UNEXPECTED ENDEAVOURS

Sometimes even in a place like Hogwarts one can feel entirely alone. During a rather trying time, two individuals find some sort of peace in one another that was previously thought to be impossible.

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DISCLAIMER: All characters, settings, and magical occurrences were all conceived and created in the brilliant mind of J.K. Rowling. Nothing except the glorious plot is property of mine. No profits are being made from my writing.

WARNING: This story will contain some SLASH, as it will be the main pairing. If this bothers, offends, or just grosses you out, you can save yourself a lot of pain and heartburn and just click the back button. Otherwise, stick around. I can only hope not to disappoint. Complete overhaul of the original which means this doesn't follow HBP almost at all and if it does, it's simply by accident. I really enjoyed this story originally and thought that it could probably use some sprucing up. Slight changes throughout. Remus/Draco, just in case you were unsure.

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Chapter One

Forged Trust

Sometimes even in a place like Hogwarts one can feel entirely alone. As he wandered through the hallowed building of a deserted corridor, it was hard for him not to feel like the walls were closing in, wading through the deafening silence. For Draco, his rounds usually were not something that caused such mental anguish. Not that he often did his rounds anymore to begin with. The younger students were sent out on fools' quests to capture any student, particularly Gryffindor, in a compromising situation. But since his induction, he found he preferred those stolen moments where he was not placed under a watchful eye by a fellow student. He was left simply to himself and his thoughts. Dark thoughts that had only just begun days before.

His mind was still lit up with harsh memories from that very evening, playing over and over behind his eyes, giving him no solace from his actions that would plague him for eternity. He could still see the blood that he stained his hands as his innocence was ripped away and replaced by a scarring black mark upon his left forearm. It wasn't as though he had any other option to pursue as he was thrust before the biggest living threat facing the wizarding world. Other than run of course which would have only rewarded him with death. Denial was not an option when standing before the robed monster he was supposed to worship. And though as he found himself all but swallowed up in that empty hallway, he was certain that death was not something he wished to find. He knew himself to be many things, some not flattering, but he was no coward.

The school around him, for full of life for real and induced, set silently, allowing every step he took to reverberate off of the stone walls around him. It was slightly unnerving a sound at first but soon it was drowned out by his thoughts, a hand absently tracing across the stacked stone in the wall as he moved past it. It was not a new feeling, this being alone. Even sitting in his common room he found himself mostly wishing no one would sense anything wrong and ask him about it. He wondered if they could read his pleading eyes when they walked towards him, instead choosing another outlet to pass their time. Making sure they did not ask the one question he was not sure he could provide the answers they wanted to hear for. It scared him to find that he did not even possess those answers anymore.

As he moved around the bend of a corner, he found himself surprised to find he was not the only of the castles inhabitants wandering at such a late hour. At first he assumed it to be a student waiting for another to join them on whatever late night rendezvous they planned to engage in. It had once been his favorite part of the job. Busting students out after hours and in places they were not to be anyway but as age increased and his responsibilities caught up with him, he found it taxing if nothing else. The closer he got, though, he realized it wasn't a student at all.

"Professor?" His voice questioned, making certain that he was not mistaken.

"Ah, Mister Malfoy. You're patrolling this evening?" The older man questioned, slightly startled from the sudden interruption on his own silence. Draco simply nodded his response. "I cannot say I blame you for choosing such hours. No better time to clear ones head," His words came back, voice exhausted. To Draco's eyes, he seemed rather nervous and did not look much better off. It was then that he realized the full moon had just passed and all intrigue had passed from the situation.

"You don't look so well, Professor," Draco offered bluntly and as soon as the words left his mouth he regretted saying them.

"Nor do I feel well. I sense that you of all people must understand why. But I'm afraid I'm exhausted this evening so if you'll excuse me, I'm going to be off to bed." He was not phased by Draco's off-cuff statement and instead turned to return to his quarters when he noticed something strange about his blonde student. His face was empty and held without feeling, similar to his words which had become notorious throughout the school. "Is something troubling you the evening, Mr. Malfoy?"

"No sir," He shook his head but too very little effect.

"Well should something come up which does, my door is always open to someone in need. With very little exceptions," He spoke quickly and a little softly. Draco's gaze shifted to meet his and it held a moment before the older man took his leave of the corridor en route for his own quarters and his much needed sleep.

A soft sigh escaped Draco's lips as he watched the other depart. For some reason, he had found the need to spill everything to the man. He had the incessant need to someone that might actually listen and not condemn him. Severus already knew but it was not as though he could offer much help. His plate was already full with suspicion from Death Eater and Dark Lord alike. And his father was certainly out of the question. He had basically been thrown from the manor and instructed to handle things as well as he could. The problem was that Draco did not know how he was supposed to handle this but he resigned himself to mustering some determination to try.

So instead of giving in, he trudged, finding himself caught up in the many more unseen corridors than ever before. It was quite late when he finally had exhausted enough energy to pull himself into his dormitory and to bed. But even then, the silence that he taken up momentary residence in his mind was pushed aside and it was nightmares that haunted his sleep that evening.

//…//

When first he'd felt the mark upon his arm activate and the flesh it rested upon heat up, singing under the magic, he had been alone. It was a thing he was most grateful for as he would have had no excuse for the soft whimper that escaped his lips as he snatched a hand to help soothe the sudden and intrusive pain. It was only just over a week since he had been inducted and it seemed he would already begin aiding a cause he felt no stirring towards. Inside, he felt himself a traitor. He sat there despising everything he had been raised to support and his life held entirely different meanings. Or perhaps no meaning was closer to the truth.

The first summoning hadn't lasted long and there were others present as well to which he was thankful. His father was one of the many that had been called before the Dark Lord alone and certainly regretted it afterwards. This proved well for him for several strong bought of the Cruciatus, the Dark Lord had moved on to another follower who had actually committed a crime against him and the cause. As he spelled the apparition back to the school, it was a thankful one but as he found himself thrust just outside the grounds, the walk to the castle and then through its corridors proved a very daunting task.

It was then that he found himself face to face with the werewolf again. He had gotten himself inside the school and all but drug himself, growing increasingly closer to his intended destination, while the blood and pain set about detouring his path. And as one step caught him off center, his limps shook and he found himself tumbling towards the ground, two arms saving him just before he met the stone floor.

"Mister Malfoy, you really ought to have Poppy take a look at you," He commented, steadying the blonde against himself so that he could find the proper footing.

"That is not exactly a good idea."

"Well at least let me get a draught from Severus for you."

"I have already taken care of it. It should be in my quarters as we speak," Draco assured him knowing full well it was the getting there that was the actual trouble. The werewolf seemed to sense this and instead of trusting Draco's own two feet, getting a better grip he began accompanying him down the hall towards the Slytherin dungeons.

The walk was taken in silence as understanding swarmed between them leaving Draco with the almost comforting thought that he was not alone in his knowledge. Though he found that it was a bit of a relief, he was not certain if it were something to be enjoyed considering who the other was. The simple fact that someone else knew lifted a bit of a weight off of his chest and that was enough for him at the moment. It was just outside the Slytherin entrance that the pair stilled.

"Have you told anyone else?" Remus questioned, and from his tone, Draco was certain that by anyone he specifically meant Dumbledore.

"No. I am not certain as to how I should approach him."

"You mean you would like him to know?"

"If nothing else, Professor, I will have you know that this is not a path I chose for myself. It was laid out before me," Draco simply concluded, whispering the password and entering into the common room, limping the rest of the way into the dormitory where he stripped himself of his school uniform and pulled the bed curtains tightly behind and drifted into another rather fitful sleep.

Remus, however, stood in his absence knowing that he would have a much more difficult time sleeping that evening. He had known for a while that the school would soon face a great threat as many of the Death Eater's children were safe behind its walls. He just had not anticipated it would come so quickly and in such a form. Even the oldest of the students were merely seventeen, hardly of an age where they should be forced into submission of such a sort.

In his mind, the words that Draco Malfoy had uttered to him were repeating themselves over and over. Despite their history, Remus was certain that there had to be something he could do to help the boy. If someone did not, it would be an easy and safe assurance that he would become one of the first casualties of the war. It seemed that a little guidance would suffice as if the words exchanged were anything to go on. Instead, he would be cast off to Voldemort without a second thought given his way. And until spotting the struggling figure in the hall that evening, sensing and anguish and pain, Remus, like most others, would have seen the blonde walking forward openly into such a situation. But the look on his face as he struggled into the school and down the corridors he'd needed to take left Remus without a doubt that all of those accusations had been false from the beginning.

What was even more taxing was that he did not know what he could even do for the boy. The most obvious option was that he could join Snape in the ranks as a spy but that was one of the most difficult and dangerous things that he could have gotten himself mixed up in, aside from cutting all ties from the Dark Lord. In the part of the mind he also knew that it could very easily not be his problem to deal with. It would take one conversation with Dumbledore to lift the worry from his chest. The two of them had never been close, even in a student-teacher way and certainly not in a way he found himself with Harry, Ron or Hermione. And this sudden new entry into his life left Remus very reluctant to betray him so early on. The only course of action would be to talk to the blonde outright. To know exactly where he stood and now what had simply been insinuated in the corridor that evening.

//…//

Draco felt incredibly fidgety as he adjusted himself in the stiff chair the office of his professor afforded. He feigned no surprise when he was asked by Lupin to remain after class for a few brief words about his last essay. He was not foolish enough to believe they would even touch about the essay on vampires he was certain was flawless. Even more, he doubted there would be just a few words and was very aware that upon its conclusion he could find himself led out in chains and off to spend time in Azkaban. Though even though the thought had crept into his mind, he doubted its validity. After all of the years he had been forced to endure Gryffindor company, he had come to the realization that would not persecute you without just cause. Though to be fair, following his late night arrival and condition, let alone his words, there was enough to convict Harry Potter of just treason.

His eyes shot around the room, nervously. In all of his years at Hogwarts he had always made it a point to avoid such an arrangement in any professor's office. It could only lead to further punishment at home as it was certain his father would hear about it. He was almost certain this would not be one of those meetings. Or at least he hoped as it would have a much grimmer outcome than any over a petty argument with Weasley.

After more moments that he had cared to count, the silence was broken by Lupin entering his office, arms filled with parchment that was stacked upon the already cluttered desk. "Sometimes I wonder how much simpler my life would be if I had declined Dumbledore and his offer to come back," He began, not actually making eye contact with the blonde, seated stiffly across from him. Draco knew it was an attempt at lightening the tense mood and forced a slight smile upon his lips which Lupin picked up on quickly. "Right then," He inserted giving himself enough time to gather his own thoughts before pushing on further.

"Sir, I know as to why you've called me here so needn't beat around the bush as the saying goes."

"You're correct. I'm sure before I even voice them, you know of my suspicions and before you speak I would like you to know that this hasn't left the two of us, nor will it if that is as you wish. But I must ask, where were you last night, Mister Malfoy?"

"Last night I was summoned by the Dark Lord and was returning from my summonings when you found me in the corridor," Draco's face was absolutely emotionless as the words left his mouth. He found himself mulling over the words from the werewolf instead of letting himself be caught up in what he was saying.

"This is of course as I suspected. How long ago were you marked?"

"Ten days ago." Ten days of pure agony, he added silently to himself. Though he'd only faced one night which had brought death forth as an alternative to the pain he had experienced. The other night were spent in a mix of fear and anticipation that had rocked his entire world.

Letting the words penetrate him, he stood and began pacing a little through the office. Though he found himself not surprised by the words being shared, he was plagued by the fact that he was not entirely certain what he was to do not. Perhaps a small and very foolish part of himself had hoped that he would have been wrong about Draco having the Mark and that things could have possibly been so much less complicated. It was not to be so.

"You're planning on going to Dumbledore aren't you? In having me expelled?"

"Would you like me to have you expelled?" The blonde simply shook his head in a certain manner. "Do you want to be a Death Eater?" Remus countered with a much more difficult question. Draco's eyes faltered stopping at the ground before his head shook slightly and almost unnoticeably. "That was what I had suspected. You will neither be expelled nor condemned for being forced into such a decision. I have no doubts that Albus will understand whatever you have to say to him. What is it that you intend on doing now?"

"I'm afraid I haven't had much time to think about it. I am aware that Professor Snape has been spying. When I went to him before the initiation, I expressed feelings of not wishing to follow through. I had been afraid at first that he would use my words against me but instead he confided that information with me. I'm not sure how much I could actually help but I could at least try. It's all just been very difficult," Draco began and caught himself before he slipped over the edge and let out so many oppressed emotions before his professor.

"That is a very dangerous outlet to pursue."

"Is there any other option that I have?"

Remus did not reply either way. "I take it that you are going to go see Dumbledore?"

"If it is all the same, I think for now that I would like just a little more time to come to grips with what I am about to apply myself to do. Last night was the first time I had been summoned and I don't know how much I am willing to take."

"I'm willing to give you as much you need, Mister Malfoy but I will have you keep in mind that if others are to learn of this new development, they may not be so kind to give you the time you need. Please keep that in mind. You may go."

Draco stood a little shaky and nodded at his final warning, moving to leave and turning back to face the older man. "Thank you, sir."

Remus simply nodded before adding something else that startled Draco. "My still remains true. Should you find that you need an ear to listen, my door is always open. Keep that in mind."

"I will, thank you again, sir," Draco concluded, almost hurrying from the small room and outside of the classroom itself. He pressed himself up against the cold stone once outside of the door, leaning his head against him, letting himself catch up with what had just occurred. He had let so much spill of his sordid life and instead of the condemnation that was certain to find him, he had been met with understand and an under currant of caring about what his fate was to be. He had not experienced such a thing often in his life and it was surprisingly welcome. In all of the years he had been at Hogwarts, he had never held the werewolf in high regard but as he caught up with himself and started the walk back to Slytherin, he realized that he was beginning to see him in a different light.

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A/N: Definitely time for some better Remus/Draco love. I'm not sure if this is it but of all the stories I've started, this is in the top three with Between You And Me and Hopeless. Also, I know that I didn't go back and make it HBP friendly which would have been incredibly difficult. This is just giving this a facelift and if it should leave to much more love for the two of them in a more HBP-friendly setting, then wonderful. Comments are appreciated as most of what will follow will be revamped excessively. :-D More information at the end of four. About plot and whatnot.