Chapter 9

Disclaimer: We're snatching some of JKR's characters for a bit of fun. Teehee.

Thanks go to Soul_Bound for the beta read.

"HERMIONE!" Ron bellowed as Hermione Disapparated away. "Don't go! I'm sorry!"

"Where did she go, Weasley?" Draco looked around the yard frantically. Fists clenched, he turned back to Ron. "Why did she take off that way?"

Ron was also looking around the yard, but he knew it was a wasted effort. He'd seen his love when she'd popped away. "We were talking about things, and she got a little upset. But I didn't think she would just take off that way, not with everything that's going on."

"Are you stupid? Of course you are; I forgot myself for a moment," Draco said sarcastically. "Do you not understand it's dangerous for her to be alone right now? You know, you only think of yourself and how you feel! Could you not see how bad your little stunt at the Burrow hurt her? Don't you even care?"

"Yes, I care! I love her! I just wanted to explain...to let her know..."

"Let her know what? That as long as she's ready for a shag you love her, but when she wants to cool things down a bit, you love Lavender Brown again?"

Ron turned his furious eyes towards Draco, and for a moment, Draco could see how dangerous this man could be if he ever got out from Potter's shadow. "That's enough from you, Malfoy. I know that you want her. You're always lurking around her, putting the moves on her. I could hear you poisoning her against me, you know!"

Draco laughed and followed Weasley back inside. "Oh, mate, you don't need me to do that. You've done a nice job of showing your true colors without me saying a thing."

"Yet you did. What is it? Snape or Vol...er...You-Know-Who send you here to get close to us, find out information? You may have Hermione and Harry fooled, but you don't fool me. You know what I think? I think that you are in cahoots with Snape, you are. Plotting and planning. Well, it's not going to work! I am going to find her and bring her back, and when I do, maybe she'll be convinced of how you really are."

At the mention of Snape, Draco lost it and went for Ron. "Shut it, Weasley!" Draco shoved Ron into the bookcase, knocking a few books to the floor. "You don't know anything! She left because of you! Because of something you said! Not me!"

"Well," Ron said through clenched teeth, "if you weren't always trying to make me look bad in front of her, I wouldn't have to try to defend myself!"

Harry had been in his room studying different ways that could be used to destroy the Horcruxes when he'd heard the commotion and yelling downstairs. Wand at the ready, he hurried down the stairs to see what was going on.

"You stupid PRAT! You look bad without any help from me!" Draco shouted at Ron as he shoved him again. "Now, what the hell did you say to her?"

"None of your damn business! And keep your ferret hands off of me if you want to keep 'em." Grabbing Draco by the front of his robes, Ron hauled him up. "What were you two discussing in here so secret?"

"What is going on in here?" Harry demanded. "Stop it, both of you!" Harry went to stand between the two men on the verge of a fight.

"Ask your best mate, Potter." Draco sneered at Ron. "He's said something to Hermione," he pointed towards Ron, "and now she's gone. She just Disapparated away while crying and didn't even say where she was off to!"

Harry turned to look at Ron, who was standing red-faced and about to pounce on Draco. The look on Ron's face frightened Harry a bit. "Ron? What's he talking about?"

Slowly, Ron turned towards Harry, and Harry caught himself before he stepped back. The look on Ron's face made Harry glad he wasn't Draco Malfoy. "I wanted to talk to Hermione, explain some things. Apologize for some things, too..."

"Yeah, I can hear it now," Draco drawled. In a low voice meant to mimic Ron, Draco said, "Oh, gee, Hermione, I'm really sorry that I brought your rival into my home and threw her in your face. I knew it hurt you, but oh, well. And when I shagged her rotten, I'm sorry that I made sure you could hear us. I just wanted you to know what you've been missing, even if I am a right bugger!"

"That's it!" With a deep growl, Ron pounced on Draco and knocked him to the ground. Forgetting his wand, Ron drew back his fist and punched him right in the face.

"Ron! Stop it!" Harry grabbed the back of his best friend's robe and pulled as hard as he could to get him off of Draco. Ron simply shoved Harry back.

"I don't see why you'd want to defend him! He's been sniffing after Hermione since he got here. I think he's in with Snape and is trying to get close to her to take information back to them!"

"For the love of God! Ron, he is not! If you could see past your jealousy..."

Standing up and dusting himself off, Ron told Harry, "Right. I'm just jealous, not at all concerned about anything else. I don't have enough smarts to actually think of anything important, right? Can't put two and two together."

"I never said..."

"You don't have to. I know what you and Hermione think about me. If it's not Quidditch, I'm ignorant. That's fine. I've learned to live with that. But whether you believe me or not, I love Hermione and all of my feelings do not stem from jealousy. I just think it's odd that he showed up when he did."

"Ron, you're wrong. We don't think any such thing about you, but you have to admit that whenever another guy gets around her that you get a bit mental."

Smiling almost evilly, Ron told Harry, "Why don't you ask him what he said about you and Ginny?"

"Excuse me, gentlemen," Draco said. He'd gotten up and dusted himself off. "As touching as this little love scene is between the two of you, don't you gits think we should GO AFTER HERMIONE?"

"I've had just about enough of you..."

"No, Ron, he's right. We've got to find her before discussing anything else. Have you looked all around this area?"

"No," Ron told him guiltily. "We, uh, never got past the yard."

"All right. Let's look." Harry had simply taken command, not even thinking about issuing orders. "Draco, you go left. Ron, you go right. I will look out back, and we'll meet back here in fifteen minutes."

Without saying a word, both men went in opposite directions. Harry went out back and was starting to get very worried. When they met back up, Harry said, "Okay. Don't worry; I'm sure she's fine. Hermione can take care of herself, ya know. Let's search the neighborhood."

"Not if she runs into Snape," Draco said, obvious distress on his face. "Why don't we just trace her Apparation?"

Harry slapped himself on the forehead. "Fuck me! Why didn't we think of that sooner instead of wasting all of this time here?"

For once, Ron agreed with Draco, so he didn't say anything. Each taking one of Harry's arms, they followed Hermione's Apparation and ended in a park, close to a bench.

"What now?" Draco demanded. "She's not here!"

"We're going to have to search around," Ron said. "So, we'll split up. It won't take long."

After they'd searched the entire park, Harry said, "She must have left. Hold on, we'll trace her again."

When they tried, nothing happened. Harry was starting to get frantic with worry, trying again and again. He couldn't bear it if something happened to Hermione. She was family to him. "It's not working! Why is it not working? I don't sense a block!"

"Because," Draco informed him, "she isn't the one that Disapparated the second time. She went with someone else. Feel that different magical residue?"

"Who would she be meeting here on such short notice? It's mental!" Ron said. "She wouldn't do that to us! Well, she may do that to me because she was upset, but she wouldn't worry Harry like this." Swallowing his pride, he relented, "Or you, for that matter, Ferret. Hermione is loyal and considerate when it comes to her friends." When tears filled his eyes, Ron turned away, ashamed.

"There, there, Weasel. Your selfishness couldn't be helped. You just don't know any better."

Ron sniffed, dried his eyes, and turned to Draco. Leveling a look at him, he said, "One of these days, Malfoy, we'll be alone. When we are, you'll get yours. Count on it...I'll be coming for you." Turning to Harry, he said, "Ask him about Ginny."

"Let's go back to the house first in case she comes back," Harry said.

Draco had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. She'd been meeting Snape, but he couldn't say anything, as he'd promised her that he'd remain silent, and for once, he wanted to keep a promise. He cared about Hermione...now that he'd got to know her better.

Besides, if it was Snape, there wasn't anything they could do. They didn't know where Snape was, so they couldn't go and get her. And he had to admit, if only to himself, Weasley made him nervous. He Disapparated back to Grimmauld Place with Potter and Weasley.

Once they were inside, Harry turned to Draco. "All right, Malfoy. What's the deal about Ginny?"

Draco shrugged. "Back to Malfoy, are you? That's fine. Nothing about Ginny. Hermione and I were just talking of your relationship...or lack of a relationship...with her."

"What about it?"

Leaning against the wall, Draco said, "I just said it's apparent that you don't love Ginny, that's all. And Ginny just lets you walk all over her."

Face turning red, Harry told Draco, "My relationship with Ginny Weasley is none of your business, Malfoy!"

"Well, I talked to her some when we were at the Burrow."

"Why? You don't even like her!" Harry yelled.

"Tsk, tsk, Harry," Ron said sarcastically. "He's just her friend. It's not like they've been tucked away in a library all alone for hours at a time or anything, searching for things we know already."

"Shut it, Ron! You were the one who told me to ask him!"

"Yes, I know. Because I can see things. He watched her, you know. Every move she made, his eyes followed. Kept following her around, wanting to get her alone. I waited for you to notice, but you never did. So, I began to wonder...how do you feel about my sister? She's in love with you. Thinks she should wait for you, I expect."

Harry sighed, defeated. "Ron, I care about Ginny. But honestly? Right now, I can't think beyond that. I have to finish this. If I don't do this all successfully, it won't matter how I feel about anyone."

"Harry, she's at Hogwarts, and you're here. It wouldn't take more than a few letters." Realization dawned on Ron's face. "It's true. You're not in love with her! Damn it, Harry! Let her go!"

"He can't, Weasley. She's too available for him, don't you see? If he needs someone, why, there Ginevra is. She's his security." Draco was smug as he looked between the two friends.

"You don't know anything about it, Malfoy! Nothing at all! I do care for her! I've never used her, I..." Harry stopped and turned away. "I've never meant to use her, Ron. You have to know that." He turned his eyes to Draco, and they just stared at each other, not saying anything. Harry had a tight feeling in his chest. "I've had this talk with her many times. She knows how I feel about this. She even said she wouldn't wait for me... yet she acts like she will. She's right confusing if you ask me."

Ron had begun to pace, worrying about Hermione and hurting for Ginny. "Whatever, Harry. Just fix it. Stop giving her false hope. She deserves better." Turning to Draco, he said, "And you! Stay away from my sister!"

Smirking, Draco said, "Why? Scared she'll fall for the Malfoy charm? And make up your mind, please. Who is it that I supposedly want? Hermione or Ginny?"

"Just... Just stay away from them both! I think you're trying to get close to Hermione, but I see the way you look at Ginny." Banging his head on the wall once for effect, Ron felt completely helpless. "Where the hell is Hermione? FUCK!"

Ron knew that after Hermione had left, he'd reverted back to acting like a prat. He was just so frantic with worry. No, he wasn't stupid. He knew his Hermione, and his Hermione would never needlessly worry them like this.

I have got to change my ways, or she'll never have me back. I need to think before I act. Oh, but Malfoy knows he gets to me. Does it on purpose, he does. Likes to rile me up. Fine...that's just fine. I can ignore him.

He turned to see that Harry had moved closer to Malfoy, neither saying anything. Odd. Harry seems to be finding comfort by standing near Malfoy. Ron got a very bad feeling in the pit of his stomach suddenly. Hermione, come home, please!

Nobody said anything, just stood, staring at the door, willing Hermione to rush through it. When darkness fell, the three men each knew that Hermione was not coming back. Something was terribly wrong.

"Let go of me!" Hermione said loudly the instant they Apparated into a small sitting room. Whatever hex he'd placed on her still had her partially immobilized, rendering her unable to pull away from him.

"Lower your voice immediately," he said, gripping her tightly. "I shall explain the way of things, but first, I need your word that you'll calm down."

"I will not calm down, Professor Snape! How dare you think to haul me off after we made a bargain! I thought I could trust you. I should have known...mmph!"

To her horror, Snape clamped a hand over her mouth, forcing her words to halt and her breaths to come in shocked gasps through her nose. His face had transformed from mildly irritated to furious in seconds.

"Listen to me now, Miss Granger. Our deal was for you to do something for me, and in return, I would continue doing as I have and make it possible for Potter to meet the Dark Lord." His eyes darted to an open door just to their left. "Circumstances have changed... Things have happened weeks sooner than I'd thought, and I need your help now rather than later."

Hermione began to shake slightly. There were so many things she wanted to ask him, but she was uncertain what would happen if she did. He was watching her intently, as if trying to read her thoughts. She wished that she'd practiced Occlumency a little more and knew there was no way to keep him out of her mind if he truly wanted in. Suddenly remembering what Draco had told her, she glared at him and wondered if the reason he'd darted toward the doorway was because Narcissa Malfoy was about. Was she here to be some sort of maid or cook?

"You will be my guest over the next few weeks. Once things are ready and the time is right, you will be free to leave this place if you so choose. Regardless of what you might think, I don't want any harm to befall either of you. Do I have your word that you won't yell or throw any tantrums?" She nodded her head. "You are at my mercy, Miss Granger. Don't make me regret this."

He released his grip on her arm and the hold on her mouth. An instant later, he flicked his wand, and she was able to move fully again. Stepping away from him, her eyes darted around to take note of any possible exits or any one else who might be about. Closing her eyes, she tried to decide if she should Disapparate. There was no reason she should trust him, even if he did sound sincere. He'd already broken his word. They would find Voldemort some other way. Harry would understand.

Opening her eyes, she flashed a triumphant smile at him and concentrated on Disapparating to Grimmauld Place. Just as she felt her magic tug at her, she felt the heat of foreign magic slapping her strongly in the chest, causing her to stumble and fall to floor in a panting heap.

"Anti-Disapparation Wards, of course." He smirked. "Only I have the means to leave here. You will not be able to do so until I release you."

"Bastard," she muttered, slowly sitting up and trying not to wheeze.

"Language, my dear," he said smoothly, stepping forward and offering her a hand, which she refused.

Getting up on her own, she faced him defiantly. "You owe me an explanation."

"And as soon as you are finished with your dramatics, it'll be my pleasure to do so." He nodded towards the couch. "Take a seat."

Pride wounded and feeling hopeless, she did as he requested and waited until he poured himself a glass of something from his bar before speaking. "You said 'either' of us. I don't understand."

Glass in hand, he moved to sit in the chair across from her, and after taking a small sip, he said, "There are things that have transpired that you are not aware of. Suffice it to say that now, thanks to the Dark Lord, I have someone under my care."

"Yes, Narcissa Malfoy!" Hermione blurted, quickly biting her lip as she realized what she'd let slip.

"So, Draco has confided in you," he said with a nod. "I wondered how much you might know. Did you tell him what I asked of you?"

"No," she said quickly, turning her eyes away from his.

"You're lying."

"I didn't say that you needed me...only that you'd been helping us, but he didn't seem to appreciate that very much. Or trust you."

Snape looked away this time before softly saying, "Not that I blame him." Clearing his throat, he added, more loudly, "Narcissa is no longer here. She has returned to her husband's care."

"But then..." Hermione was interrupted by the loud wail of a small baby. Her eyes widened as she looked from Snape to the doorway he'd been gazing at earlier. "The baby? But how? I calculated Mrs. Malfoy's due date, and it shouldn't be for at least another seven weeks, and only that's if she conceived on..."

"It seems that her sister tried to terminate her pregnancy for her," he said in a clipped voice, rising from his chair and placing his glass on the table next to it. "Luckily, I went in to check on her and was able to safely deliver the child."

"How horrible!" Hermione said, also standing, though noticing the little cries had stopped.

"Master," a voice squeaked. "I wasn't knowing you is here."

Hermione then realized that a house-elf had made its way into the room. If Snape had a house-elf, then he wouldn't exactly need someone to watch over the child now that its mother was gone. What exactly did he want from her then? Her question was answered when he spoke again.

"Yes, Zigby, I have returned." He pointed to Hermione. "She will be handling the child from now on. You will assist her in whatever she asks of you... as she will be the new mistress here."

Zigby nodded vigorously, bat-like ears flapping as he did so. He then gazed at Hermione directly with his large, yellow, saucer-sized eyes. "Missus just be needing to call Zigby, and Zigby comes."

"Thank you," she said softly, uncertain what else to say to the elf. Addressing Snape, she said, slightly panicked, "Professor, I don't know what you mean by asking me of all people to do this for you, but I have to warn you: I haven't any siblings, and I've never babysat any small children. I haven't the slightest idea of what to do."

Looking at her incredulously, he asked, "And you think that I do?" He pointed towards the doorway. "I have been reading, Miss Granger, and learning things. You can do the same." He sighed slightly before adding, "It seems that women have an instinct about these things that men don't seem to possess." Speaking to the elf, he said, "Leave us."

With a pop, the elf was gone. Hermione's feet began the short journey to the room and to the small crib near the far wall. What she saw made her smile. A tiny baby without any hair at all lay sleeping on its side, small fist clenching and unclenching near its mouth.

"My daughter," Snape said from her side.

She could detect a small amount of pride in his shaky voice, and in that moment, things changed. He was just a man...not a spy, not a murderer, not her jailor...he was a man who had a little girl and who needed help caring for her. Someone who obviously knew how to worry and, to her surprise, how to love.

"Being born so early, is it safe for her to be like this? I thought most children were kept in the hospitals for a while."

"A fellow D... Someone I know has experience with birthing children and the care for them. He's checked her over and is surprised at how healthy and strong she is. She's in no danger, just a lot of extra attention, which I am unable to give her."

"Why me?" Hermione asked softly.

"Because you're the only one that will keep her safe from scorn in my absence. When you easily trusted me and looked past what... occurred, I knew that you wouldn't fail me in my one request...whether you liked it or not."

"What is your request, Professor? You told me that you were likely going to die and you... Do you mean for me to raise her?" she asked, finally realizing what he was saying.

"As your own," he said with a firm nod.

"But I can't do that! I'm only eighteen years old and have plans for my life." Visions of her toting a little baby to Order meetings flitted through her mind.

He sighed and sat in the rocking chair next to the crib. She noticed for the first time that he seemed exhausted, shadows and lines marked his face near his tired eyes. "I have reason to believe that her life could be in danger. Lucius Malfoy isn't pleased that his wife... that Narcissa and I have done this."

"You were forced to hear Draco tell it! It's not like you showed up in her bedroom and asked for..." Her voiced faded away, and her cheeks reddened with embarrassment.

"Lucius pretends to understand that," Snape said with a smirk. "However, I am certain he's not truly being very forgiving about it. The whole situation with what Bellatrix did doesn't feel right. I think he was the one to coax her into doing it."

"But to kill an innocent child?" She shook her head sadly and knew that Draco's father would be capable of it. He'd put one of Tom Riddle's Horcruxes in Ginny Weasley's possession when she'd only been eleven...not to mention trying to kill her and her friends. The bastard was capable of anything then.

"She must be kept safe from him. I can see to her protection right now, but after... once I'm killed in the..."

"Why do you think you'll be killed?" she asked quickly, interrupting him.

"By the time things happen, I'm certain both sides will be aiming for me. I'm good, Miss Granger, but even I'm not that good."

"Surely there are others who would care for her. Have you no family?"

"No one."

"What of Mrs. Malfoy? Surely she'd want her child."

"Have you not been listening? Lucius won't allow her to have anything to do with the baby. He'll see her dead first. The Dark Lord doesn't want her to have the child either... as part of her punishment."

"But when this is over...after Harry wins...Malfoy should be back in Azkaban... or dead." She bit her lip. "So that would leave her clear then."

"She just might find herself in Azkaban. Besides, I've thought about this, and only with you could the child have a good life. Narcissa is a Death Eater as well, remember?"

"There are homes."

"Like the one the Dark Lord grew up in? Who would want Snape the Traitor's child? She'll live in scorn, Miss Granger, for something that isn't her fault, but if you were the one to introduce her to the Wizarding world, her guardian, a friend of Boy Wonder, she would have a chance for the right kind of life...one that I will never be able to give her."

Hermione's response was interrupted by another little cry. She gazed down and smiled again, as she saw that the baby was awake again and trying to nibble on her tiny fingers. "Oh, look at her," she said softly. "I think she's hungry."

"Here," he said, rising and moving to the corner where there was a makeshift kitchen. He opened a small cooler and pulled out a large, glass container with what seemed to be formula inside.

The little one began to scream louder, so Hermione did the only thing she could. She reached down and, as gently as possible, picked up the tiny bundle. "Sshh, little one. All will be well. Daddy's gone to fetch your bottle."

Dark eyes peered up at her beneath a wrinkled brow, and she couldn't resist placing a kiss on the hairless, perfectly round little head. Hermione had never held anything so small or fragile in her life, and she feared harming her, but the little girl seemed content to be held next to the warm curve of a woman's breast. Sitting in the rocking chair, instinct, as Snape had called it, took over, and she tried to hum and rock to soothe her charge. When Snape finally appeared at her side with a warmed bottle, she offered it to the baby and grinned as she hungrily began sucking on the nipple.

"She's beautiful, Professor."

"I am amazed with her as well."

When Hermione looked up and met his eyes, she said, "I promise that I will help you, but you have to let my friends know that I'm well. Please."

"Out of the question."

"Please. Just an anonymous owl written in my own hand that I've decided to take some time to myself." She hoped he would relent. She didn't want this to harm Harry or distract him...her being missing.

"They will never believe that!" he said, shaking his head.

"Yes, it would be believable. I could say that I've gone to stay with a friend because I want to get away from things. Ron and I have broken things off, and he's constantly at my throat and accusing Draco and me of being involved. Tonight, things came to be too much, which is why I ran off like I did."

Snape brought his index finger to his lips and traced them lightly as he thought over her words. "You could say that you are with the same friend who has been sending them help and that you've decided you could do more help from our end instead, forcing those three berks to do the dirty work."

She smiled and felt hopeful for the first time since she'd been there. "I think this truly could work. Thank you for that at least."

He nodded and looked down at his feeding daughter, wonder suddenly filling his eyes. Hermione gazed down just in time to see some of the milk dribbling out the side of her mouth and to see her choke slightly. She removed the bottle and wiped her mouth, only to hear small cries.

"Right feisty, this one," she commented as she again began feeding her.

"Yes, I don't know that I've slept more than a few minutes at a time since she's been born."

"Professor, if you'd like to rest now, please do it. I'll watch over her." She gave him a small smile. "First, could you recommend a book that I could read in order to make certain I'm doing things right."

He nodded and pointed to the bookshelf. "That first book there is informative." Snape then he showed her where everything else was kept that she might need, informing her that he'd be keeping her wand handy, but she could always call upon him or Zigby if she needed anything.

"I'll do that." She frowned slightly. "You mean to say that she never sleeps?"

"No, on the contrary, she does sleep, but I just didn't feel comfortable sleeping and not watching over her. I'm to make certain she doesn't stop breathing or have any other troubles."

Hermione nodded in understanding. "Where is my room going to be?"

He swallowed thickly. "This is the extra bedroom. I Transfigured it to suit the baby's needs. Your room, I'm afraid, will be the same as mine."

The color left her face, and she felt her stomach bubbling uncomfortably. "What are you saying, Professor Snape?"

"I won't touch you," he said after a long pause, "but the only reason the Dark Lord is allowing you to stay here is because he thinks that I've... I've chosen you."

"Chosen me?"

"As my consort."

"But he'll only need to take one look at me to know that's not true!" She began to panic. "Oh, God, Harry! Voldemort is going to see what I know and know what we've been doing!"

"No, he won't. He..."

"All that talk about needing my help, making me feel sorry for the baby and your situation... it was all just talk. You've been planning this?"

Snape ran his hands through his oily hair and closed his eyes in frustration, seemingly counting to calm himself. "I'm exhausted, Miss Granger. There are many things that you do need to know, and I give you my word that I will tell you everything. We won't be bothered for a while yet by anyone and have time to prepare things so that no one will be the wiser."

She gazed at him uncertainly for a moment before directing her attention back down to his daughter, whose eyes were closing and suckles were getting slower. Hermione took the bottle away without any protest, and she placed the baby against her shoulder, softly tapping her back in hopes of burping her. "What's her name?" she asked softly, obviously surprising the man before her.

"I... I haven't named her yet. I've just been calling her 'baby.'" His lips curved up slightly. "Are we agreed, Miss Granger?"

Nodding, she said, "Yes, but I won't sleep in your bed. I'll take a cot in here." When he seemed to want to protest, she added, "You said yourself that we have time to come up with a plan. I'll stay with the baby for now. Many new mothers do much the same anyway."

"Very well. I will be directly across the way in that room there."

"Rest well," she said and watched him, noticing that his shoulders were slightly slumped. What in the world had happened to the Professor Snape that she knew? Who was this man?

A small burp drew her attention to her sleeping bundle. She gently placed the girl back in her bed and checked to see if she needed a new nappy. For the moment, she was clean and dry. After she covered her, she went in search of the book he'd indicated and settled down for a long read, continuously looking at the crib and the beautiful child sleeping within.

"I guess that answers that question then," she murmured to herself. When Draco had told her that his mother and Snape would be having a child together, she'd wondered what the baby would look like. As far as she could tell, she didn't look like either of her parents. Thoughts of Ron, Snape, and everything else vanished as she became engrossed in the book and learning to care for Snape's little girl.

Southern's Notes: Ah, things are finally coming together. I promise the next bit to be very interesting.

Christy's Notes: So the plot thickens! What will Harry do about Ginny? How will Ron react when he learns that Hermione is not coming back? And what will Draco do when he discovers that she means to stay with Snape?