A fierce wind crashed through the dull grey sky, blowing broken tree branches and leaves about the castle grounds. Inside the Great Hall, the sound of merry banter echoed from the ceiling to the many tables full of witches and wizards chatting and eating breakfast. The faces of Ron, Harry, and Hermione, however, reflected the dark and stormy weather outside.

Ginny tried to break the icy silence as she buttered her toast. "So, Harry, there's a trip to Hogsmead this weekend, isn't there?" Her tone was hopeful. Harry looked up, then looked away with a heavy sigh.

"I don't really feel like going anymore," he muttered. Ginny looked crestfallen.

"Oh," Ginny replied quietly, trying to sound indifferent. "I guess it won't be that great anyway."

"I bet Hermione's going with her mystery boy. I hope you have fun!" Ron added acidly, turning his angry face towards Hermione.

"Perhaps," Hermione replied, with an air of disinterest that surprised everyone. She didn't even look up from the Daily Prophet she had just received. "Anyway, I have to go talk to Professor Flitwick about our charms essay, which I will NOT be helping you with, Ron." Hermione stood, folded her paper, and marched away from the table without looking back.

Harry stared after her, and opened his mouth to say something to Ron. "She's hiding something from us. I just know it." Ron interrupted Harry in a low voice laced with fury. A fleeting look of hopelessness crossed Harry's face for a moment, then it was gone. Harry stood and gathered his things to leave.

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Ron didn't see Harry again until they were both waiting outside the dungeons for Snape to arrive. When they entered the classroom, Harry immediately sat with Seamus, and Ron, without hesitation, sat with Neville. Professor Snape swept into the room, and the class fell silent.

"Today we will be begin the difficult and long process of concocting Polyjuice Potion," Snape told the class in an oily voice. "You will have to be exact with your measurements, for any small mistake could be fatal to the drinker." Draco smirked in the corner, pointing at Neville and dragging a finger across his neck.

"Ingredients are on the desk, instructions on the board, and I will be coming around the room to inspect your work. You may beg---" Snape was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Hermione, bursting through the door. "Ms. Granger, do you have any idea how late you are?"

Hermione's only reply was a sweet smile. "That's twenty points from Gryffindor." Ron looked outraged and turned red when he heard Malfoy cackling in the corner. Hermione didn't say anything, but opened her bag and began to prepare her potion.

Harry was pensively stirring his cauldron when the class heard a timid knock on the door. Snape uttered a lazy "Come in," then flicked the door open with his wand. A tiny first year boy named Cooper Denny was standing at the door, clutching a piece of rolled up parchment.

"I have a message for Miss Hermione Granger," he squeaked, "Its urgent!" Hermione took the scroll and Cooper darted back out the door. Her eyes grew wide as she read the letter, then turned to Professor Snape.

"I have to go speak with the headmaster," she explained. Snape motioned for her to leave and silenced the class, who had been discussing the arrival of Cooper and his message in hushed tones. Hermione gathered her things and left the dungeon.

Harry glanced at Ron and saw that he looked worried, but a second later all he could feel was an intense pain exploding from his forehead. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhh," Harry screamed and fell to the floor. In an instant, the entire class, even Ron, was crowded around Harry, who was screaming and clutching his head.

"Still trying to steal the spotlight, are we Potter?" Snape's patronizing voice could barley be distinguished over the harsh sound of agonizing screams. "Get out of my classroom; you disgust me."

As if in a dream, Harry rose from the dungeon floor and ran out the door. The only thing that he could think about through the pain was that he needed to talk to Dumbledore. He ran and ran until he found himself standing at the foot of the stone Gargoyle.

"Lemon drop. Liquorice wand. Pumpkin Pasty!" Harry was beginning to get panicked and agitated. He needed to tell Dumbledore about his scar, but his mind was blurry and he could barely think of any passwords.

"Fizzing Whizzbees. Pepper Imps. Noooooo."

In desparation he shouted "TOOTHFLOSSING STRINGMINTS!" As if it were magic, the gargoyle began to shift and displayed a winding staircase which Harry eagerly stepped onto.

Finally at the oaken door, Harry threw it open, his scar burning with such intensity that all manners were forgotten. What he saw next was to remain branded into his memory for the rest of his life.

There, in the middle of the round office, stood Dumbledore and Hermione, locked in a passionate embrace.