Disclaimer – (See previous chapters)

Well, I did say that things would speed up and they will. There will be mention of what Hermione and co have been up to.

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story so far, I love you all :p

Chapter 7

Four years later:

Hermione stepped through the doors of Grimmauld Place. It had been four years since she had been here and it hadn't changed. She did notice that the portrait of Mrs Black had finally been taken down and the place was cleaner than before.

She couldn't wait to see her friends again. She missed them, especially while she was studying. She always imagined that they would come crashing through the door, asking for her help with an assignment. It took a while to get used to being able to study in peace.

She walked to the kitchen, took a deep breath and pushed the door open. She smiled at all the familiar faces. At the table sat all the Order members, even Professor Snape. She avoided looking at him, feeling a certain pang in her chest and searched for her friends. They were at the end of the table, talking amongst themselves. No one had noticed her yet.

"Well, I see you guys didn't miss me too much!"

All eyes were on her and she blushed at the sudden attention. She smiled as her friends heads shot up and looked at her, smiling.

"MIONE!" Harry, Ron and Ginny had launched themselves at her. She laughed as she tried to keep her balance.

"Guys, I can't breathe!"

They all let go of her and stood back, looking sheepish. She took this time to study them. Harry and Ron had always had a big build, from years of Quidditch, but now they looked bigger thanks to their Auror training. Ginny had a mature look about her now. Her eyes were slightly darker, as was her hair. She was also slightly taller.

After Hermione said hello to all her old teachers, avoiding a certain dark one in the corner, her friends dragged her into the front room.

"We weren't expecting you until tomorrow. What happened?"

"Nothing, I just gave you that date because I wasn't sure at the time when I'd be leaving. So, what have you all been up to?"

"Well, Ron and I have completed our training and soon we'll have to take the test to become full Aurors. They still need to set a date for us."

"Really? So soon?"

"Yeah, it turns out we're both naturals," Ron replied, pretending to flick his hair when he said 'naturals,' making Hermione, Harry and Ginny laugh.

"I'm doing an apprenticeship with Madame Pomfrey, I've still got four more years to go."

"Ginny, that's great! Congratulations to all of you. Well, have you heard anything from him?"

"Nope, there hasn't even been any attacks lately. It's weird. Anyway, we don't need to worry about it for now, how have you been, then?" Hermione knew Harry wanted to change the subject. His voice was full of anxiousness.

"I've been ok, I missed you guys though. I'm still waiting on my results on my Charms exam," she replied worriedly.

They smiled at her and Ron laughed, "She's still our Hermione!"

Hermione smiled at this. It was good to be back, she felt alone without them. Sure, she had made new friends at university, but they weren't the same.

"Well, I should go unpack, do you guys know what room I'm in?"

"Yeah, you're with me, come on," Ginny replied, grabbing her hand and pulled her upstairs.

While she unpacked, Ginny was filling her in on things she didn't want to mention in front of the boys.

"Ron's dating a girl he met at training, Sarah, I think. He doesn't mention much though, we had to drag that out of him!"

Hermione laughed. "What about you? Seeing anyone special?"

"Well, Harry and I are together."

"What? Wow, Ginny, why didn't you tell me before?"

"We're trying to keep it a secret. Harry said that he doesn't want to put me in danger, but he wants to be with me as well. So we thought that until you-know-who has been killed, we should keep it quiet."

"I'm happy for you Gin, I really am. Harry deserves to be happy and so do you. I won't tell anyone, so don't worry."

"Thanks, Mione. So, how's your love life?"

"You mean the non existent one?"

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's ok. I've dated a few guys, but they didn't work out. They were too immature."

Ginny giggled, "I know what you mean. If you don't like Quidditch then you're pretty much screwed, having nothing to talk about!"

Hermione laughed along with her, then sighed and replied sadly, "I just can't believe the one person who I could talk to wants nothing to do with me."

Ginny put her hand on her shoulder, "Hey, don't worry about it. He's an idiot for not seeing what he had. If it makes you feel any better, he did look happier when you walked in before. I noticed it because I was siting opposite him."

Hermione smiled slightly, "Even if he does feel something for me, he won't show it, or tell me. He's not that type of person. You know what the worst thing about this is?"

"What?"

"I'm still not over him."

"Oh, Mione," Ginny pulled the older girl into a comforting hug. "He'll come around eventually. He's probably stressed. What with being a spy and all."

Hermione sighed, "I hope you're right, Gin. But I still can't tell him about the baby. He'll hate me for not telling him sooner."

"You were confused, Mione. You only told me because it was eating away at you. You couldn't have told him then, especially after what happened."

"I know, but I will have to tell him sometime, I mean he has a right to know after all."

"Well, it's up to you to decide when to tell him. You will know when you feel like you can talk to him, don't worry."

"You sound so much like your mother, you know!"

Ginny laughed, "You cheeky thing! I'm nothing like my mother!"

"No, I mean, you're good at giving advice. You know what to do in a crisis as well."

"Oh, well, I guess I am like her then!" She checked the clock. "You coming down for dinner? I'm starving!"

"Now you sound like Ron!" Hermione laughed at the look on Ginny's face.

They both made their way into the kitchen and sat themselves down. Hermione noticed that Professor Snape wasn't there. She soon found out why. As soon as everyone was seated, Professor Dumbledore spoke up.

"Just to let you all know, Severus has been summoned. He should be back later on tonight." He then tuned to say something to Mrs Weasley who nodded in return.

Hermione was worried. Apparently, he hadn't been summoned in a while. She hoped he would be ok. She mentally shook herself. Why was she thinking like this? She shouldn't care what happens, he had hurt her. She shouldn't care she told herself firmly. That didn't stop her from feeling nervous for the rest of the night.

Everyone was sitting in the living room when he finally returned. To Hermione's relief, he was ok. But the news he brought had shocked everyone.

"He is planning to attack Hogwarts some time next week."

Dun dun dun! Another chapter. I'm not sure if it's longer, but things are starting to pick up now. Once again, thanks for the reviews, you guys are really supportive! There will be another chapter tomorrow! Review!