Hermione Granger and the Two Lovers

Chapter Nine

Hermione stared at the gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's office. She thought hard and remembered that Harry said the password was always a candy of some sort.

"Lemon drop, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Cockroach Cluster, er- Chocolate Frog!" Hermione yelled at the gargoyle. It instantly hopped to the side.

Hermione ran up the spiral staircase, even though her mother told her over and over again not to run up the stairs.

Hermione reached the top and pounded on Dumbledore's door. "C'mon, c'mon!" she muttered impatiently.

The door slowly opened. Dumbledore stood in his robes looking very tired, but very surprised to see her that early in the morning.

"Come in and sit down, Miss Granger," he requested.

Hermione sat down in the chair across from his desk as Dumbledore sat in his.

"What brings you here, this early in the morning, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well, you see, sir, I couldn't sleep, so I came downstairs and I found Malfoy, I mean, Draco, sneaking down to the Great Hall. I followed him, and he was speaking with his father in the fireplace," Hermione said and paused to consider her words.

"I am guessing this, somehow, has to deal with your friend, Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore assumed.

"Well, yes, and he asked if Professor Lupin had arrived and-"

"And you think that Harry and Professor Lupin may be in danger," Dumbledore ended her statement. Hermione nodded.

"I can assure you that I am keeping my eye on Harry. As for Professor Lupin, he is a grown man and can take care of himself." Dumbledore said calmly as he took as sip of his tea.

"But, Professor Dumbledore, shouldn't we do something! Shouldn't we warn Harry and Professor Lupin?" Hermione asked, astonished that he wasn't worried.

"I will inform Professor Lupin of your discovery," Dumbledore reassured her. "As for Harry, I am quite sure that this news will find him," he said with a wink.

"I was also wondering," Hermione started, "about what you said at the feast." Dumbledore nodded. "Well, I remember Harry saying that you said death is the beginning of a new adventure and I remember you mentioning it in your speech. Do you think that Harry is in real danger?"

"Miss Granger, Harry has always been in danger, however, I do believe that this may be the year of a great downfall of either Harry or Lord Voldemort," Dumbledore told her. "You see, Voldemort has regained his powers and is as powerful as he has ever been. I believe that Harry will be safe if we resume his Occlumency lessons and keep him out of danger."

"You don't think Voldemort could be nearby though, do you?" Hermione asked.

"Voldemort," Dumbledore said, "could be anywhere at the moment. That was the one good thing about Harry having his visions. He was able to see where Voldemort was, so we could be prepared. However, now that Voldemort has found this new power, we cannot trust what Harry sees. I am afraid if Harry sees something that brings immense emotion to him, then, he will believe it is true. For example, what happened with Sirius? Harry automatically believed it true and came to the rescue, and he wasn't there, which led to Sirius's death."

Hermione nodded and looked down. He was right; Harry's visions were dangerous.

"Now," Dumbledore said, "You should go down to the Great Hall. Breakfast will be starting shortly. I believe we are having pancakes and bacon."

Dumbledore showed Hermione to the door and Hermione left the office and headed towards the Great Hall where she could already smell the delicious breakfast, Dumbledore had mentioned.