Ginny stretched her arms above her head, pajama top falling off her shoulder as she sat up. The warmth of the sun told her it was later than she usually woke, frowning she hurriedly dressed. She was putting her hair up in a pony tail as she walked down the stairs when she smelled it; the smell burnt food was so strong that she was gagging as she walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"What did you try to cook?" Ginny asked as she walked over to the icebox and grabbed a bottle of water. Walking over to the stove she shoved her brother aside as she opened the bottle and poured a little into the still smoking pan. Sniffing the air, "Scrambled eggs?"

"Shove it," Ron grumbled as he watched the brown bits floating in the water, "Mum never taught me the cooking charms."

"For good reason, you prat." Giving him a grin she took a swig of water and walked over to the table, "You always over did the wand movements, she knew you would have the knives flying with the simplest of spells."

Hand skimming over the fruit bowl, she selected an apple and tossed it at his head. Ron took a bite, mouthful, "Thanks, what are you doing up so late?"

Ginny shrugged; turning away to select her own piece of fruit, peeling an orange she turned back to Ron, "Aren't you late for work?"

"Have the day off, thought I would do a bit of gardening," Ron watched her pile the peel up on the table before segmenting the fruit and eating, "What about you, got any big plans?"

Relishing the tangy fruit Ginny got up from the table, "I was thinking about going down to the village and seeing if I could help out Reinhardt or something. Don't worry I'll be back by dinner."

Ron grabbed her hand as she walked by him, "I-."

Ginny's upturned face pleaded with him, Ron bit back what he was going to say, "Just be back in time to cook dinner I would hate for it to suffer the same fate as those eggs. Remember everyone is coming over tonight, I don't think my nephew would like me as much if he had to scrape his meatloaf before he could eat it."

Ginny laughed as she grabbed her cane and wand, sunglasses securely placed on her head she set out for the village with a smile and a wave.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Draco groaned as he rolled out of his makeshift sleeping bag, the sun was barely poking through the trees but he had too much work to do for him to laze around in his bed. Standing up he glared up at the partially caved in ceiling of the study that he was sleeping in, the rain last night had prevented him from enjoying the open sky as he had been since the first night of being freed. Walking forward he peered up at the ceiling with a decisive look, he would have to go to town and get some more supplies if he wanted to finish it before the end of the week. Running a hand through his hair Draco walked out of the study and to the kitchen, surprised to find a hot pot of coffee and breakfast waiting for him already.

"Master, I thought you would like breakfast in the dinning room," Draco whirled around, his eyes widening as he looked at the small elf standing in a dirty rag next to the empty china cabinet. Wide yellow eyes set in a grotesquely wrinkled face, Draco watched as the elf poured a cup of coffee and offered it to him. Taking the mug from him, Draco sniffed the black liquid cautiously eyes not leaving the elf as he took a small sip. The roast of the beans burst on his tongue, the welcome richness that was once so familiar was now foreign.

"This is good," Draco raised the white chipped mug, "Kreacher, correct?"

"I am honored Master remembers me," Kreacher bowed low, his bat like ears scraping the stone floor, "Kreacher is very honored."

"I haven't seen you here for the past week, where were you?" Draco asked as he took another sip. Leaning against the counter he watched as Kreacher began filling a plate with piping hot food from the various pots and pans resting on the now shinning stove.

"I was," Kreacher strained; his voice choking and face contorting with obvious pain.

Draco looked on mildly amused for a moment as Kreacher struggled to talk, rolling his eyes at the elf's theatrics, "Enough, it doesn't matter."

Finishing his coffee he took the proffered plate from the elf's hands, "See what you can do with this kitchen. The rest of the house don't touch though, understand?"

Kreacher nodded, relief flooding his face as he watched his master begin to eat greedily from the plate. Draco finished the plate standing up, it had been far too long since he had eaten anything this rich and he knew later it would get to him but now he was enjoying every moment.

Setting his plate down on the counter Draco rolled his shoulders as he headed to the back door, "I am going to town for a moment. I will want lunch when I return."

The elf smiled as the door slammed shut; humming happily he set about work. Kreacher was happily serving the noble house of Black; quite gladly he set about his chores. With a determined look in his eyes the old elf began to work.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Draco glared at the man, "What do you mean I can't buy the damn teak? We had an agreement."

"I know sir," Martin Sanford stifled the urge to shiver under the cold silver gaze, "But I was unaware of Madame Rosinika needing it."

"I don't bloody care if the old bat wanted it or not, you promised it to me two days ago," Draco growled stepping forward to emphasize his point, "Now are you wanting to be known as unreliable? You won't be able to sell a toothpick to a bloody dentist by the time I am through with you if that is the case."

Martin threw his hands up, "Take it damn it. Take it all; just get the hell out of my store."

Draco smirked as he shrank the pile of lumber under question and placed it in his old money pouch. Retrieving fifty galleons, "Here, and next time don't try to make me up my price."

Frowning, the burly man snatched the money from him, "Was it that obvious?"

Draco gave him a look that had Martin smiling at him from behind his woolly brown beard. Scratching his chin Martin put the money in his own money pouch as the two men walked to the front of the lumber yard, "You know you are robbing me with that price?"

Draco nodded, his eyes lighting on a stack of Cyprus, "You over charge, that lot there is probably over marked as well."

"If you are short on funds," Draco glared at him but Martin stumbled on, "You could always do some carpentry work around the village and such. Magic is excellent, but some prefer the hands on approach. Stop glaring at me, I know what situation you are in which is the only way that I let you talk me down to that price on the teak."

Draco turned away shame burning his eyes but the fact that he had known Martin since he was a child prevented him from burying his fist in the older man's face. Martin Sanford had come with his father to the Manor to fix the banister on the east wing, the burly nineteen year old had intrigued him. Draco had shadowed the two men the entire week that they had worked on the banister, watching as they worked with their hands to coax the wood into its elegant new shape. He had all but forgotten his fascination with woodworking until his second year; his father had sent him to work for the Sanfords as punishment for some slight or another. And thus Draco's interest was provoked, and an unholy obsession was born. Now years later it was paying his bills, a punishment actually paid off ironically. It was that connection that prevented Draco from pounding his fist into the older man's face, instead he said his goodbyes curtly and walked out of the less than tidy yard.

Hands stuffed in pockets Draco set off towards the Manor, bypassing the crowds gathered in front of store fronts and avoiding eye contact. A flash of color in the corner of his eye made him stop, he watched as Ginny said goodbye to a frail looking shop keeper. This was the second time he had watched her without her knowing but something in him was being drawn towards the small red head. Discreetly he followed after her small figure, watching as her cane skimmed the road. Ginny turned her face up, her smile breathtaking even from the distance separating them.

Draco watched as she paused to call a greeting to a group of children that were playing in a rather large mudpuddle. His eyes narrowed as he observed the slick patch of road just up ahead of her, understanding his feet began moving faster. But even as he sped up he watched her step falter on the slick mud.

Ginny's yelp was cut off as strong arms closed around her middle, holding her firmly on her feet and against a strong chest. Adrenaline from the almost fall pumping her blood faster, Ginny took a deep breath and was almost immediately assaulted by leather and the smell of fresh cut wood.

"Darcy," her breathy whisper had his arm tightening around her middle, a smile curving her lips as she turned her face up towards his, "I was beginning to think I had imagined you."

Draco cleared his throat awkwardly, loosening his grip on her, "You should be more careful."

"Really? How do you know this wasn't some ploy to get you to come rescue me," Ginny asked, the smile growing wider as he let out a harsh breath causing the loose hairs around her face to flutter.

"If this was a ploy then I am the Minister," Draco cursed realizing he had fallen for her trap. Setting her back on her feet he held her elbow in his hand as he walked them away from the slick mud, "Just be more careful."

Ginny shifted her arm, hand grasping his hand in hers, "I rather like being rescued by you though."

Draco stared down at her, uncomfortable with her soft touch he tried to release himself.

Ginny was having none of that, tightening her grip, "Where have you been hiding?"

"I haven't been hiding," he snapped frustrated that she wouldn't let go of his hand, and at himself for enjoying the innocent touch, "I was working."

Her face screwed up in consideration, "What are you building?"

Draco stopped so suddenly that Ginny stumbled for a moment, his fingers tightening on hers, "How do you know I am building anything?"

Her face colored, "I can smell you."

His stillness indicated that he was offended, Ginny hastened to explain, "The wood, you smell like leather and fresh cut wood. I assumed you were working on something."

Satisfied Draco began walking again, though he did lean down to sniff himself cautiously earning a laugh from his companion. If he had the ability to blush he would, instead he steered her towards the path that led to her house, "Do you know how tempting it is for me to just throw you into that mud puddle?"

"What kind of knight in shining armor throws his damsel into mud?" Ginny gasped out, her feet hurrying to match his longer ones.

"I never said I was a knight, little one," Draco pushed her down the road towards her house, "Now go on home before I decide to feed you to a dragon."

Ginny turned back to him her cane clutched in her hand, "What if I don't want to go home?"

"Then go to your spot in the woods," wanting nothing more than to be away from her smile and the surprises that she kept throwing at him. Turning away he began down the fork that led to his own home. It only took him a few minutes to realize that she was following him, whirling around he glared at her though it didn't do much good, "What the hell are you doing?"

"Walking," Ginny replied as if the answer was quite obvious, "It is a fine sunny day and it was recommended for me to walk as much as possible on such days."

"Really, and well why don't you turn around and begin walking in that direction," Draco ordered as he physically turned her around. Once again dismissing her he turned back around it, "Goodbye little one."

The swish of the cane through the air and the steady thump of her feet growing closer instead of further away met his ears. Throwing up his hands in frustration, "I give up, bloody nuisance. Fine you can come."

"Who says I was wanting to come with you," Ginny remarked as she walked past him her hitting him with her cane as she passed. Draco glowered at her back, but Ginny kept walking forcing Draco to catch up. Ginny's brow wrinkled up as she asked, "But if I was going to go with you, where exactly are we going? I don't remember this path."

"My house," Draco answered automatically, helping her over a log in the middle of the path.

"Really, I thought I knew everyone in the neighborhood," Ginny pondered as they began walking again, "Have you lived here long?"

Draco bite his cheek, quickly he back peddled, "It was my grandfather's, I just recently came back into the country."

"Oh," Ginny accepted his explanation without a second thought.

Draco shook his head at her easy acceptance, she was far to trusting for her own good. Soon though he was leading her through the broken gate of Malfoy Manor, her cane discarded to her pocket as she trusted him to steer her through the tall grasses.

"Here," Draco steered her into the open doors of the empty parlor that he was currently working on, "This is the parlor, its pretty empty."

"I smell resin," Ginny walked around the empty room, fingers running along the freshly dried restored wainscoting. Draco watched her walk around the room that he had only partially worked on, "Paint too."

"I redid the walls," Draco stuffed his hands into his pockets, watching as she walked around the empty room.

"What colors is it?" Her face turned towards him, Draco felt his stomach jump.

Walking over to her he held her hand in his guiding her fingers tracing them along the different aspects of the room, "The main part of the wall is a pale sage. And this, the wainscoting is made from maple that is stained a rich brown."

Pulling her against him, he let their fingers trace down to the floor, "The wood is scratched, but soon I will restore the shine. And this," the cold stone of the mantle, "is marble, it's chipped in places but with the right amount of care it will be just as I remembered. Pale ivory with gold veins running through it."

"It sounds beautiful," Ginny whispered leaning back against his chest as his fingers caressed hers, "I wish I could see it."

Draco let his nose fall into her hair, sniffing the flowery fragrance cautiously. His eyes closed as she leaned further against him, her backside pressing against him. Realizing who he was holding, Draco stiffened and pulled away, "I have a lot of work to do."

Ginny was left standing as he quickly left the room, her call of Darcy fell on an empty room.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He could hear her, as he sanded the putty that he had used to fix the new gapes in the sheetrock and the wall. She was singing, not a holy chorus of angels, but a rather bawdy camp song that was slightly off-tune and made his ears burn at some of the language. Throwing the hand sander down Draco stalked from the room, following the tune all the way to the kitchen. Ginny was happily scrubbing a pot as Kreacher stood by shaking his head at the girl, Draco watched her with her sunglasses off and her eyes closed as she threw her head back on a particularly high note. Wincing Draco, couldn't take it anymore, "Are you trying to scare the dirt away with that noise?"

Ginny dropped the pot, whirling around she blushed, "Sorry, I was bored just sitting up there. Your house elf though isn't very talkative."

"He doesn't like strangers," Draco supplied sending Kreacher a look that had the elf squeaking as he hurried about his chores, "Now why are you scrubbing dirty pots?"

"I," throwing the rag and pot into the sink, "I was seeing if perhaps I could distract you."

Draco was stunned, falling back a step, "Well then, umm-."

"I bet you are blushing," Ginny suggested walking over with her hands behind her back and a smile curving her cheeks, "Can I see?"

Once again she stunned him, her hands reaching forward to check for herself. His pulse sped up, as her fingers just brushed his cheeks. Jerking back, Draco reached up and grabbed her wrists in his hands, vice-like grip preventing her from moving any further.

"It's getting late," Draco whispered, his voice harsher than he would have wanted. "Here I'll take you to the path."

Ginny bit her lip as she followed behind him, "Did I do something wrong?"

"No," Draco snapped, make short work of the all but hidden path that led to the Burrow, soon he could see the house leaning against the skyline, "Your house is straight ahead, this is the old rabbit trap path."

Ginny nodded, brow scrunching as she concentrated. Her cane snapping out with a flick of her wrist, "Thank-you for an interesting day, I hope that I wasn't too much of a nuisance."

The words of telling her just how much of a nuisance she was were on the tip of his tongue, but instead he simply grunted and headed back into the woods.

"Darcy," Draco groaned as he turned to face her, her hair falling down from its tie and her cheeks rosy from the half run, "I was hoping if it isn't to much of a trouble if I might stop by some time to visit?"

"Visit?" His gruff response should have her crestfallen but instead she grinned impishly.

"Thanks, I will see you soon," with that she was off towards the house, and a confused Draco was left standing in the shadows of the trees wondering what in the hell just happened and how he could fix it. Having Ginny Weasley as a regular guest was not something that he had ever imagined, and for the life of him he couldn't figure out how it had happened in the first place.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Harry, if you are going to be in my way at least be useful," frustrated Ginny shoved past him for the third time, "Here set the table."

Harry took the bowl of salad from her, smiling sheepishly, "Sorry, next time you shouldn't make something that taste so damn good."

Ginny swatted his hand away from the stove, "Go before this pasta is on your head."

"Are we late?" Fred called out as he and a heavily pregnant Luna walked in with their one year old son, George. Fred gave his sister a peck on the cheek while Luna sat down at the table, "Sorry, Georgie here decided it was time to play hide and seek."

"Hello darling," Ginny cooed as Georgie tugged at her skirt, "Give me a moment and I will play I promise. Luna, how are the twins?"

"Kicking, I expect they will be as much trouble as a pack of nargles," her dreamy voice wasn't as absentminded as it had been in school. Too many horrors had been seen for her ever to be fully lost to the waking world again. Taking a deep breath she sighed, "I smell your mum's sauce, I thought you had forgotten."

Georgie yelped as he walked around his aunt's feet, his bright strawberry curls bouncing as he grasped her skirt to keep his balance. Harry set the salad down before Luna, giving her a one armed hug, laughing as she pulled him down to ask him about an interview possibility with The Quibbler.

"Ginny I couldn't find my brown slacks anywhere," Ron's voice shouted down the stairs, "Where did you say they were?"

Ginny gave the spoon to stir the sauce over to Fred, picking Georgie up she set the little boy on her hip, "Come one Georgie-boy let's go help Uncle Ron find his britches."

Harry waited until Ginny was out of ear shot before joining Fred at the stove, "I need to talk to you for a moment."

"Sure," Fred gave him a closed look, turning he smiled at Luna, "Luna can you possibly not eat the sauce for a moment while Harry and I go for a bit of fresh air."

Smiling Luna heaved herself up with her husbands help, "I will make no promises. And while your out in the garden could you grab me some of those pears. I have been craving some sliced pears and peanut butter."

Harry shook his head as the two men left the blonde alone with the bubbling pot of tomato sauce. Motioning towards the pear tree, Harry followed after Fred. Neither talking until they were at the tree.

"So what is this all about?" Fred asked as he began picking fruit.

"Malfoy," Harry picked up a rotten pear and threw it towards the fence, a shriek from a garden gnome made him smile, "He was put on my docket about a week ago. The stupid prat hasn't changed, but at the same time-."

"Are you feeling sorry for him?" Fred asked, his shirt pulled up to form a pouch for the fruit, he made a comical expression his shirt full of fruit and the grave expression on his face, "You told Ron that you pity the bastard yet? You remember this is the same man who killed Dumbledore? The same man who killed my brother? Did you forget how he hit George with the killing curse when he was already wounded, just for fucking sport."

"I know what happened, I was there too. I still have nightmares about it, about the blood," Harry all but shouted, his temper only restrained by the fact that Ron and Ginny could now be heard in the kitchen with Luna. Glaring at Fred, "I know what he did, and that is why I am telling you first that I am his case worker, because out of all of them in there you are the only one who will take this the hardest."

Fred looked at him for a moment, his mouth opening like he wanted to say something but thought better of it. Quietly he began towards the house, murmuring under his breath, "Best get these to Luna before she fusses."

"Fred," Harry called after him, when the older man stopped instead of turning Harry started forward, "I don't trust him, that's why I am taking the case at all. Even if we did work together for peace, I don't trust him."

Fred nodded before continuing back inside, his smile firmly in place as he walked in the door.

Harry cursed, leaning against the tree he jumped when Ginny called him to dinner, "Coming."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Padma leaned against the baby crib, it was run down from having already passed through the hands of Bill's children and Fred's Georgie before coming to their small three bedroom house. The pastel blue walls with there fresh coat of paint and the small teddy bears decorations was as tasteful as it was inexpensive.

"Just think in only one more month he will be laying there," Percy came to wrap his arms around her, his hands caressing her stomach as he nuzzled her neck.

"You were late for dinner again," Padma's voice was tinged with worry even though she tried to keep it light.

Percy angled his head to see her; he had long since out grown his skeletal bony frame. Though he didn't have the muscle mass that most of his family had, instead his lean tall frame was sometimes awkward but suited him. The fact that his pretty wife liked him as is helped soothe his sometimes ruffled feathers gained around his more rambunctious siblings. Reaching up he brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek, his hand lingering to caress the light nutmeg skin before falling to rest on her waist once more.

"I was re-reading the peace agreements with Dad," Percy said, straightening he steered her towards the door; "I would like to discuss these names you have picked out."

"Manprasad is non negotiable, it was my father's name and as his first grandson it should be his," Padma glared up at him, "It is a family name and-."

"I am not saying that we should throw it out the door all together but," Percy held his hands up to pacify the hormonal witch, "I was thinking that perhaps we could make it a middle name, perhaps."

His tone was hopeful, but Padma's glare was unrelenting as she stalked off. Throwing his hands up he walked into the living room of their small house, "Padma please, I-."

The hooded man raised his wand slowly, his grip on Padma's throat tightening as Percy stepped fully into the room. The dark piece of wood gleaming in the dancing light from the fireplace, "Such a pretty wife you have Mister Weasley."

"Please," Percy held his hands out, taking a tentative step forward. Jerking to a stop when the hooded man's wand turned from himself to Padma's stomach, "What ever you want you can have, just let her go."

Padma closed her eyes as the man's grip tightened his head lowering as he pulled her head back to rest on his shoulder, "Such a waste of beauty. Tell me Mrs. Weasley did your husband make you scream with passion, or did you have to fake it? I wonder if the brat is even his, come on tell us who did you spread those pretty thighs. Because if you ask me I don't think the Weasel has it in him to even get it up let alone impregnate anyone."

Percy's hand inched towards his wand, only stopping when he saw the wand tip press harder against the belly of his wife. Clearing his throat, Percy choked out, "Tell me what you want."

"What I want is my life back," the scarred palm loosened it's hold on Padma's throat, moving down he caressed her heaving breast before moving back up to grip her by her braid, "So very beautiful. Why don't we sit down and have a nice chat, after you Weasel."

Percy cautiously sat down in his favorite leather armchair, watching as Padma was situated on the loveseat opposite him. His light blue eyes locked with her wide mahogany ones, searching for any sign of pain or discomfort and only finding the fire of indignation and traces of fear. Their hooded guest stood in between them, his wand twirling in his fingers for a moment before turning to point at Padma.

Percy stiffened, his hands clenching the armrests of the chair, his eyes wide, "Don't."

"Your wand Mister Weasley," Percy fumbled for a moment, eyes locked on his wife's pale face as he handed it over. Pocketing the ash stick in his robes, he paced around the room coming to rest behind Padma. "Tell me Weasel, did you tell your lovely wife how in the war you sold out your friends to get away from the Death Eaters?"

"I never-," Percy began but he was cut off when the man sent a silencing spell at him. Hands going to his throat he mouthed aimlessly for a moment before conceding defeat and slumping back in the chair. His eyes shadowed as he looked at the man standing so calmly behind his silently crying wife.

"It isn't polite to interrupt people," his wand lowering, he played with Padma's hair, "Now how about a bedtime story for the little one?"

Percy's glare and Padma's shudder seemed to satisfy him, "Not so long ago a young man came to his friend and asked him to help him on a very important mission. This mission was meant to stop the fighting of a great war, and as a good friend he readily agreed to help. The two friends began to plan, a plan that would expose the corrupt leaders and generals who were hiding within their ranks. But one day the young man was caught as he copied files from the desk of his superior, and when asked who he was working with he named his friend readily. He led the traitors to his friend, and when his friend shouted out to him for help he turned his back and ran. He was the one to get his friend involved and he left him there to be tortured and to die like a dog."

"No," Padma croaked out, "Percy wouldn't-."

His slap was so sudden that Percy didn't even see it coming, jumping out of his chair he ran towards his wife. The full body bind caught him after a few feet, falling to the ground as still as a plank Percy watched as Padma raised her tear soaked face to the man behind her. The blood leaking out the corner of her mouth, made his blood boil, rage coursed through him as he tried to fight off the hex.

Picking her up by her arm, the man shouted in her face, "I was there, he sold me out. Sold me out so that he wouldn't be tortured. Your darling husband left me for dead, I trusted him and he betrayed me."

"I'm sorry," Padma moaned as he began to shake her to emphasize his point, "I didn't know. I'm so sorry."

"I believe you," he released her watching as she sank down next to Percy with a sob, "But sometimes your belief doesn't hold up with the reality."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Draco stiffened as the sound of wood crashing reached his ears, sitting up he threw the blankets off himself and crossed to the door silently. Opening it a crack he peered out into the darkness, creeping out he kept close to the wall as he walked. Another loud crash from the library had him changing directions, his pulse speeding up as adrenaline rushed through him. This feeling was familiar, the blood rush right before a fight, it was almost euphoric. Grabbing a hammer from a nearby workbench he lightly pushed the cracked door to the library. The faint light from the moon was the only thing lighting the room, and the noise from the intruder was sufficient enough to tell him that this person was an amateur. Quietly he put the hammer back down on the ground, taking a deep breath he broke into a run.

Rushing the door open enough for it to crash against the wall and shake loose a piece of plaster he had been meaning to replace, Draco charged the intruder. A grunt of pain was issued from the body under him as his velocity brought them to the ground hard. Straddling and pinning the body, he quickly pulled the wand free from there hand and tossed it across the room. The person beneath him began to struggle in earnest, turning his body so that Draco's center of gravity was thrown off and he was falling to the side. Grunts of pain erupted as they began wrestling, punches and kicks landing without discrimination. Draco twisted as the intruder pushed him backwards, bringing his arm around at the same time he locked his arm in a chokehold around his opponents neck. The man's hands began grappling at his forearm as he gasped for air, Draco tightened his grip. This he was use to, the fight to the death. The balance between life and death, and so many times he had wanted death, so many times he had waited for someone just to end it all so that he didn't have to fight anymore.

Releasing the intruder, Draco stumbled backwards leaning against the wall for support. Banging his head against the wall he closed his eyes as memories came flooding back. The blood of his first battle, the first time he had looked death in the eye, how he had thrown up behind his mother's rosebushes afterwards. His mother's death and his disconnection with the lives he had taken. Mother's who he had cut down, people whose blood he had shed without blinking. The mercies of quick deaths he had granted, never really thinking through but just believing that they had wanted it to end as much as he had.

The man lay gasping; Draco watched him his arms resting on his bent knees. Not waiting for him to catch his breath Draco's foot shot out and kicked him in the ribs, "What are you doing here?"

The man gasped in pain, curling in towards his injured side. Breath coming out in hard pain ridden gasps, "I was going to kill you."

Foot lashing out again, Draco caught him in the stomach with his new position, "You? Better men have tried and now they are the ones in the grave."

"You don't deserve to live," the man spat on the ground as he pulled himself out of reach of Draco's legs and leaned against the cold fireplace for support.

"No I don't," Draco climbed to his feet, turning he walked to the door, "Next time come prepared and don't make as much noise."

"What?!"

Draco turned at the shout, hands falling uselessly to his sides as he stared at the shadowed lump that was the man, "The next time you come to kill me don't make as much noise and be better prepared."

"You're telling me how to kill you? Did you go crazy in Azkaban?" Draco rolled his eyes, watching as the man lumbered to his feet. Frowning at his lack of grace, and the way that he held himself, Draco shook his head at his lack of training.

"Maybe or perhaps I was insane long before my time in Azkaban," walking forward Draco bent and picked the man's wand up, "I'll be keeping this though."

"Malfoy," the man called out as Draco walked from the room, his steps loud and unsure in the dark room, "Come back here and fight me you bloody bastard."

Draco passed by Kreacher, "See our guest off the premises and to his home. Watch him though; he doesn't seem to be in the mood to listen."

"Kreacher will do as Master wants," shuffling forward to do as Draco ordered. Hand grabbing the man just as he cleared the doors and the two disappeared with a loud crack.

Draco shook his head as stretched his back, wincing at the bruises he knew would be quite noticeable by sun up. Falling onto his rather lumpy cot Draco was asleep almost as soon as his head touched the pillow. A slight smile on his lips, it had felt good to pound on something.

--------------------------------------------------------

A.N.: So here it is, and if I wasn't so tired I would name everyone specifically. So please forgive me, this chapter is for the ones that reviewed the first chapter. Reviews make me happy, and a happy writer is a proficient writer. Okay I have a Spanish exam tomorrow so it is off to bed I go. Night to all and to all a good night.