The Art of An Ending

Chapter Thirteen: Confrontations Over Nothing

As Erica had predicted, the sixth-years' free periods were not the hours of blissful relaxation that Pansy had wished for, and even Draco had anticipated, but times in which to attempt to keep up with the vast amount of homework they were being set. Not only were they studying as though they had exams every day, but the lessons themselves had become more demanding than ever before. Erica was having to practically translate for Pansy half of what Professor McGonagall was saying these days; even Draco having to ask for instructions to be repeated once or twice (and Hermione, though they were resolutely ignoring her). Erica was struggling to stay afloat herself, with her workload, which was larger even than Hermione's as she had added Alchemy work on top of that which she was already completing for her lessons, and she found that she had very little time to think, let alone doing half of what she had planned for that year, which included searching for potential locations for the remaining objects, and figuring out just what they were.

Non-verbal spells were now expected, not only in Defence Against the Dark Arts, but in Charms and Transfiguration as well. Here, Erica, Draco and Pansy excelled, having been able to cast non-verbally since their fourth-year due to an inordinate amount of practice preparing her for the Triwizard Tournament and the sheer amount of spells (both Dark and otherwise) that they were exposed to which could only be cast non-verbally. Nevertheless, Erica frequently looked over at her classmates in the common room or at mealtimes to see them purple in the face and straining as though they had overdosed on U-No-Poo; but she knew that they were really struggling to make spells work without saying incantations aloud. It was a relief to get outside into the greenhouses; they were dealing with more dangerous plants than ever in Herbology, but at least they were still allowed to swear loudly in the Venomous Tentactula seized them unexpectedly from behind.

One result of their enormous workload and the frantic hours Erica had spent dashing together a work project for Professor Kimiti- she had decided to use the alchemic symbols on her palms and write an essay about the certain structure of the one she used for her leg, which was unlike any previously seen- had been that Erica, Draco and Pansy had so far been unable to find time to go and visit Hagrid. He had stopped coming to meals at the staff table, an ominous sign, and on the few occasions when they had passed him in the corridors or out in the grounds, he had mysteriously failed to notice them or hear their greetings.

"We've got to go and explain," said Erica, looking up at Hagrid's huge empty chair at the staff table the following Saturday at breakfast.

"I've got Quidditch tryouts this morning!" Draco shook his head. "And we're supposed to be practicing that Aguamenti charm for Flitwick! Anyway, explain what? How are we going to tell him we hated his stupid subject?"

"I didn't hate it!" Erica exclaimed, "And you and I both now that we're fine on the Aguamenti charm so don't try and pull that one on me!"

"Speak for yourself," Draco muttered darkly, "I still haven't forgotten the Skrewts, and I'm telling you now, we've had a narrow escape."

"It's not nice not talking to him, though," Pansy sighed, "He was always the easiest to get information out of when we weren't supposed to."

"We'll go down after Quidditch," Erica said firmly, ignoring Draco's groan. "Although I've heard that trials might take all morning, with the number of people that have applied."

"It's not the team that's suddenly popular," Pansy shook her head with a small smirk. "It's Harry. He's never been more interesting in the eyes of the masses, and frankly, he's never been more fanciable."

Draco gagged on a large piece of kipper. Erica rolled her eyes, whilst Pansy patted him on the back consolingly.

"Well, it's true," she said. "Everyone knows that you were right about Voldemort now, and that Harry has really fought against him twice in the last two years and got away both times. Plus, now they're calling him the 'Chosen One'- well, come on, can't you see why people would be fascinated by him?"