Draco sat in his room alone. The war had only just begun, but for him, it lasted as long as he could remember. His life had always been plighted by Voldemort, his father being a deatheater and all. Now with his father in prison the weight of the war has shifted onto him. He now had to play a part in this war he wanted nothing to do with. Not that he didn't hate muggle-borns, believe me, he did. He just wanted to have a normal life. He, looked at the kids his age whose only worries were about grades and girlfriends, and he just wanted out. His worst fear was waking up and finding his family dead, that is not something a normal 17 year old boy thinks about. But for him, normal had never been anything to describe him by. He was always taught to be tough; he would cringe at the thought of being weak. But now, even if it meant being weak, he wanted to back out. The thought of waking up an orphan haunted his dreams. He made up his mind, he was of age now, and he could do what he pleased. He was going to run. Dumbledore's last words to him replayed in his head over and over again. No, he was not a killer. Dumbledore did say that they could protect him. He valued his life greatly, even if it meant running into the arms of his worst enemy, he would do what it takes. With his head resting in his hand, he thought of what he was risking staying here. Voldemort was extremely angry with him and his father; he would be coming after him soon. His mind was set, he will be leaving. With a determined look on his face, he got up from his bed and headed towards his closet. Taking out his trunk, he started to pack his things. It was best if his mom didn't know, she would never agree to go, she would want to wait for Lucius. If the deatheaters questioned her, she could truthfully say that she didn't know where he was. It didn't take him much time to gather all of his things. With his trunk in one hand and wand in the other he took one look around his surroundings. With a deep breath, he closed his eyes and disapparated.

Number 12 Grimmauld place was no longer vacant. Harry, reluctantly, agreed to stay there until after the wedding of Bill and Fleur and it was time for him, Ron and Hermione to go on their journey. The Order of the Phoenix decided to keep the place as their headquarters. It was, after all, the best place they have ever had, it was filthy yes, but incredibly safe. With no time to find a replacement they settled in there to continue their work agaisnt Voldemort. The summer was much more bearable now that they were all able to attend the meetings, with the exception of Ginny of course. She, however, did not take to being left out easily. Stomping all the way up the stairs, she always waited in her room for Hermione to come and tell her everything. However, even with the meetings it was still pretty horrible. The house was emptier than it had been lst summer. Fred and Gorge no longer lived their and even though they were only two people their presense somehow felt like much more. With the threat of Voldemort even greater than last year the security was even greater. They weren't allowed to go outside unless a member of the order was there with them, which wasn't much fun. They mostly just spent the days inside talking, cleaning, or eating. This was probably how Sirius felt, they couldn't blame him for trying to leave.

One evening Mrs. Weasley was down in the kitchen preparing dinner with Tonks "helping". Ginny quietly went upstairs and into Ron and Harry's room. Harry and Ron were playing wizards chess on the decrepit table in the corner of the room and Hermione was on Ron's bed reading through her new Arithmancy book, Even though they weren't going back to school she still felt the need to know this. They all glanced up as Ginny entered the room then went back to what they were doing without a word. Walking in, she sat on Harry's bed and turned towards them.

"Did you guys hear?"

"Hear what?" Harry asked absentmidedly not taking his eyes from the game.

"You won't believe who is here…."

"If you're planning on telling us today you will let us know won't you?" Ron said finally tearing his eyes away from the game long enough to glare at Ginny.

"It's Malfoy."

"What!" Hermione said completely abandoning her book. "Are you sure?"

"I saw him when I went down to the kitchen to get a drink; he was talking to Remus."

Harry looked absolutely livid. "What the hell is he doing here?"

"I don't know," Ginny said. "I just saw him."

"Well I'm going to go down there and find out." Harry said standing up and heading for the door.

"No! Harry you musn't" Hermione said. "Wait until they've finished."

Harry stopped with his hand on the doorknob then reluctantly he retreated back to his seat. "Why is he here, that's what I want to know."

"I think we all do, Harry." Ginny said calmly.

"Yeah, well if he says one thing about us I'm going to beat the crap out of him," said Ron a glaring at nothing in particular a determined look on his face

Hermione snorted in disbelief then quickly turned it into a cough when Ron looked her way.

"Maybe he's turned good," Ginny suggested.

"Yeah, and maybe I'm a hooker," Hermione scoffed.

"WHAT?" Ron screamed.

"It's his fault Dumbledore is dead, he started it. I don't know what the hell they're thinking letting him inside." Harry said ignoring Ron as if he had not just screamed.

"What if he's still working for You-know-who. Are they stupid, he'll probably go back and tell everyone everything-" Ron cut himself off. There were footsteps coming up the steps. Just then the door opened and Mrs. Weasley stuck her head in.

"Dinner's ready and please make sure to be quiet when going through the halls-"

"Mom, what is Malfoy doing downstairs?"

"He's on our side now, Ginny. I don't want any of you to give him trouble now. He has been through a lot. Come downstairs" With that, Mrs. Weasley left.

"Bullshit," Ron said. "Like hell he's on our side."

"He could be."

"Oh come off it, Hermione. He nearly killed Ron last year."

"That was an accident Harry, it wasn't meant for him-"

"HE'S A FUCKING DEATHEATER! WHO CARES IF IT WASN'T MEANT FOR HIM, YOU THINK IT BEING FOR DUMBLEDORE MAKES IT ANY BETTER?"

"No, its just that-"

"Let's just go down to dinner," Ginny said heading towards the door. Harry glared at Hermione for another few seconds before following Ginny out the door, Ron and Hermione following soon afterwards.

The Kitchen seemed emptier then usual. With the absence of Sirius the house felt even more gloomy. Mrs. Weasely was setting up the table with Tonks and Remus was reading the Prophet in his seat. Apart from that they were the only other occupants. Looking around the basement kitchen they weren't surprised to see Malfoy leaning against the wall holding a butterbeer. He was looking paler than usual and his normally slicked back hair was falling down around his face. He had a look of deep thought on his face, one they usually wouldn't associate with Malfoy. When he saw them he quickly regained his poise. Sneering, he put down his drink.

"Surprised to see me?"

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