Hogwarts Express: Time Travel

XXI. Hermione petrified

XXI. Hermione petrified

Oliver: They can't cancel Quidditch.

"Yeah tell'em kid, they can't cancel Quidditch, never cancel Quidditch!" James and Sirius agreed nodding their heads enthusiastically

Professor McGonagall: Silence, Wood. You and your teammates will go to Gryffindor Tower, now. [the other members of the team dejectedly depart] Potter, you and I will find Mr. Weasley. There's something the both of you have to see. [McGonagall leads Annie and Ron into the Hospital Wing.] I warn you, this could be a wee bit of a shock. [Annie and Ron stop abruptly at the sight of Hermione's petrified body lying on a hospital bed]

"No, they got Hermione!"

"How will they keep going without the brains now?"

"They're doomed!"

"Poor Hermione!"

Ron: [overcome with shock] Hermione...

Professor McGonagall: She was found near the library, along with this. [holds up a mirror] Does it mean anything to either of you?

Annie: No. [Professor McGonagall sets the mirror down as Annie feels Hermione's stiff hand]

[The Gryffindors are gathered in their common room. McGonagall enters.]

Professor McGonagall: Could I have your attention, please? Because of recent events, these new rules will be put into effect immediately. [reads off a piece of parchment] All students will return to their house common rooms by six o'clock every evening. All students will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No exceptions. [sets parchment aside] I should tell you this: unless the culprit behind these attacks is caught, it is likely the school will be closed. [McGonagall leaves the room. The students all look worried.]

Annie: We've got to talk to Hagrid, Ron. I can't believe it's him, but if he did set the monster loose last time, he'll know how to get inside the Chamber of Secrets, and that's a start.

Ron: But you heard McGonagall. We're not allowed to leave the Tower except for class.

Annie: I think it's time to get my dad's old cloak out again.

"Yes, my very useful beautiful cloak"

Annie and Ron, under the Invisibility Cloak, approach Hagrid's cabin at night. They knock at the door; Fang looks up, Hagrid puts the lid on his teapot and readies his crossbow

Hagrid: Who's there? [Walking to his front door and gently kicking it open] Hello? Hello? [Annie and Ron remove the cloak, Hagrid lowers it at the sight of them]

Annie: What's that for?

Hagrid: Oh, nothing, I was expecting, uh... it doesn't matter. Come on in, I just made a pot of tea. [he pours tea into a cup all the way to the brim]

Annie: Hagrid, are you okay?

Hagrid: I'm fine. I'm all right. [puts the teapot down]

"Doesn't seem alright to me, he's on edge"

"He's worried!" A Ravenclaw adds

Annie: Di-did you hear about Hermione?

Hagrid: Oh yeah. I heard about that all right.

Annie: Look, we have to ask you something. Do you know who's opened the Chamber of Secrets?

Hagrid: What you have to understand about that is... [there is another knock at the door; Annie and Ron turn towards the door as Fang barks] [whispering] Quick. Under the cloak. Don't say a word, be quiet, both of you. [Annie and Ron go into a corner, where Ron throws the cloak back over them; Hagrid pushes open the door, to find Dumbledore at the door, accompanied by another older gentleman, Cornelius Fudge] Oh, Professor Dumbledore, sir.