For the rest of the month Tony avoided the Great Hall at all costs, he took the long way to his classes, and threw himself into his school work. By the middle of September he was ready to pull his hair out. He didn't think he could face Rudolph. His mind was reeling with the information Hermione had stuffed in to it and Rudolph's last words kept replaying in his mind over and over again, as if he had only said them a moment ago.

It took a long time for Tony to separate himself from Harry's side after the 'show down' on the quiddich field last month, but for once he was left alone in the common room. He made an excuse to stay behind while the others went to dinner then waited for the room to clear before he headed for the room of requirement. He drew in a deep breath and pulled on a sweater before slipping into the drafty hallway.

His stomach gave a small growl and the sense that butterflies were fluttering about, filled him. Sliding a hand on to his stomach, Tony frowned. When was the last time he had eaten? It couldn't be good if he couldn't remember but he was so busy avoiding Rudolph that he made fewer trips to the Great Hall for food.

Tony pulled his hand away and ignored the empty, fluttering feeling in his stomach. He wandered the halls until he came to the room of requirement, having been clued into it's existence by the Weasley Twins a couple of days ago. He paced in front of the wall three times, as instructed, and waited for the door to appear. In his mind he pictured a safe haven, somewhere comfortable and hidden from others; he imagined this while attempting to squash the feeling of being crazy.

When a set of wooden double doors appeared on the wall, the blonde had to do a double take. Slowly Tony reached out and pulled open the door, half expecting to be confronted with a stone wall but what he saw blew his mind.

The small area was dimly lit by torches placed along the stone walls, the floor was carpeted but large, round pillows of deep red laid on top of that. The room felt warm and looked inviting, just like the safe haven Tony had imagined. He pulled off his sweater and sat down on one of the pillows.

The blonde sunk into the large pillow, it had been as soft as it looked. A smile appeared on his face as he laid back and was cushioned by the other surrounding pillows. Curling up on his side, Tony pulled another pillow against his chest to hug. Now that he was finally able to relax, he allowed his mind to wonder and before long he slipped in to a comfortable and dream filled sleep.

Down in the Great Hall the Weasley twins approached Rudolph. George slid into the bench across from the raven haired boy and Fred stood behind him.

"Tony's in the room of requirement and it's locked so no one can get inside" Fred informed him. George leaned back against his twin and seemed completely comfortable, despite the fact that a few people were staring. "Malfoy is looking for you. He said he has a suggestion for your 'little' problem" George said.

"Malfoy?" Rudolph asked after wiping his mouth with his napkin.

George pointed to the next table over, the Slytherin table. His shockingly platinum hair acted as a beacon to help in pinpointing him. "That's Draco Malfoy, common enemy to all Gryffindors" Fred said.

"But I hear he's great in bed! How else would he get the reputation of 'The Slytherin Sex God' ?" George added. Fred smacked the back of George's head. The later twin was grinning from ear to ear. If all of the people surrounding them weren't staring, they were now.

Rudolph smiled to himself then he became indifferent once more. "We met once."

"Yeah, he said that. He also said that if he helps you, it will be for a price" Fred said.

Rudolph raised a brow at the red haired boy. "What price?"

Fred opened his mouth to reply but George jumped in before he could, "He wants you to sleep with him!"

Rudolph didn't even need to think before the answer rolled off of his tongue. "Out of the question."

George rolled his eyes, "You need to lighten up mate. Maybe a bit of snogging would help or maybe a piece of candy?" He reached into his pocket and retrieved a small piece, of what appeared to be, chocolate wrapped in a Weasley Jokes wrapper.

Fred smacked his twin again and received a laugh in return. "Malfoy wants your guarantee you won't bite him. Ever. Apparently your last meeting led him to believe you would."

Rudolph snorted softly. He couldn't believe he was the one who needed to lighten up, although by the reaction to his arrival at the school, he shouldn't have been surprised. He shifted his position to climb to his feet. "Tell Malfoy to meet me on the quiddich field tomorrow morning to make a pact." The twins nodded and Rudolph left the Great Hall to collect Tony.