The darkness was closing in.

Panting, he spun on the spot, wand held aloft, his stormy gray hues shining in the moonlight. He could hear the footsteps, could feel the eyes upon him as he went on, his comrades flocking about as they prepared for what was to come. "Expelliarmus!" The first battle cry went up and he braced himself as the man beside him was knocked off his feet by the disarming spell. A moment later, the group broke through the trees and all hell was about to break loose.

Brown eyes peered through the darkness, like a tiger she crouched in the shadows, waiting for the most opportune moment to strike. She hated waiting, but this was her task, this was her job. It had been hard enough convincing anyone of her capability as it was. Her gaze found him, with those emerald eyes narrowed in determination as he fought back against two Death Eaters. As he pushed them back, he turned and their eyes met, she offering the smallest of smiles before he was pulled away once more. Keeping low, she left the safety of her tree and instead knelt behind a bush, her wand held tightly in her hand. As she glanced around, she caught sight of the pale blonde hair and knew at once who it was. Malfoy, she wrinkled her nose, noting the length of the hair, telling her it was Lucius Malfoy, the man fallen from the post as Voldemort's right hand man. A man on the edge, dangerously close to it really.

At that moment, she saw the Death Eater creeping up upon Hermione, who was locked in battle with a masked Death Eater and so she took her chance, and was on her feet seconds later. She rushed into the fray, red hair catching the moonlight as the cry left her lips. "Stupefy!" Her spell made contact and the man was knocked aside, actually knocked unconscious by the sheer force of her attack. Hermione threw her a thankful glance but that was all they had time for before their next foes were upon them.

He watched as she sprang into action, taking out Dolohov without so much as batting an eye. When had she gotten so strong? His gray eyes lingered a moment too long on her, because the next thing he knew, a spell was hitting him from the back. Stumbling forwards, he caught himself, a hand reaching up to keep his mask in place as he turned around to face his attacker. Potter. Those famous green eyes were flashing and Draco took one step back, wondering for a moment if this was all really worth it. No… The answer was on his tongue but he could do nothing about that. His wand up, he blocked the next curse thrown at him, and then tossed one back at Potter with a lot less zeal. If Potter noticed his lack of enthusiasm, he did not speak on it, nor change his own fighting habits- not that Draco could blame him.

A curse whizzed past her, grazing her cheek and splitting it open; wincing at the stinging pain, she raised a hand up, gingerly touching the bleeding wound. No time for that, however, she realized as a menacing form stepped up before her. "They've sent a little girl to fight their battles, eh?" The cocky, male voice rang out, a booming laugh following not long after. Reaching up, the man discarded his mask, letting it fall to the ground at his feet. Fenrir Greyback, the infamous werewolf, a man who's sanity truly was questionable. His lips curved into a smirk, his eyes darkening with what one might describe as hunger. She felt her heart turnover, her stomach twisting into a knot of anxiety; she didn't like the way he was looking at her. "A Weasley, huh…" His smile returned as he raised his wand, taking another step closer as the clouds shifted, a moonbeam illuminating her. His appetite was growing to near unsatisfiable proportions.

Within moments, they were locked in a fierce fight, spells and curses flinging back and forth, back and forth. As he was knocked backwards, Greyback let loose a howling laugh, his head thrown back. "You're strong." He admitted, his eyes flashing like the curse on the tip of his wand. "But not strong enough!" The Cruciatus Curse hit her like a ton of bricks, the pain enough to send her to her knees. Swaying, she fought to stay upright, eyes shut tightly as if this might help block out the pain. She heard his approaching footsteps, heard the familiar vocals of Harry calling out her name… But no one would reach her in time.

Watching the scene unfold, Draco realized she was going to die. Greyback would kill her, that much was certain, if someone didn't intervene. But who would? There was no one. He glanced from face to face, the panic evident on every face on her side. All his life, Draco had wondered what purpose he was to serve in this life, in this war. What was his place? What was his reason for living? He had never felt as if he had fit into the life his father lived- the life of an evil henchman, the life of someone on the dark side of battle. He wasn't meant for that kind of life- but truth be told, he was too weak to fight against the darkness. Until that very moment; watching as Greyback approached Ginny Weasley, with every intent to kill her, he knew he was on the wrong side and… And he couldn't stand it for another single moment.

She was going to die, that was it.

Ginny felt the third wave of the curse and this time, it sent her sprawling to the ground. Laying face down in the dirt, she shuddered, biting her lower lip to keep from screaming out. She would never give him that satisfaction. Not ever. The footsteps slowed to a stop and then all she could hear was the ringing in her ears and the steady beat of her pulse. And then… "Boy, what the bloody hell are you doing?" She struggled to raise her head up, her blurred vision keeping her from seeing clearly. But was that… Was that a death eater standing in front of her? Shielding her? "Get out of my way." Greyback snarled, throwing an arm out, his anger mounting. He needed to feel his claws tear through that girl's flesh, to hear her scream as he ripped out her throat.

"No." The voice was calm, familiar… Ginny felt herself fading out of consciousness, but not before the mask fell away and she caught sight of eyes like a storm. Draco… Malfoy? And then, that was it before the darkness consumed her, and she went limp on the ground. Greyback growled, throwing a reckless killing curse that Draco dodged and it instead hit a lowly ranking Death Eater in the back. Draco cast a glance at the dead man, but then turned back to Greyback, who had now been joined by another. His father.

The battle seemed to have paused, as all eyes had fallen upon the little group in the very middle. From where he stood, Harry looked on in shock, concern flickering across his features. He had to reach Ginny, had to save her… His mind was racing, churning with thought after thought. Was this merely a distraction? Just what was Malfoy doing…? For a moment, he was taken back to a moment at Hogwarts, to a discussion he had had with Moaning Myrtle. And he's lonely too… That had been what she said, revealing to Harry that Draco had confided in her things he had never confided to anyone else. He had no one else to talk to, she had said, because everyone else was on the other side. The side he was supposed to be on. Harry realized, right then and there, that maybe he had been wrong about Draco Malfoy all along.

"Draco, what are you doing? Stand aside." His father snapped, his eyes flashing behind the mask. His son merely shook his head, standing his ground before him, wand held defiantly before him. "Do not make me do this," Malfoy senior continued through gritted teeth, holding out an arm to keep Greyback from moving any closer. This was his son and so it would be his fight. He had always known Draco was soft, that he was not cut out for this sort of life. What an embarrassment. "So be it," Lucius uttered, turning his head away for only a moment.

Father and son clashed in battle, their two curses meeting in air, exploding in a shower of sparks. Draco cast a quick glance behind him, to where Ginny still lay on the ground, unconscious. If he didn't do something, they would both die. Around them, the battles amongst the others struck back up, and so he knew there would be no help. No, he could do this on his own. He would do it. Back and forth they went, more evenly matched than either had ever realized they were- after all, they had never fought like this. With two quick moments, Draco unleashed a powerful curse and to his immense joy, it hit its mark. His father was knocked backwards, stumbled, and fell; he didn't have long to enjoy the moment, because at once Greyback was coming at him, and his father was already stumbling back up. Without a moment of thought, Draco spun and ran, dropping to his knees beside Ginny; lifting his face, he found Harry's gaze and offered a silent sort of nod, as if to say don't worry, before he reached for her. "Look out!" Someone called and Draco turned to see his father raising his wand, the familiar syllables of the killing curse on his lips. Wrapping his hand around her wrist, Draco uttered the incantation just as the flash of green light appeared before his eyes. But, it was too late, they were gone.

[ x x x ]

They reappeared inside of an empty house.

The room was familiar despite all of the years it had been since he'd last been within those four walls. He held her in his arms, her weight warm and comforting; crossing the room, he went into the first door on the right, a bedroom. It was clearly the master bedroom, a large four poster bed against the east wall, a dresser on the west beside the window. Draco pulled back the blankets before he gently deposited her upon the bed, taking a moment to remove her shoes, setting them beside the bed on the floor. He could not keep himself from glancing over her, his eyes seeing the cut upon her cheek, the bruises that marred her pale white flesh. Pulling the cover over her, he quietly exited the room, leaving the door slightly ajar behind him.

He sat himself down on the couch, his hands sliding over his face as he sat back, a deep breath escaping slightly parted lips. Now that it was all said and done, he wondered if he'd just made a mistake- and not because he'd rescued her, but because he'd taken her with him. He would instantly shoot to the top of the Death Eater's most wanted list- he'd become a target as large as Harry Potter himself. And now she was mixed right in with him. She was already a big enough target on her own, being so close to Potter and all. Sighing, he lay back, stretching out, one arm thrown over his eyes. But, in any case, they were safe for now… But only for a little while. It would only be a matter of time before his father figured out where they were.

[ x x x ]

Everything was quiet and dark… brown eyes fluttered open, a soft groan emitting from her lips. Where… Where was she? Struggling to sit up, a blanket fell away and she looked down in surprise, finding herself to be in someone's bed. Swinging her legs over the bed, she stood, her knees a little weak; at once, everything was coming back to her. The battle, Greyback, and then… Malfoy. Glancing out the window, she could see the moon reflecting off the sea, could see a long dark stretch of beach that gave her a little indication of where she was. But only a little.

Heading out of the bedroom, her eyes began to focus in the darkness, giving her a clarity she had not had moments ago. The first thing she caught sight of was Draco Malfoy, fast asleep on the couch beneath the bay window. He lay on his back, one arm draped over his eyes, one leg still firmly planted on the floor, as if he were prepared to jump up at any second. She remained still for a moment, listening to his soft snoring, a bemused smile appearing upon her lips- of all people, he was the last one she ever expected to be somewhere with. Everything had happened so fast… She reached a hand up, touching the sore spot on her temple, wondering just why Draco had done what he had done. They never had been friends, had hardly ever spoke more than a few hasty, angry words during their school days. She knew a little of his task as a Death Eater, to murder Albus Dumbledore… Harry and the others had briefed her on it at one point, voicing doubts that he was truly capable of doing such a thing. Which proved to be true, as he had not been able to do it, and his assumed mentor Severus Snape had done it instead.

She took a step forwards, stumbling over the rolled up edge of the carpet, knocking into a small table in the process. Draco was up at once, his wand pointed directly at her chest, those stormy gray eyes locked onto her face. Throwing her hands up, she shook her head, lips parting as she spoke. "It's me… It's just me." She said slowly, carefully, backing up one single step as Draco lowered his wand, sighing in the process.

"Sorry…" He murmured, shaking his head, stowing his wand away into his pocket. For a moment, he had forgotten what had happened. But there she was, with her pale white skin and those penetrating eyes, staring at him. He turned away, crossing the room to stand at the window, glancing out as if to be sure they were alone. There was nothing but darkness… No shadowy figures creeping up, no dimly lit wands peeking around any corners. Nothing.

For now at least.

"Where are we?" She asked, gesturing around the room, watching as he made his way around, lighting two lamps with a tap from his wand. When he turned back to face her, his face was solemn, unreadable. He stared at her for several long moments before a sigh escaped him and he returned to his place on the couch.

"This is my family's summer home." He said after a few beats of silence, raising his gaze to find hers. "It was the only place I could think of." He continued, his cheeks flushing, as if he were embarrassed. "We haven't come here in years, my father has probably forgotten about it even existing…" For now, at least, the unspoken words fell between them, no need for him to say them because she was already thinking them.

"You saved me," she then said, coming closer, taking the seat on the couch beside him. "Why…?" Her brown eyes found his, her hands twisting in her lap. She looked away, red hair falling across her shoulders as she sat forwards, elbows on her thighs, her cheeks cupped in her palms. "I don't understand…" She watched him for a moment, as he curled into himself, his eyes closing as he drifted off in thought, searching for whatever words it was he needed to say. For a few minutes, silence descended, until she thought perhaps he wasn't going to bother answering, but then his eyes opened and he turned to her, speaking.

"I just… I just couldn't let them hurt you." He said after an eternity of silence, turning his head to look at her. "I never wanted…" He trailed off, shaking his head, unable to find the words he wanted to say. "I never wanted to be a part of that." He admitted finally, turning away from her, casting his gaze out the window instead. "I just snapped, I guess." Draco sighed, running a hand through his tousled blonde locks, eyes falling closed for a moment. "Seeing you… Seeing you like that, it made something click in my brain that I wasn't on the right side. That I have never been on the right side." He sighed, turning back to face her, his cheeks growing warm; it wasn't like him to admit anything like this, not to anyone. "I was too weak to fight back until now."

Ginny listened intently as he spoke, knowing it was hard for him to admit all of those things. Proud, pure-blood Draco Malfoy was not the type to admit defeat, to admit weakness. And yet, here he was doing that very thing. She could feel her heart hammering hard within her chest, her every instinct to reach out and offer him her hand, to offer some form of comfort. But this was new, this was unsure and thus made her feel a little overwhelmed. But, after a moments hesitation, her true nature won over and she found herself reaching out, touching his hand and offering a small smile. "Thank you… Thank you for saving me."

At the touch of her hand, Draco jumped, turning to face her with surprise in his eyes. His shocked gaze traveled from her face, down to their hands, and back to her face all in one fell swoop, his lips parting but no words would come. Such a gentle touch, a comforting touch… It had been a long time since he'd felt that sort of touch. He found his heart to be hammering and he pulled away, his cheeks flushed. "It was nothing." He said, feeling somewhat awkward as he shot her another glance; she was smiling again, her brown eyes flashing mischievously, as if she was enjoying his torment. After a moment, he found that he too was smiling, his awkward feelings slowly dissipating.

"What do we do now?"

Her question brought him even more surprise; turning back to her, he arched a brow, a silent question. We, he wondered to himself, what does she mean we…? "You'll return home, won't you?" He asked, reaching up to run a hand through his tousled blonde locks, keeping his eyes upon her face.

She giggled, she couldn't help but to have a laugh at Draco's expense. "Well, yes I suppose so but you…" She trailed off, sighing softly, shaking her head in exasperation. Were all men this way? "You can't very well return home, can you?" She watched his face darken with that realization, as he came to truly realize he had no where to go, no one to turn to. He hadn't thought about that at the time. But she was right, he couldn't go home. He would have to go into hiding, disguise himself, hide from his father and the other Death Eaters. He would be deemed a traitor and disgraced. Turning away, he let out the breath he had been holding, wondering for a moment just what he would do. "Don't worry," Ginny was suddenly speaking and he felt compelled to turn back to her, to watch as she offered him an encouraging sort of smile. "You'll come home with me."

"No, I couldn't." Draco shook his head, his stormy gray eyes meeting hers. "Being around me will just put you and your family in danger," he stood up, moving away to stand at the window, his back to her. "My father and the others won't stop looking for me now that I've betrayed the Dark Lord."

Her expression solemn, Ginny rose to her feet, retracing his steps to stand behind him at the window. For a moment they stood in silence, until she reached her hand out, gently placing it upon his shoulder. She felt him tense beneath her touch and she felt her heart skip a beat as he turned around to face her. "Let me help you." She said simply, watching his somber expression change as she spoke. "This war, we're gonna win it. Harry will beat him, somehow, someway. And then, you'll be safe. We'll all be safe." She fell into silence, her lips curving into the smallest of smiles. Her hand fell away from his shoulder and instead she held it out to him, for him to take and shake. They could be friends, they could do something to help end the war.

For a long moment, Draco could only stare at her; his first instinct was to turn her away, to tell her she sounded foolish. There was no helping him. There was no defeating Voldemort- growing up with a father who was highly ranked amongst the Death Eaters gave him valuable knowledge. He didn't know all of the details, but he knew something of the rumors that flew among the Death Eaters. That the Dark Lord had done something sinister, something that gave him a sense of immortality. He didn't know what that something was, but he did know the Death Eaters called him immortal, said that defeat was next to impossible. But, as he looked her in the face, with her sweet smile and her big brown eyes, he could not help but to feel like she was telling the truth. He found himself nodding, reaching his hand out to take hers; at the moment of first touch, they both felt the instant spark, the warmth that spread from their fingertips to their whole body. Blinking in surprise, Draco forced himself to ignore the feeling and instead tried to smile, clearing his throat in an attempt to find his voice. "Okay."

And that was all it took to form a new, but strong bond.