Disclaimer: I do not in any way claim to own, nor did I create, Harry Potter or any related material. All credit should go to J.K. Rowling and her publishers. I do not profit from these writings.

Hermione glanced at the teetering pile of books in front of her with an unusual sense of fatigue. This was quite abnormal from her usual earnestness of study and learning. She did not equate her sudden listlessness and lack of energy to the fact she had not consumed enough calories to fulfill her daily need.

Instead, Hermione picked up the first book on her formidable stack, the third volume of Discoveries of Wonder: The Use of Ancient Runes in Archaeological Findings, where she immersed herself in study, ignoring the grumbling of her empty stomach. As always, Hermione found her solace from common-day affairs in books; she could escape her present difficulties in a good read.

"The Rosetta Stone," she muttered to herself…

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"Ginny," Ron whined, "Slow down!" Ginny raced down the long corridor followed by a panting Harry and Ron.

"Step up, Ron!" Ginny laughed back.

Stopping a moment to fully catch his breath, Harry asked, "Where are you taking us anyway?"

"You'll see," she answered.

Five minutes later, Ginny stopped abruptly in front of a broom closet (where Rita Skeeter had interviewed Harry in his fourth year).

"You must be joking," Ron said faintly. "I really did not run this way to have a conference in the broom closet."

"Ron! This is serious!"

"Ginny is right, Ron. Come on," with that, Harry stepped inside the magically expanded closet, just right to fit the three students; he beckoned to Ginny and Ron, who followed behind.

"Alright," Harry started apprehensively.

"This is weird mate," Ron voiced the opinion of the other two.

"Thank you for your insight, Ron," Ginny said with a scowl and rolled her eyes, "I have always loved broom closets."

"Listen, if you two are going to fight…I mean. I want to know what is…er going on with Hermione," Harry stuttered.

"I'll start, as I am closer to her in the dormitory" Ginny volunteered. Harry and Ron nodded in agreement. "Well, first off, Hermione has been acting quite odd recently…"

"Well, tuh, Ginny! That is why we are here!" Ron interrupted.

"Shut up, Ron," Harry chided.

"As I was saying," Ginny glared at her brother, "Hermione has been extremely quiet these past few days. I heard Lavender and Parvati say that she has not been sleeping well, either."

This time, Harry interrupted with, "Parvati and Lavender? Maybe we should talk with them as well?"

"Do not interrupt, Harry. And, no, are you thick? Ask Parvati and Lavender? They would be sure to mention our talk to Hermione. I mean, she will be upset if she finds out about us talking of her. Imagine if she thought the whole Gryffindor house was!"

"Yeah, Ginny is right, mate," Ron surprisingly agreed.

"Very well. Sorry, Ginny, go on."

"Anyhow, Hermione has also seemed unusually concerned with her looks. I mean, she has talked with me about some book from the library. Also, just a few days ago, she complained about being fat."

"Weird," Ron whispered slowly, "That is not like Hermione at all!"

"She is not overweight at all!" Harry exclaimed defensively.

"Of course not, Harry. Sometimes girls are just overly concerned with their appearance! No need to tell that to us!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Oh! Hermione also had that…erm…passing out incident," Ron added. Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise at even Ron's ability to be completely thick at times. Ginny just stifled a giggle.

Composing herself, though, she added, "That was rather strange. Did Madam Pomfrey tell either one of you the cause?"

"Dehydration," Harry authoritatively said, "Apparently she has been, as usual, overly immersed in her schoolwork."

"Well, that's Hermione!"

Suddenly, a pronounced hiss could be heard by all three outside the broom closet. His finger on his lips to silence the other two, Harry very carefully peered through the crack to see Mrs. Norris, her yellow eyes aglow, with her hair on end.

In an almost inaudible whisper, Harry asked Ginny, "Blimey! What is the time?" Ginny shrugged. "Mrs. Norris!" Harry whispered again.

"Should we go on out? Sneak back to Gryffindor Tower?" Ron whispered rather loudly.

Harry shushed him with, "Are you dense? Who knows the time…we should be in our dormitories! If Mrs. Norris is here, Filch is only a 'meow' away!"

"Well…" Ginny asked softly, "What do you suppose we do? I mean, we cannot just wait here all night, can we?"

"We don't have much of a choice do we!" Harry whispered again fervently.

Therefore, Harry, Ron, and Ginny leaned against the walls of the broom closet with Harry peering out looking for the opportune moment (if there is one) to sneak out.

"Where is that invisibility cloak when we need it!" Ron exclaimed.

"Shhhhh!" Harry growled.

A moment passed, but Ginny broke the uncomfortable silence with, "Ron! What is the matter with your nose?!"

Harry stifled a giggled, despite the feeling in the pit of his stomach that this was going to be a long night. The three settled down in silence, and the prior conversation was all but forgotten.

Author's Note: Well, I told you I would have the next chapter posted more quickly! I hope you enjoyed it (if not, please tell me how it would be better). Unfortunately, I have some ill news. I will be going out of town for five weeks (July 7-August 14), and I do not believe I will be able to bring my laptop with me (I am going to a ballet summer intensive workshop). Therefore, you may not see another update until August. I will try most diligently to post once more before then, but I will be very busy with packing and such, so I can make no promises. However, you have my word that I most definitely will be continuing this story as soon as I get back (you can expect as many as 15 more chapters). Please stay with me! I hope this story is as much fun for you to read as I am having writing it. Any comments or suggestions you have, as always, will be much appreciated.

Note: J.K. Rowling has announced the title for book six, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Now, if I do not post again for a while, Have a wonderful five weeks! Please send me off with lots of reviews! REVIEW!!!