A/N: Sorry for the semi-long wait. Chapter three introduces some new characters with which I'm sure you'll get confused. Fear not, cuz everything should fall into place in the next chapter. By the way, I just wanted to explain my strange title for this story. You see, black roses signify pain... which Harry experiences a lot of, and white magic signifies healing which Harry also experiences a lot of. Usually, healing comes after a person experiences pain, and that's what Harry's doing right now (because Sirius died, which was the pain part). Just thought I would explain it, because I know it doesn't make any sense at first glance. I apologize for the babbling, so I'll get on with the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, though I really wish I did... but I don't! And I'm not making any money off of writing fanfiction, it's just for pure entertainment (of the readers, you, and the writer, me).

Chapter Three: The Chaos Ensues

"The Wizengamot has overthrown Fudge for lack of cooperation with Dumbledore and the Order. The Wizarding World is currently without a Minister of Magic," Harry explained.

"How long was I out for?" Hermione asked.

"What?" Harry said, completely being caught off guard. "About half a day."

"Oh my," Hermione mumbled. "When are they getting a new minister?"

Harry stopped his pacing a moment, then continued. "As soon as they find a candidate," he said.

"Oh, dear God," said Hermione. "Who knows when that will be!"

"There's more," said Harry. "Lestrange and Malfoy Sr. were spotted outside of Knockturn Alley this morning."

Hermione's face paled. "Well, aren't they smart?" she said sarcastically.

"The question is why would they go out into a crowded street when the only thing everyone is talking about is their escape?"

"Not everyone. Harry, the overthrow of the Minister is of more concern to the Wizarding World than Voldemort's Death Eaters whom they haven't been able to stop in more than fifteen years!"

"Then the pressing matter is how did they get out?" asked Harry.

"I know how," said a deeper voice from the door.

Bill Weasley stood in the doorframe with his arms crossed. He stepped forward into the room.

"They bribed the Dementors," he said.

"What? That's absurd!" Harry exclaimed.

"Not completely. If you remember what Dumbledore said about the Dementors in fourth year. He said that Voldemort could offer them so many more souls than the Ministry ever could. You see, the Ministry doesn't perform the Kiss unless the circumstances are to the point of emergency. Voldemort doesn't care. He would give the Dementors the souls and happiness of the Death Eaters if he had to, in order to get what he wanted from them," Hermione explained.

"You're right, of course," Harry admitted. "Now what?"

"Now, we get you to Hogwarts," said Bill.

"What?" Hermione said. "Why?"

"Everyone thinks that you three, Ron included, among others will be safer at Hogwarts. If you've got a complaint take it to McGonagall. But... I wouldn't exactly advise you to do that either," said Bill.

"Okay... so when are we leaving?" asked Hermione. She stood up shakily, and almost fell down but Harry caught her and put an arm around her shoulder.

"Now," Bill answered succinctly.

"Now!?" Harry exclaimed. He just about lost his balance, but kept steady and latched onto Hermione.

"Get ready soon as you can," Bill replied. He gave them a nod, and was gone before Harry even saw him disappear.

Hermione and Harry rushed downstairs quick as their feet would take them and landed in a heap on the floor in the living room.

"Dammit," Harry muttered.

"Harry, get off me!" shrieked Hermione.

Harry rubbed the back of his neck and looked down at where he'd landed. A small blush appeared on his face, so he stood up and turned away.

"Harry, Hermione are you packed yet?"

Harry answered for the both of them with a grumbled, "No."

"Well, go on get ready!"

Remus Lupin walked into the living room where Harry and Hermione were standing around, very confused as to everything that was going on.

"Come on now, we haven't got the time for you two to doddle!" Lupin said. He clapped his hands together in a gesture that clearly meant 'Hurry or you'll be left behind!'

"Good God, will someone please explain to me what the hell is going on?" Hermione exclaimed.

"Let's go pack, Hermione," Harry replied bluntly.

With an exasperated sigh, Hermione agreed and the two stole their way upstairs.

Within fifteen minutes, everyone was ready to leave, including Ron, Luna, and Ginny.

"Is anyone else going to be there?" Harry asked.

"Neville Longbottom, Draco Malfoy, and Blaise Zabini, as well as Lisa Turpin," Lupin answered.

"DRACO MALFOY!?" Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny cried out at once. Luna turned to the four of them with a blank expression masking her ever-dazed face.

"Who?" she asked.

Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny rounded on her, each one saying different rude comments such as "You've never heard of the bastard?" and "Luna? Are you feeling alright? You have no idea who the biggest—"

"Stop right there, Ginny," Lupin interjected.

"What?" Ginny huffed. "I was just going to say 'jerk'."

Lupin gave her a look that said, 'Sure you were; that means I'm the Queen of England, right?'

"REMUS! REEEEMMMMUUUSSS! DON'T LEAVE!" Tonks scrambled into the living room, knocking over a coat rack in the process, her appearance that of a Muggle police officer.

Lupin crossed his arms over his chest, and tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for Tonks to catch her breath.

"Alright... woo... okay, um, we need to take—" she began. A boy stepped into the room. The boy was tall, with slightly blonde, brown hair and a tired appearance which contrasted with the bright gleam of his gray eyes. He looked sixteen or seventeen years-of-age or so. "Him with us," Tonks finished.

The boy did not smile, nor did he make any indication of saying hello. He stood by Tonks's side, quieter than a doorknob.

"Gunner Benson," Tonks said when Benson stayed silent. "Meet Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, and Luna Lovegood. Harry, Gunner will be helping you in your Dueling Master duties."

Harry smiled kindly at Benson, but Gunner's face remained impassive.

"May we go now, Tonks?" Lupin asked, drawing himself back into the conversation. "Is he staying with the Gryffindors?" Lupin pointed at Benson.

Tonks nodded enthusiastically. "He's a new student."

Hermione moved closer to Harry, and as inconspicuously as she could, grabbed his hand, when Gunner began to look her over.

"Alright, no Portkeys this time," Lupin explained. "We'll be traveling the Muggle way. In your language that means we're going to cram into a car and speed off to Hogwarts."

The teenagers, Lupin, and Tonks grabbed their bags, and in one big line, marched out the door.

"Harry," Lupin said. Harry stopped, then looked over at Lupin. "Besides his house, Sirius left you one more thing."

Harry gave him a shrug with a puzzled look on his face. "What's that?" he asked.

Lupin tossed Harry a set of keys. "Turn around and you'll see."

Harry obeyed and the sight before him almost blew him over. Had it not been for Hermione standing next to him, Harry would've fallen over in shock. Sirius's pride and joy; his most prized possession; his motorcycle stood in the light of the sun gleaming and glittering. Though having not remembered ever seeing it before, Harry knew how important this one thing had been to Sirius.

"Can I... Can I drive it there?" Harry said quietly, afraid that speaking too loud would make the bike disappear with a 'poof' never to be seen again.

"It's soul purpose was to be given to you to do with it what you wished," Lupin replied.

"Come on, Herms. Hop on! I've got a machine and I'm not afraid to use it!" Harry announced.

"The bike is charmed, so you don't need to worry about figuring out how to drive it. It will drive by itself," explained Lupin, to which Harry nodded.

Harry held out his hand to Hermione, who took it gratefully, and lifted her up onto the bike. He slung a leg over, got comfortable, stuck the key in the ignition and the bike roared to life. Hermione's arms wrapped tightly around his waist tensely, as if she feared riding this (to Harry) magnificent machine. She laid her head on his back.

"You scared?" he asked.

He felt her nod. "Terrified," she answered.

"Don't be."

"Alright."

It took the party almost four hours to reach Hogwarts, in which they had four rest stops ("I have to use the toilet!" and "Stop, or you'll see a side of me that will scare you!") and also a lunch break.

They had reached the castle by dark, and were in the Entrance Hall by nine o'clock.

"Miss Anderson! Come back! You need to take your medication!"

"I don vant to take my medicason."

"I will not have it! If I am pushed to it, I will bind you with ropes and drag you back here!"

"Leave me elone you crasy woman! I don't vant to take my meds!"

Some sort of something crashed into Gunner. The "something" fell backward and landed on its rear.

Gunner didn't bother to help the person up, but Harry and Ron rushed over. Harry realized it was a young lady. She had waist-length black hair that sported red streaks, the strangest crimson eyes Harry'd ever seen, and a twisted smile.

"I'm uh... very sorry. I must leave," she said quickly.

"There you are." Madame Pomfrey came rushing over to the group of teenagers, Lupin, and Tonks. "It won't sting a bit."

"Yes... yes it vill!"

This girl had a very Transylvanian accent... almost... almost... nah. Harry shook his head to clear his thoughts. She couldn't be.

Madame Pomfrey pulled out a syringe, took the girl by the arm and gently sunk the needle into her skin.

"Ahhh!"

"Oh, hush now, Felice. You didn't even feel anything!" Madame Pomfrey argued.

"It berns! It's berning! Le guérisseur fichu de sorcière! Je déteste les sorcières!" Felice screamed out.

"Je déteste les vampires. Nous sommes des égaux. Now stop that wretched screeching!" Madame Pomfrey exclaimed.

"What the hell did they just say?" Harry whispered to Hermione.

"Felice said, 'That rotten healer of a witch! I hate the witches!' and Madame Pomfrey said 'I hate the vampires. We are equal.' You should really learn French, Harry. It comes in handy when you least expect it."

"Vampire?" Harry muttered.

"Stop your stupid bickering! Is the vampire safe now? What does the medication do?" Gunner asked Madame Pomfrey in a low, hoarse voice.

All eyes landed on Gunner. He hadn't uttered a word the whole day, and now he was asking about vampires and medicine?

"She was just bitten two months ago. Her transformations are involuntary and this potion stops the transformations from occurring for a week. She gets an injection of it every month," Pomfrey explained.

"That's a bit daft. Why not give her the potion every week?" Benson asked.

"Because, her body cannot handle any more of this potion than we are giving her right now," Pomfrey replied firmly.

"Ever tried anything else?" Benson asked.

"Yes, of course we have. Nothing else seems to work quite as well as this," Pomfrey said.

"So, you're telling me that three weeks out of four this girl could turn into a vampira at any minute?" Gunner questioned.

Madame Pomfrey nodded solemnly.

"I'm still standing here, you know. I vill be able to control my transformations soon," Felice promised.

"A week?" Benson inquired.

Felice shook her head sadly. "Not that quickly. Maybe a month; it could be more or less," she replied.

Harry looked between the two then asked, "Are you a new student?"

Felice nodded brightly. "Newest addison to Gryffendor House," she answered in her accent.

"Are you Transylvanian?" Ginny asked.

"Nope, the accent comes vith the territory of being a vampire, vampira, vatever you vant to call it," Felice said.

"Harry, why don't you and the others get settled in? Take Felice with you if you like," Lupin suggested.

"Sure. Felice, you want to come?" Harry asked.

Felice nodded in reply. The group lifted up their bags and took to the stairs.

It seemed that Neville was already settled in. The fire in the Gryffindor Common Room was already burning and books and papers were spread out across one of the tables.

Instead of walking upstairs to unpack, Harry put his things behind the couch and dropped down on the sofa, pulling Hermione with him. She landed, laying flat on top of him and blushed five shades of red all in the span of two seconds.

Now lost to the people around them, Hermione leaned downward and kissed Harry square on the lips. Somewhere in the background, Harry heard Felice say something along the lines of, "So I'm guessing these two are, how you say, an item?"

Hermione broke the kiss and laid her head on top of Harry's chest. "Harry, how are we going to fare this year?"

"We'll get through it just like last year, and every year before that. You scared?" Harry asked, stroking her soft brown hair.

"Terrified."

"Don't be."

"Alright."

Hermione lifted her head to kiss him once more.

Neville came bumbling down the stairs just then. "Trevor! No, Trevor come back here! Grams will kill me if I loose you!" he yelled after his hopping toad.

"Hey there, Longbottom," Harry said.

Neville stopped and looked around. There were about six other people standing in various places in the Gryffindor Common Room.

"You guys made it!" Neville bubbled. "I didn't think you would agree to come, knowing how you are."

"We didn't have much choice," Hermione mumbled. She stood up off Harry, fixed her hair, grabbed her bags and rushed upstairs.

"Um are you—" Neville began.

Three different "yeses" came from Ron, Ginny, and Harry.

"So you and Hermione—"

"Yes," they said in unison again.

"Wow." Neville stepped out of his shocked state. "Hey, um, could you help me find Trevor? It seems he's run off again."

"Sure," Harry answered. He, Ron, and Ginny took to the floors to look for Neville's lost toad.

It took them about twenty-minutes to finally hear croaking and another twenty-minutes to find the blasted toad itself.

"Thanks," Neville said, picking Trevor up. He stuffed the amphibian into his pocket.

"Ewww, Neville that's absolutely horrid!" Ginny cried.

Neville's cheeks tinted. "I would never be able to find him if I didn't have him in my pocket."

With that, Ginny as well made her departure, taking Felice with her.

"It's been fun— this reunion— but now I'm leaving," said Gunner. He was out the portrait before Harry had a chance to stop him.

"So, when'd you get here, Nev?" asked Ron.

"Oh, this morning," Neville answered. He paused for a moment, then said, "Who were those people? I ran into that girl earlier."

"Felice Anderson and Gunner Benson. New students," Harry replied. He felt that Felice being a vampire should be kept a secret until she gave him permission to tell people.

"Well, I'm officially bored," Ron said. "I'm off to find Luna. I suggest you go and get Hermione as well, Harry. Might do the both of you some good to spend some time together."

Harry nodded. "Right. Um, and Ron, while we're here before school starts, try and stay on Malfoy's good side," Harry warned.

"Right, right." Ron waved Harry off and he too was out the door before Harry could answer.

"I'll see you later, Nev," said Harry. He stepped up to the girl's staircase (being careful not to step on it) and yelled up, "Hermione! Come down for a second, would you?"

He waited a moment, before he heard Hermione storming down the stairs. When she finally came into view point, Harry's breath caught somewhere in his throat. She was sporting a towel... and nothing else.

"U-Ummm, er... I-I was—"

"Harry, stop. Hold on," Hermione said. She brought up her wand and muttered an incoherent spell. Her towel was replaced by a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. "That better?"

Harry nodded vehemently. "Much," he replied, though he knew he would never forget what he'd just seen. "Walk with me?"

"Harry, it's dark out. We can't possibly take a walk."

"Who said anything about outside?" Harry questioned.

"In that case," said Hermione coyly, "let's go." She took a hold of Harry's arm and they strolled out the portrait hole.

"Felice seems nice," Hermione said. Harry nodded.

"Yeah, but Gunner's a bit strange," he said. "It almost seems like he's hiding something."

"I wonder what he could be hiding?" Hermione mused.

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe he'll tell us."

They turned a corner, and who should they find, but Draco Malfoy himself. He wasn't alone. In fact, he was the farthest thing from it. Draco Malfoy was necking a short girl who had brown hair.

Harry cleared his throat, causing Malfoy to stop his... activities and whirl around to face Hermione and Harry. He smirked at them, then turned back to the girl and resumed his snogging.

Harry and Hermione made their exit as quick as they could. Once safely around the corner, Hermione let out a squeal, "Ewww, that was sickening! Malfoy? Yuck!"

"Who was that girl anyway?" Harry asked.

"Lisa Turpin; a Ravenclaw. I was paired with her once in Charms," Hermione answered.

"Oh," Harry muttered. After a short recovery, they resumed walking.

"You know, Pansy' s going to be furious about this!" Hermione mused.

"Yep, talk about cat fights," Harry replied.

Hermione giggled quietly. She stopped abruptly, causing Harry to stop with her as well, and turned to face him.

"Let's go back," she said in a sort-of nervous-calm voice.

"Alright. What's wrong?" Harry asked.

"Nothing, let's just... let's go back."

Harry looked at her curiously, but he shrugged and turned around. "Okay, your wish is my command."

Hermione giggled, and took the arm that he held out for her. She leaned into him as they walked.

Two voices echoed across the hallway. Both of which, Harry and Hermione recognized.

"Felice, I can't believe you got bitten! I leave you alone for two months with Drake and you get bitten by a vampire? You're so stubborn, I don't even know why the hell I bother with you!" Gunner fumed. "You know how Drake is! You know what his friends are like. So, did you think that if I left you with him for two months you could get on his good side? Felice, I told you not to mess with him. He might be my brother, but he's dangerous in his own way."

"He forced me into it, Gunner. I could not help it! It vas like he had me under a cerse!" Felice countered.

"That's pronounced 'curse'." Gunner put his head into his hands. "How do we explain everything to Potter and the others? Huh? How? Tell me, Felice. How do we tell them?"

"Simple, Gunner. Ve don't," Felice answered.

Harry stepped cautiously around the corner. Felice was standing against the wall, with her arms crossed over her chest and Gunner was standing in front of her looking quite angry.

Felice noticed the two, Hermione who had stepped behind Harry and was looking over his shoulder (with difficulty, since she was standing on tip-toe) and Harry who had a questioning look on his face.

"Hello, Harry, Hairm-i-on-e," Felice said.

Gunner stared unmoving at Hermione, who again, hid behind Harry.

"Would you mind not staring at my girlfriend?" Harry asked him.

Gunner shrugged and said, "She's a beautiful woman. A lot of guys do it, so what? If you're there with her, no one will bother approaching."

"It makes me feel uncomfortable, so could you stop?" Hermione asked.

"Don't worry, it's not like I'll do anything to you," Gunner said cooly. "I've got a girlfriend."

"Oh, is that right? Yet, you stare at other guys' girlfriends?" Harry asked in just as cool a voice.

"I don't care, and neither should you," Felice said.

Harry turned to her. "You're his girlfriend?"

"What's so wrong with that?"

"Nothing... just came as a shock. I didn't know you two knew each other," Harry said, his cool act dropping to a minimum.

"She's my betrothed," Gunner muttered. He turned away from the other three.

Felice rolled her eyes. "You make it sound like such a big deal. But it's not."

"It is a big deal, Felice! You're my betrothed... get that through your head. We're going to get married whether we like it or not!"

"Betrothed?" Harry said.

"Yes... we both come from... distinguished families... it's a long story. I'd like to tell you, but I can't," said Gunner. He turned and stalked down the hallway. Felice followed after him a moment later.

Harry and Hermione could hear them arguing as they trudged down the hallway.

"Two months, Felice!"

"I told you, Gunner! I svear he put a cerse on me!"

"That's pronounced 'curse'!"

"Do you still want to head to the Common Room?" Harry asked.

Hermione nodded. "Yeah... there's something I want to do."

So, they headed back to Gryffindor Tower.

When they arrived, they found that Ginny was talking with Neville on the couch. Felice and Gunner were sitting by a window on a window seat. Ron and Luna were nowhere to be found.

Hermione glanced at Harry, then made for the Boys' Dormitory steps. Harry stopped her for a minute, with a blank look on his face.

"Just follow me," she answered.

They reached the Sixth Year Boys' Dorm and Hermione lead them inside, closing the door after her.

"Hermione what—"

"I'm going to spend the night in here," she answered.

Harry looked dumbfounded. "You—what?"

"Go get ready for bed, Harry."

Harry shrugged at her as though nonchalantly, though his bright red face told Hermione otherwise.

He came back fifteen minutes later, clad in flannel, plaid pants and a white t-shirt. Hermione was sitting on the edge of his bed, wearing long-sleeve plaid pajamas.

Harry sat down next to her, and neither said anything for a moment, until Harry couldn't take the silence anymore.

"Look, Hermione—"

Hermione shook her head. "Just let me do this, okay? Please?"

"Hermione, it's fine with me. But is this what you really want to do?"

"Yes."

Harry nodded. He pulled up the covers and slid over to let Hermione slip under them. The two ended up on either end of the queen-sized bed, backs to each other. Simultaneously, they closed the hangings around Harry's bed on each side.

"Goodnight," Harry whispered.

"Yeah..." Hermione turned around and scooted over, resting her head on his chest. She lifted her head, kissed him, then fell asleep with her head on his shoulder and an arm resting across his mid-section.

"Expecto Patronum! Expecto Patronum! Work, Goddamn it!" Her aquamarine eyes widened abruptly turning a shady navy-blue. A blue fire burned within them never seen before in such beautiful orbs. "You killed them, and now you'll pay!"

Voldemort let out a harsh cackle. "I will, will I?" he said. The Death Eaters joined in the laughing, before Voldemort held up a hand and the fake-chuckling ceased. "I don't think so, Miss Summers... I don't think so."

"Try me..." she said, and held her wand at ready. The Dementors neared her, their breathing ragged and raspy. She closed her eyes, concentrating on the first time she'd went on vacation with her parents... the first time they hadn't argued at all... "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" A stallion leaped out of her wand, galloping toward the Dementors, who floated away.

"Maxum Expelliarmus!" The wands which resided in the Death Eaters' hands were shot to the ground behind her. "Reducio!" The Death Eaters shrunk in size until they were but a foot tall each.

"That was good, Melanie, dear, but not good enough!" Voldemort hissed. "Avada Kedavra!"

Melanie jumped quickly out of the way, causing her to land sharply on her right arm, which, with a crack, was official broken. She looked at her bleeding knee which had a deep cut from where a rock had cut into her leg.

"You'll have to cast faster than that, Riddle!" Melanie shouted. She quickly created a Portkey from her scarf and immediately felt a pull at her navel.

"Agh!"

Harry sat up, which caused Hermione to be pushed off him.

"Harry...? What— What is... it?" Hermione mumbled.

She sat up, trying desperately to find her wand. "Lumos."

Harry had his head in his hands and was sweating profusely. "I have to go... I have to go..." he muttered.

He got out of bed in a rush, leaving Hermione sitting there shocked.

"Where the hell are you going?" she hissed. "It's probably two o'clock in the morning."

"Trust me, I know what I'm doing, Hermione!" he snapped.

"I'm coming with you then," Hermione said. Harry shrugged.

"Yeah, sure. I might need your help anyway."

Harry dug through his trunk in search of a couple of items.

"Your Invisibility Cloak is under your spell books and the map is folded inside the cloak," Hermione explained.

Harry looked up at her with a curious expression on his face.

Hermione grinned. "I packed your trunk for you, remember?" she said.

"Thanks," Harry replied, smiling back.

He stood back up, and after quickly giving her a peck on the cheek, he put the cloak over the two of them.

"Do you realize..." Hermione said, "that we wouldn't get in trouble even if someone found us?"

"Do you realize..." Harry added, "that we were the only ones in the dorm?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "You're a strange one, Potter."

"Not stranger than you, Granger."

They walked through the portrait hole in silence. Harry's thoughts roamed to the girl from his dream. If his instincts served him correctly they would find her somewhere in the castle.

He looked down at the map and his wand. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," he whispered. Hermione turned to look at him. Harry's eyes searched across the worn parchment as he tried to find the name he was looking for.

He spotted Neville in the Common Room, (How did we not notice him?) Ginny in the Girls' Dorms, Luna and Ron in the Ravenclaw Common Room, Gunner and Felice in an empty classroom, Malfoy and Lisa Turpin in the Slytherin Boys' Dorms, and Blaise Zabini was sprawled on a couch in the Slytherin Common Room. Harry's eyes moved rapidly over the parchment looking for a 'Melanie Summers'.

"The Entrance Hall, of course," he whispered.

"What? Harry what's—"

"Do you trust me? If you do, you'll follow me to the Entrance Hall without asking any questions. I'll explain everything later."

A/N: I just wanted to warn you that I haven't spoken French in a few years so it's VERY rusty. Give me a break if it's not perfect. Again, I'm sorry for the cliffy! You might have to wait for the next chapter since I have just started to write Chapter 4... for which the information is given below. Drop me a review... or two or three! They are what fuel my fire!

Chapter Four: "Start of Term"
New arrivals, rumors galore, and connections beyond belief. Will Harry, Hermione, Ron and the others be able to keep everything on the DL or will Hogwarts' gossipers get wind of what's happening right under their noses? We're in for a bumpy ride!