Disclaimer: This is fanfiction. That implies the word fan, which means a person who likes a certain thing that has already been made or produced; I am not talking about the fan that blows air on you. So, since I'm fan I'm writing on something already made, which means I didn't make it. Everyone happy?

One Step at a Time

I'll Keep my Dirty Little Secret

Dedication: Whoooohoooo! This chapter is dedicated to Parenting Class! Why, you ask? Because PC has reached 5000 reviews and is on over 2000 people's favorites lists!! Seriously, you guys are amazing. Thank you so much!

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Let me know that I've done wrong
When I've known this all along
I go around a time or two
Just to waste my time with you

Tell me all that you've thrown away
Find out games you don't wanna play
You are the only one that needs to know

I'll keep you my dirty little secret
(Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret
(Just another regret, hope that you can keep it)
My dirty little secret
Who has to know

When we live such fragile lives
It's the best way we survive
I go around a time or two
Just to waste my time with you

--Dirty Little Secret; All-American Rejects

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"It's all set," Tonks grinned, plopping into a chair next to Dumbledore. "Blood, timber, scorch marks and bullet casings. The police were already notified and are at the scene right now. And there won't be any more pesky nurses asking questions about burns. All in a day's work for an Auror," she said. "And now this Auror would like a little rest and relaxation."

It was just approaching six on the Friday evening in November. Draco had been asleep since his visitors had left and during that time Tonks had left to plant the evidence of the supposed gang fight. Dumbledore and Snape had been hard at work attempting to figure out a cover story for Draco, but not knowing the details, were struggling with creating something plausible.

"I think you deserve some," Dumbledore said, smiling kindly at the witch. "Do you want to head home for the day?"

"Oh no," Tonks said laughing cheerily. "If I left there'd be no one to watch Draco tonight. As it is, last night was a favor as you arrived in the wee hours of morning. Tonight they're going to insist we all go home since Draco's stable. And you two obviously can't stay the whole night here on stakeout with an Invisibility Cloak when you have a school to run and classes to teach."f

"Tomorrow is Saturday; the students won't have any classes," Dumbledore said.

Tonks waved away Dumbledore's comment. "Still, can't have you old guys up so late."

"Old?" Snape repeated, twitching visibly in his hard, plastic chair.

Dumbledore, acting as the mediator as always, placed a hand on Snape's knee and said to Tonks, "Then thank you very much for the offer, Tonks. Both Severus and myself could do with a good night's rest."

"Old?" Snape said again, glaring dangerously at the Auror. "I'm only thirty-six."

"Well, to my twenty-four you sure seem old," she said, sticking out her tongue and grinning when Snape's expression darkened.

"To my over one hundred years you're both quite young," Dumbledore chuckled. "Now, before I have to take away your wands why don't we all just take a nice deep breath and have a lemon drop." And seemingly out of thin air Dumbledore conjured a bag of lemon drops and held it out.

Tonks greedily took a handful, but Severus turned his nose up. He wasn't so childish as to accept candy as a bribe. "What's wrong, Sevvy? Too old for candy?"

If Snape's expression could grow any darker, it would have. Never taking his eyes off of Tonks, Snape dug his hand into the bag and emerged with a handful of the very sweet and sour candy. He then made the mistake of putting said handful into his mouth all at once.

Tonks burst into laughter and even Dumbledore had to hold back as Snape's mouth puckered and his eyes widened. Never one to admit defeat, he sat stoically and continued to chew and suck on the candy. That was the scene Draco came upon when he awoke, Snape's mouth still resembling that of a fish.

"Is it morning?" he yawned, relishing in the feeling of having just woken up without any pain yet.

"Nope, but hello anyway, Sleepyhead," Tonks greeted, leaning her elbows on the bed. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah," he said, surprised by the answer himself. "What time is it then if it isn't morning?"

"Just about six," she said, "and almost time for dinner. You'll finally get to taste muggle hospital food! Isn't it exciting? It's really gross stuff, but it's good for you."

"You're not exactly making me want to eat it," the Slytherin said. Moving his eyes from Tonks' bright pink hair, he focused on Snape, still looking fish like. "What's wrong, Uncle Sev?"

"He just ate one too many lemon drops," Dumbledore chuckled. "I'd offer one to you, Draco, but I'm sure your doctor would have my head. Speaking of doctors, there's an important conversation we should be having."

Draco winced, already knowing what they were going to ask and he knew there would be no getting out of this one. "I'd just like a drink of water first," he said quietly, staring up at the ceiling and refusing to meet anyone's gaze.

Before the cup was handed to Draco, Severus took several gulps out of it and then refilled it with his wand. Tonks leaned over and cranked the lever on the bed and then fluffed the pillows behind the Slytherin so he could lean comfortably backwards.

"First off," said Dumbledore, "is we're going to create a cover story for how you got out of the hospital last time. Were there any specific injuries that would have made your escape difficult?"

"I had a broken leg," Draco muttered, now looking down at Sparkles lying in his lap. "And a broken arm with a few broken ribs."

All three adults' faces were grave and Draco continued to stare at his stuffed dragon. "That certainly does make an escape seem quite difficult," Tonks said after a moment. "I don't think there is a way for you to have gotten out without someone having come and gotten you themselves."

"Tonks is correct," Dumbledore said heavily. "You were what, eight?" At Draco's nod he continued, "There is no possible way someone with your injuries at so young an age would have escaped completely unnoticed."

"What if we say he had outside help?" Snape suggested, putting a comforting hand on Draco's knee that lay beneath the blanket. "Someone came in and took him?"

"Like who?" Draco laughed, although it was mirthless. "My father?"

"It would work to some extent," Dumbledore said gently. "Somehow, he was alerted and came and got you and just went around all hospital protocol. And your number was unlisted in the phone book so the nurse couldn't find you."

"How do you explain though how Lucius would have found out?" Snape asked.

"The television?" Tonks suggested. "Maybe there was coverage of the accident? It'd probably say so in Draco's file, right? I'll go check really quickly."

Quickly casting an illusion charm on herself, Tonks raced out the door to go find Draco's file; a little 'point me' should do the trick nicely. If she had to, she could always just summon it.

Back in the room the silence was quickly becoming unbearable for Draco, who could feel the steady gazes of both older wizards trained on him. "How did you come to be here, Draco?" Dumbledore asked kindly. "And how did you manage to leave?"

A single tear ran down Draco's cheek and fell onto the sheet below. "I was stupid," he said, so quietly it was nearly a whisper. "I made him angry and he punished me. But instead of just… I left the manor," he said, voice disjointed, "and I had no idea where I was going. I just wanted to get away.

"I ended up getting hit by a truck and brought here. When I woke up I found out it wasn't St. Mungo's but a muggle hospital and I had to get away. The nurse left to look my name up in a weird book… I'm not sure…Dobby came and brought me back to the manor."

"Dobby did?" Dumbledore said. "Did you summon him?"

Draco shook his head. "I just remember wanting to go home. And then he just sort of appeared and took me back."

"And what happened once you got back home?" Dumbledore asked.

"I'd rather not talk about it."

Dumbledore bowed his head. "Very well. Thank you for sharing that with me, Draco. There is just one more matter of importance to be discussed. Beth read us the report from earlier, and it was noted that there were definite signs of…" Seeing no gentle way to word it he merely said, "Abuse. I'm quite certain the doctor will want to know about that."

Draco said nothing.

"I understand it is hard to talk about," Snape said softly. "But you are not alone, Draco. Growing up I too dealt with what you went through. My father…" he paused, noticing how Draco's eyes had widened and were focused on him. "My father was often drunk during my childhood and would hurt both my mother and myself in his rage.

"I'm sharing this with you because you deserve to know about my life since we're asking you to share yours. I know it's difficult, but what happened is in the past now. If Lucius does anything, you're to tell us right away, all right?"

Sniffling, Draco nodded and collapsed in Snape's arms as his godfather pulled him into a hug. Remaining like that for just a few more seconds was enough and Snape carefully lowered Draco back to rest against the pillows.

"We'll explain to the doctor about the earlier situation if you don't wish to," Dumbledore kindly said. "He's a very nice man though and I'm sure he won't press you to say anything you don't feel comfortable about."

As if on cue, the door swung open and the doctor, a tall black man with kind, twinkling eyes like Dumbledore's, walked in followed by Beth. "Draco," he greeted, extending his hand with a large smile. "It's nice to see you awake," he said, giving Draco's hand a gentle but firm shake. "I'm Dr. Salus. How're you feeling?"

"A little sore," Draco said softly, looking curiously on as Salus examined and took notes off of several of the screens next to him.

The doctor chuckled. "If a little sore was really how you felt, then I'd be some kind of miracle doctor. Really, how do you feel? Chest bothering you? Any headache or lightheadedness? Nausea?"

Finally truthful (he was never one to complain) Draco admitted that his head did hurt a lot, especially his forehead, his left leg was hurting some, his whole upper torso was sore, and it was rather painful to move around much.

"That sounds much more accurate," Salus said, nodding as he placed his stethoscope butterfly-light over Draco's heart, grimacing in response to Draco's wince and sudden jerk. "Does it hurt to take a deep breath?" he asked, moving the instrument to Draco's back and listening to the intake of breath as cold metal hit warm flesh.

Experimenting, Draco gave a nod as a shudder passed through his body and his lung seemed to be on fire. "I figured as much," Salus said. "You almost pierced a lung and as it was your broken rib did hit it. I expect it'll be sore for a few days more. Breathing normally though is all right?"

Another nod.

"He does keep coughing," Snape said, stepping in as his godson opted to tone down his injuries.

Salus checked something off on his clipboard. "For tonight then we might have you wear the oxygen mask, Draco." To Beth he asked, "Beth, what dosage of morphine is he on?"

As the nurse rattled off a string of numbers and words Draco couldn't even begin to comprehend, the door opened and Tonks came in, halting in her tracks as she saw the doctor. As Dumbledore caught her eye she gave a discreet nod and a thumbs up.

After a few more questions about his current health the conversation took a turn for the worse, at least in Draco's opinion. "A few years ago, Draco, you were admitted here," Salus said, looking at his notes. "You had heavy injuries from both a truck hitting you and from what we think may have been abuse at home."

He watched Draco's face carefully, feeling a wave of sympathy for the boy as he seemed to flinch at the words. "However," he continued, "you managed to get out of the hospital and vanish until yesterday without a word. We were hoping you might be able to explain. If you don't wish to do so right now though, that's all right, although we will require an answer before we discharge you."

Draco glanced up at his mentors. Dumbledore gave him a smile and his eyes twinkled. Snape gave a small nod, but squeezed Draco's hand gently. Tonks gave a bob of her head and a wink. Draco sighed and glanced up at Salus, who was patiently looking on with warm, comforting eyes.

"Before I lose my nerve," the Slytherin muttered. And then a second later, he was launching into the part truthful, part-cover story the three had devised without a backwards glance.

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"Do you want to go down to dinner first?"

"No, let's just go back to our room. I'm really tired, Pansy."

The girl nodded understandably and helped steady her fellow Slytherin as he stumbled forward. She had gotten back from Ashford nearly two hours ago and had been sitting with Blaise since, who had been sleeping for the most part. He'd awoken a while ago though and Madam Pomfrey had said he could stay here another night if he'd like, or he could go back to the dungeons. Blaise had opted the latter despite Pansy's slight protests. He hadn't wanted her going back to a den of snakes alone.

Fortunately, amidst all the confusion of the day, someone had replaced Blaise's bed and new robes and books had been produced (Pansy strongly suspected Dumbledore was behind it). She herself wasn't all that keen on going back, but it wasn't like they could hide in the Hospital Wing until the winter holidays. They still had nearly six weeks!

So with her wand in one hand and the other resting lightly on Blaise's back in case he needed support, the two outcasts made their way back to the lower recesses of the castle, breath misting in the air long before they reached the serpent doorway.

"Remember," she breathed, "not a word about Draco. We don't know where he is. And try not to piss them off too much…we just want to get to our rooms." At Blaise's nod, Pansy muttered the password a Gryffindor had uttered hours before and the door slid open.

She had been expecting an empty common room, with at most one or two people. It was dinner hour and most students should have been happily gorging themselves. But instead what they got was the entire court and a few other Slytherins, leering at them as soon as their presence was known.

Pansy continued across the room, her eyes lowered to the ground as she made her way to the staircase, Blaise in tow. But just as she was about to go up a pair of beefy seventh years guards blocked the way, staring down at her with malice in their eyes.

"What, leaving so soon?" Nott called amiably from his spot on the leather couch. "Really now, there's so much to talk about."

"I have nothing to say to bastards like you," Pansy said, looking up and glaring at the older Slytherin.

"Pansy," Blaise hissed in her ear. "You were the one telling me not to antagonize them. What are you doing?"

Instead of the scathing remark both had been expecting, they got Nott's cruel laughter in return. "Always the little hot head," he laughed. "Well, guess what?" he said, demeanor turning chilly in a second. "Draco isn't the only one who betrayed our house, is he?"

"I have no idea what you mean," Pansy said, voice almost as cold. "As far as I know it we did no betrayal. And if you fail to see it that way, then fine. But don't pull us into your court drama. We don't want any of it."

"Well, maybe I want you," he said, sliding off the couch and making his way towards the two. "Even though you're an outcast, Pansy, you still are very pretty." He was in front of them now and Pansy had her wand pointed out at him, hand steady.

"Come one step closer and you'll regret it," she hissed, dark eyes flashing.

"And just what do you think you can do? That's the thing about flowers. They're beautiful to look at… but so easily crushed."

Saying such, he moved forward in such a fluid movement that Pansy could do nothing as her wand was wrenched from her fingers.

"Hey!" Blaise said, putting a hand on Pansy's shoulder to help balance himself. "Nott, just knock it off. We don't want to fight."

"Did I say I wanted to fight?" the King asked, raising an eyebrow. "No, I don't think I did. Although beating someone up would be doable. Would you like to volunteer, Zabini?"

"Kiss my arse."

As Nott gave a short nod at the guards, Blaise fired off his wand, yelling 'Expelliarmus' at the top his lungs. The spell worked, as Nott's and Pansy's wands came soaring towards Blaise, but just before he could grab them, a spell hit him from the back and sent him crashing head over heels.

"BLAISE!" Pansy screamed, bending down to scoop up her wand from the floor and fight. A hand tightened about her wrist and she yelped in pain at the pressure, the wand falling once more to the floor.

"Pansies don't have thorns," Nott whispered, tongue licking her ear.

"LET HER GO!" Blaise shouted, picking himself up from the floor, eyes like hot pieces of coal. "Stupefy!"

Nott dodged and pulled Pansy in front of him, allowing her to take the curse. She fell slack into his arms, her mouth open in a scream of terror. Blaise took a step forward, head reeling and the room seeming to move. "Let her go, Nott," he snarled.

"Why?" he asked, tracking the side of her face with his finger. "I think she rather likes all of the attention, don't you Pansy?"

"You let her go now. Or I swear I'll-"

"You'll what?" Nott taunted. "Let me remind you, Zabini, there is a whole court at my disposal. I needn't waste my time with you."

"EXP-"

As one, the guard cast the body-mind spell, rendering Blaise completely immobile. "That was much easier," Nott said, walking over and kicking Blaise harshly in the side. "You aren't worthy to duel me, Traitor," he said, kicking the boy again. To his guards he said, "Bind him." And then, on second thought, he said, "Bind her too."

Within seconds, both lay with their hands and feet wrapped in heavy rope and the paralyzing spells were beginning to wear off. "I'll play with you in a little bit, Pansy," Nott said, brushing her cheek with a kiss. "I've some trash to deal with."

"STOP IT!" she cried, thrashing and nearly landing a kick into Nott's stomach, quite a feat with her position.

Eyes flashing in anger, Nott whipped around and slapped her across the face. "Flowers don't speak. They're just there to look pretty." Tapping his wand on her mouth, he muttered 'Silencio' effectively quieting her, although she continued to shout and scream at him.

"You aren't going to get the same treatment," Nott smirked, watching as the bound Slytherin glared up at him. "I'll let you get well acquainted with my foot though." Said foot raised and landed a heavy blow into Blaise's side, the boy howling in pain behind the gag that had been tied around his mouth. Over and over again, Nott kicked the younger Slytherin until he had rolled him all the way across the floor and was hitting him against the wall.

Reaching down, Nott hauled Blaise up by the front of his robes. Cocking back his elbow, he let fly a punch into Blaise's face and blood spurted everywhere, some even getting on Nott. And then, he gently patted Blaise's cheek. "Now, don't you feel better? I know I do. How's this? I'll let you stay awake while I deal with your pretty little friend." Blaise could do little more than give a weak glare, blood dribbling out of his mouth and down his forehead into his eyes.

Nott sauntered over to Pansy and knelt down next to her. "Would you rather do this here or go to my bed?" he asked, staring lustfully down at her. "Oh, don't worry," he whispered, watching as her eyes widened in fear. "I'm just going to give you a taste tonight."

Turning to the rest of the court he said, "You may all head to dinner now. Do not worry, things will be fine here." Nodding and bowing in request, the court members filed out leaving a nearly unconscious Blaise, a bound Pansy and Nott, the oh so noble king.

Within seconds of the last Slytherin leaving, Nott captured Pansy's lips, forcing himself upon her. Crying now, she tried to turn her head, but he fiercely yanked it back. Cupping her face in both hands, he deepened the kiss, pulling her towards him despite her protests.

In order to gain a more dominant position, he straddled her waist, pressing his hands on her shoulders to keep her rooted to the ground. Pansy snapped her teeth and tried to bite him as he came back after taking in air, but he merely slapped her again, her head flinging backwards like a rag doll's.

He chewed lightly on her lower lip, before biting hard and drawing blood. Minutes later, he removed himself and stood, looking down at the girl. Her lips were bruised and dripping blood and her cheeks were red from being repeatedly backhanded.

Grabbing her by her hair, he dragged her to where Blaise was lying on the ground, his eyes dark with worry and confusion, but filled with pain as well. With a wave of his wand, their ropes unbound and they could speak once more, although both remained silent.

"I hope you learned your lessons," Nott sneered. "If you don't want something worse, then I suggest breaking ties to all those Gryffindors. Because, believe me, I can do a lot worse. For now, I'm going to hold onto your wands," he said, tucking both into his pocket. "You can have them back on Monday for classes."

"You aren't going to get away with this," Pansy hissed, although her voice was raspy from screaming. "We'll-"

"What? Go to Dumbledore? It's not like he can do anything. The court rules were put into place by Salazar himself. And anything, short of killing, is legal according to those rules. Perhaps if you weren't Slytherin, but you are and now you're going to have to deal with the consequences."

Pansy bit back her retort as realization slowly sunk in. It was court law that anything the King or Queen decided would be played out and there was nothing anyone besides the court could do about it. It had never struck home like this before though, because she had been on the court since her fourth year and was used to making and casting judgment, not the one being given judgment to. And never had anything so violent and seemingly unfair ever happened. Ever. The only reason Draco would have been able to tell on Nott was because he used Dark Magic. In this case, he hadn't, so there was nothing to report.

With one last feral grin, Nott strode from the room and towards the Great Hall. "Madam Pomfrey's not going to be happy about seeing you again," Pansy said through a strangled laugh. And then she started to sob, her tears dripping down her face to land on Blaise's. "Why, Blaise? Why do they have to do this?"

Blaise weakly lifted his hand and laced it atop Pansy's. "I dunno Pansy," he said quietly, his words followed by a gut-wrenching cough as he spat out blood. "We just…"

Wiping her hands across her eyes, Pansy hushed the other Slytherin. "C'mon, we're going to the Hospital Wing. You need to get looked at."

"And you?" he asked softly, reaching up and gingerly touching her cheek.

She sniffed and shook her head. "I'm fine. A little bruised and shoved around, but nothing I can't handle."

"I didn't mean physically."

"Oh. Well, I'm fine. Don't worry." It would have been near impossible though to miss how she lightly touched her lips and winced, a tear making its way down her cheek. "Let's go before they come back."

She gingerly helped Blaise to his feet and the two silently made their way from the room, but in the opposite direction of dinner.

They knew they would have to give something up for their friendship with Gryffindors. They had all given up their rank. Draco had nearly given his life. Blaise had given up his pride. And Pansy had given up her first kiss.

But how could a kiss compare to the pain Blaise and Draco had endured? It couldn't, not at all in Pansy's mind.

But she still had to give it up.

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Author's Notes:

I'm really glad so many of you like the 'court' system I set up in Slytherin. It's a lot of fun to write, actually, and I never could imagine the Slytherins without some type of hierarchy. Anyways, glad you enjoy it because it plays quite a large role with the status of our favorite trio of Slytherins. If you're looking for some lighter, fluffier stuff, don't run away. It'll be here in a few chapters; and the angst will be dying down in here quite a bit in a chapter or two.

Wow, look at that update time. My fingers must be on fire! (They actually almost were, I'm very bad around ovens and I had to get muffins out of it…but it's okay, everything worked out!). I don't know how long this update speed shall last for as spring term is here and my classes are piling up homework like crazy (finals are approaching in a few weeks too xD). It's like my profs. have nothing better to do xD

Also, I've been thinking of illustrating a comic to deal with a scene from Parenting Class.I dunno why really, I just want to try doing expressions and backgrounds xD If anyone has any suggestion of a favorite scene that would A. Be humorous and so that those who never read the fic could understand the basis of the joke and B. Be short enough to fit into 4-6 panels, then please let me know via review or PM :P

I've been asked to post the prophecy again, but it'd be a waste of room on here (and you all prolly thought I wrote more :P). The prophecy is located in the very beginning of chapter 10! So, just click the back arrow a few times if you want to read it again.

And definitely not least, is thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews! They always make me smile. If you read then please review! Even just a simple 'please update' keeps me motivated. If you added this story to your alert/favorites list, it'd be great if you could drop in what you think of the story too!!

Updated: April 20, 2008