AN: Thank you to Kim for the help with the beta-ing, you rock!

By the ways, I have altered the prologue of this story quite significantly, so if you have not checked already, please do.

IX

The cell was dark, damp and as miserable a place as one could imagine. There was a small trundle bed in the corner against the wall and narrow table in the centre of the room where two people sat; a woman and a man. With the exception of his hair, which was red, the man was ashen and seemed washed entirely in a greyish haze. His eyes were lined with shadows and worry; even his clothes were grey. He sat in silence, leaning back against the back of the chair patiently watching the woman sort her notes. She broke the silence;

"Very well ... shall we go over everything one more time? I want to make sure I've got all the details right." she said, scanning her notes. "You say that the foreman signed your documents late exactly four times prior to this incident?" she looked at the man for confirmation, he nodded. "And the law enforcement wizards were aware of it?"

"They were aware of it on one occasion; six months ago. The officer spoke to the foreman, confirmed that we were working for him and that's all there was to it."

Astoria quickly jotted it down in her notebook.

"You wouldn't remember the name of that particular wizard?"

"Sorry no ..."

"Pity ..." she sighed.

"How long before I can get out of here, Miss Greengrass?" he asked.

"I can't say ... I'm sorry." she said sympathetically. "I'm not qualified to represent you in court and it's only by a bribe I even managed to speak with you. It's been difficult to swing it. I don't know if I can get you a hearing"

"What's the point of interviewing me then?"

"The more information I have the more options we have to fix this." she said. "Now, could you possibly explain your injuries again."

"Dark welts on the left of my chest," he touched the left hand side of his chest, then moved his fingers over to his neck and pulled down the neckline of his greyish robes to reveal several red scratches. "Scratches to the neck ... two broken fingers and I reckon about two broken ribs."

"What about your ear?" she asked nodding at the red head man's missing left ear.

"Oh this ...?" he said rubbing it sadly. "Cursed off ... quite a while ago."

"I'm sorry."

"I've lost worse things."

Astoria looked at him curiously, unable to recognise his tone.

"Are you referring to your brother?"

"Which one? I had a number of brothers," he glowered.

"I'm sorry ... you're right. Do you know where any of them are, Mr Weasley?"

"No ... Fred's dead for sure ... the rest? Who knows ..." he murmured, distantly.

"Miss Greengrass," a warden stopped in front of the door and peered in through the grill in the door. "Three minutes!" he ordered.

"Why are you doing this for us?" George asked, as she began to collect her bag and papers together. "It's not your concern is it? Why do you care about what happens to us?"

"I value wizarding blood." she said simply. "It's rather a waste for a family with a lineage like the Weasleys to be reduced to living like muggles."

"If you care about the re-education of pureblood Undesirables ... why help Penelope and Dean? They're muggleborns."

"I just don't believe in cruelty ..." she said softly. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mr Weasley. I'm afraid I'm not like you ... I never believed muggleborns were equal to purebloods ... however, I do believe they are equal to humans." She looked at the cell door. This was no place to discuss this matter in detail, not with a warden outside; it was difficult enough to arrange this meeting as it was.

"And muggles?"

"I know nothing of muggles ... they aren't my concern," she sniffed. "Now Mr Weasley ... thank you for your assistance ... I'm sure I will be back soon." she reached out her hand. George Weasley looked at her, trying to read her expression as if it would give some insight into her motives for helping him, but the constant gentle smile was impenetrable. He shook her hand.

"Thanks."

"Astoria, darling. It's been ages." A pretty blonde woman said embracing her sister and kissing her on both cheeks as they met in front of the park gates.

"Two weeks, Daphne." Astoria said squeezing her sister's hand fondly. Daphne smiled.

"Two weeks too long. Come, let's walk and talk." Daphne was attractive and very youthful looking for her thirty years. She was shorter and curvier, and more finely dressed than her younger sister. She had piled her long blonde hair up and topped it off with an avante-garde, witch's hat. The two women made light conversation as they wandered into Regent's Park.

"How are Mother and Daddy?"

"No different. Father spends most of the time at work or at Quidditch matches, and Mother goes to more afternoon teas than ever. The less time they spend together the happier they seem to be." Astoria smirked.

"I don't see what's so funny."

"Because nothing's changed Daph ... I don't know why you expect it to, just because your marriage is so successful doesn't mean our parents will change their lives around all of a sudden." Astoria caught her sister's eye and smiled warmly, taking her hand and swinging it slightly as they walked.

"And what about you Astoria? Last I heard from you, you were being pushed to meet up with our Draco ... has that progressed at all?"

"Perhaps." Astoria said mysteriously.

"Well, don't be such a tease! Tell me everything." the blonde said excitedly. "Few people have heard anything from Draco for years ... I remember seeing him at Pansy's wedding but not much since ..."

"He keeps himself to himself. I've met him a few times since our formal introduction, but I can't say I know him any better than a stranger."

"He's rather like you, you don't mingle in society much either ... perhaps you're well suited."

"That sort of thing bores me, I'll get on with it when I'm married but before that I'm going to enjoy myself." she said stubbornly. "As for Draco, I think he just finds it awkward being around people."

"How strange ... he never used to be like that. But now you mention it, he was very distant at Pansy's wedding – I thought it was because he was feeling wistful, she is his ex-girlfriend after all."

"I remember them at school ... you were so jealous weren't you?"

"I was indeed, I was always a better looking girl than Pansy ... Isn't it funny that you may be the Greengrass girl to get Draco Malfoy." Daphne laughed, Astoria said nothing but her smile dropped. Daphne raised an eyebrow "You aren't interested?

"I never said that." Astoria muttered quickly. "He seems the sort of person who would be easy to live with. I'm sure if we got married he wouldn't annoy me." she stopped walking and leant against the railing of the bridge overlooking the brownish stream, Daphne stepped over and joined her.

"That's not a reason to marry someone, Astoria." she paused and bit her lip, as if searching for the right words "... Draco is not quite the boy he was, is he?"

Astoria shook her head.

"I expected, when I first went to see him, to see a prat, yes ... but a man all the same. However, what I have found is an overgrown baby, a mummy's boy, he's clinging to a good name and anxious only to protect himself and his family."

"A desire to protect his family is hardly a bad thing." Daphne said gently.

"Except he doesn't fight ... he just takes whatever comes at him and does whatever he's told. It's almost like he's lost any spirit."

Daphne looked at her younger sister exasperatedly.

"Astoria, you judge people by the wrong standards. What you are doing, I know you hate me for saying it, is dangerous and foolhardy. You're risking your safety, our parents' and mine by doing what you're doing. None of us know truly what it is like to be personally threatened by the Dark Lord."

"I know that." Astoria murmured; a small tear appeared in the corner of her eye and she blinked it away quickly.

"Look, if you don't like Draco, why bother making an effort to see him. Don't listen to Mother and Father, you'll be able to find a first rate husband, I assure you."

"I know the risk I pose to you all ... And I'm sorry. I thought maybe ... if I married Draco ..."

"If you married a Death Eater ... no matter how spineless, we'd all be instantly protected?" Daphne wondered. "I'm not sure if the Dark Lord makes such allowances for unruly spouses. I think you'd only add the Malfoys to the risk."

"I'm feeling rather helpless at the moment Daphne, there's so much to do, and yet there are so few to help ... But I can't just sit back and see our country fall apart because of bad organisation and sheer pig-headedness."

Daphne grabbed her sister's arm tightly and pulled her around so that they were standing face to face. Although Daphne was older, Astoria was taller; the younger sister stared down into the elder's bright blue eyes.

"That sort of talk will get you in more trouble. Listen to me Astoria, I implore you to put an end to this nonsense ... or if you can't please, please at least try and be a little more discreet about it. I don't know exactly what you're doing ... clearly nothing of consequence as no Death Eaters have come knocking on my door questioning me about you yet. However, every day I imagine they will."

"I'm sorry." Astoria said simply. "It's selfish of me, you've always been a law abiding, good citizen; you don't deserve to be at risk because of me."

Daphne's expression did not ease but she did let out a small sigh.

"So, you'll step back from it all? You'll stop this nonsense?"

Astoria looked surprised.

"Oh Daphne, I'm sorry, but how can you suggest that? I've made a promise to people!"

"Astoria, there is nothing you can do for these people! Don't you see? It is the same all over Europe and over half the world!"

"Daphne, you have to try and understand. I'm not a troublemaker. You of all people should know my views. Why won't anyone believe me that I'm not a rebel – if anything my work will benefit all of society." Astoria said exasperatedly.

"I'm no fool. I know there are those out there who want things back like the old days. You might not be one of them, but you're allying yourself with the likes of them."

"I'm allying myself with whoever is brave enough to challenge the system, and work for a brighter future. Things will never be the way they were, anyone who fights for the old days is an idiot – not because they're cowards but because they should know things won't and shouldn't change. I will fight against anyone who even suggests something so ridiculous. But it is not just the rebels who are stuck in the past, too many respectable families are losing the livelihoods due to an inability to change with the times; it is the icing on the cake of a mix of a terrible tax system, inflation and a poorly managed work force. Anyone who refuses to look to the future needs a reality check, be they rebel or Death Eater." the brunette rolled her eyes, Daphne sighed sadly, but gave a weak smile.

"Oh Astoria, you were always headstrong weren't you. Even as a little girl you were always stubborn. Mother could never convince you to do anything once you had set your mind against it."

"Then you'd be rather silly to try and change me now. Come on, Daphne, let's go for tea, I can't stay long, I'm rather busy tonight as well."

"You don't stop do you, Astoria. It's ... nothing dangerous is it?" Daphne's voice suddenly sounded concerned again.

"Not at all." Astoria grinned, "It's nothing big ... I promise."

Draco had been on guard at the Ladbroke Grove Commune for three whole days. He had been drinking from a flask of Invigoration Draught that he had been provided with, to keep himself from falling asleep. It was however, perhaps not the best concoction or simply not equal to true sleep, for he was very drowsy and weak. There were two other Death Eaters present, whom Draco did not know; they were younger than him, and spoke in French to each other. They were obviously close friends and had arranged a rota between themselves, allowing one to sleep while the other covered both their shifts. Draco was not party to their decision.

Ladbroke Grove Commune was not as large nor as crude as the Battersea Power Station Commune which was not, nor ever had been equipped for living purposes. Ladbroke Grove Commune had once been an old muggle council block, and although it was now falling into disrepair was fully equipped with flats. It was a large flat slab of concrete that hung over the area like a great misshapen beast. The flats were over two hundred flats, placed in rows up and across thirty one storeys. The walkways were open, like concrete balconies that all lead to a great tower of stairs on side of the building. There was old muggle and modern Undesirable graffiti all over the concrete and there was a damp, stale smell that emanated from the tower of stairs. In some areas of the block the walls had begun to rot or been partially bulldozed (perhaps during an attack). Like in Battersea Power Station, the Undesirables had hooked up sheets of material as a false wall.

The three Death Eaters had been asked to guard the Commune as there had been complaints that lawful citizens had been visiting the Undesirables too frequently and the reasons should be investigated. Why the Death Eaters had been called in for such a minor problem was a mystery to Draco, surely all it would take was a few law enforcement wizards to keep an eye out and confront whoever it was. Draco leant lazily against the wall next to a door to one of the flats. He shut his eyes slightly, longing for sleep. His ears were ringing and his knees ached from standing for such long hours. He thought longingly of his soft bed, the delicious taste of Dizzy's home cooked food and the warmth of a crackling fire in the living room. Draco opened his eyes quickly and stood up straight, fearing he would fall asleep. The door of the flat Draco had been leaning near clicked open and an woman of around fifty exited her flat. She had a scarf wrapped around her head for warmth, and there was a strong smell of dry rot emanating from her plain clothes and from her flat. She had tired, heavily lined brown eyes; she stared at Draco, unsmilingly, her mouth was lopsided and Draco suspected she had lost some of her teeth. He thought she was leaving her flat to visit one of her neighbours but instead continued to stare at Draco.

"Hungry?" she asked with a croak. Draco blinked, nonplussed. But before he had a chance to respond she had disappeared back into her flat, leaving the door slightly ajar. Draco looked around expecting to see someone watching him. The woman returned directly holding a small cracked bowl of what looked like watery vegetable soup and held it out to him in her gloved hands. Still surprised by the woman's kindness, Draco stuttered a polite thank you and took the bowl. The heat from the bowl instantly warmed him. He began to eat rather awkwardly, standing up. A thought crossed his mind that the soup might be poisoned, but the fatigue he felt and the knowledge that there was a guard and two other Death Eaters present as a trust that surely the woman would not dare. The soup, despite being watery, tasted very good.

"Good?" the woman asked. Draco nodded, he wished she would stop looking at him. He drained the soup quickly, and the woman took back the bowl.

"Why?" he suddenly asked, overcome with curiosity.

"You've been out in that cold for three days drinking nothing but that potion and eating nothing but sandwiches. My soup is better than that."

"Surely there was someone here who deserved it more than me."

"They've enough soup for themselves for now. Rations came the other day from a charity. Besides, they know me well enough to knock on my door if they were hungry, I don't eat much myself and I'm happy to share."

"Well ... thank you, it was very kind. My name is Draco Malfoy." he said, determined not to lose his manners, even around Undesirables.

"I know who you are" the woman said, still not smiling. "I used to work in the ministry with your Father. You look just like him."

"Oh ..." Draco said uncomfortably. He had forgotten that this woman must have once been more than this ragged creature. His Father's department had been a grand office, they had been big earners. He tried to imagine this woman in fine robes and in a position of authority. Draco may have even met her before when visiting his Father at work. He did not recognise her. "What's your name?" he asked tentatively.

"It doesn't matter." she shook her head. Draco said nothing in response, and decided to change the subject.

"Who brought the rations?" he asked, thinking of Astoria. "You said it was a charity."

"Yes it was but I won't mention names. Charity is still legal but I'm not stupid enough to give any names to a Death Eater."

"No, you misunderstand. I know one of them ... or, at least I know a witch involved in charity."

The old woman nodded.

"You may be right, one of them is from an old family like yours. Come in." The old woman said returning to her flat.

"I can't leave my post."

"Stay outside then." she said nonchalantly. Reluctantly, Draco checked the walkway was clear before entering the Undesirable's flat. It was shabbily decorated, the wallpaper was peeling and the sweet smell of dry rot was overpowering. It was very dark, with only one candle over the makeshift fire-stove in the adjoined kitchen. Draco took out his wand.

"Lumos."

With the room now lit, Draco had a better view of the dingy flat; the shabby old muggle settee, the peeling wallpaper and the tattered carpet. The woman looked at the lit wand with a curious expression, as if simply recalling the convenience of a having a wand. She suddenly, turned around and dropped the empty bowl into a tin bucket of water that rested on a counter.

"Astoria Greengrass has been visiting this commune quite a bit, recently." Draco looked up surprised and the woman made a half hearted attempt at a smile. "So I guessed right. You've nothing to worry about, she's on your lot's side alright, she likes to make that very clear. But she's a sweet girl in her own way, she likes to help."

"Why has she been visiting here recently?"

"There's a pregnant girl here. She's nearly due, so Astoria's been coming by to check on her."

"I haven't seen a pregnant girl since I've been here, I'd have to report it, the child will be given away." Draco said sympathetically. The woman's smile widened patronizingly, she revealed her missing teeth.

"I've lived here for twelve years, Malfoy, I know the rules. So does she, it will be her fourth child."

"She's had all of them taken away?" Draco asked.

"None of them died, if that's what you mean? The first one was tough, she kicked and screamed and begged for them to bring it back ... the second was worse yet. By the third, she had given up hope, she cried silently into my arms for two hours and then got on with things."

"Who was the Father?"

"One for each chid I expect. She's a pureblood girl so children from her are heavily sought after. The Ministry's only too happy for your lot to visit her."

"She's a prostitute."

"She didn't have a choice, it was that or starve. She was denied a work visa."

"Why?"

The woman shrugged.

"She was a lively young thing when I first knew her. Everyone was scared, hysterical even, when they first arrived – she never let anyone lose hope or spirit, keeps to herself these days."

"Oh."

"They've all been a bit busy these past few days though, something happened that's kept them-"

"Astoria mentioned something about a group of Undesirables' arrest."

"Well you are very well informed, aren't you Draco Malfoy. Yes, I imagine that's what's keeping them."

"I've been sent here to confront and investigate whoever has been frequently visiting the Commune, if it's Astoria and her friends just doing some charity work, then as far as I know they are breaking no laws."

"Laws are changing every day. If they decide one thing one day, they'll decide something different the next – whatever suits them."

"That's not quite true."

"Do you study the law?" she asked.

"No but I worked for the Daily Prophet until quite recently, I'm pretty well informed."

The woman gave a skeptical laugh.

"Ha! The Prophet! That newspaper tells you exactly what the Ministry has decided you need to hear, nothing more nothing less. Nothing's changed there."

Draco suddenly realised he felt very strange being spoken to like this by an Undesirable. The only close contact he had ever had with an Undesirable was his Aunt Andromeda who would never (save for one occasion) speak down to him, accuse him or any member of his family or even draw attention to herself. She was too determined to keep her own precarious position near Theodore. The Undesirables had become this mass of people to Draco, yet here he was discussing censorship of the press with one, in her living room, while dressed in his Death Eater robes. The whole situation was bizarre.

"Cup of tea?" she offered suddenly. Draco shook his head.

"No, thank you. I better get back to my shift."

"It's too late for them to come tonight; you might as well have a cup of tea."

"It is tempting, but no."

"I'll make one, perhaps you can drink it on your shift?"

The woman turned around and began concentrating on washing up. Why was she so eager for him to stay? Draco suddenly felt strangely alert and suspicious. Without a second glance at the woman he stood up and left the flat. He saw her turn around, following his wand light.

As he stepped out onto the walkway of the flat he suddenly heard the sound of running along the walkways. One of the French Death Eaters was running down the walkway towards him; his wand outstretched.

"Malfoy, Malfoy! There are intruders. Quick, you must come!" he yelled, signalling for him to follow. Immediately it clicked, the woman must have been trying to keep him from his shift, distracting him from the fact Astoria and her friends would show up.

"Where?"

"Patrice says he caught sight of one on the East side of the building. I saw one at the North. They are making a diversion, I think!"

"Go ahead, I've got a lead!" he said to the Death Eater who nodded and leapt over the balcony down to one of the lower walkways. Draco then turned back into the woman's flat, grabbed her and thrust his wand under her throat. "Where is the woman with the baby?"

"I won't-"

"If Astoria's up there, they might attack on sight, I need to get there first!" he said furiously, pressing the wand further into the woman's neck. She choked.

"18th Floor...f-flat...127."

It was impossible to apparate in the Communes, so Draco had no choice but to run the long way across the walkways and up the iron staircases. Finally, breathless, he arrived at the 18th floor and ran down the concrete paths searching for flat 127. In the distance he could hear the French Death Eaters shouting to each other in the distance. He arrived at the door, and without thinking pointed his wand at it and blasted it open.

There was a horrible smell in the flat, blood mixed with dry rot, there was a woman wailing and another yelped as the door broke open. It was dark inside except for the light of the wands coming from a back room. Astoria came rushing out to the hallway to face him, her hair was wild, and her robes were covered in fresh blood.

"Draco?" she said surprised "You're here, oh thank God. Please, keep the others away."

"Astoria get out of her!" Draco said.

"No ... I can't not now! Not now!" she said hysterically. "She needs help! She's having a baby ..."

"I can't protect you! Don't you understand. You're not a Healer, what help can you give this woman?"

"I've brought potions, I've studied enough to help if she bleeds too much I'm not doing anything wrong. Look I'm the only one here, the others have to distract the guards. Please ... do as I say!" she was shouting, but Draco could sense that despite her passion she was scared and clueless.

The woman in the back of the flat wailed again. Astoria, without a second thought turned back and ran into the back bedroom to tend to the woman. Draco turned and left the flat, half in need for fresh air, half in order to keep the other Death Eaters from coming near.

"Malfoy!" Patrice called up from the ground floor, his wand was pointing at his own throat to amplify his own voice. "Sébastien has been stunned, I'm going to send for back up! Do you have any luck?"

"Fool," Draco muttered, why advertise it for the enemy to hear? What was he saying? He did not want Astoria and her stupid friends to be attacked. Calling in back up would mean calling in thugs like Greyback and Goyle – they would have no fear about attacking on sight, and it would be worse than stunning. He amplified his own voice.

"I think I saw them heading for the garage at the bottom of the building. Go check, it will be quicker for you."

Patrice agreed and rushed off. Draco turned back into the flat.

"Astoria hurry, he's sending for more back up. I can't draw more attention on myself than I have already. Leave the woman!"

There was the horrible sound of the woman's last groan and the sudden eruption of new born baby's cry. Astoria made a rejoicing sound. Stupid girl, the baby was going to be taken away anyway so who cared if the child of some prostitute lived or died.

He waited as patiently as he could but was too aware of who may be turning up at the Commune. Against his better judgment Draco barged into the bedroom of the flat. It was hot and clammy and the smell was overpowering. The woman, who was lying on her tattered, blood stained bed looked half dead save for the small sobbing sounds she was making. Astoria was crouched over her helping her to cradle the new-born in her arm.

"Draco ... this is private." Astoria said angrily, throwing an extra cover over the woman's stained bed sheets.

"Excuse me but modesty isn't an option right now Astoria, you've got to leave! Quickly and carefully."

The mother tore her eyes away from the baby in her arms and looked up at Draco with a fearful expression. She must have been around his age, but looked much older. Her ginger hair was flecked with grey and eyes were sunken. It could have been due to the fact she had just given birth, but Draco could not say she was a pretty woman at all.

"Will you be alright now?" Astoria asked the woman, stroking her hair affectionately. "I wish I could stay longer."

The woman looked back at Astoria, shook her head and mouthed a small thank you. Astoria stood up, grabbing her things. They ran together, while Draco prayed no one saw him running with her. Unless by some miracle Sébastien had been stunned before getting a chance to send for back up, there was little chance of his helping her escape going unnoticed. Draco just hoped her stupid friends served as a distraction.

"Why risk all this?"

"I'm not risking anything." she said as clambered down the metal staircase "You're the one risking yourself to help me. Not that I'm complaining. Oh!"

The Undesirables had begun to emerge from their flats as Draco and Astoria continued to run.

"What are they doing?"

"They're trying to distract ... the guards and Death Eaters ... from me and my group!" she gasped. "The back up must have arrived. Through here!" she said blasting a large iron door out the way. "This leads straight out the stairwell. Come on, it's a bit of a jump."

The metal door was more of an iron ventilation shaft that lead to nothing but thin air and the ground below. They were standing at the edge of the shaft preparing themselves to jump, when the sounds of cracking around Commune area distracted them. Astoria jumped immediately, pulling Draco with her.

"Aresto Momentum." she said flashing her wand as they hurtled to the ground. Their fall was broken and they landed safely. The sounds of deep voices shouting in the surrounding area informed Draco that the other Death Eaters had arrived. He quickly grabbed Astoria and hid with her behind a concrete wall.

"Get out of here. Don't come back. Stop this nonsense, you understand me? Stop it. You're a liability Astoria, tonight might still be too close!" he said threateningly. Astoria rolled her eyes childishly and pulled out of his grip, but Draco grabbed hold of her jaw and forced her to face him straight on. "I mean it, Astoria, I risked a lot tonight to help you. If I'm at risk, if my family are at risk-"

"Let me go then! What do you want, a bloody thank you?"

He loosened his grip on her. He turned suddenly at the sound of running footsteps behind him, an incoherent yelp and a flash of red light.

Then everything went black.

AN: more coming soon... please review...please...