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 17

Draco spent the remainder of the break in solitude. Pansy had tried numerous times to get him to talk to her but he only just shrugged her off. This did little to help her recover from what she was trying to deal with regarding him. And at the same time, she was spending more and more time with Weasley. Neither was good for her.

It wasn't until the day before everyone was set to return that she finally broke through. Her persistence would've paid off sooner or later but she finally found the argument that would really get to him. Remus. She'd spoken to Ron about him and it didn't seem to be going well. He was doing much of the same as she was, waiting. Though unlike her, he couldn't show up in his dorm and plead with him to talk to him.

Pansy had stood in the doorway a moment, watching Draco as he was stretched out on the bed. He held an old, leather-bound book in his hands, though she was almost certain he wasn't even looking at it, let alone reading it. After a moment, she sat down on the end of his bed and he looked up.

"Obviously you aren't going to talk to me. And trust me, this will be the last time I try. But I think there is someone you need to talk to. If not me, then talk to Lupin. He's been a right mess lately from what Potter's said. You seem to have that affect on him."

"Is he angry with me?" Draco asked quietly, setting the book in his lap, showing attention for the first time to conversation.

"No, quite the opposite actually. He's been worried sick. He's said that he was just going to give you whatever time you may need to recover." She didn't sound too impressed with such a theory.

"Don't tell me you went to speak to him. He might never want to talk to me again after that.." Draco could just imagine. Pansy was about as civil as a dragon sometimes.

"I did no such thing. Though you don't give me enough credit. I've gotten over the two of you a while ago."

"So you no longer want to curse him?"

"Honestly, Draco. Even I can see that the man cares about you. He was a right mess after you left that morning and has been since then. I'm not as heartless as everyone seems to think." She crossed her arms, looking slightly offended.

"Well obviously if you've developed feelings for a Weasley." He said quietly but it had been loud enough for Pansy to hear.

"Oh be quiet. You have no room to talk anymore. And on subject, I hear Potter found you in quite a state. I'm sure he won't even be able to as much as look at you again after that." A smile found her face which did nothing but cause one from Draco himself.

"Well it serves him right. Intruding upon my morning. Besides, it's not as though that's his cup of tea or anything."

"You might be surprised. Ron has his theories." She said quietly standing up and starting for the door.

"Potter? Really? You can't be serious."

"I very well could be. And Potter may have enjoyed your little show more than you think." She grinned mischievously. "But don't dwell on that. Right now, you need to get out of here and go talk to Lupin. Do us all a favor!" She ended the last bit more sincerely than the rest. If she couldn't be the one to help him right now, then she knew for certain that Remus could. And that was what Draco needed right then.

"Right. And what do I do if he turns me away?" Draco questioned searching out his shoes. He'd given little thought to it's location over the past few days.

"I don't know what you'll do but I'll pass out from surprise. He's not going to turn you out. Coddle you like a little child while whispering sweet nothings in your ear, perhaps. But not turn you away."

"Oh stuff it, Pansy. Go annoy Weasley or something." He shooed her out of the room to which she just rolled her eyes and left on her own accord. This left Draco to prepare himself to see Remus again for the first time since he'd stormed out without word or reason.

.-.

Remus had skipped dinner that evening. He'd gotten a bit behind on the work he was supposed to have done over the long break. There had been too much on his mind. In fact there still was but there was no way around having to finish this stuff up.

As he'd begun grading the last of the essays, he heard something coming from outside of his rooms and he stood to investigate. He hadn't expected to see Draco standing there, full of contemplation. That was until he realized that Remus had already spotted him. He just put on a sheepish look and hoped for the best.

"Can I come in?" He managed, looking about the corridor suspiciously.

Remus stepped aside to let him in and Draco gladly did so. As he moved further into Remus' quarters, he felt better than he had since the break had begun. Perhaps this had been what he'd needed from the beginning.

"Are you doing ok?" Remus questioned, sitting back down in his previous spot, setting the parchment aside for the time being.

"Better, actually. More so now though." Draco stood there a moment, shifting from foot to foot. "I've missed you, Remus."

Remus watched him a moment before standing again, and moving towards the blonde. Draco seemed clearly unsure of something, nervous almost. Slowly though, Remus leant down and brought his lips to Draco's. With the connection, some of the uncertainty it seemed, flushed from Draco's very body and he brought his arms around Remus' neck, deepening the kiss.

Pulling back slightly, Remus managed to mutter that he'd missed Draco too before the pair worked their way to the couch. Draco's eager hands began their work at Remus' robes, taking charge without much reservation. Though he knew that would be short lived, at least from previous experiences. Remus was more reserved, but in the bedroom, that was an entirely different story. He was in full control, the wolf instincts inside of him Draco suspected, and Draco wasn't complaining.

Remus wasted no time shrugged his robe off, working on Draco's, his shirt soon following. Remus tore away from the searing kiss, trailing kisses down Draco's neck and along his collarbone, the blonde tossing his head back giving him better access. And then suddenly, Draco stiffened up. His face instantly contorted in pain as he pulled away from Remus and stood from the couch all in a rush.

"Draco?" Remus watched nervously, adjusting himself accordingly. Part of him was worried that he'd done something to harm the blonde in any way. That have just been lovely for their situation. But then he noticed that Draco was clutching his left arm tightly.

"I think I'm being summoned. I'm fi…" And with that, Draco fell over onto the floor.

.-.

Sleepy gray eyes opened, surprised to find themselves in the dark. Or at least it were outside. The room was well lit and it didn't take long for him to realize it was because he was in the infirmary. Draco sat up a little, realizing that his arm was stinging. He lifted the offending appendage for inspection only to discovered it was wrapped in white gauze. He let it down gently back on the bed, looking around for the mediwitch, maybe get some sort of information about what had happened to him.

He wasn't very pleased to discover she was no where in sight but neither was Remus. He assumed he'd brought him down here, being he'd been in his rooms, but no sight of him. Perhaps he was off looking for her? He sighed and leaned back against the bed a little defeated.

It seemed like an eternity before Madam Pomfrey showed up to check on him. She changed the bandages which gave him a very good look at the wound. It seemed the skin had been seared from the mark. It no longer looked that frightening, in fact, it didn't really look like anything. A black blob on his arm. It was almost easier to look at it that way. He didn't have much time before she re-wrapped it and shoved potion down his throat.

"Where's Remus?" He questioned still feeling a little groggy.

"It would do you good to call him Professor Lupin in here, no matter what is going on otherwise." She leaned him forward, fluffing the pillows behind his back as she spoke.

"What do you mean? How do you know there's something going on?" As soon as the words escaped, he realized that if she didn't before, she did now.

"Love, it was very obvious in the state he brought you in here. He was a mess with worry. He almost didn't leave this morning for classes. Dumbledore had to come talk to him." She seemed a little on edge being around him suddenly. Like everyone knew something he didn't. "He'll be back in soon to speak with you as well.

"What happened to me?"

"It seems Voldemort now knows of your status amongst us." The nurse seemed as surprised as Draco when the old wizard had appeared, seemingly from no where. But there he stood, twinkling eyes and smile. "Feeling better?" Draco just nodded. "Poppy, can you give us a moment?" She gave an annoyed nod before leaving the room. This worried Draco just a little. "You gave everyone a bit of a scare." He stated plainly.

"I'd assumed I was just being summoned." Draco countered, feeling the need suddenly to defend himself.

"Well let's just be thankful someone had been there to look after you." Dumbledore entered the room, sitting down in the chair that set beside Draco's bed. "It seems you were poisoned. Directly from the Mark. I've done spells myself to protect against anything further. Though there may be a twinge every now and again. I'm not quite certain. It was the first mark we attempted to extract. Though as you noticed, it will remain on your arm permanently."

"So then when am I allowed to leave?"

"Soon. But I have a few words of caution for when you do." Dumbledore paused slightly, a look of discomfort on his face. "I knew that there was something going on between you and Remus before this incident, Draco but I turned the other cheek and just let it go. But I'm afraid this can't continue, if both of you wish to remain discreet. There were a few students inside the infirmary yesterday when you were brought in. I'm afraid it may spark a few rumors throughout the school. It was part of the reason Remus isn't here. I told him that it might be best if he not be here, someone would be bound to notice."

"I was worried as to why he wasn't here." Draco seemed a little relieved actually, not having heard much else of what Dumbledore had said. Or at least not taking it to heart.

"Draco, I know that you have strong feelings for Remus but I can only wonder if it is a good idea to continue in such a fashion. I know you both personally and may be more lenient about our situation. That wouldn't be the case if the ministry were to be involved. In fact, it's certain that it would a very bad thing for both parties involved."

"What exactly are you saying?"

"That for the remainder of the term, it may be a good idea if you avoid contact other than educational with Remus." Draco looked rather angry with this but Dumbledore's face softened. "I know this seems very unfair but if someone else finds out, Remus could lose everything, including his life, Draco. I know that you'll do the right thing. I hope you do too." Dumbledore gave him a last sad look before standing. He spoke a few words with Poppy before leaving. She gave Draco a very sad look before busying herself with who knew what.

Draco swallowed hard, slamming back against the pillows on the bed. Avoid Remus? He'd been down that road and it was preferably less traveled. Now Dumbledore was asking him to do it all over. It seemed very unfair but there was unfortunately logic to it. As much as Draco didn't want to admit it. He'd be keeping Remus safe. He really would be. And once he graduated, neither of them would have to worry about it again. That is of course, if Remus would want him back after this.

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A/N: This chapter took me a million days it seemed like. And you will notice that this is a double update so I shan't ramble too long. I hope everyone has enjoyed this chapter and I'll save comments for the next chapter.