Hermione ignored the gasps of other Gryffindors and began piling up her plate.
'Her-Hermione!' stuttered Ron, his face as white as Nearly Headless Nick's.
She turned to him and grinned.
'What? Honestly, it's if you boys hadn't seen me for years!' She laughed heartily and started eating.
Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall had seen her arrive and had hurried to the table.
'Miss Granger! What on earth – How?' Professor McGonagall seemed shell-shocked.
'Oh, hello Professor, Headmaster. I'm awfully sorry I'm late. I hope I haven't missed any important notices!' Hermione gave them a cheery smile.
Professor Dumbledore frowned. He turned to Harry, Ron and Ginny.
'Miss Weasley, please take Miss Granger up to Madame Pomfrey. Mr Potter, Mr Weasley; follow me.'
Harry, Ron and Ginny got up wordlessly. Hermione looked puzzled.
'Madame Pomfrey? But I'm fine! I'm late, but I'm fine!' However, she got up and Ginny led her out of the hall.
By this time other students had begun to stare at the Gryffindor table and were whispering to each other.
Harry and Ron followed Dumbledore up the stairs. Harry could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. Hermione was back. But where had she been? The ministry had been to her house, it had been empty for weeks. Plus Harry's dream. He knew it had been real. He shook his head. Professor Dumbledore would find out everything.
Hermione started to talk as soon as she entered Dumbledore's office with Madame Pomfrey.
'I know that as a prefect I have to be on time, Headmaster, but we only just got back today and –' Dumbledore held up his hand to silence her.
'Miss Granger. Please. All we want to know is where you've been.'
Hermione looked confused. She sat down opposite Dumbledore and immediately Fawkes fluttered down to sit on her knee.
'On holiday with my family. We went to Bulgaria to visit Viktor Krum and his family.'
Dumbledore sighed.
'Madame Pomfrey? How bad?'
'Well Headmaster, it's a powerful memory charm, but I don't think it's removal would damage Miss Granger's memory.'
'Very well. Thank you Madame Pomfrey. I shall send for one of the Ministry's charm breakers. I would rather we have a professional remove the charm.'
Hermione laughed.
'Sir, there is nothing wrong with my memory. I can recall with perfect clarity that my parents and I just got back from Bulgaria today.'
Ron stepped forward and placed his hand on her shoulder.
'Professor, can we take Hermione back to the dormitory now?'
Dumbledore shook his head.
'I'm sorry My Weasley, but Hermione will be staying in the hospital wing tonight.'
'But I'm fine!' cried Hermione.
'Hermione,' spoke up Harry 'Just go, okay? It'll all make sense in the morning.'
Madame Pomfrey bustled up to Hermione and ushered her out the door, with Ginny trailing behind.
When she had left, Harry let out a sigh.
'At least she's okay.' He stroked Fawkes who had settled on his shoulder when Hermione left.
Dumbledore nodded.
'But we don't know about her parents. I'll send some ministry agents to their home and have them checked out. We'll need their information too.' Dumbledore stood up. 'Now boys, I think you'd better head back to your dormitory.'
Once they were out of Dumbledore's office, Harry and Ron began to talk about Hermione.
'I'm so glad she's okay Harry. I don't know what I would have done if she hadn't come back.' Ron ran his hands through his hair.
Before Harry could reply, Cho Chang darted around the corner and made a beeline for Harry.
'Cho!' exclaimed Harry.
'Is Hermione okay?' Cho looked straight into Harry's eyes. He noticed that along with the sadness he saw earlier was worry.
Harry turned to Ron.
'I'll see you in the dorm.'
Ron nodded and quickly left Cho and Harry.
Harry turned his attention back to Cho.
'She's okay. Madame Pomfrey says it's a powerful memory charm, but thinks it's removal won't do Hermione any damage.'
Cho shut her eyes and sighed loudly.
'Oh, thank goodness. I was so worried. I thought he might do to her what he did to Cedric.'
Harry didn't have to ask who 'he' was.
'I never got a chance to tell you how sorry I am about Cedric.' Harry put his hand on Cho's arm.
She looked up at him through tear filled eyes and smiled.
'I know. He was a good friend.'
'Friend? I thought he was your, you know, your-'
Cho grinned.
'No, he wasn't. He was more like my brother.'
They had been walking down the hallway and at the end of the hall Cho turned to Harry.
'My dorm's this way. I'm glad Hermione's okay.'
Harry smiled.
'Me too. Bye Cho.'
Cho quickly leant forward and kissed Harry on the cheek.
'Bye Harry.'
She darted off quickly before he could say a word.
As he walked down the hall in the other direction to Cho, Harry smiled, touching his cheek as he walked.