Later that morning, Hermione sat alone at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. Breakfast was almost over and most of the students had already left, just as she had preferred. It would almost be a guarantee that the library would be empty. Many were choosing to head into Hogsmeade for the day. As she sat on the bench nibbling on a piece of toast and skimming through that morning’s Daily Prophet, Hermione felt numb. The Calming Draught helped quell her wayward emotions at least temporarily.