uthor's notes: I do not own Harry Potter nor associates. Explanations for new terms/spells/magical items are at post-fic author's notes.

Thanks Miss Lesley for the review. The reason why they had not turned to Dumbledore or Lupin for help is because they knew they had to take things into their own hands. See, Dumbledore sort of knows everything that's going on, but did not offer help. And Lupin could do nothing to help them, but only to tell Harry about the Rose.
This chapter is more on the plan to fight Voldemort. Hope you like it!
The next morning, Draco dispatched the vial of potion together with a note back home. Unable to calm himself down, Draco paced around, muttering to himself. He wondered how long it would take for the potion to reach home, and what would happen after that. He prayed that Lucius would buy the excuse that the potion was made by Snape, and would drink it.

Harry reassured Draco, and the two headed to the Great Hall together. Many eyes followed them as they walked together, knotted brows and questioning gazes trailed them. Eventually they separated their ways to join their respective houses; both throwing each other grins across the room. They had decided to leave the problem of Harry's impending death behind them for a while, for they wanted to seize the moment and enjoy themselves. The first lesson was Potions, a class that Harry still found it hard to like. As they walked to class, they exchange glances, causing Ron and Hermione to protest.

As Snape was explaining to the class the use of Abyssinian shirvelfig and dried cows' placenta in the concoction of a certain antidote, a flapping sound was heard outside the room. This was followed by a scratching of claws against the windows. The Professor took out his wands and motioned for the students to move away from the window. In an instant, he drew the curtains open, expecting to see a giant hawk-like creature, based on the strangely loud scratching and the flapping of wings. As light poured into the room, the students gasped, for in place of a giant hawk was a single raven black owl.

"Mr. Malfoy, your owl," Snape called out, his face reflect a certain disgust. He opened the windows, letting the owl in. It flew straight into Draco's lap and dropped a letter. It bored the Malfoys' stamp. Anxious about the outcome of his plan to save his father's life, Draco ran out of the room, leaving Snape fuming. He commanded the class to return to their seats as he scowled at how disrespectful Draco was.

Harry had wanted to follow Draco, but the anxious boy had told him "I want to do this alone." Harry thus remained in class, though he could hardly pay attention to what Snape was saying. He had wanted to look into what Draco was thinking, but to no avail. All he could do is to wait for the boy to confide in him.

Meanwhile, Draco ran down the corridor, clutching the letter tightly. His stomach knotted for he was very nervous. He found a secluded a corner and sat down, holding the letter with his shaky hands. Taking a deep breath, Draco ripped open the envelope, and took out the single piece of parchment. Muttering a prayer to no particular divine power, Draco looked down at the page:

"My son, Draco. I had my doubts of the origin of your so-called potion, nevertheless your intentions are understood. My health has significantly improved, allowing me to pen this note to you. Let me remind you, the Dark Lord still expects a certain decorum from you. He has also requested for you to receive the dark mark, preferably as soon as possible. Do reply me on your choice of date. Your father, Lucius Malfoy."

Dropping the letter, Draco remained stunned. His teeth chattered uncontrollably, his eyes became wet. Thoughts and images flashed in his head, so overwhelming his head throbbed. Images of seeing his father well again, images of Voldemort branding him, images of Harry's disappointed, downcast look, and scenarios of betraying Harry... it suddenly dawned upon Draco how Harry died. Draco cried out loud, picking up the piece of parchment and attempted to throw it across the room. He slumped onto a nearby wall and cried. He could not believe what was going to happen. His world, his soul mate, would die at his hands. Draco stuck his hand into his pocket and pulled out a pocket knife. The one that he always carried around, a hardy piece of weapon against any mortal beings when magic failed.

"I'm sorry, Harry," Draco said, and drew the blade towards his wrist. "My death would solve everything." With that, Draco closed his eyes and was prepared to slit his wrist when Harry appeared and knocked the blade away from him. Fear was exuded in both their eyes, as they both fell to the floor, feeling their limbs go limp.

"Why?" Harry cried, no longer able to control his emotions. The tumultuous ride he has gone through, it was all too overwhelming for him.

"I will be the one to kill you, Harry. You would die at my hands. He wants to me receive the dark mark. They would want me to kill you!" Draco shouted, his lips trembling. He cringed at the thought of his own hands smeared with Harry's blood. To him, it was worse than being drenched in unicorn's blood, for the curse was far greater- it would be a shattering of Draco's world thoroughly.

"I would rather you killed me, than to have to let you kill yourself. We will go through this together. I swear," Harry brought Draco's head unto his shoulders, as the both of them cried together.

"It's easier to leave, than to be left behind... Harry, if you were dead, I would rather I died too..." Draco mustered, between sobs. They remained that way for quite some time before they calmed down. They had decided to consult the accostrome on this matter, for that sounded the most appropriate thing to do.

"Beauty is only skin deep,

Complacency destroys.

It is not eternal sleep,

Given a well-thought ploy"

The accostrome, once again, had given them an encrypted message. The two have had enough of guessing and uncertainty, Draco slammed the accostrome down hard on to the floor. Flustered, Draco said umpteen swear words, some Harry had never heard of. Harry, too, was worked up, but he knew the importance of staying calm in order to try to figure out what to do, just as he had done with the cryptex.

"Draco, when you think of beauty, is there anyone you think of?" Harry questioned, considering perhaps Draco could think of something.

"Do I look as though I care?" Malfoy scowled and spat. He sat down on a chair, grinding his teeth in utter frustration. Harry looked at him, not knowing what to do. There was an uncomfortable silence, and then Draco spoke again. "Beauty, beautiful person, that's got to be me. I can't find anyone more beautiful than me."

"I see," Harry answered, "what if someone else looked exactly like you, you would consider him beautiful too?" Draco gave a nonchalant shrug, not knowing where all these small talks are getting.

"Draco, you know, I was always told in muggle schools that complacency is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. Pride goes before a fall, they always said in church. Sometimes I think that is so true. Throughout history, the men of war fall because of pride..." Harry was obviously chattering away.

"Stop it Potter. Don't make it sound like a eulogy or some sort. Screw the accostrome and whatever." Draco scowled, not being able to think for a moment. It was evident that he's already at his wit's end, for it was only a matter of days before his father would come storming to the school to take him home.

Harry, interrupted by Draco, did not want to go on. He was just hoping that somehow, by talking out the clues, he could piece the puzzle together. Voldemort wasn't even there, but Harry already felt defeated. Would it help if they went to Dumbledore? Would he be able to help? What about Lupin? Harry was lost. Hope seemed to have diminished, for they were on their own.

Meanwhile, Draco had trouble reasoning with himself, why had he gotten himself into such trouble? And trust himself to stay in it? Draco had felt like giving it all up, to turn to the Dark Lord and surrender himself. This fight against, what he did not know, was beginning to tire him out. He looked at Harry, who seemed deep in thought. He felt remorseful, for he was the one to drag Harry into all these. If he had approached someone else in Gryffindor to do the dirty job, perhaps Harry would not be so traumatized, and Harry would not have to die, someone else will die in his place... "Wait." Draco seemed to have come upon a revelation.

"Yes?" Harry responded verbally, for he saw no need in telepathy when he was just across the room.

"I think I know what we should do," replied Draco, with a slight hint of a smirk on his face.

Dried cows' placenta: A potions ingredient that I made up. After effects of learning sexual reproduction in Biology class (yew!)

I know this is a short chapter but I thought this was a good place for a cliffhanger.
Doing two chapters a night (yes, it's night time here) is draining. I shall continue when I deem the time right and please review and tell me how you think I'm going to end the story?
If you have been following the clues faithfully and putting much thought into them, you should know the jist of everything that's going to happen.