A/N: Ah, the joys of torturing my readers. You people have no idea how fun it is... unless you do it to your readers as well. then kudos! muwahahahah!!!!
______________Operation: Voldie's Heir - Chapter Sixteen_______________
Ron couldn't sleep. He kept repeating Draco's words in his head. 'Take care of him.' 'I'll miss you.' What did he mean? Ron couldn't figure it out. Draco surely didn't mean he was going to kill himself, did he? That's such an un-Draco thing to do. But then again, Ron always figured Draco liking him was un-Draco. And look how wrong he was there.
Ron rolled over onto his side for the thirtieth time since laying down. This was pointless, he decided. If he couldn't sleep, surely there was no point in laying here. Standing, he pulled his robe around his pajamas and headed for the common room. Upon reaching it, he couldn't stay. Something about the quiet, dim room was haunting. Sighing, Ron pushed past the portrait hole, not even waking the snoring Fat Lady.
The halls were dark, not that Ron expected much else. He walked along the corridors, slightly amused at how uncareful he was being. But oddly enough, there was no sign of Filch or his cat. Ron attemped to entertain himself by imagining what the duo was up to. But he ended up getting sick to his stomach instead. Forcing back thoughts of Filch's relationship with his absurd cat, Ron turned yet another corner and abruptly ran into something solid.
Falling back, Ron landed with a thud. He blinked away his dizzyness and looked up into the darkness. A dark figure loomed over him, a frown on it's pallid features. Ron groaned inwardly as Professor Snape spoke. "What, do tell, are you doing up at this time of the night, Mr. Weasley?"
"I... couldn't sleep." Ron muttered, standing.
"Pity." Snape sneered. Ron forced back the retort aching to be free from his throat.
"Uh, Professor?" Ron asked timidly. Snape raised an eyebrow in response and Ron wondered where his sanity had gone. He couldn't believe he was about to ask Snape this. "D-do you know if Draco is okay?"
"What?" Snape replied, a brief glimmer of shock showing on his face.
"Umm..." Ron mumbled something.
"Say again, Mr. Weasley?"
"He said something to me last night." Ron confessed. "It sounded like.. like, he was planning something."
"What did he say?" Snape demanded.
"That I take care of the baby... And that he would miss me." Ron said softly. Snape once again looked suprised, but Ron continued. "What's going on, Professor? I know you know. You have to know."
"Mr Weasley..." Snape trailed off. He had to admit, he never saw that look on Ron's face before. It looked like the boy was lost and would do anything to find his way again. He looked geniunely worried about Draco. And it seems he also knew that he was the real father of the child. Snape sighed and gestured for Ron to follow him. Ron hesitated a moment, before traling after the Potions Master. They entered the dungeons and then Snape's office.
"Weasley," Snape began, sitting at his desk. "Draco is under an extreme pressure from the Dark Lord."
"I underst-"
"No, you don't." Snape interupted. "You don't understand the loyalty that the Dark Lord requires. Take the loyalty you feel towards Potter and multiply it a thousand-fold. Draco has been set with the task of giving He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named an heir. This is the largest assignment he has given anyone, I'll admit. If Draco fails, the Dark Lord will kill him slowly and painfully. The Avadra Kedavra is not the only way to murder, you know."
"Merlin." Ron whispered. "That's what Draco was talking about! He was going to tell You-Know-Who that the baby didn't survive the birth. He knows You-Know-Who will kill him when he does... We got to do something, Professor!"
The passion Ron seemed to show toward his student shocked Snape. He stared intently at the red-head for a minute. Ron carried a look of earnest and Snape came to the startling conclusion that Ron really did care about the young Malfoy. "Mr. Weasley, I will carry this information on to the Headmaster. Hopefully we will be able to come up with a way to protect Draco at all costs. I will not let him die, you have my word."
"Really?" Ron asked, brow furrowed. The word of a Slytherin? The Head of Slytherin at that? Could Ron really believe... Yes, he could. He believed Draco when he said he loved him, so there was no reason not to believe Snape. Ron nodded. "Very well, Professor."
"Get to bed, Weasley." Snape replied. Ron stood and made for the door. "Oh, and ten points from Gryffindor for being out so late." Ron gave him a look of disbelief, hand resting on the doorknob. Snape smirked. "And fifteen points to Gryffindor, for attempting to help save a fellow students life, without breaking the rules like a typical Gryffindor."
_________...
Draco did the calculation in his head. The baby was due in a month. One whole month left of living. It amazed him how quickly this pregnancy had gone. It was only yesterday he was sitting in the Great Hall, plotting how to get into Potter's bed. Draco snorted to himself. So much good that did. He ended up with the wrong guy. No, Draco reprimanded. The right one in the end. Ron. He's the right one. Draco sighed lightly and rested his chin on his arms, continuing to stare out the window at the serene lake below.
"You must enjoy that window." A voice spoke up behidn him. Draco jerked his head back and stared at Ron, who smiled softly. "Your always standing there. Any particular reason?"
"Nice veiw of the lake." Draco replied, returning to his veiw. "Besides, it's next to the Gryffindork Tower. Good chance to keep an eye on you."
"Mmmm, is that it?" Ron grinned, stepping closer. Draco nodded slightly , but didn't look at him. That is, not until Ron sighed.
"What is it?" Draco asked, noticing the worried look on the red-head's face.
"Draco... I..." Ron stammered to a stop and sighed again. Gently, he slipped hs arm around Draco's form, bringing his hand to rest on his belly. Draco stared at him, eyes going wide from the touch. Still, he couldn't help the sudden feeling of protection that enflamed him. There was a pause, then Ron leaned down and rested his chin on Draco's shoulder. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I promise."
"You don't know what you talking about." Draco whispered.
"I do. You-Know-Who will not kill you or this child. I'll keep you safe, no matter what. I promise." Ron replied passionately.
"You can't promise something like that, Ron. No one knows the future." Draco said sadly. Ron sighed and closed his eyes.
"Draco." Ron whispered, his voice cracking slightly with emotion. "I will give my life to save you and this baby. I... I'm going to take your place, Draco. I wont let you die. I will die in your place, because this child needs you."
"No, it doesn't." Draco sniffed. "Ron... It needs it's father - you. I'm not afraid of the Dark Lord."
"Neither am I." Ron demanded. Draco held back a snort. "I'm not! I'll face him, if it will mean your survival."
"Your being melodramatic. Stop this. We aren't in some pathetic romance story." Draco insisted. "This is real life, Ron. People die. I will die. If not by the Dark Lord's hand, then by my father's. You will go on and take care of this child. You promised me, Ron. Remember your promise."
"I just don't like this, Draco." Ron replied. "I realize I'm sounding like some pathetic knight in shining armor, trying to protect you and all. I just can't help it. I want to protect you."
"Your just being a Gryffindor." Draco told him. He smiled slightly and turned to look him in the eyes. "Everything will be okay."
"I didn't know Slytherins were so positive."
"We aren't, but you make me this way." With that, Draco kissed Ron lightly on the cheek, then turned back to the window.
__________...
"What are we to do, Albus?" Snape asked, having just told the Headmaster the further news of Draco's situation. The Headmaster looked deep in thought, gracefully stroking the head of Fawkes.
"We must find a way to keep him from meeting Voldemort." Dumbledore replied.
"That won't be easy." Snape said. "The baby is due in a month, nearing the Spring holidays. Draco will have no excuse to not visit the Dark Lord."
"Then, we must protect him while there." Dumbledore stood and moved toward the window. "I was afraid Voldemort would make a move simular to this. I just didn't expect it so soon. Perhaps... Perhaps we, too, can suprise him?"
"What are you suggesting, sir?" Snape eyed his mentor.
"The Order has been preparing, Snape. But we never thought to go this route. Perhaps it is the perfect way." Dumbledore nodded to himself.
"Forgive me, Albus," Snape said snidely. "But I don't quite grasp your meaning."
"Tell me... Who usually attends the meetings with Draco?" Dumbledore suddenly asked.
"Just Lucius, sometimes me." Snape answered.
"Good. You will escort Draco to his meeting. And The Order will act." Dumbledore announced.
________end notes___________
okay... even I wasn't expecting Dumbledore to come up with that idea. o.O;; *slaps Muse Charlie for his ideas* that's for shocking me, you sexy red-head you!!!
______________Operation: Voldie's Heir - Chapter Sixteen_______________
Ron couldn't sleep. He kept repeating Draco's words in his head. 'Take care of him.' 'I'll miss you.' What did he mean? Ron couldn't figure it out. Draco surely didn't mean he was going to kill himself, did he? That's such an un-Draco thing to do. But then again, Ron always figured Draco liking him was un-Draco. And look how wrong he was there.
Ron rolled over onto his side for the thirtieth time since laying down. This was pointless, he decided. If he couldn't sleep, surely there was no point in laying here. Standing, he pulled his robe around his pajamas and headed for the common room. Upon reaching it, he couldn't stay. Something about the quiet, dim room was haunting. Sighing, Ron pushed past the portrait hole, not even waking the snoring Fat Lady.
The halls were dark, not that Ron expected much else. He walked along the corridors, slightly amused at how uncareful he was being. But oddly enough, there was no sign of Filch or his cat. Ron attemped to entertain himself by imagining what the duo was up to. But he ended up getting sick to his stomach instead. Forcing back thoughts of Filch's relationship with his absurd cat, Ron turned yet another corner and abruptly ran into something solid.
Falling back, Ron landed with a thud. He blinked away his dizzyness and looked up into the darkness. A dark figure loomed over him, a frown on it's pallid features. Ron groaned inwardly as Professor Snape spoke. "What, do tell, are you doing up at this time of the night, Mr. Weasley?"
"I... couldn't sleep." Ron muttered, standing.
"Pity." Snape sneered. Ron forced back the retort aching to be free from his throat.
"Uh, Professor?" Ron asked timidly. Snape raised an eyebrow in response and Ron wondered where his sanity had gone. He couldn't believe he was about to ask Snape this. "D-do you know if Draco is okay?"
"What?" Snape replied, a brief glimmer of shock showing on his face.
"Umm..." Ron mumbled something.
"Say again, Mr. Weasley?"
"He said something to me last night." Ron confessed. "It sounded like.. like, he was planning something."
"What did he say?" Snape demanded.
"That I take care of the baby... And that he would miss me." Ron said softly. Snape once again looked suprised, but Ron continued. "What's going on, Professor? I know you know. You have to know."
"Mr Weasley..." Snape trailed off. He had to admit, he never saw that look on Ron's face before. It looked like the boy was lost and would do anything to find his way again. He looked geniunely worried about Draco. And it seems he also knew that he was the real father of the child. Snape sighed and gestured for Ron to follow him. Ron hesitated a moment, before traling after the Potions Master. They entered the dungeons and then Snape's office.
"Weasley," Snape began, sitting at his desk. "Draco is under an extreme pressure from the Dark Lord."
"I underst-"
"No, you don't." Snape interupted. "You don't understand the loyalty that the Dark Lord requires. Take the loyalty you feel towards Potter and multiply it a thousand-fold. Draco has been set with the task of giving He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named an heir. This is the largest assignment he has given anyone, I'll admit. If Draco fails, the Dark Lord will kill him slowly and painfully. The Avadra Kedavra is not the only way to murder, you know."
"Merlin." Ron whispered. "That's what Draco was talking about! He was going to tell You-Know-Who that the baby didn't survive the birth. He knows You-Know-Who will kill him when he does... We got to do something, Professor!"
The passion Ron seemed to show toward his student shocked Snape. He stared intently at the red-head for a minute. Ron carried a look of earnest and Snape came to the startling conclusion that Ron really did care about the young Malfoy. "Mr. Weasley, I will carry this information on to the Headmaster. Hopefully we will be able to come up with a way to protect Draco at all costs. I will not let him die, you have my word."
"Really?" Ron asked, brow furrowed. The word of a Slytherin? The Head of Slytherin at that? Could Ron really believe... Yes, he could. He believed Draco when he said he loved him, so there was no reason not to believe Snape. Ron nodded. "Very well, Professor."
"Get to bed, Weasley." Snape replied. Ron stood and made for the door. "Oh, and ten points from Gryffindor for being out so late." Ron gave him a look of disbelief, hand resting on the doorknob. Snape smirked. "And fifteen points to Gryffindor, for attempting to help save a fellow students life, without breaking the rules like a typical Gryffindor."
_________...
Draco did the calculation in his head. The baby was due in a month. One whole month left of living. It amazed him how quickly this pregnancy had gone. It was only yesterday he was sitting in the Great Hall, plotting how to get into Potter's bed. Draco snorted to himself. So much good that did. He ended up with the wrong guy. No, Draco reprimanded. The right one in the end. Ron. He's the right one. Draco sighed lightly and rested his chin on his arms, continuing to stare out the window at the serene lake below.
"You must enjoy that window." A voice spoke up behidn him. Draco jerked his head back and stared at Ron, who smiled softly. "Your always standing there. Any particular reason?"
"Nice veiw of the lake." Draco replied, returning to his veiw. "Besides, it's next to the Gryffindork Tower. Good chance to keep an eye on you."
"Mmmm, is that it?" Ron grinned, stepping closer. Draco nodded slightly , but didn't look at him. That is, not until Ron sighed.
"What is it?" Draco asked, noticing the worried look on the red-head's face.
"Draco... I..." Ron stammered to a stop and sighed again. Gently, he slipped hs arm around Draco's form, bringing his hand to rest on his belly. Draco stared at him, eyes going wide from the touch. Still, he couldn't help the sudden feeling of protection that enflamed him. There was a pause, then Ron leaned down and rested his chin on Draco's shoulder. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I promise."
"You don't know what you talking about." Draco whispered.
"I do. You-Know-Who will not kill you or this child. I'll keep you safe, no matter what. I promise." Ron replied passionately.
"You can't promise something like that, Ron. No one knows the future." Draco said sadly. Ron sighed and closed his eyes.
"Draco." Ron whispered, his voice cracking slightly with emotion. "I will give my life to save you and this baby. I... I'm going to take your place, Draco. I wont let you die. I will die in your place, because this child needs you."
"No, it doesn't." Draco sniffed. "Ron... It needs it's father - you. I'm not afraid of the Dark Lord."
"Neither am I." Ron demanded. Draco held back a snort. "I'm not! I'll face him, if it will mean your survival."
"Your being melodramatic. Stop this. We aren't in some pathetic romance story." Draco insisted. "This is real life, Ron. People die. I will die. If not by the Dark Lord's hand, then by my father's. You will go on and take care of this child. You promised me, Ron. Remember your promise."
"I just don't like this, Draco." Ron replied. "I realize I'm sounding like some pathetic knight in shining armor, trying to protect you and all. I just can't help it. I want to protect you."
"Your just being a Gryffindor." Draco told him. He smiled slightly and turned to look him in the eyes. "Everything will be okay."
"I didn't know Slytherins were so positive."
"We aren't, but you make me this way." With that, Draco kissed Ron lightly on the cheek, then turned back to the window.
__________...
"What are we to do, Albus?" Snape asked, having just told the Headmaster the further news of Draco's situation. The Headmaster looked deep in thought, gracefully stroking the head of Fawkes.
"We must find a way to keep him from meeting Voldemort." Dumbledore replied.
"That won't be easy." Snape said. "The baby is due in a month, nearing the Spring holidays. Draco will have no excuse to not visit the Dark Lord."
"Then, we must protect him while there." Dumbledore stood and moved toward the window. "I was afraid Voldemort would make a move simular to this. I just didn't expect it so soon. Perhaps... Perhaps we, too, can suprise him?"
"What are you suggesting, sir?" Snape eyed his mentor.
"The Order has been preparing, Snape. But we never thought to go this route. Perhaps it is the perfect way." Dumbledore nodded to himself.
"Forgive me, Albus," Snape said snidely. "But I don't quite grasp your meaning."
"Tell me... Who usually attends the meetings with Draco?" Dumbledore suddenly asked.
"Just Lucius, sometimes me." Snape answered.
"Good. You will escort Draco to his meeting. And The Order will act." Dumbledore announced.
________end notes___________
okay... even I wasn't expecting Dumbledore to come up with that idea. o.O;; *slaps Muse Charlie for his ideas* that's for shocking me, you sexy red-head you!!!