Services Rendered

Chapter 1

Hermione loved the library. She had since her first year at Hogwarts. By now, late in her sixth, she was a regular fixture here. There was just something about the hushed quiet and the smell of the books. Sitting at her usual table, she was reading and enjoying the ambiance of the place. That ambiance was shattered as someone sat down across from her. She looked up, scowling at the disturber of her peace. She was very surprised at who it was.

A familiar sneer met her scowl as Draco Malfoy looked at her from across the oaken table. "Hello, Granger."

Hermione was immediately suspicious of the blond boy. "What do you want, Malfoy."

"Just to have a word with you, Granger. Don't get your knickers in a twist."

Hermione started packing up her books. "I'm leaving now. I'm afraid you'll have to talk to yourself."

The Slytherin boy's voice was cold. "I think you'll be most interested in what I have to say. I suggest you remain. Have you been reading the Daily Prophet lately?"

Hermione stopped fiddling with her bag. "What are you talking about?"

"Some interesting articles of late, don't you think. Such a shame, all those attacks."

Hermione said nothing. She gazed into Malfoy's icy blue eyes and tried to judge his intent. There was cold malevolence in his eyes. A chill shot through her. She was afraid. This was new for her. She had hated Malfoy for years but she had never before been truly afraid of him.

The Daily Prophet had been a source of concern of Hermione's for some time. For over a year the Ministry had done their best to hide the return of Voldemort. The story had broken for real early this year as factions of Death Eaters had been attacking the Ministry, Muggles, and Muggle-borns. The Dark Mark, that symbol of dread to most witches and wizards, once again floated in the sky on a regular basis, marking the rampages of Voldemort and his followers.

Hermione worried daily for her parents, Muggle dentists, and for Ron's father and brother who worked at the Ministry. She felt herself safe at Hogwarts.

"Well, I guess I really shouldn't call it a shame," Malfoy frowned. "They were only Muggles and Mud-bloods after all."

Hermione needed to take some control of her situation. She wrangled her fear back inside and set her face in an impassive expression. "Look, what do you want, Malfoy? Spit it out so I can leave."

"I have a proposition for you, Granger. If you perform certain services for me, I will offer your pathetic Muggle family protection from the Death Eaters."

"What?" Hermione was shocked. She could hardly believe Malfoy. "You bastard. Leave me alone. I don't believe you. I'm going to Professor Dumbledore. If you know as much as you say you do about the Death Eaters you'll be expelled."

Draco Malfoy leaned back in his chair. His expression was one of smug arrogance. "I wouldn't do that, Granger. My father is too powerful. There's no way that fool Dumbledore can do anything against me. And that action on your part would be extremely detrimental. Muggles are so defenseless, aren't they?"

Hermione didn't know why but she was beginning to believe him. "I'm not doing anything for you Malfoy. Leave me alone." She stood up and grabbed her bag.

Malfoy stood up from the table, blocking her departure. "Well, if you feel that way, I can't stop you. However, I will give you this word of warning. In the next few days I will demonstrate just what influence I do have. Not on your family - yet. But someone you know. Never fear, you'll know when it happens. Let it be a warning to you, Granger. At that time if you do not perform the services I require, your family will be next. I suggest you do not mention this to anyone or I'll skip the demonstration and go right to your family." With that ominous statement, Malfoy strode off without a look back.

Hermione sat down shakily, her bag falling from her grasp. She was confused. What was Draco up to? Did he really have the power to influence the Death Eater's targets? A few minutes ago she might have laughed, but now she felt a little bit like crying. Did she dare to tell Harry and Ron? What could they do? Would it endanger them? Their families?

She sighed. There's nothing to worry about, she tried to tell herself. Malfoy is just being Malfoy. He's just a braggart. He's talked big for years. Hermione resolved to put the matter out of her mind. She opened her bag and pulled out the book she had been reading. She opened it and tried to get the image of Malfoy out of her head.

After a few minutes she slammed the book shut. Damn that arrogant prat. He had rattled her. She needed to get her mind off Draco Malfoy. She left the library and headed out to the Quidditch field where the Gryffindor house team was practicing. That would take her mind off things.

Hermione only sat in the stands for a few minutes before the team practice finished. She saw Ron and waved. Ron waved back, as did Harry. Ron had been Keeper for the team since last year. He'd been selected as captain this year after Fred and George left school. He was a good captain, Harry had told her, planning strategy for the team as carefully and as well as he did his chess matches.

Hermione met Ron and Harry on the field. Ron hugged her and kissed her quickly on the lips. They'd been going out since late last year. Harry rolled his eyes, but Hermione knew he didn't really have a problem with his two friends going out.

"Hi, Hermione. What brings you out here?" Ron asked. Hermione always came to the matches but she didn't often watch the practices.

She shrugged. "No reason. Just wanted to see you." She leaned up against Ron's tall frame. He slipped his arm around her. It felt good. Reassuring. Nothing could be wrong when this felt so right. She hugged him back.

The three spent the afternoon playing chess in the common room. Hermione was suitably distracted and it wasn't until dinner time that her conversation with Malfoy came back to her in full force.

His staring eyes found hers across the Great Hall and her breath caught in her chest for that moment. She busied herself with pouring pumpkin juice for herself and Ron and Harry.

Malfoy kept staring at her throughout the meal, making her jumpy and on edge. She could see that cold blueness in his eyes from across the room. He was smiling at her. An arrogant smile that seemed to display some kind of horrific anticipation.

"Hermione?" Ron's voice broke her reverie.

She looked up at him.

"Where did you go just now?"

"I was just thinking about something. I have to finish my extra credit for Charms tomorrow. I'll be at the library." With that, she left, half-hearing Ron's grousing behind her.

"Extra credit? Harry, can you believe she's doing extra credit? She's already got 115 percent in the class, hasn't she? What's she doing extra credit for?"

Hermione didn't notice Draco Malfoy leaving behind her.