Hermione was watching, taking careful notes, as people swirled into and out of Grimmauld Place. It was as if she believed that just by seeing and keeping track of everyone, she could divine the news - feel the ill wind blowing from the east. A determined Hermione was a happy Hermione, and she was pouring all of her efforts into... doing things that no one wanted her to do. As usual. Not that that ever stopped Hermione, Harry Potter thought wryly.
Lupin again, his weary bones nearly audibly creaking as he tumbled out of the floo - and strode off to give his report to Moody.
Sitting in the living room, Harry Potter pretended to read a book about Quiddich. No one would suspect that he was tracking the goings on just as assiduously as Hermione - just with fewer notes. Harry had learned the hard way that notes could be stolen, after all. He'd give Hermione another few days, and then laze his way in, sprawled beside her on the couch, and start reviewing. See what she had found that he hadn't - and vice versa.
As the darkness gathered outside, Snape appeared in the study where Hermione had been collating her research. "Oh, Professor Snape! I have something to return." And as Harry ever-so-casually glanced up, he saw Hermione handing Snape a thin book that she'd been reading. If it was important, she'll tell me in her own time, Harry thought. Snape nodded, saying gravely, "Stormclouds gather in vale and glen - in all the hidden places darkness pools like ink."
Hermione nodded, as if Snape had said something of great import. "Thank you, sir." Harry found himself wondering what exactly Hermione thought Snape had just said, and if it bore any resemblance to what Snape thought he just said.
Snape looked up, his pitchy eyes staring out of his aquiline face - spearing Harry with their sharp glance. "You are to remain here for the rest of the summer, unless an emergency arises. If you must, absolutely must, leave this house, you are to go wandless. There are too many eyes - and overly interested ears at the Ministry this season. Wear a disguise, too - no sense in putting your face out as if it's on a poster already." Harry was privately certain that the Dark Lord had a poster of him - and perhaps that was exactly what Snape wanted him thinking about (for after all, wouldn't Snape know?). Probably Draco Malfoy who drew it, at that, Harry thought with a glint of hatred.
[a/n: Harry's got enough Slytherin to be interested in everything going on. Ron's probably actually reading about Quiddich.
Well, there's another piece on the table. Can you see where I'm going yet? Even if you can't, write a review anyway!]