Voldemort surveyed the assembled crowd before him. "My faithful servants," he boomed in a commanding voice. "In the coming days, the Malfoys will be doing me the great service of hosting a guest for me. She is to be treated with courtesy and cannot be harmed in any way. I have sworn this on my magic. Some of you may be called to assist in her tutelage. Miss Hermione Granger has cut her ties with the Order of the Phoenix. They are most likely unaware of this. I want to keep that information secret as long as possible. We want to persuade her to join us, so I expect your best behavior and impeccable manners." He gazed levelly at them, making eye contact with several followers.