Chapter 10

Silver Darkness.

It's a day of wreckoning. A day like no other where you will find, you will shine and devour the test of time. Here with this mark we will start a revolution of our own. It will grow, once we know the truth and soon the entire world will see. Just how powerful Voldemort can be.

The man's chant drifted as Harry felt himself float towards the parade. The dark mark was being burnt onto wasking flesh and the clapping drowned out most of the horrific screams. Standing around was about 50 death eaters, none of which Harry recognised. He was searching for any clue as too why he was in this place. But, everything ceased as he saw four arms outstretch in front of the cauldron. Plain white skin belonging to only one person, Draco Malfoy, it was almost milky. Like it had never seen sunlight. But the other two. Whos arms were they? He stumbled through for a closer look. Nobody noticed or felt his prescence. At the time, Harry didn't really think about why, he just drew closer until he saw who it was. Harry slapped his hand over his mouth and stumbled back as if he was falling. The dream or whatever it was dazed and the last image haunted him. The other person was...

Neville.

Harry shot up and looked around. Back into the comfort of his own dorm room, he thought his dream over again. It couldn't be a dream, more like a nightmare. Neville getting a dark mark. With Malfoy. It could never happen. It would never happen. Neville would never get a Dark Mark. Harry dismissed it as yet another bad dream, he lied back down and closed his eyes but he couldn't get the images out of his head. He knew these "dreams" meant something. He just didn't know what they were, or why he was having them. He's had dark dreams before, that seemed oh-so-real. This was different. This felt like it had not happened yet. Like he was meant to make sure it didn't happen. He made a note of talking to Dumbledore about it as he dosed off just as someone across the Castle was waking up.

Hermione crawled out of bed and looked at the time. She walked into the bathroom, brushed her teeth than hopped in the shower. Once finished, she wrapped herself in a towel and looked in the mirror. A few thoughts were about to cross her mind as she heard a faint bang. As she stepped back into her room, drying her hair, she noticed that her window was slightly ajar and as she went to investigate a white owl flustered in and perched itself on the end of her bed. Holding out it's leg, she took the letter and watched the bird fly away. She would have given it a treat if it had bothered to wait but it raced off like it had better things to do. As Hermione looked down at the letter, she suddenly realised why. Scruffing her nose up she ripped the letter open and scanned over the parchment.

Granger, (Or should I say tutor)

Kindly meet me at the library after classes. I need help with my homework. You did offer to help me, remember. Well look forward to seeing you there.

Have a nice day

Draco Malfoy

Wonderful. Another great start to an even greater day. I must be blessed, she thought sarcastically. She screwed up the parchment and fell back onto her bed. Honestly. Does he have to make it so obvious that he fancies me. Well pretending to fancy me. He could at least ease into the water, not throw himself in head first. Hermione wasn't really prepared for his forwardness. One day, it seemed like everything was semi-normal. Malfoy didn't insult her friends, he carely even looked at them. The next day he was all chummy and sweet to her. Sweet?. There's an attribute you rarely ever hear next to that git's name. Breathing in, she rolled over onto her side as she stared out at her window, that was still open, despite the coldness of the morning.

Hermione was kinda hoping that the letter was from Harmonica. She wanted to know more about Malfoy's plan and seen as Harmonica and Dumbledore knew so much, she really wanted to get more out of them. Harry told her last night that he'd question Dumbledore more about it at their annual meeting but that was two days away, and Hermione had a tutor date with Malfoy tonight. She needed to stratagize her plan.

The day seemed to progress on and Potions class was nearing. The class Gryffindors dreaded and Slytherins praised, despite the usually tackiness of Snape. He was being rather distant today, he wasn't teasing or taunting anyone. Wasn't making fun of Nevilles lack of following instructions. He was barely breathing. He walked in, set an assignment, showed them how to do it and then left the class to work. Sitting at his desk, with his head in his hands. Hermione had no time to figure out he's weird behaviour because she was paired up with Malfoy who found annoying ways to get to her. She completely forgot that Heads always work togeather to set a good example for the other students or as Malfoy reminded her everytime she asked, why she was surrounded by a foul loathem evil little cockroach. Malfoy finished her sentence, apparently he remembered what she called him before she struck him. She was this close to doing it again.

Lunch came and salvation was spared for Hermione. She fell into her seat and stared at her curious friends, she explained everything to them and they sympathised remotely.

"It will be alright, Hermione." Ron reassured her, after taking a bite of his chicken wing.

"I'm just sorry I can't go see Hagrid with you guys. I still can't believe they tricked us into believing he was dead." She replied.

Harry still felt a bit of anger about that. "I think it was crual. Even if they had there reasons."

Hermione had to agree but it was for the best and thank-god it was all just one big act. She waved goodbye to Harry and Ron and set off towards the library arriving about three minutes early.

She found a table in the back, and sat down quietly pulling out her Anchient Runes textbook.

She scanned the half-empty library for any sign of Malfoy, but there was none. She shrugged, and began writing down things that had been learning. She jumped as a bag was slammed on the table and a body flew into the seat putting his head in his hands Hermione wondered if this was all a part of his plan so she kicked into pretend mode, waiting for him to speak, but he didn't.

He just pulled his books out of his bag, placed them on the table and opened them. Glancing over at what page Hermione was on, he turned to Magical Cultures in Anchent Realms and then sighed. Staring at the heading. Hermione didn't know what to do, should she start or wait until he says something. They sat in silence for a minute before Malfoy looked up.

"Are you waiting for the books to sprout wings and fly away just so you can get a life."

Hermione was taken aback by this. Wasn't he suppose to be nice to her. How can he expect to win her trust and love if he still treats her like a shit on his shoe. Then it dawned on Hermione that he may know. Her mind thought back to what Harry said in dumbledores office. "...hard to come up with insults that wont ruin your chances". Hermiones stomach turned. Did he know? She looked up from her book and he raised his eyebrows, shrugging his shouldars waiting for her to speak. She gathered herself togeather and replied. "I will pretend you didn't say that."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Great comeback." He thought outloud. Hermione just breathed out frustrated.

"We were learning about Anchient Magical Cultures in Egypt when you transferred. What exactly do you need help with." She asked.

"Truthfully. I don't really need help. I just wanted to spend time with you." He replied.

Correction. He knew nothing. Or he knew, that they knew, but was still playing along with his plan. Hermione continued at his/her deception.

"Excuse me. Malfoy you've been acting really weird lately. Are you on some kind of medication?" She had to hold herself down, his smirk was hysterically. It showed in his face, he was pleased his plan was working. If he only knew!.

"No, I am not."

"Well you should be. Let me find you a number of a psycologist not a psychiatrist, your going to need some drugs...and none that Madam Pomfrey can doll out."

Malfoy cursed at her sarcasm, he could have turned that around as a witty insult that she had opened herself up too. But, he couldn't. If he wanted his plan too work.."Does someone have to be mental to be able to spend time with you?"

"Malfoy, you hate me. Remember? Up until this year you have ceased every opportunity too insult me, humilate me, the whole kit and cabootle. Whats changed?" Hermione asked, her patience was dying down. She was trying hard not to fall for Malfoys act but it was proving to be difficult. He was very good at pretending to care for somebody else, must have had a lot of experiance.

"I started too like you." He answered,

"Right and pigs can fly." She scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"With the right spell, they can." He retorted, looking smugly at her. Her eyes widened and for a second he thought he saw some mischief in her eyes. But, dismissed it.

"That's it isn't it." She half-shouted, "Your under a spell. Some weird love struck voodoo. One of your Slytherin friends did this. A crual and very very unusual way to make a complete fool out of me. Well not this Gryffindore buddy. I'm not just smart when it comes too books, you know."

"Granger, I am not under any spell and... your a bit cocky there arent u?" He said, referring to her last comment. Hermione really didn't want to do this right now, she wanted to be with Ron and Harry visiting Hagrid. She didn't want to be...frantising with the enemy. She knew that she should stay there and hopefully get a little bit more out of Malfoy, but she had other things too do and frankly he was being rather annoying.

"You're wasting my time, Malfoy." She spat at him, standing up and grabbing her belongings before sprinting towards the door.

She was merely half-way down the corridor when she heard Malfoy shout her name, she ignored him rather pleased with the way she handled the sitiuation. She was very believable. Malfoy eventually caught up with her, and when she wouldn't look at him, he grabbed her arm and spun her around.

"Granger, I am being serious. I really do think that I like you."

Hermione just smirked and rolled her eyes. "To truly like someone you must have feelings, Malfoy. You don't have feelings, you feel nothing. Your cold and loathome, just like you'll always be. I'm not an idiot. I know you have an agenda, and I'm not falling for it."

It was evident that Hermione hit Malfoy really hard with that. You could see it in his face, in his eyes, and for a second Hermione felt like a worthless piece of crap, but then she took notice of who it was. This is somebody who has said even nastier things to her, he was just getting a little taste of his own medicine and by the looks of it. He's medicine tasted like shit. But, even though this was Malfoy, Hermione couldn't help but feel a little bad for what she had said. Not wanting to think about it anymore, she turned on her heel and walked away. Malfoy just stood there for what seemed like forever. He, too, was shocked at what happened just then. She was wrong. He did have feelings, but he couldn't blame her for thinking he didn't have any. Malfoy tried to get angry, he tried to build himself up with such resentment for the Mudblood that it would only go away if he said something equally as hurtful too her. No matter how much willpower he had, nothing was happening. He just felt empty. For the first time in a very long time, he felt worthless.

Hermione trying to let go of the guilt that just surfaced was pacing round a corner when she literally ran into Ron. They stumbled back and started laughing, as Harry joined them. He was confused about what was so funny and when Hermione told him, he burst out laughing as well. It really wasn't that funny, but they needed some laughter in their lives. The past few weeks have been rather treachous.

"How was the tutoring session with Ferret Boy?" Harry asked, emphasizing on the word, Ferret.

Hermione shook her head, and directed them to Gryffindore common room. Once the door was shut, she sat down near the fire. Harry and Ron sat down with her, after awhile she explained to them what had happened.

"He doesn't waste time, does he?" Ron said sarcastically.

"He is a good actor, I'll give him that. It took a lot of willpower to say those things too me, and he did make it believable. I am just so glad I know of his plan. If I didn't then I might have actually fallen for it." She confessed, Harry and Ron just stared at her dumbfounded.

"Are you serious, Hermione?" Harry asked.

Hermione just stared at him confused, then rolled her eyes. "It's Malfoy were talking about, I was just saying. He was very believable."

Harry and Ron did there best to dismiss that, but the thought got into there head and it would wash away. Hermione just rolled her eyes, again. She caught sight of Ginny coming down the stairs and immediatly remembered her Head duties.

"Ginny. Thank-God I caught you. I need you to notify all the Prefects that there will be a meeting in the Great Hall on Saturday. Can you do that for me?"

Ginny nodded, and smiled as Hermione thanked her. The two begun talking for a bit with Ron about what can be there next move with Malfoy. Harry thought back to this morning and his dream. He didn't know if he should tell his friends what he had been dreaming of or if he should keep it to himself. He didn't want people to think he was crazy again. He was snapped out of his thoughts as Hermione said goodnight to Ginny and Ron and then to him, he replied silently. Ginny and Ron were already discussing the first Quidditch match and Harry decided to get in on it. He didn't want to think about that stuff anymore, he was tired of the constant worry of putting his friends in danger. As soon as Harry joined in, it seemed Ron lost interest in talking to his sister and started paying more interest to Harry. Ginny just laughed at them both and grabbed the book she was looking for disappearing up the stairs.

Hermione, who was half way to her common room, started thinking about what she had said to Malfoy again. She was hoping he wasn't there, but unfortunetely, he was. She tried her best too sneak past him but he caught her off guard.

"Have you notified that mini-weasel about Prefect meeting yet?" He asked, with a sour tongue. Back to his old tricks, huh. Thinking it will cast a few sympathy stones. She thought, smiling too herself. She just turned around slowly and nodded. He nodded back and wen't into his room slamming the door. Hermione just stuck her tongue out at nobody and strolled off to her room. As she walked in and shut the door, she felt something hover at her neck and as she flipped around an envolope flew at her head and an owl raced off out the window. She looked at the letter and realised it was from Harmonica. Ripping it open she scanned over it. Her expression changing several times during the porcess. She slowed down and read it word for word carefully again.

Hermione Granger,

I trust that Dumbledore has told you all he can. Yes, I am the spy that has been helping the Order. I am unsuspected because I am very old. I, also understand that you have figured out who the culprit his. Young Mister Malfoy. Very good, and I know about the truth potion that you plan to give him. Be careful with that. I want to let you know who I am, but I am pretty sure it is not safe to do so. I, fear that you will not trust me, and Miss Granger, you have no reason not to trust me. I said in my last letter that I wanted you to write to me, but that is now not a possibilty. It is too dangerous, the Death Eaters are checking the mail that we get and if they see a letter from you. It is too suspicious. If you have any questions, please ask Dumbeldore and he will explain everything you need to know. I must add before I go, that you should not look down at Mister Malfoy, he is a good boy and a good person. What he is doing is wrong, but if he doesn't. You can only imagine what will happen. It is your decision how you see him, but know this, you would do the same if you were him.

Take good care of yourself and your friends.

Stay alert

Harmonica.

Looking up, she had a mere five seconds before someone punched her square in the face and she fell backwards the letter flying over to her side. The person who hit her had no reason to look at the letter. Hermione tried to struggle against the man but it was too hard. She felt herself being lifted up and then a bright light blinded her eyes, she was thrown against her bed post and landed on the floor. Looking up, she tried to see who it was but it was no use. Their face was covered, all she could hear was a snicker. Before she blacked out she saw a silver hand rise and touch her arm, then everything faded too black.

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