Chapter 36

Draco jerked awake as a loud pounding came at the door. He sat up, grabbing his wand and rubbing his eyes as the door opened. Snape stuck his head in, "Come on. Someone's trying the wards." He said briskly before disappearing again.

Draco jumped up, grabbing some pants and pulling them on quickly, hurrying after him before Ginny could even ask what was going on.

As he entered the Common room he saw that Snape had woken quite a number of others on the way from his room for backup. They took up positions, facing the door tensely. There was nothing apparent... no sounds or anything of the sort, but if Snape said someone was there, they were. They had been setting up layer upon layer of warning alarms and additional wards ever since that first dreadful night. Still... nothing could get through that door... could it?

There was nervous shifting and the anxiety in the air suddenly got thick as part of the door started shimmering. When the shimmering faded, they stared in shock at the hole in the door that was nearly a meter in diameter.

Then two coppery heads looked in at them.

"Oh bloody hell..." Snape muttered as his posture eased.

The twins spotted him and waved with big grins on their faces.

Snape moved closer to the door. "How on Earth did you do that?" He asked, eyeing the hole.

They cupped their hands to their ears as if unable to hear him, then reached out and rapped silently against what appeared to be thin air.

Snape eased a bit closer, reaching out and giving a sigh of relief as his hand came into contact with cold steel where the hole appeared to be. He turned back to the others. "It's just invisible. The ward is still intact." He looked back, eyeing the two impatiently waiting boys. "I suppose I should let them in..." He sighed. "Wands at the ready until I've checked them over." He said briskly as the 'hole' began fading away.

They held their ground as he dispelled the final ward and opened the door.

"About bloody time..." Fred said as they walked in.

"You know how long it took us to get through those poxy wards?"

"Ever thought of a doorbell?"

"A call box?"

"Something?!?"

"Honestly..."

They fell silent, watching Snape with amusement as he cast the detecting spells on them. When he was done, he closed the door and locked it. Only then did the others put away their wands and relax.

"That's a fine how do ya do!"

"And after we brought you presents and everything..." George said, taking his box and setting it on a nearby coffee table.

Snape opened it up and looked through it with interest. "Well, that puts us a couple more ingredients towards a cure... but couldn't this have waited until morning? You could have been killed trying to get in here!"

"No choice mate."

"We were nearly done up like a kipper."

"If Ollie hadn't of warned us..."

"We'd have been busted for sure."

"Fudge has his men on our shop..."

Snape growled angrily. "Is he trying to..." He trailed off, seeing Ron enter with Blaise on his arm. He cleared his throat, "Well you got away. You should probably stay the night at least, but we'll probably have to try to slip you out tomorrow without the Ministry people seeing..."

"Did you get the stuff?" Ron asked eagerly, coming over.

Fred and George dropped their eyes. "Most of it..." George said reluctantly.

Fred looked over at Snape suddenly, "Speaking of that chinless wonder..."

"He's the reason we can't find that Erumpent tail."

"He recalled it."

"Every last one."

"You mean Kulia couldn't even find any?" Draco asked, shocked.

They shook their heads, "She offered to try to nick some for us..."

Snape immediately shook his head. "No. Fudge would use it to his advantage... say we were trying to undermine the Ministry or some such rubbish. We'll have to discuss it with Dumbledore in the morning."

"Oh... and..." George carefully extracted the neatly coiled braid.

"She said you could do something with this."

"Distill the essence or some such..."

"Actually she said you wouldn't need all of it..."

"And said we could keep the rest..."

"So we'd like our change when you're done." They both smirked.

Snape stared at the pristine braid, then reached out, taking it almost reverently. "How did you get this? I've only ever seen ancient bottles of the essence itself... to my knowledge, no one has distilled it in many decades at the very least..."

"But you can...?"

Snape looked up and smirked. "I'll give it a try." He said sarcastically. "But... how ever did you get so much of it?"

"Talent."

"And hard work..."

"Hours..."

"And hours..."

"Of hard work..."

Snape looked up, noting their wide, mischievous grins. "Forget I asked." He said dryly.

They looked over at Draco, who was trying to banish a wicked smirk. They straightened and went over to him.

"By the way mate..." Fred said sternly.

The smirk fled as Draco watched the two come up to stand very close, getting a bit nervous.

"What you did..."

"Selling us off like a couple of rent-boys..."

George suddenly seized him and they leaned in, planting a firm kiss on both of his cheeks simultaneously before releasing him and leaning back, brilliant smiles on their faces as he turned pink, the rest of the Slytherins chortling merrily at his discomfort.

"Any time that little pointy eared crumpet is on the pull..."

"Feel free to owl us!"

Draco chuckled ruefully. "I'll be sure to tell her..."

They just smirked, then Fred shifted the second box from where it had been resting against his side and shoved it into Draco's arms. "Delivery complete."

"Time for rest..." George said with a smirk as they both went over and flopped down wearily on the largest couch.

"What's this?" Draco asked curiously, feeling the heft of it and noting the sound of many shifting containers.

"Your dad's gubbins."

"Seems he's been ordering on your galleon mate."

"She said she's officially cut him off now though..."

"Since she found out..."

"That's not going to go over well..." Draco said, looking a bit worried. He looked down at the box thoughtfully. He glanced back at the twins, then smirked. They were already nodding off, slumped against eachother and looking completely wiped out. It appeared that Kulia definitely had fun with them... He went over, setting the box next to the first and opening it up. Snape peered in it avidly as Draco started picking up the containers, trying to discern what was in them.

Snape carefully stashed the braid with the other ingredients, then took the vial Draco was holding, looking at it in awe. "I've only ever read about these..." He said in a hushed tone, looking extremely impressed. "The things Lucius could have done with these ingredients..." He shook his head, then glanced over at Draco, "I'll have to let you do my shopping from now on." He said with a smirk.

Draco smirked back, digging around in the box more.

"Cor! Who invited her in?" Crabbe said irritably.

Draco looked over, spotting Moaning Myrtle floating there pensively. She spotted Ron and flitted over to him.

"Ron! You have to come..." She said in her pinched, whinny voice.

Ron just looked at her, surprised. "Where?"

"It doesn't matter. Mr. Weasley isn't leaving the Dungeon in the middle of the night." Snape said, setting the vial down gingerly and turning to face her.

She wrung her hands, looking near tears, "But it's Harry... he snuck out of the Tower..."

"Then kindly leave so we can get the wards back up. If that demon's taken him again this is most likely his destination." Snape said briskly.

"No... that demon isn't in him... he just ran off... he's in the prefect's bathroom... He seems so sad... I think... I think he's going to do something daft." She said in an anguished whine.

Ron's eyes went wide and he started for the door, but Blaise immediately wrapped his arms around him, holding him back. "You can't go out there!" He said, his voice rife with concern.

"I can't just stand here! If Harry does something..." His throat constricting at the thought. "I have to try to stop him!" He said, his voice tight with emotion.

Blaise held onto him stubbornly. "That thing is after you! This could be a trap!"

"He's right." Snape said, nodding, "It would be just the kind of ploy it would use. It enjoys using human emotions to get its way." He looked over at Myrtle. "Why don't you go inform Mr. Potter's House. They would be closer anyway."

"I can't!" She wailed petulantly, "The other houses are all sealed! You think I would come HERE if I had a choice?" She said, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at him insolently.

Snape gave a snort of irritation.

"Let go Blaise!" Ron said, trying to pry his arms off to no avail. After a moment he stopped struggling, "Please Blaise..." He said in a soft, aching voice, "If he... I... I don't think I could forgive myself if I didn't at least try..."

Blaise looked torn. He pulled Ron closer, hugging him. "Draco..." Blaise said imploringly.

"Oh no... you are not asking me to do that!" Draco said immediately.

"Draco, please..." Blaise said persistently.

Draco glared at him silently.

Blaise growled, shoving Ron into Pansy's arms and making his way towards the door. "Fine. Fuck it. I'll go myself. It's not like that bloody thing would want me!" He said, feeling his way along the wall towards the door, looking determined.

Brown swirled through Draco's eyes. He let out a growl, smacking himself in the forehead, "Not you too! Shut the bloody hell up!" He let out an inarticulate roar of anger. He strode over to Blaise, grabbing the front of his shirt and shoving him against the wall. "If that things kills me, I'm going to bloody well haunt you and make your life miserable to the end of your days!"

Blaise grinned at him.

"Oh, they don't let you do that any more... trust me..." Myrtle said morosely.

"And you! Sod off or I'll leave his miserable arse!" Draco said, glaring at Myrtle. Her eyes went wide and she immediately flitted away. Draco gave Blaise another shove of irritation, then grabbed up Ginny, giving her a brief, fierce kiss, then stormed out of the Dungeon before Snape could even stop him.

Ginny just watched him go, knowing there was no point trying to discuss it now. Besides, she knew Draco was the best one for the task, being the only one who wouldn't come back possessed. As much as she hated him risking his life, she also knew Ron was being completely honest... he'd never forgive himself if some effort weren't made.

Snape growled, storming after him. He paused at the threshold. "Lock the door after me. If anything tries to get in, seal it." He glared at the open door. "I had best catch up with Draco before he does something foolish."

Blaise gave an amused snort. "Good luck catching up with him!"

Snape went out into the corridor, shutting the door behind him. He looked both ways down the long corridor, but Draco was already out of sight. He didn't even hear any fading footfalls. It was as if he'd stepped out the door and simply vanished. Snape hurried off.

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Draco looked around warily as he entered the prefect's bathroom. The candles were already lit, the air warm and humid. Harry wasn't immediately apparent. He went in further. He got an odd sensation in his stomach as he spotted what looked like a ruined knife on the edge of the bathtub... the pristine white marble around it spattered with drops of bright red. He hurried over, peering down into the tub.

"Fuck!" He growled. He could see a body in the water, mostly hidden by a slowly spreading cloud of red. He jumped in, cringing in disgust as the tainted water splashed up around him. He grabbed ahold of his hair and dragged him back to the surface, unwilling to dive under the water.

As Harry's head broke the surface, he made no attempt to breath, looking pale and limp in Draco's grasp. He felt his neck but could feel no pulse.

"Ruddy hell..." Draco muttered, grabbing Harry roughly by the upper arm and pulling him to the side, then climbing up the little ladder that was built into the corner and dragging him out after him. He pulled his wand out of his waistband and flicked it at Harry, casting a purging spell on him. A surprising amount of water gushed out of his mouth.

"Ennervate!" He said with another flick of his wand. Nothing. He growled and cast it again. Nothing. "Potter you had better bloody well wake up. I'm not about to put my mouth on you like some bloody muggle!" He cast again.

After the forth time, he finally saw a weak rise of his chest. He cast it again and Harry shuddered, starting to draw breath. Draco felt his neck. There was a weak but somewhat steady heartbeat.

That done, he grabbed up one of Harry's arms and examined it. He had managed to cut all the way from the wrist up the inner forearm to the elbow. Draco quickly began casting healing spells on the first wrist as a slugging trickle of blood tried to make it's way out. He moved on to the matching cut on the other arm as soon as the first was sealed up well enough. Time for cosmetics later. He couldn't help but notice the marks on Harry's arms. He glanced down as he worked. Harry's body was covered with dozens of such marks.

Harry stirred, opening his eyes dazedly and trying to focus them. He let out an anguished sound as he realized he was still alive. He managed to shift his head over. His eyes widened as he saw Draco kneeling beside him, holding his arm and casting on it intently.

Harry jerked weakly on his arm, trying to free it from Draco's grasp.

Draco didn't even look up from his work, "Sack it, Potter. Unless you want another lovely scar to add to your collection that is!" He said dryly.

"Get out!" Harry said weakly, trying to muster his voice, "Leave me alone..."

Draco gave a snort, "Would if I could. Believe me! Just bottle it and let me finish up."

"Why didn't you just leave me?" He said achingly.

Draco's cheeks colored angrily and he lashed out, slapping Harry soundly across the face, leaving him stunned. "You stupid, selfish prat! Don't you ever think of anyone but yourself???"

"Wha... what?" Harry asked, his head swimming.

Draco glared down at him. "Didn't it ever occur to you what this would do to your best friend? When that bloody banshee came in wailing about you trying to snuff it, he nearly lost his marbles. I had to come save your miserable arse just to keep him from running out of the Dungeon and getting himself slaughtered by that bloody demon, all because you were feeling sorry for yourself!" he said with a bitter edge.

Harry, blinked, trying to gather his scattered wits. "Ron?"

Draco rolled his eyes, "Brilliant deduction, Saint Potter." He said with biting sarcasm, "Now would Your Grace care to keep his miserable arse in his own House at night? I'll not be romping about patching you up again!"

Harry was having a hard time wrapping his mind around this, "But... why do you care about Ron?"

Draco tucked away his wand, glaring down at him, "Other than the fact that he's practically my brother-in-law? Well, he's not such a weasel when he doesn't have you there constantly... not to mention he's dating my best friend, who would otherwise have come after you himself to keep Ron safe..."

Harry glowered at him, starting to shiver from the cool air and massive blood loss. "Maybe you should have let him. Then I wouldn't have had to deal with you."

Draco growled, drawing his arm back for another, harder blow. He held it back with an obviously massive amount of willpower and got up, storming towards the door. When he was nearly to the door, he stopped, standing there for a moment, then went over to the stack of towels and grabbed a few. He came back over, opening one up and draped it over Harry's waist, then knelt beside him and used the other to start drying him off a bit more.

"You shouldn't taunt him." He said softly, "It took a lot for him to save you. It went against every instinct he had, and yet he did it. Blaise is very important to him... not to mention currently blind, and the curse that caused it is still life threatening... so he's obviously a bit touchy on the subject..."

Harry stared over at him, confused, "Taunt who?"

"Draco."

Harry's eyes widened as dark brown eyes glanced up at him. He tried to pull away, but was still far too weak, "Who... what...?" he stammered, frightened.

"That would be Darien." Snape said, leaning against the doorframe, obviously out of breath. "How the bloody hell can you move that fast?" Snape asked, looking Draco over with open amazement. It was obvious Draco had been there for a bit, and he wasn't even breathing hard!

The brown flowed away from Draco's eyes and a wicked smirk slipped onto his lips. "Maybe you're just getting old, Snape!"

Snape glared at him. "Switch back. I think I prefer the ghost. He, at least, has some manners."

Draco just smirked wider, then looked down. His smirk flowed away. He dropped the towel in disgust and got back up. "He's all yours."

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A/N - Sorry this wasn't longer, it will obviously continue in the next chapter, but I wanted to get at least this much up so you didn't all go mental wondering what I was gonna happen. I'm afraid it might take me a bit to update again from the looks of it. This is gonna be a very busy weekend for me, and I've already been skiving off stuff I really shouldn't have to write this... just wanted to resolve the 'cliffy' so I wouldn't be leavin you in the lurch for the weekend. I may get around to another update, but it looks unlikely... well, I need sleep, so here's a few last notes:

About Harry - oh like I'd really just kill him!!! ;P And the knife may have been mostly gone, but you don't need much on the wrists. Heck, go look at surgical knives! Some of those are positively tiny, but they get the job done! Besides, the book clearly said the blade was gone, so it wasn't like I could say half of it was left, cause then J.K. would have said half gone... but just that much left I think could still be termed as the blade being gone.

About the conversation between the twins... you just have to hang around very close twins :) I've known a couple of sets, and conversations between them are often exactly like that. Their minds are on such a close wavelength that it seems to border on psychic abilities. Most often when they are in deep discussion, you just get single words, or sentence fragments at most. It's usually nearly impossible for outsiders to follow. Not all twins are like that obviously, but I think Fred & George would be. When I was young, I had a best friend, and on occasion we would have conversations like that. It's just a matter of knowing completely how the other one's mind works. I miss that... (pouts)

Seamus - yes, he was possessed. That's why he was being particularly cruel (not to mention the only way he could have seen Harry leaving since Harry was invisible). As for Dean... well he's always struck me as a bit of a prick. I don't think he actually needs help being cruel. :)

Oh! And if you are having troubles with the chapters, just keep trying. For some reason it likes to say they don't exist one minute, then they show up fine the next. If you absolutely can't get it to work, email me and I'll email you a copy, or just reupload it if there are a lot of you asking for the same chapter.

(sorry if you got two notices for this chapter, had to correct some stuff. Sleep deprivation isn't good for proofreading...)