It was only days into the new year when the news broke.

MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN

"I really thought your father might be bluffing when he told you this. This is insanity."

Draco skimmed the article and found himself inclined to agree with Black. All those released had been loyal Death Eaters which Draco should have been excited about, but it was such a blatant disregard for the status quo. Draco had wrongly assumed that the Dark Lord might be lying low, manipulating behind the scenes rather than preparing for outright war.

Most students were scared after the news dropped, or at least on edge. Some Slytherins acted like it was something to brag about. Draco didn't have the time to take a stance on it.

He had never been more pressed for time. He had class. He had homework. He had research with Black. He had to do his check-ins with Snape. He had to find a way to guard against legilimency. He had to befriend Umbridge. He had to impress his father. It was the most exhausted he'd ever been. To top it off, Black discouraged the use of Dreamless Sleep, so even his nights were restless.

So when Black said one night, "Let's quickly grab some books from the library, we can stay up late creating the report for Snape," Draco said nothing and pointedly started walking in the opposite direction back to the Slytherin common room.

"Draco, did you hear me? We are behind. If we don't start today, we will lose access to the restricted section."

"Fine by me."

"What are you talking about? We still need those books." Black was starting to sound frustrated.

"No, you need those books."

"No. We need them. We have a deal."

"And remind me Black, what is that deal?" Draco turned to face him.

"You don't need me to say it."

"Oh, because I remember the deal was that you would help me become a Death Eater and I'll wear this ring. But you know what? I think you are doing just the opposite. You don't want me to be a Death Eater. When was the last time you actually told me helpful information about dark magic? Or about recruitment? It's been weeks."

"Just because I don't want to doesn't mean I can't," Black ground out.

"Besides, my father is doing more than you have. He will ensure that I become a Death Eater with or without you. I don't even know why I've bothered this long."

"So what? You're going back on the deal?" Before he could respond, the sound of footsteps startled him. Someone was coming.

"I don't need you," Draco hissed. He didn't need whoever it was thinking he'd taken up talking to himself, so he turned swiftly away from the footsteps. There was an empty classroom nearby.

"What about your OWLs? I still need a body and you need to pass." Draco didn't respond until the door of the classroom was shut behind him.

"My father is more concerned with practical experience nowadays. Besides, I could still pass without you. Face it. I. Don't. Need. You." It sounded harsher out loud.

"I still need you," Black said through gritted teeth. "What do you want instead?" Draco was so sick of Black trying to weasel his way out of things through deals that clearly favoured him.

"I want you to lay off me! I'm fucking tired!"

"How do you think I feel? This is all I have! I, unlike you, don't have another choice. I can't just do nothing."

"You should have thought about that before you fucked around with a halfwit and got yourself stuck in a ring!"

"Don't you dare talk about him! He was smarter than you'll ever be," Black's tone was dark.

Draco moved to remove the ring, he didn't need to put up with this. Black's face immediately twitched. Draco thought it looked like panic.

"Stop!" Against his better judgment, Draco paused.

"A new deal okay?" Draco waited. "I'll help you create a ring. I know I said it's impossible, but we can get pretty damn close. You just have to keep helping me get out of the ring."

"I don't have time." Draco's throat felt tight.

"We'll start in the summer. We can focus on protecting your memories and school for now."

"I don't want to."

"Yes, you do. A ring like this will make you powerful."

Draco knew he was right, but the exhaustion of the last weeks was getting to him. He was dangerously close to crying in front of Black. He gripped the ring tighter as a safety measure.

"I am just so tired," he finally admitted.

Black looked at him with a pityingly. "I know. It'll get better."

"You're just saying that because you need me."

"Maybe, but I am also saying it because it's true. I have been in your shoes. We can change things. Let's lay off the research for now. Screw Snape."

Draco didn't want that though, he wanted to do everything and nothing all at the same time. Not able to express his conflicting thoughts, all he said was, "I can't."

"You can."

Draco felt the tears welling in his eyes. He gave Black a sorry look, hoping he'd understand. He needed space. He took off the ring for the rest of the night.

Turns out they didn't even have to decide to discontinue Snape's project. Educational Decree 26 came out stating professors were banned from giving any information about subjects that they weren't paid to teach. Presumably, it was aimed to keep Umbridge the sole person in control over the teaching of offensive and defensive magic, but it was the first decree that made Draco bitter.

The day that the decree was made, Snape had held him after class. "I will be unable to give feedback on your spell catalogues."

"I understand, sir."

"I will also have to revoke access to the restricted section."

Draco just nodded.

"I encourage you to continue your project over the summer. I expect next year you'll be able to resume."

Draco could only nod, not trusting himself. He didn't know if he was mad at Umbridge for making the decree, or Snape for not pulling strings to help, or himself for being relieved to have one thing off his schedule.

He was apparently popular with the professors since later that same day Umbridge had approached him and asked, "Mister Malfoy? Do you have a moment?"

He ignored the snickering from the Gryffindors. "Of course, professor."

She led him into her office. "I am looking to gather some trusted students to help me with a task. Since you have proven yourself capable, I've enjoyed what you've done with Harry Potter's detentions, I was hoping you'd be able to help."

This was the moment his father had been waiting for. A chance for Draco to prove himself to someone important in the ministry. "Of course. What is the task?"

"I have reason to believe students are practising dangerous spells as part of a secret illegal organisation."

"Potter?"

"I find it likely." She was pleased he came to the same conclusion. "I need help finding evidence of who and when they are meeting."

"I would encourage you to talk to my other housemates. None of us would do something so foolish enough to join."

"Any names?"

Draco thought for a moment. If they were really up against Potter they needed older students. Potter was annoyingly good at getting out of things. They also needed to be motivated and vindictive towards him. "In my year Pansy Parkinson and Theodore Nott. Graham Montague is quite capable as well. Cassius Warrington as well."

"I see I was right to come to you." She grinned and wrote down the names with a pink feathered quill. "Let me know the second you learn anything."

Draco returned the smile, but let it drop the moment he was out of sight. Black spoke up, "You know you can't do what she wants if you want to be Black Heir. We still have our deal." He sounded a little nervous. Maybe he thought Draco would go back on all his deals after their previous fight.

Draco ground his teeth. Of all their deals, becoming Black Heir was the one he wanted most. "She can't even get Potter, she won't fault me for not being able to either."

Without access to the restricted section, it was hard to find leads about interrogation techniques. All the spells they had come across were either far too difficult, like the Fidelius charm and its variations, or were permanently wiping something from your memory. After finishing "Magical Memories," they were both feeling dejected.

"We might have to consider a permanent solution," Black was the first to say it, although they'd both been thinking about it.

"I am not altering my brain permanently."

"You may not have a choice. It's either risking both of our deaths, or you forget about me and the ring. I know which one I'd pick."

Draco would pick the same. Black's secrets weren't worth his life, and Black had only gotten more certain in the last weeks that if he was found out by the Dark Lord, Draco would, at best, be tortured. He had to be reluctant. "What happens to the ring then?"

"I don't know. You could give it back to Kreacher. He could find a new person for me to communicate with."

Draco felt a wave of possessiveness sweep over him. It was wrong to think of someone else with Black's ring.

"What if we use a ring?"

"Isn't that the opposite of what we want? Fewer rings?"

"That's not what I meant. Your soul appears to the wearer because it's not completely trapped right? I can still see and talk to you. The ring did it to protect you, but it wasn't designed to trap consciousness. What if we use the same principle to store memories? A ring could store any memories, but as long as they aren't meant to be trapped, maybe it could go both ways."

Black looked a little shocked, "That's actually a good idea. The hardest part will be to keep the ring tied to you. I wouldn't want to risk having someone be able to put it on and see everything we've talked about."

"But you'd agree that it could work?"

"Yeah, I think it's the best idea we've had. Let's start with the runes."

Runes were easier and more familiar territory to both of them. After weeks of dead ends, they had hope and it did wonders for Draco's mood. It felt like he had time to breathe again. Of course, it could only last so long.

Umbridge had taken his advice and recruited his housemates. They had patrols, but Draco never found anything during his. They were just a chance to leer at the other houses. He hadn't done anything productive towards capturing Potter until one night when Umbridge sent for them all. One of Potter's group had betrayed him. She knew when and where they were meeting. Draco was responsible for capturing any students trying to avoid her justice.

They were all gathered with Umbridge, waiting for her cue when it all went to shit. Students started bolting down the hallways. Umbridge shrieked, "Get them! Don't let them escape!"

Montague and he bolted down the same corridor. Most of the initial wave of students had passed ahead of them, but there was one girl behind the rest.

"Pesconfratcus!" Montague yelled. The curse barely missed as the girl ducked and skidded around the corner, out of sight.

Black jerked back from his side. "What the hell does he think he is doing? That would have snapped her ankle." Draco frowned. That was a bit extreme, they just had to stop them not incapacitate them. Besides, Umbridge probably only cared about Harry. There was no reason to go after the others.

Black surprised him with his next comment. "You have to catch Harry."

Under his breath, Draco asked, "What? Why? I thought you'd want to get him out of this."

Black looked unhappily at him. "Umbridge made it sound like she has proof that it's him. It'll be worse the longer it takes now that she knows, everyone will be going for him and I am not trying to see him maimed by one of your housemates."

Montague, showing a complete lack of common sense, chased behind the girl. Draco turned the direction she had come from hoping that Potter would have stayed behind ensuring everyone else got out first. It seemed like the kind of idiotic thing he would do. He saw two Gryffindors sprinting down a new corridor, but since it was one way, and Draco was at the other end not seeing anyone else, this had to be where the group was coming from.

"There." Black pointed to a niche in the wall he could hide in.

His instincts were right. It only took a few seconds for Potter to appear out of the wall. Draco immediately hit him with a tripping jinx and stepped out from his spot.

"PROFESSOR! I've got one!" He smiled as he walked up to the prone figure. "Like my trip jinx, Potter?"

"Screw you, Malfoy," he bit out as Umbridge rounded the corner into the hall.

"Is that Potter?" she asked gleefully. "Well done, Draco!" He couldn't help but preen at the praise. She marched up beside them, making sure there was nowhere Potter could escape.

"I'll take him to the headmaster. There are others still about. Get Parkison and search the bathrooms." Draco nodded but cringed as Umbridge's claws dug into Potter dragging him with her to the headmaster's office.

"He'll probably be fine. Dumbledore will watch out for him." Draco didn't acknowledge Black. He was having a hard time processing how he felt about what he just did. "You should probably meet up with Pansy."

He found her fuming a floor down. "That mudblood Granger got away from me. She used some spell to create an illusion or something. Didn't even have the guts to face me. Did you get anyone?"

"Potter."

"Really? Draco, that's amazing! Ugh, I wish I had been with you. What I wouldn't give for an excuse to hex him."

"Umbridge wants us to check the bathrooms."

"Oh? Right, I guess I am the only girl in this little crew." She'd always loved being special.

Draco didn't say much as Pansy prattled on. Most of the students in Potter's club had the sense to get to their common rooms as fast as possible. But on the fourth floor, Draco heard voices as he quietly opened the boy's room.

"...stay here?"

"I don't know. Montague isn't going to leave the Fat Lady anytime soon."

"Prick."

Draco froze. It sounded like the Weasley twins. It was almost guaranteed that they had been in Potter's club. They were older and they could probably get the upper hand on him as much as he hated to admit it. Uncertain, he shifted his weight and the door he was holding open squeaked. The twins fell silent.

Black stood behind him, and sensing his indecision said, "You've already gotten Potter."
You don't have to prove yourself.

Pansy had already finished with the girl's room. "Anyone there Draco? This is so boring. No one has been in any of the bathrooms."

Draco let a second pass. "No one." He let the door shut.

The night continued, and neither Pansy nor he found anyone else. He went back to his common room uncertain. They had heard word from Umbridge that it was over, but he had no idea what happened to Potter. Could he have been expelled? Draco wouldn't have been surprised, but something about that thought made him uneasy.

The next day he learned along with the whole school. Apparently, Potter had claimed that he was creating "Dumbledore's Army" and instead of being taken in by the ministry, Dumbledore had vanished. Umbridge had been appointed Headmistress.

She called the same crew as the previous night into her office early. They were to be part of an official Inquisitorial Squad. Notably, they were now allowed to dock points from other prefects. Umbridge had single-handedly handed the house cup to Slytherin with that one decision.

He couldn't resist using his newfound power when he heard Granger complaining about the new Headmistress later that same day.

"I'd watch my mouth Granger. Wouldn't want to lose too many points now would you?"

"Like you could do anything," Weasley scoffed. "You can't take points from prefects."

"Prefects can't take points from other prefects. Luckily for me, I am in the Inquisitorial Squad-"

"The what?" Potter cut in.

"The Inquisitorial Squad. We've been hand-picked by the Headmistress herself and we can deduct points from whoever."

"That's bullshit."

"And that's 5 points from Gryffindor for foul language."

"You can't be serious! This completely undermines the point system," Granger protested.

"On the contrary, I think it improves it quite a bit. No more favouritism from professors. Now, let's see. 10 points for gossiping. 5 points because the Weasel's robes are wrinkled. 5 points because I dislike you Potter. 10 points because you're a mudblood."

"Cut it out, you've had your fun," Black said at the same time Potter said, "You're a twat Malfoy."

Draco just rolled his eyes at both and continued on his way to class. Throughout the day, Hogwarts started to feel like a new school. Younger students watched the Inquisitorial Squad with fear. The Slytherins took the opportunity to be more vocal, previously they had been outnumbered by the other houses, but now they had far more power. Draco was regretful that he was still so busy with Black that he couldn't bask in the newfound power for long.

That evening he got a letter from his father. The minister himself had praised Draco to his father because he had been the one to capture Potter. His father was proud of him. He claimed that their training over the break had strengthened him enough to be able to do it. Draco defensively thought that his father's training had little to do with it, that he was capable on his own, but was smart enough not to say anything.

The thrill of being recognised by the minister was short-lived, tainted because Draco and Black were running out of time before summer. They had designs of possible runes, but they needed to start trialling them. That's how they found themselves practising runes in Potter's detention. Umbridge had given them to him as a "reward" for being the one who caught Potter. She emphasised He could do whatever he pleased in them.

Draco didn't have the time to figure out what pleased him so he just ordered lines with his fake blood quill as always. Potter's foul mood shifted to boredom as he fell into the familiar routine.

"What are you doing?" Potter asked as he took a break to stretch his fingers.

"None of your business."

"You've never been so absorbed with work in our other detentions. I assume that isn't Binn's essay?"

"You know it's not so why ask?"

"It's polite to ask. I know that might be hard for you since you are used to demanding."

He had such a knack for getting on his nerves. Black gave a warning glance. "It's polite not to pry," he bit out instead of a worse retort.

"Sorry for trying to take an interest. I figured you just did what Umbridge told you when you turned me into her. We don't have to be at each other's throats when she's not around."

Draco hadn't realised Potter thought that way. "Maybe I'd like to rip out your throat."

"Whatever." He went back to his lines. Black sent him a glance. He couldn't help but remember that these detentions were far more bearable when Potter wasn't annoyed at him.

"They're ancient runes. I am working on a personal project. I am practising drawing them so I can get it right when I do it for real."

"Oh, neat."

"That's all you have to say?"

"I didn't think you'd tell me, but yeah it's neat. I don't know anything about runes."

"You should learn. Some of the most powerful magic is tied to runes."

"Like I have the time for that."

"You had time for your club."

"Yeah, but that was keeping me alive from Voldemort." Draco flinched at the use of the name.

"Runes can keep you alive too." He pointedly avoided looking at Black.

"How? It's not like it's going to stop a curse. Or get a Death Eater off my back."

How stupid was he? "Of course it can! Have you ever heard of wards?"

They continued like that for the remaining week of detentions. Draco imparting basic knowledge of runes. Potter being an idiot. Potter discussed some of what his club studied. It sounded useful and despite the illegality, he did have a natural talent for talking about what he was good at - defence against the dark arts.

"We were working on patronuses when you so rudely interrupted."

"Bullshit. That's a NEWT level spell."

Potter grinned. Whipped out his wand. "Expecto Patronum." A bright stag appeared. Black jolted and stared at it, probably impressed. Draco couldn't believe it.

"I could teach you." Draco looked at Potter. The moment the words left his mouth, Potter grimaced. Like most things, it just slipped out. He probably regretted it instantly.

"Like I would want to learn anything from you."

"Fine. You probably are too miserable to be able to cast it anyways." Neither of their words had much bite to them. It was more of a habit.

He let the stag vanish, Black staring at where it had been. Frozen. Maybe Black could teach him the patronus next year.

"Try it." Draco held a small silver ring up to his forehead. "Remember small, only breakfast."

Draco pictured his breakfast, his juice, and where he was seated at the table. "Oblivi." It felt like he had handed off the memory, never to get it back.

"That's bizarre," he said as he pulled the ring back from his forehead.

"You don't remember breakfast?"

"No. I know I should remember it, but it's just a hole."

"Put the ring on."

He slipped it on. Nothing changed. He still couldn't remember his breakfast. "Still nothing," he said solemnly.

"It's fine. We'll try again."

This was their third attempt so far. The first Draco never forgot breakfast. The second just made the memory hazy. Despite the progress, Draco couldn't help the sinking feeling that there were going to be a lot more breakfasts he was never going to remember. He put the ring back in his robes, they could try again later.

He was on one of Umbridge's encouraged patrols for the Inquisitorial Squad. Draco often did his alone so he could whisper theories to Black.

"I don't think we can use Seal. The rune is too final. It's keeping you from getting any memories back."

"I don't wanna risk losing them. Other runes would fade over time."

"We can't be too picky. Faded memories are a lot -" He trailed off as they heard a thud from the nearby lavatories.

"What was that?" Black shrugged. They headed into the bathroom and found Montague looking dazed, groaning, with one leg twisted unnaturally, the other stuck in a toilet.

"Montague?" He didn't look up. Draco looked to Black.

"He was missing right?"

"Yeah, it's been days since anyone has seen him."

"Graham?" That got him to look up. "Where have you been?"

"I-I-I-" he just kept stuttering. Draco exited the bathroom and called for the nearest student, a Ravenclaw girl. "Get Professor Umbridge. Now!" The girl squeaked and scampered off, but listened. Umbridge was there in minutes.

"What is it, Draco?"

"It's Graham Montague, professor. He's stuck in the toilet, but he can't talk. I don't know how he got there."

She brushed past him. "Mister Montague." He was still unresponsive. She tisked. "Fetch Professor Snape. This should be a task for your head of house."

"Yes, professor." Draco hurried down to the dungeons. He'd never seen someone like that, it made him nervous, so without thinking he barged into Snape's office.

"Professor Snape, I -" he realised Snape wasn't alone. Potter was sitting across from him. "Sorry, sir. I should've knocked"

"It's alright, Draco. Potter is just here for his remedial potions." Draco couldn't help the smug look that crossed his face. He knew Potter was bad, but not that bad at potions. "What do you need?"

"It's Montague, sir. He's been found, Professor Umbridge needs your assistance."

"Where is he?"

"He's stuck in a toilet, and he's rather confused."

"Very well. Stay here, Potter. I'll return shortly." He swept out into the hallway, Draco behind him but not before he could mouth, 'Remedial potions?' to Potter with a grin. Potter just glared in response.

When they got back to the bathroom, a small crowd had gathered. "Away everyone! If anyone is still here in 20 seconds, I take points." Draco rarely saw crowds dissipate so quickly.

"Thank you, Draco." Umbridge said sweetly to him.

"What happened?" Snape cut right to it.

"He was just found like this. I haven't seen anything like it," Umbridge provided unhelpfully.

"I heard rumours that he had been trapped inside the vanishing cabinet on the first floor. I investigated, but found nothing. If he was inside and tried to apparate out of nan-tangible space…" Snapped trailed off as he approached Montague.

Draco hadn't heard of the vanishing cabinet before, nor apparating inside of Hogwarts. He had no idea what Snape was getting at.

"Draco, notify Profrey we'll be bringing Montague shortly. She should prepare a calming draught and pain relievers."

Draco nodded and did as he was told. Black was unusually quiet, so Draco asked "What do you make of it?"

"Montague was a prick, but If Snape is right and someone trapped him there, that's a consequence far beyond his actions. He might not recover." Draco repressed a nervous twitch. "I think Hogwarts has become a much more hostile place."