A/N: Lucky readers, you get an extra chapter this week.
Disclaimer – am I allowed to use a song title for a chapter? Cos I just did and so you all know, it was Daniel Beddingfield (or however you spell it) OK? I hope this chapter will cure the near murder threats I was getting for the last!

Thank you:

Witchintraining: I made up a new reason, is it crap? I just need to work out what happens next! Just wrote my personal statement, I was so enjoying it! And I still haven't got my cookies! :P

SamanthaRiddle12: how polite! Is this going to stop the abuse? Winks

Chainmailgrl: Don't know about happy endings, but maybe a teeny bit of though? I could be persuaded!

Jess: Am I right in thinking you're Jessica from chapter 5? You may have guessed how much I like cliff-hangers.

Natsuyori: "Keeping it up? Keeping it up? Ah ah ah ah, Keeping it up? Keeping it up?" (tune of 'Staying Alive'!) :D

HeadOverHeals: Hello, yes I have included you this time Lucy, happy now?

Lune-Argente: is this soon enough?

Nothing Hurts Like Love

Now I think there's something you ought to know...These people are not dead, merely in deep hiding; for their own safety," there were four sharp intakes of breath, Dumbledore pushed out his hand, "let me finish. As I said these people are hidden in the most unlikely place imaginable as they are all in grave peril from Lord Voldemort," two sharp intakes of breath, the Weasleys had never got used to hearing his name, "I deeply apologise for all the trauma this is causing you, please be patient."

"But Sir, if my aunt and cousin are there then where's Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked as calm and collected as he had been before,

"I wondered how long you would take to ask me that Harry, the truth is we don't know. Of course we have been keeping checks on your family since the beginning of term as Lord Voldemort clearly wants to make you suffer as much as possible. Naturally those closest to you are the first to fall. We knew something was being planned and produced an emergency evacuation, you're aunt and cousin were taken but there was no sign of your uncle, apparently he had not returned home the previous night. I am afraid we are not too optimistic about his situation. I am sorry," Harry remained unperturbed.

"Professor Dumbledore when can we see our parents?"

"As much as I regret to tell you this but we do not wish for any contact to be made unless through the Order's most secure sources, and besides it is rather difficult to find a postal owl where they are. Of course we shall try to pass on your news and perhaps personal letters, but you must understand the gravity of this."

"One more thing Sir," Harry put in, "why did you put that article in the Daily Prophet."

"Simply easier to explain their disappearance Harry,"

"But won't it create hysteria?"

"Perhaps yes, but perhaps more cautiousness. Which reminds me, no-one else is to know about this, do you understand? And remember you have just lost close friends and family members, you are in grieving, don't forget that." He opened the door for them, "please, if you have anything you want to tell these people or any worries, come to me."

They made for the door, Hermione last still wiping the tears from her eyes. As she passed through it Dumbledore laid an envelope into her hands, she lifted her face and his eyes sparkled knowingly. She fingered the soft parchment as she descended the staircase, taking the route to the Gryffindor tower to make use of her free period. She went into her room and sat on her bed, slowly she tore the envelope open and pulled out a letter, written hastily in spiky black handwriting.

Dear Hermione,
I am so sorry things had to turn out this way, but I have no choice. I hope Dumbledore has at least explained slightly why I have disappeared and proclaimed dead – slightly surreal reading the Daily Prophet. I know we did not end on the best of terms yesterday, but seeing as it is so much easier to write this, I just wanted you to know.
I know you may be confused and possibly annoyed but you know of course my work for the Order is dangerous, too dangerous now in Dumbledore's opinion. I fear for your safety more now than ever before; the Weasley's have gone too, and it is only to clear that the Dark Lord will want those closest to Potter, dead or alive. Dumbledore still thinks you will be safe in Hogwarts but I do not believe that any more, I have seen what it is really like, reticently I must believe that the Dark side are already greater than us, you will be surprised how easily they gained power again, not so much to our ears but there are better places to hide. We may never meet again if His plans are all carried out.
So please keep yourself safe, don't make enemies within the school, especially with Slytherin; lie low, do not draw much attention to yourself, I know it sounds harsh but please, it is for your own good. Continue your studies, work hard, harder than before, we need more bright minds on this side. Stick close to your friends, especially Weasley and Potter, encourage them as best you can. And, whether I already am dead by the time you are reading this, remember me, I am so sorry this all had to happen.
Love
Severus
P.S. Happy Birthday for tomorrow

Hermione blinked for a few seconds, relishing that one word at the bottom of the page, 'love' what was so significant about four little letters? She wondered, why was it so special? The word looked as if it had only been put there after a long thought; an ink blob rested at the bottom of the 'L' as if a quill had been left there for a few seconds whilst someone had been thinking what to write. She folded the letter and carefully put it back in the envelope, as she did, she felt something at the bottom of it; perhaps her birthday present. Pulling it up she found she was fingering a fine silver chain, with links so small she could barely see them, almost as if it was of spun silk. Suspended from this was a smooth translucent amber, mounted on silver. As she held it up to the light, it radiated as if a star was trapped inside it, Hermione was entranced by it's beauty, she looked closer and saw that inside the shining amber was a flower bud, just opening, possibly some ancestor of the rose.

She gasped and held it tightly in her hands, letting the rejoicing light seep into her body and fill her with content. She placed it around her neck, feeling the jewel's warmth where it rested on her collarbone. Looking at her watch she began to get her books for Double Transfiguration, but she was only half there, the other half residing in the light of her necklace.

She wandered along the corridor and met Harry and Ron outside the classroom, they it seemed had been sticking to the grieving routine and were enjoying a cry on each others shoulders whilst the class around them looked on comfortingly.

"Oh hello Hermione," said Harry cheerfully, "I mean, oh Hermione...how have you managed to cope?" They came up as the crowd dispersed, Ron looked at his feet, mumbling a short "hello" and walked into the classroom. "What's up with him?"

"Um, I guess he's still pretty upset..."

"Wow Hermione let's see your necklace! It's really pretty, where did you get it?" Harry reached out, but she cupped her hand around it.

"Birthday present, from a friend," she muttered, "come on, McGonagall will get annoyed if we're late.

They walked in to two hours of Conjuring, Hermione of course being the only one who could successfully pour herself tea from nowhere by the end of the lesson.

"Excellent work Miss Granger, twenty points. Now this is how it should be done everybody, are you watching Mr Weasley?"

Parvati Patil was muttering Lavendar Brown next to her, "are you sure he should be allowed to lessons? I mean his parents have just died..."

When the lesson ended Harry, Ron and Hermione received condolences from their classmates, Harry said something about some homework he had to catch up on, leaving them at the library. They walked in silence for a few minutes.

"Hermione, I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me this morning. I just had so many emotions whizzing round my head that I couldn't deal with it, I had to take some out. Perhaps we could do this properly now." Hermione looked at him puzzled, "start again I mean, now we know everyone is safe. So Hermione, I know this sounds forward and stupid, but, are you seeing someone at the moment, cos I don't know if I can bear another day just having you as a friend."

"Ron! Please stop now, I don't want to hear anymore. There are plenty of beautiful girls out there, you could have your pick of any one of them." She marched off to lunch alone, leaving Ron standing in the middle of the corridor, his mouth wide, and whispered after her

"But I want you..."

A/N: Voilà, c'était bon? Or whatever... OK so only one person (witchintraining) suggested anything about the Ron thing, am I right in thinking no-one else minds? Oh, do you want more description of what's going on in classes?
Everyone liking the amber thing? I thought it was kind of cute personally. Little question for you...What does the rose bud symbolise? The closest answer gets a big mention next chapter and in my bio, so... who's up for that? Just my little bit of engagement with my audience. Now lets see if we can make a nice round total of reviews, how does 50 sound?