Draco wanted to be alone. After composing himself and impatiently waiting for his eyes to look a little less red, he had ventured back to the Slytherin common room. Crabbe and Goyle, who had returned to his normal appearance, immediately tried to talk to him but he warned them off with a scowl. He didn't know if the news had gotten around that a student had been cursed, but it felt like everyone's eyes were on him, that they all suspected him.

So after only minutes, he knew he needed to be alone. First, he had started towards Myrtle's, but the thought of sulking around a bunch of toilets wasn't very appealing and he didn't particularly want to be around his dangerous and deadly potions at the moment. He found his way to the astronomy tower almost subconsciously. He had gone up there frequently in his first two years at Hogwarts when the homesickness and stress got to be too much. But he hadn't been there recently, at least outside of class. The open-air seemed like it would be comforting.

Draco sat with his back against the wall looking out over the grounds while Regulus sat opposite partially facing him but angled so he could look out at the sky. It was dusk, but with the overcast skies they didn't get a sunset, the grey skies just became a darker grey. Draco found it a good reflection of how he felt. Even the weather was determined to make him depressed. They sat in silence for a while watching the sky turn.

"I used to come here a lot as a student," Regulus stated and Draco peeled his eyes away from the sky to look at him. "I knew all the constellations."

Draco broke his silence too. "My mother taught them to me as a child. I used to come up here a lot my first few years and I would always try to find Draco."

"The Black family has an obsession with naming family after the stars. It's so we could always be looking down at others," Regulus said, face twisting.

"My mother said she named me Draco because of her family. I never really thought much as to why."

Regulus hummed. "It was quite the trend. Sirius got his because it was the brightest star. As the eldest son, it only made sense. Mine was because I was supposed to be the heart of the lion." After a pause, he continued sadly, "I think it used to give Sirius hope that I would be in Gryffindor with him."

"My mother said she picked Draco because it is visible year-round. That way she could always see me."

They fell back into silence and sat there watching the darkening sky. It was going to be a cloudy night, not a good one for stargazing.

"We shouldn't have done it," Draco said softly.

"We needed to."

"But we didn't! It got us nothing. Dumbledore didn't even get close to the damned necklace! A student could die and Potter already suspects it was me!" Draco's voice rose as he talked, all of the stress of the last few hours finally coming out.

"We had to start somewhere," Regulus said practically.

"We didn't accomplish anything!"

"And we might not the next time. Or the time after. You have to keep trying." Draco stared at could he be so indifferent about this?

"I don't want to keep trying." Draco knew he sounded childish.

"So you'll risk your life? Your mother's? Mine?"

"No," Draco said through clenched teeth. He wasn't going to risk them, but he also didn't know if he could do this.

"I know it doesn't feel like it but you did well today. It was a fluke that the girl wasn't alone."

Draco knew there was some truth to that. He had executed his part well, but it also felt like they should have spent more time making the plan flawless. Despite his skill, they messed up. When Draco remained silent, Regulus tried a new tactic.

"What happened was unfortunate but you have to accept it. You knew it could go wrong and it did. Acknowledge it and move on," Regulus said bluntly.

"I can't just move on." It was all Draco could think about. He could hear the screams echoing in his brain, he could feel the panic when he realised that the package was going to rip open. His brain wouldn't let him just move on. "I keep seeing ."

Regulus sighed and finally turned to look at Draco. "I know. That won't go away, but you can still move forward."

"I don't think I can keep doing this." He already felt terrible; He wasn't going to make it through a year of this.

"Time will take the edge off. You'll get used to it." Draco wanted to believe him, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Regulus was just saying things because he needed Draco if he wanted to get his body back. He didn't care about Draco, he just cared about getting out of the ring.

"You're just saying it because you need me," he accused, but he choked on the words.

"No, I'm not. I want my body back, but I am saying it because I don't want to see you dead. I have seen the Dark Lord carry out hisjusticeand I know he will not hesitate. You can't either."

Mortifyingly, Draco started tearing up again. He was trapped. He was gonna die or destroy himself in the process. "I want to take off the ring."

"I don't know if you should be alone right now."

"Please. I don't want you to see me like this." Draco was finding it hard to speak.

"Okay. Promise me I'll see you tomorrow," Regulus was looking at him with so much concern that it made his heart clench.

Draco nodded, took off Regulus's ring, and let out the sob he was holding in. He knew Regulus was trying to be strong and rational, but he didn't want to become like that. He didn't want to be so... cold. Today had felt so wrong to Draco, he didn't want to just pretend that it was fine like Regulus was.

He watched the sky for hours and as he did he let himself feel, getting out all the emotions that had been accumulating for weeks. It took hours, but the clouds did eventually thin, letting the constellations through. He took that as his sign to return to the dungeons. The world had given him cloudy skies to grieve and now that the stars returned he had to continue.

The next day, he put on Regulus's ring and pretended nothing happened. Thankfully, Regulus didn't seem eager to bring the previous day up either. They spent the day catching up on studying for class and avoiding the rest of the student body. Unsurprisingly, the news had spread like wildfire and Draco couldn't stomach knowing if his name was being thrown around with it.

Monday morning came and he gave McGonagall his late essays and went through classes without much happening. At least until Potions when Potter trapped him after class. He had been too slow packing up his cauldron and Potter took the opportunity to cut off his exit.

"We need to talk," he said, forcefully. Granger and Weasley were looking nervous behind him. Clearly, they hadn't encouraged this.

"I don't need to do anything with you," Draco spat. He tried to push past, but Potter shifted his weight and stood his ground.

"I will tell everyone. I'll spend the rest of the year gathering proof if I have to," Potter dropped his voice to a whisper. Draco knew he meant it. For some reason, he had gotten it in his thick skull that Draco was behind it despite everyone knowing he was in detention. Potter was nothing if not stubborn and he couldn't risk Potter stalking his every move.

He glanced around. Most students had already left, but his housemates still eyed the confrontation waiting to see what Draco would do.

Regulus stood beside him and said, "You can't have him going after you all year." They were on the same page then. Time to put on a little show. Draco pulled his wand out of his holster but didn't aim it at Potter. It was just there as a threat.

"Tonight, fourth-floor classroom." he snarled under his breath trying to make it look like he was saying an insult. He returned to a normal tone, "Get out of my face, Potter." And he rammed his shoulder into Potter's, knocking him to the side. Potter wisely let him leave.

He was on edge for the remainder of the day. He picked nervously at his food and then made his way up to the same classroom Potter had confronted him in a month ago.

Draco was second to arrive, Potter practically jumped on him the moment he opened the door.

"Why did you do that to Katie?"

"Let me breathe, why don't you? Or are you just here to yell at me?" He said as he shut the door behind him and entered into the abandoned classroom.

"You may have everyone else fooled, but I know you were behind what happened to Katie."

Potter was never going to believe anything else, so denial was probably pointless. "You have no proof."

"I'll find some. Madam Rosmerta must remember something. Who did you send in your place? Crabbe? Goyle?"

"No," Draco said a little proudly. It was validating that Potter hadn't figured that part out.

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not lying. Why do you even care? It's none of your business."

"Katie could have died!"

"Are you that reliant on her to win your quidditch matches?"

"I can't believe you. She almost died and you're cracking a joke!" He started for the door. "I can't figure you out. Just when I think I understand, you say something crazy." He looked right at Draco and said, a little embarrassed, "Or start crying." Draco held back a flinch at the memory of yesterday.

Potter reached for the door. "I will find out how you did it whether you tell me or not."

He paused, giving Draco a chance to defend himself while his panic rose up. He knew Potter would be able to find out. He always got what he wanted and Draco wasn't going to let Potter get him killed.

"Wait," Draco said as he stepped forward. He had to get Potter to drop it. "I'm not saying I did it, but if I did it was because I had to."

"You don't have to do anything. You always have a choice." Potter was so naive.

"Do you really think that? When Sirius was being "tortured" at the ministry did you have a choice to just ignore him?"

"That's different."

"Why? Because you were the one making the decision?"

"People were in danger! I was doing the right thing!"

"And you don't think people are in danger if I don't do this?"

"I-" Potter cut himself off, eyes widening. Apparently, he hadn't. "Are they?"

"Listen Potter, I know you can't wrap your head around the idea of self-preservation, but I will do whatever it takes for me and my family to get through this." He couldn't risk a glance at Regulus, but he was sure Regulus would have been proud of his conviction.

Potter swallowed. "There has to be another option."

"If there was, I would have taken it," Draco said, frustration leaking into his Potter think he was up to this because it was fun?

"Then tell me what's really going on and I'll find you another way out." Once again Potter never ceased to amaze him with what would come out of his mouth.

"Like you would come up with something I couldn't."

"Yeah, actually, I think I could."

Draco stared at him. Potter's ego was truly a sight to behold. "It's not that easy."

"Doesn't matter."

"I broke your nose. In case that caused some memory loss, I'll need to remind you that I frequently insult you. What's different now?"

"I know how serious the stakes are. You were trying to kill someone! And as much as I dislike you, I don't wanna see anyone seriously injured again. Or dead."

"And what if helping me involves hurting someone you care about?"

Potter grimaced. "I don't know, but I can't help unless I know."

"I can't trust you'll keep your mouth shut. If anyone hears this Iwillbe killed."

Potter paled.

"You can make him make a vow," Regulus spoke up for the first time. That was actually a great idea.

"Take an unbreakable vow and I'll tell you."

"What's an unbreakable vow?"

Draco scoffed. "Don't play dumb. Do you not know?"

"No."

"It's a vow you can't break or you'll die."

"That seems a bit much."

"Considering my life is at risk I beg to disagree."

"What do we do?"

"Usually it's done by a third person, but I don't trust anyone else with it." That was traditionally done to keep the bias from one of the parties overwriting the vow, but Potter didn't need to know that. "You agree not to tell anyone in any fashion what I am doing."

Potter let that sink in. "But only if you vow to stop if I figure out a way out of it."

"The point is to make sure you don't accidentally get me killed."

"I won't do it unless I get something too. I don't trust you to stop whatever your goal is. If I find a way to save you, you'll take it."

"And my family."

"Fine. And your family."

Draco went first. He motioned for Potter to copy him and held out his right arm. He started the spell and watched as the gold stands wove their way between them.

"Do you, Harry Potter, agree to not communicate my task to anyone?"

"I do." One of the gold bands tightened and pressed into his forearm. He nodded to Potter.

"And do you, Draco Malfoy, agree to give up your task if I find another way to keep you and your family safe?"

"I do." The band pressed into his own arm. "And so we are bound." The bands sunk into their skin with a cool sensation. They both pulled their arms back to inspect them. Then Potter looked at him expectantly. Draco took a deep breath in anticipation.

"I have to kill Dumbledore."

"You're joking." Draco kept his face flat. "That's impossible."

"It's punishment for my father's failure at the ministry."

Potter winced much to Draco's satisfaction. He should feel bad about that. "But you can't really expect to be able to kill him though?"

"It doesn't matter. Iwilldo it or hewillkill me."

"But why did you use that necklace? It was a horrible plan." Regulus bristled and Draco felt defensive.

"Bell was supposed to be alone. If she had it would have been perfect. No one believes that it was me. The plan wasn't the problem."

"How did you do it?"

"Polyjuice. Goyle was in detention. I was under a disillusionment charm."

"Madam Rosmerta?"

"Imperius."

"You used an unforgivable?"

"Don't give me that. Plenty of people use it."

"Like who?"His father. His aunt. But Potter didn't need to know that.

When Draco didn't respond Potter asked, "Did you really think Dumbledore would fall for it?"

Draco shrugged. "You've seen his hand."

"Why did you even agree to it in the first place?"

"My father is still locked away. The Dark Lord is his best hope of escape. My mother is still under his control."

"What about the mark? I know you have it. Why did you take it?"

"Next time the Dark Lord shows up at your house, you try saying no."

"I have."

"Right, and I am pretty sure every time someone else ended up dead. Excuse me if I thought it was better to do as I was told." That might have gone a bit too far based on how Potter's expression warped, but Draco wasn't wrong.

"Can you get rid of it?"

"No." Draco was waiting for Potter to continue his interrogation, but once again he was surprised.

"Okay, we'll figure it out," he adjusted the bag on his shoulder.

"What? This isn't something you can justfigure out!"

"Not yet. But I have the whole year to think of something."

"You're mad."

"Nah, you're just a pessimist." He smiled at Draco's glower. "I need to get back. Hermione might start to think you've broken my nose again. Or worse."

Draco felt a twinge at that. He probably owed Potter an apology especially since Potter seemed earnest to help.

"We should meet again," Potter said just before he opened the door.

"When?"

"Tomorrow night. Seventh floor. Where you caught me for DA."

"Are we meeting where your stupid club was? I think we'll need something a little more secure."

"It's secure. Trust me." Draco wasn't sure if I could, but he supposed he would try. They were bound together now.

Regulus was unusually silent after meeting with Potter. Draco had expected him to be smug. Or at least excited that he was finally talking to Potter, but he was merely contemplative. Maybe he was concerned about another person knowing his task, despite the vow.

When Potter showed him the "Room of Requirement" the next evening, Draco was amazed. All he had to do was walk in front of the blank wall and repeat the thought 'I need somewhere secret' and a magical room filled to the brim with all sorts of magical artefacts appeared. It put Kreacher's meager stashes to shame. Potter was clearly smug knowing about such a magical place that Draco didn't, but Draco could hardly bring himself to care. The potential for this place was incredible. He couldn't wait to discuss it with Regulus.

They decided on a regular meeting to give Potter a chance to share his plans of getting Draco out of his task. Every Saturday they'd meet here. It was easy for both of them to get away without suspicion using the excuse of needing to study.

It was Friday, before Regulus finally voiced his true thoughts.

"I don't think you should meet him."

"What?"

"Now that he has to keep his mouth shut, there is no reason for you to keep seeing him."

"Are you kidding me? You've been trying to get me to be nice to Potter for months and now that it's happening, you don't want me to?"

"I want you to be nice to him, but this is a distraction. And not a good one. You still need to kill Dumbledore. I'm nervous he'll distract you from making more attempts."

"You don't think he'll be able to find a way out of this?"

"No, and I don't think you do either." Draco frowned, that was unfortunately true.

"But I said I'd meet him."

"Do you really want to? One conversation was enough to change your whole opinion towards him?"

"I- " Draco tried to come up with a retort but it stuck in his throat. His opinion hadn't changed much. Potter was still an arrogant idiot, but he did want to meet him. It was the first glimmer of hope he had since getting the mark and he didn't want to give it up no matter how futile it was. "I still don't like him, but I said I'd do it. You're a hypocrite if you stop me from doing this."

"You're right, but Draco, you are putting our lives at risk."

And Draco knew that was true even if he wanted to act like it wasn't. It was incredibly unlikely that Potter would be able to get him out safely, and if they made a last-minute attempt on Dumbledore, they were screwed.

"Let's make a deal."

"What are you proposing?" Regulus looked hesitant.

"Just because Potter is trying to get me not to do it, it doesn't mean I have to listen, at least not until he finds a real way out of it for me and my family, which we both think is impossible. I keep making attempts. You don't try to stop me from seeing Potter."

"You'll keep trying?"

"I promise. Just let me keep my word to Potter."

"You have a deal, but it's over the second you start procrastinating."