A/N: Alphabet love to BiscuitsforPotter and DisenchantedGlow for their wonderful editing and advice

Trying to keep a watchful eye on Pansy over the next two weeks was running Draco ragged. Between days spent with Granger doing physical therapy and spell practice, and evenings spent observing Pansy's every move, there wasn't much time left to sleep. And the little sleep that he did get was often riddled with vivid nightmares.

Granger was always there in his dreams, seeming smaller than she was in real life, helpless… vulnerable. Dark shadows hovered just behind her, but she never saw them. It was as though only he could see the danger. He tried to call out to warn her, but his tongue failed him. When he lunged for his wand, he found it useless and ineffective in his clumsy hands, and his legs turned to jelly when he tried to run to her. All the while the dark shadow loomed closer, towering over the tiny golden girl before enveloping her in its long claws.

Draco woke gasping, bolting upright in bed, a cold sweat on his brow. Quieting his ragged breath, he listened intently for the sounds of anything amiss in the house. He rose from the bed and tiptoed to the door. When he peeked into the corridor, the house seemed peaceful and still, but it didn't stop him from padding to Granger's door. The wards were still in place, he could feel the magic repel his hand as he reached for the knob. If anyone had entered her room, the wards would have broken. She was safe.

Though he knew this to be true, at least for now, his heart was pounding in his chest at the thought of being unable to protect her. Knowing that sleep was likely to evade him, Draco sank to the floor beside her door, knees to his chest, wand in hand, his ears piqued for any sound that might be out of the ordinary.

He drifted in and out of sleep, the visions before his eyes caught somewhere between dreams and reality. Granger's door opened and she discovered his vigilant watch. With a smile, she sank to her knees before him and leaned forward, brushing his tousled fringe away from his forehead with delicate fingers. She traced the edge of his jaw, thoughtfully drawing her bottom lip between her teeth before leaning in. He tilted his head, hands reaching forward to draw her close and tangling his fingers in her curls. Her lips brushed his. Gently at first, and then more urgently. Shifting his legs, he pulled her forward until one of her legs swung over his lap. Kissing him more deeply, she rolled her hips against his and let out a breathy moan. "Draco…"

He woke with a start, dragging his hands over his face to shake the sleep from his mind. He had come out here to stand watch, and sleeping on the job would hardly calm his nerves.

Hours later, when the soft blue light of dawn began to illuminate the corridor, Draco stood at last and stretched. It had taken much of the night, but his thoughts had finally stopped racing. He had a renewed sense of calm, but still didn't want to be caught loitering outside Granger's door like some mongrel. Stifling a yawn, Draco dragged his body back to his own room and fell on top of the blankets with an exhausted sigh.

"Draco?"

The gentle voice roused him from a deep slumber that he hadn't realized had taken over him. Sunlight was streaming through the curtains and Draco blinked against the intrusion. A gentle knock on his door made him lift his head as Granger spoke again. "Draco, are you alright? You missed breakfast."

With a groan, he pushed himself out of bed and pulled the door open.

Granger's eyes took him in, her mouth falling open in surprise. "Were you still asleep? It's nearly noon."

Clearing his throat, Draco dragged his fingers through his hair. "Er… yes. I didn't sleep well last night."

"Well I came up to work with you on your spells and physical therapy, but I can come back later if—"

"No, it's fine," Draco insisted, glancing over his shoulder at his disheveled bed and clothes from yesterday still in a pile on the floor. "Just give me a minute to get dressed."

"Of course." Granger smiled.

With a jerky nod and a moment of hesitation, Draco awkwardly closed the door in her face and turned to tidy up his room as quickly as he could. He pulled on some trousers and a jumper and carded his fingers through his hair to make it lie flat. When he opened the door again, Granger had hardly moved. She smiled as he stood back to let her in.

"Why haven't you been sleeping?" she asked, settling on the edge of his bed for the first time in weeks. "Do you think there's a problem with your potions? Or—"

"Oh, no. Nothing like that." Draco cut her off. He didn't care to elaborate, but the last thing he wanted was her altering his potions again, now that he finally felt he was truly improving. Nightmares be damned. "The physical therapy first, yeah?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Hmm? Oh, yes." Granger watched as he performed his exercises with practiced precision. He had come a long way in his recovery and no longer had trouble with the increasingly challenging tasks she gave him. His physical dexterity had almost entirely returned. He was even beginning to regain his quiet footing around the house.

"Very good," Granger said as he finished his last exercise, though she didn't look particularly pleased. But before he could ask her what was troubling her, she pressed ahead. "Ready for your spellwork?"

"Sure." Draco drew his wand. He could tell something was upsetting her, but he didn't particularly mind if she wanted to forge on with business as usual.

Granger had him working on advanced Transfiguration and defensive spells. When he disarmed her successfully, he felt powerful for the first time in months. If only for a moment, he felt invincible. The horrible, vulnerable feeling that had followed him since he'd been captured eased and he found himself regaining some semblance of control. Elated, he tossed her wand back to her with a grin.

"You're doing great," Granger praised with a half smile.

"So why do you look like someone's just ripped a page out of your favorite book?" Draco asked, twirling his wand in his fingers and admiring their dexterity.

Granger took a deep breath and raised her eyes to meet his. "Well, I do need to tell you something, actually."

Draco blinked, feeling suddenly nervous. "What is it?"

"This—today, I mean, is our last session."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that you're doing well enough that it's time for me to release you from my care."

Draco blinked. "Are you sure? My spells have improved, sure, but they're not back to where they were."

"No, but they will be soon. And with the level you've reached, you no longer need me supervising your practice every day. You are very capable now of continuing on your own."

Draco shook his head. "What about my potions? I need—"

"Physically you are almost entirely back to normal. Your stammer is nearly gone. It really only pops back up if you get particularly flustered. I'll make sure you have the potions you need over the next week or so, but beyond that, I think it's time for us to wean you off the potions."

He had known this was coming, of course. With each spell he performed successfully and each fine movement of his fingers and each sentence he spoke through without stammering, he had known this day was fast approaching. So why was he so shocked to hear her say that they didn't need to have their daily meetings anymore?

"Wow," he murmured. "So this is it?"

Granger nodded. "I'll tell Kingsley that you can start being eased back into missions again. I would still advise that he not use you in dangerous situations yet, but I see no reason why you couldn't go on a couple of low risk tasks."

Draco looked down at his wand. Was he ready to be in the field again? Granger seemed to think so, but he wasn't so sure. If anything went wrong and he had to defend himself against Death Eaters he wasn't confident in his ability to make it out alive.

"I think the biggest thing you still need to work on is your stamina and your confidence," Granger noted. "You're capable of more than you think you are. You just need to remember to trust yourself and your instincts again."

She was right, of course. He couldn't just stay hidden away in the safety of the Order properties forever. Eventually he would have to return to his missions.

"I'll make sure that you have a way to contact me in case you start to feel ill again or if you think you might need some potions."

"Wait, what?" Draco balked. "Are you leaving?"

"Well, no. Not right away. I'm just preparing for the probability that we will be stationed at different safe houses very soon." She stared at him for several seconds, her brows furrowed. "Are you alright with all this? I figured you would be ecstatic to learn that you wouldn't have to see me every day."

Draco shrugged. "I don't know. It just seems a bit soon is all."

Granger smirked at him and rose from the bed to stand before him. "It's nearly April, Draco. I've been your full time healer for four months."

"Well, when you put it that way…" Draco laughed. He smiled at her, realizing how much he would miss just having an excuse to be alone with her every day. "Thank you for all the work you've done."

"It's my job."

"I know that. But still… thank you."

Granger smiled broadly at him. "You're welcome."

Draco didn't know what to say. Ending their session today seemed so final, so definitive. It was absurd, really. It wasn't as if he would never see her again. They were still living in the same house until one of them was reassigned. So why was he dreading watching her walk out of his room?

She was looking up at him as if waiting for him to speak. Just an arm's length away from him.

Neither of them had spoken for nearly a minute now, and Draco could feel the room becoming increasingly awkward.

"Well," she said finally, breaking the silence. "I guess that's it then."

"Yeah," he said lamely.

She stared at him for a few more seconds. What was she waiting for?

"Right. Well, I'll see you." She took a jerky step back as her eyes dropped to the floor. Dragging one hand through her curls, she made a beeline for the door and left him alone in his bedroom.

As soon as the door closed Draco released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. She made him entirely too nervous these days. It was ridiculous. Nothing was supposed to unnerve him. What had happened to the emotionless man that had joined the Order back in August? He was definitely getting soft.

After only two more days at the Westenberg house, Draco was reassigned and sent to the Farley house, which he had never been stationed at before. Draco, much to his chagrin, would be staying there for the week with Charlie and Pansy. But as much as he wasn't looking forward to being third wheel all week, at least he would be able to keep an eye on Pansy.

Saying goodbye to Granger before they departed was one of the most painfully awkward moments of his life. For the first time in months, she would not be by his side as he travelled, and while he was pleased that she would be safely at headquarters for the week and away from Pansy, it felt odd to say goodbye to her. She rambled on about his potions for several minutes, promising that he should have enough for the week, but that he need only contact her if he needed anything else.

"Granger, I got it. I'll be fine," Draco promised, a bit amused by her obvious anxiety over his leaving. He was acutely aware of the fact that Pansy and Charlie were watching them closely from across the room.

"Remember to do your exercises and keep up with your spell practice," Granger directed.

"I know, Granger. You don't need to worry. You're off duty, remember?" he said with a smirk.

"Sorry. It's hard to turn the healer part of me off," Granger laughed, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"I'll be fine," he repeated, hoisting his rucksack over his shoulder and backing away from her. "Have a good week."

Granger waved and then disappeared into the kitchen. Draco turned to Pansy and Charlie.

"No kiss goodbye?" Pansy teased.

"Piss off," Draco grumbled. "Where's the Portkey?"

Charlie held up a small cracked mirror. "Thirty seconds," he announced.

Pansy and Draco both placed fingers on the mirror and soon they were being carried to the tiny house on the outskirts of Leeds.

The Farley house was cramped and smelled quite musty. Draco opened his bedroom window first thing to try to air the room out as much as he could. The kitchen was tiny and opened up into the crowded living area. The couch was far too big to be in such a small space, but then again, Draco imagined that the Order had most likely not hired a professional decorator when furnishing the safe house. There were only three bedrooms here, which he supposed was why he had never been stationed here before. He typically stayed at the safe houses with larger groups. After getting settled in, he spent some time familiarizing himself with the house and grounds.

As he walked through the garden, he heard Pansy's giggle drift out from the kitchen window. She and Charlie were speaking in low tones, punctuated by conspiratorial laughter.

Draco groaned inwardly. It was going to be a long week with those two.

The first three days at the Farley house were fairly uneventful. True to his word, Draco continued his physical therapy exercises and devoted a large portion of his day to practicing his spells. He also did his best to keep an eye on Pansy, though he tried to avoid being around her and Charlie when they were being particularly nauseating. He did make an effort to spend some time with Pansy each day to be sure that she knew he was watching her and aware of her actions.

He got a brief reprieve from them on the third night when Dean Thomas joined them at the Farley house. He and Draco stayed up late that evening sharing a bottle of elf-made wine that Granger had assured him wouldn't interfere with his potions anymore. It was nice to have someone to talk to other than Pansy and Charlie, and Draco found that he truly enjoyed the Gryffindor's company for the first time.

Sadly, it was short lived, as Dean left after lunch the following afternoon to spend the remainder of the week with his parents in Essex.

It was after dinner that evening when Charlie entered the living room after dinner. Pansy and Draco were both seated on opposite ends of the couch, ostensibly reading the texts in their hands, while awkwardly ignoring each other.

"Kingsley's just asked me to come to headquarters. It should just be a few hours. Will you two be alright without me?" Charlie asked.

"Is something the matter?" Pansy asked.

Draco frowned. Whatever was calling Charlie away was most likely classified. Pansy's feigned care was as transparent as glass as far as Draco was concerned. He wondered how much Charlie fell for her charms.

"Nothing to worry about," Charlie smiled kindly. "Just a little business to discuss."

He left through the front door, apparating away once he stepped beyond the wards.

"So you and Charlie…" Draco prompted slowly.

Pansy turned the page of her magazine without looking up. "I'll tell you about me and Charlie when you tell me about you and Granger."

Draco frowned. "I don't know how many times I need to say it, but there's nothing to tell."

"Didn't look like 'nothing' the other morning," she said, quirking an eyebrow and lifting her eyes to him without lifting her head.

"You mean when she was telling me about all the potions she'd brewed for me? Yes, that was a very romantic conversation," he scoffed and then put on a dramatic voice. "Dear diary, today she gave me potions to keep my muscles from turning to mush. Surely we will be married by summer."

Pansy scoffed and turned her eyes back to her magazine. "All I know is that there was a time, not so very long ago, when you would have rather died than even joke about marrying a Mudblood."

Draco flinched.

"See?" Pansy exclaimed, closing her magazine and pointing at him. "You can't even hear the word without looking like you'd like to hex me."

"Come on, Pans. Do you really still believe in all that blood purity shit?" He had to know. Even if she lied, it was bound to tell him something of her intentions.

Pansy just gave a noncommittal shrug. "You and I were raised with the knowledge that being a pureblood meant something. You don't feel that way anymore?"

Draco frowned. "Look at where that upbringing got us," he said rolling up his sleeve and exposing his Dark Mark to someone else for the first time in months. "I turned my back on that."

"And it was just that easy to change your beliefs? To start befriending Mudbloods?"

"Of course not. Granger and I fought like beaters and bludgers for months."

"And now you're…" Pansy trailed off with a smirk.

"Nothing," Draco finished for her with a frown. "But the point is, we're no longer enemies."

"Well, I think Granger's brilliant. Haven't gotten to know her very well, but I'm hoping that will change soon."

Draco fell silent. Suspicion rose within him. What did she mean by that? Getting to know Granger? Perhaps she intended to discover her weaknesses… exploit them.

"I'll make an effort to let go of my prejudices," Pansy said, seeming oblivious to Draco's suspicions. "It seems like I might have to."

"You should," Draco said. "Especially with so many Muggleborns in the Order."

"Well, yes, of course. But I was referring to the fact that you and Granger are obviously about to admit how madly in love with each other you are."

Draco rolled his eyes. "I am not madly in love with Granger."

"Alright," Pansy laughed, holding up her hands in surrender. "But for what it's worth, I think you two would actually be good together."

Draco frowned. What was Pansy's angle? Was it possible that she was being sincere? Her prejudices would imply that she wasn't. Or did she merely want Draco to be distracted by a witch so that he would be less likely to notice her suspicious activities?

"Okay, fine. Let's talk about the fact that Charlie, despite all his… admirable qualities, is still a Weasley. Or had you forgotten?"

Pansy grinned at him. "I like to think that Charlie got all the good qualities the Weasley family had to offer, leaving very little for any of his younger siblings."

"So you're interested in him because...?"

"Because he's charming and strong with a sense of adventure. Why do you care anyways?"

Draco arched an eyebrow skeptically. "And the fact that he's your probational mentor has nothing to do with it?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Draco shifted in his seat, refusing to answer. He didn't dare show weakness by breaking eye contact.

"Ah, I see," Pansy hummed. "You think I'm using him to gain favor in the Order."

Draco just shrugged.

"Well, I'd be lying if I said that didn't cross my mind. He's very popular. I'm sure you've noticed. When I got here I knew that it would be in my best interest for Charlie to like me. I've used my charms for much less, as you know. But then—I don't know—I guess I got to know him."

The front door opened, making both of them jump. "Forgot something," Charlie announced with a laugh. He looked at Pansy, whose cheeks were going a bit red. "Everything alright?"

"Fine," Pansy purred, flashing him a charming smile.

Charlie grinned at her. "Alright. I just have to get a file for Kingsley," he said before passing through the living area to go up the narrow stairs. Draco heard his footsteps walk back and forth a couple of times before he descended again. "See you," he said jovially, flashing a wink to Pansy before leaving through the front door again.

"Draco," Pansy said once Charlie had passed beyond the wards again. "Charlie's fun. He makes me laugh. And I don't think it's the end of the world for me to have a little fun in my life, do you?"

Draco's resolve flickered for a moment. He thought back to his pillow fight with Granger. He knew how it felt to seek fun just for fun's sake. Perhaps he had judged Pansy too harshly. Still, there was that niggling feeling in the back of his mind that couldn't allow him to trust her. His gut was telling him that there was something off about Pansy. If she wasn't a spy, then it was something else. But what?

Perhaps he could give her a chance. He would remain cautious, of course, but he didn't see much harm in allowing their old friendship to grow again.

Then something caught his eye. Something unusual. Through the window, something shifted… shadows moving quickly… and Draco's willingness to give her a chance vanished.

His blood ran cold as another shape moved past. Just beyond the wards, masked figures were darting between the trees.

Draco jumped to his feet, his wand in his hand in an instant. "We're under attack," he announced evenly.

"What?" Pansy's eyes grew wide, her voice panicked.

"Death Eaters. At least two. Just beyond the wards."

Pansy turned fearfully to the windows, her face going ashen. "What do we do?"

Draco trained his wand on her, his voice dropping low with venom. "Did you bring them here?"

Pansy rounded on him, panic evident on her delicate features. "Draco, what do we do?"

Draco's heart thudded in his chest. If she was panicked—truly panicked—then this attack wasn't her doing. She hadn't brought them here. He had been wrong. Pansy wasn't a spy.

His training kicked in and he immediately doused the lights. "Stay low," he directed, ducking down behind the couch and beckoning for Pansy to join him. She sank to her knees next to him, her fearful eyes awaiting instruction. "We'll have to fight our way out and get past the wards so we can apparate to headquarters. Stay close to me."

"Wait, I have to get my wand," Pansy hissed before darting away up the stairs.

The instant that she left Draco realized his grave mistake. "P-Pansy, no!" he shouted, but before he could chase after her, the front and back doors were blasted off their hinges, raining splintered wood all around him. Draco covered his face against the explosion before peeking around the side of the couch.

Two Death Eaters were entering by wand light, one from each door. They moved quickly, casting light around the room. Quick as he could, Draco stood up and cast a stunning spell at the one coming from the kitchen door. The masked man crumpled to the floor, but his comrade was quicker and Draco had to duck out of the way of the killing curse sent his way.

Pansy was on the stairs, wand in hand. But her wand would not work for her; Draco had seen to that weeks ago when he had set the wards. Whatever happened next, Draco would have to do it on his own.

Pansy crept down out of sight of the Death Eater. Pressed against the wall at the bottom of the stairs, she squared herself up for attack. Draco waved at her from behind the couch, shaking his head furiously. She caught his eye and nodded in response. She jumped from the last stair, brandishing her wand and yelling, "Stupefy!"

No jet of red light burst forth from the wand. Nothing happened at all, and nothing would. Draco watched her eyes travel from her wand and out into the fray ahead of her as if in a daze, her eyes wide with confusion and fear.

Draco jumped to his feet in a feeble attempt to distract the approaching Death Eater. He aimed his wand and fired a stunning spell, but he couldn't stop his hand from trembling and it missed, hitting the wall just above the hooded figure's head.

He cursed internally, panic blooming in his mind. He had told Granger that he wasn't ready.

Heart pounding, he glanced back at Pansy as the Death Eater stumbled back. He had to protect her. Her wand—it wasn't going to work—and if he didn't get over there—

A flash of green.

Pansy crumpled to the floor.

Chest constricting painfully, Draco cried, "Confringo!" The flames enveloped the man's mask and he stumbled backwards, hands clawing at his face. The mask fell away.

Mulciber.

Vision red, jaw clenched, Draco's grip tightened on his wand. He aimed, the killing curse dancing across his tongue like an old friend.

The spell died nearly the moment it was cast, deflected easily.

He had to make a run for it. As much as he didn't want to leave Pansy's body behind, what choice did he have?

Firing spell after spell at the Death Eater, he backed towards the kitchen door. If he could just make it beyond the wards, he could apparate away. He stepped over the stunned Death Eater as Mulciber advanced.

Pain erupted in Draco's left arm. A severing hex? Hot blood seeped quickly through his shirt. He stumbled sideways into the door frame and staggered down the back stairs and into the garden. Mulciber was gaining on him.

He fired spells over his shoulder. Anything he thought might slow his opponent down. But he was weak. His hands shook and his tongue tripped over each spell. He could hear his blood rushing in his ears, punctuated by his frantic heartbeat. The pain in his arm was blinding, but he was nearly to the wards. Just a few more steps and he would be safe.

A flash of green missed him so narrowly that he felt the heat of it on the side of his face. His heart pounded in his chest as he passed through the wards.

Thinking of his destination and hoping desperately that he didn't splinch himself in his panic, he apparated away.

London was quiet. Peaceful. An owl hooted in the park behind Draco as he staggered across the street. Headquarters stood before him, strong and safe. Draco heard his blood dripping on the front steps before he pounded his fist against the door.

Several seconds passed, feeling like an eternity for Draco as he swayed where he stood. At long last, the door opened and Granger stood there, a broad grin quickly dying on her face at the sight of him.

"Draco!" she cried as he stumbled into her, his legs giving out beneath him. "Harry!" she shouted, wrapping her arms around him to support his fall.

"HARRY!" she cried again, her voice near panic. She dropped to her knees, cradling his bleeding body against her.

The Boy Who Lived came running, wand at the ready. "What is it? What's happened?"

"The Farley house was attacked," Draco gasped.

Granger pulled her wand and began setting to work on his injured arm.

A small crowd was gathering, their eyes wide with fear at the knowledge that one of their safe houses had been compromised.

"How?"

"How many Death Eaters?"

"How did they find you?"

Their questions washed over him, but he had no answers to give. He felt numb… helpless. Charlie came to stand before him, his face ashen as he asked. "Where's Pansy?"

The pain in his arm was lessened thanks to Granger's quick spell work, but there was a deeper pain settling in his chest, one which he knew would be much more difficult to heal. He swallowed, dreading telling Charlie that he had failed. Failed to read Pansy correctly. Failed to trust her when it had counted most. Failed to keep her safe. He took a deep breath, willing the guilt to lessen, but knowing that it never would.

"Pansy's dead."

A/N: Updates every Monday.
Next chapter posts June 1st.

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