A/N Happy weekend! So, I know I said there would be a double update this weekend but I'm debating whether it should be today or tomorrow. You see, my dear readers, this chapter does not have the answers you seek to the questions of the last chapter. Is it horrible of me to keep you waiting? Probably. I may just make you wait a few hours, we'll see.

Happy Veteran's day! I don't know how many of you observe the holiday but it's today so if there is anybody that has served their country (any country) I'd like to extend a thank you for your service.

Enjoy this wonderful chapter that has an absence of Hermione and Bellatrix.

Ginny sat in the back of the library with Neville and Luna. It had become their meeting place to get away from their housemates and be among friends. They had seen Hermione at Hogsmeade earlier and heard what had happened through her brother. It was heavily exaggerated but they knew it was partly true.

"Do you think Hermione is really trying to kill Dumbledore?" Neville asked, leaning toward the two witches.

"No way. Hermione's way too smart to make a plan that doesn't work. It had to be a distraction," Ginny said, shaking her head.

"Draco has been absent lately," Luna offhandedly commented, eyes wandering around the ceiling.

"It has to be part of the plan. Hermione is drawing attention from Draco so he can do his part without arousing suspicion."

"Do you think he's going to be the one to kill Dumbledore, then?" Neville asked, eyes widening.

"Probably not."

"Then what is the plan?"

"We don't know, Neville. But I do know there's a reason Hermione is drawing attention from Draco. We have to make sure he stays off Harry and Ron's radar however we can without being obvious about it."

Luna and Neville nodded in agreement. Hermione had plenty to worry about and they would help how they could. She hadn't said they couldn't, just that they couldn't reveal their side. Harry and Ron were easily distracted and, honestly, were too oblivious to realize something was happening. Harry had it out for Draco, sure, but he was so busy trying to convince himself Hermione could be 'saved.' Draco had been careful, too. Ginny and Neville hadn't even noticed his lack of presence at mealtimes. Luna knew because she was Luna and no one really questioned how she knew things. Dispersing, the trio returned to their common rooms, purpose set. They didn't need to be privy to the plan to know that whatever Draco was doing was of the utmost importance.

Draco had been taking a break from his repairs. Hermione's stunt had brought him plenty of time to work unnoticed but he couldn't be gone for exceedingly long periods of time. The entire school was abuzz, well, Ron Weasley was abuzz, telling how he and Harry saw Hermione leaving Hogsmeade right after Katie had collapsed. That's not exactly what was being said but Draco knew what had really happened. He hadn't been there but he helped Hermione develop the plan. He hadn't been surprised it had worked, either. For the past several days he had worked unhindered, making significant progress but he still had a long way to go. Hermione hadn't answered any of his messages, but his mother had written him and told him the basics of what happened. Draco understood, knowing his aunt was the most important person in Hermione's life and had continued to do his part. Hermione had been nearly finished the last time she had written, anyway.

Draco worried for Hermione and his aunt. They needed each other and if they lost one, they would lose both. The war would be lost if either witch died before it ended. Draco cared for more than that reason, though. Hermione and Bellatrix were part of his family. Losing them would be devastating because a key part of him would be gone. He silently vowed to do whatever it took to keep the two witches safe. Sure, they were probably the most powerful witches in existence but they couldn't protect themselves from everything. It was his duty to help keep them safe and he would, no matter what.

Dumbledore paced his office, hands clasped behind his back. He had taken Harry with him on his last Horcrux hunt but he hadn't been able to locate more. He knew what they were most likely to be but all the feelers he had put out turned up with nothing. The Horcruxes were just gone. He didn't know how many there were, wouldn't until Harry got the memory from Slughorn but he had the feeling there were more. For the first time since the war began, Dumbledore worried over his ability to win. The last year had not gone according to plan at all and he had lost significant numbers. The Order had been small before, but even losing Hermione had been greater than he wanted to admit. Then the twins and Nymphadora had left. He had not heard any news about the twins other than their joke shop had grown in popularity with the Slytherins. It did not bode well for him if the twins were supporting Voldemort. Nymphadora had regained her Auror position despite Mad-Eye's attempts to bar her. Andromeda had left as well, her cottage burned to the ground. He didn't know for sure but he was certain she had reunited with her sisters.

Dumbledore heaved a weary sigh. He was getting too old for this and only hoped he could win the war soon so life could return to normal. Not that he remembered what normal was, but it was better than this, surely. He watched the portraits on the wall, halting his pacing as he did so. One day, he would be just like them, a memory of a man confined to a picture frame or two, called upon for advice whenever it was needed. He couldn't help but feel that the day would soon be upon them but he shook it off. He did not dwell on 'someday,' he planned for the future, using whatever means necessary. It was, after all, for the greater good. Or so he said.

Tonks relished in Mad-Eye's displeasure at her return. She had even been promoted and was now his superior. Pledging herself to the Dark Lord was not without benefits but no one had to know that, She could tell Mad-Eye was suspicious but the wizard was unable to pry too deep and she used every chance she could to remind him of her position. She wasn't normally a vain person but she enjoyed taunting her former partner. She had never really liked him, even if he was a halfway decent mentor. He had still refused to share certain information with her and was annoying overall. Now, she had the power to leave him with mundane assignments, usually reserved for rookies or Aurors close to retirement. She supposed it wasn't entirely inaccurate, Mad-Eye probably wouldn't live through the war. Especially when he had been the one to send the spell that hit Bellatrix. Hermione would probably kill him when she found out. Tonks hadn't been there that night but her mom had told her what had happened and how distraught she was. She knew the two had a strong bond but she had no idea Hermione would react that way to Bellatrix's injury. It was slightly frightening. Hermione could be incredibly dangerous, especially if Bellatrix wasn't there to balance her. It was amazing just how powerful the two witches were, even alone. Tonks had never seen them duel together but she imagined it would be one-sided no matter who the two fought.

Severus sat across from Minerva in her office. He hadn't been able to speak to her when school started but finally had the chance to fill her in. She had missed most of the events of last year when she was called away for a family emergency. He knew Minerva cared for Hermione, had taken to mentoring the young witch, and he wanted Minerva to know the truth. He had no idea if Dumbledore had told her what happened, but he knew it wouldn't have been the truth. Minerva observed Severus as he sat across from her, waiting for him to speak. She knew Hermione would be the topic of conversation and she wasn't sure how she felt about it.

"Minerva, it's important you listen to what I have to say. It's about Hermione and I know parts of it might sound crazy but it's the truth, I promise," Severus said, eyes pleading with Minerva.

"Are the newspapers telling the truth? Is Hermione the heir of Morgana and is she a Death Eater?" Minerva's Scottish lilt betrayed her nervousness. She wanted the newspapers to be wrong, still wanted Hermione to be the innocent bookworm she had come to think of as a daughter.

"They are newspapers, they never tell the full truth. But, yes, she is both of those things."

Minerva slumped in her seat, despair washing over her. "How did this happen?"

Severus launched into the explanation, telling all he knew about the events that occurred while Minerva was away. He hesitated to tell her of Dumbledore's deception but decided to after a moment of consideration. If he was telling her the truth, he may as well tell the full truth. As he explained more, Minerva sat up in her chair, eyes alight. They were filled with happiness and betrayal and underlying anger. Hermione had always made sound decisions and she should have known better than to think otherwise. She couldn't believe Dumbledore had lied to them all for years, had hidden Hermione's lineage. It was disgraceful to what he claimed to stand for.

"Thank you, Severus. I had no idea how deep the lies went. And I had no idea so much had happened while I was gone."

"I know you care for Hermione, Minerva. I didn't want you to think her evil like everyone else. You should write to her, I think she'll appreciate it." Severus stood, moving to the door.

"I think I will. Good night."

"Good night." Severus opened the door, striding into the hall toward his chambers near the dungeons. His robes billowed behind him as he disappeared out of Minerva's sight. She grabbed a quill when he had gone, flicking her wand to close the door.