Sorry for the long update. I have so many projects I need to complete.

Hope you enjoy this longer one.

I will try to write long ones. (4 pages)

Chapter 13

Hermione POV

I hurried to breakfast. When I snatched up a piece of toast, Ernie came over. "Hey, Hermione, did you hear the screech?"

"What screech?" I asked, even though I knew the answer already.

"That screech that rang through. Even the Slytherins woke up."

"Oh, I think it shook the school. I was still in the library."

"Yeah, everyone is sleepy because of it." Ernie smiled and left for his house table. I sat down and munched on it. I was about to take out a book when Harry and Ron stumbled into the Great Hall.

"Good morning." I smiled at them. Then I saw the Half-blood Prince book in Harry's hand and frowned.

"What is it?" Ron looked at her and then at Harry.

"It's nothing." I turned away. I positively hate cheating. I was just not right! I finished up and said: "Bye!"

"Hey, where are you going?" Harry and Ron jumped up.

"I'm going to get to class early."

"But class does not start in 35 minutes."

I ignored them and headed towards the Potions dungeon. I planned to wait outside to figure out how to steal the mandrakes.

Draco POV

I heard the two bubbleheads yell at the Granger know-it-all. She had disappeared early. I got up and grabbed my bag.

"Hey, Draco, where are you going?" Theo asked, placing down a glass of pumpkin juice, looking at him.

"I need to do something." I hurried out of the hall, glancing around every so often. I saw one of Granger's curls disappear around a corner. I turned the corner and saw Granger sitting, mumbling in a weird language. Then she looked up.

Hermione POV

I was talking to myself in Japanese when I saw Draco, standing there. I cursed. Great, now he thinks I am crazy.

"Talking to me, Granger?" Draco smirked. "I can't hear your whiney voice."

I felt anger rage inside me and before I could stop myself, I ranted, "Oh, really, little nuisance. How sweet of you. It's nice to see you again!" I let out my dark laugh and turned away.

Draco's eyes widened.

Draco POV

Whoa… I gazed at the Granger girl with a new light. That is sure different of her. I never knew you had a dark side. Then Uncle Severus poked his head out from the corner and snarled: "What is the noise out here?" He fixed his eyes on Granger and smirked. "Why, Miss Granger, what a lovely surprise. Ten points from…"

Granger interrupted and smirked back. "Tsk, tsk, Professor, Mr. Malfoy and I were just calmly talking here." She winked at him. Then Slughorn opened the Potions door and she simmered. "Can we come in?"

Uncle Severus looked taken by the statement. Slughorn smiled and said: "Of course, Miss Granger. Severus, you can leave now." Severus sneered and left. When I got inside, I marched away from Granger and settled at the table on the Slytherin side. Granger scurried to her front seat and waited for the class to start.

I literally stared at Granger all the time. Her black curls sat there, fuzzy from the fumes as she furrowed her eyebrow.

After classes, she left with the two bubbleheads yelling, "Hey, where are you going?" She turned the corner. Pansy yelled: "Hah!" and laughed her weird freakish laugh. I ignored her. I went off to dinner.

Hermione POV

I hurried off, looking around. No one noticed me as they chattered as they headed towards the great hall for dinner. I tiptoed to my room and closed the door. My body shimmered and I returned to my natural look. I pulled out my shell and smiled. I closed my eyes and thought, Shell, are you there?

Right you are. Are you ready to steal the leaves? Her high-pitched thinking came into my head.

I think so. (Tremble)

Are you okay?

I'm fine. It's just nervousness.

Don't be. It will be over soon.

I relaxed my body and began to breathe in and out. I yelled: "Panthalessa Princess, hidden form!" I felt a cool sensation around my arms and the light faded. I gazed myself in the mirror and smiled. My long black hair was tied up in a ponytail, a cloth tied around my head like a kerchief. My clothes consisted of a black shirt and pants. On my neck was the silver shell decorated with neon purple designs. My normal orange eyes had become purple. I picked up my wand and hurried out, my movements graceful and quiet. I finally arrived at the Hospital Wing.

Draco POV

I was walking by, satisfied with my work on the cabinet when I saw a movement in the shadows. I saw the figure disappeared into the hospital wing. Placing a disillusionment charm on myself, I followed after it. Then I heard a scream. One of the first-year Gryffindors was screaming, pointing at the shadow. The shadow snapped her fingers and the first-year fell unconscious. "(Sigh) Girls these days…"

I suddenly made a noise. The person turned around and I placed my hands to muffle the gasp it made. The girl was Taura! But she looked completely different! Her eyes, instead of the warm orange, were a cold purple. She looked away and stalked slowly to the counter. Waving her wand, a sack rose up from the drawers. Taura tucked it into her pocket, took another glance at the room, and slowly slipped out of the room. I stood there for a moment and left for the Slytherin commonroom.

Hermione POV

As I slipped out and went into the girl's bathroom, I crushed the leaves into a liquid and poured it into the cauldron. I took the unfinished product and placed in a bottle. I returned to my true form and took care of the glamor. Placing the bottle in my pocket, I waved my wand, clearing the evidence. I headed for the commonroom. When it opened, I saw Harry and Ron peering at the potion book of theirs. They looked up and Ron asked: "Hey, Hermione, where have you been? You weren't at dinner."

"I… um, the library…" I looked up. I glared at the Potions book and stormed to the dorms. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Harry and Ron exchange glances and shrugged.

You need to be careful. The shell said. I felt someone was watching when you stole the leaves.

I know…I know… I smiled at the shell. I changed into my pajamas and fell into a deep sleep.

Inside the Slytherin boy dorm…

Draco POV

I felt weird after seeing Taura steal. That is so unlike her to steal… I thought she was a honest person.

Wait… another part of my brain said. You don't know if that is really her, you know.

It has to be.

No.

Yes.

No.

Yes!

I groaned. Stupid brain…that girl…she is messing it up…

I plopped on the bed and lay onto the bed. I shut my eyes in desperation. Groan… I can't sleep…

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