(A/N: Hello readers! Sorry about the wait, I was going to post yesterday but there was a glitch and I couldn't log in. Thanks to my lovely reviewers: voldyismyfather, spock, and x-hermalfoy. I really appreciate it! This chapter is really important; it basically tells you what the story is about. Well, this and chapter five. ENJOY!)

Chapter three: Secrets and Surprises

Saturday, September 1, 1998

(Hermione POV)

Sitting in my window seat in my bedroom-a cup of coffee in one hand, a letter from Hogwarts in the other-I pondered the new advisor program Hogwarts was beginning. It seemed like a pretty good idea, very helpful to the first years since they wouldn't have to find their way through the giant castle by themselves. I wondered if Harry and Ron had been invited too…

I was jolted from my train of thought when I heard a massive thud hit the window right next to me. The sound startled me so much as to make me jump and fall off the window seat causing me to dump my scorching hot coffee all over the floor, my letter, and me.

"Ow, ow, ow. Shoot." I muttered. I ran across the room and grabbed my wand off my nightstand. I preformed a simple spell to remove the coffee stains.

I looked back to the window to see none other than the Weasley's clumsy old owl, Errol, sitting on my windowsill pecking on the glass with and envelope in his beak.

I opened the window, let him in and closed it again before saying, "Poor owl. I'd probably go mad too, if I lived with the Weasley's.

I grabbed the envelope from his beak and retrieved the letter from inside. The untidy, scrawly handwriting was undoubtedly Ron's. It read:

Hermione,

Sorry if Errol did any damage to your window.

Anyways, did you get a letter from Hogwarts today? Something about being an advisor… Harry's been staying here all summer and we got ours today.

Mum's invited you to come stay with us until we leave on the third if it's alright with your parents.

Write back soon. Love,

Ron

I didn't bother writing back. I'd already told my parents about the letter before they left for work that morning and that the Weasley's would probably invite me to their house.

In fact, I had my trunk packed and ready to go. I placed Crookshanks in his pet carrier next to my trunk and waved my wand with a few magic words and sent them to the Weasley's home.

Glad I had said my goodbyes that morning, I wrote my parents a quick note saying I'd see them in a few months for Christmas. I walked into the middle of my room, lifted my arm, and when Errol landed on my arm I apparated. In what seemed like one millionth of a second, I was in the Weasley's warm and comforting living room.

Ginny had just walked in the room when I appeared. "Hermione!" She exclaimed. She ran towards me and we embraced in a hug. "I'm so glad you're here. Ron hasn't stopped talking about you all summer." She said with a laugh.

"Did someone say Hermione?" I heard a familiar voice say.

I saw Ron at the entry of the room. "Ron!" I squealed. A huge grin spread across my face and ran across the room. I jumped into his arms wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. After a few seconds I let go, placing my feet back on the ground.

"I missed you, Ron." I said honestly.

"I missed you too, Hermione." He whispered back. He leaned his face close to mine. I closed my eyes and placed my lips on his before Fred and George rudely interrupted us.

"Get a room." They said simultaneously.

I laughed and turned to them saying, "Well hello to you too, boys."

"Don't forget about me!" I heard Harry say behind me. I turned around and saw Harry standing next to Ginny. I was glad to see their relationship had grown over the summer.

"Hello Harry!" I laughed. I skipped past Fred and George and made way to my best friend.

"Good to see you, Hermione." He said.

"You too." I said as we embraced in a hug. As soon as we let go a figure appeared next to us-Molly Weasley. Though she wasn't as I remembered. She looked grave-weary. Wrinkles were set deeper into her freckled skin. She was wringing her hands.

"Hello Hermione. Good to see you again. We don't have a lot of time before you leave in few days. We-uh… There's something that needs to be done before hand." She stuttered. She worried me. "Follow me, please." She looked at everyone then. "All of you come with me." She turned and began walking up the tall staircase. I glanced at Harry and then Ron with confused looks. As we walked I caught Ron's attention and silently mouthed, "Do you know?" I was utterly confused. He looked at his feet and bit his lip then nodded-yes.

As we walked up the treacherously long staircase, I could hear the blood pounding in my head. I was trying to calm myself down-convince myself that nothing was wrong; there was nothing to worry about. I calmed down a bit as we merged onto the third floor. That feeling soon vanished because when I followed Molly Weasley she took me into a room where Mr. Weasley, Lupin and Tonks were talking to a man. Not just any man, but my father… with a wand in his hand.

They immediately stopped talking and each of their gazes met mine.

Lupin was the first to speak, "Ah, Hermione. We've been expecting you."

Then my father spoke, "Hermione. Hello, dear."

I skipped my welcome. "Are… Are you holding a wand?"

"Obviously" I heard Fred and George whisper behind me. I then heard a smacking sound and two "ouches".

Tonks stepped forward and said, "Maybe… This might be better if they were alone."

"Yes. Yes, I think that would be best." Said Mr. Weasley, and with Lupin and Tonks, he followed everyone back down the stairs leaving my father and me alone.

I tried to avoid his gaze. I looked around the room and to my surprise; the décor was nothing like the rest of the home. The room was very small with five conference chairs against each wall. Next to my father were two more chairs facing each other. It seemed very much like a muggle-built room. No magic existed.

I lost my train of thought when my father spoke again. "Come. Sit with me. We… need to talk." He sat down on one of the seats in the middle of the room. He patted the one in front of him as a gesture for me to sit.

I sat in front of him. His wand lay in his lap. I spoke first, "What is this all about: you having a wand, conversing with members of the Order? What's going on?" I demanded. I was surprised a how calm my voice was, because I sure didn't feel calm.

He looked down at his hands and sighed. "Look. Hermione, this isn't going to be easy for any of us, but the truth can't be kept any longer. We wanted to wait a couple more years, your mother and I, but like I said it couldn't wait any longer. I am a wizard, Hermione. I do regret not telling you, but that's just what your mother and I wanted."

I was surprised. I was stunned. Questions whirled in my mind.

He continued, "I know you must have many questions, but there isn't much time. We need to get downstairs so we can discuss to you the Orders'… situation." He began to stand but I interrupted him.

"Dad. If you don't mind, I would like to ask one thing of you before. It won't take long." I said, again surprised at my calmness.

"Yes, anything." He replied.

"Show me your patronus."

I could see surprise flash across his face for a mere second before he said, "Oh. Yes, my patronus, of course."

He stood and so did I. He lifted his want and uttered the spell, "Expecto patronum!"

Immediately a stream of silvery blue light spiraled out from the tip of his wand, forming an Alaskan huskie. It bounded around the room like an excited puppy; barking happily.

* * * * *

(Ron POV)

Fred, George, Harry, Tonks, Lupin, Mum, Dad and I all sat anxiously in the living room downstairs waiting for Hermione and her father to come down. It was completely silent besides the faint murmurings from the third story.

My mum nearly jumped out of her stockings when she heard a dog barking. She jumped up out of her seat and we all stared at the ceiling. The barking ceased. I smiled when I heard Hermione's laugh float down the stairs and mum seemed to relax a bit as she sat back down.

We soon saw Hermione and her father walk back down the stairs. I glanced over at Lupin. He had a look in his eyes saying, "It's time."

I understood. Everyone but Hermione understood. Everyone but Hermione understood that it wasn't over. The war wasn't over-it was just taking a break.

Well the break was over. And the war was beginning-again.

* * * * *

(Hermione POV)

When we got downstairs, my father took an empty chair near Mr. Weasley and I sat next to Ron and Harry on the couch.

Lupin spoke first, "There is another matter that needs to be discussed. Hermione, the others were briefly informed before your arrival so this is mostly for you."

I nodded and he continued, "We, of The Order of the Phoenix have come to the realization of an eighth horcrux, though we aren't one hundred percent sure. But from the information gathered, we believe the Dark Lord-Voldemort is still alive."

My jaw dropped. I felt shock spread across my face. "But… but how is this possible? We killed him. We saw him die! How do you explain that?" I spat.

Tonks spoke this time, "The Dark Mark. We saw the Dark Mark in the clouds last night. There's no mistaking it. He's back."

(A/N: Dun dun DUUNNNN. You like?)