" Where have you two been? " Ron and Harry asked, irritatedly.
Hermione glanced at Ginny at the exact time Ginny had looked over to her for a suggestion. Harry snorted and rolled his green eyes at them both. He wasn't going to pester them about it, but they both were whispering so intensely that he wondered what they were talking about. What in the world could have gotten Hermione to need that much girl talk? She had always been his most level-headed friend.
" Girls. " He said, shaking his head.
" Tell me about it. " Ron sighed. " I'll never understand them. "
" I know. " Harry frowned, closing the heavy, leather book in his hands.
" What's wrong? " His best friend looked over, hearing the book snap shut. " You're not thinking about spying on Hermione are you? "
" Of course not! " He exclaimed, the idea of invading his friend's private life was just ridiculous, wasn't it?
Sitting alone in her room, Hermione lifted her knees up under her chin. She sat on her small bed, staring at a single, white box. It had no markings on it and was only big enough to fit in her hand.
It had arrived the day after she and Ginny had seen Snape in the library. This morning she had found on the end of her bed. She hid it until the other girls left the room, before pulling it out and running her hands over it's cool surface. Lunch was nearly over now, and she still hadn't opened it. She still wasn't sure how it got there, especially without someone seeing who brought it.
Finally, tenatively, she pulled the top off of the box. A single string of perfect, creamy white pearls fell into her lap. They were cold against her fingers as she picked them up carefully. Brushing her hair away from her neck, Hermione clipped the latch shut behind her.
A shiver rippled up her spine as the pearls rolled into place at the base of her throat. Jumping up, she hurried to the small mirror on her desk. Hermione smiled, seeing how perfect they looked on her. A loud series of knocks, broke through her thoughts.
" 'Moine! " Came an annoyed voice from the other side of the door.
" Just a second, Katie! " She called, pulling up the collar of her robes to hide the necklace around her throat.
" Come on! " The same voice called. " We're gonna be late for Potions! "
Potions. Hermione slowed and brought a hand up to the pearls. Instead of the usual dread she felt when going to the dark, damp dungeon, Hermione felt excitement racing through her. Making sure that no one would be able to see the necklace, she grabbed the door and yanked it open.
" Finally! " The impatient, brunette exclaimed, throwing up her hands.
" Sorry, I just-"
" Nevermind! Just come on. " Katie interrupted, pulling her down the corridor.
