Disclaimer: See Prologue.

A/N: Um… sorry I haven't updated in so long! I just started college and between that and my new job, I have little time. Please don't kill me because if you do, I will never be able to finish this!

Chapter Fifteen

Forming New Bonds and Securing the Old

Draco walked purposefully towards the meeting place that Potter had set up. He could not believe that he was actually doing this. He was actually thankful that this was a Muggle town. None of the Dark Lord's followers would be caught dead here unless they were torturing someone. Therefore, he was safe from being discovered.

As he approached the designated meeting place, a tiny restaurant at the end of town, Potter's mop of black hair was impossible to miss. However, something was different about him, though he could not put his finger on it. He shrugged it off as Potter spotted him.

"I wasn't sure if you would make it," he commented.

"Why wouldn't I?" Draco inquired, sitting down at the table.

Potter—Harry, he mentally corrected himself—raised an eyebrow and simply shrugged. "So, you wanted this little rendezvous. I am willing to put the past behind us and listen."

Draco sighed internally and swallowed his pride. This was the moment of truth. "I am trapped, Harry. Even after my mother died to free me, I still can't find the exit. The Dark Lord will not let me go willingly, especially if he finds out certain things about me, but I will not serve him. I need refuge. I know Sirius would have helped me, but he isn't here. You are, as much as I hate to admit it, the only one who can help me."

"Why didn't you go to Dumbledore?" Harry asked in confusion.

"Dumbledore's ear is not exactly safe at the moment."

"You mean Snape. He's a spy for the Order."

"And you don't trust him either, I can tell by your voice," Draco observed.

"Dumbledore does," Harry pointed out.

"So does Voldemort," Draco countered, which was met with shock written all over Harry's face before it was smoothed back into a calm façade.

"What certain things could Voldemort find out about you?"

"Harry, I know that you might be suspicious, but I cannot tell you. It is between me and seven other people who I haven't even found yet," Draco answered regretfully.

Harry looked at Draco sharply, knowing that the Prophesy of the Eight was not common knowledge and knowing that Draco meant him no harm. Did that mean that Draco was an Heir? He made the quick decision that he would find out.

"Come with me," he said briskly before getting up and walking off at a fast pace.

Draco was perplexed, but got up and followed quickly.

OoooOoooOoooO

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

Tears streamed down his face as he watched his little brother scream and struggle with his chains as the curse was put on him again.

"What was that Weasley? We can't hear you over your brother. Did you say to give him more?" one of them taunted.

"NO!" Bill cried. "Please, I'll do anything. Whatever you want to know, I'll tell you. Just don't hurt him anymore."

"Bill… don't…" Charlie said weakly, only to be kicked in the stomach for his efforts.

"Now you will tell me precisely what enchantments the Ministry commissioned the Gringotts's Cursebreakers to put on it. However, if you prefer not to… Cruci—"

"NO! I'll tell you."

OoooOoooOoooO

Ron sat idly in the Gryffindor common room. Dumbledore had felt it best that everyone be moved immediately to Hogwarts. However, somehow, Harry disappeared.

Oh, he showed up enough for them not to worry about him, but he had taken the capture of Sirius and Remus and the Weasleys very hard. Ron could relate to what he was feeling. Harry was guilty that he thought he was the cause, but Ron felt guilty because he knew he could have stopped it.

What good was having the powers of Ravenclaw if he couldn't use them to save his family? The worst thing about it was that he couldn't even share his burden with anyone. It was unsafe to tell anyone but another Heir. Looking back on the times he had been jealous of Harry, he felt ashamed. He knew that Harry had this sort of feeling all of the time, and he knew that if there was one person he could tell his secret to, it would be Harry.

OoooOoooOoooO

"Sirius, why did you do it?" Remus asked hoarsely.

"Why do you think I did it, Moony? That bastard Snape basically made me choose between my brother and my son. But Harry wasn't the one I was about to lose."

Tbc…