Hermione stared down at the necklace, hands trembling. Then, suddenly, a voice filled her head.

“The Dungeons,” it said.

She had a feeling, no, she knew, that no one else could hear it. She didn’t know how or why. But it seemed to be issuing from a strange connection, linking her mind with the necklace. She got up immediately. It was useless to try and ignore the voice, it was deep, powerful and overcoming. Yet it was sweet. Loving even.

She crossed the room, her bare feet muffling any noise, and crept out of the common room.

Dark shadows filled the castles draughty hallways. A whistling wind intruded on the silence, followed by echoes of moving armour and portraits. It was eerie, but the necklace seemed to act as a protector. The voice was still ringing around her head.

“The dungeons.”

When she reached the dungeons, she waited, guarded by the necklace, that was still casting its strange red and green glow around her neck. The two figures stayed stuck together. She watched it for a while, until something in the darkness caught her eye.

A flash of silver. Hermione looked up, to see Draco standing in the corridor up ahead. The same red and green glow was issuing from his neck too.

“You got my gift,” he said softly when he reached her. Hermione nodded, reached out and pulled on the front of Draco’s robes. When she did, she gasped. Tucked neatly inside the neck of Draco’s robes was an exact replica of her necklace. She held the charms in her hand and looked up at him. Draco gave a soft, sad smile.

“It’s beautiful,” said Hermione. “Where-“

Draco put a finger to her lips. “Don’t worry about that,” he smiled.

“But then, how?” she said.

“Magic.” Said Draco simply. “Whenever I need to speak to you, the necklace will connect us. Like a cord or a rope, that we can…talk.”

“MALFOY! GRANGER!” Shouted a horribly familiar voice from behind them. They both jumped apart and turned to see-

“Nigh time wanderings?” sneered Snape. “Get back to your dorms, both of you!” he snapped. “And forty points from Gryffindor!”

He grabbed Draco by the arm and sped him off in the direction of the Slytherin Common room. Hermione stood shocked. He’d come back? But Snape had retired!

“GO!” He yelled, casting a backward glance to Hermione. She ran off in the direction of the Entrance Hall.