DISCLAIMER: All characters, settings, and magical occurrences were all conceived and created in the brilliant mind of J.K. Rowling. Nothing except the glorious plot is property of mine. No profits are being made from my writing.

Chapter 6

He was almost counting the steps to the sanctuary. His muscles were screaming in pain and he found himself very surprised he was still standing. The meeting had been brutal tonight. It was one of the worst yet and he was becoming unsure if he'd even be able to get all the help he needed. Remus hadn't proved to be the best healer but he helped as much as he could. He still felt a little wrong for shaking his life up as much as he had.

That night though, he needed something. Someone. And not just anyone would do. And his sure steps led him right to the place he desired. He coughed lightly but it was louder than he'd expected and instead of having to knock, a worried looking werewolf opened the door for the bloodstained figure and helped him in quickly.

"Merlin, Draco." He muttered lightly, helping him down onto the couch and moved only to go retrieve a cloth he had waiting and his wand. He was growing uneasy. He just hoped desperately his minimal skill would be enough to help him for tonight. "What happened to you?" He muttered again, although it was more rhetorical than anything. Draco didn't sense that as he began to speak.

"He wanted information on Potter. Anything he could find. Or rather I could find." He started as Remus began zapping him with every healing spell he could think of. After a few different spells, Draco felt some of the pain being alleviated and he continued on. "My father had warned me. He'd nearly wiped out a few others tonight. He was blaming us all for his own failure. That pathetic monster!" Draco was enraged again about the man and he stirred to sit up. Remus firmly put his hands upon his shoulder and pushed him gently against the couch.

Draco gave up to fighting and settled down, his erratic breathing calming. Remus lifted the wet cloth up starting along his hands. Draco let his eyes drift shut, feeling the blood washed away. It seemed almost too unreal for him to believe. Slowly the relief was worked up his arms and his cloak was lifted away, the soft fabric running across his chest clearing the red stains that had once been smeared hatefully upon him. Remus worked slowly up, along his neck, pushing the long blonde hair away from his face.

Remus felt a little hesitant at first and quite reluctantly, let his fingers brush along the soft skin upon his face. Continuing what he'd started to do, intently watching the blonde, he cleaned the wounds that had once existed and let the cloth rest upon the table beside the couch. He thought at first he'd fallen asleep. He was lying there contently, gray eyes still closed tight. Remus sat back, watching the form, surprised when the soft lips muttered a thank you, before curling into a smile. He pulled the blanket down from the back of the couch and spread it across the blonde, a smile of his own forming.

.-.

There was a muffled knock at the door and for a moment Remus felt if what had happened earlier that evening was a dream. He stood up startled from his chair, seeing the blonde still peacefully resting, the blanket nearly having fallen off. He stumbled sleepily to the door and spoke the password softly, the door swinging open.

"Harry! What are you doing here?" He gave a quick diverted look to the blonde who still hadn't stirred from his slumber.

"I had a…a…another dream. I can tell you're tired and I just wanted to sleep here tonight, if that's ok." Harry was almost pleading. From the sounds of it, it had been one worse than the others. Remus smiled sympathetically.

"Of course, Harry. My home is always opened to you. But there is something I must warn you of." He moved aside to grant him entrance and Harry looked around quickly before moving to the couch he normally would occupy on such an evening. It had been a long while since he'd needed to sleep on that couch but tonight, he wanted nothing more.

"Sir?" He questioned, sitting down on the empty couch. Remus looked around bewildered but just shook his head.

"Never mind, Harry. If you need anything, I'll be in my room." He assured the black-haired boy. He all but collapsed to lay down, and pulled the thin blanket around his shoulders, letting his eyes close feeling much better already.

Remus however was in a panic. He'd just seen Draco when Harry had shown up. He couldn't have left. Remus opened his bedroom door quietly and wasn't very surprised to see the blonde curled up in the armchair beside his bed. He shut the door behind him but didn't move any further.

"Potter's staying?" He questioned softly. It was obvious he was still rather tired, and obviously very worn out. Remus just nodded, not thinking too much conversation was wise. "I'd rather he didn't know."

"I know. You'll just have to stay in here tonight. You can have the bed. I don't think it's wise for you to try and recover scrunched up like that." He smiled lightly and Draco just nodded attempting to stand. His balance was a little off and Remus moved quickly to steady him. He pushed back his comforter and Draco climbed underneath it, finding a pillow for his head. Remus smiled weakly and pushed the blankets down, preparing to spend a long night in his armchair. He reasoned he would've done it anyway.

He wasn't prepared at all when his bedroom door flung open and Harry stood before him. He instantly noticed that there was a lump underneath the blanket and that it wasn't occupied by Remus was getting comfortable in the chair.

"I was just coming to ask if you had a sleeping draught. Is there someone else here?" He questioned moving forward to get a better look at the person obviously sleeping.

"Well, Harry…" He started unsure of what even to say. He didn't like the prospect of lying to him but to tell him would go against what Draco had firmly stated. He didn't want Harry to know and that was something he intended to honor.

"Telling him is inevitable." Draco forced himself up in the bed, despite the pain. The look on Potter's face was worth it too. It seemed he'd been expecting anybody but. Hell, he might have been less surprised had Filch been safely resting in the bed of his professor.

"Malfoy!?" He gawked in utter shock. "Telling me what?" He pleaded silently it wasn't the thoughts going through his head. Everything was pointing to it though.

"I'm a Death Eater."

That was enough for Harry. He wanted to lunge at Malfoy but Remus was quicker and had stepped between the two of them. He placed his hands upon Harry's shoulders. "You must listen, Harry. Things aren't as they seem at all."

"I've been spying for Dumbledore."

"You're a spy? For the Order?" Draco nodded and Harry took a moment to process the information. "That still doesn't explain why you're here."

"The same reason you are. Sometimes we need a place that we feel safe in. I need a place to recover from my meetings and you, it seems, from your dreams." Harry was surprised about many things. First off that he knew anything of his dreams. He didn't even usually tell Ron or Hermione when he'd had a particularly bad one. Even more suspicious to him was that Draco had chosen Lupin's as a place to recover. Why not Snape's? Or even Dumbledore's. There were so many other places he could've chosen. Why there?

"Remus offered me a place if I needed one. I'm sure it's no surprise that I obviously couldn't do this at home. Father would've just worsened the conditions if I suggested anything of the sort. As for Snape, I can't risk it. They already suspect him and I know it. They would wonder if I fraternized with him. I had no other place to go."

Remus didn't think it should've stung as bad as it did when he'd referred to his home basically as just a last resort. Draco hadn't meant it that way, he was just trying to get Potter to understand. It seemed he might've begun to see what he was saying but still was trying hard not to accept it.

"I can't…this is all just too much…I don't…"

"Harry, perhaps you ought to try and get some rest. I know this is a lot all at once but right now, there are things that need to be dealt with and Draco's healing is one of them. We'll talk more of it in the morning."

Remus walked Harry back out onto the couch and Draco suspected there were a million questions flying from Potter's mouth at that moment. Questions that Draco wasn't even sure he knew the answer to but he intended on finding out.

It was only a few minutes later when Remus returned, once more shutting the door softly and taking his spot up again in the chair. "I'm sorry that all of this has happened tonight. I'm sure Harry won't say anything."

"I know he won't. And it isn't your fault. Even with Potter aware of my position and how he's in there sleeping on my couch, I still know of no other place I'd rather be right now." He looked away for a moment. "You've helped me more than anyone else in my life has cared to. You've provided shelter when I needed it and an ear to listen. I don't think you'll ever understand how much all of this means to me. And I might never say any of this again because I'm Draco Malfoy but don't think it isn't true." He smiled lightly, finally allowing his eyes to shift and meet Lupin's.

There wasn't much time between them before Remus had leant over the bed and Draco had lifted himself up to allow their lips to meet. Draco had been imagining that moment over and over in his head but nothing could compare to it actually happening. He'd poured his heart out, a rarity for him, and he'd been giving the one thing it most desired.

Draco ran his tongue along the other man's bottom lip, requesting admittance that he was hesitantly granted. The blonde's hand desperately grasped the robes Remus wore, pulling the pair closer still. Finally and rather reluctantly on Draco's part, they pulled away but their faces lingered close afterwards.

"You should get some sleep." The werewolf spoke softly, bringing his hand up to the one clutching his clothing. He clasped it over his hand which did nothing but cause Draco to smile. The blonde let his hand fall, realizing there was indeed truth in his statement, and he fell back against the pillows. His eyes shutting and sleep consuming him rather quickly, the threat of nightmares thoroughly extinguished by the dreams that filled his head.

Remus, however, found sleep hard to find. His mind was buzzing with what he'd just done. It had been wrong, utterly wrong. He was his professor, his friend, and he was taking advantage of the vulnerability the blonde possessed that evening. He couldn't let anything like their kiss happen again. He didn't want to jeopardize the trust he'd developed with him. He'd forget it happened. It was the only option left.

.-.

A/N: YAY! A kiss! And a new chapter! I was very proud of myself for this one. I feel I've finally conquered writer's block and intend to get started now on Chapter 7 which has some more denial and a very suspicious Draco. I hope you all enjoyed this new chapter, if you did, let me know! REVIEW! You know you want to!

But before I leave, a little bit for my reviewers from the last chapter…

Kira: Thanks bunches for the review! I'm with you. I don't like to ship Remus/Sirius but I figured might as well add a little element. And quite unfortunately, it will be a little harder for Remus to even consider pouncing on Draco. Even with this chapter taken into consideration. Thanks for the input too. I'm liking the shorter chapters, only because there isn't so much of a wait. I know I hate waiting.

empath89: Writer's block just sucks but I've got ideas going again and things might finally get going. I love Sirius' character, not with Remus very much mind you, but I figured since the pair were such good friends, it was good. Plus it gave Remus a little bit to open up to Draco on. It seems he's been doing most of the listening. Thanks bunches

HPSlashfan4evr: You know I honestly love Blaise's character but things must be done because I love Draco and Lupin together much better. The sacrifices I'm making. You're review will be sorely missed for the next chapter! Have fun on vacation as well! Makes me realize how bad I need a vacation....Ah well. Thanks bunches!