Hermione flew up the stairs to her room, trying to understand the message. It seemed so sinister and frightening, and yet at the same time the message was so childish and simple.

George ran through the door after Hermione, hindered only twice by tripping over first a stool and then Ron's owl, who was flying wildly around, excited by the people running all around the house. He made it to Hermione's door and was about to go in. Suddenly, Ron and Harry came zooming past him and knocked him over in their rush to get inside. They pulled open the door and rushed in.

Ginny, meanwhile, had jumped on her broom and flown up in the air to scout out the area. She could see nothing amiss and flew back down, walking – unlike the others- slowly and thoughtfully into the house.

George finally got up again and made it into Hermione's room, shutting the door behind him. Hermione was standing in the middle of the room, listening as Ron and Harry talked excitedly. She had her arms crossed and looked frightened but determined. George walked over to her and stood next to her, wondering what was the matter with Ron. His hair was standing straight up in his excitement and his freckles were nearly glowing.

"We have to leave as soon as we can. It's so obvious, how could we have missed this?" Ron nearly shouted.

Harry ran his fingers through his hair. He didn't look as happy as Ron did.

"I don't know, Ron. It seems obvious, but it's not Voldemort's usual style. And why couldn't Dumbledore figure this one out if it's as easy as that?"

George narrowed his eyes, listening. He had some idea of what they were discussing, but he really wanted to know what the words had said.

"Hermione," he started to say to her. She shushed him and went back to listening to Ron and Harry. He noticed that she had tears in her eyes.

"Ron, Harry! Be quiet. We need to tell George about this and then we can decide what to do. I think you're right… we need to work more on finding the Horcruxe now, but we need to get organized first."

She turned to George and pushed him gently onto the bed, making him sit down. Ron was sitting in her desk chair and Harry was already sitting on the floor.

"George," she started, "I don't know how to tell you this. Harry and Ron already knew, but no one else does, and they shouldn't find out. It was a message from… my brother."

"What?" George asked stupidly. "You don't have a brother."

"Yes, I do," Hermione replied. "His name… is Draco Malfoy."

George tried to wrap his mind around this. He did not understand. He sat without saying anything for several moments.

"George, he's my half brother- we have the same father- it's why he's always hated me so much. My mother knew his father and… while Narcissa was pregnant, I was… well, you get the idea. His father told him just before Draco started Hogwarts and my mother told me when I got my letter. Draco was always a Dark wizard but after Dumbledore's death, after he became part of the Order, he realized he wanted to know how much I knew about him, about us. He hasn't changed that much, he still hates me because of his father, but he no longer cares about the Dark Arts either, so he sent me a message about Voldemort. He knows where the Horcruxe is."

"I don't believe it." George said.
"Harry and I will go to Draco and get him to tell us. Then we can kill him."

George looked a bit taken aback.

"George, there's more to the message. Draco somehow, already, knows about you, about us, and he told me that he would only give us the secret if I leave and don't come back."

"Doesn't he have to give it to Harry for the Order, for all wizards, not just for you?" George asked.

"Draco doesn't care about the Order or about Voldemort. So much has happened to him that he's become permanently deranged. He just wants to protect his pureblood family name and keep himself clean."

Hermione fell silent. George didn't say anything. Ron looked like he wanted to hurry up and leave already.

Suddenly, Hermione broke the silence.

"I'll go," she said. "I'll get whatever Draco has to say and then come back and give it to you. Then I'll leave."

"What?" George said. "You're going to leave forever just because of an empty threat from Draco?"

"No," Hermione said. "I'm going to leave because Harry needs the Horcruxe and I'm the only one Draco will give it to. When Harry has the Horcruxe, he can kill Voldemort and we can all start living normal lives again. Draco will never give me the secret without a binding promise that I won't be able to break. I won't be coming back."

George looked at her and saw that she was determined. He got up and walked out of the room.

Ron and Harry told Hermione firmly that Draco was dangerous, that they would go instead, that everything would be fine. They stopped when they noticed the look on her face. She seemed determined and resolute, with a look of steel. But underneath the façade, she seemed ready to crumple. They knew that Draco would only give up the secret to her. Every day longer they waited, Voldemort's supporters grew and witches and wizards died in greater and greater numbers. Draco cared not for any of this; he cared only for his deranged, scarred beliefs. Hermione's sacrifice might be in vain, but she would not allow any one else to make it for her and she would not rest while she could do something to help their chances for victory. They left the room, saddened beyond belief.