Chapter 47: The Punishment for Being Late
The moment Madam Hooch announced the end of class, Hermione grabbed Ethan and rushed him to the Hospital Wing.
Hermione was very worried. "Let's go see Neville. He's badly injured this time, and we don't know when he'll recover."
In the Muggle world, a broken wrist and bone injuries take at least six months to heal fully.
Hermione worried that Neville might have more than just this one injury. He had fallen from such a height, and there was a high likelihood of internal damage.
Drawing on his memory of Neville and his trust in the Hospital Wing, Ethan wasn't worried at all. "Don't worry, Hermione. This is the wizarding world, the world of magic. Neville will be fine."
Those words did little to reassure her. "Easy for you to say. Who knows what will happen?"
When they arrived at the Hospital Wing, Neville was already asleep. Madam Pomfrey stood beside him, monitoring his condition.
The two of them tiptoed into the ward. "Madam, we've come to see Neville. How is he?" Hermione whispered.
"No need to whisper. I gave him the Draught of Living Death, so he's sleeping soundly now," Madam Pomfrey said at normal volume. "I heard from Madam Hooch that he fell from a flying broomstick? I haven't seen an injury like that in a long time."
Hermione jumped to his defense. "He was so nervous that he didn't hear the professor clearly."
Madam Pomfrey said flatly, "Is that so? Wasn't he hospitalized last time because of a failed potion? And didn't you two come to visit him then?"
"Yes, but how long will it take him to recover?" Hermione asked, eager to change the subject before Neville's reputation suffered further damage.
The matron held up one finger.
"A whole year?!" Hermione looked down at Neville lying in the bed, wondering if he would have to repeat the year.
"What are you thinking? Who do you think you are? All afternoon! He can leave tonight!" Madam Pomfrey had intended to play the stern authority figure, but she hadn't expected to encounter such ignorance. If anyone overheard this, it would ruin her reputation.
"Oh! That quickly? But this is a very serious injury!" Hermione quickly raised her head, staring at Madam Pomfrey in shock.
"Hmph, they're just minor injuries. You're not needed here. If there's nothing else, you can leave now," Madam Pomfrey said irritably, trying to shoo them away.
Ethan tugged at Hermione, who still looked ready to ask something else, and said politely, "Thank you for healing Neville. We won't bother you any longer."
In the Hospital Wing corridor, Ethan chuckled. "I told you this is the magical world, and you still thought it would take a year. See? You've gone and upset Madam Pomfrey."
Hermione was a little embarrassed. "How was I supposed to know that one represented an afternoon? I thought Neville's injury was too serious and he might have to repeat a year. I had already planned to lend him all my notes to copy and try to get him back into our class."
"You've thought quite far ahead. I wonder if Neville will be lucky to have a classmate like you who can lend him notes."
When the two returned to the Great Hall, they saw Draco talking to Harry and Ron.
Judging by their expressions, it clearly wasn't a pleasant conversation.
Hermione looked at Draco with disgust. He had caused all the trouble. "Do you still think Malfoy isn't a bad person?"
Ethan was pragmatic. "I have reservations, but he really went too far this time."
Hermione wasn't satisfied with that answer, and she walked straight toward the group.
Ethan watched from a distance as Draco left with two bodyguards. Hermione and the Gryffindors spoke to each other, but their expressions were grim.
He couldn't care less about all that. Although he didn't want Hermione to get involved in the mess Harry had created, he couldn't force Hermione to stay.
"Let things take their natural course."
That night, before he drifted off to sleep, he saw Draco return to his dormitory with a sly grin, followed by Goyle and Crabbe, who were also smiling, as if they had accomplished something remarkable.
The next morning, when he saw Hermione again, he noticed that she looked somewhat haggard.
"What's wrong? You don't look well. Did you not sleep well last night?"
"Yes, but something really scary happened, and I couldn't sleep." She glanced at the bustling Great Hall and held back what she wanted to say. "I'll tell you later."
Before Potions class, Hermione found a deserted stairwell and told Ethan everything that had happened the day before.
He gave her a thumbs-up. "You actually went for a night stroll yesterday. That's impressive! I've always wanted to do that, but I never figured out how."
Hermione was furious. "Ethan, this isn't something to be proud of. I went to stop them from sneaking out, and I got locked out!"
"Okay, okay. Were you up all night because you were scared of that three-headed dog, or because you wanted to know what it was guarding?"
Hermione said seriously, "Well, yes, we did break in yesterday, but Dumbledore strictly forbade us from entering the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side during the opening banquet!"
Clearly, he wasn't joking. With such a massive monster around, anyone who dared to intrude would likely suffer an agonizing death.
*Why would Dumbledore bring such a large dog into the school? There had to be better places in the castle to keep a dog. And what could possibly need a monster to guard it?*
I bet it's something really important, something worth taking a huge risk to steal. Ethan was referring to the Philosopher's Stone, but Hermione didn't know that, and she let her imagination run wild.
"Could it be a rare, unique book? Is some notorious book thief after it? Or maybe a priceless magical artifact being stored here under Hogwarts's tight security?"
I guess it's the latter. Rare books can be copied, and you don't necessarily need the original to acquire the knowledge.
Hermione nodded in agreement. "You're right, it must be a priceless magical item. Guess what it is?"
Ethan paused, listening to the bells. "I guess we're going to be late for Potions class."
"Ah!" Only then did Hermione hear the clock tower chiming. She grabbed Ethan and ran toward the underground classroom.
Unfortunately, they had left too late anyway.
They had planned to sneak in while Snape had his back to the door, but Snape called them out immediately.
He turned around to face the two of them as soon as they entered. "Mr. Jones, Miss Granger. Late? Very well! Five points from Gryffindor! Now go back to your seats!"
Hermione's face turned bright red. She lowered her head and walked toward the seat left for her, listening to the Gryffindors' indignant murmurs. Her head dropped even lower.
Being a Slytherin spared by his own Head of House, Ethan quickly slunk over and sat down next to Draco.
"Listen carefully!" Snape roared in the direction of the lions before officially starting the lesson.
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