Minerva's Note: My most common complaint on another site is that I make their speech sound too sophistacated. If that is going to bother you do not read this.

Chapter 1 Death Eaters' Council

"Please do not do something this foolish," I begged. It was only the beginning of October in our seventh year and I already had to convince my stubborn mates not to take an action that would most likely result in their deaths.

"But, Hermione, if we don't go it could mean sacrificing the fate of the wizarding world," Ron protested. He invariably was the more narrow-minded of the two; rarely listened to what I had to say unless it related to schoolwork.

I reasoned, "You're exaggerating, though if you truly feel that strongly then let Dumbledore know."

"There isn't enough time!" Ron cried in frustration. "You can be such a Mudblood!"

Harry stared at Ron in disbelief.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," said Ron hastily. I know that he did not mean to call me that offensive name, but the fact remained that he had. I slapped him across his freckled face. I heard Harry yell at Ron as I headed to McGonagall's office.

She must have noticed the drops of tears on my face, for she questioned, "Is something amiss?" the moment that I entered.

"Ron called me a Mudblood," I informed, attempting, and failing, to conceal the fact that this hurt me.

"Really?" asked a drawling voice. Apparently Draco Malfoy was already here for our Head BoyHead Girl meeting with the Deputy Headmistress.

I merely shrugged. I certainly did not want him of all people to know how upset I was.

"Well, then I suppose this wouldn't be the best time to tell you that I want the two of you to run the Prefect meetings for the rest of the year," McGonagall observed with a hint of sympathy in her tone.

"It isn't a problem, Professor," I answered. Responsibility helped me to keep my mind off of things.

"Very well, that is all. Thank you both for coming," said McGonagall.

Malfoy and I exited her office. "Tell Weasley that I'm the only one who can call you a Mudblood," said Malfoy smoothly and he strode away. I had no idea what to make of his pronouncement as I went back to Gryffindor Tower.

Harry and Ron were not there. They had obviously ignored my advice. I didn't care how furious I was with Ron; I was not going to stay there whilst my friends were in danger.

I crept to the South Tower and witnessed a group of seventh year Slytherins, who I knew must be newly made Death Eaters, standing in a circle. Harry, Ron and I heard a rumour that there would be a meeting of the Dark wizards of Hogwarts here tonight, though I never would have speculated that there would be so many; nearly thirty.

One of them, Theodore Nott, inquired, "What do we do with these bloody idiots?"

It was only then that I observed what they were standing around. It was the unconscious bodies of Harry and Ron. My first instinct was to rush to them, yet I was aware that that would be ignorant with me being so outnumbered.

"Just leave them here. Someone is bound to find them," came Malfoy's cool response.

"No, we should bring Potter to our Lord," insisted a girl that I did not recognize.

Malfoy questioned irritably, "How do you propose to remove him from Hogwarts without Dumbledore realizing it?" Was he really frightened of Dumbledore or was he trying to keep Harry safe? If it was the latter then what was the reason?

It appeared that no one had an answer for this because they all kept silent.

Malfoy nodded his sleek white-blond head approvingly that everyone agreed with him. "Are there any other matters that need tending to at present or may we end this meeting?"

In spite of myself I was impressed by his diplomatic manner.

Apparently no one had anything to discuss then either since they all still remained silent.

"Then let's head back to our dorms," finished Malfoy and I had to press myself against the shadows along the wall as they all went down the stairs.

I darted over to Ron and Harry as soon as the Slytherins were out of sight. I conjured up stretchers and magicked the duo onto them.

"Fancy seeing you here, Granger," commented a cruel voice.

When I spun around I saw the Hogwarts pupil that I loathed most, Pansy Parkinson, with her wand pointed straight at my heart.

Swifter than the blink of an eye Malfoy returned and asked, "Pansy, what are you doing?" in an almost bored tone.

"Dealing with this impure eavesdropper," she replied flashing me a triumphant grin.

I glared at her without a trace of fear.

"She's worthless. Forget her and let's go," yawned Malfoy.

"Never!" Pansy defied. "Crucio!" she shouted with her wand still pointed at my heart.

I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the pain of the Unforgivable Curse, but I opened them when I heard Malfoy scream. He was no longer in the doorway, but at my feet. Had he jumped in front of me?

Pansy stopped the curse at once. "What is wrong with you?" she shrieked at him in shock.

"Just leave," he ordered getting to his feet.

She left obediently with an expression of puzzlement on her face. I admit that I was confused as well.

"Stay out of trouble if you know what's good for you," Malfoy told me icily and he followed Pansy out. Ordinarily, I would have interpreted that as a threat, though now I thought that it could be a warning.

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