Just a quick recap . . .

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Harry moved over to the bed that he assumed was Ginny's, and was startled to see a note lying on the pillow. He unfolded it and read:


Harry, as you've probably figured out by now, that note I sent you was a lie. I am writing this under wandpoint. I have been taken hostage, and if you ever want to see me again, you have to come to the lake at midnight. You can't tell anyone or he'll kill me--he'll know if you go to Dumbledore or any of the teachers. If you're not there at midnight, he'll come find you.
Ginny


Harry sank onto Ginny's bed in a sort of stupor, staring blindly at the note. Her handwriting was so shaky it was almost illegible. Oh, no, he groaned. What am I supposed to do? You can't tell anyone or he'll kill me.' He certainly wouldn't talk, with a threat like that. It would almost certainly be carried out.

He walked down into the common room in a daze, and sat in front of the fire, gaping at the note again. 'He'll know if you go to Dumbledore or any of the teachers.' What about Ron and Hermione? They certainly aren't teachers . . . and whoever this person is, he can't be omniscient. There's no way he'll know if I tell them. He heard the portrait swing open, and Ron's and Hermione's voices carried across the room. He would just have to take the chance. There was no way he could hide this from them.

Harry? What are you doing? Hermione asked in concern.

Where's Ginny? Ron demanded. Harry handed them the note, his hand shaking slightly. Hermione's mouth dropped open as she finished reading, and a second later, so did Ron's.

Oh no, oh no, Hermione whispered. Ron made a strangled sort of noise, and sat blindly on the couch next to Harry.

What are we going to do? Hermione said, her voice quavering.

I'm going, Harry said quietly. I have to.

You can't go by yourself, Ron said, finally breaking out of his trance. I'm going too.

And me, Hermione said, sounding quite determined.

You can't come, Harry said doggedly. He--whoever he is--he'll kill her.

Not if we take the Invisibility Cloak, Ron said firmly. I'm going with you, Harry.

We can't just sort of walk down there, Hermione told them. We need some sort of plan. Positions or something. Where are you supposed to meet him, Harry?

By the lake, he replied. There's a little stand of trees there where we used to go . . . I'm almost certain that's where he means.

Ron said. 'Mione, you can take the cloak and hide in the trees right near Harry. I'll wait a little farther off.

But they might see you, Ron, Hermione protested. Wouldn't it be easier if we were together?

Harry said, understanding Ron's reasoning. It's probably better to have you in different places, just in case something unexpected happens.

I . . . suppose you're right, Hermione said quietly. They were silent for a few minutes as a stream of people came into the common room, laughing and talking.

Ron said eventually. Do you know who this person is?

No idea, Harry replied. I've been trying to figure it out, but I just don't know.

A knowing sort of look came into Hermione's eyes. she said slowly. At any time at all this year, did you notice anything out of the ordinary happening?

Yeah, Colin hasn't been popping up in my face every ten seconds, Harry replied, attempting to lighten the situation.

He failed. The resulting look on Hermione's face rivaled one of Professor McGonagall's sternest.

Okay, sorry, Harry said quickly. Thinking . . . He ran through the year in his mind, trying to recall anything unusual. Hang on. He looked at Ron. Remember that day I beat you at chess?

Ron groaned. Hermione opened her mouth, looking impatient, but Harry cut her off.

You found me leaning against the wall near the trophy room, Harry said. I had overheard a strange conversation, and I was trying to figure out who it was talking.

Hermione asked.

They sounded like they were going to kill someone, Harry said slowly, willing the conversation to return to his memory.

Well, lets think, Ron said sarcastically. Who do we know who's evil and hates nearly everyone in the school?

Harry burst out. It was Malfoy I overheard, and someone else . . . either Crabbe or Goyle, I think . . .

Would he really do something like this? Hermione asked in a frightened tone. This isn't just some sort of silly prank. They could send him to Azkaban for this.

Ron began clapping.

I saw him creeping around in the hallways late one night, Harry said, ignoring Ron.

When was that? Hermione asked, trying to ignore Ron, who was now doing a sort of victory dance around the common room.

Harry said. I think it might have been . . . oh, that night you had that dream.

Hermione shuddered. That was horrible. I couldn't believe-- She stopped abruptly, her mouth open.

Harry said nervously. Are--are you all right?

That dream, she said slowly. Hang on a moment. And she dashed up the stairs to the girls' dormitories.

Ron called after her. Where're you going? He looked over at Harry, who shrugged. Hermione came running back down a few moments later, carrying a thin book in her hand.

My journal, she explained breathlessly, and sinking into her chair again, she began flipping through it.

You keep a journal? Ron asked. Can I read it?

she exclaimed, slamming it shut as he peered over her shoulder. It's private, Ron. She waited until he had sat on the couch again before reopening it. Here it is! They watched her reading down a page, and her face grew noticeably whiter.

Are you okay? Harry asked.

That dream, she said again. Harry, I dreamed about you fighting Malfoy down by the lake.

Ron's mouth dropped open.

And you couldn't see me, Hermione said frantically, looking down at her journal again. I'm going to be wearing the Cloak . . . and Ginny was there . . .

Maybe you should have kept Divination, Ron laughed. He affected a Professor Trelawney sort of voice: You seem to be quite gifted at predicting the future in your dreams, my child.

This isn't funny, Ron! Hermione's lower lip was trembling.

he apologized, looking worried. Hey, it'll be okay.

At least I won in the dream, Harry said, attempting to lighten the mood.

I know, Hermione said, still looking upset. But still, Harry . . . you have to be careful. It was only a dream.

I know, he said impatiently. I'm not going to get cocky just because I beat Malfoy dueling in a dream.

Whatever you say, Ron grinned.

Hermione looked as if she wanted to say something more, but a large group of first years burst into the common room at that time, and she kept silent.

We should spend the day looking over curses, she said, after they had finally dispersed.

Ron groaned. Wonderful. Studying on Christmas.

Oh, be quiet, Hermione told him. I'll go get my Encyclopedia of Hexes and bring it down to the library. Could you two go there first and look for Basic Hexes for the Busy and Vexed and A Guide to Dueling?

Isn't the library closed on Christmas? Ron said grumpily.

No, it isn't, Hermione snapped, hurrying away. Madame Pince understands that some people like to have a quiet place to work! Yes, Ron, even on Christmas!

How much do you want to bet that the some people' is Hermione? Ron muttered.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The library, of all places! Ron hissed in Harry's ear for the fourth time. It's Christmas!

Harry glanced over at Hermione, who was carefully examining the shelves of the Restricted Section. She'll hear you.

Hear what? Hermione asked coolly.

they called back in unison. Hermione gave a very un-Hermione-like snort, and flounced back to the table clutching a very large, old-looking book.

So why can you look in the Restricted Section without getting in trouble? Ron demanded, shoving Outwit Your Enemies aside.

I happen to be Head Girl, Hermione replied hotly. She placed the book on the table and sat down across from Harry. Have you been writing down new curses?

Harry nodded, and shoved a short list across at her. I've only been looking for ten minutes, he said defensively as she looked slightly displeased.

Well, make sure you write down the spell and the effects of it, as well as the incantation, Hermione reminded them, looking pointedly at Ron.

He threw up his hands in exasperation. Look, I'm sorry, okay?

Madame Pince hissed.

Sorry for what? Hermione demanded quietly.

For acting like a complete git, Ron muttered, opening A Guide to Dueling.

Apology accepted, Hermione said crisply. And I'm sorry for storming at you.

he replied, looking slightly mutinous.

Hermione gave a big sigh. And for making you be in the library on Christmas.

he repeated, cheering up slightly. Thanks for the . . . er, present, by the way.

Hermione turned pink. You're welcome.

What was it? Harry asked.

they said together.

Nothing at all, Hermione added quickly.

How kind of you, Harry laughed. Seriously, what was it?

A secret, Ron said firmly.

Harry said slowly, and looked down at his book again. His thoughts quickly turned to that night. Was it really Malfoy who he was up against? And would he be able to rescue Ginny?