[A bright otter bounds down one of the hallways, pausing here and there to investigate the sources of odd smells. Then it turns quickly, leaping into the air to swim on its back, feet paddling the air. As it nears the communicator, the tip of a wand can be seen.

No words are uttered; there is merely a bright pulse of light - much like the otter's own glow - and suddenly the creature forms words in the air:

A success.

The little creature flips and then disappears in a puff of glowing vapor. Hermione turns the communicator towards her, smiling faintly.]

I know how they did it now. Why couldn't I have discovered it sooner? [There is something extraordinarily clever by its simplicity.] He would make it into a challenge. If he were clearer, anyone could have intervened.

Not that I'm terribly clever, mind you, but -

These are things I can discover through pure logic. I wish I had told Harry before he left.

[That part is said mostly to herself, her eyes unfocused.]

Anyway, she belongs to me. If you see her, I've sent her your way. There will be a message attached unless I'm...under extreme duress. She will show you the way to me...or safety. Patronuses are useful things. They reflect the user. I suppose mine is an otter because we share traits.