Chapter 3- suspicions and potions class Hermione walked down to the common room around 7:30. she expected to be the only one there, if only for a little bit. But, there was someone already there.

"Harry, I am really sorry about falling asleep on you yesterday, especially after my breakdown. You must think I am crazy."

"Herm, I will never think you are crazy. You needed a friend to comfort you. I wanted to be that friend."

"Mind if I sit with you?"

"Not at all." With that Harry scooted over so that Hermione could sit down.

"Herm, you know that if you need to talk I am here right? Ron too."

"I know Harry. You and Ron are so wonderful." Harry and Hermione sat in silence for a little bit.

"It was awful Harry, just awful! Voldemort (she had gotten used to saying his name by then.) blew our car off the street and sent it flying. Dad went through the windshield and my mom got hit by metal and glass in her back covering me, Harry! Then Voldemort came and put the crucio curse on my dad. He was about to use Avada Kedavra on him when the Ministry came. It was so terrible!" Hermione was on the verge of tears. Harry pulled her into an embrace. Hermione put her hands on Harry's back then clutched his shirt in her hands. She didn't know that in doing this she hit his still raw wounds on his back. Harry sat up ridged and clutched his teeth to keep from screaming.

"Oh my gosh Harry! Did I hurt you? What's wrong?"

"No, you didn't do anything. I . . . am . . . (wince) fine." Harry sucked in a sharp breath. "We better go get Ron for out first class. I believe we have double potions with Slytherin, just perfect.

Hermione knew that something was wrong, but let it go for now, though she made a mental note to find out later.

Harry, Hermione and Ron got to potions five minutes before class started as to not be late. They were the only Gryffindor there, but there were a few Slytherin, including Draco Malfoy.

"So mudblood finally got what she deserved did she?" with that Harry ran head first into Malfoy, slamming him into a desk. The breath was knocked out of him for a second and by that time Harry had him up against the wall, holding him by the neck.

"Don't EVER call her that again, got that? Malfoy nodded his head. He didn't realize how much Harry had grown until now. He was a good 4 inches taller than Malfoy and much stronger. By then there was the whole class in the room and everyone took their seats.

Potions was typical. Neville spilt his cauldron and Harry lost 50 points for Gryffindor doing nothing. Hermione convinced him that nothing would come from arguing. Finally, it was over. After thinking it over during potions Hermione was more suspicious than ever of Harry and his pain.

A/N- remember to r/r. if I don't get some new reviews I wont type more!!! Thanx for the reviews so far. I no about the paragraph thing- I didn't no that I had to go down another line in order for it to space correctly on the boards. I fixed it tho ( KEEP READING it gets better soon!