Draco grimaced at the 'Dumbledore's Army, still recruiting' slogan plastered on the wall, which Filch was trying to remove. For the last few weeks, the slogans had been spread all over the castle. The Death Eater siblings and Snape weren't happy about it, but the Headmaster chose to ignore it while the other two were increasing the violence of their punishments, which were becoming regular. And getting the other students to perform those punishments in the middle of class, was just going too far. Turning his back on Filch, he walked to the Great Hall and sat down beside Crabbe and Goyle. They were discussing the new Muggle Studies classes and they clearly approved of it. When they looked at Draco for his opinion, he simply smirked at them and they happily continued their conversation.

'They might be lesser than us, but no one deserves being cut open for being a minute too late in class,' he thought, and his eyes fell on the Gryffindors entering the Great Hall. He watched Neville, Seamus and Ginny walk over to their House table and sit down for dinner. He hadn't spoken to the dark blond since their confrontation and his breakdown because of it.

'It's them. I know it's them.' His thoughts got interrupted by the food appearing before him and Crabbe and Goyle immediately dug in to satisfy their hunger. 'How do I reach him?' Draco wondered as his eyes moved back to the Gryffindor table while he grabbed a piece of lamb before him. He had been trying to find a way for weeks, but every plan he came up with, would only push Neville more away from him. He couldn't force the other to be with him – in a relationship, not in a sexual way, unless it was consensual -, as the dark blond wasn't that shy uncertain boy any longer, who he could mould how he wanted. No, the other was becoming a man in his own right and Draco admired him for it, while at the same time hated the distance it created. Dinner went by without the blond really interacting with his friends and he was glad it was over. Following the other two outside, Snape suddenly stood before him.

"Draco." Just his name was enough for the blond to understand the Headmaster wanted a word with him. In silence they walked away from the crowd and only when they were alone, did Snape talk again. "You're being too obvious," he stated, and Draco gave him a confused look. "Stop staring at your little lion," he sneered with narrowed eyes and the blond avoided his eyes.

"I don't see how that's your business."

"It's not, but the consequences are going to be a bother," Snape huffed, and greyish eyes glanced at him.

"It doesn't matter anyway. It's over."

"Is it?" Black eyes turned at him with raised eyebrows. "Situations change, which doesn't mean feelings do," he stated with a distance look in his eyes. "Don't do something you'll regret later. You might never get it back." The Headmaster's eyes seemed to flash back to the present and stared straight into his. "Think twice before acting," he advised as they stopped before the Gargoyle. "Only take risks that are worth it." He nodded to the blond as the staircase to the Headmaster's office got revealed. "Take the long way to the Slytherin Dungeon. Think," Snape suggested before he ascended the stairs.

'The long way?' Draco frowned at the other's retreating back before shaking his head and walked forward. He let his feet carry him aimlessly around and eventually entered the Astronomy Tower. Staring downwards his eyes moved from the Forbidden Forest to the Greenhouses. 'Risks that are worth it… Snape was acting weird!' He frowned. "When did he start giving advises?" He shook his head. 'Risks that are worth it? Neville's worth it!' Not a doubt in his mind. 'Am I worth it for him?' he wondered. 'I should be! But I guess I am not…' he remembered the dark blond's last words to him. 'But then again, what have I done to him… I mocked him, tortured him… raped him…' Regret filled his body. 'I've been horrible to him.' He blinked a tear away. 'How could he want to be with me?' he jeered at himself. 'I'm not worthy of him.' He sighed as a tear slipped over his cheek.

"I should get back," he mumbled to himself and started on his way back. In silence he walked through the corridors until he reached the Slytherin Dungeon and found a first year struggle with the password. A sighed loudly and the boy turned to look at him with scared eyes, but what really took his attention was the big cut on his cheek.

"What happened?" he questioned as he took hold of the boy's chin. He inspected the cut and found it a clear nice cut, just deep enough to bleed a lot and leave a scar if not treated properly. Raising his wand, he quickly healed the boy's cheek and happy with his result he released him. "Now, what happened?" The boy looked around scared and Draco rolled his eyes, before spelling a privacy spell around them. "Nobody can hear us. What happened?!" he demanded for the third time and finally the boy seemed willing to talk.

"Professor Carrow," he mumbled, and Draco cocked his head.

"What did you do?"

"I defended my cousin…"

"And?"

"He's a half-blood." The boy seemed to shrink in on himself as he expected the older Slytherin to be mad.

"Continue," the blond knew there was more.

"Professor Carrow was talking about how half-bloods are lesser because of their muggle parent." Understanding dawned to Draco.

"And you went against his opinion," he finished himself and the boy nodded. "But why are you just back now?" The boy looked around insecure again. "Nobody can hear us," the older Slytherin made clear once more.

"She chained me," the boy whispered, and Draco had to lean forward to hear him.

"Did you just say: 'chained'?" The younger nodded lightly. "Where?!" he raised his voice and the boy shrunk in on himself again.

"Near her quarters," he mumbled, and Draco couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Get inside," he said while pointing to the right stones for the password. The boy listened immediately, and the blond watched him disappear to the dorms. Next, without giving himself the time to change his mind, he turned around and made his way to Professor Carrow's quarters.

-DNDN-

Helping the Hufflepuff to sit down, Neville watched how Ginny healed the fourth year's leg as best as she could.

"Can you move it?" the Weasley asked and the girl carefully tried.

"Yes," she mumbled, and the dark blond helped her up again. Slowly they made their way through the dungeons when Neville suddenly noted someone sneaking past them. Instinctively, Ginny stunned the person and to their surprised Draco fell down to the ground.

"Draco?" Neville question confused as he handed the Hufflepuff to Ginny and knelt down beside the stunned male. "What are you doing here?" he questioned as he unstunned the blond. The Slytherin seemed to deflate before his eyes looked up. Greyish orbs looked from Neville to observe Ginny and the Hufflepuff, before they got a blank look in them. 'He's not going to talk as long as they're present,' the dark blond realised all too quickly. "Ginny, can you take her by yourself?" he asked while glancing backwards and both girls' eyes widened before the reddish haired Gryffindor nodded. Watching them leave, Neville turned back to Draco, who was standing up again. "So," he questioned and saw the blond hesitate.

"I needed to check something," the Slytherin eventually answered. The dark blond raised his eyebrows in question. Hesitating Draco looked at him before glancing behind himself. "It might be nothing," he continued after a couple of minutes. "But… you could join me?" he asked uncertain and Neville quickly agreed. He would have followed the other anyway. The blond went ahead, and the dark blond noted they were moving towards their previous meeting quarters, the Carrows' quarters. As the quarters got into their view, Draco started opening the rooms as quiet as he could. Neville just watched him in confusion as they got closer to the professor's quarters. The Slytherin tried to be even quieter as he pushed at the next door, but it didn't budge. Greyish eyes widened and the blond pulled out his wand.

"Alohomora," he mumbled and seemed surprised that it actually worked. Pushing the door open, his face fell, and Neville quickly took a look himself. His stomach dropped as his eyes moved through what could only be explained as a torture room. He wanted to step inside to get a better look, but Draco stopped him.

"We need to leave!" he said urgently and pulled the other behind him before closing the door. After locking it again, he pulled the dark blond by the hand with him and only calmed down when they had turned the corner. Neville looked at Draco in confusion as the blond stood in a protective way in front of him and was ready to ask what the matter was with him, when he heard a door open around the corner. His blue eyes widened and the other signed him to be quiet. The tension could be cut with a knife as they stood there, until they heard the door close again. Draco sighed in relief and finally seemed to realise he was still holding the other's hand. But instead of releasing it, he just kept looking at it. Neville wondered what was going through the other's mind; but he had to admit he liked holding the blond's hand.

"We should get away from here," the Slytherin said in the end and the Gryffindor nodded. Hands entwined, they walked to the stairs closest to the Slytherin Dungeon.

"How did you know?" Neville asked as they stopped and greyish eyes glanced at him.

"I met a first year. He was hurt," Draco answered while turning a little to face him.

"Oh, is he okay?" The blond nodded.

"Please be careful," Draco suddenly worriedly said, and blue eyes widened in surprise.

"I have to do what I have too," Neville answered honestly and the other's eyes unfocused.

"I know," the blond mumbled before letting out a defeated sigh.

"I should go," the dark blond said; not really wanting too. Draco nodded and clenched the other's hand before releasing it as the Gryffindor started ascending the stairs. "Take care of yourself, Draco." Neville turned back to him and after a little hesitation, continued up the stairs. The blond watched him go and the dark blond already missed his touch. His hand felt cold.

-DNDN-

As Neville entered the Gryffindor common room, he found Ginny waiting on him.

"What happened?" she immediately questioned, and the dark blond took a seat beside her.

"We found the Carrows' torture room," he said to the point and saw the girl's eyes widen in shock.

"What! How?! Did he know?!"

"No," Neville shook his head, "he met a first year."

"They tortured a first year?!"

"I'm not even surprised," he sighed. "They're Death Eaters… How did everything change so much?" The dark blond asked helplessly while looking at his friend. "You-Know-Who's back in power… Dumbledore's gone… Snape's Headmaster!"

"I don't know the answer to that," Ginny answered honestly. "Snape has the Gryffindor sword now," she continued quietly. "Harry saved me with it! It shouldn't be in a Death Eater's hands!" she started fuming and Neville briskly looked at her.

"You're right! That sword belongs to the Gryffindors! Harry might need it at the end!"

"Could we get it?" she suddenly wondered while looking him in the eyes.

The dark blond immediately wanted to say: 'yes', but his rational mind caught up with him. "It will be hard," he confessed, and the girl nodded. "We would need to get in Snape's office..."

"Draco might know the password," Ginny suggested not so innocently, and the dark blond gave her a look.

"The last thing I need is owning Draco a favour."

"I'm just saying... if you need an excuse to talk to him..." she smirked teasingly at him. Neville gave her a disbelieving look.

"Since when are you team Draco?"

"I'm not," the reddish haired girl smiled widely, "I'm team Neville." Blue eyes widened in surprise at her. "I'm tired. We'll continue this conversation tomorrow with Luna." Ginny smiled at him before standing up straight."

-DNDN-

"...so, we want to get the Gryffindor's sword," Ginny ended her explanation to Luna.

"Yes, the sword belongs to the brave," Luna agreed with a fierce nod.

"We just need to get Snape's password," Neville said from beside her. They were sitting in the Room of Requirement, ten minutes before they had scheduled another meeting of Dumbledore's Army.

"About that..." Ginny rumbled in her pocket and pulled out some Extendable Ears, "I thought we could use these." A smile bloomed on the other two's faces.

"That could work," Neville said while a plan was already forming in his mind.

"Now we just need someone entering the Headmaster's quarters," Ginny added.

"Professor Snape enters every evening. We just need to know his routine," Luna said the obvious and the other two nodded.

"Sounds like we have a plan," Neville smiled as he leaned backwards. The sound of a door opening pulled their attention and Hannah Abbott stepped inside.

"Am I early?"

"No, just the first. Come in," the dark blond stood up and gave her a welcoming smile.

-DNDN-

"And?" Neville asked as Ginny entered the common room.

"I missed it," the girl shook her head.

"Let's hope Luna has more luck tomorrow," she sighed before sitting down beside him on the couch.

"Guys!" Panicked Seamus suddenly ran towards them from the entrance, "you need to come! It's Michael..." he panted and the other two shared a distressed look before following their Housemate out of the common room. Seamus led them to the hospital wing and signalled them to be quiet as he pushed the door ajar. Professor Snape's voice could be heard, just as Professor Filius Flitwick's and Professor McGonagall's.

"This can't be allowed, Severus! Hogwarts is supposed to be a safe place for students," Minerva was saying.

"Safe?! Since Dumbledore's gone, nothing is still safe!" Flitwick yelled angry. "My student-"

"Our student, Filius," McGonagall corrected him and most likely got a look from the dwarf.

"Our student from MY house's laying there. He would have died if he had been found minutes later! And of course, there's nothing we can do, can't we?!"

"Filius-" Snape tried but got interrupted by an angry huff. Seamus quickly ushered Neville and Ginny away from the door and they were just around the corner when Professor Flitwick stamped into the hall. The three students quickly scrammed away as the Head of Ravenclaw made his way over to them. Neville was quick to lead them back to the Gryffindor Tower and only inside did demand an explanation.

"He freed a first year and got caught," Seamus started.

"The Carrows nearly tortured him to death! If I hadn't run into that first year-"

"You found him?" Ginny asked to clarify, and the boy nodded.

"It-it was awful," he shuddered at the memory. "The Carrows are getting bolder. They're going to kill us at this rate," he looked Neville straight in the eyes while saying this. The dark blond took a deep sigh before sharing a look with the girl beside him. The helpless and horrified look in Ginny's eyes forced him to make the decision.

"We can't continue this way," he stated and the other two could only stare at him. "We've been going at it without really thinking about the risks. We need a strategy or we're going to get people killed. We need to train everyone more!"

"You're right, we can't risk anyone's life," Ginny repeated with a defeated sigh, while Seamus just frowned.

"But they need us now!"

"So, we must find a better way fast! Next meeting we'll ask everyone to brainstorm with us, but until then we need to stop," Neville decided with a stern look in his eyes. Seamus didn't look like he wanted to listen, but eventually reluctantly nodded.

-DNDN-

"Dryer," Luna stated after she had entered the Room of Requirement and got two pairs of confused eyes aimed at her. "Professor Snape's password," she smiled.

"Dryer?" Ginny repeated and the blonde nodded.

"I would never have guessed that," Neville added, and the girls agreed with him.

"Professor Snape's definitely not the one making careless mistakes," the Ravenclaw continued and a shiver ran up the dark blond's back hearing that.

"You can be sure of that..." the reddish haired girl answered.

"All right, today's as good as any day," Neville decided.

"During dinner?" Ginny asked and the dark blond nodded.

"Let's meet at the Great Hall at five o'clock."

-DNDN-

Sighing, Draco walked towards the Great Hall for some dinner. He wasn't in the mood to hang out with any of his friends. Honestly, he only wanted to forget.

'Only think about the good things," he told himself as his eyes fell on his little Lion, who was standing in front of the large doors together with the Weasley girl, 'and I can imagine so much good with him.' Luna joined her two Gryffindor friends and they started walking away from the Great Hall. 'That's strange,' the blond frowned and without thinking, went after them. He followed them to the Headmaster's office and wondered what they would want with Snape. Until said Professor suddenly stood before him. The man gave him a questioning look.

"Is there anything you need, Draco?"

"No, yes! We're having trouble in the Slytherin common room," he made up as it hit him that the three friends - inside the Headmaster's office - weren't waiting for the former Potion's Professor.

"Mister Filch will assist you," Snape brushed him off before turning to the Gargoyle.

"It's an exploded potion and we're not certain what the ingredients are!" Draco ran after Severus, who was already ascending the stairs. Snape turned to him with a suspicious look.

"That wouldn't be the first time," the professor reasoned and stepped inside his office. Draco immediately followed and was relieved to find no one.

"I can't deny that, but this time I think they've used some ingredients they shouldn't even have gotten their hands on." The Headmaster walked to the middle of the room before turning towards him.

"You're referring to my private stock?" The blond heavily nodded as Snape raised his wand. The professor mumbled something, which made Draco frown as he couldn't catch the words. But next three figures flew towards them and he looked horrified at Neville plastered on the ground. "You need to work on your lies, Draco," Snape said almost disappointing before eyeing the three on the ground. "I'll be taking that back Miss Weasley." The professor knelt down, and Draco's eyes widened as a sword appeared into view. "The sword of Godric Gryffindor," the former Potion's Professor explained as he looked at the blond. "The sword will only appear for a true Gryffindor," black eyes slit towards the two Gryffindors, "which means you have to earn it," the eyes narrowed, "not steal it!" he hissed the last, before turning away from them.

"The three of you will be doing detention in the Forbidden Forest. Meet Hagrid after dinner Friday." He glanced at the two Gryffindors and the Ravenclaw. "You're dismissed!" the Headmaster ordered them to leave. "Draco stay," Snape continued as the other three got out of there. Neville's eyes met Draco's for a split second before he was the last one out of the room. "You claim it's over between you two and next you're lying for him," the Headmaster's black eyes intensely stared into the blond's greyish ones.

"That's none of your business," the Slytherin stated while averting his eyes. Snape let out a deep sigh and grabbed hold of the younger's chin to force him to look at him.

"Use your brain, even if you follow your heart's desire," he stated before releasing his hold. "Now go," the Headmaster waved him off. "He's probably waiting." Draco almost thought his sight was failing him as Snape smirked at him while turning away from him. Not knowing what to say to that, he hesitatingly stepped backwards. As the former Potion's Professor was already ignoring him, he quietly turned around and left.

'Will he be waiting?' he wondered as his heartbeat increased with every descending step. 'Why would he?' Draco frowned and shook his head. 'He won't!" he decided and raised his eyes to find the Gryffindor leaning against the wall beside him. His mouth slightly fell open in disbelief as he just stared at the other.

"Did you get punished?" Neville questioned as he straightened himself when he noted the blond. Draco shook his head as he watched the other move closer. His eyes started watering as something seemed to be break inside of him and he closed them to force his tears back. "Draco?" Neville's voice sounded worried and fingers suddenly wiped away a single drop that rolled over his cheek. Raising his own hand to cover the one on his cheek, he shook his head.

"He tried to give me advice," he explained just above a whisper as he opened his eyes again. Blue worried eyes were observing him with a frown above them.

"Don't let him scare you in doing something you're not comfortable with," the Gryffindor encouraged him, which made him smile.

"Not that kind of advice," the blond chuckled while entwining the hands on his cheek. He moved the other's hand against his lips, just holding it there for a moment, before guiding it lower between their chests. "It might not even be that bad of an advice," he smiled and got a confused look directed back at him.

"O-okay," Neville stuttered while eyeing their entwined hands.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't get Snape away," Draco continued and the other briskly looked up again.

"No, don't be sorry. Thank you for trying." Neville gave him a shy smile. "Your spontaneous lie just didn't sound that convincing," he continued with a playful shrug.

"Sadly, I can't deny that," Draco sighed dramatically before smiling at the other. It might have been the Slytherin's mind playing tricks on him, but the Gryffindor seemed to blush lightly.

"We should get something to eat," the dark blond shyly suggested and the other simply nodded.

"Come," the blond stated and started pulling the other with him, while still holding his hand. Only when they heard other students, did they release each other.

-DNDN-

Hagrid took them towards the water, where they would gather the shed skin of poisonous toads. Apparently, a demanded ingredient for potions.

"Wear your gloves!" the half giant reminded them a last time before starting to gather himself. They worked quietly and made some distance pretty fast. As Neville and Ginny got further from the other two, the girl took her chance.

"You never told us what happened with Draco," she said, and Neville had been waiting for her to ask. She just was too curious for her own good sometimes.

"Nothing special." He didn't want to tell her the blond had been crying because of some advice Snape had giving him.

"No?" Ginny reacted doubtfully. "I can't help but think that he's trying to pull away from his friends." Neville gave her a surprised look. "He's been roaming around by himself a lot and doesn't really join their bullying anymore. Something's changing him." She eyed him and he snored loudly.

"Maybe failing to please the Dark Lord, has something to do with it?" he sarcastically suggested, and the girl pouted at him.

"Maybe he's failing because he's not really behind his vision any longer?"

"Maybe," the dark blond sighed, "but he's entwined too much with You-Know-Who," he sighed sadly.

"Which makes him a liability or a powerful pawn for You-Know-Who or for You-Know-Who's enemies," Luna suddenly joined their conversation. When she had gotten closer again, Neville had clearly missed.

"You-Know-You probably sees him as a replaceable pawn, and I don't know if Draco can handle being replaceable," the dark blond reasoned.

"His family cares too much for him and that's what makes him powerful," the Ravenclaw calmly explained.

"How?" Ginny was the one to ask what Neville was also wondering.

"Draco's the perfect person to keep control over the Malfoy family or to make them turn their backs on someone," Luna smiled as two pairs of blue eyes stared at her stunned.

"A powerful pawn indeed," Ginny said in the end before turning back to the male amongst the three of them. "And you're one of the people, who can actually influence him." Neville really didn't like hearing that.

"We should start heading back! It's getting dark!" Hagrid interrupted them. "The blood flies will appear soon and itchy is what they are, well their bites are."

"We don't want to get bitten then," Luna agreed with him and in silence they made their way back to the castle.

-DNDN-

Neville walked amongst the first year students, who were practising the Protection Spell. Another practice session of Dumbledore's Army was going on and he had decided that the first spell that everyone must be able to cast was the Protection Spell. Next would be the Expelliarmus Spell.

"Neville?" Alicia Spinnet asked from behind him and he turned towards her to find her together with Hannah Abbott.

"Yes?" he questioned even if he had a good idea what they wanted.

"Can we speak in private?" the Gryffindor girl questioned, and her housemate nodded.

"Of course." He turned around again to find a more secluded space and noted a new door. 'Must be the Room,' he figured and led the girls inside. The office-like setting surprised him a little, but he quickly recovered and signalled the girls to sit down on the couch.

"We think we've found a way to keep our identities secret," Alicia started as Hannah pulled out something of her pocked. She held out a simple white mask and he accepted it in wonder. "We've enchanted it to make the wearer's face look like white noise and it should feel comfortable as a second skin," the Hufflepuff explained.

"Try it," her friend encouraged the dark blond. Neville turned the mask around – finding nothing out of the ordinary – before putting it on. Immediately, he could feel it suck itself against his skin, but not in an uncomfortable way. When moving his head, it really did move like a second skin. Hannah had also pulled out a makeup compact and showed him the mirror.

'My face really does look like white noise!' "This is amazing," he complemented them, and satisfied smiles appeared on the girls' faces. 'With this and the list of obligated spells, we can start practising the different scenarios. We're back in action!'

-DNDN-

Taking a seat beside Seamus on the Hogwarts Express, Neville couldn't help but wonder how different the Christmas Holiday would be this year. He watched students pass him by to find a free seat and noted Ginny and Luna make their way towards them. He signalled to them before his eyes fell on a profile a short distance behind them. Draco walked through the corridor like he owned the place with Doyle and Crabbe close by. Next came Blaise, who was rolling his eyes at whatever Pansy was telling him. He was clearly tired of the girl behind him.

'It has been a while since I've seen them all together,' the dark blond thought as his eyes moved back to the blond in front. Greyish eyes were already watching him in return, and he got an almost invisible nod directed his way. Brushing their shoulders together Draco passed him with a smirk on his lips while Crabbe bumped hard into Ginny.

"Look where you're going you buffoon!" she yelled and got a wand directed at her, angrily.

"Don't waste your energy, Vincent," Draco spat, and Crabbe glared at him. "A Weasley's a lost cause. She'll just end up the same way as her Chosen one." Crabbe wasn't moving an inch, which made Neville frown while the blond got more annoyed. "You're wasting our time!" he hissed as Goyle patted Crabbe's back. Vincent shared a look with Gregory before putting his wand away and nodding at Draco, who frowned at him.

"Let's continue," Blaise suggested when nobody moved, and the blond was quick to turn around before stumping away. Neville watch him go with the other Slytherins behind him before turning to Ginny.

"That was courageous," Luna said while clapping her hands and the reddish haired girl gave her a small smile before meeting the dark blond's eyes.

'Or stupid. I don't know.' He sighed as the train finally moved. Halfway into their journey the Hogwarts Express suddenly slowed down to a stop and the four friends shared a look. 'This reminds me of the beginning of the year when they were looking for Harry.' Neville frowned and it didn't take long for Death Eaters to appear in their coach. They seemed to deliberately walk towards them and stop in the corridor beside them.

"Miss Luna Lovegood, we urge you to come with us," the one in command stated while staring the blonde girl down.

"What for?!" Seamus spat and Neville could see him clenching his wand inside his pocket. The dark blond was doing just the same. The Death Eater just gave the Irish lad a stone-cold look before eyeing Luna again. Sharing a look with Ginny, Neville confirmed that she stood just as ready as Seamus and him to fight to protect their friend. To their surprise the Ravenclaw took hold of Ginny's wrist and shook her head at her friends.

"A bee sting hurts a lot, but she can't escape her dead." Her friends looked at her oddly.

"This really isn't the time to be talking about bees!" Seamus hissed as Luna stood.

"Isn't it? They need their Queen to function," she smiled while moving between them to the corridor. Laying her hand on Neville's shoulder, she squeezed it and gave him a pointing look before the Death Eater roughly grabbed her and pushed her out of their sight. Ginny growled as they exited the coach before leaning against the backrest of her seat with her eyes pressed close in anger. Neville understood her well enough as he was also seething in anger, but they had to respect Luna's wishes.

"They're picking us off one by one," Seamus hissed as he balled his hands into fists.

R&R