A/N:

Sara: *brightly* Rheanna?

Rheanna: Yeah, Sara?

Sara: THANK YOU!!

Rheanna: *blinks and wonders if she's being set up* Why?

Sara: I'm officially not a Mary Sue anymore! I'm EVIL now, since you reposted chapter 10 so that in the dormitory scene it's more my fault than Hermione's! Yea! *skips around stupidly in joy* So when do I find my idenity?

Rheanna: Not until spring, unless Isa begs hard enough.

Sara: *runs off to find Isa and bribe her*

Rheanna: Sorry, wanted to have fun winding her up. Anyhow, yes, I re-wrote that hated dormitory scene in Chapter 10: "A Witch's First Friday Night Fling". (I wanted to illustrate that Hermione wasn't the only one being unreasonable.)

Hermione: *scowls* Thank you very much. Did you also mention in the story yet that another reason I feel threatened by Blustovadk is because her marks are rather good?

Rheanna: I meant to. Forgot. 'Mione, you know you're just angry with me because I invented "Hermione-Torture" in this chapter.

Hermione: Oh, no. Thank you very much indeed for making my life miserable. *stalks off moodily*

Rheanna: *shakes head sadly* Sorry, had to do it...

Remus: Rheanna, slight problem.

Rheanna: Tell me about it. Oh, sorry. Go on.

Remus: Sirius is getting very impatient while waiting for his big scenes. Can you please cut down on my usage so he can stop badgering me about that? Come on, I'm only even in one book.

Rheanna: Rem, you make a comeback in Book Five. Ms. Rowling said so. Sorry. Furthermore, perhaps if Sirius will be more coopertive when I write of him, he'd get even more fics.

Sirius: *crosses arms* One word: Serendipity.

Rheanna: *sighs* Siri, you of all people should know that one burst of good behaviour will not last you your entire life. But I *do* thank you for your wonderful cooperation in that case. Sadly, not too many people seem to enjoy that fic.

Sirius: *stalks off to start threatening readers*

Harry: Hey, can you forget about me, too?

Rheanna: *blinks* Harry, the series this is written off us is named after you.

Harry: Yeah, but this fic is named after Hermione. Why am I suddenly such a great friend?

Rheanna: 'Cause I'm such a bad author?

Harry: No kidding. Four full reviews.

Rheanna: *glowers* 'Cause you are a good friend?

Harry: Listen, I'm with Remus on this one. Let me GO.

Rheanna: But you're fun to write, when I'm not using your Point of View.

Remus: *winces* I've heard those words before.

Harry: Snape doesn't want attention, either, and he doesn't get any, but he's another of your favourite characters. Put him on the spot a little while. You mentioned him three times the whole fic, and I thought you liked him.

Rheanna: True... he just doesn't fit in the plot yet.

Ginny: *glances up from re-reading the story* Plot? What plot? I'm lost.

Rheanna: There is one. I swear. It's just a bit too... thick.

Remus: *murmurs* Precisely.

Rheanna:*glares and mutters* Must be the darn lunar cycle affecting him...

Katrina: I HEARD THAT!!

Rheanna: *flinches* Must you always be so loud?

Kat: Am I in this chapter? This fic?

Rheanna: No and yes. Honestly, I liked you a lot better when you were alive. You weren't as... cheerful. I liked you dark, cynical, and bitter.

Ginny: *stares* Her?

Kat: *beams* Me. Know me? I'm Katrina Mead. I'm also dead.

Ginny: *faintly* Oh. I see.

Rheanna: Kat, go away. I have an annoucement to make.

Kat: *brightly* Oh, that's nice. How rude. All right, see you later. I have to go scare Al.

Rheanna: *stares after her sullen creation in slight amazement* Okay, the quick annoucement I wanted to make: The seventh year is not told by Ginny. It's by Neville. HOWEVER -- *ducks as objects, mostly very heavy, very squishy, or with silver content are thrown* -- wait! Ginny's telling her seventh year after the others leave, so you still get a Ginny Diary. I like her too much to get rid of her. Now, since this author's note is frankly ridiculous, onward with the chapter. By the way, it's the hardest chapter to write to date... not just because of what happens. I've had serious Writer's Block. My apologies.

24 November

Too bad. They're caught, and caught badly.

It was very suddenly in the Great Hall when lunch had ended. Most of us were heading off to our next class or whatnot, and Drothl storms in, fuming.

What a sight! Her hair was mucked in a think brown goop - I don't want to know what it was - and her eyes were dazed and crossed because of a spell. (She still managed to see straight enough to walk, though, trust me.) Her robes were torn at the hems, all jagged, obviously the work of… well, she didn't trip down the stairs, trust me. Her shoulders had glittering white powder covering them, leaving a trail as she walked. Her shoes… I don't see how they managed to stay on her feet. They were scorched and looked like the pet dog at been at them… the sole of the right one flapped as she walked. The right sleeve of her robes had been one-fourth torn off.

All right… I know Drothl isn't anyone's favorite person, and certainly not mine, and she probably had it coming to her… but, afterwards, I did feel bad for her. I mean, how embarrassing to be so completely gone with rage and being in front of all your students - most of whom don't respect you anyway - in that state, because of a prank that went a little out of hand.

But, truth be told, if she had been even a little rational about it, I would have had far more sympathy.

In any case, she gave those of us who were still in the Hall quite a show. She storms straight up to the teachers' table.

"Where's McGonagall?" she demanded in a hoarse, ragged voice on the edge of all self-control.

Prof. Vector smiled, trying not to laugh, I think. "Minerva's getting ready for her next class. Christina, are you are right? What happened?"

I don' think it helped Drothl's mood that those of us in the Hall started bursting into giggles at Prof. Vector's innocent tone.

Drothl was apologetic with fury. "It… was… them!" she sputtered through clenched teeth.

"Indeed," Snape nodded. " 'Them'… certainly narrows it down, Drothl. Any more specifics?"

Now Drothl was shaking as well in anger. "Those blasted Weasley triplets!"

Snape raised an eyebrow, but then I saw comprehension draw on his face. The eyebrows went down, and he said nothing, although I swear there was amusement in his eyes. He watched Drothl almost casually.

Vector was shaking her head kindly. "Triplets?"

Drothl didn't even reply. I suppose she nodded and I couldn't tell, although thinking of her nodding when she was like this doesn't quite fit. In fact, I think Vector didn't wait for an answer. The Hall was dead quiet, listening to this.

"If you're talking of the Weasleys, there are no triplets. They're twins."

"Yes! Triplets!" Drothl contradicted.

"It certainly seems so at times, doesn't it?" Vector continued conversationally. "No, they're twins, the little demons, and thank goodness, I doubt I could handle one more."

Drothl, her limbs still every which way in anger, sort of froze in confusion.

"Drothl may mean Lee Jordan or David Stebbins, of course," Snape spoke up in soft slyness.

"David! Weasley! He's the worst of them all!"

"Oh, he's a Weasley now, I suppose?" Vector concluded.

Then it hit me - the twins' potion was still in effect. Every time she heard the word "twins", she heard "triplets". Going through the conversation through Drothl's point of view is too much!

"I want all three of them expelled. Now." Drothl spoke slowly and deliberately.

"I've been trying," Snape murmured dryly.

I had to grip Ginny's shoulder to keep from laughing, and she was gripping Ron, whose head was against the table to muffle his howls of laughter. Harry's glasses were off, and he didn't even dare make eye contact with me. I think he was near crying. Ginny was shaking wildly.

"I'll talk with the twins," Vector nodded absently. (I'm sure she will…)

"Especially David," Drothl snapped. "He's the worst of them!"

"David Stebbins? He's been with me. I've been tutoring him on Summoning Charms," Flitwick spoke up.

"David Weasley!"

Then I spotted Fred and George in a corner. Fred was just about crying. George was grinning somewhat, but he also looked worried… about being caught? George Weasley? Nah.

"There is no David Weasley," Vector informed her, almost concernedly.

Drothl blinked, looking completely lost.

"I believe she is under the influence of a Disguised Speech Mixture," Snape said finally. "She doesn't understand what you say."

"Have you an antidote?" Vector asked, a little worriedly. I nearly laughed out loud, remembering how they used to go after each other verbally, and now they were just about… working together. United in their dislike of Drothl.

Snape fetched it quickly while Vector tried to calm Drothl down… unsuccessfully. Just as I was about to leave for Ancient Runes, he returned and told Drothl to drink it. Drothl looked at him suspiciously, but I suppose fear of Snape was more than skeptically on what on earth he would be giving her a potion for.

"Okay, now," said Vector brightly after a few minutes. "Christina, the twins have been fooling you. The Weasley twins, Fred and George. David Weasley does not exist. The students have been using Polyjuice Potion all year to trick you." She bit her lip a moment while her eyes sparkled before continuing: "But thi - "

Drothl went ballistic when this sunk in. You could see her suddenly understand this, the shock in her bright grey eyes, and then the unmistakable rage. She whipped around and yelled at Fred and George like they never have been - in front of me, anyway. She ranted for five full moments (class seemed to be forgotten) until her voice gave out. Then some of the other teachers had to restrain her from cursing them. Where's Dumbledore when you need him?

I didn't get much out of Ancient Runes. Everyone, including Selby, wanted to know what had happened from those of us who had been in the Hall.

I haven't heard their punishment yet. It's only morning, and I haven't seen them since yesterday.

But the sight of an uncontrollable Drothl in that mess was wonderful!


25 November

Fred and George aren't expelled or even suspended. They had "a talk" with Dumbledore and had to apologize to Drothl (very sincerely I'm sure), as well as clean up the mess in the Defence room. It still smells funny. They're mum when asked about what happened in there. They just grin knowingly and say her office looks even worse. However, Snape and Madam Hooch have decreed that they're not allowed to attend Quidditch practice for a week.

"Who's Snape to be able to be allowed to do that?" Ron demanded angrily.

"He helps with the Quidditch program."

"Like referring?" Harry asked wryly.

"Like commentating," Lisa said from behind me.

"He did?" I asked in shock. I couldn't imagine Snape commentating.

"Year after my parents left. Figured if he couldn't make the team he might as well commentate."

I shook my head in amazement. Would wonders never cease? But now that I don't have to worry about the twins… no longer triplets… I need to find my Potions book. I can't imagine where it went. I bet it's Ron, the annoyance.


27 November

Ron swears he doesn't have it. I wish that Snape believed as much. He gave me a horrible lecture on it today in class. I kept quiet and thought it best to let him through it. If it makes him feel better, then let him.

Bur dear Ron just couldn't let it go, could he? Out of the corner of my eye I saw him and Sara frown. Ron was about to speak outright when Sara tugged his sleeve and mouthed something I couldn't read without blatantly turning my head.

"Professor Snape?" Sara suddenly called innocently.

Snape rounded on her. "Your arm, Miss Blustovadk."

"I raised it. You were too busy lecturing Hermione, sir. And no, I didn't mean to rhyme that. Anyway, I had a question. It's rather important."

Snape fixed a cold eye on her.

"Do widow spiders shoot venom?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Thank you, sir. You can continue telling off Hermione now if you really want to."

Everyone in the Gryffindor half of the classroom muffled a guffaw. Snape was distinctly ruffled. He turned to me, all rage broken, and just told me sneeringly that I had lost Gryffindor twenty-five points and that I would serve detention every night until I had found -

"Professor Snape!" It was Morag McDougall. "Professor! If they really do shoot venom, you better watch it!"

Two spiders, edged with orange that stood out vividly on Snape's dark greasy hair, were wandering on his head. It took a moment of confusion for the Slytherins to get across to him that they were there. By the time Snape picked them off he was hotly embarrassed. Then Ron and Sara exchanged another glance. Sara put her head down to stem her laughter, and Ron raised his hand.

"Weasley!"

"Sir, if Hermione is in detention every night, when does she have time to find her book?"

Gryffindor lost a lot of points by the time class ended. Ron and Blustovadk were totally unrepentant. I asked Ron in astonishment if he had really put those spiders on Snape's head.

"Ron! I thought you were terrified of them!!"

He grinned. "Who ever said I touched those spiders?"

"Ron! I - can't - what!?"

His grinned widened and he looked sheepish. "Sara had shooters. I didn't have to touch one, just shoot it. And some things are for a good cause. I didn't like Snape yelling at you."

I shook my head in amazement, refraining from giving him a hug and yelling my head off at him.

29 November

I found my Potions book. I - I can't believe it. I don't understand why I never saw this coming. But it did. It was returned to my bag today; I found it after Arthimancy. There was a note in it; I'm using a Copying Charm -

Mudblood -

Our star model student searching for her Potions book. How sad. Not so perfect anymore, are you? Time the pride of a Mudblood was taken down a bit; you hold your head far too high for a Mudblood.

We surely hope losing your schoolbooks isn't a regular occurrence. Your darling friends - or are they? - can only pull for you so long. We'd hate to see you fall from the top of your classes when it's not on your own terms. If you took our advice, you'd leave Hogwarts now. Sort of like how the werewolf saved any last shred of false pride by resigning before anyone got the proper chance to tell it to leave. Trust us. Mudblood McGinnis followed this advice, left, and borrowed some time. Mudblood Orr was a fool, didn't, and died before the end of her sixth year.

Purely coincidental? We think not. And those that murdered Orr told us how to dispose of you as well. We have… sources, you see. We can make your life miserable before we send you off or kill you, as well. Think about it. And while we know the white blazing glory Gryffindors like yourself have a habit of being stubborn to the point of death, we always had to admit you were far more than the average Gryffindor. Besides, you wouldn't want to see Potter or any of the Weasleys in danger, would you? Especially Ronald and Virginia? Think carefully as usual and we know you'll make the right choice. Leave quickly, Mudblood, and enjoy your holidays. May well be your last.

- The Society for Purity

How dare they. Are they really that stupid? They don't think I could take this to Albus Dumbledore himself right at this moment? Because that's what I'm doing right now. Harry told me the entrance and that the password was always some sort of magical sweet.


31 November

I'm still very wary, however, and look both ways constantly. As if I needed another distraction with the O.W.L.s coming up! I'm getting so nervous and have increased my study schedule. What if I didn't pass them? I mean, I should, I know… but what if I got so nervous I forgot everything? What if I'm studying all the wrong things? What if - oh my goodness, what if those people who threatened me fix the examination so I fail? Why was I worried about Flings and such when I should be worried about this? Forget dead, what if Malfoy beats me? He makes me furious; I just know he sent that horrid note and that he has ways of making it happen.

And then there's Sara Blustovadk. Ever since she threw that Firecracker and we had our little fight, she's been extra dedicated to her studies. I know it's just to make me angry, since she knows how much pride I put into them. She was near as good as me in some subjects, like Charms and Arthimancy, to begin with, but now she's been catching up to me in Charms like I had feared she would do at the beginning of the year. I've got to work harder on that. I'm very proud of my Charms abilities. Luckily I'm way ahead of her in Potions.

Ron started writing all over Harry's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them today. Sigh. Last month he was scribbling all over his (Ron's, not Harry's) Intermediate Transfiguration, inserting little comments everywhere. He tried to write in his History of Magic around then too but fell asleep in class.



1 December

Today my schoolbag was slashed - not by accident, this was obviously the work of a knife. It happened during Care of Magical Creatures, too. I should have been more observant - obviously the Slytherins are behind all this.

Mudblood -

We advice packing what's left of your possessions a bit quicker and leaving. Don't think we're not serious. We're trying very hard to do this nicely. Good day to you.

- The Society for Purity


Now I'm getting worried. Perhaps they are serious. You-Know-Who is risen, after all, and more and more people are seeing the light. Of course the Slytherins would be the first to know, as well as this "Society for Purity". I am taking this to Dumbledore.

1 December, later

I'm so confused. What do I do now? It doesn't work; I lose every way.

I was heading to Dumbledore's office when Snape appeared, almost like he was expecting me and knew exactly where I was doing, and had been able to guess where I was going. Just stepping out of the shadows. It fits, so… Snape - "stepping out of the shadows".

"Miss Granger?" he said in an even tone that was so different from the tone he used in Potions that I had to work to keep a neutral expression. No, don't get me wrong. It was far from kind. It just wasn't sinister, which was something. "You're wandering around rather late."

"It's not curfew, sir," I replied.

"I never said it was," he said dryly. "Did you find your Potions book?"

I had a funny feeling he knew that answer. "Yes." And I couldn't help but add: "After detention."

Snape gazed at me levelly, eyes shrewd. "May I make a few assumptions?" (He didn't let me reply.) "First off, I need to have a talk with you in my office."

I could practically hear Ron in the background yelling: "NO!! HERMIONE!! YOU WON'T GET OUT ALIVE!! AGH!!" And then, of course, followed by a loud crack of lightening.

I followed him anyway.

(As a side note, his office is worse than the storerooms. Ron was right.)

"Sit down."

Snape is about the only teacher in the world who tells me to do something and makes me want to do the opposite. Oh, I know, I've said that a zillion times ever since the first year. But when he tells you to do something, your first instinct is to do something totally different: "Sit down" - jump up and run back up to the safety of the Great Hall.

"Where did you find it?"

"My schoolbag."

"I'm assuming it wasn't there the past few days."

"No." I felt like I was under interrogation for… for… trial, I suppose. I'm sure Ron could think up some really good word illustration.

"Fine."

You believe me? I wondered skeptically.

"Now. May I now take my wild guess?" Again, I didn't get any time to answer. "Any chance there was a note in there? From the 'Society for Purity'?"

I didn't meet his eye and I didn't answer.

"Miss Granger, please just answer the question. It's your favourite thing to do."

Ten points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all… I see no difference… I don't recall asking you to show off, Miss Granger… Fascinating though your social life most undoubtedly is… not unless Miss Granger is hissing instructions in his ear… so you can concentrate on your potions rather than your tangled love lives…

"Yes. Sir."

"Thank you. I don't think that was exceedingly difficult. And so you were taking this note to the Headmaster because they threatened your life and your attendance at Hogwarts."

I glanced up sharply; not being able to help but think it was because he probably wrote those same notes as a student. And who knows if Ron isn't right? No… no… I trust Dumbledore. It's just hard to trust Snape. "Yes."

"Planning to leave?"

"Absolutely not."

Snape considered matters for a second. I swear I saw him mouth: "Typical Gryffindor." "What do you suppose Dumbledore would do about this?"

I startled slightly. I mean, this was… Dumbledore. Albus Dumbledore always had an answer; he could always find a way to solve a problem. But I couldn't quite say that. It sounded quite assumptous.

"I suppose you expected him to find they who wrote this through some impossible means and have them expelled? To suddenly produce a way to make sure you're protected and will suffer no discomfort during this ordeal? To take time out from the war, saving lives, to work out your problems?"

I cringed. I felt incredibly ashamed of myself.

Then I realized this was my life in the balance! "I was most worried about the threat to my life, sir."

Suddenly, I found myself back in a corridor right near Gryffindor Tower. Everything was rather fuzzy for a moment, and I felt something around my neck.

It was a gold chain with an emerald sphere on it. I remembered suddenly that a sphere is the magical Shape for repelling and safety. I examined it cluelessly and heard a cackle in my pocket.

The cackle was a piece of parchment.

H.G. -

Some advice from keeping out of the way of the Society of Purity. For one, there's no way we can enter the Gryffindor Tower. We cannot attack you in class or in the Great Hall, and not in crowded corridors. Pay strict attention to curfew and don't go off alone. Make sure you have lots of people about. Wear an emerald sphere. There's still a slight chance that all the protections placed upon you might be broken through. Are you willing to risk that?


Slowly, I pieced it together. That note, chain, and charm were from Snape. Snape couldn't outright help me, but he could secretly. He had given these to me in his office and walked me back to the corridor I was then in before placing a Memory Charm on me. I shook my head and realized I was exhausted and decided to go to bed.

But I couldn't sleep. This isn't good, not at all. Snape obviously thinks this is serious and he should know. I don't quite mind as much putting my life in danger, although I hate to think of how Mum and Dad would react if anything happened to me - look at what Dad lost at the hands of the Dark Side already. But putting Ron and Harry and Ginny in that peril! I can't do that. Oh, dear. What can I do now?

2 December

Well, I decided. I'm not going to put my friends in danger. I hate doing it, very, very much, but today I started separating from them. I also decided I can't tell them about the Society for Purity for several reasons. Firstly, Ron would lose his temper and hex all of Slytherin House. (I can just hear him shouting: "I'll kill all of 'em until I get the right one!") Two, if they know, they might let it slip as to what Snape did. Thirdly, it's for their protection as well. They'd try to talk me out of distancing myself from them. (I can just hear the cries of: "They're just idiots trying to scare you! They can't hurt you or us!" Oh, I hate being the practical one sometimes.)

Today I didn't walk to the Great Hall with them. When I got there, the only empty seat was near them… I was oddly grateful. I dread trying to explain to them why I'm suddenly so reticent. I don't want to show them the notes. It's all very stupid on this Society for Purity's part, of course… but they make me feel dirty. I just feel humiliated to have even got one of those notes in the first place. So… I didn't talk to them much and buried myself in The Myths and Rumours Surrounding Q. Carquel. And while it was very interesting, I didn't enjoy it much.

During classes I acted very, very intense on my work, which didn't seem to strike anyone as odd. I didn't whisper and didn't tell them not to. Ron muttered that I was probably on O.W.L. mode - and if that's what they want to believe for now, that's fine by me.

4 December

Ron and Harry have definitely noticed that I've been avoiding them whenever possible. Ron kept badgering me for a long while but then I heard Harry whisper to him that I was either studying or wanted to be left alone.

"If she doesn't come around soon, we'll find out what's wrong."

Sometimes it's very useful to have one friend who's half-sensitive.

Ginny hasn't left me yet, though. She keeps after me and keeps after me, no matter how many times I say: "Oh, Ginny, I'm really busy right now. Can I have some time to myself?" She'll leave me alone for a while and then comes on back. In fact, it's getting irritating. But now she's realized something's wrong and is trying to find out what it is so she can help.

I'm touched by her concern, I truthfully am, but I know I can't tell her. What if she was caught by either Death Eaters or the Society for Purity and revealed that Snape actually helped me? That means death for him. And if she knows, she's bound to let the fact that I'm being… er, I don't want to use the word… threatened slip somehow or another. Even if I say: "Say, Gin, I'm really not upset with you at all, it's just that you're in danger if you're my friend so I've to pretend you're not…" Well, sure, we can pretend to have a row, but sooner or later she'll say: "Oh, Hermione's not angry with me, it's just - oh, never mind."

So if this keeps up, I'm going to have to pretend to fight with her. The thought makes me cringe - Ginny is my one close female friend and we've never had a real argument before. But when I think of Ginny dead… well, it's worth it.

I just foresee writing a lot in my diary to pass the time.


5 December

Well, if anything, I'm getting a lot of writing done by hiding in the Owlery. (The library, I've discovered, it too obvious.) I've finished three-fourths of Fiddle Girl and am looking around for an idea for a new story. Problem is, I can't find it. I get most of my ideas from Ron and Ginny and Harry, actually… no, that sounds like self-pity. Hermione, get a grip on yourself. But I've also been studying like mad, but I've studied most of this since the summer before last. I've also written another letter to Viktor… what's it say? I haven't the faintest clue. Alyn hasn't written. I could use a dose of humour right now. I've wished I could visit Hagrid, but come to think of it, that puts him in trouble as well. He probably has enough of it. I wonder what he's been doing for Dumbledore.

No attacks lately. That also means less time with the CC, which would have been helpful last month, but this month I need something to do. The Quidditch team is training, even with a recent light snowfall. I wonder if they would have practice in the middle of a tornado. Not that I think Hogwarts gets too many of those.

I've been keeping a close watch on the other Muggle-borns around here, and you know what? All of them are looking nervous as well. A little edgy, a little off, a little distant. I'll bet anything they're all getting these threats, too. It's awful to think of... a whole group of us all under this... this... tension. It's terrible! There's got to be something to do about that... other than what Snape is doing. For, I notcied that Justin Finch-Fletchey is wearing a gold chain too, and I'll wager that it has an emerald sphere on it.

9 December

I got another note today:

Mudblood -

Sure are taking your time, aren't you? We're getting rather impatient over here. Your friends had better watch their backs.

- Society for Purity


Well, that's it. I've got to have this fight with Ginny, and soon. I don't know what I could upset about; I can't imagine what would make a good show. I wish I could tell her off in front of the common room because, say, she kept pestering me to get Harry to ask her out… but that's just cruel to Ginny. No way am I yelling at her for the opposite… not talking to Ron about me. Everyone says we are an adorable couple, but we are not. Furthermore, I need something that Ginny can't see is false. I want her to think I'm angry with her, not brushing her off. Hmm. I bet I could do it for schoolwork, but if it's in the common room, that won't reach the ears of the Slytherins… I need something worthy of gossip. Like… like… just for tagging along? No…

A little short. My apologies, again, but this was a good cliffhanger. (EVIL!!) So what sort of excuse is Hermione going to use? How long will the attack of the Society for Purity go on? Will I finally make it more than halfway through this story? (Christmas.) And... did anyone notice a bit of H/R in here? *wicked cackle* I think Ron dealing with a spider for Hermione's sakes sure is!