I'm sorry it's taken so long to update this story. I've actually had it written for a while I just didn't have the time to type it up. I know it's still probably pretty out there but still like where it's going.

Chapter 4

They had eaten in relative silence and magically cleaned the dishes. It was now around one in the morning and Harry decided to call it a night. He got Kreacher to show him to his room and quickly went to sleep.

The next morning came and went with Harry still sound asleep. When he finally did awaken, it was mid-noon and the sun was shining brightly outside the window.

His stomach was aroused by the smell of something cooking in the large house. When he descended the stairs into the kitchen, wiping the sleep from his eyes, he was shocked at what he saw.

Malfoy stood in front of the oven, tending to something on the stove with one hand while the other commanded his wand. He was sending food flying through the room, all mixing in different ways and placing themselves in different containers and pans. The three different ovens seemed to be filled with cooking food already and all the smells were combining to form an intoxicating aroma.

On the table near Harry, there lay a few dozen cookies. He reached his hand out to take one. "Don't you dare touch those cookies Potter." Malfoy said, still not turning to face Harry.

"What are you doing Malfoy?" Harry asked, still amazed at what he was seeing.

"You know, you ask that a lot and the answer is usually quite obvious isn't it? I'm cooking." He finally turned to reveal him wearing a black apron with a silver dragon on it. Under the apron was a silk, forest green shirt and plain, dark blue jeans.

"Well, I can see that. Why are you cooking? Nice clothes by the way."

Malfoy looked down at his clothes for an instance then returned to cooking. "They were comfortable. Anyway, Moody told me to make myself useful so I'm cooking for the Order." He had taken the sauce pan off the stove and set in on one of the counters. It seemed to hold some cooked chicken in it.

He set it on a platter with other cooked chicken then sent it to the dining room. Harry watched Malfoy work in complete and utter amazement. He didn't know Malfoy was capable of all this.

After a few more minutes, everything was cooked and heading out to the dining room. Well, all except the cookies.

Harry was just about to ask what all the food was for when he heard the doorbell ring. He waited to hear Mrs. Blacks' screams but they never came. As he went to the front door, he saw her picture was no longer on the wall.

Slightly confused, he opened the door and was smothered by bushy brown hair.
"Geez, Hermione, don't suffocate him." Ron exclaimed from the door way. All the other Weasleys seemed to be grouped in front of the door.

"Hey Hermione. Glad you made it out of the station alright." Harry said as she released her death grip on him.

"Yeah, we made it out fine. I'm so glad you weren't hurt or even worse!" Hermione said.

"To bad Malfoy made it out. Why'd you have to drag him away? You could have just left him there and he'd probably-"

"Ron!" Both Harry and Hermione looked appalled. "You shouldn't say things like that! No one deserves to be handed over to that maniac, not even Malfoy." Hermione said fervently.

At this point, Malfoy had strolled into the hall, no apron was present this time. "You know, Weasel is right. I can't believe I said that." Malfoy sounded disgusted. "You should have left me. It'd probably be safer that way."

"Oh, yes, they would have taken you back and you would have begged for your life and been back with your precious "Dark Lord" again. You're no better then you cowardice old man." Ron had become quite red inn the face by this point.

Malfoy, who had almost turned to cold stone, glared daggers at the red haired, red faced boy standing in front of him. He said through clenched teeth, "Do not compare me to my father." The word spoken with more hatred then anything they'd ever said before. "He is worthless and deranged and a disgrace to the Malfoy line."

Harry could see the shiver that ran through Ron's body at Malfoy's tone and rigid, cold stance. He knew the results would not be good if things were to play out unchecked.

"Hey, where'd Mrs. Blacks' painting go?" Harry asked to break the silence.

Malfoy answered with a mechanical tone. "She was annoying and kept screeching at everyone so I asked her to leave and she did. Apparently because I'm a pureblood and a Malfoy she listened."

"Uhm… Ok…" Then something dawned on Harry. "Are they the reason for the feast?" He asked. He was sure that all the food he had seen was too much even for the Weasley family but maybe Malfoy knew of more people coming.

Malfoy was finally taken out of his silent battle with Ron to look at Harry. "Potter, you have perfect timing." He said and Harry saw that Malfoy had relaxed a little. "And yes, they are part of the reason. The others will get here soon." He then left the hall, heading deeper into the house.

Harry let out a sigh of relief. That could have been bad

Ron looked at Harry, unasked questions shining in his eyes. "I'll explain later." Harry said, not actually sure if he meant it.

Draco had been correct. The Weasley family was only among the first to show up. Shortly following them was Lupin, Tonks, Mad eye, and many other Oder members that Harry had befriended.

They feasted on the food Malfoy had prepared for them well into the early evening, laughing and catching up on the most recent events. It was a very enjoyable time but part of Harry's mind was occupied with a certain blond, wandering through the huge Black house.

It felt wrong that they were eating the food Malfoy had prepared while he walked around the cold house.

He was brought out of his thoughts when Ron whispered to him. "What was that back there?" Harry knew what he was talking about but decided to play dumb.

"What do you mean?" he asked innocently.

"Well, for one thing, you and Malfoy almost seemed civil towards each other. What happened in only one day to change so much?"

"Uhm, it's a long story and part of it isn't mine so I don't think I should say anything but I should tell you, Malfoy is dangerous. I wouldn't make him to angry if I were you." Ron looked confused but before he could ask any more questions, he was interrupted by Molly Weasley standing up.

"It's getting late and we must be going. It was wonderful to see you all." Then she went off to hug various people. When she reached Harry, her tears were threatening to fall. "Be safe dear."

Harry smiled at her. "I will Mrs. Weasley, I promise."

When Mr. Weasley reached Harry he gripped the boys shoulder tightly. "I want you to be careful around Draco. There's something… not right about him." All Harry could do was nod. He knew the threat Malfoy posed but wasn't about to rat him out.

All the Weasley's headed towards the door. "See you guys later." Ron said.

Harry looked somewhat confused as Hermione did not follow them but stayed by his side. "Aren't you going with them?" He asked as the Weasley's left.

At this point, Malfoy had rejoined the group. "She's staying here Potter. Do they tell you nothing?" Came his drawling voice, almost back to its regular tone.

"How do you know Malfoy?" Hermione glared at him.

"There's very little that goes on that I'm not aware of Granger." He said coldly.

"So, you're staying here?" Harry asked, focusing on the only part of the conversation that was actually relevant.

"Yep." She beamed at him.

"Oi, boy." Moody barked from behind Draco.

Harry could see Malfoy tense for a moment then turn to face the elder wizard, who at one point, had turned him into a ferret.

"Yes professor?" He asked, not wanting to anger the crazy wizard.

"Get in here and clean up this food." He commanded and, to Harry's surprise, Malfoy actually went into the dining room and started to clean up the mess they had made.

Harry thought he would have been happy to watch Malfoy doing manual labor, but it left him with a hallow feeling inside. It almost seemed wrong that Malfoy was cleaning up the food he had prepared for them.

It reminded Harry of how the Dursleys had treated him for the better part of his life.

Hermione caught his eye and he turned to see her looking at him with concern in her eyes. "I'm fine." He answered before she could open her mouth. "I guess I'm just tired. I didn't sleep well last night."

"Well, I suppose none of us really did. After yesterday at the station, I don't think anyone really slept soundly."

"I guess not. You know, he saved my life yesterday." Harry said casually.

Hermione nodded, knowing that he meant Malfoy. "What happened?" She asked.

And so Harry started on his tale of the previous day from when he met Tonks and Moody to when they entered the Black residence.

"Ron doesn't like him being here with you. He doesn't trust Malfoy at all. I don't think even this story will change his mind."

"And you? How do you feel about all this?"

"I'm not sure, Harry. I mean he hasn't been the best person over the past five years why would he want to change sides? Especially now that Voldemort has come to power. It just doesn't seem right to me." Hermione's voice died away as she saw Malfoy standing in the door way. They were still standing in the hallway.

His eyes were cold but didn't look threatening or dangerous, just masking whatever he was feeling. "You really want to know Granger?" His voice calm but strained.

Hermione's only response was a small nod. Draco sighed and also nodded. He walked from the doorway and up the stairs to the room he had been given. Exchanging a look, Harry and Hermione followed.

Once in the room, Draco closed the door. Hermione repressed a gasp as he started to unbutton his shirt. She was about to protest but was stopped when something dark on the perfectly white skin caught her eyes.

It was enough to hold off her protest until he had completely removed his shirt. There, lying on his porcelain skin were many still healing bruises and abrasions. The scars from already healed cuts shown out brightly. There were signs of abuse going back years and continuing to present day.

In the middle of his chest, shining, almost proudly like the superman "S", was a jagged, lightning scare. It was much like Harry's only this one was tinged a slight emerald green.

Both Harry and Hermione gasped at the extent of injuries on the boys' body.

Hermione wanted to touch the scars and reached her hand out. Half way to his skin she recalled her self and let her hand fall to her side.

"This is the reason I want to join the Light. I will defy Lucius till my last breath, and maybe if I'm lucky, he will fall at my hands. It's not noble like you. It is for my own revenge but that will not make me any less loyal to this "cause". I will not betray the Order because I despise Lucius."

Hermione was almost in tears as Draco stopped talking. He buttoned up his shirt once more and made for the door. Before he could reach the door handle, he was stopped by two hands holding onto his arm.

He looked over to see Hermione was attached to the hands that gripped his arm. "I'm sorry." She whispered through unshed tears. "I didn't know and it was wrong of me to judge you." She then let go of his arm.

It would have taken a very observant person to see Draco's eyes soften the minuscule amount that they did. "Thank you Granger." He said sincerely as he exited the room.

.......... I'm not really sure what else to say... I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I'll try to have the next up soon. That one is pretty short so it shouldn't take long. Hopefully...