Hey, guys, I really am so sorry about the delay with the chapter. I had some difficulty writing it and other personal stuff to deal with. The chapter is a bit longer as s compensation. WARNING!: In this chapter Ron is presented not in a very good light, so keep that in mind.

I also plan to start posting once every two weeks so that I have enough time to think through the next chapters. Also, let's applaud isa05 for being the greatest betareader. She helped me more than I can describe and I'm really touched that she takes time to help me with my story. Seriously, she is the best.

Please, leave reviews so that I can know you continue reading (I can be really boring sometimes) and I would love to hear all your questions and comments. But, keep in mind, next chapter will be out around 21 May.

Disclaimer: I own just the plot of this story, the universe is all by Queen Rowling.


An arm snaked across Draco's back.
"Wake up. Stop sleeping in because I don't possess the willpower to go out of bed if you just lay down in all your naked glory. And we cannot continue skipping the morning classes because of your laziness."

The pillow Draco was lying on muffled his speech.

"And you should stop being so uptight. Especially when it comes to classes you already know more about than anyone else in our year"

His naked back shifted and turned around to show a slender but muscular snow white chest. Draco put his hand under his head and looked at the small figure that shadowed the sun behind her. Her gentle hand caressed his sleepy face but her furrowed brow was contradicting her delicate touch.

"When did you manage to come back?"

His body stiffened and he sat up unconsciously.

"Early."

"Don't try and play the almighty man of the house. Just say it. Words won't hurt as much as your silence "

"Some things are better left unsaid."

"Your silence hurts way more than a Death Eaters' meeting story. Because I'm more than furious that you think I may blame you for saving your own arse from a sure death by the hands of your own wicked family!"

Silencing charms were permanently put all around the dorm after one of the consecutive verbal storms that raged around it and Draco was grateful that this conversation wouldn't echo around the long corridors of the castle. But habits were also hard to be broken.

"I still cannot wrap my mind around the idea that you still think I might be moved by the pitiful screams of some.." he almost choked in the words, "things that do not even deserve a name to be referred with."

Silence. A loud slap resounded through the room.

The blond strands from his hair waved gently with his abrupt spin. He almost threw up. He was cold. Everything was slowly spinning unevenly.

His naked back stung from her salty tears that fell onto well concealed wounds.

"Some day you will have to learn that the Order believes you. That you are not the rug of some...not some, but your blind and brainwashed father just like I'm not the emotional trashcan of my friends." the image of Ron gripping her wrists tightly flashed way too quickly before his eyes to be noticed. "Some day you will believe me that you are not a monster in my eyes, at least not after all of this."

His cheeks were wet. The wounds in his back were hurting. His head pounded from the lack of sleep and his heart ached with unknown before desires.

"Some day you will believe when I say that I love you."


Draco slowly sat up in the chair he had fallen asleep in. His mind still foggy with the memory that drifted away together with the sleep. He noticed that neither his mind nor his mouth couldn't bear the sound or the taste of her name.

The memory was often reappearing. It was bitter-sweet. He couldn't ever escape the influence of his parents. Their Death Eater marks haunted him for years. Only a miracle saved his skin from being disfigured with it just because they thought he would be more valuable as a spy. But he changed in a matter of days from the despicable pureblood way of thinking into a more human one. One that saw true care, kindness and friendship that were directed towards him.

Draco still refused to remember that time when they truly spoke, he and Granger. But maybe in the near future, when he was more sane, or even madder for that matter, he would. And it will be worth it.

Draco got up and went to his room. He had no excuse to look unpresentable on this questioning. Although it came too fast and he still felt his gut turning just by the thought of speaking about her letters, he had to show the wizards that he was intact. The sounds of Blaise shouting and running around the house informed Draco that he would probably have to go downstairs. As he exited the room, he caught a last glimpse of his reflection in the mirror and hoped for the best.

Blaise was like a tornado that was raging around the living room. Luna was sitting in a chair, completely calm and had a little smirk on her lips as she watched her husband going wild. Draco felt like an intruder in their family life. But neither of them would let him go, mainly because both of them felt too involved in his life and would be more nervous if he was away.

"I think we should apparate or we will be late. Oh, Draco, darling, I'm glad you're ready because Blaise is enough to deal with."

"What do you mean by this? We will be late if you all continue to linger around!"

"Blaise, you're the one who's making us late. Draco has been waiting in the door frame for like 5 minutes now and probably half an hour in his room while you shout around the manor."

She got up the chair with difficulty. Blaise caught the movement with the corner of his eye and immediately went to help his wife. Luna furrowed her brows but couldn't deny that she needed the help.

Moments later all three were walking down the enormous corridors of the Ministry.

Draco carried Luna's belongings in one hand but, just as before, she walked next to him, arm around his, with all her dignity.

The room looked smaller and gloomier to Draco. He wasn't as intimidated and overwhelmed as last time but he was still anxious.

They took their seats. Just beside Luna's usual place was a new stool for Draco.

"As far as I can see, we are all here. Please, settle down and let us begin the meeting."

Potter emerged from an unknown place, like a ghost which suited his appearance.

"I have to inform you, that" Harry gulped "Ron Weasley will have to go through another, and this time, public questioning as his last one revealed information that should be said only under veritaserum or we risk big misconceptions."

Wizards were whispering. Some of them anxious, other just intrigued. Draco felt something was wrong with this but his attention was suddenly directed towards Neville.

Now a grown-up man, Neville looked nothing like his teenage years. Although Malfoy wasn't able to notice him before, now he saw that the Gryffindor had grown in confidence. This made his uncomfortable shifting even more worrisome.

"I demand to know what happened on that questioning, Potter. I know it should be a private one but the information is concerning everyone here." Some of the wizards were on the verge of their seats. Secrecy wasn't something that they were going to allow.

"It does not have anything to do directly with the matter we are discussing." Harry's face was stern enough but no one batted an eye.

"But it does have to do with Ms. Granger or I would not have been here, would I?" Draco found an inner strength he didn't know he had. But Harry wasn't happy at all with his lack of control in the room.

" I believe that the well being of Ms. Granger is what gathered us here anyway."

"I do not think I would have been dragged from Spain for a mere gathering to discuss our love for the War Hero. I am here not just to SAVE," Draco's voice rose a bit, " Ms. Granger from your lightheaded order but also to get back Mrs. Malfoy."

"As far as we all know, there isn't a woman with the title Mrs. Malfoy except for the deceased Narcissa Malfoy."

Harry was starting to become impatient and thought that Draco was stepping over the line.

Luna's laughter filled the room and silenced all whisper with its abruptness.

"Sadly for you, Draco is right to call Hermione Mrs. Malfoy. The legal documents were signed a while ago."

"Mrs. Zabini, this is not the place for such inappropriate jokes."

It was Draco's turn to laugh.

"She is right though. Ms. Granger, as you are used to call her, needed the protection that my family name provides so I gave it to her. But I really do not think that this changes the matter of the meeting."

"But it changes the meaning of my brother's confession."

Ginny's eyes were wide in horror. Blaise stepped in unable to remain silent.

"How so?"

Neville opened his mouth to speak but Harry rose from his stool.

"Bring Mr. Weasley in."

Everyone was silent, anticipating. Ron was dragged in by two wizards, blurring out words. The veritaserum was obviously working.

"Ya should've asked me first if I wanna go through that."

"You do not have a choice." The coldness in Ginny's voice made Draco shiver.

"Mr. Longbottom, please, start with the questioning."

Draco was surprised that Neville was chosen to be the inquisitor but knew better than to open his mouth.

"During his private questioning, Mr. Weasley revealed that he had known about the order to lock up former Death Eaters in a private part of Azkaban. Furthermore, he knew about Ms. Granger, sorry, Mrs. Malfoy's plan to go rescue Draco Malfoy. Even more, he admitted that he tried to Imperius Hermione Granger in order to take her away from Draco and did nothing to stop her or inform the Ministry that she was alive and headed to the prison."

Neville was serious, his voice was flat but his hands were shaking slightly.

"He did what?"

"The stupid bitch deserves to rot in Azkaban for choosing your sly arse before me." Ron spat in Draco's direction.

"Ya cannot blame me for doin'er a favor but she was ungrateful."

The blood in Draco's veins froze.

"You have the purest luck that I love her enough to not jump at you and make you scream in pain. Her rescue is more important than killing you."

Ron's laughter filled the silent room.