When Hermione Fights

Goodbye and the Beginning of a Long Night

Goodbye and the Beginning of a Long Night

The night was long again, just as usual. I had to work through some books, so I didn't go to bed until one. The next day, after my five hours of sleep, I opened my eyes as alert as always, and an expectant smile lay on my lips, because today was going to be a very exciting day for me. And ultimately it would be an even longer night. I was really excited while I prepared myself for my morning run.

While at Hogwarts I wanted to do my rounds at the Quidditch field. Luckily, after the potions and healing spells, as well as the ointments, almost nothing was left of my injury except a red scar that would remain for ever. I would continue to run, no matter what weather, I was uncompromising. My condition had to be improved, because let's be honest, that I had defeated Bole in the alley, that hadn't been ability, strength or power, no, I was far away from that. There had been a large portion of luck involved and I couldn't always count on that. So, it meant for me to train and work hard in order to not have to rely on luck even in such difficult situations.

When, after an hour of exhausting running for the first time after the fateful evening, I conquered the tower in a brisk trot and entered a still empty common room, I was glad that everyone was a late riser, just like lions. And so I was again one of the first who sat ready in the hall, but at just before eight Harry and Co arrived, too. This time I stayed, as we would have the honour of having class with Umbridge for the first time, and I wasn't really looking forward to it, for the book she had chosen for the lesson said it all. Defensive spells, please, I expected that we wouldn't learn anything with that woman, my expectations were minimal. Consequently the lesson was catastrophic, because Harry couldn't hold his mouth shut, and argued with the old boot, claiming the Dark Lord was back. I just shook my head. He never knew when it was better to be silent, he wouldn't win anything with the old toadish witch if he was like that, but well, everyone had to make their own mistakes, to learn from it, and to grow from them, I reasoned with myself!

The rest of the day I did all my tasks and then it was already evening and I rushed into the Great Hall for dinner. I had only ten minutes, before I had to go take a quick shower and make myself ready with a bit of magic, so that I would no longer look like myself!

"Hermione, you seem a little rushed today," Harry said very empathetic, while I devoured my food, sighing annoyed at his words. If he knew what would expect me tonight, he would probably be less considerate. I myself was trying to push it out of my mind.

"Mh-hm. I'm terribly tired today. I'll be going to bed just after," it came evasively from me. I had just taken the last spoon and jumped up again.

"Are you ill?" The question sounded from several mouths.

"Oh no, just tired." I waved my hand and hurried off.

I rushed up the stairs. Ha... I always said, the training paid off. I managed the stairs at an incredibly fast pace. I quickly climbed into the shower and a short time later quickly out again, magically dried myself and jumped into the dark green, tightly laced dress I had laid out before. I left my hair down, falling over my back. It went to my shoulder blades. Just then I remembered I had forgotten the ointment, so I rushed back into the dormitory and took a jar and a small wooden box out of my suitcase. Now I sat down on my bed and breathed in deeply, first opened the ointment, then the box and took the valuable vial out carefully. I'd known it'd serve me well.

I gently took a drop of the unicorn blood with the pipette and added it into the ointment, which I then carefully mixed with a spatula. Next I quickly cleared everything away, rushed back into the bath, pulled off my dress again and covered the long red characteristic knife scar on my left side with the spatula in front of the mirror. And tada - I was really a genius. Well I know self-praise is no recommendation! But I was good, because the scar faded more and more until it had disappeared. Hopefully this effect would last a couple of hours. It wouldn't last forever, but well, I'd see it soon enough. I also lotioned my neck even though there weren't any prints anymore, but better safe than sorry. I turned my black cloak, which I needed for Knockturn Alley, into a green cotton cloth, which I wrapped around my shoulders, because I wouldn't openly walk around the school like that.