A/N: And the answer to the riddle was . . . Haste!

Disclaimer: I am J. K Rowling. Yeah, right, and I'm the Queen of England.

Alice2Epic: Evil Laugh! Thanks!

Love2Read: Thanks! You're right about that! Ah, animals:) My favs are the Penguins and Doggies of course! Ya, just had to say that. Thank you again! Very reasonable prediction! Let's see [or read, whatever!] if it actually happens! ;D

IHaveASparklyFace: Make face? Seriously? -_- Oh, and UGH-_-

Chapter 7

"We have three days left, starting from tomorrow." Harry explained.

Hermione was more than glad; Harry had canceled their practice for tonight, and instead was meeting with the others.

Ginny sat up. "And in those three days, we need to get ready. Hermione, I think I found out what was wrong with you."

"There's always something wrong with her." Draco remarked.

Hermione ignored Draco's comment and sat up straighter.

"You know how we all have fake names?" Ginny started. "And you're the only one who's representing a real person."

"My grandmother." Ron added.

Hermione caught what Ginny was trying to tell her. "So, you guys are representing fake people, and I'm representing a real person. And that means. . ." Hermione's eyes widened.

Ginny nodded. "You're turning into Lucretia Black."


With the happy thought of turning into Lucretia, Hermione was even busier than ever. First, she was going to meet up with Draco and Ron in the Requirement room. Hermione was relieved that today was Saturday- which meant no classes.

When she entered the Room of Requirement, Draco was deep in old scrolls and books. Before Hermione could greet him, Draco mused, "There isn't much about Lucretia Black."

Hermione sat across from him, glancing at all the scrolls. "Where's Ron?"

Draco snorted. "He got hungry, so he's getting food." Hermione smirked.

Draco leaned back onto his chair and stretched. "Ok, first things first. The year is 1943, isn't it?"

"Yes." Hermione sat forward.

"You need to know about your- I mean, Lucretia's- family." Draco stood up, and wrote a name on the piece of paper. "Sirius Black. Not, Harry's Godfather, but Lucretia's grandfather." Hermione nodded. "He's still alive- 66 years old." Draco drew a straight line, and wrote another name. "Hesper Black. Gamp was her maiden name. Lucretia's grandmother. She died 37 years ago." Draco drew two lines coming from both of the names, and when they met, he wrote another name. "Arcturus Black the Third. Lucretia's father. He is very much alive." Draco looked up at her. "We'll need to pay a lot of attention on him."

They were interrupted by loud munching, when Ron appeared, somehow holding three filled plates.

"Watshmmup?" Ron mumbled. Draco rolled his eyes, gingerly taking a plate. "Didn't your mother ever teach you to shut your mouth while chewing?" Hermione took a plate as well; laughing at Ron's puffed up cheeks and red face. Ron swallowed, glared at Draco and opened his mouth- to only have two strawberries chucked in from Draco.

"Ok, what did I miss?" Ron asked, finally.

"Well, Lucretia's grandfather, Sirius, is alive." Hermione held up one finger, "Her grandmother, Hesper, was dead 37 years ago." Hermione held out another finger. "And, her father, Arcturus the Third, is very much alive."

Ron stuffed a piece of pie in his mouth and waved his hand, in a 'go-on' gesture.

Draco took the piece of paper, and started a new line from Arcturus. "Melania Black. Lucretia's mother. She died 14 years ago."

"So, Lucretia and Orion were only three years old when she died." Hermione thought out loud.

"Yes, but not only that, but her death was caused by murder." Draco explained, and Hermione felt sadness creeping into her. How many others lost their parents by murder? "I couldn't find much information on that, though." Draco continued. He drew two lines from those names, and wrote two names were the lines met. "And finally Orion and Lucretia Black."

"So, basically, the only family members I really need to know about, is those five?" asked Hermione, a little unsure. "Grandparents, parents, and brother?" Ron snorted, but Draco nodded at her. She sighed with relief. This was easy. "Well, that's good." Hermione started to get up. "Now, I finally have some free-time."

Ron started laughing, and Draco smirked at her. Hermione glared. "What?"

"Gosh, Hermione, I thought you were smarter than that!" Draco rolled his eyes. "There's just a few things. We need to know how and why Melania was murdered. We also need to know about the current Dark Lord."

Hermione's eyes widened at her own stupidity. Tom Riddle wasn't the actual Dark Lord, yet. "Grindelwald."

"Exactly." Draco pushed a few scrolls to the side, and pulled a book. "Currently 61 years old, and more powerful than ever."

Hermione slapped her forehead in frustration. "Dumbledore defeated him in 1945- which is in two years!"

"But what does he have to do with Lucretia Black?" Ron asked, slurping the remains of his soup.

"We need to know if Arcturus is a part of Grindelwald's army." Draco answered. "Why Melania was murdered- and how.

"And, let me guess." Ron said, "You have no idea what the answers are."

Draco turned around to an old cabinet, and pulled out piles of books. Hermione couldn't help but feel delighted. This was something that only Hermione loved- not Lucretia.

"That's when books come in handy." Hermione grinned, while Draco stared wearily at the books.

"This day keeps getting better and better." Ron muttered.


After less than an hour of reading, Hermione had to rush to Ginny for their own lessons. Draco and Ron assured Hermione they'll keep reading, and Hermione ran to the Quidditch field, longing for a book, instead of the total disaster she was going to face.

Ginny was already waiting for her, holding two brooms, and a foot firmly in place on top of a moving box.

Hermione caught her breath, as Ginny grinned at her. She handed Hermione a broom. "I read about Quidditch and it turns out that tryouts are coming very soon."

"And why exactly do I have to try out?" Hermione whined.

"Because Lucretia was one of the best Chasers in Slytherin!" Ginny exclaimed. "You'll have to really pretend to be like her, or everyone will get suspicious of you, and then Orion—"

"OK, Gin," Hermione laughed, "I'll learn."

Ginny's face brightened, and she lifted off the ground. Hermione hesitated. She could fly of course, and wasn't bad at it either. But, she wasn't very good at flying fast, or one handed. And, to be a Chaser, flying fast one-handed, was the whole point.

But, Hermione knew she had to do this. If she was going to try to convince everyone that she was Lucretia, being a Chaser would work perfectly. She pushed upwards, and started to fly around. The fresh air, refreshed her face, and she was able to breathe more freely.

"Now, to get started." Ginny flew next to Hermione and gave her a mischievous grin. "Race ya!"


By the end of the Quidditch lesson with Ginny, Hermione felt great. Ginny was the most amazing teacher, and in no time, Hermione was whizzing around the field, laughing her head off. Of course, some of the energy came from Lucretia, but Hermione brushed that aside. She really didn't want to think about it.

Next up, was a make-over session with Lavender- and a little help from Ginny, of course. It turns out, that Lucretia was a beautiful woman, with guys always tailing her. To act like Lucretia, she needed to always look good, and always have at least some make-up on.

As she was passing the library- which she gazed longingly- a girl ran out and accidently bumped into her.

"Oh, I'm—" Hermione stopped short of her apology and stared at the girl. She had dark brown hair which was neatly braided in pigtails. She had big, round glasses, a runny nose, and looked younger than Hermione- Maybe 3rd or 4th year. She sniffed and gave her a deadly glare. If looks could kill, this girl had mastered it.

"I-I-I've seen you before. . ." Hermione stuttered, and racked her brain for a memory of seeing this girl. But, already, her memory was getting fuzzy, and couldn't remember small details.

The girl's eyes flashed. "Oh, yeah, don't remember me, who's been in school with you for four years!" Her voice started going up in volume and she was basically shrieking at Hermione. Hermione, dumb-founded stared back. The girl snarled at her and walked away. Hermione tried again, wondering where she had seen her before. Then she realized she was wasting time, and was going to be late.

Hermione walked up to the Hufflepuff portrait, to see Lavender waiting for her. When she caught sight of Hermione, Lavender squealed and hopped around. "Ooh, this is going to be great!"

Hermione got a sickening feeling. Just then, Ginny walked in and smirked at Lavender's excitement.

Lavender quickly muttered something and the portrait swung open. Lavender basically dragged Hermione up the stairs and onto her bed. Lavender went to a chest, and opened it up. The first thing that popped into Hermione's mind was: Pink.

"Um, well, Lavender," Hermione said uncertainly. "Pink isn't really my color."

Lavender waved the words away. "Doesn't matter! This is my first time giving someone a make-over!"

"First time?!" Hermione squeaked.

Lavender paused from rummaging through her make-up, and cocked her head. "Well, actually this is my second."

"Who was the first?" Ginny asked, out of curiosity.

"Parvati." Lavender replied, going back to the chest. "I accidently dyed her hair red, but then I was like, 'c'mon Parvati, you can show your spirit!' 'Cause Gryffindor color is red, you know?" Lavender kept on talking about Parvati and her red hair, while Hermione turned to Ginny with a worried expression.

"Gin . . ."

Ginny gave her a warm smile and sat down next to her. "Exactly why I'm here."

Lavender stood up. "Blush!" She tossed two containers onto Hermione's lap. "Foundation!" Two tubes added to the pile. "Lipstick!" Four lipsticks of different shaded of red and pink.

A few minutes later, a huge pile of all sorts of make-up stood next to Hermione. Lavender sighed, and put her hands on her hips. "So, shall we get started?"


After hours of complete failures, one making Hermione look like a beautiful pig, and one making her look like she had been trapped in a small electrocuting closet of pink sparkles and pink glitter, Hermione was happy when the last make-over was finished.

In this one, Hermione insisted Lavender on very small amounts of make-up, and no pink sparkles or glitter. Hermione's hair was in soft curls, with very faint pink blush, a little gold eye shadow, and Hermione was completely impressed.

But, she didn't have much time to complement herself. With a hurried, thank you to Lavender and Ginny, Hermione was now running across the corridors, to meet up with Harry for their usual practice.

Just as she turned the corner, Hermione slammed into a person and she stumbled.

"Black, what are you doing here?" Tom asked, in the most unpleasant tone. Hermione stared at Tom. She could already feel Lucretia's confidence over-taking her. She felt Lucretia's anger.

"Well, Riddle," Hermione gritted angrily, and Tom's eyes flashed murderously, "I should be asking you that. Where were you this whole day?"

Before Tom could answer her, Hermione's eye caught the book under Tom's arm. "Oh, I see. Restricted section, again?"

"Yes." Tom breathed deeply. "Now, where are you off to? Didn't you hear? Meeting is canceled."

Hermione blinked. She wasn't going to the Death Eater meeting anyway, but better to pretend. "Oh. But . . . but Harry is out there!"

Tom hesitated, and Hermione couldn't help but stare into his eyes. They were full of pain, guilt, and regret. Hermione suddenly felt pity for Tom, and was about to ask him if everything was ok, when she stopped herself in time.

'Me? Asking HIM?' thought Hermione. 'No chance.'

"I'll come with you." Tom surprised her. "And hurry, time's running out." He dashed away before Hermione could say anything. She hesitated, but then followed him.

They made it to the Forbidden Forest, to find Harry mindlessly walking around. He spun around, wand raised, but relaxed when he saw Hermione.

"Meeting was canceled, Evans." Tom said, annoyed. "We have to get back quickly."

"Why?" Hermione finally asked. She saw the same thing in his eyes. The pain, guilt, and regret.

"Not here." Tom answered, and rushed back to Hogwarts, Hermione and Harry close to his heels.

They managed to take a breath, near the Slytherin entrance, when a shadow covered them.

"Good heavens!" exclaimed Professor Slughorn, seeing the three tired faces. "Hurry quickly! It isn't safe here!"

Hermione and Harry looked at each other confused, then at Tom, who was staring at Slughorn's ear. They followed Slughorn through the empty corridors and finally arrived at the Great Hall.

Everyone was packed inside, all whispering urgently. What caught her eye was at the front. A young Dumbledore was gazing at the Headmaster- Professor Dippet. When the doors had opened, Dumbledore was staring intently at Tom, who looked anywhere but back at him.

Hermione, Harry, and Tom took their seats at the Slytherin table, as Slughorn walked to Dippet. Draco looked at Hermione and Harry, gravely.

"What happened?" Hermione asked, again, tired of all the suspense.

"There's been a death." Draco said, with bitterness.

Harry's eyes widened. "Who?"

"We're not sure-" Orion started.

"-but, it was a 4th year girl." Abraxas finished.

Suddenly, it all dawned to Hermione. No wonder she had thought she remembered that girl she had bumped into.

Hermione looked at them. "It was Myrtle."

A/N: Ooh! Moaning Myrtle! Anyways, here's the Riddle of the Day!:

A farmer in California owns a beautiful pear tree. He supplies the fruit to a nearby grocery store. The store owner had called the farmer to see how much fruit is available for him to purchase. The farmer knows that the main trunk has 24 branches. Each branch has exactly 12 boughs and each bough has exactly 6 twigs. Since each twig bears one piece of fruit, how many plums will the farmer be able to deliver?

A long riddle, and hope to see your answers!