Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

A/N: Umm, hello. Still alive here- though perhaps not for much longer, considering how long the wait was #laughs nervously. I am very sorry for said wait, what with exams, a new story and laziness to get past, its been quite a while. However, i really need to finish this story soon, its only got a few more chapters, so watch out for the upcoming climatic ending! But not quite yet...lol. Anyway, thankyou all for your reviews, and i hope you enjoy this chapter!

Warnings: Some swearing, SLASH, reference to character death and um...some suspense!

The Night Draws In

Draco had seen and done many things in his existence, as long as it had been. Most of which he had absolutely no desire whatsoever to witness or repeat ever again. The near four centuries had passed amazingly quickly however, years slipping away as easily as sand grains as he travelled, tasted and danced in the night, as all those of the vampire nature were wont to do.

However, while most would go on with their long undead lives in the wonders of company, Draco had defied the social norm by avoiding society at all costs.

He'd never wished or longed for a companion before; he'd occasionally entertain himself with toys for a few months, like a cat with an unsuspecting mouse, but he had most certainly never considered seriously the idea of there ever being someone else. He had been happy enough with a chase and reaping a quick reward of pleasure; it had contented him for long enough and the opinion he had held for many years was that another person would simply be a bother.

He had thought he had lost all capacity for company a long time ago.

His father had seen to that.

However, with the recent turn of events, which involved the softly dozing, beautiful form of his charmant, he concluded that it was most veritably a case of not knowing what he had been missing. Either that, or Harry was the first to ever merit his attentions.

As he let pale fingers card through inky locks, he absentmindedly mused on the importance of Companions. They were highly treasured in vampire circles, and had the tendency to not let go, once they had been found.

Feeling the slight warmth lying so peacefully in his lap, he was for once inclined to agree. He didn't ever want for Harry to suddenly disappear.

Unlike others, who he would gladly welcome falling off the edge of the earth any time.

Lucius Malfoy however, would never be so wonderfully gracious as to do so.

Draco felt his eyes darken at the very thought of the man. The one who led to his entire family joining the ranks of dark creatures that haunted the underworld.

It seemed like forever ago when he'd been a small boy who had idolised his perfect father more than anything. Though he supposed four hundred years was good enough.

After the…incident, all three of them had gone their separate ways in the world, despite Draco being nothing more than a child at the time.

His mother tried her best for him, but back then, in that world, it had been practically impossible, and he'd spent the first few years as a Fledgling, without guidance and completely lost in the world, wandering aimlessly where the flowing nature of life took him. It all seemed so long ago now that sometimes he wondered if it had actually happened at all, and not to someone else entirely.

But Lucius once again, was a constant reminder that it most definitely had.

Ever since that day, every now and then the man would reappear again. His 'visits', as they were known, could only be described as unpredictable in their intent.

One time, for example, Draco had been under the fairly accurate impression that his father was trying his very best to kill him, if his behaviour was any indication.

Draco had been forced to retreat, bloody and bleeding off the battlefield, left alone until forty years later Lucius showed up yet again, coming for the nerve-wracking equivalent of tea and talk. In his younger years even the name of his father could conjure up shakes and shivers, not helped in the least by his father's own sway in the world; much attributed to his ever faithful Death Eaters, even in the turbulent ways of the underworld.

It was hard to describe the sort of reputation Lucius held. He had been labelled under nearly every adjective imaginable, and yet his presence always was something that ruffled feathers and wrinkled the noses of high society elites. No one, however, dared to dissuade him from his endeavours or to refuse him. Though it should be noted that Draco and his mother were thought of as far more pleasant; though the young Lord was often noted to be cold and recluse.

Draco for the most part had become used to his father's bipolar nature as the years passed, though every time he was forced to endure the man's company he came out coiled tighter than a pressurised spring. Being older, and more powerful, he didn't exactly fear Lucius in the same way, however, and so such visitations usually didn't faze him so, even when Death Eaters were gliding all about.

But…

This time, it wasn't just him that could get hurt, or worse.

Glancing down, he felt his grip on the smaller man tighten as his gaze ran over familiar features.

Harry…was such a beautiful creature, in many ways, and still very much defenceless.

Well, perhaps not completely inept, but he had neither the experience nor the power an older age would grant him. He'd been wondering over how to deal with his father's inevitable incoming visit in respect to his charmant, but was still indecisive.

He had so far only determined that Harry and his father should not meet under any circumstances. But knowing that, Harry was unlikely to be cooperative; it would be his nature to remain by his sire's side.

And no matter what, he did not want Lucius to become aware of a weakness he may be able to exploit.

For somewhere over the course of the past few weeks Harry had become more than dear to him. Unlike any of his other toys, which had ended in quick relief and that was that, he simply couldn't leave Harry behind.

He was different, and he cared for the dark haired man deeply. Perhaps, he mused as he softly twirled a strand of onyx hair between his fingers, perhaps he even loved him.

It was a foreign concept, and one that he was distinctly out of touch with but yet…

He couldn't deny the fondness he held for his little Harry. He wasn't about to let anything untoward happen to him if he could help it, which led straight back to Lucius.

The situation was problematic and time was running out.

He gave a soft sigh and turned his gaze to the sky; the soft afternoon sunlight was giving way to dark clouds.

Perhaps he should simply entrust him to Severus's care…

Before the first rumble could sound from above, Draco rose from his place on the dewy grass, Harry still tightly encased in his arms, secure against him.

He walked sedately back up to the house.

His father always had a flair for the dramatic.

Harry gave a small growl of consternation as he awoke, being flung onto something he quickly identified as a sofa. Muttering unintelligibly in his sleepy state, he threw a disgruntled look to the person who had woke him in such a manner.

"Why are you glaring at me so? I'm very sorry to have to interrupt your beauty sleep darling, but I'm afraid that we've matters to attend to."

Still grumbling slightly, Harry forced himself to a sitting position, propping himself up on some of the comfier pillows. A vague glance around yielded that they were in the blonde's study, which disorientated him for a moment, mind still somewhere outside on the grass. Once his mind resettled however, his grumpy mood returned.

"What?" he asked belligerently, irritated at having his nap disturbed. He'd been so comfortable too- why did he have to wake up so soon?

Draco paid no attention to his tone, however, and carried on speaking lightly.

"It's going to be nightfall soon, but I'm afraid that I'm going to have to send you to Severus's."

Harry frowned, and sat up a little straighter, taking in his sire with keen eyes, easily noting that something was amiss. Draco had never outright told him to do something before, especially leave the house. In fact, previously the blond had been immovably set on keeping him in. Not to mention there was something off in Draco's tone. It was sharper than he was used to and it wasn't the way in which he was used to the older vampire.

"Why?" he asked curiously, tilting his head to the side, surveying the other man with slanted eyes. He wasn't going to let Draco lie to him again, he'd by now had quite enough of being left out the loop.

Draco gave an irritable sigh, his lax air lost as he leaned stiffly against the wall.

"Will you just go without asking questions?"

"No."

Harry said this far too happily for Draco's liking, and he was almost afraid to look as Harry shuffled to the edge of the sofa so he could sit properly, surveying him with a purposeful gaze.

Draco turned to stare blankly out a nearby window, frowning as the last rays of sun glinted off the glass.

He gave a slight growl before turning to younger vampire.

"Go to Severus and stay out of trouble; I'm sure you hungry by now aren't you? He'll have something for you."

Harry said nothing, but surveyed the older man with an intense green stare. It was unlike Draco to be this way. His voice was clipped and sharp, and held a different emotion that Harry wasn't sure he had heard in the other before. In fact, from the tense figure he would almost say that Draco was stressed about something. Though Draco never seemed fazed by anything. What was going on?

Frowning, he got off the sofa and moved towards the other with soft steps.

"Hey, is something wrong?"

Worried verdant eyes pinned him, and Draco couldn't help but release another sigh, before wrapping an arm about Harry's waist, pulling him flush against him. He couldn't resist the temptation either to lower his head and bury it in dark silky hair, inhaling the scent deeply. So sweet.

As such, he didn't see the deep blush that imprinted itself on Harry's face, though he did feel a responding pair of arms clasp firmly on his back. So warm, so nice, he wasn't sure he wanted to leave.

Pulling back a little so he could place a reassuring kiss on Harry's unresisting lips, he held his grip on the other's hips, a small smile in place.

"I'm just fine dear, no need to worry about me. I'm just having a rather…unfortunate visitor tonight, who I'd rather you didn't meet. And you're hungry anyway aren't you lovely?"

Harry opened his mouth to protest, even as he felt the slight gnawing in his stomach and warning ache in his overly sharp incisors. Scowling lightly as Draco looked at him pointedly with swirling silver eyes, Harry couldn't help but acquiesce with a weary nod. Though he wasn't particularly happy.

But if Draco didn't want him here for this meeting, he had to respect the elder's decision. He had a much better idea about these sorts of things anyway.

The thought of him leaving his sire, however, was discomforting, and despite his Hunger, he'd rather not go to Severus for more cold blood packs that were most likely thieved from the local hospital. Especially when he knew for a fact it tasted much better when warm and fresh, and could slide down his throat like good wine.

Grumbling a little under his breath, he sent Draco a faint glare as he walked over to the door of the study room they found themselves in. Fixing the older vampire with one more suspicious stare before he slid out the door, he called out.

"Any time when I should be back?"

Draco's silver gaze was temporarily warmed with amusement, figure much more relaxed against the wall.

"Just make sure to be back by morning darling, don't want me to have to go chasing after you now do we?"

Harry appeared to ponder this intently for a minute, dark green eyes thoughtful.

"No," he said at length, "I don't think so."

And with one last smile he was out the door, leaving Draco to stare fondly after him.

Such a sweet little charmant.

His mood quickly soured once more, however, when his gaze fell on the curved sliver sword that lay behind his desk.

When Harry descended the stairs and entered the living room, or what perhaps once was one, he was surprised to find the tableau of people almost exactly the same as how he had left it.

Ginny was lying, like a grotesque life size version of a porcelain doll on the sofa, and Ron, Hermione, Luna and Colin were arranged sombrely around the room on various armchairs and seats. Ron still had his head in his hands, though it appeared as if tears had already been shed until they ran dry.

He had completely forgotten about Ginny, and he shifted uncomfortably when the ache in his canines throbbed acutely as he waited for the customary wave of guilt to crash down on him. It didn't.

Positioning himself by leaning on the doorframe, he was thankful that his silent entrance hadn't alerted the others to his presence. From there, he gave a fleeting glance to the setting sun outside, reminded of Draco's own stare out the window.

He'd only left the older vampire a few minutes ago, but already he was beginning to get an intense sense of urgency, as if the dying rays of orange light were acting as a countdown.

He cast verdant eyes to survey the people in the room, unaware of the gleaming effect it caused, due to him being subconsciously located in the shadow of the door.

He could no longer connect to these people, despite their relevance and importance in his former life. There was but a small lingering fondness for any of them, though he most certainly did not wish to see them dead.

Considering that Draco was ushering him out the house, he assumed that mere humans shouldn't be in the general vicinity either.

He had to take them with him to Severus's.

But first…

All four living occupants of the room started as he stepped into the light, wild eyes becoming riveted on his form immediately.

While it appeared that the others had calmed down, Ron's temper was still seemingly red hot.

"Where the fuck have you been, eh?"

Harry didn't reply.

"You disappear off for hours, we had no idea where you were! What would've happened if- if the same thing that got Ginny got you, huh? Where would we be then!"

By the time he finished, it had turned into an angry bellow, and Harry couldn't help but wince at the volume on his much more sensitive hearing.

"There's no need to worry about me Ron, I'll be just fine," Harry paused, glancing momentarily to the corpse of Ginevra Weasley before speaking softly, "have you phoned the police about her?"

Ron gave a seething hiss from behind his teeth and in his frustration slammed back down into the seat he'd been occupying all day. Hermione have him a nervous, reproachful glance, before hesitantly answering with a shake of the head.

"No, we couldn't get any signal, and there's no phone here. And besides, its not as if we know what address to give, do we?"

Her voice was breathy, and hoarse in a way that indicated she'd been crying for a long time. Though her words were welcome, her voice grated on Harry's nerves, and his jaw tensed as he felt his teeth respond to his irritation.

He didn't voice or show any of his ire, however, and merely nodded his head.

Silence gleefully enshrouded the room once more, and Harry struggled to break it, even as the horrible urgency in his stomach only grew stronger.

They were all interrupted by the callous dinging of a clock, which Harry could truthfully say he'd never heard chime before. Frowning uneasily, he glanced to said clock that sat in its dark wooden frame on a sideboard, proudly showing six o'clock.

Even a stopped clock was right twice a day…

Time was running out.

Filled with a sudden energy, Harry darted forward, and forcibly pulled Hermione up from her sitting position, ignoring her shocked yelp as she was wrenched from her armchair.

"We're leaving. Now."

His tone brooked no argument and Hermione gave him a startled look, brown eyes wide. Ron leapt from his chair.

"What?! Leaving, why?"

Harry twisted his head to give his former friend a level look, green eyes dark, face serious.

"It's not safe," he said simply, and tugged on Hermione's hand to drag her over to the door, trusting the others would follow.

Unfortunately, Ron was being obstinate when even Hermione was left in silence.

"What, that's all you're going to say," he said in disbelief as he watched his friend pull Hermione out of the room, on his way ushering Colin from his chair, "we can't just leave!"

Harry shot him an irritated look, his increasing hunger making him more irritable than usual, not helped by the stressful situation. If Draco didn't want him to be here when his 'guest' arrived, than Harry did not want to be there.

Ron gave a snarl, his freckles glinting in the waning light.

"And what about Ginny huh?" he asked forcefully, indicating his dead sister.

Harry spared the figure one last glance before replying, "She is dead, so there's not much more we can do for her, now is there?"

Ron gaped, and Luna interjected with a soft, "Harry," from beside him.

At the moment, he couldn't be bothered with their shocked looks and their complete lack of understanding. He jerked once more on an unresponsive Hermione's hand and pulled her easily out the room, down a corridor, into the entrance hall and out the door.

He didn't pause stride for a moment as he continued to lead her down the wide path to leave the estate, and a brief glance over his shoulder told him that the others were following him, however reluctantly in the case of Ron.

Hermione still hadn't said a word, but he could feel her unrelenting stare on his back as she stumbled behind him numbly, tripping over the loose gravel as she vainly tried to keep up with him and his incessant grip on her wrist. Luna, Colin and Ron behind them were practically jogging to keep up.

Harry noted these facts duly as Ron finally fell into step with him, mostly due to his own much longer strides, but still needing to breath deeply. He dimly heard Luna panting somewhere behind him.

He didn't slow for an instant; the sun had reverted to a tiny disk sitting on the edge of the horizon, and above him, the sky was already turning to a light purple, stars dotting in between the clouds.

As night descended around them, Harry felt increasingly jumpy, despite his newfound comfort about the dark. Tonight seemed ominous, and thunder rumbled overhead. The stars, it seemed, wouldn't be out for long before large dark clouds shielded them from view.

The five of them hurried along, trying to keep up with Harry's pace. He was glad that the walk was robbing them of their breath, so they couldn't ask any more questions, though he could feel it in their concerned looks. Now that they were out of the house, and without four solid walls to give them a fantasy of security, they gazed out nervously into the coming dark, lengthened shadows menacing. Even Ron's temper was cooled by his renewed mortal fear of the dark.

As they passed by the yew hedges, appearing as mere flickers through the branches as they went, the sun finally made its last dip for the night, leaving the wind scudding through the undergrowth to bring with it a distinctive chill.

It wasn't long before the sounds of their shoes could be heard clacking against the paved road, all of them subconsciously huddling together. Well, Harry didn't, but the others used him as the middle of the group. The wind had picked up, piercing through clothes and sending the laden clouds at a frantic pace up in the sky. In a brief moment the moon was revealed, and moonlight lit them in a pale imitation of sunlight. Glancing up, Hermione couldn't refrain from gasping silently.

Under the fleeting light of the moon, Harry, who she had thought looked sickly pale before, almost seemed to glow, his skin was so white. His lips were flushed red, in a dire contrast and his dark green eyes appeared to flash. He looked…elegant, and just as fleeting as the moonlight, like a shadow that could simply…disappear.

And then, as quickly as it had come, the moment was gone as the clouds once more shut off the last remaining light. She could hear her short and sharp breaths against the backdrop of black that made her instinctively panic as her eyes had to adjust to the sudden loss of light.

Harry however, seemed unaffected, and strode quickly and purposefully at the head of their little group.

As her sight slowly returned, Hermione found her eyes had never left Harry's face, and even now she could see how deathly pale he was.

"Harry…?" she muttered timidly, still puffing as she half jogged to keep up. He barely spared her a glance, but did tilt his head to show he was listening.

"Are- are you…alright?"

For reasons she couldn't quite clarify, she blushed as he actually did turn to face her.

"What do you mean?"

Hermione could feel herself blush further, and was distinctively glad that he couldn't see it.

"Well, its just that," she bit her lip, "you're…you're so pale. No one should be that colour naturally, so…so are you alright?"

Harry turned to face forward once again, and was silent for so long, she didn't think he'd answer, but eventually, his voice did drift back to her.

"I'm just fine Hermione, and don't worry either, we should be there soon."

Luna, after hearing gave a quick spurt to grab onto Hermione's hand, so to be in close enough range to ask,

"Where are we going?"

Hermione started, nearly missing her footing, disbelieving that she hadn't asked.

Harry voice came back clipped.

"To a friend's house, it should be safe there."

He said nothing more, despite the girl's hopeful looks that he'd elaborate, but they eventually resigned themselves to breathing. Ron refused to say a word.

Thinking on it, going to Severus's was irresistibly bringing back memories of their last encounters, and as Harry stared off into the night, the feel of the cold metal tucked in his waist band seemed to get heavier with every step. He still had the gun on him that Severus had 'given' to him, and he couldn't help but fervently wish that he wouldn't have to use it.

However, as they entered the small town, he couldn't help the shiver that wracked up his spine. It had gotten cold. Too cold, even for a chilly Autumn night.

Feeling a sense of foreboding, Harry finally stilled, unheeding to the mortals behind him bumping against his back.

Sharp green eyes caught the edge of a shadow as it seemingly slid across the ground. Hand unconsciously moving to rest lightly against the cool metal, Harry tracked the movement with keen eyes.

They weren't alone.

A/N: Well, things are getting dangerous for both Harry and Draco...oh the possibilities! Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and a bit more light shed on Draco and Lucius i think. Anyway, next chapter shall be even more dangerous! Who knows if they'll make it to Severus? And who knows if one of them won't make it at all...?Well, ok, I do, but i'll leave you guessing :P

Oh, and remember that all of your reviews mean a lot to me, so don't hesitate to tell me what you think! See you next time, ja!