"Harry, Ron! Thank Merlin I found you in time!" Hermione cried, flinging herself at the shocked boys. Thanks to her glamour it looked as though she had been on the losing end of a very bad fight. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to lock you up... but Lucius... he threatened to... "
Ron dropped his defensive stance and moved a step closer.
She covered a triumphant laugh with fake sobs which caused Harry to relax as well. She allowed herself to look around the room and felt her insides turn to ice. "Where is Severus?" she demanded in unfeigned panic.
"Severus!" Albus shook his fallen colleague roughly. His mind replayed the Potion Master's last words over and over again "Tonight." He would have to act quickly if they were to have any chance at all. Leaving Severus for a moment he threw floo powder into the grate and began summoning his meagre forces. Oh Hermione, what have you done!
The order assembled faster than he ever thought possible. In less than an hour the castle was being patrolled by order members and the youngest children were locked away in the safest parts of the castle. They were ready for war.
"We have to get back to Hogwarts!" Harry cried angrily.
"I can't. We can't. You don't understand, Lucius will..."Hermione stammered desperately her mind grasping for a solution.
"Snape was summoned." Ron said.
Harry nodded vehemently. "We know the battle is soon. What if its tonight?"
Finally the beginnings of a new plan took shape in Hermione's head. She put on her best I'm-a-very-brave-Gryffindor face and nodded. "Damn Lucius Malfoy." She said with a sneer.
"When we win we'll lock him up is Azkaban forever!" Ron said gleefully. "Using the Imperious on you has to be worth that right?"
Hermione smiled.
The castle was eerily quiet. Harry and Ron exchanged nervous glances and raised their wands, ready for anything. Their relief at seeing no Dark Mark hovering over Hogwarts was short lived with the very air frozen in anticipation of the first bloody clash of battle. Hermione trailed slightly behind them. Her stomach had tied itself into tight, cold knots. She had underestimated Severus and now she was walking willingly into a fight she had helped orchestrate. She was doomed no matter which side won, both sides saw her as a traitor, and she couldn't even run. Damn her Gryffindor Courage.