Ch 2

Harry gaped in disbelief like those around him. When the cry of "The Silver Clan!" rose, he looked confused. Dumbledore quickly had everyone return to his or her common rooms. When they got to the Griffindor common room, Harry turned to Hermione. "Who are the Silver Clan?"

Hermione looked in disbelief at Harry, "You don't know who they are?"

"No, remember, I grew up with the Dursleys."

"Yes, but still. The Silver Clan is known in both the muggle and wizarding world!"

Harry arched a brow, "In both worlds?"

Hermione shuddered. "Yes."

"What do they do?"

"The Silver Clan is a mercenary group. They will kill for money. They don't care if the person is muggle or wizard."

"Really?"

"Yes, and they are very professional. Their work is clean and goes undetected if they wish. Sometimes they leave their mark, the Silver Skull (a/n: original huh)."

"I see. Is their mark tattooed like the Dark Lord's Dark Mark?"

Hermione looked at him weirdly. Harry arched a brow. "What?"

"You called Voldemort the Dark Lord."

"Yeah so? Isn't that what he is?"

"Yes but you calling him that…"

"Whatever. Just drop it and answer my question."

"Fine. Yes the Silver Skull is tattooed to their right arms. I heard it works like the Dark Mark."

"Hmmm…"

"I wonder why they got rid of Snape?"

Harry looked up and appeared to think it over. "You said they are mercenaries. Maybe Voldemort found out that Snape was the spy and hired the Silver Clan to exterminate him."

"Exterminate?"

Harry looked up and blushed. 'Oops. Wrong terminology.'

"I guess that's one way to put it."

"Sorry, it slipped. Who do you think will be our new potions teacher as Snape is obviously not going to teach anymore."

Hermione stared at Harry. "How can you be so calm with this Harry? The Silver Clan infiltrated Hogwarts and killed a teacher!"

Harry sighed. "I guess it is because I have seen to much death."

"Too much death?"

"Yes, my parents and Cedric. I have seen more death than those more than twice my age. It doesn't affect me as much as it used to."

Hermione still looked suspicious. Harry looked at her, "What is it with you being so suspicious of me tonight?"

"Lets see… You came in from a "walk" that you went on alone. Then Snape dies at dinner."

Harry stared at her in disbelief, "You think I am in the Silver Clan?"

Hermione nodded, "You have been acting differently lately. You always seem to distance yourself away from us and you always return to Griffindor tower late at night."

Harry snarled angrily. "You dare accuse me?"

"Yes."

Harry sneered. "Why would I have asked you about the Silver Clan if I am, supposedly, in the Silver Clan?"

Hermione shrugged, "Maybe you questioned me to see how much I know."

"I am not in the Silver Clan! See!"

Harry pulled his right sleeve up and showed it to Hermione. It was clean; there was no tattoo.