Hermione raced back down the steps, hurriedly making her way to the main staircase. When she was out of McGonagall’s vision, she hid behind the statue of Paracelsus in the foyer outside the Great Hall. She waited for a few minutes until she was certain the Headmistress was no longer in the vicinity. She backtracked, once again making her way to the twisted staircase leading to the Headmistress" office. 