My mind was reeling with all the new information that I was taking in. These three had been through so much together. Done so much. And somehow I had been thrust into the middle of it all. I was expected to be a spy, the mere thought of being one sent a cold shiver done my spine. Harry was brutally honest and the prospect of being figured out was a genuine fear. I didn't want to be tortured, or controlled… and I didn't want to die. But if I didn't do this then I'd be part of the reason that lead to evil prevailing over good. People I had come to like and think of as a friend like Hermione could end up being killed. Hell. I don't know if my farther was a pure blood or not, I could very well be part of the group of wizards that are deemed unfit to use magic. My heart was heavy and I needed to lighten the load. In the month that I had been here I would seek out Draco to elevate my spirits, but as of lately I feel like this is no longer an option. Harry is convinced that Draco is a death eater and therefore I should probably watch my back, right?

So why did I find my feet leading me to the tower where the owlry is? Instead of heading towards the highest peak where the owls stayed however I took a slight diversion and headed towards a smaller tower that wasn't really used anymore. There were a few damp patches and the air felt moist. I know sometimes first years sneak out here as a dare after hours but pretty soon the novelty is gone and during day light hours you don't get too many visitors here if any. But I knew if I went I'd see a particular blonde I would find him here. I wasn't wrong. With his back to me he faced an open window. His hands were held together behind his back and the wind from the open window was drifting his soft blonde hair back in delicate waves. It was a picturesque scene.

"Ahem." I clear my throat to garner his attention. I must have surprised him because he spun instantly on his heel, his wand slipping out from his sleeve and seamlessly into his hand. He looked ready to kill. When he realised it was only me intruding on his alone time his fierce eyes softened, but he didn't smile.

"Aria… Don't… Don't startle me like that." he finally finishes.

"You mean scare, don't scare you like that." I tease with one brow arched. He chuckles but it somehow feels fake, shallow, like the humour barely scratched the surface of his subconscious.

"A Malfoy never gets scared." Draco adds in mock pride. This time it was my turn to fake chuckle because even hearing the name Malfoy runs a chill down my spine. A blanket of hush befalls us and I slip myself on the ledge of the window Draco had just been standing in front of. The cooling winds chill my back and I shiver. I feel cold. But somehow the cold runs deeper than just a physical feeling. I shrug of the intense train of thought and instead focus on what is in front of me. Or rather who.

"So, what is it like? The manor I mean, is fort Malfoy still standing strong in the old tree out back?"

Draco chuckles again but this time it feels real, lit up with a memory of the past. "I should imagine so, I didn't go back in there after you left. I suppose that curse made me forget about it. I doubt mother even remembers it to order its dismantle." I nod.

"When I have to go there this summer we should check it out, see if our journal of a-z pranks is still hidden under that loose floorboard."

"Definitely." He smiles at me thinly and I can tell the word 'have to' stung him. But it's the truth. I'm being forced to go there against my will. We stand there in silence, but it's not awkward. We both understand my situation and see it for exactly what it is, 'lawful kidnapping' I believe would be an accurate description. The Malfoys are perfectly within their means to take me back into their custody, but they are also perfectly aware that I am happy and settled with Remus at the same time. We both also know that whatever waits me at Malfoy manor isn't just happy reunions and reminiscing the past, in reality it's far more sinister than that.

The silence had stretched on for so long the both of us had been completely absorbed into our own minds. "Kathy!" a first year screams hurtling into the entrance. I gasp and lose my balance on the ledge, it all slows down and I feel myself begin to fall backwards. The soft curls of wind are no longer chilling and soothing. Now they seem to be moving in the opposite direction, sucking me now through the window. I stifle the beginning of a scream but before the high pitched sound can leave my mouth I hear a-

"Accio Aria!" suddenly the sucking wind changes its direction once more and I no longer feel the ledge of the window scraping against the back of my thighs. Instead I'm hurtling through the air into a wide eyed Draco. I crash into him and our foreheads bang very hard against each other. It all goes black for a second but when my eyes refocus Draco is slumped against a wall. The back of his head must have hit the wall and he must have a concussion as a repercussion. I'm on top of him in an awkward sitting position and he's staring at me. Draco is trying really hard to focus on my face because he's squinting, his eyes moving about in all sorts of directions.

"I'm so sorry, I was playing hide and seek, I was sure she was here, Please don't hurt me." The first year begs, water gathering in his eyes. He was clearly afraid of Draco but Draco could hardly focus on his own hands let alone remember the face of the poor boy. I shoo him away and help Draco to his feet. I put one hand to my own forehead and feel a very obvious bump. Great.

I put one of his arms around my shoulder and take most of his weight. He weighs a lot and has at least a foot over me, non the less I solider on through and half carry half drag him down the stairs. When we get into the castle all the whispers and stares I get are astounding. I'm sure not if they can tell if Draco has a concussion but the fact Draco, the Slytherin Prince, was seen with his arm over the shoulder of a Gryffindor girl will surely circulate the castle once or twice.

"Gracious me, what happened this time? And why is it that you two always injure yourself in pairs." I don't even have a response for this so I simply shrug and lead Draco over to the closest bed. He collapses like a ton of bricks onto the bed and my shoulders scream with the new found freedom.

Draco had to drink a rancid potion that Snape apparently makes by the crate load for Madam Pomfrey. My bump was also a minor injury and a simple spell had me looking normal in no time. I didn't even have time to register my proper well health before Harry came storming through the door.

"Couldn't even wait till you get her back to yours before you torture her could you!" Harry spits in a Draco's direction. Of course wherever Harry goes Hermione and Ron follow. They both just send the blonde death stares, he can't even register what is going on properly because the potion is still at work trying to un-concussion him.

"Harry forget him just focus on Ari." Says Hermione, the voice of reason.

"I'm fine." I interject before Harry can ask. "I just… tripped and fell into Draco, so there's no reason to shout at him." I want to tell him what really happened, that I went to meet Draco in the tower but I don't want them to know just how close I am to him. What if the order make me use Draco for information, I don't want to do that, so I'll just have to downplay our friendship.

"And you nearly knocked him out? Nice one Ari" Ron interjects, a smile lighting up his whole face. I role my eyes but smile back.

"She didn't nearly knock me out but if you don't mind can you leave the infirmary, I need to recover and I can feel the poorness radiating off of you." And there he is, normal Draco. Madam Pomfrey also shoos out the other three after Draco's persistent demanding of their removal and I am once again left alone in his company.

"Aria…"

"Mm."

"I know you're being forced to stay at the Manor, but you're not our hostage. You're a guest and will be treated as such." Draco offers softly as if it's of any condolence.

"I know." I reply, aware of the respect that side of the war hold for me due to who they believe is my alleged farther.

"And-"

"And?"

"And, urm whatever happens, in the manor I mean, you can come to me for anything, to talk or whatever."

I arch an eyebrow "why are you being so nice? Did your parents put you up to this?" I know me and Draco are on good terms, but that doesn't mean he's ever directly nice to me, other than you know, when he saved my life.

"No." he says sharply. "Well yes, I won't lie. They told me to befriend you, seeing as you're going to be living with us from now on, but I'm also doing it because I want to." He says sternly, no warmth in his voice, I know he's just trying to act like he's nonchalant about the whole situation. But I just smile warmly at him.

"Thank you Draco." I start, placing my hand over his knee where he lies on the bed. "For both saving my life and being a friend, back then and even now." I give his knee a reassuring squeeze before turning to leave. I don't know what to expect when I am forced to finally go back to that manor but I know it won't be pleasant and if I have even only one ally, even if he's not strictly on my side, I think I'll be able to make it through this in once piece.

Sorry for skipping a week, I've been super ill but I'm better know and back to writing