Seventh Year Confessions--Hermione's Diary

July 20 **Mum and Dad's Car**

Mum was very dear in getting you for me. You were my gift for becoming a Prefect, and possibly Head Girl. Plus, a girl should record her thoughts. Right now, my parents are driving me to Little Whinging, Surrey, to Harry's house.

Fred and George are coming to get us and our things by Floo Powder.

I want to explain my relationship with Harry and Ron. Maybe if its on paper, it will make more sense. When we first started at Hogwarts, Ron didn't really like me. He said I was a know-it-all. Halfway through the year, though, he was begging me for help. Harry was a little more accepting of me. For the first few years we were friends, there wasn't any awkwardness, just because I was a girl.

But fourth year, the Yule Ball and the Tri-Wizard Tournament brought the whole Rita Skeeter thing about Harry and me. It was really uncomfortable. I fought through it, while dealing with Ron and Harry not talk. Fifth year just got worse. Cho finally went on a date with Harry, I suspect to get him to shut up.

And the previous summer, I had gone with Victor to Bulgaria. Ron didn't really have anyone special, but he was so protective of me, and, although he won't admit it, he was jealous of Victor. At least that's what I think.This past year, Ron and I were made prefects. Harry was Quidditch Captain. Slowly, Harry has been drifting away, partly because Ron and I were always talking about what had gone on at the meetings, or we were doing something that needed to be done by the next. Harry was always of in his corner of the Common Room, planning, thinking, and generally not being there in spirit. This year, I hope will be different. Harry is still Quidditch Captain, and if I make Head Girl, there will be more talking and such about what has to happen by when, general timing plans.

Maybe that awkwardness will drift away as the real Harry comes back to us.

The rest of this summer will be a blast. We have a big birthday bash planned for Harry, although he has no idea. Oh, we finally made it to Privet Drive, I'll write later.

August 15 **The Leaky Cauldron**

This past two weeks has been a bit crazy. When we got to the Burrow, everyone was there to greet us, even Bill and Charlie. I lugged my trunk, and other things up to Ginny's room, and then turned right around and went downstairs for a beautiful picnic dinner, watermelons and red and white checked cloth. Picture perfect. Everyone was talking, eating and having fun. Afterwards, we all went out to the empty field and played Quidditch. That is, they played, I sat and watched. Harry and Ron's team won. They also had Ginny and Fred, who are both excellent Quidditch players.

Then there was Harry's birthday, it was a special party, when a wizard turns seventeen, he becomes of age. The craziest thing happened at his party. Ayden Lynch showed up. This is what I think happened.

"Harry, Happy Birthday."

"Thanks."

"Um...I have a present for you, from the whole team really. You don't have to accept it, of course, but... this offer is once in a lifetime. You see, this is my last year as Seeker for Ireland. My health is failing and at 45, my Seeking career is past its prime. The offer I'm proposing is that you come and Seek for Ireland after you finish at Hogwarts."

"You want me, to Seek for Ireland, taking your place? Can I have some time to think about it? Its kind of sudden."

"Of course. You have until January. No pressure, no rush. Take your time." Then

he Apparated out and Harry ran inside. Everyone just stood and looked for a minute.

While he was in there, Ron I and stood talking to Charlie. He has two daughters starting at Hogwarts this year. He wants me to keep them out of trouble, and make sure they don't do anything that Fred or George would do. He said that they had grown up with their mother and her parents in Romania. I didn't know he was married. Now that the girls have started at Hogwarts, Charlie's wife is coming to live with him and all his family. Fred and George came over as I was learning all this. They plan to open Weasley Wizard Wheezes at the beginning of next summer. Charlie looked at me with the "Save Me From This Torment" look. I understand and sympathize. There really is a lot to learn in one conversation.

That was when Harry came back out to his party. He didn't talk to anyone, just walked past everyone to the field that they had been playing Quidditch only days before. I was going to walk over there, but Ron put his hand on my shoulder, sending a silent message that said, "Leave him alone."

When the Hogwarts letters came, we were pelted with owls. Four owls to one house would be a record, except Ginny's first year, there were five sent here. When I opened mine, I looked at the list of Prefects, I had made Head Girl, and Head Boy was Draco Malfoy. Then I blacked out, opening and looking into Ron's gorgeous face. I handed him the piece of parchment, immediately causing him to curse up a storm. Draco Malfoy, Oh My Gosh. That's all I'm going to say. I really don't like this Prince of Slytherin, heir to the thrown. Why can't he just go away?

I must go, Everyone is starting to come back.

September 1 **Hogwarts Express**

There hasn't been much going on in the last two weeks. The Prefect meeting at the beginning of the train ride brought up some interesting issues. The Quidditch field is under repair. That made Draco really mad. He is Quidditch Captain this year. I'm supposed to tell Harry at dinner. I would tell him now, except he's writing something. and Ron looks so cute when he sleeps, it would be a crime to wake him up. Harry's off to the Quidditch meeting. It's new this year, because last year, all four houses lost more than half of their teams. They have to hold tryouts and are trying to figure out a tryout schedule for the first two weeks, or at least what is supposed to be happening.

I guess I have some hidden emotions that have crept into my nervous system.

Whenever Ron is around, I get all happy and nervous, always watching what I do, trying not to make a fool out of myself. Is that what love starts out like? I think about him all the time, and even if I'm not thinking directly about him, something will remind me of him. I really like him, maybe more than the friendship we have. I think I'll put my robes on now, we're almost in Hogsmeade, and Harry left to go tell Ginny, he's making me wake Ron up.

September 2 **Hermione's Room**

The sorting brought in fourteen new Gryffindors, including the new Weasleys.

Everyone was surprised when they got called up for the Sorting Hat. They thought the line had ended with Ginny, apparently. Not very bright people. The older brothers are old enough to have families. I wouldn't be that surprised, even if I hadn't known. I need to get some sleep. good night

September 15 **Hermione's Room**

Yesterday was the first Quidditch game. All the Weasleys made the team. The game wasn't even close, until Harry caught the snitch and ended the game. Gryffindor needs to get a lot of practice for this year, if the want to carry on the tradition of our pride and wins. Harry has a good team with great potential, and effort to cooperate with each other. Ginny is the only sixth year, therefore, she'll be captain next year, and she's not thrilled about that idea. Good night

October 1 **Prefect Meeting Room**

Ron and I stayed after the meeting today. I didn't know why he had stayed. My plan was to get some work done that need peace and quiet, which is hard to come by. He told me he had an idea that he wanted to discuss with me before bringing it up at a meeting. His idea it for a dance for fifth through seventh years. Not very formal, just some fun and relaxation for the overly stressed students. What a great idea. I told him I would run it by Dumbledore, then he left for dinner.

And here I am, skipping the work, writing in my diary, and dreaming about Ron again. I should go to dinner. bye.

October 3 **Hermione's Room**

Dumbledore loved the idea and said that he would attend the next meeting so we could plan and finalize it. I talked to Malfoy, and we rescheduled the meeting for October 5, so we would have plenty of time. He likes the idea of having time without the younger students pestering us about this and that, and an excuse to talk to as many girls as possible. Whatever works, is my thinking.

The most interesting thing I noticed this morning. Harry and Ginny looked exceptionally tired, and kept looking at each other when they though no one was watching. I think something happened last night, and they're not telling anyone about it.

October 10 **Hermione's Room**

Today was a very different day. Once almost everyone had gone to bed, and Harry, Ginny, Ron, and I were the only ones left in the common room, Harry cleared his throat.

"Ron, Hermione, I have to tell you something. Its one of those things that haunts your conscience if you keep it a secret."

"Cut the crap, Harry, what is it?"

"Yeah, Harry." I said, quietly.

"Ginny and I are a couple. We have been for about two weeks." he said so quietly, I barely heard him.

Ron sat up from where he was, leaning against the couch. "What?"

Ginny spoke up. "You heard him, Ron. Its exactly what you thought you heard." If she had been anyone other than Ginny, she would have snapped that, but Ginny said it calmly, almost rehearsed.

I couldn't believe it. I didn't say anything, just watched Ron as his jaw dropped. If it had been a cartoon, his jaw could and would have hit the floor.

"That's great, Harry. I'm really happy for you." he finally said. "You got a good guy, Gin. Take care of him." And with that, Ron stood up, and walked up the stairs to his dorm.

"I really am happy for both of you, contrary to Ron's......reaction." I said. "I'm not as surprised as I thought I would be. You were meant for each other."

"Thanks, 'Mione." Harry said, with a smile. "Positive reactions are really what I was looking for."

Harry went up to bed then, and Ginny came up to my room for a while.

"Hermione, you're really happy for us, right?"

"Ginny, I will be happy for you forever, no matter what you do. But you got a good catch, keep him close."

"Thanks. How come you weren't surprised?"

"I am the master of the unobvious, especially about Harry and Ron. After knowing them for six years and counting, you can read them like a book. you two were always looking at each other, and that look was like you keep off each other."

"Not to change the subject, but what do you think of Ron? You seem be thinking a little more than usual, and in a dreamy state."

"I don't know. I like him, maybe more than as a friend, maybe just as a good friend. If we got together and broke up, our friendship would be ruined, and I don't want to ruin that."

Ginny smiled. She could tell somehow that Ron liked Hermione, maybe it was just being able to read his emotions. "Hermione, when you passed out, he was so worried. You should have seen him. He ran over to you. He really cares about you, really really likes you. Go for it."

"Thanks, Gin. 'night"

"'Night 'Mione." She left and I lay here now, writing about it, thinking about Ron.

October 25 **Prefects Meeting Room**

This was the third meeting this month, highly unusual. Today, we discussed Halloween, and what activities are going to be held. There is a scrimmage Quidditch match, that was Malfoy's idea. I have to admit, he does have good ideas. Maybe Dumbledore wanted him to have responsibility.

Ron stayed for a while after the meeting. We decided to have committees for the dance. Ron is heading this, with me. That means we make sure everything goes right. Its all really confusing, actually. Everyone expects everything to be easy for me. I just make it look that way, and Ron knows that. I broke down and just sat there, totally uncomposed. He held me, didn't say anything. It wasn't like him, but I liked it. This caring, selfless side of him wasn't shown much, but when it was, he was so sweet. I need to stop writing about this and get to< supper. bye.

October 31 **Hermione's Room**

I wrote Harry and Ron owls to meet me in my room after lunch today. They didn't receive them at the same time, of course. Neither of them are leaving until they resolve their conflicts and stop acting like first years. Actually, the first< years are more mature than they are. I wish that the stupid fight would stop.

Ron should have seen by now that Ginny and Harry are meant to be. He can't stay mad at both of them forever. I have to go to lunch. Bye

November 1 **Hermione's Room**

This is what happened. In short, I learned a lot of things.

"Harry, I'm so sorry." Ron said quietly.

"For what?" Harry replied

"For being me, for being pissed off at nothing. It doesn't even make sense. I realized that days ago."

"You realized it a long time ago, and you still wouldn't talk to me? What kind of person are you? Do you even know what Ginny and I went through? Do you not realize that you are a big part of our lives? Fuck off, Ron. I just wanted you to know that I;m not taking any crap from you anymore." Harry was yelling. I hadn't seen him yell ever. "Do you even know what it's like to not have your best friend?"

"Have you ever had that feeling that your best friend is dating your sister? I guess not. You would understand a little more if you had a sister."

They were both shouting now. "Hermione is like my sister. She always has been. You and Hermione have been my family. Why don't you get that?"

"I've always had a family. Hermione isn't like my sister, I'm not used to people... oh never mind. You wouldn't understand falling in love with Hermione. You can't fall in love with your best friend, it doesn't work!" Ron shouted.

I wasn't sure what I'd just heard. He loved me? "What did you say?" Suddenly the conversation calmed down and switched off the Harry/Ginny topic.

"I love you, Hermione. I really love you."

"Then why didn't you say so? Do you have a problem with telling people what you feel? Is that it? Because Harry and I are about done with that."

"Are you not hearing what I'm saying? I said I love you! Does that mean anything to you?"

"Ron, I love you so much, but I can't be with someone who won't say what they're feeling. It doesn't work." I said, and that ended the conversation, with Ron storming out of the room.

November 5 **Prefect's Meeting Room**

This week has been emotionally draining. Ginny and Ron have started talking, but Ron is avoiding Harry at all costs. I just wish that everything would go back to normal, when they were best friends, inseparable. Everything was so much easier on everyone. I have one thing that can't change. Harry and Ginny have to stay together. They were meant to be, whether Ron likes it or not. But Ron and I, we need to stay friends. We both love each other so much, more than just friends, but if we ever broke up, that would be the end of me, and he knows it. I couldn't just let things go back to the way they were. It doesn't work like that.

The Prefects meeting went well.The dance is planned and all we have to do is coordinate. Dobby showed up today, on request of Dumbledore. He is to take messages down to the kitchen so we can get ideas of food and drinks to be served. I have been appointing people to do certain things and turn them into me within five days. Ron just sat through the whole meeting staring at the wall.

Normally I would have used my way of waking people up (dropping a book in front of them) but Ron was awake, he was just not really there in mind. Afterwards he came up to me crying, explaining everything that had been going on in his head.

I couldn't believe it. He was so worry for everything he had done. He explained why he had reacted the way he had, and why he couldn't just accept it. He didn't know it, but Ginny had stayed in the room. She looked up from what she was doing and was listening intently. Ron hadn't said any of this before. In half an hour, they were going to Quidditch practice, and maybe, just maybe, the ice would melt, and they would be a regular team again.

November 6 **Quidditch Stands**

I hope Ron talked to Harry, it would be nice to have them speaking to each other again. I talked to Ginny earlier. She's supposed to give me a signal about what went on in the locker rooms right before the game. Here comes the team now.

I guess seeing Ginny's signal wasn't necessary. Ron and Harry came out of the locker rooms laughing and talking like old friends. Then Ginny smiled. That's when I realized everything that needed to go on worked out ok. I finally can have some peace.

November 10 **Dumbledore's Office**

I was called up here for something, I'm not sure what. Professor Dumbledore told me to sit still and wait while he finished his conversation with Minister Fudge.

Here he comes. Bye.

November 10 **Hermione's Room**

I can't believe it. Lord Voldemort is going to pay. I should go tell Ron and Harry, but I can't move, its too hard. I'm leaving school for a week while I recover from this. Lord Voldemort killed my parents. Why couldn't he kill me instead? I'm sorry, I have to talk to Ron and Harry. They need to know.

November 11 **Hogwarts Express**

I can't believe Harry was the person assigned to go with me to my house. Why couldn't it have been Ron. I have some things I'd like to talk about with him.

But Harry is here, so I'll make do. He's writing in some kind of journal or something, I'm not sure. Our first objective is to contact the Creevys and some other families of Muggleborns and make sure they make it to Hogwarts safely.

They shall be taking the train back with us in a few days, that will give them a few days to get everything that they want to take with them together. Right before we left, Ron was acting different. He had his shoulder bag with him at the station. I figured that he would have left it in the dormitory. I guess I was wrong. Ron and Ginny were both acting really funny. They were upset we were leaving, but not as upset as they normally would have been. I think they're up to something. I can't put my finger on it, but its there, and I know it. I'll talk to Harry about it and see if he noticed it too. Maybe its just my imagination overreacting again.

November 11 **Leaky Cauldron**

After I talked to Harry, I took a quick nap. There wasn't much more time, less than an hour really. The strange behavior was explained when we got to our room that we planned to share. But as we walked to our destination from King's Cross, we window-shopped. Well, I window-shopped, Harry followed me and put up with me nicely. But in our room, we found the two people that we missed the most. Ron and Ginny were sitting on the bed in Harry's part of the room, talking as if nothing was out the ordinary. I was thrilled to see Ron, but not like Harry was to see Ginny. He threw his arms around her practically. I have never seen two people so in love, never in my life. I don't think Ron's too comfortable with the sleeping arrangements. He is sleeping on the floor next to my bed, he refused any part of sleeping in a bed. Ginny and Harry had no problem of sleeping in the same bed. Ron looked pretty pissed about that, but they aren't going to do anything other than sleep, they both already passed out. I, on the other hand, should not have taken that nap on the train, i might be up all night. But I should try to sleep. Good night.

November 12 **Florean Fortescue's**

We're taking a small break from all of our shopping. We wanted to get it done first so we would have plenty of time to get everything done. We had to get books for Professors Flitwick and Sprout. They seem very interesting. Ron and I went shopping for the dance that we are planning. There is so much stuff, I think that we're going to have to buy an extra trunk just to carry it all back.

Its been very interesting, though, all the things that people have requested us to bring back. You'd think that we were servants just doing shopping rather than helping other families escape from The Dark Lord. They haven't even had the consideration not to approach me. They all know that I'm now an orphan, news travels like lightning around the school. Oh well, I have more shopping to do, here come Ginny and Harry.

November 13 **Mione's Room, home**

We've all had a horrid day. Sirius burst into our room this morning to find Ginny and Harry asleep in the same bed. He's convinced that Ginny's pregnant, which she couldn't be. Ron and I stayed up talking late last night. We would have heard if anything had happened. All we heard was heavy breathing, that sound of asleep people. Then Ron and I drifted off to sleep, he on the floor, and I in the bed. I felt so bad, making him sleep on the floor, but he insisted that I be comfortable. I told him I would be fine on the floor, but no. Back to today.

Harry took Ginny out to lunch after we shopped in Muggle London. So Ron and I wandered for and hour, ate a quick lunch at a cafe, and then met back up with the perfect couple. We then went back to the Leaky Cauldron. We set everything that we had finally gotton, completing our shopping, onto Harry's bed, the went downstairs. I was then that Ginny had recieved the owl. She ran upstairs, and Harry followed her. I assumed that it was and urgent reply thing, most likely from a friend, or Molly, but I could have never expected what it really was.

When Harry came back downstairs, he was slightly pale and looked extremely worried.

"Harry, what's wrong?" I asked, finally realizing that something was wrong.

"Here, I can't explain it." He tossed the letter on the table and sat down. I read it out loud.

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny,

I have recieved word that more and more Mugleborns have lost their families. The Finch-Fletchly's and the Creevy's memorials are going to be held in one week's time. I suggest that you talk to as many of the families as you can, and return on the Express tomorrow evening. It is no longer safe for anyone of you, especially Ginny, to be out in London, away from the protection of the Founders.

Albus Dumbledore

"Harry, this is awful. Am I correct in assuming that Ginny is writing a reply, to be sent with Hedwig?"

"Hedwig's here?"

"Yes Hedwig. She's right behind you. She seems to have something for you."

"Hello, Hedwig. What have you got for me today?" He took the letter off and Hedwig rested on his shoulder. As he slowly read the letter, I could tell it had come from a student, most likely similar to the one we had just recieved from Professor Dumbledore.

He ran up the stairs to Ginny. I sat there in shock as I thought and rethought about what the letter had said. Ginny was in the most danger. We needed to get back to Hogwarts because we needed the protection of the founders. I wasn't quite sure what Dumbledore meant, but I'm sure he was right. I haven't read anthing about the founder's being able to protect the students against evil, you'd think it would have been in Hogwart's, a History, but it wasn't. I should know I have that book almost memorized. Back to my day. I keep getting sidetracked. We then went to my house, which is where we are right now. Ron decided he needed a shower, so thats why he isn't with me at the moment. I've packed everything that I want to keep, I decided to rent the house to a couple of college kids while I'm at school. I wrote my aunt and uncle a letter, asking them to recieve mail for me, and that I would pick it up when I returned home from boarding school.The memorial is going to be held in three weeks, in a funeral home, just before Christmas. I am inviting all the Gryffindors and most of the teachers, telling them to come as Muggles, as it is a Muggle funeral. I do hope some people come. I know all the Weasleys will most likely come, as well as Professor Mcgonnal. However, there are several memorials to attend to this gloomy break, so not all of the people that are to be invited will be in attendance.

Ron and I were supossed to stay at the Burrow this evening, but we were delayed in many things. We have yet to find a way to get to the Burrow with everything that I would like to keep. I am thinking about just calling Fred and George to come and get it with Arthur's car, but I have no owl, and they have no phone. I need some sleep, good night.

November 14 **Hogwarts Express**

What a day! We made it to the Burrow with little time to spare. Mrs. Weasley was so helpful. We didnt finish getting my things out of the house until late in the day. I slept in Ginny's room. I had a really good sleep