WARNINGS & DISCLAIMER - I seriously doubt any sane person would start reading a fic from it's 3rd chap, so. everything is before the 1st one. In case you are demented and reading from this chap, go back to the 1st one to see w&d. Thank you for your attention :)

AUTHOR'S NOTES - Oki, peeps!! This is (for now) the only fic I am continuing, so I'm gonna write here notes for all three!! Thanks to EVERYONE who reviewed any of the three!! I LUV YA!!!!!!! And continue the work ;). This whole fic is dedicated to Aloh Dark, coz' my lovely friend showed so much enthusiasm for it! As promised, this is one hell of a chapter. For me, at least, I'm used to writing one page long chaps, so this is a progress! It was supposed to be angst, but since both of my angst muses are gone, it turned out something mushy and fluffy. Blame Pookie for that!! *points at the confused jackal* Mia is in Tibet, trying to set her destroyed nerves in order by meditating and doing yoga, and her biggest enemy (and my other angst muse) - J. - is in America. Ah, well. he's at Aloh's, mingling with Alton :)). Sorry for the spelling mistakes. And mind ya, this is my first longer chap and I know it gets boring on certain places - but please, stick with me! Thankies.

3. While

And there were no words to describe what Harry and Hermione felt. All of their worst feelings imaginable now collected into one that felt lethal.

The Weasley's were another story. Ginny, Fred and George were certain that a part of them died too, and Ginny just knew that her mother will never be the same again when she hears the terrible news.

The rest of the Gryfindorrs were no less shocked. No matter if they knew him, no matter if they were friends or not - the bare thought of someone commiting a suicide was too much to handle. Especially if that someone was from their house. And even more if that someone was no one other but - Ron. The whole school knew him as the most talkative student, he was always the first in line to be held in detention or to pull some huge prank. He changed over the years. From a shy and quiet redhead he almost magically transformed into the loudest and probably the happiest student. And still, he managed to have incredibly high grades - another term unfamilliar when it comes to the Weasley family.

Obviously, there was more to Ron than anyone thought. If there was anything in the world that could've shocked them more than this, then it was Ron's sworn enemy - Draco Malfoy - screaming like death and running out of the Dinning hall - in tears.

There was definitely more to the story than they thought.

Sorrow, quiet and confusion took over them in those minutes, while Snape and Dumbledore were leaving the hall as well. Professor McGonagall was speaking, but her words simply weren't heard. Most of them were numb for the news such as not having rest of the classes. Harry, Hermione and the Weasley's had two or three weeks off from now on, and all the other information will be given in the following days.

And deep down at the Slytherin table there was a person that snickered.

«And here I thought the plan will never be fullfilled.»

* * *

Draco didn't even try to stop the tears. There was no point. Well, maybe he could've, but he'd probably choke too, so he just let them flow. It wouldn't make any difference now. It was too late. It already happened, and he couldn't change a thing. Not anymore. And the questions will be asked. Maybe - but just maybe - they wouldn't connect him to the events, if only he didn't do what he did in the Dinning hall.

Maybe then he'd come out clean and untouched.

But even Draco himself wasn't sure that would be what he wanted. He definitely didn't need such publicity and, above all, to be involved in an investigation. But it was, in the least, his obligation. To Ron. To be involved, to make the best of the things, and cover up everything he was able to.

At least he had to save Ron's memory.

And if that meant to take part in all this, then be it. He swore to himself he'll do everything in his (rather mighty) power to assure the things come out the best way for Ron. Not himself. Ron.

But all that didn't change the fact he officially died on the inside. And the knowledge he'll try his hardest from now on didn't change the fact that he was sitting still untill now. Why did it take such drastic measures to make him see?

And soon the teachers will be here. With fuckin' Dumbledore leading the way. And how will he explain his little scene back there? Or the neverstopping tears? They'd never understand. Maybe they wouldn't even believe him. I mean, a Malfoy? Being connected to a Weasley in any other way than hatred? Yeah, right. And he couldn't even tell everything, now could he? This wasn't about him.

For the first time in his life.

But how could anyone ever understand? How could they believe he woke up that morning before dawn in the exact same moment Ron hit the ground? Or how much he loved the redhead? Or how he loved him back? And how Draco influenced on Ron all this time and vice versa?

He reached out for something, or someone, that wasn't there. He burried his face in his knees, another set of overwhelming sobs taking over him. He was rolled up at the bottom of the stairs that led to the Transformation classroom. He simply never got there.

Now he heard footsteps. Loud footsteps. He ignored them, and soon felt a firm, but soft grip on his shoulder.

«Come now, Draco.»

* * *

Draco was surprised for not being taken to Dumbledore's office. Well, this wasn't much of a change either, though. They were sitting in armchairs in Snape's cold, dark office. And the main thing that actually surprised him was that there were only three persons. Dumbledore, Snape and himself. Merlin, he expected a freakin' inquisition of the whole faculty, plus an army of curious and furious students. And then - nothing. The duo didn't even speak. They were just watching him carefully, maybe waiting for him to start. Or at least give any sign he is willing to continue.

Draco wasn't sobbing anymore. The numbness was now in charge, and he didn't really feel anything but a great amount of emptyness. But the tears were still falling freely on his cheeks. His jaw clenched in a way that seemed almost angry or furious, his hands firmly gripping around his legs. A mere shadow of once terrifying Slytherin.

Snape leaned in across his desk, his fingers nervously shaping a pyramide.

«Mr.Malfoy, believe me when I say I am fully aware of your - dare I say awful - state, but you must understand we do not have a whole day to sit like this.»

It seemed the adressed boy didn't even hear him. After a few moments, when Snape looked as he was about to explode if he didn't say something, Draco looked at him with the familliar icy expression.

«Well then? Go ahead already, ask all you like. Although I believe I already know what the questions will be. Was I involved in. The event. How was I connected to Ronald Weasley and why the hell did I make that scene back in the Hall. Go ahead. Ask.»

Dumbledore slightly shook his head. «Draco, you have a very, very wrong image of the situation.»

The statement didn't receive more than a sneer.

«You think of us as enemies. Don't judge before you've seen.»

«Right.»

«We are not here to cause more problems.»

Least to say, it was a bad choice of words. And Malfoy didn't need one more pusher to the explosion.

«What the fuck?! «Problems»?! What FUCKING «problems»?! You think of this as a PROBLEM?!?! FUCK OFF!!! You have no damn idea of how I feel, or WHO I am, or who HE was!!! And thank Merlin you never WILL know!!!!»

Snape stood up, passed 'round his desk and strongly grabbed blond boy's arms. He didn't seem angry, but the little performance did the trick. It seemed Draco all of a sudden lost all his energy, and he simply collapsed back into the armchair. He shut his eyes tightly and bit his lower lip, trying his hardest not to whimper.

Dumbledore sighed with compassion.

«My dear, dear boy.»

«.I am dead.»

«Do not say such things. Merlin knows the last thing we want is another dead student.»

Snape almost roared, judging by the look on his face. «Exactly. Now, Draco, you will tell us what you know. All. Everything. Remember, this is too big deal to play the big, scary Malfoy role.»

And in return he received one deadful, and one furious glare.

«Severus! I thought I explained it to you! Draco is not to blame here! If there is any other victim than Ronald here, then it is him! So stop it with the scary tactics.»

«Headmaster, I di.»

«What you have to say doesn't interest me. He is just a boy, and this is not the time nor the place!»

Most of this didn't reach the blond. True, he was a bit amazed by how the events turned out. So, they didn't suspect on a conspiracy or something equal? Well, that'd be the first.

«So what do you want if not to accuse me?»

«Tell me, boy. Did you wish to be crucified by hundreds and hundreds of students looking out for someone to blame or attack?»

«I.»

«And after what you did, you would be the target. You know that.»

Snape sneered. «May I say, he would be one no matter the circumstances.»

«We are not imbeciles, Draco. It's very obvious there was more to your relationship than anyone thought. And I, for one, realise what they would do to you in this state. Being someone's sworn enemy is one thing, but his lover - well, that's a whole new set of problems.»

«I majorly screwed up.» It wasn't a question. It wasn't even a whine. Mere statement. A sign he finally acknowledged the situation.

«Nothing beyond repair. If we all try hard enough. But you know, you will still have to tell us all.»

Draco sighed. This was going to be one long life.