AN: Again I have to thank my dutiful beta-reader Danielc for his excellent work. Also to all my readers...

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Now on with the story... ;-)

Chapter 15 – Dealing with Malfoy

The entire following week was executed in an almost choreographed fashion. Ron avoided Harry like the plague and he was, in turn, shunned by Hermione and Ginny. Most of the school was, of course, curious about the latest cause of disruption in the golden trio's life but nobody spoke of it directly to them and they didn't volunteer any information.

After day two both Ron and Hermione obviously missed each other, but both were too stubborn or thick-headed to try and make amends with the other.

In an effort to not draw noticeable attention to themselves; Harry, Hermione, and Ginny tried a few pranks but their heart wasn't in it. They didn't want the pranks to stop when they were obviously in a rift since it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to notice the correlation between the two. Not that they really needed any more proof but there was no sense in advertising it.

Hermione was starting to make a lot of minor mistakes in class, testament to the fact that she was obviously thinking about other things as much as classes and Ron just kept to himself.

Hermione told Harry and Ginny several times that she would not be the one to mend the ties this time. If she gave in now, Ron would think he could always get away with his childish actions.

Saturday finally rolled around again and Harry was thankful for the respite that his weekend trip would give him, but he had to take care of one small detail before he left. He drug Hermione over to the couch were Ron was sitting and pushed her into the seat next to him before glaring at both of them equally.

"If you're still arguing when I come back I'll hex both of you without remorse. I honestly don't care what you think about my relationship anymore. I love her and she loves me. Your opinion means little to me anymore. That being said, you need to get you head out of your ass and make amends with Hermione before she moves on and you have no one. Just keep in mind that she is like a sister to me and if you hurt her, or Ginny, again then I assure you that our old friendship won't save you any of the pain that you deserve.

"Hermione," he said turning to his first female friend. "If he doesn't bother to apologize to you then kick him in the balls and find someone that will treat you the way you deserve. I have things to do now. Good day," Harry said forcefully before turning on his heel and stalking out of the common room.

Ginny gave him a thankful smile as he strode past her and he nodded his head to her in understanding. The tense silence and unspoken feelings between Hermione and Ron were getting on everyone's nerves and he honestly didn't care about Ron enough to bother staying mad at him any longer. With those thoughts in his head he made the long walk to the small village of Hogsmeade.

Bella knew that she was early and she also knew that Harry, more than likely, would be a few minutes late. So she stood proudly in front of the restaurant and watched as her sister's black carriage rolled to a stand still in front of her. The door opened and her sister regally stepped out of the carriage and waited as her husband and son both exited the carriage as well. The whole of the Malfoy family was impeccably dressed to make a show of their obvious wealth.

They failed to make as much of a statement as they hoped since Bella was likewise dressed in the most formal robes that she now owned. She had never really cared about monetary wealth before and therefore she rarely wore 'nice' clothes. The only reason she wore them now was because Harry knew the way Malfoy Sr. and Jr. acted and wanted to level the playing field. She knew that spending the extra hundred galleons each was just a drop in the bucket to the vast fortune that Harry had at his disposal now.

Narcissa walked over to greet her sister formally, while her husband and son stood back.

"It's been awhile Bella. You look good," Narcissa stated but Bella could still hear Lucius sneer, "LeStrange."

"It's Black now," Bella growled.

Draco snickered at the expression of hate on her face but gained control of himself when she turned her glare on him.

"Well, shall we go in?" Lucius asked.

"No, I am waiting for an acquaintance," Bella said with a smile.

Narcissa smiled, "Found another lover already Bella," she asked curiously.

Bella never got a chance to answer since Draco noticed Harry making his way up the street towards the restaurant. "It's Potter. Are you going to finish him off like you did the mutt, Aunt Bella?" He regarded Bella with a hopeful glance and even Lucius looked as if he wanted nothing more than to watch the two of them duel in the middle of Hogsmeade.

Nothing could have prepared them for what occurred next though. Harry casually walked up to the group in his own black and silver robes and stood in front of Bella.

He leaned down to kiss her on the lips and said, "Sorry to make you wait. I had to deal with a moronic redhead this morning."

His eyes were twinkling much the same as Dumbledore's as he held her close. He couldn't help the chuckle that came as he heard Narcissa gasp and absolute silence from the other two.

He removed himself from the hug and turned to kiss Narcissa's hand, and nodded mockingly to both Draco and Lucius.

He sneered at the shocked looks both men wore before focusing his attention solely on Draco. "Now that you know who I'm dating would you care to continue insulting my girlfriend? Bella here hasn't been able to cast the cruciatus on anyone for sometime now. I think it might be a good chance for her to take out some of her frustrations on you. Otherwise she tends to get a bit wild in the sack."

Draco blanched and hid behind his father.

"Coward," Harry sneered before turning to Lucius, "You're lucky that we're meeting under a truce. I assure you that the next time I see you alone I will not hesitate to kill you for slowly for every time you raped her."

Lucius raised an eyebrow noncommittally but Narcissa wasn't fooled, "Ra-"she stuttered, "You raped my sister! You sick piece of shit," She yelled before slapping him hard across the face.

Malfoy blanched and took a step back from his enraged wife while Harry laughed loudly and locked his arm with Bella, "Shall we go in?"

"Of course, Harry," Bellatrix said with a grin and turned around to enter the restaurant.

"The Dark Lord will not be pleased with you, Bellatrix, for joining Potter," Lucius hissed.

Bella stopped before turning a nasty glare at Lucius, "Your half-blood master can go fuck himself, Lucius."

Harry couldn't stop the laugh from forming when he saw the incredulous and angry looks on Draco and Lucius' faces.

"My master is no half-blood!"

Harry just smirked and drew his wand. He wrote 'I am Lord Voldemort' in flaming red letters in the air and waved his wand and had them form the words 'Tom Marvolo Riddle.'

"Tom Riddle is the half-blood heir of Slytherin. His mother was an ugly woman that had the unfortunate pleasure of being Slytherin's heir and his father was a muggle in the local village that his mother lived near. If you don't believe me, use your influence to check the archives at the ministry and Hogwarts. He was Head Boy too, that should make the search easier.

"Now, can we take this conversation inside?"

"No, we cannot! Come Draco, I've had enough of this rubbish!" Lucius said, turning back to the carriage. Draco stood still there gaping at Bellatrix and Harry who had still their hands clasped together.

"You... you're dating my aunt?" he asked Harry finally.

"You really are a simple creature aren't you, Draco. I think the answer to that question was rather obvious. However, since both of us are here, if you have anything to say about my relationship to myself or my girlfriend, feel free to say it now."

Draco looked frightfully at his aunt, "But…she's a Death Eater."

"No, she was. There's a difference. Surely your father was witness to Voldie's screams of agony while I removed the cursed mark from her arm." Harry said with a devious glint and Lucius blanched.

"Traitor," Lucius hissed.

"Don't forget, we are here under a truce." Bella said and fingered her wand dangerously. You could see that even Lucius had a healthy respect for Bellatrix Black.

Harry and Bellatrix once again turned and headed into the restaurant and Narcissa joined them after a sending a vicious glare to her husband.

As the door closed, they saw Lucius and Draco drive away with the carriage.

They sat down at a separated table.

The waitress arrived almost instantly and asked for their drinks.

Harry took a quick look at the card, "I would like a Rothschild of 1971 if you would." They waitress looked him over, seemingly to determine if he could afford it, but one piercing glare of his green eyes sent her on her way as both of the women nodded.

"That was an excellent choice, Drake." Bella said approvingly.

Even Narcissa nodded and seemed to be surprised, "Well, I didn't know that you have taste, Mister Potter. But your clothing and your choice of wine prove that not all of my son's whining is accurate."

Harry smirked and sent a quick thankful look to Bella.

"Well, are you two really together or was that only a joke?" Narcissa asked sneering at Harry, "After all, why would you go out with a mere boy?"

Narcissa gulped audibly when Bella glared at her dangerously. She was also slightly shocked to see her sister visibly relax when Harry laid a restraining hand on her arm.

"It wasn't a joke." Narcissa muttered perplex.

"Of course it wasn't. Do you honestly think that I would just let him kiss me like that even if it were to get under Lucius' skin?" Bella snapped at her sister.

"I guess not," Narcissa sneered. "But what can you possibly see in that boy."

Bella's temper flared again but Harry calmed her down once more.

"You should not make her angry, Narcissa," Harry scolded her.

"How dare you me my given name?" she snapped at the teenager.

"You forget your place woman," Harry growled. "I am the Head of House Black and regardless of your married status you are still a Black and will treat me with the respect that is due to the head of your family."

Harry regained control of his temper and finished, "Just so you know, I intend to end your marriage to Lucius in the same way I ended Bella's to Rudy."

"What? What are you talking about?" Narcissa asked while Bella grinned.

"I was the one who killed old Rudy. He managed to make me very angry and he didn't live long enough to regret it."

His green eyes flared up and she visibly shuddered.

"One more thing, Narcissa, stay out my way when it comes to Lucius. I will kill him and anyone who stands in my way of that goal, related to my love or not. He raped her and he will pay for it with his life. That isn't up for negotiation," Harry growled.

Narcissa's eyes lit up, "Do what you have to do! If I could, I would do that myself! How could he do that to you, Bella," Narcissa asked sounding genuinely concerned for her sister.

"How? Because Rudolphus let them, that's how. You know as well as I do that I can not disobey his direct orders," Bella growled with a manic look in her eyes, "Harry let him get away much too easily. I would have tortured him for hours, maybe even use the imperious on some of the living death eaters to rape him too."

Harry smiled apologetically, "I am sorry for now punishing him to your standards, Talon," Harry said dryly.

She smiled at him and winked.

"How did you both end up together?" Narcissa asked.

"Simple. Harry saved me and killed Rudolphus and other Death Eaters. He treated my wounds and I agreed to teach him. He surprised me and freed me of my charges. Well and we simply began to feel something for each other and tried it. So we ended up each other and we are fairly sure now that we do love each other," Bella explained.

The three of them had an enjoyable meal together and Narcissa was eventually able to be civil towards Harry. She realized that her sister wouldn't date just anybody and she wasn't about to underestimate somebody that obviously held her respect. So she was willing to see how things worked out and decided to be as cordial as she could be when dealing with Harry.

It was fairly late in the afternoon when they finally left the restaurant.

Harry had just barely set foot outside the door, behind the two ladies, when he felt the rush of incoming magic. He reacted instinctively and pushed both women out of the way and to the ground. He could see two figures coming at him from both sides through his peripheral vision just before he blacked out under the combined strain of two overpowered stunners and the activation of a portkey.

His hosts decided to forgo traditional hospitality measures and woke their guest with a well placed cruciatus curse by Draco Malfoy. Lucius wasted no time in adding his own curse once he was sure that Harry was conscious.

"Does that hurt Potter? Thanks to you and your infernal interfering, my wife is going to leave me and she is nothing if not ruthless when she wants something." Lucius screamed and hit him once again with the pain curse.

Harry tried to concentrate on his bond with Bella to see if she was okay. He wasn't able to hold his concentration for too long due to the pain he was in but he knew that she was alright and just worried about him.

Once the curses were lifted Harry coldly said, "You were the one who couldn't keep it in your trousers and raped her sister." He used the absolute anger that he was feeling at the moment to fuel his magic, just like Bella had taught him. It wouldn't be long before he would be out of this situation with two less enemies to worry about.

Lucius hit him with a dark cutting curse that created a huge gouge in his shoulder, arm, and to some extent his back. He felt the warm flow of blood running over his back.

"But that's not here or there anymore. I warned you earlier that once we met outside of the truce that I would make you suffer for what you did to her. I think I've played this whole 'hostage at the mercy of my captors' for long enough. Now its time for me to live up to my earlier promise," Harry hissed, ignoring the pain and the blood.

"How do you think you'll be able to do anything right now? Your wrists are bound to the wall by iron shackles and your wand is here in my pocket." Lucius taunted him.

Draco was getting closer to him with the intent of inflicting damage muggle style. However he never realized the error in his judgement as he took a swing at Harry. He now stood in between Harry and his father, effectively creating a buffer between the two.

Straightening himself as much as his current position allowed, he concentrated on his staff. "The whole thing is quite simple really..." he said coldly. He called his staff and as soon as he felt the reassuring weight in his hands he flicked it and the cuffs clicked open. Not a second later, Draco was hit brutally in his guts with the hard and heavy staff and went screaming to the ground. Harry flicked his magnificent staff again and pointed it at Lucius, "CRUCIO!"

A thick red beam shot out of the blood emerald and hit Lucius directly in his chest. He screamed horridly and fell to his knees. His finger nails scratching and digging into the concrete floor and Harry did not let up with the curse.

"This is for Bella you sick bastard. Crucio forte," Harry bellowed and a second larger beam hit its target dead on. Draco was trying to regain his footing and reach for his fallen wand but Harry, without even looking, kicked his foot back and connected with Draco's groin, eliminating him from the fight effectively once again.

Refocusing his full attention on Lucius, he revelled in the screams of agony that his beloved's tormentor was forced to endure. His finger tips were bloody and drew red marks over the stone. It wasn't long before the blood started to flow freely from his mouth and even started to leak out of his eyes.

"And now, go to Hell, Lucius!" Harry bellowed and his eyes lit up again as he yelled, "Crucio Maximus Letalis!"

The modified curse was one of his own inventions. It made the 'effects' of the normal curse actually come true. Lucius' skin was forcefully torn from his body and he was forced to bleed out on the floor while the pain never ended. It was a few minutes before the screaming ceased and his, now red, eyes clouded over as he breathed his last breath.

Harry turned around and found Draco still nursing his wounds, how pathetic. "Now it's your turn."

Draco tried to crawl away from him, but to no avail. Harry swept his staff in a wide arc and hit him directly under the chin. Draco was hit so hard, that his head shot up with a sick crack and the body was flung into the next wall.

Draco wailed in pain.

"How pathetic! And you think you are so great! You think you are such a powerful dark wizard. You are nothing but a loser. I'll show you the meaning of true power," Harry said in an eerie voice and changed into his Necromancer gear. Once more, he was radiating darkness and pure black magic.

Draco paled even further, if that was possible, and began to sweat and shake.

"Please, don't hurt me!" Draco wailed.

"You have made your choices in life, Draco. Now it is time for you to understand, and suffer, the consequences of your actions…Avada Kedavra."

The green light of the killing curse, outlined with the red light of the blood emerald ripped the soul out of the blond teenager and he sank lifelessly to the ground. "You've seen too much. I couldn't let you leave knowing what you knew."

He sent an emotional impulse to Bellatrix to let her know that he was alright. He summoned his wand to him and pocketed it. He cleaned himself as best as he could but he was unable to fully heal the wound on his back since it was in a hard area to find. He was only able to stop the blood flow.

He performed a powerful scanning charm throughout the whole manor, but he couldn't detect anymore Death Eaters. He erected the same wards over this ancient building that he had cast over the Granger residence. He made sure that none of his new wards would interfere with the old ones and once he was sure that the house was adequately protected, he cleaned the room of blood and excrements before conjuring two caskets and depositing the bodies inside.

Checking the room and manor one last time, he vanished in black cloud. He reappeared next to Bella and didn't even have time to regain his footing before he was enveloped in a massive hug by his love. He tenderly wrapped his arms around her in fear of reopening his wounds and whispered soothingly, "Everything's fine."

"What happened?" she asked him with moist eyes and looked at his battered and bloodied body.

He separated himself from her and looked around. They were in a small alley, only Narcissa was watching him with wide eyes staring at his staff. He vaguely assumed that she must know the meaning of the staff he now carried. With a thought he sent it back to his trunk at the manor.

"They thought they could show their superiority by chaining me to a wall with no wand while sending the cruciatus at me. They seemed a bit overconfident and I made sure that he paid for what he did to you."

"You killed him, Narcissa asked disbelievingly.

Harry looked sternly at Narcissa, "No, I tortured him to death," he whispered.

Bella kissed him hard and whispered her promises to thank him properly sometime soon. She pulled back at his wince and she took the time to assess his wounds.

"Impossible. You are the hero of the light!" Narcissa muttered.

"Hardly," Harry scoffed, "But I am the one who is going to kill Riddle. There's a difference."

He hesitated before finishing telling what occurred at Malfoy Manor. "I am sorry, Narcissa, but I had to kill Draco as well."

She blanched and her eyes became moist, "Did... did you torture him as well?"

"No, I killed him swiftly with the killing curse. You are now free and the fortune of the Malfoy's belongs to you now. I trust you are no Death Eater?"

She shook her head.

"Good. I added some wards to your house. The first few Death Eaters that show themselves will be in for a big surprise," Harry said with an evil look.

She shuddered, "Do I want to know what is going to happen then?"

"Surely not. But let's just say that an acoustic alarm will not be necessary. And if someone with the mark actually makes into your house, he will not live long enough to even be surprised."

She looked carefully at the young teenager and saw nothing of a boy anymore in him. She began to understand, what her younger sister saw in him. Finally she nodded, "Thank you, Harry. I owe you one for the...'Divorce' of Lucius, but I regret the loss of my son."

"I understand. But you have to realize, that he chose his way. He attacked me and I had to deal with him. I had no choice. He could have compromised me. I can't even say that I'm sorry, but I understand you."

A single tear fell down Narcissa's cheek but she nodded, "I know, Harry. I don't hold it against you, and I won't tell anyone about you."

Harry regarded her with a piercing glare which was underlain with pure dark power, "I wouldn't recommend it! I would really hate to kill you as well."

Now the blonde woman blanched and shuddered. She had already known that the black haired teenager in front of her was powerful but that was too much.

He turned to Bella and she asked him quietly, "Are you alright? I felt how you suffered."

"I'll live. And you?"

She smiled, "I am alright, thanks to a young dark haired hero who pushed my sister and me out of the way."

Harry laughed, "It was my pleasure."

He hugged her and kissed her gently.

"I think she needs your help now, Bella. Take her home and keep her company but keep your portkey ready, alright? I don't want you to take any risk."

She nodded and kissed him once again, "I love you. Never forget that! And thank you, for your understanding. She really cared about Draco." she added whispering.

"I know. What mother wouldn't?"

"Will you be alright?" she asked concerned noting how he became even paler since he had arrived.

"I should make a visit to Madam Pomfrey. It's been a while now and I think that she's going to need to give me something for the blood loss."

"Should I accompany you?"

"No, that isn't necessary. Now go on and be careful! Send me a 'message' if you are at home or if you need me. I know now where the manor is and can come to you."

She hugged him a last time and kissed him and then turned to Narcissa, "I will join you today. Is this alright?"

Narcissa nodded with tears in her eyes and looked to Harry, "Thank you. You are a kind person... if the situation allows it. I have clearly underestimated you. I... I think you both fit very well together."

Harry allowed himself a smile, "Goodbye to you both. Rest a little, Narcissa! I placed the bodies in conjured coffins and cleaned up already so that you won't get a shock. Both are in the dungeons."

She nodded and Harry smiled one last time to Bella before he apparated to the boundaries of Hogwarts.

From there he drug himself to the castle. He met Ron and Hermione shortly after he entered the grounds. They had been walking hand in hand around the lake.

"Harry!" Hermione yelled once she saw him staggering around.

Without hesitation Ron came as well and supported him since he could barely stay on his feet anymore.

"What happened to you?" Ron asked.

"Well, I had a run in with Death Eaters." Harry said and leaned on Ron, "Nice to see you both together again."

Harry stumbled over a stone.

"Harry!" Hermione said with tears in her eyes.

"It's only blood loss but I should make a visit to Madam Pomfrey anyways. I'm sure she missed me," he joked.

"What about Talon?" Hermione asked, concerned, as they hurried to the infirmary.

"She is safe. I pushed her and Narcissa out of the way when they ambushed us. The stunners which headed for them hit me and they portkeyed me away. Bella is now with Narcissa."

"Malfoy? They're Death Eaters!" Ron swore.

"Wrong. There is only one Malfoy now and that is Narcissa and I can guarantee that she is no Death Eater." Harry muttered. He was becoming steadily weaker.

"What the hell is wrong with me?" he muttered and touched the wound on his back with his hand. As he took the hand away, it was red with blood.

"Shit, it is opened again." he muttered.

Hermione gasped when she saw the blood and Ron blanched and drug him the last stairs up.

No one had noticed that amount of blood he had lost since it blended well with the black cloak he was wearing.

Harry sat down hard on a bed while Hermione called after Pomfrey.

She hurried to Harry, "Ah, I wondered if I would see you this year. Well, what happened, dear?" she asked.

Harry swayed slightly, "Weakened from blood loss, shallow gashes from a dark cutting curse, multiple cruciatus hits and light scratches from iron cuffs."

"Bloody hell! Where are the gashes?"

"Back and left arm." Harry replied.

She removed his robe and Hermione nearly fainted when she saw that nearly his whole back was covered in half dried blood.

"Miss Granger, go fetch the headmaster! Mr. Weasley, hold him straight while I mend the cuts!"

Ron grabbed him firmly at his right shoulder and his back.

"Oh, you already closed them once?"

Harry nodded, "Re-opened, either through hugging my girlfriend or the movement I went through to get here. It's also likely that I didn't heal it correctly the first time. Battlefield medicine is not a strength for me," Harry joked.

"Right," Poppy replied and muttered under her breath, "Bloody boys!"

"I heard that." Harry said.

"Keep quiet!"

She muttered some healing charms and cleaned his skin afterwards.

"Now lay down! I need to fetch you some blood replenishing potions."

She gathered some vials and handed them to him.

Without waiting for her, he took the red vial out of her hands, emptied it, before taking the slightly blue one and emptied it as well.

"I know the painkiller has to wait for at least ten minutes." Harry said and pointed at the yellow one.

She looked disbelievingly at him, "How could you? You can't simply drink a potion when you know nothing about it!" she scolded him.

"Give me some credit! I had to use this combination quite often during the last year. I know very well how to use the healing elixir after the blood replenisher and I also know that both have to kick in before you can take the painkiller or all potions are countered." Harry said.

She scowled at him but nodded, "Now shoot! What happened this time?"

"I would like to know that as well, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said with a serious look.

"Nothing special, I had a lunch meeting with Narcissa Malfoy. Her husband and son decided to take the chance and kidnap me. I freed myself after some torture and came back."

"You are fool..." Dumbledore began, but Harry interrupted him.

"Don't you dare finish this sentence! Narcissa is a Black and as head of her family I had to meet her. Furthermore, we had a truce. It was only bad luck, that they ambushed us as we left the restaurant. If I hadn't had to protect her, I would have avoided the attack and wouldn't have been captured. And as you see I was quite able to free myself."

Dumbledore sighed, "Alright. What happened to the Malfoys and where is Narcissa now? I can imagine that she is in danger now."

"She isn't. Her manor is warded, even better than the Granger-Residence, because I combined my wards with the existing ones. And the Malfoys, well, they're dead."

Poppy gasped, as did Ron.

"What?" Dumbledore asked.

"They are dead," he said, sounding out each word. "I had to kill them in self defence."

"How did you kill them?"

"That doesn't matter. They both were Death Eaters so every mean was acceptable. Let it go!"

Dumbledore wanted to question him further but realized that Harry wouldn't budge.

"Was there no other way?" he sighed.

"No." Harry said coldly, "They chose their side in this war and it was the wrong side. Explanation over." Harry swayed again slightly.

Poppy glared at Dumbledore, "Mr. Potter has to rest, Albus. He lost too much blood and was subjected to at least three Cruciatus curses!"

Dumbledore gasped, "I am sorry, Ha... Mr. Potter. I didn't know."

Harry sneered, "Sure, as if."

"Leave now!" Poppy demanded, "Mr, Weasley, you can leave too. He will get out tomorrow in time for Dinner."

"Uhm, could you give us a moment, please?" Ron asked.

She nodded, "Alright, you have five minutes."

As Dumbledore and Poppy were away, Ron turned to Harry.

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry, Harry. I will be honest; I still can't stand that... woman. But it isn't my place to interfere in your relationship. For that, and only for that, I am sorry. She is a dark witch, I only worry about you and wanted to warn you. I know you are now a... uhm ... Dark wizard too, but at least, you aren't evil. I... I don't think, I would ever be alright with that or with her being with you, but I want to stay your friend. I won't say anything anymore about her, I promise."

Harry nodded, "That's more than I would have asked for, but try to understand, there is more than black and white, Ron. Even Dumbledore has already killed! He did kill Grindelwald and surely he didn't achieve that with a light charm! Keep that in mind! And Bella isn't evil, Ron. She has some problems, but who doesn't? She was in Azkaban for a long time and she was forced to marry that bastard in a binding contract! She was raped and tortured! She is saner than every one of us would be after that experience and she loves me as I love her. And if I should be honest, I am more evil than her, at least now. She did some cruel things Ron, but I did already too. And even if you don't understand that, I only warn you. Be very careful about what you tell others about her, be careful about what you tell about her, if I can hear you, and more important, be careful what you say about me or her, if she can hear you. I won't help you in any of these situations!"

Ron nodded, "I know, and you would certainly be right. Let's keep a truce about her, alright?"

Harry nodded and winced, "I should take the painkiller now. That will knock me out for some time."

"Then rest well. I will greet Hermione and Ginny from you, alright?"

"Do that, and thanks."

"No problem, mate. And good one about the Malfoys." Ron said coldly.

"More than you will ever know." Harry said seriously.

Ron nodded and left. Harry took the painkiller and slept shortly afterwards.

AN: Thanks for all reviews. I do appreciate them. But since it's Christmas and I'm with my parents... no time for detailed answers to your reviews. I'll try to make it up with the next chapter ;-)