Disclaimer = I own nothing of this 'sept a couple of names and the plot, The WONDERFUL JK Rowling and warner bro.s own most of this! I wish I did own some of this, to be able to write like JK.... oh what a wonderful thing.....(daydreams about writing that well....)

Chapter 3 – Mystery Door

"Ginny, Hermione, dears, we have an hour until we have to be at King's Cross. So get up!" Mrs. Weasley called through the door.

Hermione quickly got out of bed and went into the bathroom to get ready. When she was out, she hauled her trunk, owl cage, and other things, downstairs to be put into the taxi. She had packed the night before to be ready for in the morning.

After all her things were together, she went into the kitchen to get some breakfast. Again, Ginny was already sitting there, and the two girls talked over toast and milk. The boys entered a little while later, looking sleepy.

Once everybody had had breakfast, Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Ginny, Harry and Hermione went out to the taxi that Mrs. Weasley had called for earlier. The taxi driver was arguing with Mrs. Weasley about how the trunks were NOT going to fit into the trunk of the car.

The taxi driver turned his back for one second, and Mrs. Weasley charmed the car to fit all six passengers, and all four trunks. The driver was quite astonished.

They sped off to King's Cross Station and got there with 10 minutes to spare.

"Well, we did better than we normally do, I would say," Mrs. Weasley said.

"Yea, usually, we get here, and we have to jump on the train as it's rolling away," Ron said.

"Anyways, have a good year, all of you. Don't get into trouble, and Ron, don't get that room of yours taken away by doing something stupid," Mrs. Weasley warned.

"I won't, Mum. I've got two prefects to help get me out of trouble if I need it, anyway." Ron said, looking at Harry and Hermione.

"Don't count on me, Ron. I've got you out of trouble too many times," Hermione said, joking.

"Yea, Ronny, better be good this year!" Harry quipped.

"Oh whatever, guys."

"Well, it was good have you two stay with us," Mrs. Weasley said, as she hugged Harry and Hermione, "Maybe you could come for Christmas? Get away from school for a while?"

"We'll think about it, Mum," Ron said, hugging his mother.

They all said their good-byes, and got on the train. Harry and Hermione had to go to the Prefects carriage, leaving Ron and Ginny to find a compartment for the four of them.

Hermione and Harry walked to the front of the train, when Harry said, "Ron likes you," out of nowhere.

"Where did that come from?" Hermione asked, shocked.

"Well, I know I shouldn't tell you this, but he is thinking about asking you out this year. And because he is my best mate and all, I don't want him to be hurt, so tell me... do you like him?"

"Yea, I do, kinda."

"Oh that's good. Okay, forget I mentioned anything." They were silent the rest of the way to the carriage.

They walked into the Prefects' carriage to see all the same prefects from last year. The only new addition seemed to be Harry. Hermione spotted Draco. She hadn't been able to stop thinking about him since the day in Diagon Alley.

"Finally, you two show up! We've been sitting here waiting." Ernie Macmillan said.

"Sorry, but ... oh forget it." Hermione started but stopped at the look that Ernie gave her.

"Okay, so we can get started." The group talked about what was going to happen this coming year. They touched on the security of the school after the incident last year. Finally, Harry and Hermione were free to go find Ron and Ginny.

"That was stupid, he didn't even talk about things we didn't already know," Harry said, as he and Hermione walked.

"Welcome to being a Prefect, Harry. But I know, he was just making sure we knew what the basics were for this year," she said.

They walked down the train and finally found the compartment that Ron and Ginny sat in. They were playing a game of exploding snap to pass the time.

"What's the news?" Ron asked when he saw Harry and Hermione in the doorway.

"Oh, they just talked about the security of the school after last year, nothing interesting," Hermione explained.

"Ahh, fun!" Ginny said, sarcastically.

"So, did you guys just play snap?" Harry asked.

"Yup, pretty much."

Harry took a seat next to Ginny, leaving Hermione to sit by Ron. She sat down. Why haven't I noticed how pretty Ginny was until now? Harry thought to himself.

The teens talked until the lunch trolley came. They bought what they wanted then sat and ate. Soon after, Harry turned to Ginny and asked her if she would come with him for a moment. She agreed, after looking at Ron, who nodded.

"What was that about?" Hermione asked Ron when Harry and Ginny left.

"I think Harry finally noticed Ginny."

"Ooooh, I hope so!"

"Me too, they seem like they would be good together. And 'cause then Harry would be my brother-in-law," Ron said, smiling. Hermione knew that Harry would be the only boy that Ron would approve for his little sister.

They sat in an awkward silence for a couple of minutes until Hermione said that she needed to use the bathroom, and excused herself. Damn! She always gets away! Ron thought.

"Harry, what's this about?" Ginny asked as Harry pulled her into an empty compartment.

"You'll see..." was all he said, until they were both inside, looking into each others' eyes.

"Ginny, I'm sorry for all the things I've done to you."

"Harry, what are you on about?" Ginny asked, confused.

"I just want you to know that I am sorry, and I want to make it up to you."

"How?"

"I want you to be my girlfriend."

Ginny had a feeling this was coming, and she didn't like it at all. Why? Why now, of all times, does he have to notice me?? Gods, I haven't liked him since 3rd year. Oh, Gods, WHY?

"Harry, I'm really, REALLY sorry, but I gave up on you in my third year. You couldn't see that I really liked you, so I gave up. After three years, and you never thought more of me, I gave up. Harry, I'm so sorry," Ginny said, with tears now shining in her eyes. She remembered how many nights she cried herself to sleep because of the Boy Who Lived.

"Oh, I understand. I should have noticed you earlier. But tell me something. Is there someone else?"

"No, Harry, there isn't. Right now I'm just waiting for the right guy to come along. I'm sorry, I still love you." Ginny said. Harry knew she meant it in a sisterly kind of way.

"I love you too, but..."

"Harry, I'm sure that there is a perfect girl out there for you, just waiting for her knight in shining armor. Go be her knight, Harry."

Ginny gave him a quick hug and left Harry alone in the compartment. She went to find some of her fifth year friends, not wanting to face Ron and Hermione after what had happened.

Harry tried to forget about the conversation he just had with the girl that he wanted to be with, but he couldn't get it out of his head. 'You couldn't see that I really liked you, so I gave up.' Damn you Harry. You are so stupid, why couldn't you have noticed her before, Gods, she was always there!

He walked back in kind of a daze, not really noticing where his feet were taking him. He almost jumped when he saw that he was in front of the compartment door of Draco Malfoy. Why's he sitting alone? Where are his goons?

Malfoy noticed Harry standing outside his compartment and went to open the door with a smirk on his face.

"Why, if it isn't Scarhead?" Malfoy drawled.

"Shut up, Malfoy! I didn't mean to come to your compartment; I just wasn't paying attention to where I was going. So if you don't mind, I will leave now. And please, leave me and my friends ALONE this year! I'm asking nicely, and I won't do it again, I promise you." Harry turned to leave, and to his utmost surprise, Malfoy didn't stop him.

Draco watched Harry's retreating back. Leave you and your friends alone, huh? If only I could, Potter. If only...

Hermione returned to the compartment to find Ron and Harry sitting there, neither of them talking.

"What's up?" she asked when she saw them.

"Ginny turned me down. I asked her out, and she turned me down," Harry said, sadly, not meeting Ron's or Hermione's eyes.

"Oh Harry, I'm sorry. Not to be rude, but you were a little late don't you think? I mean, she quit liking you two years ago, when you started liking Cho," Hermione said, looking at Harry.

"Well, I'm sorry; I just never thought that one of my best friends' sister would be of any interest to me until now. And now, she doesn't want me," Harry said indignantly, still not looking at them.

"Harry, I'm sure that there is some girl out there, looking for a great guy like you. You just have to find her," Hermione said, with the same tone that Ginny used earlier when she had said basically the same thing.

"Yeah, well, I don't want to look if they are all going to do what Ginny just did," he said, stubbornly.

"You will have your heart broke once or twice, but then so will everybody else," Hermione said, crossing the small compartment, and giving Harry a quick hug. She didn't notice the look that Ron gave her.

"Well we better change into our school robes don't you think? We must be nearly there," Hermione said, as she and Harry broke away.

"Yea, you're probably right, and not just about the robe thing, about everything. Thanks 'Mione," Harry said.

"Hey, what are friends for?"

They changed into their robes and soon after, felt the train slowing. They exited onto the platform and heard the familiar call of Hagrid to the first years.

"Firs' years! Firs' years, this way!"

"Hey, Hagrid!" Harry called as they approached the massive shadow that was their friend.

"All righ' you three?"

"Hagrid, we will talk to you later," Hermione called as the crowed pushed the three towards the 'horseless' carriages. They knew that they weren't horseless, only appeared to be to the ones that have never seen death. The only one who could see the winged horses with reptilian skin was Harry.

They got into their carriage, and felt it pull into motion and head up the sloping road to the great castle. The coach smelt slightly of straw and mildew, but none of them really noticed. The thoughts that swarmed their heads kept them from doing so.

Suddenly the coach stopped and the door opened, the trio stepped out and gazed at their home.

"Welcome to another start of, what I hope to be, another great year. The new Head Boy is Jordan Panoo, from Ravenclaw. And the Head Girl is Miss Emily Stuart, from Ravenclaw. I have more to say, but right now, I, and I'm sure that most of you are, am hungry. So, LET'S EAT!!" Dumbledore finished his short speech, and the golden plates around the students suddenly filled with food.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione helped themselves to the food. Once everyone had at least two helpings of everything, and maybe three of desert, (hey, there was only one Welcoming Feast a year) the plates cleared and were as clean as they were when they started. Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat, then stopped and said, "Wait, I shouldn't do that, it makes me sound like Dolores Umbridge." Everybody in the Great Hall laughed.

"Well, now that we are all delightfully full, I have a few start of term announcements that I need to get passed along to you," the old man paused as if thinking where to start first, "First, as you all know, the events of the end of last term need to be taken into account for the security of the school this year. A couple new rules were added for this reason, they are: one: Hogsmead trips are cancelled until we know for SURE that all is safe in the village, and only then may you visit. Two: no student is allowed out of the castle after 7:00 p.m. Except for Quidditch practice or given a note from a teacher. Three: this one is not new, but I will remind you again, the Forbidden Forest is, well, forbidden. That is all for now, please have an excellent term! Now, up to bed all of you, you have classes tomorrow."

All of the students groaned when they heard the new rules. Ron and Harry exchanged significant looks, but Hermione didn't notice. Great, now his plan is ruined. He'll probably back down now. I will have to talk to him, Harry thought.

All the students went to their House Common Rooms. Ron, Harry, and Hermione went to the Gryffindor Tower, recited the password (wingardium leviosa), when Hermione said, "Wait, we have our own rooms, where are they?"

"Hermione weren't you listening when they said that there is a door in the Common Room that reads 'Private Rooms'?" Harry said, looking at her.

Hermione blushed, and said sheepishly, "No, I had other things on my mind." She wasn't usually one to block out an important Prefect meeting.

"Well, there is the door," Harry said, pointing to a door near the fireplace. The three went towards it and entered. They stood in a hallway with doors all the way down it, evenly spaced apart. They read the names on the doors aloud.

"'Lavender Brown'"

"Oh, here's yours Hermione," Harry called. They rushed to the door and opened it. Hermione was speechless when she saw her room. The walls were painted in all her favorite colors: blue, purple, and silver. The room was a little smaller than that of her old dormitory, but was spacious enough to fit a small crowd. There was a four-poster bed with shimmery purple and blue hangings around it. She had a white night-table with a lamp and a picture of her, Ron and Harry on it. A white wardrobe was in the corner and she had a floor rug in the middle of the room, in front of her OWN FIREPLACE!!!! That was the detail that she liked the most.

"Wow, hope mine looks as good as this, 'Mione!" Ron said, as he took in all the details of the girl's room.

"Well, let's go see then." They left and went down the hall, passing Harry's room, Dean Thomas', and Parvati Patil's rooms, then finally came to the end of the hall where a door read 'Ron Weasley.'

Ron pushed the door open and looked into his room. Hermione had to blink at how bright it was. The walls were a vibrant orange, as was the rug, bed hangings, curtains, and ceiling. His night-table and bureau where white, though. On the walls were posters of the Chudley Cannons Quidditch team, Hermione watched as the players moved from poster to poster.

"Wow! It's definitely orange!" Hermione said, after a moment of silence and looking at the room. "Do you like it?"

"I love it! They knew exactly what I liked! That is brilliant!"

"Let's go check out mine," Harry said, and they left again.

Harry got to his and pushed the door open. His was a little darker than Ron's, but not much. His walls were red and gold alternate, with a white ceiling. The curtains, rug, and hangings were all gold with red trim. This was the room of a true Gryffindor; that was for sure.

"Do you like it Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Yea, I do. They aren't my favorite colors, but they will do. If I want, I can magic them to be different, if I can't stand it, but at least it's better than plain old white, like at the Dursleys'!" When Harry said the last part his voice was full of hatred.

"Well, if you two don't mind, I'm going to my room. I will talk to you in the morning. Good night." Hermione left Harry's room and went to her own.

She walked in and put a locking charm on the door. She went and flopped on the bed, still marveling at the beauty of the room. She loved it, and that was an understatement! She made a mental note to thank Dumbledore later.

She got up and went to look at the finer things of the room, things that she didn't see at first sight. She noticed that Melody's cage had been cleaned and placed on its own little perch. Her wardrobe already had all her things hung up inside, and when she opened the doors she saw a full length mirror. All her things where organized as though she'd done it herself. She moved to the fireplace, and saw on the mantle, pictures of the important people in her life. There was one of just her, her parents and her, just her parents, her and Ginny, just Ron and Harry, then in the middle, biggest of all, her favorite picture of Ron, Harry, and herself. Colin Creevey had taken it after the Yule ball in her fourth year, and the three were all laughing happily together. All the other pictures were magical, but she liked this one, because it was a Muggle photograph. It seemed more absolute than the magical ones, where the subject was free to roam around.

Hermione walked around her new room, taking in all the details. She had two bookcases filled with her books, and new ones that Dumbledore must have brought in. There was a stand with a stereo on it, and she silently thanked Fredrick Williamson, who last year invented Muggle appliances that worked at Hogwarts. These included stereos, televisions, radios, hair dryers, and some laptops. Most students didn't like all the Muggle things, and didn't bother with them, but the Muggle-born students and families like the Weasleys liked them. She noticed that all her CDs from home had been brought, even though she didn't pack them.

It must be getting late, I better go to bed, classes tomorrow, she thought.She went into her bathroom that she hadn't checked out yet. It was a light blue color and all her toiletries had already been brought in. She noticed her favorite strawberry shampoo and conditioner, and vanilla shower gel in the shower already. She also loved the tub sunken into the middle of the room, more like a swimming pool than a tub, by the size of it. It was a little smaller than the one in the Prefects' bathroom, but not much. It didn't have all the taps like the one in the Prefects', but it had four, and she took a mental note to try them out tomorrow morning. She went to the sink, brushed her teeth and hair, then took her make-up off.

As she walked out of her bathroom, Hermione noticed something she hadn't before: a door, on the other side of the room, slightly hidden within the shadows of the room.

She walked over to it and placed her hand on the doorknob; it turned easily, telling her that the door wasn't locked, but when she pulled the door wouldn't budge. 'Damn, it's stuck!' She pulled with all her might and it seemed as thought it hadn't been opened in years. "Reducto!" she cried. The door blasted into a thousand tiny pieces all over the room, revealing a dark, earthy passage. Hermione quickly cleaned up all the pieces with a spell and repaired the door, so as though nothing had happened. She then lit her wand and started down the passage.

The tunnel was dark and damp and smelled of worms and dirt, but Hermione was curious enough now to keep going. The passage sloped downward, sometimes becoming steep enough that it caused Hermione to slide a couple of feet down on her bum. But she always kept running, eager to know its destination.

After a good fifteen minutes, the tunnel started to level out and she slowed to a walk. She put her wand out and saw a door in front of her; a sliver of golden light told her that someone was beyond the door. She walked up to it and tried the doorknob; it was locked. She was about to try 'Alohomora', when she heard voices.

"You know what you have to do, right Son?" said a vaguely familiar voice.

"Yes, Father," came the all too familiar drawl of Draco Malfoy.

"Everything you need is from what we bought in Knockturn Alley that day," Lucius said.

"I know, Father," Draco said, sounding annoyed.

Hermione's stomach did a back flop due to what she was hearing. She was eavesdropping on a conversation between Draco Malfoy and his father, Deatheater, Lucius Malfoy! What was it that Draco had to do? And why did he need things from Knockturn Alley?

"Well, I must be going, the Dark Lord is calling. I will be in touch," Lucius said.

Hermione saw the light under the door turn a bright green, then back to gold and she assumed that Draco had been talking to his father through floo powder, and she was right.

She heard Draco shuffling around his room, then saw the light under the door go out. 'He must be going to bed, which is where I should be!' She turned around and ran back up the passage, climbing at the steep places.

Hermione reached her room, locked the 'mystery' door, as she liked to call it. She went and changed into her pajamas, thoughts of the conversation still racing through her head.

She had so many questions. Why was her room connected with Draco Malfoy's? Did Harry and Ron have 'mystery' doors? What was Malfoy supposed to do? And what about the things from Knockturn Alley? So many questions...

'I can't tell Harry and Ron about this! They will run to Dumbledore demanding that I get a new room, and I don't want that! I mean, Dumbledore must trust me, 'cause he gave me this room, and if he didn't, he wouldn't have gave it to me. I need to stop snooping like that! It can get people in trouble, or hurt!' Her thoughts raced.

Hermione got into bed, trying to push the thoughts away, but couldn't. When she finally fell asleep, it felt like only a few hours before she heard her alarm go off.

a/n - thanx for reading another chapter and thanx SOOO much to my 3 reviewers!!! autumn (bff!), davesmom (my Favorite fanfic author, I'm so honored that you read it!!!) and TweakerWeasel (author of draco and the tv hilarious!!! thanks!)

Please review!!! it would mean the world to me, and if you want to, recommend this story to others. thank you so much!!!

I hope to have another chapter up here soon, but i'm leaving for vacation tomorrow, so it might be a while, and just to let you know, the boring chapters are over, the next ones will be better now that the trio is back at hogwarts. thanks again! toodles, xo aly