Prof. Trelawney's confession of knowing about what true union might mean made the other three in the room very anxious to know what her idea was. They turned to look at her expectantly. She didn't say a word. Finally Prof. McGonagall asked, "So, what is a true union?"
"Oh! I thought you all had understood the way you looking at me with understanding eyes." She said.
"Professor, we were looking expectantly not with any sort of understanding. We're absolutely confused." Draco said.
"Well then, I must clear your confusion being that I am your professor and am to guide you." Prof. Trelawney was the only one who gave a sad little chuckle after what she said. Maybe she found something funny in it. She was getting loonier than Luna Lovegood!
"A true union is the union of soul, mind and body." Sybil Trelawney declared.
"And just how are me and Draco to achieve that? We can't become one! That's impossible. We're different individuals with their own mind and body and soul!" Hermione proclaimed.
"Exactly!" said Prof. Trelawney, "That is where your answer lies. Search for something. Figure out how you can make your union true. That is the key to finding the boy who is desperately in need of a haircut." Draco had to chuckle at that. Boy who is desperately in need of a haircut? Now that was new. Even Hermione's narrowed eyes wouldn't make him wipe that oh so famous smirk off his face. He knew Trelawney would prove her worth some day!
"But Professor, you sad you KNEW!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Yes, I did. And I TOLD you what I KNOW." Professor Trelawney replied in a tone similar to Hermione's slightly condescending way of saying 'knew', as if she was making a person slight of hearing understand what she was saying.
"Wait. I know what you have to do." Minerva McGonagall suddenly piped up. She had been quiet the whole time. Neither of the two students had noticed because one was busy laughing and the other was adding to her list of 'why I hate divination and the teacher who teaches divination' list. She knew Sybil was useless. First all the fake death predictions and now this- a cryptic reply. She should have known. She should've never believed this woman would actually know something. The only time she makes a true prophecy, she doesn't remember it. It was a magical fluke perhaps. Maybe spirits at work!
Draco suddenly noticed Minerva mumbling to herself. "Professor, what is it? Have you thought of something?" he asked.
"No. It can't be. It's impossible. It could never happen. Harry cannot be saved. We're all doomed. But maybe… maybe if you…" Professor McGonagall trailed off looking at Hermione and then at Draco and then back to Hermione.
"What is it professor? We'll do our best to do it. We want to save Harry." Hermione said.
"A true union is indeed of the mind, body and soul." Hermione began to think McGonagall was going down the loony line too but her next words made everything around her stop revolving. Hermione didn't know what to feel. Instant fear gripped her. Her palms became wet with sweat. She didn't look at anyone else. She felt emotionless and burdened at the same time. How could she be burdened with so much? She wasn't even the 'boy who lived'! Why her? Why did the fate of the wizarding community rest on her shoulders? Her life began to flash past her. She began to think of all the moments that could've led to this. There were no clues. She just wanted to lie down in bed and read Hogwarts- A History under the blanket. She didn't want an abandoned war. She just wanted to be the eleven year old Hermione Granger again. The one who didn't have to worry about anything.