A/N: Alright, I need to seriously thank my dear friend Macca, without whom I would have no direction (and no titles). Thank you darling. Check out the most wonderful fic by lurv2boogie. It's soooo good. So, read on, my friends, read on.

Harry groaned into his plate of bacon and sausage. Ron followed suit. Hermione appeared not to have heard either of them, and Ginny laughed.

"You two thought you were done with work, didn't you? You saw yourselves off on adventures, not sitting in double Transfiguration and Potions," Ginny giggled.

"Oh, shut up, Ginny," Ron said, laying down his schedule with a disdainful glance.

"Yeah, I just didn't think I would ever be sitting here, getting my schedule again. I figured I was finished," Harry said, then shrugged, "Oh, well. I guess we'll get to see what Professor Jenkins is like."

Ginny laughed a bit more, laying her arm amiably around Harry's shoulders, kissing his cheek, "Oh, you're a big, tough man. You can handle a few classes."

"Ha Ha. Very funny," Harry said dryly, but his mouth jerked into a smile.

"Hey, Hermione," Ron said, noticing that she was looking around the room with a suspicious gleam in her eye, adding nothing to a conversation that she usually had a great deal of opinion on, "What's going on?"

Ron's tone was worried. He, too, began glancing around the room. He reached into his robes, ready to draw his wand at a moment's notice. Hermione didn't answer, and Ron became more concerned.

"Hermione!" he said more urgently.

She jerked as though jarred from a daze.

"They're all talking about it," she whispered to Ron.

"Talking about what?" Ginny asked.

Hermione looked up, as if just realizing that she had spoken in front of someone other than Ron.

"Oh, umm…well, I'll tell you later, Ginny. Not here," Hermione was still speaking in whispers.

Ron wore a confused expression, but Harry had put two and two together. He grinned and turned to Ginny.

"Oh, Ginny, that's top secret, you see…Hermione paid Ron a visit. Last night. In the middle of the night. In his bed."

Ginny's mouth dropped open. Harry started to laugh uncontrollably as Hermione began to hiss and sputter, and Ron's neck turned a brilliant shade of red.

"Harry," Hermione hissed, "You were asleep. How did you? But why didn't you? I cannot believe that you said that out loud! You know very well what happened. Or!" she gasped, "Did you hear it from Seamus? Or Dean? Was it Neville?"

Ron laughed with Harry now, "Come on, Hermione. No one is talking about it, least of all Neville. They all have other things to deal with."

"But, Ron, they're all going to talk-"

"You really want to give them something to talk about Hermione? Don't push me," Ron said irritably.

"Oh, please, Ron. What on earth would be better gossip than-"

Harry and Ginny collapsed into laughter, and Harry stood up as Ron planted a hearty kiss on Hermione. She attempted to pull away, looking scandalized. Ron released her just as Professor McGonagall glanced up to see the source of the clapping, cheering, and catcalls. She did not see the kiss, and therefore, Ron and Hermione were in the clear. But Ron was in some serious trouble—with Hermione. Harry took Ginny's hand and whispered in her ear, "Leave them to it. I'll walk you to class."

Ginny nodded, still laughing and allowed Harry to lead her away from Ron and Hermione's shouts. Laughter filled the hall as the two gestured and argued loudly. Now, Harry saw that Professor McGonagall was starting down the Hall towards Ron and Hermione. Harry found it amusing that the two hadn't found themselves in trouble for kissing, but were now about to be seriously reprimanded for fighting.

Pulling Ginny along with him, they managed to subdue their laughter long enough for Harry to sit down on a bench in the courtyard to tell Ginny what had truly happened the night before. Ginny found it a bit more worrisome than Harry did.

"What's the problem? It's just Lavender," Harry said dismissively.

"Harry, you don't get it," Ginny said seriously, "Girls are horrible to one another. Really and truly horrible. Lavender could really do something to hurt Hermione."

Now Harry stood up, followed by Ginny, and they began moving towards Ginny's first class: Charms. He could not bring himself to take this with such a grave disposition.

"But Ginny, I just don't understand."

"I know you don't," Ginny sighed, "And that's fine. But you have to believe me when I say that Hermione needs all of us to watch out for her right now."

This triggered something in his memory; something Hermione had mentioned in passing last night.

"Ginny, what about you? Are you having problems with Romilda Vane?"

Ginny shook her head with a smile, "Oh, really, Harry. As if I couldn't handle a numskull like Romilda Vane."

Harry stopped walking just outside Professor Flitwick's classroom, clasping Ginny with both hands on either of her shoulders. He turned her firmly to him, forcing her to look him in the eye.

"Ginny," he said, exasperated, "You just spent a great deal of time explaining to me how I should worry about Lavender and what she could do to Hermione. Why on earth should I not worry for you?"

"Oh, Harry," Ginny said in the same kind tone that one uses to explain complex theories and practices to small children, "You see, I am on guard when it comes to Romilda. I know what she's capable of, and I can cut her off before she could try anything. But Hermione…what you don't see is that Hermione is most definitely the most intelligent and talented witch at Hogwarts, but she's more vulnerable than the rest of us."

Harry snorted, and Ginny frowned.

"Harry, don't. I'm serious. Hermione is tough; it's true. But she doesn't seem to be able to see the evil in those around her. She's always quick with a comeback, but think back, Harry. She's also the first to cry. Hermione is a great judge of character, but she thinks she has everything under control even when she doesn't."

At this, Professor Flitwick walked outside and squeaked, "Better get to class now, Mr. Potter."

Harry nodded, "Ok, Professor."

Ginny looked pointedly at Harry and said, "I'm right, Harry. Think about it. Don't worry about me, but keep an eye on Hermione. And tell Ron to as well."

Harry gave Ginny's hand a gentle squeeze, and he said, "Ok. Have a good lesson."

Ginny smiled, and moved into the classroom, leaving Harry to wander towards his Transfiguration class pondering what Ginny had said all along the way. It was true, Harry realized, Hermione was more vulnerable than the rest. Why had he never noticed before? Then he thought that it was because Hermione had a truly wonderful façade of hardness. To all those looking in on her, she presented a persona of substantial resistance to hardship. But she was so sensitive. Walking into McGonagall's room, books under his arm, he witnessed an interesting sight. Hermione was seated in the back corner of the room shooting a guilty and apologetic glance to an equally abashed Ron in the front opposite corner of the room. Harry puzzled over this for a moment, but when Susan Bones sat next to Hermione, Harry was prompted to take the empty seat next to Ron. He had to talk to him at any rate.

"Why are you here," Harry gestured at the seat Ron was sitting in, "and why is Hermione all the way over there?" He pointed to a disgruntled looking Hermione in the back.

Ron looked down at the desk, at McGonagall studying papers on her desk with great intent, and then back at the desk. He murmured very softly, "McGonagall separated us because of our fight in the Great Hall."

Harry fought the laughter that was attempting to surface and said in serious tones, "Oh, right. And are you and Hermione still fighting?" Harry could tell by the looks, completely lacking in anger, that the two were sending one another that they had made up, but he didn't want Ron to think that he was too predictable.

"No," Ron sighed, "We made up after McGonagall told us that we were too young to be acting as though we'd been married for fifty years."

Harry laughed heartily now, causing the class to lower their chattering voices and look towards Harry and Ron. Just then the bell rang, and their attention was averted. Harry managed to murmur to Ron before McGonagall took her place at the front of the room, "Hate to break it to you, but you guys have acted like an old married couple since you were eleven."

"Have not," Ron shot back loudly.

McGonagall spoke sharply to Ron, "Mr. Weasley, I would think that after that episode in the Great Hall you would have had your share of arguments."

There was a great deal of snickering and elbowing throughout the room, although Harry could tell that his fellow students were recalling a different scenario that had taken place in the Great Hall that morning. Ron turned beet red and muttered, "Sorry, Professor."

"Quite right, Mr. Weasley. Now that you've argued with your girlfriend and your best friend is there any one else you wish to start a row with today? No? Very well, then, we will begin my class. That is if you have no argument, Mr. Weasley."

"Does she have to pick on me on the first day?" Ron complained after class as he, Harry, and Hermione walked to Potions.

Hermione comforted Ron, slipping her hand into his in a sign of solidarity, "I know, Ron. She shouldn't have brought it up in class."

"Damn right!" Ron interjected.

Harry laughed, he seemed to be laughing a lot today, "You two are just put out that she brought up the incident and embarrassed you. You're mad because she's right."

Moving in front of the protesting couple, Harry moved into the dungeon that had belonged to two teachers in the past six years, and now belonged to a new teacher. The room was now…feminine. Harry could find no other word for the shelves of brightly colored potions in decorative bottles, the wonderful scents rising from cauldrons burning over purple, pink, and indigo flames.

"Whoa," said Ron, stopping mid-protest.

"Yeah," Harry agreed.

"Hmm…" Hermione mused.

"What?" Harry said.

"Well, it appears that this professor will be different from any of our other Potions teachers," she said thoughtfully.

"Really, because we have a lot to compare her with. Two male teachers before her, and so naturally, she would be exactly the same as them," Ron said sarcastically.

"Oh do shut up," Hermione snapped.

"If I were to shut up, Hermione, you would be so terribly bored."

Hermione ignored them as the three friends sat down in anticipation for their first Potions lesson with the new professor. Professor Jenkins turned to be very scatter-brained.

She was constantly searching for misplaced Potions ingredients, and, seeing as the first few months of classes were to be review from the end of the previous year, Harry was thankful that he had done these thins before. This woman was a dismal teacher, but she was pleasant enough.

After a rather pointless class, Harry and Ron bid farewell to Hermione. They had a free period while Hermione was headed to Arithmancy. Harry had yet to have a chance to speak to Ron about the things he and Ginny had discussed earlier that morning, and this appeared to be the perfect time. Moving into the Common Room, Ron received many a back pat and a, "Nice performance this morning, Weasley."

Ron looked rather proud. Harry smiled and shook his head as the two friends seated themselves in the armchairs by the fire—which was not lit. The performance that morning was all that was buzzing around Hogwarts today. Harry thought once more that people should find better things to do with their time. Sitting down, Harry said, "Ron, there's something I need to talk to you about."

Ron looked concerned, "What is it, Harry?"

"It's Hermione," Harry began.

Ron sat up bolt upright in his seat, "What about Hermione?"

"Well, I told Ginny what Hermione had said to you last night."

"You were awake the entire time?" Ron laughed, "And you didn't say anything?"

"Honestly, I thought it was going to turn into something that I didn't want to hear, so I didn't come into the conversation. Then it sounded like you had it under control so I didn't butt in. But, when I told Ginny, she said that girls can turn really nasty."

"That's nothing new, mate, we've been friends with Hermione forever. I know that."

"Hear me out, Ron. You see, Ginny seems to think that Hermione is in a certain amount of…well…danger," it sounded pathetic, even to Harry, and he continued in an attempt to rectify his statement, "Ginny says, and I agree after I've thought about it, that Hermione is more vulnerable than the rest of us."

Harry took a breath, fully intending to back up this argument with all the evidence he had gathered, but Ron spoke before Harry could resume his dissertation.

"Yeah, I know, mate," Ron said, shrugging, "She has a tough exterior. No one can hurt her, you know. But most of that is an act. Not that she means it. She just does it, I guess, without thinking. I always knew that about her."

"Oh," Harry felt very stupid, "Well, ok, Ginny just thought we should watch over her until this whole Lavender thing blows over."

"Yeah, good idea. I'm on it already, but good to have you on board 'Operation Lavender Take Down'."

"Now, wait a minute, Ron. I never said we were going to 'take Lavender down'. I just thought we could keep an extra watch on things."

Shoulders shaking with mirth, Ron said, "Harry, come on. I was kidding. Really, you think I'd try to take down a girl who's just jealous. I mean, she has good reason to be jealous."

Harry shoved Ron, "Yeah, you were a real catch. She's kicking herself for upping the affection to calling you 'Won-Won' too soon. That was the real problem. Oh, no, wait, you dated her for quite some time even after she started calling you 'Won-Won'. Have you no pride?"

The rest of the break was spent completing a report for Transfiguration and making friendly jabs at one another. Harry played it off as nothing, but he wondered how well he truly knew Hermione when Ron could so easily recognize what had taken Harry seven years of friendship to realize. Putting it under the column of not being in love with his best friend, the way Ron had always been, he moved on with the day.

Their next and last class of the day was Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry was truly looking forward to seeing Lupin.

Ron and Harry walked into the Defense Against the Dark Arts room, which was familiar as they'd had Lupin as a teacher four years before. Lupin was not yet in the room, and Harry and Ron sat in the first two seats at the front of the room.

"Where's Hermione?" Ron asked, looking toward the door.

"She'll be here," Harry said.

Five minutes later, Lupin entered the room. Harry felt a sense of comfort at seeing a man he thought of as a friend instead of a formidable professor.

"Harry, Ron, so good to see you," Lupin said in his quiet, soothing voice, "How are you?"

"Well, thanks, sir," Harry said.

Lupin looked around the room, frowned and looked back at Harry and Ron. He asked Ron, "Where's Hermione?"

Ron shrugged, and said nonchalantly, "She probably stayed after in Arithmancy to argue some complex point." But he looked worried.

Lupin was worried as well, but was forced to begin class when the bell rang. There was still no Hermione. By the end of what would have been a great lesson, had Harry, Ron, and Lupin not been so concerned about Hermione, the three men were frantic. Too many things could have gone wrong in the conditions of the wizarding world.

"Ron, you check the Hospital Wing. Maybe she left class ill. Harry, you check the Common Room. Try to find Ginny, and have her check the dormitories. I'll check with the other professors," Lupin delegated tasks with precision.

Harry left in a hurry. He reached the Common Room to find Ginny reading in an armchair. She looked up when Harry entered, and her smile of welcome faded into an expression of concern.

"What is it?" she asked, standing to come to Harry.

Harry made a sweep of the room, and saw no sign of his bushy haired best friend. The panic he felt increased.

"It's Hermione. She wasn't in Defense Against the Dark Arts," Harry said.

"What?" Ginny gasped.

"Could you check the dormitories?" Harry asked.

Ginny nodded and rushed up the staircase. Harry paced the Common Room, drawing the glances of some of the younger Gryffindors. Ron burst through the Portrait Hall, his face lined with fear.

"Any sign of her?" he asked in a hoarse whisper as he reached Harry.

Harry shook his head, and Ginny flew down the staircase and back to Harry and Ron, "She's not there either. I checked all the dormitories."

Ron sank, pale into a chair. Ginny knelt in front of him, forcing her brother to look at her, "Ron," she spoke in a low, soothing voice, "She is fine. She's the most talented witch I know. You know it. She's ok."

Ron wasn't listening. He was lost in his own thoughts. Just then, Neville rushed into the room, running straight at Ron. He reached the chair, breathing hard from running.

"Ron…on…the…seventh…floor…I heard…It was…Hermione."

At this, Ron stood up, and grasped Neville roughly by the shoulders, "What about Hermione, Neville?"

Harry had never heard Ron's voice sound so frightened and abrasive at the same time. Neville seemed petrified of Ron, and Harry pulled the shaking boy away from Ron's grip. He said, more calmly, "Neville, what happened?"

"On the seventh floor, I heard her yelling. Screaming. It sounded like she was putting up a fight. I think…I think Hermione's in trouble."

A/N: Dun Dun Dun…where is Hermione? What's happened to her? Will Ron's head explode? Tune in for the next posting to see how this problem resolves itself….Review Please. Please. Please.

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