AN: Okay. Like I said before, these have all been edited. HEAVILY. If you've read the fic before, read it all again. This chapter in particular has three more pages than it had when I posted the first time. I'll have a brand new chapter as soon as my beta gets it back to me. So please, read, enjoy, review.

Ps: I'll start answering my reviews again on the next chapter. I still love you guys.

Chapter 4

"The Burrow," Snape said, as he walked into the fire with a sleeping Draco Malfoy in his arms. Snape was very proud of his godson for standing up to his father and not taking the Dark Mark. The boy was certainly stronger than he. It had certainly taken a large amount of bravery. It made Snape actually feel like he had done something right in his life.

Since the boy had been loosely filled in on his situation, he hadn't so much as moved. Snape supposed all of the mental trauma was catching up with the boy, since most of the physical injuries had faded.

The Burrow was uncharacteristically empty. In an earlier babble (it was nearly impossible to carry a conversation with the Weasley woman when she was nervous, as she had been all week) she had revealed that she had in fact managed to get all of her male brood from the house for a week, as planned. Unfortunately, the daughter had opted to remain, so he moved as quietly as possible. He would like to get out of there without a headache if at all possible.

The room for Draco was small, but nicely decorated in deep green. Snape supposed that it had been redecorated to make Draco feel more at home. There were simple green curtains on the windows, and old fading quidditch posters on the walls. He suspected that this had been Bill or Charlie's old room. The bed that Snape placed Draco on, like the room, was small, but it had four posts and deep green curtains that could be drawn. After making sure that Draco was in a comfortable position, he turned and went back downstairs where Molly was in the kitchen making tea. Do you mind if I come to check on him from time to time?"

Molly looked absolutely awestruck for a moment before nodding. Evidence that Snape actually cared about something had left her absolutely speechless.

Snape nodded and apparated out.

xXx

Draco was hungry. Sure Mrs. Weasley had been bringing him food, since he had refused to come downstairs for meals, but that didn't mean he had been eating them.

He had been in the Burrow for three days now. His first day he supposed he spent sleeping, because he didn't remember any of it. But as soon as he woke, he began brooding. Really, it was one of his favorite pastimes, he had done it all of the time when he had been living in the manor.

He had briefly stopped his bout of self-pity to stare in amazement at the room he was in. He had known the Weasley's were poor, but he didn't know they were that poor. Whoop. Right back to his self-hatred, then. Wow wasn't he a git? These people had taken him in and were taking care of him, when at the moment he didn't have a sickle to his name, and he of all people was going on about how poor they were.

Okay, time for mental review. Father nearly killed him, angst over that. Check. Called the Dark Lord a Mudblood, chuckled over that a bit then looked over shoulder just to make sure said Dark Lord wasn't about to hex him into oblivion. Check. Received a wonderful little scar on your back that rivals Potter's for prettiness, angst over that. Check.

Okay onto the point of his mental digression. He hadn't left the room for two and a half days, and he was a bit curious to what the rest of the house looked like. Besides, he was hungry.

Quietly he snuck down the stairs, cringing every time one would creak. After a few wrong turns he finally found the kitchen. He was well into getting himself a snack when all of a sudden there was a sharp intake of air and the loud crash of glass hitting the floor.

He spun around to see the Weasley girl staring at him with wide eyes. Well, that certainly wasn't supposed to happen. Draco did the first thing that came to mind. He made a hasty retreat, slamming the door to his room behind him. Well, no one said he was brave now did they?

x

Mum, why did you let the ferret into our house!?" Ginny Weasley practically screamed upon seeing said ferret" in their kitchen two days after he had arrived. Upon seeing her he had dropped what he was doing and made a hasty retreat back to his room and locked himself in.

After she had gotten over the initial shock of seeing a Malfoy in her home, she had done what any sensible girl would do in a situation like that. She had called for her mother.

Hush Ginny. Don't let him hear you say that. He's been through quite a bit in the last few weeks. Besides, you weren't supposed to know that he was here. Merlin, Severus will be growling for weeks about this."

Ginny blinked at her mother confused. What was going on? Mum?"

Molly knew that look. She had no choice but to give up the story.

x

When Draco broke down on the fourth day Ginny saw it from around the corner. She didn't dare interrupt the moment between her brother's arch nemesis and her mother.

The redheaded girl had been floored at the story her mother had told her. But if that was bad, hearing it from Draco's own mouth was horrifying. Ginny had always thought that she would double over laughing the day she saw Draco Malfoy cry, but she was shocked to find that tears were rolling down her cheeks as well.

It was just so sad to see the normally proud and arrogant boy reduced to tears.

Her ears perked up as the conversation in the kitchen turned from beatings to future plans. In particular plans to change Draco's appearance. Oh, this had merits. I have the perfect idea!!" she called running into the room causing her mother and Draco to nearly jump out of their skins. This was going to be so much fun.

New Years Eve, Roughly two days later

Draco admired himself in the full length mirror that was now part of his room. He looked€¦ different. It was different, but good. Damn good. He kind of missed is silky blonde locks, but his new coloring definitely had a shock effect that was amusing.

Hurry up Conall, they'll be back any minute!" came Ginny Weasley's overly loud voice from outside his door.

I will come when I'm ready Carrot-top," he sent back. A week ago, if someone had asked him that he would count any of the Weasley brood as one of his closest friends, he most likely would have hexed them. But Ginny had been surprisingly understanding and helpful during his week of change," as he had dubbed it.

Now it was New Year's Eve, the first real night of his new life." This would be the first time that he would have to be around his schoolmates since he had become Conall. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't nervous, but he was excited as well. This is what he had been waiting for.

That's it," Ginny said, opening the door. I'm coming in."

She stopped short at the sight of Draco. Wow. That was drool worthy.

So, how do I look?" Draco made a turn so she could see the full outfit.

Perfection."

Did you really expect any more of a Mal€"er.. Snape. Merlin this will be hard," Draco sighed at his slip up.

Ginny gave him an enthusiastic pat on the back. Don't worry Con. I bet you can at least have Harry eating out of the palm of your hands before dinner's over."

And get Potter slobber all over my newly painted nails? I think not."

xXx

Molly Weasley put the finishing touches to her New Year's Eve meal, and just in time too. Her family (plus one) was due back at any moment.

Over the past week she had watched Draco Malfoy open up from a very prickly and arrogant delinquent to a laughing smiling boy. She was a bit worried that he had come too far too soon, but it was very hard to stay worried when he smiled up at her in that way that only he could. That smile was lethal. It made her forget whatever she was doing.

Which was why Draco now sported several piercings that she would have never allowed the boy to have if he weren't smiling up at her when he begged her to sign the release forms to get them.

Oh dear, Severus was going to kill her once he saw those.

Conall! Ginny! Dinner!"

Two black and red blurs came bounding down the stairs and into her kitchen. Ello Mrs. Weasley. You're looking beautiful tonight and dinner smells wonderful," came the cheeky tenor of Draco..err Conall. She was just about to tell him to go back upstairs and put on some respectable clothing, when he smiled.

She really needed to find something to counteract that.

Anything else that was to be said or done had to wait, because there was a sudden series of thuds and a Mum! We're home!!"

x

Harry was happy to be at the Burrow instead of the Dursley's or Hogwarts for Christmas break. He had never had so much fun in his life. The dragons had been great, and for the first time ever during the holidays, he felt like he belonged where he was. He had no idea how the Weasley's had wrangled permission from Dumbledore to take him, but he sure wasn't complaining.

Mrs. Weasley wrapped him in a hug, as she had done each of her boys before him. Welcome home! It's good to see you all aren't missing any limbs. Now take your trunks upstairs then come down to dinner. I have someone to introduce to you all!"

Harry and Ron looked at each other quizzically. There was a guest other than him at the Burrow? A quick glance around the room told them that no one else seemed to know who it was either.

They drug their trunks upstairs as told and hastily put their belongings away. They were eager to find out who the guest was, and of course eat. While the food that they had eaten in Romania was good, there was nothing quite like a home cooked meal from Mrs. Weasley.

All thoughts of food and his week in Romania left his head as he entered the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley was in the kitchen with the most beautiful (and slightly frightening) boy he had ever seen (not that Harry liked boys, oh no). The first thing he noticed was the shock of red hair. It was a completely different shade than the Weasley's, darker, more the color of blood. It was parted to one side causing it to cover the opposite eye, and came up shorter in the back. But red wasn't the only color in the hair. The ends were dyed black for about two inches up, giving an illusion of shadows. The visible eye was a bright greenish blue, that looked even brighter from the thin line of black eyeliner that framed the boy's eyes. He had high and pronounced cheek bones, and pale perfect skin. He kind of reminded Harry of someone.

The boy or man, because he had to be at least seventeen, had a great body as well, there was no doubt about that. He had on tight leather pants that left nothing to the imagination. They were ripped in places and had black cording to close the rips, but not so much as to cover the flashes pale skin that the rips were showing. They flared out around his ankles, and were so long they nearly covered the heavy black boots they boy wore completely. The shirt was just as tight. In fact it seemed to be more of a girl's shirt. It was a fitted tee that had a sparkly Playboy Bunny on the chest. It too was ripped in places, but held together by safety pins.

Harry was so caught up by the stranger that he almost missed Mrs. Weasley introduce them.

"This is Conall Snape. Professor Snape's nephew. He'll be staying with us until you go back to school."

All chins hit the ground at that point. Snape had family? It was generally thought that Snape had been hatched from some sort of demon egg.

Ron was the first to regain his powers of speech. If he's a Snape, why isn't he staying with the greasy git?"

Harry noticed the anger flash in Conall's eyes and stepped in before a fight occurred. I'm sure he's got good reason to be here, Ron." Harry was rewarded with a smile from Conall that promptly made him melt. The boy had a very nice smile. Hello. I'm Harry Potter." Harry braced himself for the €ËœYou're the boy that lived?!' exclamation, but it never came.

Instead Conall smiled again and held out his hand. It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard so much about you."

The slight shock he got when he touched Conall's hand to shake it, made Harry jump. That had never happened before. If Conall had felt it, he sure wasn't showing it. The other boy had let go of his hand and was now being introduced to the Weasleys.

I guess I can't call Ginny carrot top anymore. I suppose it would get a bit confusing," Conall laughed after shaking everyone's hand (except for Ron's because Ron was refusing to touch a Snape). I feel like I know you all already. I've heard so much about you from your mum this week."

Now that introductions have been made, I'm sure you're all hungry. So sit! Eat!" Mrs. Weasley interrupted them.

Dinner, as always, was good.