A/N: Caution, there are some HBP plot points in this chapter and the rest of the story-- beware of spoilers.

Chapter Thirteen: Evil Afoot

Peter Pettigrew nearly wet himself in excitement with the information he had found out. The Dark Lord would highly value this information, and he would rise in rank. If he was lucky, the Dark Lord might even find it worth his time to knock Lucius down a few pegs for failing to do his job properly. Pettigrew thought there would be nothing more satisfying than seeing that particular event.

Pettigrew quickly reached the front gates of Hogwarts, and from there he changed back into his human form and Apparated quickly to his master's side. He immediately bowed down and kissed the hem of the Dark Lord's robes.

"Stand," commanded Voldemort, his eyes boring into those of the small man standing before him. Voldemort replayed the conversation that had taken place earlier in Severus' room. Just for good measure, Voldemort rooted around Pettigrew's other memories, finding a particularly humiliating one – he saw the time that Pettigrew had masturbated while thinking of his mother having sex in the room next to his.

Pettigrew was highly embarrassed, but kept any sort of outburst to himself. He believed that that the Dark Lord kept his power over his servants in this manner – building a mound of secrets that he could expose at any time should he doubt their loyalty. That was the problem with Pettigrew – he never knew that he was the only one that Voldemort did this to. The other Death Eaters, few in number at the present time (Voldemort was not yet ready to make his move in regard to recruitment efforts), were more easily cowed by the thought of being put under some of the most painful hexes that the Dark Arts provided. It was at this time that Lucius Malfoy stepped out of the shadows.

"Lucius," hissed Voldemort, "it would seem that your plan backfired. It would seem that by killing his parents, you have pushed him further away from us. I am not convinced that he believes Mudbloods did it. You have failed me, Lucius. You know how I deal with those that fail me."

Lucius thought quickly about what to do, he was quite good at saving his neck. "My Lord," he began hesitantly, "give me just one more chance to prove myself to you, and bring Severus Snape to our side. I believe there is another way through which we, might, ah, convince him to join."

"Really, Lucius," sneered Voldemort, "and what would that be?"

"I believe, my Lord, that if we were to compromise his situation with the Mudblood, he would be more receptive to our ways."

"That is very insightful of you, Lucius. Pettigrew here has just brought me that very information. You, Lucius, along with Pettrigrew, will kidnap the Mudblood on the next Hogsmeade weekend, and bring her to me. You are to make sure that Snape knows that you have taken her, and leave some clue to her whereabouts."

"Yes, my Lord, you are infallibly wise my Lord. Where do you want us to take the Mudblood?"

"That is of no matter to you at this moment, Lucius. All you need to do is see me before you take the girl, and I will give you a Portkey for Snape to find, and it will lead to him to where I will have her. Are you perfectly clear on my instructions?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"Good. After I kill the Mudblood, I believe I will begin on that special project you and I were discussing Lucius, I believe that this will warrant the beginning of my immortality – I have been told she is the strongest witch Hogwarts has seen in a century, and this is good enough for me. Have you been able to locate a relic of Gryffindor's yet?"

"No, my Lord, it is nowhere to be found. However, I have found the house crest created by Rowena Ravenclaw herself. Allow me to present it to you." With that, Lucius kneeled down, and took a parcel out of his cloak. He unwrapped it, and presented a small silver crest to Voldemort.

"I suppose this is acceptable Lucius, though I really would have preferred Gryffindor's sword, as it is ripe with symbolism. You are free to go Lucius – you have much to plan before next Saturday. I will call for you at the appropriate time."

Lucius remained on bended knee and said, "I live to serve you my Lord, and I will gladly die to serve you."

Voldemort waived his hand dismissively. Lucius knew it was time to go. He spared nothing more than a quick glance at Pettigrew and Apparated back to Malfoy Manor. Moments later, Pettigrew arrived, and a plan was hatched.

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Hermione took a look outside through Severus' window. There was a small blizzard going on outside, and soon enough, she'd be in the thick of it. She snuggled tightly into the embrace of the man lying beside her, and inadvertently woke him from his slumber.

"Good morning," he groaned as he stretched. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and turned to look out the window.

"It's such a pity that I have to stay at the castle today. I couldn't imagine not going to Hogsmeade in this sort of weather. It's such a pity that I have to brew potions again for Madam Pomfrey," Severus teased. Hermione promptly smacked him across the shoulders for his cheek. Severus had managed to receive detention this Saturday when Peter Pettigrew had accused him of intentionally sabotaging his potion. It was false, but no one had believed Severus over the golden Gryffindors. He didn't mind the detention, but he did mind not being able to spend time with Hermione. He idly wondered if Hermione was an aberration in the Gryffindor house.

Hermione quickly dressed and headed toward the Great Hall to meet up with James, Remus, Sirius, Peter, and Lily. While not exactly on speaking terms, she and Sirius had agreed to be civil to each other today. There was no sense in ruining what would be one of the last breaks before the N.E.W.T. exams.

The group headed towards Hogsmeade, and Hermione noticed that Peter was being a little more jumpy than usual. This made Hermione wonder what he was up to – did he have a date with someone in Hogsmeade, perhaps? Hermione knew what he would grow up to be, but she had been trying very hard to turn him away from that path. Little did she know it wasn't working in the least. In fact, it made Pettigrew laugh – like he would listen to a Mudblood like her.

Once they got to Hogsmeade, they all went their separate ways with a promise to meet up at the Three Broomsticks in an hour. Peter grabbed Hermione's arm and motioned for her to come with him. He mumbled about having something to show her. Hermione followed him to what looked like a vacant house.

Without warning and without time to react, she saw Peter whip his wand out and put her in a full body-bind. She tried to scream, but found that the body-bind included her vocal cords. Out of her peripheral vision, she saw another figure walk up to her. She felt a sharp pain in her ribs as someone viciously kicked her.

"Well, Pettigrew, it seems that you haven't fumbled up this mission. There just might be hope for you yet." Hermione would recognize that voice anywhere. It was Lucius Malfoy.

"I think, Malfoy, that you'd better be much more appreciative of me. I just saved your skin. Think about what would have happened if you had failed yet again. I don't think the Dark Lord would have appreciated any more failure from you," Pettigrew scoffed.

Lucius chose to ignore his comment. He left a note on the ground where Severus would surely find it, and wrote another with instructions about what to do. He summoned his owl to deliver the second note to Severus in the castle, where Lucius knew he was serving detention.

Making sure everything was in place one final time, the two Death Eaters took hold of Hermione's Petrified body and Disapparated.