Connected by Magic

Chapter 55

Hermione Granger

Hermione went to the corridor the next day with Harry. The sooner they began, the better. It was also clear that Harry was driven to do it. Hesitant at first, he grew to like the idea, which Hermione appreciated. He was always very giving and considerate, even if it didn't always show.

"How's everything, Harry? I know how many awful things you've had to deal with, but I'm always willing to offer a shoulder or an ear," Hermione said as the two walked in the early morning. It was the weekend, usually the time he would go out and practice Quidditch. But he was banned, just like the twins, which gave him plenty of time for other things now.

"I don't know, Hermione. It all feels like a lot of work to keep things inside," he said. "Not provoking Umbridge, keeping myself from shouting at Snape... Why is it that everyone keeps pushing me? What did I do?"

"Nothing, yet you're an important person. You've seen things no one else has. Most importantly, you know the truth, Harry," said Hermione. "It could shake the Ministry and the whole community to its core. Fudge doesn't want that and is trying his best to keep it quiet by sending Umbridge and using the Prophet against you. It could ruin his whole career, and he's selfish enough to try to prevent that from happening."

"Dumbledore advised him differently..."

"I'm sure he did, but you have to understand that Fudge mistrusts him. He was offered the Minister of Magic position many times. Fudge might think he finally wants to claim it. Yes, I know, it's nonsense. But remember what Lupin said—he's not thinking straight. Fear makes people do the worst things."

Harry sighed, letting his own arguments drift away in the cold, silent air of the hallway. Hermione was glad to see that his bursts of anger had faded. He was still grumpy, but at least she didn't have to deal with his temper.

"I suppose... Well, where's this room?"

"Just up ahead!" she said. "It's in a mostly deserted hallway, you know, close to where they store all those trophies. Personally, I think there are some interesting things to see there. It's almost like a small museum."

"Right," said Harry. His voice sounded like he was just agreeing for the sake of it. Typical.

"Never mind," Hermione sighed. "Well, here we are."

They both stood in front of a large yet barren stone wall. While Hermione believed Amelia about finding, or at least being shown the room, she wasn't sure how to get it to appear. It wasn't like there was a door she could just open.

"This is it. We just need to get it to open- reveal- itself."

"Amelia didn't say anything about how to do that?"

"No, but... it's all about having a great need for something. I mean, it's the Room of Requirement—it's in the name. I think we should concentrate and think about what we need from the room. That might be enough."

Harry exhaled and turned to face the wall. They both focused on trying to summon what they needed. Hermione imagined a room that would be spacious, filled with dummies, safety equipment, and much more to ensure a safe yet inspiring environment for learning.

She hoped her vision wouldn't clash with Harry's, that it wouldn't confuse the room or prevent it from appearing because of two people wishing for different things at the same time. But she thought it would be fine. This room, like the rest of the castle, was created the smartest witch of the past—Rowena Ravenclaw, or so she assumed.

Minutes passed, making Harry more frustrated the longer it took. But eventually, slowly, a door formed within the stone wall. They watched in stunned silence as, out of nowhere, a door appeared, ready to be opened.