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.

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Chapter 12

Remus sighed heavily. It had been such a long week and with full moon the next night, he wasn't sure how much he could take. They'd been practicing the blocking of hexes with some of the fourth years and not only had he sent three students to the infirmary, but he'd had to go himself.

He'd begun wondering why'd he'd even agreed to take that job again. He knew that was a very foolish thought. He stayed because of the students. He needed to see them kept safe. Actually, a few in particular, now that he thought about it. It had slowly become his duty and he couldn't not be there. That didn't seem to be an option anymore.

Furthermore, where else was he to go? Off to Order Headquarters? That didn't seem highly likely. As much as he knew he could be there, there was no way he'd go back. Too many memories. That had been Sirius' home and being there only helped to remind him more of what had happened. And how his mind was slowly betraying him and what they had shared together.

Merlin there he went again. Ever since he'd had the conversation in his room days before about a possible relationship with Draco, he couldn't get it out of his head. He desperately needed to. And he wanted to more than anything but subconsciously, it wouldn't escape. It left him more confused about his feelings than normal.

When had things gotten so complicated? He mused this to himself in jest but he could tell the exact moment. When he'd opened his door and his heart the young blonde who he'd grown so fond of. And this is what it was doing to him.

He hadn't seen Draco lately, with the exception of class. Though to be fair, things hadn't reverted back to as they'd been before. Draco had just been trying not to draw suspicion. After what Harry had told him, it was probably a good thing. It was utterly foolish of him to have been seen by Ron and in the fashion he had. Though deep down lurked a feeling of anger towards the red-head for such accusations. Merlin.

He poured himself a cup of warm tea and took a sip. His potion was sitting on his nightstand as they spoke. The night that followed he'd be thoroughly reminded of why his heart was being foolish and why he was doing what he was. Because at that moment, he reasoned he needed a reminder. It would've been too easy to take Draco's words to heart. Easy but very wrong.

He set the cup down as there was a knock on his door. He hadn't been expecting anyone and as far as he knew, Draco hadn't gone to a meeting that night. Besides, it was still rather early and even if he had, he wouldn't have been there that soon. He stood from his armchair (he'd grown quite used to that chair) and answered the knock. He was rather surprised to see Draco, holding a tray, his bag draped over one shoulder.

"Draco? What are you doing here?" Remus questioned rather surprised.

"Well, I had some work to finish and I thought that with…well with the moon tomorrow night I'd come keep you company. And to make sure you didn't turn me out, I smuggled some of those strawberry tarts from the kitchens as a bribe." The blonde flashed his most brilliant smile in an attempt. Though it wasn't needed. The mention of the tarts had been enough. Draco was efficiently using the man's sweet tooth against him.

"Come in. I've just made some tea. Would you care for a glass?" Draco just nodded, setting all of his stuff down and taking his normal spot on the couch. He did have a few things he needed to complete but he'd witnessed first had the week from hell. And he didn't want it to get around much that he was actually concerned but he had been.

Remus poured Draco a glass of tea and the blonde set about getting his own work out. Of course, like most nights they'd shared, work hadn't lasted long and conversation had taken over. It was rather late that night that Draco had packed his things up and had left for the common room.

.-.

"And where have you been?" Draco had assumed that the Common Room would've been empty by that hour. But there was no mistaking Pansy's voice, beside the fireplace. She was always so bloody nosy.

"Pansy, you know where I was." Draco was short with her, hoping she'd let it be. Pansy however, had no such thing on her mind. In fact, tonight wouldn't even just be about Draco and his secret meetings with their professor. No, things were much more important that night. It wasn't until Draco set his things down and took a seat beside her that he noticed her tear stained cheeks. "Pansy?"

"I was summoned tonight, Draco." With her words, the tears began to fall again. She pulled herself up into the armchair, hugging her body tight. Draco's mind filled with worry. He hadn't figured they would even summon Pansy until school had ended, let alone now. But there was more worry with what she had done in such a situation.

"What happened?" He questioned quietly. She sniffed, pushing the tears away with her hands.

"I didn't go." Her puffy eyes met the surprised silver ones of Draco. She hadn't gone. Her comment had caught him off guard. Despite conversation they had shared, he'd assumed Pansy would've taken the mark and probably even gone along with it. She'd always had someone in her life directing her every move. He'd assumed this wouldn't have been any different. "Father owled me though. I'm to be punished over the holiday. I can't go home, Draco. He's going to kill me. My own father. His mind is so warped by his master that he can't even see."

"You should've gone. You could've at least past information along. You would've had me to help you. You didn't need to put yourself in so much danger."

"And you're not in danger? I'm not as strong as you are. I couldn't do it. I'd have gotten the both of us killed. This was my only option. You must understand that, Draco." She was right. Pansy never would've lasted and they both knew it. But there had to be something else then waiting out her impending death.

"You need to go see Dumbledore. He'll figure something out I'm sure. That's what he's good at."

"I know. I planned on it. He can at least keep me here over the holidays." Holidays. He hadn't given them much thought thus far. Draco would have to go home. Home to the death and destruction he'd been involved in over the past weeks. Only this would be worse. He couldn't do it. "Will you stay up with me for a bit?"

"I don't know. I wouldn't want anyone to think I've gone and grown a heart." He teased a little, trying to lighten the mood if he could at all.

"Too late for that. Everyone can already see it. Not only have you grown one but you're using it." She smiled lightly and Draco took her hand in reassurance. The pair sat silence in the common room well into the night.

.-.

He swallowed the remainder of the headache potion that Snape had prepared for him. The day after his transformations was often the worse. In fact, he was still holding up in bed, trying to rid himself of the pain. Of course with the Wolfsbane potion, things were easier, but there would always be that initial when his body shifted as it did. Though it was nothing compared to his Hogwarts days.

With the combination of full moon and his mood as of late, things weren't looking too well. Remus feared things were getting out of his control and he knew he needed to get a grip on his thoughts but it was just getting easier to let them come. To accept that he did have feelings for a particular blonde. Could things work? No, he snapped at himself, things would never work.

With the potion settling in his body, the sharp pain in his head was beginning to subside and he pulled himself out of bed. His stomach growled a little and he was relieved to see that the house elves had left his lunch in the sitting area of his rooms. They'd figured out his schedule easy enough and he certainly couldn't complain.

Just as he began to dig in to the plate prepared for him, his door had swung open, and in sauntered Draco Malfoy. He carried with him a few more very intriguing looking desserts as well as his normal school things.

"Draco?" He swallowed hard.

"I just came to see how you were doing. Sev gave me a couple potions to deliver as well. And well of course the pastries."

"More bribes so I can't turn you out?" Remus joked, accepting what he'd brought, Draco taking a seat across from him.

"I suppose though I don't believe you'd turn me out anyway."

"You're right. I wouldn't." Remus smiled fondly at the blonde, he got comfortable on the couch with his work from that day. Remus wasn't used to spending these days with anyone. In fact, he'd gotten very accustomed to the silence. It reminded him that he was alone. That it was supposed to be that way.

Now seeing Draco comfortable there, actually making sure he was alright, was like throwing a big rift in his mind. It had been a long time that anyone had spent so much time on his well being. Remus had always been the shoulder to cry on and the wall of stability for those that needed it. Even in Sirius' case. Sirius was a great man but he wasn't the best sounding board there was. That had always been more Remus' role to play. It carried over even now. Harry had never braved coming down to check up on him. It was more probably for his own embarrassment though, he reasoned. But for some reason, having Draco down there, obviously more interested in his well being than his Transfiguration homework was refreshing.

It wasn't supposed to be. He'd tried and tried to make it clear to him that things wouldn't and couldn't work with them. But every time he made it a point to say this, Draco went out of his way to prove him wrong. And he knew that this was a way of doing it. He wanted to show him how much it didn't bother him. That he could deal with it and he wanted to if he'd only let him. It was a rather large gesture from the boy who years before probably despised him. Things had changed so much but was Remus really ready for a change of that magnitude?

.-.

A/N: Yes, I know. It took me a bit to get this out. I had hoped it wouldn't take so much time, but things never seem to go my way. But oh well, here it is, in all its glory (or perhaps it's lack there of?) I hadn't exactly intended on sticking a bit of Pansy drama in but it came to my mind and it seemed to fit ok. What do you think? Yay or Nay on Pansy? As always, I love getting reviews from my wonderful and amazing reviewers. And speaking of Wonderful and Amazing, I have a people to thank for said reviews…

MyMindIsMyEchoSide: Thanks bunches as always for the reviews. Helps to brighten my day! Thanks!

GaBo0: I know, I know. The Gryffindors just have to nose their way into everything. But oh well, it's just in their nature I suppose. But anywho, thanks bunches for the reviews.

empath89: Thanks tons and tons for the reviews as always. I love seeing the same people constantly review and getting the words of encouragement to continue. Thanks!

betsytheripper: Thanks bunches! Glad you had a wonderful time on vacation. I'm thinking that I need one right now as well. It's just been one of those weeks. Oh but anywho, I can sympathize, no matter what, a little added fictional tension never hurt anyone. Thanks again!

Flame Rhiannon: My goodness. Thanks for such an enthusiastic review. And thanks bunches for such kind words. But shouldn't you ask me out to dinner first? LoL

Blackdragonofdeath13: That's a big muchas gracias on the review. You guys sincerely keep me going! Thanks!