A/N- Okay, so here's the next chapter. This chapter is very important because not only does a lot stuff happen, but this chapter is sort of a turning point in my story. (You'll see what I mean when you finish reading) I hope you all enjoy!

P.S.- Please Please Review! I thrive on it!

Chapter 7- The Secret Section

"UH! There's no easy way to say this!" she shouted. She was quiet for a moment and took a few deep breaths. "Snape caught Ginny snogging Malfoy in the hallway."

He must not have heard right. He couldn't have. Could he? Had Hermione just told them that Ginny was kissing Draco? It made him sick to his stomach, to even think of Ginny ever.. No, Harry couldn't even let him self finish that thought. Ginny would never do that. It had to be some sort of mistake. What other explanation could there be?

"WHAT?" Ron screamed very loudly in disgust as he stood up from the couch. "If Malfoy laid one hand on my sister I'll"

But Harry cut him off abruptly. "You didn't see it actually happen, Hermione. It can't be true," Harry blurted as his stomach twisted into knots trying to get the mental image of Ginny and Malfoy out of his head. He was beginning to feel a little faint.

"I didn't see it happen, Harry. But I'm afraid it's true. Snape caught them this morning. Everybody's talking about it," Hermione told Harry.

"I'll kill him!" Ron shouted, even more louder this time as he started to pace around the room.

"Oh, so Snape said it, so it must be true. When did we start trusting what Snape has to say? You said it yourself Hermione that we should expect the worse as far is Snape is concerned. Snape would just say or do anything to get either of us of-"Harry started to say, anger building in his body.

"Normally, I would agree with you Harry. But, unfortunately I think Snape is right about this," interrupted Hermione, firmly trying to get her point across.

Harry finally had to come to the realization that Hermione was telling the truth. Hermione didn't want it to be true either, and she wasn't just saying this to hurt all of them, so Harry, just for a moment believed that it really was true. But then he just realized something. Ron was right. The only way Snape could ever catch Malfoy and Ginny together, was if Malfoy forced himself on her. And that made him more than sick to his stomach. It made his blood run cold. If anyone tried to hurt Ginny, especially Malfoy- Harry didn't let himself finish the thought. He sprang off the couch and faced Ron (who was looking at his wand).

"Ron, we can't let Malfoy get away with this!" Harry stated.

"Bloody right, we won't! Nobody lays a hand on my sister and gets away with it!" Ron said furiously.

Hermione then stood up quickly, and faced Harry and Ron. She looked at them as she started to talk.

"I didn't want to have to tell you this. I was rather hoping I could avoid it for now, but, I guess I have no choice in the matter, but to tell you. Malfoy didn't exactly force Ginny," she told them gently.

"How could you say that-" Harry said in astonishment. How could Hermione even think that? Now the mental image of Malfoy forcing himself on Ginny was going over and over in his head, and he was getting angrier by the moment.

"Because! Because, well, I-I saw them together for myself, Harry. Just a few minutes ago in the dining hall," She told them outright with a disgusted look on her face.

Ron's mouth was hanging open.

"Er- saw them how?" Harry felt like he was going to throw up. He was hoping this was a nightmare and that he would be waking up any moment now.

"Well, I walked only a few feet into the great hall and I told Benjamin to wait for us and we would meet him back there. I was about to leave, and then I saw them out of the corner of my eye. I couldn't believe it. I didn't believe it really, until I saw them together for myself," Hermione told them.

As Harry was listening to her relive the details, it felt so surreal. He tried to calm himself down enough to let her finish the story.

"They were sitting at the end of the Slytherin table by themselves, right next to each other. Ginny was whispering in Malfoy's ear, and they were just sitting quite close to each other. Then I noticed that- well, their hands were under the table, and Ginny was sort of- massaging his-"

Harry wasn't sure if Hermione had actually finished completing the sentence or if he just blocked it out. It didn't matter. All he knew was that his anger was replaced by hurt.

"Harry. You all right?" Hermione asked him.

"Just fine," Harry mumbled.

"What could Ginny be thinking?" Ron blurted, still pacing back and forth around the room. "Has she lost her bloody mind?"

That's putting it mildly, Harry thought. He didn't understand any of this. He was still hoping he would wake up.

"Well, she's probably still in the great hall. Come on. Let's go to dinner. We can attempt to talk to her there.

"Yeah, and I am going to give Malfoy a piece of my mind!" Ron shouted.

"No, Ronald we all have been enough trouble already. We can't afford to get into any more," Hermione reminded as they got their belongings of the couch.

Ron sighed. "Well I'm not making any promises. If I even see Malfoy touch-"

Harry zoned out of what Ron was saying. He was too preoccupied with his thoughts. On their way out of the common room, Harry knew one thing for sure. He would not be talking to Ginny, because he couldn't even bare to look at her in the eyes.

Harry was barely eating his dinner, a little while later, in the great hall. When they got there, Harry was expecting to see Ginny and Malfoy together, but thankfully to Harry, they seemed to have left before they arrived. Things were pretty much quiet among the three of them. Benjamin was sitting next to Harry, but he didn't really say much of anything to either of them. Hermione was playing with her food, and Ron kept glancing around the room (he was probably looking for Malfoy). Just then, Harry was broke out of his thoughts by an annoying voice.

"So is it really true about Ginny and my cousin?" Benjamin asked curiously, a hint of nervousness to his voice.

Ron just glared at him from across the table. Harry didn't even respond. He didn't feel like rehashing any of it. Although, that's all that was going on in his mind right now.

Hermione peered at Benjamin. "Uh, Benjamin, this isn't exactly the best time to bring-"

"Bloody hell!" Ron cut her off.

"What is it?" Hermione asked.

"There's Ginny!" Ron pointed across the room by the entrance. Harry wasn't even sure if he wanted to turn around. ( It seemed that everybody in the whole hall turned around as well.)

"The nerve of her!" Ron added.

"Ron, calm down!" Hermione told him.

Harry was sure of it. He knew when he turned around what he would see. He grimaced and forced himself to peek behind him. He wished ne never did. Ginny and Malfoy were hand in hand, and on their way over to their table.

"I'm sorry, Hermione, but how could she bloody bring him-"

"Ronald, please. Let's here what she has to say first. We can't just attack her," Hermione pointed out.

Ron sighed and agreed as soon as Ginny and Malfoy arrived right behind Harry. It seems as if the whole hall's eyes were on them, but they were trying to hide the fact that they were looking.

Harry refused to face her. He kept his backed turned and looked at Ron, who was looking really furious.

"So I take it you've the news, right? I am sure the whole school knows by now," Ginny giggled. But I just wanted to tell you in person. I dragged Draco back here just so I-"

"What, now your calling him by his first name now Ginny?" Ron cut her off.

"Well, Ron, what else would I call my boyfriend other than by his first name?" Ginny said cooly as she grabbed Malfoy's hand tighter.

Ron stood up in his seat. "Ginny, have you bloody lost your mind! What are you doing? Malfoy, what are you doing to my sister?" Ron said, his voice seething with anger. Harry couldn't recall a time when he had heard Ron this upset.

"I'm with Draco because I want to be. I know it's a little hard to accept at first. But I figured you would be happy for me. Silly me, I actually thought you wanted me to be happy," Ginny said icily.

"Ginny, your actually telling us that Malfoy makes you happy? How could you possibly expect us to believe that?" Hermione asked calmly.

"It doesn't matter. It's my decision. I am not a little girl anymore. I so sick of everyone thinking that I am some helpless little girl. I am a big girl now, and I chose to be with Draco, and there's nothing you can do about it. Besides, I love him," Ginny said happily.

Harry felt like he was in slow motion. Had Ginny said what she just said? No, he must have heard wrong. Must have. None of this made sense. How could she love him? The pain in Harry's heart just got bigger. Harry turned around and looked her in the eye for the first time. "You love him?" Harry said faintly.

Ginny just glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. She then placed her arm around Malfoy's back and continued to talk. "And just so you know, were going to the ball together."

"Bloody Hell! That's enough! Ginny stop this!" Ron pleaded.

"Oh Ron, please! What are you going to do? You're so dense I wonder how I could even be related to you! It's embarrassing really," Ginny said very coldly.

Ron sat back down, with a very hurt look in his eye.

"Come on Draco, let's get out of here. This was a waste of our time," Ginny told him, but she glared at them, as they began to walk away hand in hand.

"Ginny, wait!" Hermione shot up from her seat. "I think I know what's wrong with you. I think I can help you!"

Ginny smirked and told Malfoy to stay where he was. She walked back over the table.

"You think you can help me? You think I need help? Of course, Miss, Hermione Granger, who has all answers to anything and everything. Well, Malfoy was the only one to have the guts to say this before, but not anymore. You're not even a real witch, Hermione. You're just a Mudblood," Ginny uttered. A small smirk appeared on her face.

Hermione had tears in her eyes, but she held them back as she sat back down at the table.

"Ginny, how could you say that about Hermione?" Ron asked, utterly shocked.

Ginny just eyed the three of them, but before she turned to leave she bent down and whispered very softly into Harry's ear. "A girl could die waiting for the boy who lived."

Later in the common room that night, all Harry could think about over and over again was what Ginny had whispered to him. "A girl could die waiting for the boy who lived," she had said so coldly.

"Harry?" Hermione's voice came to his attention.

Harry looked up. Hermione was sitting right across from him, and Ron was laying on the ground, staring at the fire.

"Harry you look a million miles away. I called your name three times, "Hermione said.

"Sorry, I was just thinking, "Harry said.

"Geez, If I told Mum and Dad how Ginny's been acting, they would freak. I can't believe this. I still can't believe what Ginny called you. I 've never seen my sister act like this before."Ron said weakly still staring at the fire.

"It's- okay Ron. I don't' think you should tell your parents yet. We don't want to worry them. But the three of us need to talk about what happened," Hermione said frankly with a serious look in her eyes.

"Oh come on Hermione, what's left to talk about? Ginny's out of her bloody mind, and she hates us!"Ron shouted angrily while rising up from the ground and sitting next to Harry.

"Yeah, she's with Malfoy now," Harry blurted bitterly. He couldn't believe he was saying that. He thought for sure Malfoy was up to something, but Ginny was so cold to them, and sounded so serious. Still apart of him was telling him that something wasn't right and they needed to find out what was wrong with her.

"Harry, your honestly telling me, that you think Ginny's really loves Malfoy, in practically a day's time. I'm telling you, something's very wrong here, and I think we've seen this before," Hermione admitted.

"What are you talking about?" Harry asked confused.

"Remember when I said to Ginny earlier that I think I can help her?" Hermione said peering at Harry and Ron.

"Yeah," said Harry and Ron.

"Think about it you guys. This is the second time in the last week that we've seen this kind of- disturbing behavior from somebody," She said with a smile. "Remember what happened a couple days ago with Malfoy?"

Just then, what Hermione was saying made perfect sense to Harry. "Oh right. I was too busy enjoying how everyone was hating Malfoy that I wasn't even thinking about what he said to everyone."

"Me too, until what Ginny said to us tonight, and her behavior for the past day. It got me thinking. Their behavior was all too similar. When Malfoy said all those things, most of it was so unlike him, it was almost like he had a personality transplant. Do you think it's a coincidence that Ginny acts in the exact same manner only a couple days later?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"Wait, are you saying that Malfoy is doing something to Ginny?" Ron asked.

"Maybe. I don't 'know who's responsible. But someone's doing something, and."

"And it definitely has something to do with magic," Harry interrupted.

"Exactly. Now your catching on Harry," Hermione grinned.

"Now, I know I've read something about her symptoms before. I just need to go to the library to be sure though," Hermione stated.

"Well, that's great Hermione. But who's doing this to my sister? We need to find them and I'll take care of the rest," he said viciously while looking at his wand.

"Ron, your getting ahead of yourself. I want to find whoever is doing this too, but we have to find out what's wrong with Ginny first and how we can help her," Harry said.

"I'll go to the library first thing in the morning," Hermione told them.

A week had passed since the whole thing happened with Ginny. Everything was still the same. She and Malfoy were still together. Harry often seen them together, but he tried to block it out of his mind. Unfortunately, he even seen them snogging outside when he, Ron, and Hermione were sitting outside one morning. He forced himself not to think about it, because the hole in his heart got deeper and deeper. Ginny hadn't spoken to either of them since what she said to them during dinner the week before. Hermione tried to talk to her up in the girl's dormitory, but it was no use. Ron was so mad. He didn't even want to talk to her. He still couldn't believe what she had called Hermione. The only good thing to come from the situation was that the Slytherins hated Malfoy even worse since he was going out with a Gryffindor and a Weasley. Ginny and Malfoy would always be sitting at the Slytherin table at meals, which infuriated Snape greatly because he didn't think that houses should mix, especially with a Weasley.

Hermione did look in the library the week before but didn't have any luck. Since then, they've been almost at the library every day, and nearly every available minute they've been discussing what could be causing her bizarre behavior. This whole thing with Ginny seemed to have helped ease the tension between Ron and Hermione. Ron seems to have really been affected by what Ginny called Hermione. Since that time, they really haven't fought much since this whole thing happened. As a matter of fact, they've been getting along better than ever. Although, Harry was getting very sick of Ron begging Hermione about whether if she was going to the ball with Terry Boot or not. Finally one morning; the same morning they had the misfortune of seeing Malfoy and Ginny kissing, Hermione finally admitted that she turned down Terry to the ball. Harry was greatly relieved, because he couldn't take Ron going on and on about it anymore. But ironically, all Ron has been asking Hermione since then was why she turned him down. So it was a never-ending cycle. Harry gave up trying to figure their relationship out, until one day Ron did something totally shocking. Ron asked Hermione to the ball.

Of course, Ron looked like he was ready to throw up when he asked her. They were sitting in the common room late one night a few days ago discussing theories about what happened to Ginny, but they were all talked out. So Ron changed the subject by teasing and nagging Hermione about why she turned down Terry Boot to the ball (for the hundredth time), because she still hasn't answered him yet about that. (Harry had a feeling she was enjoying teasing Ron too).

"Ronald, who I go out or don't go out with is none of your business. You don't see Harry asking me, do you?" Hermione had questioned sitting across from them on the sofa.

Ron had sunk down in his seat. "What he is not cute enough for you then?" he asked like he didn't hear what she said.

Hermione sighed and folded her arms. "Ronald, listen to me for once. Why do you care?" She said in a very serious tone staring right into his eyes.

Suddenly Ron looked very sick, and his face turned bright red.

"Ron, you all right," Harry had asked him.

Ron shook his head. "I'm fine," he mumbled. Then he faced Hermione. "Well- er- since your not going to the ball with Terry Boot, you want to come with-er- me then?" Ron said incredibly quickly.

Harry had almost choked, and Hermione had a huge smile on her face. But she looked surprised to.

"What did you ask me?" Hermione blurted with a shocked voice, a small grin appearing on her face, almost as if she didn't hear Ron right.

"Didn't you hear me?" Ron asked.

"Yes, but honestly Ronald, I'm just sort of surprised. After all, the last time you asked me to the ball, I was a last resort."

Ron rose up from the couch, "Forget it then," he said edgily.

Hermione got up, and moved closer to him. "Ronald, I was just kidding. But since you've asked me, of course I'll go with you," she grinned.

Of course things were really awkward around them after that, and Ron said he was tired and went up to bed. Harry had asked Ron up in the boy's dormitory why he asked Hermione to the ball. Ron just mumbled some answer about how he felt bad about what Ginny had said to Hermione that night, and he said something else under his breath, but Harry didn't know what to think any more about the two of them. If this meant that they weren't going to be fighting in the near future than that was good news.

The past week had gone by so fast, because it seemed as if all they were doing was spending time in the library, trying to find something that could help explain Ginny's symptoms. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had been sitting in the library for the past two hours, and Harry yawned as he turned the page of the book he was reading.

Right then Hermione slammed a book closed and sighed. That sure got Harry attention, and Ron's. He had fallen asleep and was starting to snore.

"Uh! I can't find anything! I mean I could've sworn I saw something in the library about this!" Hermione shouted, greatly annoyed.

"Well, we should face it Hermione. Maybe we've been wasting our time for the past week. Maybe Ginny has really changed," Ron said irritably.

Just then it looked like Hermione had come across something brilliant. "Of course. How could I have forgotten?"

"What?" asked Harry and Ron curiously.

"Well we've been pondering in this section of the library for a week now. I figured we would look here, because that's where I thought I had seen the book with the same symptoms as Ginny and Malfoy's before. But I've just realized a book like that would probably have been moved to the restricted section," Hermione stated.

"So I guess we know what that means?"Ron said staring at Harry.

"Yeah, we go under the invisibility cloak tonight," Harry answered firmly.

After sneaking into the Restricted Section late in the night, they couldn't find anything. They were all disappointed. Especially, Hermione since she was sure she was right about the book being in the restricted section. They were on their way back to the common room under the invisibility cloak, walking quietly as ever, hoping not to run into anyone.

"Ow!" Ron screamed. "You stepped on my toe Harry!"Ron shrieked.

"Sorry. "Harry said.

"Shhh! Guys, if were caught, we'll be in detention for weeks," Hermione said in a faint whisper.

They were quiet for the rest of the way and were almost to their common room, when they saw a figure storming down the dark corridor right in front of them.

"Snape," Harry mouthed to Ron and Hermione.

They stood there motionless as possible as Snape passed by them. Their nerves began to relax as Snape passed by, but all of a sudden Snape stopped and looked curiously ahead of him.

Harry pointed to a corner and they walked as quickly and as silently as they could to the corner.

"Is someone there?"Snape growled, his voice echoing through the corridors.

Ron was breathing really heavily, and Hermione lightly tickled his back so he would breathe quietly. They prayed for some miracle that Snape would not catch them. After all without Professor Harmone there to defend them, Snape would take extreme pleasure in punishing them for months probably.

Snape came closer to where they were standing and peered right at them.

"Reveal yourself!"Snape shouted furiously. "I know it's you Potter, and your two sidekicks!"

Harry, Ron, and Hermione gave each other panicked glances. They prepared themselves for getting caught when all of a sudden Snape slowly backed away.

"Bloody Hell!" Snape growled and ran down the corridor.

They all gave each other relieved glances.

"I wonder why he"-Harry started to say.

"It doesn't matter really Harry. As long as he's gone. Now let's get back to the common room before anyone else catches us!" Hermione told them.

But then they noticed that from behind them that Professor Harmone and Charlie Weasley were walking down the hall and strolled right past them.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione took the invisibility cloak off as they entered the common room.

"I forgot about my brother coming!" Ron said happily.

"That's understandable. We've all been preoccupied with helping Ginny," Hermione said to Ron.

"Yeah, I suppose we have" Ron sighed.

"I guess Snape didn't feel like running into Professor Harmone," Harry said.

"And my brother, which is not all surprising," Ron blurted.

"Lucky for us," Hermione added. "But, look. We were lucky tonight, but we can't take that chance again. If Snape did catch us, no good could come from that. I'll look in the library to double check again tomorrow in case we've missed something. Other than that I don't know where to go from there. But we'll think of something else. We'll find a way to help Ginny Ron, don't worry. I'll see you both tomorrow. I'm off to bed," she told Harry and Ron.

Three days later, about 4:30 in the afternoon, Harry was sitting by himself in the common room. He was supposed to be working on his potion's homework, but he just kept picturing Ginny and Malfoy over and over again in his head. He must have seen them three times together throughout the day, all three times Malfoy was all over her and- No he had to try and not think about them anymore. It was just causing him to feel more and more hurt by all of this. Ron and Hermione had gone to the study lounge to do their homework. Harry had told them to go on without him, and that he would rather just do his homework in the common room. The truth was that felt incredibly lonely. This whole thing with Ginny, and not just the fact that she was with Malfoy now, however possible, but whatever was causing her to act like this was making her treat the people who care about her the most like they don't exist. Hermione double checked in the library a couple days ago, to maybe see if they missed something, but she couldn't find anything. Harry was filled with a deep sense of dread that maybe what was happening didn't have to do with Magic. What if Ginny had really changed on her own? What if she really did love Malfoy? No, Harry couldn't allow himself to believe that. But if they couldn't find some way to help Ginny, what other choice does he have? Just then someone entered through the portrait hole, and he swore it looked like Ginny coming through and she was finally by herself.

"Ginny?"Harry said with a hopeful look on his face.

Yep, it was Ginny, and she stepped into the common room, and made eye contact with him. She had a sad look in her eyes. "Harry?"

Harry looked at her, but he couldn't manage to say anything.

"I know you probably want to never talk to me again. But- I had to come to talk to you. I'm so- sorry, Harry," Ginny blurted, tears streaming down her cheek.

Harry slowly rose off the couch. What was going on here? Was she serious? Was the old Ginny really back?

"I'm- Sorry," she said again weakly.

"Ginny, It's- er- all right," Harry began to say.

Ginny smiled a bit, and walked closer to Harry. "I don't know what happened to me Harry. I didn't want to be with Malfoy, but somehow I did- I was with him, and I don't' remember how it happened," she said confused.

"It's okay Ginny. I think someone did something to you, to make you act that way," Harry told her stepping closer to her

"Really? Because I don't know what's going on. All I know is that I- really liked you and I wanted to go to the ball with you, but you hadn't asked me, and next thing I know Malfoy was just there, we were together and-"

Harry gulped and he seemed frozen in his step. Ginny was very close to him now. They were standing inches apart. "I don't think it was your fault Ginny. I don't know what's going on, but something very strange is going on here, "he managed to say. All he could do now is stare at her face which was awfully close to him. His skin began to shiver, but he felt heat go through his body at the same time.

"Did I mention how sorry I was, Harry?" Ginny softly said, although her voice wasn't as weak.

"Yeah, you -er- told me," Harry whispered nervously.

They got closer and closer until Harry screamed as he saw Malfoy appear right next to Ginny in the common room, almost as if out of nowhere.

"All right, the fun's over Potter!", Malfoy sneered.

Ginny laughed, and laughed, and put her arms around Malfoy.

"Ginny?" Harry asked shocked. "What is this?"

"Sorry, Harry, I really am," She said with a grin, and she kissed Malfoy.

Harry's blood began to boil as he realized this was nothing more than a sick joke comprised by Ginny and Malfoy. He was so hurt that he didn't know what he would do next. But suddenly he heard his name being called out.

"Harry! Harry!"

Harry heard his name being called out, and his suddenly eyes shot open.

Ron and Hermione were standing right in front of him, with books in their hand, in the common room with concerned looks on their faces.

"You all right, Harry?" Ron asked in an alarmed look. "You were yelling in your sleep," he added.

Harry slowly rose up from the couch. He put his hand to his head. It was just a dream. Rather, more like a nightmare. Part of him was relived but a part o f him was hurting much more than it had before. He really thought that Ginny was back-

"Harry, it sounded as though you were having a nightmare," Hermione pointed out in a serious tone.

"No, I don't remember," he lied. "I guess I just fell asleep," he added sitting back down on the sofa. But his nightmare just kept replaying in his mind.

"Oh, all right then," Ron said as he sat down the couch across from Harry. Hermione sat next to him, but she still gave Harry a concerned look.

"You manage to get any homework done?" Hermione asked Harry.

"Not really," Harry blurted not really paying attention. "All right, the fun's over Potter!" Harry couldn't stop thinking about it.

"Same as Ron here. It figures as much. Ron kept goofing off the entire time. Honestly, I could barely get my work done," Hermione said glancing at Ron with a smile.

"No! I seem to recall you were whispering with Lavender about the ball, over and over about how you were going to fix your hair, and how you were going to get new dress robes and-"

"I was most certainly not!" Hermione laughed. "She just happened to ask me if I was going, and I said yes, and then I helped her with a homework question."

"What homework question?"Ron asked smirking.

"Uh, Herb- uh- potions?" Hermione blurted. "Anyway, at least I've finished my homework, "she added.

"So did I," Ron replied with a simper.

"You did not," Hermione chuckled.

"Fine, Believe what you want," Ron retorted.

Just then Hermione grabbed some parchment that was sticking out of one of Ron's Book.

"Give that!" Ron exclaimed as Hermione jumped off the couch and played keep away with his paper.

"As soon as I take a look, then we'll both know if you've finished then, won't we?"Hermione.

"Hermione!" Ron shouted, a sense of playfulness to his voice, as he tried to grab his paper out of her hands.

Was it Harry or were Ron and Hermione acting really strange? Stranger than usual. Not only were they getting along, but they were laughing and teasing each other. They were flirting. The nightmare Harry had about Ginny and Malfoy came flashing into his brain worse than ever and he felt like he had to get out of here, or he would explode. He couldn't take it anymore. And it seemed that Ron and Hermione would be getting perfectly along without him since they seemed to be having so much fun. Harry couldn't believe how he was feeling. For the first time ever at Hogwarts, he felt alone. He didn't have Ginny, and Hermione and Ron were in their own little world most of the time. He knew he was being irrational, but he couldn't help how he felt.

Hermione grinned widely. "Just as I suspected," she said as she tossed back Ron his homework.

Harry rose from his seat and started for the portrait hole.

"Harry, where you going?" Hermione asked.

Harry stopped and barely turned around. "I- er- am going to take a walk," he said quickly.

"Wait, Harry!" Ron started to say.

"I'll be back later," Harry muttered under his breath, as he walked out of the portrait hole and into the corridors.

Harry started to walk down the hall, and had no idea where he was headed. He just needed a change of environment. He needed just to go and forget about everything that's happened. Before he knew it, he was headed toward Hagrid's Hut. Harry had realized that he hasn't seen Hagrid out of class since they've been down here this year. Hagrid was one of his best friends, and maybe one of his favorite truffle cakes would make him feel better. As he was headed outside, Benjamin was standing right around the corner. Harry tried to dodge him, but Benjamin spotted him.

"Hello, Harry," Benjamin said politely.

"Er- hi, Ben," Harry replied. Harry really didn't feel like talking with Benjamin Malfoy of all people. But Ben just stood there smiling at him.

"How are you?" Benjamin asked.

Harry wasn't going to lie. "I've been better," Harry uttered quickly. Harry was just about to tell Ben he had to go.

"Yeah, and I bet my cousin has a lot to do with that," Ben said sympathetically.

Harry let out a small chuckle. "You got that right."

"You know, Draco's my cousin, and I've never been crazy about him. You know he's been like that his whole life, thinking that he's better than everyone else," Ben said with a frown.

Harry realized for the first time that maybe Benjamin wasn't all that bad. Harry always thought he was a little annoying, but didn't want to trust him for the fact that he was a Malfoy. Sure Ben had said he wanted to be a Gryffindor and seemed nice and everything, but Harry just couldn't let himself trust him. But maybe Harry was starting to change his mind. He really was different from Malfoy.

"So you were never close then?" Harry asked curiously.

"Never. Maybe we were at one time years ago. My family just never got along with his. I just want to make it clear that I'm nothing like Draco. I mean Malfoy," Benjamin chuckled nervously.

Harry grinned. "I'm beginning to see that."

Benjamin looked happy. "Hey what are you doing now? I can tell you a whole bunch of embarrassing stores about Malfoy if you want?"

"That would be great," Harry replied laughing. But then Harry remembered he was going to see Hagrid. To Harry's surprise he was even starting to feel a little bit better.

"Hey, would you like to tell them on the way to my friend Hagrid's?" Harry offered.

"Hagrid? That huge giant that bought us here on the boats? Ben said in a fearful manner.

"Yeah. But don't worry. He's one of the nicest people I know," Harry told him as they started to walk their way down to Hagrid's hut.

Another week had passed, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting in the common room after dinner. Of course, everything was still the same and Harry wasn't sure how long he could take seeing Ginny and Malfoy together. But at the same time, he kept trying to distract himself from the situation. What else could he do? He and Ron even held Quidditch Tryouts, and of course Ginny didn't show up. Harry knew for a fact that Ginny wanted to be on the team, but she was a no show. Honestly, Harry didn't even feel like playing Quidditch really. He was so excited about it in the summer, but now it was a different story. He thought being in charge of the practices would make him feel better and forget about everything, but it hadn't. He still loved Quidditch of course, but just couldn't get into it right now. He was too preoccupied thinking about Ginny.

"I can't believe this!" Ron blurted loudly. "When will Weil let up on this homework?"

Hermione looked rather offended. "Ronald, when will you ever learn? Homework makes us better individuals. And besides it's rather fun, isn't it?"

"Fun? Have you gone mad?" Ron looked horrified

"Harry you hearing this?"Ron asked peering at him.

"Er- Yeah," Harry mouthed.

Hermione shut her book closed. "Oh it doesn't' matter anyway. I've finished, and what are you two? Maybe you should put more energy into your schoolwork then complaining about it," she stated directly.

Ron rolled his eyes, and Harry blocked her out. The last thing he felt like doing was putting more energy his schoolwork.

Just then Benjamin walked into the common room, and headed over by them.

"Hello," he said to the three of them.

"Hello Benjamin," Hermione said.

"Hi Ben," Harry smiled.

Ron looked at Ben, annoyed, but managed to say, "Ben." Since Harry and Ben were sort of friends now, plus the fact that Hermione was as well, Ron had no choice, but to acknowledge him. Ben had been spending a lot more time hanging out with them over the past week.

"How was your detention?" Harry asked.

Benjamin sighed loudly. "Perfect. Just perfect. I swear if Malfoy tries to get me into trouble in front of Snape again, I'm going to lose it. I had to clean the dungeon floor, making sure it was bloody spotless, with a toothbrush no less!" He complained.

"Well, there's Snape for you," Harry responded. "Cold and Heartless," he added.

"Yeah, I swear Snape is such a foul mood these days," Benjamin shouted shaking his head.

"No wonder why?' Hermione blurted.

"Huh?" Ron said looking perplexed.

"What I mean is, he can't stand Professor Harmone. She is getting on his last nerve. Anybody can see that," Hermione told them but particularly looking at Ron like she couldn't believe he didn't notice.

"And by anybody, you mean me?"Ron retorted.

"By the way, I heard that Neville Longbottom poured potion over Snape's head the other day. That must have been hilarious!", laughed Benjamin.

Harry fondly remembered that moment, when Neville got so mad in class, like Harry had never seen, and had poured his potion over Snape's head, because Snape had told him he was making it wrong. Everyone was so shocked, because it was totally out of Neville's character to stand up in such an extreme way to Snape. Boy was Snape furious, but Neville told Snape to shove it, and he walked right of class! More than that Neville Longbottom was acting extremely strange the last few days, very confident, cool, and even arrogant and mean. Harry was beginning to know what that meant.

"It seems like a lot of people are acting weird around this school lately," Benjamin said with a perplexed look. "I wonder what that's about."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged glances but remained silent. They haven't told Benjamin anything about their theory about someone using magic to make people act this way. Besides they had no proof, and Harry was getting more doubtful the more days that past, that they don't find something.

All of a sudden Hermione let out a wail. "Oh My!"

"What?" Ron shouted.

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"It's nothing. Nothing yet. I have to go," Hermione said as she got her books and quill. "I'll be back in time to go on rounds," she added as she walked out of the common room.

Ron looked very bewildered "What the devil was that about?"

Harry had no clue. But Hermione did act strange sometimes. "Well you know Hermione," Harry said.

Benjamin stared at Harry and Ron with amazement. "I sure haven't known Hermione for that long, but she sure is-"his voice trailed off and he focused on Ron. "Your not Hermione's boyfriend, are you?" he asked curiously.

Ron looked appalled. "Why, what are you thinking kid?"

Harry and Ron were sitting in the library in a private section bright and early the next morning. When Hermione came back last night, she had told them to meet her in the library first thing in the morning and to even skip breakfast, and that she may have some news.

"I wonder what this is all about," Ron said impatiently.

"I dunno," Harry replied.

Hermione then appeared from behind some bookshelves. She apparently was already here and had been for a while.

"It's about time you guys got here. I've been waiting for half-an-hour," she grumbled.

"Hermione. It's 6:30 in the morning," Harry blurted.

"You're lucky I am even conscious," Ron said while yawning.

"Well, anyway, now that you're here, I've got some news, "She admitted as she sat down next to Ron. "I had the strangest idea in the common room last night. I know we've looked everywhere in the library for a book I know I've seen last year."

"Hermione, we already know this," Ron spoke bluntly.

"Yeah. I hate to admit this, but It's a lost cause. We haven't found anything in two weeks. We would have found it by now, if there was something to find," Harry said gloomily.

"No, you two listen. I couldn't let on yesterday in front of Benjamin. But I remembered something from last year when I was in the library. I didn't think anything of it at the time. I think I was the only one left in the library and I believe Madam Pince thought everyone had left. I was behind a shelf, so she didn't see me. I had peeked out a bit and noticed she had a stack of books in her hand, and then sort of- well disappeared out of my line of vision. When she came back the books she had were gone, and I had no idea where she put them," she explained, keeping her voice low.

"So?" Ron said.

"So, that's when yesterday when I left suddenly and I came back here on a second whim. I thought to myself, what if there is another section of the library besides the regular and the restricted section? I stayed in the library until late, until she thought everyone had left. She again thought she was alone. I hid behind a shelf, and followed her. She had a stack of books in her hand. She had a key and in her hand and went to the far left corner of the library. She seemed to be staring at the wall, but then I noticed that it was some sort of hidden painting that blended into the wall. You only could tell if you stared at the wall for several minutes. She lifted it up and took out her key and said "Section Secrète!" I've looked it up and it means Secret Section in French. A small keyhole appeared and she unlocked it with the key, and then she disappeared behind the wall. When she came back out minutes later the books she had in her hand were gone. You have any idea what this means? Not only is there a regular section and a restricted section, but there's some sort of Secret Section of the library. And I am betting what we're looking for is in there," she finished with a confident smile.

"This is Brilliant Hermione. This makes sense. A section where no students would ever know it existed. Or were never supposed to find out. I am betting only a few select teachers have a key to it, besides Madam Pince"said Harry.

"I could only imagine the kind of books in there," Ron speculated.

"Exactly," added Hermione. "Now, you two think about this logically. Think about all the weird behavior going on in this very school, because we know there's been plenty of it, and not only with Ginny," Hermione finished looking at them intensely.

"Yeah, Malfoy," Harry blurted. As much as he hated Malfoy, it looked as if whatever was causing this weird behavior was affecting him too.

"And probably Neville as well," Ron stated.

"So I wouldn't doubt that what were dealing with is magic, and dark magic at that," Harry suggested. Whatever it was, it must be very powerful being able to change a person's entire personality.

"But, we've got to find that book. The only problem is there are probably hundreds of books in the secret section, and I am betting that somebody wanted that book hidden, so that nobody would know about it, or that only someone with access could get to it," Hermione declared.

"I bet a teacher's doing this," Ron offered suspiciously.

"Yeah, and it's not like that never happened before," added Harry.

"Well we've got another problem," Hermione reminded them. "We need a key to access the secret section and we don't' have one," Hermione said in a melancholy manner.

"Great!" Ron moaned.

"Not unless we can see where Madam Pince keeps hers," Harry said peering at her from a distance.

"Brilliant idea, Harry. Be right back," Hermione said as she got up, quietly smiling.

"I've got a feeling she's enjoying all of this," Ron whispered to Harry.

About ten minutes later, Hermione returned to the far corner of the library, where Harry and Ron were sitting.

Hermione had a smirk on her face, and one of her hands behind her back. "That was too easy."

"Well did you find out where she keeps it?"asked Harry anxiously.

"Better than that. I've got it," and she reveled shown them the key in her hand she had hidden behind her back.

"Hermione! Are you crazy! What if she wants to use it, and then she'll know it's missing!', Ron shouted, trying to keep his voice down.

"I don't think we have to worry about that. She put some books in the secret section yesterday. I don't think it's an everyday kind of thing," Hermione told them as she sat down.

"Hermione's right," Harry peered at Ron. "I think were safe."

"How did you find where she kept the key?" demanded Ron in a whispered voice. "I have my ways. There's only a certain number of places someone like Madam Pince would keep a key. At least I figured that out after where I found it wasn't the most exactly brilliant hiding spot," Hermione admitted.

"Well don't leave us in suspense," Ron said impatiently.

"Well, when Madam Pince wandered over to the other part of the library, I thought to myself that I should look near the secret section itself. I looked for several minutes and then noticed there was a loose floorboard, and there it was. I couldn't believe it," She said in amazement.

"Can you believe that she would hid the key there! I could've thought of a better place then that, "Ron blurted

"Shhhhh!" Hermione hissed.

"Well, are we sure that's the right key?" asked Harry.

"Most positive. But we'll find out for sure tonight, won't we?" Hermione pointed out.

"Tonight we go under the invisibility cloak to find some answers once and for all, "Harry said firmly.

"For the millionth time," Ron added.