Pansy didn't return to Malfoy Manor after she discovered what Lucius wanted to know. She had an important meeting...with a certain Severus Snape. She had been Snape's servant for some time now, and only went to Lucius when Snape told her too. Snape was gathering the Death Eaters, old and new, for the first strike since the destruction of Lord Voldemort. Snape was their leader, but Lucius liked to pretend that he was in fact, the one in charge. Pansy was near his side simply to encourage him, and to keep an eye on him. Lucius had no idea that Pansy was a spy for Snape. Snape opened the door for Pansy.

"Pansy, what an honor it is. I assume you got Lucius's information?"

"Yes Severus. Lucius wished to confirm the fact that Hermione was pregnant."

"And?" Snape leaned foward with interest.

"She is Severus. She's due in May."

"Damn It! So far away!" Snape flung one of the couch pillows across the room, then sat down on the couch. "This may complicate things a bit." Pansy went over to massage Snape's back.

"If only there was a way to reach her and destroy the child before then...May, did you say?"

"Yes Severus. But why is destroying the child so important?"

"Because, you foolish girl, this child is said to be the permenant downfall of any and all Death Eaters. Now, you and I know that Lucius and I are what hold the Death Eaters together. If we are killed, the whole clan will fall apart. This child must be stopped!"

Snape lowered his voice.

"If I have to kill the mother, I will. If I have to kill the father, I will do that as well. Will you help me Pansy? Can I depend on you?" Pansy faced Snape.

"Leave Draco to me. Now I must return to Lucius. He'll need to be...attended to this evening."

"Go quickly Pansy. I will send you an owl saying when to strike at Draco."

******

Hermione soon grew bored of staying inside the apartment and the store all day and night. She longed to be outside. It wasn't good for her or the baby. So when Draco went to watch the store, Hermione apparated outside. She breathed in deeply the early September air. Fall smelt so good.

"Now this is the only way to live." She said out loud, and began walking down the street, towards The Leaky Cauldren, hoping for some freshmade butterbeer. Little did she know of the danger in store for her and Cara, and Draco as well, that leaving the apartment was going to be the worst mistake of her life...

Ahhhh...I love cliffhangers!

Katie