A/N: Hello all...finally. That semester was crazy. It seemed it would go to class, get out of class, maybe get time to eat before doing homework and going to bed. This semester i have more hours...but a great deal of free time to write. All I can say is that I will have more time to work, which means more updates. Thank you for your patience, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.

Disclaimer: I am not J.K.Rowling, how could you even think I was as good as her? Anything that you recognize is NOT mine. Herbert is the idea of Philly...so bless her.

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Hermione awoke to someone beating her over the head with a book. She shot up and looked around to find Draco standing over her with a copy of "Hogwarts: A History." Groaning, she rubbed her head and glared massively at him.

"What's wrong with you!" she hissed, "Why did you have to wake me up…like…." Hermione trailed off and before Draco could muster words she stood quickly. "You woke me up!"

Draco looked at the smile on her face and confusion took over him. "Um….yeah, I did."

"When did I fall asleep?" Hermione asked Draco. Draco yawned and rolled his eyes, "we came into the library to talk, you put your face into your hands when I said that 'evil was the common word' and you basically just fell asleep on the spot. Quite rude actually now that I think about it."

Hermione looked into space and said in a most Luna-like manner, "And you woke me up…."

"Um…yeah, I said I was sorry about that….like I said you kind of fell asleep as we were discussing the 'evil book thing'. Really Hermione, the more I think about it the more I realize just how rude it was to fall asleep on me! I can understand where you might find that acceptable, but…"

Hermione grabbed Draco by the shoulders and shook him slightly, oblivious to the look he was giving her. "Draco…I was asleep, do you know what this means?"

"That you reached your 90 minute rest set which enabled you to achieve your REM cycle so that you could have sweet dreams about me?"

"Shut up Draco," Hermione hit him on the arm, "This means that I dreamt that entire nightmare! None of that happened!" She looked excitedly at Draco, who, on the other hand, merely looked like he was watching worms crawl across the ground.

"Ok fine, I'll explain…but only if you don't laugh at me." She waited for a response, but since she received none, she continued. "Right, well, I had this dream, recently as you know, that Ron and I well…."

"That you and Weasley what? I'm not completely sure of what you mean Hermione." Draco put on a fake concerned look, which Hermione completely missed in all her nerves.

"Well…Ron and I got a little carried away earlier this evening before you interrupted us. I dreamt the continuation of it…..oh Draco stop that, you know perfectly what I mean! I had a dream that Ron and I slept together!"

The laughter poured from Draco, who had to sit down just so he wouldn't hurt himself. "That is the funniest thing I have heard all year long!" He wiped a tear that was running down his cheek, "I mean you and Weasley? God Hermione, I don't want that image."

"Draco Malfoy, you promised you wouldn't laugh!" She stamped her foot at him and when he made no attempt to stop, she started putting her bags together.

"Fine," she said, "If you can't be serious about this then I'm leaving. I should have known you wouldn't understand."

She put her bags over her shoulder and started to walk away when Draco grabbed her arm, "Hermione," he said, "C'mon….you know I didn't mean to laugh…I just….It's you and Weasley for crying out loud! What would you expect ME to do?"

Hermione spun around towards him, "Well I would expect a good friend to listen to me and comfort me, even when the topic at hand is as stupid as worrying about my cat's hairball. But I suppose from you I would just expect you to do what you're doing now." Hermione turned her back on him and walked out the doors of the library without ever turning around to see Draco's reaction.

'First things first' she thought. She walked straight into the Gryffindor Common Room and set off to find Ron, which wasn't exactly a hard task to do, considering that the minute she walked in, she was bombarded by red hair.

"Hermione where were you!" Ron exclaimed, hugging her tight, "You've been gone for hours! Have you been with Draco this entire time?" His mood changed quite quickly but Hermione put that to the side.

"Yes I was Ron, but I really need to talk to you about something." She looked at her hands as she wrung them nervously. "Maybe we should sit down."

Ron looked at her wearily, "Oh great, the last time I heard that phrase mum started yelling at dad for bewitching the garden pots to water themselves. Only he forgot to make sure they stopped watering themselves and the entire yard was flooded. Ruined mum's vegetable garden, although George had been saying she just needed to give up on the vegetables anyway. Said that it was far too easy for Fred to get ammo to throw at Ginny, what with all the tomatoes lying around…"

"Ron," Hermione said in an exasperated voice as she sat Ron down by the shoulders, "Ron please….just listen to me and….did your dad really do that? No, that's beside the point," she stopped him.

"Ron, I….I had this dream when I fell asleep in the library. Yes Ron, I fell asleep, nothing else!" Hermione had stifled Ron's open mouth before he could make use of it. "Anyway," she continued, "I had this dream that….we…well... that we slept together." She whispered the last part.

Ron's eyes got bug-eyed and a small satisfied grin swept across his freckled face. "Well, was it any good?"

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, "This is not a joking matter! I swear, what is it with men and not taking this topic seriously!" Frustrated she put her head in her hands and sighed. "Ron, I think we should break up."

The stunned silence that followed told Hermione that she should look up. Ron's eyes were no longer bug-eyed, but instead very cold. "What? Why would you say that?"

"I was scared Ron!" She breathed, "When I woke up, the very first thing that I though of was 'I shouldn't have done that'. That scares me. 'You and I' scare me."

Her last sentence caused a reaction from Ron, and a sad one at that. "You're scared of me?" He asked. Hermione sighed and held his hand, "Not you Ron, us."

He pulled his hand away from hers quickly and stood up, "and what if I don't want us to break up Hermione? I love you!" He looked down at her, "This is because of Draco isn't it?"

"No!" Hermione exclaimed, "It most certainly is not about Draco. In fact, I just stormed out at him earlier, and if I liked him I wouldn't have stormed out on him!"

"You would just break up with him."

Ron's words hit Hermione like a ton of bricks. She stood up and looked at Ron. "Ron, I do love you. I'm just scared that if I stay with you right now, I'm going to do something that I will regret. I'm not ready to sleep with you, and I hope you don't mind me saying, but you are one randy guy." She joked.

"Hermione," Ron said in a pleading voice, "I would never make you do something you don't want to do. I love you." He said for the second time that evening. "Please…Hermione…"

"Ron I'm sorry…maybe…maybe it could just be a break? That way we aren't officially broken up…."

Ron stopped her and turned to walk away, "While you figure out your feelings? What am I supposed to do in the meantime, wait in agony while you determine whether or not I'm good for you?" He turned back to Hermione and she about broke when she saw a tear run down his cheek, "I'm not sure if I can't make my heart believe for that long that you'll be coming back."

"I'm sorry Ron…" Hermione choked back a sniffle and walked away. Reaching her room she flung herself on her bed and sighed, as silent tears ran down her face. 'What a rotten way to end a day' she thought before crying herself to sleep under the warmth of her covers she pulled up.

Hermione woke up the next morning to Pavarti shaking her shoulders slightly. "Hermione, Hermione get up." Hermione rolled over and groaned, "Pavarti, how many times to I have to tell you, no I will not let you do my face up for classes."

"Hermione Harry needs to speak to you."

Sitting up slowly, Hermione rubbed her face. She knew what Harry was going to ask her. He was going to ask about her and Ron and last night, even though he knew perfectly well what had happened. She wasn't ready to go through that right now, but, as she decided, better to get it out of the way than worry about it all day.

Yawning, she raised her arms over her head, "Will you please tell Harry I'll be down in a second and that we're going for a walk?" She asked Pavarti.

Getting dressed for the day, Hermione was putting on her shirt when a tap came at the window. She looked up and saw a brown owl sitting on the window sill. She walked over and let the poor thing in from the wind. The owl had a letter tied around its foot and Hermione gave the owl some treats as she took the letter.

Hermione,
Mr. Malfoy has told me of the situation with one of your friends. Come to Hagrid's after classes. We need to talk.
Herbert.

Hermione stuffed the letter in the pocket as she picked up her bag with her school supplies to go meet Harry. When she got down to the Common Room, Harry was waiting for her in one of the chairs. She waved at him and waited until he met her to start walking to the portrait.

"Hermione…." Harry began.

"I was scared Harry, why can't he see that?" She looked at her best friend for an answer. "Why can't he just see that I want it to work out, and that's why I'm on a break?"

"He was so sad last night Hermione," Harry said, "I told him that you probably had a bad day and took it out on him, but that you might come around."

Hermione stopped by the entrance to the Great Hall, "You what!" she screeched. "I can't believe you said that!"

Harry looked worried, "Hermione, I just wanted him to feel better about the whole situation. It wasn't fair to him you know, when you loved him so much one minute, and then one hour later you break up with him. I know you won't go back out with him now, and I think he knows that….but I think he just needed to hear that there was some hope."

Looking at the Great Hall doors, Hermione sighed, "He's not in there is he?"

Harry chuckled, "I know this isn't funny, but right now he's in his room staring at the ceiling. I told him he needs to buck up and eat food…but he doesn't even want that!"

They walked into the Great Hall and piled breakfast upon their plates. It was only when the owls flew in for mail did Hermione remember the letter she got from Herbert. "Harry," she said, "take a look at this."

Harry took the crumpled letter from Hermione and read it. He looked up when he was finished and turned to Hermione. "Do you think he has something that can help us? Maybe he knows that we're leaving soon. And speaking of leaving soon…"

"You're not sure you want to go?" Hermione sighed, "I know what you're feeling. I'm feeling the same way, I'm scared. We got off lucky last time we did something dangerous, but luck only takes you so far."

Harry laughed, "Why do I feel I've heard that before?" He looked at his watch and gulped down his drink in a spastic manner. "Damn, it's time for class. C'mon Hermione, we're going to be late for potions."

Sighing, Hermione picked up her bag and walked with Harry to class. They sat down by each other, noticing Ron was not in his usual seat. Seamus came over and squatted next to Hermione and Harry, "Hey guys."

"Hey Seamus, how is Dean doing?"

Seamus looked sadly at Harry, "He's not doing too well. Listen, Malfoy came up to me and sneered something about leaving and Dean and helping. Then he proceeded to push me into the wall and threaten me. It was actually quite weird, I think there's something wrong with his head."

Hermione rolled her eyes and coughed, "You've got that right. I think what he was trying to do in his own unique little way was ask you to go with us. We're going to Hagrid's hut after classes. It might be beneficial if you would come with us, we really want to help Dean…."

"Are you saying I don't want to help him? I'm his best mate Hermione…"

"Seamus," Harry stopped him, "Don't you go taking that the wrong way. You know what she meant, you're just tired, and as well you should be from what we had to go through last night."

Hermione cocked her head to one side, a confused look upon her face, "What do you mean…oh no. Please tell me this does not have to do with me and Ron…." She looked up pleading to the somehow dirt stained ceiling. She heard Seamus cough, "Yes Seamus…what is it." She said still looking at the ceiling.

"Um….see here's the thing. Ron wanted me to, tell you that he couldn't give a Hungarian-horned tailed rump about what you want….and that, and this might be wrong, I've had a hell of a time remembering lately….that, oh." Seamus reached into his pocket and started to fish out various items. Hermione looked down and saw Harry give the same "what-in-the-hell" look she was giving.

"Aha! Here it is," Seamus took out a piece of paper and handed it to Hermione. "That was easy enough…I thought I was going to have to remember something else. It's this damn potions class I tell you."

Harry shook his head, "Seamus, the potions class can't make you do anything but wish to God that you were a muggle."
Grinning Seamus got up to walk back to his deck, but leaned in towards Harry and Hermione first, "Ah…but the thing is that as long as you have a wanker for a Professor, you can blame all your problems this class."

"Mr. Finnegan, I assume we were talking about which potion would help Mr. Longbottom get better grades in this class? Because if that were not the case, it would be presumed that you are disrupting my class." Professor Snape walked up behind Seamus and proceeded to get a chorus of gulps from the other classmates.

Seamus stifled a chuckle and replied, "Oh, of course Professor. I'm only trying to help. You old bagpipe…" he added underneath his breath.

"Go sit down Mr. Finnegan before I decide to make Mr. Longbottom your partner. That in its own can be deadly."

"This is because I'm Irish isn't it?"

"Mr. Finnegan!" Snape yelled, "Detention…now! Professor McGonagall will be expecting you." As he turned towards the front, Seamus whispered to Harry, "See…just a wanker."

"Potter!" Snape stormed up to Harry and Hermione's desk, "Do you think it's funny to make students talk to you after I've given them detention?" Harry tried to give up the urge to laugh at Snape's flaring nostrils.

"But…but Sir…You can't blame me for…"

"Get out of here Potter….you're making my head ache…you too Miss Granger."
Hermione gasped, "But…Professor….I haven't done…"

"You…just….did."

Hermione gathered her belongings wide-eyed and followed Harry and Seamus out the door and headed toward McGonagall's. Harry pulled Seamus to him and got in his face, "Seamus, what the bloody hell do you think you're doing? What was that in there…we've all got detention because of you!"

That Irish grin was jutting out as Seamus got out of Harry's grip and headed towards McGonagall. "Yes, but now we have more time to talk to Hagrid. Hermione, ladies first," he held the door open for Hermione as she and Harry walked through.

"Listen, what makes you think we have more…." Harry started.

"Potter…what…what are you doing? Mr. Finnegan and Miss Granger….what in Godric's name are you doing here? All three of you…I don't…No. No, leave right now…I don't even want to bother!" Professor McGonagall shoved the three out of her office just as soon as they got in. Hermione couldn't even bring herself to look at Seamus's face-which she was sure had a grin the size of Professor Snape's final exam.

"See….see, what did I tell ya! Now we have all afternoon to talk to Hagrid." Harry sighed and walked by Seamus towards Hagrid's hut. "First of all Seamus, I don't know how you did that, so I'm not even going to ask. Secondly, Hagrid is expecting us after classes….and now we've got detention; I really don't see how this is going to help."

"Actually….Harry, Seamus has a point." Hermione looked Harry square in the eye, "I think even if we get there early we'll still have a better chance to get more information. I just wish Draco was here…."

There was a muffled groan from Harry and Hermione glared at him, "Why don't you like him? I thought you were going to give him a chance for me. Never mind, we're here now." She banged on the door until Hagrid opened it.

"'Ello!" Hagrid beamed and held the door open so all three could enter. "You lot are early aren't 'ya? Here, 'ave some tea." He poured some nasty tasting tea into 3 huge red cups.

"Got new mugs then, Hagrid?" Harry started asked, "These weren't here last time I came to visit."

"It's Fang, you see? He tries to clean 'em out, but he just breaks 'em, he's an old softy, really. Well, you lot been keeping busy this year?" Hagrid sat down in his big chair in the corner of his hut. "Snape been treating you fairly I hope." Seamus jumped when Fang licked his leg, and wiped off the drool. None of the children touched their mugs.

"Just the same old wanker as he always was."

"Seamus!" Hermione hit him and apologized to Hagrid, "Sorry Hagrid, he's just sore from an earlier encounter today. We've been good, very good. Do you know what Herbert wanted us for?"

"Well," Hagrid said, stroking his beard, "He's out back. I'll get him for you…it's a right shame Malfoy isn't 'ere. I think Fang is starting to like him." Standing up, Hagrid knocked over the table, spilling tea everywhere. "Oh dear…hold on, Fang! Come on boy, clean this 'ere mess up."

"Well, same old Hagrid isn't he?" Hermione said after Hagrid left to get Herbert. Harry sighed and got up, "I think I'll go after him, I want to talk to Herbert privately for a second. You guys all right?" Hermione nodded.

Seamus tried to clean up the spilt tea that even Fang was too scared to lap up. He was on his hands and knees trying to clean up, ignoring Hermione. Sighing, she got down to help him. "You all right Seamus?"

"Sorry I said that in front of Hagrid, it just sort of slipped out. I don't want you lot thinking I'm some sort of filthy-mouthed….oh this damn spot won't come out!" He scrubbed ferociously at the carpet where some of the tea was being stubborn.

"Here," said Hermione, "Let me help. It's okay; it's just some tea…" She started to scrub and stopped when she felt her hand brush up against Seamus's. Both were silent, uncomfortable with the situation when he finally broke the ice. "Pomfrey says he's not doing too well."

Hermione nodded, "We'll help him." There was a crash as Harry walked in with Herbert, behind Hagrid who knocked over a plant by the door.

"Ah, Miss Granger, it's so very nice to see you. And who is this strapping laddie here?" Herbert walked in and shook Seamus's hand. "Seamus Finnegan, Sir."

"Ah a Finnegan are you? Irish I presume, what part of Ireland you being from?" Herbert rubbed his leg as Seamus looked uncomfortable.

"Well, enough of that, we'll talk later. Mr. Potter told me the update with, Mr. Thomas is it? I understand the need for hurry, believe me, I know all about that. Back in my day, we didn't waddle around, waiting for someone to cough before they got medicine. They saw the doctor once a month, whether they needed it or not! I've looked into the book Miss Granger; Mr. Malfoy gave it to me. Nice young lad there, strapping….handsome, would have done mam proud." Herbert walked around to the other side of the hut and pulled out some papers.

"I've done research today, and I think I know where we can go for the basics of this unusual language."

Hermione scrambled up and looked at Herbert's papers, "Where Herbert….is it nearby?"

"Ooh, it's closer than you would think," Herbert said, "Unbeknownst to most; the last person in possession of the book that can solve all our problems was a Mr. Frank Longbottom."

Seamus gasped, "You mean…"

Hermione slightly laughed, "Looks like we need to go talk to Neville."

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A/N: So what did you all think? Let me know and...someone give me a wonderful book title to use in the next chapter. :)