sh2 A/N: I got a review from someone in the last chapter, and it turns out I was spelling Hermione's name wrong the entire time! o.O Major oops. They really shouldn't put the 'I' key and the 'O' key right next to eachother, damnit. >=( Plus, I was tired, and it was one 'o clock in the morning, and I...screw it, you guys can tell an excuse from the truth, right? ^_^;

Disclaimer (Did I put this in last time?): Nothing here belongs to me. All characters (except for Renné, the plot-to-be and a few characters later on) belong to Ms. J.K. Rowling. So be smart and don't try and sue.

P.S. R&R please!

~*~
Silent Symphony - chater 2
by Starburst
~*~

Winter break had come and gone. Hermione was back in her office, working day in and day out, as usual. But something changed while she was away, something that Renné had no trouble in spotting.

"You seem a little...distant," She said over a cup of coffee one day. "You do your work excellent, don't get me wrong--it's just that mentally you seem so far away."

Hermione laughed, as if she had no clue to what Renné was talking about, but inside she knew exactly why she was so, 'distant'. A certain black-hair, black-eyed someone was always on her mind...

Black...

Black...

Sirius Black...

Hermione shook her head slightly. She was being stupid, and Renné was giving her an odd look. Don't you dare go off-course again, you're at work now.

*No, you're not. You're on break. Let the fantasies begin.*

You're twisted. I only have *15* minutes.

*Ah, so you admit that you'd fantasize if you had more time?*

No! That's not what I meant! I--oh bother...

"...Hermione? Hermione!" Renné was shaking her shoulder slightly, a look of concern on her face. "Are you all right? It looked like you were in a trance!"

"I-I-I'm fine," Hermione stuttered, raking a hand through her hair. "I don't know what's wrong with me," She lied.

"Maybe you need more time off," Renné suggested. "You're stressed out, is my guess."

Hermione looked surprised. "What? More time off? Renné, don't be ridiculous, I just got back from vacation!"

"I know that," Renné said stubbornly, frowning. "It's just that if something's on your mind and it's bothering you, maybe you can talk to the Minister of Magic for some more time off. Just a little bit."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh please. I've been sick before and I work just fine. I don't want to make up some excuse for some time off. Really, now, I'm fine. Now, if you see me pass out, then you can start to worry."

Renné sighed. "If you say so. I got to get back to work, it's been nearly 20 minutes."

Hermione checked her watch and raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Huh. That's weird. Time sure does fly when we're on break, doesn't it."

Renné nodded and hopped off her desk, gave her a small smile and left. The room was filled with silence once more. Hermione drummed her fingers on her desk in bordom, and was tempted, for the first time ever, to just walk out and leave.

Then, an idea struck her. Glancing at the clock to make sure she had a little bit of extra time (she didn't, but she didn't care), she pulled her desk drawer open and grabbed a blank sheet of parchment and a bottle of ink. She took a quill off her desk, dipped it in the ink and started to write.

Dear Sirius,

Well. Hi.

I know this is weird, seeing that you've never gotten a letter from me before, but I dicided that there's always a first for everything. So, how are you? Are the students treating you okay? Work's been hell, for some reason it's been worse then before.

How's Harry doing? He better not be working himself sick. No, I'm not being hypocritic! I'm just worried about him. If you see him, tell him I said hi.

Before I wrap this letter up, I'd really like to thank you for letting me stay with you two over winter break. It was great to see you both again, and I hope that I'll be able to do that more often. Hope you're having fun!

Love from
Hermione

She re-read the letter once more and beckoned her barn owl, Savannah, tied the letter to her leg and watch her spread her wings and swoop out the window. Sighing once more, she pulled out a pile of parchment and began to work.

~*~

Breakfast at the Great Hall was no different then it had ever been. The sound of talking, laughter and the clatter of forkes and knives filled the entire hall. At the head table, Sirius was staring at the enchanted ceiling, lost in a deep thought. His breakfast lay forgotten.

No more then 15 minutes later, a sea of owls soared through the Great Hall, landing on the tables to deliver letters and packags from home. Sirius didn't notice the large, grey barn owl swoop down on the table next to him until it nipped his hand. He jumped, startled, and the owl dropped the letter infront of him and took off once more.

That's odd, he thought. The owl who gave him the letter surely wasn't Hedwig, so it couldn't have been Harry. Maybe it's Remus...

He opened the letter, read through it and put it back down with a smile. Guess Hermione isn't as busy as she says she always is.

After breakfast, right before class started, Sirius quickly ran back up to his classroom to write a response and send it to the owlery. The response letter wasn't long; he only had 5 more minutes, but it was good enough until later. Dismissing himself to the owlery, he quickly poked a random owl awake, tied the letter to its leg, told it where to go and ran back down to class, where a long line of students were already forming.

~*~

Dear Hermione,

It was quite a surprise to get a letter from you. But I'm glad you did. It was no trouble at all, having you over, and I'm sure Harry enjoyed your company as well.

I'm sorry that this letter is so short, but I have about five or so minutes before I have to start the class. I will write more later, when I get the chance.

Sirius

~*~

Dear Sirius,

Wow, I didn't expect a response so quickly! I guess my owl had no trouble finding you. So, if you get the time to tell, how is everything over there? I hope you're having a lot of fun with your students, from what I've been told, you're everyone's favorite teacher.

I really wish I could get some time off to see you again; but we're both always busy and my next vacation isn't until next summer. Oh well, I guess writing will do. Please write back soon.

Love from
Hermione

~*~

Dear Hermione,

Well, don't be so sure! This weekened is a Hogsmeade weekend, so I get the time off. You get weekends off at the ministry, am I right? You can meet me down there, if you'd like. Write back with more information.

Sirius

~*~

Dear Sirius,

Wow, that would be great! It's been so long since I've been to Hogsmeade! I'll be glad to meet you there, if you like. Can we go to the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer? I could really use one of those sometimes. Write back when you get the time or chance.

Love from
Hermione

~*~

Her hand started to hurt, she was writing so much. She set the quill down briefly and her eyes flickered toward the window, the tiniest hope inside her that a Hogwarts owl would fly through and perch on her desk. She sighed and bit her lip.

*Why don't you just tell him?*

What, are you crazy?He'll think I'm a freak. He won't want to see or talk to me again.

*You don't know that...*

Yes, I *do*.

*How do you know? He's probably feeling the same way towards you as you are towards him.*

That's a load of crap.

*And what makes you so sure?*

Whatever thought she had next was stopped when Hermione heard a click of the office door opening. Looking up suddenly, she nearly fell over when a familiar red-haired girl walked in.

"Ginny?!" she sputtered, not believing it. She hadn't seen or heard from her since Ron died. And now, to see her just walk right into her office after 2 years, was unbelievable.

"Hullo, Hermione," She said, her voice slow and almost hoarse. Hermione jumped from her chair, crossed the room in a fast pace and embraced Ginny like a long-lost sister.

"I can't believe it's you!" Hermione cried, hugging her tighter. Ginny let out a muffled laugh.

"Ow. Hermione, I think you've broken a rib or two."

She pulled back immediatly, and Ginny started to rub her neck, chuckling under her breath. "Well, it's nice to see you again, too."

She blushed slightly. "I'm sorry about that, Gin." After the shock of seeing her best friend again started to fade, she noticed that Ginny's looks had changed. Sure, she still had the flame-red hair and the row of freckles along her nose, but she was definatly a lot more pale. Her brown eyes, which were once sparkling with mischeif or laughter, were now almost completely dull. She also noticed that Ginny was very skinny, the skin on her face so tight that her cheekbones stood out.

Hermione frowned in concern. "Ginny...are you all right?"

"Hm?" She looked up and her eyes flashed when she saw the look on Hermione's face. "Oh--I'm fine. Honest."

"No, you're not. Sirius told me that you became an Auror. Is that true?"

Ginny inhaled sharply. "Yes."

Hermione nearly fainted. "Ginny, are you crazy!? Being an Auror is a very dangerous job! No wonder you look so worn out, you've probably worked yourself sick! Those dark wizards...they'll kill you without thinking twice!"

"Someone's got to do it, Mione," Ginny said, annoyed. "Besides, it hasn't been so bad until recently..."

"What's happened recently?" Hermione eyed her friend, almost trying to see if she could figure out what was going on through body language. Ginny sighed once more, looking up at Hermione with tired and expressionless eyes. "Can you get some coffee? It's a long story, and I'm terribly worn-out."

Hermione nodded and rushed from office, grabbing the mug of coffee off Renné's desk and hurrying back to her office. Ginny was sitting down on the couch at the other end of the room, and Hermione took a seat across from her, handing Ginny the mug of coffee. "Tell me what's been going on."

Ginny took a long sip and put the mug down in her lap. "Only if you promise not to tell my mum. She's been stressed out enough as it is since she found out I was becoming an Auror. I haven't seen her this stressed since Charlie said he was becoming a dragon-tamer." She chuckled to herself and took another sip of coffee.

"I won't tell. But you have to tell me what's been going on." Hermione leaned closer, eager to hear the story.

Ginny put her cup back down. "It started last night. Someone was attacked. Killed."

Hermione's eyes widened in shock. "No way!"

"It's true," Ginny said, her voice toneless. "They were all dead when we arrived. The Avada Kedavera curse got them all." She shook her head. "We have no idea who's behind it. The homicidal maniac never left a clue."

"But--why haven't I been informed? Surely the ministry's heard of this incedent by now..."

"Of course they have," Ginny said with the wave of her hand. "But this just happened last night, not everyone in the ministry's going to know about this right away. We're actually trying to keep this hushed, we don't want panic to erupt and have people think Voldemort's back, and all."

Hermione looked slightly troubled. "You-Know-Who can't be back, can he?"

Ginny gave her a frosted look. "Voldemort is deader then a fish out of water. Of that we're sure. Our concern is that someone is following in his footsteps."

Hermione sat there, stunned beoyned words. What would Harry think when he heard about this? What would Sirius think? She bit her bottom lip, thinking. "You don't really think that someone would follow in You-Know-Who's footsteps, do you?"

Ginny shrugged. "Anything's possible. After we found the Kappler family dead--"

"WHAT?!" She screamed so loud that Ginny jumped, spilling her coffee on the white carpet and the couch. Hermione didn't seem to notice. "What was the name of that family who died?"

"T-The Kapplers," Ginny said, her eyes wide with shock. "Hermione, what on earth was that about?"

"Oh god, no..." She ran a hand through her smooth brown hair. She swallowed, and with a shaky voice, said, "I knew a family by the name of Kappler. Their little girl was my best friend. Her name was..."

"...Mariah," Ginny finished, her eyes locked with Hermione's. "I hope I'm not right."

Hermione sank back down in her chair. Words seemed impossible to form right now. Her old best friend...and her whole family...Hermione felt her vision blur.

"Oh, Hermione, I'm so sorry! This must be so hard...I had no idea you knew her, I would've never said anything..." Ginny stopped rambling and looked at Hermione, who started to shake. "I better go."

She sat up, thanked Hermione for the coffee, gave her a quick hug (she was too shocked to respond), and left, door shutting behind her. She sat like that, white-faced and furious, for what seemed like hours, before she broke down all together and cried.

~*~

Dear Sirius,

I know that we have plans for Hogsmeade this weekend, and I'm terribly sorry for having to cancel them at such short notice. Something very sudden has turned up. Ginny came to visit yesterday and she told me that my old best friend has been killed. I'm really sorry, I'm just not up to anything right now. Maybe some other weekend.

Love from
Hermione

~*~
End of chapter 2

Ouch...that can't be too good. If you haven't already noticed, I'm trying to sneak a plot into this story somewhere. ^_~ I'm sorry this chapter is shorter then the last, but I will have a lot of time from here until July to write, so I should get chapter 3 out soon.

Coming up in SS: What's Sirius's reaction going to be? And what about Harry, is he going to find out what's going on here? And what about Remus is he/will he show up in later chapters? Who is this new Voldemort-wannabe? All that and more later on. TTFN, everyone!

~Starburst~