What's next?

Hermione outside

The cool evening wind played across Hermione's naked body, raising goosebumps all over, tickling her in places she had never comsidered being tickled in before. The ledge she stood om was wide enough to be safe, as long as her bare back was agaimst the castle wall. Off to the side she could see one of the Quidditch teams practicing, their brooms zipping above the floodlit field. She wondered what the players would say if the snitch led them in this direction and they caught sight of her. She smiled at the idea.

"What's this?" The sudden voice behind her wiped the smile from Hermione's lips. She took in a sharp breath, about to try and explain herself, when the voice came again, "This window shouldn't be open, I've told..." there was the sound of the window closing and the rest of the words were muffled.

"Oh shoot." Hermione gasped as her way back inside was closed to her. Maybe it would be useful if one of the Quidditch players flew over to her, then they could give her a lift back to the ground. But either luckily or unluckily this did not seem likely.

She was going to have to find her own way. Looking around, Hermione saw her ledge was not just a windowsill, but extended past and around the side of the tower.

"Well, not like it can get any worse." Hermione told herself, and began to inch along the ledge, curling her toes on the stone as if she could grip it harder. "Gently... gently... oh, dear."

She left the window behind and followed the curve of the tower. Fortunately, there was another window nearby, it stood wide open and the room inside looked dark and deserted.

"Perfect." Hermione continued her careful journey along the ledge. She was almost able to reach the window, she took a chance on stretching out her hand, her fingers just inches from her goal.

Then the stone under her feet crumbled away and she plummeted from the tower.