Hermione is nowhere to be found. I've checked the Gryffindor dorms, gone to the Great Hall, and looked in the library. She obviously doesn't want to be found. But I continue searching anyways, because I would like to talk to Harry as well. So if I can't find her, then maybe I can find him. I start walking down the stairs for a third time and hear something. It's small, but I heard it. I go into the hall and see Hermione, kicking pebbles. 

"Hermione."

She turns and looks at me. "I don't know why I'm so upset." She turns away from me. "Perhaps it's the lying."

"But-"

"Stop," she says softly. "I should have known. No one could resist the Chosen One."

"It's not about that," I say, my anger looping through the words.

She looks sharply at me. "Hm."

I gulp. Why did I lash out like that? "I'm sorry," I whisper.

She smiled softly. "I don't want to hear an apology."

"Then what do you want to hear?" I ask.

She sighs. "Nothing. Just go, Vallee." She rubs her temples. Then she looks at me again. "And don't tell Harry where I am."

"Hermione-"

"Sh." She closes her eyes and rests her head against the wall. I examine her, standing there in a schoolgirl skirt. I sigh and leave.

Then I start searching for Harry. There's only one place I haven't checked... I sigh and start the walk.

                                     *                                          *                                           *

Hagrids was uncomfortable. Perhaps it makes me sound cold-hearted, but it was way to warm-hearted for my liking. It was small and cozy to most and Hagrids loud voice sort of echoed throughout the cottage. "Ah, Harry, you done found you a good lady. Miss Skaal is most respectful."

Harry blushes in the corner. "Erm, yeah."

"Blimey, Harry! Don't yeh agree?" Hagrid looked so funny with this insane look on his face.

Harry looks at me. I look at my hands in my lap. Of course he wouldn't want to admit it. Besides, he didn't really know me. Who could blame him? I blink back the tears collecting in my eyes. 

"I do agree. Vallee is wonderful."

I look up sharply. Did he really say what I think he did? I see Hagrid smiling in the corner of my eye. "Yeahs, I would think yeh've got a perty lady too. I knew yeh'd get yehs a good one." He winks at Harry.

I struggle not to burst out laughing. I see Harry trying not to as well. Then I hear Hagrids loud, yet soft, laugh. Harry starts laughing too and I join in as well. 

"Bloody hell, we're one lot," Hagrid says.

"Yes, we sure are." We continue laughing.

"Harry! Harry! Harry!"

I look at the door, worried. Is Father here? Will he kill Harry? 

I sigh with relief when I see bright red hair. "Blimey, Ron, you scared the living daylights out of me," I say. 

He grins, pretending to be friendly, but I see worry. Oh, bloody hell, what has Dumbledore done? 

"Harry... Harry, I need to ask you something," he says quickly, blushing ferociously.

Harry looks at me, then nods. "Okay, alright. I, uh, I'll be back," he says to me when he's stood. He takes my hand hesitantly then shakes his head to himself and leaves. 

I sit there, practically shaking. 

"Yeh not gon' hurt Harry now, are yeh?" Hagrid asks, standing to take the tea kettle off the fire, which had started screeching annoyingly. 

I smile, still fretting about Ron. What did he know? "Oh, uh, yeah." I shake my head. "I mean, no, I won't."

Hagrid laughs warmly. "Yes, Harry had a crush on that Ravenclaw Cho Chang, I think. But once yeh came, he was head over heels for yeh. He talked about yeh way too much to just be friends."

I feel my cheeks warm. Perhaps he liked me more than I thought. My worries about Ron were gone. "Oh, really?"

"Oh, now, yehs got me talkin' when I ought not to be." Hagrid gave me a wry smile. "But if you don't say nothin, don't spose I would have to neither."

I giggle. "Your secret's safe with me, Hagrid."

"Yeah, I knews yeh was worth trustin'."

All of a sudden, Harry and Ron are back. Rons eyes are even more worried than before and I feel like I'm going to vomit. "Harry-"

"Where's Hermione?" Ron interrupts.

I blink. "What?"

"Where is Hermione?!" Ron cries. "Oh, she's left. She has gone and she's never coming back!"

Harry looks at him and grabs his shoulders. "This is Hermione. She wouldn't leave Hogwarts."

"I know where she is," I say, sort of raising my hand. I put it down immediately, wondering why I'd done that. 

"Where?" Ron asks quickly.

"Oh, uh, follow me." I look back at Hagrid. He's smiling sadly. I bet he's lonely down here in his hut all by himself. "Bye, Hagrid."

"Bye, yeh guys."

I lead Harry and Ron out of the hut. When we get to the staircases, Ron already rushing ahead to turn a corner, Harry wraps his arms around me. "Hey, you alright?" he whispers.

I smile, even though I didn't want to. What if Hermione told Harry that I had liked her? "I'm alright."

He looks at me as if he's tempted to roll his eyes. He opens his mouth to say something and then, "Vallee? Harry?"

We chuckle at Rons cluelessness. Then we rush after him. I lead them up a couple flights of stairs and take a right. 

"Where is she?" Ron asks.

I look back at him. He definitely liked Hermione. I wonder if he realized it... "She was here not too long ago," I say softly.

"Oh, bloody hell," Ron groaned.

"Ron, it's okay. We'll find her. She probably just wants to be alone. You know, studying." I know I sound nervous, but they probably don't notice it. But they don't know Father. They don't know me. They don't know his plan. To be honest, at the moment, it really seems like they don't know anything. So how in the world could Harry like me?

Late update, I know. Sorry guys! But I love you all! Keep reading!! ;3

-Blu