A.N. What's up guys? Not much to say about this chapter except that I wrote it from very unique views points.
'...' thinking "..." talking /Flashback/
Bright yellow eyes peered at the two figures from in the dark. Both seemed like fallen angels, their appearances nearly identical save for the age difference.
"How long?"
"Dumbledore has been thorough in his search. Everything is covered father. I am at a loss."
"At a loss?"
Crookshanks hissed from behind his perch at the tone in the man's voice. His back feet raised and his hackles became more pronounced. The smaller figure stumbled on his words as he shifted his position, his silver eyes shining in the moonlight.
"I would need a rather large distraction to be able to get you into Hogwarts. A distraction such as the Halloween feast."
"That is unacceptable. Our master will be furious!"
"It is the best I can do."
The larger figure made a sound akin to growling. Then his face took a platonic look.
"Draco," he said calmly. "Do you know what the punishment is for betrayal?"
"Why would I even need to know? I won't betray our master."
"Just a refresher course then. The master himself will place the Cruciatus Curse on you until your mind has left you. And now with his newfound... friends, the dementors, you'll receive a kiss for your troubles. Find another, sooner, way to get us in. That is final. Oh yes and Draco, five days from now."
Crookshanks relaxed slightly as the taller figure disappeared into the darkness. The smaller figure sighed, staring after his father for a long time before heading back to the castle. And then a mouse ran by, dissipating the cat's attention span.
The majestic bird shook his head gently, and made a soft noise at the ancient man sitting next to him. His wrinkled face was glued to the latest copy of the Daily Prophet, searching the obituaries for a connection between the people missing. Courtney Calighan, Matthew Jourgin, Aidian Goke, Tim Deplor, all of them dead within this week. Two were journalists and two were Unspeakables. The man gently rubbed his brow, there was no connection. Journalists and Unspeakables would not converse, the Unspeakables sworn to silence.
The man raised his face at Fawkes gentle noise. "Well, my friend, how was your day? Relaxing, I hope."
Fawkes turned his head, hoping from his perch to stand on Dumbledore's desk. He walked toward the man rubbing his feathered face against the wrinkled skin.
"I am glad you had a good day. Our young Draco should be returning soon," Dumbledore said mildly.
As if on cue Draco stormed through the door. Dumbledore smiled pleasently at him as the young man made for his desk in a determined stride.
"I can not keep lying like this. I have to get them in before Halloween and they aren't stupid. They know, my father felt the need to remind me of what would happen if I were to betray them. Which includes a Dementor's kiss. This is more serious than the train. They aren't just trying to sneak Bellatrix on the train to assassinate Harry; they are bringing in more than one. And I believe he is bringing in his best. I am running out of excuses."
Fawkes cooed gently at the boy only to receive a glare worthy of setting his feathers on fire. Fawkes hopped back up to his pedestal and continued surveying the scene.
Dumbledore rested his head in hands. "Do you have the slightest clue how many?"
"No, but I'm supposed to meet him in five days. I have to have an answer by then. See if Snape can get the information. Because all I am supposed to do is get them in and out." Draco said running a hand through his blonde hair.
"Tell your father you have possibly found a way to get them in but you have to know how many are coming." Dumbledore offered.
"When, where?" Draco asked throwing his arms up in frustration.
Dumbledore's eye twinkled at Draco as he raised his head. "Tell them that I am going to be holding a rather large feast in two weeks and that everyone is going to be attending. The ghosts however will be patrolling and your not sure how many will draw attention and how many won't."
Draco looked thoughtful. "Why are you holding the feast?"
"I am going to try and change their minds about Voldemort being back again," Dumbledore said in a tone that almost suggested he was not a fruitcake.
Draco smirked, lacking humor. "They'll never buy it."
Dumbledore smiled in earnest. "You'd be surprised how much Voldemort underestimates me. He would believe that I would plot against him. Trying to vary his chances of coming back to full power."
Draco nodded as he headed towards the door. He paused as he reached for the door handle. "You better not be wrong, old man. This is my life we're playing with."
"Trust me."
"Not likely," Draco snorted, and with a sneer he was gone.
Ron watched Hermione the next morning in potions. 'She seems happier. What is this? She's like... glowing. She's bloody glowing, that's it Ron you've finally gone off the deep end. Your best friend is glowing.'
Ron groaned letting his head fall on the desk with a light thump. "Ron," Hermione scoffed. "Stop that your going to make all the asphodel roots fall! Honestly, it's bad enough that you're not even helping me."
Ron grinned against the rough surface of the desk. "Why? You'll do a better job then both of us anyways."
Hermione frowned although it was half-hearted. She grinned at Ron's obvious stroke to her ego. "Well your still a lazy git."
"And it took seven years to notice this?"
Hermione smiled at him and continued her work on the potion. Ron stared incredulously at her as after about two minutes a sort of far away look took over her face. "Bloody females," he thought insolently.
Hermione smiled as warmth spread to her toes, the memories of last night and this morning flooding her brain.
/Flashback/
Hermione woke up warm. She scooted closer to the warmth, snuggling her face up against the wonderful source of that blessed heat.
A warm chuckle brought her out of her near sleep state. "Morning."
"I'm sorry no ones here right now, if you could please contact me later and leave your call back number I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Leave a message at the tone." Hermione said looking up. An unbidden laugh escaped from her throat at the look on Remus' face. Obviously the mechanics of an answering machine were still a bit above him.
"Never mind," she sighed turning onto her back.
"Well anyways, I got you up early enough that you'd be able to get whatever it is you females get done in the morning done." he said moving the hair from her face.
"What time is it?" she asked, yawning on the last note.
"It's about 5 a.m."
Hermione sat up reaching for her shirt. She began to put it on when she felt the bed shift as Remus got out of it. Hermione thought nothing of it until she didn't hear anything else. She turned and saw he was still sitting on the edge of the bed looking forlorn.
"What?" she asked as she brushed her hand against his arm.
Remus gave her an obviously forced smile. "Nothing love." He reached up and kissed her forehead and made to stand. Hermione grabbed his arm looking at him concern in her eyes. 'Does he regret it?' She stared at the covers on the bed. "Do you regret being with me?"
"Never!" Remus' tone made her look up, surprised. His tone was firm almost angry. "Don't think that! How could I? It was one of the best moments of my life. You don't do you?"
Hermione felt a smile flit across her face, as she shook her head no.
Remus nodded, "Then let's not talk about it anymore. Besides if you don't start moving soon you'll be late. Now get moving." He gently kissed her.
"I love you," she whispered against his lips.
"I love you too," he said.
/End Flashback/
"MISS GRANGER!" Snape boomed through Hermione's daydream. Hermione nearly dropped the ladle in the pot. She jumped and faced a rather angry potions master.
"Yes... yes professor." Hermione was vaguely aware of scattered laughs here and there.
"I shall need to see you after class," Snape sneered. His tone obviously annoyed.
Hermione nodded, "Yes Professor."
Ron looked apologetically at her as her face flushed as Snape walked away.
"Why didn't you warn me you twit?" Hermione hissed.
"Because he was asleep," Malfoy drawled from a seat ahead of Ron.
Ron's face flushed, "Sod off Malfoy."
"You wanted to see me Professor?" Hermione asked tentatively.
"Here," he handed her a vile.
Hermione stared at it confused. It did look familiar, 'but what is it for?'
"Is a Wolfsbane potion that much of a paradox to you Miss Granger?"
Hermione's face flushed. 'Tomorrow night's the full moon. Of course, I feel rather stupid.'
"Thank you Professor." she said turning from him.
Snape cleared his throat, "And Miss Granger that is for both of you. You are to go to his room and there you will transform. Is that clear?"
"Yes Professor."
Hermione sat heavily at the Great Hall at dinner. "What a day," she said to Ginny that was across the table from her. "Ginny are you alright?" She was covered in a fine sheen of sweat and she seemed to be staring off into space.
"Oh, yes I'm fine," Ginny said absently.
"Hermione!" Harry yelled running into the Great Hall and practically skidding into the seat next to her. "Guess what I just found out?"
"You're going to make me say 'what' aren't you?" she said testily.
Harry leaned close until he whispered into her ear. "Malfoy's a member of the Order."
Hermione visibly tensed at his statement as Ron settled in next to Ginny staring intently at Harry and Hermione. "How did you find that out?" Hermione asked feigning innocence.
"Dumbledore told us just now. He said we weren't to tell anyone, but we had to tell you. It just wouldn't be right if we didn't."
"Ah, I see, then I guess we had best just treat him normally then don't you think." she said. 'I won't let them I knew before they did just yet.'
"I suppose." Harry said settling himself in.
"Ginny, are you going to be sick?" Ron asked rubbing her back gently. Hermione looked over and nearly fainted herself. Ginny was now pale white, sweat was rolling off her face, and she was shaking so bad it could be seen.
"Harry, can you take me to the nurse?" Ginny asked swaying in her seat.
Harry rose immediately throwing all manners out of the window and climbing over the table to her side. He lifted her into his arms as she clutched to his robes.
"Really hurts," she said in a small voice.
Harry needed no more prompting and took off a swift pace to the Hospital Wing. Hermione and Ron exchanged glances once Harry left sight of the Great Hall. "I don't get it? What is up with her lately?" Ron asked pulling the pumpkin juice closer.
At that moment however a shrill scream was heard from the exit way of the Great Hall. A scream that sounded somewhat like Ginny. Hermione jumped from her seat tearing after Harry, while Ron followed suit, vaulting over the table. Dumbledore's eyes followed suspiciously.
"Harry," Ron called once they reached the entranceway.
"Here!" Harry called.
Hermione spotted a black cloak hunched over on the third floor stairway. She nudged Ron in the ribs, "There." They both climbed the steps taking them two at a time.
Harry looked at them a lost look in his eyes. He had a severe scratch mark down his face, blood pouring down it. "Something's not right. That's not Ginny."
Hermione looked down at said girl and pulled her wand. Ginny was clawing at her face screaming incoherently.
"Stupefy!"
Dumbledore swept forward as he looked over the girls slack body. Ron stood up angrily. "What'd you do that for?"
"Ron it was for the best," Harry said laying a hand on his friends shoulder, although his tone spoke otherwise. "She was really going to hurt herself or others," he said, the cut on his cheek only emphasizing his point.
Ron relented, scooping his sister up in his arms and heading towards the Hospital Wing as Harry followed.
Hermione remained rooted to the spot. A phrase she had heard Ginny repeating over and over in her mind. "Too many thoughts, get them OUT!"
'Whats she on about? Too many thoughts, she couldn't have this bad a reaction to homework. She physically jumped a spell flitting acrost her mind.
'The Precaution spell- this spell allows the user to remove one's conciousness and place it in another for a limited amount of time. The incantation is Prematius. Upon entering another's conciousness, their thought must be kept seperate, lest they mix'.
Hermione gasped heading towards the Hospital Wing.
A.N. Cackles evily. Until next chapter loves. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!