Authors Note: Not getting any reviews! lol. will update though cuz i'v already written it. action and violence coming up in later chapters so by some miracle if anyone is reading this, be warned.

Also, if you havent noticed already - Dumbledore is very alive for this fic.

Chapter Four: Mudblood Granger

Malfoy ate his breakfast keeping his eyes on his plate. The previous night's revelry had ended at 4. am. Afterwards he had apparated back to MM or Malfoy Manor and then straight to HW. Lucius had looked surreal when he had apparated back with him, dripping with blood, a satisfied air about him as he bid him farewell and stretched gracefully like a cat.

Malfoy didn't sleep but sank into a comfortable armchair in the Slytherin Common Room. As a Malfoy he had been burdened with expectations. These expectation had been turned inwards and then outwards. He expected great things of himself and he wouldn't disappoint. As a spy, he needed a contact and only one person came to mind: Hermione Granger. He thought of her Mudblood parents and filthy upbringing with slowly controlled hate. He could not let his emotions get in the way. As a spy he could not let Dumbledore get involved. Malfoy shivered at the thought of the old fool getting his hands on him. Hermione was a woman, so she would easily fall for his sob story. He didn't underestimate her though. She was too clever for her own good, but he was confident that he could handle her.

It was early and the Great Hall was nearly empty. Severus sat brooding early in the morning at the head table. Making a conscious effort, Malfoy thought of the mudblood as Granger. Granger sat at the Gryffindor table, nose buried in a book with a blue velvet cover. He noted her frizzy hair, absence of make-up, focused expression and right hand making quick notes on the side as her left dumped spoons of food into her mouth. He decided on the safest way to arrange their secret meeting.

She bought it hook line and sinker. Fool. She bought it with a healthy dose of suspicion that could not be avoided. His sob story about his fathers incessant Crucios made her eyes wide with surprise, but her disgust was quickly hidden. Malfoy smirked to himself. Sure, his father had Cruciod him a couple of times, but he didn't think it was a big deal. Severus had taught him how to bear it, separate his mind from the physical pain so that he could feel only pain and there was no danger of going mad at all. Malfoy could take Crucios without screaming. It took a lot of practice and will, but he could not allow Lucius the pleasure of hearing him scream so easily. He leaned into stone wall of the Astronomy Tower behind him. It was still too early for anyone to be awake. He had allowed Granger to chose the place. He outlined his conditions carefully. No negotiation.

'Dumbledore cannot know. Harry Potter cannot know. You can use the information in any way you wish. The method of exchanging information is open to discussion.' Her brown eyes studied him with a scary intensity. Malfoy was unfazed and returned her gaze steadily.

'If you refuse, you will allow me to Obliviate you and this has never happened.' She glared at him, her mouth becoming grim as her mind raced. This was a deal between two people aware of all the risks. She didn't object to the Obliviate, but Malfoy knew that she wouldn't allow him to Obliviate her. He would have to d it forcibly, and he would probably enjoy it. He smirked at her dark look. His smirk faded as she walked towards him and he felt the warmth radiating from her. Was she dark magic dominant? She stopped a foot away and looked out of one of the windows. She had already decided. Then she proceeded to read his mind by saying,

'I'm not dark magic dominant. I'm a perfect equilibrium, a half and half. It's a rare thing.' Malfoy widened his eyes in shock and with considerable effort prevented his jaw from coming loose. These mudbloods had no sense. They were not brought up in the magical world and so they were unaware that the constituents of your magic were personal and never discussed. People around you felt it and saw it. It was never mentioned. She had given away a priceless and rare secret. She had shown the side effects of trust, or possible trust. He grinned at her because of his small victory and she blinked in surprise. That was that. It was decided. They discussed their means of communication and reached a decision within ten minutes. They were in a hurry to get out of each others presence. It was unnatural to talk civilly, to try and be understanding. At the end, they were both using each other and they knew it so the atmosphere was tense but in control. That was why Malfoy had chosen Granger. She was an important pillar of the light side, she was clever and knowledgeable and she could control her emotions.

Afterwards, Malfoy showered thoroughly feeling sick and contaminated. He knew his thoughts were irrational, but his hate for Grangers kind was overflowing and sometimes uncontrollable. Controlling himself around her was a strain. It was a weakness and he would work on it. That night was his initiation, and as an act of faith he told her face to face. They would rarely meet civilly after that first meeting, the method of communication they had chosen made sure of that.

Chapter Five: Harry Potter's POV

Harry laughed loudly at some joke or the other that Ron had cracked. He basked in the glow of Ron and Mionie's love. They loved him and they loved each other. Sure, the two of them had been going out only for a few months but Ron had confessed to him the other day that he loved her and wanted to marry her. Mionie probably knew it too, but she acted like she didn't and gave him time. The summer had been an eventful hell, he thought ruefully. They had found another Horcrux, but at great danger to their lives. Ron had nearly died in that trap. Harry still remembered Ron's screams and the absolute fear in his wide eyes. He had saved him, but the trio hadn't recovered completely from the shock. It had shaken Mionie and she had made Ron agree that he wouldn't come with them for the Horcrux hunts again. Harry sighed to himself. She always made such correct unemotional decisions, but it was hard for him to accept them. She was right, Ron was a liability. He didn't pay enough attention during their research and he wasn't as powerful as Harry or as clever as Mionie. They may not be able to save him next time.

Ron had been furious, and Harry could only look on with guilt and regret as Mionie faced Ron with the cold, hard facts. He had sulked for weeks, finally giving in. After all they were all so close and they had been through so much together. He stood by her decision though. He knew she was right. Ron himself grudgingly accepted. After all, he only liked the action part of the Horcrux hunt and it wasn't as exciting as it seemed. 95 percent of the times Harry and Mionie sat in the Room of Requirement late into the night surrounded by books and making notes and not getting anywhere. It was grueling guesswork and Ron used to fall asleep during those sessions anyway. He wasn't driven like they were.

Harry Potter was obsessed with killing Voldemort. He knew he wasn't powerful enough or clever enough, but all his waking moments were spent driving towards his one goal. He believed whole-heartedly in vanquishing the evil lord or darkness. He was tormented regularly by visions from Voldemort as he tortured another innocent person. Harry's eyes darkened at the thought of the sick twisted minds of the death-eaters and their leader, Moldy Rot.

He would fight to the death. He didn't care about dying. The prophecy had made sure of that several years ago. He knew he was destined to live a short life. He spent all his free time studying, working, practicing spells and dueling with Dumbledore. His mentor has spent several months dueling with him, improving his speed and knowledge of how t o use his magic and understanding how his body fused with his magic. He didn't consider Dumbledore as a father-figure he never had. He knew he was just a pawn in his political game, but he understood that too. After all, he was the leader of the light and he had to make decisions for the good of the masses. Dumbledore was his mentor and guide, but he didn't trust him completely. The only people he trusted blindly were Ron and Mionie.

They were walking to their first class. Mionie's head was buried in a book and Ron and Harry walked on either side of her in companionable silence. Harry looked up just in time to see Draco Malfoy saunter up to them, flanked on either side by Pansy and Blaise. The two groups faced each other threateningly. Harry glared daggers at Malfoy and he returned the favor. Blaise sneered,

'Well, if it isn't the most grotesque couple in the entire school.' He pointed at Ron and Mionie who were holding hands. Mionie looked up from her book and scowled at Blaise.

Ron held her hand tighter and growled,

'Shut up before you regret it, you pansy.' His tone sounded really serious and Harry paused his glaring match with Malfoy to glance at Ron worriedly.

'The two of you have been voted the ugliest couple of the past twenty years, did you know?' Pansy informed them happily, with only a slight edge to her voice. Harry wasn't sure who drew their wand first, but suddenly everyone was pointing their wands at each other. Blaise and Ron had fallen to calling each other filthy names that cannot be printed.

'Let's go, Potter, you first,' Malfoy taunted, challenging him, tempting him to be the first to draw fire. Malfoy smirked at him,

'What happened Potter, scared of the old fool?' Harry grit his teeth and returned,

'I wouldn't want to kill you in front of so many witnesses, Malfoy.' He said, his tone darkening. Mionie gave him a dangerous look. Harry tried hard to control the anger that was threatening to take control. He couldn't let his magic out here. A crowd would soon gather. Malfoy's smirk widened impossibly and he said,

'Losing control already Scar Head?'

'You wish,' Harry said but his wand hand trembled with anger. He hated the ferret with all his heart and soul.

'Aw, looks like the death of that mangy black dog was too much for you to handle.' Blaise grinned wickedly at Harry's raging expression and Pansy giggled. Ron shouted something at them, but it was too late. Malfoy and Harry became surrounded in a cloud of curses, while the other ducked to the sides and watched. Mionie looked annoyed while Ron cheered him on. Blaise and Pansy waited on the sides idly watching and whispering amongst themselves.

They were unable to continue their duel for much longer because of the arrival of none other than Professor McGonagall. Harry looked apologetic and angry, but Malfoy looked cool and calm though his face was flushed because of the action and excitement. She went into a tirade about the two of them getting detention again and threatened them with loathful punishments and even expulsion. Malfoy made a face like an angel, his silver eyes wide and ran a relaxed hand through his perfect hair.

'He started it,' he stated coolly pointed a nonchalant thumb at Harry.

'He provoked me!' Harry exclaimed furiously at McGonagall's stern look. She huffed and went into a further lecture about setting an example that Harry angrily tuned out glaring at

self-satisfied Malfoy. He cursed the entire Malfoy family, all the Death Eaters and especially Voldemort. He yearned for the day the war would start in earnest and he could kill them all legally. They were all evil and they deserved to die.