Chapter 3

"Let's not assume that just because nothing bad has happened during the Hogsmeade weekends that Voldemort and his Death Eaters are not planning anything." Professor Dumbledore said to the small group of people gathered in the Headmaster's Office. Dumbledore had called this small meeting to check up on the status of the preparations being made for the looming war against Voldemort. In the room were the individuals Dumbledore felt had a huge role to fulfill in the fight against Voldemort: Professor McGonogall, Professor Snape, Harry, Ron, Draco and Hermione. "On the contrary, we have been monitoring the news reports and the activities of known Death Eaters over the past few months, and we've come to the conclusion that Voldemort plans to attack soon and harshly. So I urge you all to remain constantly vigilant and prepared."

"Professor Dumbledore, I have a question," Hermione spoke up, and continued when the old man nodded at her. "I read about the recent break-in into the Department of Architectural Archives last week, is there any more news about that?"

"Why would you bother asking that question, Hermione? What's that got to do with Vold- You Know Who?" Ron blurted out, gulping when he almost mentioned the Dark Lord's name. Hermione mentally scoffed at his continued fear over a name.

"Well, the Department of Architectural Archives has records of every building and establishment in the British Wizarding World, right?" Hermione began.

"Yes, that's why it's called that, Ms. Granger." Severus Snape declared sarcastically, looking at her like she was an annoying bug he wanted to swat.

"Yes, thank you for that clarification, Professor Snape," Hermione nodded at her Potions professor just as sarcastically. Beside him, Draco was clenching his jaw at an attempt to keep from laughing out loud at Granger's audacity to address Snape that way. As far as Draco knew, he was the only one who could get away with that from the Head of Slytherin House.

"Anyway," Hermione continued. "I assume that an establishment such as Hogwarts would have records in that department, am I right? The news report said that all the archives were destroyed and burned down. I was thinking that perhaps destroying the documents and materials in that department was a convenient way to conceal that some documents were stolen. Perhaps those that have to do with Hogwarts' architecture, floor plan and security wards?"

Dumbledore smiled and nodded at her as everyone else in the room looked at her, stunned. "Quite right, Ms. Granger. Quite right. As usual, I am not surprised at your deduction skills. I think it is safe to assume that whoever broke into the Department of Architectural Archives had also stolen information about Hogwarts."

"Then would it also be safe to assume that they would break into Hogwarts, Professor?" Hermione asked.

"Well, we can assume that they will try, Ms. Granger. But without much success, I imagine. We have changed the security wards and spells around the castle, and we have continued to do so on a regular basis." Dumbledore said.

"But, isn't it also true that Wizarding law requires that you submit a record of the changes to the Department of Architectural Archives? What's to stop Voldemort from getting hold of that information as well?" Hermione countered.

"But didn't you always say that Hogwarts was impenetrable? You've always said that that blasted Hogwarts, A History said that!" Harry spoke up.

"Yes, of course, but, Harry, we're talking about Voldemort here. One of the most powerful wizards our world has ever known. While amateurs like Rita Skeeter would never in a million years be able to penetrate Hogwarts, Voldemort might have a greater chance." Hermione said calmly, trying to placate an anxious Harry.

"But Voldemort's afraid of Professor Dumbledore. You said that, too! You said that for as long as Professor Dumbledore was at Hogwarts, we would be safe!" Harry yelled back.

"Harry, I don't think it's safe to assume that the Voldemort of fifty years ago is the same Voldemort now. He has undergone so much more, he has accomplished so much more than he had fifty years ago. Beginning with coming back to life and getting his corporeal form back. I mean no disrespect, Professor Dumbledore, but to bank on his fear of you and of the impenetrability of Hogwarts might be a mistake that would cost us our lives." Hermione said patiently.

Dumbledore smiled at her kindly and wisely. "Again, you've stated exactly what was on my mind, Ms. Granger. I do believe that Voldemort is assuming that I'm assuming the that he fears me, and that he is waiting for me for do something careless. As for your concerns about the required submission of changes in the security wards at Hogwarts, well, we are given a week to submit a record of the changes, so that means that while we are submitting records as required by our laws, we are also keeping a week ahead of those records. Does that alleviate your concerns, Ms. Granger?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes, sir, they do. Thank you. I'm sorry if I offended anyone."

"No need for apologies, Ms. Granger. As a professor, I am always tickled pink at the sight of a student who can think for herself and way beyond the wisdom of her years." Dumbledore replied.

"Why did you have to that, Hermione? Why did you have to question Dumbledore that way?" Ron bellowed at her as soon as they had left the Headmasters' Office.

"Because I had real concerns, Ron. And if I can't discuss my concerns candidly with the man who is supposed to protect all of us, not to mention the people I have been working with in this fight against Voldemort, then with whom can I discuss them?" Hermione replied, annoyed.

"I don't know, Hermione, sometimes your candor scares me." Ron shook his head. "Imagine! Questioning Dumbledore that way."

Hermione said nothing, too annoyed and too afraid that in her annoyance at Ron, she would say something hurtful to him. So walked away to go to the Head Girl and Boy Common Room.

Draco was in the room when she got there, staring raptly at the flames in roaring in the fireplace.

"Oh. Sorry, I didn't know you were here." Hermione said when she saw him, walking to the door that led to her private quarters.

"Are you scared, Granger?" Draco asked suddenly.

"Of you? Not bloody likely." She responded.

"No, not of me. Of Voldemort." He insisted.

"I would be stupid not to be, Malfoy." She answered honestly. "Are you?"

"Yes." He answered.

Hermione nodded and started to open her bedroom door.

"No words of comfort for me, Granger?" He smirked. "Or are they all reserved for Potter?"

"When you deserve my words of comfort, Malfoy, you'll get them." She opened her door and left him.

He stared at her closed door for a long time, trying to work up the familiar anger at her gall to talk to him that way. But right now, every arrogant cell in his person was overcome by real fear. He had honestly believed that he had chosen wisely when he had decided to change sides last year and approached Dumbledore to provide him with information that Draco had learned as Lucius' son. He had submitted all of his father's documents and records so Dumbledore and the members of the Phoenix could peruse them and find critical information. He gave up all the dark magical artefacts and objects hidden in the Malfoy Manor and in their other homes in Paris, Rome, Prague, Vienna, Geneva, Moscow and Budapest. He had offered to spy for the Death Eaters, but Dumbledore and Snape declined his offer, telling him that it would put him in a very dangerous position -- and that he was too young to take on such a task. Draco had protested, of course, aghast that anyone would dare tell him that he was under-qualified and under-age to do anything. But Snape had talked to him and told him about Snape's experiences as a Death Eater, and the nightmares that the older man still had as a result of what he had seen under Voldemort's service. Snape appealed to Draco to not give himself that kind of grief, and Draco respected his Potions Master enough to heed his advice. But now he was having doubts about his decision. Grangers' words and warnings during the meeting rang loud and clear in Draco's mind: Voldemort was stronger than he was fifty years ago, and Draco had just betrayed him by refusing to take his father's place as one of his most loyal supporters.

He figured he was in Voldemort and his Death Eater's Top 10 List of People to Kill after Harry Potter. And this was one of the few times in his life when Draco did not feel smug about being in someone's priority list.

He had snidely asked Granger for words of comfort but a part of him meant the question. He needed someone to tell him that he was going to survive Voldemort's Second Coming. He needed someone to assure him that he had chosen the right side. He needed words of comfort -- and Draco's arrogance would only accept those from people whose words he valued: Snape, Dumbledore and, yes, Hermione Granger. For however dirty her blood was, her words were valuable as they were almost always right. He was astute enough to know that, and he wasn't so arrogant as to fail to acknowledge that.

But her words of comfort, every comforting bone in her body, were reserved for Potter and Weasley and everyone else she had taken under her wing. Never for Draco Malfoy. Tonight, in the midst of his fear, in the darkness of his solitude, in the deepest parts of his heart, he regretted that. More than he could ever say to himself or admit to anyone.

Oh, snap out of it, Draco. This whiney, pitying mood is no good for you. You are Draco Malfoy and you are above this. Are you so desperate that you're actually wishing for the MudBlood to comfort you? Please. You're better than that.

That commanding, arrogant voice in his head, quite similar to that of Lucius Malfoy, never failed to get Draco smirking again. True, there was no love lost between him and his father, but Lucius' sole purpose in Draco's life was to remind him of who he was, and even now, after two Lucius-free years, the old bastard could still do it.