At dinner that night, everyone turned silent after hearing Minerva tap the goblet. Albus stood up and began his speech. "I know you all are wondering why there has been a new rule put into place. We all want you to know it is not put up as a restriction, but a precaution. As you know, on Halloween, something turned off all the lights. So, until the time when we determine just what has been in the castle, we would like you all to stick together. No going out alone and please be in your towers directly after dinner each night...no exceptions. Thank you." He sat back down and conversation started again.

"What do you think is in the castle?" Ron asked quizically. Harry thought for a minute before answering.

"I have no idea. I just hope it's not something to do with Voldemort." Ron hushed Harry quickly, looking around to make sure no one had heard.

"We have to be careful Harry. Even thought people know that You-Know-Who is back, they still have trouble hearing about it. They just want to forget what's going on outside of Hogwarts."

"But Ron, we all have to know how to fight it! We have to talk about it!"

"I know, I know Harry. It's just...some people still don't want to." Harry looked where Ron's gaze had turned and saw Neville, sitting by himself, not eating a thing.

"Ron, you know that Neville is still a part of the DA. He just doesn't want to talk about his nightmare."

"Yea, but Harry, he hasn't been working at all in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Last year, after we started the DA, he was the person who worked the hardest. Now, he doesn't even try to learn new spells."

"I'll talk to him at our next meeting Ron."

"Yea, well, maybe we can talk to him, but good luck with Hermoine."

"She hasn't even come down to dinner."

"And I think we're not the only ones who noticed it." He pointed to the Head Table and they saw Minerva and Albus quietly talking, looking in their direction every once in awhile. A few minutes later, Minerva got up and left the Great Hall.

"Uh-oh, I hope she's not going to find Hermoine. That could be bad. She's been acting like a tiger. I know McGonagall's tough and all, but I think she may have met her match with Hermoine."

Harry shrugged and he and Ron followed the rest of the Gryffindor's back to their tower. The common room was crammed with people. Hermoine was nowhere in sight.

"You think we should go find her?" Harry asked, looking around the common room.

"She wouldn't be happy to see me anyway. She's probably up in her room studying." The two gave up and sat down to a game of wizard chess. Somewhere in the castle, a dark figure closed a door, locking it with a spell. Hermoine was curled up, her knees to her chest, in a corner. The figure turned, speaking slowly and quietly.

"Hermoine, I'm glad that I found you."

"Who are you? What do you want with me?"

"That is information you do not need to know. However, you do need to know that I will be watching you and all your little friends, including Harry Potter."

"You leave Harry alone! He hasn't done anything to you!"

"Oh, how little you know! You would do well to keep your mouth shut!"

A sound outside the door caused the figure to pick up a portkey. As he disappeared, the door slammed open after being hit with the force of a powerful spell. Hermoine screamed, afraid of what or who could have possibly broken through such a strong locking spell. She buried her face in her hands, not looking at the figure who rushed over to her.

"Miss Granger, are you alright?" After hearing the familiar voice, she looked up slowly.

"Professor McGonagall?"

"Yes, it's only me, Miss Granger. Now, can you stand up?" Hermoine nodded and stood up slowly. Minerva put her arm around Hermoine's shoulders and led her out of the room.

"Professor Dumbledore would like to see you if you're feeling up to it." Hermoine nodded again as Minerva led her to Albus' office. She spoke the password and the gargoyle moved, allowing them to get on the stairs. Minerva opened the door and Albus quickly looked up. Hermoine looked at the Headmaster and noticed the worry lines across his forehead.

"Miss Granger, I am glad to see that you are well. Please, sit down." Hermoine took a seat in front of Albus' desk, but saw the Minerva did not move to do the same.

"If you'll excuse me, Headmaster, I have to check and make sure the rest of the Gryffindor's are in the tower." Albus saw the tired look on Minerva's face, sensing that something was wrong. But, he couldn't let his concern for his wife show, especially with a student in the room.

"Alright Professor McGonagall, I shall bring Miss Granger back to the tower after we've finished our discussion. Thank you." Minerva turned and walked out the door. After the gargoyle moved back into place, she leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. The pain running throughout her body was getting worse. She had to use a lot of power to break the locking spell. She hadn't thought of the consequences and the weakness it would envoke on her. She slowly made her way to Gryffindor Tower. The common room was still full of students, all wanting freedom from the tower.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, could I please see you outside for a moment." Everyone grew silent as they watched Harry and Ron walk out with their Head of House. Minerva leaned against the wall and she stared at the two boys. She figured they knew nothing of what had happened to Hermoine, considering they weren't asking any questions.

"Do you two know where Miss Granger is at this moment?" Both boys looked at each other before Harry spoke.

"We figured she was in her room. She never came down to dinner after Potions."

"Did you check on her?"

"No. Is she alright?"

"I don't know if either of you noticed but I left early from dinner, after seeing that Miss Granger was not at the table. She was not in her room and the teachers have been searching for her for the last two hours."

Ron's face turned white with fear as he asked, "Well, where is she? Have you found her? Is she alright?" Minerva put a hand on Ron's shoulder to calm him down.

"Relax, Mr. Weasley. She's fine. She's speaking with Professor Dumbledore right now. However, I would like to know why she was not with you tonight, as she normally is."

Ron looked down. "She and I got into...well, we had a disagreement. I kind of yelled at her. She wouldn't talk to me after that."

"I see. Well, in the future, I would ask you both to remember that there is something in the castle that is a very real danger to all of you. Please, keep an eye on Miss Granger and make sure you know where she is at all times, alright?"

"Yes, Professor. Thank you."

"Your welcome. Professor Dumbledore will bring her back shortly. Now, I suggest you get back inside." They said the password and were about to go back inside when Ron noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He poked Harry and they both turned around fully before the portrait swung close.

Minerva had gone to the stairs after Ron and Harry said the password, when a wave of dizziness came upon her. She grabbed on to the banister for support. Ron and Harry were abou to go to her, when the portrait closed.

"Hermoine was right. Something's wrong with her." Ron nodded in agreement.

"Maybe it's time to go to the library again."