here is the next chapter

Chapter 2

The next morning, people awoke to find a new notice on every common room notice board. It read:

The first practice will be held on Monday the 8th or September at 8 o'clock sharp. Do not be late.

The Phantom of the Opera – Professor S. Snape

Christine Daaé – Hermione Granger

Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny – Ronald Weasley

Carlotta Giudicelli – Pansy Parkinson

Madame Giry – Professor M. McGonagall

Meg Giry – Ginerva Weasley

Monsieur Richard Firmin – Zachariah Smith

Monsieur Gilles André – Harry Potter

Ubaldo Piangi – Gregory Sanders

Joseph Buquet – Mr. Filch

Monsieur Reyer- Professor Flitwick

Monsieur Lefèvre - Sean Hedges

Other supporting roles will be played by...

Hermione's eyes drifted over the list casually. She knew she would be performing against Ron and Snape, but didn't know that Harry and Ginny would be place so highly. Currently Hermione was stood in the Gryffindor common room, waiting for Harry and Ron's game of chess to finish so they could go on a walk. Well her and Ron could anyway. Things had changed between them over the summer and they were finally going out, much to Ginny's delight.

Eventually, the four of them left the common room and walked down to the Entrance hall. When they got there Hermione and Ron left Ginny and Harry who walked off towards Hagrid's. Ron took Hermione's hand and led her down towards the lake. They sat beneath a tree on a far side of the lake away from prying eyes. Ron sat with his back up against the tree trunk and Hermione cuddled up to him with his arm draped round her shoulder. They would often come and sit here when they came to stay during the summer. It was there special place. They would just sit and talk or Hermione would read a book while Ron would sleep or read a new quidditch magazine or something. Today however Ron had asked Hermione to help him with his lines and the songs.

They sat there for nearly three hours practicing, when Hermione thought it would be best if they stop for a bit. Hermione cuddled back up to Ron and he kissed the top of her head. She looked up and smiled at him. She hadn't felt this contented in a long time. Ron saw that her face was bright and smiled. He could make her this happy. He lent down and captured her lips in a tender kiss. She responded to his kiss and pushed her mouth harder against his. His tongue moved across her lips asking for entrance. She complied and their tongues mingled and fought a battle of their own. Ron had never felt like this before, when he had kissed someone. Lavenders kisses had been sloppy and over powering. This was gentle and loving. Hermione shifted her body and allowed her arms to go around Ron's neck. Ron lent forward and moved himself. Ron was now lying on top of Hermione as she lay on the grass besides the lake. He pulled away reluctantly from the kiss and looked at her. She was smiling in away he hadn't seen her smile in months. He kissed her again, but this time allowing his hands to wonder over her body. Before anything else could happen though, Hermione pulled away. Ron shifted himself so that he lay next to her.

"I think we should go inside Ron. It's getting late and Dinner will be ready soon."

Ron nodded then replied "That's a good idea. Harry and Ginny will be wondering where we are." Ron stood up and helped Hermione up and they walked back up to the castle together hand in hand.

When they arrived in the great hall, Harry and Ginny were already sat there. They walked down the hall towards there seats and sat down. Ron and Harry started talking about quidditch. Hermione tuned out at that point, she had had a really good day with Ron. She had been really happy. But all that time something was eating away at the back of her mind, but she was unsure of what. She mentally shook her head away from those thoughts and looked around the hall. Nothing eventful was happening at the house tables; apart form Pansy leaning all over Draco again. Then she looked at the staff table. Professor Flitwick, Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall were in deep conversation together. Madame Hooch, Professor Lupin, and Professor Sprout were laughing about a joke Madame Hooch had just cracked. Then her eyes moved to the end of the table. There sat Professor Snape. He wasn't talking to anyone, or glaring at any one which surprised Hermione. He looked up and caught her staring at him. She blushed as their eyes met then looked away and returned to eating her cottage pie.

After dinner was over, Hermione decided that she would leave and go and practice in the room of requirement. She still wasn't confident when singing in front of people and didn't want to end up breaking down in front of people at practice. She bid goodbye to Harry, Ron and Ginny and made her own way up to the fifth floor.

She paced along the corridor three times thinking 'I need a room where I can sing. It needs to be comfy and practical. A place where I can practice and sort through my fears." She carried on this trail of thought until a door appeared in front of her in the corridor. She opened it and walked in. She walked into a spacious room with pale purple paint, a large roaring fire, plenty of space and a rather comfy looking sofa. In the corner there was a little kitchen that held glasses and bottles of water. There was a script lay on a small coffee table and music for the production was playing from a muggle CD player in the corner. She walked over to the sofa and noticed something she hadn't before. There was a small teddy and a magical picture of her and her father on it. Seeing the picture and teddy she smiled. The teddy was one he had brought her when she was younger. She picked it up and hugged it to her tight. In the photo, her father was picking her up and swirling her around laughing with her. It was taken at her cousins wedding in her third year.

Sighing, she picked up the script and walked over to the CD player and changed the track. 'Tonight, I think I will practice Angel of Music. This is the piece I will sing with Ginny.' The music came on and the voices of a Phantom and of Meg were sung then it came to Hermione's part. There was no voice just the music. She sang her parts effortlessly and perfectly. As the song came to an end Hermione sighed and sank back onto the sofa. She looked at the picture of her father and her together and said 'Why can't I sing without you. Why are you the only person I can sing for? Why do I have to imagine you standing there for me to sing, yet still break down into tears.' Hermione was pulled from her thoughts by a sharp knock at the door. How could anybody find this place if it is where I am? Without thinking more on it, she opened the door to find Professor Snape standing there. She was shocked that he was there but he interrupted her from her thoughts again by saying "Miss Granger, you are needed in the Headmasters office immediately. It is your mother and sis-" He did not have to say anymore, Hermione ran as fast as she could down the hall ways till she reached the headmasters office. Then barged in the door without knocking. AS she entered the office she was out of breath and panting heavily.

"Headmaster, you wanted to se me?" Hermione panted

"Ah yes Miss Granger I did. I have something to tell you." His voice sounded steady and his twinkle had gone from his eyes. Hermione felt her self start to go dizzy, probably from lack of oxygen.

"Headmaster, I don't mean to be rude. But Professor Snape said it was my mother and sister. Are they ok? They aren't hurt are they?" Dumbledore held up his hand to silence her. She stopped and moved and sat into a comfy empty seat.

"Now Miss Granger, after this I am sure you will have many more questions but let me assures you, both your mother and sister are ok. Your mother is still in hospital and will be for some time, but your sister has been released as she is healthy again. There is no one else to look after her, apart from you, so she has been brought here where she will live with you until your mother can take care of her. I know this will place added pressure on you, but Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey have offered their help, they have already made quite a bond with Vicki. The other teachers are aware of this knew change and if no one is available to look after her when needed during lessons, she will be able to attend them with you apart from some potions lessons, which for obvious reasons will be dangerous. You will still get your free lessons, although in some you will have to look after your sister. She is already showing signs of magic, so we will have to keep an eye on her. I have added an extra room onto the Heads common room and there is a new portrait that will allow you access to the Gryffindor common room so it is easier for you to see you friends with Vicki. During your rehearsals for the production, your sister will have to attend. I know this may cause further problems with your singing, which is marvellous by the way, but I think it will help you come to terms with some things. There will be toys brought in, both magical and muggle for her to play with, and her clothes have already been brought. Is there anything you wish to ask, or need my assistance with?" finished Dumbledore.

"No headmaster. I don't think there is anything. This will be very hard for me to do, but I am close to my sister and won't let her down. Is it alright if I go and see her now?" asked Hermione

"Yes, Miss Granger. I will escort you there my self." With that Dumbledore stood and walked out of his office with Hermione following.

"She is in the Infirmary with Madame Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall now. I must say, she is full of life." Chuckled Dumbledore.

"She is that sir. She reminds me so much of my father in so many ways. Would it be ok if on some nights I am allowed Ginny or someone to stay with me if I need to do some work or something?" asked Hermione.

"As long as it does not interfere with her studies, and it is not Mr Potter, Mr Weasley or any boy staying Miss Granger, than it would be acceptable for someone to stay." Replied Dumbledore. His eyes twinkling again. Not long after this they arrived at the door to the infirmary. Hermione stopped to collect herself before entering and heard the unmistakable sound of her sisters laughing. A sound she hadn't heard in many months. She pushed the door open and the sound became louder. Looking around, she saw the normally stern Professor McGonagall smiling and Madame Pomfrey laughing at the antics of her sister. She was prancing up and down the ward, messing around and doing a ridiculous strut. One that seemed to mimic that of Pansy Parkinson. Hermione giggled catching her sister's attention. Her face lit up even more as she saw her older sister. She ran at her older sister with her arms wide open.

"Mione', Mione' Mione'. You hear. Mummy said I was to see you. Vicki missed you." Said a three year old Vicki while hugging her sister's legs. Hermione bent down to pick her little sister up.

"Hi Vicki. I missed you too. I missed you so so much. Have you been good for the healers then? You haven't been naughty?" asked Hermione while looking at her sisters smiling face.

"Me been good. Me been good because daddy said I to be good when bad men came for my Mione'." Said her sister causing Hermione to cry.

"Oh Vicki. You are such a good girl. Can I have a love please? Mione' has missed your Loves?" Hermione asked through her tears.

Her sister gave Hermione a big hug and kiss. They had been totally oblivious to Professor McGonagall, Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey stood there. When Vicki asked to be put down, Hermione did so then looked at her teachers who she had forgotten about. Smiling apologetically at them she said "I'm sorry about that. I always miss my sister when I am here. I never actually realised though that she understood so much about what happened." Sighed Hermione

"That is ok Hermione. She seems to be very bright just like you. Can I ask how old she is? I remember you telling me that your mother had had her, but I cannot remember when." Asked professor McGonagall.

"That's ok Professor. She is almost three. She does seem very bright. I only see her when we have holidays so it was a surprise when I went home one time and she ran up to me shouting Mione'. She can't say my full name so I let her call me that."

"Dear, there is no need to call me Professor McGonagall when we are alone, call me Minerva. We will be spending so much time together it will become annoying to say the least and to informal. However, to follow the rules, it must return to formal while in class."

"Thank you Prof- Minerva. It will take a while to get used to but thank you. Is there anything else I must do now or is it ok if I take Vicki? I just want to take her to see Harry, Ron and Ginny before we go to bed. She liked it when they used to come and stay. Especially Ron for some reason, although I can not fathom why." Said Hermione

Minerva laughed "That is ok dear. You may take her. Her room is all ready. I will come by around 9 o'clock to sort out who will be looking after her when. See you later dear. Goodbye Vicki."

"Bye Bye"

Hermione took Vicki by the hand and turned to leave. She pause "Thank you Professors. Say thank you Vicki."

"Thank you."

With that they walked out of the infirmary, leaving behind 3 members of staff, amazed at the abilities of the young woman who had just left them.