A/N: Chapter nine! Yay! Thank you to all my reviewers, alerters and favers! You guys are the best! I'm so so sorry that I'm so stupid and didn't update for ever :( Please forgive me! This chapter is nice and long and we finally get to meet someone special ...

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and everything recognisable belongs to the wonderful JK Rowling.

Chapter Nine – A Problem Named Hermione

"Henry!" screamed Bellatrix, watching in horror as the scarlet steam engine ran along its tracks, eager to get away from the Death Eaters.

She pointed her wand at the train but Rabastan appeared at her side, and disarmed her easily. "No, Bellatrix," he said firmly. "We have to get back to the Dark Lord – he'll know what to do ... even if he is angry with us."

Bellatrix just stared at her brother-in-law. "My son is on that train!" she yelled. "Henry! He's going right into Dumbledore's grasp!"

Lucius hurried over to them, looking terrified. "Bellatrix! What are we to do?"

Rabastan answered when it was clear that all Bellatrix could think about was her son trapped on a train headed to Hogwarts. "We'll go to Hogsmeade Station and collect them from there. We can only hope that when we get there, they will have been able to get Neville Longbottom as well."

Bellatrix didn't hear the Neville part – all she wanted was her son safe and sound. "He's only fifteen!" she said, looking terrified out of her mind.

"I know," said Rabastan, regretfully. "But, the boys are clever – they'll not let themselves get captured so easily. Come on, we'll go back to the Manor and speak to the Dark Lord about what our next plan should be."

The other Death Eaters had gathered around the three, but remained frozen, all staring at Bellatrix for her approval. Rabastan cleared his throat and Bellatrix jerked out of her little trance. She nodded stiffly after a few minutes under Rabastan's firm gaze.

She wanted nothing more than to follow the Hogwarts Express and rescue her baby as soon as she could, but even Bellatrix could see the reason in waiting until they spoke with the Dark Lord.

The Death Eaters Apparated away, leaving behind the dead bodies of the Aurors and students they had killed. Only one Death Eater had been killed in the battle, but Bellatrix couldn't focus on anything so she had no idea who was missing.

She cast one final look at the faintly rising steam from the Hogwarts Express and then Apparated away.


Harry stormed down the train and up to the first nearly empty compartment door. The only person inside was a girl sitting on the seat, her head in her knees and she had her hands knotted in her bushy hair.

Harry opened the door aggressively making the girl jump and looked up, startled.

"Get out," Harry snarled, stepping into the compartment and jerked with his thumb to the door.

The girl narrowed her eyes, but stood up. She had very curly brown hair, rather large front teeth, and would've been pretty if she hadn't been giving Harry such a dirty look.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her hand automatically going to her wand, its holster hooked to her belt loop.

Harry ignored her question; he was not in the mood to argue with this Hogwarts brat. He narrowed his eyes at the girl and gave her the dirtiest look he could manage. She didn't even flinch.

"Get out," he spat again.

"Who are you?" she repeated, pulling out her wand and pointing it at Harry.

"Students," Draco snapped from behind Harry, quickly coming up with an identity for them. "Who do you think we are, on the Hogwarts Express?"

The girl didn't look convinced. "Why have I never seen you around, then?"

Harry was shaking in anger. "What, you've seen everyone who goes to the school? Now, get out."

She didn't move for a few seconds. Finally, she sat back down. "I won't bother you. You can sit here if you really want to, but I'm not moving."

"Come on, Harry," muttered Draco, annoyed, "We'll just go find another compartment."

However, Harry had a feeling that every other compartment would be filled with crying or hysterical students and seeing that the girl wasn't in hysterics, he figured this was their best bet.

The girl curled up against the window with a book, so Harry and Draco sat in the seats nearest the door and leaned forward to talk, their voices low.

"What are we going to do?" muttered Harry, shooting furtive looks at the girl every so often. She was staring at the book with a glazed expression and kept jumping at the slightest noise –probably because of fear from the Death Eater attack. She hadn't looked too frightened when they'd first barged in, but now she seemed to going into some sort of frozen shock.

"Ditch as soon as we can," Draco muttered back. "I'm sure Auntie Bella will have sent someone to the station to get us."

Harry nodded tightly, pinching the bridge of his nose at the thought of his mother. She was going to be so mad –

The girl coughed loudly, but it was an innocent cough and she looked up in surprise at the dark looks the boys gave her.

"What?" she demanded, shutting her book with a snap. "Have a problem with me coughing?"

"Yes, actually," said Harry arrogantly.

The girl muttered something dark under her breath and started to stare out of the window, looking thoroughly exasperated and frustrated.

Harry and Draco turned back to look at each other. "Kay, Harry," Draco said his voice low, "Even though this was a complete fail, do you think we should still try and get Longbottom?"

Harry opened his mouth to reply, but suddenly, she looked up back at them and asked, "What year are you guys in?"

Harry and Draco exchanged a look. Harry had no idea what year the girl was in, but she looked to be about sixteen. "Fifth," Harry grunted finally.

She looked shocked. But her face soon masked into dark suspicion. "Really?" said the girl, scathingly. "I'm in fifth year too –" Crap, Harry thought – "Why have I never seen you before if you're in my year?" she hissed, rising to her feet and drawing her wand again.

"Calm down," Draco said smoothly. He slowly rose to his feet, followed by Harry, both drawing their wands. Harry was very thankful that the Death Eaters, as part of their training, had a little session with the two boys in calmly dealing with a deranged captive (their practice prisoner was one who'd been subjected to several meetings with the Cruciatus).

"We've just transferred in this year," Draco explained, avoiding the girl's question. "We were homeschooled before."

The girl still looked unconvinced, but lowered her wand. "Are you two brothers?" she asked. "You don't look like it."

"Cousins," said Draco automatically.

She didn't say anything for a long time, but finally spoke. "My name is Hermione Granger. What are yours?"

She seemed to be going for a different angle – polite and calm. Harry wasn't falling for it: admitting his name would be suicide so he ignored her question. "Look, why don't you just go sit with your friends?" he said nastily. "We really would like some privacy."

Hermione just stared at Harry. "This is my compartment," she said stubbornly. "If you want privacy, go away. I was here first."

"That is so immature. 'I was here first'," he mocked.

Hermione just looked at Harry, disgusted. "Get out," she said, sitting down and opening her book again.

"Go sit with your friends," Harry repeated. "Or did they get killed in the battle with the Death Eaters?" He smirked and flopped down onto the seat. Draco sighed before joining his cousin in sitting.

Hermione looked astonished and horrified. "How can you say something like that so casually?" she demanded. "Didn't you see anything of what they did?"

Harry shrugged and didn't reply. He just leaned back in his seat and stared at the girl, smirking.

"Get out," she said, disgusted.

The boys ignored her and Draco asked, his eyes lighting up with malice, "You do have friends, right?"

"Of course," she said, stiffly. The automatic way she said it, made both boys snort.

"Oh yeah?" said Harry, smirking. "Why don't you go sit with them then?

"Because ... well, because –"

"Awe, she doesn't have any friends," said Harry, making his voice really pityingly. He rolled his eyes at his cousin.

"I do!" said Hermione, indignantly.

"Oh yeah? What are their names?"

"Ron Weasley," Hermione said automatically. Then she flushed and added quickly, "And Neville Longbottom –"

Harry and Draco sat straight up in their seats, making Hermione jump at their sudden movement.

"What?" she demanded, looking from Draco to Harry. Harry had to hand it to her – her hand had automatically gone to her wand at their movement. She wasn't as stupid as she looked.

"You know Longbottom?" Harry asked urgently. Maybe all was not lost after all.

Hermione looked confused. "Yes," she said slowly. "He's in Gryffindor with me. Why?"

The fact that she was in Gryffindor didn't surprise Harry at all – all Gryffindors were stupid, according to Bellatrix. But ... she did know Longbottom and could perhaps help them get to him.

Draco and Harry exchanged a look. "Why don't you stay here and sit with us?" Harry said courteously, gesturing to the seat beside him.

To say that Hermione looked bewildered would've been an understatement. "What?"

"It was incredibly rude of us to tell you to leave," Harry said, smoothly. "You can stay here if you wish."

Hermione narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "What's going on?"

"I just said it was rude to tell you to leave," Harry said, getting irritated. "So ... erm, what was your name again?"

The girl flushed. "Hermione," she said, a little annoyed that they hadn't remembered her name. "And, you still haven't told me your names."

"Harry," said Harry simply, offering no guesses at his surname. Going with a nickname was smarter than Henry, he figured.

"Draco," said his cousin, who obviously hadn't had Harry's thought process. But, thankfully both boys had been basically kept out of the public eye since their birth and so even Draco's uncommon name didn't, apparently, ring any bells with the girl.

She did notice that they withheld their surnames, but said nothing about it, although she eyed them with even more suspicion.


Lily had just arrived by Floo to Hogwarts to be cornered by Dumbledore. His face was grave. "Lily, there was an attack on the Hogwarts Express this afternoon."

Lily paled instantly. "What? What – is everyone all right? Is Jason all right? Did they get away?"

Dumbledore nodded sadly. "Yes, they got away." Lily sighed in relief, but Dumbledore added, "I'm afraid that not everyone is accounted for. The Aurors contacted me after they had escaped to say that they lost three Aurors to the Death Eaters and ... five students are unaccounted for."

Lily's heart leapt in her chest with horror. "Jason?" she whispered.

Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "I do not know," he said, quietly. "Everyone was in such a panic that only a head count could be managed ... they don't know the identity of the five missing students."

Oh no, Lily thought. What if Jason – no, she mustn't think that.

"What did they want?" she asked. "The Death Eaters?"

"My guess is Neville Longbottom," said Dumbledore truthfully.

"Neville?" Lily repeated. Even though the prophecy no longer effected Lily and James, Dumbledore still talked about it with them, for the Potters were determined to aid Neville in any way they could to get rid of Voldemort – for revenge for their son. "But – he's safe?" Lily demanded.

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, the Aurors did tell me that Neville is safe. But, as to the other students ... your guess is as good as mine."


Hermione was still completely unconvinced as to the two boys being new transfer students. "I've never heard of Hogwarts accepting transfers," she said.

Harry scoffed. "What school doesn't allow transfer students?" he said, although secretly he had no idea about Hogwarts.

"Well, a lot, actually," said Hermione matter-of-factly. "Durmstrang, for instance –"

"My father wanted to send me there," said Draco absently, tapping on the arm rest and gazing out the window.

"Really?" said Harry and Hermione at the same time. Harry was surprised; he never knew this. Hermione just looked alarmed.

"That school is all about the Dark Arts! Why on earth did your father want to you go there?"

Draco stared at Hermione, his eyes narrowed. "The Dark Arts aren't terrible," he said aloofly.

"Yes they are!" she said indignantly. "Haven't you ever heard the reasons why they were banned in the first place?"

"No," said Draco, bored.

However, even though Draco hadn't asked for the reason, Hermione barrelled into a fifteen minute lecture on how the Dark Arts had come to be recognized as bad and why they were bad. She seemed to have forgotten that she was suspicious of the two she was lecturing.

Both boys tried to interrupt her several times, but she barrelled right over them, speaking faster and faster as she went.

When she had finished, Harry stared at her in awe. For a Hogwarts student, she sure knew a lot. "Where did you learn all of that?" he demanded. He was a little alarmed – she knew a lot about the Dark Magic that Voldemort had sworn was a rare knowledge.

She flushed. "I read a lot," she said.

Huh. So he guessed Hogwarts library did have a few books on the Dark Arts, but not wanting to reveal that he himself knew just as much about the Dark Arts, he changed the subject. "Erm, Helena –"

"It's Hermione."

"Whatever. Anyways, I've heard so much about Neville Longbottom – could you introduce him to us?"

She immediately returned to suspicion. "How do you know him?" she asked.

"Oh, my parents used to know his when they went to school and my mother used to tell quite funny stories about them," Harry said dismissively. "They haven't seen each other in several years, the war you know, and so I haven't seen him in ages."

Hermione still look suspicious but shrugged. "I suppose we could – Neville did mention having a friend named Harry a long time ago –" What luck, Harry thought, a little surprised – "I don't know where he and Ron are sitting ... do you guys want to go find them?"

The boys nodded and immediately got to their feet. Hermione led the way out of the compartment.

The train had mostly calmed down and most of the students had been shepherded into compartments instead of the hallways.

As they walked through the train, several girls turned to stare at Hermione in awe as she walked with two extremely good looking boys.

Harry felt slightly annoyed – couldn't they stop staring? It wasn't as if they were anyone important ... well, other than the fact that they were Death Eaters, the sons of two of the Innermost Death Eaters themselves, trapped on a train headed to Hogwarts with students and Aurors. No one special at all.

Finally, at one particular door, stood about three Aurors, looking very serious and stern. "Um," Hermione said nervously, coming to a stop. "Is this Neville's compartment?"

"Yeah, he's in there," one of the Aurors said. "You want to talk to him?"

Hermione nodded and the Auror knocked on the door and slid it open. There were five people inside; three boys with extremely red hair, two of whom who looked identical. There was another redhead, a girl, sitting beside brown haired, average looking boy.

The Auror looked at Neville, who nodded wearily. The Auror nodded in return and ushered Hermione, Harry and Draco in.

"Hey, guys," greeted Hermione, looking a little nervous.

The three boys with the red hair nodded at her, all with grave faces. The brunet boy managed a weak smile, but merely grunted a hello. The girl, however, said, "Hey, Hermione. Who is this?" She had bright brown eyes, but Harry could immediately tell who she was – a Weasley.

He was so not interested.

"Um," said Hermione, looking flustered and a little embarrassed, "This is Draco and Harry and they're starting this year."

"You look a little old to be in first year," commented the tallest redheaded boy, who looked to about Harry's age.

Harry rolled his eyes. "We were homeschooled before," he said shortly. "We're transferring in this year."

Hermione shot him a nasty look for being rude, but then said, "This is Ron Weasley." She gestured to the tall redhead, who was scowling at Harry. "Fred and George Weasley," Hermione continued, nodding to the twins. They didn't smile, but looked at Harry and Draco with thoughtful expressions. "And Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom."

The redhead girl, Ginny, smiled at the two boys, but Harry wasn't looking at her.

Neville Longbottom was a completely average looking teenager – a little pudgy, with a round face and ears that slightly stuck out.

Harry had to stop himself from staring at him – this was the Chosen One? He looked so average, Harry would've never guessed.

"Where were you guys during the attack?" asked George.

"I was in my compartment," Hermione said, her voice soft. "A few first years ran in and stayed with me for the whole time. They left when one of the Aurors came to tell us it was over. How about you?"

"We were in here," Ginny said. "The Aurors outside kept us safe for most of it, but we still locked and barricaded the door. What about you two?" she asked, directed to Harry and Draco.

Harry looked immediately to his cousin, who cleared his throat. "We were just in this compartment up near the front when it happened. We went out to see what was going on and just watched it all occur basically. Some kids came and got our compartment after we'd left, so we had nowhere to sit. So we found her –" He nodded at Hermione "– and sat with her."

Before anyone could ask any more questions about that iffy subject, Harry looked out the window, where the sky had just started to darken. "When will we be at Hogwarts?" he asked.

Everyone else looked up to the window. "About an hour or two," said Fred. "But, I think that the train is going as fast as it can now – because of the attack."

The compartment quieted and then Hermione said, in a small voice, "Have you heard anything about who was ..." She trailed off, not wanting to voice the word.

Ron shook his head. "No, but the Aurors were saying that they did a headcount earlier and found that five students who went out to fight are missing." He looked grim.

"Five?" whispered Ginny. "You didn't tell me it was five people!" She looked furious.

Harry was really starting to dislike these people, especially the Weasleys. Five people dead was nothing to be alarmed about – if it was twenty five, then yes, but not just five. And, after all, they were just students.

Fred and George looked eager to get off the topic and so they turned to Harry and Draco. "Have you guys heard about the Houses at Hogwarts?"

Harry snorted. "Of course," he said.

"Well, which one do you want to be in?"

"Slytherin," said Draco automatically, but Harry was more cautious than that.

From the expressions on everyone's face, Slytherin obviously wasn't a good house to want to fit into and if Harry wanted Neville's trust, then he had better play up to the fool.

"I don't know," said Harry. "Gryffindor, probably."

Draco shot his cousin an astonished look but Harry gave him a quick wink that everyone else missed. Except, however, for Ron.

He narrowed his eyes. "So you guys were homeschooled before?" he asked, rather unpleasantly.

Harry, who didn't like the redheaded boy, simply nodded and leaned back against the seat. He was aching to get out of this compartment full of Gryffindors, but didn't want to get on Longbottom's bad side

"You know," Ron said, who apparently disliked Harry as much as he did, "It's very odd how the year you two transfer in there's a Death Eater attack on the train."

His siblings all turned to look at Harry and Draco with the same accusing look. "That's right, Ron," said Fred slowly.

"Are you accusing us of something?" Harry asked softly. "Because, there is such a thing as a coincidence."

Hermione, who could obviously sense the tension in the compartment, said, "Well, should we go back to our compartment, shouldn't we?"

Harry and Draco stood and departed without another word. Hermione called after them, "I'll be another moment."

"Okay," said Harry, rolling his eyes. As if he cared about whether Hermione came or not.


When Bellatrix arrived at Riddle Manor, it was in a total uproar.

She was ambushed by several Death Eaters the moment she arrived. "What happened?" they demanded, as she pushed past them and into the house. "The Dark Lord is furious – what's happened? Bellatrix!"

"That's Madam Lestrange to you!" said Bellatrix shrilly, pushing past the final Death Eater and into the house.

She hurried to Voldemort's receiving room to find him sitting at his throne, massaging his temples and looking thoroughly pissed off. The other Death Eaters that had accompanied her on the mission to the Hogwarts Express were also there, kneeling and shaking slightly.

"My lord," she said, rushing to his side, only to be blown backwards by an invisible force. She stumbled into the wall (she would have a bruise on her back tomorrow) but did not fall.

Voldemort looked up with cold, merciless eyes.

"Death Eaters, you did not capture Neville Longbottom like I asked," he said, his voice like ice. He stood and started to pace, fast and furious. "Failure is not an option!" Voldemort suddenly shrieked, shaking the room with the decibels of his voice. "Neville Longbottom has once more slipped through my grasp! Crucio!"

Bellatrix tried not to scream as the tremendous strength of the Cruciatus Curse hit her. It felt as if her bones were breaking and all at once it felt like her heart was being ripped into two – the pain was almost as severe as the time she had thought her darling child was dead ... The Dark Lord held the curse for a long time before finally lifting it.

In the silence that descended onto the room, Voldemort spoke after a few moments. "It seems that we have three missing Death Eaters." He paused and then said, "Gibbon, I know, is dead ... but what of our youngest members? Bellatrix, Lucius ... have your sons suddenly vanished off the face of the earth ... they are not dead, I can tell ..."

"My lord," began Lucius, who was panting slightly from pain at the Cruciatus Curse. "They were on the train, going to get Longbottom, when the Aurors repaired the track and were able to get the train moving again. Henry and Draco are, as far as we know, still on the Hogwarts Express."

Before Voldemort could say anything, Bellatrix said, "We must get to them as soon as the train reaches Hogsmeade and bring them home –"

"No," said Voldemort, clearly. "They will not return to their homes, Bellatrix. This mission has been a complete disaster and your son and nephew will fix it." He held up a hand for silence as Bellatrix burst out a cry of horror. "They will attend Hogwarts, under the pretence that they have run away from home because they do not want to live the life of Death Eaters any longer. Dumbledore will believe their innocence because they are children and accept them into Hogwarts with open arms. You have taught them Occlumency, correct?"

Bellatrix nodded weakly; still unable to wrap her mind around the fact that Voldemort was not allowing her Henry to come home. "But – but they are not particularly skilled at it yet, my lord."

Voldemort frowned for a moment, but then waved it aside. "Their mediocre skill will have to do." He stood and began to pace. "Send your Patronus to them on the train and inform them of this change of plans. They are to befriend Longbottom and when they have gained his trust, deliver him to me."

Voldemort paused for a moment and then strode from the room. The Death Eaters all exchanged nervous looks, but none stood or made to leave, as Voldemort had not dismissed them. It was a good thing too, because the Dark Lord returned a few moments later, holding an intricate mirror.

He looked to Lucius and said, "Lucius, you will go to the station and give this to Henry. He will have to report to me once a month on their progress with Longbottom. That is all you are to do – they will have already been informed of their new mission and if they wish to return with you, you will tell them it is not allowed."

Lucius nodded and Voldemort gave him the mirror. It had no handle and had to be cradled in the palm of your hand. It was silvery but had black, thorny designs around the mirror surface.

"What is it, my lord?" Lucius asked curiously.

"It is a two way mirror," Voldemort said simply. "It will allow us to stay in contact while they are under Dumbledore's watch. Now, Bellatrix, go. Send your Patronus and tell the boys what has happened."


Harry and Draco returned to their compartment and while they were alone, Draco pulled up his sleeve and checked his Dark Mark. It was a vivid black, the skull clearly etched out.

"He's going to be furious," he muttered, rubbing the mark slightly.

"What is that?" said a startled voice from the doorway.

Draco quickly pulled his sleeve down and leaned back against the seat. "What is what?" he asked innocently.

"That thing on your arm!" exclaimed Hermione. She was standing in the doorway, her mouth hanging open. "It looks like the –" Before she could say anything, Harry drew his wand and pointed it at her. She was instantly summoned to his side and the compartment door shut behind her, the small curtain over the glass pulling itself down.

Since Harry had summoned Hermione to his side and since she was obviously not used to being Summoned, she had stumbled down and fallen into the seat. However, she had quickly jumped up again and stood with her back to the window, shaking. She had drawn her wand and was pointing it at the two boys.

"Who are you two?" she demanded.

"Do you have to be so loud?" Harry demanded, pointing his wand at the door and saying, "Muffliato."

Hermione looked slightly alarmed and so she drew her wand. "Who are you?" she repeated, her grip on her wand firm.

"What is that supposed to mean?" said Harry quickly, pretending to be looking offended.

"Exactly what it sounds like," she snapped, narrowing her eyes. "Ron was right – you show up all of a sudden, the day that there happens to be a Death Eater attack –"

"So?" retorted Draco. "That was a coincidence, just like Henry said." Harry winced. He had never referred to himself as Henry in Hermione's presence, only as Harry, but thankfully it looked as if she hadn't noticed.

"Oh, really?" said Hermione scathingly. "A coincidence?"

Draco didn't have any reaction, just stared coolly back at the girl who looked both terrified and determined.

"What is it that you're saying, Harmony?" Harry asked, bored. All of this could simply be reversed with a small Memory Charm or Imperious Curse.

"It's Hermione," she snapped. "And I want to know why he has the Dark Mark on his arm!" She pointed accusingly at Draco.

Draco opened his mouth to answer, but Harry said smoothly, "No, he doesn't."

Hermione rolled her eyes and hissed, "Yes he does! I saw it with my own eyes!"

"You're mistaken," Harry said. "What? Don't believe me? Don't you think I'd know if my own cousin was a Death Eater?"

Suddenly, a bright white light appeared in the compartment and all three yelped in alarm. A large cat suddenly appeared in the room, glowing silver. Harry immediately recognized the panther – it was Bellatrix's.

"Mother!" he exclaimed, forgetting that Hermione was in the compartment as well. "Are you coming to –"

Draco elbowed Harry and discreetly motioned to Hermione with his eyes.

"Henry, Draco," said the panther, speaking in Bellatrix's voice. Hermione stiffened; she obviously recognized the voice; after all, Bellatrix's insane lilt to her voice was hard to forget. "The Dark Lord will not allow me to come to Hogsmeade Station to pick you up."

Harry and Draco exchanged horrified looks and Draco said, "What?"

"He has a new mission for you; you are to remain at Hogwarts." Bellatrix's voice sounded strained and as if she was holding back a sob. "Lucius will meet you at Hogsmeade and deliver you a package from the Dark Lord that contains what you have to do and also has a means of communication in it. Unfortunately that is the only means of contact you will have with us. The Dark Lord wishes for you to tell Dumbledore that you have run away from home because you do not want to live the life of Death Eaters anymore –" At this Hermione let out a little yelp of alarm and made to move towards the door, but Draco swiftly stood and blocked it. "– You will probably have to use your Occlumency skills to get him to believe you, but I have faith that you will be able to do it." She paused and then added, "Good luck, Henry, darling. You too, Draco."

There was another bright flash of light and the panther disappeared.

Harry turned to his cousin to see Hermione was standing there, her mouth almost on the floor and was shaking.

"You're – you're Death Eaters!" she shouted, trying to run for the door, but Harry shot a quick Body-Binding Curse at her and she fell flat over, unable to move.

"Now, we can't have you blowing everything, can we?" said Harry quietly, his heart pounding at the news Bellatrix had just revealed.

"We should Oblivate her," Draco suggested. He looked rather pale and shocked at the news Bellatrix's Patronus had delivered.

Harry shook his head. "No, we've never learned how to do that properly."

"So?" Draco demanded. "Who cares?"

"I don't, but Dumbledore will suspect something when the girl shows up all loopy without a memory of who she is – remember that time we practiced on the prisoner in Riddle Manor?"

Draco grumbled and said, "That was an accident."

Harry sighed. "Okay, we'll just Imperiuse her –" Hermione's eyes grew even larger, but as she was frozen, she couldn't scream or make any sounds. "Here, hand me her wand and lock the door."

Draco nodded and with a wave of his wand, the door clicked lock and then he released the curse on Hermione. She shot to her feet immediately and said, loudly, "Don't touch me! DON'T TOUCH ME! Help!"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Silencio!" he said and instantly Hermione fell silent. "Now, be reasonable ... uh, what was your name again? Anyways, just calm down. Now, you heard that panther, and yes, it's true, my mother is Bellatrix Lestrange."

Hermione's eyes widened and she opened her mouth in a silent 'o' of terror.

"But, don't worry – what she said about 'being undercover at Hogwarts', or whatever it was, and all that isn't going to happen because ..." Here Harry sighed dramatically and continued, "Because she was right about one thing. The both of us have decided that the lives of Death Eaters are far too risky and we do want Dumbledore's protection." Here he shuddered and said, in a faraway voice, "You have no idea the horrors that the Dark Lord makes you do ..." He shook his head as if coming out of a trance and just happened to see Draco holding back chuckles at Harry's performance. "So if I remove this Silence spell, you won't start yelling again?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes and then nodded slowly. Harry waved his wand and the spell was lifted.

"I don't believe a word you just said," Hermione said immediately. "Besides the fact that this idiot here –" she motioned to Draco, who sobered immediately – "started to laugh his stupid head off as soon as you said you had turned away from You-Know-Who, you're a lousy liar."

Harry was offended – he was not a lousy liar. He shot a dark look at Draco, who was flushing with shame at being the reason Hermione had not bought Harry's excuse.

"And, as soon as I get off the train, I'm going straight to Dumbledore and telling him about you two."

"You wouldn't dare do that," said Harry smoothly.

Hermione looked shocked. "And why not?" she demanded.

"Because if you take one step towards Dumbledore, I'll just kill you," said Harry, as calmly as if he was telling Hermione to pass the pudding.

She paled. "No, you won't," she whispered.

"Really?" said Harry, smirking slightly. "Crucio!"

The spell hit Hermione directly in the chest and she collapsed to the floor with a piercing scream, writhing and twitching.

Harry lifted the curse after a few moments, leaving the girl lying on the floor, shaking. Finally, she looked up at Harry.

"Fine," she said, her voice shaking. "Just kill me then – I'm sure you can pass my death off as having happened in the Death Eater attack." Suddenly, she paused. "But, you can't do that, can you? I took you two to meet Ron and Neville and all of them and so they'll know right away that anything that happened to me would've had to have happened after the battle was over. And that would just completely blow your cover."

Huh. She was right. Damn it.

Harry and Draco exchanged a quick look and then lowered their wands. "Fine. Now, we've both got blackmail to use against each other," said Draco. "So we're even."

Hermione snorted. "What blackmail do you have against me?"

"Well, it's not blackmail necessarily, just a threat of death. That should keep you quiet, shouldn't it?"

She narrowed her eyes and didn't say anything for a few moments. "I'd rather die," she whispered.

Although Harry desperately did want to kill her for finding out that they were Death Eaters, he very well couldn't. It would blow their cover and, if he had guessed right, their job was going to be to get to know Neville Longbottom better and with Hermione already knowing him, it would be easier. And ... well, Harry had to admit she was smart and could help them out if they got her on their side.

"No," said Harry simply.

"No?" said Hermione and Draco, both a little surprised.

"No," Harry confirmed. At her bewildered look, he clarified, "You're much to amusing to kill ... um ...."

"Hermione," she snapped, finishing his sentence. "And thanks so much," she added dryly.

"But I will kill you if you breathe one word about us," he threatened. He paused. "And to make sure ... Draco, come here." Draco strode forward and stood beside Harry quizzically. Harry bent down beside Hermione and grasped her hand tightly.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked, trying to pull away, but she wasn't strong enough.

"Draco, we're going to do an Unbreakable Vow –" Hermione yelped and tried to tug away, but couldn't – "You'll be the Bonder."

Draco nodded and drew his wand.

"Sit up," Harry said roughly, pulling Hermione towards him and off lying on her side.

Draco kneeled on the floor in front of Hermione and Harry and pointed his wand at their grasped hands.

"Wait –" Hermione said, sounding panicked. "You can't make me do this!"

Harry smiled evilly. "It's this or a very painful death, girl. Now choose."

She looked terrified and made no movement. Harry took that as a yes, and he asked, "What's your name again?"

"It's Hermione Granger," Draco told Harry when Hermione said nothing.

Harry nodded. "Okay. Let's go, Draco." Draco pressed his wand to the grasped hands.

"Do you, Hermione Granger, vow that you will not tell anyone that Draco and I are Death Eaters?"

Hermione said nothing, but Harry clenched her hand tightly and Draco muttered, "Cruciatus Curse..."

"I will," she said finally, through tight teeth.

A tongue of fire shot from Draco's wand and wrapped itself around Harry and Hermione's hands.

Harry watched with fascination; he'd never seen an Unbreakable Vow done before. "Do you, Hermione Granger, vow that you will help us in the deed that has been assigned to us?"

Hermione gave Harry an extremely dirty look before muttering, "I will."

Another jet of fire shot of the wand and encircled their palms once more.

"Do you, Hermione Granger, agree to do everything we say in regards to this deed, to aid us in any way you can?"

This time she took a long time to answer. Finally, she murmured, "I will."

One final flame encircled their wrists. It burned brightly for several moments, although Harry couldn't feel it scorching him at all. Hermione watched it with a morbid face and when the fire finally turned into a dark glowing ember and finally disappeared, her face became even darker.

Harry released her hand and Hermione immediately backed away from him, leaning against the seat on the floor with her head in her hands. The cousins stood and Harry chanced a glance out the window and saw that it was very dark out now and he could just faintly see the twinkling of lights in the background. Harry, who had once wished to go to Hogwarts, was now thinking desperately of his mother in Lestrange Manor where he should be.

Draco was apparently having thoughts along the same lines because he looked up at his cousin and said, "Well, this is definitely going to be an interesting year."


Lily had arrived with the rest of the teachers at Hogsmeade Station and was waiting anxiously for the train to arrive.

She was trying hard not to think about what would happen if Jason was one of the five missing students and had so far succeeded.

Finally, a loud train horn sounded and from around the turn about a kilometre away appeared a small light from the train

The kilometre trip of the train seemed to take forever. Lily watched with bated breath as the train came to a halt at Hogsmeade Station. Almost immediately, the doors burst open and students came pouring out.

Professor McGonagall immediately took charge. "Everyone to your Head of Houses, immediately! First years, Hagrid will accompany you to the castle where you will quickly be Sorted and sent off to your Houses."

The Hufflepuffs immediately flocked to Professor Sprout and she whisked them away, followed by Snape and the Slytherins. Professor Sinistra, who had been the Ravenclaw Head of House since Flitwick retired, led the Ravenclaws away after they'd all joined her, but Professor McGonagall remained behind for a few moments, talking with the Aurors with grave faces.

Lily spotted a familiar head of hair standing with the Gryffindors and her heart leapt with joy. Forgetting the fact that Jason hated his mother making any fuss over him while at school, she ran over to him and gave him the tightest hug she had ever given him.

"Mum," said the exasperated voice of Jason from Lily's robes. "Really, I'm okay. You can let go of me now."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, now please let me go." Lily released her son and quickly scanned his entire body for any sign of harm. Apart from being very pale and shaken looking, he was fine. She kept her arm around him for a few minutes.

"And you're all right, Melinda?" Lily asked, addressing Jason's best friend. The little blond girl nodded and shivered, looking up at the castle longingly.

From the corner of Lily's eye, she spotted two boys standing with another Gryffindor girl Lily knew well named Hermione Granger. One of them, the dark haired one, had just finished slipping something into his pocket and was staring at a seemingly invisible spot with a morose expression.

Professor McGonagall also spotted these two boys and hurried over to them. Hermione said something to her and she nodded along with her for a few minutes. Hermione herself looked sick and very pale and she kept giving the dark haired boy a disgusted (and was that fear?) look.

"Very well," Professor McGonagall said, after Hermione had finished, her voice carrying over to where Lily stood. She sounded very disapproving. "Miss Granger, please rejoin the Gryffindors. Boys, follow me."

Professor McGonagall led the two boys over to where Lily stood with her son and Melinda. "Professor Potter will take you two up to see Professor Dumbledore," McGonagall stated, smiling gravelly at Lily.

Lily took her arm off from around Jason's shoulder and nodded at Professor McGonagall. "Yes, of course. Follow me, please."

She started off to the castle, the two boys trailing along in silence behind her. The dark haired one looked vaguely familiar, but Lily couldn't place her finger on where from, she kept silent.

The Thestral drawn carriages had almost completely gone and one remained for Lily and the two boys to take. Others, Lily could see, were on their way back from dropping off the Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, Slytherins and first years (for they would not travel on the lake this year).

Lily climbed up onto the carriages and looked to the boys. The two boys both stared at something for a few minutes and the blond one muttered, "Thestrals."

Lily was startled – these two could see the Thestrals? You could only see them if you had seen someone die and Lily was surprised that two fifteen year olds had seen someone die. But then, of course, they had just been on a train that had gotten attacked, with several of their fellow students getting murdered, so that must be why.

She suddenly felt a rush of sympathy for the two of them – no wonder they were so silent.

They clambered up as well and sat side by side, each with miserable expressions.

Suddenly, Lily recognized the boy.

"I saw you at Diagon Alley, didn't I?" said Lily, as the carriage started forward.

The black haired boy shrugged and muttered, "Yeah, I think so."

Sensing that they weren't in the mood to talk, Lily fell silent. Both boys were watching the approaching school with expressionless faces.

Once they arrived at the school, Lily led them up countless staircases, the boys looking more and more miserable as they went.

Finally, they reached Dumbledore's office and Lily said, "Acid Pops." The stone gargoyle sprung to life and she led them in.

She paused outside the door, almost making the two boys crash into her. She knocked and a tired voice said, "Come in."

Lily pushed the door open to reveal a magnificent office, with hundreds of portraits on the walls and a bright phoenix perched on a birdcage in the corner.

The two boys automatically stiffened as the same tired voice spoke. "Thank you, Lily. You may go see to the first years with Hagrid, if you wish."

Lily nodded and departed from the room, giving the two boys a small smile as she did.

After the redheaded teacher left, (who Harry recognized as Lily Potter, one of the Order members who had freed Sirius Black several years ago), Harry and Draco were left alone in their enemy's office.

Dumbledore's soft voice spoke from a little balcony above his desk. "Well, well, who do we have here?"


A/N: The end of another chapter and you know what that means! Please, please review! Oh and I have a quick question for everyone out there – I got a review that says 'flott saga' ... I don't know what that means!? I put it into Google translate and it came back as being Hungarian meaning 'valid saga' ... I'm still confused!

Oh and a Happy Holidays to everyone who reads this story!!! This is my present to you and so if everyone who reads writes a review for me, that would be fantastical!

Happy Holidays!