A/N: The parts in italics are events from the past


2 – Draco's Tale

DRACO

They made their way back through the hallway in silence. There was probably a lot Haley had to think about. In the small room behind the door at the end of the hallway they were greeted by the banshee, dreamily staring out the window. Luckily she was still chewing on the second spiral plum Draco had given her earlier. He only had one left. But that would be enough.

After handing the spiral plum to the banshee, he smiled at her and asked, "Would you let down your hair for us, Rabanshee?"

Rabanshee nodded but like always she seemed a little sad to lose her company. Swiftly, she grabbed her masses of hair and threw them out of the window.

"I'll get you some more next time," Draco promised, before holding onto the thick braid and climbing down the wall. Quietly, Haley followed him. And then they were suddenly back in Luna's basement in front of the banshee's portrait.

Almost longingly Haley glanced back at it.

"Are you okay?" Draco asked quietly.

"Not really," Haley answered. "It feels wrong to leave him there… but I guess at least I know he's alive." She smiled weakly. Then she reached for his hands and gave them a gentle squeeze. "Thank you for taking care of him all this time. I know… you never exactly got along."

"He's your family," Draco replied, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "Come on. I want to show you something."

...

HALEY

After climbing up the stairs toward the first floor, they ascended another two sets of stairs until they finally reached a wide circular platform on the roof. At the far edge there was a blue-and-white striped roofed wicker beach chair overlooking the whole surrounding area. It was one of those beach chairs that could often be seen at German beaches. From up here they might be able to spot their friends as soon as they returned. Was that the reason he had brought her up here? Draco dropped down into the beach chair as if he owned it and pulled her down next to him.

Curiously, Haley glanced over at him. "How come you know your way around here so well?"

Draco shrugged, curling his arm around her waist. "I spent a few days here this summer."

"I see." She nodded slowly.

That made him chuckle. "Why? You're not jealous, are you?"

"Because of Luna?" She asked sceptically. "No. Of course not. That would be like you being jealous of Ron."

He grimaced slightly. But it was gone in only a second. "Did you really spent the summer at his house?"

"Yes." She nodded. "Ever since I was twelve actually."

"Twelve?" He echoed, pulling her closer to his side.

"Yes. But I always slept in Ginny's bedroom. So, you don't need to worry." She quipped, poking his nose lightly.

"Who said I was worried?" He asked, snatching her finger and trapping it in his hand.

"I don't know? It seemed that way," she replied playfully.

"I'm not. Worried." Draco said petulantly, freeing her finger from his hold and drawing patterns into her open palm instead. "I…" He bit his lips nervously, keeping his eyes on his wandering fingers. "I… you know… what you said earlier…" He took a deep breath. "Was it… was it true? When you said that you… that you…"

It was rare to see him like this. Fighting to get out the words. Unable to look at her. Nervous. It was strange that Haley herself didn't feel more nervous. Maybe it was because she had thought she had lost him before. It could hardly get worse than that. But he was here now. And Sirius was alive. So, what was the harm in sharing her feelings with him? Actually, she felt lucky she even still had the chance to do so.

"That I…?" She asked gently.

"That you… loved me." He whispered. "Did you… mean it?"

"Yes." She replied without hesitation. "I love you. I've known it for a while now."

With her free hand she tenderly touched his cheek, hoping to make him look at her.

He did. His silvery eyes were full of wonder.

Never looking away from her, he covered her hand with his and pulled it down to his lips so he could leave a trail of kisses on her palm.

"I wanted to tell you… after the exams. Do you remember?" It seemed like forever ago.

He nodded.

DRACO

All this time he had wondered what it was that she had wanted to tell him back then.

"I should have told you then. Instead of pushing you away," she whispered regretfully.

"Why didn't you?" He asked. Would it have made a difference if she had told him sooner? Maybe. Maybe he would have felt less heartbroken over the summer.

"I was trying not to feel anything. Not to care," she admitted. "But you made me care. I never stopped caring about you." She smiled softly, shaking her head and brushing her thumb over his bottom lip. "I don't think I can." She chuckled, pulling up her shoulders helplessly. The sight of it along with her words was so charming that Draco felt something melt in his chest.

….

HALEY

She was so overcome with love for this boy, it was almost impossible to put into words.

"I've never felt his way before. I could spend every day looking at you and not ever get tired of it."

It was true. But had those embarrassing words really come out of her mouth?

"Er… I'll stop now before I say anything even more cheesy."

Draco smirked. "I don't mind. You can say all the cheesy things you want." With a mocking undertone he added. "Also, feel free to look at me all day."

Where had the flustered boy from a second ago gone?

"Don't laugh. I was trying to make a point." She muttered sheepishly. "But if you don't want to hear about my feelings, I won't tell you."

Now he looked as if he regretted teasing her. "I want to know how you feel. Tell me," he urged, snaking his arm around her back once more.

Well, if he asked her so nicely…

Loosely, she wrapped her arms around his neck and dropped a chaste kiss on his lips.

"I love you." A whisper. A confession. A promise. It was as easy as that.

DRACO

The words. Her lips. The burst of emotions. Draco felt as if his soul was being caressed by a gentle summer breeze. He might have closed his eyes to savour the feeling. Only to reopen them again because he wanted to look at her. He wanted to ingrain this moment inside his memory until the end of time. If there was ever a time that called for the melodramatics it had to be this moment.

"You can't take it back, you know," he whispered with a blissful sigh, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist. Then he leaned forward a little in order to rest his forehead against Haley's.

She chuckled quietly, never taking her eyes off him. "Why would I take it back?"

"I don't know… just – you can't take it back." Ugh… now he sounded like a clingy thirteen-year-old again. But he couldn't help it. There was only so much heartbreak a person could take.

"Alright," she said sweetly, nuzzling her nose against his affectionately. "I won't take it back – no, I can't because it's what I feel, obviously. But if my feelings ever change… I promise, I'll grant you a wish."

"A wish?" He scoffed. "That's such a lousy promise."

"Depends on the wish," she argued cheekily.

He pouted. Slightly.

"Fine." She replied with a laugh. "I'm going to do anything in my power to protect my feelings for you. That better?" Well, if she protected them as fiercely as she protected her friends or her godfather, he wasn't going to complain.

"Your feelings?" He asked innocently. "What feelings?"

She rolled her eyes. Of course, she saw right through him. "My love." She kissed his lips. He had never tasted anything sweeter. I'm dying, he thought helplessly. Hadn't he always known she was going to be the death of him? He let himself fall into the feeling. Into her. Into the touch of her lips that was bliss, bliss, bliss.

HALEY

His annoying grin. She kissed it until he couldn't keep it up any longer. And then she kissed him some more. Just because she could. Because she wanted to. Because she loved him. And now he finally knew.

When she pulled away to refill her lungs with air, she found herself halfway sprawled across Draco's lap. With a nervous cough, she settled back down by his side.

Slowly, almost as if he was waking up from a dream, he opened his eyes. "For this… I think I'd do all the absolutely hazardous things I've done this summer all over again."

"Oh." Haley perked up at this. "Do I finally get to learn what you've been up to these last weeks?"

Although he furrowed his brows, his arm found its way around her once more like that was its new favourite spot. "That's… another long story."

"I've got time," she said hesitantly. Maybe he didn't want to talk about it…

For a moment his eyes swept across the landscape around them, as if he was looking for something. Then he sighed, running a hand through his still brown hair. "Fine. If you're that curious." He smirked, pulling at her short pony tail. "But where to start?"

"This might be unconventional… but how about the beginning?" She teased.

This time it was him rolling his eyes. "Very funny, Potter."

Haley grinned. "I know."

"Well, then. As you wish. I'll tell you the exciting story of how I made my mother hate me."

DRACO

Draco hadn't gotten used to the dinners without his father. The whole manor felt different. More vulnerable somehow. If it was that easy to make his father – who was favoured by the minister himself, who used to be untouchable – disappear from his own home… then what did that mean for said home? Who was there to stop anyone else from violently barging in and further sullying his childhood home?

"Is the pie not to your liking?" His mother asked, after noticing Draco poking around his food. "I'll tell Randy to redo it." She waved her left hand elegantly. "Randy."

Draco shook his head just as the house elf appeared by his mother's side. "No. That's not it. I'm not really that hungry." With a sigh he pushed away his plate.

"Randy is being called," the small house elf said subserviently. "What can he be helping with?"

"It's fine, Randy. You can go." Draco replied giving a dismissive wave.

"If Master Draco is being sure." The house elf took a bow, before hastily leaving the dining room.

His mother raised her glass and took a sip of wine. Then her eyes fixed on her son, her expression carefully neutral. "I know our current situation is slightly… unusual but you'll see everything will be back to normal in no time at all."

"It won't. And you know it," he replied tiredly.

"Draco, you don't–"

"Actually, mother, there's something I wanted to talk to you about."

Narcissa took a deep breath as if to steel herself. Then she gave a small nod.

"Have you ever thought… following the Dark Lord might not be our best option?"

His words were followed by a shocked silence. It seemed to last for hours. Until suddenly his mother turned to look left and right with wide horrified eyes.

"Have you lost your mind?" She hissed quietly, her whole air of elegant boredom wiped away. "If the wrong people heard you you would be dead on the spot."

"Are you saying there are spies in our own home?"

"What I am saying is that you can't trust anyone." Pointedly she glanced from the portraits on the wall over to the house elves positioned by the entrance.

"Come." She stood up with a sigh. "If you must speak of such ludicrous nonsense, at least do it somewhere, without eavesdroppers." With that Draco's mother picked up her glass of wine along with another bottle and left the dining room. As always, Narcissa walked the halls with dignity. But now more than ever Draco had the feeling she used her dignity as a form of protection. As an armour. She had to feel them, too. The traces of vulnerability reaching into their home like cold fingers leaving their invisible fingerprints everywhere. Silently, he followed her out into the garden toward her rose pavilion in the backyard. After entering the pavilion she placed her wine bottle on the table, drew her wand and whispered a spell that was too quiet for Draco to hear. Then she gave him a nod. "You may speak now."

Although, he had been planning to talk to his mother for days he didn't know exactly how he was going to accomplish that feat.

"I mean…" He started hesitantly. "You've seen what happened to father. After the mission failed… the Dark Lord left him to rot in Azkaban. Why should we still support him?"

After giving him a long assessing glance, his mother lifted her wine glass to her mouth and took another small sip.

"Where's that coming from?" She asked suspiciously. "These are our values, aren't they? Purebloods taking back control. Taking back our magic, which those mudblood bastards stole from us. They are disgusting little parasites. Did you forget all that?"

Draco frowned. "I know but… " Maybe there are exceptions, he thought. But he didn't say it aloud.

"Don't tell me you sympathise with that filth. What right do they have to practice magic?" His mother spat in disgust.

"It's not… that I sympathise with them. I just… " How could he ever make her understand? "I don't want to… there are some…" His struggle with the words seemed to capture her attention.

"There are some…?" His mother repeated, watching him closely. He looked away, trying not to show even a flicker of emotion. "It's a girl, isn't it? There's a girl involved."

Bull's eye.

He forced himself to wait at least five seconds before shaking his head and scoffing. "As if."

"You can't fool me." His mother narrowed her eyes to slits. "That necklace you always carry around and look at. Do you think I didn't notice?"

"What necklace? I never-"

"Don't lie to me, Draco. You've been acting oddly ever since the holidays. Asking me about my favourite spots in Hogsmeade all of a sudden." She scoffed. "I should have seen it then."

"You've got it all wrong," Draco argued a tad too fiercely.

Then his mother's eyes widened even more than before. "Dear Merlin, don't tell me she's… she can't be a… a mudblood…" There was pure horror in her blue eyes.

"She's not! I would never–" Draco stopped, realizing too late, what he had just said.

"So you admit it. There is a girl."

Draco shook his head. But he had basically lost the battle.

"Who is it?" His mother asked suspiciously. "Not a Slytherin. Or you wouldn't behave in such an unreasonable fashion."

"I…" He wasn't sure what to say. His mother was a clever witch. If she wanted to there was no way he could keep his former girlfriend's identity a secret from her. "Actually…"

"Actually, don't tell me. I don't want to know," She interrupted him. "It's better like this. We'll pretend this conversation never happened. You forget about her and everything can go back to the way it is supposed to be. That's what Lucius would have done. I am sure, he would–"

"Mum, stop." Draco said gently but firmly. She was starting to sound hysteric. The wine glass in her hand was shaking dangerously. After she had calmed down somewhat, he took a deep breath, before he continued speaking. "I can't. I can't forget her. I can't just pretend none of this ever happened."

"Why?"

Draco debated how much he should tell her. Would the truth be able to convince her? "She's everything to me," he told his mother quietly. "And I can't bear the thought… of having to point my wand at her… one day."

Narcissa looked at him as if he had just told her he was actually a house elf who had been pretending to be her son for sixteen years.

"Draco, you fool." She whispered in frustration. Almost imperceptibly, she shook her head, lifted her glass of wine to her mouth and emptied it in one gulp. Then she grabbed the wine bottle from the table and filled up her glass to the brim, promptly taking another sip. Following that, she ran her free hand through her hair, messing up her elegant knot in the process. He had never seen his mother that unkempt.

"So what's your plan? Run to the other side? Turn your back on your family?" She hissed.

"No! That's not what I want! Why do you think I'm talking to you about this?"

"What's the point of talking, when you obviously won't heed my advice? It seems that you've already made your decision."

"I haven't. Not yet."

She crossed her arms, sending him a calculating look. "Then what will you do if I disagree with your plan of opposing the Dark Lord? That's your plan isn't it?"

"I…" Draco hesitated. "I won't go through with it, then. There are other options – I… I've considered running away," he admitted sheepishly.

Narcissa scoffed. But there was a subtle fondness to it. "You can't run away from him. Think of what he did to Karkaroff."

"I never betrayed him, though," Draco argued defiantly. "I was never a Death Eater to begin with."

"Do you think he cares about that?" She took a step closer to him, laying her hand on his shoulder. "We can't show any weakness now. You've seen how easily your father was taken from us." There was so much sorrow in her blue eyes. He had to avert his gaze. "My boy. My little boy. Think about this carefully." Soothingly, she rubbed her thumb over his shoulder. "Is a girl… really worth all this? Ruining your life? Ruining our family?"

Draco thought of Haley's warm smile. The way she always teased him. The way her eyes lit up with fierceness when she fought for something she was passionate about. The way her hands filled up his cold fingers with warmth. The way she always knew how to push his buttons. Whether in a good or bad way. Although, they were technically broken up, he hadn't given up on her. Not after her letter. Not as long as there was still a chance…

"I can't give her up, mum. I can't."

"You're dooming our family." She whispered sadly. "You're dooming yourself." That seemed to trouble her even more.

Draco bit his lips. "Is that your answer, then?"

His mother sighed. "You're the only son I have."

HALEY

"Wow." Haley said after hearing that story. "And now your mother hates you?"

"I mean," Draco shook his head slowly. "She doesn't really. I'm her only son after all." He shrugged.

"Now, I feel bad. You shouldn't fight with your mother because of me." She frowned. Although, she didn't remember Narcissa Malfoy as a very pleasant woman, she was still Draco's mother.

"It's fine." He chuckled. "That's not even the worst of it. Shall I continue?"

Haley nodded. And so Draco went on with his story.

DRACO

Had Draco's mother known the full extent of the plan, she might have stopped him. But as it was, she seemed to find it wiser to know as little as possible. In order to protect the both of them in case something went wrong and someone came to interrogate her.

Not long after Draco had sent the lily drawing back to Professor Snape, the man came by to hold a council of war inside Narcissa's rose pavilion. After hours of plotting Draco found himself wondering about all the details and possible alternative plans his teacher had come up with. Had he expected Draco to make this choice?

"Professor, what would you have done… if I hadn't sent the drawing?"

"How do you mean?" He quirked an eyebrow.

"I mean… you've already planned all this…"

"I did not plan it on my own," he offered. "However, I cannot say, I was not hoping for this outcome."

"So, I'm doing the right thing?" Draco wanted to know.

"Who knows?" Snape replied. "The only thing that I know is that every choice comes with a consequence. And in the end, it is up to you, how you let it shape your life."

Draco nodded, although he wasn't sure he completely understood the meaning behind those words.

"Still… you were hoping for this outcome? Why?" Draco asked.

Snape seemed hesitant, almost reluctant to answer this. After a deep sigh, he finally replied, "I wanted… the drawing to fulfill its purpose… at least this time."

"Purpose? You mean making a choice?"

"Making a choice before it is too late," he corrected gently. "She gave it to me… hoping I would return it to her and change my mind. Hoping I would turn my back on who I had become… Ignoring who she had become… A foolish hope." He concluded, in a fond undertone. "And yet, sometimes, I wish…" It seemed like he was lost inside a memory. Draco didn't know what to say. It was obvious that Lily Potter must have meant a lot to him. They had fought on different sides. And then… she had died. How tragic that was. He wondered how many people knew about this.

"In any case," Snape continued in a quiet, slightly tired manner. "If you have any questions or doubts left, now would be a good time to voice them."

After that admission Draco felt all of his doubts turn into insignificant wisps that burst into thin air like bubbles.

"When do we start?" He asked finally.

The corner of Professor Snape's lip curled up a smidgen. "As soon as you are ready."

"I am ready." Draco replied. "I think."

"You think." Snape echoed, chuckling softly. It sounded a lot like mockery.

He wasn't ready in the slightest for the things that awaited him. Professor Snape made good of his words and began with the preparations for the next move right away. According to him, the Dark Lord was planning to summon his followers within the next few days. And apparently a major role was to be assigned to Draco. Likely, that involved something that was meant to punish his father. Therefore, Snape had insisted they set their chess pieces into place right away. Whatever the Dark Lord had planned for him, Snape was convinced Draco's chances would be better, if he found a way to avoid meeting the Dark Lord. Honestly, Draco wasn't exactly eager to meet him. Narcissa told him to be careful before he left for his 'mission' the following day. He only hoped she wouldn't be too shocked the next time she saw him. While the objective of their plan was simple – prevent him from having to meet the Dark Lord – it was much more complex to actually execute it.

In the early morning hours he arrived in Little Whinging. Inside one of these houses Haley was living. Was she home? It didn't really matter for the success of his endeavour but he wondered still. A handful of people were on the street. Muggles all of them. Taking out the trash. Going for a morning jog. Each of them blissfully ignorant of his suicide mission. Nervously, he checked his robe pockets. There was his wand inside the right one. And the cursed bracelet in his left pocket. He needed to be careful not to accidentally remove the protection shell around it. Not too soon anyway. Surely, the aurors in charge of protecting Haley's neighbourhood had spotted him already. Wherever they were hiding. He looked for them in a way that said 'I'm definitely not plotting an attack on this beautiful morning.' Or something along those lines.

There was a small park to the left, the street sign next to it, reading Magnolia Road. Had Haley played here as a child? Had she sat on those swings? He strolled down Magnolia Road, trying to make himself look even less conspicuous. Just as he was about to turn left into Magnolia Crescent, he felt them. Invisible pairs of eyes watching him. The sounds of cloaks swooshing over the ground. They were following him. It was almost time. He quickened his steps, in a weak attempt to shake them off and hurried down Magnolia Crescent until he reached the narrow alley that connected it to Wisteria Walk. Right as he set one foot into the alley the surrounding street lamps went out one by one. Draco swallowed anxiously. The aurors were here. One after another they appeared out of thin air. Three of them in front of him, cloaked in black.

"Where're you headed?" The man in the middle asked casually. He had a light brown moustache that was twirled at the ends.

"None of your business." Draco spat derisively. "Get out of my way."

"Actually, it's exactly our business." The short witch on the left replied. "We're stationed here to make sure wannabe baddies like you don't stir up any trouble around here." She reached into her inner pocket, as if to get her wand.

"Hold it, Smith. You can't just attack him without any reason." The taller witch on the right admonished her, holding up a hand to stop her. "He literally hasn't done anything wrong."

"Yet," the shorter witch argued pettily. She looked awfully young. "He obviously means trouble."

Draco sighed. "Well, then. If you'll excuse me." He made a step forward but was stopped by an irksome wand shoved into his face.

"Don't come any closer!" The young witch screeched.

Instead of taking another step forward Draco fetched his own wand from his pocket and pointed it at the witch, named Smith, in turn.

"Put that down!" She ordered.

"I'm just defending myself! I've done nothing wrong!" Draco replied honestly irritated.

The wizard with the funny moustache coughed quietly. "He does have a point, Cindy."

"Ugh!" The witch, called Cindy Smith, groaned, still waving her wand at him. "He hasn't answered our questions!"

"Fine. I'll answer your question." He rolled his eyes. "After you've put down your wand."

Moustache Guy gave Cindy a quick nod that made her grimace. But nevertheless, she dropped her wand arm. Slowly.

"No tricks."

Draco smirked. Then he pointed his wand at the ground as well. "I'm here to deliver a present."

"To whom?" Cindy asked.

"A friend. From school." He answered in a bored tone.

"A friend? Why? What present?"

Draco scoffed. "Should I unpack it? I answered your questions, now leave me alone."

Cindy shook her head. "I don't think so."

Draco made to step past the aurors but they blocked his way. Just like he had predicted.

"Jones, Alan, take him."

Before Draco had time to turn around, two figures appeared behind him, one taking his wand and the other grabbing his arms and holding them firmly behind his back.

"Let go, you bastards! I've done nothing wrong!" Draco thundered, as if this was not exactly going according to the plan. "Don't you know who I am?" He tried not to let her lack of respect get to him too much. Although, it was hard.

"Your name hardly matters," Cindy said lightly. "We're going to make sure you don't mean any harm. Search him."

Those last words were an order.

The taller witch seemed to have a different opinion. "Wait, maybe we should talk about it before–"

"We've done enough talking!" Cindy interrupted her. "Search. Him."

Moustache Guy coughed once more. "I will do it, then."

Cindy nodded impatiently but she didn't argue.

The wizard stepped forward, circling Draco, as if he was debating where to search first.

"I said, let go! You filthy bunch of thugs!" Draco hissed, while he struggled against his captor.

"Careful lad, I'm not gonna hurt you," Moustache Guy said quietly, stopping in front of him. He held up two hands, as if to show him he was unarmed and winked. "Hold still, for a second, would you? We don't want any er… unplanned surprises, now, do we?"

Draco glared at him.

Almost in slow motion, the man checked Draco's wand pocket, which he found empty. Then, almost in slow motion, he slipped his fingers into Draco's left robe pocket, in which he kept the cursed bracelet. Draco's breath quickened. The careful way in which he pulled it out of his pocket… It was as if he knew how dangerous it was. Was that him? His ally? He had winked at him earlier.

"Oh, is that the present?" The wizard asked in surprise.

"Did you find it? What is it?" Cindy asked eagerly.

Curiously but still with careful fingers, Moustache Guy inspected the small blue case that held the 'present'. Slowly, he opened the case, revealing a thin silver bracelet.

"Hm." The wizard nodded. "Quite pretty."

"Let me see!" Demanded Cindy, taking a step toward them.

Before she could reach them, Draco tried to free his arms once more. "Give that back!" He yelled. "Or I'll make you pay! Just like I'll make that bint pay for sending my father to prison!"

"I see! Now, you've admitted your true motive!" Cindy cried triumphantly, still reaching for the bracelet. He couldn't let her touch it. If she touched it, the plan would be ruined. He had to do something. But in exactly that moment, there was a loud bang behind them, diverting everyone's attention, including Draco's captor's. Not questioning it any further, he broke free from the hold and snatched the silver bracelet out of the older wizard's hands.

The moment he touched the cold metal, a surge of pain raged through his whole body. It felt as if he was hit by a thousand little lightning bolts all at once. It didn't last more than a few seconds. Then the pain stopped as suddenly as it had come and instead he was enveloped in darkness.

The next thing he was aware of was that he was lying inside a bed. A strange and unfamiliar one. Had the plan been successful? He couldn't open his eyes. Where was he? At least the pain hadn't returned. Someone was holding his hand. The touch felt familiar and strange at the same time. Like a distant childhood memory.

"Draco." Someone whispered. "Draco, my boy. What have you done?"

It was his mother's voice. She sounded fragile, like breaking glass. It killed him to hear her so weak. He wanted to answer. To explain. To make her stop worrying. But he couldn't move his lips. He couldn't even lift a finger. Was it supposed to be like that?

There was the sound of a door opening. Had someone come in or left?

"Severus." Draco's mother said in surprise, while squeezing his hand. "Did you know Draco was going to do this? You know all about dark artefacts, so you can help him, can't you? Those healers are a disaster. None of them know what they are doing!" His mother sounded as if she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

"Narcissa." That was the unmistakable voice of his potion professor. "As it so happens Draco is not in immediate danger."

"How do you know that? Did the healers tell you? They won't tell me anything useful!" His mother complained. "They wouldn't have dared to treat me like this a month ago."

"I understand he touched a cursed object?" Snape asked.

"Yes," his mother replied. "Apparently, he wanted to gift it to someone. But they're not telling me to whom or where they even found him!"

"I see." Professor Snape cleared his throat. "Well, what is important now is that Draco was very lucky. Can you see this?" Draco felt cold fingers tugging at the collar of his shirt. Why was everyone trying to get a hand on him, lately? But the fingers were only pulling out the necklace he wore under his shirt. A small silver ring was dangling from it.

"That is mithril," Professor Snape explained. "It is a most rare material that is very useful against curses."

"Mithril? It protected him, then?"

"I assume."

"Does that mean he'll recover?"

"Yes, most certainly."

There was a pause then.

"But Severus… how did you know all this? How did you know he was wearing this… mithril? Did Draco tell you about his plan?" His mother was clutching his hand so tightly, it almost hurt. "Was that… all of this… his intention?"

"I believe… it was merely a safety measure." Snape replied pointedly. "After all, the bracelet was a gift for someone else, wasn't it?"

"A cursed bracelet as a gift?"

"I heard the healers mention something about revenge."

Another pause. Draco had the feeling there were a lot of things unsaid. But there was also plenty implied. It was clear that Snape knew a lot more than he was letting on. But he refused to admit anything outright. However, Narcissa was sharp. And as a Slytherin she knew how to read between the lines. She had to. And she knew when to ask questions. Or when it was best to hold them back.

"Well, let us hope, he will recover soon," Snape continued. "Otherwise, he will miss the meeting scheduled for Sunday night."

Which was of course, exactly their plan. Draco shuddered at the thought of it. Would the Dark Lord be angry? Would he take it out on his mother? Surely, he wouldn't. There was no way he knew he had planned all of this. They had arranged everything so carefully.

"Draco? But he has never attended a meeting before," Narcissa argued. "He's but a child."

I'm not a child, I'm sixteen!, Draco wanted to counter, but alas he couldn't speak.

"Oh. I am sure you will receive the invitation by tomorrow at the latest," Professor Snape informed her. "By the way, you might want to go and fetch some things from the manor. We do not know, how much longer poor Draco will have to stay here."

Draco was sure his mother was going to protest and insist she stay at his bedside no matter what. But he was wrong.

Narcissa sighed. "You will take care of him, while I am gone?" It sounded more like an order than a question.

"Of course." Professor Snape replied without hesitation.

"Alright." He felt the soft touch of lips on his forehead. "I will be back in a moment, my boy."

Then her fingers were gone and he heard the door open and close once more. Now, there were only him and Professor Snape inside the room. If only he could open his eyes or say something. This state of being paralysed was honestly annoying. It was most likely a side effect of that curse.

A spell was whispered and then he felt a cold gooey substance run all across his body until it covered him completely. It was gone a second later. After that someone – probably Snape – poured a liquid down his throat that was so bitter, he wanted to spit it out right away.

"Ew," he said disgustedly, making a grimace.

Snape snorted. "I see, you are already feeling better."

That was when it hit Draco. He had spoken. He tried blinking open his eyes, which took a few seconds but it worked. He could move again! The white walls and tasteless furniture looked suspiciously like a hospital room.

"St. Mungo's?" He asked, shielding his eyes from the bright light with his hand.

Snape lifted an eyebrow. "What did you expect? The infirmary in Hogwarts?"

"No, of course not but–" Draco stopped himself. There was something extremely strange sitting in the chair next to his bed. It was himself. He rubbed his eyes. Was he dreaming?

"This is a copy of you," Professor Snape explained. He was standing behind the chair, in which the other Draco seemed to be sleeping. "It will remain here instead of you. I created it before I healed you so that it will stay in this paralysed state for a while longer."

Slowly, Draco sat up. "Won't the healers know it's a copy? What if they lift the curse?"

"They cannot. Not when they lack the right ingredients for the cure." Snape's lip curled upwards a bit. "As for the copy. It is rather unlikely they will get behind it. Since the copy is actually you. But from the past. They will not find anything wrong with it."

"From the past? You mean… that thing…. is the actual me from five minutes ago?" Draco asked, trying to wrap his brain around that idea. "You pulled him out of his time line and… brought him here?"

"You could say it like that."

Wow. He had really thought of every little detail, hadn't he? Although, Draco still wasn't sure he actually understood that.

"Quick now, we must go before the healers return."

Draco threw his legs over the edge of his bed and leaned forward to take a closer look at the other him. It really looked exactly like the image he saw in the mirror each day. Would it fool his mother as well?

"What about my mother?" He asked quietly. "Will you tell her?"

"Later," Snape offered. "It is safer that way. For her. And for you as well."

Draco nodded. That way if anyone got suspicious, she didn't have to lie to them.

"Alright. I'm ready," he declared, tearing away his eyes from his sleeping doppelgänger.

"Very well." Professor Snape pulled a thin old book with the title The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe out of his inner pocket and opened it in the middle. A drawing of a huge wooden wardrobe with shining golden door knobs was stretching across both pages. "Hop in."

Draco lifted a questioning eyebrow.

"Hurry," Professor Snape urged.

"How?" Draco asked sceptically.

"Pull the knob." Snape replied matter-of-factly.

Draco reached for the painted door knob and as soon as he touched it he was pulled into the book. It certainly wasn't the strangest thing that had happened to him, being smuggled out of a hospital, hidden away inside a wardrobe that was painted onto the page of an old book.

DRACO

"This is the most absurd thing I have ever heard," Haley commented. "You're making that up."

"I'm not." Draco replied. "And I'm still not finished. Stop interrupting me."

"Wait, there's still more?" She complained. "I don't know if I can take it."

Draco scoffed. "You were the one who wanted to hear it!"

"Yeah, well, that was before I found out about all the horrors you went through. I can't believe you got cursed on purpose." She sent him an angry look and lightly slapped his arm. "Why would you do that?"

"I think, I explained that already, didn't I?" Because I chose you. Because I want to be with you. "Would you rather I had gone and met up with the Dark Lord?"

"No, of course not. I'm glad you were able to avoid that." Instead of hitting him, she slowly stroked her fingers over his arm now. "I just hate that you went through all that – you even helped Sirius – while all that I've done this summer is wallow around and hate myself. It's not fair."

"Does that mean you'll take on the curse next time?" He shrugged. "Fine by me."

"That's not what I mean!" She hit him again. Couldn't she settle for one? "Although, I would take on the curse." Of course she would.

Draco snatched up her fingers that were clawing into his arm and gently interwove them with his. "I appreciate your enthusiasm but let's not… think about taking on curses for now. Alright?"

With a shudder Haley exhaled. "Alright."

"Can I continue now?"

She nodded.

Draco squeezed her fingers. Then he continued, "So, after I was smuggled out of the hospital, I was taken in by my aunt."

Haley's eyes widened.

"Not aunt Bella. My other aunt." he explained. "Andromeda Black."

"That's Sirius' cousin! Tonks' mother!" Haley said, seemingly recognizing the name.

Draco nodded. "It was kind of awkward at first. With her being disowned and everything." He admitted.

"Because she married a muggleborn," Haley added, as if it was an incredibly important detail that he had forgotten.

"Yes. Because of that," he agreed. "She'd cut off all contact with her family, so she was quite weary of me at first. Which wasn't all bad because that also meant it was unlikely that anyone would go look for me there."

"You were hiding there… so nobody could find out you were actually fine?" Haley summarised. "So no one found out you'd tricked Voldemort?"

Draco hummed in agreement. "I mean… why else would I run around in those lousy muggle clothes?"

"That's why you dyed your hair?"

"Yes."

For a second he thought, she was going to hit him again. With her other hand perhaps.

But all she did was avert her gaze and sigh. "And then? What happened then?"

He shrugged. "Professor Snape asked me to help him out. And then I basically spent the rest of my days, sitting in the library and looking for ways to help your godfather."

"That's all?"

"More or less."

Haley frowned. "Why did he ask you though? I could've helped, too – I would have done anything!" Her anger was understandable.

"Because I was already involved," He whispered softly. "I had done some research on the golem. Or well, Luna had." He corrected himself. "She helped, too."

Her frown deepened. "I don't get it. Why would Snape – Snape of all people – why would he help Sirius? He despises him! They despise each other! Why would he help us? Help me?"

Draco hesitated. He hadn't told her anything he had found out about her mother and Professor Snape. For some reason he had the feeling it wasn't his story to tell. "I'm sure he's got his reasons."

HALEY

"Do you trust him, then?" Haley asked. "After what he's put you through? What if the ring hadn't worked? That curse could have seriously hurt you!"

"It hasn't though." He replied. He was infuriating. Somehow Haley got the feeling that was how he always felt whenever she went off and did something horribly dangerous. It was a terrible feeling.

"We can be together now." He said quietly, reaching up and stroking his fingers across her cheek. His touch made her shiver pleasantly. She couldn't help but close her eyes and lean into it. "Don't you want that?"

"Of course I want that," she replied, feeling torn. "But I don't want you to suffer because of it. Or make huge unreasonable sacrifices for it."

"There's always a price to pay. No matter what you do."

"I know but… I mean… do you really… are you really going against Voldemort now? What about your family?"

As he watched her silently for a few seconds she could see herself mirrored in his eyes. "Do you remember when we talked about this the first time?"

She nodded lightly. She remembered everything about him. Every touch. Every conversation.

"You asked me, whether I thought it was right… what the Dark Lord did," Draco said.

It seemed like forever ago. And still she remembered it as if it had been just yesterday. "You said that Slytherins don't care about right and wrong," Haley completed.

"Yes," he agreed. "We care about staying alive. We care about keeping our families alive."

Haley looked at him expectantly. Then and now. She hadn't really understood this answer. Or more like what he was trying to tell her through it. That he would never go against his family? That they were his topmost priority? While she would never want him to abandon his family, it did feel a lot like being rejected.

Draco smiled then, pressing softly against her lower lip with his thumb. "You're my family, too, silly." His words were like a feather light touch on her heart. They wrapped around her like a warm blanket keeping her safe and warm. "And I will not abandon either you or my parents. Or let anyone harm you."

Haley wanted to take those words and curl herself up inside them. "Do you mean that?" She whispered in quiet wonder.

"I do." He dove forward and kissed her lips sweetly.

"But how?" Although, she wanted to savour this moment, she couldn't help but ask. "Won't your parents be in danger, now that you… now that you're here?" With me.

Slowly, Draco shook his head. Because of their closeness his forehead brushed against hers softly.

"He doesn't know I'm on your side yet," he explained. "He thinks I'm in the hospital because of a curse. Because I tried to curse you. To get revenge." He scoffed, knocking his forehead against hers gently. "I don't think he suspects anything yet. And if he's angry at my mother, I think he sees it as punishment enough that she has to watch her son suffering in Mungo's while her husband is rotting away in Azkaban."

Haley bit her lips. "I never meant to–"

"It's fine, I don't blame you for that. Not any more." He amended. "In a way, I think my father is safer in Azkaban than he might be anywhere else."

"Still," Haley insisted. "I'm sorry you had to go through all that. That I wasn't by your side…"

He shook his head. "It doesn't matter now."

"From now on, I'll stay by your side. No matter what." Haley replied solemnly.

That made him smile. But it turned into a smirk half-way. "Be careful with promises, Potter. I hear you've got a penchant for breaking them."

Haley snorted, pushing away from him slightly. "You're still going on about that? And since when do you call me Potter?"

"Isn't that your name?"

"Yeah, but – ugh, why am I even arguing with you?"

"That's what I wanna know." He frowned. But the lazy grin on his face destroyed the whole effect.

"I kept my promise, though, didn't I?" She replied petulantly, crossing her arms. "I told you… the thing I wanted to tell you after the exams."

"Right." He nodded, his grin widening. "A bit late, but I guess you kept that promise."

"See?"

"What about the other one? Building a world for me?"

Haley rolled her eyes. "I thought that was a metaphor. Just like this is a metaphor for–" She stopped herself. Without thinking she had reached for her fairy necklace. The one that used to dangle around her neck. But it wasn't there now.

Draco lifted an eyebrow. Somehow his grin had lost its playfulness. "Looking for something?"

Haley sighed, looking down at her hands. "My necklace." She answered quietly. "Can I have it back?"

"You mean this one?" He reached into his left shirt sleeve and pulled her necklace out of it like a muggle magician, playing a magic trick.

"Yes." She replied somewhat shyly.

"Are you sure?" He asked, glancing down at the small fairy charm, sitting in his open palm. "Because last time, I think you said you didn't need it any more."

Of course he still remembered that. Her stupid words really seemed like they had left a lasting impression on him.

She closed her eyes, so that she didn't have to look at him. "I was wrong. I didn't mean it. Any of it."

"Alright." She heard him whisper very close to her. Then she felt something settle on her collarbone and the familiar feeling of a delicate chain resting around her neck. Slowly Haley opened her eyes, finding the small fairy charm lying against her skin where it belonged. It felt warm on her skin. Probably because Draco had kept it inside his shirt sleeve. Hesitantly, she touched it, wanting to feel the smooth material beneath her fingers. A metaphor… for his sincerity.

"Don't lose it again." Draco whispered, his lips hovering right next to her ear.

Haley wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly, hoping it was answer enough. After only a few seconds she heard him sigh.

"What is it?" She asked against the soft fabric of his shirt.

"Your friends." He replied. "They're back."

"So? They know about you already." She didn't see why this was a reason to worry.

Draco chuckled. "I'm officially hospitalized, remember? Can't have too many people see me."

Haley pouted, pulling away a bit so that she could actually get a glimpse of what he had seen. There they were. Six figures making their way toward Luna's house in the sunset.

"So, you'll go?" She asked in disappointment.

"I'll stay up here until the air is clear." He took her hand and squeezed it gently. "But you should go. Or they'll start to worry."

Haley didn't want to go. Right after leaving Sirius… "When will I see you again?"

"Soon," he replied, gently brushing his fingers over the fairy charm on her collarbone.

"On the train?"

He grimaced, shaking his head. "Probably a bit later than that."

"Then…" A horrible thought hit her. "You're coming back to Hogwarts, though, aren't you?"

"Of course," he assured her. "But… not right away. It'll be suspicious if I get 'cured' just in time for the beginning of term, right?"

That made sense. "Right." She nodded.

"Go now. They're almost here," he urged with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"I'll wait for you," she whispered, before kissing him one last time. Then she got up and made her way across the roof toward the door leading her down the stairs.

DRACO

Haley was walking away from him again. But this time she turned around and looked back. There was a smile on her face. This time he had the feeling it wouldn't be too long until she came back to him. Just like she had today.


A/N: Hi, it's me again! Now, you know what Draco's been up to all summer long. Our boy was quite busy. Hope you enjoyed the fluff :) And the slightly darker parts... Next chapter the gang is back again ;) So look forward to that! BTW has anyone seen the School for Good and Evil movie? I watched it last week, so if you like, come talk to me about it in the comments :)