Dear Diary,

All has gone well.  I have been doing an excellent job of laying low and trying to throw suspicion off myself.  All I need to do to get away with this crime is to keep on doing that and hope nobody believes that I am capable of doing something so evil.

~~~~

The next day, Hermione, Harry, and Ron wasted no time getting down to business.

"Alright, so our suspects are Draco Malfoy, Francine Smollett, Dean Thomas, and Alexandria Wilcox," stated Hermione. "Who do you think we should investigate first?"

          "I'm not sure," said Ron.

          "Alexandria is at Quidditch practice right now, so she's not available," said Harry.  "Dean is so much in shock that he probably doesn't even remember his name, let alone what happened Saturday night."

          "How about Francine?" suggested Hermione. "I can ask her to talk to us after the Emergency Prefect Meeting today."

          "Alright," said Ron.  "Harry and I will meet you after your meeting."

          "OK, that sounds good.  See you later!"

          During the meeting, Ron and Harry passed the time playing chess in the Gryffindor common room.  There was little else to do, since the week's classes had been canceled.  Ron won most of the games easily against Harry, whose mind seemed to be elsewhere. 

          Soon it became time to meet the girls.  Ron and Harry rushed off to meet Hermione and a blonde-haired girl who were waiting for them.

          "Sorry we're a bit late," apologized Harry.

          "It's quite alright," reassured Francine.  Francine was a typical hardworking, fair Hufflepuff.  An intellectual, her deep, brown eyes had many bags from studying into the wee hours of the morning. 

          "Let's get down to business," said Hermione.  "We wanted to talk to you because we remember that you were not at dinner the other night at the time of Cho's death.  Would you mind telling us where you were and what you were doing?"

          "Of course not," said Francine. "I was in the library studying for my N.E.W.T.S. of course! They are coming up in a month or two you know.  Therefore, I was sitting studying at my favorite table, when one of the Gryffindor sixth year boys, Dean Thomas I think, came bursting in.  I thought it was somewhat strange to see him in the library, for I had never seen him before. He seemed like he was looking for something or someone.

          "Then Cho came in and the two of them started to argue.  I could tell it was going to be a pretty nasty argument and I did not want to invade their privacy. Besides, I would never be able to concentrate with all of the yelling.  I gathered my things and left the library.  I went to the Hufflepuff common room and continued reading there in the peace and quiet until the end of dinner."

          "I see," said Hermione solemnly.

          "Did anyone see you leave the library?" asked Harry.

          "Not that I know of," Francine recalled. "I was trying not to disturb Cho and Dean in my way out of the library and I didn't see anyone on the way to my common room." 

          There was a pause as the students reflected on what had just been said.  "I think that's enough information," stated Ron at last.

          "Yes, I agree." said Hermione. "Thank you for your time Francine and congratulations on being named the new Head Girl."

          "Thank you," said Francine. "I've always wanted to be Head Girl.  When I was a little girl, I often would pretend I was.  I was very disappointed when I had not been selected.  Now I get to be Head Girl after all.  It's most unfortunate that it had to happen like this."  Harry, Ron, and Hermione nodded in agreement. 

          "I'll see you around," said Francine, picking up a backpack full of books. "I have a lot of work to do.  If you want to talk to me again I will probably be in the library."

          "We'll be sure to take you up on that offer," said Harry.

          "Thanks for your time," said Hermione.

          "Oh you're welcome," said Francine as she walked out. "I'm glad to be of any help at all."

***AN*** Hi! I would like to think all of my three reviewers so far! You guys are awesome! I write for all of you!

inu lover- Thank you! I don't think my story is all that great, but we are all entitled to our own opinions. Please tell me how you like this chapter!

Crackers and Zuzu- Thanks, you guys! I'm dreadfully sorry for not updating, but I have been very busy lately!

Mystery303- I'm glad that I've added some mystery to your life. Yes, Ginny might have a motive because of her jealousy.  However, you are going to have to wait and see who it is.  Patience is a blessed virtue.

I would also like to encourage all of you who read my little story to review it.  Tell me what you think, your suspicions, corrections, and even your hate messages.  The only way I can improve my writing is through feedback.

I am also considering totally revamping my story.  I'd make it longer, add more details, develop new characters better, and add more elements.  Please tell me what you think about that also. Thank you so much for reading!  Peas click the little button on the lower left side of your screen and review, review, REVIEW!!!!!