Chapter 286 Hermione's Time
After the first successful spell, Hermione improved.
They looked for a few more Acromantulas for Hermione to practice on. Even though she could now cast the spell successfully, she was still not very skilled and could not easily master her movements.
Her spell was also much less potent than Evan's.
"I've practiced for so long, and I still can't master this spell..."
"You're already doing great, Hermione!" Evan encouraged her and said, "When I first encountered this spell, I didn't grasp it as quickly as you have. What you need now is more practice until you fully master it."
More practice means more time.
Hermione's schoolwork had consumed all her time and energy, with each teacher assigning more and more homework to prepare for the upcoming final exams, in addition to the regular battle with the Acromantulas in the Forbidden Forest every Friday.
Since February, Hermione had been using the Time-Turner frequently to travel back and forth to different time periods, often forgetting to eat.
With the increasing schoolwork, the pressure was relentless, and she could only confide in Evan about it.
Evan chose to remain silent and listen quietly, providing her a place to vent.
It was futile to suggest that Hermione drop some classes or anything of the sort. It was entirely a wasted effort.
He often saw her reappear before him just after leaving.
Thus, Evan had to prepare a schedule for Hermione to remind her what to do at a certain time.
One day before the Easter break, when Evan and Colin finished their morning History of Magic lessons, they entered the Great Hall and saw all the third-year students sitting at the table with smiles on their faces. Only Harry and Ron seemed concerned and whispered to each other.
"Why are they laughing all the time?" Colin asked curiously.
"This is the power of the Joyeuse spell," explained Ron. "In this morning's Charms class, Professor Flitwick taught us this spell, and we cast it on each other."
Evan knew that the Joyeuse spell could bring a profound sense of contentment to people.
Under the spell's influence, the victim's spirits would remain high, feeling happy from the depths of their hearts, even when facing frustrating situations.
"Everyone really needs to relax. The effect of this spell can last a whole day," Evan looked around and continued, "Where's Hermione, why hasn't she come for lunch?"
"In fact, that's what we've just been discussing," Harry hurriedly said, "Evan, have you seen Hermione anywhere else?"
"No, I saw her last in the morning; she followed you two to the Charms class!" Evan frowned and said, "What happened?"
"In fact, this morning until we climbed the marble staircase to Professor Flitwick's classroom, the three of us were together," explained Harry. "But when we entered the classroom, Hermione was missing!"
"Missing?!" Evan froze.
"She was clearly behind me, and we were discussing those blasted spiders in the Forbidden Forest," added Ron, "Harry and I thought she went to the bathroom, but she didn't show up for the whole lesson."
Upon hearing this, Evan already knew what had happened.
Hermione must have confused the time with the Time-Turner. She had missed a very important Charms class, and he didn't know where she was now.
He pulled Hermione's schedule from his school bag, which showed that this morning she also had Arithmancy and Divination in addition to the Charms class.
"Did anyone ask around for Hermione?" Evan looked up and said, "Anyone in the Divination class, for example?"
"We've asked everyone, but no one has seen Hermione!" Ron glanced at the schedule in Evan's hands and whispered, "I've never understood it. How does Hermione manage to have so many classes at the same time?!"
"Evan, do you think Hermione will use that thing?" Harry thought about the Time-Turner.
Evan nodded, and Ron looked at him and Harry suspiciously.
"Hermione must have mixed up the time. She's either in the library or in the Common Room," said Evan, setting down his cutlery. "Let's go find her."
More than 20 minutes later, they found Hermione in the Common Room. She was sitting at a table, asleep, with her head resting on an open book of Arithmancy.
They approached to sit on each side of her. Evan shook her to wake her up.
"What... what's happening, Evan?" Hermione said, confused. She woke up startled and looked around frantically. Then she saw Harry and Ron. "Is it time to go? What class do we have now?"
"Divination, but we still have twenty minutes left!" said Harry.
"Why didn't you come to Charms?" Ron asked strangely. "Evan said you mixed up the time, but I don't understand..."
"What?! Oh no!" said Hermione distressed, "I forgot about Charms!"
"But how could you forget?" asked Ron. "You were with us until we were right outside the classroom, and Harry can confirm that!"
Hermione paid no attention to him, exclaiming, "I can't believe it! Was Professor Flitwick angry? I remember you telling me about Acromantulas. I was thinking about the spell Evan taught me. I was thinking about that and lost track of time…"
"You've taken on too many courses," said Harry, looking down at the huge Arithmancy book Hermione had used as a pillow. "I think you're overwhelmed. You want to do so many things at once."
"That's not true!" said Hermione, pushing her hair out of her eyes and desperately looking around for her bag. "I just made a mistake, that's all! I'd better go see Professor Flitwick and apologize!"
She grabbed her school bag and hastily left the Common Room, with Evan quickly following her.
"I can't believe I missed Charms class," said Hermione, irritated, heading quickly to Professor Flitwick's office.
"I will hold you to your word; you've put yourself under too much pressure," said Evan.
"I haven't, I just..." Hermione hesitated when she saw Evan looking at her seriously. "You know, I just want to be better!"
"You are good enough. To me, you're always the best," Evan took out some slices of cake specially saved for Hermione from his school bag and handed them to her.
"Thank you, Evan!" Hermione felt deeply moved. She approached and hugged Evan.
Then she hurried to Professor Flitwick's office.
About ten minutes later, she came out looking extremely overwhelmed.