There's going to be mild sexual content, SO,

if u dun like that stuff, skip the next few

paragraphs or just skip this part all together

and wait for tomorrow's edition

- Management

"I'll never understand you, Harry," Hermione stated, tucking her legs to the side as they sat down on the blanket.

Harry settled across from her and set down the picnic basket Dobby and the other Hogwarts elves put together for them," What? Why not?"

Hermione observed him as he unpacked sandwiches, butterbeer bottles and several pies and tarts," Why do you believe in Malfoy so blindly?"

Harry looked up at her and stuttered awkwardly. He hated talking about this, and it seemed that's all Hermione ever wanted to talk about these days," I told you a million times, Hermione. I just do. You can feel that sort of thing in a person...and I'd like to think my instincts are right on the money. Now, come on, lets talk about something else...It IS Valentines day and you've been nagging me about it for the past month. So, just enjoy it."

Hermione sighed and smiled, taking the butterbeer Harry handed her," Cause I can see what a HUGE effort you put into it...All those long minutes begging the house-elves to make a picnic because you forgot."

Harry blushed and fidgeted with the plates and napkins, "Well...I...er...Its not that I forgot, per say. Its just..."

Hermione smirked," You forgot."

"Yeah, pretty much."

Hermione giggled, leaned forward and softly kissed his lips. She wasted no time in closing the space between them, crawling ontop of his lap and pressing every inch of her body against his. Harry rose his eyebrows, completely thrown off by Hermione's forcefulness as she dipped her hand under his jacket and began to feel around on his bare stomach. When she started to slowly unzip his pants, Harry jerked away.

"What are you doing?"

Hermione looked at him surprised at first, then frowned," What? I thought boys liked that sort of thing."

Harry squirmed under her probing stare, "Well...I guess they do...I mean, I guess I do, I just never-"

"Never felt it," Hermione finished.

Harry blushed instantly, looking anywhere but at her searching eyes. He felt her fingers trail back down to his zipper and tug it down again. Harry's cheek burned as he frantically scanned the pitch for any curious eyes that might wonder what they were doing. "Um...H-Hermione? M-maybe we shouldn't-shouldn't do this here."

Hermione leaned up and brushed her lips against his earlobe, sending a shiver down his spine," Scared you'll enjoy it?"

Harry felt her touch start to graze the waistband of his boxers, sending surges of heat all through his body," No...Wait, I mean, well...yeah, I'll enjoy it I think...I mean...I know I'll enjoy it...Not that I've ever enjoyed it before...Wait, I mean, not that anyone has ever done it to me before..."

Hermione's giggle blew on the skin of his neck as she kissed and nibbled, almost pushing Harry over the edge," Calm down, Harry...Its your first time so, I'll make sure you enjoy yourself."

Harry tensed as her fingertips crept under his boxers and started to drift downwards," Don't you think we'll get caught?"

Hermione's lips brushed upwards and nibbled on his earlobe again," Not until you're satisfied."

Harry held his breath and squeezed his eyes shut, not knowing what to expect. The sensation of her fingers brushing over him was nothing short of fabulous ecstasy. A deep moan escaped his throat as she wrapped her hand around him gingerly. His heart was furiously thumping in his chest as his breathing started to pick up.

But before she could go any further, a loud hoot jerked him from the euphoria. He popped open his eyes and suddenly realized that at any moment, a student could walk past and see them clear as day, Hermione's hand obviously down his pants. He pushed her hand off and quickly did up his zipper.

Hermione looked at him stunned," What's wrong? Why'd you make me stop?"

Harry jerked his chin towards the sky as a tawny owl came swooping down and landed atop the wicket basket. Harry smoothed down his shirt and jacket and plucked the letter from its beak. The owl snatched up a sandwich and flew off. Unfolding it, he could see the ashamed look on Hermione's face out of the corner of his eye. He sighed and read over the brief scribbling on the parchment.

"Harry,

Destroy this as soon as you read it.

I'm going to get straight to the point. We're worried for your safety. We have reason to believe Voldemort might have an agent in your midst watching your every move right now. Be careful! Stick to your instincts and never go ANYWHERE alone. And PLEASE, do NOT go seeking trouble. Stay put and keep under Dumbledore's nose. DO NOT REPLY. We'll contact you if necessary.

Watch yourself,

Moony

Harry frowned and crumbled the note, placing it on the grass. He pulled out his wand and aimed it at the ball.

"Do you really think that's necessary?" Hermione asked, watching him.

"He said to destroy it, so, I'm going to destroy it," Harry said before he mumbled Evanesco. The paper vanished instantly.

"What if Ron wanted to read it? Or ME for that matter. You didn't even let me see it," Hermione complained, adjusting her burgundy skirt.

"I'm sorry, I'll just recall what it said to you. You never read my mail anyway," Harry commented.

"Yes I do. What? All of a sudden you don't trust me?" Hermione said, frowning at him.

"I trust you, Hermione. I DO, I swear. It just didn't cross my mind to wait after I had read it. I'm sorry."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him and stood up," First you lead me on, THEN you push me off and now you can't even read a stupid note to me. What's going on with you, Harry?"

Harry frowned, bewildered. He was sure he missed something, "Nothing, I swear. I SAID I trust you and that I'm sorry...What else do you expect me to say?"

Hermione's cheeks flushed as she jumped to her feet," I'm not going to TELL you what to say Harry! I expected you to atleast be a LITTLE tactful after practically shoving me off of you after...YOU KNOW!"

Harry blinked at her shouting, then watched speechlessly as she stormed away." What just happened?"

//------------

"I'm sure she was just in one of her moods. You know Hermione, she changes moods faster than a Snitch changes course," Ron commented as he pulled a book down from the shelf. He paused to check the title, frowned putting it back, then pulled out the one beside it called Arithmancy Basics." Must be the hormones."

Harry sighed and leaned back against the tabletop watching Ron scan the book," I guess...So, what's that for?"

Ron glanced up at him and scrunched his mouth to the side," I'm doing miserably in Arithmancy, it's almost ridiculous. And Hermione refuses to help me. Says 'You learn from experience.' Who cares about bloody experience? .I want to PASS. But nooo, her bloody majesty wouldn't give me a break. Hey, are you any good at it?"

Harry shrugged as Ron turned the book around and showed him a problem," Does that make any sense to you?"

Harry glanced it over, "Yeah, actually."

Ron beamed," YES! You're my new tutor. Wait...You've never taken Arithmancy, have you?"

"Nope. But its relatively similar to the math they taught me in primary school."

"Primary school? Oh, that's where you went before Hogwarts, right?" Ron asked, interest twinkling in his eyes.

Harry nodded and took the book from Ron, looking it over," Its just adding up all these numbers from names...nothing too elaborate. Just based on mathematical fact rather than foreseeing anything."

"Mathe-whatsits? No wonder Hermione's a wiz at it, she loves that by-the-book stuff." Ron went on, almost to himself.

"Harry? OH! HARRY!"

Harry jumped as Draco rushed forward, followed by an onslaught of 'SHHHHHs'.

"Oh, cram it," Draco spat at them before he ducked into their aisle." Harry, I've been looking all over for you!"

Harry and Ron frowned as Draco pushed them to the end of the aisle and lowered his voice considerably. "Ok, well, apparently my Dad hasn't heard of me dumping Crabbe and Goyle...-YES, Weasley, I dumped them. Don't look so surprised-..Anyways, so, he sent me a letter telling me that he gave Mum a proper burial. And also that I should lay low until all the heat dies down about Rita Skeeter. BUT, that I should be excited to hear that he personally was entrusted to dispose of that Cherrywood chap."

Harry's jaw dropped at this. Draco's face was filled with both shock at the news and excitement at telling them." I almost didn't believe it, but no...there was his crest at the bottom with his signature. Seems he's almost half hoping it gets intercepted and someone reads it and finds out he killed someone. Disgusting git."

Harry frowned and leaned back against the window," Thats so weird..."

"Why?" Ron inquired, glancing between Harry and Draco.

"Because...I get that letter from Lupin, then the next day Cherrywood ends up dead. Not even the Daily Prophet knows yet." Harry replied in a low voice.

"Well, I can only assume Voldemort's being more quiet about it all...Not wanting anyone to have a heads up," Draco added.

"I can't believe you can say his name!" Ron interrupted incredulously.

Draco shifted," Well...its nothing I'm proud of...But being brought up to look up to that sick bastard has had its effects I guess."

"Anyways, that still doesn't explain WHY he killed Buckman. Write to your Dad and see if you can get it out of him without making it sound suspicious," Harry said.

"WRITE to him? I'll probably end up telling him off. Besides, its only a matter of time before he finds out about Crabbe and Goyle," Draco replied frowning.

"Then do it IMMEDIATELY," Harry said in response.

Draco fumed silently," Is this how you treat ALL your friends? Just boss them around to do stuff for you?"

" Pretty much," Ron replied.

They chuckled half-heartedly as Harry punched Ron's arm in protest.

"But, seriously, Harry...I think we should be more careful than sending Malfoy to write to his father. I mean, what if he already knows and is just letting us on?" Ron asked, rubbing the spot on his arm where Harry punched." I mean, I personally don't care WHAT happens to Malfoy here, but you sure do."

Draco shot Ron a cold glare in response.

"We're going to have to take that chance. He's closing in on me, Ron. I can feel it. My scar's been burning more frequently now, and its not his emotions. I need to know what he's doing and why," Harry replied.

"Do you honestly think that once you face him, you're going to be able to defeat him?" questioned Draco.

"Honestly, I do.." Harry said rather solemnly." I'm not going to let him escape one more time. If its the last thing I do, Voldemort will die when last we meet."

The boys looked at Harry warily, neither sure Harry could fulfill his far-fetched plan.

"So, what now?" Ron asked.

"Draco, write to your Dad as soon as possible and ask about Cherrywood. Ron, write to your Dad as well and see if the Ministry has any leads to where Voldemort's hiding out or what he's up to. I'll go find Hermione and see if we can't check out the Dark Forest for any clues as to why Voldemort would want to hang around there and kidnap Cherrywood."

Draco and Ron nodded, then left to carry out the orders. Harry sighed and looked ahead of him. he frowned and reached over pulling a book out that had suddenly seemed to have come out of nowhere. It read Ancient Monsters and Their Presence in Dark Arts. Harry frowned," Where'd you come from? Didn't see you during Christmas..."

He opened it up and walked out of the library, flipping through each page. There were odd looking dragons, huge serpents, pixie devils and everything in-between. He kept on reading, not knowing that he was dangerously close to solving the mystery and that the spy knew it.