Escape: Into the Potterverse [18+]

Chapter 12

When the quidditch practice ends the team heads back into the changing rooms. After they leave, you and Hermione head back to the castle.

You reach the main entrance and see a group of children standing around watching the caretaker, Filch, putting something up on the wall. When you and Hermione get closer you can see it is a sign. You walk up close so you can read what it says.

Educational decree.
Delores Umbridge
Has been appointed
to the post of
Hogwarts High Inquisitor

"What does that mean?" you say to Hermione.

"I'm not sure," she says. "But it sounds bad."

"Do you think we should tell Harry?" you say.

"Yes, maybe," Hermione says. "I've just, err, got something I need to take care of first."

"Oh, okay," you say. "Did you need any help?"

"Oh, no," Hermione says quickly. "It's, erm, something I need to do alone."

"Okay, well I guess I will see you later then," you say.

"Yes, later," says Hermione, and then she rushed off quickly towards the dungeons.

You watch as Hermione disappears round the corner. She looked slightly flustered, like she is worrying about something. You hope she is okay.

You have a free period, so decide to head over to the library. It is still bothering you that you can't seem to make your wand work, and wonder if there are any books that could help.

When you reach the library you head over to the charms section. You browse through the titles looking for something that sounds like it would be suitable for a beginner. All the books you can see are big thick ones that look far too advanced. You are about to give up when you spot a little book tucked away at the bottom of the shelf. You pull it out and read the title. 'The Ladybird First Book of Charms' it says. Sounds perfect, you think.

You flick open the book and look at the pages. It is all full of pictures and seems to be aimed at much younger children. You are not sure why they would have a kiddy book like this in the Hogwarts library, but at the same time you are relieved as that is probably the level you are at.

You turn back to the beginning and look at the first charm it mentions. It begins with the levitation charm, Wingardium Leviosa. Yes, you think, that was what they learnt in the first year. There is also a diagram showing the wand movement, and a helpful guide on how to pronounce it properly, wing-GAR-dee-um leh-vee-OH-sa.

You pull out your wand, then look around for something to try levitating. You can't see any feathers around, so try and find something of a similar weight. Reaching into your pocket you find a packet of tissues. Perfect, you think and lay one of the tissues on the floor in front of you as you kneel down.

You point your wand at the tissue and give it a swish.

"Wingardium leviosa," you say.

Nothing seems to happen, so you check the book again to make sure you are doing it right. Then you give your wand a more elaborate swish.

"wing-GAR-dee-um leh-vee-OH-sa," you say.

The tissue appears to flutter slightly. You squeak in surprise, then glance around to see if there was a breeze or something that had made it move. There doesn't seem to be anything, so it must have been you. You decide to try again, and this time you give a determined swish of the wand.