class left for lunch, all grinning broadly -- the Cheering Charms had left them with a feeling of great contentment. 

Hermione wasn't at lunch either. By the time they had finished their apple pie, the after-effects of the Cheering Charms were wearing off, and Harry and Ron had started to get slightly worried.

 "You don't think Malfoy did something to her?" Ron said anxiously as they hurried upstairs toward Gryffindor Tower. 

"No way," scored AMelia, with a wave of her hand, "Hermione is one tough son of a bitch. She took him on without a wand and own. Just imagine what she could do if she had one and he pissed her off."

They passed the security trolls, gave the Fat Lady the password ("Flibbertigibbet"), and scrambled through the portrait hole into the common room. 

Hermione was sitting at a table, fast asleep, her head resting on an open Arithmancy book. They went to sit down on either side of her. Harry prodded her awake. 

"Wh -- what?" said Hermione, waking with a start and staring wildly around. "Is it time to go? W -- which lesson have we got now?" 

"Divination, but it's not for another twenty minutes," said Harry. "Hermione, why didn't you come to Charms?" 

"What? Oh no!" Hermione squeaked. "I forgot to go to Charms!" "

But how could you forget?" said Harry. "You were with us till we were right outside the classroom!"

 "I don't believe it!" Hermione wailed. "Was Professor Flitwick angry? Oh, it was Malfoy, I was thinking about him and I lost track of things!" 

"You know what, Hermione?" said Ron, looking down at the enormous Arithmancy book Hermione had been using as a pillow. "I reckon you're cracking up. You're trying to do too much." 

"No, I'm not!" said Hermione, brushing her hair out of her eyes and staring hopelessly around for her bag. "I just made a mistake, that's all! I'd better go and see Professor Flitwick and say sorry... I'll see you in Divination!"

"She needs a coffee," grumbled Amelia..