Harry couldn't think straight. He couldn't get over the fact that they had just been reunion with Hermione again, only for her to be whisk away to have to go on this journey. However, Hermione did mention to Harry that apparently she had to follow some key to get a wand from woman named Hydra. A strange name, but he can't say he was surprised given how the Wizarding World around him worked. Also his world turned upside down the moment he learned he was a wizard and there lived this wonderful, magical world to get away from the Dursleys for awhile. He frankly shouldn't be that surprise.
But all of this was making it hard for Harry to study especially with O.W.L.S right around the corner. Even though he spend the whole day studying, he was constantly worried about Hermione. What if Barty was going to kidnap Hermione on her journey? Would she be ending up in danger? What could happen while she was on her way to get the wand? What could happen when she got where she needed to be?
His thoughts were cut short when Ginny spoke up.
"Ron! Harry! Is that them? Is that the examiners?" Ginny asked. They turned to see Umbridge standing with a small group of ancient-looking witches and wizards. Harry couldn't help the smile creeping on his face when he saw how nervous Umbridge seemed to be.
"Shall we go and have a closer look?" Ron asked.
Ginny and Harry nodded as they hasten after them as they were leaving the Great Hall. They quickly hid up the stairway as they listen in to Umbridge, who was speaking directly to a witch named Marchbanks.
"Journey was fine, Madam Umbridge. We've made it plenty of times before!" she said impatiently and a bit loudly (which Harry guess was because she was slightly deaf, "Now, I haven't heard from Dumbledore lately!" She paused and peered around the corner like she was expecting him to pop right out and greet them, "no idea where he is, I supposed?"
"None at all." Umbridge said, "But I daresay the Ministry of Magic will track him down soon enough..."
"I doubt it." Marchbanks said, "Not if Dumbledore doesn't want to be found. I should know... Examined him personally in Transfiguration and Charms when he did N.E.W.T.S... did things with a wand I'd never seen before."
"Yes... Well..." Umbridge mumbled, peering over her shoulder as she caught a glimpse of Harry, Ron and Ginny standing near the staircase, "let me show you to the staffroom. I daresay you'd like a cup of tea after your journey."
"I also heard that one student will need to have her O.W.L.S moved to a later date. A Miss Hermione Granger?" Marchbanks asked.
"Yes. There was an incident and she is at St. Mungos." Umbridge said through gritted teeth.
"To be honest, I was slightly looking forward to meeting the young girl. I heard things about her being the Granddaughter of Betty White, you know? I must say I would have loved seeing that talking to animals and magical creature ability first hand." Marchbanks said while following along towards the staffroom. Harry smirked as he watched Umbridge's entire body stiffen, clearly upset that someone was praising Hermione.
The O.W.L.S exams had been more a pain in the butt than Harry had ever imagine they would be. He knew he had failed at least one of his exams and hadn't done very well with the others. However, they weren't as bad as when they were taking their Astronomy. It was near the end when Harry had spotted Umbridge walking across the grounds towards Hagrid's hut with at least five other people. Harry didn't light the sight of it and he attempted to figure out what was happening, but he had to go back to his exam to appear like he was working on it.
Then it happened while Harry's head was down so he was looking at the parchment. A loud BANG echoed fromt eh grounds, causing everyone to turn their focus over towards where the sound was coming from. They watched as Hagrid came rushing out of his hut followed by the men Umbridge had been walking with, who were shooting stunning spells while Umbridge was ordering for the men to go and get Hagrid.
Professor Tofty was trying to get everyone to focus on their exams again, but no one could take their eyes off the battle down below. Especially when they watched McGonagall rushing towards it.
"How dare you!" McGonagall screamed, "How dare you! Leave him alone! Alone, I say! On what grounds are you attacking him? He has done nothing, nothing to warrant such--"
Before McGonagall to even finish her sentence, four stunners had shot from the figures in her direction and hitting her straight in the chest, causing her to fall onto her back against the ground. Harry was enraged as he saw McGonagall laying their motionless on the ground as Hagrid disappeared through the distant gates.
By sheer luck, Professor Tofty was able to get everyone back to their exam even though Harry wanted nothing more than to have it end for him. Once they had handed in their telescopes, Ron and Him rushed down the stairs.
"That evil toad!" Ron growled, "trying to sneak up on Hagrid in the middle of the night? My mom would call that shameful behavior. At least Hagrid escaped. Probably went to join Dumbledore."
"I hope Hermione is having a better time than we are." Harry mumbled under his breath.
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Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)
FanfictionHermione Granger has just received her Hogwarts Letter in the mail where her life as a new witch begins... but so does a journey of her life unwinding too when she starts to learn her Grandma Elka Ostrovsky has some secrets about her family's backgr...