All of the characters and settings belong to J. K. Rowling, I am just borrowing them for a bit.

Prologue

As headmaster Snape took over Hogwarts and the Golden Trio went on the run, many things in the wizarding world began to change. Most notably, Hogwarts was no longer the safe haven it had been under headmaster Dumbledore. And while all four houses were filled with fear and distrust, nowhere was it as evident as within the cold dungeon walls in the Slytherin common room.

The air there was so thick with tension that one could even cut it with a knife, though as it were, the house elves had taken it upon themselves to hide most of the sharp instruments. And true to the nature of true Slytherins, no one said a thing, opting instead to survey the situation. There was a pretty clear split though. Some of them were outright supporters of the new regime while others were merely focused on the survival of themselves and their loved ones. One day at a time.

Among them Tracey Davis, a 7th year, sat by the fireplace, an open book on her lap and wand between her two fingers. These days most of them had their wands out already or in the holsters in their sleeves. Even the first years had come to school knowing at least one or two defense spells. And on the first night the common room was declared Switzerland. No fighting, no insults. This had in turn led it to be a rather chilly place. It was truly amazing how many insults one could fit inside a simple "Hello" or "Is this seat taken?"

At times like these Tracey sometimes wished she had been sorted into Gryffindor. At least the lines were clear there. Though of course she reflected, being in the house that generally didn't breed treachery, had left them completely vulnerable to people like Pettigrew. Thus whatever little resistance they led would inevitably be at risk of their inability to assume one of their own might betray them. Slytherins of course, would never be at risk for that. "Trust but verify" was Slytherin's unofficial motto. Or rather, "Don't trust. And definitely verify".

Yet somehow, Tracey had to find people she could trust, for she had come to Hogwarts with a plan. It was a public secret that Harry Potter and his two friends were loose somewhere in the wizarding world trying to come up with a way to take down...Voldy. The Order of the Phoenix was also organizing some sort of resistance, if only removing muggle-borns from harms way. And Tracey had come to decide that someone had to do something at Hogwarts too.

Oh she knew of course, that the Gryffindors would try. It was in their nature. But as she had reflected before, Gryffindors had their own fatal flaws. Not to mention that EVERYONE expected something from them. Professors and students alike knew it and the only question was who would emerge as leaders. And then headmaster Snape and the Carrows would no doubt do anything they could to snuff it out quickly. Which would inevitably lead to some sort of brutal battle of wills. During such a time it would be most opportune to wreck some discreet havoc in the way of a Slytherin.

Trouble was, one did not start a revolution on their own. It was hard to find allies and she had to be bloody careful, lest she draw the ire of the supreme idiot in charge. And even headmaster Snape would not be able to protect her then. She did figure he'd protect Slytherins to the best of his abilities. He might have been a git but blood purity views Tracey hadn't detected. If it was a question between a muggle-born Slytherin and a pure-blood Gryffindor, Slytherin won out every time. And it was about time someone put that blatant favoritism to work in service of the greater good. Which left Tracey in the common room, pretending to read up on transfiguration and trying to decide, who might be susceptible to an idea of a mutiny.

Her fellow seventh years were her first choice. Most of them had returned for the year and she knew them best. Perhaps later she could also explore other options. She allowed her eyes to wander over the people in question.

Millicent Bulstrode was a half-blood. Moreover while the name was one featured in the sacred twenty-eight, she was not the first half-blood of that family and really didn't seem that into the whole ideology. She was mostly just trying to survive rather than play for power. And of course if the new regime threatened her muggle mother...Certainly an option.

Pansy Parkinson on the other hand was a bully through and through. What was worse was her rather open endorsement of her father's views and open support of Voldemort. She'd probably try and use this year to bully even more people rather than help anyone. No.

Blaise Zabini was a different matter. One of the more interesting Slytherins, with his mother having a certain kind of a reputation as a black widow...He did see muggles as beneath him, granted. But such was his view on almost everyone, Voldemort and his followers included. Approach with caution. Play on his vanity. Make him understand that if Potter fails, then his career options will be reduced to being Voldy's bitch.

Vincent Crabbe was as mean as he was dumb. Definitely not. Not only did he like torture too much, but he'd also end up accidentally spilling all their plans.

Gregory Goyle was far more likely to be flipped but she had to consider whether she even had use for the boy.

Theodore Nott. Tracey resisted the urge to say „...more like Theodore Not". But it would have been accurate. Death chewer family, mean spirit. And courting Parkinson.

And then there was Draco Malfoy. Oh if only she could turn him...Even on his first night back, he seemed distant and worried, head no longer held high, not even snubbing the half-bloods. Not even Gryffindor half-bloods. But it would be both difficult and dangerous.

Then again the things that were not difficult or dangerous were usually boring. She smiled and looked back at the book. Yes, she'd start with the young Malfoy. After all, what is life without a little excitement? And if she has Malfoy, she has hope. Picking up a fountain pen, she carefully scribbled a few notes on the margins of the book, noting with amusement that somewhere in the castle madam Pince must have felt outraged.