READ PLEASE: An important note guys, I have decided to start this back up when it reaches the next half term. I do not have the time to write it and you guys don't have the time to read it since we are all busy. So...look forward to the first day of the half term and daily updates and I hope all of you meet me there :)

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When the dawn approaches

"That blasted weasel is going to pay!"

Draco Malfoy stalked through the corridors with an air of pure rage that made the paintings lining the walls shrink away, not daring to invoke any more fury from the pearly blonde they tried to ignore him. Some scowled as he briskly strutted past with his wand tip ignited with a beautifully bright light, a light that illuminated the pitch-black corridors and guided him through the desolated school.

On peering through the glassless windows he saw an extremely faint green tinge on the horizon that signalled dawn was nearing, although it was still incredibly early with it being around four o'clock in the morning. And why, you may ask, was Draco awake and rampaging through the darkness at this time? He clearly only had one thing plaguing his mind as he entered the Entrance Hall with an aura that could kill.

As he harshly grabbed the looped handle of the double doors that would be his exit he had to grab the one metal ring with both hands as he yanked it open bit by bit. The doors were just too big and heavy as he opened it just enough for him to sidle through before pulling it closed again behind him.

A chilling yet refreshing breeze swept over him and made his hair fly with a grace that could rival swirling white flames, the pearly white locks gleaming magnificently in the pale light of the moon. The wind itself seemed to embrace him in its freezing clutches and he shivered as he tightened his emerald scarf wrapped around his neck. Hastily pulling out his black gloves his breath was visible in the crisp morning air as he tugged them on—winter was definitely close.

Perhaps it's already upon us, Malfoy thought with foreign concern swimming in his silvery eyes, the stunning moonlight from the still present half moon gleaming in his glassy orbs.

With a deep inhale of breath he relished the cool sensation in his throat before hurriedly beginning to make his way over the bridge, his still lit wand glowing blue in his grasp. His eyes gazed at the Black Lake that appeared to live up to its name with the still extremely dark sky reflected in its waters, the half moon shining milky white against the gently lapping waves and causing a silver streak across the lake. It was such a deadly lake but was also so serene at the same time.

As the moonlight pierced through the gaps in the structure of the bridge it bathed him, really giving him a stunning appearance as it made his normal black suit appear to glow. To anyone that could have been watching at such an ungodly hour would have called him nothing less than dashing.

"Well, Draco," Charlie said in a silky tone and Draco felt himself seethe at him disobeying his order again. "I am sadly afraid that I must ask you to leave, I deeply hope you come down to visit occasionally."

Snarling he marched even more vigorously than before as he hissed, "How dare him! Who does that scum think he is?"

The pale blades of grass were covered in crystalline beads of frozen dew which crunched under his dragon scaled boots as he travelled across the grounds. It truly was cold as the wind itself seemed to scratch at his vulnerable face like unshed claws, cold enough to make icicles hang from the now completely bare Maple tree branches above. It was a spectacular sight but he wished it to be warmer.

He spotted the sickeningly familiar barn-like house at the edge of the grounds with its infuriating little black door and its infuriating little ginger resident hidden inside. His stomach did a strange sort of flip which made him nauseous and he despised the Weasley for it, for it only happened when anything `Charlie` related occurred.

Deep down, as he effortlessly climbed the three steps and approached the door, he considered that Charlie had done this deliberately to lure him here.

Charlie Weasley all of a sudden looked up at Draco, a stern yet concerned look in his eyes as he questioned, "And will you?"

Draco's hand froze halfway to the round door knob, frozen in its uncertainty...in his uncertainty. Would he?

"Will you do it like your father asks of you? Will you become a Deatheater?"

Once calm eyes became unfocused with his inner turmoil and the hovering gloved hand clenched on empty air. He did not have to be here and he knew that. He could seriously just turn around and return to Hogwarts, pretending that he had never left...but he could not.

Would he? Would he become a Deatheater to sate his father's wishes? Would he do it...against his better judgment?

"Always remember, Draco...never do anything you do not want to do. You will come to regret it in the end."

"Curse him and all his little red-headed midget descendents to hell." Draco growled.

Finally deciding to grab the icy cold metal of the handle his fingers curled around it. There was a twist of his wrist, a twist of the knob, then a resounding click as it once again unlocked and allowed him access. Taking a deep breath he entered, he had his own reasons for being here anyway.

He once again found the large sliding door lined with useless chains that were not padlocked, making him roll his eyes at the stupidity of it all as he stepped closer. No fear was harboured in him like before as he knew what lie beyond the metal door now...but did he really want to go back in? It was too late now anyway as the soft thuds of his boots alerted the other of his presence.

"I know you are there, Draco. Your presence is always welcome." Charlie told him through the still shut door, not opening it as if he wanted Draco to come in of his own free will and choice.

Not giving time for the shadows under the door to even move Draco shot his hand out for the notch in the metal. His hand thrust into it effortlessly. Furiously, he threw the door aside. A huge bang boomed as it harshly hit the wall. Malfoy stalked towards Charlie with so much rage it awoke Norbert as he roared, "How dare you! Sneaking away like the disgusting weasel you are as if you hadn't done a thing!"

Norbert snorted a small puff of black smoke as he watched Draco with adoring yet intense golden eyes, those feline-like eyes filled with a strange concern for the human he had come to bond with without much effort. The dragon did not know why he was drawn to the white blonde but it just felt...natural. Giving a whine of distress at the Malfoy's practically burning aura he gazed straight into the others eyes.

Draco's anger seemed to dose down somewhat and in turn the scorching aura of his was dampened, much to the delight of the lime green dragon that seemed to smile at him in approval.

Forcing himself to remain calm, not looking at Charlie's worried features, Draco sighed, "You have something of mine...I want it back."

"I truly must apologise my dear Draco, for I myself only realised too late that I had taken it with me. It was truly unintentional," Charlie informed, his silky voice drowning in its own sincerity with that familiar charming tint. "You have my word on it."

With that Charlie looked down at his pocket and took out the letter they had talked about on the roof, he honestly had forgotten about it. Politely flattening out the crinkles in the parchment he handed it over, giving a small and apologetic bow of his head. He stared at the floor when Draco took the letter from his hand with obvious suspicion.

"...Just like that?" Draco prodded, not being able to trust him or anyone for that matter. "You could've marched up to Dumbledore's office like a tattletale and literally thrown this knowledge at him. You could've easily got me expelled, or even me and my father arrested-"

"Why would I do such a thing?" Charlie gasped and Draco was more than a little unnerved as the ginger took a step closer. "Do you...honestly believe that...I would do such a dreadful thing to you?"

A huge fraction of the Malfoy's mind actually agreed with him for, when looking back on everything, he noticed how Charlie was not that sort of person. The dragon tamer was a polite and sincere—and infuriatingly charming, Draco mentally added—gentleman. There was just no way he would have willingly rated him out.

Malfoy was momentarily forced out of his thoughts with a gasp of shock; something hot had just suddenly hit his back. Darting his eyes behind him he found Norbert nuzzling his back affectionately, his golden eyes gazing up at him as the thorny tail of his thumped the floor like a happy dogs. Draco just shook his head slowly as he thought, what is it with these two when it comes to me?

Before Draco could do a thing he blinked as he abruptly found a smiling Charlie holding out a steaming mug of something, that charming smile was the Charlie Weasley he knew. An instinctive wave of distain washed over him and he scowled before crossing his arms in defiance of the offer. The scent in the air was thick, delicious and sweet, catching in his nose and taunting him. It signalled hot chocolate and Draco began to debate how long he had been standing there idle for this to happen.

"Please, I insist. You look incredibly cold, Draco." Charlie warmly offered and the Slytherin felt more unease at the soft look in his eyes—a caring look.

"It's Malfoy," Draco hissed and reluctantly snatched the white mug from the other, accepting it as he glared. "And you will do well to remember it."

Charlie just chuckled at his moon dragon who gingerly sipped his hot chocolate as if he had never tasted it before, holding the cup in his black gloved fingers and allowing the warmth to seep into his hands. There were only two words to describe Draco Malfoy in his opinion—absolutely adorable.

Charlie suddenly glanced at his wizard watch that read 4:32AM and bit his lip. Meeting eyes with Draco, who had raised an eyebrow, he said, "I must apologise yet again but I must begin preparing Norbert for an early morning flight."

Draco glimpsed the time on the watch and just watched him suspiciously head to a wall to unhook an extremely large and fireproof flying saddle. Yeah, an extremely early morning flight, Draco thought in disbelief.

"I know you have classes since it is Thursday but it is incredibly early, it will probably be easier for you to rest here. There is a spare bedroom upstairs," Charlie grinned at the others unsure look before continuing with buckling and hooking the saddle properly to Norbert. "Have a pleasant sleep...Draco."

"It's Malfoy!" Draco repeated again with much exasperation.

Charlie just gave quite an alluring chuckle and Malfoy practically seethed on the spot as the sound rang in his eardrums. Seriously, nothing fazed this God damn Weasley! But Draco had pledged an oath to himself, he would make the weasel crack!

"I bid you farewell, then," Charlie said his goodbyes like a proper gentleman, gracefully hauling himself up to sit in the saddle as the blondes eyes rolled once more.

"Do you have to be so theatrical? If I didn't know any better you could be an ancient Victorian." Draco retorted.

"Thou has seen through thy disguise O fair friend of mine," Charlie genuinely beamed as he spoke in Victorian language and played along. Draco just gaped at him. How did this older man always throw everything right back at him?

A few moments of pure silence passed between them, the silence enveloping the hay littered room in its comforting embrace. There was no tension or stiffness drifting in the air as Charlie pulled out his wand and muttered and incantation. Loud clinks of locks unlocking were heard. The huge double doors slowly began to slide open.

Only when there was a quiet clang of the metal doors reaching their limit did Charlie return his gaze to his company, "Remember, Draco...it is your choice."

The Slytherin knew instantly he was referring to the letter, causing him to grip his still full mug of hot chocolate tighter. He watched in awe of the dragon as Norbert yawned and stretched his magnificent wings to full wingspan—preparing to fly.

Just as the lime dragon powerfully pushed off and started to soar away Draco clicked and yelled, "IT'S MALFOY YOU DISOBEDIENT WEASEL!"

A distinctive laugh of the rider was muffled out over the rushing winds as Draco shielded his eyes with one of his arms, the other still holding the hot beverage. As soon as they vanished into the now rising sun the double doors automatically closed with the magical spell to keep the warmth in.

"Infuriating weasel..." Draco muttered and trailed off as he took a large gulp of his drink. A drink that, he would never admit audibly, was completely and utterly delicious.

Yet, as he stood there quietly in thought, he could not shake off a strange feeling brewing deep inside him. His eyebrows furrowed as he cupped the hot mug in his gloved hands tighter. Why did it feel...like something dreadful was about to happen?

XXXX

"My dear...dear...servant," Came a low hiss, holding so much threat and warning in the deadly pauses that it made the recipient squirm. "I trust...that the deed is done."

"Almost, my lord," The other barely answered.

"...Almost?"

A suffocating silence fell over the black meeting table, the green embers of the lit candles flickering on the shiny surface. The burning flames were threatening to go out as a magically forced breeze swept around the table. Bellatrix snickered at the others obvious distress and her eyes sparkled menacingly in the green light as the face across from her paled. Everything was silent...deadly silent.

That breeze, a breeze that was so chilling and horrifying, abruptly dimmed the candles. Each flickered out...one by one. Darkness began to grip the room and suddenly Bellatrix's mad laughter pierced the silence.

A white and gnarled hand gripped the back of his chair and he secretly gulped. Lips ghosted hot breath across his ear as the Dark Lord repeated in a haunting whisper, "Almost...Lucius?"

"Yes my Lord, for I have not heard from my son yet." Lucius calmly replied, bottling up his nerves.

"Why?" Voldemort asked in a sickeningly calm voice that sent evil chills up Lucius' spine. A clawed finger of his hand slowly travelled across Lucius' slender neck, a neck so fragile it would take mere moments to snap if he so pleased. His nail dug slightly into the tender neck to make his point hit home and Lucius flinched. "Why? He doesn't have a choice to begin with..."

The Dark Lord agonisingly slowly withdrew from the nervous Malfoy and Bellatrix whimpered in disappointment. Every other member who sat around the tense table were fearfully silent, the Dark lord was angry—furious. Although their leader was acting calm...it was a terrifying calm.

"My lord-"

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"