a dance with destiny

v

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the order these words are in, everything else belongs to JKR :)

September 16, 1977

Hogwarts ~ The Library

3rd Person POV:

Hemione sighed, hitching her bag up on her shoulder. She was skipping lunch again – NEWT year was a lot of work, and she also had to research time travel and try to figure out what to do about Voldemort. Currently, she was headed to the Library to work with Snape on the Potions project. As she entered the library, she noticed two things: 1) The three Slytherins huddled in the corner and 2) Peter standing with them. Snape wasn't there yet, but that was a good thing, in this case. Hermione quietly walked down the aisle next to where the four students were whispering. She paused to listen when she was behind them.

She recognized Rodolphus Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy, but when she saw the face of the third person, her breathing hitched, and bile rose in her throat. It was Bellatrix. She shook her head; you can't do anything about what she did to you. Just focus on what they're saying.

"The meeting is on the 21st. Don't be late," Rodolphus hissed.

"B-but what if-" Peter was cut off by Bellatrix.

"There are no what ifs." She glared at him, and he shrunk back, "You already made your decision. You joined. I suggest you be there. The Dark Lord doesn't give second chances."

"O-Okay." Peter whispered; his voice quavered.

"Good," Lucius said. "Make sure not to tell anyone. Meet us at the gates at 7:00 sharp. Make sure your excuse for leaving is good. We can't have anyone suspecting anything."

Peter nodded timidly, and the Slytherins left the library, leaving him alone.

Hermione couldn't help but be disappointed – Peter hadn't really seemed like a Death Eater, you couldn't have helped him, anyway. A voice in her head reminded her, it's only the second week of school, and if he's already hanging out with Death Eaters, then he had to have been doing it since before you came back in time. Hermione sighed, but it made sense.

Hermione was pulled from her thoughts as Peter, too, left the library. She sighed, walked over to an empty table, and got out some books and parchment to begin her essay. After all, Snape was late, and she wanted to get at least half of the essay done before Defense Against the Dark Arts, which was next. A few minutes later, Snape rushed in. She looked up and raised an eyebrow – he was usually on time.

"McGonagall kept me late," he muttered.

"In trouble?" She grinned up at him.

He shook his head, "No, just a question about my essay."

In the past week, they had struck up a tentative acquaintanceship. It was a sort of mutual respect for each other. They were both smart, and somewhat (though Snape wouldn't admit it and Hermione didn't want to make him uncomfortable) enjoyed each other's company and intellect.

The Great Hall ~ Lunch

"I wonder where Hermione is," said Sirius.

"Yeah," agreed James, "and Peter, where's he been going off to?"

Remus nodded, "Ever since school started, we've just been seeing less and less of him. Not to mention, we barely saw him over the summer. That was definitely weird."

Lily and Dorcas went and sat down with the boys.

"Hey, Lils, do you know where Hermione went? She just disappeared after Arithmancy," Remus asked.