Ok by the time you've finished this chapter I may actually have to go into hiding.

Thanks for all the reviews.



The chains had rubbed my wrists raw hours ago.

Not the type to easily accept being confined I'd tried relentlessly to get them off me.

But I couldn't even see them anymore- the night was too deep in the dungeons to see any further than - well to see anything at all really.

I could only feel them now- the cold metal of oppression.

I didn't know how long I'd been in there.

After Voldemort had discovered that no matter how many curses or punches he threw (or *had* thrown) at me I wasn't going to say "yes master, no master, three bags full master" and kiss the hem of his filthy robes, he'd grown tired of me quite quickly.

Although it actually hadn't felt that quick.

Whilst I didn't like being chained to the walls in a freezing cold, stone dungeon, desperately hungry and frantic about Harry it was definitely better than spending another moment in my father's and Voldemort's company.

My father was doing the "No son of mine would contemplate refusing the Dark Mark" (so I should be nicer to the milkman then?) and then cursing me to oblivion for embarrassing him thing.

Voldemort just did his creepy look and hex combination.

I mean honestly.

What had they expected?

Me to dance a jig and sing the "I'm so happy I'm a Death Eater" song in a house elf voice?

That'd be a new way to scare people.

I shifted my weight slightly and winced as one of my various new bruises pressed against a stone.

I was worried about Harry.

Apart from a few comments that went straight over my head, neither my father or Voldemort had mentioned him at all.

Considering I was under the impression that Voldemort wanted him dead- it was a little worrying.

But he wasn't dead.

I knew that for three reasons.

One -Voldemort is a villain and therefore is unable to kill his enemy and not brag about it to everybody he ever meets.

Two -Harry is a pretty powerful wizard and if he and Voldemort duelled and he was killed there would be a magical energy surge for a mile around.

Three - I'd know.

So he wasn't dead. (I hoped)

That didn't help to ease my worry.

I'd already found that there were far worse things than death.

***

I was beginning to reconsider being myself whilst in the company of the "Dark Lord".

He really didn't have a sense of humour.

My swollen face attested to this rather sad fact.

I let my head fall back to the wall.

I had to get out of here and rescue Harry.

Whatever they were doing to me wouldn't be one tenth as bad as whatever they were doing to him.

He was the enemy I was just. a disobedient Death Eater who they had used to get to him.

There was a metallic screech as the door opened.

I groaned inwardly.

Not again.

How many times did I have to tell them "no" in one day?

But then again it wasn't exactly Voldemort's style to creep into a cell in the pitch black.

I mean there were no trumpet fanfares, red curtains or admiring Death Eaters for him to parade in front of.

And whoever it was didn't feel threatening.

'Lumos.' A voice said quietly.

It couldn't be.

My heart swelled at the familiar voice.

'Harry!' I croaked in disbelief.

I didn't know if this was real or another spell-induced delusion.

'Oh God.' He murmured, crouching in front of me.

'Are you really here?' I whispered, hoarsely.

His bleeding lip twitched into a sad smile and he took hold of my chained hand, raising it to his cheek. 'Can't you feel me?'

I closed my eyes in relief as I felt his silky soft skin beneath my fingertips. 'Oh God.' I murmured, 'you're here. You're not dead. They told me-'

'Shh.' He brushed hair away from my swollen face. 'It's all going to be ok.' I manoeuvred myself closer to him, basking in the warmth of his body. 'What have they done to you?'

Despair and sadness filled his eyes.

'We have to get out of here.' I told him desperately. 'Have you got your wand?'

Stupid question.

Of course he did. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to see him.

'Well yeah but-'

'So do something! Unchain me, or kill somebody or- do *something*. Anything!'

'I can't Dray.'

'What do you mean you can't? What did they do to you?' Anger flickered through me and I tightened my grip on him.

'Dray calm down alright? I'm fine.'

I wrapped my arms around him, never wanting to release him. 'I don't know why this is happening Harry. They're up to something. I just don't know what!'

Harry pulled back and looked at me seriously. 'Look Dray-'

I clapped my hand over his mouth.

'Someone's coming.' I whispered, panicked. 'Harry you have to get out of here.'

He removed my hand from his mouth. 'I'm not leaving.'

The footsteps were getting closer.

'Harry for once in your life just shut up and go!'

'No.'

'Please!'

He opened his mouth to reply but it was too late.

Lord Voldemort swept into the room, his eyes immediately falling on Harry.

I wracked my brains, trying to think of a way out of this one.

Maybe I could somehow knock him out with-

I looked round.

Ok there was nothing to knock him out with.

'How is our prisoner Potter?'

Or I could always distract him and-

Hang on a minute.

OUR prisoner?

'Harry?' I whispered in disbelief.

His face contorted in guilt.

'No.' I murmured. 'Harry what are you doing?'

'Ah.' Voldemort raised his eyebrows. 'I'm a moment too early perhaps?'

I ignored him, feeling panic rising in my chest as I looked at Harry. 'What the hell's going on?'

His eyes pleaded with me to understand. 'I can't let you die Dray.'

And I understood.

Harry had made a deal with Voldemort.

'Please.' I murmured. 'Please don't tell me you were fucking stupid enough to believe this lying shit? He'll kill me anyway! He'll kill you! This is a trick Harry and you're falling for it.'

'This is no trick Draco.' Voldemort's voice bored into me, turning my stomach. 'Look at your arm.'

I made no move to, suspicious of anything that came out of his mouth.

'Drake it's ok. Look.' Harry told me.

I glared at him indignantly.

Like I'd ever trust a word that came out of his mouth either.

And "OK"? It was "ok"? I'd like to see his definition of the word "life threatening".

But I had to admit, curiosity was getting the better of me.

Without taking my eyes off them I pushed my sleeve up.

Bastard.

Bastard bastard bastard bastard bastard!

I yelled silently in my head.

That calmed me down enough to look at my arm.

Death Mark.

Whoppee.

Like I've never seen one of them be-

I squinted.

Running around the skull was a stream of writing.

It wasn't in any language I recognised so it didn't actually tell me much.

'It means-' Harry started.

'I don't want to know what it means.' I snapped.

He hesitated but carried on regardless. 'It means "as long as love endures". Its not a literal translation- there aren't words to translate it in any modern language.'

Much like there probably weren't words to describe how betrayed and angry I felt at this point.

'I don't care.' I said sullenly. 'I don't care about the Mark, I don't care about Voldemort and I don't care about you!'

I noticed vaguely that Voldemort had left sometime during Harry's translation spree.

'Dray-'

The icy silence teamed with a look filled with my utmost disgust persuaded him to give up.

'I'll come and see you later ok?' He brushed his lips against my forehead and left.

***

I yawned, the noise sounding alien in the silence of the cell.

Pretty soon I'd have to start talking to myself just so I remembered what noise sounded like.

The candles in the dungeon suddenly blazed to life and I struggled to my feet, not wanting to be caught unaware.

As the spots in my vision cleared my father strode into the cell.

Unusual to see *him* without the red carpets as well.

'Father.' I acknowledged.

'Draco.' He removed his leather gloves.

'Here to hit me around a bit more?' I asked insolently.

He sniffed. 'Honestly Draco if I wanted you broken and bleeding on the floor don't you think I'd have brought someone? To do it myself would be vulgar.'

'Didn't seem to stop you before.' I spat.

He shrugged slightly. 'That was magic Draco.'

In his eyes that would be a world of difference.

To him magic was a precise art that could inflict maximum pain. Physical violence was for those who could do no better.

Unless of course you got him *really* mad.

'So why are you here?' I regarded him steadily through the shadows.

'Really Draco. I'm hurt. Can a father not have a talk with his son without all this suspicion?'

I looked pointedly at the chains on my wrists.

He made an exclamation of annoyance and took out his wand.

I braced myself but to my surprise the word that came out of his mouth simply snapped the chains.

Stunned I stared at him.

'I told you Draco. I want to talk to you and if this is the only way to make you listen then it is what I will do.'

I didn't reply, wondering what the hell my father wanted to talk to me about and *why*.

He walked around the dungeon inspecting it.

A distasteful look crossed his face.

'Why they gave you this dungeon I do not know. It is appalling that a Malfoy should be in these conditions.'

'Get on with it.' I snapped. 'Say whatever you wanted to say and stop pretending that you're concerned about my welfare.'

He sighed- obviously I hadn't stuck to the tortured victim etiquette. 'Very well. I wish to talk to you about the about your Mark.'

'Which bit? The skull or the writing?'

'Is that the only thing you noticed?' My father asked in faked mild surprise.

'Nothing else is different.'

'Really?' He arched an eyebrow. 'Are you sure?'

I flinched as he walked towards me, expecting another attack.

Instead he rolled up his sleeve, showing me his Dark Mark.

'Look very closely Draco.'

I peered at his arm and then at my own. 'The image of mine,' I frowned puzzled, 'it's like an inverse of yours.'

He nodded. 'Only fitting don't you think?'

'I don't understand.' My head began to pound.

'The Dark Mark is created by hate Draco. Both the person's own and that of the Dark Lord. That is what binds them. The mark could not exist without it. It is a symbol of that feeling. Yours however is powered by love. Potter's love to be exact.'

I shoved my hair away from my face, transfixed by the explanation.

'Why did I always tell you not to love someone? Not to trust anyone?' He looked at me expectantly.

Oh it wasn't a rhetorical question.

'Because feelings can betray you.' I answered quietly.

'Good boy. Love is the most harmful emotion of them all- a double edged sword. Capable of bringing the greatest happiness and the greatest pain.'

'So the spell is travelling through Harry's love for me?'

'In a way. Love doesn't just affect your body- it affects your mind, your heart and soul. Voldemort's hate and magic is able to permeate your entire being because of his link with Harry and that mark on your arm.'

'That's incredible.' I murmured aloud- fascinated by the idea.

Obviously considering it was happening to me it was a horrible idea but if it had just been theoretical I would have considered it genius in its simplicity.

'And at the same time Potter's been forced to become a Death Eater because he couldn't bear to see you die. It killed two birds with one stone.'

'Not quite- a Death Eater who refuses to kill anybody isn't much good to Voldemort is he?'

He laughed sinisterly. 'Would that be you or Potter, Draco? I assume you mean you because Potter will be killing enough people for both of you.'

It was the way he talked about Harry - I saw red and before I knew what I was doing my fist had connected with his nose.

'Crucio!' He gasped, blood streaming from his nose.

It hurt- I can't deny it.

But it didn't hurt as it would do if he was right about Harry.

I groaned as he ended the spell, unsure how many more curses I could take.

'You'll have to give in eventually.'

I forced the words out slowly. 'No I won't father.'

'Draco.' He looked down at me, his voice more cordial than I'd ever heard it. 'Why are you resisting this?'

I swallowed, "hope" seeming like an inappropriate and inept term.

'Nothing can stand in the way of our Lord's power.'

'Your Lord father.' I corrected him. 'Not mine.'

'He's not going to save you Draco.' My father's voice was silky. 'There's nothing either of you can do to change this.'

'You're wrong.' I whispered. 'I'll find a way.'

Fury suddenly raced across his face- I'd obviously pushed it too far.

'Do you think you're special Draco?' He threw the words at me. 'Do you think no-one else has ever been in love before?'

'I don't think you've ever loved anybody.' I retorted.

He backhanded me viciously, sending me flying with a thump into the stone wall.

'I want you to see this.' My father hissed viciously. 'I want you to see what love has done for your precious boyfriend.'

I could barely see straight; the hunger and pain finally getting to me.

He grabbed hold of me and yanked me to my feet.

Before I knew what was going on I was being marched up the winding stairs from the dungeons and into a large room I'd never been allowed into before.

'Draco!' Harry shouted in what seemed like a cross between relief and joy.

He walked quickly towards me.

'No Potter.' My father stepped before him, several feet in front of me. 'You will not see my son before you have completed your task.'

Harry sighed frustratedly. 'Well if you'd tell me what the task was then I might be able to complete it.'

'It is not my task to assign to you Potter. My father glared at him. 'You will await our Lord.'

Harry's face was stony.

'Arguing already?' Voldemort mocked as he appeared. 'You should show a little respect for your elders Harry.'

My father smirked.

'And you Lucius,' the Dark Lord turned his gaze to my father, 'you should show a little regard to Mr Potter here. You never know when you may regret not doing.'

'Of course my Lord.' My father murmured, trying unsuccessfully to hide outrage.

'Mr Potter.' Voldemort switched his attention back to Harry. 'You know why you are here?'

'To complete a task to show my loyalty.'

There was something in the way he spoke almost respectfully to Voldemort and had bowed his head that made my blood boil.

Voldemort nodded. 'Do not be mistaken Mr Potter. I have no illusions about your "loyalty" to me. I am just intrigued as to how far your love will push you.'

If looks could kill, mine would have reduced his to dust.

Harry straightened. 'What do you wish me to do my Lord?'

He had to be kidding.

He wasn't actually going through with this?

'Simple. I want you to simply demonstrate what you will be doing for the rest of your life.'

Harry frowned, confused. 'I'm sorry my Lord?'

Voldemort waved his hand and a small group of people appeared, bound and gagged, terror easily visible on their face.

'You know what you have to do.' He stepped back slightly, allowing Harry a better view of them.

Harry paled and his eyes widened.

'Come on Harry.' Voldemort taunted. 'Just a few filthy mudbloods. Surely you can cope with that. or do you need some encouragement.'

He looked meaningfully at me.

I snorted. 'This is the only way you can take me on then? When I'm half- dead? You've no sense of honour. I don't know how you can call yourself a wizard.'

I sneered. 'I mean after all you're not that different to them are you? The son of a muggle. You should kill yourself Voldemort because after all. you're just a filthy mudblood just like the rest of them you sick twisted- ahh.'

I cried as pain like none I'd ever felt before racked my body.

It felt like I was being stabbed by knives all over my body, even on the inside. I couldn't breathe it hurt so much.

I would have screamed but I couldn't make any noise.

He was killing me.

He had to be.

I wished he was.

The pain was suffocating me, pushing down on my very soul so that all I wanted to do was let death's embrace take me away from this torment.

And then it was gone, leaving me gasping for breath.

'If you weren't under this spell Mr Malfoy you'd be dead at this very moment in time.' Voldemort informed me like he was talking about the weather. 'Your body would not normally be able to cope with this amount of pain or damage. I suggest you watch what you say in the future.'

He stepped over me.

I tasted blood as a trickle dribbled from my nose. 'Why? Because it's better than watching you?'

Anger flashed over Voldemort's face.

'God Draco! Keep your fucking mouth shut!' Harry shouted hysterically.

'Are you quite ready Mr Potter or do I have another go at lover-boy here. trust me. it would be a pleasure.' Voldemort snarled.

'Still bitter? You shouldn't hide from the truth you know. I hear it has severe psychological side-effects in later life.' I looked at him sardonically. 'Oops too late.'

Harry stormed over to me, picking me up and slamming me up against the wall. 'Will you just shut the hell up?' He yelled, desperation in his eyes.

'Why?' I sneered resentfully as pain shot through me at the contact with the wall. 'Are you going to hurt me if I don't? Are you going to murder me like you're going to do to those people.'

'I'd never hurt you Dray.' He murmured sadly.

'You already are.'

He let go of me and I dropped to the floor. 'I don't have a choice Dray.'

'Of course you have a choice!' I snapped. 'You always have a choice.'

He looked at the ground. 'No I don't.' He whispered, turning and walking away.

'Damn you Harry! You have a choice you're just too afraid and selfish to make it!' I yelled after him.

'I've already made my choice Dray.' He called over his shoulder as he reached Voldemort.

He licked his lips slowly. 'What do you want me to do?'

Voldemort's smirk deepened.





Right now before anybody decides to kill me I just want to say that Draco REALLY has to go back to his own time cuz this isn't his Harry!

And being the stubborn Draco we all know and love he wasn't just going to suddenly change his mind and say "ok let's go home because I don't like Harry loving me".

And just keep telling yourself - SEQUEL!!!