Chapter 3
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Hermione in her dorm reading to keep her mind off things, Ron in the common room doing some homework he had before left untouched, and Harry, tracking down Draco for some interrogating. To his surprise he found him with ease, as if Draco knew he'd be looking for him.
"Hello Potter." Draco said with a smug grin on his face. Harry felt like jumping him and giving him the beating he deserved, but he had no actual evidence Draco did anything at all.
"Hello. Mind telling me what you were doing outside just a little while ago?"
"Well, if you really want to know-" Harry cut him off by grabbing his robes and shoving him forcefully against the cold, stone wall.
"If I didn't know any better Potter, I'd think you were trying to force yourself on me! Is this where I start screaming 'rape' and you get expelled?"
"Don't joke with me now Draco, not now. Now tell me what you were doing outside." Harry was having trouble keeping his composure.
Draco smirked, "See, you're a good friend to that Hermione. " he said while wagging a finger at Harry. "It's a shame Crabbe and Goyle didn't pass they're O.W.L.'s, they would've enjoyed pounding you right now."
"That doesn't answer any of my questions!"
"Actually, you only asked one question to begin with. Not so good with counting, are you Potter?" Draco knew Harry would burst at any second, so he decided to get serious. "But if you really want to know, it wasn't me attacking your precious girlfriend. I merely saw someone who was in my way outside and told them to get lost."
"How do I know if you're lying?" Harry asked while releasing Draco's robes. "And Hermione's not my girlfriend."
"Well, you don't know if I'm lying. And I'll keep in mind that Hermione's single." Draco had lost his habit of calling her mudblood during the summer. He turned away from Harry, and sauntered off into the hall. Harry knowing he hadn't learned anything new, except the fact that Hermione best watch out for Draco, that testosterone mad ferret. Harry began walking towards the Gryffindor tower, but had an inkling that he should go pay Dumbledore a visit.
*******
Harry was once more stranded without a password in front of the gargoyle that led to Dumbledore's office.
"Hm, there's just too many bloody candies out there in the wizarding world now!" he kicked it, and once more experienced the excruciating pain like the last time he kicked it. Harry thought to himself, trying to think of something significant: Vermilion. "Vermilion" he whispered, and the gargoyle jumped aside. Feeling slightly better that he had gotten it on the first try, he ascended up the dimly lit stairs.
"But professor, do you think it's wise to keep something that significant there? I'm sure it'd be much better off in the care of professionals." Harry could hear Charlie's voice.
"Be that as it may, Hogwarts is by far the safest place for it. That is why I called you here. I know you're an expert on most firey creatures."
"Isn't it a tad risky to keep it in the laundry room?"
"It's the warmest place there is in Hogwarts, with all the washers and dryers there, I'm surprised it hasn't become a little tropical island." Harry thought back a couple of hours. And it indeed had been fairly warm and humid in the laundry room.
"So where will Vermilion be going after the eggs hatch?" Harry was shocked, so that's what the phoenix was sitting upon.
"Shall we continue this discussion later? I believe I have someone outside waiting for me to finish. You may come in, Harry." Charlie's eyes widened at the sight of Harry.
"Hullo Harry." Harry replied to Charlie and sat down in one of the chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk.
"Well then, I'll be off Dumbledore." Dumble nodded and waited for Charlie to be out the door before saying anything to Harry.
"Harry, I'd appreciate it greatly if you didn't tell anyone about Vermilion, and I do know Hermione and Ron already know of its existence in the laundry room." Harry assented. "Was there anything you wanted to discuss?"
"Er, well, not really. I just had a feeling I should visit you." Harry realized his reason was fairly stupid, but Dumbledore didn't seem to.
"Following one's intuition is a skill, most people doubt themselves and ignore it. You on the other hand, have done many extraordinary things, which is all due to you following your intuition." Dumbledore reached into his desk and offered Harry a lemon drop. Harry took it and told Dumbledore he best be off checking on Hermione.
"Harry, watch out for Ms. Granger. There's something afoot at Hogwarts." Harry felt the pit of his stomach drop. Dumbledore knew most everything that went on in Hogwarts, but did he know about the attack? Did he know who it was, and for what reason? Harry had an inkling it had something to do with Vermilion and the eggs. He hurried back to the dorm.
"'Harry where were you?" asked Ron when he heard the portrait open up.
"Where's Hermione" Ron told Harry she hadn't come down yet, and was still reading in her room. Harry climbed the stairs leading to the fifth year girl's dormitory. He tapped the door three times and decided to go in. Harry gasped, not because the girls' dorm was so much cleaner than the boys', but because Hermione was missing.
There was someone behind him, "Harry Potter, what are you doing in the girls' dorm!?" Harry turned around to be faced with Parvati Patil. For no reason, he looked down and noticed she was wearing her periwinkle socks, Hermione would be glad she wouldn't have to deal with Parvati for awhile. But that made no difference, Harry brushed past her without so much of an explaination and told Ron that Hermione was missing.
"What? She hasn't come down at all, how would she be able to walk past me while I'm right here." he pointed to himself and then to the mass of homework, books, and what not strewn around him on the floor.
"Are you going to help me or not?" Ron pulled himself up, dusted off his pants, and nodded at Harry.
"Hermione's my friend too, Harry. Of course I'm going to help. Where do you think we should start?" they were interrupted by Parvati gabbing louder than usual. They ignored her and headed for the library.
The walk there was silent, Ron broke it first. "So do you think Hermione would be there so soon after the incident?"
"Maybe." they were at the entrance of the library when they saw Draco walk out.
"Fancy seeing you here, Potter. And you've brought your little friend too." Ron was far from 'little', he was a decent couple of inches taller than most fifth years, including Draco.
"Sod off, Draco." Ron replied and they went into the library.
They were greeted by Hermione who was reading a book in the peaceful library. "Hullo."
"How did you manage to get passed me?" Ron blurted out. Hermione's face contorted with confusion. "I mean, I was there doing homework the whole time! You couldn't have very well just walked out without me noticing."
"Oh, that. Well I summoned Harry's invisibility cloak, and walked out with it on. You would've made too big a fuss over me if I tried to leave the tower." Ron scowled, it was true. He would've.
Harry felt something tug at him, something was still bothering him. Then he asked, "What was Draco doing here?" Hermione appeared to be startled by Harry's question, but calmly replied that he asked her if she was ok.
"Oh, he's up to something!" Ron exclaimed while wagging a finger at Hermione and Harry. "He's definitely up to something."
"Don't be a git, Ron. He merely asked me if I was ok. I thought it was awfully sweet of him too." Ron nearly exploded at this.
"DRACO?! THE SAME DRACO MALFOY THAT HAD CALLED YOU NAMES AND MADE FUN OF YOU FOR FOUR YEARS!?" the librarian shot Ron the evilest of glares and told him to lower his voice that instant. Ron whispered, "Draco is up to no good, I know it."
"He is up to no such thing! Ron, honestly. If anybody does anything nice for someone else you always think they're up to something." Hermione shook her head and walked out of the library.
"Mental that one is." Harry nodded, though he didn't agree.
*******
Harry and Ron didn't see Hermione for the rest of the day, except for dinner. Harry was in the middle, inbetween Hermione and Ron. They weren't speaking. It was a fairly quiet dinner, except the occasional thing Hermione wanted Harry to tell Ron.
"Harry, would you please tell Ron, he's a git." Harry sighed, and told Ron he was a git.
"Harry, tell Hermione she should be more cautious." Harry sighed again, and told Hermione to be more careful. With that Hermione stormed up to the dorm.
*******
"It's like he doesn't trust my judgement, I know Draco was mean to me before, but he's changed. And for the better." Hermione put her head on her knees and wrapped her arms around her legs. Parvati nodded.
"They just don't know Draco like you have. And they probably don't realize how HOT he is either." Parvati giggled, and Hermione found it amusing. Lavendar joined in.
"So what's with Draco's sudden change? Did something happen between you two during summer?" Parvati and Lavender's eyes grew bright and urged Hermione to tell them if something had happened.
"It was nothing really. I wanted to study a bit over the summer holiday, so I took courses at a wizarding college, and since it was so far away from my home, I stayed at the dorms. Draco had evidently wanted to get ahead in school, so he was there too." Parvati, Lavender, and Ginny, who seemed to appear out of no where, burst into a fit of giggles and began dreaming of one day having a summer like that, without the classes of course.
"It's really nothing at all. You're taking it all out of proportion!" this wasn't true, but she didn't feel like telling them everything about her summer. Not until Harry and Ron knew at least. Parvati, Lavender, and Ginny frowned but continued talking of how romantic it could've been. Hermione had phased out due to the ridiculous chit chat going on, but soon returned to reality when she heard Ginny call her over.
"Ok, we're going to play truth or dare. Hermione, you in?" asked Lavender with eagerness. Hermione shrugged, and joined them all on Parvati's bed.
"I'll go first! Hm, GINNY, truth or dare?" Ginny chose truth, and Lavender asked, "Who do you like?" to which Ginny blushed but finally answered.
"Harry." Hermione had known for quite some time that Ginny fancied Harry. Ginny turned towards Hermione, "Who do you like?" Hermione answered with a simple 'no one'. So Ginny tried a different question. "Have your ever kissed anyone? And if so, who?" Hermione found the question unethical, since it was two questions but answered anyway.
"Yes I have. And I'm not going to tell you all who it is!" Hermione toppled over as the other girls hit her with pillows, in a friendly manner mind you, repeatedly asking for her to answer. After much running around the room, Hermione gave in.
"It was Draco." the game had somehow changed from truth or dare to "nag Hermione for information on her summer", and what a lovely game it was.
"When!?" the three girls exclaimed.
"It was during the summer. We were in the same dorm, different rooms of course! We got to know each other, and he surprised me one night." the girls giggled and goaded her to continue. "We were coming back from dinner in the cafeteria, he walked me to my dorm room and just kissed me before he said 'good night'." the girls gasped, and began whispering about how idyllic the whole thing really was.
Ginny pulled Hermione aside, away from Lavender and Parvati. And asked, "Does Harry and Ron know?". Hermione shook her head, and Ginny confided her that she wouldn't tell them anything. Hermione was relieved. They began talking of Lavender's summer vacation and what she had done in Italy.
*******
"You should apologize to Hermione." Ron pouted at this.
"Why should I?! Hermione doesn't know Draco at all, and to just blindly trust him like that, is, is just preposterous!" Ron had gotten red. They heard a rapping from the window. It was pig, no, not A PIG, but Ron's Pigwidgeon. They let Pig in and he fluttered around the room for awhile before settling down on Ron's nightstand.
"It's a letter from Professor Lupin!" exclaimed Ron. He read the letter out loud.
Dear Harry, Ron, and Hermione,
I hope your school year has gone well so far.
Sirius's trial cleared and he's a free man now.
"Do you think you'll be able to go live with Sirius once this year is over?!" Harry shrugged and pushed Ron to continue reading.
I want you all to be on the look out for suspicious
characters around school. Something of great
importance is at the school at the moment. I know
you've probably discovered it already, but don't
let your guard down. And like Mad-Eye Moody would
say, "Constant VIGILANCE!". So heed my advice and
don't go wandering around school at night anymore.
Sirius sends his reguards and is hoping to see you
all sometime during next weekend. Remember,
keep your eyes open and your wands ready.
~Remus Lupin(Moony)
P.S. Sirius hopes to see you during the summer Harry.
"See! You'll be living with Sirius from now on! No more horrible muggles for you!" Harry was feeling like a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Sirius is free and he'll be living with him after the school year is over. And no more Dursleys for Harry.
"Hello Harry, Ron." Seamus said while entering the room. He went to his trunk and got out his school bag, then headed out the door.
"Should we go check on Hermione?" Ron asked. Harry was already up and heading to the girls' dorm. Ron quickly got up and followed.
*******
"You're looking for Hermione?" Lavender asked quizzically. She eyed the both of them with one eyebrow arched. "Hermione is asleep, she decided to go to bed early."
"Is that true, or are you just saying what Hermione wants you to say?" Ron snapped at her. Lavender turned a deep scarlet, and reluctantly let them in.
Hermione was indeed awake, "What are you doing in here?" she wasn't aiming the comment so much at Harry, but at Ron.
"I wanted to apologize for being a git."
"Well, you can't apologize for being a git." Ron frowned and wondered what to do. "But I accept your apology any way." she put out her hand and Ron shook it.
There was someone running up the stairs, and they suddenly burst into the room, it was Neville.
"There's a s-student that's hurt! Hermione, help!" Hermione sprang to her feet and quickly followed Neville into the common room and out the portrait hole.
Harry and Ron stood there shocked, and when they realized they were still in the girls' dorm with Parvati and Lavender glaring at them to get out, they rushed into the common room. A crowd was there, trying to get a peek at what was just outside the portrait hole. Harry and Ron knew better than to disturb Hermione when a student was injured, so they took a couple of seats in the far end of the common room.
"What do you think happened, Harry?" Harry shrugged. He hoped it wasn't too bad, there had been enough trauma when Hermione was attacked. He heard gasps and everyone began whispering, "Draco Malfoy".
"What?! Draco Malfoy outside the Gryffindor tower? I'd have to say that's AWFULLY suspicious!" whispered Ron. Harry wasn't listening, he was watching the crowd clear out and Hermione called for Madam Pomfrey. Hermione followed Madam Pomfrey to the hospital wing while Draco followed by means of a levitating stretcher. Draco was unconscious.
*******
Madam Pomfrey tended to Draco right away, she insisted Hermione leave, but Hermione shook her head. Hermione stayed with Draco over night, making sure he was fine. She had fallen asleep sometime during her watch and was awaken by someone tapping her shoulder.
"Hm? Hi Harry. What time is it?" Hermione looked out the window and realized it was morning already.
"It's seven A.M. Since you didn't return after taking Draco to the hospital wing, Ron and I thought we should check on you in the morning." Harry noticed Hermione's eyes were a bit red, either due to lack of sleep, or crying, it was both.
"Oh, I see. Where's Ron?" Ron was still asleep in the dorm, he had accidently cast a jinx on Harry while half asleep, and Harry thought best not to wake him up.
"In the dorm, sleeping."
"I see."
"So, what's Draco to you, Hermione? Don't think just because Ron didn't see any signs, that I didn't as well." Harry had his usual grin on his face.
"Sit down, this might take awhile to explain."
*******
A/N: Hi!!! This chapter is so much longer than the others so far!! *cheers* And thankfully, I can see an actual plot forming! Yes, I know! A PLOT! *cheers even more* ^^ Please review :3
--------------------
Hermione in her dorm reading to keep her mind off things, Ron in the common room doing some homework he had before left untouched, and Harry, tracking down Draco for some interrogating. To his surprise he found him with ease, as if Draco knew he'd be looking for him.
"Hello Potter." Draco said with a smug grin on his face. Harry felt like jumping him and giving him the beating he deserved, but he had no actual evidence Draco did anything at all.
"Hello. Mind telling me what you were doing outside just a little while ago?"
"Well, if you really want to know-" Harry cut him off by grabbing his robes and shoving him forcefully against the cold, stone wall.
"If I didn't know any better Potter, I'd think you were trying to force yourself on me! Is this where I start screaming 'rape' and you get expelled?"
"Don't joke with me now Draco, not now. Now tell me what you were doing outside." Harry was having trouble keeping his composure.
Draco smirked, "See, you're a good friend to that Hermione. " he said while wagging a finger at Harry. "It's a shame Crabbe and Goyle didn't pass they're O.W.L.'s, they would've enjoyed pounding you right now."
"That doesn't answer any of my questions!"
"Actually, you only asked one question to begin with. Not so good with counting, are you Potter?" Draco knew Harry would burst at any second, so he decided to get serious. "But if you really want to know, it wasn't me attacking your precious girlfriend. I merely saw someone who was in my way outside and told them to get lost."
"How do I know if you're lying?" Harry asked while releasing Draco's robes. "And Hermione's not my girlfriend."
"Well, you don't know if I'm lying. And I'll keep in mind that Hermione's single." Draco had lost his habit of calling her mudblood during the summer. He turned away from Harry, and sauntered off into the hall. Harry knowing he hadn't learned anything new, except the fact that Hermione best watch out for Draco, that testosterone mad ferret. Harry began walking towards the Gryffindor tower, but had an inkling that he should go pay Dumbledore a visit.
*******
Harry was once more stranded without a password in front of the gargoyle that led to Dumbledore's office.
"Hm, there's just too many bloody candies out there in the wizarding world now!" he kicked it, and once more experienced the excruciating pain like the last time he kicked it. Harry thought to himself, trying to think of something significant: Vermilion. "Vermilion" he whispered, and the gargoyle jumped aside. Feeling slightly better that he had gotten it on the first try, he ascended up the dimly lit stairs.
"But professor, do you think it's wise to keep something that significant there? I'm sure it'd be much better off in the care of professionals." Harry could hear Charlie's voice.
"Be that as it may, Hogwarts is by far the safest place for it. That is why I called you here. I know you're an expert on most firey creatures."
"Isn't it a tad risky to keep it in the laundry room?"
"It's the warmest place there is in Hogwarts, with all the washers and dryers there, I'm surprised it hasn't become a little tropical island." Harry thought back a couple of hours. And it indeed had been fairly warm and humid in the laundry room.
"So where will Vermilion be going after the eggs hatch?" Harry was shocked, so that's what the phoenix was sitting upon.
"Shall we continue this discussion later? I believe I have someone outside waiting for me to finish. You may come in, Harry." Charlie's eyes widened at the sight of Harry.
"Hullo Harry." Harry replied to Charlie and sat down in one of the chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk.
"Well then, I'll be off Dumbledore." Dumble nodded and waited for Charlie to be out the door before saying anything to Harry.
"Harry, I'd appreciate it greatly if you didn't tell anyone about Vermilion, and I do know Hermione and Ron already know of its existence in the laundry room." Harry assented. "Was there anything you wanted to discuss?"
"Er, well, not really. I just had a feeling I should visit you." Harry realized his reason was fairly stupid, but Dumbledore didn't seem to.
"Following one's intuition is a skill, most people doubt themselves and ignore it. You on the other hand, have done many extraordinary things, which is all due to you following your intuition." Dumbledore reached into his desk and offered Harry a lemon drop. Harry took it and told Dumbledore he best be off checking on Hermione.
"Harry, watch out for Ms. Granger. There's something afoot at Hogwarts." Harry felt the pit of his stomach drop. Dumbledore knew most everything that went on in Hogwarts, but did he know about the attack? Did he know who it was, and for what reason? Harry had an inkling it had something to do with Vermilion and the eggs. He hurried back to the dorm.
"'Harry where were you?" asked Ron when he heard the portrait open up.
"Where's Hermione" Ron told Harry she hadn't come down yet, and was still reading in her room. Harry climbed the stairs leading to the fifth year girl's dormitory. He tapped the door three times and decided to go in. Harry gasped, not because the girls' dorm was so much cleaner than the boys', but because Hermione was missing.
There was someone behind him, "Harry Potter, what are you doing in the girls' dorm!?" Harry turned around to be faced with Parvati Patil. For no reason, he looked down and noticed she was wearing her periwinkle socks, Hermione would be glad she wouldn't have to deal with Parvati for awhile. But that made no difference, Harry brushed past her without so much of an explaination and told Ron that Hermione was missing.
"What? She hasn't come down at all, how would she be able to walk past me while I'm right here." he pointed to himself and then to the mass of homework, books, and what not strewn around him on the floor.
"Are you going to help me or not?" Ron pulled himself up, dusted off his pants, and nodded at Harry.
"Hermione's my friend too, Harry. Of course I'm going to help. Where do you think we should start?" they were interrupted by Parvati gabbing louder than usual. They ignored her and headed for the library.
The walk there was silent, Ron broke it first. "So do you think Hermione would be there so soon after the incident?"
"Maybe." they were at the entrance of the library when they saw Draco walk out.
"Fancy seeing you here, Potter. And you've brought your little friend too." Ron was far from 'little', he was a decent couple of inches taller than most fifth years, including Draco.
"Sod off, Draco." Ron replied and they went into the library.
They were greeted by Hermione who was reading a book in the peaceful library. "Hullo."
"How did you manage to get passed me?" Ron blurted out. Hermione's face contorted with confusion. "I mean, I was there doing homework the whole time! You couldn't have very well just walked out without me noticing."
"Oh, that. Well I summoned Harry's invisibility cloak, and walked out with it on. You would've made too big a fuss over me if I tried to leave the tower." Ron scowled, it was true. He would've.
Harry felt something tug at him, something was still bothering him. Then he asked, "What was Draco doing here?" Hermione appeared to be startled by Harry's question, but calmly replied that he asked her if she was ok.
"Oh, he's up to something!" Ron exclaimed while wagging a finger at Hermione and Harry. "He's definitely up to something."
"Don't be a git, Ron. He merely asked me if I was ok. I thought it was awfully sweet of him too." Ron nearly exploded at this.
"DRACO?! THE SAME DRACO MALFOY THAT HAD CALLED YOU NAMES AND MADE FUN OF YOU FOR FOUR YEARS!?" the librarian shot Ron the evilest of glares and told him to lower his voice that instant. Ron whispered, "Draco is up to no good, I know it."
"He is up to no such thing! Ron, honestly. If anybody does anything nice for someone else you always think they're up to something." Hermione shook her head and walked out of the library.
"Mental that one is." Harry nodded, though he didn't agree.
*******
Harry and Ron didn't see Hermione for the rest of the day, except for dinner. Harry was in the middle, inbetween Hermione and Ron. They weren't speaking. It was a fairly quiet dinner, except the occasional thing Hermione wanted Harry to tell Ron.
"Harry, would you please tell Ron, he's a git." Harry sighed, and told Ron he was a git.
"Harry, tell Hermione she should be more cautious." Harry sighed again, and told Hermione to be more careful. With that Hermione stormed up to the dorm.
*******
"It's like he doesn't trust my judgement, I know Draco was mean to me before, but he's changed. And for the better." Hermione put her head on her knees and wrapped her arms around her legs. Parvati nodded.
"They just don't know Draco like you have. And they probably don't realize how HOT he is either." Parvati giggled, and Hermione found it amusing. Lavendar joined in.
"So what's with Draco's sudden change? Did something happen between you two during summer?" Parvati and Lavender's eyes grew bright and urged Hermione to tell them if something had happened.
"It was nothing really. I wanted to study a bit over the summer holiday, so I took courses at a wizarding college, and since it was so far away from my home, I stayed at the dorms. Draco had evidently wanted to get ahead in school, so he was there too." Parvati, Lavender, and Ginny, who seemed to appear out of no where, burst into a fit of giggles and began dreaming of one day having a summer like that, without the classes of course.
"It's really nothing at all. You're taking it all out of proportion!" this wasn't true, but she didn't feel like telling them everything about her summer. Not until Harry and Ron knew at least. Parvati, Lavender, and Ginny frowned but continued talking of how romantic it could've been. Hermione had phased out due to the ridiculous chit chat going on, but soon returned to reality when she heard Ginny call her over.
"Ok, we're going to play truth or dare. Hermione, you in?" asked Lavender with eagerness. Hermione shrugged, and joined them all on Parvati's bed.
"I'll go first! Hm, GINNY, truth or dare?" Ginny chose truth, and Lavender asked, "Who do you like?" to which Ginny blushed but finally answered.
"Harry." Hermione had known for quite some time that Ginny fancied Harry. Ginny turned towards Hermione, "Who do you like?" Hermione answered with a simple 'no one'. So Ginny tried a different question. "Have your ever kissed anyone? And if so, who?" Hermione found the question unethical, since it was two questions but answered anyway.
"Yes I have. And I'm not going to tell you all who it is!" Hermione toppled over as the other girls hit her with pillows, in a friendly manner mind you, repeatedly asking for her to answer. After much running around the room, Hermione gave in.
"It was Draco." the game had somehow changed from truth or dare to "nag Hermione for information on her summer", and what a lovely game it was.
"When!?" the three girls exclaimed.
"It was during the summer. We were in the same dorm, different rooms of course! We got to know each other, and he surprised me one night." the girls giggled and goaded her to continue. "We were coming back from dinner in the cafeteria, he walked me to my dorm room and just kissed me before he said 'good night'." the girls gasped, and began whispering about how idyllic the whole thing really was.
Ginny pulled Hermione aside, away from Lavender and Parvati. And asked, "Does Harry and Ron know?". Hermione shook her head, and Ginny confided her that she wouldn't tell them anything. Hermione was relieved. They began talking of Lavender's summer vacation and what she had done in Italy.
*******
"You should apologize to Hermione." Ron pouted at this.
"Why should I?! Hermione doesn't know Draco at all, and to just blindly trust him like that, is, is just preposterous!" Ron had gotten red. They heard a rapping from the window. It was pig, no, not A PIG, but Ron's Pigwidgeon. They let Pig in and he fluttered around the room for awhile before settling down on Ron's nightstand.
"It's a letter from Professor Lupin!" exclaimed Ron. He read the letter out loud.
Dear Harry, Ron, and Hermione,
I hope your school year has gone well so far.
Sirius's trial cleared and he's a free man now.
"Do you think you'll be able to go live with Sirius once this year is over?!" Harry shrugged and pushed Ron to continue reading.
I want you all to be on the look out for suspicious
characters around school. Something of great
importance is at the school at the moment. I know
you've probably discovered it already, but don't
let your guard down. And like Mad-Eye Moody would
say, "Constant VIGILANCE!". So heed my advice and
don't go wandering around school at night anymore.
Sirius sends his reguards and is hoping to see you
all sometime during next weekend. Remember,
keep your eyes open and your wands ready.
~Remus Lupin(Moony)
P.S. Sirius hopes to see you during the summer Harry.
"See! You'll be living with Sirius from now on! No more horrible muggles for you!" Harry was feeling like a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Sirius is free and he'll be living with him after the school year is over. And no more Dursleys for Harry.
"Hello Harry, Ron." Seamus said while entering the room. He went to his trunk and got out his school bag, then headed out the door.
"Should we go check on Hermione?" Ron asked. Harry was already up and heading to the girls' dorm. Ron quickly got up and followed.
*******
"You're looking for Hermione?" Lavender asked quizzically. She eyed the both of them with one eyebrow arched. "Hermione is asleep, she decided to go to bed early."
"Is that true, or are you just saying what Hermione wants you to say?" Ron snapped at her. Lavender turned a deep scarlet, and reluctantly let them in.
Hermione was indeed awake, "What are you doing in here?" she wasn't aiming the comment so much at Harry, but at Ron.
"I wanted to apologize for being a git."
"Well, you can't apologize for being a git." Ron frowned and wondered what to do. "But I accept your apology any way." she put out her hand and Ron shook it.
There was someone running up the stairs, and they suddenly burst into the room, it was Neville.
"There's a s-student that's hurt! Hermione, help!" Hermione sprang to her feet and quickly followed Neville into the common room and out the portrait hole.
Harry and Ron stood there shocked, and when they realized they were still in the girls' dorm with Parvati and Lavender glaring at them to get out, they rushed into the common room. A crowd was there, trying to get a peek at what was just outside the portrait hole. Harry and Ron knew better than to disturb Hermione when a student was injured, so they took a couple of seats in the far end of the common room.
"What do you think happened, Harry?" Harry shrugged. He hoped it wasn't too bad, there had been enough trauma when Hermione was attacked. He heard gasps and everyone began whispering, "Draco Malfoy".
"What?! Draco Malfoy outside the Gryffindor tower? I'd have to say that's AWFULLY suspicious!" whispered Ron. Harry wasn't listening, he was watching the crowd clear out and Hermione called for Madam Pomfrey. Hermione followed Madam Pomfrey to the hospital wing while Draco followed by means of a levitating stretcher. Draco was unconscious.
*******
Madam Pomfrey tended to Draco right away, she insisted Hermione leave, but Hermione shook her head. Hermione stayed with Draco over night, making sure he was fine. She had fallen asleep sometime during her watch and was awaken by someone tapping her shoulder.
"Hm? Hi Harry. What time is it?" Hermione looked out the window and realized it was morning already.
"It's seven A.M. Since you didn't return after taking Draco to the hospital wing, Ron and I thought we should check on you in the morning." Harry noticed Hermione's eyes were a bit red, either due to lack of sleep, or crying, it was both.
"Oh, I see. Where's Ron?" Ron was still asleep in the dorm, he had accidently cast a jinx on Harry while half asleep, and Harry thought best not to wake him up.
"In the dorm, sleeping."
"I see."
"So, what's Draco to you, Hermione? Don't think just because Ron didn't see any signs, that I didn't as well." Harry had his usual grin on his face.
"Sit down, this might take awhile to explain."
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A/N: Hi!!! This chapter is so much longer than the others so far!! *cheers* And thankfully, I can see an actual plot forming! Yes, I know! A PLOT! *cheers even more* ^^ Please review :3