They landed hard. Neville's weight collapsing on him as he suddenly lost consciousness. Draco'd had to struggle to keep hold of him as they traveled. He pushed Neville off of him as gently as he could, bringing his robe around his body to fight off the cold. He was already shivering when he ran his hands over Neville's body to make sure he hadn't splinched him. The sand grated against his knees as he pulled Neville up to run his hands along his back.

Neville's thick fur was full of sand already, but there was no blood. He sighed in relief. The cottage was just a few yards away but there was a steep incline between them and the door. There was no way he would be able to drag Neville with him, so he lay him back in the sand gently, kissing the corner of his mouth. "I'll be right back." He whispered hoarsely.

The sand was rough against his bare feet and he kept slipping as he made his way up the steep incline. It was freezing and his body was shaking violently by the time he reached the door. He knocked hard, then remembered that the Weasley's had a baby in the house. Shit! If Bill acted territorial around Neville before, how would he feel when he invaded his home? Draco damned himself the miscalculation and turned to make his way back to Neville. They'd have to go the Manor to get out of the cold and form a plan.

"No further, Monsieur Malfoy." Fleur Weasley said as she spelled the door open with her wand in one hand and her child in the other. He put his hands up to show that he had no wand. As a matter of fact, it was still in the Castle, but he would keep that to himself, until he was sure he wasn't about to hexed. "What are you doing here?" She asked suspiciously. Then arched an eyebrow as her eyes swept down briefly before meeting his again. His robe had started to slip open. Brilliant!

"It's Neville. He transformed and people saw. I had to get him out of the Castle. Your husband told me we could come here if we ever needed any help. And, we do." He finished breathless. He was weak from the cold and using his magic without his wand. He desperately hoped the woman would show some pity, at least for Neville.

"You have a brought a werewolf to my house!" She brought her child closer to her body as her eyes searched the area behind Draco. "He's out. He passed out when we disapperated."

"If you'll just give us a room for a few minutes." His teeth were starting to chatter. "Lock us in if you need to, whatever you want. I need to get him someplace safe and warm and see if I can get him to transform back." He swallowed harshly. His eyes were beginning to water and he felt it drip down his face. It was mostly due to the cold, but he'd found that women had a weakness for a man that was willing to shed a few tears.

She exhaled quick and sharp. "I will get the guest room door open. You take him there and I will lock you in till I can talk to Bill."

"Yes, yes that will be wonderful. Thank you so much!" He said turning to get back to Neville before she changed her mind. He concentrated hard on Neville as he cast his levitation spell. He tried to be mindful of the sharp incline and managed to only drag him in the sand once. Fleur Weasley's wand was back on him the moment he entered the house. Her eyes grew large when she saw Neville.

She jutted her jaw sharply and Draco followed her gaze. It was a small bedroom with a twin bed pushed up against one wall, but it looked like heaven. "Thank you again, Madame." He nodded curtly to her as he entered the room levitating Neville to the bed where Draco released him. He took a breath, jumping a little when the door slammed shut behind him. He could hear a spell being cast in French and understood enough to know that he and Neville would not be leaving until Fleur Weasley was good and ready for them too.

He turned his attention back to Neville, putting his ear to his heart; a good steady rhythm thumped in Neville chest. He lay his hand against the bits of skin not covered by fur to check his temperature. At least his fur had kept him warm. He heard voices in the other room. Mme. Weasley was talking to someone, he assumed through a floo, since he could only clearly hear one side of the conversation. He needed to get a hold of Granger to find out what was happening at the Castle. There was no way that the news of a werewolf that transformed outside of the full-moon would be able to be contained.

He sat in a chair near Neville's bed. They'd have to go into hiding or leave the country. The Ministry was probably already looking for him. He needed to talk with his parents. The Ministry would look there first and they had been working to recreate some of the potions that had been used on Greyback. If the Ministry found them, they'd be arrested on the spot.

There was silence from the other room and he walked quickly to the door, "Mme. Weasley, have you spoken to your husband? Does he know anything?"

"I have. He is on his way and I will let you out when he arrives. He went to get his papa to help."

"That's brilliant! Wonderful! I don't suppose once he is here I could use you're floo and an owl. I need to contact my parents and Granger right away."

"Of course. There is parchment in 'ze desk you can compose your message to Hermione and slip it under the door. I will owl it for you."

"Yes, I'll get to work on that. Oh, and apologies for showing up on your doorstep like this. I just couldn't..."

"Of course, I understand Monsieur. I would do no less for Bill. I only hope if the occasion ever comes you would do for him what I have done for you."

"I will. If you or your family ever need anything, I promise."

"Then we understand one another." She said becoming distracted by the soft cries of her child. Draco could hear her cooing to the child, promising the return of her papa. He decided to take the opportunity to write Granger. He hoped that the Weasley owl could get to her before the Ministry tracked anything back to her.

He'd just finished the letter when he heard a door open. He stilled. What if they had been able to trace them? What if they were coming for Neville? He stood going to Neville's bedside and taking his hand. He'd be a dead weight, but least his wouldn't fight him if they had to apparate again.

"Bill!" He heard Fleur exclaim as she ran past the door. He sighed in relief and took a moment to re-check Neville. He was still breathing slow and steady and his skin was warm. He wasn't sure if he should be awake by now or if the trauma of transforming so quickly had simply tired him out. He didn't think Author Weasley had any medical knowledge, but perhaps he or Bill would know more about how a person should react after passing out.

"Malfoy?" He heard Bill Weasley call through the door. "Are you alright?" He moved to the door folding the letter as he went.

"I am, but Neville is still out and I'm started to get worried."

"Did you cast a spell to knock him out or..."

"No, he fainted as we disapparated."

"Well, my dear boy, even experienced Wizards have been known to faint due to apparation," Author Weasley offered, "especially if one's heart rate is elevated, the drop in blood pressure causes it, you see."

"Shouldn't he be awake by now?"

"Perhaps the change weakened him?" Bill said, clearly at a loss.

"Perhaps? Mr. Weasley, do you know if word has gotten to the Ministry about Neville transforming into a werewolf?"

"Not for certain, though as we were leaving there were a great number of Auror's heading to the floos."

Fuck. "What happened Malfoy? Was it the meditation?"

Of course, Granger kept Weasley up to date on everything. "No, I'm afraid the situation is a bit more complex than that. A school-mate of mine made a play for me in our bedroom. Neville found him there and just lost it. He transformed right in front of Blaise." Draco shook his head, wetting his lips as he continued, "When Blaise saw what was happening, he went to get help. I tried to get Neville to calm down, but when I heard people coming I took him and ran.

"Well, having a witness would make it hard to deny what happened even if he had been able to transform back." He heard Bill whisper to someone before turning his attention back to Draco. "You did the right thing. If the Ministry found him they'd put him in Azkaban with the other weres, regardless of the work we've all done."

Draco pressed his forehead to the door. He'd known saving Neville was the right thing, but it felt good to have the decision confirmed. He heard a small snuffle come from the bed as Neville started tossing and turning. "He's waking up!" He called, relieved.

"We should get him out of there." Fleur said.

"No, no, I'll be fine. Here get this message to Granger for me." He slid the parchment under the door. "I think we'll need a few minutes."

"Right, mate." Bill Weasley sounded uncertain and Draco was sure that Fleur and Mr. Weasley were whispering to each other. If they tried to take him from the room against his will, Neville would...God only knew what he would do. He was just getting ready to shout through the door that they were to stay out until he said they were ready to leave when Bill spoke up again, "Are you sure this is what you want?" Neville's body spasmed so hard he managed to launch himself off the bed onto the floor. "Yes, I'm sure," he called moving to pull the sharp edge of the desk away from Neville's convulsing body.

He began a screaming howl that forced Draco's hands to his ears. He pulled them away as the sound died into a groan. The sound must have disturbed Bill Weasley's child, because he could hear her crying even though Neville was still creating a great deal of noise.

Draco sighed relieved as Neville opened his eyes. They were glassy, but he smiled nonetheless as Draco sat next to him. Draco ran a hand through his sweat-tinged hair. "Are you alright?"

"What..?" He coughed roughly turning on his side and coming up on one elbow to catch his breath. He sat there panting for a few breaths before his head popped up, "What did I do?"

His eyes where becoming red-rimmed as he reached a hand out to Draco. "You didn't hurt him!" He said pulling Neville close. "Did I.?"

"Nothing! You never even touched him, but he did see you transform." Neville went suddenly still. "And went to get help. I took you and we're at Bill Weasley's house now."

"I transformed?" Draco didn't get a chance to answer as Neville answered his own question. "I did. I remember." He felt Neville's chest expand as he inhaled heavily. Draco wondered if he should stop Neville from remembering what had happened prior to his transformation, just in case it incited another change. "I smelled him as soon as I came down the dungeon steps. He was in our room. He was touching my mate. I felt the wolf coming, but I couldn't hold him back. I'm not sure I wanted to."

Draco cupped Neville's cheek, feeling the bristle of stubble. "Do you remember anything after that?" Neville shook his head no.

"Are you hurt?" Draco asked. Neville shook his head no again, apparently still trying to process everything. He started to make these whimpering sounds, so Draco pulled him even close. "It will be alright. Your okay, I'm okay and there are several Weasley's on the other side of that door who are here to help us." He said rubbing his check against Neville's, interspersing small licks and kisses as he spoke. He felt Neville huff, "We must be in trouble, if you're happy about being surrounded by Weasley's."

Draco smiled, burying his face into to Neville's hair. "What are we going to now?" Neville asked quietly as they began to rock.

"We are going to floo my parents and let them know what happened and to be ready for a Ministry visit and wait for word from Granger. But first, you need to get back into the bed, so you can rest for a while. Neville pulled his head back shaking it at Draco. "No, I can't have a lie in, while you and everybody else is trying to figure out what to do."

"Neville," Draco exhaled as determination set Neville's brow, "Of course, you won't. At least promise not to wear yourself out. You know how tired and sore you get after transforming and that's spreading the experience out over hours. You've transformed twice in just under an hour. Who knows how your body will react."

"I promise not to do too much, but I need to know what's going at the Castle and with the Ministry and we need to make a plan. Right?" He looked to Draco imploringly, his brown eyes large and beautiful. Why had he ever told the man he had a weakness for them?

How could he say no? "Right," He said, smiling when Neville pulled him in for a hug to seal the deal.

The headlines screamed, "War Hero! A werewolf in sheep's clothing!" Draco grimaced at the photo they had used of Neville. He seemed to have been at some celebration not really paying attention to the camera person, who had captured a shot of him tearing into a chicken leg with gusto.

He read the article regardless. It mentioned the search of Malfoy Manor. His parents had various areas of the house heavily and cleverly warded enough that they had managed to hide the potion work they had been doing. Draco had thanked his parents for their ingenuity in keeping their work safe and for the fact they weren't adding to the press frenzy.

Neville had even taken part in the conversation in an attempt to reassure his parents that Draco was safe in his presence. His mother had looked to his father, who had turned his face from the floo as he thanked Neville. It had hurt to see the look of disappointment cross Neville's face, before they each continued their updates on the progress they had been making.

Granger's letter had indicated that there had been some initial doubts about Blaise's story, until a resident in Hogsmeade reported seeing what looked to be a werewolf struggling with a student before apparating.

The report sent the Ministry on high alert issuing arrest warrants for Neville and Draco.

He threw the paper down disgusted. Fleur looked up to him from the position she had taken at the table to spoon food into Victoire's mouth. She did not seem pleased with his outburst and he lifted the paper back up to hide his embarrassment.

Neville was outside walking the perimeter of the wards that kept the cottage hidden. Perhaps he would join him after all. The Weasley's had been kind enough to provide them with some clothing since the bags they had packed were still in the lab cordoned off for the Ministry's investigation. He cringed when the scratchy, low-quality cloth of his coat rubbed against his skin, but managed a smile at Fleur's knowing look as he left.

He could see Neville standing on some rocks, just at the point where the property ended, looking to the ocean. Draco bit his lip. They had both thought they would be gone by now. But their inability to agree to a plan had kept them stuck here. Draco wanted to take one of the escape routes his parents had in place. They had passage and housing arranged for Scandinavia or Cannes. Both had extensive Wizarding communities and they could blend in easily enough with a few glamours and the identification papers his parents had gone to great expense to create.

Neville wanted to himself in. Draco knew it was a reaction to the trauma of what happened with Blaise and that Neville wasn't thinking clearly. He also knew that there was no way in hell he was going to let Neville go to Azkaban. He'd drag him out of the country if he had too.

He walked quickly against the biting wind, casting a warming charm to keep the bitter cold at bay. Neville could take the extreme temperature quiet well and actually would put off enough heat that once he reached him he would be able to warm up. God, he really hated sand, why Neville liked it our here... Well, he knew why. Evidently, Bill's scent covered the house and combined with the confining space of the cottages small room left him feeling agitated.

"Deep thoughts?" He asked as he came alongside the rock Neville was standing on. Neville looked down, a shy half-smile on his face. "Nah, need a hand?" He asked, bending to offer Draco a hand up. Neville quickly pulled him into his chest to warm him. "You'll catch your death out here." He whispered into Draco's ear as he took in deep lungfuls of Draco's scent. He shrugged, "Is it cold?"

Neville chest rumbled behind him, "I could hear you complaining about it the moment you left the house and you didn't even have to say a word."

"Unless you've added occlumency to your repertoire, I'm afraid I'm going to have to tell you that I don't know what you're talking about." Neville pulled him even closer, making him smile despite the insult.

He looked at the coast and the rocks. It was lovely, perhaps if they came in the summer? Of course, if they left they would never be back to England. His smile faded slightly as his head dropped. He spied some unusual wetness on a rock just down from where they stood. "Did you piss on that rock?"

"Yeah." Neville said, laying his cheek against Draco's temple. "You know if we went to Scandinavia we could have own home on a freezing cold shoreline and you could piss on every rock there."

Neville chest rumbled with laughter again, "Yes, I'm sure I could, but we'd never see our home or our friends and family again."

"Oh, there is that. Would it be such a hardship to never have to see another Weasley or Weasley wantabe again? Of course, in a generation they will make up the majority of the Wizarding world, so perhaps there is no hiding from them."

"You know, I think they're starting to grow on you."

"I would liken it to a mold really."

"So, you won't leave and I will not allow you to turn yourself in. Which means that we either stay here or take Potter up on his offer of the Black house, which by the way, rightfully belongs to my family and continue your treatment until everything settles and we re-evaluate at that point."

"So, you would prefer Grimauld?"

"I do, but I want you to be comfortable wherever we end up."

He felt Neville smile as he pressed his lips to Draco's temple and jaw. "Grimauld it is."

He wasn't completely happy with the plan. It was risky and dangerous and if Neville were caught or killed, he shivered as Neville tightened his hold. "Don't worry. We'll be careful and we'll be smart and everything will work out."

"Isn't that my line."

"I suppose it has been, but I think that's why we're perfect mates. When you're afraid or doubting I'm there for you and when I'm afraid and doubting your there for me. We fill in each other's gaps."

Draco shook his head, someday he'd have to tell Neville that before he claimed him, he was nothing but one big gap, but right now he just wanted to enjoy the sun that was shining through the clouds and the feel of Neville's arms around him.

There peace didn't last long. He felt Neville tense as he heard the soft pop of someone apparating close by. It was Bill Weasley. Home far too early for it to be anything but bad news. "Neville, Malfoy!" He called from the steps of the cottage waving for them to come into the house. Fuck.

They scrambled down the rock, quickly making their way to the house. Neville laughing at him as he cursed the sand in his shoes.

How he could laugh when there was obviously something wrong was beyond him. The fact that he couldn't help but smile back made it even worse.

They made it to the house in time to see Fleur coming back down the stairs, probably from putting Victoire in her room.

Bill made no preamble when they arrived, "Greyback and his pack escaped from Azkaban just before sunrise this morning."

"What?" Neville stepped forward. "How?"

"No one has said anything official yet, but there is a rumor that a woman, who had recently started working at the facility somehow helped them escape."

"His mate." Neville said closing his eyes. Draco was grateful he wasn't the only to have forgotten she existed.

"Yeah, that's what I thought too, but here's another bit of information, now mind Neville, this is just rumor, but supposedly the Ministry had a order allowing unforgivables to any werewolf that tried to escape. They're saying 3 or 4 were killed in the escape itself and maybe another before they went to ground and disappeared."

"They murdered them?" Draco's heart froze. If Neville had been in there.

"Mind, it just a rumor, but between you, the escape and the report of dead prisoners, the Ministry's in an uproar. Dad couldn't even leave and had to call me at the Bank to get word to you."

Draco felt his stomach squirm. They wouldn't have risked so much without a purpose. They had to know about Neville.

"They're coming for you." He pushed out, though he was certain there was no air in his lungs. They all looked to at him. "It can't be a coincidence that two days after Neville's transformation hits the papers he decides to break-out." He looked into Neville's fear-filled eyes, "You're everything he was working for...everything he endured was to create you... he's coming." He croaked out. They stood in silence for a moment, the stalemate broken by Victoire's cry from up the stairs.

Neville swallowed hard his eyes following Fleur out of the room, "I have to leave."

"Don't be hasty Nev, your safer here than on the run."

"Your family," He said desperately. Draco placed his hand in Neville's. "Listen to him. We need more information before we make a decision. If he is looking for you...he had contacts all over the wizarding world. Even if half the pack is gone, he's still got more eyes and ears than we do."

"Just me."

Draco felt like he'd been slapped. "What?"

Neville swallowed harshly, "Just me. I can't risk anything happening to you."

The look on Neville's face reminded him of the determined look he'd had the night he stood against Voldemort.

"I'm sorry, but there is no 'just me' anymore. There is just us. You are not leaving this place without me."

"I can move faster on my own."

Draco felt his skin grow hot, "Perhaps, but you won't be able to..." Draco jerked when the floo activated, his mother calling his name. "Draco!"

Of course, she'd heard and was worried. He turned to the floo, getting ready to throw venom but was halted by his mother's tear-stained face. "Mother!"

"Your father's on his way to Mungo's."

"What?"

"Greyback came. He said he could smell Longbottom here, he found the lab...your father tried to stop him."

"Oh, God!" Neville said, coming to the floo. "We'll come through. Is he still there? Do you need help?"

"No, no, I have to go to Mungo's to be with Lucius. I just stayed to tell you he's looking for you." His mother's voice quivered.

"Mother!" He reached toward the flame and Neville grabbed his hand. "Is Mr. Malfoy injured badly?" Neville asked as Draco tried to calm down.

"He'll recover but there was so much blood. If it wasn't for the house elves we'd be dead." She seemed to be fading somewhat.

"Mother, are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes," She seemed to be getting that glassy look Neville had when he first woke from transforming. "Mother go to Mungo's with Zippy. You need to see a medi-wizard; you're going in to shock." She shook her head turning to leave as a small hand reached up to take hers.

"Wait." She said, "He was talking about re-building his pack. He's looking for you as well Mr. Weasley." He heard Fleur gasp behind them. "And, he mentioned the Lupin boy. I tried to tell him that he wasn't infected, but he was half-mad..." She trailed off.

"Zippy get mother to Mungo's now!" He ordered the little elf. "Yes, Master Draco, but we will need to leave the floo-call."

"Yes, of course. Keep an eye on them for me Zippy, please." Draco felt Neville's hand on his shoulder squeezing lightly. "Of course, Master Draco."

The firecall ended and Draco took a moment to gather his thoughts as he studied the flames.

"Andromeda," Bill said behind them.

Draco's head shot up. "Is her house under a fidelius?"

"I don't think so." Bill said grimly.

"Do you know where she lives?" Neville said bringing his hands to fists at his side. Draco's head was spinning. "He'll go there first. The easiest prey." He choked out.

"Let's go." Bill said, only to be stopped by an arm placed on his. "Bill? You can't go. He's looking for you." Bill was shaking his head at Fleur's words. "I will go with Mr. Malfoy." She said, handing Victoire to her father.

Neville's eyebrows drew together tightly, "What? No!"

"He's looking for you to, if you transform, who knows how you'll behave." Draco said, the look of betrayal on Neville's face cutting him. "A part of the experiment was to instill loyalty to the pack. If you transform he might have some hold over you."

"No hold he could ever have over me would over-ride our bond."

"Our bond? You were going to leave me a few minutes ago." Neville actually stepped back. "That's not the same."

"It's not and we have no time for debate. Fleur?"

"I'm with him Nev, you need to wait here," Bill said. Neville was shaking his head no as his lips grew tight. "I can..." Neville was nearly incapable of lying. He wanted to say he could control it, but they both knew, he was far from being in control.

"We need to be able to concentrate and if we're worried about you..."

Neville threw his hands up in anger. "Fine." He glared at Draco. "You go and come back!" He gritted. Draco nodded to him gasping when Neville pulled him close to kiss him fiercely. He was breathless when he pushed him away.

Neville looked to Fleur, who grabbed Draco's arm. "Here we go," she said as they disapparated.