Author's note: Thank you for all the hits, follows & comments! I really appreciate the support. A bit of a shorter chapter today, but my muse was insistent that the chapter was complete as is. Who am I to argue?
Ron was surprised to discover that Draco had been tasked with killing Dumbledore. It was somewhat terrifying and exhilarating to plan the death of someone so powerful. It would assure him a spot in the history books and at the Dark Lord's side. His fame was already being forged as promised. Ron reviewed the ideas that Draco had in ending the old man. Ron quickly dismissed them all. Really? Poisoned mead? A cursed necklace? They all seemed too juvenile to actually work. No, they needed a different plan. One that had a better chance of succeeding without one or both of them ending up dead.
People might question his intelligence, but Ron knew strategy. Not even Hermione could beat him at wizard's chess. He may be prone to rash decisions and letting his emotions get the best of him, but when he put his mind to it, he could easily see the board and the players moving across it. The more information he gathered, the clearer the board got.
"This won't work, none of it will," Ron said from his spot on the couch in front of a roaring fire. They'd chosen the Room of Requirement as their base of operations. Harry's map couldn't track him there, so he wouldn't have to worry about arousing suspicion. Draco glared at the other boy from where he was perched on the other end of the couch.
"And why the bloody hell not, Weasley?" Draco snapped back. "You proposing we just quit?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "No, of course not. I'm just saying that these plans won't work. Too many variables, too many chances for the mission to go tits up and expose us."
"Ok, if you're so smart, what's your plan," the blond sneered.
"I don't have one yet. Give a few minutes, damn!" Both the boys glared at one another.
"What about the vanishing cabinet?" Draco asked.
Ron thought for a second. "It may be helpful, but not where it is now."
"What do you mean? It's hidden, it's safe. No one will find it," the blond said.
"That's not the issue. Do you really want Death Eaters roaming the halls of Hogwarts?" Ron asked.
Draco let out a quick laugh. "Death Eaters are already roaming the halls of Hogwarts," he said pointing between himself and the red head. "Well, junior Death Eater in your case," he added smirking.
"That's not what I meant, and you know it," Ron said raising his voice. God, he was getting sick of this ferret. "My sister is here. Hermione is here. You think either of them would sit out if fighting started? It's not bloody likely. Plus, my friends are here. Hell, you must have some friends around here. Can you guarantee that none of them will happen along a Death Eater if they were in the castle?"
Draco scowled and looked away. "I didn't think so," Ron grinned triumphantly. "We need to take this out of the castle. We can't kill Dumbledore on his own turf where he has allies, where he has access to countless resources. It's too much of risk,"
"So, where do you propose we do this?" the blond sounded bored and irritated in equal measures.
"I don't know," the other boy replied. "It doesn't have to be far."
"Hogsmead?" Draco suggested.
"Too many people to get in the way."
"Forbidden forest?"
"Maybe," Ron replied. "Let me think on it a bit."
"Well, that could take forever," Draco said standing from the couch and smoothing his robes. "When do you want to meet again?"
Ron looked up to the other boy, "I don't know. Give me a few days."
Draco nodded. "Where's Potter now? I won't run into him on the other side of the door will I?"
Ron fished the Marauder's Map out of his book bag and unfolded it. He quickly spoke a few words, and the boys watched as the map came to life.
"I still can't believe the prick's had this since third year," Draco groused.
"Yeah, the rules really don't apply to Harry. I bet Dumbledore knows he has it and doesn't care." The ginger responded as he scanned the map. "There he is. Looks like him and Hermione went to visit Hagrid. It's safe to leave."
"Well, at least he's gullible. Just let me know the next time you take a shift to spy on me, and we'll meet up," Draco said as he headed out the door.
Ron folded the map back up and stood to leave. He thought he might just head down to Hagrid's himself, and tell Harry that he was once again unsuccessful. Draco was right. It really was a good thing Harry was gullible.