Back to School

"I'm not asking you. I'm asking Hermione," Seamus said with a grin.

"Hermione won't help you write it either." Ron rolled his eyes. "She'll only help me with my essays."

"I don't need her to write it for me. I'm just asking her a few questions," Seamus said. "Asking someone who knows is faster than looking it up."

"So what time are you getting up tomorrow?"

"Eight. You?"

"Eight thirty."

"Then I'll have half an hour more than you. By the time you get up, I'll already have written half an inch."

"What does half an inch count for?" Ron scoffed.

"Half an inch is still progress." Seamus laughed.

Hogwarts Castle emerged from the edge of the night in the distance. The outlines of its towers formed dark gray silhouettes against the deep sky, with scattered lights flickering in the windows.

"We're almost there," Hermione said.

They quickened their pace. The castle gates stood open, and the Entrance hall was brightly lit by candles. In several portraits hanging on the walls, the figures had their heads tilted to one side, some already asleep.

The air in the Entrance hall was much warmer than outside. Heat from the candles mingled with the lingering warmth of the stone walls, dry and comforting.

Hermione stopped at the foot of the stairs. "I'm heading back to the Common Room first. Library at eight tomorrow morning?"

"Eight," Ron and Seamus said together.

"Eight fifteen. I can't get up that early," Neville said.

"Eight fifteen is fine," Hermione said.

She went up the stairs. Ron stood in the Entrance hall for a moment, then turned to Harry. "Which way are you going?"

"Gryffindor Tower, obviously." Harry looked baffled. "I'm definitely going with you lot."

"Then let's go together." Ron laughed.

They headed down the corridor toward