Hermione bit her lip and frowned down at the yellowed pages before her. The candles lining the walls flickered suddenly, warning late night readers that doors would close in 10 minutes. She sighed, and after giving the book one more discontented look, stuffed it into her already bursting bag. Swinging her bag over her shoulder, she made her way back to Griffyndor tower, feeling tired and dejected.

The Hogwarts library had not often disappointed her, and it disturbed her to think that there could be any answer she couldn't find here. However, in the library's defense, she wasn't even sure she knew the question.

Since Lord Voldemort's return to power was finally acknowledged by the Ministry five months ago, the wizarding world had entered a state of open warfare. Each morning brought tidings of mysterious disappearances and grisly deaths.

And then there was Katie. Hermione could not think of the incident without getting chills. To think, had Katie even touched that necklace with her bare hands, she would have died instantly. And to think it happened here, at Hogwarts, right under the watchful eyes of Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall! And the worst part was, no one seemed to have a clue who was behind it.

Hermione stopped in front of the large portrait of the Fat Lady and muttered, "Mimblus Mimbletonia!"

The portrait swung open. The common room was deserted, except for a sleeping Harry, who she knew was waiting for her to return. Hermione smiled down affectionately at the sleeping figure. She knew the only reason he had been waiting up for her is because of the uncomfortable events that occurred during herbology earlier that day. No doubt he wanted to avoid another dispute between his two best friends. This brought Hermione's thoughts back to the subject she was most trying to avoid: Ron.

Since she had been told of Professor Slughorn's Christmas party, she assumed that she would be asking Ron. No one who had seen herself and Ron together could deny that there was some level of mutual attraction between the two of them. They neither of them had acted upon these feelings or even expressed them openly; that is, until today. Today, she had successfully asked Ron Weasley out on a date. Well, sort of. They were arguing (as usual) and she more or less dared him to not go with her to the party. While not particularly romantic, especially given Harry's, presence at the time, at least he said yes, right? To be more precise, he said he'd rather her not go with anyone else. Either way, they were going together, their first ever date! And that too, to a party! So why was she not more excited?

Ever since this morning, she had a nagging feeling of discontent, and she couldn't think of Herbology and of the party without a twinge of apprehension. She had finally gotten what she had thought she had wanted, and yet…It was partially why she chose to barricade herself in the library this evening, knowing full well Harry or Ron would not wish to accompany her. Her lack of success on that front only served to irritate her more.

Harry gave a great snort and woke with a start. "Hermione!" He mumbled sleepily, "You're back."

"Yes," she replied with a chuckle, "I expected you would be in bed by now." She sat down in the armchair opposite Harry, putting out her hands to the fire to warm them up. "Research tonight was a dead end. Although, honestly, I don't know what I expected to find. Without knowing for sure who was involved in the attack against Katie, there really isn't much I can do."

Harry sat up straighter and scowled. "Hermione," he said, "We've been over this. We know exactly who was responsible for-"

"Harry, not this again!" Hermione cut him off.

"I don't understand how you don't see it. Maybe YOU don't think he old enough, or shitty enough of a person-"

"Believe me, if there's anyone at this school who I think is willing to become a death eater, it's Draco Malfoy, said Hermione with disgust, "he's a spoiled, bigoted, man-child who thinks he can buy or bully anyone and everyone into giving him what he wants. Even Voldemort's not stupid enough to recruit him."

Harry opened his mouth to argue but again, Hermione cut him off, "Harry, can we not talk about this tonight? I'm tired and I'd just like to go to bed."

Harry noticed something of an edge in her voice. For a moment he looked as if he wanted to ask her something, but he simply closed his mouth and nodded.

"All right, I won't mention you know who. The last think anyone needs is his prat face in their head before they go to sleep."

Hermione giggled at that, and picking up her bag, made her way to the girls dormitory. Harry was certainly right about one thing: Draco Malfoy was the last person she would ever want in her head.

--

Hermione woke up early the next morning. She had slept poorly, and recalled vague dreams whose details she could not remember, but which filled her with a definite sense of anxiety. Slipping on her dressing down, she went down to the empty common room, where rays of the freshly minted morning sun shone through the east windows. Hermione walked up to the largest window and watched as a flock of birds darted up from a distant patch of trees in the Forbidden Forest. She was startled out of her reprieve but a sharp tap on the opposite window. Turning, she saw a handsome tawny owl, with a letter attached to its leg. She rushed to the window and was even more surprised to discover that the letter was indeed addressed to "Miss Hermione Granger," written looping handwriting. Intrigued, she hastily removed the letter:

Dear Miss Granger,

Your presence is requested in my office this evening at 8:30pm to discuss a matter of particular importance. Please do not inform anyone of the contents of this letter, including Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. I look forward to seeing you tonight.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

P.S. I enjoy acid pops

Hermione read the letter again, turned it over, and then, pulling out her want, muttered "Specialis revelio," but it seemed the letter had no more information to reveal. Hermione frowned, puzzled. What could Albus Dumbledore possibly want to discuss with her? And why could she not tell even Harry and Ron about it? Surely none of the members of the Order of the Phoenix, or their families, were hurt? Hermione's body went cold at the thought. But if someone was hurt, she reassured herself, Harry and Ron would be told about it as well. Whatever this meeting was about, one thing was certain: it was going to be a very long day.

At 8:30pm precisely, Hermione found herself outside the large oak doors of Dumbledore's office.

"Enter," A voice called from within.

"Ah! Miss Granger! Very, punctual, as expected. I hope you are well," He gestured to one of the squashy chintz armchairs opposite his desk,

"Yes, Professor, thank you," she replied, sitting down. Anxiously, she glanced around, looking for any clues as to why she was here. She had only been in Dumbledore's office once before, during her 3rd year when obtaining her Time Turner. It seemed not much had changed, and certainly nothing that indicated that anything was amiss.

"No doubt you're wondering why I requested a clandestine meeting with you, Miss Granger," Dumbledore's piercing blue gaze surveyed her intently.

"Has something happened, Professor?" She inquired anxiously, "Has someone been injured, or-" She stopped, unwilling to finish that thought.

"No. Well, not precisely. I have asked you here to make a request of you," He paused, "I need you to befriend Draco Malfoy."

Hermione's mouth fell open. Whatever she may have been expecting, it certainly wasn't this.

Dumbledore watched her expectantly, waiting for her response.

"What...how...why?"

"All excellent questions!" Said Dumbledore cheerfully, "I do hope you are comfortable, because I have much to discuss with you."

"What I am about to tell you is to remain completely confidential. As you are no doubt aware, the actions of you and your friends at the Ministry of Magic this past June have created quite a change in the Wizarding World. I don't say this to cause you pain," said Dumbledore kindly as Hermione's face turned pink and she looked down, remembering what that night had cost them, especially Harry,

"No doubt Mr. Potter has filled you in on the details I have shared with him regarding the prophecy that was housed in the Department of Mysteries. As much as that night has cost all of us, I believe Voldemort has felt the effects of the night equally. Not only did lose a fair amount of his closest followers to Azkaban, he was forced to enter the Ministry himself, revealing himself to the Minister of Magic, all without ever obtaining that which he had been obsessing about nearly since the day of his return to power."

Hermione nodded. She knew all of this to be true, but so far could not see the connection between their excursion into the Department of Mysteries and Malfoy.

Dumbledore looked down at her knowingly and continued, "One can only imagine Voldemort's wrath at the conclusion of what he believed were the best laid plans. Of course, he blames its failure on his Death Eaters, primarily on Lucius Malfoy, who was leading the excursion into the Ministry. Naturally, with Voldemort being who he is, wants revenge."

Hermione gasped, as the pieces of this puzzle suddenly clicked together in her brain, "Harry was right, wasn't he? Voldemort has made Malfoy a Death Eater! And now he's having Malofy carry out his dirty work. But who's the target? I doubt it's Katie Bell, that must have just been an accident. It could have been Professor McGonigall, if he picked a Gryffindor…" She paused, looking at Dumbledore for confirmation of her theory. Dumbledore looked grave.

"No doubt, if Mr. Malfoy were to have joined the Death Eaters, it would be tragic indeed,"

Hermione didn't know how to respond without revealing her true feelings.

"I imagine," Dumbledore continued, "That growing up in the environment in which he did, Mr. Malfoy was never given the chance to question his prejudiced beliefs. Furthermore, I don't imagine an angry Voldemort would have given Draco much choice."

Hermione frowned at this, trying to reconcile Scared and Coerced Death Eater Malfoy with the spoiled and entitled bully she had always known.

"Of course," said Dumbledore, "this is all speculation. One has no way of knowing for sure whether Voldemort has any plans for Draco Malfoy, and certainly we have no evidence to support that he or Mr. Malfoy is in any way involved in what happened to Katie Bell. I can only imagine that such a situation would put him in as much danger as it would his potential targets."

Dumbledore's gaze bore into Hermione as she processed his statement. She understood that openly discussing Malfoy's mission, whatever it might be, could put him and anyone who knew of it in danger. As she had witnessed personally, Voldemort possessed a unique talent for getting into one's mind and uncovering all of their secrets. But that still didn't answer one question.

"Forgive me, sir. But I still don't see how I quite fit into this."

"Mr. Malfoy has been struggling in a number of his classes this semester. I would like for him to have a tutor."

Of everything that Dumbledore had said so far, this simple statement surprised her the most. "You want…me...to tutor Malfoy? Professor, I don't mean any offence, but...Is that really a good idea? Only because," she added hastily, "I don't know if he would even accept me as a tutor."

"I think I can convince Mr. Malfoy to meet you for tutoring. The rest, I believe, you are more than capable of handling."

When Hermione still looked unsure, he said, "You are the top of your year in almost every class, and, permit me to say so, one of the brightest witches I have ever encountered during my tenure at Hogwarts. You have demonstrated quick thinking in the face of adversity and have proven yourself capable of tasks full grown wizards would have struggled with. But this is only second in consideration to the strength of character you have demonstrated time and time again. You have proven that you are willing to do what is right even when society and even your friends do not support you. You have demonstrated empathy for even the most poorly regarded creatures of our society and have not allowed those who would pass judgements based on your background or opinions affect you. I think if there is anyone who can convince Mr. Malfoy that there may be another path, it is you,"

Hermione's face grew warm at Professor Dumbledore's praise of her character, wholly unaware that Dumbledore had been observing her as closely as he did Harry.

"Professor," She asked, "why can I not share this with Harry and Ron?"

"Your friend Mr. Potter, though generous and forgiving in nature as you are, shares a particular animosity with Mr. Malfoy that, given his nature to act- ah, rashly- I don't think he would be able to overcome. Likewise, I do not think Mr. Weasley has the generosity of spirit that you possess. I do not want them to derail your progress. Additionally, the fewer people who know of what is going on, the safer both of you will be."

Hermione took a deep breath, not really sure how to feel.

"I understand that I have asked a lot of you, Hermione. I will not pretend this will be easy. But I have complete confidence that you are up to the task,"

Hermione met his piercing blue gaze. She exhaled.

"OK."

And so it began.