A/N: Many thanks to Muggle Jane and Krissy for looking this over for me. Thank you all for the reviews, favorites, and follows! I'm so sorry it's taken my ages to get this to you all. However, I do hope you all enjoy this chapter! xx

Disclaimer: The characters and canon situations in the following story belong solely to JK Rowling, Scholastic and WB. I am not making any money from the publishing or writing of this story.

Chapter 24

Lunch passed without incident. Harry and Ron were very excited to see her and asked about her weekend. Hermione explained what had happened with Malfoy, which had upset them both. Harry was worried about Sirius, much like Hermione was.

"But, Hermione, there's something I need to tell you about," Harry whispered, leaning in close.

"What?" she inquired.

"So, I've been watching Malfoy with the Marauder's Map and I still can't figure out where he goes."

Hermione arched her brow. "I thought you had solved that issue ages ago. Didn't you?" Harry shook his head. "So Malfoy isn't on the map? Right. Is he leaving the castle?"

Harry shook his head again. "I don't think so. It's like one minute he's there and the next he's gone."

She was quiet for a moment, trying to think of an explanation. Where could Malfoy be going? Or what could he be doing that would hide him from the map? Maybe the map was wrong? That would explain the map's faultiness.

But then again, Harry had insisted that the map never lied. So if it wasn't lying, what in Merlin's name was going on?

Then it hit her. She didn't know why she didn't think of it before!

"I know that look," Ron mused. "That's your 'I know something' face. So go on then, spit it out."

"Harry, every room in the castle is on the Marauder's Map."

"I know," Harry responded, giving her a blank look.

"Except there's one room that's able to hide itself so it can look like it doesn't exist."

Ron's eyes lit up. "You're bloody brilliant, Hermione."

She beamed, thankful for the praise. Turning to Harry, she saw that he too was getting it.

"Malfoy's been in the Room of Requirement!" Harry whispered excitedly.

"Yes, he has been!" Hermione said. "There's no other explanation. He must be going inside and asking the room to be unplottable or something. That way no one would be able to find him."

"This proves it, then," Harry said. "Malfoy is definitely up to something."

Hermione frowned, shaking her head. "No, Harry, this doesn't prove anything. He could be doing homework in there for all we know."

Harry didn't look convinced.

"You can't bring this to Dumbledore, Harry. That's a large accusation and we don't have proof. Professor Dumbledore already knows to keep an eye on Malfoy, so there isn't any point in making more of a fuss."

"She's right, mate," Ron grumbled before putting another biscuit on his plate. "Pass the pumpkin juice, would you, 'Mione?"

She did, but continued to look at Harry. "Please, don't go getting yourself into trouble."

"I won't," Harry promised.

"Thank you," Hermione stated. "I have enough to worry about… I don't need to worry about you too."

Ginny had remained unusually quiet throughout lunch. She was so quiet, in fact, that Hermione had almost forgotten she was there.

"Ginny, are you all right?" Hermione asked her friend.

Ginny nodded. "Cramps," she murmured. "I just don't feel well at all."

Hermione gave her a sympathetic look. "Sorry, hun. I know what that's like. I'm actually due next week."

"Okay, stop being gross," Harry said, looking a sickly shade of green. "We don't talk about stuff like that in public."

Ginny and Hermione shared a laugh, while Ron and Harry exchanged looks.

"Boys," Ginny said, shaking her head. "Growing up in a house full of them wasn't any fun."

"I can only imagine," Hermione said. "Ron, I know you have a free period."

His eyes widened. "Er, yes, but you know, I had planned on studying a lot and I had thought—"

"Oh, stop it, Ronald," Hermione said, shaking her head. "Honestly."

He looked sheepish.

"Why don't we head to the Room of Requirement together? We could take a small look around."

"Okay." Ron nodded. "We can do that."

"What about me?" Harry asked, looking hurt.

Hermione glanced at him. "You always spend Sunday afternoon with Ginny and Hagrid."

"But I want to come explore," Harry said with a small pout.

"No, Harry," Hermione said, unable to resist laughing. "You carry on with your normal plans. Honestly, we'll contact you right away if something happens."

"Anything suspicious at all, I want to know," Harry insisted.

"And we'll let you know," Hermione promised. "But since we're done with lunch, why don't we go now?"

"All right," Ron said, standing. He waited for Hermione to stand before exiting the Great Hall.

The two of them headed towards the Room of Requirement. Hermione was lost in her own thoughts. She kept wondering how Sirius was and if he was all right. She hoped he wasn't doing anything too dangerous.

"So, is Sirius treating you all right?" Ron asked, trying to make conversation.

"Of course he is," Hermione said with a small smile. "You don't need to worry, Ron."

"I know," he said, smiling sheepishly. "Just doing my friend duties." He chuckled.

Hermione glanced at him from the corner of her eye. She saw that he was smiling, which made her happy. It was nice to see Ron with a smile on his face.

"Here we are," he announced, looking at the wall.

Hermione tore her gaze from the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy teaching trolls ballet. Facing the wall, she sighed. "How do you think we get in?" she asked.

Ron shrugged. "You're the brains of this operation, Hermione, not me." He chuckled.

She started to walk past and forth, thinking about the place Malfoy had been hiding. When she walked past it three times, the door appeared.

"Do you think it worked?" Ron asked.

"Only one way to find out," Hermione responded. She moved towards the door and slowly pushed it open. It creaked as it swung open and Hermione hoped that no one was inside to hear. Pulling out her wand, she carefully walked into the room. Ron followed close behind.

The room was a mess. There were items piled high every which way and only small aisles were there for people to walk through. Looking at the nearest pile, Hermione spotted a few books, a dresser, and other knickknacks.

"What is this?" Ron asked, his voice low.

"I don't know," Hermione responded.

"It looks like random junk."

She nodded in agreement. "Maybe this is all the stuff people put in here to hide and then forget about?"

"Maybe," Ron said. "That would make sense. Stashing something quick and then losing it in this mess. I can see how that would happen."

"Mmmm," Hermione hummed as she rounded a corner. Suddenly, the hairs on the back of her neck stood on edge. "Ron," she hissed, her eyes darting around nervously.

Ron, sensing her panic, pulled his wand as well. He moved closer to her as he was determined not to let anyone harm Hermione on his watch.

Unfortunately, neither of them saw their attacker come from above.

Ron went down first, his wand clattering from his hand. The noise alerted Hermione, who quickly looked upwards to see Malfoy hovering in the air on a broom. There was a red flash and Hermione knew no more.