Draco smiled, just barely a sneer. Enough to signal his disdain to Flint and Jugson without revealing it to Granger. It was convenient that he could do that. Playing both sides became more and more necessary the less you knew which side you were on.

"Yes of course, the Blacks have always been the Malfoy's dearest friends. From whence your sudden interest in proper culture, Miss Granger?"

"Oh please, call me Hermione."

Did she just... bat her eyelashes? What was she, nine years old? Oh, right, no, she was a Gryffindor. So yes, she was about as subtle as a nine-year-old.

"I just figured, if I wanted my own family to prosper like the Malfoys have I should start learning somewhere. And house Black... seems the most accessible of the noble and ancient houses..." Hermione trailed off.

Subtle as a freight train. Andromeda and Sirius, she'd probably heard of. The two most dead members of the Black family might not be the best for her to take cues from. Still, no reason to lose an opportunity. Hermione might be ridiculously bad at intrigue, but she was good at magic and she'd be a powerful witch some day. He had to acknowledge that, just as Lily Potter Evans had become. To dispose of someone like that, who perhaps already helped turn prophecy against the dark lord... it would earn him favor.

And best to do it before Bellatrix returned. An unoccupied house of Black would make for a better ambush. And after father's last meeting with Lestrange... Draco had plenty of control not to shudder, but the urge still came.

"I could take you for a tour of the Black house. I'm sure it would be quite informative for you."

"Oh! Would it even be possible to get in?"

"Like I said, Houses Malfoy and Black have long been allies. Of course you'll know my mother Narcissa is a Black."

The surprise in her eyes was fake. Of course Granger did her reading, why would she pretend otherwise? That worried him a little.

"Are you SURE?! He could see right through me, I'm a terrible actress."

"I counted on it. You'll be fine. I'll be at your side the whole time. Just don't ask me for advice if he tries to hold your hand."

312 Grimmauld Place.

It was, actually, quite a sight for her, as Draco flashed her the address, and the building in front of her worked its way slowly into existence.

She wished she could appreciate it more, instead of being so paranoid. Where was Lily? And it seemed unseasonably cold for March. This was supposed to be Spring break, not so-cold-it-almost-makes-you-sidle-up-to-MALFOY break.

Getting the address for Hermione from his mother had been easy. Explaining the situation to his father had been more difficult, but in the end the senior Misters Crabbe and Goyle had been assigned to wait inside. It should be more than enough. If only it weren't so cold. He kept feeling the instinct to offer Granger his jacket, and needing to remind himself that she was a mudblood and this wasn't a date. It was weird how few details his mother had asked for once he'd mentioned a girl, though.

"Let me go put on a spot of tea to help us warm up. I'll see if Kreacher can take your coat." Draco flashed Charming Smile Number Seven. He was pretty sure she blushed. Yeesh.

Well, that would end after tonight. Thankfully?

"Stupefy!" "Stupefy!" came muffled cries from the next room.

Then, "AIGH!" in a feminine voice. Well, not quite feminine. Not feminine enough, at least.

Then... Lily Potter's voice?

"Kreacher, don't let them find me." And Draco hid in a closet.

"Kreacher! I ask this favor, but for Regulus Black, whose work is unfinished!"

"You speak of master." Kreacher spat, appearing in a puff of magic. "Who are you to speak of master, mudblood witch?"

"Friend of Sirius, student of Andromeda. Now ally to Regulus. I seek to destroy the locket of Salazar, which he stole from the Dark Lord."

"You will destroy it?" Kreacher's mood suddenly lightened. "It must be destroyed, Kreacher tried to destroy it for master, but Kreacher couldn't. The mudblood will destroy it for us, take it, take it!"

"They are gone now, mister Malfoy. You may return home if you wish. Kreacher has prepared the floo."

"No thank you, Kreacher. I'll walk. I have some things to think about."

"Shall Kreacher wake Misters Crabbe and Goyle?"

"No. I mean, yes, of course, but wait until I've been gone a couple minutes."

That plan... had not gone terribly well.