In the meantime, in the memory, they could all feel the tension in the memory. The memory appeared "jittery", like it was fighting itself, but it played out as Draco had presented. Then the Headmaster pulled memories from Hermione and Neville. Both corroborated what they stated. Now the Headmaster had to make a decision, a decision he was loath to make. As he was contemplating, he called for some tea. Dobby popped in with a tea caddy and poured tea for everybody, then popped out. Draco was still very nervous, and needed something to occupy his mind, so grabbed his cup of tea and sipped at it, repeatedly. It relaxed him, so he drank the rest.
The Headmaster verbally summarized the two memories and by chance asked Draco if he could explain why his memory was "jittery". Draco surprisingly and emotionlessly stated that he had tried to alter the memory. He went on to explain that he had instigated the confrontation in hopes that Weasley's temper would rise to the occasion allowing Draco and his friends to respond in kind, slipping in a few dark spells at the same time. Draco further stated that he really wanted to insult the memory of Potter by hurting the mudblood.
The easy and emotionless manner of Draco's response raised some eyebrows in the room. It was like he didn't have a care in the world, and didn't worry about the consequences of his actions. Hermione was taken aback by the cavalier thinking and his use of force. She had her suspicions about what was happening, and decided to use the opportunity while she could. "Malfoy, as you professed to instigating this confrontation, have you attacked anyone else recently?" The Headmaster and Professor Snape immediately told Draco he did not have to answer, but it was too late. He started listing a litany of attacks he and his friends had perpetrated in the last few weeks.
The Headmaster sat back in astonishment, as did Professor McGonagall. They hadn't realized the extent of the violence going on in the castle. That being said, the Headmaster's hands were tied. "Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Longbottom, Minerva – First, I must apologize for what is about to happen. Obliviate!" The Headmaster could not afford for all this information to come out. He then turned to Snape. "It's important the status quo at the school be maintained, Severus. Voldemort must continue to think he has the upper hand, but please try to temper your charges actions." The Headmaster then "implanted" the memory that they had all been in his office to punish Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, and Mr. Longbottom for instigating a confrontation in the Entrance Hall. He then Enervated them (to wake them from their daze), took off 50 points from Gryffindor, and gave them two nights detention with Professor Snape. Once the punishment was given, they were dismissed.
Unbeknownst to the Headmaster, Professor Snape and Draco Malfoy, Dobby had remained in the office, disillusioned. As soon as the Headmaster had drawn his wand, Dobby cast a shield spell over Professor McGonagall and her charges. Also unbeknownst to all, Hermione was wearing a piece of jewelry she and Harry had made during the summer, spelled using runes to block mind attacks (such as Legilimens and Obliviate). Hermione considered her mind one of her greatest assets and, given the propensity ofwizards to try to "erase" their mistakes instead of owning up to them, she wanted to protect her mind. She and Harry had worked on the jewelry, and only finished one before he went before the court. That was one of the reasons she had been so distressed when she heard he had been obliviated - she thought it was her fault, that she could have protected him if he had that necklace.
As they were walking, Professor McGonagall turned toward the students and ordered them to remain quiet and follow her to her office. Ron and Neville were glancing at each other and at Hermione nervously. Hermione kept her face forward and her lips compressed tight. Once in the office, Professor McGonagall spelled the office for security. Turning to the students she let out with an angry "Wha jus happened?!" Dobby appeared next to Hermione and replied "Headmaster Whiskers tried to make yous to forget – Dobby block spell to protect Master Harry's Grangy." "Souuu, it nae jus mi 'magining!", Professor McGonagall responded, her Irish flashing its colors and ire. "I remember it too" stated Hermione, followed by Ron and Neville. "What can we do?" asked Hermione. "The fact the Headmaster tried to obliviate us sends a signal to Malfoy that he and his cohorts can torment us without consequence. That is not an environment I want to be in." she stated.
"You understand," began Professor McGonagall, "should you leave Hogwarts without obtaining your OWLs, the Law states your wand will be snapped and your magic bound. There is one exception – if you are already enrolled in another magical school." "I understand Professor." Hermione replied. "I am the target of bullying in the hallways, and it appears at the approval of the Headmaster of this school. However, it is now unsafe for me. I would like a copy of my transcripts and a transfer form for another school, please. I would like to inform you that, as of tonight, until the end of term I will not be sleeping in my dorm, nor will I be attending class, as I do not feel safe in the hallways. If you give me the schedule for the exams, I will show up only for those exams." Professor McGonagall, Ron and Neville looked at Hermione in a bit of shock. "That is four weeks away!" exclaimed the Professor. "Where will you be staying? You can't leave the school." "That is for me to worry about Professor – it will be on school grounds. I will feel safer being the only one to know exactly where." Hermione replied. Then she turned around and left the office.
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