Disclaimer: don't own nothing!

Depression

Chapter 4

Trouble Begins

Ron started seeing Hannah in private. Neither were ready to make their relationship known yet. He told Harry bout it, and in turn he told Hermione all about it. Harry was suddenly happy again. He'd always felt something special for Hermione, but until now he didn't know that he liked her like that. Now he liked her even more. He was on the verge of love! Liking Hermione took away the pain of Sirius and the feeling of betrayal from his parents and their letter.

Things went back to normal, well as normal as possible, and time flew by. Girls started hanging onto Harry's every word, and Hermione shooed them off, claiming Harry all to herself. One girl was watching with specific interest. She had liked Harry for almost as long as Hermione had. She had her chance, but when he got depressed she gave up. Now that he was happy and cheerful again, she was out to get him. I wont let him slip through my fingers again. I'm going to have Harry Potter, and he is going to love me more than anything, more than that Hermione. Oo, and that Hermione…she is going down. No one takes Harry Potter from me.

Ron walked along the hallway, happy. He'd been seeing Hannah for about a month. He was going off to meet her right then in an empty classroom so they could talk and not look suspicious. He got to the room and looked in, seeing Hannah sitting on a desk, looking totally innocent. No one worse their school robes at night, so she was wearing a long denim skirt, a short sleeve stripe girl's polo shirt, and weird potato looking shoes. Ron wasn't sure what they were called. He knocked and opened the door. Hannah ran to him and kissed him quickly.

"Hey, Hannah."

"Hi, Ron! How're you doing?"

"I'm okay…well, as okay as I can be without being with you during the day."

"I know, that's what I wanted to talk to you about."

Ron nodded and she continued, "Do you think we're ready to…to take our relationship…out of the closet…maybe a little?"

Ron smiled and said, "Do you think we're ready?"

"Well, we've been seeing each other for about a month, and it seems to me that we're doing fine…we get along great and I like you a whole lot and I don't really see why we shouldn't…to tell you the truth, I don't know why we didn't in the first place."

"Because…because…you know, I'm not really sure why either…"

They laughed and Hannah kissed him quickly before saying, "I couldn't stay long. I haven't started that essay for Snape yet. Bye!" She kissed him again and left. Ron stood in the middle of the classroom, slightly dazed. He shook himself from his trance and then left the room, too.

The next morning, Hermione walked along the hall, thinking about Harry, of course. She was heading towards breakfast in the Great Hall. Then she heard a peculiar sound coming from a closet, so, being Head Girl and all, she had to go see what was going on. She opened the door and said, "Hello?"

"Why hello, Hermione…" A voice from the shadows crept eerily out.

"Who's there?"

"Step inside, and you can find out…"

"Hey, I don't know what kind of sick game this is, but I have a boyfriend!"

"I know."

"So if you do anything to hurt me, he'll come after you! If I'm missing for too long he'll come looking for me!"

"Relax, Hermione, I'm not going to hurt you like that. I have no interest in women."

"Harry's going to be here soon!" She was about to slam the door when the voice said, "Is talking about your boyfriend supposed to intimidate me?"

"Well…" Hermione was slightly taken aback.

"It won't. The whole reason I'm doing this is to get to him anyway!" Hermione backed up quickly until she was against the wall, looking at the open closet door and the darkness within. The voice said, "Anyone coming for you, dear Hermione?"

Hermione looked left and right, wishing someone would come. She replied, "Um…"

"Great!"

The person behind the voice stepped out. Hermione opened her mouth to scream, but a hand covered her mouth before she could cry out.

"Come with me, Hermione…"

Before she could stop it, Hermione was being dragged into the closet and through a secret passage at the back.

Harry looked around the Great Hall curiously, not seeing Hermione anywhere. He thought to himself, I wonder if she's not feeling well… The owls made a sweep in through the window and to their owners. A brown school owl dropped a letter in front of Harry, who stared at it uncertainly. He reached out for it, then brought his hand back sharply, then reached for it again. He picked it up and ripped it open, unfolding the parchment quickly. Enchanted writing started flowing across the page. He read quietly to himself, "Harry Potter, if you ever want to see your girlfriend again, come to the dungeons tonight at 11 o'clock. Don't tell anyone where you're going, or what you're doing. If anyone asks, Hermione's…sick. See you soon, Harry!"

The parchment started to burn, without flames, and Harry dropped it on his plate. When it had turned into ashes, the ashes were sucked into midair by an invisible vacuum. Harry stared at his plate where the ashes used to be, scared but knowing what he had to do. I can't lose Hermione! I have to go. I could use Ron's help…no, I can't. The note said I couldn't tell anyone. This isn't good…

A/N- yes, it's really short, I know. I have SO many ideas for the next chapter, and it should be up soon. This is what I call, "A Transition Chapter" It sets the scene and gives you an idea of what's going on without being a full chapter. Next chapter will be EXTRA long! I PINKY PROMISE! Thank you all of my reviewers, you all rock so much! I know the past few chapters weren't up to my usual standards, and I apologize. Many love it how it is, but it's not like my other stories. It's not my usual writing, and I'm trying to convert it to that a bit.

Next chapter will be FULL of fun! I promise! Mystery person gets revealed, Ginny meets someone unexpected, Ron and Hannah take their relationship public, and Harry runs to Hermione's rescue! Exciting, no? I hope it will be.

Please give me a little time because my uncle recently died, and so things are kind of depressing for me and I won't be able to write as much as I'd like. I hope you all forgive me. As always, please review on your way out!

Love,

DC