Author's Note:

I submitted a review (just to try it out) for you all to read, but when it got sent it was missing some words and punctuations and it got all messed up so I'm just gonna post here from now on.

Super! More more I need more reviews! Some said Please Please Please don't let it be Draco sitting in the kitchen. Could it possibly be Sirius? Hmmm? Enjoy Chapter 10!

Also, I updated my journal to answer some of the popular questions I've been getting. Please check it out!

Chapter 10

The Only Other One Who Survived

"OH! I AM SO STUPID!" exclaimed Hermione smacking her forehead. This was her reaction after Harry told her, Ron, and Ginny about his visit with Sirius.

It was the next morning and Hermione was awake. Ron had stayed by her side all night. The nurses had brought a cot in the room for Ginny to sleep on so she could be near Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley took the Grangers back to The Borrow for the night.

"What is it?" asked Ron quizzically. Harry and Ginny directed their attention at Hermione.

"It all makes perfect sense now. How could I have missed something SO obvious?" Hermione rambled.

"Bloody Hell! Would you just tell us already!" Ron said exasperated.

"Don't you see?" Hermione asked the group.

Everyone shook their heads no in confusion.

"Who was the only person that could open the Chamber of Secrets?" asked Hermione.

"The heir of Slytherin," answered Harry.

"Exactly!" exclaimed Hermione. "And who was that?"

"Tom Riddle," said Harry still looking rather confused.

"Right!" said Hermione. "Who else?"

"Me," said Ginny. "Tom Riddle possessed me through his preserved memory."

"Yes," said Hermione.

"Hermione, we know this already. Get to the point." said Ron.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Harry, why is it that you are a Parslemouth?" asked Hermione.

"Because when Voldemort tried to kill me some of his powers transferred to me," Harry answered.

"Exactly and The Dark Lord who is also Tom Riddle is the heir of Slytherin," said Hermione looking at everyone with expectation.

Harry, Ron, and Ginny still stared at Hermione with confusion quickly turning to frustration.

"Sorral Sight is a gift that only runs in the Slytherin family," Hermione explained. "The rules never said that men couldn't carry the trait they just can't use it."

Ron's face lit up with understanding. "So what you're saying is that when the Dark Lord possessed my sister some how he transferred Sorral Sight to her?" asked Ron.

"YES!" exclaimed Hermione. "You got it!"

"That does make sense!" exclaimed Ginny. Her brown eyes were twinkling. "That would explain why I could have it without being related to that family. But why me?"

"Because you and Cecelia have a lot in common," Harry jumped in to answer.

"Right," said Hermione. "Your similarities probably made the conditions right for you to accept the gift. It probably would not have happened to anyone else."

"That's brilliant!" exclaimed Ron. "Hermione, you are a genius!"

Hermione blushed as she tucked her hair behind her ears.

"I had help," she said smiling at Harry.

"Hermione, there is something else I need to tell you," said Harry.

"Yes?" Hermione asked.

"While you were sleeping… I… I overheard your parents talking about taking you out of Hogwarts for good," said Harry.

Hermione's face froze in shock. "What? That's not possible," she said. "They love my being a witch."

"I know," said Harry. "But they are afraid for your safety. Your mum thinks you would be safer at home."

"Well that's ridiculous!" exclaimed Hermione sitting up straighter in bed. "I am the safest AT Hogwarts! I'm just going to have to explain it to them. I will make them understand what's going on."

"Hermione, don't get yourself worked up," urged Ron placing his hand on her shoulder. "Everything will be ok."

Just then, a nurse entered the room with four bowls of steaming porridge.

"Breakfast!" she announced. "Oh good, you are all awake. Eat up, you need your strength."

She placed the bowls on a nearby table and left the room. Hermione relaxed herself back onto her pillow. Her face still showed signs of distress. Ron and Ginny got up to see what was in the bowls.

"What is this slop?" asked Ron. The food looked like a swirl of gooey mess. "I'm not eating this!"

Ginny wrinkled up her nose at the smell as she brought Harry his breakfast. Harry turned his head in disgust. Ginny returned the bowl to the table.

"You go to the hospital to get better and they try to poison you. I'm going up to the tea room and see if I can get us some real food," announced Ron.

"I'll come with you," volunteered Harry. He was still pretty sore, but he felt the short walk would do him some good. He needed a change of scenery. Harry put on the bathrobe and slippers that Mrs. Weasley brought for him and headed for the door.

"Ginny, you and Hermione stay here. We will be right back," said Ron.

"OK," said Hermione and Ginny in unison.

"Bring back some Cauldron Cakes or Pumpkin Pasties if there are any," suggested Ginny.

Harry and Ron nodded as they stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind them.

"How are you feeling, Harry?" asked Ron.

"Still sore, but getting better," Harry said.

"I hope Hermione's parents will change their minds," said Ron. "I'd really miss her."

"Me too," said Harry.

"Well, it looks like we survived another adventure," said Ron smiling.

"Yeah, but adventure is not exactly the word I would use," said Harry. "I'm sorry I keep putting you in danger."

"Oh please!" exclaimed Ron. "Living all by itself is dangerous. You just have to deal with what ever life throws at you the best you can. Granted I am not as brave as you are, but I think I can handle myself pretty good. So stop apologizing and feeling guilty all of the time for things that just are or I'll be forced to hex you!" Ron said half jokingly half serious.

"Your wrong, Ron," said Harry. "You are braver than me."

"How do you figure that?" asked Ron.

"Because," said Harry. "I fight because I have no choice. Voldemort picked me, but you? You understand the risks and CHOOSE to fight."

"Well," said Ron. "That's what brothers are for."

Harry and Ron made their way up to the fifth floor. Surprisingly, the exercise tired Harry out more than he thought it would and it didn't help that his stomach was violently growling from hunger. As they grew nearer to the tea room, Harry could smell a mixed aroma of hot tea, bacon, and eggs. When they entered the tea room, they saw a familiar face.

"Neville?" asked Ron.

"Hello, Ron, Harry," said Neville. He was sitting at a table all by himself eating a plate of bacon, eggs, and buttered toast with jam accompanied by a large glass of orange juice.

Harry was surprised to see that Neville's appearance had changed slightly. His face and body were still round, but he looked as if he had lost about ten pounds and had grown a few inches taller. Also, his upper lip now housed a stubble mustache.

"How are your parents?' asked Harry kindly.

"Insane as always," Neville sighed dryly. "Gran is brushing my mum's hair so she told me to come up here and get something to eat," he informed them. "What are you doing here?"

"We were attacked by Bellatrix Lestrange," answered Ron. "Harry, Hermione, and Ginny were injured."

Neville's eyes narrowed at the sound of Bellatrix's name. Harry knew how much he hated her for torturing his parents. She was the reason he had to frequent St. Mungo's.

"Hermione was hurt the worst, but she's recovering nicely," added Harry.

"Oh my," said Neville. "I'm glad you guys are alright. It looks like we need to start up our DA meetings when we get back to school."

"Sure if we are allowed," said Harry.

"I'm sure Dumbledore won't mind," said Neville. "And we probably won't have to sneak around now."

"Very true," said Ron.

"How are you doing?" asked Harry. "How has your summer been?"

"Good. Gran took me to the Carnival on its second day. I saw you and Ginny, Harry, but I didn't want to intrude."

"Oh, Neville, I wish you had come over to say hi. I'm sorry we didn't see you," said Harry. "We would have loved to have you join us."

"I'm not to sure about that," said Neville smiling a little bit. "You both looked pretty busy... uh kissing."

Harry's face turned bright red.

"Is there ANYONE who DIDN'T see that kiss?" asked Ron, exasperated.

They all laughed.

Harry sat down at Neville's table and they filled each other in on the summer they had been having. Ron went to the counter and ordered four breakfast specials: bacon, eggs, a jam doughnut, and a large orange juice. He charged it to the hospital room. He then joined Harry and Neville's conversation while the food was being prepared.

"So then Ron pulled the glass out of Hermione's stomach and we took a port key here," Ron heard Harry say as he sat down.

"Wow," said Neville. "I would have fainted at the sight of blood for sure."

Neville looked at Ron. "That took a lot of nerve," he said.

"Hey, I almost fainted myself. Hermione can be such a pain at times, but I don't know what I would do with out her," said Ron.

Harry and Neville nodded in agreement.

"Have you gotten your O.W.L. results yet?" asked Neville.

"Nope, they are late," said Ron.

"Yeah, usually they come in July," said Neville.

"Well, I'm sure they will be coming soon," said Harry.

"How do you think you did?" Neville asked Harry and Ron.

"Horrible probably," said Harry.

"Yeah same for me too," said Ron.

"Yeah me three," added Neville.

They chuckled.

"Have you given any thought as to what you want to do after Hogwarts?" Harry asked Neville.

"Not really," said Neville. "You?"

"I was thinking about becoming an Auror," said Harry.

"Yeah you'd be good at that," said Neville. "You Ron?"

"Not a clue," Ron said.

"Four Breakfast Specials!" called a woman behind the food counter.

"The Food!" exclaimed Ron as he jumped up from the table and went to retrieve the order.

"Harry come and grab the other tray," Ron said holding one tray with two orders on it.

Harry walked over to the counter and picked up the second tray. They both walked back over to Neville's table.

"Come back down stairs with us," said Ron. "Hermione and Ginny will be glad to see you."

Neville's eyes filled with delight. "I would like that," said Neville.

He got up, threw his tray away, and held the door for Ron and Harry. The three friends headed back down to Harry and Hermione's hospital room. Neville opened the door for Ron and Harry as they brought the trays of food into the room. They placed them on the now empty table.

"Neville!" exclaimed Hermione and Ginny as he stepped through the door. Ginny sprang from the foot of Hermione's bed and flung her arms around Neville's thick neck.

"Hi, Ginny," said Neville blushing slightly as he returned the hug.

Neville broke his embrace and continued over to Hermione's bed giving her a gentle hug.

"Harry and Ron told me what happened. How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Oh, fine," said Hermione. "My wound has healed. All I need is a few more days of rest and I will be as good as new."

"Glad to hear it," said Neville. "Well I'd better go find my Gran. It was wonderful to see you all again."

"See you in school, Neville, I hope" said Hermione.

Neville gave Hermione a quizzical look.

"Hermione's parents may take her out of Hogwarts," explained Ginny.

"No!" exclaimed Neville, his eyes filling with worry. "Hermione, they can't do that! That's…That's…Well they just can't!"

"I know," said Hermione. "Don't worry I'm going to talk to them."

"Good, Hogwarts wouldn't be the same without you," said Neville firmly. "Well I really should go before Gran comes looking for me."

"Bye," said Hermione.

"See ya," said Neville. He hugged Hermione and Ginny goodbye and shook hands with Ron and Harry. The group watched as Neville stepped out into the hallway and closed the door being him. Harry knew that Neville's walk back to Ward 49 would be a long and lonely one.

"MMMM, that food smells heavenly," said Hermione. "I'm so hungry!"

"What happened to the bowls?" asked Ron.

"Oh I put them in the sink," said Ginny pointing to the sink in the bathroom.

Ron helped Hermione out of bed, into her bathrobe and slippers, and pulled a chair out for her at the table. Ginny and Harry were already seated and Ron was last to join the group. They all ate their breakfast with great satisfaction. Ginny was disappointed to see that Ron hadn't brought her what she'd asked for, but was content with her jam doughnut. Afterwards Harry and Hermione climbed back into bed. Ginny and Hermione spent the rest of the morning brushing and braiding each other's hair. Harry and Ron played wizards chess with the board and pieces that Mrs. Weasley had brought from the Burrow. By the late afternoon, The Weasleys and Grangers returned.

"How are you all feeling today?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"Much better," said Harry.

"Pretty good," said Hermione.

The Grangers went over to hug their daughter hello.

"You can leave today," announced Mr. Weasley.

"Really?" squealed Ginny.

"Yes, Professor Dumbledore took care of the bill so you are free to go as soon as you get your things," said Mr. Weasley.

"Oh I can't wait to go home!" exclaimed Ron.

"We aren't going back to the Borrow," said Mrs. Weasley.

"What? Why?" asked Ginny. Ron, Harry, and Hermione directed their attention to Mrs. Weasley.

"Professor Dumbledore feels that it would be safer if the four of you spent the rest of your summer at twelve Grimmauld Place," explained Mrs. Weasley. "We already brought your belongings there and we will go out and get your school things later this month."

Harry's face fell. Twelve Grimmauld Place was Sirius's house. He couldn't imagine being there without him.

"Mum, Dad, you have to listen to me. I can't leave my friends or my scho…Wait! Four? You mean…I'm going too?" asked Hermione looking eagerly at her parents.

"Yes," said Mr. Granger looking lovingly at his daughter. "Your mother and I have had a long…very very very long chat with Professor Dumbledore. He filled us in on some of the," Mr. Granger cleared his throat and continued. "Details of your history at Hogwarts. We are unhappy that you kept so much from us, but we do understand that you didn't want us to worry."

"Your father and I are terrified at the events that have taken place over the last five years. It seems you and your friends have a knack for getting yourselves in troubling situations, but it appears that you are also a very capable, talented young lady. Something your father and I have known all along," continued Mrs. Granger.

"Professor Dumbledore insists that under the circumstances you will be safer under his watch," explained Mr. Granger. "After thinking it over, we have come to realize that he is right. We still fear for your safety, but you are growing up and we trust you and your choice in friends," Mr. Granger looked at Harry and Ron.

"You will watch out for our Hermione, won't you boys?" asked Mrs. Granger.

"Yes," said Ron with a relived smiled.

"Of course!" said Harry

"Get your things now," said Mrs. Weasley.

Hermione's mother helped her get dressed behind her changing divider and Harry dressed quickly behind his. Ron and Ginny packed up everyone's belongings and soon they were ready to leave.

"Goodbye mum, dad. I love you," said Hermione hugging and kissing her parents.

"We love you too," said Mrs. Granger.

"Be good," said Mr. Granger.

Hermione unlatched herself from her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Granger smiled and shook Harry, Ron, and Ginny's hands. Then, they headed for the door.

"Molly, I'm going to walk them out. Here, take the port key and I'll be along later," Mr. Weasley said to Mrs. Weasley as he handed her a green handkerchief.

"Ok, Arthur," said Mrs. Weasley taking the port key.

The Grangers waved goodbye to everyone one last time before they stepped into the hallway with Mr. Weasley. The door closed behind them.

"Alright, gather around everyone, it's time to go," ordered Mrs. Weasley.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley all touched a part of the handkerchief. Harry felt that gut wrenching feeling once more. The room began to spin and before he knew it, he was standing in the foyer of the Black's house. As soon as they stopped spinning Harry noticed a ginger ball of fur crouched by the front door.

"Crookshanks!" Hermione shrieked walking over to the cat and bending down slowly to pick him up.

"Your parents brought him to the Borrow with the rest of your things from home," explained Mrs. Weasley. "They figured you'd want him with you at school."

Hermione's face was filled with pure happiness.

"I'm hungry, mum, they starve you at the hospital," said Ron.

"Oh! Its almost dinner time!" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley. "I'd better go get started."

Mrs. Weasley headed for the kitchen leaving the four friends alone once more.

"Are you ok, Harry?" asked Ginny as she rubbed his back.

Ron and Hermione stared at him with concern.

"I'm not sure," said Harry. "I feel strange being here."

"We are here if you need us," said Hermione.

"Thanks," said Harry. "I look around and almost expect for Sirius to come walking down those steps."

"Maybe when your up to it you will go visit Buckbeak," suggested Ginny.

"Yeah maybe," said Harry. "I know you guys loved Sirius too. Being here can't be easy for you either."

"You're right," said Hermione. "That's why its so important for us to support each other and be honest about what we are feeling."

Harry shot Ron a quick teasing look.

"True, but for right now lets just get something to eat," suggested Harry.

"Right," said Ron.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny headed for the kitchen. As they entered through the door, they all stopped dead in their tracks. Their jaws dropped. Surprise and horror molded their faces. None of them expected to see the visitor sitting at the table sipping a cup of tea.

"Madame Zurconi?" they bellowed.

Sneak Peak of Chapter 11

Harry stopped at the kitchen and peaked in through a crack in the door. Sitting around the table was Madame Zurconi and several members of The Order of the Phoenix.

Author's Notes: Please don't forget to review!

I really love answering questions so if you have any please post them!

Please check my online journal first before posting new questions. If your question still hasn't been answered, then please post it in the review section and then check the online journal periodically for updates.

Online Journal: Go Inside My Head (See homepage link on profile)

I have two editors: a beta reader and a brit-picker. Unfortunately, even with help and the use of spell and grammar check, mistakes can still be over looked. If anyone notices errors, I would be most grateful if you would e-mail me and tell me what you have found so that I can make the necessary changes immediately.