" I know it hurts, Hermione: but it'll feel much better if you just tell me what happened with you and Harry..."

" I... I just don't feel like telling anyone yet, sorry Nurse Mary-Rose."

The woman sighed, but shook her head: she knew what pain the girl was going through. Just by watching Hermione staring at the window with indifference, she knew she was right.

She's in a lot of pain now... she said to herself. Lots of emotions swirling in her mind... I should just leave her alone: the ferocious storm inside her soul will calm down eventually... I hope.

She knew that the nurse was gazing at her, studying her to see any emotions behind the expressionless look on her face, but she didn't care. She was still daydreaming: thinking of the two happy months spent together with her best friends before...


Soon after Harry and Ron left for Gryffindor's common room, Hermione finished reading her book: Hogwarts: A History. She hastily closed the book and left the library. When she did so, she could have sworn she heard Madam Pince sigh of relief behind her back.

All well... she thought. I guess I can't blame her; we were quite noisy there .

She quickly made her way to the Gryffindor Tower, and in less than a minute, the girl stood face-to-face with the Fat Lady.

" Password?" the guardian inside the portrait asked.

" Euh... how did it go again?" Hermione questioned her, frowning. Then she remembered: " Yuleweshka."

The Fat Lady nodded shortly and was about to unblock the entrance when Hermione stopped her by asking:

" Why do we have those horrifyingly hard passwords this year?"

The Fat Lady gave her a strange look and replied:

" Well, isn't it obvious? Since the revival of you-know-who, Dumbledore thought that taking much more direct precautions were necessary."

" Oh," Hermione winced a little, because those stupid words as passwords reminded her of the time in her third year, when Sir Cadogan had to replace the Fat Lady as the guardian of the tower...

" Password?" Sir Cadogan asked rudely as he saw the three pupils approaching him.

" Euh... what was it again?" Ron asked, a little forgetful.

" Ron! If you forget the passwords too often, you might end up sleeping in front of entrance of the common room like Neville in our first year!" Hermione scolded him severely.

The orange-haired boy scowled deeply and sighed.

" Hermione! How can anyone remember those dreadful passwords of that... stupid knight?" he asked, dubious.

" Hey! I heard that, you moron!" Sir Cadogan roared, trying to look as fierce as he can, but instead, he looked half angry and half comical.

Harry stifled a laughter and nudged Ron to make him notice that fact, too. When he did, both boys smirked deviously at the knight who, totally confused, stuck his tongue out. Hermione just rolled her eyes slightly before reciting the password:

" Quiffleyuck."

" WRONG!" Sir Cadogan replied loudly, triumphant.

" What?" the girl nearly screeched, but she forced herself to remain calm. " How could it not be? I remember you saying the exact thing this morning!"

" Then you certainly need to fix those defective ears of yours!" the knight roared with laughter.

Ron started to laugh too when Hermione glared ferociously at him. Seeing her inflaming gaze, he rapidly quieted down.

" It's quaffleyuck," Harry, who hadn't spoken for a while, suddenly answered.

" Yes it is, lad," Sir Cadogan sighed, visibly disappointed as he swayed his portrait to reveal the entrance.

But Hermione was still outraged.

" Quaiffleyuck?" she yelled, unable to control her anger (luckily, no one except Harry & Ron were near to hear her comport in such an unexpected manner). " What's the difference? It sounds exactly the same!"

" There is a rather big difference, young lady!" the knight answered, indignant. " What if Sirius Black comes near here, huh? Who would defend you poor children? Me, of course!"

" Me, of course," Ron smirked, mimicking Sir Cadogan. "Yeah, right..."

" Ron's absolutely right!" Hermione suddenly declared.

" I am?" Ron asked, bewildered.

" He is?" Harry questioned, confused.

" Euh... yes," the girl answered. " You know why? Because a stupid knight like you can't protect us students from the clutches of Sirius Black!"

Sir Cadogan stared at the girl with a furious look on his visage. Both boys near her gave her a strange, surprised look.

" Why I outta-...!" Sir Cadogan yelled, but before he could do anything else, Harry pushed both Ron and Hermione into the common room.

" Hey, I'm not finished with you!" the knight protested, but it was too late: all three wizards had already entered the common room and out of hearing and sight.

" I hate kids," Sir Cadogan muttered.

" Remembering the time when Sir what's-his-name had to replace me?" the Fat Lady gently cut Hermione's thoughts away.

" Euh... yes I was," the girl answered, slightly perplexed at how the lady could have guessed her thoughts.

" Well, I never liked that knight either," the Fat Lady mumbled. " He even tried to interrupt when Violet and me were discussing with each other: rude little knight he was, that Cadogan!"

Hermione just nodded slowly, before going inside the common room. Once there, she slightly creased her eyebrows into a frown.

Where are they? She asked, a little confused. By "they", she meant Harry & Ron. She would have thought that, by now, Harry would have changed into his regular robes and he and Ron would be playing chess by the time she entered the room.

" You wondering why Harry and my brother aren't here?" a voice questioned her quietly.

Surprised by the sudden sound, Hermione turned to face Ginny, who was sitting on one of the chairs near the now lifeless fireplace.

" Yes..." Hermione gradually answered. " Why?"

" Just to tell you, Ron and Harry left a while ago," the young freckled-faced girl answered.

" Why?"

Ginny shrugged.

" To be honest, I have no idea. But I do know one thing: they left the common room because something happened..."

" What happened?" Hermione questioned.

" I don't know... but both Harry and Ron seemed really furious when Neville rushed in to tell them."

" Hum... it can't be that bad, can it?"

Just as she finished the sentence, Ron stomped in: he looked so angry that Hermione could practically see smoke coming out of his ears.

" WHO IN THE HECK DOES HE THINK HE IS!" the freckled-face boy roared before Hermione and Ginny had the time to guess.

" What are you talking about, Ron?" Ginny then asked, very irritated at his brutal arrival.

Ron sighed and collapsed on a squashy chair near the fire, still with the same furious, unbelieving expression on his face. Hermione was about to ask where was the other boy when Harry entered the common room: he wasn't as agitated as Ron, but by the look of his completely enraged face, both girls knew he was as mad as his other best friend.

" Can somebody please explain why both of you are so fuming mad?" Ginny questioned, her arms crossed.

Ron seemed to totally ignore her younger sister as he turned his head towards Harry and muttered:

" He wasn't serious, was he?"

" Nah," Harry replied, shaking his head. " I mean, he threatened us many times since we arrived at Hogwarts, and nothing really bad happened, right?"

However, even with his friend's reassurance, Ron was still a little anxious. Neither of the boys acknowledged the girls' presence until Ginny tapped her foot and coughed to get their attention.

" What?" Ron questioned, frowning.

" Did you forget that we're in this room too: wondering what in the heck you guys are talking about... Hermione and I?" Ginny snapped, now almost as livid as Ron was.

" Euh... yes," her older brother admitted.

" What were you talking about anyway?" Hermione joined in.

" Don't worry: it's nothing..." Harry managed to muster, but it still didn't clear the curiosity showing on the two girls' faces.

" Just explain it to us anyway," Hermione persisted.

Harry sneaked a glance at Ron, who shrugged, and then sighed.

" Well... first, the reason we left the common room is because Neville ran to us, saying that something big was happening in one of the halls," Harry explained. " Then we realized the reason we were dragged down there is because Fred and George were having a major fight with Malfoy and his gang..." he sighed, frustrated.

" Yeah... anyway, Malfoy and the rest of his Quidditch team were really angry because they were supposed to have the field for practice today, but we showed up first!" Ron continued for Harry: while he was saying the last words, he smiled triumphantly.

" They were lying..." Harry muttered. " They just wanted to steal the field so we couldn't practice for the big game coming up in less than a week..."

" Yes... and?" Ginny urged them to continue.

" Malfoy was fuming when he learned that they couldn't practice today, so he threatened us," Ron said, yawning.

" How?" Hermione asked, frowning.

" Like this," Ron then mimicked Malfoy. " Potter & Weasly, you ARE going to pay: mark my words, you WILL pay!"

Ginny and Hermione laughed a little, but Harry interrupted:

" But that wasn't his exact words..." he said. " This is what he really said: 'Trust me on this, Potter... Weasly... when the game comes up, your team will forfeit. You can practice all you like, but in the end, Slytherin will win, one way or another!'"

" Doesn't that mean the same thing?" Ron objected, and Ginny nodded in agreement.

" Maybe..." Harry shrugged, but then he frowned. " But... something in his face made me think that he really meant it..."

" 'Course not!" Ron insisted, but he still appeared a little worried. " I mean, how can he do that anyway?"

But even after that conversation, Hermione knew that Malfoy could actually do something to make their team lose, and she was also sure that he'll stop at nothing to do so too... She also couldn't help notice that Harry was worried too: he wanted to win... badly. Even though she wasn't interested in Quidditch so much, she wanted their team to win nonetheless. When all three of them were eating dinner in the Great Hall, Harry had his eyebrows creased into a worried expression, and he wasn't paying too much attention to his food. Ron, however, seemed to have forgotten already about it...

I'm not sure, but maybe he should be as worried as Harry... Hermione thought. I mean, he's in the team, now that he's Gryffindor's new keeper... Ron was doing fairly well in that particular position, but when she compared him with Wood, she had to admit: Ron could do much better. All well, he just needs more practice . She thought.

" Hermione... HERMIONE!"

" Huh?" The girl snapped out of her thoughts, confused.

She looked around to find who was calling her name, and realized it was Ron.

" Okay, now that I have your attention..." he drawled. " Can I ask you a favor?"

" What kind of favor?" Hermione asked, suddenly suspicious.

" Oh nothing much," Ron replied, trying to act casual. " Just need your help on my homework on Defense Against the Dark Arts and stuff..."

" No," Hermione answered firmly.

" I beg your pardon?"

" No."

" Why, Hermione? I really need your help! The homework is due tomorrow and I didn't even started!"

" I thought you told me you just didn't finish it just right now..."

" Okay, so I lied a little... but I'm sorry, okay? Now, can you please accept to help?"

" No."

" Why?" Ron asked again, desperate.

" Because you always know you can count on me when you have a homework almost late," she replied coldly. " Then, you'll never learn to do it on time, and I'll know it'll be completely my fault."

" Yeah... so, what's the problem?"

He immediately regretted his words.

" Let me tell you the problem..." Hermione tried to think of a suitable way to make Ron understand, but after knowing him for about four years, she knew it was practically impossible: she sighed.

" Never mind..."

" So, will you help me on my homework?"

" No, Ron, no."

" Please?"

" No."

" Please?"

" No."

" Euh... what's going on here?" Harry asked as he joined in.

" Ron wants me to do his homework for him," Hermione answered, glaring at the orange-haired boy.

" Hermione!" Ron cried with pleading eyes. " I mean, I bet Harry didn't start his homework either..."

Harry immediately gave Ron a dirty look, and he quieted down.

" Harry, you did do your homework, right?" Hermione then questioned him tentatively.

" Euh... I'm almost done: I'm planning to finish it after I ate my dinner," he answered, backing away slightly.

The girl sighed, but said nothing: instead, she muttered:

" At least he started..."

When she finished eating, she stood up and almost left immediately. Harry was already long done, but Ron was still talking with Fred and George. When she stepped out of the Great Hall and was about to turn left, she, unfortunately, had to come face-to-face with...

" Hello... Granger."

She froze as she recognized, almost instantly, the cold, drawling voice.

" What do you want with me, Malfoy?" she replied with the same coldness in her voice.

" Oh nothing..." the malicious blong-haired boy smirked at the note of worry in her tone. " Just reminding you that Gryffindor cannot possibly win in the next game played with Slytherin."

" And why not?" Hermione hissed.

" Oh... why should I tell you now when you can just find out for yourself when it happens?" he smiled evilly.

And, before the girl could press him for more information, he hastily left. Hermione gave him a furious look, but she didn't follow him: instead, she continued her way to the common room. But while she was walking, she couldn't help thinking that maybe Malfoy did mean his word... Should she tell Harry about what happened just right now? But after remembering the worried look on his face, she shook her head. Why increase his worries? She wondered. And besides, that's exactly what Malfoy wants... to make us worried... She really didn't want to think about what just happened earlier, so instead she thought, hopefully.. that Ron wouldn't notice her departure.

No such luck.

" Hermione... Hermione!"

" What?"

Annoyed, she turned around and faced whoever who shouted at her. When she realized who it was, she scowled and continued as if he wasn't there.

" Hermione, please don't ignore me!" Ron begged as he followed the stubborn girl all the way to the Gryffindor's common room.

" Why should I not?" she replied icily.

" Because... euh... that's a rather good question..."

Hermione's mouth twitched, as if she was going to smile, but instead she sighed and shook her head. She knew what would happen if she took pity on that boy: he would just take advantage of her... Not like as if he didn't these last four years, she thought bitterly. Still, she deeply cared for him (A/N: as a friend!), and she really didn't want to see him in this desperate state for long... I hate making these kinds of decisions, she pondered, frowning to herself. Hastily, she entered the common room, always ignoring Ron, and took out her almost complete one-and-a-half foot essay given by Professor Snape. Even when she kept her eyes glazed on her homework, she could still sense Ron's keen eyes on her... after thirty minutes, when she was at last done with the essay, she felt unnerved. Hermione was sure that she didn't do the best she can because of Ron's spying eyes on her.

" Okay: I will help you on your stupid homework!" she yelled at him, giving up at last.

" You will? Thanks a bunch, Hermione!" Ron said, immensely satisfied.

Hermione, noticing that, sighed and started sulk.

" I'm tired Ron: can we stop for the day?"

" Hermione! The homework is due tomorrow!"

" I know, but the two-foot long essay you have to do can't be accomplished by fortnight!"

" But..."

" Look, there's a good reason why this essay was given two weeks ago: because it required a lot of research and a great time finishing it!"

Ron opened his mouth to protest, but when he found no reason to counter back to Hermione, he closed his mouth and, this time, he was the one who started to sulk. Hermione looked around: almost everybody had gone to bed now, it was already...

" You two still working on that essay?"

Both Hermione and Ron turned around to find Harry, looking at them with an unbelieving face.

" You know, it's already past midnight..." he pointed out as he yawned.

" Were you awake this whole time?" Hermione asked.

" Yeah... I had to finish the same homework, but luckily, I finished it two hours before midnight..."

" Wow, the time does fly fast when you're concentrating," Ron stated.

" But you know, even with your deep concentration, you still didn't manage to finish the Defense Against The Dark Arts homework..." Hermione drawled.

Ron groaned, infuriated, but luckily, he didn't open his mouth to snap back.

" Harry, what did you do in the last two hours right after you were done?" Hermione then questioned.

Harry hesitated a little. Then he admitted:

" Well... I know it sounds stupid... but I kept rethinking what Malfoy told us earlier today..."

" You did?" Ron asked, and when Harry nodded, he laughed. " That's a complete waste of time, mate! I mean..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Harry cut him off.

" I know, usually he's just making us feel worried, but this time..." he stopped to think his words. " His face was deformed by anger, he was sneering... and when he was done, he had this triumphant look on his face..."

Hermione snorted. Doesn't he always...? She wondered. But right after she let that thought wander away, the image of a smirking Malfoy came to haunt her mind. But she still listened as Harry continued.

" And you saw what he did before we left, right Ron?" he then turned to his orange-haired friend.

" Nothing much, I forgot... why?" Ron questioned, still trying to hastily finish his essay.

" He and his Quidditch team then huddled up, as if they were making a plan..." Right after he finished that sentence, he scowled to himself and shook his head. " Maybe I'm just imagining it... because of the usual pressure before the final game..." He yawned. " I think I'll go to bed now: see you in the morning!"

Hermione watched as he climbed towards the boys' dormitory. Beside her, Ron yawned loudly, and it lasted a minute before he closed his mouth and finally declared:

" I'm going to bed too, okay Hermione? See you."

Right after, he followed Harry and soon disappeared. When she made sure both were utterly, she sighed and stood up from her chair. Time to go to bed like the rest of them... she thought. And I hope by tomorrow, Harry won't be so worried: I'm sure Malfoy isn't up to anything... I mean, it's too late, isn't it? The game's coming up in a few days! She wasn't worried at all when she finally reached the girls' dormitory, but she didn't know if it was the same with Harry...