Chapter Five: "Where'd the Sun Go?"

Chapter Dedication: Hippychick21

Disclaimer:This fan fiction belongs to me. Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. What else is new?

Author's Note: Hmm. I took a moment to update my site with the newest chapter and now I am going to try and attempt to finish typing down each chapter that I have written down so far. Please be aware that I might not be able to finish, because I have a time limit on the computer (and 90-100wpm typing skill) so I might not finish to the plan I have in mind. However, I'll do the best I can.

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"Oh, please, Madam Pince, just five more minutes!"

"I gave you my decision and it stands final."

"I really need to finish this essay."

"No. Unfortunately, you're banned."

"Banned?"

"Banned. From this library. Go, now!"

There was no need to. Immediately, Hermione found herself facing Professor McGonagall as everything around her faded to black. She didn't find the Deputy Headmistress' presence to be welcoming at all. Instead, her face looked strict and her tone, when she spoke, was even more demanding. "How could you cheat on your O.W.L's? I am ashamed of what you have done, Miss Granger. I am sending you to speak with the Headmaster."

Dumbledore would understand. Hermione couldn't have cheated. She didn't recall even having taken the exam in the first place. She couldn't just be banned from the library. That was like her third home. First came the home she lived at with her parents, then there was Hogwarts, and finally the library. In her view, by losing one home, she's bound to lose the others.

Hermione didn't have to do anything to see the Headmaster, because a figure was just now approaching her. But it wasn't the Headmaster… or what Hermione thought. Severus Snape had been coming in clearer into her view, while everything else faded to black once more.

"Well, well… the insufferable know-it-all has finally given us the true side to her Gryffindor cleverness… or should I say… a cheater. There is no other thing I must add to this, except--you've been expelled. As Headmaster of Hogwarts, I feel that this decision must be put into effect immediately."

Snape? Headmaster? Hermione wasn't believing a thing. She wanted to protest with every accusation, but no words could come out. She couldn't cry for Dumbledore at all. Snape, apparently, knew what she was thinking.

"Dumbledore could no longer help you."

"Hermione?"

Who was calling her name?

"Hermione? Hermione, wake up!"

She couldn't open her eyes. They wanted to remain closed, but there was no point in blocking out the sunlight. Instantly, Hermione titled her head to the side, giving out a moan through her lips, and winced. Couldn't they tell she was sleeping? Honestly, the nerve. After feeling a slight jab at her shoulder, Hermione found that there was no point in trying to get back to sleep. Her chocolate eyes suddenly appeared as her eyelids began to slowly open. She was waking up to a moment of blur, before managing to focus her attention on the red-hair of the person beside her.

"It's about time you got up."

"Where'd the sun go?" Hermione asked, sitting up on the scarlet couch, before realizing that it was still night just outside the window. She must have fallen asleep on the Gryffindor common room couch when she returned back from the library.

"Sun?" Ron laughed. "It's three in the morning, Hermione! The sun's not even up yet." Pausing, he continued with an explanation. "Well, I did have to use Lumos to try and get you up… why were you sleeping here?"

Hermione stared at him. "I suppose I must have been too tired to head up the staircase into the Girl's Dormitory," she answered. "What are you doing down here?"

"I didn't want to… disturb Harry…" Ron muttered.

Hermione merely sighed. "Why won't you talk to him?"

"I can't, " Ron snapped. "You know he entered himself in the tournament! He even said he wouldn't mind entering when he had the chance…"

Hermione shook her head. "Ron, how in Merlin can you get past the Age Line when it was set to disallow students below the age of seventeen to enter themselves into the tournament? Harry wouldn't bother, anyway. It was all talk. He doesn't want to be even more famous than he is now."

"So, you're going to side with him?"

"I'm not taking anyone's side on this!" Hermione snapped in return. "You two left me in an unfair situation. Harry needs our support… and you're not doing much to help him."

"If he got past the Age Line, then why couldn't he put my name in, too?" Ron retorted. "He knew I wanted to get into the tournament!"

"Ron Weasley, you are the most impractical when it comes to understanding anything that is put in front of your nose!" Hermione gritted through teeth. "If Harry found a way past it, then why am I unaware of it? An older student wouldn't have wanted to put Harry's name in. They're all hoping they got in themselves! Didn't you notice their expression when they saw a mere fourteen year old getting into the tournament? I saw envy. I saw jealousy. I saw hatred, confusion… they all wanted the glory to themselves! No one knows how Harry got in, and we must believe him when he said he didn't." She paused, thinking of perhaps another comment to add, before settling with, "If anything, the only possible theory I came up with was that someone is trying to kill him."

Ron looked to be half angry, half thoughtful. He said nothing to this, however. Instead, he said, "Well… I'm not going to be the first to speak to him, because I'm sure he'll be wanting an apology."

"What makes you assume that?"

"That's what he wants, isn't it?" Ron snapped. "Well, he doesn't deserve it."

Hermione shook her head in disappointment. "I would have thought better of you." Getting up from the couch, she left Ron to sit there, alone, as she strolled up the staircase to the Girl's Dormitory. On her way up there, she gave one last look at the pile of hats knitted for S.P.E.W., finding that it had been untouched. Perhaps the House-Elves only came when no one was around. She kept this in mind before turning herself in for the rest of the night.

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a/n: Short chapter, yes, but we have our ups and downs when it comes to writing. I really wanted to add a bit of conflict at some point early in the fan fiction, and look what we get… a typical Ron and Hermione moment! XD Let's just leave their quarreling as they were, which makes this fan fiction even more emotional to myself and to the readers. To say this, it's even more fun having to write angst at some point, and little Hermione's speech on what it takes to trust Harry… blah, blah… xD Oh, what fun! But thank goodness I got this chapter finished with. I'm actually quite pleased with myself on the progress I am doing, seeing that my time limit still has perhaps half an hour left, but I'll manage… maybe, but if I don't, I can still save this on the website, and finish at school during MOUS free-time or Study Hall… lunch… I have plenty of opportunities. XD

Reviews:

Hippychick21: Well, you'll soon find out, and since you're my first reviewer, this chapter was dedicated to you. I am pleased to present this chapter at a quick notice, and I'm feeling a bit accomplished at this moment. I still have the stress on figuring out how I'm going to have this end, (even though some will have the clue how I am due to my reviews on other CedricxHermione fan fictions) but I must have the ending… fit as if it was like a missing puzzle piece. Thanks for reviewing.