Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to J. K. Rowling. This fanfic is for entertainment purposes only, and no profit is being made from this fanfic.
Dedication: A Work in Progress is dedicated to lj user moontime, for indulging my own loyalty to Slytherin House.
"I cannot believe we're doing this," Mildred grumbled as they crept down the long hall connecting the first-years' dorm room to the Slytherin common room. She was wearing green-and-white striped flannel pajamas and a thick bathrobe, but she was still shivering, the damp cold penetrating straight to her bones.
"We won't get caught, Millie," Veronica said automatically, but Mildred wasn't reassured. Veronica's voice had a drippy, dreamy quality to it that suggested she rather liked the idea of being caught.
At the entrance of the common room they hesitated, peering in to see Draco and Pansy sitting near the fire. Mildred poked Veronica sharply in the ribs with her elbow and pointed to the lumpish forms of Crabbe and Goyle, slumbering in armchairs only a few metres from the doorway. Veronica's nose wrinkled in distaste, and she allowed Mildred to pull her back into the shadowy hall.
"How did you think of it?" Pansy was simpering, and Mildred cringed, half-expecting Veronica to give away their position.
"Communication is crucial to winning any war," Draco was answering. "Even Muggles know that. Although the Muggle-lovers here don't seem to have figured it out yet."
"I think it's brilliant," Pansy answered. "So once we've cut off their means of communication, what happens next?"
Draco's voice grew a few degrees chillier. "Never mind that—you'll be told as much as you need to know, when you need to know it. Crabbe! Goyle!" he said sharply. The heaps in the armchairs jumped slightly, and so did Mildred. "Are you watching that door?"
"Yes," said Crabbe sullenly.
Mildred couldn't bring herself to move for several seconds after that, for fear they'd be seen. Her heart was pounding so hard she almost didn't hear Draco saying, "We'll do it tomorrow night, then. I'll meet you at the owlery; I have other matters to take care of first."
She tugged on Veronica's arm, and they inched their way back along the corridor. Once they were finally back in their room, she whispered frantically, "Do you realize what they were talking about? They're going after the owls!"
"The poor little owls!" said Veronica. "I think that Pansy Parkinson is a loathsome person."
"Never mind that," said Mildred impatiently. "We have to stop them. If they do it, and get caught afterwards, our House reputation will be ruined."