Chapter 16

"We're sorry. Your call cannot be completed as dial. Please try again."

Harry growled as he hung up his cell phone and glared at the offending device in his hand. It had been over a week since Draco had gone home to speak to his parents and hadn't called Harry like he said he was going to. Harry had tried calling but there was no answer, tried Draco's e-mail address but got no reply and even tried to have Blaise check on Draco but the dark skinned teenager didn't get into the front door. Lucius had shut the door as soon as Blaise mentioned visiting Draco. Every attempt at connecting had come to a halt.

Harry pounded the dashboard before starting the car and prepared to leave. Sirius wanted him back by midnight. So much for a stake out. As he drove away he saw a light on the east side flicker on, then turn off a second later. His presence had been seen and acknowledged, and Harry had a feeling it was by Draco.

Harry had spent the last three days parked on all sides of Draco's house to try and locate Draco's rooms. This was the farthest he had gotten. A figure opened the door and hurried toward the white car. Harry kept all his car lights off but he was sure that if someone looked hard enough they would see Harry's car.

"Harry Potter?" asked the man. Harry recognized him as Draco's butler and chauffer. He handed Harry a folded piece of paper. "Master Draco wishes for you to read this at your house."

"Thanks," said Harry feel a sense of some relief. Finally, contact from Draco!

"Good luck," said the butler and hurried off. Harry tucked the letter in his pocket and with one last look at Draco's window he drove home.

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Draco closed the curtains of his windows after he watched the white car round the corner and drive out of sight. He had to remember to thank Dobby when he would bring Draco down for breakfast the next morning.

For the last week Draco had to endure the imprisonment of the house arrest his father placed him in. Lucius had spun an elaborate tale of Draco transferring to learn abroad, but by then the whole school had known someone was behind it. Since everything was legalized the school couldn't investigate into it, and Draco was forced to learn by the books Lucius brought home, which were mostly about business. Draco read the books, agreed with his father in political and business matters, and commented on his mother's dress, but he never apologized for his actions.

Draco knew what Lucius was doing, the forceful agreements, the comments on his mother and women, and the tutoring on the family business. Lucius wanted the perfect obedient son. Draco had even heard that Lucius was arranging a marriage for him, but Draco was slowly rebelling. Draco was getting out.

And when Draco saw Harry parked inconspicuously outside his window he knew his chance had come and Draco took it. Lucius had taken away all of his electronic means of communication, but Draco still had pen and paper. He called for Dobby, wrote a quick note to Harry, gave it to Dobby, and then signaled for Harry to wait. Draco watched as Dobby crossed the street, gave Harry the note and left. Draco was glad Harry felt that strongly for him. Harry wasn't going to give up on getting Draco out. With that in mind, Draco knew he'd escape soon.

XXXXXXXX

Harry parked the car in the driveway, got out and walked into the house. The kitchen light was the only light in the house and Sirius was sitting at the table drinking a cup of tea. He looked up as Harry walked in.

"How was the stake out?" asked Sirius. "Still nothing?"

"No," said Harry. "This one was very informative."

Sirius gave Harry a confused look as Harry hurried up the stairs to his room. Closing the door he crossed the room to his bed and sat on the soft mattress. Take the letter from his pocket he smoothed out the crumpled edges. Unfolding the letter he began to read it.

Harry,

I don't know how long I have so I'll be quick. Lucius had found out about us. Whoever did this will be in a serious world of hurt when I get out. He put me under house arrest. I don't have a phone or computer. I do however have Dobby, my butler and chauffer. He's sympathetic to us and is willing to help.

Get me out of here, Harry.

I love you.

D

Harry read the letter again with a smile. Even after all that Lucius could not keep them apart. Draco still loved him, and still able to keep his temper in check even when angry. Even angered Draco was calm and collected, which was another thing Harry loved about Draco.

Carefully folding the note he placed it in the drawer of his nightstand. Harry rested his elbows on his knees, folded his hands and rested his chin on his fists to think. To get into the Malfoy manor he needed to know the houses layout, security codes and have an opportunity. For that he needed someone who would know all about those things. He picked up his phone and dialed.

"Ginny, do you have Zabini's number?"

"How would you know if I have Zabini's number?" asked Ginny.

"I saw you two at the Valentine's Day dance. I'm not that dumb."

Ginny paused on the other end and Harry guessed she was getting over the embarrassment.

"Don't tell Ron," she said. "He's still angry that you and Malfoy are dating. If he found out I'm dating Blaise he'd flip."

"I'm not going to tell him, you are. Just give me his number. I need to talk to him."

"About what?"

Harry grinned in a way that would have made Draco proud if he had been in the room.

"I'm busting Draco out."

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"You want to bust Malfoy out of his house?" asked Hermione in surprise. "That's criminal!"

"And you busting me out of the Dursley's wasn't?" asked Harry. They were seated around his room, Harry at his desk, Ginny and Blaise on his bed, and Hermione on the floor, a pillow under her for her to sit on.

"That's different," she said. "You weren't supposed to be there."

"And Draco can't stay there!" said Harry angrily.

"But we could tell Sirius, get an investigation…"

"Lucius already planned for that," said Blaise. "When the police want to investigate under Agent Black's name Lucius would have already stashed Draco somewhere, clothes and toiletries gone to make it look like he did leave to study abroad."

"He's keeping Malfoy there against his will," said Ginny. "No one, not even Malfoy, deserves that. But Lucius does parental rights. It won't be easy to get him out."

"You'll help me?" asked Harry.

"Of course," said Hermione. "I hate seeing you so depressed and if you don't snap out of it soon, I'll go crazy."

Harry walked up to Hermione and hugged her. Harry remembered when he and Ron first met her; she had a bigger attitude when it came to knowing anything and argued with everything they did. It was only when Ron and Harry stood up for her when a bully was pushing her around that they figured out them made a good team. The bully got expelled and they were friends ever since.

"Careful or I'll have to tell Draco you're cheating on him," said Zabini with a smirk. Harry and Hermione laughed as they drew apart. "Back to business?"

"Right," said Harry sitting down next to Hermione. "What do you got?"

"Draco's house is like fort Knox with furniture," said Zabini. "Alarms security cameras, security guards and attack dogs if you believe it. Thanks to Draco's info we have an inside man. That's a step up from what we had before."

"We'll need someone good with picking locks and computers," said Ginny.

"That's where I come in," said a voice and they turned to see Ron standing in the door way.

"Ron,' said Hermione in surprise.

"Why are you here, Ron," asked Harry carefully.

"I don't like the fact you're dating Malfoy," said Ron walking in. "But I can't stop you."

Harry smiled and shook Ron's held out hand.

"Weird not having you around," said Harry. Ron smiled.

"Better believe it."

"So when do we start?" asked Harry,

"Tomorrow," said Zabini. "But first, Gin and I have someone we need to talk to."

The three other friends looked in confusion as Ginny and Zabini glanced a knowing smile.

XXXXXXXX

Pansy hummed as she finished her hair in the mirror hanging on her locker door and smiled. After much time, patience and bribery she had finally got permission from Lucius to see Draco. Her plan was working better then she thought, granted Draco being under house arrest wasn't part of it, but it was better than him hanging around Harry Potter.

Pansy continued to hum as she closed the locker door and walked down the hall. She was going to visit Draco tomorrow, Lucius and Narcissa had a social gathering to go to, and was still deciding between the blue or the yellow dress.

She felt herself be grabbed and tried to scream for help, but a hand was placed over her mouth to prevent her from making any sound. She was pulled inside a room, heard the door close and was shoved a chair. Into the only thing that kept the chair from tipping was the wall behind her and her head connected to it.

"Ow! What the hell…"

"Stay away from Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter," said a voice in the dark.

"Who are you?" asked Pansy angrily. "What do you want?"

"We told you what we want," said a new voice. "Stay away from Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter."

"Why should I? I haven't done anything to them!"

"Yes, you have," said the first voice. "And you know it. This is the price you paid for it. You are not to speak, write or even look at them. If you do, you'll regret it."

Pansy scoffed. "Oh, what are you going to do?"

The light from a cell phone flashed in her face and she blinked before she looked. What Pansy saw made her face pale. It was a picture of her with Nott, then Montague and Flint, every person she had slept with, even Daphne Greengrass. A slide show of her sex life.

"Where did you get those?!" asked Pansy.

"Really should hide your movies better, or not make them at all. Instead of blackmailing them, we're blacking you."

"And you said the only one for you is Malfoy," said the second voice.

"He wouldn't do anything with me!" she yelled. "We wore together for seven years and he wouldn't do anything!"

"You didn't care anyway," said the second voice. "All you cared about was Malfoy's social standing and money."

Pansy looked down and refused to answer.

"Stay away from Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy," said the first voice in her ear. "Or everyone will know how much of a slut you really are and we will hurt you till your dying day."

Pansy felt herself be grabbed again and shoved out of the door. It closes behind her. Still shaking she ran down the as fast as she could.

Back in the janitors closet Blaise turned the light on and smiled at Ginny.

"What did you say to her?' he asked.

"You don't want to know," she said smiling.

XXXXXXXX

Dobby smiled as he walked into the security room and handed a cup of coffee to the guard station there.

"How's it looking Lars," he asked.

"That white car's back," said Lars picking up the coffee. "I still think I should go out there and scare him off."

"Mr. Malfoy says that he isn't trespassing, he can stay there as long as he isn't hurting nothing," said Dobby. "I'm heading out. Enjoy the coffee."

"Yeah."

Dobby left the room with a smile on his face.

XXXXXXXX

"Are you sure this'll work," asked Ron sitting in the car.

"We got the plan down, Dobby told you when the Malfoy's are gone and the guard will be drugged," said Harry. "All you have to do is switch off the main power and pick the locks."

"What about the backup generator," asked Ron. "Most of these buildings have them."

"Mr. Dobby has disconnected them as well," said Hermione.

"So what are we waiting for?" asked Ron.

Even as Ron said that a curtain opened and a single candle flickered in the window.

"That," said Harry and lifted his walkie-talkie. "All right, Ginny. You and Zabini do your part."

"Wish it was a bigger part," said Ginny. "We'll meet you down the road."

"Just make sure you're seen," said Harry,

"Will do. Go get your man, Harry."

On the other side of the house a pair of headlights turned and Harry's white car drove away, making sure to pass the security cameras. The car drove out sight and Harry prayed the plan would work.

"How long?" asked Ron.

"Not long," said Hermione.

"Not long" turned out to be twenty minutes before a second candle appeared in the window and the trio crossed the street, keeping to the shadows in their dark clothes. After scaling the fence they crossed the yard to the side of the house. There was a small window hidden in the bushes, Harry pushed it and was relieved to find it unlocked.

"Just like Dobby said," he said. All of them climbed into the basement, grateful to the sturdy crates Dobby placed under the window. "All right. Ron, kill the lights."

Ron nodded and went to the main breaker. After picking the lock he switched off all the power, took out his army knife and cut the main power line. Hermione walked up the stairs after their eyes adjusted and checked the area.

"Clear," she said and they hurried up to the kitchen. They hurried past the kitchen into the dining room. Walking past the security office Harry glanced inside and found the guard dead asleep thanks to the sedative Dobby slipped in the coffee.

"Draco's room is on the second floor on the west side," said Harry. "His room is locked with no way out except the way we came."

Ron and Hermione nodded and they hurried up the stairs. They didn't pass any servants. The only people in the house were Dobby, Draco and the sleeping guard.

"Draco?" called Harry at the first door they came to. When there was no reply they moved to the next door. At the third Harry called again. "Draco?"

"Harry!" came a reply. "Harry, you came!"

"Of course I came, you git," said Harry already starting to pick the lock. "Or did you think I would leave you here to rot?"

"Haven't lost your charm have you?" Harry smiled when he heard the amusement in Draco's voice. "How did you get in here?"

"Save that for later." Harry's smile grew when he heard a soft click. "Gotcha." And he threw open the door and was wrapped in Draco's arms the next second. Harry returned the hug.

"Oh God, Harry, I thought I'd never see you again," said Draco in Harry's ear. "But I never gave up."

"Neither did I," said Harry and he kissed Draco. Draco returned the kissed with a laugh.

"Come on, guys, we need to go and I'm about to lose my supper watching you," said Ron, Harry and Draco pulled back, both grinning.

"Right," said Harry and turned to Draco. "Get packing, one bag only. We only have a few minutes."

Draco nodded and went back in his room to pack. Harry and the others helped. They packed one bag of clothes and grabbed his school bag before heading out. They had just passed Lucius' study when Draco ran inside.

"Draco, what are you doing?" called Harry.

"Getting my stuff back," said Draco. He went to a drawer, tugged it and growled when he found it locked. Harry walked up, took out a dented paper clip and effortlessly picked the lock. Inside was a mobile phone and a laptop. Draco grabbed them, put the phone in his pocket and stuffed the laptop in his schoolbag.

"Let's go," he said and they left. A few minutes later they were out of the manor and heading down the road to Harry's parked car next to a dark one. The door flew opened and Blaise and Ginny got out.

"Blaise?" said Draco in surprise. "Weaselette?"

"Glad to see you out of there, buddy," said Blaise. "We've got a lot of catching up to do."

"But right now we have to move," said Harry. "We aren't out of the woods yet."

Blaise, Ginny, Ron and Hermione nodded and Blaise went to his black car while Ginny, Ron and Hermione went to Ol'Red. Harry saw Ginny and Blaise give each other one last Glance before leaving. Harry turned to open the door but a hand on his stopped him. He looked up to see Draco watching him with a faraway look.

"You didn't have to," said Draco. "You could have left me there."

"You got me away from my relatives. You didn't have to then, and besides I wanted to."

"Why?"

Harry softly smiled at him, reached up and covered Draco's cheek.

"Because I love you."

Draco smiled, leaned forward and kissed Harry. Harry returned it. This time they didn't let anything stop them. They held each other close and Draco backed Harry against the car. Harry moaned from the force and the heat coming from in him. He could feel himself getting very aroused by Draco's kiss.

"Draco," said Harry softly, trying to catch his breathe. "Draco, we have to go before you're found gone."

Draco nodded with a reluctant sigh, "All right, let's go home."

Harry smiled and got in the car. Draco got in the passenger side and they drove away.

XXXXXXXX

Dobby smiled as he watched the four shadows creep out of the manor grounds and disappear. He had no doubt in his mind that this would be the last time he saw those four, and he couldn't be happier.

Walking into Lucius' study he reached into his jacket pocket, took out a piece of paper and placed it on the desk. He didn't need to look at it to know what it read as he walked out of the room, down the hall and out of the manor not looking back

Drive your own damn car!

signed Donald

TBC