Disclaimer: The only character I own is Hope.

A/N: Thank you so much for the reveiws, Darcy, cantbesilenced, and aishteru. DementorIceCream, Dean and Seamus are Feste and Sir Toby. Neville is actually a sort of combination of Marvolio and Sir Andrew. I've really used a lot of artistic licence to make this story a good Harry Potter. I have seen that movie. It's awsome, one of my favorites.

ONLY HOPE by Lina Shay

Chapter Twelve: New Developements

As Hope walked exasperated with Luna and everyone else out of Hogsmeade, she didn't notice the two cloaked men crouching in an alley, watching the young students worrilessly meander by. The shorter of the two moved to leave the alley but the taller held him back by the shoulder.

"Wait a minute," he hissed.

"This is the perfect opportunity," the short insisted. "I just go with them straight to Hogwarts."

"I don't know, Harry. I won't be able to protect you. I think we should stick together."

"We really should let Dumbledore know everything that's happened," the shorter pointed out. "It's all right, Remus. I'll be fine."

"You're right, Harry," Remus admitted. "I have things to do, but I'll try to join you as soon as I can."

Harry nodded then set off after the Hogwarts students.

"Hey, Harry!" Remus called.

Harry looked over his shoulder at his friend.

"Could you do me a favor?" Remus asked in a loud whisper.

"Of course, Remus," Harry told him, walking back to him. "I owe you my life. If you hadn't grabbed me out of that mess, those Death Eaters would have me. I would do anything for you."

Remus put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "My cycle is coming up, Harry. Do you think you could go to Snape and get some of the potion that makes me harmless."

"Yes, I'll do it straightaway," Harry assured him.

"You better hurry," Remus insisted, indicating toward the advancing group of students. "You're loosing them."

"Thank you, Remus," Harry said, then ran off after the Hogwarts crowd, pulling the hood of his cloak down.

"Hey, Harry," Ginny said, taking his hand. "Where've you been?"

"Oh, Ginny, you wouldn't believe what happened to me," Harry told her. "I was in Diagon alley-"

"You mean Hogsmeade, right?" Ginny interrupted.

"Well, I'm here now," Harry muttered, confused.

"Yes, and I'm here," Ginny sighed, laying her head on his shoulder. "We're together."

Harry wasn't sure what was going on. He knew Ginny had a thing for him second year, but still? And she had seemed to get bolder since then. Harry spotted Dumbledore walking along.

"Wait a sec. Will you, Ginny?" Harry said, as he ran over to where Dumbledore was. "Headmaster, I'm back!"

Dumbledore's eyes widened upon seeing Harry. "Harry? Dear me, where have you been?"

"In hiding with Remus," Harry told him.

"Oh," Dumbledore muttered, putting fingers to his lips. "This is interesting."

"I know I'm way behind in my classes-" Harry began.

"Indeed," Dumbeldore interrupted. "Very much behind. I think you will have to take special tutorials with me until you get caught up. And it would be best if you slept in my office."

"What? why?" Harry asked.

"I'm afraid we thought you were dead and have given your bed to someone else," Dumbeldore told him matter-of-factly.

"Oh," Harry groaned.

"Don't worry, Harry," Dumbeldore insisted. "I will fix everything in a matter of time."

Dumbldore shot a glance over at Hope.

Hope said good night to Luna in the Entrance Hall, then went up to Gryffindor tower. Most everyone had gone straight to bed. Hermione was the only one up, so Hope sat herself next to Hermione and let out a long exasperated sigh.

"You look like you've not had the best day," Hermione observed as she looked over her book at Hope.

"That's for sure," Hope said, heaving another tired sigh.

"I hope you aren't feeling too poorly," Hermione said. "We have a report due in Defense Against Dark Arts that I'm almost positive that you haven't even started."

"Oh, no!" Hope cried. "You're right."

"Do you want my help?" Hermione offered kindly.

"That would be great, Hermione," Hope told her, relieved.

Hermione smiled. The two were up half the night working on Hope's paper. It seemed rather strange that Hermione was doing a lot of the work that Hope should have been doing, but Hope wasn't complaining.

"Thank you so much," Hope said to Hermione after they had finally finished.

"I was glad to do it, Harry," Hermione said, gathering the books together.

"I am so tired," Hope muttered. "I don't know how I'll wake up for classes tomorrow."

"This isn't the first time we've burned the midnight oil," Hermione informed. "I'm sure you'll be able to handle the lack of sleep."

"I hope so," Hope muttered. She reached over and touched Hermione's hand. "I really appreciate you helping me, Hermione."

"Oh, uh," Hermione sputtered.

She pulled her hand away and fumbled through her notes. She pulled out a piece of parchment, looked at it oddly, then held it out to Hope.

"I-I wrote this," Hermione said shyly. "I've been debating whether or not to send it. I think I will-and I want you to read it before I do."

The second Hope took it from her hand, Hermione ran off up to the girl's dormitories. Hope was beginning to think all the girls in this school were daft.

"Dear Viktor,

I did take your advice on that Bulgarian poet. He was quite good. But, Viktor, I have been struggling for some time on a most distressing decision. My dear, Viktor, you have meant a great deal to me over these years that we have been writing each other, but I can't go on this way. This long distance relationship can't go on forever.

Besides, I've found someone here to care about and I think he might also care for me. Please don't be bitter. I know it's the best that we end it now.

Sincerely,

Hermione Granger"

Hope groaned deeply. This couldn't be. Not only had Hope inadvertently broken up Hermione and Krum, but attracted one of her best friends who her other best friend was in love with. Hope was just messing everything up.

That night, Hope had a dream that Snape had ordered her to fly across the Potions room on a broomstick, balancing three chickens on her head. All the chickens would nibble at her ears affectionately as she tried to keep ahold of the broom. When she told them to stop nibbling, they all laid eggs on her head. After she reached the other side of the room, with egg running down her face, Ron presented her with a mirror as a prize. As she looked into it, she was shocked to see that she looked more like a boy than ever. She awoke wanting to quit this ridiculous plan.

A/N: Dumbeldore would probably let the whole thing out now, or maybe he wouldn't. In this one, he wants to let it play it's course and see what happens. He wanted special tutorials and Harry to sleep in his office so Hope and Harry wouldn't prematurely meet. You might think Dumbledore's crazy, but it makes the story funnier this way.