A/N - Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! Enjoy!

Chapter 15

Prophecy Revealed

"I do not like this," Lucius said for the third time.

"I'm well aware," Draco replied, as he pulled on his robes. He flinched slightly and Lucius had to force himself not to step forward.

"You should still be resting," Lucius protested.

"The Dark Lord told me a week and it has been a week. I need to hand off Granger's letter and then report to him. It's better this way, than waiting for him to call. You know that."

"And if he punishes you?" Lucius asked. This was his biggest fear; that the Dark Lord would torture his son when Draco was not yet fully recovered and cause further injury.

"I will deal with it, Father," Draco said.

Lucius stared at his son and finally nodded. He could do nothing else. The Dark Lord would not accept Lucius standing in for Draco. He would punish both of them and force Draco back into service anyway. Lucius knew this but it did not make him want to protect his son any less.

Once Draco was dressed, he held out his hand for Miss Granger's letter. Lucius passed it to him reluctantly.

"When are letting Granger see the Weasleys?" Draco asked. Lucius frowned.

"I had not yet decided if I will." Draco rolled his eyes.

"Just do it, Father."

"The risk-" Lucius began but Draco interrupted with a scoff.

"Is basically nonexistent." The two stared at one another. Lucius knew his son was right. And he found that there was no real reason not to allow it, that he wanted to as a matter of fact. He was having a hard time reconciling that, however.

"Perhaps this afternoon," Lucius finally said. Draco smiled.

"Good." The smile slid from his face and Lucius knew Draco had pulled up his Occlumency shields. "I need to go." Lucius nodded and then put a hand on his son's arm.

"You will be careful."

"I'm always careful," Draco replied. And then he summoned his mask, tucking it into the inside pocket of his robes in case the Dark Lord should send him out on a mission immediately. Lucius watched Draco walk from the room, wishing again that he could protect him from all of this.

"Besides the silencing spell, I must also put you in a body bind," Lucius said as Miss Granger stood in his study. He had collected her a short time ago and brought her, Disillusioned, to the room.

"For what possible reason?" she asked indignantly.

"Will you be able to remain perfectly still when you see her?" Lucius asked. He had decided to hide Miss Granger behind the heavy curtains and cast the same transparency spell on them that he used on her door. Disillusionment charms could be detected if they caught the light, so it was better if she were hidden. But Lucius had doubts that Miss Granger would be able to remain perfectly still when Molly Weasley entered. He would not take the chance that a twitch of the curtains would be noticed.

"I," Miss Granger began, clearly intending to protest. She sighed a moment later. "I can't promise." Lucius nodded.

"It is for everyone's safety," he said.

"I know," she said.

"I will wait until she knocks to cast the spells." Miss Granger looked at him in surprise at the thought of her comfort. He forced the indifferent look to remain on his face, all the while inwardly scowling at himself.

"Thank you," she finally said. He did not respond and busied himself ushering her behind the curtain. He placed a sticking charm on her feet so she would not topple over when he put her in the body bind. Then, he cast the transparency spell.

"Are you able to see the door?

"Yes," she replied. He nodded once and then moved to his desk and settled into his chair. The knock came a few minutes later. Turning back to Miss Granger, Lucius cast the body bind and the silencing spell and then dropped the wards on the door.

Hermione stood perfectly still, only her eyes able to move as she watched Mrs. Weasley walk into the room.

"On the table, please," Mr. Malfoy said, looking down at the parchment on his desk.

Hermione stared as Mrs. Weasley settled the tea tray on the table, cataloging everything she could. Mrs. Weasley looked thinner and older than she had the last time Hermione had seen her. Her eyes had lost their sparkle and her face looked a bit drawn. Hermione drank her in. Mrs. Weasley looked up at Mr. Malfoy, but he didn't acknowledge her. Then she turned and walked to the door. Hermione wanted to scream at her to wait, to stay just a few minutes longer, but of course she couldn't. Although she hadn't wanted him to, it was a good idea Mr. Malfoy had put her in the body bind. Otherwise, Hermione knew she would not have been able to control herself. She just wanted to sink into one of Mrs. Weasley's hugs and not let go.

When the older woman had left, Mr. Malfoy quickly cancelled all the charms on her. It was then that Hermione realized she was crying. Not sobbing as she had the day before, but silent tears made their way down her cheeks. She stepped out from behind the curtains and looked at him.

Hermione couldn't tell what, exactly, the look on his face meant. He rarely showed any emotion around her unless it was irritation or anger. But now he looked…concerned or something like it. He took a step towards her and then stopped. She tried to stem the tears, but they just kept coming. She wiped at her face and then looked up startled, as something touched her hand. He was holding out a handkerchief towards her.

"Thank you," she managed and wiped her face, trying to compose herself. When she looked up again, he was still staring at her with that strange look on his face. She returned his gaze, a small part of her wondering why she didn't want to look away from him. Finally, he cleared his throat.

"Would you like tea?" Hermione pulled in a breath and wiped the last few tears from her face.

"Yes, thank you." He gestured towards the chairs and Hermione claimed one. He settled in the other and prepared the tea in silence, handing her a cup. He knew how she took it by now, but Hermione hid a smile behind her cup all the same.

After they had sat in silence for a time, both drinking their tea and eating a bit of the food provided, Hermione looked over at him.

"Thank you for allowing me to see her," she said quietly. He tipped his head in acknowledgement.

"Miss Weasley usually spends a portion of her evenings in the conservatory," he said. "I can collect you after my supper." Hermione nodded, just as eager to see her friend as she had been Mrs. Weasley. It wasn't anywhere near the same as speaking with them, hugging them, sitting with them. But at least she got a chance to see for herself that they were whole and well, physically anyway. And for that she was grateful.

She had meant what she said to Mr. Malfoy earlier. It wasn't that she didn't trust him when he said they were all right and hadn't been mistreated. She did believe him, which had surprised her when she first thought it. But she couldn't deny that it was true. It was different seeing them for herself though.

They finished their tea, not really speaking and then Mr. Malfoy stood to return her to her room. Hermione held out the handkerchief to him.

"Keep it," he said. "You may need it again later." She smiled and tucked it into the pocket of her robes. He cleared his throat and then drew his wand, Disillusioning her once more. Instead of grasping her arm as he had when he brought her to his study earlier, he slipped her arm through his. Hermione froze for a moment at the gesture, then forced herself to relax. He was a Pureblood; this was just manners and didn't mean anything.

She walked from the study with him as they headed towards the back staircase. Hermione's free hand strayed to her pocket and she fingered the handkerchief inside as they moved silently towards her room.

"He has not returned?" Severus asked, once he was in Lucius' study.

"No," Lucius replied. Draco had been gone for the entire afternoon and it was now nearly supper.

"I am sure the Dark Lord just sent him on a mission immediately," Severus said. "He would expect Draco to prove himself once again."

Lucius nodded vaguely. It was something the Dark Lord would do. Still, Lucius couldn't help the thoughts that continued to run through his mind. Various scenarios in which Draco was tortured, injured or worse would not leave him alone.

Severus pressed a glass of Firewhiskey into Lucius' hand. Lucius had not even noticed him going to the drinks cabinet, so preoccupied was he. Severus sat down in the chair next to his and they both drank in silence for several minutes.

"You must-" Severus began, but was interrupted by a flinch from Lucius. Lucius stood quickly, setting his glass on the table.

"The wards?" Severus asked. Lucius nodded and hurried to the door. Severus remained where he was, although Lucius knew that the other man wanted to see Draco as much as Lucius did.

He quickly made his way to the entry hall to find his son leaning against the back of the door. Draco looked pale and there appeared to be a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead. When he saw his father, he smiled wanly and leaned a bit to the left.

"Draco," Lucius said rushing towards him.

"I'm fine," Draco said as Lucius grasped his arms.

"The hell you are," Lucius snapped. He pulled Draco's arm over his shoulder and began to make his way back to the study. It was closer than Draco's rooms and Lucius wasn't sure his son would make it up the stairs.

When they reached the study, Lucius helped Draco to a chair. Severus had risen when they entered the room, looking at Draco in concern.

"What happened?" Lucius demanded once Draco was seated.

"He sent me out on reconnaissance with Rabastan," Draco said. Lucius frowned. Draco had been sent on many such missions since the Dark Lord took power, but it was almost always with another junior Death Eater, not a member of the Inner Circle.

"It was a test?" Severus asked.

"No, a punishment," Draco said with a snort. Lucius saw that one sleeve of Draco's robes was singed.

"You dueled?" Lucius questioned. Draco nodded.

"I wouldn't exactly call it dueling when my movement was restricted and I was blinded. Rabastan got a few hits in as you can see. Not as many as he wanted to though. Turns out my shields are better than he expected," he said with a small laugh. Then he winced and Severus immediately cast a diagnostic.

"Ribs," Severus said, "one cracked, two bruised. Also, the burn on his arm and a large contusion on his left thigh. I will return." Severus swept from the room to retrieve the appropriate potions and salves.

"Why?" Lucius asked.

"Dolohov," Draco replied. Lucius' eyes narrowed.

"He does not suspect-" but Draco was already shaking his head.

"No, he still thinks Weasley did it. But if I had captured Weasley like I should have Dolohov would be alive."

"Did the Dark Lord punish you?"

"First, but it was brief," Draco said. "Then sent me off with Rabastan for the non-existent mission." Lucius frowned. The Dark Lord had done things like this before, but early on in the First War. He had enjoyed pitting his followers against one another and usually it happened when more than one of them were not in his good graces. Since his return, however, the Dark Lord had always preferred to express his displeasure with his followers himself.

"What had Rabastan done to displease him?"

"Probably nothing," Draco replied. "But Theo told me he got sent out with Yaxley two days ago. Same treatment." Severus came back into the room and started handing Draco vials. Lucius quickly informed Severus of what had happened. Severus raised an eyebrow and Lucius nodded once. Both had been subjected to the same thing during the first war, Severus shortly after he was Marked.

Draco handed Severus the empty vials and then sighed and sank back further into the chair. Severus pulled a pot of burn salve from his pocket and handed it to Lucius. Helping Draco with his robes, Lucius rubbed the salve into the burn on Draco's arm.

"Did he watch?" Severus asked after Lucius was finished. Severus also had bruise paste, but Draco insisted he would apply it himself in his rooms.

"No," Draco said. "Or at least I didn't see him anywhere." Lucius and Severus exchanged a look over Draco's head. This was also a departure from normal practice. Even when the Dark Lord had been utilizing this method in the First War, he had always been present. Most of the Death Eaters had as well. It had been considered entertainment.

"Let me help you to your rooms," Lucius said, but Draco shook his head.

"I'm fine." His eyelids drooped and Lucius glanced at Severus in question. Severus nodded. He'd given Draco a sleeping draught then.

"Just a mild one," Severus said. Lucius transfigured the chair so it would recline and then propped Draco's feet up on the ottoman. Lucius glanced at the clock above the mantel. It was time to deliver Miss Granger's supper.

"I will stay," Severus said. Lucius nodded his thanks and with one last look at his son, left the room.

Hermione stared at her friend. Ginny was curled up on a chaise lounge with a book. She didn't look like she was reading it however. Ginny was staring across the room, seeming lost in thought. It was a bit difficult to read her expression, given they were on the second floor balcony looking down, but Ginny looked a bit sad. Hermione was sure she had plenty of reasons to be.

Both she and Mr. Malfoy were Disillusioned and Hermione was silenced. He had not put her in the body bind this time as there was virtually no chance they would be seen standing in the shadows of a large potted plant. The sun had nearly set and the wall sconces did not provide enough light to expose their hiding place.

It was harder to tell from this distance, but Hermione felt that Ginny was much too thin. The younger woman had always had an athletic type of build, but now it seemed as if she had lost all muscle tone. Far from the vibrant, feisty, self-confident girl she had always been, Ginny now seemed fragile and unsure. Knowing what Hermione did of where Ginny had been held before coming to the Malfoys, Hermione wasn't surprised.

She felt Mr. Malfoy gently pull her towards the door of the balcony. Hermione looked back over her shoulder one last time as Ginny sighed and curled further into a ball, the book completely forgotten on the floor.

Mr. Malfoy did not drop the charms on them until they had reached Hermione's room. She reached into the pocket of her robes for the handkerchief he had given her earlier as the tears were once again rolling down her cheeks. He stood quietly while she attempted to compose herself. Although he made no move to physically touch her, his presence was comforting all the same. The thought surprised her a bit, but she couldn't deny that it was true.

"Thank you," she finally said once she had gotten a bit of control over her emotions. He frowned.

"Perhaps it was not the best idea," he said.

"No, I'm glad I saw them," she insisted. "It upset me, yes, but I still needed it." He stared at her for a moment before he nodded in acknowledgement.

"Ginny is very thin," she said a few moments later. She saw him stiffen and realized that he must have taken it as an accusation. "I know that isn't your fault. I'm sure that she has access to whatever she wants to eat."

"I am not aware of how many meals she takes," he said, visibly relaxing. "I am sure her mother encourages her to eat." Hermione nodded.

"Has she," Hermione paused, biting her lip. He looked at her and did not seem angry. She decided to forge ahead. "Has she seen a Healer?"

"Yes," he replied. "I summoned one as soon as she was brought to the Manor." Once again, Hermione was surprised. He must have seen the expression on her face because he scowled.

"I'm sorry," she said quickly. She didn't want him to storm off again. "Of course, you would have called a Healer for her." He gazed at her for a few moments before he sighed.

"No," he said. "I do not blame you for your surprise." Hermione managed not to let her mouth fall open at this admission, but only just. "Our past…interactions did not paint me in a very positive light." She snorted at the understatement, then immediately looked at him expecting to see his temper on full display. Instead, one of the corners of his mouth quirked up in a wry smile. It was so unexpected, she couldn't help but return it.

He collected himself seconds later, that indifferent mask once again on his face. It didn't matter, she had still seen the hint of the smile and she wasn't going to forget it.

"I have something to attend to," he said and she nodded. He turned towards the door.

"Mr. Malfoy?" she said. He stopped and looked at her over his shoulder. "Thank you again."

"You are welcome," he said quietly and then left the room. Hermione stared at the closed door for a few minutes after he'd left, small smile playing about her lips, before she turned to ready herself for bed.

Draco was awake when Lucius returned to his study. His son and Severus were talking quietly when Lucius walked in.

"How are you feeling?" Lucius asked.

"I'm fine," Draco replied. "The potions and salves did their job. How did things go with Granger?"

"There were no complications," Lucius said. He chose not to disclose the emotion that Miss Granger displayed. It was not something they needed to know.

"I handed off her letter," Draco continued. "They've likely gotten it by now."

"I am sure that she will be relieved to know that," Lucius said. Draco stared at him strangely for a moment and Severus raised a brow. Lucius immediately changed the subject.

"Did the Dark Lord give you any indication as to when you would be called again?"

"No," Draco replied. "Did you expect him to?"

"I suppose not," Lucius said. "Are you hungry? I can have something prepared."

"Not really," Draco said attempting to stifle a yawn.

"You should rest," Lucius said. Draco rolled his eyes.

"It's only half eight."

"Still, you have no idea what the Dark Lord has planned and you are still recovering."

"You're coddling again, Father," Draco said with sigh but he did not protest further. As he rose from the chair, Lucius forced himself not to hover.

"Good night then," Draco said as he walked to the study door. Both Lucius and Severus bade him good night. When the door was shut behind him, Lucius turned to Severus.

"His injuries are healed?"

"Yes," Severus replied. "They were relatively minor given the circumstances."

"The Dark Lord cannot afford to incapacitate more of his followers."

"Indeed," Severus agreed. He stared at Lucius for a few moments.

"Is there something you require?" Lucius asked dryly.

"Miss Granger will be relieved?"

"You do not think she will?"

"Most certainly," Severus replied. "I just did not realize that you cared."

"I care only for the fact that she will be much more cooperative when she knows that we have done as we promised." Severus studied him passively, but Lucius could see the inner smirk. He ignored it and turned to the sideboard. "Brandy?"

"Thank you," Severus said. Lucius busied himself pouring the drinks. When he gave Severus his glass the damnable smirk was actually on his face.

"Something amusing?" Lucius asked, raising a brow.

"Not at all, Lucius," Severus replied. "Not at all." Lucius refused to rise to the bait and talk turned to other things. He did not think for a moment, however, that his friend would let this go.

Hermione couldn't help the gasp that escaped the next morning when Mr. Malfoy brought her to the library. Draco was sitting in one of the armchairs, paging through a large, very old book. He glanced up at her arrival and she smiled at him. His brow furrowed, seeming not to understand her reaction.

"I'm glad to see you're all right," she said as she walked into the seating area. Draco glanced quickly at his father and then back to her.

"I didn't know you cared, Granger," he drawled. She frowned and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I don't particularly, Malfoy," she retorted. "I was trying to be polite." They stared at one another for a moment before Draco chuckled.

"You're still entertaining, Granger," he said with a smirk. She glared at him. "But the sentiment is appreciated." Hermione shook her head and then indicated the book in his hands.

"Are you joining us, then?"

"When I can," he replied. "I'm checking the books Father couldn't remove the curses from." Hermione stiffened for a moment when the cursed books were mentioned but forced herself to relax. It wasn't Mr. Malfoy's fault that his ancestors had put the curses on the books. Despite his beliefs, Hermione didn't think that he had done any of it. She had no evidence for this, of course, but she believed it all the same.

"Which I must resume examining," Mr. Malfoy said. He swept off towards the stacks and Hermione sat down at the table, pulling the book she had been looking through yesterday towards her.

She and Draco read in silence for a time. Hermione glanced his way occasionally, but he always seemed to be concentrating on his book. She wanted to ask him about Ginny, but she wasn't sure how much he knew about what had happened to her friend since the younger woman arrived here. She assumed that the Weasleys mostly kept to themselves.

"Is there some reason you continue to watch me, Granger?" Draco said a few moments later, not taking his eyes from his book.

"I wanted to ask you about Ginny," Hermione blurted out. Draco slowly lowered the book to his lap.

"What about her?"

"How is she?"

"You assume I know, because?"

"She lives in your house!" Hermione said in exasperation.

"Have you seen the size of this house, Granger?" Draco said. She could hear thesmirk in his voice. "Besides, my father lives here too. Have you asked him?"

"Of course, I have," she said. "It's obvious he has little contact with her."

"Then why would I?"

"She was given to you, wasn't she?" Hermione snapped. She swore in her head. She hadn't meant to sound that accusatory.

"And you assume I've taken advantage, do you?" he retorted, eyes narrowed.

"No," Hermione said, forcing herself to calm. He snorted derisively. "I don't, Draco." The use of his first name obviously shocked him for he stilled and stared at her. "I just thought that maybe you might know something that your father doesn't. You have to have had some interaction with her." Draco was silent for so long that Hermione assumed he wasn't going to answer. She sighed and turned back to her book.

"She doesn't eat enough," Draco finally said. Hermione turned back to him, hoping she was keeping the surprise off her face. He was staring off across the library. Hermione waited for him to continue. When he didn't, she spoke.

"What happened to her?" Hermione asked softly. Draco glanced up at her and then looked down at his lap. Hermione continued. "I know that she was given to Lestrange to punish Mrs. Weasley after she killed Bellatrix." Hermione saw Draco swallow and then he shuddered. She wasn't sure that she really wanted to know.

"She had a chain around her neck when I found her," Draco said. "I had to stun her to get her here because she wouldn't let me touch her." Hermione's stomach clenched and she felt a lump form in her throat.

"She fought when I tried to take her arm so I could bring her to her mother. She bit me, actually." A ghost of a smile crossed his face. "Even when her mother first approached her, she cowered like a beaten dog. We didn't see her for weeks after that."

Hermione felt like she might be sick. She couldn't imagine what her friend had gone through at the hands of Rodolphus Lestrange. Well, she could imagine, but she didn't want to. Hermione had no idea how someone recovered from something like that. It was good that Ginny had her mother; it was probably the best thing for her. For both of them, actually.

"How did she come to be here?" Hermione asked. "Your father told me that Lestrange is dead."

"The Dark Lord offered me a reward," Draco replied. "I asked for her." Hermione stared at him in shock.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you ask for her?" Draco shrugged.

"Rodolphus was dead. She would have been given to someone. Rabastan prefers men, but I had no idea if he would do something to her if she were left there. I figured the Dark Lord would agree."

"How is she now?" Hermione asked, then shook her head. "Sorry, you probably don't see her much."

"I see her enough," Draco replied. Hermione studied him for a few moments. She wasn't sure what, exactly, he meant by that. There had been something on his face when he said that Ginny didn't eat enough. Concern, yes, but something else too.

"She's still jumpy," he continued. "I'm sure she has nightmares. She…copes as much as the rest of us, I suppose." Hermione nodded. They fell into silence for a few minutes. Hermione felt like crying again, but she forced the tears back.

Thank you," she said. Draco looked at her strangely.

"For what?"

"For saving her." He blushed slightly and Hermione couldn't help a small smile at that. He looked away from her and picked up his book again.

"Are you finished interrogating me, Granger?"

"Yes," she replied, smile still on her face. He rolled his eyes and returned to his book, studiously ignoring her.

Hermione wandered down the row, scanning titles as she did so. She should probably be going about this more methodically so as not to miss anything, but her mind was wandering again.

Ever since she had found out the Weasleys' fate, she couldn't stop thinking about the rest of her classmates. Who had been taken by Death Eaters? Who was in Azkaban? Who was dead? Were those that were taken treated well, like Ginny and Mrs. Weasley were? Somehow Hermione doubted that. It was far more likely they were treated as Ginny had been when she was with Lestrange.

Hermione paused to pull a book from the shelf. Flipping through it, she grimaced at some of the illustrations, then returned it to its place. She wondered how many of these books Mr. Malfoy had read, how many of the spells inside he had used. Somehow, Hermione doubted that Draco had much to do with them. Despite what he had done sixth year, and all his bluster and bravado when they were students, he had never seemed the type to embrace Dark Magic. While Hermione would have once been sure the opposite was true about Draco's father, since coming here she wasn't so sure.

She was quite sure he had joined Voldemort willingly, but she wondered if he would do it again if given the chance. She had come to suspect that he wouldn't. Not just because of the death of his wife, although Hermione was sure that would have been a motivating factor. And she knew that the man had likely not given up his prejudices against Muggles and Muggle-borns, but something told her that he regretted his choice, just as Professor Snape had.

It made her wonder if there were other Death Eaters that regretted it as well. She was sure the number wasn't large, people like the Lestranges certainly had no regrets. But perhaps there were a few. Maybe some of the prisoners weren't suffering as Ginny had. Hermione could only hope.

She reached the end of the row and turned to the left. As she came around the corner, she saw Mr. Malfoy at the opposite end, wand swirling in a complex pattern as he disabled the curses on some of the books. She moved back so she was mostly hidden by the shelves and watched him.

He had a look of intense concentration on his face and his wand moved fluidly through the air as he spoke an incantation in Latin. It wasn't one she had heard before, but that did not surprise her. She hadn't studied much about breaking curses and hexes, having been more concerned with wards and protection spells on the Horcrux hunt, not to mention trying to figure out how to destroy them.

There was almost an art to it, Hermione decided, as she continued to observe Mr. Malfoy. He had the same elegance to his spell casting as he brought to everything else. That thought brought her up short. What on earth was she doing, thinking about his elegance? Why did she even think he was elegant in the first place? Hermione shook her head and moved back into the previous row she had been in.

Obviously, being stuck here and having little contact with anyone besides Mr. Malfoy was making her barmy. These were not thoughts one had about their jailer, even if they had become relatively pleasant to be around.

No, no, no, Hermione admonished herself. This was mad, she just needed to get back to her research. This was the result of not focusing on the task at hand. Hermione turned resolutely back to the shelves in front of her and selected a stack of books to carry back to her table.

Lucius settled into a chair with a sigh. It would soon be time to collect the tea tray, but he had finally finished the Dark Arts section and wanted to relax for a few minutes. Draco had been called again just before lunch. He had returned suffering the aftereffects of the Cruciatus, but the Dark Lord had been relatively light on both the intensity and the duration. After a potion and a short rest, Draco had been much improved. He was still suffering the effects of Dolohov's curse, of course, but he had been cleared by the Healer to eat light meals. He was still on the potions regimen and would continue for another few days. After resting, Draco had rejoined them in the library.

Lucius was not sure what had transpired between Draco and Miss Granger this morning, although he suspected that Miss Granger had questions about Miss Weasley. Lucius did not know how the discussion had gone, but there had been no shouting, so he assumed it had been at least somewhat amicable.

Now, Draco looked over at him after closing the book he had been reading.

"Anything?" Lucius asked.

"No," Draco replied with his own sigh. "I don't know how you keep doing this every day. It's rather discouraging."

"To be fair, I have mostly been concentrating on removing curses from books. I have done very little research myself."

"Granger then," Draco said. The woman in question was off perusing the stacks. "I always knew that she loved the library and research, but this is ridiculous. We don't even know exactly what we're looking for."

Lucius did not respond. His son wasn't wrong. They could look for years and still not find answers.

"We should just try to kill him," Draco said. "At least we would know then."

"And if we failed?" Lucius replied. "Our lives would be forfeit." Draco shrugged and Lucius' eyes narrowed. Draco met his gaze and Lucius' lips thinned.

"I will not allow you to think like this," Lucius said. Draco snorted.

"I don't think you have any kind of control over my thoughts, Father." Lucius continued to stare at his son. His look was severe, but inside, his stomach was clenching. He had known that Draco was taking risks for some time, but he had not thought it because his son had some kind of death wish.

"Draco," Lucius began but Draco sighed and rolled his eyes.

"I'm not going to do something stupid." Lucius almost argued that plenty of things Draco had already done were stupid, but he held his tongue.

"Your mother would never forgive me if you did," Lucius said. "Do you wish her to torture me for eternity?" Draco smirked and Lucius relaxed slightly.

"I would enjoy seeing that, actually."

"I am sure you would," Lucius said dryly. Draco laughed at that and Lucius felt the ball of tension in his stomach unfurl.

"Are you sure the prophecy didn't give you anything more specific?"

"Draco," Lucius hissed, immediately looking around to see if Miss Granger had returned without them hearing her.

"I still don't understand why you haven't told her yet," Draco said, ignoring his father's warning.

"We are not discussing this here," Lucius snapped.

"What does it matter if she knows now?" Draco continued. "She's already agreed to work with us, so the prophecy has already been set in motion." Lucius glared at his son and Draco rolled his eyes again. "Fine, fine. But I think you should tell her."

Hermione walked back towards her table with another few books. She had to admit that she was getting a bit discouraged by her lack of progress. Although, she couldn't exactly say that she supposed, since she still wasn't sure what she was looking for, exactly.

It was extremely frustrating to know that they didn't really know anything. There could be a thousand reasons why Voldemort had survived after his Horcruxes were destroyed. Anything from some new spell he had invented to something as simple as no one actually trying to hit him with the Killing Curse.

Hermione thought about the latter. She and Ron hadn't seen the end of the battle. They had already been taken away by Mr. Weasley's Portkey, so she had no idea if Voldemort had even been present or if he had still been hiding in the Forest. It was likely he was there; he would have wanted to gloat about killing Harry. Hermione's heart clenched as it always did when she thought about her best friend. So, had anyone tried to kill Voldemort? And if not, why? She would need to ask Draco or Mr. Malfoy about it.

If no one had tried and it was something as simple as casting the Killing Curse at Voldemort, then it could be over. Ron must have gotten her letter by now. They could rally the Light and take out Voldemort for good. Hermione didn't know why she hadn't thought about this before. It was so simple!

That thought stopped her cold. Of course, the Malfoys or Professor Snape would have thought about this already. It was such a simple solution; they might have even attempted it. Although if they had, they probably wouldn't be here right now. Voldemort wouldn't have ignored one of his followers throwing the Killing Curse at him. Unless they had hidden themselves and he didn't know who had actually cast it

But that didn't make sense either. One of the biggest issues the Light had had was not knowing where Voldemort was. Because the Horcruxes were destroyed, they knew that Voldemort was mortal and anyone should be able to kill him. That was one of the reasons they suspected he rarely made an appearance in public and laid false trails as to where he was residing. The Light didn't have enough people to attack all the possible locations at once. If no one but his Death Eaters knew where he was, he would immediately suspect one of them of attempting to kill him. And everyone knew that a bit of Legilimency would have likely exposed the culprit. Hermione had no idea if Draco and Mr. Malfoy knew Occlumency at all or if they did, how proficient they were at it.

Even though it seemed unlikely they hadn't thought of it, she would ask them. It couldn't hurt anything. Decided, she continued towards her table with her newest books, wondering what would be for tea today. Ever since she had discovered Mrs. Weasley was the one cooking, Hermione had looked forward to tea even more. The woman definitely had her faults, but her cooking was not one of them.

Rounding the last corner, Hermione heard Draco and Mr. Malfoy talking. She paused before she revealed herself. She shouldn't eavesdrop, she knew that, but she did it all the same.

"Are you sure the prophecy didn't give you anything more specific?" Draco said. Hermione frowned. Prophecy? What prophecy?

"Draco," Mr. Malfoy hissed, warning clear in his tone. Hermione stepped a bit further back into the shadows of the stacks. Whatever they were talking about, Mr. Malfoy clearly didn't want to be overheard.

"I still don't understand why you haven't told her yet," Draco said. Hermione's mouth thinned. Well, whatever the prophecy was, they didn't want her to know about it. She wondered why. If it had something to do with destroying Voldemort, shouldn't she have all the information?

"We are not discussing this here," Mr. Malfoy snapped.

"What does it matter if she knows now?" Draco continued. "She's already agreed to work with us, so the prophecy has already been set in motion." Hermione stiffened. The prophecy obviously did have something to do with Voldemort. And she had set it in motion. Which meant it had something to do with her, too.

"Fine, fine. But I think you should tell her," Draco said. Hermione was furious. How dare they keep something like this from her! She stepped out from between the shelves and turned her fury on the both of them.

"Yes, I think you should tell her," she said.