Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize in this story. If I did, I would be a billionaire by now.

Chapter Two

Staring up at the vast castle, Hermione smiled to herself. Hogwarts was the same as usual, with its countless number of Towers, the lake, and the Qudditch field in the distance, its goal hoops protruding up into the blue sky. She hadn't realized how much she had missed the place until she saw it again. It made her wish she could go back to school under the teachings of McGonagall, Flitwick, heck, even Snape.

Slipping through the front door, Hermione was faced with the grand staircase that led to many of the classes. It was all so familiar that Hermione could hardly breathe, but she pushed on until she found Dumbledore's office. Suddenly, she realized that she didn't know his password.

Cursing softly, Hermione looked around to see if there were any teachers around. They would know what his password is.

"Miss Granger, we meet again. It's a wonder that you are still around. But then again, you were always the smartest in your class. You are able to survive on you wits."

Hermione whirled around and sighed as she saw who it was. "I haven't relied on my wits alone, Professor Snape. If everybody could do just that, then the world would be a crowded place."

"Ah, still a know-it-all, but at least you have remembered your manners," Snape sneered as he stopped in front of her. "What are you doing here, Granger?"

Hermione lifted up her chin in defiance. "Dumbledore has summoned me to tell me something. Does that bother you?"

Snape's lip curled. "I suppose it shouldn't. It's not really any of my business what you are up to, and I don't really care as long as you don't compromise us to Voldemort or to the Muggles."

"I would never think of it, Snape," Hermione growled. "Now, would you mind if you'd tell me Dumbledore's password, as he's probably wondering where I am at the moment."

Snape put on an evil grin. "I thought you said he summoned you. I should think he would tell you what the password is. Pity that he didn't. Maybe he still feels you are…too young to be trusted with secrets."

Hermione just opened her mouth to say something back when the gargoyle door swung open. Dumbledore walked out and gave a nod to Hermione in greeting. Hermione did the same and stumbled back. The headmaster still commanded respect even though it didn't show that much, yet it was there hanging around him just the same.

"Ah, so you got here safely, Hermione, that is good. I see that you are getting on beautifully. Excellent," Dumbledore said with a weary smile on his face.

"Dumbledore, I must speak with you. I have more news from behind the enemy lines," Snape said, stepping foreword.

Dumbledore turned to Snape. "Would you do me the favor of waiting in your office? I will be there shortly after I have a chat with Miss Granger here. She has other matters to tend to after I speak with her."

"But, sir, my information cannot wait. I must—" Snape stammered.

"As with my business with Miss Granger. You will wait, Severus," Dumbledore stated sternly.

Snape glared down at Hermione before turn on his heel and heading down towards his office in the dungeons, his black robes billowing out behind him. Dumbledore chuckled softly as he watched the Potions teacher hurried off.

"I dare say he'll get over it, he always does. A right old chap, he is, a lot of bark though, but no bite whatsoever," Dumbledore said, still chuckling.

Hermione gave him a weary smile. "I don't know how you can stand him, day in and day out. I could barely stand him for a couple of lessons a week."

"No. You and your friends were in constant complaint of him, were you not?" Dumbledore asked and Hermione nodded. "And as he was with you, Ron, and Harry. How he would always used to say that you three were always interfering with everything. But no matter, I wanted to talk to you, Hermione. Follow me."

Back inside his office, Dumbledore quietly paced around, looking at each of the former headmasters' pictures intently as he passed them. Hogwarts had its share of the good and the bad, and Dumbledore was one of the rare few that were considered one of Hogwarts' finest. Glancing at the young woman in the woman in his office, he thought that she could become one of the greatest witches of her time someday, also; a young woman who will demand respect if she didn't meet a premature death in this time of uncertainty.

Dumbledore went back behind his desk and sat down in his big easy chair. He could feel his bones creaking underneath him and winced slightly, but not enough for Hermione to notice, at least he didn't think so. He didn't want to show that he was getting old or people might consider retiring him early when retirement wasn't an option just the moment. Not until Voldemort was gone, at least. If Dumbledore was the only one Voldemort feared and Dumbledore died, there's no knowing how long Voldemort would rein.

"Professor Dumbledore, are you alright?" Hermione inquired. He WAS getting on in his years and was afraid that he was going to kick the bucket, no matter how careful he was.

Dumbledore gave a small smile. "Of course I'm alright. I just wanted to say that things might not always be what they seem. Harry had believed everything he heard, practically. He thought that it would be better to believe everything one heard rather an act on it rather than believe that it was false when it was really true."

Hermione stared at Dumbledore in horror. "What he did was for the best. He did it to protect us all."

"I'm not doubting his bravery. He just—tried too hard. My efforts for not…" Dumbledore said sadly.

"Harry had to face Voldemort sometime or another," Hermione said bitterly, feeling an ever-growing disappointment towards her former headmaster.

"He wasn't ready yet, he didn't know enough to face the powerful Dark Lord," Dumbledore. "I didn't teach him enough…it was all my fault."

Hermione turned away from the older man. Was this all Dumbledore had summoned her to tell her about? She thought that it was something important, something dangerous having to do with Voldemort or the Death Eaters, not having a pity party.

"Professor, I didn't come here to listen to this. Sir—whatever it is that you wanted, please tell me," Hermione said sternly.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Yes, I am sorry, Miss Granger. Sometimes I think I'm getting a little old and that the bad times way a little too heavily on the old more so than the young can imagine. But anyways, Hermione, I need to ask you a favor. I need you to keep an eye on one among the enemy. I think you remember who he is."

She turned to look up at Dumbledore again. Why would Dumbledore want Hermione to look after an enemy? And who was it that she knew so well?

"May I inquire who this person is?" Hermione asked.

Dumbledore looked deep into Hermione's eyes. So young, yet so naïve was the youth of the day. Sometimes they never thought things through and realize the most obvious. He began to pace behind his desk. It was best to play this out as he had always done.

"Do you not know, Miss Granger? He was in the Slytherin house, a young man of good standing."

Hermione's eyes suddenly widened in shock. Dumbledore had to be losing his marbles now. She couldn't look after him, spy after him. Hermione hated his guts and had vowed to never see him again after she left Hogwarts forever and now Dumbledore wanted her to spy on him and gather information.

"Not Draco Malfoy? But Dumbledore, sir, not possibly Draco—" Hermione stammered.

"I'm afraid yes. He is the same age as you and you'll be able to catch things quicker than I can. Build his trust in you, Hermione, and let him tell you whatever he wishes, make him tell you whatever you wish him to. It will help the Order so much if you can do this. We need to know information behind enemy lines," Dumbledore pleaded.

Hermione stiffened and lifted up her chin. "I thought that's what Snape was good for, sir, to find out more information. Surely I am no use to be doing that. I'll be more useful elsewhere."

"The more people behind enemy lines, the more information we can get and the sooner we can stop Voldemort. I need you to help the good of the world, Hermione," Dumbledore said in a tone so firmly that Hermione felt that she couldn't disagree.

Hermione slowly nodded, hating herself for giving in so quickly and not giving a good fight first. That was so unlike her. 'I must be losing my touch,' she thought bitterly to herself.

"I will do this Dumbledore, if it pleases you. I would rather the world be safer later than me living the rest of my life with the danger and threat in every corner. But Dumbledore, I have to tell you something. I have seen Harry Potter. He is alive," Hermione stated.

Dumbledore choked. "Harry, alive? But, it cannot be possible. He had died in a fight against the enemy."

Hermione shrugged. "I'm just telling you what I saw. You don't have to believe me."

"Hermione, were you having a drink when you saw him?" Dumbledore asked.

"Nothing too strongly, if it pleases you, and anyways, I only had one drink at best," Hermione said.

"Well, I will consider it, Granger. But I believe that you've been too stressed lately and with the grief of Potter's death, you thought you saw him alive because you hadn't wanted or expected him to die. It happens to the best to us," Dumbledore exclaimed.

"I could never lie," Hermione said. "I will believe what I want. Good day to you, sir, and I will be on my assignment as soon as I can."

Getting as far away from Hogwarts as she could, Hermione finally stopped and rang up Ron.

"You won't believe what my assignment is Ron," Hermione exclaimed as soon as she answered, "and I believe we have a problem."