At dinner that night I was quieter than usual and left the dining hall as soon as I was through eating. I was on my way back to the common room when I heard two familiar voices talking. Professor Snape and Draco were in what sounded like a heated argument. I wasn't sure what about, but I knew I had to find out. I was trying to get closer in order to hear what they were saying when Crabbe and Goyle suddenly appeared in front of me.

"Where do ya think you're going?" Crabbe insisted.

"Why do you care? Last time I checked my agenda was not any of your business."

"Seeing as you're on our side now I believe it is," Goyle said while starting to move towards me. "And we don't think you should be going this way."

"Why not? I have every right to go down this hallway." I was about to hex them when suddenly Professor Snape appeared out of nowhere.

"What is going on out here?"

"Nothing, Professor. I was just trying to get around these two idiots."

"Don't you boys have anywhere better to be?"

"No, sir, not really," said Crabbe, who was immediately elbowed in the ribs by Goyle.

"Sorry, sir, we were just leaving." Goyle grabbed Crabbe and pulled him down the hallway and out of sight.

"Now, Miss Bartlett, I wish to speak to you in my office."

"Sir, if this is about the potions book…"

"No. You will not speak of that book, anymore. And promise me that you won't go back and look for it. It is not for you to know what has been written in that book."

"I don't quite understand…"

"Just promise me that you won't look for it."

"Yes, sir."

"Now, if you would please join me in my office. There is something I wish to speak to you about."

Snape's Office

By the time we arrived in Snape's office I was confused and slightly concerned about what was going to happen. I was passing all of my classes with the help of my intensive studying, and the worst thing I had done was hex Malfoy. But, I suppose I would no longer be hexing the dolt, because for some strange reason I had decided to help him. Of course I really did not know what I was helping him with. I began to wonder if I had been duped when my thought process was interrupted.

"Miss Bartlett, I believe that Mr. Malfoy has asked a favor of you." So that's what this meeting was about. Maybe Professor Snape knew something of the situation that would help explain what was going on.

"Yes, sir, although what I am to do has not been explained entirely."

"No, of course it hasn't.

"Sir, do you know what is going on?"

"No, I was hoping that you could enlighten me, Miss Bartlett."

"Well, that will certainly be hard to do considering I'm not even sure of what is going on. All I know is that I am to help Draco with whatever task he has been assigned." With this Snape began looking rather concerned.

"Miss Bartlett, do you know what Draco is to do or whom he is aiding?"

"Well, no, sir." I began to realize that I needed to find out more. If Draco was trying to pull a prank on me it would be his last prank on anyone. "Do you think that he is lying to me and trying to trick me again, sir?"

"No, Miss Bartlett, Mr. Malfoy is quite serious in his request."

"Well then, why am I here? What do you wish to speak to me about?" I was becoming more confused by the moment.

"Miss Bartlett, you are a smart girl and a very talented witch. But you have no clue what you could be getting yourself into. Evil things are happening and it would be unwise to be caught in the middle of it."

"Excuse my impertinence, sir, but I do believe that I can tell if I am in danger. And I do not believe that Draco has any ill intentions towards me."

"Not Draco, but someone else may have ill intentions."

"Well we will just have to wait and see won't we. Until I feel that I am in any peril I am going to continue with this endeavor." With this said I began to walk to the door.

"Perhaps I was wrong. Your lust for power has taken all sense that you have."

I only faintly heard Professor Snape's last words as I stormed down the corridor. I was furious. Who was Snape to tell me what decisions I should make and who I should choose to help. If I was in any danger I could get out of it. I told Draco that I would back out as soon as I didn't like what was happening. Of course, I still didn't know what my task was. I would have to find Draco and interrogate him later. For now I had homework to return to. I couldn't let Professor Snape's doubts concern me. I knew what I was doing. I silently entered the library, sat down at a secluded desk and began my nightly studies. But deep down I had started to worry about what was to happen. What if Snape was right? Maybe all I was doing was getting myself into trouble. But I also knew that I wanted to be powerful and this seemed like a brilliant way to make it happen. After reassuring myself that I would corner Draco the next day I finished my homework relatively quickly and went off to the dormitory in order to attempt sleep.

I couldn't sleep that night though. My mind was racing, filled with worry and questions. Professor Snape knew something, but I had fled his office before I could figure out what. In all honesty I had no clue what I was getting myself into but only time would tell.