a/n: Thanks to everyone who is reading and enjoying! I'm trying to keep the chapters shorter, let me know if you prefer them long with both viewpoints or short with alternating viewpoints. I've got the rest of this story arc planned out now too, and then the beginnings and endgame for 'book 2'. Let me know if you'd want that as a separate story, or in the same document as this one. Hope you enjoy xox

I saw the change in Draco when we returned to the room. It only mirrored my own.

I'd been so full of adrenaline and shock when facing Harry and Kingsley that I'd buffered the effects of my recovery. Now the imminent danger had been removed, I worried I might collapse at any moment. I felt weak and tired, and all I wanted was a hot meal and a long sleep. But Draco needed me.

He rummaged through the oak dresser, full of spare clothes. "These feel cheap," he said in disgust, holding up a pair of black trousers.

"We'll go back soon," I promised, putting a hand on his shoulder.

I crossed the room to the other dresser. Sizing wasn't a problem, but I was hoping for a clean bra and underwear at least. I found both in plain cotton, and after a bit of careful wand-work to make them fit, I felt better. I grabbed the first pair of jeans and sweater I could find, and the thickest, fuzziest pair of socks. It was like a warm hug after a long day, and only made me more desperate for some rest.

Draco wore a black jumper and slacks, both fitted nicely to his body. He managed to look breathtaking no matter what he wore, and I found myself in his arms once more, craving the affection and intimacy only he could provide. I was so grateful we had found each other, that we were enduring this ordeal together.

"Tori," he said, "you need to rest."

"But you promised me a meal," I reminded him.

My stomach groaned in assent. Draco rolled his eyes.

"Where the fuck are we meant to even find food? They left us here to starve," he muttered, using his wand to clean our dirty clothes crumpled on the floor.

"I suppose we'll have to go find the kitchen in this place," I offered.

It was a tense moment as we tried the door, both of us wondering in silence whether we'd been locked in, kept as prisoners. But it gave with no resistance, and we found ourselves in a long, dark corridor. There had to be at least six doors on either side, presumably leading to rooms just like ours.

"Let's try downstairs," he said, taking my hand firmly.

My legs grew weak and started to shake by the time we reached the bottom of the staircase. Draco looked at me with concern, but I pushed onwards. I dreaded the journey back to the room, but pushed it from my mind.

The kitchen was the first room we tried. A few people sat around a small, circular wooden table, chatting in hushed voices. They all silenced and turned to stare as we entered, and my heart leapt when I saw Daphne's face among them.

She shrieked and leapt to her feet at once, racing over and trapping me in an embrace. Draco shifted awkwardly as I hugged her back, squeezing my eyes shut tight. I'd missed her so much. Her familiar perfume, floral and light, was comforting. We'd grown so close since my diagnosis, she had to be my favourite person in the world. Besides Draco, maybe.

"What are you doing here?" she gasped, pulling back to look me up and down. "We knew they were trying to find you, but nobody said-

"Harry brought us in," I told her, aware of the other eyes watching us. Draco walked to the table and began talking in hushed tones to Zabini, who I hadn't even noticed in the excitement of seeing Daphne. "What are you doing here?"

"Are you kidding?" She glowered. "The entire wizarding world's been trying to hunt you down. Two aurors came to bring me in ages ago. At first I thought they'd assumed you'd be with me, but then they explained that… that… someone else might be looking for me, to get your whereabouts."

She couldn't meet my eyes. I realised we'd all be dodging around the subject of Voldemort, all too scared to say the name or admit what was going on.

"Then, they told me you were in St Mungo's again." Her blue eyes turned somewhere between cross and saddened. "They said it was bad."

"So everyone keeps telling me," I sighed. "I can't remember any of it."

Before she could speak again, one of the guys from the table came to join us. He had light blue eyes and auburn hair, with the beginnings of stubble across his jaw. He looked effortlessly cool, and yet completely non-threatening. I noticed he didn't have a wand.

Daphne gave me a look that said we'll talk about this later. She became jittery as he wrapped an arm around her and held a hand out to me.

"Astoria," he said, "it's great to finally meet you."

I shook his hand. "You must be Rob."

"Daphne's little secret," he joked, but there was no malice in his voice. Only a twinkle in his eye as he looked at her, and kissed the top of her forehead.

"What is this place?" I asked. My eyes flickered to Draco every few seconds, but he was still in deep talk with Zabini, muttering too quietly for us to hear.

"A safe-house for the Order," Daphne explained. "I think Harry himself owns it."

I hoped Draco wouldn't find out about that. He'd probably march us out immediately.

"So are you…" I hesitated.

"In the Order? No," Daphne said. "We just have to stay here until the danger's gone. Xenophilius is here, too. Now the prophet's corrupt, The Quibbler's the only reliable source of information. He had to come into protection to keep writing, or they would have silenced him."

I felt a twinge of guilt. "I haven't written anything for him in ages."

Daphne stared at me as though I'd gone mad. "I'd say you've had a fair bit on your plate, Tori."

I let out a laugh. It could have been the delirium from feeling so weak, but it felt good to laugh for the first time in a long time. I hugged Daphne once more, and Rob set to work in the kitchen, scrambling eggs and grilling bacon.

Daphne and I sat at the table. Draco and Zabini quieted at once, but their gazes stayed heavy. Whatever they were discussing, it was serious.

"How long are you here for, Blaise?" I asked politely. Rob brought a mug of tea, one sugar, lots of milk. It was the best taste in the world.

"Until you two leave, I suppose," he said. "I'm only here because Daphne dragged me down with her."

"Nott's turned," she said seriously, wrapping her hands around her own drink. "They would have killed you."

Zabini snorted. "Not likely, with Nott's aim."

"We'll be going soon anyway," Draco muttered. "I'm not hanging around this shit-hole."

"What do you mean?" Daphne's voice was stern. "You can't just leave. The pair of you will end up in Azkaban, or worse."

"Harry's working on something," Zabini said. "As soon as he can deflect the blame for Kingsley's death to someone else, they'll be fine."

"So, somebody innocent deserves to take the fall instead?"

"I'm innocent," I protested, but nobody paid me any attention.

"The bloke's fucking walking around like the second Jesus, Daphne. There's no crime to begin with. It's sick."

"Somebody did die!" she insisted.

"And Astoria didn't fucking kill him, did she?"

"I'm aware of that, but-

"Enough," Draco demanded. They both quieted at once. "We'll go into hiding somewhere else. I suppose France is out of the question, now Potter knows all about it."

I took his hand beneath the table, the guilt still fresh. If I hadn't been so stupid to meet with Ginny, we'd still be in France. We'd still be safe. But, we wouldn't know about the corruption happening, or Voldemort's return.

"We'll think of something," Zabini said.

Daphne was almost shaking in anger. "And have you given any thought to Astoria in all of this?"
"Of course I have," Draco growled.

"Because she's unwell, Draco. She can't go running around the world-

"I'll look after her, Greengrass."

"Yes, and look how well that turned out," she snarled.

"Enough!" I shouted, lurching to my feet. My mug shattered as I slammed it to the table. They all looked stunned. "Fucking enough, all of you!"

I left the room, anger pulsing through me. I was sick of Daphne talking about me like I was a little child, or not even there at all. I understood Draco's frustration — I wanted to leave this creepy house too — but there was nothing I could do right now to get strong enough for apparition. It wasn't my fault I carried a blood curse, but it felt like he was blaming me anyway. I was sick of feeling so helpless all the time.

I made it all the way back to the bedroom, clutching at the bannister of the staircase as I hobbled my way up. I locked the door with alohomora and collapsed on the bed, ignoring my stomach's protests. I'd have to face the repercussions of my temper tantrum, but not now. Not today.