Ginny:

Light flooded through the window in the dorm room as I slowly began to wake up. Memories of the previous day came back to me and I remembered I was at Hogwarts. Breakfast was just starting as I made my way down to the Great Hall.

''Ginny!''

I looked around to see who was calling me and was surprised to see Astoria Greengrass running towards me. Oh right. The truce.

''Ginny, where is Hermione?'' She asked out of breath.

''She's on her way, but wha-'' I was cut off as Hermione walked past, and Astoria grabbed us by the arms and started walking.

''There's something you have to see.'' Was all she said.

''Astoria, I don't understand, what is going on, and no offense but since when did you talk to us?'' I questioned as she pulled us into the library.

''Last night Luna and I were talking in here, and we heard a sort of whispering sound, coming from behind these shelves, so we looked and found THIS.'' She explained while gesturing to what looked like a bunch of blue dust.

''Um, what exactly is it?'' I wondered aloud.

''After we saw it, we stayed up all night researching it and found out that it is called Mort Cendre. It's something that can only be created using dark magic and a lot of ingredients that are almost impossible to find.

''I've read about that!'' Hermione exclaimed.

''Yes, I'm sure you have. Anyways we never did find out who was whispering.'' Replied Astoria

''Well whoever it was must have something to do with this. I suggest we talk to Professor Dumbledore immediately.'' Hermione suggested.

''Luna is already on it. I just thought you guys should know.'' Said Astoria.

''Who else knows?'' I asked.

''Harry and Ron know but they didn't seem to be interested. They just wanted to get to breakfast.'' Astoria grinned. She had a nice smile. I was used to seeing her smirk, (a signature Slytherin move) but this time she actually seemed happy.

''Excuse me, students, please back away from the dust.'' I turned around to see the Headmaster (Professor Dumbledore) followed by the Head Mistress. (Professor McGonagall)

''As I'm sure you know by now this is highly dangerous, and it will have to be very carefully removed. Until then this section of the library will be of strictly off limits.'' Dumbledore explained calmly while drawing a red line around the dust with his wand. Anyone who would try to past would find themselves running into an invisible barrier.

''I don't understand, Professor, how could this have even got in here. Everything I've read states clearly that it is made by the source of dark magic. How could dark magic be in Hogwarts? You've said it yourself that there's no safer place!'' Astoria questioned eagerly.

''Ah, Ms. Greengrass that is a great question. I'm afraid I am not able to answer it as of right now. Perhaps another time.''

''You mean you don't know?'' I asked. I couldn't help feeling as if there was something, he wasn't telling us.

Dumbledore looked over at me and Hermione for the first time since he walked into the library. He looked from me to Astoria, to Hermione, and then back to Astoria, clearly surprised to see us together willingly, and not throwing curses at each other.

'' I believe your classes are about to start, and I do not believe in starting the day on an empty stomach, so I suggest you run along before breakfast is over.'' He answered with a soft smile. Yep, he wasn't telling us everything. Or anything to be exact.

I opened my mouth to protest, but perfect Miss Granger had already grabbed my arm and walked out of the library.

''Thank you, Professor.'' She called on the way out.

''Astoria you have some explaining to do!'' I said as soon as we were out of the library.

Astoria's furrowed her brows in confusion. ''I told you everything I know.''

''Everything except why you and Luna were in the library together!'' I cried out.

As we made our way into the Great Hall, Harry and Ron spotted us and ran over.

Ron was the first to speak. ''Hermione! Where have you guys been? We were starting to worry!''

''I'm sure you were. That is after you finished stuffing your face.'' I laughed.

''Wait a minute, who is she?'' Harry asked just noticing Astoria.

''Oh, this is Astoria, Daphne's younger sister-'' Hermione was cut off by Ron choking on who knows what.

''Sorry, you mean Daphne Greengrass from Slytherin?'' Ron asked, face still red from choking.

''Yes, Ronald what other Astoria would she be talking about!'' I rolled my eyes at my older brother.

'' Why are you hanging out with a Slytherin? Just because we agreed not to try and kill each other or whatever, doesn't mean we have to be friends!'' Ron replied in disgust.

''I know we haven't always- I mean ever got along, but as Malfoy said, we are sick of being the bad guys. Even we get sick of it. Plus, we are going to have to work together anyway. The Mort Cendre in the library wasn't just some kind of accident. Someone purposely brought that into Hogwarts, and we need to figure out who and why.'' Astoria explained.

Hermione pulled a book from her bag and began flipping through the pages. 'She is right. I've read about Mort Cendre, it's like the pollen that floats around in the spring. It's released from a dark red flower and is extremely dangerous if consumed, breathed in for long periods of time, or touched.''

''Ok well that's easy, we just won't eat, touch, or breathe in any weird blue dust, and we should be fine.'' Said Ron.

Hermione finally found the page she was looking for and began sliding her finger down it. ''Easier said than done. Aha! It says here that when touched Mort Cendre can cause severe a rash, high fever, swelling and can even leave 3rd-degree burns. When consumed, it can cause fatigue, nausea, high fever, swollen lymph nodes, weakness, hallucinations-''

''Ok we get it what happens if you breathe it in?'' Harry asked.

Hermione cleared her throat. 'Well according to this book, it can cause, all the same symptoms plus, heart and lung failure, and even... death.''