Chapter 4: The Most Unlikely Houseguest

"Why can't Professor Snape take me?" demanded Draco.

"Because he's busy." Replied Remus Lupin.

"Doing what?"

"That, Draco, is none of your business." He said this gently but something in his tone made it clear that this subject was now closed. Draco frowned.

"Where are you taking me then?"

"I can't tell you that now Draco"

"Why not?"

"I can't tell you that either. Now let me disillusion you." Lupin took out his wand and tapped Draco on the tip of his head. Draco shivered.

"What have you done to me?" he asked coldly.

"Look down at yourself." Said Lupin, smiling. Draco obeyed. His eyes widened and he made a grab for his leg.

"You're all there." Lupin chuckled. "Now it's time for us to go." He led the way across the deserted grounds and through the gates. "Now grab me by the elbow." Lupin proffered his arm but Draco stepped back.

"Why, werewolf?" Lupin's slight grin vanished.

"I don't suppose you'd dare talk to Greyback like that."

"Well he'd go straight for my jugular if I did." Neither of them said anything after this. Lupin merely offered his arm again and Draco grabbed it, though he may have gripped it harder than was necessary. They took a few steps and turned.

When they had reached their destination Draco's first thoughts were to berate Lupin for not warning him about how unpleasant it felt to apparate, but these thoughts were quickly squashed when he realized where he was.

"No" he said flatly "I'm not staying here."

"Ah I thought we may have this problem"

"Well what do you plan to do about it?' spat Draco insolently.

"Draco, it is of course your choice entirely. You could stay here where you'll be safe and well looked after, or you could go on, perhaps flag down the Knight Bus…it probably wouldn't be too long before some Death Eater or other found out you were alive…they don't fancy desertion you know…" said Lupin conversationally "but you already know about all that don't you?"

Draco's pasty face turned paler. "Couldn't you send me someplace else?" he asked though he thought he already knew the answer.

"Absolutely not."

"I…I think I'll go in then." He said meekly. Lupin went up and knocked on the door.

"Remus is that you?"

"Yes Molly its me, I have Draco here too."

"Well for heaven's sake get inside before somebody sees him!" the door opened quickly and they were both pulled inside. Mrs. Weasley began to make some tea and Lupin removed Draco's disillusionment charm.

"Oh he looks so peaky" deplored Mrs. Weasley upon catching sight of him.

"Actually" said Lupin, seating himself "he always looks like that."

"Mum I think Ginny's been in my room agai-what's HE doing here?" Ron had been coming down the stairs and was halfway down before he caught sight of this most unlikely houseguest.

"Ron dear," said Mrs. Weasley placatingly "Draco's on our side now…he's going to be living here until the whole thing blows over." Ron still stood there frowning, a muscle in his forehead twitching. "Ronnie don't look like that. You don't have to share a room if that's what you're worried about!" Ron simply did an about-face and walked back up the stairs. "And DO NOT write to Harry or Hermione about this! Your owl could be intercepted!" his mother yelled after him.

thankyou marishimomadness for your tolerance.