The Room itself appeared empty of anything except a long wooden table and four chairs, each spaced so that each person would be out of reach of the others.

"Ok, why are we here?" Harry's inquiry went unanswered. The man sat at the head of the table, gesturing that Harry should sit on his left. Taking his seat uneasily, Harry nodded towards the other chairs.

"Are you expecting other visitors?" he asked. The man simply stared straight ahead, and Harry began to feel distinctly uncomfortable.

"Master, my apologies. It was difficult to get away from Zabini." Draco Malfoy strode in and took the seat to the man's right as though this were a common occurrence, Harry included. Harry himself could not hide his distrust. He made to leave, but at that moment someone entered who he hadn't been expecting.

"Professor?!" His Head of House barely acknowledged him, instead nodding towards the stranger and taking the remaining chair. Once she was seated, the man rose to his feet (still staring forwards) and began to speak.

"As you are aware, Minerva, everything is proceeding according to plan. Most of our agents are in position, and with yourself as Dumbledore's primary contact, there is little we are unaware of. Miss Bell's placement has been most convenient, and I must thank you for Draco's alibi." At this Harry flew out of his seat in outrage.

"You're spying on Dumbledore! I knew Malfoy was behind that necklace! You-"

"That is enough." For some reason the man's commanding voice silenced Harry instantly. He was clearly someone who disliked interruptions, and Harry realised he needed to tread far more carefully. Obviously these people were against Dumbledore and the Order, although Harry was having difficulty reconciling the Professor McGonagall he knew with the woman conspiring in the Room of Requirement.

"Draco, you need to have a few words with our repairman. It is vital they not complete their work on the cabinet until we are ready.

Now, Harry," he said, finally turning his burning gaze to the boy he'd named, "I rather think we should chat about your... unfortunate inability to keep your nose out of other people's business." Harry rather expected Malfoy to smirk at this, but his face was like marble; elegant and unresponsive. Clearly, this was not the time or place for silly rivalries. Harry shifted in his chair, feeling excruciatingly uncomfortable with the stone faces of his companions.

"If it makes you feel any better, my father was a member of the original Order of the Phoenix; although quite frankly I always considered him to be a prat. Brave, granted, but a prat nevertheless." As he spoke he became all smiles, suddenly friendly and engaging. It was a stark contrast to the unblinking forms beside them. Harry wasn't even sure if Malfoy was breathing.

"Who? And why do you think he was a prat?" It was fortunate that Harry hadn't really expected a straight answer, because he didn't get one.

"The Order wish to create a world without Riddle simply by removing him and letting things continue as they are – persecution of former lords and mystics. Most Death Eaters wish for pureblood supremacy, and control over Muggles. We seek neither solution." Harry could only blink. Why was Malfoy here if pureblood supremacy wasn't on the agenda? And how was simply removing Voldemort a bad thing? His questions must have shown on his face, because the man leaned forward to impart a few words in a low whisper:

"It's time for a revolution."

Then Professor McGonagall stood, indicating that Harry should leave with her. She bowed to the stranger, who was once again looking straight ahead and did not acknowledge the gesture. This seemed not to matter – she took Harry's elbow and steered him out the door. Harry stepped out first, nearly walking straight into Ron.

"Sorry Harry, you're the second person I've bumped into along this corridor." Ron still seemed upset about Quidditch, so Harry began a stream of encouraging words, hoping to have a half-decent Keeper for their next match. He didn't feel the need to tell Ron about his strange meeting, particularly since Ron was so unresponsive. He later learned of the row with Ginny, but found it hard to have any sympathy; Ginny was surely old enough to have boyfriends if she wanted, right? Harry was far more concerned about their upcoming game against Malfoy and his Slytherins...