Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Author's Greeting: Hey everyone, everything's going well. I've moved again! I love my new place, it's great.
As Hermione sat there waiting, someone knocked on Professor McGonnagall's door.
Both Hermione's and Professor McGonnagall's heads turned to the door.
"Come in." Said Professor McGonnagall.
The door opened and a Slytherin, probably a fifth year, walked in.
"I was sent to tell you that Draco isn't able to patrol tonight. He's gotten sick."
Professor McGonnagall paused then said, "Very well. Thank you for informing me."
The Slytherin boy walked out and shut the door. Hermione's heart stopped its bouncing and sunk slightly. She had been looking forward, nervously of course, to tonight. She looked up at Professor McGonnagall, waiting to hear what she should do.
"Well, I suppose you'll have to patrol by yourself tonight, Miss Granger." Said Professor McGonnagall. "Do everything as you normally would. You'll have to keep a closer watch. Hopefully this will only be for tonight."
"Okay, I'll do that." Replied Hermione. She got up to leave.
"Goodbye Miss Granger." Said Professor McGonnagall. Hermione said goodbye and stepped outside the office.
Hermione paused there thinking. She felt bad. Not just because she wasn't going to see Draco that night but also because he was sick. She really wanted to see him.
Hermione sighed resigned to the fact. She started down the hall, and then stopped. An idea had just occurred to her. Why couldn't she see Draco? She could do the first part of the patrolling, report to McGonnagall, and then have until midnight to see him.
No, it couldn't work. It was too risky. Never mind Ron, how would she find the Slytherin common room and actually get inside? Add on top of that the possibility of McGonnagall finding out and she was already toast.
But she really wanted to see him. It would be so unexpected. She could surely get Crookshanks to help her; he knew the castle quite well.
No. It was too chancy. She didn't want to land herself a month of detention and who knows what else. She started down the hall again with a determined air.
Patrolling went slower than usual tonight without Draco's company. Hermione kept a close eye out for people wandering around when they shouldn't be. She came across no one; the castle was asleep and quiet.
10:30 finally came and Hermione returned to Professor McGonnagall's office. She knocked, was acknowledged, and walked in.
"I don't have anyone to report, Professor McGonnagall." Hermione said.
"Good, I'm glad you were able to patrol on your own tonight. Thank you." Said Professor McGonnagall. The professor got up from her chair and prepared to leave.
Hermione turned to go. "Well, goodnight Professor."
"Goodnight Miss Granger, I trust you'll do fine patrolling for the rest of the night." Said the professor.
"Yes, professor." Said Hermione and walked out of the office.
Normally she would have a 20-minute break between now and the start of the second part of patrol. Hermione started toward the workroom. She heard Professor McGonnagall leave her office, lock it, and head toward the opposite end of the corridor.
Her previous idea floated across Hermione's mind again. Actually, it had been vaguely on her mind ever since she had thought of it. But she couldn't. She wouldn't. She was going to go to the workroom and then finish patrol. Nothing else.
Hermione approached the workroom, then passed it and headed toward Gryffindor tower.
I can't believe I'm doing this! If I get caught I'm going to be in so much trouble! But I'm going to see Draco! Hermione's excitement overran her fears.
Now she just had to figure out how to get Crookshanks. Ron was probably in the common room. She obviously couldn't go there. She could Accio Crookshanks but that would probably hurt him and make a lot of noise. What to do, what to do.
"Oh Crookshanks, if you could just come out of the common room." Hermione whispered. She wasn't sure what to do and time was ticking.
Hermione kept walking towards Gryffindor tower, thinking.
As she approached the portrait of the Fat Lady, Hermione stopped.
"Hello, dear." The portrait said.
Hermione said hello back.
"Can I help you?" The portrait asked.
"No, I'm just thinking, thanks." Hermione replied back. Then she decided to just go in. There was nothing else for it.
She could tell Ron she had forgotten something. Maybe he would accept that. The crazy things I do, Hermione thought to herself.
She looked cautiously around. This was horribly unsafe. Ron could come out at any moment. Her heart was beating madly.
She dashed to the girl's staircase and quietly, cautiously shut the door. Safe! For now.
Hermione crept upstairs and into the dormitory. She found Crookshanks lying on her bed.
"Crookshanks! Wake up!" Hermione urgently whispered. The cat shook itself awake. "I need you to follow me." Said Hermione, feeling a bit foolish for talking to a cat. But this wasn't an ordinary cat.
She moved away from the bed, Crookshanks hopped off and followed her.
Now for round two. Hermione thought to herself. She quietly went down the stairs again. At the door she waited and listened. Crookshanks bristled. She thought it wise to stay still.
She couldn't hear anything. Time was quickly passing. She wasn't going to have a long time.
Another minute went by. Her heart was beating crazily again. She decided to crack the door open slightly.
She turned the doorknob slowly, slowly. She cracked the door open ever so slightly. Nothing. Relief.
Then a movement. Ron! Hermione's heart leapt into her throat and it was all she could do to keep from slamming the door. Fortunately his back was to her. She quietly, very quietly eased the door shut.
That was close! How long would he be there? Hermione listened hard at the door again.
Another couple minutes passed that felt like years. Then a faint shut of a door. Ron going to his dormitory? There was only one way to find out.
Hermione chanced another peek through the door. Nothing. Pause for a few seconds. She edged the door open a half-inch. The common room appeared empty.
She looked down at Crookshanks. He looked at the door.
Hermione boldly stepped out into the common room, Crookshanks at her heels. It was empty!
A mountain successfully climbed, Hermione left the common room and went down the hall a ways. She then bent down and said to Crookshanks, "I need you to lead me to the Slytherin common room.
Crookshanks took off down the hall. Hermione smiled to herself. This could work after all.
Crookshanks arrived at the door leading down to the dungeons. He looked up at Hermione expectantly. She opened the door and her cat started down the stairs.
Here we go. Hermione thought.