Somehow Hermione managed to sleep that night, wake up on time, and get through classes. She took notes automatically, although she probably could have taught the classes herself.

Skipping dinner in favor of tea in her room, Hermione got her Arithmancy essay out of the way and had settled into 'Mental Defenses Against the Imperius Curse' by Don T. Duit, when someone tapped on her door.

Death Eaters do not usually knock first, but Hermione believed in being prepared. She drew her wand and selected a phial of Exploding Extract from the shelf. "Come in."

The door eased open and a tousled red head peered through the crack. "Stay back, Harry: she's armed!"

Hermione crossed the distance to the door in two steps and threw it open. "George?"

"The same. We've been sent, as Gryffindor delegates, to retrieve the missing witch." George Weasley had gotten noticeably thinner and the merry gleam in his eyes had been replaced by a haunted one, but old habits die hard.

"They want you in the library, 'Mione." Still skinny with messy hair, Harry Potter remained a Hogwarts constant, although the dark circles under his eyes were no longer covered by glasses.

"Why?" Hermione hated being caught out.

George sighed and snaked an arm around her shoulder. "It's Thursday night, woman. We can't start without our founder."

Oh. Oh! "Yes, you can. Said founder has loads of homework to do."

"Do something besides homework, once in a while, Hermione," Harry put in. "Have some fun."

"If you call plotting to overthrow Voldemort 'fun'," George said darkly. "But I'm forgetting myself; you've already done it once."

The two boys finally got Hermione down to the library where, at the largest round table, the self-titled Council of Hogwarts was gathered.