Harry Potter and the Flying Squad (01) - Sahits

"All right, here we go." Hermione had finished the triple plait. "Now let's fix it." She formed
the sling around the wand. "Check the position, Harry ... here?"
He tried. "Seems okay."
Hermione seized for a small flask. "Muggles stuff - used in dental laboratories ... The best
glue I know."
She extracted a miniature cauldron, poured some rosy powder into it. Then she added liquid
from the flask and started to stir with a small stick. Within seconds, the stuff was pasty. Using
the stick, Hermione smeared it around the wand, along the edges of the plait.
"Give it ten minutes, Harry."
Waiting for the glue to dry, they discussed the attacks that might be expected from the
teachers.
"Remember the traps that protected the philosopher's stone," said Hermione, "and expect
another collection of that kind ... For example, McGonagall would do something with
Transfiguration."
The glue had dried. It looked funny - a gum-coloured ring on a holly wand with a dark plait of
hairs. The plait felt worlds better than cord or tape - smooth, nice to touch. It only had to hold.
Harry took his wand, tested how to hold it at the moment of the attack, in order not to lose the
sling from his wrist. Then he took position at the same spot as before.
Hermione had her wand up. "Ready?"
"Yes."
"EXPELLIARMUS!"
The grip broke. The wand flew up, pulling his arm. In a reflex, Harry's hand grabbed the
sling. It hardened, stretched - held!! An instant later, the wand dropped, caught by the sling,
so Harry could grab it easily, whether here in this room or on a Steel Wing in the air.
"IT WORKS!" Harry felt a wild joy. "Hermione - you're a genius!"
"True." She grinned. "If I weren't paid already with a nice story, I'd let you quote this every
breakfast till Easter."
* * *
Exam day minus two. At breakfast, Hermione asked Harry whether she could help him. He
said yes, with a training session of the Disarming Spell, this time with her as the target - but
only after giving him time for another business that might take no longer than a quarter of an
hour.
He went into the kitchen.
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