An Unexpected Situation

The next few weeks were some of the most exhausting anyone could remember. The amount of homework they had was overwhelming. Several students seemed to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Quidditch tryouts, Dark Arts training and occasional time with Ginny were the only things that kept Harry going.

The tryouts went more smoothly than planned. Ron made the team, thanks in part to his new Nimbus 2003. It wasn't as fast as Harry's Firebolt, but it was efficient enough for what Ron needed to do.

Dark Arts training was exhausting but satisfying. Several other students had joined (even a few Slytherins) and the training went well. They learned new deflection spells and got a lot of practice on what they already knew. Some were so skilled at disarming that they taught the new students that came in. They soon had around 25 people and eventually moved into Professor Binns' room to accommodate everyone.

On the third Saturday in October, Harry, Ron and Hermione were walking around the school grounds enjoying the day. They walked to the lake and sat down near the shore, watching the Giant Squid occasionally flap a tentacle out of the water. The weather had turned colder and Harry knew Quidditch training would begin in earnest soon. They sat for a while in silence until Harry spoke up.

"Hermione," started Harry, "Ron and I have needed to talk with you since we got back. The thing is... we never seem to have the time or the right place. Do you think we can get together tonight, since we don't have much homework for once?"

Hermione thought for a moment. "I think so. Why can't we just talk here and now?"

"For one thing, it's getting cold," replied Ron with a shiver, "and we want to do this in private. Do you know of somewhere in the castle like that?"

Hermione went to shake her head, then stopped. "I think there is. I heard someone mentioning a room you could go into where you'd have everything you need. I'm just not sure where it is."

"You're not sure?" said Harry with a smirk. "You, the girl who reads 'Hogwarts, a History' almost everyday? That's hard to believe."

Hermione smacked Harry on the shoulder with a laugh. "I never said I knew absolutely everything about Hogwarts."

Ron smiled. "True... Hey Harry, why don't you ask Dobby? He'll probably know."

"That's a great idea, Ron. Let's go."

The three got up and walked toward the castle. They were about to turn the corner when Hermione saw a scuffle between a Ravenclaw and a Slytherin. She immediately ran to break up the fight. Ron walked toward her.

"Harry, I'll stay and back up Hermione. Why don't you go find Dobby and we'll meet up outside the common room."

Harry nodded and walked away. He soon reached the doorway of the kitchens. He was about to tickle the pear to open the door when it opened of its own accord. A familiar face appeared.

"Harry Potter!" cried an enthusiastic Dobby. He jumped forward and hugged Harry's leg. "Did you come to see Dobby, sir?" asked the elf after he let go.

"Actually I did, Dobby. I heard that there was a special kind of room somewhere in the school. Where you could have everything you needed or something..."

"Yes, Dobby knows the place Harry Potter means. It is called the Room of Requirement. Dobby will show Harry Potter where it is."

Harry followed as the elf made his way through the castle. He made sure to remember his surroundings as he walked. They soon reached the seventh floor. Harry saw an enormous tapestry. The figure in it was being clubbed by several trolls. He recognized the figure as Barnabus the Barmy.

Harry noticed that Dobby was in deep concentration. A moment later, a door appeared opposite the tapestry. Dobby opened it and Harry gasped in surprise. The room contained a small fireplace, a small bed and a table with plenty of food.

"You see, Harry Potter. All you have to do is think of what you need at that moment. The door appears and you will have it."

"Wow, this is something. Thank you, Dobby. I will be up here later with Ron and Hermione. Make sure we have this room to ourselves."

Dobby nodded as Harry walked out of the room. He walked back toward the Gryffindor Common Room, and soon caught up with Ron and Hermione.

"So, did you get everything settled?" he asked Hermione.

"Yes, but I had to take points from each house," said Hermione, rolling her eyes, "And all over a misunderstanding about a lesson. Honestly."

Ron smiled and shook his head. "Harry, did you find out about that room?"

"Yeah, I did. Dobby will make sure we can get it for ourselves after dinner."

The two of them nodded. The three entered the common room and proceeded to get their homework done.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just before dinner, Harry went up to his dorm room to put his books away. He heard the door open and turned to see Alex walking in.

"Hey Harry, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure" Harry put his things away and sat on his bed. "What's on your mind?"

"Well, I'm not sure how to put this. There's a girl a really like, but I don't know how to ask her out or anything."

"Let me guess," smiled Harry, "Luna Lovegood?"

"How did you know?"

"Hermione noticed that the two of you haven't kept your eyes off each other since school started. Unfortunately, I have no advice to give you. My experience with girls is pretty much zero."

Alex sighed and lowered his head. "Damn, I was hoping you'd have some ideas."

"Ask Hermione at dinner. I'm sure she'll have some advice." Harry patted his shoulder then stood up and walked downstairs.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The trio did not eat much at dinner. Ron and Harry had too much on their minds, and Alex was asking Hermione for advice. Ron began to scowl at Alex, but when Harry told him what was going on, he smiled and shook his head.

After dinner, Ron and Hermione followed Harry to the seventh floor. They soon reached the tapestry and Harry thought very hard. He wanted a comfortable, private place for the three of them to talk. The door appeared and Harry opened it. They walked in to see a nice fireplace, several cushions on the floor and a small table with a large jug of pumpkin juice and three goblets.

"Wow Harry... this is exactly what we needed," said Ron with surprise. They got comfortable on the cushions while Harry poured a glass of juice for each of them.

After drinking half her glass, Hermione spoke up. "Well, you said you needed to talk to me. So, what's this all about?"

'She loves to get to the point', thought Harry. He realized this was one of the reasons he and Ron loved her. "Well, it's about... us. Our friendship... and where Ron and I would like it to go from here."

"Ok," said Hermione hesitantly. "I have a feeling like a bombshell is about to hit. So what's going on?"

Ron spoke next, talking about how he felt about Harry and how he revealed these feelings to him over the summer. When he finished, Hermione looked at them. Her face looked thoughtful, yet calm.

"You know, I'm surprised by this, but I'm not. I kind of thought you two might get together... but I wasn't sure it would happen." She bit her lip as she thought further. "But I have a feeling that there's more to this than I know."

"There is, Hermione," said Harry, taking her hand, "It took me a while, but I understand how Ron feels, and I've discovered that I feel the same way about him. But... there's also someone else who we have deep feelings for."

Harry saw Hermione's face drop just a bit. A flash of sadness went across her features before she lifted her head and looked him in the eye.

"Who is it, then?" she asked.

Harry summoned all his courage and looked her in the eye. "You."

Hermione's face went from curiosity... to bemusement... then shock. Harry would never forget it as long as he lived. 'She really had no idea that we might think of her this way,' he thought.

"I... I... I... you can't be serious," said Hermione, trying to regain her composure.

"We're very serious," said Ron, "We think you're brilliant, witty and beautiful. You're everything Harry and I would ever want."

"When... how... when did the two of you come to this conclusion?"

"Well," started Harry, "Over the summer, I told Ron I liked you. Ron told he me liked you. Ron was planning to ask you out, and so was I. But we had a few discussions about it, and... we don't think it's fair to make you choose between us." He looked at Ron, who nodded his head. "We're asking you if you'd like to be with both of us. A real triumvirate."

Hermione sat back. She still looked stunned. She pulled her legs to her chest and thought for a long moment.

"You want me to be your girlfriend," she said, pointing at Harry, "and your girlfriend," pointing at Ron, "While the two of you are together as well."

"Basically, yes," said Ron, "We also realize that we can't share this with the world. We know that most people won't understand. But we're willing to take the risk... if you want to as well."

Hermione sat up and looked at both of them. "I do love you both as well. And I have thought about going with one of you. But this would be a big step towards something I never expected to happen. I... I just don't know..."

Harry took her hand while Ron took the other. "Hermione, we didn't expect you to make a decision right this minute," said Harry, "Take all the time you need to think it over. All we ask is that you be up front with us. If you're curious about something, say so. We're here for you, like we always have been."

"Just don't shut us out," said Ron nervously, "Please. That's the worst thing you could do."

Hermione looked at each of them and smiled. "All right. I'll think about it. A relationship like this does have its merits. I just need to make sure it's what I want."

"That's fine," said Harry, "Make sure it's what you want. We'll wait for you."

The three hugged each other and relaxed. Harry poured the last of the pumpkin juice and they talked about other things until it was time for bed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

EARLY MORNING

The dream came in a flash of darkness. He was flying without the aid of a broomstick, skimming across the top of a body of water. He looked around and saw nothing but water for miles around. He looked forward and saw a large, hideous looking building. It looked like it had not been cared for in ages. He saw dark figures walking around the outside of the building. As he slowed and came closer, his blood ran cold. They were Dementors - evil, soulless creatures who guarded Azkaban, the wizard prison. He wondered why he was here of all places.

Then it began. Bright lights escaped from the cracks in the building. The ground started to rumble. Waves began to ripple in the water. A side door was blasted off the building as hooded figures on brooms landed at the shore. Other people - he could only assume they were prisoners - were running from the building, being taken away by the hooded figures. The Dementors listened to one of them and they glided away. A figure swooped through the air and shot a curse at the building.

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

Harry awoke with a scream. His scar burned like wildfire. His head felt like it would explode. He rolled off the bed and hit the floor, screaming in agony and shaking badly.

"Harry!!" yelled Ron, as the others woke quickly. Alex ran over and tired to calm Harry down. Hermione opened the door furiously and saw what was happening. Ginny was right behind her.

"Get Professor McGonagall!" yelled Alex.

Hermione left very quickly. Harry stopped screaming and shaking. He lay on the floor and breathed hard. He felt totally spent. Soon, Hermione returned with Professor McGonagall.

"What has happened here?" she asked with concern.

"It's Harry," replied Ron. "He screamed and grabbed his head. He fell off his bed and was shaking something terrible."

The Professor knelt down and looked at Harry. She looked at him with a mixture of concern and sadness. Harry opened his eyes and looked around. Everything was a blur. He asked for his glasses and Alex handed them to him.

"How did I end up on the floor?" he asked, putting his glasses on.

"Mr. Weasley tells me you rolled off your bed," answered McGonagall, "and he also tells me you were holding your scar."

Harry's hand immediately went to his forehead. His scar was still burning.

"I need to see Professor Dumbledore right away."

McGonagall looked at him with a puzzled look. "We can go see him tomorrow, Mr. Potter. I think we should go to the hospital wing."

"You don't understand," said Harry as Ron and Alex helped him up, "I need to see him now. I think something terrible has happened."

The Professor looked into his eyes. "All right, Mr. Potter." She turned to the others. "I want everyone else back in bed."

Harry tried to walk, but his legs were too weak to hold him up. Alex and Ron helped him down the stairs. Hermione told everyone else to go back to sleep. When they reached the Common Room, the portrait opened and a familiar figure stepped inside.

"Professor Dumbledore," said McGonagall with surprise, "How did you know..."

"I was taking a stroll through the corridors and saw you come in," he said with concern. "I knew something was going on and I was right to assume that it involved Harry."

He looked at Harry, who had just been placed in a chair by Ron and Alex. Harry looked exhausted and had a look of worry on his face. Ron and Alex turned to go back to their room.

"Gentlemen, please stay here," said Dumbledore looking toward the stairs. "Miss Granger, will you please join us?"

Hermione came down the stairs and sat down on the sofa next to Harry's chair. Ron knelt on the floor by Harry's chair, a look of concern on his face. Dumbledore pulled out his wand and conjured up two chairs out of thin air. Dumbledore sat across from Harry while McGonagall sat next to the Headmaster and across from Alex.

"Harry, I know that you have been through a terrible ordeal," said the Headmaster. "Eat some of this. It will help you regain your strength."

Dumbledore pulled a bar of chocolate from his robes. He unwrapped it, broke a large piece off and handed it over. Harry ate it and felt warmness spread through his body. He ate the rest of the chocolate and after a minute sat up on his own. Relief spread across Ron and Hermione's faces. Harry shook the cobwebs from his head. Dumbledore looked directly into his eyes.

"Now Harry, do you think you can tell us what you saw?"

Harry nodded and slowly started to tell them what he saw. When he had finished, he looked around the room. Everyone except Dumbledore had a look of disbelief on their faces. Hermione climbed into the chair with Harry. He held her close, knowing she was scared. Alex spoke first.

"Voldemort's followers attacking Azkaban and freeing the prisoners? I never would have imagined it."

'Neither would I," said Hermione in a shaky voice. Harry pulled her close. McGonagall looked distraught. Ron shook his head and said nothing.

"But yet it seems that is what Voldemort's goal was," said the Headmaster. "I have been telling the Ministry for the last two and a half years that they should not depend on the Dementors to guard Azkaban. They are so unconcerned with what is right and wrong that they will do anything to satisfy their own means. And it seems that I have been correct in thinking this all along."

"But Professor," said McGonagall, "Do we have any proof of this?"

"At the moment, we do not," he answered.

A large owl swooped into the room and landed on Dumbledore's shoulder. The headmaster took the message from its leg and watched the owl fly away. He unrolled the note and read it. His face became very grim as he looked at everyone.

"I have just received confirmation from Remus Lupin that what Harry saw is indeed true. But it is worse than I feared," said Dumbledore, "The prison and the island it was on has been destroyed... and the Dementors have joined Voldemort."