Chapter 4
My Goody Two-Shoes Reputation Goes Up In Smoke
After all of the craziness of the previous school year, life was pleasantly boring at my parents. I helped out in their office cleaning instruments and organizing things. " It is so funny to listen to people like Mr. Weasley and Dumbledore marvel at dentistry," I would muse. " So much of the muggle world seems like magic to the sheltered pureblood families like Ron's."
Summer gave me plenty of time for reading. I had checked out lots of books from the library before leaving. Now that I was more acclimated to things, I even felt brave enough to venture on my own into London and visit Diagon Alley on a couple of occasions.
My biggest annoyance of the summer was the lack of letters from Harry and Ron. I had made them promise to write. " I'm going to curse them so they will have to write me next summer, " I thought. In Harry's defense, he did write once. It was mostly about how poorly he was treated by his Aunt and Uncle, and his ass of a cousin Dudley. He also complained about an upcoming visit by his Aunt Marge. She was his uncle's sister and always exceptionally mean to him.
Ron never wrote to me all summer. I had no way to know that, unlike the past summer, Ron had a bit of an excuse. His father had won 700 Galleons in a lottery run by The Daily Prophet. The whole family was spending most of the summer in Egypt visiting Bill. He worked there as a curse-breaker for Gringotts. He could have at least sent a postcard.
It was not until the afternoon before Leaving Day that I finally met back up with Harry and Ron in Diagon Alley. I had been informed earlier that Domino was getting too old to be at the school. I told this to Ron's parents. They escorted me to the Magical Menagerie. I settled on a large, ginger tomcat named Crookshanks. The manager said he had been there a long time because he was half kneazle. I did not care about that but I should have. He seemed sad and alone like I had been much of my first year.
When Ron saw Crookshanks, he asked 'What the bloody hell is that?"
"It's my new cat. His name is Crookshanks, Ronald." I replied with a snooty voice as I hugged it.
"It looks more like a hairy pig. Keep it away from Scabbers" came his snide response.
"I don't think he will be interested in your ratty, old shoe brush," I said as I turned my back on him.
Later, Ron and Ginny gave Harry and me long descriptions of their vacation. It sounded really wonderful. I so want to visit Egypt now. I need to read more about it.
However, the biggest summer news was still Harry's. He had gotten into a row with his despicable aunt and lost control of his magic. He blew her up like a balloon. She floated out of the house and into the skies over Little Whinging. The Ministry knew about it almost instantly because of 'The Trace' that is on all of us until it breaks at age seventeen. Harry escaped the wrath of his uncle and went to The Leaky Cauldron. Ministry people were dispatched to recover, deflate, and alter her memory.
I thought Harry would be expelled or sent to Azkaban. But he said the Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge met him at The Leaky Cauldron. He did not seem very upset—almost. He lectured Harry about being more careful before giving him his school books. I was very relieved to see Harry not plagued with yet another problem. However, my happiness was too early and optimistic.
Leaving Day was a nasty, rainy mess. The view out of the window of the Hogwarts Express was wet and dismal. We were sharing a compartment with a wizard named Remus Lupin according to the tag on his luggage. However, he had already been asleep when we joined him and was still sleeping when the train unexpectedly slowed to a stop, and an icy chill filled the air.
A few moments passed. Then, a black, cloaked figure seemed to float up to the door to our compartment. It turned the latch with a rotten-looking, skeletal hand. I was terrified. As the door opened, a horrible feeling of freezing cold sadness started to overwhelm me. Then Harry seemed to faint. I opened my mouth to scream when Mr. Lupin sprung to life. He waved his wand at the creature and it seemed to be blasted away.
We turned to Harry. He started to come around after a moment. "What was that, sir?" I asked Mr. Lupin.
"That was a dementor," he replied. "They are one of the foulest creatures in our world. They feed on your happiness and joy until you are left with nothing except your ugliest, most painful memories."
"What was it doing here?" I asked as Harry managed to sit up.
"I don't know but questions need to be asked," he replied as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out a piece of chocolate and offered it to Harry. "Eat this. It will help you feel better." Harry took the chocolate and Mr. Lupin stepped out of the compartment.
After we arrived at the school and the first-years were sorted into their houses, Professor McGonagall came to me as we finished the feast.
"Miss Granger," she said. "May I have a word with you?"
"Uh—of course, Professor," I replied as I stood up.
She led me away from the hubbub without speaking. Finally, as we made our way into the outer hallway, she said, "I had a talk with Professor Dumbledore over the summer. I am concerned that our class schedule is limiting your potential. I suggested that we allow you to borrow a time-turner for strictly academic purposes. After some discussion, he agreed with me."
"What is a time-turner?" I asked.
"It is a device that will let you step back in time. With it, you could attend a class such as Arithmancy in the morning. Then, you could go back to attend Muggle Studies. This way, you can take as many classes as you wish."
"That is actually possible, Professor?" I asked with wide eyes.
"Yes, Miss Granger. It is quite possible," she said as she handed me a fine, gold chain with an hourglass pendant on it. "But we must warn you against using it for any purpose other than attending classes. And you must be careful about not being seen while using it. Dabbling with time is very dangerous and there are very severe consequences for witches and wizards who do so."
A few minutes later, she had finished her talk and demonstrated how to use it. She reiterated her warning. I headed back to rejoin Harry, Ron, and the others.
I was glad to see my roomies when I got up to the dorms and into my room. We had not had time to do any catching up during the sorting and feast. We spent a long time talking about what we had done over the summer. Parvati and her sister had traveled back to India to visit their grandparents. Carpathia's family had vacationed in the Midlands. Samantha had spent the summer with her cousins on their family farm where they grew magical animals and plants.
As I finally got into bed and shut my eyes, I had a hard time quieting my brain. It ran me through a long litany of events from the summer. Of the many subjects, I thought about, I somehow fixated on masturbation. I heard about it from some of the other girls before the end of the school year. It sounded strange but interesting. I could not find anything about it in the school library. So, once I was back at my parent's house, I went to a muggle bookstore and found a book that discussed it.
The first time I did it, you could almost consider it an accident. I was doing little more than examining myself against what I had read in the book. The touching got a little more involved than I realized and my body was suddenly shaking and spasming as I gasped in the throes of my first orgasm.
When it finally stopped after several seconds, I was somewhat freaked out even though it felt really good, the idea that I had lost control of my body and my senses was a little frightening.
I did it three more times over the summer. By the last time, I felt a bit of control over it. However, none of what I read or did prepared me for what was going to happen tonight.
After longer than I would have liked, I finally drifted off. I am not certain how long I was asleep when I woke up for who knows what reason. I opened my eyes only to discover it was still quite dark. A breeze was rustling the curtains on the right between my bed and Parvati. I assumed that it was the cause of my being disturbed. After a couple of breaths, I closed my eyes in the hope of quickly returning to sleep.
Then, I heard a noise emanating from Samantha's bed to my left. It was just breathing. However, it was not your normal, rhythmic sleep breathing. It was more labored and irregular.
I turned my head until I could see her silhouette. She was outside of her covers with her knees aimed upward. I could see her wand in her hand.
Samantha moved the wand down between her legs. Suddenly, she gave a muffled gasp. She has an eleven-inch spruce wand with a spruce cone carved on the end of its handle. It was very distinctive. I had no doubt that she had inserted it into her vagina. Despite the fact I had, as I mentioned before, masturbated. I had never worked up the courage to penetrate myself with anything, not even a finger.
I watched her for a few seconds as she pumped her wand in and out. She was emitting soft, almost inaudible grunts in time with her thrusts. My mind wanted to scream 'EEEEWWWW!' but I maintained silence. Finally, I turned my head away and tried to ignore her.
After a few moments, her bed started to rattle and she gasped three or four times. Then, she fell silent and I think both of us faded off to sleep.
I was delighted to find out Hagrid had been made our new Care Of Magical Creatures professor. Our first class was fascinating. He showed us a creature called a Hippogriff that was named Buckbeak. It had a head, wings, and front legs like an eagle. The rear of its body was that of a horse. It was really quite beautiful but frightening.
Hagrid said, 'they're proud. Easily offended, hippogriffs are. Don't never insult one, 'cause it might be the last thing yeh do.' and ' Yeh always wait fer the hippogriff ter make the firs' move. Yeh walk towards 'im, and yeh bow, an' yeh wait. If he bows back, yeh're allowed to touch 'im.'
Everyone backed away after Hagrid asked for a volunteer to step forward. Harry did not back up fast enough and Hagrid thanked him for volunteering. I was so scared for him. " Why is it always Harry, " I thought. " What if that thing attacks him and he gets hurt? "
It was very intense at first. Twice, I grabbed Ron out of fear. He gave me an odd look the first time. However, he remained steady as my courage wavered. Then, after the hippogriff let him pat him, Hagrid picked up Harry and sat him on Buckbeak's back. 'I think 'e'll let yeh ride 'im, now.' Before Harry could protest, Hagrid slapped Buckbeak's rear and it launched itself into the air.
Harry kind of screamed as he disappeared through the treetops. I was too scared to scream. My knees felt like water. I held onto Ron in order to avoid collapsing. We could hear Harry hollering. But after a while, it sounded like he was enjoying himself. When they finally returned from the sky, Harry had the biggest smile I had ever seen from him on his face. And then, that is when things went bad.
As we were all congratulating Harry, Draco Malfoy had to show off. He approached Buckbeak because he did not think he was as dangerous as Hagrid said. Buckbeak reared up and slashed Draco across the arm. Draco ended up in the infirmary with a cut. Of course, Draco's father went crazy and demanded that Buckbeak be punished. That is so unfair.
I was now attending the full array of N.E.W.T. classes. No one seemed to notice my sudden appearances except for Ron. He would say something like 'Where did you come from?' I would reply that I had been there all along. He would shake his head. It made me wonder if he was really that observant or was he always looking for me. It gave me a warm feeling inside.
That Remus Lupin guy from the train turned out to be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He was really good. Unlike Lockhart or Quirrell, we were learning a lot. One of the best lessons was about Boggarts. Boggarts change into whatever scares you the most. It was frightening for all of us, but a lot of fun to watch. People were facing their boggarts and defeating them. Ron faced a giant spider that he put on roller skates. It was hilarious.
The lesson ended when Harry was confronted with a dementor. When Professor Lupin intervened, the boggart changed into a moon. That confused me at first. I could not figure out why the moon would frighten Professor Lupin.
One Saturday, I was on my way back to the castle after a long nap under a tree thanks to my time turner. I heard noises as I rounded the corner of one of the greenhouses. Seamus Finnegan and a boy I only knew as MacGuffin from classes were sitting on the ground laughing. They appeared to be smoking something in a pipe.
"Aye. Granger. How are ya? Come join us," said Seamus as he let out a big exhale of smoke.
"Wha—what are you doing?" I asked apprehensively.
"Nothing. Just relaxin' and lettin' our minds have a wee bit of fun."
"You're smoking something. What is it?" I asked as the odd-smelling smoke infiltrated my nose
"Old Toby—um—uh Gaid. Come give it a try. Ya might enjoy it," he said as he took another pull on a long, leprechaun-style pipe.
"No. Smoking is wrong," I replied in my finest I-always-follow-the-rules voice. "Especially illegal things like that."
"C'mon, Granger. Ya know haf the school does it," he laughed. "Ya need to pull the wand out of yer arse. Mebbe folks would take more of a liking to ya iffin ya loosened up some."
"I—I—I can't. I—I—" I sputtered. I was caught between my personal code of strict adherence to the rules and my desperate desire to become more liked and accepted by my classmates. It was a true conundrum.
"Loosen up your tie," said Seamus as they both laughed. "A wee taste never 'urt anyone."
"I—I—I'm not wearing a tie," I said stiffly while lifting my nose. "I don't need to loosen anything."
"Well, take off yer shirt or trousers then—whatever it takes," he said as they both roared.
"Whatever," I sniffed, strangely not being able to resist joining their laughter. They were certainly having a lot of fun. Maybe a small taste from their pipe would not be the worst thing ever.
MacGuffin took a big draw and then offered the pipe to me. I looked at it, my hands were shaking and my knees wobbling. My moral compass was spinning in my head like a propeller. Spontaneity was never one of my strong suits. Where was Ron when I needed him? He was my spontaneous action go-to person.
Seamus snatched the pipe from MacGuffin and sucked in a huge toke. A cloud of smoke enveloped his head. The weed in the bowl glowed bright red as he extended his arm, hitting my hand with the tip of the pipe stem.
I hesitated, then took it. "What do I do?" I asked.
"Just draw some in and hold it as long as you can. Then let it out," said Seamus.
I put the pipe up to my mouth and inhaled. I managed to hold in the smoke for a few seconds before starting to cough up my lungs.
"Easy, Granger. Don't suck on it so 'ard, girl. Be gentle. It's a pipe, not yer boyfriend's willie," said Seamus as they both started laughing and rolling on the ground.
My head was throbbing from the coughing. I was about to lash out at him for the crude notion that I had a boyfriend and sucked on his thing. But as I opened my mouth to speak, I started to laugh for some unknown reason. "You're both wankers," I finally managed before laughter consumed me. I took another taste of the pipe. This time, I held the smoke in much longer. A giddy dizziness fell over me and I sat down next to Seamus.
Time passed as we smoked, laughed, and talked. Finally, I stood up. "I really need to go," I said. We shared a final laugh and I walked away.
" Why would anyone want a zoo where the animals came and looked at us?" I thought. " Who needs a single jumper with no sleeves, short sleeves, and long sleeves? Why would anyone want a pizza with pineapple and anchovies on it? But I do want one with a pepperoni crust. Wow! I'm really hungry."
I made my way into the castle. "WHOA! I never realized how big this place is. It's massive. I need to visit the snack table in the dining hall before going up to my room," I thought. As I looked around, it seemed like everyone, even the portraits, were staring at me. " Is it really that obvious? Can everyone tell what I've been doing? Am I going to get in trouble? Will I get detention—or worse yet, expelled? Will I lose points for Gryffindor? What will Ron and Harry think? I don't think they do this. Everyone will hate me. I need to hurry."
A few minutes later, I was finally heading up the stairs of Gryffindor Tower. I was carrying a bowl of dragon scale chips and dip, some cookies, a treacle tart, and a pitcher of pumpkin juice. The portrait of The Fat Lady laughed at me as she demanded the password. "Sum malus puella," I managed to say as bits of chocolate chip cookie shot out of my mouth. The portrait moved and I headed straight up to my dorm room.
Being the middle of a Saturday, the place was deserted. My body was still buzzing from Seamus' gaid. I put my bounty of munchies on our center table. " I reek of that stuff we were smoking, " I said to myself as I stuffed another cookie in my mouth. " I need to put my clothes in the laundry and take a shower ."
Quickly undressing, I tossed my clothes in the general laundry pick-up for the house-elves. I put on my dressing robe and headed to the showers with my soap, shampoo, and towel.
Several minutes later, I returned to my dorm room. I had scrubbed myself cleaner than I had ever scrubbed before. My skin literally shined like it had been waxed and buffed. I tossed my robe on my bed and wrapped a towel around my hair for later attention. As I started to dry myself, I could not stop giggling about what I had done. I had broken my rule of never breaking the rules—and had fun doing it.
My breasts felt oddly sensitive as I started drying myself. My nipples hardened and a strange tingle radiated down into my nether region causing one of my hands to follow it. As my hand ran back and forth over my slit and the hair that was becoming thicker and thicker in recent times, I penetrated between the lips and touched my clitoris. A sharp wave of pleasure shot through my body causing me to almost double over.
"OH MY!" flashed in my brain. For some reason, I saw visions of Harry, Ron, and several of the other boys I knew. The image of Ron was particularly exciting. He was smiling and puckering up like we were going to kiss. I started to focus on him.
I did not notice at first, however, my fingers were getting more and more frisky and eager as I visualized Ron. After a moment, I realized what was happening but I could not stop. My breathing was coming harder and harder, faster and faster. My body was moving on its own without my direction. My hips were pumping against my lashing fingers as they raced quicker and quicker and quicker over my most sensitive flesh. My mouth was gaping wide open as my free hand caressed and pinched my breasts and nipples.
"Oh—oh—oh—oh," I panted. "Ron!"
My entire being exploded into a universe of pure ecstatic energy. It was like I had suddenly died and discorporated into the eternal unknown. I no longer existed in the real world.
Then, right in the middle of things, I was suddenly yanked back to reality. A voice screeched "Hermione! " My eyes were ripped wide open. I saw the shocked face of Carpathia Skint as she started to turn and flee the room. " OHMIGAWD! OHMIGAWD! I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she wailed while disappearing.
The shock of being caught in mid-climax was synergistic. The intensity of my orgasm went from a nuclear explosion to a supernova. I shattered and fell to the floor almost unconscious. Several moments passed before I gathered enough strength and control of my faculties to stand up. I quickly dress. My body was burning with shame. But at the same time, a feeling of deep satisfaction was also filling me.
An hour later, I made my way to the dining hall. Even though I was no longer feeling the effects of the marijuana and had eaten a copious amount of my gathered snacks, I was still ravenous. Carpathia and I barely managed to even make glancing eye contact. I think she was more embarrassed than I was.
Two days later, we finally managed to talk. Carpathia admitted to having done the same thing a few times. We basically agreed that it is a natural thing and almost everyone does it. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Perhaps, I am, at least on occasion, Hermione the Naughty Witch-tee hee hee.
In early November, Professor Snape substituted for Professor Lupin. He would not explain the reason for his presence. However, even though he was only substituting, he assigned an essay on werewolves focusing on recognizing and identifying them. That was when I realized Professor Lupin's true identity. I wrongly assumed it was him who had attacked the portrait of the Fat Lady while trying to break into our dormitories on Halloween.
The next day was a quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. That is always a major drama. The clash was no exception. The weather was horrid. However, the reason for the drama was different than the usual Harry versus Draco stuff. While Harry was chasing the snitch, the dementors that were supposed to be guarding Hogwarts from Sirius Black since the attack on our dormitories went after him.
Harry fell off his broom and plummeted forever as I screamed and clutched Ron. Dumbledore used a charm to stop his fall before he crashed into the ground. Harry still ended up in the hospital wing. The only real casualty of the situation was Harry's Nimbus 2000. It fell into the Whomping Willow and was destroyed.
Dumbledore sent the dementors away and November passed quietly into December. On 18 December, Harry wanted to go to Hogsmeade with the rest of us. He was, however, forbidden by the watch that was on him because of the threat of an attack by Sirius Black. That is when Fred and George made a huge sacrifice as I would learn later. They gave him their treasured Marauders Map. He used it to escape the castle and make it to The Three Broomsticks.
Inside The Three Broomsticks, he secretly overheard the Minister tell a small group that not only was Sirius Black responsible for the betrayal of his parents and the murder of a boy named Peter Pettigrew, but he was also Harry's godfather. I cannot imagine how that must have felt. I think if it had been me, I would have died right there on the spot.
Later, Ron and I saw footsteps actively leaving the inn. So much for Ron's and my little date. We tracked Harry out of the village until he stopped in a clearing. I could hear his sobs coming from under his invisibility cloak as I approached him. With the greatest of care, I removed it.
After a few moments to gather himself, a tearful Harry told us what he had heard. I was totally devastated. How could such a tragedy fall on Harry? He was already saddled with so much.
The next day was full of more bad news. The Ministry had buckled under the constant harangue of Draco's father. A hearing was scheduled over the attack on Draco by Buckbeak. Hagrid was despondent. I considered it completely unfair. Draco was to blame for what had occurred. How could they even consider punishing an innocent creature?
On Christmas Day, we all got presents. Harry received an anonymous gift of a Firebolt broomstick. It is the greatest broomstick in the world. It is usually reserved for only the top professional quidditch players. Who would give him such an amazing and expensive gift?
I was immediately suspicious. Could Sirius Black have given it to him? What if it were cursed? I took my concerns to Professor McGonagall. She confiscated the broom for testing. Harry and Ron were exceptionally cross at me and let me know it. In retrospect, I should have discussed my worries with them. They would have told me I was bonkers and not to worry about it. However, after a bit of a kerfuffle, I think they would have come around and agreed to have it tested.
Winter break arrived. The tension was high. Harry could not manage to convince Professor McGonagall to return the Firebolt. I sat in the corner of the train compartment all the way home crying. Ron and Harry left me alone. They probably did not know what to say, but they were still barking mad at me. And besides, they are boys and cannot possibly understand the intricacies of emotions like we girls.
My parents could tell something was wrong as soon as I arrived home. They asked if it was school troubles or personal. I could not really talk about it the way I needed to. All they could do was tell me how much they loved me and that I could come home anytime I wanted. They said the most important things are my health and happiness. They would support whatever decision I made. I think they wanted me to leave Hogwarts and come home to stay but would not say it.
The winter break week passed and the tension was a lot lower by the time we arrived back at school on 2 January. Ron and Harry were still angry and not wanting to talk much to me. I was consumed with schoolwork. I was taking a huge amount of classes. The stress was wearing on me. Still, I was getting the maximum value out of the time turner.
During this time, Harry was forced to use a Comet broom he borrowed from Oliver Wood. I avoided quidditch practices. I could tell the entire team was angry at me. What I did not know was at the same time, Professor Lupin was teaching Harry the Patronus Spell to repel dementors. This was going to prove invaluable in the future. For now, it was bolstering Harry's confidence.
Finally, on 3 February, Professor McGonagall returned the Firebolt to Harry. I think I was as happy as he was. Once he had finished soaring through the skies and buzzing the students in the quad several times, he landed. Cautiously, I approached him. We had a nice talk and peace was restored between us as we made our way to the dormitories. He said he was sorry. In his heart, he knew I had acted in what I truly believed to be his best interests. I also apologized for not handling it better. I should have talked to him first and not gone behind his back.
We had a nice hug. Just as I was leaving, feeling back on top of the world, I saw Ron coming into the dorm room. He looked crazy angry. " What's wrong, " I wondered.
"There you are!" he screamed at the top of his voice.
"Wha—wha—what?" I sputtered, caught off guard.
"He finally did it," Ron snarled, his eyes stabbing into me like a pair of icy, blue daggers. Harry stepped back, not wanting to fall into the line of fire.
"Who di—di—did what?" I whimpered.
"Your cat. It finally ate Scabbers. I told you like a million times to keep him away."
'That's impossible. He wouldn't do that."
"Well. He did," said Ron as he pointed at a bloody-looking smear on the floor next to his bed.
Ron started to stomp out of the room but I beat him to the door. Tears were pouring from my eyes as I made my way to my room. I was glad it was empty when I got there. I could just lay there with Crookshanks and cry until I evaporated.
" The whole world hates me. This is just like being a first-year all over. What's the matter with me? How can I be so stupid? How can I prove Crookshanks is innocent? What if Crookshanks did eat Scabbers? How can I ever make it up to Ron? " I sobbed over and over to myself.
Days passed. In my heart, I just knew Crookshanks did not eat Scabbers. Still, I was feeling sad about it all of the time. I felt like Harry was more of a brother to me than a friend. Our squabbles were more like family spats and we would eventually settle them and return to loving one another. Ron was my best friend but no one seemed to understand that or even recognize it. I think that is why I was taking the situation about Crookshanks and Scabbers so hard. My heart ached more than I thought possible.
A couple of days later, something got into our dormitories again. Whatever it was, it disliked Ron. It tore the curtains on his bed. I knew it was not Crookshanks but what could it be? And why does it seem to hate Ron?
More time was passing. I was getting more and more stressed out and exhausted from my overly ambitious course load. I was a girl on the edge and it was that time of the month. Harry, Ron, and I were on our way down to Hagrid's when we encountered Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle.
They started taunting us about the likelihood of an impending death sentence for Buckbeak. I lit into Malfoy as Harry and Ron tried to restrain me. "It's only Malfoy," said Ron. That is when I snapped. I pulled away from Harry and Ron. I looked Draco in the eyes and called him a 'foul, loathsome, evil, little cockroach!'
Draco started to laugh and say something. He never finished his words. I slapped him so hard that he nearly toppled over. I saw the taste fly out of his mouth and land at least ten feet away. I was so tingly all over that it almost felt like I had an orgasm. Hitting him was a dream come true.
Draco looked at Crabbe and Goyle. Then, he started running away cursing and sputtering about his father with his boys close behind. Harry and Ron grabbed me. I was still shaking I was so over-stimulated.
"That was great," chirped Harry.
"Great? It was bloody brilliant," said Ron as he squeezed me from the side.
The slap of Draco meant more to me than just the satisfaction of a dream come true. It was an awakening. I had blatantly broken the rules for the second time and it felt good. It was not like I wanted to become some kind of outside-the-rules renegade or to a lesser degree flaunter and tester of rules like Fred and George. It was the knowledge that there were times when it was right and necessary to break or bend the rules and that I was capable of it. It was the last time my making of the polyjuice despite the ultimate outcome would haunt me as a moral failing. I am Hermione the Good.
As the days passed, I felt free. I inadvertently missed my Charm Class one day. It was my first absence in any class in all of my years at Hogwarts. Harry and I barely talked. He was totally involved in the push to win the Quidditch Cup. I kept wondering about the secret classes he was taking from Professor Lupin but he would not talk about them.
Finally, the day of the Quidditch Cup Championship game arrived. I have never been a huge fan of Quidditch but I still attended to support Gryffindor and Harry. It was a brutal match from the very start with lots of fouls. It ended quicker than average when Harry caught the snitch after Draco fouled him. I think Crabbe and Goyle were trying to cheat from the stands, too. The final score was 230-20. Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup!
Draco was furious as he stormed off the pitch. He was hurling slurs and threats as he slunk away. It made me laugh. I saw Draco's father across the pitch in the stands for the VIPs. The look on his face as he watched Draco leave said it all. He did not care about the game. His disappointment was aimed at Draco and I imagined he would be telling him as much. That gave me a momentary feeling of mixed emotions.
I soon became immersed in studying for all of the final exams I was going to face. I vowed to use more common sense before taking so many classes next year. How could I have been such a fool as to think I could handle the class load I carried this year?
As finals week arrived, so did Buckbeak's final appeal. The stress of my worries about him made it hard to study, and even harder to concentrate during my exams. By the end of the week, my mind was a frazzle.
I was in the Common Room chatting with Ron when a note from Hagrid appeared. My heart fell through the floor. Buckbeak had lost his appeal. His execution was set for sunset. My eyes filled with tears and my head collapsed on Ron's shoulder.
Harry came in, and I was finally able to sit back up and not sob. He seemed to have news, but ours had to come out first. "Buckbeak lost," moaned Ron. Harry's news, whatever it was, evaporated.
"We have to go down to Hagrid's," said Harry.
"We can't," I said. "Hagrid says not to come."
"No, there has to be a way," he asserted.
"We'll use your cloak."
"I don't have it," replied Harry. "I left it in the One-Eyed Witch Passage because of Snape."
A moment later, I had gotten Harry to tell me how to enter it. I darted away as Ron made a stuttering attempt to stop me. When I returned with the cloak fifteen minutes later, Ron had a real conniption about what I did.
"What's gotten into you?" he blurted. "First you slap Malfoy—then you walk out of Divination—and now this. You're going to get into trouble."
Honestly, Ronald," I replied with a smirk. "You have complained for years that I act too much like Percy. So, now, I loosen up a little and you're going all Percy on me. There's no pleasing you."
"Well—that's—uh—that's just completely off the point."
"Whatever. We can talk about it later. We have to get down to Hagrid's."
