Note: I hope you like this one better than the last one. It might be longer than the previous chapters. One more thing, I wouldn't put the talk with Dumbledore because it might be boring.

Chapter 6: Suspicions (yeah, that's it)

Blood drained away from Hermione's face as the voice of her best friends rang into her ear. She looked up to the curious faces of Harry and Ron.

For half a second she could have sworn her brain had stopped working.

"Oh, hi," she started quickly shutting the book and made an action to hide it.

Before she could stuff it inside her back, Ron grabbed it from her hands. He and Harry stared at the cover. "Is this your diary?" Ron asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Harry snorted, "If this is her diary, Ron, she wouldn't be reading it." To Hermione's relief, Harry took the book from Ron and gave it to her. Then he stopped. Hermione froze as she watched him open the book with a curious expression. He showed her a piece of paper. "This isn't due until next month; you didn't tell us you were half way already."

Hermione took her Charms essay-project from his hands together with the book. "I-I decided to do quickly s-so I could g-get ready for my NEWTS." Ron rolled his eyes as if to say, 'Typical Hermione'. "That's why she was reading it intently, to see if she missed the smallest detail like the exact time and second the Jelly-legs Charm was first used," he said loudly. Harry just shrugged and sat down. "At least now we know where she keeps important essays," Ron added, teasing Hermione. Harry just laughed and took out a quill and parchment. Hermione barely heard them, as she stuffed the book in her bag and kept it as near to her as possible. She was glad she doesn't have to lie (nor tell the truth) to her friends. Not wouldn't it include a lot of explaining and arguments, it would also include Harry knowing that his parents didn't really get along when they were at school together. This was all he needed in the state he was in; to know that the people you loved hated each others' guts.

"So, Professor Tonks would be supervising us?" Ron asked Harry as they descend the staircase from Dumbledore's office.

"Yeah, but at least there would be more than one teacher," Harry replied.

"It would be great teaching rather than just listening, though. And may I add that a professor would be there to help us too." This was from Hermione.

"But Tonks would only be there to watch over us, but Harry is still in charge," Ron said.

"I know, but I'm glad Dumbledore had all of us connected to him through a teacher," Hermione replied, both of them looking at Harry.

"Don't worry, you guys," Harry said noticing their expression. "After what happened last year, I wouldn't want to put any of the members in danger."

Even if this left an awkward silence between the trio, Ron and Hermione were relief to hear the sincerity in their best friend's voice.

"I say, that wasn't bad wasn't it!"

The trio together with the some of the Gryffindor members of the DA retired back to the common room. They had just come back from the first DA lesson. All they did was review all what they learned last year, not only for the sake of the few new ones, but for the old members too.

"I'm not going to let myself get hit by a stunning spell again!" Ron continued complaining. Hermione had succeeded in stunning him 5 times, while he only hit her twice. The two boys continued talking about the meeting that they barely noticed Hermione getting up suddenly. She only got their attention when she accidentally kicked Ron. "Ow, hey! Hermione, where are you going?" Ron called to her.

"I, erm, I have to finish my arithmancy homework," she said.

"But why do you have to do it up there?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"It's noisy here," she replied shortly.

"But, you used to do it here every time, even though if it's noisy," Ron said with more suspicion. Hermione didn't replied and shut the door that leads to the dormitories. After a pause, Ron said, "You know what; I think she's going to read that red book again."

"Yeah," Harry said. "She always does this, I mean, ditching us suddenly. I know it's not for any homework."

"I agree, I saw her finishing all of them yesterday, including arithmancy."

"Do you think that book is connected with…" Harry stopped and looked at Ron.

Ron hesitated, "No, or else she would act more differently. I don't know. But I have a feeling it's not, there is something more special about that…something she's interested in."

"What could be more special than her textbooks? What is so special about that book?"

Meanwhile….

Hermione locked herself behind her curtains again. Harry and Ron are starting to ask questions. She was not sure if she wanted them to know about this diary. Not that it was bad keeping it to herself (it's bad enough her reading it), she just don't want Harry to become more, well, more…moody. His mood was improving these days. She and Ron wanted to keep it that way.

Hermione opened the diary. She knew where she stopped and she had the feeling it was going to get more interesting.

December 18

Dear Diary,

Well, I'm going home today. Actually, today is the first day of the Christmas Holidays. Samantha is not going home, she decided to stay at Hogwarts for her last year. Every year she goes home, and she decided to stay at her second home for a change. At least she'll be safe there. Many things have been happening lately in the outside world. AN evil wizard is said to be loose, and Hogwarts is one of the safest place. It's not that bad yet, but I have a feeling it'll be worse than now.

Hermione stopped reading. So, Voldermort was still taking time before he really did strike hard. He was still bidding his time. Hermione continued reading. Maybe Lily would write more about it.

Some wizards had turned on his side, and the ministry is going frantic. There had been a few killings both on the muggle and wizard world. Well, that's a problem the ministry is going hysterics about. But right now, I have to deal with a problem far worse than some evil old Dark Lord: How to stay sane in a compartment filled with the Marauders.

Since I am Head Girl and Potter is Head Boy, we have to stay at the heads compartment. Anyways, most of my friends are not with me right now. Will is meeting her mom at Hogsmede, and Sam and Katie are staying (though Katie and I are not very close). Only Violet is keeping me company in this zoo or compartment. She is perfectly stunned at the chaos that surrounds us. Since Potter is Head Boy, he has the right to invite anyone in the compartment with our permission, unfortunately for me. Finally, the nightmare ended. Violet's dad came to pick her up. My mum told me she was going to be a bit late, for she had a few things to fix at home.

"You'll be ok here, Lily?" Violet asked me just before she left.

"I could wait, just go. I'll be fine. Have a good holiday and Happy Christmas." Easy for me to say, don't you think? That's when I notice the most surprising thing I've seen all my life. Just a few feet where I was, stood a family. There was a beautiful woman, obviously the mother, with long straight black hair. The man standing next to her has dark brown hair with glasses covering his dark eyes. There was also a small brown-haired boy jumping around holding his mother's hands. The boy looked so familiar. The boy was jumping excitedly and waving frantically at someone probably standing behind me. His parents smiled at the same someone too. I spun around and saw who "that someone" was. It was none other than James Potter. I watched, surprised, as he ran towards them and lifted the small boy on his shoulders. Who apparently was his mother, planted a kiss on his cheeks. Then, he started talking happily to his them. I could hear what they were saying.

"James!"

"I miss you too, Mike."

"Look at what I brought; it's that small snitch you gave me!"

"Ah, I could see you didn't loose it this time."

"He almost did," said his father (whom I presume is his father). "Threw it right over the neighbor's fence. Shocked their house cat, it did. The conversation was not how I imagined James Potter talking to his family. It was like they are very close friends. But that wasn't the highlight of this day. The small boy threw the snitch so high; it landed right at my feet. I picked it up as I horridly watch them turn to me. The boy jumped out of Potter's shoulder and ran towards me.

"Hi! Could I please have my snitch back?" he asked me cheerfully.

I was still quite speechless, words could not explain the shock I had that morning. James came running after him. He smiled at me, "Hey, Evans." I handed the snitch back to the boy with a smile. He was really cute. For a moment I wished I had little brother instead of Petunia. But that was not the end of it. Potter's parents walked towards me, both of them smiling warmly. Even if I never knew them, I have a feeling they were one of the nicest people in the world. "Michael, didn't we tell you not to bother anyone with that ball?" his mother scolded. I smiled at them, not knowing what to say. I was going to step backwards and just go if Potter didn't open his mouth.

"Erm…mom, dad, this is the Head Girl, Lily Evans."

I was stuck to the spot. Thanks, Potter, my escape plan all gone to the drain.

I stuck out my hand to be polite, "How do you do?"

Mr. Potter, to be polite I'll be writing this, shook my hand. "Nice to meet you."

"We've always wanted to meet you, Ms. Evans," Mrs. Potter said. Up until now, I don't know what that sentence really means. All I saw was that Potter turned his back on me and looked at his mother. My surprised face probably made him not turn away from his mother.

"Er, what she meant is that we really wanted to meet the Head Girl, since our boy is Head Boy. Just to, er, see how our son is managing it with a co-head," Mr. Potter said after a good look at his son's face. The look made me more suspicious. What had Potter been telling his parents? Fortunately, like a great angel from the sky, I saw my mother scanning me from platform 10. Was I relieved!

"Sorry, to be rushing, but I have to go."

"Yeah, mom, didn't you tell me a moment ago that you have to be somewhere?" I could see from Potters face that he was also anxious to leave.

"Right, happy to meet you again, dear," Mrs. Potter said. I said goodbye to them and we parted ways. I greeted my mum and we got in her car. That was one weird day. But what let me wondering is, how could such nice people have such an arrogant son?

Though, I know that is not so true. Because for the last few days, Potter was not as self-centered as before…nor were his friends. I guess some people, no matter what they are, do change their childish attitude. That includes Potter and his friends. Well, that concludes an interesting day.

Lily

Hermione closed the book slowly. That was long, yet interesting. Maybe this was the beginning of Harry's parents' friendship. For Hermione, that was another story. For, now, there were many things to worry about, like the DA, Voldemort, her NEWTS (even if she was not having it until the next year), and other things. She was having second thoughts whether she must share this diary to Harry and Ron. Well, the answer would come….eventually.

NOTE: Hope this one is better than the last. Please review a lot! Maybe in the upcoming chapters, Hermione would share the diary with her best friends. I'll try and post soon, so you'll just have to wait.