Draco Malfoy paced before a bare wall, glancing left and right, ensuring he wasn't observed. He slipped through a door and into the Room of Requirement.
Hermione Granger, immersed in research within the library’s secluded alcoves, sought information on Horcruxes, but found only dead ends. She sighed, gathering her books, and headed for the exit. As she reached the door, she saw Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley approaching.
“Honestly, Hermione, do you ever take a moment for yourself?” Ron asked, a touch of irritation in his tone. “What else am I supposed to do, Ron? Spend the entire day in the common room?” Hermione retorted. Before Ron could respond, Harry intervened. “Actually, Hermione, I wanted to ask you a favour.”
“Anything, Harry,” she said, shooting a pointed look at Ron, who seemed more interested in his fingernails than their conversation. “Alright, let’s head back to the common room. I don’t want to risk anyone overhearing,” Harry said, urging them forward.
Inside the common room, the trio settled before the fireplace, tucked into a quiet corner.
“Hermione, do you remember what I told you on the train?” Harry asked, leaning forward.
“Harry, you told me a great many things on the train. You’ll need to be more specific,” she replied, settling comfortably on the couch.
“Right. Do you remember what I told you about Dra—" he was cut off by Hermione’s sharp elbow to the shoulder. She glared at him.
“Oh, come now, Harry. Not this again! What on earth could Draco Malfoy possibly want that’s worth sneaking around? And at sixteen years old?” she asked, incredulous. “That’s what I’ve been thinking, Hermione, but I know Draco is up to something, and I want to find out what it is. Didn’t you notice how he wouldn’t roll up his sleeve at Madam Malkin’s, even when asked?”
“I know, Harry, I know, but even if Malfoy *is* a Death Eater, he isn’t a threat to us. As long as Dumbledore is around, we’re safe,” she said softly, trying to reassure him.
“You don’t understand, Hermione. He’s up to something that won’t be good for any of us, and Dumbledore isn’t even around these days. I try to watch him on the Marauder’s Map, but he always goes to the same place, and then he just disappears,” he argued. “What do you mean, he disappears?” she asked, her brow furrowed.
This was new information. Harry shrugged in response. “Hmm. Now *that’s* fishy. How can he possibly disappear?” she murmured, lost in thought. “Anyway, what do you want me to do, Harry?”
“I want you to keep an eye on Draco Malfoy, and follow him whenever you can,” he said calmly.
“Harry, you’ve lost it completely,” Ron blurted out, an amused but curious look on his face. When Harry didn’t respond, the amusement vanished, and he stood abruptly before Harry, his expression stern.
“Harry, you can’t be serious. You’re sending her into a death trap!”
“No, Ron, it isn’t a death trap, and Hermione is more than capable of taking care of herself around that git. But this is important. Only Hermione can do this. If it were me, it would be too obvious. And if it were you… well, you see, Hermione can fight back. No offence, but Hermione *is* Hermione, so yeah…”
Ron looked satisfied with the explanation, and finally Hermione spoke. “I’ll do it, Harry.”