A fifth-year girl sucked in a breath.
"And there are Transfiguration Walls that keep moving and changing."
A seventh-year student who had stayed silent until then joined the discussion.
"They'll keep you going in circles until you've exhausted all your energy."
"Don't forget the Sphinx whose riddles you have to answer."
Hermione's expression was more grave than ever.
Ron had already gone a little pale.
"That sounds... sounds scarier than fighting a Hungarian Horntail head-on."
He stammered.
"That's exactly what the professors want to test."
Hermione spoke very slowly, each word striking home.
"Whether you can stay clearheaded and make the right decisions under extreme isolation and pressure."
"Right."
Harry nodded emphatically, as though he had been on the same wavelength as Hermione all along.
The Maze was, in essence, a place that cut off all outside support, its purpose to put them under pressure.
"So spending a lot of time memorizing monsters' weaknesses might not be the best choice right now."
He concluded.
"Practicing the most basic, practical spells might be more important than studying just how delicious Blast-Ended Skrewt meat is."
"How should we practice?"
Hermione asked at once, like an excellent commander who could always get to the heart of a problem.
"Marking and lighting."
Harry pointed out a few key things, doing his best not to breach the rules of confidentiality.
"For example, use Diffindo to mark the walls you've passed so you don't get lost. Use Lumos for light, or send up a distress signal in an emergency."
He paused, the image of a silver stag appearing in his mind.
"And, most importantly, the Patronus Charm."
"The Patronus Charm?"
Ron asked in confusion.
"There aren't any Dementors in the Maze."
"The Patronus Charm isn't just for driving away Dementors."
Harry spoke softly, his voice certain.