CHAPTER FIVE--SUSPICIONS BEGIN

A new year for school had begun. September 1st found Hermione Granger, a fifteen-year-old Muggle-born witch, impatiently waiting on Platform 9 and ¾ for her friends. Bright worried eyes watched the bustling new first years mingle with the older students. She, herself, was a 5th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"Hermione!" A lilting voice called out her name, whirling she tried to search. Suddenly a red haired missile collided with her body.

Crying out in shock, Hermione could only struggled to keep her balance. "Ginny Weasley! Release her at once, young lady!"

Flushing bright red, Ginny did as told, "Yes, mum."

Her friend and fellow housemate chuckled, "Hello, Ginny, Mrs. Weasley."

Mrs. Weasley tightly hugged the young brunette, "Hello, Hermione. How was your summer?"

"Okay but have you heard anything about Harry? All I got a letter saying he was safe but nothing else. I'm worried." Hermione had known the minute she read her letter that something was truly off about Harry in hiding. And she hoped to get the answers.

"I'm sure he's fine. Albus won't let anything happened to that poor boy. Let's get you two onboard. We're running late."

Juggling her trunk to the large scarlet train, she and Ginny quickly hurry aboard, waving goodbye to the elder Weasleys. Ginny quickly dragged her friend past various compartments, looking for her brothers.

"Hermione!" Said female was suddenly trapped in a three way bear hug from three red heads. "How are you?"

"Hello, Fred, George, Ron. I'm good, thanks. How was your summer?" Echoing 'okays' caused the young witch to volley out more questions, "Have any of you heard anything else about Harry? Besides him being safe and hidden."

The Weasley twins shared a knowing look, which their bookworm friend pounced on, "You know!"

"We over heard our parents earlier this summer."

"They said Harry isn't hidden but missing."

The occupants blinked in surprise as Ron cried out, "What do you mean MISSING!"

"We don't know, Ron. Mum and Dad don't either."

"Dumbledore is covering it up with hopes Harry will show up."

Ron snorted, "Bet it was You-Know-Who."

Hermione, ever the smart and collected one, quickly piped up, "I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will tell us. We'll ask him later."

Just as she finished her words, the compartment door opened. A pale young man glided in with an air of arrogance. He was followed by two burly boys. A smirk graced the fair aristocratic features, "Well, look what we have here. A room full of weasels and a mudblood."

Ron shot to his feet in anger, face bright red and wand held out, "Get out, Malfoy."

Draco Malfoy snorted in amusement at his fellow 5th year classmate, grey eyes peering about, "I see Potty couldn't dare show his face. Leave it to him to chicken out." His bodyguards snickered at the comment.

"Take that back! Harry would never chicken out!"

The blonde Malfoy snickered at the younger Weasley's passionate defense. "Potty's girlfriend take offence now? That's alright. This year is about to be the best ever."

Hermione quickly intervened, "Leave, Malfoy. We have no qualms in fighting back."

Sneering at her, "Like I said, this year is going to be the best."

His snickering laughter haunted the small group of Gryffindors, even as they settled down at their table in the Great Hall. They did not notice the concerned looks from some of the professors and the headmaster.

Albus watched the streams of children entering the Great Hall, all waiting for a new batch of children to be sorted. Twinkling eyes roamed over the four houses only to land on five young Gryffindors. Their sadden faces tugged at his heart but he had to stay strong.

Minerva leaned close, whispering quickly, "Albus, they have to know the truth. They will find out. I'm sure some of the Death Eaters' children know at least some of the truth by now."

The old wizard shook is head, "I cannot, Minerva. We can only continue as I said and hope young Harry will return to us."

Minerva could only sigh in frustration as she hurried away from the head table to greet the new first years. She caught the tail end of her Gryffindors' conversation. "Hermione, where could he be?"

"I don't know, Ron. We'll ask the Headmaster later." Tearful, the transfiguration professor hurried to compose herself. Within moments she was able to lead the new students inside. There she allowed the sorting hat to sing its song and sort the children to their new houses, surprisingly the four houses received an equal amount of new housemates.

Taking her seat, Minerva watched as the headmaster began his yearly speech, "Students, new and old, welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. Before we feast, a few rules. First," here his twinkling gaze landed on the twin red heads, "the Forbidden Forest is strictly off limits to all students. Punishment this year will be settled by myself, and most probably not enjoyable. Our caretaker, Mr. Filch," pointing to a glowering male holding an equalling glowering cat, "has a list of things that are not allowed within school grounds. Or to be made on school grounds. Please, feel free to check. No magic between classes in the corridors, please. Tomorrow, you will meet your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor since they could not make it tonight." Severus glared darkly at the empty seat beside him. "Now for all that you've been waiting for, ABBRA CADABRA!" Everyone could only shake their heads at the weird words, while the muggle-borns could only snicker.

Later, just after dinner was over, Hermione dragged Ron to the headmaster's office. Neither knew the password but remembered that he always used candy. Swiftly, Hermione yanked out a sheet of paper with all types of words written down, "Uh, Hermione?"

"It's a list of candy he already used as well as others he has yet to use, even muggle candy." Ron nodded as they both recited the long list.

Unknown to the two reciting students, Albus silently snuck up from behind. His manipulative mind began to remember the long list for future passwords. Blue eyes twinkle in amusement as one word snagged his attention, "Blow pop?"

Both students jumped in surprise. Hermione quickly recovered to explain, "Muggle candy. It's a piece of flavoured candy wrapped about bubblegum."

"Ah! I see." Turning to the gargoyle, the headmaster quickly spouted the password, "Grape flavour." He led the two up the spiral stairs and into his office. "How can I help you two tonight?"

"The twins, Fred and George, said that their parents said that Harry was missing, not in hiding."

"We wanted to know where Harry really is and why we haven't heard anything."

Albus hated the idea of having to lie to the two young eager students about their best friend but it had to be done. "That would be because only I, and young Harry's secret keeper, knows where he truly is. We had believed Harry was in danger over the summer and immediately moved him to a safe house. I cannot allow any letters to reach him, they can be traced or interrupted during the process. Now I believe it is curfew and you two need to be back in your dorms. I believe the password for Gryffindor is 3W."

Ron's mouth dropped at the wink the headmaster gave. He knew the significance of that word, his brothers were thinking of starting a joke shop with that same symbol. But Hermione didn't care as she swept away with her trailing friend. She knew but had no proof that the headmaster was lying about Harry's location. She refused to give up knowing where he was.