Disclaimer: I don't own any of the HP characters. They are property of J.K. Rowling. (Though I do wish Ron was mine… sighs)
Author's Note: I hope everyone likes the story so far. I'm really trying to think up of a plot but I just can't put it down in words. :P And I'm sorry for not updating sooner! I just had a great idea and I'm going to write it all down and probably updated in maybe a week or so (maybe less if I get lucky)!
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"I can't believe McGonagall was lecturing us over N.E.W.Ts," Ron said, walking into the Great Hall for lunch.
"We're only just beginning our seventh year and she comes out with a big lecture that takes half of the class period," said Harry.
"Well, Ron, Harry, this is our big year… The tests are important," I stated, taking a seat at the Gryffindor table.
"Yes, that's true, Hermione but the very first day of class of this year?"
"It's mad," Ron said.
I laughed as felt someone take a seat next to me. I looked to my right. "Oh, hi, Ginny."
She smiled and winked at me. "Hello, Hermione."
"Ginny, have you had Defense Against the Dark Arts yet?" Ron asked with a mouthful of potatoes.
"No," she said, shaking her head. "I have him next period."
"It's really killing you, isn't it, Ron?" I said.
He nodded. "I don't want him to make a fool of me."
"You mean you don't want him to make a fool of himself?" Harry asked.
Ron shook his head. "Nah, not worried about that."
I shook my head. "Hey, Harry?"
He looked at me. "What?"
"Has there been anything in the Daily Prophet about Voldemort?" I shuddered a little at saying the name.
"I bet if they do find out anything, they'd be keeping it quiet," Harry answered.
I nodded. "Harry's right. We all know that You-Know-Who's – I mean, Voldemort's – back but of course the Daily Prophet would still want to keep the situation quiet because they don't want to scare the community."
"Well, they tried to do that last time," Ron said. "I don't think they'll have much luck doing it this time."
I shrugged. "You never know. Voldemort may try to get to other people that will later be in his way to Harry. I'm sure he'll probably get to the Daily Prophet because they're the ones that print what's been happening."
"But they wouldn't be able to get rid of all of the people at the Daily Prophet," Harry said. "There are some strong wizards at the Daily Prophet."
"Yeah, and Dumbledore's still here and we know that Voldemort wouldn't hurt Harry while he's around," Ron said.
I nodded. "Right…but it's only the very beginning of the school year. Voldemort wouldn't do anything now."
"You can't be so sure about that, Hermione," Harry said.
I nodded again as Ron sat in silence.
The three of us didn't talk the rest of lunch. I headed out of the Great Hall, up the Grand Staircase, and into the Gryffindor common room. It was odd to be worrying about Voldemort the very first day of classes but now, it seemed that we had to be extra careful about what goes on because it was our final year at Hogwarts and Harry wouldn't have the same protection from Dumbledore like before. I had never pondered about Voldemort so much before and I knew that I couldn't get in over my head because there were other important things that I had to do this year... That was when he popped into my mind. Ron... I walked into my dormitory and sat down on my four-poster bed.
My head began to ache with pain and I rubbed my temples slowly. Ugh... I don't think today is my day. I can't go on with a headache on the first day of classes. "Ignore it," I mumbled to myself, replacing the things in my bag for a book needed for History of Magic. I was truly never fascinated with that subject because it was very boring but I never bothered to not pay attention. Sometimes I would let my mind wonder while still keeping an eye on Professor Binns. I groaned and walked out of the dormitory.
I found Ron and Harry sitting on the comfy red armchairs by the fire. They had their bags and looked up when I walked into the common room. I didn't hear them come into the common room. "Hey, I didn't hear the two of you come in," I said, taking a seat on the floor by Ron's feet.
"We waited for you," Harry said. "We should talk."
I looked at Harry and I then realized how mature he looked. I had never noticed it before but I could begin to see that he was slowly, yet assuring, maturing into a young man. I smiled to myself. He was always strong and risking his life for other people. How far would Voldemort go this year, knowing that Harry would be out of school, applying for a job, and maybe even more? I shook the feeling off. "Talk about what?" I finally said.
"Harry reckons that we should try to piece together what Voldemort will try to do," Ron said.
"I figure that if the Daily Prophet prints what's happening that is truly tragic, they would surely hush up about it and not say who or what caused the problem—" Harry began but I soon broke in.
"You're thinking that maybe the Daily Prophet will try to print what's going on between the articles that they write?"
Harry nodded. "Exactly. I can't say much now because it is the beginning of the school year but I'm sure as we speak Voldemort is gathering Death Eaters and making them do his will for him."
I nodded. "Too true..." I calculated this all in my head... The Daily Prophet wants to hide messages within their articles... A thought suddenly passed my mind but I quickly struck it down. I looked at my watch realizing that we were going to be late for History of Magic class if we didn't hurry. "Heavens!" I cried, jumping up.
Ron stood up. "Hermione, where are you going?"
"Are you mad? Do you know what time it is? We're going to be late if don't hurry it up!" I climbed out of the common room leaving Harry and Ron behind.
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I hope this has made everyone happy for now. :) I have to write in my other stories. Review please, if you don't mind. :D