Sweet Sixteen

Hermione went to go visit Harry in the Hospital Wing. She came every night, for three days now, the guilt of what had happened haunting her every day. It was her fault that Harry got hurt that eventful evening. The thing that wasreally bothering her, however was thatshe had no idea what made the glass break in the trophy room. She couldn't quite figure it out. If she wasn't in the Infirmary, she was in the library trying to find an explanation. Maybe she had overlooked something about the trophy room in 'Hogwarts A History.' Hermione came to a stop as she stood outside the Hospital Wing and prepared to open the door, but as she was doing so someone opened the door and smacked her in the face.

"Owwwwww!" cried Hermione

"Hermione! I'm sorry, are you ok?" answered Harry through laughing.

"I'm fine." Then Hermione looked at him intently. " I didn't know you got out today. Look, I'm so sorry Harry, about you getting hurt, it's all my fault."

"No, no it wasn't. Look, I'm not to sure what went on, but whatever it is, we'll get to the bottom of it, I promise." Hermione didn't exactly believe him, but he looked so genuine and warm, that she had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Later on in the afternoon, Hermione, Harry and Ron, were sitting in History Of Magic class, listening to Professor Binnsdrown on about the rise and fall of Vold...He- Who- Must- Not- Be- Named. Now, usually everyone was asleep by now (except for Hermione) but let's just say this subject was a lot more exciting then the Goblin Rebellion.

"...I wont go too much into detail about what happened when He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named got to Godric's Hollow, but lets just say, if it wasn't for Mr. Potter," Binns took a glance at Harry, "Then I'm pretty sure everyone would know where we would be. Now I'm going to introduce something new to all of you. Of course, this isn't true, hundreds of Aurors have already looked, but I am required to teach of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Name's 'daughter'." A sickening quiet filled the air as the Professor said this. He looked quite pleased with himself for getting everyone's attention.

"It is said that he had an illegitimate daughter with a woman who went to Hogwarts with him. The woman got frightened when he turned evil and ran, never to be seen again. Legend has it he was distraught when he found out the news of his offspring and vowed to kill it as soon as possible, the only trouble was, the woman and 'child' disappeared from existence." It was minutes before another person spoke.

"Professor, why would Vold... uh, sorry, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, want to kill his own kid?" asked Harry.

"Good question, Mr. Potter. He wanted to kill his daughter because he wanted to be the only dark wizard. IF the child actually existed, she would have more powers, that far surpassed his." Just as Professor Binns finished his speech, the bell sounded for the end of class.

"I wonder how I never heard of him having a daughter before," said Harry as they were walking back to the Common Room.

"I dunno, it does seem highly unusual. But like Professor said, if it was true they would have found her already, don't worry about it Harry," responded Hermione and she gave Harry a warm smile, which Harry returned.

"Yeah, your right."

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

"Get a hold of yourself Harry. She's your best friend; you don't like her like that. Cho, yes, you like Cho. Not that beautiful woman over there, with great big honey eyes, and lovely curly chestnut hair. Wow. Stop stop stop stop!! Crap, she's coming over! Be cool man; just be cool. Put your hands in your pocket. Uh, never mind that looks stupid. What? Did she say something? Why is she looking at you like that? Ok, don't panic... just say something, anything!"

"What's up home dog?"

".... Uh, right. Listen, I'll see you later in class Harry, bye," said Hermione as she hurried away from Harry.

"Did I just say what's up home dog? All I had to do was say 'hi'. But no, I totally had to make a fool out of myself. It's okay though, I'll just ban myself from talking, that way, I won't ever embarrass myself again. Yes! It's perfect! Ok, now that I got that worked out, what time is it. Oh crap! Transfiguration!"

"I can't believe her! Four rolls of parchment! On Anigmi! She's gone bonkers!" yelled Ron, for the fourteenth time.

"We heard you the first time, Ron. Besides, we'll all work on it together." Harry and Ron both looked at Hermione to find her looking down the hall at... Malfoy!

"Hello Potter, Weasley." Draco took a long moment to look Hermione up and down. "Hermione, I haven't had the pleasure of seeing you in a while. How have you been?"

"She's been fine, Malfoy. Now if you know what's best for you, you'll go away," Ron spat.

"Well, Weasley, I believe Hermione can answer the question on her own. Besides the day I actually ask you a question is the day you stop being such a pathetic, poor, squib," ended Draco with a sneer; He looked at Hermione, and was caught of guard by the look of pure loathing in her eyes.

"How could you Malfoy? Just when I thought you were starting to come around." Hermione left all three boys standing there.

"You come near her again, Malfoy, and you'll be wishing you were never born a Malfoy," said Harry. With that Ron and Harry left in search for Hermione. While they were walking away, neither one heard Draco mutter

"I already do."

"Professor, I'm worried. I have hardly seen her in a week; and when I do, she just sits there. Staring off into space. She's not eating, talking, nothing." Harry was explaining the situation as calmly as he could to Dumbledore in his office. Just after Hermione ran away from Malfoy; she's been avoiding everyone, spending even more time in the library, and out on the lake.

"I don't even know if she's eaten. She won't talk to me. I don't know what to do Professor." Harry looked down at his hands. Dumbledore looked at him with despair, any sign of twinkling eyes gone.

"Harry, although I'm not exactly sure the cause of this sudden mood of Miss Granger's, but I don't think I would be wrong if it was because of her parents. She really hasn't had time to grieve her loss. People react differently to deaths. Some people have a break down, some go in shock, others might not even show feeling, and if they do, it would be later on. The best thing you can do is just let her know that your there for her, Harry. I hope I have helped."

"Yes, you have. Thank you Professor." With that Harry got up and left. While Dumbledore looked on with worry at his retreating back.

Harry went in search of Hermione. If she was in grieving, he would be right there with her. He just hoped he wouldn't say anything stupid again. After about an hour of searching, Harry finally found Hermione in the Room of Requirement. When he opened the door, she didn't even look up, she just kept gazing out the window. This room was a special room, whatever you needed at the moment it would supply. But there wasn't anything in the room. No chairs, no fireplace, no pictures. Nothing.

"Hermione? Hermione, please talk to me."

"Leave me alone Harry. I don't want to talk." Harry was taken aback. Her voice was even with absolutely no emotion, her eyes were like stones, and there was not a tear in her eye. Although Harry wished there was, it would have been a lot easier to deal with.

"I'm not leaving until I get some answers Hermione. Please, tell me what's wrong," begged Harry. Hermione just looked at him and sighed.

"I'm a complete failure Harry. My life is a joke; I'm pre-destined for stuff I didn't even know until now. I'm an absolute mockery! To think I called myself your best friend. To think that you actually needed me! You don't need me, no one does, it would be better if I was..."

"Shut-up. I will not have you talking about yourself like this."

"Just leave, Harry."

"NO."

"I'm not asking, I'm telling, now GO!" Hermione stood up and started throwing books that had just suddenly appeared in the room at him. "GO!!"

Harry hurried out and closed the door. He had no idea what to do.

The next morning at breakfast Hedwig flew to Harry with a letter attached to her. There was no address. All it said, in a neat simple scrawl he would recognize anywhere read 'Harry' Curious he opened it. It read:

Harry please meet me in the Room of Requirement tonight at seven o'clock. Bring Ron as well.

-Hermione

Harry gave the note to Ron. They both nodded in silent agreement that whatever Hermione needed they would be there.

That night Harry and Ron went to the Room of Requirement to see that they were not alone. Dumbledore, and Snape were also there.

"What is this about Potter? Granger had better be here soon," snarled Snape.

Just as he said this Hermione timidly opened the door. She looked absolutely petrified.

"Thank you all for meeting me here tonight. Before any of you say anything, please just let me tell you first or I'll never be able to. For the past month or so, I have been having strange dreams, severe headaches, and I have been... seeing certain things. After that night in the trophy room, I have been trying to research what's wrong with me. After about the second night of looking and gathering clues, I have concluded that.... That -that I'm... Voldemort's daughter."