Hermione needed to find out more about Ginny and the mysterious third wand symbol. She had scoured every possible place on her body, but some places remained unchecked. Ginny's involvement in the enigma could not be ignored.
With a quick glance around to ensure no one was watching, Hermione emerged from the bag.
Stealthily, Hermione slipped out of her own dorm room, making sure that her exit went unnoticed.
The common room was quiet when she arrived, its warmth a stark contrast to the chill of her anxiety. She scanned the room, her gaze falling on Harry Potter, who was seated in a corner, engrossed in a book. Ginny, however, was nowhere in sight.
Hermione's pulse quickened. Her resolve was unwavering; finding Ginny was no longer an option but a necessity. She approached Harry, her thoughts racing as she prepared to seek his help in locating Ginny.
Harry's eyes widened in surprise as he noticed Hermione's sudden appearance. He set aside his book and approached her with a puzzled expression. "You're invisible," he remarked, his voice tinged with both curiosity and concern. "Where have you been hiding these days?"
"Where is Ginny?" she asked, her tone leaving no room for hesitation or small talk.
Harry furrowed his brow, momentarily taken aback. "Last I saw her was—" he began, but his voice trailed off as he struggled to recall.
Hermione's impatience flared. "You're obviously clueless," she snapped, frustration creeping into her voice. With a swift, purposeful stride, she moved past him, her determination driving her forward.
Harry, now thoroughly baffled by her abruptness, called after her, his voice filled with concern. "Hey, what's going on with you?"
Hermione's footsteps echoed through the deserted Gryffindor corridors as she navigated the maze-like hallways. Her search for Ginny was proving more difficult than anticipated, but her determination remained unshaken.
Just as she rounded a corner, she spotted Luna Lovegood ahead, her dreamy humming filling the quiet space. Luna wore an eccentric hat adorned with moving mouse ears that twitched and bobbed with every step.
"Hermione?" Luna's voice was distant, as if her mind were drifting in another realm entirely.
Hermione replied, "Hi, Luna."
Luna was still in her dream world.
Hermione called out again, this time more urgently. "Luna!"
The sound seemed to pierce through Luna's reverie. She blinked, her gaze refocusing as she looked at Hermione with a mild surprise. "Oh, Hermione. Do you want my hat?" she asked, her tone as whimsical as ever.
"Uh… Huh… no… never mind," she replied, but was unable to engage further.
Luna tilted her head slightly, her eyes twinkling with an almost otherworldly insight. "Then what do you want? I see the feeling of need in your eyes."
Hermione, taken aback by Luna's perceptiveness, quickly refocused. "My eyes need… uh… Have you seen Ginny?"
Luna's gaze became thoughtful, her eyes narrowing as she considered the question. "You might wanna go to the Transfiguration Classroom."
Hermione looked puzzled. "Why would she go there?"
Luna's response was both enigmatic and nonchalant. "How would I know? I am not Professor McGonagall."
Hermione's thoughts were a tangled mess, her mind racing to make sense of Luna's cryptic advice. Absently, she muttered, "Yes, you are not. Thanks," her words coming out before her mind had fully processed them.
Hermione's mind raced as she bounded down the main staircase, her thoughts a whirlwind of anxiety and urgency. Her hurried steps seemed driven by an instinctive fear that Ginny might be in danger. It was an unsettling notion, especially considering her unwavering trust in Professor McGonagall, who had always been a guiding force since her arrival at Hogwarts.
As Hermione neared the Transfiguration Classroom, she couldn't shake the oddity of the situation. Despite her trust in McGonagall, she had never seen Ginny alone with the professor. The sense of unease gnawed at her, propelling her forward with a newfound sense of urgency.
Reaching the door, Hermione peered inside. Ginny sat on one of the benches, her posture relaxed but her expression pensive. Professor McGonagall stood nearby, her figure imposing yet calm. The two were engaged in conversation, their words a mere murmur that Hermione could not decipher from where she stood.
Professor McGonagall's sharp eyes caught sight of Hermione through the small window in the door.
With a graceful nod, she motioned for Hermione to enter. "Miss Granger," she said with a soft, welcoming tone, "I believe Miss Weasley could use your support."