Harry was awake for the part that involved him and Ron being captured by men in Death Eater masks, Portkeyed away, and put in a dingy room by house elves. Ron armed himself and attempted to defend them, so was knocked out quickly They now had to wait there until the Dark Lord would arrive.

It took some minutes for Ron to come around and be updated, but now that he was, he wasn't doing too well. He was standing by the door trying to open it. Harry was against the far wall with his head leaning against the stone. He was wondering how his life had so far passed, and how this was feeling like the end.

There was the sound of Ron's movement for a time, but then silence. Harry noted that Ron's shoulders had slumped.

"Ron?"

"Yeah?"

"This won't be so bad."

Ron was silent. Harry swallowed hard and pushed off from the wall. He held his aching ribs – hurt in the transport of the two of them – and went closer to his friend.

"Imagine it," he said. "A stadium, a breeze, golden light. We'll spend every day flying in the air, not even looking at where we're going. No more consequences. No more danger surrounding us. We'll be free."

"Are you talking about dying?" Ron whispered, fear in his voice. He turned around and there was also fear in his eyes.

Harry nodded. "One more dark moment, Ron, then we'll be in the wind."

"Don't talk like that!" Ron half whispered, stepping up close to him and holding his shoulders.

"Wish I could stop."

"Then do!"

Harry shook his head. "Wish I never got you into this mess. I wish it wouldn't have ended like this; I wish I didn't take you with me."

"You're not taking me anywhere!"

Ron pushed him away and went back to the door to try it. He was wildly afraid.

"What happened to you?! When did you get this way? The Harry I know would be fighting! Since when did you change so much?!"

Harry
couldn't say. He shrugged.

Ron took a moment to digest that, and then he scanned the room again, and then he looked sternly at Harry.

"I'm not dying here!" Ron shouted, going back to shaking the handle.

"Ron?"

"No!" He rounded on Harry. "No! I don't want to die with you! I don't want to die at all! We have to get out of here!"

Harry lifted his hands and displayed the room, showing there was no way out of here. Ron was shaking harder now.

"I don't know…some way! I want to see my mum again! Don't you understand that?"

Ron turned away from him and pressed his ear against the door. Harry was still standing in the center of the small room, feeling lousy that he brought up dying, but he wanted Ron to understand how he was feeling.

"I understand that. I do understand that." Harry whispered.

Ron's looked over his shoulder at Harry. He was angry.

"I never thought I'd say this, but you sometimes are really mental. Maybe you want to die, but I don't. I want to get out of here."

Harry was suddenly reminded of all the times he'd been called pathetic these past few weeks. The Slytherins, Snape, others, too, probably thought this of him. Ron was right, really. Even though Harry was just about done thinking about the future and thinking about saving the Wizarding World from the Dark Lord didn't mean that he should give up trying to save his best friend's life. Ron didn't have the weight he held on his shoulders, so he still had a chance at a good future. Ron had Hermione. He had Quidditch and captaincy and family. It didn't matter what happened to Harry, but Ron needed to live.

A worry line creased between Harry's eyes, but he made the promise anyway. "Okay, Ron. Trust me. If there's a way, I'll find it. I'll get you out."

Ron didn't look at him, but his shoulders tightened a little back to normal.

It was only seconds later that someone was by the door. They didn't come in, but they incanted a spell and then there was laughing.

"What do you want?" Harry asked.

"To see the great Boy Who Lived before the Dark Lord shows up to eat your beating heart."

The laughing continued, and then it stopped. Ron and Harry were alone again.

There was becoming a lesser sense of surprise as more and more people showed up to witness Harry's capture. Some would open the door and come in to see them, but most just stayed outside to talk. Harry and Ron took to sitting across the room, because two hours passed in this fashion. They didn't talk after Fenrir Greyback paid them a visit with three of his werewolves. He was the only person to actually touch Harry, and when he had it made Ron start to cry. The last words Ron muttered before he fell into silence were I'm sorry. Harry forgave him instantly.

It was quiet outside. The two of them were holding hands, heads pressed against each other's shoulders. There was a loud POP! in the room and it was ridiculous how high both of them jumped, and how loud they both shouted. Like girls.

It was a man and a house elf that apparated in. He'd appeared near the door and took a sly pleasure in their reactions. He was somewhere in his twenties, very well dressed, a smooth face, holding his wand in his hand like a club. He looked at home as he looked both of them over stoically. The house elf, who was quite shaken, popped away.

Left alone with him, both Harry and Ron's stomachs started to turn. What did he want?

And then a smile broke out on the stranger's face; one he couldn't contain any longer. Harry had never seen him before, but he was obviously along the lines of blood and money. He had pale blue eyes and white skin, brown hair and sharp features…much like the Malfoy family.

Ron put a protective arm across Harry's chest. They were both still sitting.

"Who are you?!" Ron demanded.

That smile again. "Doesn't matter. We were all having a nice dinner when you two were brought to us. Tsk. Ruined the lovely evening."

"Where are we?" Harry asked.

"Malfoy Manner, of course!" He held up his hands, indicating the surrounds much as Harry had done before. "Can't you tell? The prestige? The elegance? This family knows how to throw a banquet!"

The young men were quiet. The slightly older man tipped his head to the side and looked curiously upon them.

"You know…I graduated from Hogwarts a year before you showed up, Potter." His voice was more high-pitched than seamed necessarily natural for him. Nasally. "Never got to see you up close until now. Want to know what I see?"

Harry didn't. He wanted to stand up, but any sudden movements seemed like a bad idea with this armed man. The man turned on his sly grin again.

"What I see is a good boy…handsome…a bit too scrawny – we'll call you lean – and from what else I hear, a very good lay!"

And he laughed loudly. Ron found the courage to get to his feet, hands fisted and ready for a fight.

"Leave him alone!" He yelled.

The man raised his hands as if to stop Ron from killing him. "Oh – oh, no offence, Weasley! Boy Who Lived! No offense! I know you weren't exactly participating in the experience! But it was obvious from the way it was described that you liked it at least a little!"

He laughed some more.

Harry's cheeks burned red and he stood up with help from Ron. Harry hoped Ron wasn't taking this man seriously, but he had to admit that it was harsh being singled out by all the people coming to visit. This new man they were dealing with seemed like a loose cannon. He was waving his wand haphazardly; Harry knew it could fire at any second, and he was ready to jump into its path if something dangerous headed Ron's way.

He stopped laughing and looked fondly at Harry.

"I hated it at Hogwarts," he continued. "All of you stupid kids with your clubs and your girlfriends. You didn't leave any room for anyone different. One little thing out of the ordinary and no one gave you an inch."

Now he looked at Ron. "I'm sure you're the same. You are Gryffindor's Prefect, aren't you? Quidditch Captain? Got a girlfriend – I bet she's smart, isn't she?"

Ron didn't say anything. Harry could tell Ron was suddenly feeling the way he was.

"What did they use to say about you?" Harry asked, trying to get the conversation off Ron. He asked this with as neutral a voice as he could muster.

"Can't you guess? Poufer, fairy, queer. I knew I was gay since I was five, so I didn't really consider hiding it. A school like Hogwarts leaves scars for people like me…and my cousin, Draco."

Harry's heart skipped a beat when he heard that name. A small part of him felt relief that he was right, though. This man was of blood and money, as he suspected.

"Are you saying Draco Malfoy's gay?" Ron asked hesitantly, feeling safe enough to speak.

The rich man smiled. "Such is the bond between the two of us! That…and our crush on you, Chosen One."

Harry felt threatened. It was as if the man in front of him was a wild beast on the prowl, and they were cornered in this room. Harry knew there was an edge here, though. Wild beasts looked for food, and they liked their pray more than life itself.

"So…you like me?" He asked.

"I do," he smiled, and he took a step forward. He in fact came all the way forwards, and he caressed Harry's cheek with the back of a finger. Harry's eyes darted away from his and settled for looking at the lower buttons on an expensive vest. He whispered, "Too bad you're going to die. I wanted to get to know you first. The Dark Lord will be here soon, though. I can't risk…hanging around."

Harry's stomach was churning. Ron's hand had found its way to Harry's arm, and it clutched him fiercely.

That hand against Harry's cheek went lower, and fingers curled around his neck and a thumb settled between his collarbones.

Harry closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and asked, "You aren't on his side?"

"I'm on the winning side," was the answer.

"Do something for me?" Harry whispered, so very quietly.

"What?" Ron gasped, shocked, wanting to know but not wanting to interrupt.

Harry opened his eyes and looked meekly up. The man seven years older than Harry lost his smile but stayed to listen to Harry's request.

Harry said, "My friend has a family. He has five brothers and a sister. And a mother. And a father. He has a lot to live up to…and for."

The man – not a Death Eater, which was certain now – tipped his head to the side and regarded Ron. He lifted his wand towards Ron's chest, and feeling threatened, Ron let Harry's arm go and took a few steps aside. Now Harry felt very alone, very scared, but very sure of what he was doing.

Harry looked pointedly at the man and reached – hesitantly – forwards, resting his own shaky hand against the man's neck. "Just name your price. I'll do anything you want. You have no stakes here, and if you're going to leave before the Dark Lord shows up, take Ron with you back to Hogwarts – to Hogsmeade – and you can have…anything."

It took not long at all for it to register what Harry was saying, and then the man looked back at Harry and smiled fiendishly.

"No – no!" Ron shouted, lunging forward to pull Harry back towards him, only to result in a spell being fired onto him. Ron was hit. Petrified. Frozen with his hands out towards Harry.

Harry had only a second to take in the frozen look of fear on his friend's face before the man was on him, pushing him back behind Ron to the wall – holding his hands above his head and pinning them there with magic. Ron was within an arm's length but was facing away; a red-haired statue behind the opulent man.

"I'll take that offer," he said to Harry, and he cupped Harry's face and laid a deep kiss onto his mouth.

In the hospital room, a figure crept towards him in the darkness.

"I wanted to tell you something…" the figure said hesitantly.

"What is it?" Harry asked, rolling over onto his side and sitting up.

"You can do it again – if you want," and gentle hands caressed his chest…

Harry asked, "Do what again?"

"You can kiss me. It's okay with me."

Harry thought he should kiss back, knowing it was his price, but he couldn't muster himself to. The man's firm mouth moved sloppily. Hands tore open his clothes.

"I haven't done this before…" Harry whispered.

"Hey," a voice whispered, "it's okay…"

"Slow down!"

"I can't. I want you!"

Harry's pants were tugged roughly down and he was turned around so his wrists twisted awkwardly and with pain. He cried out and made many noises and huffs as he was pawed. The other man talked dirty, breathed loudly.

"I'm going to make you scream, Potter! I've dreamed about doing this!" He laughed. "I think we all have!"

"Ready?" the loving voice asked softly. Harry looked into his eyes and nodded even though he was nervous about it.

He first felt just a strong pressure, and then with each thrust his eyes saw light. He needed this to go faster.

"Go, go, go –" Harry said, smoothing his hands against warm skin.

It lasted for a mere minute but the pain was sharp. Harry couldn't stop the strained sounds and whimpers that escaped his own throat, and he did scream a little. He cried tears that dripped off his chin.

Harry wrapped his arms tightly around the person he was with and pulled him against him, turning over so they were on their sides together, burying his face against that neck. He stretched his legs out as his hair was caressed.

"You were right," the voice said from the darkness.

"About what?"

"I fell in love with you…"

When finished, the man closed up his pants and swished his wand, causing Harry's clothes to go back to their original places, minus a few buttons and added a few rips. Harry untwisted his wrists by turning back around, and he saw the man with his wand against Ron's forehead. All his own pain was pushed to the background, now.

"What are you doing?!" Harry shouted, his voice raw and his nerves shot.

"Don't want this one to go telling anyone what happened here…my reputation and all…"

A strange wave of relief and fear swept him. He had to ask, fear and pain lacing his voice. "You'll keep your promise, though? You'll take Ron to Hogsmeade?"

"Yes," he said, looking back at Harry who whimpered when he was looked at.

And Harry couldn't stop the memory charm cast on Ron.

He was horrified. Who was this man? Was he any good at those spells?

Ron didn't appear affect at all. He didn't twitch – petrified still.

The man looked at Harry again. "Now I get out of this house. The Dark Lord will show up any second, and I don't want to be here when he does."

With a clap of his hands the house elf apparated in, and put his arm around Ron's shoulders…and left Harry with a smile.

Harry remained hanging by his wrists. Alone now; no idea what to do. He might have just killed his best friend, when all he wanted to do was save him. He started to cry.