Summary: What do you get when you mix a stressed Hermione, an irate Malfoy, three new Order members, all of whom have eyes for the bookworm, suspicious best friends, and a mystery yet to be solved? Full fledged insanity. SAME STORY, DIFFERENT SUMMARY. Enjoy!

A/N: Chapter 1! I own nothing but those three who are in the title of the Chapter :P Please read and review, even if it's just like, three words or something :P Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1: Felix, Edward, and Tristan

Hermione yawned and stretched. Long legs protruded from beneath a freshly laundered blanket. Her eyes blinked open and stared at the plain white ceiling of her and Ginny's room in Grimmauld Place.

She frowned. It had only been a dream again. Images of herself as a princess in a tale where true love was only a page away danced in her mind's eye.

Ever since she was five years old, her most favorite princess tale had been of the one who had kissed the frog. Her mother often told her the story, and she knew that she would do the same for her daughters.

However, despite it's childlike innocence and important life lesson, Hermione remained as cynical as ever. She didn't believe that looks could be as deceiving as the story so easily suggested. But then, she had always failed to see the colors between the conventional black and white she chose to believe in.

She sighed in frustration as the dream images refused to leave her alone. She knew why she had the dreams. They cropped up whenever she had a particular rough day. Whenever she felt lonely or ignored, she'd fall asleep knowing they would come. And while they brought a sense of comfort while she was in deep slumber, they only served to taunt her when she awoke.

It got kind of depressing after a while, actually. Knowing that, after her eyes opened, it would all melt away. But it was all for the best, really. She never got to see her prince when he decided to show up. Either she'd wake up at that precise moment, or he'd be a vague outline, something seen but unrecognizable. And he didn't talk either. Never a single noise was uttered from his lips.

She worried that this might foreshadow her life when things got really disheartening. Especially when Harry and Ron became exceptionally brooding after failing to find a Death Eater, or the adults refused to include the younger members of the Order in on their schemes. She worried that she'd never find true happiness, and her life would be nothing but work.

That's when she became angry. "Oh get a grip you silly ninny," she growled under her breath, shoving the quilt aside, "You know dreams are nothing more than entertainment when sleep gets too boring! Why are you analyzing them now?"

She shuffled into the adjoining bathroom and brushed her teeth and hair. After a shower, she came back into the bedroom and sat on the bed, contemplating her plans for the day. First, she wanted to track down Harry and Ron and ask them if any news had popped up during the night. Next, she wanted to ask Mrs. Weasley if she needed any assistance cleaning the old house. She'd get Ginny to help to, even if she threw a fit. Finally, she'd see if the boys had returned from their mission.

At the thought of the three young men, Hermione smiled a small, shy smile, almost as if they were here greeting her.

Felix Benton, Edward Greene, and Tristan Aldridge were three of the Order's newest members. They had all gone to Hogwarts, but were two years older than Harry, Ron and Hermione, and were Ravenclaw students, so hardly knew the Trio on a personal level.

However, they had all taken immediate interest in the adventures Harry, Ron and Hermione had been on, and were eager to join the fight against Voldemort.

Hermione smiled again, reflecting on the boys. Felix was an intellectual much like her. He enjoyed reading anything he could get his hands on, and often helped the Order with the finer details in their plan making. He had brown hair, a smooth tan face, and celery colored eyes with deeper green flecks. He was very kind to everyone, laughing along with jokes and helping anyone who needed it. He was someone you either loved, or hated, there was no in-between where Felix was concerned, and Hermione liked him very much.

Edward was equally as smart, but he was someone who'd rather act on impulse before thinking everything through. And while Hermione thought this quite reckless, she couldn't help but envy him for his confidence. His daring made it seem like he had fun with life. He never worried about the small things, just went where life may take him. He had black hair, like Harry's, but it fell straight, and wasn't messy. His color was paler than that of Felix's, but his face was more taut and defined, whereas Felix's was soft. His eyes were sapphire blue and the irises were rimmed with black.

Then there was Tristan. Hermione scrutinized his figure in her head. He was just a tad taller than the other two, who were tall to begin with, about six foot three. He was leaner than Edward—who was not big by any means, just more muscled—but not as gangly as Felix. He was also much more reserved, deciding to keep his opinions to himself unless the situation deemed them necessary. Hermione knew in her heart that he was brilliant (he wouldn't have made Ravenclaw otherwise), but his silence made him appear slow. He often had a faraway look in his pale eyes, which were a hazel color, and it took a while to pull him from his daydreams. His shoulder length hair was copper colored and silky in looks.

Hermione sighed. He was a mysterious boy, but this made him all the more alluring. She wished she knew more about him as a person, and not just the facts that were told to her by Felix and Edward. She was so immersed in her confused thoughts she didn't notice Ginny watching her.

"Thinking about Trissy again?"

"Ginny!" Hermione jumped, "What? No! And don't call him that!"

"Oh, you know you were," Ginny grinned mischievously, "And I'll call him what I like!"

"How did you know?" Hermione decided to surrender, knowing it would be fruitless to deny it again.

"You always get all quiet and," here Ginny thought for the correct word, "penetrating, when you try to figure him out."

"Do I really?"

"Yep."

"Well that's wonderful, do you think anyone's noticed?"

She tried to phrase it so that it sounded as if she were asking if he had noticed. Relief sunk in when Ginny shook her head.

"He's too drowned in his own head to notice anything that goes on," she muttered, "But I think Ron and Harry have noticed."

Hermione wrinkled her nose. "Great, no wonder they seem more possessive when I'm around the others."

"Aw, they're just looking after their best friend!" Ginny mocked what her brother would say.

Hermione laughed. Those two had seemed extra clingy lately. Oh well.

"Anyway, I don't know why you're worried about him when Felix is so obviously dying for you to go out with him."

"WHAT?"

"Like you didn't know, Hermione," was all the red head answered.

"That's…I mean—he's not—really?" she ended in a breathy sigh.

"Oh you make me sick. Of course he's into you, you're nearly the only on who can follow what spews from his mouth. But," the younger girl added, standing to leave, "I'd much rather spend time with Edward."

"Ginny! What about Harry?"

"Don't get your pocket protector in a bunch," Ginny teased, "I'd never hurt Harry! But Edward is always hanging around me, trying to solve the enigma that is meh-wah." She over enunciated, and exited the room before sticking her head back through the door. "And between you and me, if the inevitable ever happens and Harry and I don't work out," Ginny grinned evilly, "Edward can pick my lock any day."

She laughed as Hermione threw her pillow at her face.

Hermione rolled her eyes and stood to follow her. She couldn't wait to see if there was any news, or if Tristan and the others had returned from their mission, which was unclear to Hermione. She knew they had to do a bit of spy work the previous night, but she didn't know the extent of the job.

All these thoughts jumbled through her head as she bounced down the stairs. But none of them compared to what Ginny had divulged about Felix. If what she said were true, Hermione couldn't wait to see him. But at the same time, she was a bit nervous. As she thought hard about what to do, an image of Tristan flashed across her eyes. What about him, though? He seems so alone sometimes. I know I do. He's just so intriguing. I should definitely try and get to know him better.

"ARRGHH!"

Hermione reached the bottom stair, where her foot caught the end of the banister. She flung her arms forward as she careened around the side of the adjacent corner. Her eyes, which had been screwed shut in preparation for the landing, flew open when she felt herself collide with a person.

Both bodies stumbled against the troll leg umbrella holder, and crashed to the floor in a heap of tangled limbs. Sirius's mother's portrait immediately began screeching about dirty half-breeds invading her noble house, and Hermione lay panting, afraid to look at whoever she had just incapacitated.

However, she quickly looked at the person when he started laughing hysterically. "My goodness Hermione! And here I was expecting this corner to be the only one without danger lurking around it."

Hermione's face burned as she scrambled away from Edward, whose eyes were still alight with mirth.

"I'm so, so sorry, Edward. I should have been paying more attention. Are you okay? You're not hurt are you? Do you need any first aid? I can—,"

"Really Hermione, I'm quite all right," Edward said, standing up, "But if you're so determined to heal me, I think mouth to mouth might do the trick."

Hermione's eyes widened in shock. "Wha—What?" she stammered, panicking slightly.

"I'm only kidding! Sheesh! I think you need the medical attention Miss Granger. Allow me to escort to Mrs. Weasley, who I know can help you."

Again, the burning in her face.

"I'm fine thanks," she mumbled, "But I am sorry about that."

"It's all good," he beamed, "But do help me shut this crazy bat up."

It took Hermione a minute to realize that Sirius's dear mum was still wailing about Mudbloods. She ran up the stairs after Edward and helped him pull the curtain back over the loud-mouthed woman.

"There!" Edward puffed as they finally muffled the noise, "She never ceases to entertain me, that one."

Hermione scowled. "Well I could do without her."

"Oh, I could too," he agreed, "But sometimes things get too quiet and grave around here."

Hermione studied him while he double-checked the curtain. "You're right," she suddenly concurred. "Things do get pretty grim."

Sensing the change in her tone, Edward stared at her. "What's the matter?"

Hermione shrugged. "Nothing at all."

Edward continued his thoughtful gaze until his attention was diverted by Ginny who came rushing around the corner.

"Edward!" She cried and leapt into his arms. He stood there for a moment, bemused at what had just happened. He patted Ginny's back a bit awkwardly before she let go. Harry and Ron had followed her, both looking menacingly at Edward.

"I see you're back," Harry said flatly.

"Yes, and we have news," Edward returned just as tonelessly.

"Then I guess we'll meet you in the Dining Room," Ron deadpanned as his hand gripped Ginny's wrist and dragged her along. This usually would have set Ginny off, but she was too overcome with excitement to be rebellious.

Harry continued to glare at Edward before following.

"Well, that was joyous," Edward grumbled derisively.

"Oh, he's just being protective," Hermione supplied.

" More like being jealous," he snorted.

"Yeah, well, I guess we better go after them," Hermione sped to change the subject.

"Okay, let's go."

As they walked, Hermione's curiosity overcame the idiocy of the recent events. "What exactly were you, Tristan, and Felix doing last night?"

Edward grimaced. "We were assigned a spy mission."

Hermione's expression matched his own. Why was he being so secretive all of the sudden. She hesitated before asking further. "Yes, I know. But where?"

Edward sighed and stopped. He turned and looked at her, visibly debating on whether or not he should tell her.

"You might as well spit it out," she pressed in a hushed tone, "You have to present your findings anyway!"

"Fine," he snapped angrily, and Hermione was surprised at his sudden hostility, "We had to scope out Malfoy Manor."