AUTHOR's REPLY------------Oh yeah, I was writing a story. nosweat Ah....*nervous laughter*
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN--------
Life at Hogwarts had changed noticeably. For several reasons.
Students were required to stay inside. The Floo Network regulators had even connected a couple more fireplaces in case of an emergency, but Harry thought that this was unlikely.
The teachers had stopped giving out written homework, much to the relief of Ron and Harry, who were never quite as good as essay-writing than Hermione was.
"Just because you're not writing anything doesn't mean you're going to be sitting idle all day." Hermione snapped at Ron.
"Oh."
Flitwick had started drilling them on practical charms, such as waterspout. His former cheerful self had diminished a little, and he worked them hard.
McGonagall had started nagging them on Human Transfiguration. She warned the entire class a week after the incident that at the end of the week, she would choose two random people out of the class, partner them up, and test them.
Ron had been unnerved. "How do you think she'll test us?" he asked, when they were up in the common room.
"Who knows?" Harry said, shrugging. "Personally I think she'll force one of us to Transfigurate the other. It'd be bad if they failed; your partner would be messed up and on top of that, you lose marks."
"Better start practising, then."
Ron picked up a textbook and started reciting out loud, waving his wand as he did so. An armchair bearing a confused Neville accidentally rose up in the air, who yelped.
"Oh, sorry Neville!" Ron said hurriedly, stowing his wand away.
"This is so difficult," Harry said wearily. "Who knows who she's going to choose? It's probably going to be the worst in the class. Or maybe the best, she probably wouldn't want anyone to go to St. Mungo's."
"Yes, that would be inconvenient." Hermione appeared from the girl's dormitories. "By the way, Harry, McGonagall's just announced that there would be no more Hogsmeade trups until further notice."
Harry was very disappointed to find that they would be denied from going into Hogsmeade. He had been looking forward with a drink in the Three Broomsticks with Hermione, perhaps with Ron and Luna...
"Good times, though." Ron sighed, summing Harry's thoughts into three words. He laid the textbook down and gazed out at the sunny weather.
"What wouldn't I give for a fly out with my broom."
"You know that's unallowed." Hermione said sadly, slumping down besides Harry.
"I know."
Harry thought of something. "When's the next order meeting? They're doing it here, aren't they?"
"Apparently, Dumbledore gave all the instructions that were necessary." Hermione told him. "The only time we need a meeting is if something's changed drastically, or it's an emergency. Or both."
"Darn it, I hate sitting tight and doing nothing. I wish I was doing something to help. Anything." Harry grumbled.
"You will, Harry," Hermione laid her hand on his shoulder. "From what we've found out this year, you will be the biggest factor in this war. The difference."
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