Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

Hermione's POV

When I saw the Daily Prophet I had to scoff. Harry hasn't disappeared; he couldn't have. The wards Dumbledore has placed on Privet Drive, wouldn't have let him be taken, let alone leave, without the Headmaster's arrant approval. No, Harry will be kept safe on Privet Drive, until the place the Headmaster is warding for his safety and training is complete. Harry will be spending the school year in a secure area, being trained to defeat Voldemort, Dumbledore's exact words.

We're all quite worried about this Dark Prince, though the Headmaster says there's nothing to worry about. He's even told the adult Order members that if they run into him, they are to give him an oath of protection and safety in Order Headquaters. According to Professor Snape, he's only about our age. And that he doesn't seem to like Voldemort's excessive use of the Crucatious Curse. He thinks the boy is from Eastern Europe, Albania or maybe Russia, and that he hardly speaks any English, though he seems to understand it quite well.

The Headmaster said that since I've been doing so well, keeping Harry from having to worry about everything that's been happening in the Wizarding World this summer, I'll be receiving an extra 100 galleons of pay. Of course I told the Headmaster that it was my pleasure to help Harry out however I could and the money isn't that important. The Headmaster doesn't like it when Ron, Ginny, or I appear to only help Harry for the money, but he knows how difficult it is to keep Harry out of danger.

I'd best go help Ron study and finish our summer essays. I know Ron wants to owl Harry, but we can't distract him from his training out of our own selfishness. Besides, I know the Headmaster has already put wards up to help prevent Harry from being distracted. No owls carrying post can enter or leave the wards, without the post being burned. The Daily Prophet truly needs a new editor, one who can be completely unbiased (like myself). I mean really:

"Boy-Who-Lived Disappears

Dark Prince Rises"