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Chapter 17

They all exchanged nervous glances.

"Where is she?!"

"What happened?!"

"Is she alright?!"

"Does Dumbledore know?!"

"How bad is it?!"

"Has-"

"Be quiet!" Neville said over the mass of questions. "She's in the hospital wing."

Without another word Harry, Ron and Hermione all dashed up the stairs. As they made their way up, they ran into a bunch of terrified first years and a few sixth years that just yelled at them and kept going. It seemed as if it took forever to get to the hospital wing.

When they arrived they saw Dumbledore, McGonagall, Madame Pomfrey, Professor Sprout, Snape, and Moody all surrounding one bed. Right as they entered the room, Dumbledore walked up to them and ushered them out.

"I'm sorry but she cannot have visitors at the moment."

"Why not?! You lot are in there!"

"We are grown-ups. She needs time to recover. I assure you she will be fine. Just come back tomorrow after lunch." He said opening the door wide enough for them to leave.

"But we want to see her now! What's wrong with her?"

"Where not sure yet but give us time and we will know. Now please, for her sake, leave."

They all left the room reluctantly and Dumbledore shut the door behind them.

"Why won't they let us know?" Ron said leading the way down a set of stairs. "What could be so 'important' that only they could know?"

Harry had an idea, but no. That was too ridiculous. But another idea came to his mind.

"Hermione, this isn't another one if your little jokes is it?" Harry asked rounding on her.

Hermione looked disgusted. "Of course not! This isn't a joke! Why do you think I would do that?!"

"Because you did that other thing to see what my 'feelings' were for her; I thought this was just like a back-up plan or something." He answered.

"Well it's not and I'm appalled that you think I would do this to her!" She said catching up with Ron a few stairs ahead to get away from Harry.

When they got to the common room it was completely empty.

They all took their usual seats by the fire. No one talked for a few minutes. Hermione got up form her seat and took a seat on the floor right in front of the fire to get really warm.

"Who's that?" Ron said looking out the window.

"Who?" Hermione and Harry asked in unison.

The all got up and stared out the window. A figure was walking across the grounds very quickly and was headed towards the forest. He had a hooded cloak on and thick boots.

"Should we tell someone?" Hermione asked.

"No, they just think we were trying to 'save the day' or something like they always do." Harry said taking one last look at the person and then taking his seat again.

"Yeah, you're right. But there's something about him I don't like." Ron said going to his seat also.

Hermione stood at the window and just watched him until he disappeared into the woods.

"Hmmm…well I guess. I'm going to bed." Hermione grabbed her books and went upstairs. Harry and Ron followed suit and went up to their dorm.

A/N: Im soooo sorry this was such a really short chapter. And a boring one! sorry! Were getting the hurricane weather down here and my power keeps turning off so im kinda screwed at the moment. Sorry!! I plan to update by the end of the week! Ok PLEASE REVIEW!! I love you all!!!