that she did this morning, except this time she walked into a room on the right hand side of the corridor.
The rest of the class were there but their tutor was not. This afternoon's lesson was duelling practice. As she walked in the room she was greeted by a beaming smile from the person she knew the most in her group, Colin Creevey. Colin and his brother Dennis had managed to persuade their dad to let them go back to school. Colin had just left the school of Witchcraft and Wizardry and had, somehow, through all the chaos of the last two months managed to achieve top grades in his NEWTs. His brother Dennis was going to start his sixth year in September having achieved eight OWLs.
'Hi Hermione.'
'Hi Colin,' she replied.
'I missed you earlier, you disappeared at lunch before I could say hello.'
'I know, I'm sorry, I had some stuff to do before I went to see Ron.'
'That's ok, how's Harry?' Hermione smiled, whilst Colin's obsession with Harry was annoying at school it just made Hermione laugh now. The eighteen-year-old Colin had grown up and understood how annoying he was when he followed Harry around at school. He was much better now though, and only let himself ask how Harry was every few days. Today was, apparently, one of those days.
'He's fine Colin.'
'Oh good, are you ok?'
'Yeah I'm fi-' her sentence was cut short with a yawn that felt like it was going to dislocate her jaw. Colin raised his eyebrows at her. 'Hmmm, yeah I'm fine, if a little tired.'
'No offence, but you look it.'
'None taken because I know, you can't have four and a half hours sleep and look good off it.'
'No you can't,' He looked up as their tutor walked in, 'look do you want to be partners for duelling practice? I could use some of your expertise.'
'It's hardly expertise Colin; I learnt most of it from Harry. So did you come to think of it.'
'Yeah I suppose we did, so do you want to pair up?'
'Yeah, sure.'
She put her bag, which she was still holding, on the floor at the side of the room, and took her jacket off ready to begin the lesson. As her jacket landed on her bag Kingsley Shacklebolt closed the door.
'Afternoon everyone,' Kingsley said, smiling at Colin and Hermione as he did so.
'Hi Kingsley,' said Colin.
'Afternoon Kingsley,' replied Hermione.
'Is this the group of six or seven?' Kingsley asked the class as he put his shoulder bag down and rolled up his sleeves.
'Seven,' Hermione replied.
'Ok then, in which case we'll have two pairs and a group of three. Line up opposite your partners with your wands out.'
Hermione moved towards the opposite wall and turned to face Colin. The other did the same. Michaela and Euan faced each other; apparently the fact that they were going out didn't stop them being able to practice throwing spells at each other. Jay, Cairo and Marcus were the remaining three, Cairo stood on the same side as Hermione, and Jay and Marcus the same side as Colin.
'Right, today we're going to concentrate on your reaction times when it comes to getting your wand ready.' Kingsley explained, 'Firstly we're not going to use spells, one of you will shout 'go' and the other will get into duelling stance as fast as possible. Don't just do it facing your partner, turn your back on them, sit on the floor, stand on your head if you want to; if someone's going to attack you chances are they aren't going to wait patiently whilst you get yourself ready. If you want to make it harder for yourself then put your wand in your pocket or somewhere close to you, not too far away though, we don't need you charging up and down the room. Any questions?' The class collectively shook their heads. 'Good, do it ten times then swap, and remember, no spells.'
Colin smiled at Hermione.
'Do you want to shout or react first?'
'I'll shout first if that's ok.'
'Yeah fine. I'll start face on for the first one, get warmed up!' Hermione smiled.
'Ok, ready?'
'Yep, go for it.'
'How's Dennis by the way?'
'He's fine why?' Colin asked, slightly confused.
'I just wondered. What year's he going into in September?' Hermione asked.
'Sixth, he's starting-'
'GO!' Hermione shouted.
As quick as he could Colin threw his right arm forward brandishing his wand, at the same time stepping forward on his right foot. His look of concentration faded into a smile.
'That was sneaky,' he said.
'Yes well I can't be making things to easy for you now, can I?' Hermione replied with a sneaky smile. 'Are you doing the next one facing me or not?'
'No, I'll sit facing the wall for this one.' He turned and sat down, and placed his wand an arms length away,
'Ready?' asked Hermione.
'Ready,' replied Colin.
In contrast to the previous exercise Hermione stayed quiet. She hoped that the shouts from the other in the group would confuse Colin. He didn't move though, even when Michaela shouted a very loud 'GO!' next to him. After thirty more second Hermione shouted 'GO!'
Colin knelt up, at the same time grabbing his wand and spun round on his knees to face Hermione, wand arm outstretched.
'How was that?' he asked Hermione.
'It was good. Considering you were in an awkward position, you were fast into duelling position and you weren't put off by the rest of the shouts of the others.' He smiled at the compliment.
Colin did well in the rest of his practices and then it was Hermione's turn to react.
'GO!' shouted Colin. Instantaneously Hermione spun round to face the young wizard, her wand making a whipping sound as it moved through the air. As she came to a halt Colin's eyebrows moved towards his hairline.
'Merlin, that was fast!' Colin said slightly amazed.
'Why thank you Colin,' she replied with a smile.
'No seriously, that was really fast.'
'Well, if there's one thing that fighting in a war will do, it'll make you fast at getting your wand ready.'
'Yeah I suppose it will. This time sit with your legs crossed facing the wall with your wand on your left hand side, but you have to put it in your right hand.' Hermione smiled.
'That's a bit harsh Colin.'
'Like you need any practice at starting with you wand in your hand!' he exclaimed.
'Ok fine, I'll do it that way,' she conceded. She turned and sat down and put her wand on her left hand side. She stared at a spot on the wall and managed to put her mind into a bubble, which only Colin's voice could penetrate. She concentrated hard.
'GO!' shouted Colin. Hermione made a grab for her wand and spun around on her knees. Before she could stop herself she performed the disarming spell non-verbally. Colin's wand flew out of his hand and landed in front of Hermione.
'Err, oops!' Hermione said, 'Sorry Colin, old habits die hard.'
'That's err, that's ok, Hermione. I'll just be glad you didn't stun me.' He said, ending his sentence with a smile. Hermione stood up and pulled her jeans down as they had risen up when she sat down.
'Still, I'm sorry. I promise I won't do it again.'
'Stop apologising, you ready to go again?'
'Yeah sure.' Hermione kept her word and didn't disarm Colin again throughout her practice.
After they had practiced without spells, they moved on to disarming. The exercise was the same but this time they were to do what Hermione accidentally did earlier and non-verbally perform the disarming spell. After that they changed to reacting to defend yourself. One person would send a spell at the other speaking the incantation to start with to make it easier and the other person had to produce the shield charm.
Both Hermione and Colin did well and before they knew it Kingsley was telling them the lesson was over and they were free to go. Hermione put her jacket on and her wand in her bag.
'See you next week everyone,' Kingsley said as he left the room.
'Bye Kingsley,' Hermione said turning towards the door as she did so.
'Hermione wait!' a voice behind her called. She spun around and saw Cairo coming towards her.
'Hey Cairo.'
'Hi, look I just wanted to let you know that I'm having a kind of wind down party after the ball next week. It finishes at twelve, which seems a bit early so everyone's welcome back to mine to carry on partying, if they want to that is.'
'Oh right, well thanks for the invite but I'm still not sure if I'm going yet.'
'Oh, why not?' asked Cairo innocently.
'Well, I…I've err…' Cairo stopped her, looking slightly embarrassed.
'Sorry, it's none of my business. I didn't mean to pry.'
'I know you didn't, it's just with Ron not being…you know…I didn't really see the point of going, It might be a bit hard.'
'I understand, but it might be good for you, might let you forget about it all. I don't mean forget about Ron, I know you'd never do that. I meant-'
'Cairo it's ok,' Hermione said with an understanding smile, 'I know what you meant, don't worry about it. I'll think about going, Harry'll probably drag me along with him whether I want to go or not!' Cairo smiled.
'Ok, will you let Harry know about the party for me? I've got messengers in the other groups but I want to make sure everyone knows. I don't want anyone left out.'
'I will do. I'll see you tomorrow in class?' she asked.
'Yeah, see you then. Bye Hermione, Colin.'
'Bye Cairo,' Colin answered.
Hermione and Colin walked through the corridor to the lift, pressed the button and waited for one to arrive.
'So what are you doing for the rest of the day?' Hermione asked Colin.
'Well I promised Dennis I'd play Quidditch with him tonight. He got on to the Gryffindor team last year as a beater and he's been hounding me to help him practice during the holidays. I throw tennis balls at him and he hits them as hard as he can. It's annoying how far he can hit them as I've got to retrieve them.'
Hermione laughed.
'I can imagine.'
'What are you doing tonight?'
'Well I was going to go and visit Ron now but I think I'll go and write today's work up for an hour, 'cause I won't have time later on. My mum and dad have been clearing out the loft and I have boxes to sort.'
'Ooo that sounds like fun,' Colin said, the sarcasm in his voice obvious.
'Doesn't it just. I could be there for hours. Hopefully Harry'll come and help me.'
'Yeah good luck with that one.'
The lift arrived and twenty seconds later they were in the atrium.
'Well, have fun playing Quidditch Colin, see you tomorrow.'
'See you tomorrow Hermione.'
They both turned on the spot and disappeared form sight.
