Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling, except Graces Malfoy and Thomas Higgs who are my own. I do not claim ownership of the characters or the settings within. This story is for entertainment only and is not part of the official story.

Author's notes: As usual a huge thank you to my beta Denarii for editing and my best friend Aleah for reading it over!

Special thanks to GTH, Lizzy B, Char170217, Blue Luver5000, Snakespur, bagetiger (sorry he wasn't her plan c ), q, Phoenix, Manoirmalfoys, noone297, bekkivobekki, Maiannaise, nina-hany and jbadgr for their reviews!

Chapter 52

Graces didn't have an inkling of an idea as to how she should approach Graham. She stood hidden behind some bookcases trying to think of what she should say to him. She had been standing there behind the dusty copies of old, worn books depicting images of yet another long and boring goblin war, trying to decide how to talk to Graham.

The thought had occurred to her that disturbing him in the library may not be the best idea. She should be patient and wait in their common room for him to arrive, but she couldn't seem to bring herself to do that. She imagined waiting for Graham to come into the common room would be more tortuous than getting it over with and talking to him now. Still, she had no idea how he was going to react.

"Graham?" a shy voice asked hesitantly. Graces frowned and moved a few books out of the way. A petite Hufflepuff was standing behind Graham, her prefect badge glinting from her right side. She had seen the girl around a few times. She was a 7th year and played seeker for the Hufflepuffs. She was Cedric's replacement after fourth year.

She was pretty. She looked a lot like the Patil twins, only her eyes were ice blue and she rarely wore any kind of jewelry or makeup. In fact, now that Graces thought of it, it seemed like she did her very best to not be noticed. She was petite and often times seemed to be trying to make herself small as she walked around in the corridors. Still, she could turn heads.

"I-I'm Wamil," the hufflepuff continued, holding her hand out for Graham to shake. "We have classes together. I-I usually sit in the back with—"

"I know who you are. I've been going to this school seven years, you don't think I've noticed?" Graham scoffed contemptuously, ignoring the hand held out to him.

"Oh… right, well, umm, we've never really been introduced so I thought... nevermind. Anyways, I figured you could use these." Graces watched as the Hufflepuff took out an immense stack of parchment that had odd-colored paper attached. "It's the notes from the days you missed." The girl continued to explain, holding out the paper waiting for Graham to take them. "Really detailed too, I might add. My house gets together each night and we do a note check. We all show one another our notes in case someone forgot something, so they are usually really detailed. I even found out what other classes you had and got you those notes as well. Not that it matters. We almost have all the same classes. I'm just not in two of yours."

When Graham made no motion to reach for the papers the girl awkwardly placed them down in front of him. Her fingers lingering on the edge of a few pages as she looked down to search for words to say.

"I'm so sorry about your sister and nephews," she whispered quietly, toying with the edges of the sheets. "I can't even imagine what you're going through." Graham's posture, if possible, became more rigid and his always stoic demeanor though in place seemed to crack slightly at the girl's words, but Graham didn't move. He sat there in the same manner waiting for the girl to be done. "I just wanted you to know if there is anything I can do: give you some notes, tutor you a bit to help you catch up, or if you just need someone to talk to I'm here."

Graham stared at the delicate golden hand resting on his shoulder. Graces waited for him to stand, or glare at the girl to remove it, but he didn't instead to her surprise he nodded curtly and thanked her.

"If you want I can stay with you," Wamil offered, moving her hand away and taking a seat at the table with him. "I'm free the rest of the night and—"

"That isn't needed," Graham stated flatly, going back to his own notes. "I am quite capable of managing on my own."

"Yes, I realize," Wamil nodded, "but the offer still stands."

Graham stared at Wamil, his dark eyes taking in the soft curves of her face and oceanic eyes. Graces wondered if he was going to nod, he seemed inclined to.

"Good night, Wamil," Graham dismissed, his voice more gentle than Graces was used to hearing.

"Good night, Graham," the dark-haired girl grinned, standing up slowly and lifting her bag to leave. Graces watched as Graham watched her walk away, before shaking his head and reaching over for the notes.

"She's pretty," Graces commented, emerging from the bookcase she was hiding behind. "Though I suppose someone who is even one-eighth Veela would be. Still, she's pretty and not nearly as annoyingly whimsical as Delacour was when she was around."

Graham seemed to be in a bit of a stupor and it was taking him some time to realize that Graces had been there the whole time watching his reactions with the Hufflepuff. Slowly his cheeks began to burn and Graces found herself holding exceptionally still as he his nostrils began to flare.

"What exactly are you getting at, Malfoy?" Graham asked darkly.

"I'm just saying," Graces shrugged. "No need to get so upset."

"I think you're insinuating that I fancy a half-breed. Exactly how can I not get upset about that? It's disgusting."

"Well, she's not exactly a half breed, if you think about it. More an eighth-breed," Graces pointed out, toeing the floor of the castle with her right foot. When she heard no response she peeked out from under her eyelashes and wondered if Graham was going to crack his teeth gritting them that hard. "Lots of boys have a thing for Veela girls, Graham. It's completely ignored so long as you don't impregnate or marry them, or flaunt them around..."

"You're being crude."

"I'm being honest, maybe you could extend me the same courtesy."

"I am not attracted to animals or half-breeds," Graham maintained, his temper beginning to come out more.

"Well, that's a lie. Every man is attracted to Veela. I even caught Draco sneaking a peek at the World Cup. Father told him not to look, but he snuck a quick glance before my father's cane whacked his shins." Graces giggled at the memory, but quickly stopped when she saw Graham's face was beginning to turn purple. "I'm not saying anything is wrong with it," Graces apologized. "I just was saying—"

"Graces, I asked you to marry me didn't I?" Graces nodded. "Then I think my taste is obvious. I like witches."

Graces nodded again and bit her lip for a moment.

"I think we can both agree I look a lot like a Veela," Graces blurted out, unable to stop herself. "A lot of people have said Draco and I—"

"BUT YOU'RE NOT!" Graham bellowed, slamming his hand against the desk. "YOUR FAMILY IS APART OF THE SACRED TWENTY-EIGHT! NOT EVEN MY FAMILY CAN BOAST THAT TITLE!"

"Miss Malfoy! Mr. Montague! I have half a mind to suspend you from the library for the rest of the year for this kind of disturbance!" Madam Pince hissed, stomping down an aisle of dusty books.

Both Slytherins blushed and muttered their apologies, but the damage was done and they knew it. Each of them had learned in their first years at Hogwarts that Madam Pince was short tempered and unforgiving.

"Both of you out! You're suspended from the library for a week!"

"A week!" Graces screeched. "My grandfather was the one that paid for it to be remodeled! You can't suspend me from the library! My father was the one who added the 6th wing of it and—"

"Two weeks for you, Miss Malfoy," Madam Pince clipped, looming over the blonde. "Want to go for three?"

"No," Graces burst out sourly.

"Good, now off with you and five points each will be taken from your house."

Graces cursed under her breath resulting in another two days being added to her sentance and headed out the library with Graham. The taller boy walked alongside her, silent in his anger, Graces internally berated herself for her foolishness. She should have known better than to say something like that to Graham.

"I'm sorry," Graces whispered.

"You can't just go around saying things like that," Graham gritted, tightening his hands angrily. "If someone had heard, if they—"

"I'm sorry," Graces repeated aggravatedly. "But no one heard a thing until you started yelling at me."

"I'm sorry," the older boy grunted awkwardly, chewing the inside of his cheek and turning a dark shade of red around his neck.

"It's fine," Graces shrugged.

"I take it you have an answer for me."

Graces nodded and nervously turning the invisible ring on her left finger.

"Shall we take a walk around the lake?" Graham asked, offering her his arm politely and seeming to try to take on a more gentlemanly disposition. Graces hesitated, but decided that it would probably be best for them to be in private and took his arm.

He was shaking. Graces tried not to show her surprise at the fact that Graham Montague was shaking like a leaf, but she was sure the other boy saw it. He gave her a quick embarrassed half smile and the two of them began walking. Graces felt like she should say something right away, like she should just blurt out that she wasn't going to take the offer. But she couldn't seem to find the words.

They had been long past the castle and had strolled around the a good portion of the lake when she finally did find her voice.

"Graham, I-I like you, a lot," Graces added, feeling as though she should give him some more validation.

"I like you a lot," Graham acknowledged, giving her a tight smile and tightening his hold on her arm.

"It's just, well, I can't marry you," Graces stated carefully. Graham stopped walking and without releasing her arm looked over at her. "I just don't feel ready," she offered lamely, moving her arm away from him.

"Is-is it because of—" Graham hesitated for a moment, clearly having difficulties putting his words forward. "Is it because of that girl? Because if it is I can—"

"No. No," Graces swore. "Not at all. It's—"

"Is it because I yelled at you," Graham continued, clearly finding her decision to say no almost unthinkable. "Because I swear I—"

"No, it's nothing you've done. It's—"

"Is it something I haven't done then?"

"Graham, it's nothing like that. I just don't feel ready and—"

"Graces," Graham interrupted. "You are in a lot of trouble. A lot of trouble and I have a hard time believing that you could just so easily decide to not take an option that guarantees your life. You're not stupid enough to just dismiss this kind of security, unless you think a marriage to me would be worse than death." Graces stared silently as Graham seemed to be trying to roll in his emotions. "Do you think that if Draco was gone I wouldn't treat you fairly? That I would be harsh and cruel to you?"

"No, of course not," Graces pleaded. "Graham, I don't think anything like that of you I'm just not ready."

The two of them stood there by the lake a few moments. Graces waiting for a reply and Graham staring at her seeming to be reading her like a book. The hairs on the back of her neck stuck up under his critical gaze and she tried to clear her mind and relax.

"If Draco doesn't succeed you will die, Graces," Graham stressed. "There will be no help for you."

Graces hesitated for a moment, before digging in her coat and taking out a series of documents.

"This is really rough," she warned. "I had my barrister make it up today and I really didn't give him much time. We would need to go over this a few more times. Have your barrister owl mine and make a few final drafts, but, well, here."

Graham frowned curiously but took the papers. Graces nervously watched his reaction to the words and held her breath as his eyes widened.

"I will of course remain a silent partner, no one will know that I am the one that gave you the money for all this," Graces stated hesitantly. "My father has a lot of connections in Gringotts and the ministry. It only took a few owls to find out you were trying to get this business started. It's a hard thing getting a loan from the Goblins, and with you being a new patriarch you were likely to be denied or have a very high interest rate. This way it's just yours. Well, sort of yours."

"Let me see if I understand this correctly," Graham started skeptically, thumbing over a few pages and skimming over the contract. "You will put up all the money I need to start this company. You will not be involved in any of the decision making and are asking for only the standard silent partner pay. No one aside from me and Draco will even know the Malfoys are involved."

"Yes," Graces nodded. "You will appear to be the sole entrepreneur. I realize your job at the Ministry will be very taxing of your time, not to mention other duties you are committed to," Graces added, looking at his arm. "And in that case I, or someone you choose to appoint yourself, may also aid you in this, but at the end of the day it will appear to be yours and yours alone."

"What's the catch?" Graham asked, moving his eyes away from the parchment.

"The catch is I will hold more of the company than you." Graham scowled at Graces' words, but the blonde hurriedly continued. "It's my insurance," Graces persisted. "The other part of the agreement is that your proposal of marriage stays on the table. If at any time I decide to take it you will allow me it. So while I am saying no now, if Draco should not succeed I have an option of safety. If you renege on our agreement and I die, everything I own willbe left to another person. And Graham," Graces stated slowly, drawing the older boy's attention away from the paper. "The person I am leaving it to will destroy everything you have worked so hard for in the event of my death. This figure will not be silent. If I should die because of you he will seek revenge."

"I wouldn't do that," Graham gritted pointedly. "I would never—"

"It's just a precaution," Graces shrugged. "My family didn't get where they are today without being careful."

"They most certainly did not," Graham murmured reading more of the papers. "So, if the both of you live you will relinquish your shares to me."

"I will," Graces nodded, "As a thank you."

"Draco's okay with this?"

"This is from my vault. I feel I can make this arrangement without his involvement considering it is my money. Not to mention I have not told Draco yet, but considering our situation he really has no room to disagree."

"I will pay you back for this," Graham whispered. "If you two both live and you relinquish your share, I'll pay you what you put in with interest."

"That's not necessary," Graces smiled, taking that as a yes. "You're giving my brother peace of mind with this. It will be worth the cost. Besides, this isn't that much money to me."

Graham chuckled and put the papers in his pocket.

"You know, I would have kept the offer on the table. You didn't need to do this."

"I didn't want to feel like I owed you anything, and this also guarantees that offer. A lot can happen in a few months."

"That is true," Graham agreed. "Also a lot can stay the same." Graces frowned at the way Graham was looking at her. She felt like he had meaning in his last statement and waited for him to continue. "Are you in love, Graces?"

Graces took a step back and felt like ice water had been shot into her veins.

"What?" she asked almost offended. "What kind of question is that?"

"A valid one," Graham clipped, continuing to meet Graces' eyes. "You said you couldn't date me because of a bloke and I have a feeling you are not marrying me because of the same man."

Graces did her best to school her features so they were mirroring her fathers, but was unable to stop herself from shivering from the cold that had entered her body.

"I just want to know, Graces," Graham said gently. "I'll keep it to myself, but I'm genuinely curious. Are you going through all this trouble because of that "crush" you had back in October?"

"No," Graces swore definitely. "No, of course not."

It was obvious Graham didn't buy her lie. The older boy just continued to stare at her patiently waiting for her to continue.

"Just sign the damn papers," Graces demanded, turning to leave but stopping when she felt Graham's strong hand on her arm.

"Is he—" Graham hesitated and seemed to be debating whether he even wanted to ask his question, "—appropriate?" he asked slowly, watching Graces' eyes for a reaction. "Blood status wise."

"Yes, of course," Graces swore. "He's a pureblood."

"Good," Graham sighed. Graces moved to leave, but the older boy tightened his grip. "Why not be with him then?"

"Let go of me, Montague!" Graces snapped trying to tear her arm away and failing miserably.

"Not until you answer," Graham insisted, grabbing Graces other arm when she went for her wand.

"You're hurting me!"

"No, I'm not," Graham scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You're throwing a fit, because you don't want me asking about your private affairs. I just want to know why you, Graces Malfoy, would not be with the man you are pining for if he's a pure blood and—"

"It's none of your business," Graces spat, yanking her arm away to the point where she really was starting to hurt her wrist.

"I just want to know," Graham insisted. "It's odd that you are making this deal with me instead of going after this bloke. And honestly it disturbs me that he hasn't come forth to try and help you. Does he not hold the same feelings for you?"

"Montague, you better let me go right now or—"

"See, that doesn't make sense either. I don't hold those kinds of feelings for you and I am putting my last name on the table to you. Marrying you is a wise decision, so why is it that—"

"BECAUSE DRACO WOULD NEVER APPROVE!" Graces shrieked, surprised herself at the tears that came with that statement. She stopped fighting Graham and went limp in his arms vibrating all over as she cried into his coat. "He won't approve. He would never allow it."

"Maybe if you talked to him?" Graham suggested, awkwardly patting her head. "Maybe if—"

"Draco won't allow it, Graham. I know my brother."

"Is he not an heir?" Graham deadpanned, knowing full well Draco only wanted Graces with an heir or patriarch.

"No, he's not," Graces hiccuped, deciding to give the boy holding her half-truths.

"I'm sorry," Graham whispered. "Love can be cruel at times, can't it?"

"I'm not in love," Graces scoffed.

"You're crying," Graham pointed out quietly. "Crying for what can't be..."

"If I loved him I would be with him,"Graces sniffed, moving out of Graham's arms. "If I loved him I would do anything for him. I don't love him. I am not allowing myself to fall in love with him."

"How are you doing that?" Graham asked, narrowing his eyes.

"I'm just keeping away from him," Graces lied, not knowing what other answer she could give. She certainly couldn't tell him about refusing to sleep in the same bed as him or say his given name. "That's why I spend so much of my time with Longbottom. It keeps me away from him."

Graham was silent for a few moments and Graces could tell he wanted to say something, but the older boy eventually just nodded his agreement and on continued the silence.

"I'm going to go," Graces said hollowly, wiping away the last of her tears. "I should talk to Draco."

Graham nodded his agreement and Graces took maybe two steps away before Graham called her attention back.

"Does… Does it work?" Graham asked hesitantly. "Staying away from someone you…" Graham let the words dwindle away. Graces stared at Graham's face and felt a knot form in her chest at seeing the desperation lingering in his eyes.

"I don't know," she answered honestly. "Good night, Graham."

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"Hey, Nev!" Neville looked up from his potions homework and watched as Colin Creevey practically ran over to him. "Graces Malfoy wants to see you. She's outside right now."

"Oh, thanks, Colin." Neville stood up to go, but the younger boy continued on.

"She looks seriously ticked. Were you two supposed to meet?"

"Uh, maybe," Neville said slowly. "I could have forgot," Neville lied. He and Graces had absolutely no plans to meet. In fact she had come to class, demanded absolute silence to "think" and then practically ran out of there with barely a good bye.

"Well, you must have forgot, because she looks really mad."

Neville frowned at Colin's description but nodded along and slowly made his way to the portrait hole, not even bothering to pick up his things as he went.

"Uh, Malfoy?" Neville said hesitantly, moving out of the way as a group of fourth years hurried through, all of them whispering about the blonde scowling from the side.

"Longbottom," Graces greeted curtly.

"Umm, were we supposed to meet?"

Graces raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at his question before smirking and walking down the steps.

"You could say that," Graces drawled, pirouetting off the last step and heading down the hall. "You were supposed to owl me the notes from Herbology."

Neville scowled at Graces statement. He had given her the notes while she was ill. It made no sense.

"Just play along, Longbottom," Graces muttered under her breathe, turning another corner as a small raven haired girl hurried by with her nose buried in a book.

"Oh, right, the notes!" Neville exclaimed a little louder than necessary. Graces sent him a glare, but didn't say anything more until they turned two more corners and were in an old hall away from any ears. Neville followed her down the hall until they both got to an old broom closet, Graces looked around before opening the door and waving him in.

"Hi," Graces smiled shyly, as though she were coming out of curtains like a child that just finished an elaborate game of hide and seek.

"Hi," Neville chuckled, moving forward and cupping her face in his palms. There's my girl. "You seem to be in a good mood, better than this morning in class."

"I am," Graces grinned timidly, moving to her side and taking out stacks of papers. "You're going to be very happy. I figured out a plan C, so now you really don't need to worry about me."

"A plan C?" Neville mouthed, scowling as Graces took out more and more papers.

"Graham is going to keep his offer on the table," Graces explained breathlessly. "I made a deal with him. I would give him the money needed for his little entrepreneur endeavors and in exchange he would keep his proposal of marriage on the table." Neville scowled, but Graces just continued on. "But you see there needs to be more of an insurance. That's where you come in."

"Where I come in?" Neville murmured. "Graces what are you—"

"Sign this," Graces demanded, handing Neville a stack of papers. "I've marked all the areas you need to sign, so just sign it and it will be done."

"Why don't you tell me what exactly I am signing first?" Neville stipulated, pushing the papers and quills back into Graces' hands.

"It's the insurance. If Graham doesn't make honest with our agreement. If my brother fails and he takes his offer off the table."

"You are not making any sense right now, Graces," Neville sighed, trying to not get upset when Graces seemed to be so pleasant.

The blonde seemed to snap out of her euphoria for a moment and Graces nodded and took a breath. Neville spent the next few minutes listening to her plan C. He nodded along as she explained what benefits this would have for Graham and the stipulations she was placing on the money. He had a hard time following her as she explained the business aspect of it all, but he understood the basics. She had the ability to pull the rug out from Montague should he not stay true to their agreement.

"That's where you come in," she said softly, handing Neville the documents. "You will be the one that will take ownership of my shares of Graham's company should I die."

"Me?"

"You," Graces nodded.

"Why not Thomas?"

"I thought about it," Graces admitted. "But I don't want to put Thomas in that position. His family has an alliance with Graham's. If I die Thomas will need all the alliances he can get. In fact the only reason I am now reconsidering my position of dying with my brother is because I fear for Thomas' life should I be gone." Neville took a step back and felt tried to hide the fact that his heart was slamming against his chest. "Do you care about me?" Graces asked, sitting down on the floor and displaying the papers.

"Yes," Neville whispered. "You know I do."

"Will you be angry if I die and it's because of Graham?" Neville nodded. "Will you want to avenge me?" Neville nodded again. "Then you should sign," Graces smirked, holding out her quill.

Neville stared at the elaborate feathered quill Graces was holding out to him. In all honesty he didn't like any of this. The idea of planning for Graces' death made his skin cold and clammy and he felt like he was going to be sick. But he stepped forward to sign. He prayed that this would never be needed, that Graces would live through all of this, but she was right. There were no guarantees. She needed this contract and if he was being honest he was glad he would have a way to get revenge if Montague had any part in taking her from this world.

"People will know about us," he murmured, starting the very last paper.

"I'll be dead," Graces shrugged. "It won't matter. The envelope this is going in will only open at my death." Neville nodded and skimmed over the last paragraph before initialing the final line. "I thought you would be happier."

"Why did you think that?" Neville frowned.

"You were upset that I was dismissing the back up plan. Now I have one."

Neville looked up from the papers and gave Graces a small half smile, before leaning in and kissing her softly.

"I feel a great amount of relief knowing you have something set up to keep you safe," he agreed gently. "But I am having a hard time stomaching precautions in the event of your death."

"Graham won't renege," Graces reassured. "He's a good man. This is just a precaution. He won't go back on his word."

Neville hummed a reply as he leaned in and kissed Graces again. He was becoming so lost in the feel of her lips against his that he didn't notice her pulling the papers away from him and only realized when she gently pushed him away and held the documents like a teddy bear to her chest.

"I have to go," she whispered apologetically, a soft blush coming across her cheeks as she sat back on on her heels. "I need to wait up for Draco. He doesn't know about all this yet. I wanted to have everything set up before I told him."

"Oh how I would love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation," Neville laughed, standing and offering his hand down to Graces to help her up.

"You think he'll be mad?" Graces asked timidly.

"Livid, but I'm sure you knew that."

"It's a good plan," Graces pointed out lamely.

"It is," Neville nodded, "a very good one, but I think we both know why he will be mad."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right," Graces conceded, biting her lip. "Wish me luck."

"Luck," Neville wished, offering her a sympathetic smile.

Graces smiled, but didn't move towards the door. She stood there a few moments longer biting her lip.

"Longbottom," she began quietly. "I-I have something else for you." Graces slowly reached in her shirt pocket and handed Neville the necklace he gave her so long ago. "I trust you," she explained, staring at the gold and green flecks that danced inside the glass even in the darkened room. "I don't need things like this from you anymore. I trust you."

Neville slowly took the necklace from her palm and let the pendant dangle from the chain for a moment, before carefully putting it around Graces' neck. When the blonde opened her mouth to protest, Neville just leaned in and kissed her silent.

"I want you to have it," Neville declared, moving her fine hair out of the necklace loop. "It's a beautiful piece. It should be worn by a beautiful girl. It shouldn't be sitting in a vault gathering dust."

"It's a family heirloom," Graces argued, her right hand fingering the chain. "I can't—"

"It's mine," Neville interjected. "And I enjoy seeing it on you."

Graces blushed, realizing the only time Neville saw it on her was when she was undressed, but stopped her protesting.

"I'm glad you trust me, though," Neville smiled.

Graces gave a small scoff at Neville's smile, but didn't protest when he pulled her close and held her.

"I have to go wait for Draco," Graces reminded, laying her head on his chest.

"You're free to leave whenever you wish," Neville promised, burying his nose in her sweet smelling hair. "I'm just enjoying the time until you go."

Graces just smiled into his chest and the sandy-haired boy made no argument when she stayed there in his arms for a long while before sighing heavily and wishing him a good night. Neville stood in the closet alone for a bit after she left and had just started to feel the ache in his chest that came with her absence when the blonde ran back in and kissed him soundly before departing again. Neville grinned and sauntered off to his dorm, completely drunk off that last kiss and so happy that when he entered the common room instead of going back to his potions assignment he called Dean, Harry, Seamus and Ron over for a game of Exploding Snap.

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Draco yawned for the millionth time. He felt like with every breath he took he was just continuing the same elongated yawn. He yawned and his eyes got teary and soon after he was done rubbing the moisture away he was yawning and more tears came. He was exhausted. Never in his life had he been more tired than he was now. It wasn't just the sleep deprivation; it was the physical and emotional exhaustion taking hold of him. He dragged his feet through the dungeons, promising himself a warm bed and a good nights rest if he made it a little further.

He had just made it to the entrance in the common room and had began thinking of how amazing his pillow was going to feel when Graces stood up from one of the old leather chairs. Gods be damned…

"Draco?" Graces asked, moving from around the sofas and staring at him. He imagined by the way she was looking at him that he must look just a much a mess as he felt.

"Not now," he murmured, heading to the steps determined to allow himself the sleep he needed.

"It's important," Graces stressed, following him. "It's about Graham's proposal."

Draco halted on the step and forced his body to turn around.

"What have you decided?" Draco silently prayed that Graces would hurry up, the air around him had started to sting his eyes the longer he kept them open.

"I'm not going to marry him," Graces whispered, her identical eyes staring up at him nervously.

It took a bit for Draco to process. He stood like a statue on the staircase for a long while before he realized what Graces was saying what she was doing.

"Why?" Draco choked, his chest beginning to vibrate from the cold that wasn't around.

"I'm just not ready. I—"

"Are you ready to die?" Draco barked, taking a step forward and misstepping. He clutched the stone wall to keep from falling over, but didn't position himself upright. He glared at his sister waiting for her to answer him.

"No," she breathed, moving a hand out to him. "Draco, no not at all. I—"

"You're dead," Draco growled. "Do you not see that? YOU'RE DEAD!"

"Draco, I have a plan," Graces promised, clearly trying to reassure him.

"Oh you have a plan," Draco cackled. "You fucking have a plan. Like I never thought to make a bloody plan!"

Draco didn't even realize he had grabbed his sister and shoved her against the wall, until he felt her hands bracing his arms to keep her balance. Shame immediately flooded him at seeing her gray eyes staring up at him. He had never touched her in this manner. Even when they fought he had never really over powered her.

"You're such a child," he sputtered, releasing her from his hold and sitting on the steps to cry. "Such a fucking child. Someone was always supposed to take care of you. If it wasn't mum and dad it was me. If it wasn't me it was to be your husband."

"I don't need to be someone's burden I—"

"Well you are!" Draco shouted. "You're my burden. Mine. And you were supposed to choose Graham Montague and lift this from me! You're supposed to lift this from me," Draco sobbed, clutching his hair and rocking back and forth.

"Draco, I'm not just saying—"

"Just shut up," Draco snapped. "You know I knew you were going to say no. I knew it. I mean when have you ever done something you didn't want to do. No, Graces always always gets her way. Heaven forbid she has to sacrifice anything."

"That's not fair, Draco. This is my life!"

"You don't think I know that!" Draco snarled. "You don't think I'm not thinking of your damn life. My whole being is to keep you alive! I wish you worked as hard as I've been at it!"

"No one ever said you had to do this alone," Graces argued tightly. "I have begged for you to let me help you. BEGGED! And you refuse. You won't let me do anything! You're making me helpless and—"

"I'm making you helpless," Draco laughed. "I gave you the perfect opportunity to save yourself and you're throwing it away!"

"I'm not throwing it away!" Graces screamed, taking a bunch of parchment from inside her night robes. "Look, I've ensured that I'll be safe I—"

Draco snached the papers his sister was holding and began reading them over.

"You've got to be kidding me," he growled.

"It means that if you fail I can still take Graham's offer. I can still be safe, but this allows me to have my own life if you succeed. I won't have to marry him at all. I can—"

Draco threw the papers down the stairs silencing his sister's long over practiced speech. The blonde watched as the flurry of papers floated down to the ground.

"All you had to do was say yes," Draco said, shaking his head and staring forward. "That's it. All you had to do was make the smart choice. Instead you made things complicated. You chose to table a bloke's offer of marriage. Won't that make a wonderful occasion. Graham will now always know you didn't want to marry him, that you only said yes because I failed."

"He would have known I was saying yes for that reason anyways," Graces whispered, a bit dazed from Draco's reaction.

"No, no you could have been smart and asked to get to know him and played along," Draco seethed. "You could have—"

"If you want me to marry Graham just demand it!" Graces stomped, standing up and looming over him. "Just say 'Graces, I demand you marry Graham.'" Draco tightened his jaw, but refused to meet her eyes. "Is it my decision or not Draco?"

"It's your decision."

"Then respect it! I made sure to arrange this as best I could. I did my best to give you peace of mind. Yeah, I don't want to sell my body to Montague for my life just yet. I don't think that's an insane thing! We are not doomed yet. I am not dead. Do you hear me? DRACO, LOOK AT ME." Draco took a deep breath and stared up at his other half. "I'm -not -dead."

"You're making mistakes, Graces," Draco whispered. "Big mistakes. Mistakes that no one is going to be able to make better. If I'm gone-"

"Draco, look at me," Graces pleaded, getting down on her knees and cupping his face in her palms. "You are not going anywhere. You belong here with me and we are going to figure out what to do."

"I-I can't figure it out," Draco whimpered. "I can't—"

"Then let me help you," Graces stressed.

Draco didn't answer. He couldn't seem to even breathe over the lump that had gathered in his throat. Instead he took Graces' hands off his face and kissed the inside of her palms allowing his own tears to smear across her skin as he shook his head no.

"I want to help you."

"No, you don't," Draco wept, pulling her in and holding her close to him. "Your hands are staying clean. I won't allow you to be involved in this more than you are."

"Do you really think I'm a burden?"

"No, I don't," Draco shook, holding her tighter. "You're my saving grace."

"I'll marry Graham if you want me to," Graces whispered quietly, tightening her grip around his neck. "If you want me to, I'll marry him. We can have the wedding during Christmas break at the manor. Mum can plan it."

Draco held his breath and wondered how discussions of weddings could hurt so much. But it did. It really hurt. He felt like something was tearing him from his throat down to his stomach.

"You could take me to Paris to get my dress," Graces suggested, nuzzling his neck with her nose. "It will be fun and—"

"I don't want you to marry Graham," Draco sputtered, unable to bear hearing his sister pretend to be okay with a marriage she didn't want. "You were right. There is no need to rush. I'm going to take care of everything."

"Draco, I—"

"No, it's settled. Not until you have to," Draco promised.

"Will I have to?" Graces asked.

"Not if I can help it."

"Draco?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to go to bed?"

Draco was surprised how such a stupid question to make him laugh, but it did. It made him laugh and thank whatever god decided to bless him with a sister.

"Yeah, I do," he nodded.

"Me too… You should sleep with me. Pansy will have a conniption in the morning when you see her without makeup. It will be amazing."

"Sounds good to me, but I doubt I will wake up before Pansy can put on her face as you call it."

Draco basked in his sister's giggle and followed her to her room. He was so tired he didn't even remember making it to the bed, the last thing he remembered was placing his head on his sister's shoulder and letting her guide him up the stairs.

Exciting news! Jbadgr's first drawing for this fic is up! It's a portrait of Neville! She's planning on drawing some of the scenes in the fic as well, but those will come later If you want to take a look at it go to her tumblr page at ! Thanks again Jbadgr! I'm so excited to see what else you post for this!

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