- Chapter 11 -

Where Were They?

Harry, Hermione and Ron had just walked out of potion's class and were headed out of the dungeons, even though Harry was reluctant to do so.

"I swear, Harry, if you don't stop worrying so, you are going to give yourself an ulcer." Hermione began, as they made their way back to the Gryffindor tower.

"Oh, leave him alone 'Moine." Ron interjected. "At least he's worrying about something important, unlike some people who worry about things like studying for thier NEWTs a whole year before it's necessary."

Hermione turned back to give Ron a withering look, then turned her attention back to Harry. Sighing inwardly, Hermione took in the boy's forlorn look. Even though they hadn't actually admitted it to anyone, Hermione and Harry had acknowledged their attraction for one another. He had owled her during the summer break, laying everything open in a letter to end all letters.

She had replied, telling him that she had been feeling the same way for awhile but did not want to make thier friendship awkward by confessing. But now that he had, she could see that her worries had been unfounded. The two weeks they had stayed at the Weasley's before school term had started had been fantastic. Just being together had been wonderful. Their relationship had not changed, but for the bit of snogging that happened occasionally whenever they found a moment alone. Which was a rare case, as Ron was with them pretty much 24/7. They had even had a discussion about attempting a little matchmaking.

Strictly for Ron's benefit, of course.

They had agreed to wait for the right moment to tell Ron about them. Hoping that they could get him paired off before the actual telling had to commence. Considering the crush he had had on Hermione the previous year. Hermione could not understand WHY the thing with Willow bothered Harry so much, but it did. She had asked him during History of Magical Creatures class, and he had simply told her that it was just a feeling he had. That he should keep an eye out for the witch. Never mind that she was an adult and very capable of watching out for herself, in Hermione's honest opinion.

Okay, maybe that was the jealousy talking there.

She knew that the young witch had a serious problem or they would not have brought her to Hogwarts to try and rectify it. And Harry always seemed to know when something bad was going to go down, so it was just about a given that something WAS going to go down this year. And it was obviously going to center around Willow Rosenberg.

"Hey, Hermione?"

Hermione shot a glance over her shoulder to see Ginny Weasley and her friend Brandy running up to them. Ginny being the one who called out to her. "Yeah, Gin?"

"I was just wondering if you wouldn't mind helping me and Brandy with our Potion's essay after dinner." Ginny asked hopefully.

"Oh, uh, Ginny, I'd love to, but uh, you see I have this project in Arithmancy that I just have to get started on. Does it have to be done tonight?" Hermione asked the girl. She and Harry had planned on a rendezvous in the Astronomy Tower that evening, and she really didn't want to cancel it. They had far too little time alone together as it was.

Ginny's face fell a little. "Oh, sure, Hermione. Thanks anyway."

"I'll help you." Four heads turned in shocked surprise to look at a slightly blushing Ron Weasley. "What? I just offered to help is all." Ron mumbled.

Ginny could not believe her ears. "Since when were you such a perfect student in potions?" She asked her brother, a look of suspicion on her face.

Suddenly, Ron's face took on an irritated look. "Listen, I'm sorry I even offered. I know I'm not a Hermione when it comes to scholastic stuff, but I can hold my own. Never mind. Forget I even said anything." He finished in a huff.

Now it was Ginny's turn to blush. "I'm sorry, Ron. You just caught me off guard. You've never really seemed interested in helping me with my homework. I'm sure Brandy would agree with me when I say, I would love to have you give us a hand, Ron." She said softly.

Ron's irritation seemed to melt from his features. Finally he smiled. "Alright, meet you both at the library around twenty minutes then?"

Ginny looked over at Brandy in askance, and the blonde haired girl smiled and simply said. "Twenty minutes it is."

By the time this discussion was settled, the group had made it to the portrait that lead into the common room. The fat lady in the pink dress looked at the five students kindly and asked for the password.

"Flibbertigibbit." Hermione stated.

"Thank you, my dear." The fat lady replied, and swung open to admit them into the common room.

~*~

Twenty minutes later found Ron Weasley walking into the library. He looked around and finally spotted Ginny and Brandy sitting alone at a table in the back, close to the stacks. He walked over to join them.

"Hey." He greeted them as he slid into a seat beside the blonde girl.

"Hey, Ron." Ginny said. Brandy just smiled at the boy shyly.

"So, what are you having trouble with?" Ron asked his sister.

"Oh, Professor Snape is wanting two foot of parchment on the bezoar and what effects it causes in the antidotes it is used in." Ginny said in a huffy voice.

"Oh." Ron's voice sounded a little distracted.

Ginny noticed that her brother didn't seem to be paying attention to her. In fact, he wasn't even looking at her at all. Instead, his eyes where glued to the blonde haired girl beside him. Brandy was looking right back, albeit blushing all the while, but her eyes were still locked with Ginny's brother's. Ginny rolled her eyes at the two and then cleared her throat. Immediately Ron's eyes shot back to her and Brandy started a little in her seat, casting her eyes back down to the table.

"Alright then, let's get to writing that essay, shall we?" Ron blurted out, blushing all the while.

Ginny smiled, this was going to be interesting.

~*~

Hermione made her way carefully up the stone steps leading to the Astronomy Tower. When she had reached the top of the staircase, she looked cautiously around before calling out.

"Harry? Are you here?"

Before she could blink, something was draped over her head and arms where around her, pulling her back against a hard chest. She let out a surprised squeak before realizing what had happened. Harry had his Invisiblity Cloak thrown over them both. She relaxed into his embrace immediately, allowing him to turn her to face him. She had only a moment to whisper his name, before his lips covered hers in the sweetest kiss they had yet to share. For the longest moment they clung to one another under the cover of the cloak, before pulling apart.

"I missed you." He murmured.

Hermione scoffed. "It's only been twenty minutes, Harry."

"Yeah, well, that's nineteen minutes too long." He replied.

Hermione smiled at him then. Harry was about the nicest guy in the world, but sometimes he outdid himself in the sweetness department. She was just about to tell him so when he cut her off with his mouth on hers again.

Hmm. Maybe I could just tell him later. She thought as she wound her arms around his neck and allowed herself to melt into the kiss.

~*~

Draco Malfoy sat alone in a corner of the Slytherin common room. Slowly he re-read the letter he had gotten from his father earlier that day. It was written in an ink that would only become visible at his touch due to an enchantment placed on it.

Draco,

Voldemort is impatient and insists that you step up in the plan to sway the witch to our side. Willow Rosenberg MUST come to the Dark Lord of her own accord. I cannot express how important this is. She must not be forced, but given the right temptation, I am certain you can steer her in the right direction.

Keep me informed of our future Dark Mistress' actions. Do NOT fail me Draco, or else.

L. Malfoy

Draco slowly crumpled the parchment in his fist and threw it in the hearth of the fireplace. Then raising his wand he muttered the word 'Incendio' and the parchment immediately shriveled as it was engulfed in flames. Ever since his failure last year to deliver Potter inot his father's clutches, he had been desperate to get back into his father's and the Dark Lord's good graces. And now, it seemed, here was his chance. If he could just deliver the witch as his father ordered. He could not fail this time.

He was pretty sure his life depended on it.

~*~

Minerva McGonagall had just settled at her desk to a few essays before heading to the Great Hall when a knock on the classroom door make her look up. Rupert Giles was standing in the doorway looking, in her opinion, as handsome as ever.

"Well, hello Rupert." She greeted him with a smile. "And what may I do for you this afternoon?"

Giles smiled and walked further into the room. "I was wanting to inquire about Willow's progress, if I may." he asked.

"But of course. Miss Rosenberg is progressing quite wonderfully. I can even foresee her as a future Animagus if she finds herself wishing to persue that area in Transfiguration." Minerva said with a pleased smile on her face.

Giles' face lit up with excitement. "Really? An Animagus? Oh, how wonderful."

"Yes, I thought it would please you to know that. I remember how you used to be obsessed in becoming a registered Animagus in you time studying here." She continued.

"You remember that?" Giles asked with a hint of surprise in his voice.

McGonagall blushed slightly. "Oh, I remember quite a few things from your time at Hogwarts, Rupert Giles."

"Well then, if that is the case, perhaps we can discuss all those things in the Great Hall at dinner?" He asked, offering his arm to her.

"Yes, that would be quite nice." Minerva answered, still blushing. But she rose from her desk and accepted his extended arm. "Well, off we go, then."

And with that, they headed off toward the Great Hall.

~*~

TBC...