However, after a brief and heated face-to-face - which provided amusement to a few bored old wizards - the aspiring Auror Apparated back to the Ministry, and the Headmistress of Hogwarts had fled outside into the snow, with their relationship troubles still unresolved. Hermione sought refuge behind the trunk of a tree, which was away from the road and overlooked the Shrieking Shack, and sat down at its base.