Disclaimer: I only own the plot.
A/N: Short again, I know :/ but I'm nearly done with this story and there's a lot I have to get done with it and so that might mean a few short chapters, ending in a very long chapter. I'd say about 4 more chapters to come, maybe 3, depending on chapter lengths. I really am very sorry it's so short again :( Thank you to everyone who read and an especially big thank you to those who reviewed and added to their favs! I adore you guys sooo much! Reviews make my world go 'round :D
In the end, Harry had not warned Draco about what he was going to do. Instead, Harry had left Hermione behind at the Ministry and he went to meet these Death Eaters in his own. Ron could apparate as soon as he was free and the Death Eaters would still have Harry. Even trade. Draco was going to have heart failure over this. Harry could just hear Draco in his head, berating him for doing something so foolish, telling him to stop trying to be a hero.
He had met the Death Eaters at a secluded spot in the Forest of Dean...something about this very spot sent a chill down Harry's spine. But there was Ron, magically bound to a tree with four Death Eaters surrounding him. Harry put his arms out, to show he was not going to be a threat to them. The smaller one stepped forward, thrusting his wand toward Harry.
"Toss your wand here, Potter." Harry recognized that voice! That was not a HIM but a HER! That was Pansy Parkinson! He slowly took his wand out of his robe and tossed it to Pansy, she caught it gracefully. Almost as gracefully as Draco would.
"Let Ron go and you can have me." He said slowly and Pansy nodded curtly toward Ron. The largest Death Eater, who was silent, released Ron. At the same moment, Harry and Ron walked toward each other, passing each other. Harry heard the pop of Ron Apparating and hoped he had enough information to help the Aurors find Harry in time. Pansy shrieked the spell that would bind Harry in magical ropes and he instinctively squirmed against them.
"Oh, poor, little, Potter. Seems you learn nothing from your past. Never give yourself willingly to a Death Eater, and here you gave yourself willingly to FOUR Death Eaters. Stupid man!" She snapped and cast the cruciatus on Harry, making him cry out and fall to his knees. He lost his glasses and bemoaned the loss when he heard the crunch of someone stepping on them. A beefy hand yanked him to his feet and a dainty hand slapped him. It was such a girl slap that it couldn't be anyone BUT Pansy, though he couldn't see properly now to know. He groaned in pain but forced his legs not to give out again. Pansy cackled and brought him in side along apparation somewhere dark and dank. This place, too, felt familiar to Harry. But he couldn't tell without his glasses. He was going by scent at the moment and this smell was...something underground.
"Should we tell the Lord that we've got him?" A deep voice spoke and Harry registered that voice as belonging to Goyle. Did they really think he wouldn't recognize their voices? They must be pretty stupid.
"Yes, let him know we've got him. He'll want to see Potter is unharmed for himself. I can't understand his attraction to this guy. Ugly glasses, nasty hair, so small for a man..." It was Pansy again, and her words didn't shock, nor hurt, him. He was used to her hateful words. Goyle went loping off to get whoever this leader was. It took maybe an hour before this leader made his, or her, appearance. Harry couldn't see properly without his glasses but there was something...familiar. The sound of the steps, the way the blurred body moved.
Harry felt a hand grip his chin and it was too rough to be a woman, the hand too big. A masked face came into his line of blurry vision, the grip on his chin tightened and he could hear the leader breathing. It was calm, even...the scent was familiar. The leader let go of Harry and turned to speak to his Death Eaters, but Harry couldn't hear him. With a frown, Harry took the plunge.
"What do you think to achieve in kidnapping and holding me hostage?" He asked in as hard a tone as he could achieve. The leader turned back to look at him and took his mask off. Harry gasped, backing up and shaking his head in disbelief. No, no...this could not be happening! This wasn't right! It couldn't be! His glasses were put on his face and his fears were confirmed. Harry's heart shattered and he slid down the wall until he was sitting, staring blankly.
"Why...?" He croaked and Draco looked down his nose at Harry.
"It's for the sake of love, Harry. You forced me to take drastic measures to see you safe. If I have to become a Dark Lord in order to keep you safe, I'd do it. Don't you realize...I'm doing this for y..."
"Don't you DARE say you're doing this for me! You KNOW how I feel about dark magic! How could you do this, Draco? I...trusted you. I loved you!" Harry bellowed, back on his feet again. Draco stepped closer to Harry, limping and leaning heavily on his cane. His eyes weren't right...something was wrong with him.
"Loved? Past tense?" He asked with a smile and Harry stepped back, frowning.
"You're Imperiused, aren't you?" Harry asked softly and the way Draco stared at him left Harry with no doubt. But he couldn't help Draco without his wand.