Chapter 6

It was late, she shouldn't be out, but Hermione was too excited. If Filch caught her, she'd be in trouble for sure, but she was about to solve the mystery. For the past few days she'd been studying Greenland's Journal, as she'd dubbed it, for clues to its purpose. Picking a map that had the House of Tomes in it, she'd begun hunting for clues as to the exact location it represented. There was no compass on the map to tell North or South on, so she needed to orientate herself so that it made sense.

Standing outside the library doors, she counted fourteen paces from it heading left. She stopped, listened for anyone approaching then took another seven. Carefully lowering her lantern to get a better look at the journal, she read the directions again. Turning so that she was facing the opposite wall she stared at a solid wall. According to the map there should be a door to another passage there. Frowning, she reread the directions.

"Rap thrice with your stave and announce your presence to the spirits with an Entendre," she muttered. "Couldn't they use Modern English?" Closing the journal, she tucked it under the arm holding the lantern and pulled her wand from her sweatshirt pocket with her free hand. Slipping up to the wall, she held her wand firmly and tapped it three times on the wall and quietly said Entendre. She doubted she got the accent right, but it didn't seem to matter.

Abruptly, the wall in front of her pulled away as if someone had pushed aside heavy curtains. Squeaking in surprise, she gazed at the gap it created. The lantern light barely touched the darkness, but she wasn't afraid. Hermione realized what she had in her possession. This journal contained maps to the secret passages of Hogwarts.

This could be dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands,she thought. I should put it back where I found it or turn it into Professor McGonagall. Reason told her that was the wisest choice, but one crazy part of her wanted to hang on to it. It didn't hurt to look at a few passages. They could come in handy one day. Besides, she was sure the twins had found most of the passages by this point anyway. What was the harm in keeping the journal a little longer and exploring herself? She wouldn't go far and she had a map on how to get out if she got stuck.

Decision made, she stepped under the shuffled stones and into the passage.

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"Hermione, I was thinking," Harry began as they left Potions class one day a week later.

"Yes?" She replied, adjusting her arms so her books wouldn't slide out.

"Well, maybe we could join Ron, Natalie and Neville for a study group. There's no sense in you and I studying in one place and they in another. Since we're all having troubles..."

"I'm NOT having troubles in Potions." Hermione spat.

"No, I meant since some of us are having troubles in Potions, that perhaps joining together might be better." Harry glanced behind him at Ron.

Seething silently, Hermione pretended to consider the idea.

She didn't want to be around Natalie DeWinter any more than she had to. She drapes herself all over Ron. Honestly, she has little idea of proprietary left. She's the new star student in Potions class and now History class! Boiling inside, Hermione hoped her anger wasn't showing through her stern facade. Who does she think she is coming into Hogwarts and taking over? She continued her mental rant, as the boys waited for an answer. For pity's sake, her entrance was slugging Draco Malfoy! The boys think she's wonderful, the girls think she's daring, but she's a nuisance.



 "That's a fine idea." Hermione said slowly, evenly, trying to hold back her temper. "But Harry needs one on one tutoring or he'll never pass. You do want to pass, right Harry?"

Harry nodded, although he didn't agree with the "one on one" bit.

"But it's still a good idea to get together at least once a week to have a quick look at everyone's work. We could share our thoughts on different Potions," Ron suggested, looking hopeful.

"I'll think about it," she replied curtly as they separated.

Leaving them to enjoy lunch, she headed towards one of the less popular areas of the school. She had just enough time to check out "Wulver's Burrow" before her next class. Pulling Greenlands' Journal to out, she rested it on top of the stack she was carrying.