It was the next day during breakfast when Draco heard more of the hushed conversation going on between Pansy and Blaise. He was beginning to wonder if they were even aware that he could hear them. They sat a few places away, leaning over the table as if about to kiss, but instead were speaking to eachother in soft whispers. It was irritating Draco beyond belief.

"So?"

"So, he didn't really do anything."

"Nothing?"

"Well, he pushed me away."

"What in the world did you do!"

"I kissed him."

"What! Not yet! You're suppose"

"Quiet!"

Fleetingly, Pansy glanced over at Draco, eyes widening a bit when she saw that he was watching them with a narrowed gaze. She quickly drew back into her seat, and Blaise followed suit, glancing over at him and smiling innocently. They began eating their breakfast, staying silent the rest of the time.

They were planning something; Draco knew now.

As everyone started leaving the Great Hall, Draco stood up and found himself running into someone else almost a second later. It was Blaise.

"Sorry," the boy said, sounding truly apologetic. He recovered easily, once again. "Hey, Draco?"

"What?" Draco asked coolly. They'd left through the doors, making their way back to the Slytherin common room to do whatever it was they were scheduling to do.

"I wanted to apologize for last night. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything."

"What did you mean then?"

"I... well... I just lost control of myself. I really enjoyed kiss..."

"Not here!" Draco said sharply, cutting him off. He turned his eyes to glare icily at Blaise, which made the other boy frown. He looked hurt again. "I found no enjoyment. You need to go find someone else, Zabini."

"Why?" Blaise asked indignantly.

"I've already told you."

"You're not ga?"

"Not here. Hell, I don't need people thinking anything."

Blaise sulked for a few more seconds as they descended further down the hallway. Draco wondered where Pansy had gone; Blaise could've chosen to stay with her, for god sake. He wasn't in the mood to stand beside him at the moment.

"You don't trust me, do you?" Blaise asked.

"No, I don't."

"Isn't there a way I could get you to?"

"I doubt it."

Draco bit his tongue, trying not to snap at the other boy. He didn't want to start anything or draw any attention toward them... and yet he could feel himself getting angry again. He didn't notice that Blaise was busy glancing around, seeing if anyone worth worrying about was around. There wasn't anyone.

"Listen, Draco..."

The pale Slytherin was about to glance sideways at Blaise again, before he was pushed rudely against the wall. He hit it on his side, and a sharp pain shot up his arm. He quickly clutched a hand over it. "What are you doing?" He asked through clenched teeth. He was pushed again, this time against the wall by either shoulder. It didn't hurt as much as the first time.

Blaise looked him in the eyes, pressing harder into Draco's shoulders so that he wouldn't be able to shove him away. Draco didn't fight back; he was still holding onto his arm while starting intently back at the other boy. "I don't think you'll gain my trust this way."

"You'll have to trust me," Blaise replied threateningly.

"Why, what's wrong with you now?"

"Nothing." Blaise glared. "You need to stay on our side is all."

"What?" Draco asked, confused. "What side?"

"Our side," Blaise said quietly.

Draco suddenly lifted both his arms to try and shove Blaise away from him. It worked, but the boy came back on him fast, grabbing the front of his shirt with two hands. "Stop resisting, Draco. I'm trying to make this easier."

Draco's stomach fell; he suddenly felt sick.

Stop resisting...

"Let go of me. I am on your bloody side."

"Are you?"

"Yes."

Blaise seemed to pause and think for a few minutes, before his grip tightened and he pushed Draco up against the wall again. "You're not. I know. I got a letter."

"So what?" Draco snapped. He was starting to pale more than usual; things were getting out of hand again, and he couldn't find himself the strength enough to push back.

"The letter was from Lucius. He told me that you're having second thoughts about joining the dark side. You know you can't do that. Most of those Death Eaters will be counting on you, not us." Blaise's expression turned to one of slight disgust. "What are you planning to do? Joining Dumbledore and Potter?"

Draco stayed quiet. His angry expression fell, replaced by one that showed no emotion at all. His father had put Blaise up to this... Pansy and Blaise. The only people that Draco was sure would never do something like this to him. Did they even know...?

"No, I'm not planning to join them," Draco said hollowly, "Please just let me go."

With hesitance, Blaise did. People were starting to peer over at them. Luckily there were hardly any students left passing through the hallway. "So you're sure?"

"Yes, I am."

Blaise appeared relieved. Maybe he hadn't been intent on hurting Draco to begin with. Though Draco felt shaky all over now, just like the nights he'd returned from seeing his father.

"Good," the boy started, "Because your father said that if you end up needing more convincing, we'll have to help him in that manner."

Draco nodded. What Blaise said didn't register with him; he was standing stiffly in place, eyes locked to the floor, the burning tears returning. His father had turned his own friends against him, or what he had thought were friends. Now he wasn't even safe at school. "Go now?" Draco asked softly.

"Sure," Blaise said, returning to his casual tone. "See you in the common room."When he left, Draco didn't bother to follow him back. He had no intention to; ever. He began walking back toward the Great Hall, wiping hastily at his eyes as he did so. People were still looking at him strangely, but he took no notice. He wanted to find someone.

When Draco spotted that someone ten minutes later, thankfully walking alone, he grabbed his wrist and pulled him quickly down the hallway. There was no protesting, but certainly a startled expression. Draco pulled them both into an empty classroom, hoping to god that no Slytherins had seen him. Once the door was closed, he wasted no time in wrapping his arms around the boy's shoulders. "I need your help right now," Draco whispered.

"Malfoy... what's wrong? Why are you doing... this again?" Harry asked, sounding faintly worried.

Draco guessed that 'this' was referring to being as close as he was. But he didn't know why he was doing it.

Alright, so he did. It was comforting in some way, and made Draco feel a lot better. What was more, he didn't want the boy to see that he was crying; he was ashamed that he was this weak. Especially since he had to go running for Potter just for some help.

"Malfoy?" Harry asked again. He was about ready to gently push the boy away again.

"Don't," Draco muttered. He buried his face in the crook of Harry's neck. "I want you to help me."

He heard a definite unevenness to Harry's voice then. "Okay, what do you want me to do?"

"Just..." Draco stopped, falling silent again.

"Are you crying?" Harry questioned quietly, shifting uneasily beneath Draco's embrace.

"Please." Draco's arms tightened around Harry as if it were the only thing that could keep him safe. "Don't let anyone try and control me... I can't take it anymore."

Draco sounded so desperate and so completely helpless that Harry couldn't help but feel bad for him. If something made him break down enough to come running to him, then there must've been no one else left for him to go to.

A few silent minutes passed as they stood there, Draco unmoving and waiting for an answer. Finally, arms moved up to wrap comfortingly around the trembling Slytherin.

"Ok, I'll do what I can," Harry murmured.