The three witnesses turned quietly toward Draco, who after a moment's pause blandly said, 'She's taken care of and will never be found.'

Bill pondered this for a moment before looking to Ron with realization. Ron didn't say anything, fixing his eyes on the floor. 'Nothings left.' When Ron said nothing he meant not even so much as a sock.

'Any family?' Bill queried immediately, slipping his wand into his pocket. Ron wondered if Bill had covered up homicides before. You never really know someone, do you? He heard Draco think at this notion.

'Four kids.' Bloomquest said, pulling their mouth out of the paper bag, 'They all live with their father in London. All muggles as far as I know. Youngest is fourteen or fifteen.'

'Any contact?' Was Fleur's follow up question as she squared her shoulders and stood tall beside Bill. Ron wondered if he and Draco looked so impressive side by side.

Charlie shook his head curtly. 'Not even one letter that I can recall. I can't remember her ever leaving the Reserve, either.'

'Coward.' Draco said, leering out the window.

'What kind of person just up and leaves their children because they're muggles?' Ron asked in disbelief, putting two and two together.

'Death Eaters.' Draco snorted without hesitation.

After a moment Bill looked at Fleur. She edged closer to him, her shoulder fitting under Bill's arm. She was clearly frightened. Ron found this odd for some reason, knowing Fleur to be a very skilled Witch. Draco was looking at her through narrowed eyes as well. 'Well… every dog has her day, don't they? Especially bitches like that.' He produced another small brown package. 'Let's get you two out of here.'

'One who wanders finds a new path.' Dhevon said as they stood from the couch. 'Norwegian Proverb.'

This time Charlie squeezed both Ron and Draco until their ribs almost cracked. Dhevon joined the group, arms wrapping around their other side in a group hug fit for an Erumpent. 'Please don't die Ron. Our Mother will murder me.'

Bill and Fleur's Penthouse, located in Zamalek (a small island on the Nile River), was like a miniature marble palace. It was a complete sensory overload.

Ornate golden vases cradled bouquets accented with peacock feathers. They stood on ivory pedestals that aligned their grand foyer. The gleaming marble shone from ceiling to floor and wall to wall, as if regularly buffed and polished.

Black velvet furniture was huddled around a modern rectangular fireplace. A furry pink rug sprawled across the floor in front of it. To the left of the space, a small crystal chandelier hung over the dining table which had a beautiful terrarium that was fit for Bloomquest as a centrepiece.

Elegant black lamps lined the walls, creating a soft white ambiance. Those are Fleur De Lis lamps. Ron heard Draco think and eyed him in amusement. Fitting.

There were homey touches that very clearly not mere decoration yet still blended effortlessly with the theme of the room. Such as a silver tray with a pipe, partially burnt brown and green plan matter scattered across the surface. A bright red quill and a piece of parchment was stationed on the ledge of the only open window, which served as a makeshift Owlry.

Bill and Fleur's photos were the feature of it all. What intrigued Ron about the photos is that they were in back and white. Both were wearing fitted suits with charming black bowties. Bill carried a top hat and Fleur, a bowler cap. Their poses were perfectly mirrored as they danced beneath twinkling stars, the Eiffle Tower serving as their backdrop.

There was a black velvet chaise that matched the other furniture tucked back into the farthest corner. Where there were hundreds upon hundreds of books on tall shelves that had intricate geometric patterns carved into the trim. Royal purple Persian rugs lined the floors. Hand painted landscape watercolours lined the walls in the small corner and were lit by overhead lamps. Ron noticed Bill's signature in the bottom corner and realized he never knew Bill painted.

The marble carried through into the kitchen, which was accented with a varnished cedar ceiling and cupboards. A double sink sat on one half of an island that had towering stools topped with brown suede positioned at the far end.

There were machines Ron had never seen before. They were metallic and came in different sized squares or rectangles. Ron recognized one as a stove but didn't seem to need a flame lit under the burner. Instead it had shiny black circles serving as burners. Large and small placed diagonally from each other on the surface. Red numbers on the front showed it was all ready 8:30 pm.

He saw as Draco looked around with a smile. Fleur's family also came from wealth and Bill worked for Gringott's as a curse breaker. Ron could all ready tell he felt safer and more comfortable in his surroundings. Now this was his element.

'Wine?' Bill asked, sliding four glass goblets that hung upside down from a rack over the counter. 'Not for me, love.' Fleur said, kissing his upper arm, 'I am not feeling all well.'

Ron saw Draco's eyes flicker in Fleur's direction. He almost looked concerned. Ron was too tired to question it. He was too tired for anything. Except perhaps a glass of wine.

It soon became apparent that Bill wasn't as informed of the situation as Charlie was. 'Well, I have a lot of questions… needless to say.' Ron felt warmth rush over him. He wasn't sure if it was the sight of wine or if it was the notion Bill had rushed to his aid with barely an explanation. Ron tried to look as grateful as he felt. 'I bet.'

Fleur sat beside Bill on one of the tall stools that surrounded the island, her long silvery blonde hair flowing over her shoulder. Ron wondered if she and Draco were related somehow.

I assure you we are not. Draco thought with a hint of flattery. The Dark Lord would have a field day with Veela descendants, though. Perfect bait. Ron fixed a glare on him. Not that they should! He heard Draco snap back with offence.

'We didn't know what to think. Or what happened.' She said, bemused. Ron noticed her English was worlds better. 'We were so worried.' The statement seemed genuine and Ron looked toward Fleur with a hint shame. He wordlessly vowed to never take part in teasing her again.

'Oh it was absolutely dreadful to think of!' Bill said after taking another swig of wine. 'Worried sick!'

Draco now took the floor, 'I made what I thought was a mistake.' Bill and Fleur listened attentively. Ron's attention was also peaked. 'I took a gamble. I told someone how I'd felt about them for a… well for a very long time.' He now glanced at Ron with unbridled affection. 'At first, it was a fantastic roll. I won big. Unfortunately the dice went south not only for me but others who got involved. And I am sorry to have gotten you all involved.'

The truth? Ron thought, impressed.

I'm learning. Draco retorted.

Ron expected disapproval and confusion, but was met with the opposite. 'I understand taking a chance on someone.' Fleur said leaning forward, softly touching her fingertips together. 'It takes courage.' She smiled at Draco as if she were proud. Maybe she was. 'And love.'

She released a merry little giggle when they both turned a blank stare in her direction. 'Love has magic in it.' She said, voice shifting as if she were telling them a bedtime story. Her faded French accent sounded more endearing to Ron by the second. She now twinkled the digits of her right hand in the air. 'It has its own magic. It can change everything. Make anything possible.'

Ron couldn't help but release a satisfied laugh. Draco nudged him softly. Ron found this subject matter bizarrely coincidental. 'Love doesn't care if boy or girl. You see? It doesn't matter to love.' Bill wrapped an arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple. 'Love comes, love goes. Whenever it wants. And no one can force it to move.'

'Thank you for your compassion and understanding.' Draco told her warmly.

'Ahh, mon cherie, I must turn to bed. My stomach upset is worse.' She pulled Bill in for a kiss. 'Wake me before you leave for work won't you?'

When she was retired safely to her room, Bill's jovial expression dropped. He looked down into his glass, eyes flicking toward Draco. 'So…' he said expectantly to the Slytherin, who eyed him back with consternation. 'About your intentions with my brother…' Bill asked with deep suspicion. 'If he is a pawn in a plot, tell me. Now.'

Ron sputtered, eyes wide, 'Bill!' he exclaimed, suddenly quite jarred. 'I'm not a pawn!'

'Quite the opposite.' Draco told Bill cooly, 'I'm the pawn.'

'Yeah! And I'm jacking the piece!' Ron almost shouted.

Draco snorted and suppressed a laugh. There's a double entendre. Ron couldn't stop himself from grinning as well. Draco, that's French.

'And why would you be doing such a thing, Ronald Bilius Weasley?''

Bilius? Draco's voice laughed hysterically between them. Laugh it up. Ron thought, embarrassed. And what's yours? Lucius? Draco's internal laughter was immediately silenced. It is, actually. Ron furrowed his brows, slightly perturbed by this.

'I… I….' He began, struggling with an explanation. Bill took a sip of wine, swirling it around in the goblet as though this did something to the liquid inside, waiting expectantly for Ron's explanation.

'Well…' he tried to begin again confidently only to continue to stammer hopelessly.

'Ron and I…' he heard Draco say, 'I mean I…' apparently he had lost his ability to articulate as efficiently as usual.

'I'm waiting.' Bill said impatiently, downing the wine all at once. Being interrogated by him was certainly different than their Dad, who often wound up giving in and letting them off. Suddenly, the lights overhead became excessively bright.

'I've had a... a... strong emotional response to Ron. For a number years.' Draco finally sighed. 'Things have been… bad the last year. I didn't know what was going to happen to me.' Draco leaned back, finishing off the dark red fluid that remained in his goblet. 'I had one chance in four years to tell him how I felt. I saw it. And I took it.'

Bill poured the liquid, refilling his own glass before slowly extending the nozzle of the bottle toward Draco, who extended the receptacle with thanks. 'Chance?'

Draco now eyed Ron, who gulped down his mouthful of wine and said, 'I was on my own I guess. Everyone in Gryffindor was off snogging each other. I reacted badly and ended up in a fight with everyone.'

'What I think my... partner... is trying to say is that I finally had an opportunity to approach him about it privately.' Draco said quickly before finishing off his second glass of wine.

'Kind of manipulative... don't you think?' Bill queried without hesitation, 'Going after him when he was the most vulnerable. You saw vulnerability as a chance?'

Draco glared silently into his lap.

Ron could tell that Bill wasn't yet convinced. 'Ron? What do you have to say?' Ron could hear Bill searching what he knew, as if it were a puzzle to be cracked.

'I didn't know how to react at first.' Ron said honestly, still working on his first glass of wine. He couldn't deny this had all begun at a point when he had felt particularly low. 'What matters is how it felt after it started. Not how I felt before it started.' His tone grew more defensive. Draco released a small hiccough.

'I was lost for a while. No one's fault really. I reacted to it like a right git. I really did, Bill. I found out then and Draco was there for me. Supportive.'

Bill was quiet.

'I had plenty of chances to tell him to bugger off.' Ron added, 'I didn't because... because...'

'Because,' Bill began, voice echoing slightly in the glass, 'You developed feelings as well.'

Ron nodded and gave him the most assured look he could. 'I have. And I have fought for them.' After a pause he added, 'I am fighting for them now.'

It was Draco's turn to look at Ron with bewilderment. It was as though he had never fully registered just how hard Ron was willing to fight. That he wasn't just fighting for Draco's feelings. He had his own emotions and desires in play.

'I love Draco.' It was the first time he'd told someone other than Draco out loud. He tried not to sound daft. 'I don't know why. It's just there.' He said, gesturing toward the corridor down which Fleur had disappeared. He wished she was there to back him on this.

'I couldn't make it go away. I sure as hell couldn't ignore it.' Ron said finally, with exasperation, 'I tried. Bloody impossible.'

Draco's eyes were red and wet, he began rubbing them with the soft side of his thumb. 'Something… in my eye. Sand or… whatever.'

Bill laughed warmly, convinced not by their explanation, but by Draco's poorly hidden tears. He filled his glass a little more than before. Ron held his now emptied one out as well. Bill filled it with a smile.

Well, he wasn't staying in my flat if thinking my brother a tool. Now...What could Malfoy be a pawn for... Ron noted his brother was constantly thinking. The sound of his internal narrative hardly ever stopped. Constantly questioning everything.

And why wasn't he in Ravenclaw? Draco thought.

And why weren't you in Hufflepuff? Ron retorted.

Hufflepuff?!?

Bill filled the transparent goblet to the top. Ron was intrigued when Draco didn't hold his emptied glass out as well.

'One more before bed, then.' Bill smiled, 'Mm, that's the good stuff. Your room is there.' he pointed to a door at the end of the corridor on the left. 'I'll be gone early. Very early. Fleur will be here with you. She had something planned for the two of you. No idea what. We moved it all around this morning when you two didn't show up.'

Ron was touched by this. 'Can't wait.'

'We'll be heading back to London next week.' Bill sighed, as though the mere thought exhausted him. 'We only stay here when I'm out in the field. You two feel free to stick around as long as you need.'

Draco's internal squeal of delight was almost audible. Ron was flooded with appreciation, 'You mean that?'

Bill leaned back, nursing the last of his wine. ''Course! Safest place for you, I think. Think of it as mine and Fleur's own personal Grimmauld Place.'

Ron didn't need any time to consider if Bill's confidence in the Penthouse security was overblown. Bill worked with Unplottable locations on a daily basis. He would most certainly need his own due to the nature of his job.

We really are safe! Ron thought, his toes curling. Draco pursed his lips, expression vacant. Ron knew he was looking for a way to argue with this and was satisfied when Draco could not.

They all took to bed. Their room was plain and all was white but it was simply enormous. Ron was sure if his mother was left to it, all of The Burrow's furniture could be arranged sensibly and with plenty of space remaining. There were spots on the wall where it was clear decor had recently been removed. There was another Fleur De Lis lantern positioned behind a table and chair.

An inviting white sofa faced sliding doors, leading to a small balcony. The moon was huge and full, hanging low. It illuminated the sprawling city before them, lighting the Nile like a great silvery band. As though the Earth itself were casting a Patrons.

All the surfaces in the room had been cleared and drawers emptied. A note was left on the pillow, "Make yourselves at home! -FD"

Fleur had apparently cleared everything out for them herself, readying the room for any belongings Ron or Draco may have taken along with them. There was a French Coffee press on a small coffee stand. A wicker basket had all the fixings for a morning brew. Draco's eyes glittered when he saw it. An inviting leather armchair big enough for two was positioned in front of a large black screen near the bed. Ron wondered what it was.

I'll show you tomorrow. Draco thought. This is heaven. You sure we aren't dead?

You know about muggle stuff? Ron asked, riveted. I thought you didn't take Muggle Studies.

That is because I already understand muggle technology. It's not all useless. Draco thought with a roll of his eyes.

Techno… what? Ron was fuddled. When did you learn?

Draco huffed, Not a lot an underage wizard can do before they have a wand is there? I learned what muggle tech- muggle inventions father deemed useful.

Draco crossed over to the bed, almost disappearing as he dropped belly first into the fluffy, down filled duvet. Ron crawled in and pressed himself along side Draco. He hugged the other close. He could no longer keep his eyes open after that.

'How can you rag on muggle borns when you spent half the time learning muggle stuff?' Ron asked, remembering his father's failed attempts at teaching him the way muggle things worked.

'What is today?' Draco asked suddenly.

Ron took a moment to think, but didn't bother to open his eyes. 'June 4th... for a little while longer, anyway.' He yawned.

Draco shifted, suddenly seeming awkward. Ron squeezed him. 'What?'

Draco was silent for a moment and then said tonelessly, 'Tomorrow is my birthday. I'm of age as of midnight.'

Ron peeled his eyes open and gazed up at Draco, sorrow filling him. Ron came of age himself just this past March. For Draco, this was a very different milestone. He wanted to be happy, to celebrate with him. However, Ron knew this meant Draco was a full fledged Death Eater once the bell tolled. Thank Merlin we made it. Ron thought with relief.

'Fuck.' Draco sighed, left fist tightening, 'I thought I'd be dead by now.'

'Yeah well, you got me instead.' Ron told him, eyes falling shut again.

Sleep deprived, Draco closed his eyes and played with thick locks of ginger hair. 'I've still got the better deal.'

No… no dont. Ron backed into a corner. June and Dolores Umbridge laughed at him from the outer side of a barred door. Ron could feel a metal shackle around his neck, almost choking him. He felt someone grab his hips and—

He lifted his head suddenly, thankful to be released from the nightmare. Draco was straddling him, his silvery eyes fixed and unblinking. Ron sighed out in relief. 'Draco… I…' he looked again and Lucius Malfoy was on top of him. He straddled his hips, wearing that demonic grin. Even the whites of his eyes were a bottomless black abyss.

He jumped again and this time he truly woke. He felt his body dampened with sweat. He looked around frantically for Draco who was on his stomach beside him, reading a book that he must have collected from Bill and Fleur's reading knook. Draco gave him a sad look. 'Bad dream?'

Ron wrapped an arm around the small of his back, 'Ooh, you have no idea.'

'Unfortunately I do.' Draco sighed. Ron came to the conclusion that Draco could see his dreams. 'I'm sorry.' He apologized immediately.

'You cannot control what you dream of.' Draco whispered, kissing him softly. 'It's the way your subconscious processes things.'

Ron leaned forward, peering at the letters on the page in front of Draco's inquisitive eyes, 'What's this?'

'There is magic called "Sacrificial Protection." I have heard Father speak of it, however, he said it was a myth.' Ron was very familiar with this magic. 'Looks like Potter isn't a saint after all. His mother was.' He paused and then continued. 'It's also called a "Bond of Blood".'

Ron moved up to scan the page as well. 'Don't bother.' The Slytherin sighed, rubbing his forehead, 'I've checked everything here, it's mentioned in only three books and I haven't found out what the incantation is, if there is one. Nothing much about conditions it can occur under. So far there needs to be a direct sacrifice on one's part to protect the other. And there are no survivors who have experienced what exactly a Bond of Blood feels like. There's usually something that will preface it. This was... is... there. Suddenly.'

'There was plenty to preface it.' Ron offered, brushing the tip of his nose gently across the other's cheek. Ron felt himself harden against Draco's side. He turned to Ron and smiled, 'Thought you were knackered.'

Ron shrugged a shoulder, 'I have enough energy for this…'

Draco's lips were then gently pressed upon his. Ron had never seen him so relaxed. He seemed to have finally registered that they were now on another continent in an Unplottable location. Whatever they needed from Draco, they'd have to get from somewhere else.

The magnetic energy became so prominent Ron's ears were ringing. However, it was a comfortable feeling. There was no need to learn away from it. Draco was beside him. For the first time in a very long time, he felt unthreatened.

He felt Draco slide the blankets down his back, exposing his freckled skin. Ron turned on his side to face him, tongue begging Draco's to slip out. When it did he sucked it between his lips before entangling Draco's with his desperately. He could feel the other's member stiffening as well, pushing against the zip of his trousers with such force, the teeth were struggling to stay joined.

Ron quickly released Draco's cock from the confines of the constricting fabric. The Slytherin breathed a sigh of relief as his throbbing length sprang forth from such a cramped space. Ron stroked his member, tugging it toward him. Draco mewled, stealing another kiss from Ron's lips. He felt the persistent energy rippling around his hand, Draco's erection twitched in his grasp.

'Mmm fuck me?' Draco whispered pleadingly.

Ron nodded eagerly, he hadn't been inside Draco in what felt like an eternity (a couple days, really) and was giddy as the other removed his jeans. Ron pulled his throbbing length out of the confines of his pants, all though not bothering to pull them down completely.

Draco produced his wand and Ron's heart leaped with fright, fearing what he was planning to do with his wand. Ron had never seen him withdraw his wand before sex. To the Gryffindor's amazement he turned the wand toward his own backside and uttered a spell Ron had never heard.

Draco straddled his hips and leaned forward, his hardened nipples grazed across Ron's chest. He craved others insides fervently, hips bucking upward freely. The magnetic force almost lifted his hips clear off of the mattress with the motion.

Draco edged his lips closer and took Ron's free hand, cupping it at the back of his knee. 'Mm,' the Slytherin moaned out softly as he felt around, grasping Ron's cock and working it inside. Ron choked out a pleasured gasp as he felt the tip of his cock penetrate.

Draco was dripping wet inside. Wetter than he'd ever felt. His cock slipped effortlessly past the other's slickened sphincter. 'Whaaaa…' he moaned, enthralled as he was fully planted inside the other's body. 'Lubricating Charm.' Draco breathed out a laugh, 'It's in one of the books. Easy. I'll show you later.'

Ron let out a low, breathy chuckle and gripped Draco's ass on both sides to steady him. When he pulled out, the phantom force radiated prominently and the feeling of being glued to the other's body was back. He quickly thrust into the Slytherin, their hips colliding with a loud slap. His cock felt pulled into Draco, locked inside.

'Ron oh my gaaah…' Draco groaned as his muscles wavered around Ron's thick length. 'You're deep.'

Ron smiled and nodded. It wasn't long before heavy breathing gave way to frantic panting as he tried multiple times to pull out of Draco so he could begin thrusting and found he couldn't. The force was too strong. It was like he was suctioned so tightly into the other, he couldn't break free. 'I can't...' he laughed out nervously, 'I can't get my dick out of you.'

Draco laughed openly at this, 'No kidding, I've been taking it a month now'

Draco rocked his hips down. Ron felt his cock moving inside without completely withdrawing. 'Oooh yeah... that's incredible.' He moaned.

This motion seemed to ease the tension that held them together and Ron was finally able to start sliding in and out with the rolling of Draco's hips. They remained effortlessly in perfect rhythm.

'Fuck... finally.' Ron hissed in satisfaction before implanting himself over and over again in the other's silken depths. Electric ripples radiated through him. As they picked up speed the whooshing sensation became more frequent. Stronger. Until it was a weighted, rapid pulse that almost hummed.

As he felt his orgasm build, he decided on his own volition to slow, coming gradually to a stop. The humming quieted. The pulsing stopped. Draco whimpered and eyed him in disappointment.

'Oooh… much too soon.' Ron sighed out in amusement, pushing himself all the way inside Draco one more time before looking up. 'On your knees for me?'

Draco nodded eagerly and quickly dropped to all fours as Ron rose to his knees, pulling his pants halfway down his thighs. His traced a hand over Draco's pearly flesh before giving it a swift slap. Draco cried out as the flesh reddened in the shape of Ron's handprint.

The Gryffindor gripped his thickness and aimed it toward Draco's opening. As he got into position he could feel the steady stream of energy flowing from himself to Draco. The strange aura pulled on his hips, cock jumping in anticipation. It demanded him to close the distance immediately. He again felt as a magnet would, whose South Pole is very near another's North.

He penetrated Draco's body swiftly, the slippery wetness granting him a different sensation. His cock wasn't compressed by the Slytherin's muscles as tightly as previous. Draco's muscles seemed to anticipate his length and girth and accommodated him easily.

He growled, thrusting his pelvis quickly and desperately against Draco's ass cheeks. Ron saw Draco's hands grip a pillow. The vibration slowly returned. Ron noticed it corresponded perfectly with the rippling sensation he felt whenever he was fully planted inside the other. The vibration was not unpleasant. In fact, he moved more rapidly just to insure the vibration to intensify.

'Ffffuck… Ron… I'm gonna…' Ron slowed, halving his pace, leaving Draco quaking beneath him. He moaned impatiently.

'Yeah… you were.' The Gryffindor said with a devilish grin, tracing a hand up the others spine. Draco turned just enough Ron could see his doleful expression.

'Ron… please.' he moaned, grinding his hips backward against Ron's still firmly planted cock. 'Come on.' He whined, hips bucking back again.

'Just wait I'm... do you feel that?' Ron asked.

'You mean your dick in my ass?' Draco breathed sarcastically.

'No,' Ron chortled, 'The... ripples.'

'Yeah... I do.' Draco moaned airily.

Without a second thought, he whipped Draco's arms out from under him. He fell into the soft, feathery pillow face first with a loud 'MMF!'

The Slytherin turned his head to the side to gasp in shock, cheeks glowing red. Ron folded his arms behind the small of his back. He wrapped his long fingers around both of Draco's wrists and grasped them tightly, binding them with his large hands.

Ron had the clever idea of using this as leverage to pull himself against the Slytherin's backside, rock hard cock impaling him deeper than ever before and was in mild disbelief at his own stroke of genius.

The magnetism was at full strength and the strange sound returned. It progressed from a hum to a high pitched ringing in his ears. All though not a full blown sound, his ear drums still seemed to vibrate in his head from the intensity of it.

Draco groaned and fell limp in ecstasy, allowing Ron to fuck him with titillation. The magnetic force that had overtaken them sent strong pulsating shockwaves through their bodies as they reached release.

Ron's warmth filled Draco's insides. Draco's mess was everywhere. He'd created a viscous, opulent puddle on the now soiled satin sheets.

Ron let go of Draco's wrists, who was still catching his breath and quivering in the aftermath of a powerful orgasm. The Gryffindor fell to his side and traced a hand over Draco's shoulder. 'Sorry…' he whispered with a hint of shame, 'I don't know what came over me.'

Draco turned to him and Ron was relieved when he saw him smiling. 'I liked it.'

Ron kissed the back of his neck, 'Happy Birthday.'