A few days passed since Hermione's first Patronus lesson. It was double Potions and Divination all week. This would be pure murder on Harry and Hermione. For Harry, as much as he dreaded the musty room with the misty voice that made Harry sleep, he dreaded Potions more.
He'd rather see Trelawney freak out any day than face Snape's coldness. Hermione on the other hand would rather face Snape.
Harry knew it was only a matter of time before Hermione lost it in Divination. Harry's schedule was for this week of hell:
Monday:
Breakfast 8 AM
Potions 9 AM
Divination-10 AM
Lunch-Noon
Divination-1 PM
Care for Magical Creatures-2 PM
Potions-3 PM
Free period-4 to 5 PM
Dinner-6 PM
Tuesday
Divination-8 AM
Transfiguration-10 AM
Charms-11 AM
Potions-1 PM
Defense Against the Dark arts-2 PM
Herbology-3 PM
As Harry looked at the rest of the week, on Friday the last day, it was the worst. All day was Potions, Divination and only one class that day was something different, which was History of Magic.
Hermione was looking over her schedule which made no sense.
Potions: 8 AM
Divination-10 AM
Ancient Runes-10 AM
Artchmancey-11 AM
Lunch-Noon
Transfiguration-1 PM
Care for Magical Creatures-2 PM
Herbology-2 PM
Defense Against the dark arts-3 PM
This was just her Monday schedule although her Friday one was too crammed with Potions and Divination.
There was nothing on it for breakfast or dinner either. They all soon went to Potions, Snape teaching how to brew Girding Potion.
"Because you are all third years I'm sure you're more than capable to collect three potion ingredients on the grounds", said Snape.
"On the grounds?", asked Ron. "Yes Weasley, you fail to bring them back will land you a bad grade", replied Snape.
"The following ingredients include Doxy Eggs, Toasted Dragonfly Throaxies and Fairy Wings", said Snape. "Sir, Doxies are poisoness", said Hermione.
"Very good, you've once again failed to restrain yourself from being an insufferable know-it-all", sneered Snape.
Harry glared at Snape, this was mad. Doxies were indeed poisoness creatures. "Class dismissed", he said coolly.
"Brilliant, where the bloody hell are we gonna find these things?", asked Ron. "We could fly Buckbeak around the grounds and look", suggested Hermione.
"Are we allowed to? Since Malfoy's incident?", asked Harry. "I think so", replied Hermione softly. "Luckily though, during our free period we can go to Hogsmeade", said Harry.
Hermione was suddenly quiet. "Harry...is it ok if you and me go together?", asked Hermione. "Oi! What about me?", asked Ron.
"We'll meet you there", said Hermione. Ron shrugged and went to the next class ahead of them. Harry looked at Hermione who was blushing. "Is it ok? If just the two of us go?", asked Hermione.
"Yeah", replied Harry. They soon went to the next class. They traveled the North Tower stairs and went into the Divination classroom.
"Welcome, welcome! Now then today I surely am more cheery, you must wonder why?", said Trelawney as everyone sat.
"I've predicted a great day today! Somehow here will finally read a crystal ball!", said Trelawney. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Now then, all of you, broden your minds!", said Trelawney. Trelawney then starred at Harry reading his crystal ball and her smile faded.
"My dear...", she started so dramatically but everyone already knew what she was going to say. "You have the gri-", began Trelawney when Hermione cut her off.
"Oh for heaven's sake! Not that grim again!", yelled Hermione. Trelawney starred at her not didn't look surprised.
"Oh my dear, I sensed you did not have the special spirit for Divination", said Trelawney. "Ok fine", snapped Hermione she knocked Trelawney's crystal ball over and stormed downstairs.
"Have I said something?", asked Trelawney looking confused. When the class ended, Harry returned the crystal ball...and swore he saw Sirius Black in it.
He went back down the stairs and soon, free period hit. Hermione met up with Harry and then got into Hogsmeade, Harry under the cloak.
They found a new place to practice. It was becoming too risky to sneak into Lupin's office, so now they practiced near the Shrinking shack.
Hermione pointed her wand at the air. "Expect Patronum!", cried Hermione, at first it worked. The memory she was using was of when Harry saved her from the troll in their first year.
But the light died out soon enough. "Again", said Hermione eagerly. "Expecto Patronum!", she cried using the same memory.
But something wasn't working, not even a silvery mist came out of her wand. Hermione waited but she then tried again.
"Expecto Patronum!", she yelled, using the second year memory. Again, nothing happened. Hermione began to breathe heavy.
"Hermione, it's ok. It takes a long time to get right", said Harry worriedly. Hermione didn't hear him, she didn't understand.
Why did it work before? She was always good at mastering magic, even if it was advanced. So of course this was upsetting her.
Hermione breathed. "Expecto Patronum!", she cried again, nothing. "Expecto Patronum!", she yelled again.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!", screamed Hermione, making the memory more vivid than ever, a silvery mist finally came out, it started to become a shield but then vanished.
Hermione panted. "Hermione enough! It's ok", said Harry. Hermione lowered her wand shaking. "Harry...why?!", cried Hermione.
"Shhhh, Mione it's ok. You did your best. You tried really hard", said Harry. "I don't understand, why can't I produce a full shield now?", she cried.
"Hermione, it takes time. You were able to first try so that means you can do this. Just take your time", soothed Harry.
Hermione breathed heavy nodding finally. "Come on", smiled Harry he took her hand, they went to Honeydukes Sweetshop.
Harry got her a heart shaped cotton candy and they both got a chocolate frog. They sat in the Three Broomsticks with butterbeer as well. As Hermione ate her cotton candy, she looked so cute. Harry blushed. "Hermione also", said Harry.
"Hm?", she asked. "It's kind a late Christmas gift", admitted Harry he pulled out a hair clip he found, it had a red rose on it.
"Oh Harry...!", cried Hermione. "I noticed you were wearing black hair clips...so...", said Harry. Hermione hugged him suddenly, making Harry blush.
"Thank you", she smiled also blushing, she put it in her hair gently. "We better get back to the castle", said Harry. Hermione nodded still blushing.