"Go on, boy. Me and Ms. Granger need to have a little. . .chat." Those silver eyes of Lucius' cut right through her and sent a shiver up her spine. He took the seat opposite her and moved his martini over to her table.
"What do you want with me?"
"You? What use would I have for you, a common Mudblood?"
"Then why did you go through so much trouble just to talk to me? That's what's been going on, right? You told Draco to butter me up, make it seem like he wants to be my friend, just so you could trap me. What is it you want?"
"I don't want you. I want. . .Harry Potter."
* * *
"Oh, I see now. I give you Harry, my best friend, and I become free, right?"
"Not exactly, girlie. You can't just give me Harry. You have to give Harry to Voldemort."
"Voldemort?" Hermione was dumb-founded. How could she do it? Just hand Harry over to certain death? There was no way, because even if she did it, she would most certainly be killed or tortured at the least. Even if she did survive a counter-attack by Voldemort, who would she confide in? Harry would be gone, forever. Could she die to save her best friend?
"You know the consequences of not giving me Harry."
"But I also know the consequences of giving you Harry."
"Ahh. Draco did tell me you were the intelligent one of the group. Has your friend Harry told you of the actions last year?"
"No." Hermione began puzzling. Actions? What actions?
"Harry has been near-death many times. But last year, he did something unforgivable."
"What did he do?"
"Talked about Voldemort's family."
"Oh, that he was a half-blood?"
"Yes. And since then, Voldemort has been very anxious to get ahold of him. Most of his followers did not know of his background. And Harry, who for once did his homework, amazed the Dark Lord. He has been weak ever since then, and now his strength is returning."
"And if I refuse to give up my one and only friend?"
"Silly girl. You know what will happen."
"But I would rather give myself than to give up Harry."
* * *
Draco watched his father grill Hermione at their table. He had to do something! He was forcing Hermione to give him Harry. And by the looks of it, she was refusing, just like he knew she would. If he didn't act soon, Hermione would be taken.
He raced out the doors of the Three Broomsticks and ran all the way back to school. He hoped fervently that Ron was in the library. His luck was not on his side, and the only person in the library was the librarian, Madam Pince. He quickly left, and began wondering where he could get Ron in a hurry when he heard footsteps. He looked towards the direction they were coming from and saw a familiar-looking shadow. It was Harry Potter.
"Potter. I need your help."
"Shove off, Malfoy. I have more important things to do."
"Harry! Listen! It's about Hermione."
At the word "Hermione", Harry turned and Draco had his full attention.
"If you don't hurry and find Ron, she's going to be taken."
"Taken? What? Where?"
"There isn't much time. Just tell Ron to meet me in the library fast. It's an emergency." Draco had a plan, but first he needed to get over his broken heart and mangled pride at asking Harry to help him.