Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the associated characters by J.K. Rowling.

Hermione and Ron both had to hold each other up as they stood in rain getting soaked completely through. The rain served only to hide their tears. On her knees in front of the pair young Ginny was sobbing uncontrollably.

The thing that brought on the tears was the simple stone monument that stood before them. The stone simply read, "Erected in the Memory of Our Savior and Hope. Harry James Potter. Born July 31st, 1989 Died June 2nd, 2004."

"It's too unreal," said a somber voice from behind the trio, "To lose them both. Why couldn't I stop him? Why did he run in after him? Why am I forced to suffer so many losses? When will it end?" The man was soon sobbing much as the trio he stood with. Every day for the last three weeks all four of them would meet in front of this very monument and ask much the same questions.

"I never told him how I felt," sobbed Ginny, "I know I said I gave up on him but I still felt so much for him and now I can never tell him. I promise Harry, I will never hide my feeling from those I care for again. I promise . . ." Slowly she stood and left. She would never return to that gravestone again . . . ever.

"I was always so busy being jealous of him and for what. In the end all his fame got him was an early death," said Ron, though his voice cracked several times. "I promise you Harry, I'll be a better man. I promise . . ." Ron turned and left behind his sister. He would never return to that gravestone again . . . ever.

"I should have argued with him more about going after Sirius. I knew it was a stupid trap and I let him go anyway. I should have stopped him. I promise Harry that I'll pull my head out of my books a bit more and start listening to my heart more often. I promise . . ." Hermione turned and followed Ron taking his arm in hers. She would never again return to that gravestone again . . . ever.

"We'll win this war Harry. We'll win it so that you can rest in peace. A peace that many of us will never know, but I promise, the future generations will know peace. I promise . . ." said Remus Lupin before he turned and left. He would never return to that gravestone again . . . ever.

BREAK

"Welcome to Potter Place," said James as he guided Harry inside the mansion.

"How is it I never knew about this place?" wondered Harry.

"I don't know, it's been in the family for centuries," said James, "Dates all the way back to Godric Gryffindor's daughter and her husband. The details are a bit fuzzy but word is that he was a royal of some sort or other. Anyway, that's not so important, but what is important is that I want to know if you want to share a room with Neville or have a room to yourself?"

Harry looked to Neville who just shrugged, "I snore so it's up to you really."

"I've heard Ron snoring more than enough to last a life time. I think I'd like my own room thanks," said Harry with a grin.

"So Ron really was a Gryffindor then?" asked Neville.

"Like I would lie about that?" asked Harry in mock hurt.

"I would," said Neville with a cheeky grin, "Just think how weird it's gonna be when you go back to the other side."

"My entire life is weird, why should this be any different?" asked Harry giving Neville a look.

Neville just sighed, "I wish my life were a bit weirder at times."

"I'm sure I can help with that," said Harry, "No doubt Dumbledore has heard about me by now and my performance these last few days of school and will do something incredibly stupid like come after me or try to kill me only to fail miserably. And naturally I'll pull you and your sister and your friends along with me putting all their lives in danger and somehow come out of it without a scratch."

"Do you really think so?" asked Neville and James excitedly.

"Sadly yes," said Harry considering for a moment all of his horrible past.

"Yes," shouted James and Neville together, "Finally a worthy adventure."

"This couldn't be good," commented Sarah blandly, "Mum won't like it at all."

"Probably won't," commented Alice coming up behind her daughter, "But it's not like I can really stop them when they work together like that and when you add Harry to the mix . . ." but she left it unfinished as it wasn't really necessary.

"I can't believe you're condoning this," said Sarah in disbelief.

"Harry will look after them," said Alice confidently.

"That's a bit of pressure," said Harry sarcastically.

"Harry, I just happened to be in Professor Riddle's office after that Defense exam of yours. The poor man can hardly move because of you," said Alice, "I honestly don't think there is a burner alive that could lay a finger on you. I doubt even Dumbledore could compare."

"I very much doubt that," said Harry, "But thanks for the vote of confidence."

"Anyway, what did I miss before hearing my husband and son cheering about something dangerous and stupid?" Alice asked with a smirk.

"It's not dangerous," protested James and Neville together.

Alice only raised an eyebrow questioningly, "Anyway, Lily, Sirius and the girls are coming over tonight for supper."

"Oh no," said Neville paling slightly, "The brat brigade."

"Huh?" asked Harry, "You've mentioned them a few times before. Sirius' daughters, right?"

"If you think Sirius is bad just wait until you see the girls. They have Aunt Lily's intelligence with Sirius' devilish streak," explained Sarah with a smile, "I can't wait until we've finished with you."

For some reason Harry swallowed nervously knowing that this would not end well at all.

"I think we need to call in back up," said Neville, "Hey mum, do you think Draco, Ron, Fred and George could come too?"

"Only if Ginny can come too," interrupted Sarah looking pleadingly at her mother.

Alice eyed Sarah suspiciously before nodding her consent.

"Things just got worse mate," whispered Neville in Harry's ear.

"Not at all," said Harry as a grin crossed his face, "This could work out quite nicely I think."

Sarah looked very nervous from Harry's statement.

Neville, though, just grinned along with Harry. "It's going to be good to have a brother, even if only for a little while."

"Where is Padfoot hiding anyway?" asked Harry noticing that his godfather was absent.

"He and Professor Riddle are getting all the paperwork together to make the pair of you official in the eyes of the ministry. Technically, my brother Harry doesn't have a son," explained James, "So you can see why it is so important to get everything done now rather than later. As it is, I highly doubt that we'll be able to hide you from Dumbledore for long."

"Word is that Dumbledore has told Granger to do a bit of digging into Harry's past. Apparently there is an interest," said Sarah.

"Great," said Harry sarcastically.

"You really did bring it on yourself kiddo," said James ruffling his hair.

"Right then," said Harry with frown, "Well, I'm famished."

"Good idea mate," said Neville as he led Harry through the maze of hallways.

BREAK

"He is really cute," said a young red head as she giggled to her best friends.

"He looks just like my dad, how can you say he looks cute?" asked Sarah in disgust at her friends comment.

"Well maybe I think Professor Potter is cute," said the red head with a smirk.

Sarah shivered involuntarily, "Ginny, you are so fired. Jackie, you're hired."

"Huh?" asked Jacqueline, "Hired for what?"

"Ginny is fired as my best friend and I've replaced her with you," explained Sarah to the girl.

"Brat," said Ginny with a fake pout.

Jacqueline was the oldest of Sirius and Lily's daughters. Denise was a year younger than her and Janice was the youngest at only a year younger than her. Jacqueline would be starting her first year at Hogwarts this coming term.

Out in the hall, unbeknownst to the girls, the boys were doing there best not to die of laughter at poor Harry's bright red face from the unrelenting teasing at Ginny's comment.

"I know I shouldn't be laughing when it's my sister saying it but that is just too funny," said Ron trying not to laugh out causing the girls to become aware of their presence.

"Gentlemen," said Harry with authority, "I do believe we came here with a purpose other than eavesdropping."

"Right you are sir," said Fred with a mock salute.

"Okay, did you remember the snakes?" asked Harry with a devious grin.

George held up a glass case, "got 'em right here, but I don't know what you plan to do with them. It's not like you're a parseltongue and can control them or anything."

Harry just smirked.

"No way," chorused the group.

"I want all of you to give the girls in that room a good scare, no biting or strangling. Just hissing and slithering." Harry then looked at the most menacing-looking one of the bunch, "I want you to crawl up the red-head girl's leg and give her an extra fright."

The ten snakes all just nodded there consent.

"After they run from the room screaming I want you all to find a way out of the house as fast as you can and whatever you do, don't get caught."

Again the snakes nodded.

"Take the lid off Gred, they are ready to get to work," said Harry.

"You know, we've wanted to use snakes in pranks for so long now but we've avoided them because of the . . . er . . . dangers of working with them," said George.

Fred removed the lid from the case and all the snakes left the container and rushed into the girls' room.

Draco and Neville both had cameras ready to photograph the evidence.

Harry slowly counted down from five using his hand.

"5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . 0" he closed his fist completely.

"Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!" screamed five female voice followed by a lot of moving around and yelling and few loud thuds until the doors flew open and the five girls rushed into the hallway only to have chocolate syrup get dumped all over them followed by a lot of feathers.

The cameras were flashing like crazy causing even more confusion in which the girls were slipping and sliding all over the chocolate just making more of a mess.

Finally, none of the boys were able to continue standing as they were all laughing so hard at the five chocolated and feathered girls.

"You are so dead," screamed Ginny at seeing the boys laughing.

"This means war," said Sarah.

"Oh, come now," said Harry with a confident smirk, "You wouldn't hurt a, what was the word, oh yeah, really cute guy like me now would you Ginny?"

Poor Ginny blushed so red that lost her ability to speak coherently.

This earned another round of laughter from the boys on the whole.

It wasn't until Sarah was brandishing her wand that he boys chose to run for it.

"You're sister is quite scary you know," said Draco trying to catch his breath once the boys reached the safety of the dungeons. They would not emerge for some time, or at least until they prepared their next prank for the girls.

"Then why are you dating her?" asked Neville to Draco.

Draco looked panicked instantly, "You knew?"

"No, but I do now," said Neville angrily, "You know you could have just told me."

"Sorry mate, but I really do like her," said Draco blushing red.

"I imagine you're feeling a bit like Ron and his brothers then," said Harry to Neville.

"I guess," said Neville absently. He was more concentrated on being angry with Draco to pay close attention.

"You probably feel the same as they're going to feel when they find out you're dating Ginny," said Harry.

"Probably," said Neville before he realized what he was saying, "Wait, what?"

"You're dating Ginny?" asked Ron and the twins.

"No, of course not," said Neville, "Ginny would eat me alive and spit me back out again."

"He does have a point," said Harry, "But he did admit to it so . . ."

"Would you stop causing trouble?" asked Neville causing Harry smirk. It was then that Neville smirked, "Besides, I'm pretty sure she likes you."

"She's thinks I'm cute, that hardly constitutes her liking me," said Harry, "Besides, I'm not stupid enough to date a girl with six older brothers."

"Yeah, and the toughest of us works with Dragons on a daily basis," said Ron.

"Charlie is not someone you'd want to get on the wrong side of," said Fred with a shiver.

"Neither is Bill with all those ancient curses he's learnt working for Gringotts," said George.

"My point exactly," said Harry.

"So, what's the next prank?" asked Neville happily changing the subject.

"Not yet, we have to give them a chance to retaliate," said Harry, "If we ruin their attempt then our next prank will be even better."

And so the next three days went past in a blur consisting mostly of prank after prank. The girls were surprisingly good but not good enough.

It ended up being one of the happiest summers that Harry could ever remember having in his entire life. Padfoot was by frequently as was Lily and the brats. Neville, Draco, Ron, and the twins all became great friends with Harry.

All too soon it was time once more to return to Hogwarts.

"Well, Mr. Potter, are you excited to start a new year of school?" asked Tom Riddle.

"I think so," said Harry. He wasn't quite sure as to why Professor Riddle was paying him a visit a week before school was set to begin.

"Good, I'm glad to hear that," said Tom, "I'm sure you're wondering why it is that I have come to visit today."

"Just a bit," said Harry cautiously. He was getting the distinct feeling that Tom did not have good news.

"Well, I have a few things that I wished to share with you. You see, yesterday was a very interesting day for me to say the least," said Tom calmly.

"Why is that?" asked Harry with a quirked eyebrow. Now he knew that Tom had bad news for him.

"I have bad news actually," said Tom attempting to keep the mood light, "Which do you want first the bad news or the really bad news?"

"Hit me with your worst," said Harry resignedly.

"We've figured out how to control the gate or at least we have an idea how to control it. The really bad news is that we don't know where we need to, how did Lily put it, tune the channel to," explained Tom.

"That's not good," Harry said, "Isn't there anything we can do?"

"No, in order to find the right 'channel' we would need for you or Padfoot to have some form of magical connection to the other world," explained Tom sadly.

"Oh, well that's not a problem," said Harry, "Remember, I share a connection with Voldemort."

Tom had a look that passed through his eyes that told Harry he was feeling very foolish, "I had forgotten. Even I make mistakes you see. Well, once we've been able to fine tune the process we should be able to connect it to your world, but that is still at least a year away from now."

"That's not so bad. You're still planning to teach me aren't you?"

"Of course, it has become more important that ever that I give you the best training possible," said Tom with a glint in his eye that instantly made Harry even more nervous.

"So what was the bad news?" asked Harry.

"Do you recall that room within the Department of Mysteries that was filled with little glass orbs containing prophecies?"

Harry nodded not liking where this was going.

"Well, Remus was checking over the entire department to make sure everything was intact after your appearance and he stumbled upon something that has made us rather concerned," said Tom as calmly as possible, "When he saw this he contacted me immediately and asked that I come right away. Some years ago, when Dumbledore first defeated Grindewald to take his place there was a prophecy made that predicted it would happen. But it also made another prediction. I think it best if I recite the prophecy for you. 'The Dark Phoenix shall rise and destroy his rival. He shall fall but like the Phoenix he shall rise from the ashes to attempt to rule once more placing the wise few before the good of all. None of this world can defeat him, but one shall come of another. He will be marked by evil and he will know power the Dark Phoenix knows not. And until he has faced and defeated the Dark Phoenix he shall not be able to return to his home.' Originally it was believed that the one not of this world would be an alien of some sort or other but it wasn't until you came that we even considered the possibility. You must admit, it fits your description rather well."

"Oh that's just bloody great," said Harry sarcastically, "What the hell is wrong with my life that I can't just bloody well be normal. Now you've got this damn prophecy working against me as well and I'm willing to put money on it that the other prophecy I was trying to protect in the other dimension before it broke was something along the same lines too. Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn, damn, this sucks."

Tom seemed content to just let Harry rant and rant he did. If Harry weren't in his father's home he would have been content to start destroying everything in sight but as it was he couldn't.

"Feel better?" asked Tom once Harry seemed to calm a bit.

"Not really," said Harry, "Are you certain about this damn prophecy?"

"Sadly, yes I am," said Riddle, "So it is that I will be bringing you to Hogwarts tomorrow to begin your training."

Harry let off another round of expletives to let off a bit of steam that was repeatedly accumulating.

BREAK

"Who would have believed I would get so lucky," hissed a man with a snake-like face. "To think, the only person with the power to fight me killed himself. He walked himself right into an unknowing oblivion."

"None shall rival you now my lord," groveled several Death Eaters.

"We have seen the end of Potter and now we shall see the end of the wretched Muggle loving fool Dumbledore," shouted Voldemort excitedly, "We will soon rule over all, but first, tonight I feel like celebrating. The time has come for us to remind the muggles why they are inferior and must be dealt with."

The assembled Death Eaters cheered. Severus Snape though was feeling immense dread for the acts he was about to take part in. More than that he was feeling extremely guilty for all of the awful things he'd ever said or done to one Harry James Potter.

BREAK

"Come on Harry, you have to move faster than that," yelled Tom Riddle in an attempt to goad Harry on. It had been seven months since he'd begun to train Harry and the progress was extreme. Harry had advance well beyond anything he thought he'd be capable of.

Harry gritted his teeth as he fired of another twenty or so spells rapidly and silently whilst he attempted to close the distance between Tom and himself. In the time he'd spent training with Tom he'd learned very quickly that Tom preferred to fight from a distance sending out hundreds of spells at a time and force his opponent into retreat allowing him to fire off even more spells. The result was that Harry learned very quickly to fight in the same manner. The problem with that, however, was that Harry could only duel him to a draw and that was if he was lucky. Harry found on his own that he needed to change tactics. Very quickly he became adept at close range combat.

Tom knew this as well and tried to keep his distance but in the end he was forced to fight him on Harry's terms for the simple fact that Harry was much faster than he was. He was smart enough though to know that once in a while he could surprise Harry and regain the distance that he favored so much.

"So Tom," said Harry while fighting his way in closer. Part of his training consisted of him having to talk his way through the fights. He found as a result it became easier to focus on multiple tasks at one time. "How does Dumbledore duel? I mean, if I'm going to fight against him shouldn't I learn how he fights?"

Tom surprised Harry again with a close range explosion hex, that while causing minor damage to himself, was very effective in causing Harry to jump away rapidly to avoid injury. "He loves to transfigure things. He'll make clay golems if you are out in the open or he'll animate statues to attack you if they are available to him. He'll conjure objects to block your path. If you manage to really piss him off he'll conjure very sharp weapon all around you and then levitate them all at once to stab you to death."

"Have you ever seen him use the killing curse?"

"No, not even Dumbledore would stoop that low," said Tom, "Dumbledore wants to rule create his vision of a Utopian Society ruled by the most intelligent. He knows that if he were to start using that curse it would warp him into something even he fears."

"But he's already evil isn't he?"

"Evil, no, insane, yes," said Tom. He was actually getting distracted by Harry's questions and as a result was stunned when Harry unleashed a series of heavy physical blows into his body and head. Tom rolled away accepting the blows but when he stood up he was in definite retreat from the onslaught of spells and Harry's continued pursuit. Harry was determined to keep him in close at any cost.

"I don't know if I can kill him then if he isn't evil," said Harry.

"No one said that you need to kill him," said Tom.

"But the prophecy . . ."

"The prophecy only says that you need to defeat him. There is a big difference between defeat and kill," explained Tom as he rapidly fired off spells in an attempt to gain some distance from Harry.

"But if I don't kill him won't he continue to try and take over?" asked Harry.

"He may, but if you defeat him we can destroy his magic and place him in a prison from which he will never escape," explained Tom calmly.

"Destroy his magic?" asked Harry, "You can do that?"

"Of course," said Tom, "Everyone knows that. We've destroyed the magic of criminals for the last century. That's why Dumbledore has never bothered to try and free any of his followers in the past."

"But we can't do that in my world," said Harry, "Can you teach me the spell?"

"I can but it is a very involved spell," explained Tom, "It is completely useless in a duel."

"That might be but it would still be good to know," said Harry, "If I can bring it back to my world we could use it on captured Death Eaters."

"Excellent thinking Harry," said Tom dodging another series of vicious blows from Harry's arms and legs, "We should teach Sirius as well."

"I just wish I could use it on Voldemort," said Harry calmly.

"Harry, I think that because of your connection it would destroy the magic in both of you," said Tom, "Besides, I don't believe that you or anyone for that matter could have capture him for long enough to use the spell successfully."

"I figured that," said Harry, "I just wish I could. The idea of me trying to kill Voldemort or anyone for that matter scares me to death."

"I can not blame you for your concerns, however, with one as evil as Voldemort you must put aside your concerns," said Tom as he sent off another round of spells, "Besides, for all you know, you could return to the other side and find out that Voldemort has already been killed."

"Or I could get to the other side and find out he's already taken over everything and killed everyone precious to me," said Harry sadly. Unfortunately that one sentence distracted him enough for Tom to finally get the better of him and end the duel.

Harry was awoken a few minutes later by the Professor.

"Well done today Harry, you almost had me several times," said Tom.

"I got distracted because I felt pity for myself," said Harry angrily, "I can't afford to do that."

"Indeed but when the time comes you will not be distracted by such simple things," said Tom reassuringly, "However, now is not the time to feel sorry for yourself, we have more training to work on today."

"Yes sir," grumbled Harry tiredly. Every morning started out the same with the most intense dueling possible which would last for hours, or rather it did now as Harry had improved so much. Usually they'd duel in about thirty minute bouts.

"Okay, so how is your Animagus progress coming along?" asked Tom calmly.

"The transformation is faster now, but I can't transform just a little at a time. It's still all or nothing," said Harry.

"Don't worry about it," said Tom, "You're putting too much pressure on yourself."

"But if I could just get one are to change while we're dueling," said Harry impatiently, "Those close range attacks would be so much more effective."

"That may be," said Tom, "However, if you push yourself too hard you'll never get it. Remember, the Animagus transformation is will magic. You have to be relaxed and in tune with your magic."

"I know that," said Harry frustrated.

"Well then, let's work on your Legilimency skills," said Tom calmly as he braced himself for the mental onslaught that Harry was about to attack him with.

The Occlumency and Legilimency training was one of the toughest for Harry because of all the things he had to relive in his memories. It was all so intense and painful. Eventually it turned in to mental dueling with the both of them attacking and defending at the same time. Part of Harry's training to talk while dueling had to do with Occlumency as there was the chance that whoever he was dueling might attempt such an attack though Harry and Tom had yet to progress to that point in the training.

About an hour later it was time for lunch and time for Harry to rejoin classes. Professor Riddle had done Harry a large favor by organizing all the classes around his schedule. Or more specifically, he arranged for Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, Herbology, and Defense Against the Dark Arts to be held in the afternoon.

Harry rejoined his friends in the Great Hall. Usually he would run back to the dorms and shower first but they ran a bit over today.

"Bloody hell Harry," said Ron plugging his nose, "You stink mate."

"Thanks" said Harry with a grin as he piled food onto his plate happily.

"Run over again?" asked Neville also plugging his nose.

"Yeah," said Harry through a full mouth, "I'll eat quick and go clean up."

"Good idea," said Ron, "'Cause you really stink mate. You know, maybe I should collect a sample and send it to Gred and Forge, they'll appreciate the new and improved stink bomb."

"Oi, that's not funny you prat," said Harry unhappily.

"Hey, Potter," said Hermione acidly, "I need to talk to you."

"Which one?" asked Neville.

"The only one worth my time," she replied smartly.

"You'd best go find out what she wants then Neville," said Harry cheekily.

"Nah, you should go," said Neville with a grin, "that way we don't have to smell you anymore."

"Ha ha," said Harry sarcastically, "You're a real riot."

"I know," said Neville cheekily.

Harry stood, "Come on Granger, let's go."

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Back to Gryffindor Tower, I need to shower so we can talk on the way," said Harry.

"Right then," said Hermione coolly.

"So what did you want?" asked Harry once they were out of ear shot of anyone else.

"I have a message from my Master," said Granger, "He wants you to join us."

"I'm sorry?" asked Harry surprised.

"He wants you to join us," said Hermione again, "He knows you are a possible threat to him and he's said he's willing to kill you if you don't join us."

"As if he could," said Harry cockily, "for someone who is supposed to be smart he sure isn't acting like it. You can tell that moron that if he wants to talk to me from now he can come see me himself unless he's too afraid."

"Afraid," shouted Hermione indignantly, "Why should the smartest and most powerful wizard of all time be afraid of a brat like you?"

"Because he is," said Harry, "He never would have sent you to me if he weren't. He knows that if he were to face me that he'd lose miserably. He's a coward who is to afraid to fight me."

"He's not afraid," said Hermione adamantly.

"Fine, then tell him to meet me in front of the school on the last day of term. I'm even giving him a chance to prepare for a proper duel," said Harry, "And if he won't face me then and there then the whole world will know how much of a coward he really is."

"He'll be there," said Hermione before she stormed away.

Harry could sense the doubt niggling at the back of her mind. Shaking his head once he entered the dormitory and quickly got ready for another day.

BREAK

"It's nearly been a year," said Ron randomly. He, Hermione, and Ginny were all sitting around the common room moping. There had been another attack. This time nearly fifty muggles were killed.

"I know," said Hermione sadly, "I wonder what he would say if her were to see things now."

"He'd probably blame himself," said Ginny knowledgably, "I'm kind of glad he's not here to see how things are now."

"Yeah, but can't help but think that if he were here, things wouldn't be so bad," said Ron.

"He always gave us hope," said Hermione, "That was the best thing about him. No matter how bad things were in the past, I always had hope because Harry was there."

"I wish we could just talk to him again," said Ginny.

Ron though seemed to pick up on something, "I wonder."

"What?" asked Hermione and Ginny.

"I've got to go to the library," said Ron jumping up and rushing off.

"Hey, that's my line," said Hermione with a slight smile gracing her previously sad features.

"Maybe we should follow him," said Ginny.

Hermione and Ginny both chased after him. Upon arrival they were very surprised to see several tomes opened before him and even more shocking he seemed to be reading from several of them at once and taking notes.

"Hermione, I'm scared," said Ginny.

"Me too," replied Hermione, "Hold me."

Ginny and Hermione embraced each other but much to their disappointment Ron didn't even react. He just continued doing whatever he was doing.

"Ah hah," shout Ron before he waved his wand sending all the books away. He then hurried out of the room at top speed.

"Where is he going now?" asked a confused Hermione and Ginny.

"We'd better follow," said Hermione snapping out of her confusion.

They gave chase but he managed to lose them both somewhere near the north tower.

"Damn, he got away," said Ginny.

"But where did he go?"

"How should I know?" asked Ginny, "He's your boyfriend."

"He is not my boyfriend," said Hermione blushing.

"But you want him to be," said Ginny slyly causing Hermione to blush even more.

Suddenly Ron reappeared, "We're going to the room of requirement, hurry and follow me," he said as he rushed passed them.

Hermione and Ginny both saw that he was holding a crystal ball.

"What is he up to?" asked Hermione and Ginny together before they hurried after him.