"If you are sure Miss Zabini then we can proceed," Dumbledore nods to Giles.

"We are going to make it look like the Watcher's Council knew your background and was holding you against your will, broke your wand, and kept you severely drugged with the same drugs we used for the Cruitacium," Giles says.

"Will this mean you will have to inject her with those drugs," Charlie asks concerned for his slayer.

"Unfortunately that would have to be answered as yes," Giles says looking at Blaise and Charlie, "Blaise again...."

"Giles I can do it," Blaise looks at him, "besides it's not going to be for long."

Giles nods and continues, "We have intelligence that Death Eaters know about the Slayers being here."

"It will look like I, in attempt to get back into Voldemorts good graces, will have told Draco information into when and where you are going to be, knowing that his mission is to find you," Snape says looking at her.

"It will be staged to look as if you and I are out for a walk Blaise, with Charlie most likely," Harry continues, "and that Draco will fire off a few curses and be able to take you away."

"From there I will bring you to Voldemort. Before we leave we will inject anti-veritsum into you, we do that now with all spies going out. When we are brought to Voldemort, you will not have your slayer strength and you will say that they drugged you to keep you from coming back and joining them. That all you wanted was to join your family, and the reason you left in the first place was because they forced you to go," Draco looks at her, "are you clear on this?'

"Will the potion be clear within a few hours, days, what? I mean I want my strength back if I'm going to be with Voldemort and the inner circle. And what's the point of doing this anyway?" Blaise looks around the room, "Why now?"

"We have heard that Voldemort wants a Slayer on his side before the final battle. He wants you to infiltrate the Order, find out our secrets," Dumbledore looks at her. "Are you prepared for this?"

"Yes," Blaise says confidently.

"Good," Dumbledore looks at her, "Mr. Malfoy will show you to your room now, and we'll speak more about this in the morning with everyone."

Blaise and Draco stand up to leave followed by Harry, Charlie, Giles, and Snape. "Miss Zabini, Mr. Malfoy, if you could spare a few more moments of your time," Snape said looking at both of them after they have walked out of Dumbledore's office.

Both of them nod and follow him down into the dungeons to his private office. Snape's private office is only seen by Slytherin students that he likes, and other staff members. It is more of a potions laboratory then an office, but it does have several big armchairs where everyone is able to sit.

"You must both know by now that Albus is hiding something," Snape says looking at them. "I must be honest; I do not know what it is."

"Professor," Blaise looks at him uncertain, "I have a feeling Giles is holding something back too. Do you think that they are basically sacrificing us for the cause? Or making us prove ourselves?"

"I don't believe so Ms. Zabini, but I did not realize Rupert is holding something back," He gets up and moves towards a liquor cabinet and pores himself a drink. "Would either of you like anything?" At their no's he brings his drink back and sits down. "We three are in a precarious position I'm afraid."

"Why only the three of us? Why not everyone? For all they know we could be playing the other side," Draco says to him.

"Because Mr. Malfoy, we are the ones that don't belong." Snape drains his glass, "If we went to Voldemort we would inevitably loose, you and I both know he is fighting a losing battle right now, Potter may not win the day, but others would be able to beat him if he has to duel with a wizard of Potter's caliber beforehand."

"Professor, did you just give Harry Potter a compliment?" Blaise says one eyebrow raised at him.

Snape lets out one bark of laughter. "Miss Zabini that is not a compliment. If Potter could live up to his true potential then we would not be worrying about plans of this nature, he would be able to beat Voldemort single handedly. Unfortunately that is not the case. Back to my original argument, we are Slytherins, therefore disliked by the ministry. Our way to survive the aftermath of this war hinges on Dumbledore, if he trusts us or not. They will listen to him. Therefore we must do as he asks on this plan. I want both of you to tread carefully. There is something he is leaving out, there is something he will not tell the others. It might be something small, but it is something significant."

"Do you think we are dumb for doing this?" Blaise asks, "Do you think it is a bad idea for me to go straight into the fire like this?"

"I don't know if it's a wise decision or not, but it is our only one." He gets up and moves over to the shelves of his personal potions. He pulls one down and hands it to her, "I need you to take this before they give you the injection. It will counter act the serum for the Cruicatium. In case of trouble with Voldemort, I need you at full strength the whole time. Draco and I might be good with our wands, but you can do the most damage."

"I'll take it," Blaise says taking the vial out of her hands.

"If there isn't anything else Professor we probably should get to our rooms, Dumbledore may start to get suspicious," Draco says looking at him.

"Of course." As they begin to leave, his voice stops them again, "Draco, never doubt that Dumbledore doesn't know all that goes on in this castle."

Draco nods and ushers Blaise out. Both refrain from speaking until they get to a portrait of a dragon. "This is the entrance to my room," Draco looks at her, "we don't have to do anything; I can take you to your room, I just...."

"No it's ok," Blaise says quickly. "I'm probably sharing a room with the other girls and we do need to talk."

Draco nods and quickly says the password before ushering her into the room. Blaise looks around at a well decorated sitting room with a blazing fire. It's in green, of course, but it looks homey. Not that she is surprised by that, Draco always missed having a room in which he felt comfortable as a child. The fact that she feels comfortable walking into this room as a visitor is something that she knows he wants.

"Can I offer you something?" Draco asks.

"A butter beer would be great if you have it," Blaise responds and sits down on one of the couches near the fire.

Draco hands her the drink and sits down beside her on the couch. They are silent a few moments. "I was hurt when you disappeared."

"I was hurting when I had to disappear," Blaise responds.

"I missed you," Draco turns to her, "I missed you a lot. You were my only real friend. The only one who knew the truth about me. How I didn't want to be who my father intended me to be, how I didn't want to be a Death Eater. And then I was alone."

"I never wanted to do it, but I had to. You know me and you know yourself Draco. I'm not going to apologize for doing something that we both know was the right thing to do. I know you would have done the same thing if you could have, gotten out of here, gotten out of this. My only regret is I couldn't get you out too," Blaise puts her drink down and rests her head on the back of the couch.

Draco reaches out and touches her cheek. "I know. You were just being yourself. Just being a Slytherin."

At that comment they both smile at each other.

"Drake?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I stay here tonight?" Blaise looks at him, "I mean like we used to, when one of us had a nightmare or something. I think I would have nightmares tonight if I had to go back to my own room."

"Yeah Lai, its fine," Draco stands up, "let me grab you some stuff. Follow me."

She follows him back into the bedroom with a huge four poster bed in it. "Here," she takes a pair of old Slytherin sweatpants and a tee shirt from him.

"Thanks," she says to him as she heads to where he is pointing, hoping it's the bathroom. She changes, silently wondering if she is doing the right thing with this plan, if she can handle this, or if she is getting in over her head.

As she heads back into the bedroom, she sinks onto the bed and curls up under the covers. Draco returns a moment later and gets in behind her, making her flip over to rest on his chest.

"Night Lai."

"Night Drake," and at that, Blaise knows that she just has to do it, so that little things in her life, things as simple as cuddling with someone she cares deeply about, will always be able to happen. That's why she fights evil in the first place. That's why they all do. And with those thoughts in her head, she drifts off to sleep.