The exams were easy. At least that's what Hemione thought.

'What? Are you crazy?' Ron said as they came out of their last exam 'They were the hardest ever!'

They wandered down to the lake and lay under a tall oak tree. White clouds rolled over the sky and it started to get cooler.

On sat up and stretched. 'Reckon we should go in for dinner.'

Harry and Hermione stood up and brush them selves down.

Ron was about to get up when he noticed some thing glinting in the grass. He picked it up.

'Hey Hermione! You necklace has come off. Chains snapped.'

'Oh no. Pass it here then.'

Ron stood up and chucked the necklace to her. As it turned out later, Ron's pants throw ended the mystery but for now, it was just a pants throw. He threw the necklace so hard that it went past Hermione and hit the tree instead.

'Ron!' Shouted Hermione as she bent down to pick up 'You're on the Quidditch team and you can't even throw a small neck - hang on, look at this.'

She picked up the necklace and showed it to them. The side of the heart had split open like a locket and inside was some small electronic looking device.

'What the - it looks like some sort of recorder.' Hermione said.

'Lets have a look.' And Harry took the necklace off her. 'Yes I think that's a microphone, there see?'

'A what?' asked Ron

'It records sound.'

'But why is that in my necklace. Ron you didn't send it me did you?'

'No I did not! Anyway, aren't you always saying that electric stuff doesn't work in Hogwarts?'

'Yes, so why - hang on.' she hit her forehead with her hand. 'No, he wouldn't. But, what if?'

'What if what?' asked Harry and Ron together.

'Don't you see? This necklace was given to me anonymously, it has a recording device hidden inside and it won't work in Hogwarts. Oh, come on. Think about it. When's the only time during the school year that we can leave school?'

'Holidays and Hogsmeade.' said Ron

'Exactly! But me and Harry didn't go home for the holidays this year, so the only time we'd be out of school together is in Hogsmeade.'

'Wait a minute,' said Ron 'What's with the 'me and Harry'? Why aren't I involved?'

'Because!' Hermione shouted. 'Listen, who's the person who's been asking all these questions about Harry? Who's the person who wanted Harry to go to Hogsmeade?

'Depardieu?' said Harry uncertainly.

'Yes! He sent me this necklace so he could find out something about you! Heaven knows why but that's what he wants. Remember, he said something about the next Hogsmeade trip and getting something? He wanted something about you!'

Harry nodded his head. It all made sense now. 'Come one,' he said 'Lets go and ask him.'

The three of them walked quickly up the hill.

'I told you!' shouted Ron 'I told you he was an evil git. But no, he gives you half a smile and you get all defensive.'

'This is not the time Ron.' Harry shouted back at him.

By the time they got to his office they were all panting heavily but they knocked then marched straight in without waiting.

Professor Depardieu was behind his desk marking the first year exams.

'Yes?' he said 'What can I do for you?'

Hermione threw the silver necklace onto the table. Depardieu stared at it and went a bit pale. Then he said 'What is it?'

'You know what it is,' Harry said bitterly. 'It's muggle technology and you were using it to spy on me. Why, what are you, a reporter?'

'Excuse me Mr Potter, I have no idea what you are talking about.'

'Sure you do,' said Ron 'You're the one who sent this to Hermione. Now tell us the truth or we're going to Dumbledore.'

He went even paler, 'I.I don't know anything!'

'Right!' They turned to leave but then Professor Depardieu stood up and 'Wait!'

They turned around again and closed the door.

'Ok,' he said 'I did send the necklace, and yes I was trying to spy on you.'

'Why?'

'I got paid to do it! Mr Fudge gave me the necklace. He said he wanted to see if you were safe. Wanted to know if you could be trusted.'

'Fudge! That explains it. You were talking to him that night I had detention weren't you? I knew I recognised the voice.'

'Yes, it was him.'

'And that's why you wanted me in Hogsmeade isn't it? So you could over hear me?'

'Yes. But now can I ask you a question? At Hogsmeade in March, I could hear you talking to Hermione but you weren't there. I looked but you weren't.'

'I had my invisibility cloak on. I knew you were up to something!'

'Yes, sorry. Fudge will kill me. Well since you know now, would you mind telling me about yourself?'

'No!'

'Didn't think so.' He looked at Hermione who was standing in the corner with her eyes on the floor.

'I'm so sorry Hermione. But the other stuff, that was real.'

'What other stuff?' shouted Ron. He looked at the Professor and then at Hermione.

'Could you both give me and Hermione a minute please?' Depardieu asked.

Ron looked like he was about to blow but Harry nodded and pushed Ron out the room. Hermione didn't move.

'I'm really sorry you know. I didn't want it to have to be you. But after I sent the necklace I figured it would be ok to send the other things.'

Hermione felt a little sick. Her stomach seemed to tighten and she thought she would cry.

'Believe me I tried. Do you think I was looking for this? I can't help the way I feel about you. Can you forgive me?'

She didn't trust herself to talk, she could even breathe right now.

'No, well. I didn't suppose you'd feel the same way.'

Suddenly, Hermione took a deep breath and started to cry.

'Hey, hey I'm sorry.' Depardieu said softly. He walked over to her and she flung her arms around him. Depardieu stroked her hair gently and she continued to cry.

'Please don't cry' he said.

'Why did you - send me that stuff?' she asked in-between sobs.

'Because I love you.'

She stopped crying and hugged him tighter. 'I think I love you too.'

He pushed her away slightly and she looked her in the eye. Hermione brushed her tears away then they kissed.

Ron was getting impatient out side.

'Let's go in I don't trust him.'

'No, just leave them. Ron what are you doing?'

Ron was bent over trying to peeps through the keyhole.

'Bloody hell they're kissing!' He was about to walk in but Harry grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

'Leave it Ron! Are you sure they were kissing?'

Ron nodded

They stopped kissing and Hermione hugged him again.

'You do realise that I can't keep working here anymore don't you?' Depardieu said.

'Yeah. So what will you do?'

'I think I'll have to go back to France.'

Hermione pulled away 'Why?'

'There aren't any jobs for me here. I've looked everywhere and, if I could stay I would.'

Hermione gave a week smile 'I understand.' She left the room and leant against the door when she closed it.

'Are you ok?' Harry asked.

'Yeah.' She burst into tears again Harry took her in his arms.

'It's going to be ok. Come on, lets get you to the common room.'

Ron walked ahead of them opening all the doors and when they finally got her back to the tower she went to her room and drew the curtains around her bed. She didn't even go down for dinner. Then, later that night she took out her diary and began to write.

July 3rd - Worst Day of My Life

It was Professor Depardieu all along. He used me to get to Harry, and I still love him. I've never felt this mixed up before. I love him but I hate
him. It's probably best that he leaves. Not long until school finishes anyway now. It's strange, I've spent the whole year trying to make Harry
see that life still goes on but right now I can't see it at all. But I have to put this behind me. I'm not going to let it effect me. It's
just life.

The next day dozens of rumours had spread about why Professor Depardieu was leaving. Thankfully, none of them were true. Some students gathered in the hall to see him off. Hermione and Harry stood in the doorway watching him. He looked at them both for one last time and then walked out the door.

'You seen Shamus?' Dean asked as he walked past.

'No.' said Harry.

'Darn. He owes me six sickles now. We had a bet on the new teacher would only last a year. Position must be cursed!'

Dean walked away leaving Harry and Hermione on their own. Harry kissed her on the forehead and said 'You're going to be ok now. And me too.'