A/n:This week, I've had a lot of time to write and stuff, so I've got enough chapters for posting next week, when I'm going to be on vacation, and really wont be able to write. I don't know about the week after that though. Lucky me, I get to get my tonsils out, so ill be in the hospital Monday, and at my Aunties on Tuesday… and, well, I just dunno what's going to happen. So enjoy anyway! Thanks to my readers!
"Whaa??" Ron gasped, and grabbed Hermione's arm. "My sister! Ginny! Is she ok??" Hermione pried her arm loose of Ron before going on.
"Yes, Ron, don't worry. It's no one in Gryffindor. As a matter of fact, it's from Slytherin. I was quite as surprised as I know you are, to know that." Harry was shocked too. Ever since Voldemort had come back, the last person Harry would have expected to die was someone from his own house. Wouldn't he rather use the people to kill Gryffondors, Hufflepuffs or Ravenclaws before killing them off? As if she knew what he was thinking, Hermione answered him.
"Yes, I know, Harry. It doesn't really make sense. But then again, when has taking over the world with evil made sense?" she smiled wryly.
"Hermione," Seamus piped up, "Who died? It wasn't Malfoy, was it?" Everyone in the room looked up eagerly at Hermione. She sighed.
"I'll just tell you the whole story, shall I?" She readjusted herself in the chair, and then went on. "When the Slytherins woke up this morning, there was writing on the wall. It was painted in Extract of Corethia." Dean, Seamus, Neville, Ron, Harry, and Ginny, Lavender and Parvati, who were standing in the doorway, all looked at Hermione blankly.
"Do you people EVER listen in class? Professor Snape told us specifically that the Corethia plant is one of the most deadly plants to the human race. The Extract of Corethia is a thick, purpley substance that- "
"Ah," said Ron knowingly, "Someone must have touched it, didn't they? Foolish. I wouldn't have-" Hermione gave Ron a look that scared him so much that he stopped in mid-sentence.
"No, Ron. No one was that stupid. Now if you will LET ME GO ON, I would tell you what was written on the wall. It said 'There is a traitor among our numbers. While the traitor roams free, no others shall live.' No, Ron, not all the Slytherins are dead. You can stop looking so happy. Anyway, the Extract of Corethia was not the only bad thing. There was a charm on the door of the Slytherin house. Any Slytherin who was not the traitor, apparently, will be killed upon entering the common-room. So when Malfoy sent Crabbe and Goyle to go get Professor Snape, they died upon reentering the house. Snape is not dumb. He did not enter the house." Ron swore under his breath.
"Ron! Honestly. He's on our side now. Anyway, Professor Dumbledore got in, because, of course, he's a Gryffindor, not Slytherin. He reckoned it would be ok for the Slytherins to leave, as long as they didn't come back in their house. So they were all told to pack all their stuff, and gather in the Great Hall."
Everyone was silent for a moment. Ginny, Lavender and Parvati had come in the room, in the middle of Hermione's spiel, and had sat oh Ron's trunk.
"So Crabbe and Goyle are really dead?" Dean asked quizzically. Hermione nodded, looking at everyone in the room for your reaction.
"And where are the rest of the Slytherins going to go? Where are they going to stay?" Lavender's hair was all over the place. She had clearly just woken up. She suddenly gaped. "I hope they don't close Hogwarts!!"
"No," Hermione said in a matter-of-fact tone, "I don't think so. I suppose that Professor Dumbledore will have a different Portrait room become their common-room for a little while, until Flitwick can get the charm figured out and undo it. I'm sure it will be only a matter of time." Lavender nodded, this being enough of an explanation for her.
At that moment, Professor McGonagall came in the room. She did not look even a little surprised to find Hermione or any of her room-mates in Harry and Ron's room.
"There's a large tray of food in the common-room for everyone's breakfast today, because the Great Hall is currently filled with sleeping bags right now. You guys can eat while I fill the rest of the house in. Also, at ten o'clock, Professor Dumbledore wants to address the school in that large classroom on the third floor where I gave that "The Protection of Wizards and Witches: Protecting Ones self and others" seminar last fall. He shall tell everyone what's happening there."
Everyone seemed to think this was a good plan, so Harry, and... everyone else trooped downstairs, to get ready for what seemed would be a long day. Sadly enough, they had no idea just how long it would be...