Unfortunately for Ron there had been very little in the way of incriminating evidence in Malfoy's bathroom. His kitchen had sourced even less but at least it had provided food. They were both now sat on the seat beneath the window, it being the only place they could comfortably sit with the forced proximity.

"Malfoy."

Draco glanced up from his book.

"I think I've got something useful," he held the book out to Draco and pointed at the section that had caught his eye, "look."

Draco leant in towards Ron to read. As he did so the scent of him filled Ron's nose. He smelt of cinnamon and cigarettes. He wouldn't have guessed Malfoy to be a smoker. Surely it was far too muggle a past time for him?

"When cast on an inanimate object it is the intention of the caster that dictates the bindings of the love enchantment," Draco read aloud, "So, Argate created the rules? Fabulous. How the hell are we meant to know what they are in that case?"

Ron shrugged. He had never noticed that Malfoy wrinkled his nose when he was angry.

"I guess we find out?"

"Yes, well done Weasley. Brilliant contribution to the current problem."

"Woah, prince of darkness. I've been the only one to find anything remotely useful so far. What have you brought to the table?"

Draco sighed and rubbed his temple.

"Prince of darkness?"

Ron shrugged. It had felt appropriate at the time. Screw Malfoy.

"Just read on."

Draco raised his eyebrow but returned his gaze to the page.

"Only three bindings can be chosen and it is these bindings that will remain once the enchantment has reached completion and love is felt by both parties. It is wise for the caster to consider such bindings carefully."

"So," Ron nodded, "just the three rules to figure out?"

Draco clicked his tongue in annoyance. His nose had begun to wrinkle again.

"The enchantment will be complete within one luna month and the result will be permanent. Great. Thirty days to get this heap of crap off," Draco rattled the cuff on his wrist.

"I still think we should contact the Ministry. How much are we going to get done here? What happens when your books run out and we need to actually do something Malfoy?"

Draco rubbed his temple a little harder.

"Weasley. The Ministry can't help us. We need to find Argate."

"What if Argate can't be found? Did you think of that?"

Draco pinched his temple. The wrinkle in his nose was very much evident now.

"Then you should know I only sleep on the left side of the bed and I don't take sugar in my coffee."

Ron clenched his teeth.

"I'm not sleeping in any bed with you Malfoy and you can forget the coffee."

"Fine. See how much of a delight I am in the morning without it. Be my guest."

Draco pushed the book back onto Ron's lap and proceeded to stare out the window. Ron wondered idly if he had done this as a child when Daddy hadn't bought him the most expensive toy in the shop.

"I'm sure I wouldn't notice the difference Malfoy."

"You w-"

Draco open and closed his mouth like a fish. No sound came out. He coughed and tried again.

"You-"

A shiver of panic crept up Ron's spine.

"Malfoy?"

Draco frowned.

"I can't say what I want to."

Ron should have felt the urge to laugh, but he didn't. It was as if the slugs he had vomited up at Hogwarts were churning in his stomach all over again as realisation kicked in.

"We can't lie. It must be one of the bindings. You can't say something that isn't true."

Draco's face registered horror for a brief moment before his usual mask of indifference was fixed firmly back into place.

"Apparently so."

"Coffee obviously doesn't make you into a nicer person Malfoy."

"Shut up Weasley."

Ron stifled a smile and turned to look out of the window.

"Malfoy?"

Draco ignored him.

"You've got an owl," Ron pointed to the small dot he could see making its way across the lavish garden and straight towards their window.

Draco turned back towards him and leant into the window to see. The owl swooped and landed gracefully on the outside ledge. It tilted its head to the side to survey Draco as he opened the latch. The owl offered a leg and Draco untied the letter. Apparently none too gently as the owl gave him a sharp peck on the hand and took flight. Draco sneered at the owl and turned the letter over in his hands to open it.

Ron sat up straighter to read the letter over Draco's shoulder. He nearly stopped breathing. The letter wasn't signed but it left Ron in no doubt who it was from.

"Malfoy. Why do you have post from the Minister of Magic?"

"That's none of your business," Draco all but hissed and turned his back on Ron as much as the situation would allow.

"Malfoy. What the hell is going on?"

"I've already told you Weasley, it's none of your business."

"It is my business if the Minister of Magic is giving you a 'five minute warning'. He's coming here isn't here? What the hell?"

Draco whipped his head back to face Ron.

"I assume he is expecting us to be shagging like bunnies when he arrives and he obviously doesn't want that image to haunt his dreams."

Ron felt his face heat up and his anger rise right along with it. He couldn't believe only a few minutes ago he had almost enjoyed talking to Malfoy.

"The Minister and I have a bargain," Draco spat out, "I'm cleared of my supposed crimes in exchange for turning in other Death Eaters. In particular, my Father. The bargain only stands if I deliver. I can hardly do that now you're attached to me like some limpet can I?"

Ron clenched his teeth and his fist. This situation was in no way his fault. How was he expected to know that the handcuffs were enchanted? The shop was full of old junk.

"So you're going to turn your own Father in for a ticket out of Azkaban. Commendable Malfoy, real commendable."

Draco glared at Ron as if he wanted to will serious harm on him. Ron fought the urge to shrink under his gaze.

"No Weasley," Draco spoke slowly as if he was speaking to a young child, "I said 'supposed crimes'. We've already established that I can't lie to you thanks to your quick thinking when catching the 'baddies'. Work it out in that little mouse brain of yours."

Before Ron had a chance to comprehend what Malfoy was talking about a green flame burst into life in the small chimney embedded amongst the book shelves. Ron flinched in surprise. The Minister's head flittered in the flame and his eyes were closed tightly.

"Malfoy. I will not witness your debauchery. Put some clothes on."

"Fortunately for you we've already finished and clothed," Draco replied.

Ron spluttered and felt his face heat up even further.

"Minister, sir-" Ron stood to defend himself.

"Weasley. Be silent."

Ron swallowed and sat back down. He had never spoken to the Minister in person but had seen him deal with convicted witches and wizards. That alone was enough for him to close his mouth.

"Explain yourself Malfoy."

Draco rolled his eyes.

"Enchanted handcuff courtesy of your auror."

"Weasley. Speak."

Ron felt a stir of panic flutter in his chest. He'd only done his job. He'd followed the memo for the arrest of Malfoy.

"Sir, I- the memo asked for the arrest of Malfoy- Draco Malfoy, and I followed a tip off to lead the investigation. Sir."

"The handcuffs Weasley."

"I- they were- a backup plan. Sir," Ron mumbled.

"More like a fuck up plan," Draco said.

Ron shot him a glare.

"Gentlemen. This issue is your own," Scrimgeour's voice held a note of finality and he turned to face Ron. "Weasley, the details of this situation cannot be repeated. You are not to inform your colleagues or your family. You are not to be seen or the ramifications will be larger than you can imagine. Am I making myself clear?"

Ron nodded and opted for silence. Perfectly clear. His first lead case and the Minister was personally threatening his job. Great.

"Malfoy," Scrimgeour turned to face Draco, "I trust this issue will not delay your delivery?"

"Of course not."

Scrimgeour nodded and his head disappeared as quickly as it had arrived. The flames died down.

Draco sat back with his head resting on the window pane. He closed his eyes.

Ron wanted to punch him more than he'd wanted to in the last few hours and that had been pushing it then.

"You manipulated me."

"I did nothing of the sort," Draco replied, eyes still closed. He folded his hands on his lap as if nothing in the world was wrong. It made Ron want to punch him even more.

"Your arrest. It's not real is it? You're the bait for that scumbag Father of yours."

"Maybe you have the brain of a rat? I do believe they're larger than mice and you got that a lot quicker than I had pegged you for Weasley."

The irony was curling into a heavy pit in Ron's stomach. This was his first lead case and it hadn't even be real. It was a decoy. Only an idiot would have fallen for it. Ron clenched his fists. He really was coming to the end of his patience.

"The way I see it Malfoy, you've got no bargain."

Draco opened one eye.

"I always have a bargain. Right now, you're going to help me track my Father down and in doing so I'll help you to get these handcuffs off."

Ron barked out a laugh.

"You're going to help me? Really? Is your real name Argate?"

Draco opened both eyes and sat forward.

"A luna month is thirty days. You can either drag me along the floor in your quest to find Argate or help me track my Father down. It really would be quicker if I walked. Your choice."

Draco leant back against the window pane and closed his eyes once more.

Ron wanted to kill him.