Authors Note: Okay, I couldn't fit the entire summary... but basically, Voldemort is stronger than ever. The Professors fear that with Dumbledores absence, Hogwarts is no longer safe for Harry. After Dumbledores death, everyone wants Draco dead. The 2 are sent to a safe house far from Hogwarts. If they are seperated, they are weak. But together, they're strong. The only problem is, they can't stand being within 2 feet of each other. Draco keeps running, but Harry just wants to fight. ~~~

Warning: adult language, sexual content, angst, slash, romance, fluff, humor, character death

Good? :D This is my first story, so please, have mercy on me if it sucks. Alright... Read, and Review? (:

xoxo
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"I don't NEED your protection! I can fend for myself!" The young boy quickened his pace, turning at random corners of the dimly lit castle to attempt an escape from the tall cloaked figure behind him.

Long fingers tugged at the boys arm, yanking him backwards. "That is EXACTLY what you told me last month, Draco. And remind me again who was too weak to do what the dark lord had ordered him to do? Who was it that had to save you? Who had to vow to protect you?" Snape hissed between gritted teeth.

Draco tried to shrug the man off, but Snape tightened his grip, slamming him into the wall behind them.

"This is no time to be foolish, Mr. Malfoy. Have you forgotten.." he raised a trembeling hand, pointing and indicating the dim hallways of the school, "...what we did in there?

Draco struggled against Snapes grip yet again. "Get OFF me!" he spat. Snape brought his face down to level Dracos, and looked into his eyes. This frightened Draco. It was as if he could feel Snape inside of him, searching about his soal. "Work with me now, Draco. I made a vow to keep you safe. This is the only way I can do that!" He said almost inaudibly. Draco wasn't sure, but he thought he could see a hint of fear in the mans cold, wary eyes. It made him flinch the slightest bit.

"If you stay here, they would hex you in a second! The dark lord will be looking for you, and that would put the rest of the students in jeopardy," Draco snorted at this, but Snape continued, lowering his voice, "No one will ever forgive you for what we did, Draco, -"

Dracos eyes shot up at these words. "WE?! If I remember correctly, YOU killed that oaf, Dumbledore. Not me. I'm practically innocent! It's all on you now." That was the last thing Draco had said before he felt a strong hand colliding with his face.

Draco wasn't thick. Of course he knew that his failure would lead to consequences. He hadn't really done anything, Snape had. But if Snape hadn't... Would he have successfully fulfilled his duty? Or would he be too weak? No. Of course not. Malfoys aren't weak.

Snapes voice pulled Draco out of his thoughts. Back to reality. He put a hand up to his cheek where Snape had just slapped him. It stung, but he quickly lowered his hand again and stayed calm. "You were too weak, Draco. You could have never killed the man. I had to help you- It had to be me!"

"No." Draco breathed, trying to stand taller than the man. Now he had set him off. Fuck being calm. NOW he was angry. "How DARE you. How DARE you call ME weak. You hardley gave me a chance! It was MY moment! He chose ME. I was chosen, NOT. YOU. You are nothing but a blood traitor."

Draco could see the flicker of anger that washed over Snapes face but he couldn't back down now. That would be weak. And this was NOT the time to be weak. He had to stand strong, even if he knew at that moment, he wasn't. He wanted to run away, go back to the manor, he'd even rather be in the slytherin dormitory, being coddeled by Pansy fucking Parkinson. But that would just throw away his chances at bravery. Throw away his chances of proving a point.

Snape merley took in a deep breath and shut his eyes.

"...Draco please try to understand that I am trying to help you! I need to help you!" the man tried to reason, not even bothering to look at the blonde.

Dracos jaw dropped. How in the hell was he STILL going on about this? After everything he had just said? He is still trying to help! Malfoys are strong. Malfoys don't NEED help. He needed to keep reminding himself... Merlin, how he wished he could flat out tell him to fuck off, but deep down inside he knew he had no where to go. He knew this was his only option. But he'd much rather be killed by the hands of the dark lord himself before he admitted that to Snape. Or anyone, for that matter. He had to keep fighting. It was all he could do... If he didnt, he knew he'd run. Cry... Hide...

"You really don't get it, do you?" He hissed. "I don't NEED your bloody help! Why can't YOU just understand? I don't need anyones help!" He practically screamed.

Snape opened his eyes and stood up straighter. "You have no choice, Draco." And with that, despite the boys yelling and protests, he pulled Draco from off the wall and dragged him along behind him, right out of the castle.

xxx

Harry cracked open his tired eyes. A month exactly had passed since the night at the astronomy tower. Since the night of Dumbledores death. The greatest mentor in the world...

Harry had found himself wondering up to the statue that stood before Dumbledores office every night. He hadn't meant to, but whenever he decided he couldn't sleep, that's where he went. He would sit there and stare at the eagle statue for hours. And then, when he began to grow tired, he would walk back to his four poster bed. And it would repeat every night. He glanced over to the clock. 2:04am. Harry sighed and squeezed his eyes shut. Before he even realized what he was doing, he had his invisibilty cloak on and he was silently slipping out of the Gryffindor dormitory.

It was as if he was on auto pilot. Harry wasn't even thinking, yet he knew exaclty where he was going, every turn, every step, even in the darkness of the castle.

When he finally arrived at his destination, he noticed another cloaked figure standing before the large eagle statue.

"...Professor?"

Professor McGonagall turned around only to see Harry stripping himself of his invisibilty cloak.

"Ah! Mr. Potter, just the boy I wanted to see." she said. She had dark circles under her eyes, and she looked slightly paler than usual. And she wasn't smiling. Actually, she looked more like she had just been crying, what with her puffy red eyes and slightly flushed cheeks.

His eyes lit up at this. Now was the perfect time to tell McGonagall what Dumbledore had told him the night of the incident. He had been dreading it all month, but he knew he didn't have a choice. And now was the time.

"Well actually, Professor, I was hoping to see you, too. Er-Are you alright, Profe-"

"Just fine Mr. Potter." She said quickly. Too quickly.

Although it was obvious she wasn't okay, Harry found it best to drop the subject.

"What are you doing up at this hour, Professor? And here?"

McGonagall cracked the tiniest smile. "I should be asking you the same question now shouldn't I now, Mr. Potter?"

Harry didn't respond. He was pretty sure she knew why he was there.

"Now, Harry, we really need to talk-"
"Yes Professor, but I need to tell you something, too. Something really important about the night-"

"Mr. Potter I hardley think that what you have to say is more important than what I do."

Harry dropped his jaw in disbelief. "B-But Professor"

McGonagall gave him a wary look and motioned him to follow. Harry hesitated for a moment, let out a big sigh and followed her around a few corners, and then up the steps to her office. All the shadows mingled into one big heap of almost-black, so he could hardley see the steps.

After staggering up the last few steps, the two entered the small room, where McGonagall paused at her desk. Harry looked around the office awkwardly. It looked smaller and messier than he had last remembered. Papers and tissues were thrown around, and the various paintings on the walls were askew.

"Have a seat, Mr. Potter." Harry flinched. The sudden break of silence surprised him, but he took orders and sat in a brown oversized chair near her desk.

"Er... Professor. I really need to tell you-"

"Mr. Potter, you are no longer safe here." McGonagall finally blurted.

Harry blinked. She hadn't even turned around. She stood still as a statue, staring aimlessly at the wall in front of her.

"What?" he asked.

"Hogwarts is not safe for you, Harry. I -"

Harry stood up suddenly and stared blankly at the witch.

"Pardon me, Professor but Hogwarts hasn't exactly been the safest place for me since day one, and I've managed to live through every year...I'm sure I can live through one more year. And besides, Hogwarts is my home... It's all I have to call a home. Do you really expect me to just go back to the Dursleys? And Ron and Hermione... I can't just leave them. Professor, they've been with me through everything. And thats much besides the point because Professor, the night at the astronomy tower, Professor Du-"

"Please Mr. Potter, don't make this harder than it has to be. I will be completely honest with you and say that you last few years here at Hogwarts were quite impressive, this year will be far more dangerous than it ever has been for you. For anyone at that matter. And we do not expect you to go back to the Dursleys," She entwined her fingers together almost as a nervous gesture. This worried Harry. "And I'm afraid you're going to have to leave your friends behind. Professor Snape and I discussed it and decided-"

"Snape? SNAPE? Why were you talking about me with SNAPE? Why was he here? Why didn't anyone do anything? He betrayed someone who trusted him! He killed the greatest headmaster-"

"Mr. Potter! This is NOT the time!" She yelled, her thin lips pressed together tightly. Harry noticed her eyes were becoming red and watery. He clamped his mouth shut and sat down at again almost immediatley.

McGonagall took a deep breath and continued.

"We decided that it would be best if we sent you away to a safe house tomorrow morning, far away from Hogwarts, somewhere the dark lord could never find you."

"But Professor! If we keep running away Voldemort will just get stronger, and what would be the use in that? We need to fight! We need to fight back!" He found himself standing again, and when the women looked at him pointedly, he sat back down.

"Mr. Potter thats exactly what he wants. If you continue trying to be the hero he'll get exactly what he wants and kill you. You're playing right into his trap, do you understand? This is why we need to send you away. You'll be safer there."

Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You discussed this with Snape. What if it's all a trap? What if he just wants to send me there for Voldemort? What if Voldemort is there right now, just waiting to kill me? Snape betrayed all of us! He's on Voldemorts side, why should we trust him!"

"THATS ENOUGH MR. POTTER." She slammed a hand on her desk, tears finally escaping her eyes. She wiped them away with a swiff brush of her sleeve. "I'm sorry, Harry. But thats my final word. You're just going to have to trust me." She turned on her heel and began walking out of her office.

Harry looked down at his feet. Trust.. He wasn't even sure he knew what the word meant anymore. You can't trust anyone anymore. Maybe you never could.

"Oh, Mr. Potter?"

Harry looked up quickly, which caused his neck to crack. She was halfway through the doorway when she stopped.

"You won't be alone in the safe house."

Harry stood up. "What? I mean... Who..Who will I be with, Professor?"

The old witch tensed her lips and moved her wise stare to study the young boy.

"Draco Malfoy."

xxx