A/N: I know it's been a while since the last update, but life has just been more hectic that usual. Enjoy! We're getting so close to the end. I think 1 or 2 chapters should do it. As always, reviews=love.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Hermione sighed, absently running her fingers up and down Draco's arm where it lay draped around her waist.

Sleep had been horrendously difficult to get after all the excitement of yesterday. It kept running around in her head. A short encounter that could not have been more than minutes to something stretched for hours on replay in her mind.

I wanted you.

Her hand stilled. Had he?

She'd broken down and told Draco about it, after he'd had his rant about her rash Gryffindor action to go after him at all.

His advice had been rather levelheaded when compared to how strongly he voiced his opinion on the meeting. A true feat when one considered his explosive temper.

"You can give him the benefit of the doubt, but that doesn't mean you have to trust him or like him or even get to know him for that matter. When this is all over, and life has settled, you'll get your parents back and you can decide what you want to do about Nott."

He was right. In his annoyingly calm way, he knew it too. Though, he hadn't pushed it. In fact, he'd welcomed talking about her instead of talking about Lucius.

He'd shared the information about the plans...about Harry's curse, but for all that there was something that seemed to force him quiet.

He was holding back, and she'd bet anything it was something he'd discussed with Lucius...something more personal.

On any other day, she'd have forced him to talk, but he was so tired and her own emotions in turmoil that she'd left it be.

Really the real question now was where they would go from here despite everything.

Harry's curse needed to be broken, but not before they'd met with Neville and discovered the renegade horcrux.

They needed to end this soon. The fight in each of them was rapidly drawing to an end, and the longer they waited the stronger the opposition would grow as they grew weaker. Her grip tightened around Draco's arm.

They needed to be done so that they could heal.

She let out a breath before lifting herself up and peering over to look at him.

To her surprise, his eyes were open with furrowed brows as his thoughts drew him a thousand miles away from her.

He looked paler than usual and though he had managed to sleep more than she had at any rate, he looked the farthest thing from rested.

"Hey." she murmured sitting up and letting her hand rest on his chest as she ran it around in soft patterns along his shirt.

He blinked, before drawing his eyes to her. He returned her thin smile before grabbing her hand and planting a soft kiss at her knuckles.

He let out a tired sigh then, and she felt a frown tug at her mouth as she took her free hand and combed away his wayward strands of hair from his forehead. The frown only deepened when she felt the heat of his skin.

"I feel awful." he muttered. He turned on his side to face her fully. "I don't think I'm going to be much help with anything today." He continued a hint of an apology in his tone.

She shook her head, leaning down and kissing his forehead.

"We all had an eventful day yesterday, and you really shouldn't be exerting yourself so much." she said trying to keep the worry from creeping into her voice.

For him to admit to the slightest weakness, even to her, implied it was bad.

He shrugged giving her a sheepish grin. "Yeah. I should be saving my strength for when we finally decide to end this."

She wanted to argue against his stubborn desire to fight in the battle when it came, but found she couldn't. He deserved the chance didn't he? After all these years working from the shadows, didn't they each owe it to each other to play their parts until the end?

"Well you can do that today. There's not much we can do without Neville, and he was delayed in Ireland. A patient he was helping with took a bad turn."

Draco nodded absently threading his fingers through hers and tightening his grip as he felt her pull away to stand.

"Where are you going?" He said, sitting up with a wince.

"First." she said cupping her hands around his face, "I'm going to send a message to Padma to come and check on you later, then I'm going to shower, get dressed, and get us food. We're going to spend a lazy day together."

Draco smiled, before pulling her close and nuzzling his face into her neck.

"That sounds good." His breath tickled her collarbone, "A shower sounds amazing." He kissed her soft skin.

"Draco." she murmured, her eyes fluttering closed.

She felt him smile against her before lifting his head and painfully slowly rising to stand beside her.

"To the shower then." He said with a wicked sort of smile on his face before he pulled them both into her bathroom.

Dressed, fed, and sated, they eventually settled on a couch she transfigured from a jacket in her room. Draco's head was in her lap as he dozed while she continued searching through book after book about anything that had to do with dark curses, defense spells, and… Venenum Tenebris.

Because now that she could see him beginning to falter, she couldn't hold herself back from discovering everything that could be done since he still refused to do the cleanse.

Because he wanted to fight.

He wanted to prove he could.

He wanted to end it and an even bigger part of him probably wanted vengeance for Narcissa.

She shook her head, placing her book to the side, unsettled by her thoughts and the bleak description the book had offered her.

Her eyes settled on Draco, focusing on his furrowed brow indicating his concentration even as he slept. Where had his dreams taken him now?

She let her fingers smooth his brow before running through his hair. He was still slightly feverish, no doubt his body's way of fighting whatever infection was raging against his own magic.

She closed her own eyes leaning her head back content to nap herself until Draco woke, when a knock at the door interrupted her.

She sat up quickly with care minding Draco, who thankfully hadn't woken. Summoning a pillow and carefully repositioning his head, she turned and as silently as she could opened the door.

The figure before her quickly brought a grin to her face as she shut the door and stepped forward to envelope him in a tight hug.

"Welcome back Neville."

"Hey Hermione." He said with just a hint of the shy boy he used to be shining through. Though, shy and boy he was not no longer.

Neville had grown considerably, towering over her similar to Draco, with broader shoulders and a more relaxed stance.

He'd gained his confidence in battle and later in his abilities in herbology both of which had led to his collaboration with the Healers in Ireland and promotion within the Order.

She couldn't help but be proud of him for all that.

"I'd invite you in, but Draco's asleep." She said.

To her surprise, Neville nodded with an understanding smile on his face. "Right. I heard he's been ill."

Her shock must have shown clearly on her, because Neville chuckled as he scanned over her face.

"Trust me Hermione, no matter my own opinions I've already been warned by Ginny, then Luna, and Andromeda." He shrugged his shoulders, "Besides I trust you and your judgment. You wouldn't have befriended him in the first place if you hadn't seen something the rest of us had missed."

Her heart swelled.

"Thank you Neville." She said unable to keep from blushing at his praise.

He nodded with a one shoulder shrug.

"So what was it you needed to talk to me about?"

Neville didn't interrupt her once. In a way it was a relief, in many others she wished he would say something. Instead, she had to watch as his face went from stony to anger to something that hinted at fear mixed with determination.

When she finally finished with a sigh that did nothing to dislodge the weight crushing her chest, she closed her eyes for a moment before she asked.

"I need to know if you've noticed anything that might…"

Neville shook his head.

"I don't...that day, I barely ever want to remember it."

She bit her lip.

"I mean I knew I felt something when I...did it." Neville said uncomfortable as he stuffed his hands into his pockets, "But everything; the sword, my wand they work the same as they always have."

She could feel her hope fading away with every excuse Neville rambled on. It had to be somewhere. It couldn't have vanished into thin air.

"It's fine Neville." She finally managed to choke out with a weak smile. She rubbed her temples, "We'll figure it out. I'm just sorry we had you come all the way here for nothing. I mean we tried your DA coin, but when that didn't work…."

She stopped, suddenly noticing the way Neville's face had twisted into a grimace at mention of the coin protean charm.

"Neville?" She questioned.

He bit his lip, shifting uncomfortably where he stood before her. It was enough to remind her of when they were young and on the way to Potions only for Neville to realize he'd forgotten their essay yet again.

"I haven't been able to use my coin for months."

She felt a flicker then, and she could barely contain her excitement out of her next question.

"Why not?"

Neville was about to answer when the sound of thundering steps echoed down the hall as a small figure dashed toward her. Without hesitation, she bent down and scooped Teddy into her arms.

"Well hello there." She teased the toddler who after his initial excited hug was now squirming in her arms to be put down.

It wasn't long before another figure joined them, and she noted with some measure of relief that it was Padma here to finally check in on Draco. The poor girl seemed to be slightly out of breath from having chased Teddy all the way here.

"Merlin can he run." Padma said with a grin before greeting Neville and turning back to her. "I'm sorry Hermione, but I mentioned coming to see Draco and suddenly this one." She paused tickling Teddy, "Invited himself along."

She shook her head.

"I'm sure Draco won't mind."

She bent down and placed Teddy back onto his two feet before motioning for him to go inside and wake Draco.

"Gently Teddy." She warned, knowing that the child had no intentions of waking Draco gently whether she warned him or not.

To his credit, Teddy nodded solemnly, but no sooner had she shut the door did the sound of his rapid steps and squeal of delight rang out.

She shook her head before turning to Padma and Neville and inviting them in. Neville hesitated, obviously looking uncomfortable at the idea. She smiled slightly before taking his hand and pulling him in behind her.

Neville could become a million times more confident than he'd been as a child, but mention a confrontation with a Slytherin or Draco and back was the hesitant boy from her memories.

Draco was sitting up with Teddy chattering in his lap when they came in.

He still had faint sleep lines on his face, but he seemed alert as he ran a hand through his hair to tame any wayward strands. He looked up quickly as they walked in, though his expression on the odd trio they made revealed nothing. Instead, he stood swiftly, balancing Teddy on his hip as he came to stand with them.

"Padma." He inclined his head at the other girl before turning to Neville. The two boys...men really, looked at one another for a moment. Draco tilted his head as he repositioned Teddy. "Longbottom." He finally said.

Neville visibly relaxed, even going so far as to smile before he returned the gesture.

She bit her lip then.

"Neville and I have figured it out."

Draco stiffened before setting Teddy back on the ground and waving him off to play around in the room.

She ignored Padma's questioning look and watched as Draco instantly turned all business.

"And you have it?" He asked Neville.

At Neville's nod, he continued, "Then we do them together. Destroy it and break Potter's curse at the same time, but they should be-"

"Physically separated." She finished, "Opposite ends of base if possible."

Draco nodded with a thin smile at his face. Their eyes met and for a moment she forgot they were not alone. All that even entered her thoughts was how relieved Draco looked, and how much lighter she felt at the prospect that this could be over as soon as the end of the week.

But then she started to notice all those tell tale signs she'd learned to look for. The slightest shake in his legs, the tightness around his eyes, and the clench of his fists in discomfort.

She went up to him and threaded her arm beneath his, taking part of his weight without a word.

"Padma would-"

"Of Course."

Hermione was practically bouncing with excitement. It brought a smile onto his lips watching her eyes light up with plans and hope.

She'd been so confused the night before about Nott, about the war, and though she usually hid it well she was worried about him.

He tried never to draw attention to himself in that way. It was an old skill, born in the Slytherin Common Room and then refined for his performance among the Death Eaters, but there were times, no matter how hard he wanted too, he simply couldn't.

This morning was one of those times. This thing inside him had been burning like hot iron against his insides, sending knives into his muscles with each movement he made.

The shower had helped though.

Truly just sitting with Hermione was soothing, and maybe he was a sap or foolish for believing it, but she was far more comforting than any of the potions he'd been prescribed.

But being with Hermione wasn't going to heal him.

He refused to do a cleanse. Not until the battle was over, and knowing that the battle would soon happen he felt relieved.

Waiting was a risk and the more his strength failed the more unlikely it was that he would be able to participate in the way he knew he had too.

He'd poured over books upon books on the research Voldemort had done, and he knew for a fact that very few would even be capable of handling the defences he and Hermione had in mind.

Even with their short cut using runes, those rune would have to be etched and power had to be leant to them.

He could count the number of people he thought could handle such a feat on his hands, and from those he knew not all would fight.

Andromeda for one would not be able too. His cousin had already lost too much family, and with Draco adamant about fighting that left Andromeda to be the responsible one. A shame, since her skills would be missed on the battlefield.

With enough time and concentration they might have stood better odds, but the way he saw it at least two powerful wizards or witches with little practice casting for each rune was better than nothing, but for the boundary to last a few of the points would have to be stronger than others.

And he knew he'd have to be one of them.

He arguably was the most familiar with this type of magic. On any normal day, he'd have been able to cast one powerful enough on his own. The window in which he knew he'd still be capable of doing such a thing was rapidly closing though. The knowledge had led him to concoct a backup plan.

He eyed Padma from where she was reviewing her notes and chatting quietly with Hermione about him. He would need some help to pull off what he was scheming.

He let out a breath, running his hands through Teddy's soft hair from where the little bugger had come up and nestled into his side after tiring himself out playing.

He could feel a pair of eyes on him, and after ensuring Teddy was well on his way to sweet dreams, he turned his gaze to meet Longbottom's.

It was quite a transformation, he could begrudgingly admit, from clumsy shy Gryffindor to the gentle though skilled battle hardened man standing before him.

He'd be damned if he ever admitted such a thing out loud though.

Longbottom was studying him intently, and didn't show any discomfort at Draco's notice.

"You're more accepting than I thought you'd be given our history." Draco finally said, low enough for the two girls not to hear, but loud enough for Longbottom to pick up on it.

The other shrugged.

"I think it's because of our history I'm not so surprised. After all what's more cunning and ambitious than someone who constantly decides to do the most shocking and impossible thing anyone could expect of him?"

He cleared his throat. "Sounds like a compliment."

"It's more a fact."

Draco shrugged, not really wanting to waste time on semantics.

Longbottom had gone back to watching him and after clearing his throat he spoke.

"They say you've been working for us since the beginning."

He raised his brow, content to wait for Longbottom to actually voice the question he wanted answered rather than ramble about whatever it was the other was curious about.

"Had you been here or any of the other bases before?"

He kept his surprise off his face. That was certainly not the question he thought was coming.

He shifted slightly in his seat, minding Teddy's head who had continued to slumber on despite the conversations going on around him.

"No. I was vaguely aware of things, but with my position it was always better to not know just in case."

He thought he saw some sort of unspeakable and unrecognizable emotion flash across Longbottom's face for a moment before he nodded in understanding.

"You really ought to see them. Maybe visit Ireland some time."

He shook his head, confused at the strange sentiment and would have grilled an answer out of him had Hermione not chosen that moment to turn back to them.

She smiled down at Teddy's slumbering form before bending and carefully picking up the child into her hands. She paused, kissing his forehead before straightening.

"I'm going to go ahead and take this one back to Andromeda." She said, "Then I'm going to tell Harry. We'll have to set up a meeting and start drawing up plans for our attack and the protection barrier."

She positioned Teddy to free her one hand and used it to comb through his fringe.

"Probably in two hours. Padma should be done with you by then."

His eyes shot over to Padma and back to Hermione, and without having to ask the question Hermione answered.

"I think you should get a full look over Draco." She bit her lip, her hand dropping to cup his jaw. "For the pain to be this bad already isn't a good sign love."

He covered her hand with his in surprise as he searched her face for some sign. He'd thought he'd done a decent job in covering that up at least.

"Hermione." He said softly suddenly feeling incredibly guilty at the sight of her eyes glassing over. She blinked and her smile was back firmly on her face.

"It's alright." She said, "But be honest with Padma, Draco."

He nodded numbly as Hermione kissed his forehead again before turning and taking Neville by the hand and leaving the room.

He watched the door shut and felt himself grow cold at her absence.

"You only worry her more this way."

He let out a breath before he turned his head to face Padma.

"I don't mean too. I'm just not very good at-"

"The weakness thing." Padma finished crossing her arms before summoning a chair and sitting in front of him. "So I gathered."

He shook his head.

"I just don't like being told there's something I can't do." He eyed her then, "Which is what I sense you're about to tell me."

Padma didn't contest his accusations, instead she raised her brow as though waiting for him to continue.

"You're not going to clear me for the battle." He finally said.

Padma let out a tired sigh. "You know I shouldn't, but I'm sure you've come up with a plan against that."

He let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

He'd thought for sure he'd have to argue most for why she should even agree to clear him. His plan though...now that he was sure there would be arguments against.

"Deadman's Happiness."

Her shock was clear as she sat forward.

"Are you insane?"

He winced, his hand at his temple. He'd certainly wondered that enough himself. Shitty dreams, crazy visions, and deranged plans. Surely that spelled insane in some fashion.

Padma seeing the gesture immediately clasped her jaw closed, growing solemn.

"I can't give you that Draco. If the high that potion gives you drops off while you're in the middle of a duel-"

"I can alter it." He cut in, "Make it last 8 hours."

She bit her lip searching his face. "Does Hermione know what you're planning?"

He shook his head. "And Healer-patient confidentiality says you won't tell her either."

Padma only nodded once more. No doubt she'd already guessed he would manipulate her that way.

Draco shook his head, running his hands through his hair as he lent forward his elbows balanced on his knees.

"I'm just trying to buy 8 hours. That's it, afterwards I'll leave the battle if it's not already over. Stay in the hospital wing. Get the cleanse. All of it. Just please." he choked out, "Please help me do this."

Padma looked up startled by his sudden desperation. She was blinking furiously as she took a long deep breath to steady her breathing.

"Why do you want to fight so bad?"

He cleared his throat, dropping his gaze from Padma's dark eyes to his clasped hands.

"I have too because, once upon a time I would have let this world exist, and now I need to stop it from ever becoming permanent; for Hermione, my Aunt, Teddy, Blaise, Theo, Pansy-" his voice broke, "for my mother."

His breath was coming in trembling gasps, and he couldn't believe he was showing so much to Padma. Though, at this point, he wasn't sure he cared. He wasn't above emotional manipulation if it would get him Padma's help. Even if all of said emotions were true.

"Draco."

He looked up slowly, taking in her determined expression.

"I'll help you, but," She held up her hand, cutting him off before he could speak, "8 hours only and you agree to a trace in case something happens."

He wanted to argue. A trace? What was he a child? But seeing Padma's set brow and warning gaze, he knew this concession was the best he would get.

"Fine." He agreed. He stood stiffly, resisting the urge to moan at the pain that shot up his legs at the motion.

"We better start brewing."