Hello, readers!

Hope you enjoy this next chapter!

The trouble with planning your own destruction, Draco thought to himself, is that it really sucks out a lot of motivation to do it well. He tapped his quill against his Transfiguration homework absently.

It had been two days since he had spoken to Charlie and two days since Cedric had made his mysterious request. Draco's bruises were mostly healed, with the aid of Pomfrey's potions and salves, and that morning he had been released from the hospital wing.

Yesterday, he had called up his 'advisory council' (for lack of a better name) and had discussed his plans in vague details. Not enough for it to be dangerous, but enough so they at least knew the general direction this was going. Pansy had agreed to be his eyes and ears so they would know what was going on at all times. Viktor was in the Tournament, and therefore his job was to pay attention to the participants and those involved in the Tasks. Snape, meanwhile, had become quite concerned about Draco. Not only was Draco's health in poor condition, but he almost seemed to sense Draco had a plan that would end up with the Malfoy boy damaged in some way again.

With a sigh, Draco dropped his quill and rubbed his temples, wishing his headache would go away. Giving up on the homework for now, he tossed it back in his trunk and locked everything up.

Severus was certainly determined to stick to Draco like glue in order to protect him, and while Draco found the trait somewhat endearing and…nice, it was also dangerous. He now knew he could trust Snape, but Draco had been keeping secrets all his life and habits were hard to break.

Worst of all, he knew Severus would try and stop him. In fact, any of his friends would likely try to stop him if they knew his crazy plan, but it was a crazy plan that had a high chance of success. Rubbing his eyes, which were slightly bloodshot, Draco leaned back on his bed exhaustedly.

His dreams had made for a restless night, and his body was feeling the lack of sleep. Every time he woke up lately he had the sense he was forgetting something important; something was lurking in his dreams every night but disappeared by morning. It was unsettling, and was also driving Draco half-mad.

He glanced around and saw Blaise was hanging around in the dormitory as well. Draco knew he had to do something to get his mind off the uneasy feeling. Sauntering over to Blaise, he remarked, "Do you have a few minutes, Blaise? I need to go find Charlie and set up a meeting. I don't like to bother you but considering recent events I suppose it is best I don't wander about alone."

Blaise shoved his homework away with a grin. "I was just looking for an excuse to procrastinate. Let's go! Any idea where Dragon Boy is?"

"I can't help but find that name highly amusing, considering Charlie is significantly older than both of us." Stepping from the dorm, Blaise at his heels, Draco continued, "Lately he has been hanging around the Weasley horde, so I suppose we will (sadly) have to check there first."

Blaise's brow furrowed. "Wouldn't that be rather foolish? A Malfoy, looking for a Weasley in public?"

Draco sighed tiredly, rubbing his forehead. "In a day or two it won't matter, anyway. This will start rumors, but confirm nothing. It won't be any trouble."

Blaise's eyes widened. "Wait, does that mean…you are going public with your loyalties? Draco, that's insane! We don't have enough support, not to mention your father will blow his top!" In a lower, more serious tone that belayed his concern, Blaise added, "You know this is likely to result in disownment, Draco."

Draco kept up a brisk pace, not meeting Blaise's eyes. "I'm aware, but this is the only option that has a good chance of working. My father can't do too much while I am at Hogwarts, so it is better that it happens now than accidentally when I am in the Manor."

"Can't do much, he says." Blaise mocked. "Draco, don't you remember what happened the summer you got your Hogwarts letter? Your father certainly can get to you here; after all he was able to—"

"Blaise!" Draco barked sharply, lips pressed together tensely. His face was white. "Enough. This is something I have to do, there is no other option." They had stopped, and Draco turned to face the boy who had been his friend for as long as he could remember. "I'm sorry, Blaise. I'm sorry you have to watch this again, after I promised that you wouldn't. I've never been all that great at keeping my promises." His voice trembled.

Blaise's face was concerned and angry at the same time. "Draco…" he breathed, looking miserable. "Please, you can't do this to yourself. Let's talk about this, everyone together. We can find another way!" The Italian boy took in Draco's pale and exhausted face and privately thought that Draco looked older than he had yesterday, and infinitely more haggard. Blaise stepped closer to Draco and grabbed his sleeves gently, tugging them in entreaty. His voice dropped, and he spoke very lowly and quietly, "Henry wouldn't want this."

Draco froze, his heart seizing in his chest. Stone-colored eyes went wide for a split second with a hurricane of emotions before Draco rapidly attempted to recover his composure but was largely unsuccessful. The blonde Malfoy heir shook his head firmly, as if trying to shake the thoughts from his head. "I'm sorry, Blaise. I'm so sorry." The other boy's hands dug into his arms, but Draco didn't wince or complain, just simply met Blaise's eyes steadily, ignoring the green clouds from Blaise's Voice drifting through the air. He felt like crying, but it was impossible for him. His hands were shaking uncontrollably, and he felt sick to his stomach, as if he had just gone on a roller coaster ride. After a moment than felt like years, he looked away from Blaise, no longer able to meet his eyes. His stomach churned with self-disgust.

"Damn you for always playing the martyr, Draco Malfoy!" Blaise hissed quietly.

"He's my father, Blaise. What else am I supposed to do?" Draco's voice resembled like a sob, but without tears it was an ugly sound.

With a heavy sigh, Blaise pulled Draco into a comforting hug, careful not to touch his skin. "I know, and I'm sorry. I just wish things weren't this way! I wish I didn't have to watch you do this again and be helpless to stop you. It nearly destroyed you last time." He firmed his tone and stepped back, looking Draco directly in the eyes with a stern glare. "You better not try to hide this from your friends, Draco. I won't allow it. Let us help you this time, otherwise, I don't know if I can do this once all over again. If I can't stop you, at least let me help you through the aftermath."

With a shuddering sigh, Draco nodded. "Okay." He whispered. "Now let's find Charlie, before I am too distraught to talk." He turned and began to walk, without giving Blaise a chance to respond.

It had been years since he had heard that name, and to hear Blaise say it so suddenly had stunned him and cut him to the core. In order to suppress the emotions and memories the name invoked, Draco focused on the task at hand, walking more quickly towards the Gryffindor Tower. He hoped someone was feeling reasonable today and would fetch Charlie for him.

Blaise watched his friend closely, unsure if bringing up Henry was the right move. Storm clouds danced in Draco's eyes, shades of grey varying in hue. Draco's eyes became like this when he thought of conflicting parts of his life and struggled with which side to choose. Blaise was seeing this side of his friend more and more frequently as of late. It seemed to him like the world was determined to crush Draco beneath a hefty weight of fear, stress, and grief. The signs of it were showing themselves on his face, and Blaise couldn't remember the last time Draco had looked so unhealthy.

As they neared the Tower, Blaise stepped forward, blocking Draco from the Fat Lady's portrait. "Just be cautious for now and let me ask for him. My mother won't care who I associate with. Put on a notice-me-not charm."

Draco, feeling guilty, did as Blaise suggested and stepped back meekly. "Okay." He agreed, voice a little hoarse.

Blaise walked up to the Fat Lady's portrait and smiled brightly. "Good day, madam. I would like to speak with Charlie Weasley if he is inside." Some people knocked on portraits, but most Slytherins found it easier to flatter the portraits than anger them. Certainly it was much faster.

The Fat Lady, pleased at Blaise's good manners, opened and allowed Blaise to step just inside. He did so, while Draco waited in the hallway.

Neville Longbottom was the first person he caught sight of. "Hello, Longbottom. Is Charlie Weasley here? I would like to speak with him."

Neville eyed him suspiciously. "What about?" he questioned.

"Dragon Taming. I am quite interested in the field." Blaise lied smoothly.

Neville looked at Blaise, and seemingly decided that he wasn't fibbing. Perhaps he thought the somewhat showy profession suited Blaise. "I will go find him. Wait here." Two or three of Neville's companions, whose names Blaise didn't know, watched him as if he were planning to set fire to the room.

Rolling his eyes, Blaise plopped into a nearby sofa and waited. It was good that Draco hadn't come inside, as he would have most likely been hexed or screamed at. And, considering the blonde heir's current shaky state, that would not go over well.

Several moments later Charlie emerged from the dormitories, blinking in surprised curiosity when he spotted Blaise. "Thanks, Neville. I will go chat with him outside, wouldn't want to disturb you all." Blaise rose and followed the redhead out, feeling a bit awkward. This was the first time he had ever really interacted with the older Dragon Tamer.

As soon as the portrait closed behind them, Draco dispelled the concealing charm and stepped towards them. "Well?"

Charlie jumped, startled by Draco's sudden appearance. "You are far too good at those charms, Draco! You nearly scared the life out of me." He muttered something under his breath, which Draco couldn't hear but Blaise caught, "Just like your namesake, Merlin's beard!" Blaise smirked.

With a helpless shrug (he hadn't intended to frighten Charlie, after all…) Draco spoke. "I came here to schedule the interview, with the Prophet. When is a good time?"

Blinking in shock, Charlie took a while to catch up. "Whoa, wait? This soon? Are you sure about this, Draco? It's very dangerous for you, right?"

Blaise snorted. "Don't you think I already tried to tell him that? I did everything short of threatening him, his mind is made up. Stubborn bastard." Blaise kicked at the floor in frustration.

Charlie's eyes softened. "I'm sorry, of course you did. I guess we haven't officially met, Blaise. I'm Charlie Weasley. It's a pleasure." He held out his large hand which was covered in calluses and scars.

Blaise shook it firmly. "Blaise Zabini. Charmed. Now let's get back to this idiot."

Draco sighed. Blaise was like him in that the Italian boy behaved differently around people he was close to than he did with strangers. He was coming off a bit hostile since he was uncomfortable with Charlie. "So? Is tomorrow okay?" he prompted Charlie, trying to get back on topic.

Charlie pondered it for a few moments. "That should be oaky, I didn't make any plans that can't be rearranged. In the afternoon, perhaps? After the Second Task ends."

Draco nodded once. "It definitely won't be Rita Skeeter, but some other reporter. I'm afraid after that we will have to be seen together a few times, to authenticate the story. It might be dangerous." He met Charlie's eyes steadily, and the redhead nodded back.

Blaise chuckled, but the sound was mocking and not amused. "Might? There is no doubt about it. It will be dangerous." He kept his eyes on Draco, making sure that he wouldn't falter. He could still see the shadows of their last conversation lurking in Draco's eyes.

Charlie seemed to have noticed something was amiss, too. "Draco, is everything okay? It seems as if every time I see you, you look a little less healthy. Have you been eating and drinking enough? You did just get out of the hospital wing."

Draco waved off his concerns, not really acknowledging them. "I will do what I need to. Things will be better when all of this is over."

Blaise snorted in disbelief. "I highly doubt that!" he muttered too low for Charlie to hear. Draco shot him a look, and he sighed. "I will take care of him, you just do your part, Weasley." Taking a step back, he told Charlie, "Bring him safely back to the Slytherins when you two finish making plans, and don't you dare let him go alone." Turning to Draco with narrowed eyes, he added, "As soon as you finish, come straight back. I need to discuss something else with you." Spinning on his heel, he strode powerfully away, robes billowing behind him like Snape.

Charlie shook his head amusedly. "Do all Slytherins know how to do that?" He asked, somewhat rhetorically. Focusing his gaze on Draco, he continued, "He doesn't seem to like me much."

Draco sighed. "Blaise takes time to warm up to new people, even more so than me. He hardly knows anything about you to dislike; he is just being cautious so he doesn't rely on you and get flaked on." His eyes focused on something intangible, the grey color hazy and thoughtful. "He has burned too many times not to be careful. Most of us have."

Pressing his lips together, Charlie sighed. "Sometimes, I wish I could take a peek into a Pureblooded heir's childhood. Then I remember the things you've told me, and I realize how privileged I was, even if my parents didn't have much money."

Draco flinched a little, unable to deny the Dragon Tamer's words but still finding them painful. "Yes, well, it is what it is." His voice came out terse, so he changed the subject. "We need to discuss interview topics, and what things to avoid answering."

Charlie nodded. "You're right, but let's go to a safer place to talk first. Put that Notice-Me-Not charm back on; no use inviting trouble before we have to."

A bit annoyed at being ordered about, Draco did as Charlie asked but gave him a mutinous look first. He began speaking softly, just loud enough for Charlie to hear. "You know, while I was in the infirmary I did some research on dark magic. One of the books you gave me had quite the insight on the origin of magic. Did you know that all magic was once what we now considered dark magic? Over time, wizards learned to control the chaotic forces of we now call dark magic and named it light magic, or domesticated magic. That is what most of our spell-work focuses on now. In those days, dark magic was not called by that name, but was called wild magic. Wild magic energy took a lot of skill and years of study to manipulate or touch at all, let alone control."

Draco paused, collecting his thoughts. "The reason there are less wizards and witches being born now is because the domesticated magic supply is running out. Since wizards are no longer legally able to manipulate and change wild magic to domestic magic, we are losing magical power rapidly. Even more, few wizards even have the talent and skill in magic to change one form to the other. If we don't change this rapidly, there will be little chance to save our society until another great wizard like Merlin comes along and learns magic intuitively."

Charlie took all of this in, wide-eyed. "That seems to be scarily accurate with what is going on, actually. But what about Harry, Dumbledore, and Voldemort? They are or were very powerful wizards. Could they have changed wild magic into domestic magic?"

Draco shrugged. "I am not sure. Voldemort certainly seemed to have no interest in it before his fall. I would say he was more concerned with the power of chaos magic than using any light magic at all. Dumbledore is of the opinion that wild magic is evil and can only be used to harm people, and from his actions he is completely oblivious to the problem of magical extinction. His influence over Harry has caused the same ignorance." He cleared his throat, still feeling his voice was a little hoarse. "I also had a lot of time to think, and an important question occurred to me concerning my father."

Charlie immediately stopped walking and turned to face Draco, sensing instinctively that this was important. "What is it?"

Draco tapped his fingers against his forearms absently. "It was always strange to me that my father joined Voldemort's faction. Malfoy philosophy for hundreds of years has always been to look out for the best interests of the family first and foremost. However, Father seemed completely devoted to Voldemort, even to the point of endangering our family. I never thought to question why until now. My father isn't an idiot. He is ruthless and cunning, but above everything else he doesn't do something risky if there isn't a reward in it for him. That doesn't seem to have happened yet, so it would make sense for him to turn away from Voldemort. Yet, his ideals are still in line with Voldemort's." He looked up, calculating grey gaze meeting Charlie's interested blue gaze. "The only reason he would continue along this line is if there is something Voldemort has that he wants. This is something that is dangerous to him if left alone, because otherwise he would have given up already. Something so huge that the risk of being soul-sucked by a Dementor pales in comparison."

Charlie's eyebrows had shot up as he considered Draco's words. "I think you're right. Lucius always struck me as a businessman, not a criminal." He quirked a smile at Draco. "I always had buried a bit of admiration for him. He isn't evil, but he is solely focused on power. There is a certain air of class about him, whether people acknowledge it or not."

Draco's eyes shone in thanks at the kindness, but he didn't acknowledge it with words. "I am glad you agree. It is important that we find out what this is, because if it is dangerous to my father it might be even more dangerous to me." He began to walk forward, and Charlie trailed after him. Both of them were deep in thought.

Draco tried to keep his mind off of the conversation he had previously with Blaise, but it was really difficult. His composure held in front of Charlie, but someone who knew him better could see clearly that he was spooked. His arms were clutched tightly to his abdomen as he walked and tension marred his brow. Grey eyes darted about uneasily, and there was a palpable air of distance about him as he attempted to rebury something he had suppressed four years ago.

Charlie was not completely oblivious, and he could tell something was wrong. However, Draco had avoided his questions so he stayed silent, observing instead of confronting. He believed Blaise when the Italian boy had remarked that he would take care of Draco if Charlie took care of business. The two Slytherins were practically brothers, and alike in many ways that Charlie would never understand, particularly their lack of trust for others.

They reached the Room of Requirement and stepped inside after pacing the corridor a few times. Charlie looked around in surprise at the room, unsure if it reflected Draco's mental state or not.

The room was almost entirely grey other than the two black leather couches in the center. Misty fog swirled around, shadowing the sides of the room and crowning the corners in darkness. It was a bit eerie and the sounds of whispers reached Charlie's ears as the mist moved.

Draco moved to the center of the room, and glanced over his shoulder to see Charlie hesitating in the doorway. "I discovered this early in the morning today. I called it the Room of Whispered Secrets." At Charlie's frown, he continued, "I am sure that all of the Rooms are created by wild magic. Domestic magic doesn't have the power to change reality like this, even in a limited space. This Room isn't any more dangerous than other Rooms."

Charlie finally stepped inside. "Why did you name the room as such? It does sound like whispers, but why secrets?"

Draco glided into his space, eyes solemn. "I came here to clear up my thoughts about everything. My mind has been in turmoil ever since my first Vision, and I can't seem to get things back under control. When I sat in this room, I could feel the magic getting close to me, and tugging out new thoughts. It was as if secrets were whispered in my ears, and my Sight became clearer."

Charlie moved back and dropped into one of the couches. "It sounds dangerous. What if you can't control it?"

Draco's eyes seemed like they had a spark of fire burning in them. He tilted his head thoughtfully. "Does it matter if I can?"

In that moment it was as if Charlie's reality was turned on its head. He was lost for words, staring at Draco. The room was clouded around them, and the dark colors seemed suddenly more pronounced. Draco's question pounded in his head, and he had a sudden epiphany that magic as he knew it was but a taste, a small drop of the deep and rich chaos around them. He saw that this issue was much bigger than he had previously been able to comprehend.

He also saw, even if he didn't know it at the time, the first hint of madness in Draco's eyes.

Hours later, when Draco returned to the Common Room and was dropped off by Charlie, Blaise was waiting. He immediately swooped in on Draco like a mother hen. "You haven't eaten today. I sent a house elf to get food as soon as I heard you outside. Sit down."

Draco tried to protest. "Blaise, I need to finish my homework. You know how behind I am."

The taller Italian boy snorted. "Nice try, but I already finished it. It's in your handwriting too, so stop worrying. I am a Slytherin, we are the best at these kind of things. Now, sit."

With a great sigh, Draco did. As soon as he sat, he realized how much more tired he was than he had been that morning. Blaise saw it too, and he scowled. "Drake, you're a damn idiot." Glancing around, he grabbed a nearby backless chair and pushed Draco onto it, sitting behind him. "Stay still." He ordered, beginning to massage the blonde's neck and shoulders. Draco winced as the knots of tension were slowly and painfully unwound. He sagged against Blaise's expert hands, pliant and exhausted. At once he was infinitely grateful for Blaise's unwavering support.

Blaise continued forcing the tension from Draco's body, the two comfortable in the silence for many long minutes.

A while later, Draco broke the silence. "I couldn't do this without you, Blaise. I hope you know that."

Blaise scoffed. "Sentimentality from Draco Malfoy? I never thought I'd see the day." He waited a moment, and then added quietly, "You may be a pain, but I know you will always have my back. You know better than anyone else what it feels like to betrayed, so I know you wouldn't." He squeezed Draco's clothed shoulder warmly. "I know you better than anyone else, so don't shut me out of anything. Otherwise, your body might fall apart. No one else seems to be capable of forcing you to take care of yourself." He stood up and walked a few paces to fetch the food a house elf had brought in ten minutes or so ago, motioning Draco to sit back on the couch.

Grateful, Draco sprawled across the leather, more relaxed than he had felt in ages. After Blaise plopped the tray on his lap and he had some food in him, he felt incredibly sleepy.

Blaise met his eyes. "I still need to talk to you, but you need to sleep first before your body shuts down. Take some Dreamless Sleep and don't open your eyes until tomorrow afternoon. I will wake you in time to make the Second Task. Classes after lunch are cancelled, and you aren't expected back in class for another day or two anyways, so rest while you can."

Draco didn't protest, but inwardly he knew that he would never be able to take Dreamless Sleep again for fear of missing an important vision that could mean someone's death. The rest he would do, though. Blaise was right, he had to take better care of himself if he expected to survive the next few weeks. However, taking care of himself had never been something that he was good at, so Blaise's help was reassuring.

Rising, Draco moved into the dormitories and dropped onto his bed, sinking into a deep sleep almost immediately.

Blaise moved into the room, settling into his own bed with his Potions book and keeping an eye on Draco as he slept.

….

Draco did sleep in the next morning, but not as long as Blaise had advised. He woke up around ten in the morning, considerably more sleep hours than he had gotten the last few days. Theo was the only one in the room, and he smiled at Draco as the younger blonde woke up.

With a chuckle, he told Draco, "Your bedhead is pretty crazy right now. Get ready and then we will go down to the kitchens and get some food. Blaise's orders; you made him pretty crazy last night you know. That was the most worked up I've seen him in…well." He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Four years."

Draco's face sobered, and he closed his eyes briefly. "I will be back when I am ready to go." He quickly disappeared into the showers, pointedly ignoring Theo's last sentence. Around twenty minutes later he emerged and dressed soberly but stylishly in robes of grey.

Theo was waiting, and they left the dormitory together. Trying to lighten the mood, Theo remarked, "You know, this 'always have someone with Draco' thing is turning out pretty well for most of us. It gives us a legitimate excuse to skip class without feeling lazy."

Draco managed a smile. "Not that you need an excuse to skip class. Or that skipping class in any way changes your grades." Theo had always been one of the smartest boys in Slytherin. His grades were better than Draco's in most subjects.

They chatted idly throughout the walk to the kitchens about light subjects such as school work and gossiped a bit about the other Houses and students. When they finally reached the kitchen, Theo grinned. "Apparently the twins passed along this tidbit: tickle the pear." He did just that and the way to the kitchens opened." Both smirking a little bit at the absurdity, they entered the kitchens and a house elf popped up right away. "Masters! How is Flutzy be helping you?"

Theo rolled his eyes at Draco. "Flutzy, please bring Master Draco some breakfast. He was ill, so he missed breakfast in the Great Hall."

Flutzy eyed Draco suspiciously. "I is getting breakfast, just one moment, sirs." The creature disappeared.

Theo looked around with a whistle. "Big place in here, I have never been inside. I guess it takes a lot to feed so many students." Draco agreed absently. It took a few more minutes before Flutzy popped back up with their food, which Draco took gratefully and slowly consumed. As they were leaving the kitchens to return to the dormitory, they met with an unexpected sight.

"Mr. Malfoy, you were not in class today. Due to your illness, I suppose? Mr. Nott, I see you have decided to skip your classes today as well." A severe frown marred Professor McGonagall's face. "Your choices are your own business, and I know you maintain high grades. However, Mr. Malfoy, I would like to see you in my office for some time. Follow me."

When Theo started to follow as well, McGonagall addressed him, "Theodore, I know that you have House rules to follow, but I can assure you that Mr. Malfoy will be quite safe with me. Please return to your classes. Otherwise I might find reason to discuss this incident with Professor Snape." Theo looked reluctant to obey, but Draco waved him off. There was nothing to be done, they couldn't disobey a professor and get away unscathed. Although McGonagall was in Dumbledore's faction and biased toward her own House, she was also fair to the other Houses.

With a glare, Theo backed away, keeping his eyes on Draco. Only when the Seer indicated again that he should go did Theo finally turn and leave.

Politely, Draco met Professor McGonagall's eyes. "Why exactly did you want to speak to me, Professor? Did I do something wrong?"

The Gryffindor Head of House shook her head. "No, Mr. Malfoy. We will discuss this in my office. Come." She took off at a brisk pace, and Draco had no choice but to follow.

Upon reaching her office, she opened the door with a password muttered too low for Draco to hear. After the door opened, she beckoned him inside. "Come inside and take a seat, Mr. Malfoy. We have much to discuss."

Suspiciously, Draco did as she bid, unsure what was going on. He waited for her to speak first.

"As you know, the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament occurs today. I need your assistance on something concerning the Task." McGonagall began.

Abruptly and with sudden rushing clarity, Draco realized what was going on and stood rapidly, terrified of what he had realized too late to stop. "Professor, I must be going. Can we talk later today?"

"You will be a hostage during the Second Task. I'm sorry, Draco, but I was asked to do this." Before Draco could protest, she levelled her wand at him and placed him in a deep, enchanted sleep, careful to catch him before he hit the ground and lower him down gently. She pulled back his robes and placed them gently over a chair, where three other sets were resting. Moving into the side room, she opened the door and levitated out three other girls that were to be used as hostages for the Task.

She noticed something surprising then as she was about to cast a Feather-Light charm and levitate Draco's sleeping body into the air: there was a fairly large gash on his forearm that had been bleeding. She supposed it had been covered by the robes before. After the Task she would have to make sure that was taken care of, but in the enchanted sleep it couldn't bleed more, so it would be okay for now.

Bustling away with the four hostages, McGonagall quickly walked outside before the students got out of the next class to prepare for the Task.

…..

By lunch, Theo was frantic enough to send an urgent message to Charlie through Fred and George, who he pretended to harass in the hallway after a class. Draco was not in the dorm, was not eating lunch, and was not in any of the safe places they had discussed after Harry had attacked him.

When Pansy and Blaise asked him about Draco, he had told them the truth: McGonagall had asked to see him in her office, and he had been forced to go back to class.

Because Blaise and Charlie had been seen having contact before, when Charlie made it to the Great Hall for lunch, he walked over to the Slytherin table and greeted Blaise, discreetly passing him a note. He smiled at the worried Slytherins, trying to reassure them. At his expression, they relaxed minutely. Blaise glanced at the note under the table. It read, Draco is fine. You will see him at the Second Task. Professor McGonagall asked him to help with something. Hermione Granger and a few others are helping also.

He passed it along to Pansy, Greg, and Theo after he read it, taking in a deep sigh of relief. "God, Drake is going to make my heart give out one of these days. Why didn't he send along a note or something?"

Greg was frowning, reading and re-reading the message. "I am not sure he was able to, Blaise. I wouldn't relax just yet. The note says he is fine now, but it doesn't say that he isn't in danger. And why did he mention Granger? Something isn't adding up here, I think Charlie is trying to tell us something. If we didn't need to worry, he would have said so. Or at least said something like, 'I'll watch him and make sure he's okay,' but Charlie didn't say that. Something is fishy."

Pansy agreed with him. "You're right, Greg. This must have something to do with the Second Task, which is why he can't tell us everything. We should be ready for anything, because Draco didn't say anything about what is happening during the Second Task at all. I don't think we could get a message to Viktor in time for the information he sends back to be useful." Casting a quick Tempus charm, Pansy grimaced. "The Task starts in twenty minutes. I guess we will find out soon, one way or another, where Draco is. We better head out."

The four Slytherins trekked outside together, anxious for the task to begin. They were joined, surprisingly, by Luna Lovegood, who skipped over as she saw them leaving. "Hello." She greeted them cheerily. "I see that your Dragon has been kidnapped. You might want to ask the merpeople about that, they always seem to have issues with Dragons. Fire and water, you know." She winked at Theo knowingly.

The four Slytherins blinked back at her, unsure what to say. While they knew that Draco liked Luna, they had never really interacted with her before.

Pansy recovered quickly. "Since he was with Professor McGonagall, I am sure he will be okay. If something goes wrong, though, we will do that. Charlie told us he is helping with the Second Task."

Luna frowned. "Not helping, but kidnapped. It's all the Merpeople!" Then she shrugged. "But I guess the Nargles have foiled me again." She skipped away, but her face didn't seem happy somehow.

Blaise frowned also. "Do you think she was trying to warn us about something?"

Greg sighed. "She babbles stuff like this all the time. I am not too sure that I would put much stock into it." He rubbed his forehead tiredly, then laughed self-deprecatingly. "Even though I said that, I am more worried now than I was before."

Pansy chewed her lower lip nervously as they came upon several docks were boats were being taken out filled with students. They all climbed into a boat and went out onto the water. In the distance, Pansy could see several tall structures with platforms and railings where spectators could watch. As they drew nearer, she looked for Draco's white-blonde hair but he wasn't there.

"Granger's not here either." Blaise whispered beside her, eyes narrowed. They all waited with bated breath until the Task began, but there was still no sign of Draco.

A voice began to speak through the loudspeakers amidst the crowd's cheering: "Welcome to the Second Task! Last night, something was stolen from each of our Champions, a treasure of sorts. These four treasures, one for each Champion, now lie on the bottom of the bay. In order to win, each Champion need only find their treasure and return to the surface. Simple enough, except for this: they will have only one hour to do so, and one hour only. After that, they'll be on their own. No magic will save them. You may begin at the sound of the cannon."

While the loudspeaker was going, Greg leaned in to speak to Theo, "The treasures must be important people to the Champions, it all makes sense! Cho Chang isn't here either, so that has to be it. I guess because Viktor only hung out with Draco and Pansy…"

Theo's brow creased in worry. "But Draco would never have agreed to this…" he remarked.

Goyle scowled deeply. "Maybe they didn't ask."

The sound of a cannon interrupted their conversation. The next hour was long and tortuous for the Slytherins as they waited for something, anything, to happen.

With Viktor –

After the cannon went off, Viktor dived gracefully into the water, swimming as quickly as possible. His head was Transfigured into that of a shark, allowing him to breath underwater. He shot of stinging hexes to anything that bothered to approach him, heading directly for the target, determined to finish first. Cedric was in front of him, a stronger swimmer. Fleur was at his heels, and he had no idea where Potter was. Taking his time, Viktor supposed.

Three of the Champions rounded the corner and stopped, surprised at what they saw. Four young people floated in the middle of the water, surrounded by merpeople. Potter was already there, floating next to Hermione Granger and starting at what the other three Champions were: a cloud of red, coloring the water and making it hard to see.

Swimming closer, Viktor would have gasped if he was able. The source of the red was Draco Malfoy, his arm bleeding profusely. Swearing vehemently in his head, Viktor threw hexes out and swooped in to grasp Draco gently, unbinding him and inspecting the wound. It looked awful; a gory mess of flesh, as if bitten by a huge beast. Viktor was not at all good at healing spells, but he did know a spell to Petrify a wound that was sometimes used in emergencies. He tried it, and to his shock, it didn't work. Swearing even more colorfully, he began to swim with all his might back to the dock they dove off from, speeding past Cedric, who was in the lead. Sea creatures swarmed him, attracted by the smell of blood, but he fended them off ferociously.

Moments later, he broke up to the surface and Draco woke, blinking in confusion and grabbing at his arm to stop the blood flow. Viktor smirked slightly when a colorful curse left the blonde Malfoy's mouth, involving Professor McGonagall.

"Your arm is a mess; you need to get that taken care of as soon as possible or you will bleed out." Viktor warned him, shaking his head. "Just tell them you had a scratch and then a sea creature bit you. Try and hide it from the judges, though."

Draco hissed, blood escaping through his fingers. "Not an easy request at the moment, but I will try my best. Pansy looks absolutely white, please go tell her I'm not dying when you have the chance. And keep Potter away from me, if he looks at me with concern one more time I will send a vomiting hex his way. Hypocrite."

Viktor chuckled, relieved at the attitude but very worried by all the blood. "I will do my best." They climbed on to the dock just as Cedric broke the surface with Cho. "Now go get this looked at, now. Otherwise you might lose this arm." His taut voice belayed his concern. "Go while they are distracted with the other Champions arriving." Viktor looked up and met Blaise's eyes, waving him down.

The Italian boy was there in moments. "What the hell! Why is he bleeding, Krum? Shit, this looks serious!"

Draco was pale, and nearly wobbling where he stood. "We can discuss whose fault this is later, kids. Let's go before I fall over, throw up, or do a combination of the two, okay?"

Blaise immediately shut up and eased Draco into a position where he was leaning on him for support. "Right, let's go."

Viktor disappeared to go make sure Pansy didn't faint.

There was a medical tent set up in case of injuries, but so far it was empty. A healer stood up as Blaise and Draco entered, with a rather insipid exclamation of, "Oh my!"

Blaise eased Draco down onto a bed and stepped back, letting the healers take over. He hovered nearby just to make sure Draco was being taken good care of, wisely deciding to get the story when Draco was out of danger and in reliable company.

Thirty minutes later, Draco's arm was wrapped up and the bleeding had stopped. Several blood-replenishing potions had been shoved down Draco's throat, as well as restorative draughts to give him back his strength. One of the Healers suggested a sleeping potion, but Draco immediately shot that down, "I am allergic to the ingredients in sleeping potions, and have negative reaction to forced sleep. That's what started all this!" he barked at the healers.

After that, affronted and cowed, they left. Blaise neared Draco's bed. "You scared the shit out of me, Draco. What happened? How did your arm end up like that?"

Draco bared his teeth in annoyance. "McGonagall cornered me in her office and put me into an enchanted sleep. She must have cut my arm somehow, because Viktor told me it was bleeding when he found me. It should have stopped with the enchanted sleep, but it didn't. Which is why I didn't want to chance a sleeping potion." He hated to lie to Blaise, but he wasn't ready to let slip the dangerous secret of his dreams yet. In reality he had a vision that he would rather not relive for the time being in which his arm had been viciously mauled. "Because my arm was bleeding, a lot of sea creatures were out for blood. There were so many that one grabbed my arm before Viktor could chase it off. Or so he said." He muttered a few choices words about McGonagall under his breath.

"I can't believe that the Professors would condone this without asking for your consent. Didn't they realize your father would throw up a fuss about this?" Blaise sighed. "Or at least, he would have, if you weren't about to get disowned. Terrible timing, they deserve to get thrown under for this."

Draco sighed. "I know. Help me up, please? I need to find Charlie; our interview is soon." Blaise did so, and Draco was happy to realize that he was strong enough to stand, although his arm still felt like it was on fire. Bandages covered his whole forearm, obscuring the wound from sight. "It's freezing here, where are my robes? I need my wand." His clothes were still wet from the water, Blaise realized. He quickly cast a drying charm on Draco's clothes. "We need to get you back to the dorms and into some fresh clothes, first. We can find Charlie afterwards—" he abruptly cut off what he was saying as someone entered the tent. Cedric, Fleur, and Harry Potter poked their heads into the tent. Draco could see Viktor hovering helplessly behind them, and he sighed deeply. "I'm fine. Now get out." Not in the mood, he swept past them. Blaise leaned in to whisper to Viktor, "Go find Charlie and tell him to come get Draco, okay? And find Draco's robes and wand, also. McGonagall probably has them."

He followed Draco, who was gliding away from the four Champions at a rapid pace, too short-tempered to face the questioning at the moment. Draco was pissed off that he had been thrown into this competition without any intention on his part to participate, and even more so that he had been stuck in such a terrible vision with no escape, enchanted into sleep and being unable to wake up. It was an experience he would never again repeat. He would have to make it very clearly known that under no circumstances was he to be given a potion or enchanted into sleep ever again.

After they made it back to the dormitories, Draco quickly stripped off his salt-crusted clothes and pulled on some clothes that made him look more intimidating than usual, clothes he reserved for times when he would be seen by the press. Blaise had teasingly called them his "sexy Pureblood snob" clothes in the past, and he smiled a little bit to think of that now.

He re-styled his hair, annoyed that he had to do it for the second time that day. He threw around some things and broke them in the bathroom, trying to release his anger before the interview. Feeling a little better, he repaired everything and made sure he was presentable one last time.

When he exited the room with all of the sinks, Blaise, Charlie, and Viktor were waiting. Viktor held Draco's robes out. Taking them, Draco withdrew his wand where it was fastened to his sleeve and tossed the robes into his trunk, relocking it wordlessly.

Turning to meet the worried eyes of his three friends, Draco sighed. "I am sorry, but my patience is thin right now. Blaise can tell you what happened while I go talk to Pansy real fast. Any other questions will have to wait for later." He gave Viktor a meaningful look before turning and leaving, going to the Common Room where Pansy was surely waiting.

The girl took one look at Draco before flinging herself into his arms, shaking a little. "Never scare me like that again, Draco! We were so worried when you disappeared, and then you showed up bleeding profusely in the water!"

Draco stroked her hair, feeling sorry even though it hadn't been his fault. "I'm sorry, Pansy. When I realized what was happening it was too late, and McGonagall had already drawn her wand. I can't exactly hex a Professor, even if they pull their wand on me. You know how much trouble I would get in for that."

Pansy drew back and looked him in the face, eyes glittering. "I know you, and I know this will happen again. You draw trouble the way a flame draws moths." She stepped out of his space and tried to smile. "I will try to handle it with a bit more composure next time, Draco. Good luck with the interview. We have your back when the shit hits the fan. Now go get it done, before I try to stop you from putting yourself in danger again."

Draco kissed the top of her head in a brotherly way and smiled at her. "Yes ma'am." He turned and walked back into the boy's dormitory, where Blaise was finishing the tale that Draco had spun earlier. "Charlie, time to go. We're already a bit late."

The Dragon Tamer stood from where he had been sitting on Theo's bed. "You're right, but I am sure she will understand. Everyone gasped in the stands when you surfaced with Viktor. The blood in the water was clearly visible, even at that distance. Most people weren't sure whether it was yours or Viktor's at first, but when he was walking around unharmed, we knew it was you."

Draco sighed, wishing that he had been more vigilant. He couldn't afford another mistake of this magnitude, especially in the wake of all the trouble that was coming his way after this interview.

He and Charlie left the Slytherin dungeon and went outside, where tear-down from the Second Task was still taking place. The Champions (excluding Viktor) were scattered about being interviewed. Seeing them, Draco quickly threw on a notice-me-not charm, definitely not desiring to be hounded by all the press.

He and Charlie had arranged to meet the journalist on the lakeside, where no one went during cold days like this. Draco could see the woman waiting by the lake, watching the waves.

Charlie met his eyes, standing at his side. "Ready to face the music?"

Not exactly. But I will do it anyway." Draco smirked. "Let's go put an end to this blood feud and cause some chaos."

They stepped forward, moving in sync towards the reporter just as a raven flew overhead.

Time to ruin my life, Draco mused to himself. Let's hope this isn't for nothing.