Kigen Dawn: I would like to thank you so much for reviewing the past chapters! It's always great to hear something regularly from someone! And you have been right about everything, though it is a slow build so the fun is not there juuust yet, hang in there!

AnyankaEllie - Great to hear from you again! This chapter is a lot of talk, hope the dialogue still works for you ;)

Sketch - Thank you for all the reviews! I hope that the more I am giving you is the sort of more you wanted haha

Great - thank you for your great review! And please don't cry ;) oh Draco is Draco as you know, might you maybe see a different side of him here!

Chapter Ten: Third of March 1997.

Draco grabbed his list of OWLS to do; it was ever so depressing. In two months time he would be passing his final exams and he had never been so lacking in every single subject. He was onto his third death note from his father; and he had even received a rather poignant message from the dark lord: Three weeks, and then she dies. He was in over his head and dividing his time between the cabinet, the library and Potter. His three main interest: Power, intelligence and Potter. He dragged that with him and he was so tired that all that time spent working was practically a waste of time when he'd fall asleep in class. The cabinet was getting there and he estimated the release moment for two weeks.

Problem was, that even though he was investing in his future and her life, none of it mattered at times. Times like now. Times when he'd sit at a library table with Potter in front of him, reading a textbook.

"How are we supposed to learn all this?" He asked, honestly bewildered. Draco rolled his eyes.

"Only theoretical questions I said"

"Well it is!" He retorted "You tell me how to do it theory and I'll put it into practice"

"Doesn't work that way"

"Bitch"

"I do try"

Potter smiled over his pages and continued reading. Draco had a twitch by the corner of his lip because he knew that he'd always have the last word. They continued working in silence - safe for the sound of Potters grumbling stomach and his annoyed sighs - and it was nice. Draco had a hard time learning what he had to know, a great deal of him was worried about the deadline; his promise was made and he knew he wasn't the only life at stake. So it wasn't times like this, studying with Potter that made him forget.

He stopped for a moment when the hairs on his neck stood up and he had that sickening feeling that he knew so well. The tones of that shrill voice made him see red. He turned round to see that character walking towards them, and she stood by Potters side; nearly caressing his shoulder. And that did stop his other thoughts.

"Hey Gorgeous" She said "What are you boys doing?"

"Trying to stamp Snape's lessons in our brain"

"How nice"

She looked over at Draco, the fire burning in them both. She looked at him as if he was a threat, and his chest swelled up with pride; but then she turned and whispered something in Potters ear. She knew which cards to play, and knew how to win. Potter nodded like a lost puppy and got up.

"Are you staying here?" He asked "We're just going for a walk so can you keep my stuff?"

Draco waved a nonchalant hand and replied:

"Go. You youngsters have fun; and beware of the bogey man"

Potter smiled at him and left with Weasley. Draco remained alone, and the bitch could leave with him. Part of him wanted to take it out on Potter, because that is what Malfoy's do right? But he didn't. He slapped himself and at least got up, leaving Potter's stuff lying bare on the table. He was a Malfoy. And Malfoys plot revenge.

He left for the cabinet at once. Finishing it would be the sweetest revenge. He'd have power and the red heads would be the first to go. As he examined the wood meticulously, he remembered Potter saying Oh I'll win alright and sighed. Potter wouldn't win. The dark Lord's has too much, and offers more; and Draco was going to make it; or failing that, he was at least going to survive. He knew what he wanted, the power and fame that came with Victory. This time he was sure.

He turned and stood in front of the mirror, determined to make it see what he wanted (because that is what it does right?). He saw himself, standing with his head held high, proud as he always was. He turned his arms around and the absence of the Dark Mark was immediately seen. Draco's heart started beating at the treason. He was unblemished, smiling, his mother alive and still proud. The door opened behind him and he waited. His breath was bated, watching the person come in slowly. Potter looked the same, and Draco felt nervous. Never had he let himself look, not since that first time.

"I thought you might be here" Potter said and Draco turned. So it wasn't his fantasy, and he still hadn't seen it, nothing was real anymore. No. In fact everything was real, just nothing felt right.

"Dumbledore used to say that the mirror is dangerous" He laid his hand on the frame "Said it made people go mad"

He said it with a touch of sadness; almost like he missed the madness. Draco crossed his arms and replied:

"Sounds like you spent too much time in front of it" Potter raised his eyebrow at him but otherwise did not react. He simply added:

"Why did you leave so fast? I saw you go. I doubt you suddenly had a flash of genius for repairing this thing"

"Its none of your business Potter"

"Whats up with you?" He sighed "Everything was fine this morning, what changed?"

"I realised what a complete idiot you are"

"You always knew that"

"Yes I did. It just started to annoy me again" Draco turned his head so that he didn't have to look him in the eye. He knew it was weak but he decided that if he kept his proud stance it would compensate. He heard the footsteps moving towards him.

"Draco" Potter called and he looked up "I'm an idiot remember? You can tell me anything I'll forget anyway"

"We're on first name terms now?"

"I'm an idiot I forgot your last name"

Draco puffed and thought to himself: Yeah sometimes I want to do that too. He still couldn't look at him; plus it would make him look down and Draco does not do that. He glanced at him for a moment and sighed.

"It's complicated" He finally admitted. He thought he saw a hint of a smile on Potter's face as he replied:

"Try me"

First thing Draco did was move away from Potter, it was too oppressing. Then he weighed the pros and cons. On the one hand he was not interesting enough for the Dark Lord to read his mind, on the other hand there was his very important mission. He felt the pressure inside him, everything between them was there. He couldn't tell if it was so little that it bothered him, or if it was so big that it left him short of breath. He cast his window charm so he could look out on the rain; and find a reason to not look at Potter. The drops cascaded on the glass, breaking up before their end.

"My mother will die" He finally admitted. It was the first he said it and it terrified him even more, hearing it out loud; a non-negotiable.

"What?" Potter asked, moving behind him.

"If I don't finish the cabinet by the 24th of this month, He kills my mother"

Potter stood by his side and they were both looking at the clouds ahead.

"Need a hero?" He asked and Draco's lip curled on the side Potter couldn't see.

"No" He replied "An idiot will do"

"Oh good. Cause you know, I'm a better idiot than I'm a hero"

"Trust me. I know that"

Potter smiled and added, more quietly, as if it was illegal:

"Seriously. I can help you"

"How?" He whispered. Because even though he wasn't going to accept it, he needed to know his options. He saw Potter's glasses shine out of the corner of his eye.

"I don't know yet. Put your mother and you in a protect place or something. Tell Voldemort to go fuck himself. Bite nagini. Anything"

At this they turned to face each other completely; and this time Draco looked at him because he had to see the truth.

"Why?" He wondered "I am a death eater. You know that. Why do you try so hard?"

"Because" He started with a shrug "I think you need the choice. And you deserve to have it"

Draco didn't know what to say. Did he? Did he deserve anything at all? He looked away before he would give in to his desires, whatever those might be. He shook his head.

"I'd really rather not. I always fuck up"

"Maybe you need to be more of an idiot"

Draco frowned.

"How do you mean?" Potter smiled that stupid smile and said as if it was the key to everything:

"Idiots don't think. We just feel"

And Draco was dying to know what he felt, because maybe it was a reflection of his own feelings; but it would cost him too much to know. So he replied:

"I'll do the thinking. You do the feeling"

He turned towards the cabinet, the wheels turning in his head already. Figures that he couldn't think either; but feeling just wasn't his scene. He blew.

"This is getting too serious" He finally said "Come on be the fucking idiot and do something stupid"

Potter rolled his eyes and leaned against the window. There was a pause. Potter looked out, forward; and Draco stared at the cabinet, backward.

"It was Greyback" Potter said out loud "The bastard"

Draco welcomed the change of subject. He returned by his side.

"And I didn't even ask"

"Well I'm telling now"

"Oh go on then puppy, tell me of your birth"

Potter leaned against the window, pushing a strand of hair behind his glasses.

"Oh it's not all that interesting. I was staying at the Weasleys and we decided to go out to play Quidditch. We got ambushed by a pack of Death Eaters just out of the burrow. They were masked so can't really tell who they were; just you probably know, Greyback the ever rebel didn't have a mask. He sort of caught me by surprise, I fell off my broom, he ended up on top of me. Not a pleasant first. Anyway he bit me; and had Fred not been here he would have killed me I think"

Draco nodded solemnly.

"And how did the transformation go?"

"Better than most I think. Bill, Ron's older brother, got attacked by Greyback too. He wasn't bitten, just hurt. Anyway, he taught me all he knows and somewhat later Professor Lupin helped me through the first two full moons"

"Do you hate it? Being Werewolf?"

"Hell yeah. As if people didn't talk enough about me. Plus it made me lose my friends, my relationship and people's trust"

And then they entered in a whole new category, one Draco was far interested in.

"Why loose? Didn't you tell them?"

"Oh they knew. But because Professor Lupin doesn't act like an asshole pre-transformation, Ron supposed that if I did it was probably because I am an asshole. Hermione follows up because she's smitten with him. I still see her sometimes though"

"And…" He hesitated "What about the relationship?"

"That's another thing" Potter sighed "When you transform into a beast once a month, sort of makes you think. Well I didn't much; cause I'm an idiot; but Ginny just didn't feel right anymore" He turned to look at Draco "How about you? Not after a happily ever after?"

"Kidding right?" Draco smirked "I believe in rich ever after. Happily ever after is just unicorn shit" He paused for a moment and then added "Plus I'm gay"

"Id never have guessed"

"Don't try to be sassy, that's a thinking department"

Potter chuckled and put his back against the wall.

"No honestly" He said "Every girl wants a piece of you; boy are they going to be disappointed. Oi, haven't you been with like half a dozen girls?"

"And about a dozen guys. It's all about make belief"

"Woah" Potter breathed, looking up "It's funny how easy you make that sound"

"Well it is"

"Not in the muggle world. My uncle used to throw rocks at two neighbourhood boys because he thought they were dating. They weren't but nevermind"

Draco looked surprised.

"Is it not okay to be gay in the muggle world?" Potter shook his head.

"No sir-y. You sort of get isolated and humiliated" He looked at him "Why? Is it okay here?"

"Well not in Pureblood families no, what with the heir producing but mostly people don't care. I mean see, I've been with about twelve guys here and no one even talks about it"

"Except the disappointed girls of course"

"Naturally"

Potter nods approvingly and then a smile appears on his face, a small chuckle emitting from his lips.

"I could just see your dad's face" He laughed. Draco rolled his eyes amused.

"Oh he probably knows. He's denying it" He explained. Potter smiled at him, amusement still written on his face.

"We all deny a lot" He said.

Draco wanted to know what he was talking about, but it was enough then to just agree. And maybe they were both talking about the same thing; but Draco denied that he was hoping it. Maybe his animal inside was an idiot, and he was transforming again as he had before. And he would feel the pain in the morning; but for now it felt painful, weird, powerful, as someone once said.

Thank you all for reading! I never expected it to become so popular so I am pleasantly surprised thank you so much!

Now onto apologies… this Chapter is, in my opinion, not that good, especially the beginning. It's been a very tiring week but I hope to get some rest and come back stronger for the next!