It was first day of classes after the Christmas break and Hermione found herself doing something that she had never done before, she skipped all her classes. The second she woke up she pulled on her clothes and was out the door, not pausing to see if Draco was up she headed straight out of the common room, and went to the library. She had the beginnings of an idea in her head, she just needed to know how she could execute it.
It was just after the end of class when she felt she had nearly all the information she need. Quickly slamming her book shut, she threw the essential ones in her bag and ran through the corridors and the crowds of students until she saw Harry walking side by side with Neville Longbottom.
"Sorry Neville, I need Harry!" She exclaimed as she grabbed his arm and yanked him into a nearby empty classroom.
"Hermione!" Harry yelped whilst rubbing his arm. "Where were you today? And that really hurt by the way."
'Honestly, how many times have you faced off with Voldemort, and you think that hurt?" Harry looked sheepish as Hermione continued. "If I wanted to contact someone from the order how would I go about that?' She looked at him quizzically.
"Why would you need to contact someone from the order?" Harry's eyes narrowed at her. "Does this have anything to do with you missing classes for the first time in your schooling career? Are you in some kind of trouble?"
"No, no, not at all!" Hermione assured him hurriedly. "Just you know, I have this feeling that the war will escalate soon you know. I mean not a feeling, Tonks did warn me... It wouldn't hurt to be prepared for any possibility. I mean you must talk to Lupin sometimes? And you used to contact Sirius…" She trailed off.
"You always have been a terrible liar." Harry shook his head at her. "But if I do tell you, will you promise to tell me why you need to contact someone? Who do you want to talk to anyway?"
"Honestly I would like to get a hold of Tonks if possible, or Lupin. I can tell you vaguely what it is about, I suppose." Hermione sighed. "But not who it is involving." She finished firmly.
"Fine." Harry continued tentatively. "Well I used to talk to Sirius through the fireplace in Gryffindor Tower back in fourth year when Ron was angry at me and I barely got to talk to you." Hermione looked away guiltily. "Umbridge sealed off all the fireplaces when she was in charge, but if Dumbledore set things right then you shouldn't have an issue trying through your fireplace."
"What if I need another fireplace, what if I can't use mine…?" Hermione trailed off.
"Oh," Harry's eyes lit with realisation. "You already worked this out didn't you? You just wanted me to make sure you could be alone to use the fireplace in Gryffindor tower."
Hermione blushed. "Well, I guess I've always been a terrible liar. You could always see straight through me Harry."
"And don't you forget it!" Harry laughed. "Well I'm assuming your need for another fireplace has something to do with the ferret nosing about your common room so I'm happy to help. That is… as soon as you tell me why."
"Well, it's about another student," Hermione looked away, frowning at Harry's use of the word Ferret, trying to best explain the situation without giving out details. "And they have solid reason to believe the Death Eaters have got to their family. I just… want to try and get them some kind of protection. You know, they are good people and deserve to be on the right side of this war when it breaks out. I probably can't tell you more than that."
"Why can't you tell me who it is?"
"It's just, not my secret to tell. Well, not yet." Hermione murmured. "I'm sorry."
"Alright then, I trust you." Harry agreed. "Meet me in the Gryffindor common room at midnight, I'll make sure it's empty."
"Maybe I could hang out with you guys till then?" Hermione said slyly. "I could use the company at the moment."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Harry narrowed his eyes at her. "You've been acting much weirder than normal for the last two weeks. And I don't like you keeping secrets."
"I'm fine I promise!" Hermione assured him quickly. "Besides you all started the secret keeping with that thing with my parents!"
"That was a surprise not a secret." Harry argued.
"Well, I suppose so." Hermione grinned. "She looked out the classroom and was surprised to see that the corridor was empty.
Harry followed her gaze. "Come on, let's go." Harry pulled her out of the classroom. "Ginny will be happy to see you in any case."
They spent the rest of the night with Ron, Ginny and Neville eating chocolate and doing their homework, or more realistically, the boys used Hermione to help them with their homework. After Ron and Neville had lumbered off to bed and the common room had emptied except for Ginny, Harry and Hermione, Ginny spoke up.
"Harry told me." Ginny smiled at her. "I can guard the girls staircase. On one condition."
Hermione glared at Harry. "Of course you told her." She turned back to Ginny. "What condition?"
"That eventually, you tell us what this about." She stared daggers at Hermione. "It doesn't have to be tonight, or next week, but you need to tell us. We need to help each other Hermione. It's no use trying get by alone."
"That I can promise." Hermione reached forward and grabbed her hand. "I will, and I really hope that you will understand."
"Just call up to us when you're done Hermione." Harry yawned. "I'm beat and I have Quidditch practice before classes tomorrow."
"Okay then." Ginny jumped up pulling Harry with her and planted a big kiss on his lips. "Good luck!" She called as she ran up the stairs to the girls bedrooms.
When Harry and Ginny were posted at the tops of the staircases, Hermione grabbed a handful of the floo powder that Harry kept for emergencies, threw it in the fireplace. She shoved her head in and found herself staring around the kitchen of 12 Grimmauld place.
"Hello?" She called out tentatively.
A man stood up from the kitchen table and walked over to her. "Hermione? What on earth are you doing?"
"Lupin!" She sighed in relief. "There's something I need to talk to you about."