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Chapter Three-Notize
Disclamer: I do not own. This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by J.K. Rowling. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Though, if she's willing to sell...
Read on...
The day had been extremely long. Draco trudged up to his dormitory and dropped his heavy bag on the green bed. He considered flopping down as well, but he knew that he couldn't. He was under more pressure than ever to do well in school, and this time that pressure wasn't coming from his father alone. Unfortunately, blowing off his Defense Against the Dark Arts essay would be unacceptable.
The Dark Lord had insisted that Draco maintain, if not surpass, his marks. Later, when Draco asked Severus why, Severus told him that it was one of Voldemort's precautions with Dumbledore...
"In the past, Draco, Death Eaters have been caught more efficiently due to Dumbedore's monitoring. None of the students, nor most of the staff, realize that Dumbledore and McGonagall watch certain students' grades. These students are usually in Slytherin. Now, why would Dumbledore do this?" Severus quirked a brow cynically.
Draco didn't even have to think, because this very thing had happened to him. "Because, when someone joins the Dark Lord, their marks will go down. Not enough time to do homework and such."
"Exactly. Also, with grades as high as yours, a professor would notice if they went down drastically."
Suspicion was not an option.
Just as Draco finished up his DADA essay (with no research needed, thank you very much), a familiar burning sensation laced up his left forearm. He was calling.
Oh, gods no... Why couldn't he have a break? It was barely a month and a half since the holidays and Draco felt like he hadn't sat down and rested since then. If there wasn't an essay due, there was more research, if not that, then he was with his fellow Death Eaters, acting like he was truly on their side.
Quickly heading to the bathroom to splash water in his face, he glanced at himself in the mirror. There was deep bags under his eyes from little sleep and he was so pale. If he didn't get outside soon, people were going to start mistaking him for a ghost.
The pain intensified. He needed to leave now. Donning his robes, Draco disapparated. He was grateful, yet again, for Dumbledore giving him the ability to apparate inside Hogwarts.
A loud crack echoed in Malfoy Manor's entrance hall. A terrified house elf rushed forward to take Draco's coat.
"Master is telling Tari to tell Master Draco that Master Draco is to be waiting in the drawing room." With a snap, the house elf was gone.
The drawing room? Was he to be ignored yet again? Draco stormed through the manor. Every time he was called to the drawing room when summoned, he had waited there until the meeting was over. He threw himself into a plush black chair. Snape would've known if Draco wasn't needed, so why hadn't Snape alerted him somehow? What was Snape playing at? Why in the name of Merlin would Snape want him here? It's not like he could listen in on the conversation and report it to-
Oh. Of course. He could listen in and report it. Perhaps it was information that even Snape couldn't get. What if it was a plan to attack? The Order needed to know.
Removing himself as quickly as he had entered, Draco rushed to the dining hall, disillusioning and silencing himself on the way.
"'Mione? Are you in here?" Ron strolled past cases and cases of books, hoping to catch a glimpse of his girlfriend. "There you are!"
Hermione spun, startled, and dropped the book she was holding. It fell open and started yelling. Quickly gathering it up she said, "Ron! Was it truly necessary to sneak up on me?"
Not answering, Ron grabbed her hand and led her out of the library.
"Ron! What are you doing? I need to study!" Hermione whispered indignantly.
He rolled his eyes. "Saving you from the books, of course."
She tried to tug her arm away. "Ron..." she warned.
He shut her up with his lips. But she refused to be deterred.
Pulling away, Ron groaned, "'Mione, when was the last time we spent time together-"
"-this morning!"
"Meals do not count. I meant, when was the last time we spent time together alone?"
She couldn't remember, and neither could he.
But the NEWTs were only next year! Hermione wanted to be as prepared as possible, even if that meant limiting her quality time with Ron. But she shouldn't have.
Hermione clasped Ron's hand tighter. "I'm sorry. I should've thought more of you.
"Oh, it's all right. Promise we'll spend more time together?"
"I swear to it."
The hall was dark, lit only by the low flames in the fireplace. The Dark Lord sat in his usual place before the fire, stroking Nagini's head. Four Death Eaters sat at the table as well, Bellatrix, Rookwood, Travers, and Yaxley. Surprisingly, Severus was no where to be seen.
"This plan seems sufficient, Yaxley. Though, it doesn't sound like your usual methods. Bella, might you have had something to do with this?" The Dark Lord's lips stretched into a snake-like smile that resembled a grimace.
Bellatrix's eyes were bright. "Oh yes, my Lord." She glared at Yaxley. "He seemed a little... uncreative."
Yaxley looked stoically on.
After a moment of silence, the Dark Lord spoke.
"Do you believe this shall work?"
"I swear my Lord. There is no flaw in the plan at all," breathed Bellatrix.
The Dark Lord didn't contradict her assurance. They were dismissed.
Draco followed the Death Eaters into the corridor. Glancing back, he saw the fall was empty, save for Nagini. Her eyes gazed straight at Draco. Her tongue flicked out menacingly.
He spun on the spot and appeared in front of a large oak door. He knocked.
"You may come in, Draco."
Draco closed the door behind him.
"I suspect you have some new information?" Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled.
"Yes, sir. The Dark Lord, Bellatrix, Yaxley, Travers, and Rookwood are planning something. It has to be something important."
"Yes, yes. Especially if Bella is participating. Did you hear when or what they are after?"
Draco shook his head. "They didn't not mention any specifics. And I doubt I'll learn any more until it's been done."
"A small team operation?"
Draco nodded. "It would seem so. A small team comprised of his most ardent servants."
"Something extremely important then. Severus was not included?"
"No."
Later, Hermione and Ron were lounging on one of the overstuffed armchairs. The fire was dying down, leaving only embers. Her eyes tried to keep reading Hogwarts: A History, but weights seemed to be attached to her eyelids. She was warm with Ron's arms around her, she felt safe. Her eyes fluttered.
"Oi!" Yelled Ron as something landed on them. Hermione tried to sit up, but something was pinning her to Ron. Whatever it was, it was heavy. An elbow found her stomach and the breath was momentarily knocked out of her. Whatever, or whoever, it was, it was scrambling to get off the armchair. She was stuck in a tangle of red hair, arms, and legs.
"What the bloody hell is going on?" Ron roared.
Hermione looked about. "Harry? ...Ginny?" What are you two doing?"
Pink spots appeared on Ginny's cheeks. "None of your business." Hermione raised an eyebrow.
Ron was bewildered, but, her eyes searching, Hermione figured it out. Ginny was slightly flushed and Harry was... smug? "Were you... are you two-"
Harry sighed and pulled Ginny closer. "Yes, Hermione."
Hermione got up, grinning. "So, when did this happen?" She asked, gesturing at them.
Now it was Harry's turn to look embarrassed. "As few days ago."
Hermione lightly smacked Ginny on the shoulder. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Ginny grinned briefly. "We haven't seen you for a while, and when we do see you, you're studying. Also," her eyes flickered to Ron, who was also standing, glaring down at Harry.
"Do you mean to tell me that you," he jabbed a finger at Harry, "and my sister have been snogging? You didn't ask my permission!"
Ginny looked ready to hex him, but Hermione put up a hand. "Ronald Weasley, neither Harry nor Ginny need your permission for anything, least of all dating. Are you really saying that you don't want your best friend and your sister together? I would have thought you would rather it be him than Corner or Dean." Hermione's eyes flashed dangerously.
"Well, no, but-"
Hermione cut him off. "No buts. Harry is like a brother to me, and you didn't see him throwing a fit when we told him we were together. He congratulated us."
Ron visibly deflated. "You're right, 'Mione, as always."
Hermione smirked, but turned to look at the new couple. "So, was it you two who landed on us?"
You see that wonderful little button down there? Well, Draco will give you a virtual hug if you leave the author something...