A/N: Hi!

I know it is a long time since my last update…. I have been really busy lately. School, and much to do at home... But I hope it will get better now! I hope that you like the new chapter and that you all will give my reviws! I will try to keep answering reviws in my profile, but I am not sure I gets time. But I love all the reviws anyhow!

Thank you to: thedominator, RaveNClaWGeniuS, The Gryffindor Drummer, Lady Knight 1512 (Gave your line to Ginny ;)), LADY DANIELLE (No, I do not) and dreamergirl86

Chapter XII

"Where is she?"

Ron and Harry sat in the common room. It was Harry who had asked the question, but he didn't expect any different of an answer since the last time. He and Ron had waited in the common room for Hermione for a long time now. She was supposed to meet them there after her meeting with Dumbledore. What was taking her so long? It was past lunchtime and there had been no sign of her in the Great Hall. Dumbledore had been there though, so the meeting had to be over. When they had finished lunch they went by the library, but she wasn't there either. Now they had nothing to do, but wait.

"I don't know, mate," Ron said in answer to Harry's question. "She should have been here by now."

They sat in silence a bit more. Then Harry let out a sigh and got up. He walked over to the window.

"Do you think that anything bad happened at the meeting?" Harry said while he stared out of the window. Ron looked at his best friend.

"I hope not, but she was really nervous when she left, even when she pretended that everything was fine. And Hermione is often right when it comes to things like that."

"Yes, I know," Harry said turning back to Ron. "But I... Hermione!"

Ron turned around and saw Hermione climb though the hole. She crossed the room and sat down in the couch without saying a word.

"Where have you been?" Harry said. "We have been so worried!"

"Yes, we looked everywhere for you," Ron backed up.

Hermione closed her eyes and sat back. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes again and looked at the boys, "You know, just going around."

Harry sat down next to her. He looked at her, "Is something wrong?" He asked with concern in his voice.

Ron sat down on her other side. He looked at her, "Have you been crying?" Hermione closed her eyes again.

"Was it something that happened at the meeting with Dumbledore?"

Hermione nodded.

"What did he say?"

Hermione sat with her eyes still closed and said nothing. She just held out her hand. There was a paper in it and Harry took it.

"What is it? Do you want me to read it?"

Hermione nodded.

Harry opened the letter. His eyes followed the lines. His face changed though the reading from wondering to sadness and anger.

"No way!" He looked at Hermione and then back at the letter. "There is no way they would do something like that!"

"What?" Ron looked at Harry. Harry looked questioningly at Hermione. She nodded. Harry gave the letter to Ron and then he pulled Hermione into a hug. Ron skimmed though the letter.

"I can't believe it!" Ron sat up. "No parents should behave like that! Even if you are adopted or not."

He walked over to the window. Then he looked at Harry who was holding Hermione. She was sobbing on his shoulder. Harry met his eyes.

"They can't do that," Ron whispered, "It's not fair." Harry nodded and patted Hermione on the head.

"I know," He said and turned his attention back at Hermione. She wasn't crying that much anymore. She had calmed down and thought, or tried. It was total chaos in her head and Harry's strong arms around her kept sane. She felt like she had lost her parents this day, even if she actually had lost them a long time ago. Like Ron had said, it was just not fair.

She could feel Harry's heart beat against her ear and she felt safe.

It was strange.

She had lost her parents, but she was safe. Everything had gone wrong with her these last few weeks. But she was happy. She knew that she should feel lost, but she only felt Harry's arms around her. She knew it was love.

Harry rubbed her back carefully and Ron sat down on the floor in front of them. Hermione drew a breath and opened her mouth.

"Thank you."

"You don't need to thank us," Harry said.

"I do. You two are so nice to me. You are my best friends."

"We will always be your friends Hermione." Harry said.

"Yes," Ron said, "and you don't need to thank us. That is what friends are for."

Hermione smiled, "But I still need to for my own sake. I think I am going to bed now. I've had a long day. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Hermione came out from the bathroom when there was a knock on the door. Who could it be?

"Who is it?"

"It is me, Ginny."

"Just come in. The door is open."

Ginny opened the door. She had pity in her eyes.

"Hi. Harry and Ron just told me. I thought you might need somebody."

Hermione smiled, "Thanks Ginny, I'm really alright. But you can come in anyway."

Ginny sat down on the bed. "Are you sure you are alright?"

"Yes, I am. Well... I am still sad and everything, but your brother and Harry were really nice to me and I really do feel better now." Hermione sat down on the bed on Ginny's left side.

"Okay." She sat still for a while and the she said, "If I where you, I would have sent a letter where a told them what bastards they were. Or just saying something you know, so they would be ashamed of themselves."

Hermione laughed. A small laugh, but still.

"I don't think that would have worked. My parents wouldn't understand it, I believe. They would just blame it on something or someone other then themselves and continued with their own lives."

"Maybe," Ginny sighed, "but I hate doing nothing."

"That's how you are Gin." Hermione gave Ginny a hug.

When they broke apart Hermione yawned, "I think I need to sleep now."

"Okay," Ginny sat up. "Goodnight." She started to walk towards the door. Then she turned.

"I want to tell you something my mum told me before, when I was sad in the evenings. When I had enough of my brothers or anything was bothering me. She said that I should close my eyes and sleep. In the morning everything would look brighter and that every sorrow, no matter how big or small it was would come to an end."

"Thank you," Hermione whispered. She closed her eyes and she fell asleep almost at once.

The next morning she felt dizzy when she woke up. Today was the day. Her second phase was beginning. She was scared, but at the same time she was curious. What was her next phase? What would be different with her? What would she miss? She felt a sting of sadness from last night, but she pushed it away. She got quickly dressed and went down to the common room. Harry, Ron and Ginny were there.

"My second phase is starting today. I think I am going to the hospital wing so don't have to faint in front of everyone."

"We can go with you." Harry said

"No you should not miss your classes." Hermione looked at them.

"I have the first hours free, so I can go with you" Ginny said.

"Thank you."

Harry and Ron both gave her a hug and Harry said. "We will come as soon the classes are over."

"Okay, but I will be fine. I promise"

"I will be fine..." Hermione vowed to herself.