Disclaimer: Same as it's always been, I do not own any of the characters.



Later that week I met with Professor Lupin for my first lesson. Draco would be coming too, but he had to finish some last minute homework first. I was waiting for Professor Lupin to do something, but he went looking around the class for various items first.

"What exactly are we going to be learning today?" I asked.

"Some self defense, and some curses. I don't think you have much time to start off on small things. You may have less time then you realize. I want to be sure you kids are safe." He smiled, and returned to look through the closet.

"What curse are we working on tonight?" I asked.

"The Imperious Curse. Do you know of it?" He called from the closet.

"Yes. It is a terrible curse. If you do it on someone, you have total control over what they do. If it is done to you, you have almost no power at all. You would have to be a very powerful witch or wizard to break free of it." I answered with a shudder.

"Exactly. You will be trying to break free of it. It is much harder then it seems. Ah, Draco, you're here at last. Gwen over there will explain to you what is going on." He came out of the closet with huge mats, like the kind you use to land on in gymnastics.

"We're working with the Imperious Curse tonight. You know what that is right?" I walked over to him.

"I do. My father used it on me a few times. I hate it. It is terribly wrong and should never be used. I don't think I'll be able to break free. I was never able to before." He said with fear and pain visible in his eyes.

"Don't worry Draco. We will get through this. We won't take that anymore." I hugged him for a second.

"Ok, this is very illegal, so you mustn't tell a soul what we are doing. No matter how this feels, I want you to fight back, and I want you to fight hard. So, who wants to go first" Professor Lupin asked.

"I will. I haven't experienced it yet. You won't hurt me will you?" I stepped towards the mat.

"No. If there were any chance of me hurting you kids then I wouldn't even think of doing it. Ready? Imperio!" He shouted.

I felt funny, but in a good way. I was doing backflips and cartwheels. It was fun. I didn't want to stop, until I felt tired and dizzy. Then I remembered what Draco had been through. I imagined Lucious making us kill each other. I struggled and I fought, and I wasn't making a lot of progress, but at least I was making some. Then I thought of poor Draco and what Lucious may have made him do. I fought and I could feel it, I was almost free, but I didn't quite make it.

"See, you had no power, no control. I could make you do many terrible acts, and no one would believe for a second that I had anything to do with it. We'll let you try again in a few minutes. Draco, you're next." Lupin announced.

Draco cautiously stepped towards the mat, then with a sigh; he showed he was ready. I watched as he danced. It was funny at first, but after a minute it wasn't. You could see Draco struggling. You could see it in his eyes. He was trying to break free and for a moment he was able to stop moving, but then he lost control and was dancing again.

"Draco you had it! You did it for a few seconds. After a little practice, you will be able to break free from it completely!" I clapped my hands.

We practiced for another hour. I was exhausted, but I did it. I got out of it. I knew we would have to practice it again. One time wasn't enough. The next time, I may not have several tries before I make it. I may only have one chance to break free, and I wanted to be sure that I would make it.

Draco and I thanked Professor Lupin and then we left. We were both silent for a moment as we walked down the halls. We had invisibility cloaks with us, but I saw no need to use them at the moment.

"What did he do to you?" I knew that Draco knew I was asking about Lucious.

"He made me beat my mother. I hated it. Even though I knew she had known my father made me do it, I felt terrible. I felt like, I can't really describe it. I still remember her screaming in pain. He made me slap her, punch her, push her, and kick her. I hate him. When the time comes, I'm going to use that curse, and make him kill Voldemort and the other death eaters." He said in a low growl.

"No, even though he did it to you, don't be so cruel. I do think he should be killed, but I don't think you should give him a slow and painful death, as much as he does deserve it. He may be strong enough to break free of it." I shook my head.

"You're probably right. I just want to do it now. I want him gone, but I can't do it yet. Even if I kill him, others will be after me." He sighed.

"I know this sucks Draco, but it will all be over soon enough." I assured him.

"I know love. You look tired. Get some rest. I'll see you in the morning." He kissed me quickly and left for his dorm.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The next morning I was sore and I felt like crap, but I made my way to the dining hall and on my way I ran into Draco. I smiled, but he didn't. I knew something was up.

"What's wrong Draco?" I asked.

"My father came last night. In a week, we're going to our first meeting with you-know-who." He whispered.













A/N: I hope you all enjoyed that one. Next chapter may be up tonight, or it may be up in a few days. I'm having a little trouble with it. So while you wait for the next one, review, and read my other two stories. If you like Draco and Hermione, read Our Last Night At Hogwarts. If you like Oliver Wood, then read Home Is Where The Heart Is. Review those too!