It was two days after the last meeting. Blaise Zabini paced around his room. He would succeed, unlike that useless mudblood-loving Draco Malfoy. He had been hiding under Draco's shadow for far too long. Blaise would prove himself to the Dark Lord. But this would take careful and tedious planning. He stopped pacing and his lips formed a sinister smile. A plot was already forming in his mind. "Malfoy will pay, with the one most dear to him." He whispered, though there was no one there. "That last time was just a warm up. Now it begins."

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Draco was waiting for an ambush from Pansy Parkinson. As mysteriously as her 'illness', as it was known to the school, had come, it had gone. He was more or less right. Though Pansy had lost some weight and looked paler than usual, her high-pitched squeal seemed equally, if not more energetic as before.

As the they walked into the Great Hall, flanked by Goyle and Crabbe, Pansy's simpering still annoyed him as much as before.

"Did you miss me?" Pansy asked, in what she thought was a cute voice

"Why the hell would I?" Draco muttered. He found himself wishing that she was still in the hospital wing, unconscious.

Pansy, however, had no idea whatsoever that what Draco wanted was for her to her out of his sight. Draco took a sit in between Goyle and Crabbe leaving Pansy no choice but to sit opposite them. Pansy started going on about some weird dream she had, so all Draco did was to stare and look as if he was interested.

His mind wondered off to Hermione. He had promised to help her, but Draco knew it would be hard. Malfoy Manor was highly guarded with spells and traps. Not just anyone could get in. It was almost impenetrable. Almost. A few years ago, he had found a way out. It would be the perfect way in. He took out a scrap of paper and wrote Hermione a note and went to the Owlery to send it to her, leaving Pansy in mid-sentence. He had totally forgotten about her. She spluttered indignantly and ran off after him but he shoved her off. He had enough of her, and it was only the first morning she was back.

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Hermione felt much better, her appetite increased. Draco had agreed to help. She knew it was too early to feel hopeful, but she could not help it. Harry and Ron were happy with her change of attitude though they had no idea why. Ginny, as ever, supported her throughout. There was a sense of uneasiness creeping into her thoughts but she pushed them aside. An ordinary brown barn owl swooped down and dropped a note onto Hermione's lap.

Meet me in the Room of Requirement tonight at eight.

-Draco Malfoy

Hermione quickly shoved it into her robes pocket before anyone saw it and asked awkward questions. She finished her toast and waited for Harry and Ron to finish their breakfasts before heading off to Potions with them.

Snape was in a foul mood (when was he not?), and was giving out detentions like lollypops for the smallest of things. Poor Neville was especially nervous today and his potion at the end of the class was a sludge-like substance, nothing like the pale green liquid it was supposed to be.

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During History of Magic, Draco sketched out a map of Malfoy Island. You could say it was better than what some of the other Slytherins in the class were doing. Crabbe was sleeping along with several others and Goyle was catching a fly. Blaise was at the back of the classroom scribbling furiously, and Draco suspected it wasn't notes.

Promptly at eight that night, Draco walked to the Room of Requirement after having shaken off Goyle, Crabbe and Pansy. Hermione was waiting. Draco greeted her.

"Granger. You do know that it is near the impossible to get into Malfoy Manor right?"

Hermione nodded.

"Good. I know this will not be easy but it is our best chance." Draco told her. He took out the map he had drawn earlier and placed it on the table. "There's a boat that will carry you to the island itself, but there's a price. A pureblood's blood. So we'll just have to trick the boat into believing you're a pureblood. Simple enough."

Hermione's eyes widened and Draco continued smoothly.

"At one fifty two every Sunday night, this place," Draco pointed to the highest wall "allows a person to pass through. That's where you'll be coming in. But once someone goes through, it'll seal itself again until the next Sunday. So where will you be the rest of the week? Hiding in Malfoy Manor of course."

"I will arrange for you to stay in the House-Elves room for that week. There, you will also be able to brew your potion. No one ever goes there except the House-Elves so you'll be safe."

"When will we-I go?" Hermione asked, preparing herself for the worst.

"Christmas Break." Draco said