Disclaimer: Still don't own it...::sigh::
A/N: thanks to all my reviewers! On with the show!
The New Prophecy
Chapter 12- Spies and Some Hope
A month had gone by since Draco's initiation. They had gone to a few meetings since then, so as not to look suspicious. The only useful bit of information that they had gotten was that the war was going to be soon.
Tonight would be another meeting. It was going to be in the Dark Forest, Voldemort's newest hideout because he planned a full attack on the school. Draco would be going to the meeting tonight. He was to make up an excuse about why Hermione wasn't there, but she would really be lurking around the Death Eaters gathering information in her tiger form.
When classes started up again they came back with a vengeance. Teachers also seemed to know the war was drawing near, so they wanted the kids to be prepared. Draco and Hermione were walking down to the Great Hall for an early dinner after their last class.
When they got to their seats, Dumbledore stood up. The hall went silent.
"I regret to inform you that there will not be a Valentine's Day dance this year. Due to certain circumstances it had to be canceled," he said forlornly.
Draco glanced at Hermione. One of the bits of information that they had gotten was that Voldemort wanted to attack Hogwarts when something big was going on, i.e. the Valentine's Dance. They told Dumbledore immediately. He canceled it and said that it would most likely mean good business in Hogsmead.
The students shared a collective 'Aw man' and started to mumble to each other about why it had been canceled.
"Well," Dumbledore continued, "with that said, let's eat."
The plates on the tables were filled with food and the hall rang with the sounds of happy and full students.
Later that night, around 10:30, Draco apparated to the meeting site in the Dark Forest. Hermione had walk to the meeting because the guards would hear her if she apparated.
When Hermione reached the main entrance, she transformed into her tiger form. Once she was done, she started slinking her way across the grounds in total silence. She loved being a tiger. It was fast, strong, powerful, deadly, and beautiful.
She entered the forest and listened for the sounds of a large group of people. With her advanced hearing she easily pinpointed the direction of the gathering Death Eaters. She noiselessly crept up to them and found a suitable place for her to watch the meeting.
The meeting went on as usual. Hermione watched as her father came out and as everyone bowed. The usual conversations took place, and some witty banter was thrown about, Voldemort said why Hermione wasn't there ("There was a meeting she had to attend"), the usual looks of disappointment were shared across the circle at hearing the later. Finally, the really good stuff came up.
"My Lord," said someone that sounded like Bellatrix Lastrange, "what of your war?"
Voldemort smiled. "Ah, yes. I was hoping someone would bring that up soon. I want to attack the school around to Ides of March (A/N: the Ides of March, for those that don't know, is the time that Caesar was killed by his friends. It's when the famous 'Et tu Brutus?' was said. That's where the saying 'Beware the Ides of March' comes from, too). I thought it fit since there are some students among us."
"Brilliant," many responded. Few said, "About time." Hermione had to hand it to her old man. It was a good time to attack, the time of betrayal. But it wasn't' the student Death Eaters that would betray their master, it was his own daughter.
"We will attack at dawn on March 15. Invade the dorms and take every sleeping child to the Great Hall. I'll get Potter. Lucius, you get Dumbledore," Voldemort continued. "Those students among us will act surprised, but when we get to the hall, take out your wands. We'll kill Potter and that old coot in front of everyone. If they begin to fight, we'll kill those who oppose us. Those that give up will become our slaves. Nothing will be able to stop us!"
The assembled party cheered. But while the others celebrated, Draco looked towards a bush and saw a pair of light blue eyes. He looked at them for a second before they vanished. He looked towards some farther brush and saw a tiger slip away, unnoticed.
Hermione was making her way back to the castle. She had to tell Dumbledore. It would be a little more than a month until Voldemort attacked. They had to get ready. Her father was going to turn the only place she ever felt she belonged into a slaughterhouse. She raced home.
Harry had been studying late in the library. Without Hermione, he really had to work hard. He really appreciated what she had done for him for so many years now.
'Of course, now that she's gone you value her,' he thought bitterly.
He was just about to pass through the entrance hall when the doors flew open and black tiger with white stripes came zooming in. The tiger stopped, looking like it was catching its breath. Soon it started to transform.
'An animagus,' he thought admiringly. He watched as the tiger became a girl with black hair. Now black hair and red streaks. Black hair and red streaks?
'That's Hermione!' thought Harry suddenly. He was about to say something, but stopped when she started to mutter something.
"He's attacking on March 15. March 15 he's attacking. At dawn," was what Harry heard. There was only one person stupid enough to attack Hogwarts. Voldemort. Hermione looked out the doors to the Dark Forest, making sure she wasn't followed. She started walking in the direction towards Dumbledore's office, looking behind her shoulder ever so often.
Harry smiled. He'd figured something out within the last five minuets. Hermione was a spy.
'She's spying on her own father, even. Harsh,' Harry thought with a chuckle. 'There must've been a meeting tonight in the Dark Forest. Voldemort's daughter spying on him, ::chuckle::, how ironic.'
He came out from behind the pillar he'd been using as a hiding place. His smile grew even bigger. Maybe Hermione was still good after all. Maybe some of the old Hermione was still there.
Harry started off, again, towards Gryffindor Tower, glancing at the direction Hermione had taken.
'There may be some hope for you yet, Hermione Riddle.'
A/N: Done! Done! Yay! Has anyone noticed that this is the length of a regular book? I know I have. So anyway, I hope you liked it. PLEASE REVIEW!!!! I LOVE REVIEWS!!!!!!! Chapter 13 is just being started so don't worry. This story is still in the making. I haven't forgotten about it. START THE COUNTDOWN FOR THE THIRD HARRY POTTER MOVIE! IT'S GONNA BE SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay! More Tom Felton....Okay. Later days. "Somebody get this freakin' duck away from me!" –Strong Bad