Chapter IV: Surprises and Suspense

Molly Weasley was relieved to see the door open by her beloved son. Once they saw her Ron broke down and began sobbing and hugged his mother.

"Mum, mum, mum," Ron was mumbling with tears forcing to spill out of his eyes. Mrs. Weasley began to cry while Harry and Hermione were confused and stared at each other is shock. After they had all calmed down and settled around the fire, Harry was the first to speak.

"Mrs. Weasley…w-w-we thought you were dead." Hermione pinched his arm. "Oww!"

"I thought the same myself. After I was hit by that spell, I thought I was a goner. But then I-I-I…" Mrs. Weasley began to sob.

"It's alright if you don't want to talk about it," said Hermione, worried. "I understand if it's too much."

"Why, thank you dear. I think I will go to bed. I know it's only noon but I am very tired. Well I'll see you three for dinner." And she gave them each a kiss on the head.

A few minutes after Mrs. Weasley went to bed the three heard a loud cracking sound. For a moment, they thought Dumbledore has Apparated into the kitchen, but other voices told them they were wrong.

"Harry? Hermione? Ron? Are you home? I think we came at a wrong time Lu-" They recognized that voice.

"Tonks! Lupin!" screamed Hermione and ran to give them both a hug. Tonks and Lupin told the same story just as Mrs. Weasley, also stopping midway. Around 6:30, they ate dinner, prepared by Mrs. Weasley of course, and chatted about the Ministry for a while. Hermione however, was very unusual. Instead of being engrossed in the very boring conversation, she sat in her chair looking very indifferent and had a malicious look in her eyes. It took them a long time to notice Hermione was missing from the table until Ron, who was about to ask Hermione to pass the dessert, saw her chair vacant. Therefore, he went upstairs to check on her. While knocking on her door he noticed an odd glow of green light shine from under the door. After realizing the door was unlocked, he went inside.

"Hermione? Hermione, are you here?" A chill ran down his spine. He noticed the balcony window was open and walked to close it.

"Oh my God! 'Mione what d'you think you're doing!" Ron yelled pulling Hermione off the ledge. He had caught her standing on the balcony ledge, leaning back and forth.

"Oh, hello Ronald. What a lovely evening, isn't it?" she inhaled deeply. "Ahh, the scent of the moon and the stars. I love the night, you never know what happens in the dark." She began to mumble and giggle at the same time.

"What's wrong with you? You just tried to jump over that ledge!" Hermione ignored him. "Listen to me! Snap out of it! Did you drink again?"

"Hahaha you thought I was going to jump. You're close Ronald, but I was going to FLY!"

"Okay, now you're just plain high. I'll go call-"

"I heard him again, he's calling me. He always does, but mostly when I'm sleeping. Promise you won't tell him I told you this?" She began to giggle hysterically.

"Heard who?" Lupin, Tonks, Harry, and Mrs. Weasley had heard Ron's yell and ran upstairs hearing the whole conversation.

"The Dragon, duh," Hermione rolled her eyes. "Who do you think? Geez.

"Look she's probably drunk or something," said Harry.

Lupin looked puzzled and worried, trying to figure out why Hermione was acting this way. "I think it's best if we let her sleep. Molly if you don't mind, could you stay here and keep and eye on her for a while?"

"Of course I don't mind. Well, goodnight to you all," and Mrs. Weasley shut the door.