Chapter One: WE have a secret

It was a normal day at Hogwarts the students were hurrying from class to class and complaining about the amount of homework they were getting. It was almost time for the end of the year exams, and everyone was nervous about passing especially our main characters, which are in their final year.

"You know guys I am glad we're in our final year. Its going to be interesting to see how we do in life after school." Were the first words that came out of Harry's mouth as the three of them made their way down to Hagrids for some tea.

"That's a good question Harry. I have been wondering that for a while myself. I am hoping that I can get a job at the ministry." Hermione replied. Her reply however wasn't what either one of them was thinking she would say. With all of the problems she thought there were with the ministry, and they heard her say she wanted to work there. It was a bit of a shock.

"I kind of want to work with my dad. He may not be the highest up on the food chain, but I think working with him might be a good opportunity for me." Was all Ron would say. He seemed lost in thought and had been like that for quite some time now.

After that brief exchange the three of them continued the trek down to Hagrids in silence. All of the people who watched them go could tell something was wrong. The three friends were usually seen all around campus laughing and joking. Now they were all solemn and deep in thought. Even the haughty Draco Malfoy decided today wasn't the day to mess with these three. Only two people knew what was wrong, and those two were in the group. After what seemed like hours the three finally made it down to Hagrids hut.

"Hello you three. Something seems wrong, care to tell old' Hagrid about it?" Like always Hagrid was genuinely concerned about the three in front of him. He has loved them like children of his own since he met them almost seven years ago.

"Maybe later Hagrid how about that tea. It's pretty chilly out there." Ron seemed very distracted as he said this, but he said it with all of the same emotions he usually did. Even having known Hagrid since he began here at Hogwarts he wasn't always prepared for some of the creatures he brought in. None of them were really used to it.

"Why o'course you can. Get in here you're right it is pretty cold." Hagrid moved out of the way so that Harry, Ron, and Hermione could come into his small hut.

"We're glad you could have us over Hagrid. It's been a while since we have had time to spend with you. Sorry about that Hagrid. There was even more homework this year than I expected." Hermione said giving Hagrid the usual smile, and sitting down at the table.

"Oh that's all right 'Hermione. I didn't expect this year to be all fun and games. I mean you have a lot of exams ter pass if you want to get out o' here." Hagrid said pouring the four of them some tea and then sitting down.

"You know Hagrid I think that we should have tried to make more time. It isn't right of us to spend so much time away from someone who has been so good to us." Harry said. He seemed kind of annoyed.

"It's really ok Harry I understand that you're very busy." Hagrid said taking a rather large gulp of his tea.

"If you say so. I still don't think it is right of us to have taken us so long to get down here and see you." Harry mumbled into his tea.

After a few hours of conversation and a good lunch they said their goodbyes and headed back up to the Gryffindor common room to start on yet another thousand pounds of homework.

"Password?" The fat lady said as soon as they were in front of her.

"Horn bill." They all said at once. This hadn't been the first time they had done this recently. They were so out of it.

As they all climbed in all of the people that were coming out moved out of their way, and the whispering began. No one knew what was wrong. They were just suspecting that finally the three of them were having the love triangle problem that everyone had been expecting since the third year.

"You know I think I am just going to head up to bed. I am not feeling so great tonight." Harry said running his hand through his hair.

"You sure Harry? We have a lot of work to get done." Ron said looking up from his blank roll of parchment.

"Yeah I'm sure Ron. I really don't feel up to doing any homework right now." Harry said continuing on his way to the staircase up to the boy's dormitory.

"Ok. Well… I guess we'll see you in the morning then Harry. Sleep Well." Hermione said. She seemed worried about Harry. He had been acting differently as of late.

She was right too. Harry had been acting a lot differently as of late. He seemed pretty withdrawn and quiet. He had spent a lot of time recently with Professor Dumbledore. The only thing that seemed weird about that was the fact that Harry always seemed to come back more confused than when he left. Hermione didn't know what to do. Ron was withdrawn, but she knew why that was. And now her other best friend Harry was more out of it than she had ever seen him be in her life. She was at a loss, but she had to concentrate on getting some work done otherwise she would never get it all done.

"Oh well I guess I need to buckle down and concentrate a little bit more." Hermione said as she poured over her ancient runes homework.

"Hermione I think I am going to head to bed to. All of us have class first thing in the morning." Ron said standing up and stretching. He didn't even look at her as he began to walk away after packing up his bag.

"Ron wait, aren't we ever going to talk about this. Don't you think it's important?" She said looking up from her homework to give him a scared look.

"I know it's important. I am just not sure how we're going to talk about it Hermione. Isn't it a little bit late?" He looked angry and scared. He was very frustrated. It was so hard keeping this secret from people. It was about time they told someone, and he decided that they had to tell Dumbledore tomorrow.