"Harry, I'm sorry but I can't help but think Draco had something to do with the appearance of those Death Eaters," Hermione's voice broke Harry out of his dreamy, far away state. He frowned at her and crossed his arms.

"I told you, he hasn't been branded with the Dark Mark!" snapped Harry.

"Yes, but you refuse to tell me how you know," sniffed Hermione, pulling a copy of the Daily Prophet towards her.

It had been two months now since the disastrous happenings on Harry's seventeenth birthday. None of them were any wiser of what had happened to Ron, and Hermione frantically scanned any copy of the newspaper she could get her hands on, hoping for a shred of information on his whereabouts.

Harry smiled to himself. Hermione had no idea he and Draco were spending their nights together in bed. True, Draco was yet to give himself to Harry, but Harry could wait. He could wait for eternity if he had to. But what was more important was Draco's forearms. Harry hadn't gone out of his way to examine Draco for a sign of the Mark, but he knew Draco's body- well, most of it- and his skin had been clean of anything which might tie him to Voldemort.

"Nothing," said Hermione, casting aside the Prophet, resting her head in her right hand. Harry noted the depressed gloom on Hermione's face. He knew she was determined to find evidence of Ron's innocence, and this annoyed him greatly.

"Give it up. He obviously turned us in. Or tried to," said Harry, standing up and leaving the room.

He climbed the stairs to the fourth floor and entered his bedroom. Harry intended on being alone, but found Draco still asleep in his bed. He couldn't blame him. Harry was quite exhausted himself after their heated night together. He smiled again to himself, reliving the night's events in his mind.

Harry crossed the room and picked up two pairs of boxers, which had been cast aside the night before- forgotten. He folded his own pair and put them under his pillow. He then went into Draco's room and did the same with the second pair.

"Harry?" a sleep voice issued from the next room. Harry exited Draco's room and closed the door.

"Morning," Harry murmured, smiling as he walked back into his own room.

Draco's face broke into a huge smile as he ripped back the blankets. Harry forced his mind away from sexual thoughts as he planted a tender kiss on Draco's lips. To Harry's surprise, Draco pulled out of this kiss after a few seconds, frowning.

"What's wrong?" asked Harry worriedly. "I'm not that bad, am I?"

Draco laughed. "You're worried about being a bad kisser? You nancy, Harry," teased Draco.

"Then what is it? What could be troubling you enough to pull out of a kiss?" asked Harry, with as much dignity as he could muster.

"Sit down" said Draco. He watched as Harry sat, amused by the curiosity on his face. "I want to ask you something Harry, and I- please answer me truthfully."

Harry simply nodded, not once taking his eyes off Draco's.

Draco heaved a sigh. "Please don't be mad, but I have to know… you and Ron."

Harry looked puzzled. "Sorry? What about me and Ron?" Harry spluttered, completely taken aback.

"Did you… you know. Were you um, active with Ron in the way you are with me?" Draco's cheeks flushed as he spoke.

"What? You mean were he and I in a relationship?" Harry frowned, struggling to cotton on to what Draco was asking.

"Yes. I mean, you didn't kiss him or… have sex with him- or anything like that, did you?" asked Draco, his voice barely audible.

Harry laughed. He couldn't help himself. Just the idea of Ron and himself in that way was amusing. He regained himself and looked back into Draco's anxious, embarrassed face.

"No," said Harry firmly. "Nothing has ever happened between me and Ron. I promise you that, and I hope you can take my word for it."

Draco didn't look convinced. "Harry, I couldn't help but notice he had a go at you on your birthday when you'd done nothing to provoke him! How do I know he wasn't acting out of jealousy that you and I were- were… starting to get along." Draco frowned, realizing the absurdity of his words.

"Exactly," said Harry firmly. "We were starting to get along and he could see Hermione had started to accept you. I assume he blamed me for it, seeing as I brought you along in the first place," said Harry with as much reassurance he could gather.

Draco smiled briefly, leant forward and kissed Harry again. Draco tore Harry's shirt off and was just getting started unbuttoning Harry's jeans when Hermione appeared in the doorway. They'd left the door wide open.

Draco yelped and jumped behind Harry- he was still completely naked. Harry blushed violently, zipping his pants back up, groping around for his shirt.

"Honestly, do you think I don't know what you two get to up here?" Hermione said impatiently, tutting as she spoke.

Draco wasn't listening. He'd found Harry's boxers under the pillow and was hurriedly pulling them on, Harry's body shielding him from Hermione's prying eyes.

"Wh-what's wrong?" panted Draco once he'd covered himself up.

Hermione walked forward, holding out a letter. Harry took it from her and held it between himself and Draco. The letter read:

Dear Harry and Hermione,

I've been worried sick about you two! How could you be careless enough to not write and inform me of what's been happening? I trust by now that you're aware of Ron's disappearance? While you know he's missing, you may not be aware that he has been captured by Death Eaters. Severus, it seems, is still on our side. He came back to The Burrow with information about Ron.

He's at the Malfoy Manor, and they're torturing him for information on you two. Also, apparently Draco disappeared without a word in mid-July. Do either of you have any idea of his whereabouts? If you do, I urge you to write back and tell me so the Order can organize his capture and try to use him as bait to get Ron back.

I cannot trust this owl enough to be sure he'll find you. There's a chance this could land in a Death Eaters hands. However, I think I can guess where you've taken refuge. If indeed you are in a place associated Padfoot, be aware I'll be dropping in to see you around the end of November.

Until then take care and be alert,

Remus

Harry looked up and stared at Hermione. Her eyes were bright and tear-filled. He could feel Draco shaking next to him, evidently terrified.

"We're not turning you in," said Harry, turning to Draco. Draco looked paler than usual, but nodded sharply.

"Oh aren't we?" shrieked Hermione. "You read what Remus wrote! They're torturing him, Harry. If Draco can be used as bait, like Remus suggested, I'm all for it!"

"Hermione, SHUT UP! God you've been thick with this Ron situation!" spat Harry. "Don't you realize he brought it upon himself for being such a prat? If he hadn't attacked Draco and me on my birthday, maybe he'd be here with us right now. It's his fault. Yes, I care about him- somewhat less after his behavior- but we are not sending Draco back. They'll kill him, Hermione!"

"I'm so sorry," said Draco, his voice shaking.

"Didn't you hear what I just said? It's not your fault, Draco. Don't you dare start blaming yourself," said Harry, his voice a lot kinder than it had been when he spoke to Hermione.

"Fine! What are we going to do then?" said Hermione, crossing her arms.

"We'll have to wait for Remus to come. We'll see what he has to say. Don't worry, I'll talk to him about Draco's true loyalties," said Harry.

"Wait for Remus?" repeated Hermione. "For fuck sake, Harry! Ron could have been murdered by then!"

Harry shrugged. "So?"

Hermione glared at the pair of them on the bed, stepped forward, snatched up the letter and stormed from the room.