The Plan

By: Malfoy-Amazing-Bouncing-Ferret

Chapter 1: Planning and Help

When Harry handed Hermione the Marauders Map and Ron the Felix Felicis, giving them instructions to split it between themselves plus Ginny, Hermione knew there was danger involved with what was going to happen later that night. Hermione was frightened of what may come that evening. It was close to ten thirty already.

Ginny was walking through the common room towards Hermione and Ron when she asked what was going on. Ron had quickly gulped down his third of Felix and handed it off to Hermione who did the same and passed it on to Ginny after Ron had explained everything to her.

"We're going to have to work quick of we want to corner Malfoy." Ron said in a low whisper.

"I'll be look out at the Room of Requirements." Ginny stated.

"And I'll be watching Snape." Hermione muttered.

"I think that I should do that, Hermione." Ron said a bit defensively.

"I'm a big girl, Ron. I can take him on if I need to."

"Are you sure that you can keep an eye on that nasty old bat?"

"I'm pretty sure that I can 'keep an eye on that nasty old bat!' Ron, you don't need to worry about me." she grumbled. Oh she absolutely hated calling him names. But she had to make sure that the other guys didn't catch on if she didn't call him by an impolite name. It hurt her to talk of her lover in such a way.

"Do you think that we should get the people from the D.A. to help us?" Ginny asked.

"Of course! We're going to need all of the help that we can get, now that Harry isn't here!" Ron snarled.

"Who do you think that we should persuade first?" Ginny asked.

"Well, I think we should talk to Neville and Dean first." Hermione replied.

"I am NOT going to work with Dean! No we will not ask him for help! Anybody but him!" Ginny retorted angrily.

"Fine! No Dean, but Neville. What about Katie, Parvati and Lavender?" Hermione suggested.

"Katie and Parvati. NOT Lavender." warned Ron.

"Alright, Neville, Katie and Parvati then. Is there no one else?" Hermione said getting agitated.

"Guess not, unless we run into anyone in the corridors." Ron whispered.

"Okay, Ron, go get Neville while Ginny and I get Katie and Parvati."

The two Gryffindor girls walked to the girls' staircase while Ron went to the boys' staircase. And ten minutes later, Hermione, Ron and Ginny were explaining what was going on to Neville, Katie and Parvati.

Parvati just yawned and said, "This is ridiculous. I'm going back to bed."

Katie sat on the couch for a moment and said, "Dumbledore has made sure that the school is pretty locked down so that nothing dark can get in. I don't think that anything is going to happen. Good-night." and she followed in suite with Parvati, going back up to bed.

"Neville, will you please believe us? Help us? This is not a joke, please help us?" Hermione pleaded.

"I believe you guys. Yeah, I'll be more than happy to help!" Neville said, jumping up quickly. "Just, let me get dressed. I don't' want to be caught in a duel in my pajamas."

A few minutes later, Neville was dressed and ready to go, wand in hand. Ron looked over the map once more to see where Malfoy had gone but he was nowhere to be found as opposed to Snape who was in his bedchambers.

"Alright, remember what I said, if you run into anybody from the D.A., try to get them to help us. Now, Neville and Ginny, I want you two to stay by the Room of Requirements and watch out for Malfoy. Hermione, you stay by Snapes office door. I'll keep the map with me and I'll be a 'run between' (A/N: he'll keep an eye on them through the map and check up on them in person if it looks like they're in trouble.) okay?" he explained as the others nodded. "Alright then, let's get this show on the road."