I don't own any characters and as far as I'm concerned I won't own any characters. So, with that said, let the story begin!

Hermione Granger sighed. It was going to be a very hard school year, she could tell already. She had received twelve O.W.Ls and was accepted into almost every N.E.W.T class. But she knew what was best for her and hard work or not she would have to cope.

However, nothing could spoil the last few weeks of her summer. She had been spending a lovely time at the Order headquarters with her two best friends, favorite family and good friends. Nothing could really spoil those dark, yet enjoyable moments. Harry was trying his best to lift his spirits up, with the help of Hermione herself and Ron, but you could still tell that Harry was beyond okay about Siruis' death. It was better though, than last summer, Hermione thought. At least this summer he got to come after only being at the Dursleys for two weeks and he wasn't yelling at them.

Hermione made her way downstairs for a late lunch. Mrs. Weasley was just finishing her meal-making, Ginny was set at the table playing a quick game of Wizards Chest with Ron. Bill, who brought along what seemed to be his new girlfriend, Fluer De La Cour (but denied all accusations of being with her and claimed it was still just strictly a business relationship), had dropped by for lunch and was at deep conversation with the girl. The twins couldn't make it for lunch, as they were busy working at their new joke shop. Remus Lupin was reading a newspaper also waiting for lunch to start, and everybody else was busy on duty or at work. Harry had just finished up his Occlumency lessons with Snape in an empty Siruis' room upstairs and caught up with Hermione.

"Hey," he said, rather dully, rubbing his scar which hurt from all the lessons he had started to retake. "It's clear Snape is not very pleased with being in the same room with me again." Snape had passed by in his quick manner and assured Mrs. Weasley he wouldn't be needing any lunch and left with a half-heartfelt goodbye.

Hermione replied, "Well, it's good for you. But still, one must wonder how Dumbledore got him to do the job again."

Harry shrugged, taking a seat at the table next to Ron. They all started lunch, everyone having their own side conversations. Harry was trying to be in conversation with Hermione and Ron, but couldn't bring himself to it. He kept answering with: "Yeah," and at one point spilled his drink on himself. "Crap," he muttered to himself, cleaning off his shirt.

"So, how many O.W.Ls did you guys recieve?" Hermione asked, trying to lighten up the mood and sipping onto her pumpkin juice.

Ron chewed on his food, talking at the same time, "I got feit and fon N.E.W.T cfass."

Harry, seeing Hermione's puzzled face translated Ron's words for her, "He got eight and is in one N.E.W.T class, which I believe is Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Hermione nodded her head, "I see. I got almost all N.E.W.T courses, all except Potions and Arithmancy, which I'm quite rather happy about."

Ron swallowed down his food and asked, "How about you, mate?"

"Oh, ten. Two N.E.W.T classes, Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts," Harry replied, now finished wiping off his shirt. "It was really surprising. But, anyway, who do you think is teaching the DADA classes this year?"

"Don't really know, but it better be someone good and safe. I swear, we will never have a bloody permanent teacher!" Hermione said.

The two boys nodded in agreement. Harry was glad he got his mind off thoughts of Siruis' death and the possibilities of seeing him again and talking to him and telling him how he felt about everything, talking about girls and what Cho Chang had did... but he knew that wasn't possible. The mirror was no use, and it was hidden deep under his trunk. There was one thing though, that Harry thought about as he walked upstairs to his bedroom to have a moment of peace, what the voices Beyond the Veil meant and what was there and everything about the Department of Mysteries. He had a nag for getting in trouble, but he was only a sixteen year old, curious, without parents and had just lost the only person who served as a father figure to him. What a great life I have, he thought sarcastically as he plopped on top of his bed. Almost instantly, he fell into a deep sleep, filled with dreams of Voldemort taking control over him that night at the Ministry of Magic, Siruis falling into the Veil, Cedric's pale and limp body being, and his mother's screams, beggining Voldemort to take her instead of him.

He woke with a startle, and his scar burning at the top of his forehead. And there, entering the room, was Hermione. She had a look of concern on her face, as she walked towards the bed.

"Are you okay, Harry?" She sat next to him on the bed.

Harry rubbed his scar, sitting up to face Hermione. "Yeah, just another bad dream, that's all."

Hermione nodded, though it looked as if she didn't believe him. "Well, just - just be careful." Seeing Harry raise his eye brow as if he knew something, she added, "How many dreams like this have you had?"

Harry looked into her honey colored eyes, seeing the woman she was growing into. Her hair, which was beginning to tame itself, was pulled back into a messy ponytail. Hermione was always a pretty girl to him, but he knew she would grow up to be beautiful and it would attract him more than he himself knew.

"A few," he admitted. "But it's just flashbacks of the past. Terrible flashbacks. I see everyone dying or hear everyone dying. I don't think it really means anything, just probably things that have been on my mind lately." He was surprised he was actually telling someone this, as he didn't really feel like sharing his feelings all summer.

Hermione bit her lip, which looked incredibly appealing to Harry, but he kept that to himself and cursed inside his head for thinking such a thing about his best friend. "Have you talked to Dumbledore all this summer? Has he said anything about you-know-w- Voldemort?"

Harry was somewhat glad that Ron wasn't there to wince at the name. "A few weeks ago he came by and explained to me about," he paused, thinking if he should finally tell someone about the prophecy. "This... the situation, I mean. He said Voldemort's been keeping quiet for now, but doesn't doubt that he will try something during this school year. He swears Hogwarts will be kept safe, with all trustworthy teachers, even Snape, but even so we should keep an eye out."

Hermione nodded, knowing that he had failed to mention something to her. But she didn't bug him about it. Instead she pulled him into a hug. Tears started to form in her eyes as she poured her feelings out to him. "I know it's been hardest for you, to lose Sirius. But it's been hard for us too. I'm just so scared that all this is happening."

Harry didn't reply, but instead was enjoying the warmth going through his body as he and Hermione embraced. Were his feelings suddenly growing for her? No, he would never think of Hermione that way. Besides, it seemed as if she fancied Ron, despite the fact the two acted like they hated each other. Still, he couldn't help himself be more comforted around Hermione.

She finally let go and stood up, wiping her eyes. "Well, we better get ready. School's going to start in two days! So, I'm going up to mine and Ginny's room to start packing, and remind her to start that summer work she was suppose to do!" Hermione walked out of the room, leaving Harry utterly confused about his feelings towards her.

A/N: It seems boring for a first chapter, but I PROMISE you more exciting things will happen! And the love triangle... well let's just say it'll be pretty unexpected!..hehehe. So R&R so I can update based on your thoughts!