Author's Note: Thank you so much for reviewing! I really hope you enjoy this update!! It's pretty important, like for real. It might seem a tad boring in the middle, but all the info and such is crucial. I really, really, really would appreciate reviews for this chapter. Please review! I can't stress it enough...actually, I think I have...okay, I'm done now. I hope you like it! Thanks so, so much!!! :)

Raynea stirred a little as her eyes slowly opened. She sighed tiredly as she shivered from the draftiness of her bedroom and tried to blink away the heavy feeling in her eyes. The room was still fairly dark, though it was obviously early in the morning. Raynea merely lay there for a few moments as she tried to make herself more alert to her surroundings. She stared at the ceiling with a rather blank expression on her face, until a rustling caused her to turn her head suddenly. Her eyes fell upon Draco, who had apparently broken free from his restraints. He towered above her with his arms at his sides and a serious look upon his face.

Despite the fact that he had the ability to move around again, Raynea wasn't afraid. She was deeply confused, but not afraid. She simply gazed up at Draco without even lifting her head from her pillow. After another few seconds, she opened her mouth to question him.

"How—"

He moved right up against her bed and lowered himself down to her level so that his face was hovering just a foot above hers. He didn't offer a reply, but placed his index finger in front of his lips to indicate that he wanted her to stay silent. Raynea didn't show any sign of movement, nor did she speak another word. Draco just stared at her intensely for another minute before easing himself on top of her and pressing his lips against hers forcefully. For some time, Raynea just remained completely still, then she began to go along with his movements. He gradually ran his hands up her arms before resting them on her shoulders. Abruptly, Draco pulled away from her and stared. She offered him a puzzled expression before he slid his hands onto her neck and grasped it tightly. He choked her with great brutality and his exertion nearly crushed her windpipe. Her mouth opened in pain as he crushed her throat with more force…

Raynea gasped as her eyes shot open and she pitched herself upright. Her breathing was rapid as she tried her best to calm herself down. She rested her hand upon her throat as she continued to catch her breath. Another few seconds passed before she was distracted from her fright.

"Bad dream?" Draco asked smoothly. Raynea felt relief when she saw that he was still bound to the chair. It had just been a dream, but it felt so very real.

"I'm fine," she responded quickly, her eyes wide. She continued to speak in an effort to preoccupy herself from the memories of her nightmare, "Did you even sleep at all last night?"

"Nope," he informed her in annoyance, "It's kinda hard to sleep when you're, you know, tied to a chair."

"What'd you do all night, then?"

"Watched you sleep," he stated casually.

"Well, that's…great," Raynea grumbled sarcastically as she slid off her bed and onto her feet.

"It's a lot better than dealing with you when you're bloody awake," Draco explained roughly, "I get to look at you without having to listen to you bitch all the time."

"That doesn't make me feel any better," she returned in annoyance.

"Well, I wasn't saying it to make you feel better, McCoy. It's the ruddy truth. You're nice to look at…not always nice to listen to, though," Draco told her smugly.

Raynea stared at him in disgust and crossed her arms over her chest before he scowled.

"Please," he jeered, "You know you're frigging flattered."

"I'm not flattered, Malfoy," she corrected with narrowed eyes, "I'm sickened."

Draco raised his eyebrows at her arrogantly while she treaded over to the door and exited the room with rage flowing through her. Raynea ranted internally as she stomped down the stairs.

"Stupid git. That stupid, stubborn, cocky…wonderful git."

She cringed at the last adjective she chose as she crossed over into the kitchen. Upon her entrance, Raynea was surprised by Mr. Weasley's weathered figure sitting at the head of the table. He looked thoroughly exhausted and seemed a bit melancholy as well. Hermione and Ginny were seated at either one of his sides, both wearing grave expressions on their faces. Raynea swallowed a lump in her throat as she cautiously approached the table.

"Good morning, Mr. Weasley," she said, trying to sound kind and casual, but sounded fearful instead.

"Hello, Raynea," he replied quietly as he offered her a small smile.

"Is everything okay?" Raynea inquired.

"Yes," Mr. Weasley told her, avoiding eye contact, "Yes, everything is well."

Raynea opened her mouth to question him further, when Ron made his way into the room. As soon as he saw his father, Ron started to interrogate him without even greeting him with a 'good morning.'

"Dad…you're back. Did you get it?"

Mr. Weasley waited a couple seconds before offering his reply. He sounded extremely troubled as he spoke.

"Yes."

"How'd you do it?" Ron asked eagerly.

Mr. Weasley closed his eyes, seeming utterly discomfited. He sluggishly opened them again and fixed them down at the table.

"I don't want to talk about it, Ronald."

Raynea exhaled heavily as she gazed at Mr. Weasley's tense form. She had a feeling that he had to formulate some sort of lie to get what they needed and he obviously felt awful about it. Raynea couldn't blame him for this, but she knew that he had done the right thing. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Ron took a seat at the table, as did Raynea. Ginny and Hermione exchanged uneasy looks before the entire group, excluding Mr. Weasley, glanced at each other in distress. Finally, Hermione spoke up.

"I was just thinking…" she began carefully, "What do we do once we find out Malfoy's intentions? What's our course of action?"

Another silence fell upon the room and Raynea felt her stomach jolt anxiously. She hadn't given this question much consideration. The whole time, she was certain that Draco was lying, so once they knew for sure that this was the case, they would just toss him out. However, Raynea came to the realization that everyone else might have another idea of how to deal with him.

"Well, if he's just been trying to trick us all along…I guess we'd have to…" Mr. Weasley trailed off pensively as he gave his explanation more thought.

"…kill him?" Ron asked, shuddering at the notion.

"No," Mr. Weasley responded firmly, "I suppose we'd have to contact the Ministry."

"Or we could just let him go," Raynea suggested quietly.

"You know we can't do that, Rayne," Hermione reasoned with a sympathetic look.

"You're right…I guess. Sorry…I dunno why I thought…" Raynea sighed and decided to leave her comment as it was. Everyone was probably aware of the rationale behind her proposition, there was no point in trying to hide her intentions.

"What'd we do if he actually does want to fight with us?" Ginny questioned abruptly.

Mr. Weasley reflected on his daughter's point for a few moments, then looked up at the other four around him for what seemed like the first time that morning.

"Then, he'll have to stay here, I guess."

Raynea's jaw dropped in shock as she gazed at Mr. Weasley with wide eyes.

"You want him…to stay…here?"

"It seems to be our only option, Raynea," Mr. Weasley informed her rationally, "If he truly does want to fight for our side, then we can't just turn him away. He has nowhere else to go."

Raynea sunk down in her chair as she crossed her arms. Mr. Weasley did have a point. She couldn't go against his logic, for he was right. Draco would have to stay…that is, if he was telling the truth.

"So…when do you wanna use the potion on him?" Ron inquired suddenly.

"Now," Mr. Weasley replied solemnly, "Let's just straighten this whole thing out right now."

***

Mr. Weasley led the way up the stairs and was followed by Ron, Hermione and Raynea. He seemed very resolute to get the whole situation figured out. Raynea suspected this was because of the lengths he had to go through to get the Veritaserum, but she found that she understood his point of view. She also wished to get this over and done with. However, she wasn't too keen on having to use the potion on Draco. He had told her that he didn't want to be interrogated in this manner, though they had no other options. Raynea had a horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach and tried her best to put it aside. She had to put everything aside, especially her feelings.

The group entered Raynea's room quickly, and she closed the door behind them, for she was the last to enter. Draco looked frightened as the four surrounded him. He seemed to know what was coming. Raynea inhaled deeply, hoping to ease her discomfort, but to no avail. Her sense of duty and her emotions were getting all tangled up. It was quite difficult to manage.

"I guess you gits are really happy with yourselves, now," Draco uttered, attempting to sound cocky and indifferent to mask his fear.

"Not in the slightest," Mr. Weasley returned unemotionally, "We have to get the truth from you, Malfoy…this is the only way to do that."

Mr. Weasley slowly removed a glass vial from his pocket, which housed a clear liquid that looked as though it could be water. Draco's eyes widened as he stared upon the vial with dread. He started to squirm around in his restraints as they all took a few steps closer to him.

"I'm sorry…it has to be done," Mr. Weasley stated in a strained voice as he approached Draco with the vial poised in his hand. Suddenly, Draco swallowed a lump in his throat before fixing his eyes on Raynea frantically.

"Don't you let them do this, Raynea," he exclaimed roughly, "You know that I'm telling the truth. You bloody know me. Don't let them do it."

Raynea breathed heavily as she gazed at Draco with teary eyes. He returned her look pleadingly as she gritted her teeth in order to prevent herself from crying. She bowed her head resignedly before turning it to the side, avoiding Draco's eyes completely.

"Raynea?" Mr. Weasley said apprehensively as he turned to face her. He was looking for her go-ahead. He was relying on her word.

"Don't listen to him," she answered after a long silence, "Just do it."

Draco narrowed his eyes as his expression contorted into one of anger.

"Bitch," he muttered furiously, breathing deeply to hide the tears in his eyes.

Mr. Weasley took another step forward as he uncapped the vial and started towards Draco's mouth. Abruptly, he was stopped from continuing his action.

"Wait," Draco stated severely, glancing at Raynea once again, "I want Raynea to do it."

Her eyes widened before they fell upon him. He just glared at her before offering her a vicious smirk. Raynea cleared her throat as she walked up to Mr. Weasley and took the vial from his grasp. She shook violently as she leaned Draco's head back and forced the liquid into his mouth. He closed his mouth and eyes in irritation. Everyone simply stared at him for a moment until he reopened his eyes and kept them fixed straight ahead. Mr. Weasley backed up a couple paces and immediately started his interrogation. He began by asking simple questions.

"What is your name?"

"Draco Malfoy," Draco snapped impatiently.

"Where do you attend school?"

"I attended Hogwarts."

"What is your father's name?"

"Lucius Malfoy."

"Is he a Death Eater?"

Draco glared sharply at Mr. Weasley before answering.

"Yes."

"Are you a Death Eater?"

There was a slight pause.

"Yes."

Raynea cringed and closed her eyes as if she were in pain.

"When did you join their cause?"

"Christmas Day of last year."

"Was this by choice?"

"No."

"Were you chosen to kill Albus Dumbledore?"

"Yes." Draco's voice indicated that he was hurt as he admitted this. He groaned irritably before Mr. Weasley pressed on.

"Did you follow through with your orders?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I couldn't do it."

"Couldn't do what?"

"I couldn't kill Albus bloody Dumbledore, alright?" Draco stated through gritted teeth, "How many times do I have to tell you?"

Mr. Weasley ignored Draco's petulance and continued on with his questioning.

"You're a Death Eater…"

"Yes."

"Do you wish to continue being one?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't give a damn about this bloody war," Draco announced in agitation, "I know I'm better than a bunch of muggles and mudbloods, I don't have to prove it. They should just let them alone. They're not worth all the bloody trouble."

Mr. Weasley exchanged looks with Ron and Hermione, but Raynea just kept her gazed downwards at the floor. He cleared his throat and turned towards Draco once again.

"Do you want to fight for our side?"

"I don't want to fight for any side," Draco admitted heatedly, "…but I'm willing to fight for yours."

"Why?"

Draco's eyes flickered off to the side for a moment as he inhaled angrily.

"Raynea."

Raynea's eyes widened as her head snapped up in utter shock. She felt her knees buckle and she thought she might faint. Draco's last comment was truly unexpected.

"Well…right…okay, then…" Mr. Weasley trailed off uncomfortably, "Is there any other reason besides that…?"

"I don't want to be a Death Eater," Draco answered harshly.

"Why?"

"They forced me into being what they wanted…I do what I want, and I'm gonna make my own bloody choice."

"And you chose to come here?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because…" Draco writhed in discomfort as he grinded his teeth, "I love Raynea."

Every other person in the room turned to stare at Raynea and she merely stood there with wide eyes as her face turned red from both rage and embarrassment. She evaded all of their eyes and backed up until she was against the wall.

"Will you all just bloody focus…?" Draco muttered irritably, though with a hint of humiliation in his voice.

Mr. Weasley whipped back around and continued on.

"All right…uh…did you come to us for any other reason?"

"Yeah, I need your help."

Mr. Weasley opened his mouth in realization as he stared at Draco gravely.

"They'll come after you, won't they?"

"…Yes."

"And do what?"

"I dunno…either kill me…or make me join them again."

Raynea's head was spinning from all the information they had received. She was experiencing so many emotions at once, it was hard to focus on one thing at a time.

"So…you weren't sent to spy on us?"

"No."

"This has nothing to do with a plot made by the Death Eaters?"

"No."

"Do you have any intentions to turn on us in certain circumstances?"

"No."

"You came here of your own, free will?"

"Yes."

"And you're asking for our help?"

"…Yes."

Mr. Weasley nodded as he took in Draco's final statements. After a moment of silence, he spoke again.

"You have it, then."

Draco glanced up at all of them with a look of surprise on his face as Mr. Weasley took out his wand and flicked it at him. The ropes that had once bound Draco disappeared and Mr. Weasley held out his hand towards the former prisoner.

"You're welcome to join us…as long as you're still willing," Mr. Weasley stated.

"I'm bloody willing," Draco sighed as he looked down at Mr. Weasley's outstretched hand hesitantly.

After another second, he grabbed it and shook it forcefully.