A/N: I am SOOO sorry that it took me so long to get this up! I feel so terrible! I had this major writers block, then the computer was a brat, then I had to move and I'm still in the process of unpacking... THEN after I set up my computer in the apartment we started having internet issues, and cause of that I went back and started proofreading and correcting and once I got everything fixed I tried to update but the stupid Clubhouse computer wouldn't let me... THEN when my best friend came over today so I could use his laptop I found out that it wasn't the Clubhouse computer but my FILES because I copied them directly from my desktop instead of converting them so they were all still password protected! GAH!

So, I went back and made corrections to all my previous chapters and here and there added a little bit. So, feel free to reread everything. I promise, I'm not one of those authors who says "review or I won't update" I hate that! I just couldn't update due to writers block and then the computer! :(

Okay, one more thing before I end this really long A/N; I decided that I need to kick up the drama in my story a bit... So I added a twist right at the end of the chapter, but there's a reference to it a little bit before hand in about the middle of the chapter. ShadowOfTheNight101 was over here earlier and flipped out when she read it! LOL, I thought it was kinda funny. So, without further ado: Hurt and Love Chapter 8, The Danger.

"I'm glad you came," Blaise said. "I don't know what to do, I don't want the Mark, I don't want to join ranks, and I definitely don't want to be like my father!" Blaise began to cry. "I just can't do it, Draco! I just can't! I've wanted to be with Ginny for a while, but I don't want to put her in danger!"

Draco sighed, watching his best friend sink to the floor in tears. He kneeled down nest to him. "You're right," he whispered, "I did find a way out. But I still have to get the Mark." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I can't tell you what I did-"

"Please, Draco," Blaise was trying not to yell. "I don't want to be in this position anymore! I... I love her, Draco!" Draco looked down into his best friend's eyes, seeing his face completely tear streaked. He ran his hand through his hair agian.

"I didn't tell you this," Draco whispered. "Go to Dumbledore. He may use Veritisum on you to make sure your intentions are pure and true. He will protect you, but like I said, they will tell you to get the Mark; you will be a spy." He sighed. "You will not be allowed to tell anyone, not even Ginny." He wiped away a tear. "Not even Hermione knows." Blaise nodded a bit. "It's so hard not to tell her, especially because I told her that I wouldn't get the Mark. You need to hide the Mark from Ginny if you told her that, too." Blaise nodded again. "And I didn't send you."

"I'll go right now," Blaise said. Both boys stood up. "I'll owl you later or we'll talk in the morning." Draco and Blaise gave each other "man hugs" and went seperate ways.

Draco walked back to the Head's Common Room, thinking more and more about how dangerous this would be; three spies, and two families that would be disgraced if ever discovered.

He ran his hand through his hair again, this would not be easy. He couldn't even guarantee that Dumbledore would even help Blaise; but he had faith in the old man. He mumbled the password and walked in, seeing Hermione still fast asleep on the couch. He picked her up, and carried her to her room. He set her on the bed, and watched her peacefully sleeping face. Deciding not to leave her, he layed down on her bed next to her, and fell asleep.

~*~H&L~*~

"Mr. Zabini," Dubledore said. "You are not the first to come to me with this request." Blaise looked at his lap, he couldn't let Dumbledore know that Draco had told him. "However, just like the last two people who have, I see the pureness of your request in your eyes." His head shot up as he looked at his Professor. "So, if who I believe told you, did indeed tell you; then you know what can and can not be done."

"Yes, sir," he said quietly. "But won't they know?"

"No," the Headmaster replied. "They will not because, unlike Severus, you will not be meeting with us when we have meetings. Severus, Minerva, and I will meet with you both separately from the Order meetings." Blaise nodded, understanding that they were taking all precautions necessary. Suddenly, there was a quiet knock. "come in, come in," he said.

"Albus, could this not wait until morning?"

"Yes, Albus, you know I never complain but I do have a double NEWTs class directly after breakfast in the-" Blaise turned around as both Professors at the door stopped dead as the door clicked shut. "Mr. Zabini?" McGonagall said, quite shocked.

Snape's eyes widend as well. "Albus, surely this can't be another? We will have to turn them away if anymore come to us," he said cooly, trying to keep the surprise from his voice.

"I assure you both, we will not have anymore coming to seek help from the Order," Dumbledore replied. "When I heard of what happened in Hosgmade this afternoon, I was not surprised to find Mr. Zabini at my door tonight. I have heard of the budding friendship between Mr. Zabini and Miss Weasley."

"Weasley?" McGonagall and Snape said simultaneously.

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, Miss Weasley. And Mr. Zabini has taken a page out of Mr. Malfoy's book and is looking for protection of his mother, and the girl he loves. Severus, something you are familiar with?" Snape nodded, thinking of Lily; while Blaise quirked an eyebrow at his Potions master. "Mr. Zabini, return to your dorm; I will let you know of a meeting between Severus, you, Mr. Malfoy, and myself before holidays."

Blaise stood up, wiping away the never ending tears. "Thank you, Professor," he whispered, nodding to Snape and McGonagall before leaving.

After the door had shut completely, Snape turned to Dumbledore. "You had expected Blaise, Albus?"

"Yes, I knew when Mr. Malfoy came to us that there would only be one more to come also," he replied. "The two of them are close, are they not?"

"Like brothers, ever since they were little. I am Godfather to both of them, though very little is asked on Blaise's behalf, more-so from Narcissa of Draco."

"Mr. Zabini's mother is not one to stand against her husband, unfortunately. But will, if given the chance, leave for safety. As, I believe, you said Narcissa would also do for Mr. Malfoy's sake."

"But, Albus," McGonagall finally spoke. "Can we keep these two under the radar from Who-Know-Who with no problem? I already fear for Severus' sake that he will be caught one day." Snape looked at McGonagall, slightly shocked; that was a confession no one knew about, and after saying it she began to turn a deep scarlet color.

Dumbledore chuckled lightly, before becoming serious. "I believe that Severus has been completely safe, and these two boys will be also. They are headstrong and when their minds are made up, they are made up. Now," he said, clapping his hands. "Let us all go to bed. I will schedule that meeting between us five and alert the boys and you, Severus, as soon as possible." With a nod from each one, McGonagall and Snape turned and left the office.

Snape smiled a little, as they stood on the spiral staircase. "You care about me, Minerva?" Snape said quietly.

McGonagall cleared her throat, looking straight ahead. "Strictly for the Order, Severus," she replied, a little smirk popping up at the corner of her mouth before she turned to him. "I'm old enough to be your mother, remember?" And with that, she stepped off the staircase, leaving a stunned Snape behind her.

~*~H&L~*~

Draco,

Everything is set, your initiation will take place two days before Christmas here at the Manor precisely at ten o'clock. Both you and Blaise shall apparate directly here from Hogsmade.

Lucius

"Thank you for this, Draco," Dumbledore said, setting the letter down on his desk. "Severus, I trust you will be there?

"Of course, Albus," he replied. He began to speak again but stopped.

"Something you wish to say, Severus?"

Snape sighed slightly before continuing. "They have asked me to mark the boys myself," he said quietly. Both boys looked shell shocked, and McGonagall made a non audible gasp from behind her hand where she stood by the door.

"Severus, you can't!" Draco suddenly exclaimed. "you're too good for that!"

"Which is," Dumbledore began, "exactly the reason why he must. Someone must believe him to possibly be a traitor, which is perhaps the reason why he has been asked. Because they believe he is their spy, not ours; which also means that someone is beginning to suspect the truth of his alliegences."

"So, you're going to make him accept doing it?" Draco thundered back at the Headmaster.

"Draco," Snape said, quietly; putting a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I am accepting this because there is a special bond between the bonder and the bondee, or bondees in this case. It gives the bonder the ability to track and protect the bondee." Blaise nodded, beginning to understand what their Godfather was saying. "Do you understand, Draco?"

He sighed. "A little, yes. But I still wish it wasn't you; you have a good heart." He sighed again, running a hand through his hair. "But, at the same time, it's best for the Order if it's you rather than anyone else; like our fathers." The four people watched as Blaise visably shuddered, hoping and praying for anything but that.

"Well," Dumbledore said, "we will meet again right before the ceremony in a month. Agreed?" Everyone nodded. "Good. You are all dismissed."

Draco and Blaise ran off immediately to find their two girls and Pansy so they could spend time with them; what time they had left before they were tainted.

Snape and McGonagall headed down slowly. As McGonagall began to head the opposite way of Snape, he pulled her into the closest broom closet. "Severus!" McGonagall quietly exclaimed. "Might I remind you what I said after the initial meeting with Mr. Zabini?"

Snape nuzzled against her neck. "Now, Minerva, we all know you only make yourself look that old for the students. We both know you're not that much older than me."

"Nine years!"

He chuckled. "That does not make you old enough to be my mother. Sister, perhaps. But not my mother." He stopped muzzling her neck to pull away and wave his wand, revealing a youthful face beneath the older one the students of Hogwarts knew. "Admit it, Minerva, you practically bragged about the fact that you care about me," he said, nuzzling her neck again.

McGonagall sighed. "Fine," she said, her voice sounding younger. "I care, Severus, I always have." He chuckled against her neck, before she pushed him away slightly. "But," she continued. "That does not mean that this is not dangerous."

Snape sighed, stroking her cheek. "Minnie," he whispered. "You watched me go through a literal hell loving Lily until the day she died. I know this is dangerous, but I will not loose another love to the Dark Lord!" He sighed, clearly upset, as he ran a hand through her now chestnut brown locks.

McGonagall only managed to stare into his eyes for a moment before he had caught her lips with his in a kiss. She was shocked only for a moment, before letting hersself be wrapped in his arms. After a few moments, he broke the kiss; leaning his forehead against hers to look into her eyes. And they stayed like that for a while; lost to the nearing danger as they were lost in the love in each other's eyes.