Part Two:

Draco walked away from the infirmary, deep in thought. What am I going to tell father when he asks me what is happening? So buried in thought was he that he didn't notice where he was going. He hit something and fell against the wall with a crash.

"Watch where you're going, Malfoy."

"Sorry." He muttered, getting up.

Hermione blinked in surprise, then her eyes narrowed. "Is this some joke?"

Draco sighed, running a hand through his hair and disrupting it. "Look, Granger, I'm not in the mood for juvenile antics. I have a few things on my mind."

"Like what? How to keep your hair in helmet like perfection?" She sarcastically said.

"No. Like how to protect Professor Snape's sister from being killed by my father!" He yelled, storming off.

She grabbed his arm. "Now it's my turn to be sorry. Do you want to talk about it?"

The blue eyes blinked, shocked at her offer. Well, if anyone knows how to solve a problem like this, it would be Granger, he thought with reluctant admiration. Merlyn knows she finds herself in enough of these situations. "I'd like that. Thank you."

"So, Professor Snape has a sister?" She asked, falling into step beside him.

"This isn't the best place for such a discussion." Draco paused, studying her. "If I were to ask you to meet me at the Astronomy Tower this evening, would I be crossing a line?"

"We've already crossed a line by having a peaceable discussion." Her voice was wry.

He smiled, "Okay. What I mean to say is, if I were to ask, would it cause problems between you and the Weas...I mean, Wesley?" He made the change, trying to remain on good terms.

She thought for a moment, considering all her options carefully. "Ron is more interested in Quidditch than what I'm doing."

"And you won't take offense to the suggestion? Or think I'm trying to set you up?" Draco was trying to get her to think things through before committing herself to the task.

Again, she thought about it. But this time, she studied him. "You aren't."

"Then, is tonight at the Astronomy Tower fine with you? I'll have Crabbe and Goyle make sure that we won't be disturbed."

"Can they be trusted?" She was hesitant even though Draco nodded. "All right." It was a slow agreement.

"I'd better go. Have to make sure that no one in Slytherin says anything about the professor's odd behavior."

They started walking again. "You can actually do that?"

Draco nodded slowly, then reluctantly explained. "We aren't overly fond of our parents."

"May I ask why?" She pushed, gently.

"I'd rather you didn't." He said, his voice was strangely subdued.

They were walking along the corridor, ignoring the curious and shocked looks of their fellow classmates. Finally, Hermione rested her hand on his arm and turned him to face her. "You really are just like the rest of us." With a smile, she turned to go. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."

Draco watched her disappear down the hall, shaking his head. What a strange woman that Hermione is, he thought. Then, walking into the Slytherin common room, he turned on the calling system all dorms had. "Attention, all Slytherins. I'm calling a mandatory meeting in fifteen minutes."

The Forbidden Forest:

Peter hid in the shadows of a tree, pulling back as far as he could go. Fang and Hagrid should be by any moment, he calculated with a shiver. I must not be caught by them, that dog'll kill me.

Fang barked and ran right at him. "What is it, boy?" Hagrid asked, carrying a lantern. It parted the darkness and the two searched the area.

Peter squeezed back, trying to find some opening behind him. There was a crack of thunder in the sky. My master is making my way easier. I must not fail him, he thought. But what should I do?

The light came closer as Hagrid knelt down. Having no other choice, Peter sprang away from the tree and darted away. "After him!" Hagrid called. The dog leapt and ran after the rat, keeping pace with him.

Dumbledore's Office:

Why me? Dumbledore thought as he watched his two former students. "First of all, I must ask you both a question. Why do you care?"

Sirius was silent. "She is a threat to Harry. Though I admit to being wrong about him, I don't know about his sister."

Albus nodded, turning to his DADA professor. "And you?"

Remus shrugged. "I don't worry about her being a threat to Harry. No offense, Siri." He quickly added before continuing. "Lily trusted her. I know she'd want us to help her friend out."

The blue eyes twinkled for a moment, then the light died again. "How much do you know about her disappearance?" He asked, resting his chin on his clasped hands.

"Not much." Remus answered. "It happened after Voldemort's defeat, didn't it?"

"That's right." Albus paused, rubbed the bridge of his nose. "What I'm about to tell you must never be spoken of outside this school. You do not tell anyone-not even Harry. You never speak of it again, unless you are given the right to by Severus, Septina, or myself. Most importantly, you are never to use this against them. Never. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes." Remus agreed.

"Sirius?" Albus asked, turning to face the other man. "Do I make myself clear? I need to hear you say the words."

Sirius nodded slowly. "You do, Albus."

"Good." Now what, he asked himself.