Author's note - Sorry for not updating last week. You can blame my mental health for that. Things are better now, so hopefully I can update at least weekly again. As always, comments are welcome. But that's enough from me, let's get on to the story.

Friday came quickly enough, and with it the usual homework to do over the weekend, and as soon as classes were over I was seated in the library working on it. I'd much prefer to be sitting in the Slytherin common room or in my and Pansy's room, but that would exclude the majority of my friends. The addition of two Gryffindors to that list hasn't gone unnoticed either. Nobody really had an issue with Neville, the Longbottoms are one of the sacred twenty eight after all, but whispers and rumors circulated about Hermione. The general consensus in the house is that I'm simply using her to attain top marks in my classes. In all honesty though, I think they forget I was raised by muggles and I find it refreshing to talk to someone that is just as equally new to the wizarding world as I am.

Hermione was the first to arrive, setting down several books on the table and plopping into the seat opposite me with a frustrated sigh. "Everything okay?" I asked while examining the book titles.

"I've been through almost every book I can think of and none of them cover Greek mythology in enough detail." I'd say she was cute when she was in this mood, but that would just get me in trouble with both her and Susan. 

"Maybe we can look into getting some muggle books?" I asked, shrugging my shoulders.

Well, I can spend some time at the library back home during spring break."

"Or, we could just owl order from Flourish And Blotts. I'm sure they can get muggle books too."

"That might get rather expensive if you aren't careful."

"Maybe. But I'm willing to take a chance on it. Can't be more than a couple hundred galleons."

"You know that's over a thousand pounds sterling, right?"

"So? Call it backdated birthday and Christmas money. If I don't spend it on books, I'll probably end up spending it on clothes and jewelry."

Hermione's eyes narrowed for a few seconds, as if she was debating whether she should continue arguing the point any more. It was at that moment that Susan walked up to us. "Hey Holly, Hermione." She said as she sat down next to me and scooted over her chair as close as she could to mine. "So are we still good for tonight?" She asked.

"Yes." I replied while Hermione just nodded. "I figured we'd meet up in the trophy room at midnight."

Susan laid her head on my shoulder and sighed. "It would be so much easier if we were all sorted into the same house." 

"But that would take half the fun out of sneaking around." I said as I patted her on the leg.

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Sneaking out is more unnerving than sneaking in. Maybe it's because if I get caught exiting there is no explanation, whereas if I get caught on my way back, I could at least have an excuse. One thing for sure though, if I'm going to be sneaking out, I definitely need shoes that don't clack on the stone floors, or squeak with every step like my running shoes. Either way, I'm tired of walking barefoot on the cold stone.

I arrived at the trophy room without running into anyone. A check of the time, fifteen minutes to wait. I took the time to look at some of the trophies and plaques. I was looking at the dueling trophy and the list of names of its past holders. I scanned the names until I found the one I was looking for, Bellatrix Black. It's not the first time I've been standing in this exact spot, staring at her name, but every time seems like the first. Whoever and wherever she is, whether she's alive or dead, I hope I make her proud of me.

I jumped and let out an eep when I felt a hand on my shoulder. My heart was racing, and when I turned around I was met by a giggling Susan. "Damnit, Susan. Don't do that." 

"Sorry, I couldn't resist." She said as she wrapped her arms around me and gave me a kiss. 

"Mmm. Maybe we should do this more often." I said when my lips were no longer occupied.

"What, kiss?" 

"No, silly. These midnight rendezvous. You have to admit, it is romantic here in the moonlight and the fact we're breaking curfew makes it feel, I don't know… naughty."

"Hello?" A whispered voice cut off our conversation. Both of us looking to the door to see Hermione enter the room.

As we both stepped out of the shadows I said "Hey, Hermione. Any signs of anyone patrolling?"

"There was someone on the fifth floor, maybe fifteen minutes ago. I didn't see or hear anyone else."

"Right then. Let's go see that three headed dog." I led us through the off limits section of the third floor and to the room housing 'Cerberus'. "Okay, both of you, stay quiet." I said in a whisper as I pulled out my wand and cast 'Alohomora'. I gently opened the door and was relieved to see that once again the beast was sleeping.

"Wow." Susan said. "I didn't think you weren't lying when you said a giant three headed dog, but this thing is massive."

"Indeed. And you said it's guarding something?" Hermione chimed in.

"Yeah. Someone get ready to close the door quickly. As soon as it notices us it will attack." I waited for a moment as Susan grabbed the door and gave me a nod. I had my wand at the ready and focused on the handle to the trap door. "Wingardium Leviosa." I said in a whisper. The trap door opened and at the same time, just as before, 'Cerberus' immediately woke and lunged at us. 

Fortunately Susan was on top of things and had the door shut as soon as the beast lunged at us. A loud thump, which I assume is one of its snouts impacting with the door, caused all three of us to jump. I quickly locked the door with the trusty Colloportus charm and let out a sigh of relief.

"That doesn't make sense." Hermione muttered to herself, but still loud enough to be heard.

Author's note #2 - I know I left it at a bit of a cliff hanger, and after skipping an update last week I feel kinda bad. I'll try to make it up to all of you soon.