The rest of the day had some of the Slytherins on edge. News of Harry's position on the Gryffindor team had spread across the school like a wild fire. Between classes, Hermione could see Marcus and other players in groups, probably talking strategy. She didn't know if they were still concerned about Harry or if they were just on a planning roll. Quidditch was something Marcus took very seriously; just as seriously as Oliver Wood did, honestly. The two could be absolute nightmares when it came to the game. At dinner, Marcus and the others were still talking.

"Are they still on the whole 'Harry's the new Gryffindor Seeker' thing?" Hermione asked, sipping some of her pumpkin juice.

"Nah," Blaise said. "They got over that, but it did make Marcus Quidditch crazy. He's planning on winning the cup this year."

"Which probably means that Snape and McGonagall are already placing their bets," Draco said.

"What do you mean?" Pansy asked.

"They're competitive when it comes to Quidditch," Hermione said. "Each has a lot of pride in their teams. There's been intense betting at times."

"Like what?" Blaise asked, leaning in with curiosity.

She shook her head. "No way am I telling you."

"What? Oh, come on."

Hermione shook her head, drinking her pumpkin juice. She set her goblet down and spotted Harry talking to Ron from the corner of her eye. There was nothing abnormal about it, but it brought a question to mind. She turned to Draco and asked, "Why were you fooling around with Neville's Rememberall today?"

He paused, then slowly set his goblet down. "I was just messing around and having a bit of fun," he said, shrugging.

"He doesn't want you to get mad at him, so I'll tell you what happened," Pansy said. "He found the Rememberall and made a joke that if Neville had held it a bit longer, he may have remembered to land on his bum. Harry didn't like the joke and asked Draco to drop it. Draco said no and got on his broom, showing off by flying high. Harry followed, asked Draco to knock it off, Draco threw the ball, Harry went after it, caught it, and then they landed. Draco's the one to thank for getting Harry on the Gryffindor team."

Hermione turned to Draco and he looked sheepish. "It was in fun," he said.

"But you could have done some real damage," Hermione said.

Draco turned away, focusing on his drink. "You worry too much."

"I believe that's called being a good girlfriend."

"Or an annoying one," Blaise said.

She shot him a look. He only smiled. "You know, Blaise," Hermione said, leaning on the table. "I still have a couple pranks up my sleeve. Real pranks."

Blaise leaned forward and said, "I'd like to see you try, Hermione."

"Try not to damage him," Draco said nonchalantly. "He's one of the only guy friends I can stand."

"Gee, thanks," Blaise said.

Hermione relaxed and leaned back. She saw Harry looking over at her and she waved. He returned it, but Ron gave her an unpleasant look.

"What's Weasel's problem?" Draco asked.

"'Weasel'?" Hermione asked.

"It fits him," Blaise said, looking over his shoulder at the ginger.

Hermione ignored the nickname. "I'm not sure why he doesn't like me. Maybe he's not too happy that his brothers like me more than him."

"Well, there are a lot of people that like you," Pansy said.

"I'm not expecting to be liked by everyone, but I'd at least like to know why he doesn't like me."

"Forget the weasel," Draco said, smiling at her. "You have us. You don't need him."

"He's not even that attractive," Pansy said.

"And this is where we change the subject," Blaise said.

"Did you guys start on the homework?" Hermione asked.

Blaise was quiet for a moment before he turned to Pansy. "I don't think Weasel's going to catch anyone's eye any time soon."

"Really?" Hermione asked. "You'd rather talk about Ron's looks than homework?"

"It's homework. It's not suppose to be fun. If it were, don't you think they'd call it 'home-fun'?"

Draco laughed and Hermione smiled. She finished her dinner and stood up from the bench. "I'm going to check on Kati," she said.

"Don't get caught by Filch if you miss curfew," Pansy said.

"I'll make sure to avoid him. Mind taking my bag back to the room?"

Pansy nodded and Hermione left the Great Hall. It was dark outside, but she knew her way around the grounds well enough to not need a light. Besides, the moon was full enough to see the stable. She slipped through the doors. Kati looked up and bobbed her head.

I see you escaped the twins, she said with a mental smirk.

No thanks to you, Hermione said, pretending to be upset. Kati made a growling sound that was suppose to be a laugh. Hermione smiled and sat down next to Kati's wing.

Kati's mood shifted to concern. Hermione, there's something…strange in the castle.

Well, it's full of students going through puberty, ghosts who have their own drama, and teachers who voluntarily work there. It's all a bit strange, Hermione thought.

Not that kind of strange, the dragon said, shaking her head at her human's joke. It's just that I feel like there's something in that place that is bad news. I don't like it.

Hermione frowned. What is it?

Kati lifted her wings in her version of a shrug. I can't tell. It started a while ago. I've been trying to see how far we can be from each other before I can't sense you because Hagrid wants to learn more our connection, and I felt something in the castle. A big something. But I can't figure out what it is.

Hermione started to think. She'd been all over the castle. She knew the secret hiding spots and passageways that catacomb through and under Hogwarts. There were a few places that were dangerous to go, like the third floor corridor…was there something in there that Kati was sensing?

Maybe, Kati said, picking up on Hermione's thoughts. I couldn't really tell where the feeling was coming from. I haven't learned to focus yet.

Hermione and Kati had been practicing on developing their connection and discovering what they could do. They hadn't found much since the start of school, but any new development was good. However, it would be nice to know what and where this strange thing was.

Don't you think you should be going off to bed, Kati asked.

Hermione looked outside and noticed that it was later than she'd intended. She stood and brushed the hay off her skirt. "I'll see you tomorrow," she told the dragon, hugging her neck before leaving the stable.

She kept to the shadows. No one really patrolled the grounds, but someone still might see her from a window. A prefect, perhaps. She knew that Percy would love to find a way to boost himself. He might not mean any harm, but he was by the book and no one was an exception. Not that she'd like to be an exception to the rules.

Hermione made it through the main doors without being seen, but she paused when she saw someone standing at the base of the stairs leading up. She couldn't make out who it was until they turned.

"Neville," she said. "What are you doing up?"

"I couldn't sleep and thought I'd get something to eat, but I couldn't find the kitchens and I can't remember how to get back to Gryffindor tower," Neville said. "Hermione, could you help me get back? Please?"

Hermione gave a small sympathetic smile. "Sure. But we're not suppose to be up, so be quiet and follow my lead. If Filch catches us…" She let the rest trail off. Neville didn't need her to finish, he just nodded. She walked past him and up the stairs. Hermione had once, when the twins had spend most of their second year teaching her to be sneaky, followed Filch around all night without him knowing. She'd seen his pattern of patrol and Filch wasn't a man to change his habits unless he had to. Which means he was checking the West wing of the second floor.

The two kids managed to avoid Filch and a few wandering ghosts, but they ran into something Hermione wasn't expecting. Or, more accurately, someone. Two someones. Ron and Harry were walking right in front of them, coming from a different corridor. "Get lost, too?" Hermione asked. The boys jumped and turned to her.

"What are you doing here?" Ron asked.

"I'm helping Neville get back to his dorm. But, since you two are out, you guys can all go back together." She paused and tilted her head. "Why are you two out after curfew?"

Harry looked a little sheepish. "We were getting food. Everyone wanted to talk to me during dinner, so I didn't get to eat."

"You should have taken Neville with you," Hermione said. "He was looking for food, too." She turned to Neville. "You okay from here?"

Neville nodded his head, but jumped when a ghostly figure flew out of the wall and around the small group. "Oooh, what is this?" the specter asked, grinning.

"Peeves," Hermione said, frowning. "What are you up to?"

"I'm just taking a stroll. But you shouldn't be up. Oh, what trouble you'll be in."

Hermione saw the ghost rub his hands together and her eyes widened. She turned on her heel and hissed to the others, "Run!" They took off after her the moment the poltergeist started yelling.

"First years! First years out of bed!" Peeves cackled, following their little group. Hermione made a mental note to have the Bloody Baron pay Peeves a visit later, but now she had to find a hiding spot.

Hermione, what's wrong? Kati's voice asked in her head, sounding a little concerned. She must have picked up on Hermione's adrenaline rush.

Peeves caught me and the boys out of bed. He's yelling and it's going to attract Filch. Hermione felt the dragon laugh. Stupid dragon, Hermione thought.

I heard that, Kati said.

Good. Hermione looked around and saw a door to her left. "This way," she told the boys, grabbing the handle. It wouldn't budge when she tried to open it. Drat.

"Hurry," Ron hissed at her.

She gave him a sharp look before she grabbed her wand from her robe pocket and pointed it at the lock. "Alohamora," she said under her breath. The lock sprang free and she pulled the door open. "In." The boys raced into the room and Hermione followed, gently closing the door. She pressed her ear to the door and listened to Filch and Peeves.

"Which way did they go, Peeves? Quick, tell me," Filch said.

"Say 'please,'" Peeves taunted.

"Don't mess with me, Peeves, now where did they go?"

"Shan't say nothing if you don't say please."

"All right — please." Filch practically spat out the word.

"NOTHING! Hahaaa! Told you I wouldn't say nothing if you didn't say please! Ha ha! Haaaaaa!"

"You worthless-" Filch said, his voice being drowned out by Peeve's laughter. The sound faded as they walked away.

Hermione released the breath she'd been holding. "I think they're gone," she said, turning toward the boys. They were staring at something else, though. She followed their line of sight and tipped her head back to stare up at a giant three headed dog. All three heads were staring down at them, growling and flashing dangerously sharp white teeth. The middle one barked and the others joined in, starting for the group.

"Run!" Harry yelled and they all raced out the door. Hermione pushed on the wood, hoping to lock the door. The boys pushed, too, and despite the creature trying to force itself out, they got the door closed. Whatever magic was on the door kicked back in, locking the creature inside. The kids slid to the floor, panting and shaking.

Hermione gulped in air and, using a shaking hand to push back some of her curls, said, "I think we should keep quiet about this."

"Are you kidding?" Ron said. "There's a three headed dog living in the castle! How can we keep that quiet?"

"Simple. You don't say anything about it."

"But-".

"Hermione's got a point," Harry said. "There's probably a reason the dog's there. Until we know more, let's keep this quiet."

"I'm all for ignoring this whole night," Neville said.

Hermione nodded and stood. "Go back to your rooms. Avoid Filch and you should be safe. Don't say anything. We'll talk in the morning."

The boys nodded their agreement. Ron didn't look happy, but Hermione's mind was already working a mile a minute. She didn't really care if Ron was upset. She checked the area before she made her way down to the dungeons and up to her room. Pansy and the other girls were asleep as Hermione picked up her diary. She needed to write this all down. She opened it up at her desk and started to write about the events leading up to the event.

A three headed dog! I never knew there was anything like that in the castle. I've been all over this place at least a thousand times. I know every nook and cranny. How could I have missed a three headed dog? I've not been in the third floor corridor for a while, but when I had snuck in there, there wasn't any creature there. So it must be recent. But why there? What's it doing there? How did it get there? Does it have something to do with the trap door it was standing on? I don't know why I noticed it or if the others noticed it, but I think there might be something under there. Maybe the dog is what Kati's been sensing? That would be strange, even for Hogwarts. There's something going on, but the main thing is making sure Ron keeps his mouth shut. That might be a problem. I've seen him eat. Ew.

Hermione closed the book and put the quill on the table. Are you alright? Kati asked in Hermione's mind.

It's a long story. I'll tell you in the morning, Hermione thought. She changed into her pajamas and slid into bed. It had been a long night.