Guest - I hadn't actually thought of Snape… so I'm real glad you mentioned him because he made his way into the chapter a little ;) though I won't consider his unbreakable vow because I am truly no good at "veering" in another direction than the centre couple so to speak… ^^

Arim0 - Thank you so much! I'm glad you like it! Hope the update was fast enough for you ;)

AnyankaEllie - Yes I had wanted to put her in the previous chapter but I actually forgot… so that's the way she came in the 13th haha oh yes cold feet all round!

Kigen Dawn - Oh well you know Harry :) goody two shoes, if he promises something then he does!

Chapter Fourteen : Monday 14th of April 1997

Things had become usual. The situation was stable, albeit not ideal; but it brought a semblance of normality that Draco had longed for through the entire year. Things were predictable, and for once, it was nice.

People avoided him like the plague, probably fearing that he'll kill them or poison them or turn them in. Squeeter had, in beetle form probably, found out of his change of allegiance, so of course she told everybody that he was indeed amongst the Dark followers, and probably still was. Draco didn't care much. He knew where and who he was, and he had never been one to care. He spent his time with Blaise once more; sitting around reading letters in the common room; Draco just listened. He spoke to Pansy every now and again; but her previous absence had made it all the more clear how annoying she was. And then there was Harry. There had been no more touches between them, except the odd shoulder bump and hand shake. They studied a lot for the coming owls, they talked of not too important stuff; speaking of the future without mentioning the unmentionable.

As for him, Harry, things were getting usual, far from where he used to be. People feared him as they fear the unknown. They don't know of werewolves and other than a distinct fascination for the creature, they still consider it to be a beast. Some people, more experienced ones we could say, had come to say him, giving their condolences as if he had died. The Slytherins feared him too, and retaliated in the only way they know: they mocked him endlessly. Seeing his grievance no doubt, found the golden trio reformed yet slightly damaged. Granger, who has never really left, came back, bringing a Weasel with his tails between his legs and a grunted Sorry. So Draco had been told. This was considered as the Silver lining.

Things were like that now. Every so often something "different" would happen and they'd be thrown; just for a bit. Draco had been attacked, once, that was new. Harry had a new fan who seemed fond of his bad boy status. Carine her name was, probably, and she will keep touching Harry's arm. Oh what muscles. Draco had felt too, and he'd have to disagree. All this may be out of the ordinary, but it is never ground-breaking enough to make a difference.

So when a sealed parchment from the ministry arrived early that morning, if felt like something might just change. He was outside eating with breakfast with Harry in the courtyard. He opened it while hiding its content.

I, Lucius Malfoy, do hereby declare that my son, Draco Abraxas Malfoy, is to be removed from my will. He will receive nothing. He is no longer to use the Malfoy name or to take any claim on Malfoy properties.

He stopped reading the legal matters and folded it. He breathed and looked at the sun shining above them.

"Oh well" He said "I'm a black now"

"But you're white" Harry replied automatically. Draco rolled his eyes.

"No I am a black, you douchebag, I know I'm white"

"Ok you lost me. How do you mean you're a black?"

"Oh I've just been disinherited. I am no longer a Malfoy. Logical move now would be to take my mother's name. Thus I am a Black" He stopped for a moment to think "Oh Merlin we're related. I had never really noticed"

"Related?"

"Yeah. Draco Malfoy - Narcissa Black - Bellatrix Black - Sirius Black - Harry Potter. We're all related"

"That's … great"

"Lets never talk of this again"

"Agreed"

"""""""""""

Snape looked at Draco with fatigue. He had come to see his professor over the course of the day to tell him of the news; of course he already knew.

"You have put me in a difficult position" His godfather told him "As you and your mother left, my loyalty is being disreputed"

"But you're not loyal"

"That is neither here nor there. I see Potter's thickness had rubbed off on you" He sighed "Fact remains that the Dark Lord no longer let's me be informed"

"Lick his boots. Usually works"

"If you are going to tell nonsense Draco you may leave"

"Posh"

Snape got up and turned in his office, looking over his stock aimlessly. His hair moved not because of the grease but his cloak swished as he turned.

"There is more" He added "And I should not tell you during your parole, or any other time; but you might be useful"

"About what?"

Snape scanned the room for any stray ears and locked the door, putting a silencing spell around them. He sat down behind his desk and bottles.

"The Dark Lord is gaining power" He said "His followers are increasing every day"

"And?"

"And, he has plans to attack the school before the year is out"

"School year or 1997?"

"1997; I do believe he will attempt the takeover during the first month of your seventh year. Of course he was planning to take the school this week but you broke the cabinet"

"Don't sound so disappointed"

"I applaud your choice"

Draco thought of it. September then. That means that they have but five months left to overpower him. Damn.

"Severus" Draco started "In what might I be useful?"

"You know Malfoy Manor better than anyone else. You have Malfoy blood and you can pass the wards should it be needed"

"So.. an infiltrator then?"

"If needed"

Draco nodded and got up.

"I have got to go Severus"

"You can come again at any time"

"Thanks"

He left light headed, because he couldn't think of anything. It hadn't sunk in yet. How could it? He had been working on the cabinet for months, he had been threatened regularly, but it had all been very far away. He stopped on a corner of the hall and looked at his mark. But it was real, and he was part of it. He was useful, but not if the signal remained upon his skin. He is seen and known. A risk.

"""""""""""

It was a cold night for mid April. The clouds were Gray above the tables in the great Hall, raindrops fell without touching anyone; but it was almost like they left a cold trail in their wake. The food was warm but had long since lost it's winter luster. Blaise prodded Draco in the ribs.

"What's up Princess? You on a diet again?"

"I'm just not very hungry" War was coming, and faster than any one of them could realise. He looked around at the smiles and cheerful glee on the students faces, blissful in their innocence. He figured he should celebrated the fake peace they are at now, as if the morning paper had not noted of yet another murder. They all pretended not to know. Well Draco knew, and he was fairly certain that there was at least one person on his side; and if he wasn't then he was going to be. He folded a note and charmed it to the Gryffindor table.

Meet me after dinner by the stones?

Ps: don't forget a warming spell, you'll get ill.

It reached Harry who looked up and nodded with a smile in his direction. Blaise chuckled.

"Meeting your boyfriend? Again"

"Shut up Blaise" He laughed some more.

Draco didn't stay for dinner but took his cold self down the common room to grab his cloak. He saw from the corner of his eye a gang of five Slytherins in the corner; back a few weeks he would have leaded them on the path to greatness, now it merely felt exhausting. He dragged his body out to the stones. It had become one of their usuals, the circle of large rocks, precisely where Granger had hit him on the road to Hagrid's. Potter was not there yet, Draco was alone. Alone with his thought and they were not amusing. Thoughts of fire and pain plagued him; thought of that creature that just wouldn't die. Thoughts of wolves.

"Hey Dray" The wolf called behind him.

"Good evening"

"Gee did you miss me that much to drag me out here? It's freezing"

"Yes, a whole afternoon is too long too bear"

"Sweet"

Harry was indeed shivering underneath his mantel so Draco got his wand out.

"I did tell you to use a warming spell"

"I thought my fur would be enough"

"You haven't got any"

"At the moment, no"

"Proves my point"

"Shut up"

They smiled and Harry linked their arms together, as he does when he's cold.

"So, what did you want to see me for? I'm not buying the I missed you story"

"No it's more important than that"

"What?"

Draco started walking and Harry stayed by his side.

"I went to see Severus today. You know he's a spy right?" Harry nodded "Anyway he told me, in confidence, that things are speeding up on the dark side"

Harry remained fairly silent.

"In what way?" He asked.

"I'm not sure. Apparently his followers are growing. He's getting stronger. And…"

"And what?"

"He's planning an attack on the school, probably in September"

Harry just nodded. He didn't seem shocked, angry or upset. He seemed normal, unfazed. As if this type of news was usual for him; it probably is. They walked on.

"I already knew, I must admit" He said "I am in his mind you know. Plus I'm part of the order. I knew of his plans for the cabinet before I found out it was you. He's getting stronger"

"And, hero? What are you doing against it?"

"I'm killing him, bit by bit. Well not yet but I'm going to"

"Okay. Again"

He smiled and they stopped walking to sit on the nearest bench.

"Ever heard of Horcruxes?"

"Potter. I am a Malfoy, and a Slytherin. I am familiar with the Dark Arts"

"I won't go into that" He chuckled "Anyway. Voldemort has got a couple"

"Hang on" Draco turned towards Harry "What do you mean a couple?"

"Seven. He's got seven. Dumbledore told me some time ago"

"You have got to be kidding. Seven? That's huge!"

"Tell me about it. Bastard had to make it big"

"And you are destroying them? What you've got them all stacked on your mantle?"

"Oh no it wouldn't be fun. You want the full story?"

"Every detail"

Harry breathed in and put his arms behind his back on the bench, one laid behind Draco's back.

"So when he was a kid he learnt about Horcruxes and stuff, he wanted to be immortal I guess. I don't why but he wanted to make seven, so he did. In second year I came across his diary and without going into detail I destroyed it, and only just found out that it was a Horcruxe. So that's the story of the first one. Dumbledore found the second one, his grandmother's necklace. The other five are.. still fairly unknown. We think they have something to do with the four houses, because he seems that kind of guy"

"And the last one?"

"I'm still working on that. See, and this is confidential, Dumbledore is ill and he asked me to do the hunt. Shame about my last year"

"How do you mean?"

Harry turned to him, plunging his gaze in Draco's eyes.

"I'm leaving school Draco. This summer already. I finish exams and then I go away. I have to find these Horcruxes or it will never be over"

"So… after june, you won't be coming back?"

"No"

"And you might die?"

"I might. But it has to be done"

"Granger and Weasley going?"

"No I haven't told them. You're the only one that knows"

"So can I come?" He smiled.

"Yeah I can just imagine you with your bath towels and clean nails hiking in the woods. Princess of the trees"

Draco got up and stood in front of him, determined and with crossed arms.

"No Potter" He said "I'm serious"

He was starting to feel anxious. That whole situation, that had seemed far away, was breathing down his neck. He hardly knew where his courage came from, not from his blood certainly. He waited and watched. This was it. His making or his remaining. Harry got up with a sigh and put his hands on his shoulders.

"Draco" He whispered "I can't take you with me. You nor anyone else. I'm surprised you'd go so far to be with me but it's too dangerous. And it isn't some game, it's real. You can't just get started and break it halfway like you did with the cabinet. It's do or don't with this. I can't risk your life like that"

"Look at it from a practical point of view" His voice started shaking "Not only do I know the ways and means of the Dark side, I am also smart enough to kick your thick ass when you are about to do something stupid. And, let me add, not only am I am asset to you, you need me. What will you do during the full moons? Shut up and hope for the best? Far from your mate? At least I can prevent some of that"

Harry looked him deep in the eye with something akin to understanding and pain. He breathed deeply and looked away for a moment.

"I get what you say Draco" He said "But I'd rather die every full moon then put your life at risk"

That stopped Draco cold. He replayed the words a single time. Hearing it being said just made it all the more clear how much he really loves him; and made their conversation all the more painful to understand. He feared Harry's departure, the end of the year and perhaps the end of time. It felt like he would never see him again; that tomorrow never comes. So it happened.

Suddenly their lips were touching and Draco had his fingers buried deep into Harry's hair. He clung to him for dear life and Harry conveyed his shock motionlessly. It burned him within and he opened his mouth to breathe, to run away; but then arms wrapped themselves firmly around his waist and he was pulled flush against Harry's chest. Their lips parted and soon it was a kiss. They held on, nibbling at each other's lips and scared of letting go. Nails dug into their skin in a plea. Stay. But Draco felt the skin of Harry's hand on his side and reality returned, stinging him.

It was real and it had happened. How could he have been so stupid?! He let go and turned, running away as fast as he knows how.

"Draco wait!" Harry called behind him but he was becoming that animal again, and this is the full moon that kills him, over and over. And he will not put Harry's life at risk.