♕ thirty one

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Despite the rising amount of homework that the teachers were giving the students, energies were high and spirits even higher as the dates of the Quidditch matches grew nearer and nearer. The House teams seemed to spend their entire days on the field, flying through rain, snow, hail, and strong winds that nearly ripped them off their broomsticks. Everyone wanted that Quidditch Cup; and this was the year to get it. No drama, no distractions, just a fair game out on that field. 

Christmas Break was also coming up; and Hermione had elected to stay at the school. Her mother and father were on an anniversary cruise in the Netherlands, and she didn't want to spoil their fun. 

Plus, she would rather spend time with Draco; who also had chosen to stay. In fact, Hermione learned that most of her friends had put their names on the list of people staying at Hogwarts. It would be a party for sure. 

And a party it absulotely was, even before the Christmas break; the night before the big game caused quite a racket. Students filed into the Great Hall with smiles of elation and anticipation. Hermione waved goodbye to Draco and watched as he joined his teammates over at the Slytherin table. Even the teachers donned accessories supporting their houses, each professor wearing  a more ludicrous outfit than the last. Professor Sprout wore flashy yellow and black checkered gardening gloves to show her support for Hufflepuff; Hermione noticed that even Professor McGonagall had opted for scarlet-ringed spectacles. 

The Gryffindor table was, surprisingly, more subdued than ever. Hermione watched as Harry, Ginny, Dean, Seamus, Angelina, Katie, and to her immense distaste, McLaggen, huddled around in a tight circle to discuss what Hermione assumed were Quidditch tactics. But when she drew closer, she heard them gossiping in hushed tones.

"Yes, last night..." Angelina whispered. 

"Probably for a dare," Harry murmured. 

"Maybe to sabatoge their grades for the semester. That project was worth a ton of points for Hermione-" 

"What are you all talking about?" Hermione asked abruptly, hearing her name. Katie jumped and Dean grimaced as the brunette stared at Ginny suspiciously. 

"Spill," she demanded. 

"You haven't heard?" Seamus asked. Hermione shook her head as Angelina leaned in. 

"Someone stole one of the Amortentia projects from Slughorn's storage," she whispered, "and the project was yours and Draco's."

"But," Dean added, as Hermione's eyes widened, "Slughorn already graded most of the projects. You guys won't have to redo it."

Hermiome shook her head. "He already graded our project Outstanding, but that's not what I'm worried about." She bit her nail nervously. 

"What else would you be worried about?" Ginny asked, concerned. Hermione looked her in the eye. 

"Ginny, that was a perfectly brewed Amortentia potion." The redhead shrugged. "So?"

Hermione huffed. 

"Ginny, don't you get it? Whoever stole that potion wants to it on somebody. They didn't just do it to mess with me and Draco. 

Ginny's mouth dropped open.

"So that means..." Harry said nervously, "they could put the potion anywhere?" He eyed Angelina's glass of pumpkin juice worriedly. 

"No, don't worry," Hermione reassured him, "they wouldn't have put it into the pumpkin juice jug, too many people drink from it. The thief will probably target someone specifically, get them when they're alone..."

"Hermione, this is serious," Angelina said, biting her lip anxiously. Hermione shook her head. 

"None of you should worry about this, okay? You have a Quidditch match tomorrow morning. Besides, dinner's nearly over," she said as students began to file out of the hall. "Get some rest. All of you." 

McLaggen. He had done it. That was the only thing going through her head as she stood near her empty section of the Gryffindor table. 

But logic said otherwise. she thought to herself.

In short, it was practically impossible for McLaggen to have stolen the potion. 

But then who had?

Hermione shook the detective thoughts from her brain. She could worry about solving the case after Saturday. She needed to support her House against Ravenclaw, and she needed to be there for Draco when he played against Hufflepuff next week. 

She exited the hall without another thought on the matter.

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