A/N - this chapter changes from Draco's perspective to Harry's. I have added in a line to show when this happens. Enjoy!

Draco sat in the chair beside Cassie's bed deep in thought. He had tried everything that he could think of to wake her up but nothing seemed to be working. Granted she no longer seemed precariously close to dying as she had done when she first became affected two weeks ago but she seemed no closer to waking up. The fever seemed to have gone and she seemed peaceful now sleeping soundly compared to the restless days and nights she had been having where she was obviously in a lot of pain and oblivious to what was going on around her. Though Draco hated to admit it to himself it really hurt him to see his sister like this as that would mean that he would have to admit that he really cared about her. And the thought that he could care about someone that much was strange and contradicted the image of himself that he had built up. Though something kept him here in this chair watching over her day after day, hour after hour searching and hoping for some sign of improvement. The Weasleys had been really kind in allowing him to stay in their house though he had really just kept himself to himself although they had insisted on taking regular breaks including mealtimes. Mrs Weasley's brow always furrowed when Draco picked at his food. Whatever she served up was delicious but he had never been a big eater at the best of times. Meal times at the Manor had nearly always been strained and he had found himself unable to eat due to the atmosphere and the churning that he felt in his stomach. He had promised that he was no longer fighting for Voldermort, he was honest and said that he wasn't yet fighting against him – more of a neutral party and that seemed to be enough. He really didn't get these Gryfindors so trusting and forgiving. He had felt obliged to explain the circumstances surrounding Dumbledore's death and the part that he had been expected to pay. Draco, at first, interpreted the anger that they expressed as being directed towards him until he realised, with surprise, that they were more angry at the situation and felt that it was wrong that he had been involved and considered him to be a victim.

Potter had insisted on a kind of shift system so they could both watch over Cassie. Draco knew that he had been annoyed that he couldn't do anything to help her. But the spells that Lucius had used to punish his daughter for her betrayal were typically dark and Harry only had experience of fighting these in combat. It had taken all his strength and knowledge to get them to where they were. Which didn't seem to be all that far from where they had started. Draco sighed as he whispered another spell over Cassie. The casting of the spell drained his energy and he found himself unable to keep his eyes open.

Harry walked into Cassie's room and found Draco fast asleep in the chair next to her bed. Over the last two weeks he had been determined to think and refer to Malfoy as Draco. Draco seemed to be following his lead although they slipped occasionally. He took the opportunity to examine Cassie and Draco more closely. The resemblance between them was striking. There was a large part of him that couldn't believe he hadn't seen it before. Draco shifted in his chair. Harry knew that it couldn't be easy for Draco being at the Burrow even though everyone was trying hard to make him feel welcome. He hated to admit it Draco was doing a good job with Cassie. Although she still hadn't woken up her sleep seemed less deep and Draco had managed to successfully remove some of the curses that Cassie had over her but it had definitely taken it out of him. Harry wished that there was something he could do to help but they were dark curses which only Draco seemed able to remove.

Draco woke with a start, 'What? Oh'. He stretched out.

'How's it going?' Harry asked.

'I think I should be further on then I am, but I suppose I am getting there,' Draco tried to stifle a yawn, he looked completely exhausted.

'She looks different,' Harry said. She did look different, lighter if that was possible.

Draco looked at Cassie and looked a little surprised, he felt her pulse and then her forehead and nodded to himself, 'Well wouldn't you if you had had all of those curses lifted off you?'

'You've done it?'

'I guess so, finally,' Draco sighed as he sat back down in his chair.

'I didn't think it would take this long.'

'You didn't think that Lucius would just let her go, did you?'

Harry allowed Draco's sharp comment to pass without comment. He had to excuse Draco as it had obviously taken it out of him and he knew that he didn't feel at home at The Burrow like he did. He turned to Cassie.

'Cassie? Can you hear me?' He gently stroked her arm.

'She still needs to be woken up,' Draco rubbed his hands over his face.

'Well what are we waiting for?'

Draco sighed, stood up and joined Harry at Cassie's bedside and said quietly, 'Can't we just leave her for a while? She looks so peaceful.' He reached out and stroked her face.

'She does, doesn't she?' Cassie was breathing normally and there was a faint smile on her lips.

'All that will change when we wake her,' Draco's voice was quiet and he seemed unsure of himself. Harry thought that it was the first time he had heard Draco sounding anything but completely confident verging on arrogant.

'What do you mean? I thought you had lifted everything,' Harry asked anxiously looking from Draco to Cassie.

'She will still feel different, I don't know to what extent but there was only so much I could do, the rest will take time.' Draco pulled out his wand. Harry was shocked to see his hand was shaking.

'Do you want me to do it?' Harry asked gently. Draco seemed to have frozen, unable to say the spell. Harry gave him a moment to collect himself before saying 'Draco? Are you ok?'

Draco turned away from Cassie and muttered, 'what happens if I haven't done everything? What happens if she isn't the same?'

Harry didn't really know what to say but Draco seemed to pull himself together and he held out his wand again and said 'ennervate.'

Cassie let out a sigh and slowly opened her eyes.

Cassie blinked a number of times before seeming to focus.

'Hey,' she croaked quietly.

Draco reached for the cup of water that was on the bedside table and helped Cassie take a few sips.

'How are you feeling?' Harry asked.

Cassie seemed to consider this question carefully before replying, 'a little strange I suppose, but that is to be expected isn't it?'

'Are you in pain?' Draco asked.

'A little, it's just in the background really.'

Draco sighed in relief, Cassie seemed ok, better than he had been expecting.

'Where am I?'

'At The Burrow, where my best friend Ron lives with his family. You will be safe here. We have been so worried about you.'

'How long have I been here?'

'Two weeks.' Harry answered.

Cassie's eyes widened in surprise.

'There were a number of dark curses your Father placed over you that Draco, with some difficulty, was able to lift.'

Cassie and Draco shared a look. She nodded at him. Draco understood that this was her way of saying thank you.

'Do you want anything to eat?' Harry asked.

'Not at the moment, thanks Harry, for everything. I'm sorry..'

Harry interrupted, 'it's ok Cassie. Draco, you look exhausted. Why don't you go and have a rest? I'll stay here.'

Draco wanted to protest but Harry pushed him gently to the door, 'you need to rest, you will make yourself ill. Let me do my bit.' Draco nodded and with a wave to Cassie closed the door to Cassie's room quietly behind him. He felt a wave of exhaustion hit him and it took all his strength to make his way downstairs. His body was aching all over and was crying out to him to go to bed but he knew that he owed it to everybody else to let them know that Cassie had woken up. He tutted at himself as he stumbled as he made his way to the kitchen where they had a habit of congregating. They looked up as he entered.

'Draco? Dear, is everything ok?' came Mrs Weasley's voice.

He found himself only able to nod. He was helped to a chair by a redhead, Ginny, and Hermione.

'She has woken up. She seems ok, better than I thought she would be, only time will tell though I suppose. Harry is with her,' Draco stumbled over his words. He rubbed his face with his hands.

'You look exhausted. Have a cup of tea and then take yourself off to bed, pet,' Mrs Weasley said and passed him a mug of tea. Draco was surprised by how much energy he seemed to have to summon in order to drink the tea. He couldn't help closing his eyes as he finished it. He couldn't remember ever feeling this tired. He had unintentionally zoned out of the conversation going on around him and as he slowly became aware of it again he realised that it had stopped and that they were all looking at him with concern. Ginny took the mug off him and held out her hand. Draco didn't take it though and instead pushed himself to his feet using the arms of the chair.

'Thanks' he mumbled before leaving the room. He wasn't quite sure how he made it back up the stairs to his room that was next door to Cassie. He almost collapsed onto the bed. He wondered what he would do now. He didn't think he could stay here, they had made him feel as welcome as they could but he knew that he didn't belong. He supposed that he could wait a couple of days to check that Cassie was recovered as fully as she could be before moving on. Mr Weasley had hinted to him that he could join the Order but Draco knew he wasn't ready for that. He didn't have a clue what he was going to do now, but Cassie would be safe here. He knew that. He allowed the darkness to take over and succumbed to a deep sleep.