A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter Franchise. Read and Review! ~DL14 (All mistakes are my own. I do not use a beta. I do try and fix any mistakes I see however.)

*Draco POV*

I woke up to the sun in my eyes and I jerked up to look around. Where were we? Where was Hermione? If I wasn't awake then, I was now. I looked down and saw her looking up at me. I released the breath that I didn't even know I was holding.

"You okay?" She whispered, and I nodded. I didn't want to go into how much that split second scared me.

"Come on, w-w-we should move. We shouldn't st-stay in one place for too long." I said stuttering, I didn't want to think about the cause of that. I tried to stand. My arms and legs were not wanting to cooperate with me, however. With the amount of spasms and pain that were radiating through them I wasn't surprised. Hermione looked at me with fear and worry. She sat up and I could see the struggle she was having. We needed to get to safety and fast, but mother said to give it a week. We must trust her as much as we can. She is one of the only ones we can now.

I eventually got to a standing position before I reached down to help Hermione up. We needed to get further undercover before I would feel comfortable about staying in the same place during the day. Once we move, we can eat and get more rest. Right now, I needed to get Hermione to safety. I failed her. I should have got her out sooner. It is my fault she is as bad as she is. Of course, it is Malfoy. You could have done more, and you know it. I tensed. Yes, all your fault, it is the least you can do to make sure we make it to safety. I heard Hermione say.

I look over to her just to make sure she is truly beside me and saying these things. It looked as if she hadn't said a word. I had heard her though unless I am going crazy. I focused on her. I take in her sunken eyes and cheeks, enough that you can see the definition of her skull. I can see her rib cage through the shirt that mother gave her and wanted to retch. How long had we been there for this beautiful person to look like this? How could I let her get this bad? I thought what I was doing was helping. What you do is never enough. We could die out here, if only you hadn't of gotten caught. Merlin, why did I have to get caught!

She moved her hand to my arm, and I tried to focus on her face.

"You okay?" She asked again, and I tried to smile, but I'm sure it came out as more of a grimace.

"Yeah. Let's go. The quicker we move the sooner we can eat." I say in a low voice and I can't say if it's because I want to be cautious or if I can't even speak higher than that. I wrap my arm around her waist, feeling the bone as I do so, and feel a fire in me that I haven't felt since I first planned to get her out. I wouldn't fail her again, I couldn't. If I do, it will be the death of us both. You think?

*Severus POV*

I rushed through the halls and every time I came across a student they quickly got out of my way. I had no time to inform the needed people that I needed to speak them as I headed toward the Headmaster's office. All I could hope for at the time present was that Hogwarts could come to our aid as she has for many troubles. I made it to the gargoyle and it quickly jumped out of the way. Thankfully, the stairs had already made its way to the top and I could hurriedly make my way up them.

Once I reached the door, I walked in and quickly took note of who all were in there. Minerva, Poppy, and Albus being the main three that I spotted but the whole staff were there. Gratefully, Hogwarts hadn't informed the students involved yet.

"Severus, what is the matter? What has happened?" Albus asked and I held back a grimace when I noticed that the normal gleam in his eyes were not present.

"I received a letter from Narcissa stating that she got the children out of the Manor. They are not in good condition. They have both been cursed multiple times and Draco has been hit with Sectumsempra. Both I could guess have been starved for the last month and a half. They are weak and terrified. She has told them not to come here for at least a week. After a week we need to start looking for them. She also warned about separating them, she advises that we do not because she doesn't know what it will do to them." I quickly inform them, and I ignore the different reactions of them all.

"We will need to place wards around the grounds to inform us whenever anyone arrives. We will place defensive wards around the castle and grounds as well, as this will be the first place they will try to look, at the moment, the student's safety comes first. I will contact the Auror department and let them know what is happening, so they can put guards around Hogsmeade. Poppy make sure that you have all the potions you need for their arrival. If you do not have them all use our funds to buy them or see if Severus has some stored. We do not have the time to make more. We need to keep a look out, we do not know if they will follow Narcissa's word and try to come earlier. Now that we have a plan, should we inform the students?" Albus stated and looked around the room.

"I think we should. At least so they can be prepared for how their classmates will be. It will be a shock to them. This way, they know not to bombard them and let them have their peace." Pomona said as she wrung her hands. Albus titled his head in thought and nodded.

"Very well. We will inform them in the morning. Everyone, if you could causally go around the castle and place wards that would be great. Use anything that comes to mind if it doesn't have the possibility of harming the students. I will write immediately to the Aurors and we shall go from there." Albus said and everyone quickly left to do their job.

I hesitated around my seat and waited until he noticed I was still standing there.

"Severus, what else concerns you?" He said as he watched Fawkes burn away with the letter.

"I worry for them Albus. We know physically they are in horrible shape, but what about mentally? Narcissa even stated that she would be surprised if they were not the least bit insane." I said, trying to hide the concern for them.

"We will have to deal with that as it comes. For now, all we can do is prepare for what we know. When the time comes to help them overcome their mental demons we will. We won't let them be alone Severus. I'm sure you will make sure of that." He said, and I could make out the small gleam in his eye. I nodded and turned towards the door and left.

*Hermione POV*

I woke up to Draco jerking awake and I could feel my heart start to race. They had found us, that must be the only possibility for him to react like that. The fear grabbed hold of me in its icy claws and I looked up at Draco. Don't be ridiculous. We are out, we are safe Hermione. He looked down at me and seemed relieved. How could he be relieved? Were they not around us? I listened for others but didn't hear anything and I risked asking him if he was okay. I couldn't speak louder than a whisper. I told you, we are fine for the moment. I will protect you.

I watch as he tries to stand and then reaches to help me. I wish I could feel the ire of someone asking to help me with something when I could do it myself, but all I feel is weak, ashamed. I knew that I couldn't stand by myself when I should be able too. I should have been able to defend myself. All I am is weak and worthless. Why else am I just now getting out of there? Stop, I tell myself. I must stop thinking like this. It will drive me insane if I'm not already. You are strong. You were blindsided, there was nothing you could have done. Believe in yourself. I ignore Draco voice. I notice Draco is lost in thought and lay my hand on his arm. It seems to jar him enough that he is already back to wanting us to move.

As we walk, for some reason I remember what Draco wrote in his note. That seems like forever ago, but I haven't gotten to ask him about it.

"Draco," I murmured "you mentioned in your note that we used to be friends?"

He turned his head to me and seemed to get the answer he wanted before he started speaking.

"We met when we were six years old." He started keeping his voice low "It was in a muggle park. You were alone on the swings, so I joined you. I watched you to figure out how to work them and quickly got the hang of it. You introduced yourself and just like that we were friends. We told each other everything. I even told you about magic before you showed off by making flowers grow." He nudged me gently and I gave a weak smile.

"We were friends for years, up until we were ten years old. Then one week, you just stopped coming to the park. I was devested. You were my first friend and I had no idea why you weren't around anymore. When I saw you at Hogwarts, I thought I was dreaming at first, I tried to talk to you but Crabbe and Goyle would never leave my side. I had a part to play, I couldn't have word be sent back to my father that I was talking to a Muggleborn. That wasn't the worst part though. When we first saw each other, you gave no hint that you knew me." He trailed off and I looked up at him. This boy, no man, who had been an arrogant jerk to me throughout school is saying that we were friends.

I tried to picture Draco as a little kid, but the image wouldn't appear. The memory he seems to have of us just doesn't seem real. I would remember meeting him with his white, blonde hair and his pale blue-grey eyes.

"Draco, I don't remember ever meeting you when I was younger."