(A/N: Hey guys! Welcome to chapter two. Lol. I hope you're ready for lots more people.Please enjoy and review!)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any characters, settings, names, or anything else to do with Harry Potter in this story; J.K. Rowling does. I also do not own any song lyrics used in this fanfic, Evanescence does. Thanks.

***

*~Choices of Those In Darkness~*

~Deadly News~

The Hogwarts great hall was filled with the chatter of students. Breakfast was just coming to a close, as Harry, Ron and Hermione went over their morning timetables.

"Hermione, can you PLEASE check over my potions homework?" Ron whined.

"No," she replied bluntly. "I have to go to class. I forgot to get my books, so I'll see you both there."

Harry and Ron watched her leave. "What's up with her?" Ron asked.

"I don't know," Harry shrugged. "Got up on the wrong side of the bed? She's been a little grouchy all week. I'll talk to her in potions."

Ron nodded. Damn, he swore in his head. I really don't want to get on Hermione's bad side this week. The Halloween dance was coming up soon. Potions class didn't look to be fun; with Harry talking to Hermione. Since she and Harry had both become prefects this year, the two had been doing a lot of "talking". Ron couldn't help but feel a little jealous of Harry.

Ron's crush on Hermione had been growing steadily stronger since third year. Victor Krum had been long gone since that summer, but Ron had a feeling that Harry, too, felt a little more than friendship for Hermione.

Ron snapped out his thoughts as Harry tugged his arm.

"Come on, Ron, we don't want to be late for Potions."

The two headed out of the hall and off to spend an hour with Professor Snape.

***

Draco sat in Potions, not bothering to listen to Snape. Hell, he'd be top of the class no matter what he did. But that wasn't the reason he was not paying attention. He was too busy listening to the interesting conversation unfolding between Harry, Ron and Hermione.

".don't know what you're talking about, Harry!" Hermione told her friend as they tried to make a Rhumbus potion. Something to do with making the drinker symmetrical.

"Well, Ron and I both noticed you've been acting a little weird lately, and I just wondered if there was anything you needed to tell me," Harry said, trying to sooth her nerves and convince her to tell him what was wrong at the same time.

"Ron?!?! He's in on this too?!?! What the hell is up with you, why don't you two just stay out of my life!" Hermione shouted at Harry, then stormed out of the classroom, shocking the entire class into silence.

"Nice job, Harry," Ron whispered to him, before Snape began to lecture the students on proper classroom behavior.

Draco just looked on, amused by Hermione's antics. I'll have to check this one out, he thought. This could turn into an opportunity to get at Potter.

***

It was nearing the end of the day, and the warm, blue-sky weather turned windy. Raine sat in Defence Against the Dark Arts class, gazing out the window. She was anxious to get to after-school Quidditch practice.

"Miss Laurenson?" Professor Lupin asked, waking Raine from her daydream. "Could you please answer my question?"

"I'm sorry, Professor, I wasn't paying attention," she replied apologetically.

"Please do. Now if you could all open your books to page 11?" Lupin continued to teach, and it seemed like forever before the bell rang.

"Meet you outside?" Cho Chang called out to her best friend.

"Yep," Raine answered her fellow teammate. With that, she took her books upstairs to her dormitory. Grabbing her all-new Stardust broomstick, Raine headed out to the Quidditch pitch.

***

"Listen up, team," ordered Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain Dave McPherson. "Now you all know that this year Madam Hooch will be watching our every game and practice. This is because of the new security measures Hogwarts has taken."

"I heard someone say that's why Professor Lupin is back, is it true?" interrupted Hannah Smith, a blonde second year.

"I don't know, Hannah," Dave answered, annoyed. "Now back to Quidditch. This means that we have to be even more careful about our tactics of play. I don't want anyone discussing them off the field, is that clear?"

"Yes, Captain," the team replied unanimously.

"Let's begin practice."

The team took their places and began to rehearse their game. Raine played hard, passing, throwing, and catching the Quaffle. They were all just getting into the mood, when Madam Hooch blew her whistle.

Raine looked down to the grass, where she spotted Professor Sprout.

"Get down here," Madam Hooch called to the team. They all flew down and landed, holding their broomsticks.

"What's going on?" Cho asked. "We're in the middle of practice!"

"That's too bad, dear," Professor Sprout told her. "Dumbledore has an announcement to make in the Great Hall, and he wants all students and staff present. Come along now, inside with you!"

The team groaned, and headed into the castle.

***

"Students, teachers, and ghosts," Dumbledore addressed the hall, his face serious. "I have news for you all. If you could all please remain calm and quiet. There has been various reports, just confirmed, that Voldemort has somehow returned to power."

There was an outburst of gasps and whispers.

"Silence!" Dumbledore ordered. "We are safe for the time being. Voldemort has gathered his Death Eaters to him, but there are many that can fight against them. I do not want you to worry; Hogwarts will be taking even more safety precautions. For now, all you students have add to your timetables is an evening class. Dueling classes will held from seven to nine o'clock after dinner. Professor Lupin will tell you more about that."

The students all watched as Dumbledore sat down. Many were frightened; other's not surprised. Draco was not surprised.

Raine had also seen it coming. She practically lived with Death Eaters anyway; at least during the summer. Her father was back to power. This did not scare her, for he would never hurt her. But she was afraid that the Ministry would put her back in Azkaban. The best thing to do, she thought, would be to lie low and not say anything.

"Quiet, please," Lupin called over the sound of voices. He spoke into the magical megaphone, as the students stopped talking. "I would you all to listen to the timetables for Dueling class. First and second years will get one class a week on Monday nights. Third and fourth years will get classes on Wednesdays and Fridays. Fifth and sixth years; Tuesdays, Thursdays, and optional tournaments on Saturday. Seventh years will attend classes all day Sunday, then every day at four o'clock during the week. They may also participate in tournaments on Saturday. I hope to see everyone there."

The Hall again erupted with noise again.

"Dueling club?!" Ron exclaimed.

"Yeah, you heard," Hermione snapped at him, gesturing towards Harry with her eyes.

Ron followed her glance and understood. Harry looked deathly pale, suddenly got up to leave.

"Harry, wait up!" Ron called, and got up to follow him.

Hermione grabbed his sleeve. "Ron, don't. I think Harry needs some time to himself right now."

"You're probably right, as usual," Ron replied, sounding a little distracted. He was getting what felt like electric shocks up his arm from where Hermione held his sleeve. Curse this damned crush, he told himself.

Letting go of Ron, Hermione departed the Hall, headed to the library, and left Ron to contemplate his feelings.

***
(A/N: That was chapter two! I know it doesn't have a lot of romance in it yet. I'm working on that, gimme another chapter please! Sorry that one didn't have a lot of Draco/Raine in it. next chapter, I promise! Please tell me what you thought, and plot suggestions are welcome! Please NOTIFY ME OF ANY SPELLING/GRAMMATICAL ERRORS YOU FIND. REVIEW!!! Lol. Thanks. )

~flutterby