The days flew by in a blur. Hermione was so caught up in schoolwork and hanging out with her Slytherin friends and Gryffindor friends, separately of course, that she didn't have much time for anything else. She did make sure to message Morgana every night before bed.

There was something going on with Morgana. She seemed more distant than usual. She responded to her anytime Hermione messaged her. She even sent a book on advanced dark arts, a book that was tucked safely at the bottom of her trunk under a locking charm. Still there was something going on and Hermione was determined to find out what it was.

In two days, they would leave for Christmas break. The list had gone out a week ago for who was staying at Hogwarts. Hermione had stared at it and grinned. She wasn't staying this year. Last year had been wonderful but she had no desire to do it again.

She had two days before she went to Draco's for Christmas holidays.

Hermione looked around the room. She had packed most of her things early, mostly out of excitement. There were a few things she had to pack the morning they left but otherwise she was ready to go.

Hermione wondered if Morgana would be at Draco's house when she got there. She did hope but at the same time she had a feeling she wouldn't be there. Whether it was because she was at her own home or because she avoiding Hermione, she wasn't sure. She hoped Morgana didn't avoid her. She wanted a chance to talk to her without fear of interruption.

Hermione grabbed her bookbag and headed down to the common room. She had one last essay to finish before the holidays. One last essay and she could focus on what was truly important. Harry and Ron were in the common room, book strewn about the table, working on their own essays no doubt.

"Help," Harry begged when she sat down.

Hermione held out her hand for his essay. She quickly scanned through it. Luckily, he was a much better writer than Ron. "May I?" Hermione asked gesturing to the quill and spare parchment. Harry pushed it toward her and Hermione jotted down notes. Once she finished, he handed the essay, quill and notes back.

"Thanks Hermione," Harry said relieved. He got to work rewriting his essay while Hermione started pulling out her own things. Ron stopped asking for help when he realized she wasn't going to write essays for him. "I never did ask, what are your holiday plans? I know you're not staying since your name wasn't on the list."

"I'm going to Draco's," Hermione admitted. She saw Ron frown but he didn't comment.

"Oh," Harry started. "Well… er, have fun."

"Thanks," Hermione said. "What are your plans?"

"We're staying here," Harry answered.

"Oh," Hermione said uncertain how to react. She knew Harry's home life wasn't great so she figured staying here was a good thing.

"Don't feel bad for me," Harry said quickly. "Staying here will be great. I love Christmas at Hogwarts. I thought maybe I would explore the castle a bit. It'll be great."

Harry had a point. Christmas at Hogwarts was beautiful. She had stayed the year before so she could experience it. Now that she had she was okay with spending time with her friends.

They sat quietly and did their work. Harry was halfway through rewriting his essay when he sat his quill down. "Do you guys ever think about how quiet this year has been?" Harry asked. Hermione and Ron looked at him and shrugged. "It just seems weird. Last year was almost too much excitement, but this year it's boring."

"I almost got killed by a troll," Hermione reminded him. Harry blushed in embarrassment. "I like boring. Isn't this the way Hogwarts is supposed to be? Not Dark Lords possessing teachers?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. I kind of liked the adventures last year. I mean, I'm not glad the troll tried to kill you or that Voldemort got the stone, but still the adventures were fun."

Ron nodded. "I thought they were fun too," he inputted.

Hermione shook her head. It must be a boy thing. She couldn't understand the thrill of the adventures. The traps to get to the stone weren't fun. They were terrifying, especially since she had to do most of the work to get through it.

Hermione didn't speak to them for the rest of the evening. She finished her essay before heading to bed, leaving Harry and Ron to figure out the rest of their essays on their own.

Hermione glared at the stack of Lockhart books. It was one spell. She knew the spell. One word and the books would burn. That would make her feel better.

"You okay Hermione?" Theo asked plopping down next to his friend. "You look like you're trying to wandlessly set those books on fire."

"I'm thinking about it," Hermione grumbled. "These books are garbage."

Theo laughed. "What's funny?" Draco asked as he and Pansy approached the table.

"Hermione wants to burn Lockhart's books," he explained.

The others laughed. "You would have to rebuy them though," Pansy said sadly. "Such a waste of money."

Hermione glared at the books as if they offended her. "When this year is over, I am going to take great pleasure in destroying these books. Perhaps blowing them up," Hermione said thoughtfully. "I only wish someone would destroy Lockhart in the process. Did you know he actually tried to get me to join his stupid fan club?"

Her friends burst into laughter. "What did you say?"

"Nothing," Hermione said innocently. The three Slytherins stared at her. "Okay, I casually mentioned that I beheaded a troll with accidental magic." The laughter resumed. They all knew it wasn't true but no one said anything.

"Did he cry?" Draco asked eagerly.

"He did, uh, whimper like a baby," Hermione admitted rubbing the back of her neck.

The three howled with laughter. Madam Pince walked over and glared at them. "Sorry," they muttered. She let it go this time seeing as they were normally the most respectful of the second years.

Hermione dumped the books into her bag. "Have you guys had lunch yet?"

"No. That's why we came to find you," Draco said. "We knew you hadn't eaten yet either."

"How…"

"You've been spending all your free time in the library," Pansy interrupted. "You haven't even spent time with Potter and Weasley."

Hermione didn't say anything. Ever since she turned in her last paper, she spent time in the library researching soul bonds. She had given up looking up her pendant. Nothing she had found was any help so she tried a different approach. So far, she wasn't having much luck with her research.

For the life of her she could not figure out why she knew these words. She tried so hard to remember what happened in that chamber and every time her mind came up blank. All she could remember was soul bonds and pendant. They were so random and so unhelpful.

"Well let's go," Hermione said. She finished cleaning up her things and followed her friends out of the library.

She sat with the Slytherins for lunch. She expected the Slytherins to be angry at her, angry that a Muggleborn was sitting at their table. Instead, they all scooted away from the four second years.

"What's going on?" Hermione whispered to Draco.

Draco shrugged. "They're scared," Draco answered.

"They're scared of me?" Hermione asked. "Why would they be scared of me?"

"It's not you per say," Draco said. "You're protected by the House of Black. They're more afraid of upsetting you and feeling the wrath of the Blacks."

Hermione frowned. She made a mental note to look up the Black family tree when she had a chance. Maybe that would help her identify Morgana and the pendant.

The four friends ate until they were stuffed. Hermione wanted to try the treacle tart but was too full to even attempt it.

"Are you packed?" Theo asked setting his fork down. He didn't want to look at food anymore.

"Yes," Hermione answered. "I've been packed for days."

Pansy laughed. "I know the feeling. I can't wait to go home."

"I'm worried I forgot something," Hermione admitted.

"Don't worry," Draco told her. "Anything you forgot we can either buy or send one of our house elves to get it."

That did make Hermione feel a bit better. She didn't want Draco's family to spend any money on her but it was nice to know she had the house elf option.

After lunch Hermione went back to Gryffindor Tower. Since they were leaving tomorrow there was no classes today. Hermione grabbed her journal. There was nothing new since Morgana told her goodnight the night before.

Hermione tapped her quill against the book. She dipped her quill into the ink. She wanted to say something, anything, to get Morgana to talk to her. After several minutes she came up with something.

Do you think the Dark Lord would kill Lockhart if I asked nicely?

I'm sure he would if you asked. What has he done now?

Hermione smiled. The response was almost instant. Other than waste this year with stories about himself, nothing. I may have terrified him just a bit.

Terrified him how?

Um, I told him I killed that troll. I mean the whole school thinks I killed it anyway so I figured it couldn't hurt and he kept bothering me. In my defense he wanted me to join his fan club.

Oh, that bloody fan club. He created it back when he was a student. Tried to get me to join and I threatened to hex him. Are you excited to leave?

Yes, I can't wait to see Draco's house. Will you be there?

There was a pause. Yes, I will be there.

Will I see you?

Hermione held her breath as she waited for the response. Yes, you will see me Hermione. There is also a friend of mine that can't wait to meet you.

Who?

His name is Tom Riddle.