Ron and Harry woke up and dressed early, so as not to be late or miss breakfast before they had to head off to DADA. Hermione caught sight of them nearing the breakfast table and quickly hopped up. Before she could grab her bag, Harry snatched her arm up and Ron took it. "We need to talk." Harry said sternly and sat down next to where she was standing. He let go of her arm and, to Harry's surprise, Hermione sat down between him and Ron. "Fine."

"Hermione. We still want you around." Harry said calmly.

"Yeah, and you are not the third wheel! You're just the one who does our homework when we don't pay attention in class and the one who comes up with solutions to almost every life threatening situation we've ever been in!" Ron blurted out.

"Which is a lot!" Harry added.

"Yeah! And you made both of us realize how we felt about each other. If anything, you're the most friend we have; not the third wheel. And even if you were, three wheelers are fun…." Ron took time to catch his breath and then shoved a bagel into his mouth. "Sher yershe…"

"Don't talk with your mouth full, Ron." Hermione giggled. It was the first time in days that that had happened. "I'm sorry about everything. I just wanted the two of you to have as much time with each other as possible. Only one and a half years left, you know." Hermione looked down at her lap, sounding rather upset. Harry saw her chest heave and heard small, whining noises and quickly realized that she was crying. "No, no, don't cry, 'Mione." Harry hugged her close to him and rested his chin on the top of her head. She quickly regained her composure and looked up at her two best friends.

"Let's go to class. W- We only have about f-five minutes left." Hermione stood up and Ron and Harry followed her lead. Harry swung his bag up over his shoulder and felt a hand on his arm. Harry turned to see the red head almost in tears him self. Oh, Ron, Harry pulled him close and held him for a moment. Hermione called for the two 'love birds' and they released each other, but not before whispering, "I love you."

Harry, Hermione and Ron walked and laughed together all the way to the familiar dungeon that their Defense Against the Dark Arts class was taught and joined the line people waiting to get in. "Did you finish your essay?" Hermione whispered to either side of her. "Yes", they both answered in sync. Just then, Snape burst from the room and ran off in the other direction calling behind him, "Take your seats and read chapter 4 of your books!"

Everyone had a confused look on their face, but nevertheless they herded inside and took seats. Ron saw Dean, Seamus and Neville whispering to each other about what they thought this could all be about. "I know what it is." Harry interrupted Ron's train of thought. Harry took a square of parchment from his bag and held his wand to it. "Harry!" Hermione sounded worried. "He could be back any second!" She urged. "And I'll see him coming." Harry said coolly. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good!" Harry tapped his wand on the parchment that was now quickly becoming the Marauders Map. Harry frantically looked it over.

"I knew it!" Harry's eyes got wide with excitement. "What!" Ron leaned in close. "It's Snape!" Harry pointed to footprints and a nametag that labeled where Snape was in the castle. "He's near the door to the Room of Requirement! And he's with Draco!" Harry smirked. I've been right all along, Harry congratulated himself. "This doesn't mean anything, Harry. Draco has been missing the past couple of days." Hermione said darkly. "Yeah, maybe Snape just went to see where he's been and what he's been up to. This doesn't mean…" Ron was cut off by Harry, who was now outraged.

"I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS!" he yelled. No one in class bothered to see what was going on. They were all too busy with their own theories. "Not so loud!" Hermione shushed him. "Calm down, love." Ron grabbed Harry's hand under the desk. "Well, I know what's going on! Malfoy is a Death Eater and he's in league with Snape. After all, Snape used to be one of Voldemorts most trusted Death Eaters. Maybe he still is. You know what they say: You can't quit! If he did, Voldemort would've killed him by now!" Harry was shaking with rage. I am right!

"Not necessarily…" Hermione was cut off by Harry again. "Shhh.. Mischief managed!" Harry tapped the parchment and folded it into his bag and quickly shoved his wand inside of his robes. "Books!" Ron whispered and the three of them quickly rummaged through their bags and slammed books on their desks and turned to chapter four. Snape slowly entered the room, hardly making a sound at all, but silencing the rest of the students in his wake. He looks sick now… Hermione noticed as she peeked over the top of her book. "Class dismissed!" A cold voice rang out and everyone, though dumbfounded, packed up and quickly exited the classroom.

Everyone in the hall was whispering about the events that had just taken place. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were making their way to the Gryffindor Common Room when Harry caught sight of Draco. He was being carted off to the hospital wing, blood covering what looked like his chest. "Stop! Did you see that?" Harry sounded scarred. "Draco was…injured. But-

"How?" Ron finished. "Let's just get back to the Common Room." Hermione led the way. All the while Harry thought more deeper and deeper into his theory. I promised Ron I wouldn't…Still, he can't blame me after Snape's exit and strange re appearance, can he? Harry worried.

Once they were back in the Common Room, Hermione announced her leave to the library and Ron and Harry made their way up to their dorm. Ron looked angry. "Don't be mad at me. I just wanted to know!" Harry pleaded as Ron sat on his own bed. "I'm sorry, did you say something?" Ron grumbled. "Listen, every time you bring this stuff up, the three of us get divided and we don't speak to each other for a while. I just want you to stop for all of our sakes. For our friendship. For us." Ron looked at his feet. Harry moved next to Ron. "I'm sorry." Harry whispered so close to Ron that it made him shudder.

"Apology excepted. Just promise me…" Ron didn't get to finish, for Harry had closed his lips over his.

------------------------

Author's notes: Okay guys, I have 2 whole books to read in 7 days…so I had to cut it short here. Sorry, look for a major update next Saturday the 27th