Draco was late and the Weasleys were almost out of their minds with worry. Draco had been pleased to get the job-spying on the Death Eaters, pretending to be simply watching his back by not joining them- but he was the only one.
Ron didn't blame him, he'd put up with the order, the barbs, the distrust and he'd been feeling useless and bored. Several times he'd been on the point of lashing out and he'd felt the raised eyebrows heading in his direction but the job had calmed Draco. Somehow heading into a pit full of snakes (pun not intended) had relaxed him.
But he was late. He had been expected to arrive at midnight on the dot and Draco was never late-some aristocracy thing he'd laughed about. It was long gone midnight and he hadn't got back. At first they'd just shrugged it off, reckoning he hadn't been able to get out or, judging by Moody's scowl, they reckoned he was cheating. But it was now 4:56 and there was no sign of Draco.
Ron had now gone through every possible scenario and most of them involved Draco with someone else or bleeding to death. Where was the idiot?
Ron was roused out of his worrying by a crash and a volley of swearing. Not Draco's voice though, higher and slurring a lot. Grabbing his wand from his sleeve Ron left his family, thanking the fact he had unusually sharp ears, and took the stairs three at a time.
Ron stopped suddenly when he realised he couldn't hear anything anymore. Consequently, the arm grabbing him from behind and wand pointed at his temple surprised him.
"Identify yourself." The voice was slurring more now and Ron raised his hands carefully.
"Ron Weasley." He didn't bother making a fake name as there wasn't really much that could disguise the Weasley hair.
"Oh right. Draco's in there." The person released him as his family came charging into the hall and Ron turned to see Pansy Parkinson's rather distinctive features staring at him, her head slightly cocked as if figuring him out.
Unable to concentrate on the girl in front of him he ran to Draco, swearing when he saw what his boyfriend looked like. Within seconds Draco was conscious and staring at him, his guard down. Pansy practically flew over.
"Hey Sexy." Draco's eyes had found Ron's and he attempted a weak smile. "Pansy got me here then?" His eyes fluttered shut again and Molly hurried over, yanking Charlie with her to carry the blonde.
Ron looked at Pansy, silently assessing her and working out the threat she posed before realising she was swaying slightly. When she fainted he swore and carried her after Molly, slightly surprised at how little she weighed.
Sorry it's short but the next bit works better in a chapter of it's own.