England. Granger's home. Hermione packed her school stuff, her clothes and bags. After that, she sat at the edge of her bed. Tired of packing. If the Ministry of Magic allowed students to use their magic under age, she will use it right away and she won't be tired like this.

Packing all your school stuff is the most tiring thing to do.

The next chapter of Hermione Granger's life. She will be in her Sixth year. She hadn't told her parents about last year. About how Harry lost his Godfather, Sirius Black. About how she and others battle with the Death Eaters.

Oh no, she won't tell them.. not like this, she won't tell until it's safe to be told. That's right. From the beginning she steps her foot in Hogwarts until now, lots of trouble she, Harry and Ron caused.

Not a single word Hermione told her parents. Like she says, until it's safe to be told.

She sighed out loud, laid on her bed. She was about to close her eyes and Mrs Granger downstairs called her.

"Hermione dear.. come down quick!" Her eyes wide open, jumped off the bed. Hermione rushed down. "There you are, come..."

Mr. Granger hears both girls of his life rushing into the living room. He changed the TV channel from animal lover to news on screen.

He shows Hermione the news of what happened in London today. There was footage caught on camera, something made the bridge crumble into the Thames, the image horrifyingly of people running to save themselves. The bridge then crashes on the river.

This is not an unnatural disaster. It was the Death Eaters doing. They are now attacking the muggles.

"Can you believe this? Firstly, people saw a Vortex of strangely ominous clouds hanging high in the sky, over the city, and now this". said Mr. Granger shook his head. "Could be their fault, too much weight. They should be on a diet I suppose".

Hermione gives her dad a fake smile. Mr. Granger turns. "Am I right sweetheart? They should start on a diet".

"What could be possibly between the diet and the vortex clouds they have seen earlier".

Chuckles. "Dad.. it was a construction problem. Not because of their weight". She lied. "If I were there too, that would mean I need to diet too".

"Of course not sweetheart. You're perfect. Construction eh? Maybe. But it doesn't seem.. Never mind. So, are you heading to Burrow?"

She nodded. "You pretty much like to spend your time with the Weasley's. Well, I love the family. Especially Mr. Weasley, how he is so fond of us. Your mum says you probably end up with one of the Weasley's boys".

"Dad.. no. I'd never thought of anything. Ron is like my brother and we are best friends and Harry".

Mr. Granger humming. "Never been there before".

"You will. Someday. I'm going this evening".

Mill Town. Late afternoon. Tall grasses toss dreamily in a slanting rain. An old mill looks like an ancient ruin against a charcoal sky.

A dark figure materializes. Narcissa Malfoy. As she turns for the town in the distance, another witch materializes, Bellatrix Lestrange.

Like a rat in a maze, Narcissa makes her way through a labyrinth of dilapidated brick houses. Bellatrix trails. "Cissy! You mustn't do this. He can't be trusted".

"The Dark Lord trusts him".

"The Dark Lord is mistaken". Bellatrix blew her curly black hair, annoying when it poked on her eyes.

Narcissa turns, shocked. Bellatrix looks shocked herself, rain running down her cheeks. "Or so I believe".

"Well, who can one trust these days?" Again. Bellatrix blows her curly hair. Narcissa noticed. "Will you stop that!"

Bellatrix snorts. "Try to have this hair".

"My hair is perfectly fine".

Grim and dark, lit by guttering candles. Rain drums the roof eerily. A knocker clangs. A squat man shuffles forth, something familiar in his gait. The door cracks, spilling sallow light onto Narcissa and Bellatrix. A face of Wormtail.

Moments later. The sisters follow Wormtail down a narrow hallway... a room where a man sits by the window running with rain, his face hidden by the Daily Prophet. On the front page is a photograph of the ..

MILLENNIUM BRIDGE CRASHING INTO THE THAMES

But even more prominent is the silhouette of a young wizard and a headline...

HARRY POTTER: THE CHOSEN ONE?
Young Wizard Destined to Kill You-Know-Who?

The paper drops and Severus Snape eyes the women curiously. "Run along, Wormtail". He hissed, waving his wand to the door as the door shut Wormtail out from his sight.

Snape fills the last of three goblets with wine.

Narcissa takes a seat. Bellartrix wandered the room. "I've nowhere else to turn, Severus". Snape hands her a goblet, extends one to Bellatrix.

"You must be joking!"

Snape smiles faintly, brings the goblet to his own lips. "Or you prefer something else to drink, Bella".

"Pfffft". As she wandering and snorts.

Narcissa gives a glare at hers. "I know I ought not to be here. The Dark Lord himself has forbidden me to speak of this.."

"If the Dark Lord has forbidden it, you ought not to speak.." Eyes shifting. "Put it down, Bella. We mustn't touch what isn't ours".

Bellatrix turns to Snape, dark curio in hand, flowers, sets it back down. "As it so happens I'm aware of your situation, Narcissa".

"You? The Dark Lord told you?"

He glared. "Your sister doubts me, Narcissa. Understandable. Over the years I have played my part well. So well I've deceived one of the greatest wizards of all time".

Bellatrix makes a scathing sound. Snape turns, eyes hard. "Dumbledore is a great wizard. Only a fool would question it".

"I... I don't doubt you, Severus".

"You should feel honored, Cissy. As should Draco .."

Narcissa hissed at Bellatrix. "He's just a boy!"

"I don't have a son, Cissy".

Narcissa looked up at her. "Try to have one I dare you! You will know how hard it is when a mother is trying to protect her child".

Bellatrix snorts again. Snape just watched the argument between the sisters. He cleared his throat.

"I can't change the Dark Lord's mind. But it might be possible for me to help Draco. To provide some... protection".

Bellatrix eyes Snape keenly. "Do you mean it, Severus?"

"I can try".

He can see Narcissa's eyes are desperate. "Oh, Severus, please, if you would... I would be forever in your debt".

Bellatrix approaches them. Her eye on Snape. "Swear to it". Snape's eyes shift, meeting Bellatrix's challenging gaze.

"Make the Unbreakable Vow". as Snape looks away. "You see. It's just empty words. Oh he'll try. He'll give it his best effort. But when it matters most he'll slither back into his hole. Bloody coward..."

Bellatrix goes on muttering as she splashes some wine into a goblet. Snape turns back, anger flashing in his eyes.

"Take out your wand". Bellatrix freezes, goblet to her lips. As she lowers it, a rivulet of red runs out of the corner of her mouth. "Don't make me ask you again!" He hissed.

Moments later. Snape faces Narcissa. Bellatrix, hand faintly trembling, places the tip of her wand over their linked hands.

"Will you, Severus Snape, watch over Draco Malfoy as he attempts to fulfill the Dark Lord's wishes".

..."I will"...

A single strand of liquid fire issues from Bellatrix's wand and wends its way around their hands.

"And will you, to the best of your ability, protect him from harm?"

..."I will"...

A second strand of fire intertwines with the first. "And should it prove necessary, if it seems Draco will fail... will you yourself carry out the deed that the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform?"

Snape's hand twitches within Narcissa's. Bellatrix waits. "I will..." Narcissa breathed, satisfied. "Your son's life is in my hands, Narcissa".

"You'll do. I'll make sure you. The Dark Lords trust you the most than other Death Eaters. Not even my sister".

Her eye on Bellatrix, whom she had performed a weird dance with after the vow. She stops, as she feels someone's eyes on hers. Her eyes shoot up on Narcissa.

"She is deeply obsessed with the Dark Lords. I mean she just didn't become the Dark Lord's followers, she meant it. She had feelings towards the Dark Lord himself".

Snape face frown. Bellatrix loves Voldemort? Is she mental.. of course she is. She broke herself out from Azkaban. She is already crazy herself.

"Does her head knock at something hard when she was young, Narcissa?".

"According to our mother, she slipped as she ran out of the house. She chased something, kind of a rat I think. She like torture it. As she gives chase on that rat then stumbles and hits her head".

Snape studied Narcissa. "Stumbling on what?"

"I don't know. I'm pretty sure it is... on a hard stone".

Snape studied Bellatrix a bit, then he faced Narcissa.

"Even she not hitting her head on the hard stone, she already shows her craziness by torturing the innocent creature".

He smirks. "Perhaps.. I can suggest Wormtail. Can you give him a chase, Bella?" His eyes met her. She let her tongue out, mocking Snape.

"I may laugh. I don't know what's on Rodolphus' mind to have you as his wife. As your heart for the Dark Lord's..."