Immortal Magic (Book 1)

Chapter Twenty-One

Hermione's Point of View

I watched Allison disappear down the corridor, most likely heading toward the Room of Requirement. Letting out a quiet sigh, I turned and continued toward the Entrance Hall in search of Harry and Ron. I didn't have to look for long.

The two of them were already making their way toward me, and judging by the look on Ron's face, neither of them were in a particularly good mood.

"Come to gloat, have you?" Ron snapped before I could even speak. "Or are you here to laugh at us?" I stopped in front of them, clutching Hagrid's note tightly in my hand. "No," I said quietly. "I thought you deserved to know."

Both boys immediately sobered. "Hagrid and Buckbeak lost the case," I told them, my throat tightening painfully. "Buckbeak's been sentenced to execution."

Harry's face fell as I handed him the note. He read it quickly before lowering the parchment slowly. "They can't do that," he said angrily. "Buckbeak isn't dangerous."

"Lucius Malfoy frightened the committee into it," I replied bitterly. "You know what he's like." Ron clenched his fists while Harry reread the note.

"The committee are cowards," I continued, trying hard to keep my composure. "There's going to be an appeal, but," I swallowed hard. "I don't think it'll change anything."

For a moment, none of us spoke. Then Ron suddenly stepped forward. "You're not doing this alone," he said firmly. "I'll help. Allison and I both will." Emotion crashed into me so suddenly that before I knew it, I'd thrown my arms around him.

Ron froze completely. His arms awkwardly hovered in the air for several seconds before he carefully patted the top of my head.

I let out a watery laugh and pulled away. "Ron, I'm sorry about Scabbers." He shrugged, trying to act unaffected.

"He was ancient anyway," Ron muttered. "Barely moved half the time." He shoved his hands into his pockets. "Maybe Mum and Dad'll finally let me get an owl."

Harry smiled faintly, though his eyes were still distracted. "Where's Allison?" he asked suddenly. "Last time we saw her, she was heading back to Gryffindor Tower."

I glanced down guiltily before answering. "I ran into her before I found you two. After she read the note, she said she needed to 'blow off steam.'" Ron frowned. "What does that even mean?"

"Hagrid didn't tell you about the training she's been doing with the Cullens?" I asked. They exchanged confused looks before nodding slowly. "Yeah," Ron said cautiously. "Then come with me."

Without another explanation, I turned and started leading them away through the corridors. Behind me, I could hear the boys whispering to each other in confusion.

Eventually, we reached the tapestry-lined corridor on the fifth floor. Harry and Ron watched silently as I paced back and forth three times in front of a blank stretch of wall. "What are you doing?" Ron asked slowly.

Instead of answering, I stopped walking. A door appeared in the wall. Both boys stared in shock. I opened it and stepped aside for them to enter first. The moment they walked inside, both Harry and Ron froze. At the far end of the room, Allison was relentlessly attacking a punching bag.

Her movements were sharp and powerful, fast punches, brutal kicks, quick turns that looked almost effortless. 

Sweat clung to her forehead, and strands of blonde hair had fallen loose around her face, but she barely seemed to notice. She looked furious.

Allison's Point of View.

My breathing was heavy by the time I finally stopped. I stepped back from the punching bag and grabbed the water bottle sitting nearby, taking several long gulps before wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.