The next morning at breakfast, Ginny, Ron and Hermione all stumbled in looking tired—none of them has slept much last night.

Hermione looked the most tired of the group, with deep purple bags under her eyes; she yawned as Fred handed her the schedule of her classes for this year.

"Oh joy, Potions first thing," Hermione said once she had finished yawning. "The last thing I want to do right now is spend two hours with Snape."

"Great…then it's off to History of Magic and Divination after lunch," Ron stated, staring glumly at the timetable in front of him.

"I've got Arithmancy after lunch instead of Divination," Hermione replied, looking slightly cheered up by this fact. "You know, Ron, you really should've dropped it when I did."

"Well good for you, Hermione," Ron retorted. "I hope you get loads of homework off Professor Vector," he added, rolling his eyes.

"Oh please just give it a rest you two," Ginny interrupted. "We've got enough to worry about without worrying about which of you is going to get more homework from your professors."

Both Ron and Hermione opened their mouths to protest, but decided that Ginny was right and didn't say another word throughout breakfast.

Hermione couldn't believe how she managed to get through her classes that day when she half-expected that Dumbledore would come and tell her that Harry had been found dead and that she waited too long to say something about her dreams.

Every teacher spent the majority of the class giving a speech on their approaching O.W.L. exams that would take place in June. Hermione listened, but only vaguely. She couldn't concentrate in Hogwarts—not when every little thing in the castle reminded her about Harry in every way.

"I heard that Potter killed Diggory himself," a fourth year Ravenclaw whispered behind Hermione and Ron as they made their way to the Great Hall for lunch.

"Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised about that—especially after what happened a few years back with the Chamber of Secrets," her friend replied, whispering excitedly.

"I don't know," a third friend replied. "Why wouldn't Potter come back afterwards, then?"

"Well of course he wouldn't come back if he murdered a fellow student," the second girl replied. "He had to make it look like he was kidnapped—"

Hermione and Ron quickened their pace, which separated them from the gossiping girls.

"I can't believe people would think that," said Hermione, sighing. "I just don't understand why they would think that."

"Think what?" Ginny asked as she took a seat across from Hermione and Ron.

Quickly, Ron told his sister of the conversation that he and Hermione had just overheard.

Ginny clasped her hands over her mouth in horror. "Oh wow," she muttered once Hermione had finished. "Harry would never—"

"I know he would never do anything like that, but we can't stop people from believing it," Ron replied, looking grim.

"I don't know how much longer I can take this," Hermione stated, burying her head in her hands.

Hermione, Ginny, and Ron sat silently at dinner; all of them were deep in thought. Sighing and pushing her plate away from her, Hermione stood up and picked up her bag.

"Meet me in the common room, okay? I've got homework to do tonight and I want to get started now," Hermione said.

Ron and Ginny nodded. Hermione was just about to walk away when Fred and George walked up to her.

"Hermione," Fred said, handing her an envelope. "I'm supposed to give this to you; it's from Dumbledore."

"Thanks," Hermione replied, taking the parchment from Fred and opening it.

"What does it say?" Ron asked curiously, standing up and leaning over Hermione's shoulder to read the paper.

"Dumbledore wants to have a meeting with me tonight at 8 in his office," said Hermione.

"I wonder what he's found out," Ginny said.

"I don't know. Hopefully some good news," Hermione said glumly. "I don't think I can take any more bad news."

"I guess you'll find out tonight, Hermione," Ron stated.

"Yeah, I suppose I will," Hermione responded, walking towards the doors of the Great Hall with Ron and Ginny following her.

At ten to eight Hermione set down her homework and put her books back in her dormitory. As she set off for Dumbledore's office she couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. What if Dumbledore had bad news for her? What if he told her that finding Harry would be impossible? Thoughts ran through Hermione's head until she reached the stone statue that guarded the entrance to Dumbledore's office.

After giving the password, Hermione anxiously stepped onto the revolving staircase. Once she reached the top, she knocked on the wooden door and waited.

"Enter," Dumbledore's voice said.

Hermione pushed open the door and walked in.

"Good evening Miss Granger. Please sit," Dumbledore said, gesturing to a chair that he'd drawn up for her.

Without a word, Hermione sat down in the chair.

"So I expect you've been wondering why I've asked you here tonight," Dumbledore stated, his blues looking at Hermione.

Hermione nodded and replied. "Yes, professor, I was wondering if you were able to learn anything—"

"Ah, I thought so," Dumbledore replied. "You've been wondering whether or not I've been able to locate where Harry is."

"Yes, of course, Professor," Hermione replied, stunned.

Dumbledore smiled grimly and said, "I afraid I have good news and bad news."

Hermione nodded, her heart thumping loudly in her chest.

"Unfortunately the dreams that you have received so far will not be sufficient information to find Harry."

Hermione's stomach dropped, and a vomiting sensation raced up her body.

"However, what you have been experiencing, Miss Granger, are not just ordinary dreams," explained Dumbledore calmly. "Harry was right in guessing that a connection exits between you and him."

"If you don't mind me asking, Professor, what sort of connection do Harry and I have, and how does it work?" Hermione asked breathlessly.

"Of course I will explain everything to you," Dumbledore responded. "Much of what Harry told you in your visions was true. I am fully aware that Voldemort has a plan to make himself stronger, however, it is the exact details of the plan that I do not know. Voldemort has indeed discovered an ancient magic charm that will allow him to become stronger than ever before, thus giving his enemies an even harder task of destroying him."

"Exactly what the charm does or what it requires to make it work, I do not know. However, I do know the Voldemort would've had to use one who was extremely close with his deadliest enemy."

"Harry did tell you that Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters knew of the connection between you and him," Dumbledore continued. "He, in fact, was right. I presume that Voldemort knew that there would be a connection between you and Harry, yet he didn't know when this connection would occur, otherwise I'm sure that he would've already acted."

"As for what how the connection works and what it is—" said Dumbledore. "Voldemort must have already preformed a part of the charm that would establish the connection. Seeing as you are so close with Harry, Voldemort assumed that such a connection would be the strongest he could make. Voldemort assumed that you would be easily enchanted, and that his plan would work within a matter of weeks."

Hermione stared at Dumbledore, her mouth hanging open a bit.

"Sir, how did Harry know of this connection? Did he somehow guess, or did he overhear the Death Eaters talking?" questioned Hermione once she had recovered.

"My guess is that Harry heard a conversation between Death Eaters. Although Voldemort underestimates many things, I do think he would be careful about the sort of conversations he was around his greatest enemy," answered Dumbledore, a small grin appearing on his face. "Now, Miss Granger, there is one more thing I'd like to speak with you about," added Dumbledore.

Hermione immediately focused all her attention on the headmaster. "Yes sir?"

"As much as I would hate to put you through the torment of going through another horrifying vision in which you meet Harry, I see no other choice if we are ever to find Harry. The areas that you appeared in during the visions—the castle, the cave, and the forest are all of some importance to Lord Voldemort, and I think finding these areas is the key to finding Harry."

"But Professor, even if I were to have another dream about Harry, I couldn't make myself go to a certain place," Hermione stated, feeling flustered at the thought of experiencing another dream.

"Ah, but I have not yet finished, Miss Granger. These are nothing more than visions in your head. Although you can talk to Harry and he can talk back, you are not leaving you bed during these visions, unless Lord Voldemort would find a way to use the connection between you and Harry. These are your visions, Miss Granger. Only you can control them," said Dumbledore.

"I—but—" stammered Hermione.

Dumbledore held up a finger to silence Hermione. "Miss Granger, although I do think that one final dream is key to this case, I do not think that it is safe for you to experience this alone. It is possible that Voldemort has now figured out how to use the connection to his advantage, and will do so if you continue to have these dreams."

"A final and last dream would be under the utmost supervision and many trained wizards will be around while this takes place to step in if anything happens. I suggest that you learn how to control your dreams until then. I, of course, would be more than glad to teach you," Dumbledore explained.

"I would like that very much, Professor," Hermione replied. "But how do I stop myself from having these dreams in the meantime?"

"I will give you the strongest dreamless potion I can retrieve, Miss Granger, until you are completely ready to control your dreams," Dumbledore said.

"Thank you, Professor," Hermione replied, standing up, her heart was still beating incredibly fast.

"Good night, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, smiling.

"Good night, Sir."

Hermione hurried down the deserted corridors, her footsteps echoing loudly off the walls. Her heart began to race as she drew closer and closer to the Gryffindor common room.

Hurriedly, Hermione muttered the password to the Fat Lady; the portrait swung open and Hermione caught a glimpse of two redheads sitting anxiously in chairs facing the portrait hole.

"So how did it go?" Ron asked immediately, standing up and striding towards Hermione.

Hermione gave Ron a small smile. "I was a bit nervous in the beginning because said he didn't have enough information from my visions to find Harry, but—"

"What?" cried Ginny and Ron at the same time, as looks of horror spread over their faces.

"Dumbledore said he couldn't find Harry?" Ginny shouted her brown eyes wide.

"Calm down, Ginny, you didn't let me finish," Hermione replied. "Dumbledore told me that these visions that I've been having can be controlled and that I'd have to have one more dream if we'd ever have enough information to find Harry…"

Hermione began to repeat everything that Dumbledore had said to Ron and Ginny. When she finished, both of them had small grins on their faces.

"That's great Hermione!" Ron cried, before throwing his arms around her.

Hermione grinned and nodded after Ron had let go of her.

"I know, isn't it?" Hermione exclaimed. "I don't want to get my hopes up too high, but still—if Dumbledore really only needs one more dream and it can be controlled to get the information we need, then—"

Ginny let out a small squeal. "Oh Hermione, I do hope that this works!"

"Of course, Ginny, we all do!" Hermione said. "But I suppose that getting the right dream will only be the first part. Then actually finding the spot from the dreams and getting Harry away from the Death Eaters will be extremely difficult."

"Don't go discouraging us, Hermione," Ron said, grinning.

"Ron, she's just trying to state the truth," Ginny replied. "I suppose she's right, though. I cannot wait until though all this is over though. I just want Harry back here," Ginny added quietly, a slight blush creeping up her face.

An awkward silence filled the room after Ginny's words. None of them said it, but the three of them were thinking it, but none of them dared to say it; although they'd all talked about what life would be like with Harry back, each of them knew that it was quite possible that the possibility of Harry never returning existed as well.

"Yes—well—I'm sure—I can't wait either," muttered Hermione, looking down ate the floor. Was she always going to feel like this? Were her emotions going to be constantly up and then down, and then up again just to be brought back down harder and lower than before? Hermione hoped not because she hated the feeling more than anything.

"I'm off to bed," Ginny said, yawning after the silence had passed. "Once again we're the only left in the common room at night," Ginny added lightly.

"I'm going to be too," Hermione said. "Good night, Ron, Good night Ginny."

"Goodnight."

The next morning Ginny, Ron, and Hermione walked into the Great Hall and took seats at the end of the Gryffindor table.

"Does the Great Hall seem bigger this year?" Ginny asked, looking around her. "Or is it just because there aren't many people in here right now?"

"Hmm," muttered Hermione, looking up from her toast. "I'm pretty sure that the rooms in Hogwarts cannot be magically expanded for obvious reasons, but I'll have to check Hogwarts a History."

Ginny rolled her eyes and looked away, grinning.

"I think Ginny's right—there are less people than normal in here so the room just seems bigger than it really is," Ron stated.

"I wonder why there are not as many people in here," said Ginny. "It's not early or anything; this is usually when the most people eat."

"Enrollment is down for this year, Ginny," Hermione explained. "With all the attacks that are going on, parents don't want their children away from them in case something happens."

"Most of them are afraid that You-Know-Who is going to try to take the school," Ron said quietly.

"How do you know that enrollment is lower this year, Hermione?" question Ginny.

"Well its obvious isn't, Ginny? Look around you," replied Hermione, gesturing around her.

Ginny glanced around the Great Hall again.

"There hasn't been an attack for a while though, right?" Ron asked.

"Well, I expect most of the students who aren't here are because of the attack about a week ago," Hermione said. "You remember, the one over in London, a few days before term started.

"Yeah," Ron replied quietly, looking away.

Ginny nodded, shuddering; the attack had been horrible and killed wizards as well as muggles.

A moment of silent passed before Hermione spoke. "I heard Dumbledore saying that Quidditch and Hogesmeade were going to be discontinued this year," Hermione stated somberly.

"What?" cried Ginny and Ron together.

"You can't be serious Hermione!" Ron yelled. "How are we supposed to have fun?"

"Ron, this is a matter of safety for the students," Hermione replied. "These are Dark Times and we all have to make some sacrifices."

"But still Hermione, Dumbledore must know some ways to protect—" Ginny started.

Hermione shook her head, letting Ginny and Ron know that she didn't want to talk about the subject anymore.

"But—"

"No."

The usual gloominess that filled the castle became increased after Dumbledore announced to the entire school that Hogsmeade and Quidditch would be discontinued for the year the morning after his meeting with Hermione.

"Oh cheer up, you two," Hermione said as the three of them sat in the common room that night.

Both Ginny and Ron looked up at Hermione with saddened expressions on their faces before returning to their homework spread across the tables in front of them.

"I don't understand why you two aren't any happier," commented Hermione when neither responded. "I should think you should be, even though Dumbledore announced that Quidditch and Hogsmeade visits were being suspended."

"Hermione, you just don't understand Quidditch," Ginny retorted. "If you did, you would know how horrible this is on top of everything else we've got going on. Flying is something amazing and relaxing. It was the one thing that could make my day wonderful no matter what happened."

"How would you know Ginny? You don't even play for Gryffindor," Ron asked.

"I know how to use a broomstick, Ron, even if you haven't noticed," replied Ginny. "And I was planning on trying out for the Gryffindor team anyways."

"Why don't you just read a book? It's just as relaxing," said Hermione simply.

Ron and Ginny stared at Hermione.

"Hermione, not everyone has read the entire library-twice­-like you. Reading is something that you do for fun. Ginny and I get that same feeling from Quidditch," Ron said.

Hermione just shrugged and began speaking again.

"Well, as I was saying, I think both of you should be happier about today because Dumbledore told me that we're going to the guided dream this weekend," Hermione said.

"You've got a point, Hermione, but I've still got a right to be sad," Ginny said glumly. "I do hope this dream helps us find Harry."

"Don't we all," Hermione muttered, looking down. Truth be told, she was a bit nervous for this whole guided dream thing. What if something went horribly wrong, or what if this dream didn't help them find Harry? Or even worse, what if in fact they did find Harry, but came to find that they'd come to late, and that he was already dead?

"Hermione we'd know if Harry was dead," Ginny said quietly, as if reading her mind.

"How Ginny? How would we know something like that?" Hermione asked softly, blinking back tears.

"You and Harry have some kind of connection, Hermione; you know that," Ginny replied. "I'm positive you'd know—you'd feel it somehow. I know you would."

"Ginny—"

"Don't—just accept what I'm saying Hermione. Don't question it, just trust me, you'd know."

"But—"

"No."

Silence fell over the three of them.

"Wow, Ginny. Since when have you become an expert on dream interpretation?" Ron asked.

"I haven't Ron, I'm just using common sense," Ginny replied simply.