Disclaimer: I don't own anything-wish I did.

Sorry for the long delay folks, I had theatre studies and English coursework to do. And I've been focusing a lot on my original stuff as well, so hence the long wait. Because of this, it may take me a while to get back into the characters, so I'm sorry again if they seem a bit off from normal, ok? Well, enjoy anyway.

The Other Way

I was beginning to wonder if this would become a regular occurrence, it was the second time in under a week, and it startled me, a lot, to realise that I kind of enjoyed it. I liked the way he felt he could cling to me; he wouldn't have fallen asleep if he hadn't felt some kind of safety with me. This was the reason I became part of the Trauma team… well, mostly why, the other part had been because Ruth reminded me so much of my mother-minus all the yelling, usually.

Draco mumbled something and his fingers tightened their grip on my shirt. I sat there, stroking a line down his back, mum had always done that if any of us were upset, it never really made the tears stop, but for me at least, it always let me know she was there for me. I wonder what Draco read into it?

There was a thump in the fire grate, I frowned over and I felt my face going red-I'd forgotten they were stopping over. I would never hear the end of this. There was a loud screech as Pig wheeled his way over, hooting madly.

Draco woke with a start and a half yelp before he shrank away from me, glancing over towards the fire as there was another thump. "Well, well, well, what have we here?" Charlie smiled. I felt Draco flinch at the words. "Hey George, Ron's been keeping a secret."

Draco had pulled further away, practically trying to push his way through the seat and onto the floor behind.

I opened my mouth to tell them to knock it off.

Georges head peeked over Charlie's shoulder, and he smiled his ghost of a mischievous smile. "Really Ron, keeping secrets isn't very nice."

I groaned softly, Draco was starting to shake. Right I had to do some major damage control. "It's ok Draco." I soothed softly, turning to my brothers. "Pack it in guys, until I explain, ok." I pleaded with them silently, hoping my eyes got the message across.

Charlie took a seat on the sofa, pulling George down with him. "Draco? As in Malfoy?" he asked slowly.

"Emm… yeah." I turned to Draco; he was watching my brothers from under his hair. I could see him withdrawing deeper into himself. I nearly wanted to tell them to go away and start drawing him out again. I was going to have to at least explain why he was here; they didn't get the daily Prophet in Romania that I knew of. "Draco?" I asked, and waited until his eyes shifted their focus to me. "Would you mind if I told them a little-"

His eyes went wide.

"No, no, nothing like that Draco. Just a little, like why you're here?" I tried again.

He looked away; I assumed that meant I could. That it meant he had no choice. I sighed. "Draco, if you don't want me to tell I won't." I said.

He still didn't look at me.

I sighed and turned to Charlie and George, from the looks on their faces I knew they had already worked out part of it. "Yeah," I answered their unspoken question. "He's my patient."

"But why is he here? At your house? Shouldn't he be at the unit?" Charlie asked.

"That's a long story, involving some stupid ass with the Daily Prophet…" I didn't want to go into any more detail; not really, I'd lose all the trust I'd gained from him. "Ruth thought it would be better if he stayed here for a while, seeing as the guy was picking on the both of us."

"Why?" Charlie prodded.

"I suggest you find some back issues Charlie, I'm not going to go into it right now, most of what they put in there isn't true, all the crap about Draco and me, but the rest of it's true, mostly." I shrugged, glancing at Draco, he was curled up tightly into a corner of the seat, and it wasn't even a big seat, but he still managed to look tiny.

"Maybe now wasn't such a good time to come visiting then." Charlie said gently.

I smiled. "Not really. I should have sent you an owl, I just… it slipped my mind I guess." I shrugged helplessly, why had I forgotten? Well, the past week had been bloody hectic.

Charlie smiled. "You were busy Ron, maybe we should come back some other time. Send us an owl when you want us back, ok?" he stood up.

George just sat there, staring at Draco, I'm not entirely sure why. But when he got up, instead of going to the fire place where Charlie was waiting he came over to us and leaned down close to Draco's ear and whispered something I couldn't catch, Draco looked up at him, startled. George smiled and went to the fireplace.

I followed them over, giving them a quick hug goodbye.

"Look after yourself Ron and him of course." Charlie said.

"Bye ickle Ronniekins." George smiled, and they disappeared moments later.

I turned back to Draco; he was staring at the fire grate, with that same startled expression on his face. He didn't seem too upset anymore, whatever George had said had done something. "You ok Draco?" I asked.

It took a moment for his eyes to flick over to me, and he nodded.

God I hope he hasn't gone back to not talking; it'd drive me mad trying to get him out of it again. "Want some tea?" I asked.

He bit his lip, like he always did when I asked him something, thinking of the right way to answer. Finally he nodded.

"Ok, I think we both need a nice cup of tea and a relax." I blew out a breath, and went into the kitchen and made tea.

Right. This chapter was to try and help me get back in the swing, so it has no real bearing on the story, take it as such if it's rubbish ok. Again, sorry for the delay.

R&R-even if its to criticise, I always like to know how to improve my work.