Chapter 13

"I think he went into shock."

Voices floated through his head, slowly becoming clearer. He became aware of the floor underneath him, cold and hard. Feeling slowly seeped through his body; down his arms, hands, into his fingers. His knees hurt, one of his legs was bent awkwardly. His head was throbbing, his dry mouth had a foul taste, his stomach was churning. Maybe the cool floor isn't so bad. He tried moving his fingers.

"Sshhh." The murmurs grew quiet. "I think he just moved." Another beat of silence. "Malfoy...er...Draco?"

It was Granger. He wanted to scowl at her for using his given name, but he couldn't make his facial muscles obey his wishes. He tried to open his eyes, but they may as well have been sewn shut.

"Maybe he hasn't quite come 'round yet." Weasley. He sounded far too hopeful. Probably wished he had died.

Draco tried moving his fingers again, and felt them curl against the wood. He relaxed them, and started working on pushing his body up. He tried again to open his eyes.

He was almost there when his hand slipped and he crashed down to his elbow.

"Shit." He hissed, as he started falling onto bit back. Before he landed, warm hands landed under his shoulders, trying to support him. His eyes, finally, flew open, and he blinked trying to accustom them to his surroundings.

"Are you alright?" A voice asked softly. He looked up and saw Potter hovering above him, black hair falling carelessly over his green eyes, which were blazing with concern. He'd caught Draco just before his head cracked on the floor, and now had him resting somewhat awkwardly on his lap. Draco realized that Potter must have been very close to him earlier, for him to catch him before he hit the ground. Their eyes met. Draco felt his heart start thumping faster against his chest, the sound ringing in his ears. A slow heat started burning in his stomach, and was radiating through his body. It reached his face first, the blush spreading across his cheeks.

"I'm fine, Potter." He sat himself up quickly, suddenly alert enough to hold himself steady. Draco could tell Potter didn't believe him, and hopes he wasn't going to press the issue. Of course he wasn't bloody aright. He shifted his position so he was sitting cross legged with his elbows on his knees, and reached up to rub at his temples. With the shock of waking up on the floor and falling into Potter's lap wearing off, Draco was starting to remember all the details of the evening. Though his eyes were tightly shut, he could see the panic at the wedding, and he could hear people screaming as they ran past him. He could feel himself standing still, he could see the look of panic on his face. He saw the reception fade into the cafe, when Rowle and Dolohov walked in. His throat constricted as he remembered Rowle's expression when he recognized him.

It was like he was watching the fight from above, spells flying, glass shattering, the room gradually getting darker as the lights were hit one by one. The waitress, being a muggle and paralyzed by fear, didn't think to duck and hide behind the counter. Draco saw her hit the floor, the same way he'd seen so many other muggles fall to the floor. And he saw Potter's eyes, the pain and anger in his face when he turned, and the surprise and determination after he had been disarmed.

He saw himself walk toward the wand, lying so close to him on the floor, and pick it up. Draco looked back to Potter, crouched on the floor, muscles tensed, eyes fixed on Rowle. And he looked to Rowle, expression crazed with delight, wand raised and pointed straight at Potter's chest. He saw the comprehension dawn on his face as he realized what Rowle had planned. He saw himself raise Potter's wand, heard himself say the curse.

His eyes snapped open, he was breathing too quickly.

He hadn't even expected the curse to work. Not really. He'd never used Potter's wand before; he'd never used the curse before. He knew what performing a successful unforgiveable meant.

He'd meant it.

He looked up to Potter again, and Potter was looking back at him with confusion and concern. Potter opened his mouth to speak, but Granger started first.

"Malfoy...erm...well we were wondering. Back at the cafe, how did you know we were in danger?" She asked timidly. Draco was surprised by her tone. As much as he hated to admit it, and as much as he hated her, her sharp wit and confidence were something he almost respected.

"You said Harry did something." Weasley added. "Said You-Know-Who's name."

Draco hesitated, simply because he didn't want to look like he was affirming anything that came from Weasley's mouth, but ultimately nodded.

"Ok, but what do you mean by that?" Potter spoke up. "Why would saying Vol-"

"NO!" Draco shouted, lunging at Harry. His hands landed on his shoulders, and he pushed him roughly into the wall of the hallway. Granger gasped. "You bloody idiot! You can't say that name!"

"Ok. But why?" Potter asked calmly, not resisting Draco in the slightest. Draco stared hard into his eyes and saw the challenge that was there. He released Potter, and took a step back.

"Because his name is taboo. If you say it they can find you. Anywhere."

Silence answered his statement, but he could feel the tension building in the narrow hallway. He braced himself to get hexed.

"Well why the fuck wouldn't you tell us that earlier?!" Weasley shouted, stepping up to him. Draco was fairly tall, but Weasley still had a few inches on him. Draco refused to cower. "Why would you keep that all to yourself? Hoping we'd get caught?"

Draco took a moment to compose his answer carefully before responding.

"It didn't go in effect until today. It wasn't going to start until they had the Ministry-"

"You still could have told someone! Lupin, Kingsley? We could have told others, I could have told my family!" Weasley had raised his wand, and had it leveled between Draco's eyes. No one was stopping him.

"Ron, they don't use his name." Potter said. Weasley's wand didn't budge.

"I did tell Lupin. During a meeting." Draco responded, looking straight into Weasley's eyes. He saw him falter, his wand lowered slightly. It surprised Draco that the werewolf hadn't mentioned the taboo to Potter and his band of misfits, but he didn't have time to dwell on that now.

"You're lying. He would have told us. If you'd told him he would have told us!" Weasley returned to shouting, but Draco could tell his confidence was waning.

"If you're bloody werewolf didn't see fit to share information with you, that isn't my problem." Draco countered. He wished he had a wand he could raise to Weasley's face. Unlike Weasley, he wouldn't hesitate to actually use it. His hands, balled into fists, shook.

"Harry, you don't believe him do you?" Weasley's eyes flicked towards Draco's left. He turned, and saw Harry's eyes dance between his own and his friend's. Before he could respond, Draco turned back to Weasley with renewed anger. This didn't concern Potter.

"What, can't fight your own battles? I don't even have a wand, and you need your Golden Boy to fight them for you?" He sneered, knowing he was riling Weasley up. He almost hoped he would try to hex him.

He heard Potter moving behind him, and he walked up to Weasley preventing his response.

"Ron, drop it, ok? For tonight. We've been through enough, and we need to get some sleep." Potter gently placed his hand on Weasley's shoulder, and Weasley grudgingly nodded, eyes never leaving Draco's. Draco could tell this conversation wasn't over, probably far from it, but he was grateful for Potter's intervention.

Weasley reaches for Granger's hand, and Potter whispered something Draco wasn't meant to hear. Draco leaned back against the wall and put his hands in his pockets. Potter glanced back over his shoulder at Draco before whispering something else to his friends. They left the hallway to ascend the stairs, but not before Weasley shot one last venom filled look at Draco. He didn't have the energy to reciprocate, and simply stared at the ceiling.

"I need to talk to Ron and Hermione." Potter said. Draco nodded, still looking upward. "Malfoy, I..." Draco looked over to him. Potter was standing at the bottom of the stairs, his body awkwardly placed like he wasn't sure what he was doing, with one foot on the stairs and his torso and head both turned towards Draco. His hands were clasped in front of him, and Draco noticed that he was starting to pick at his nails. Potter quickly shoved his hands in his pockets. "I'll be back down soon. Don't go anywhere, it's not safe."

Draco had a feeling that wasn't what Potter had wanted to say. He cocked an eyebrow and shrugged his shoulders. As if he had the energy to leave. As if he had anywhere to go. "Sure, Potter."

As soon as the sound of Potter's footsteps trailed off, Draco slid down the wall, put his knees up, and wrapped his arms around them. He bent his forehead to his knees and let out a shaky breath.

Murderer.

You're a murderer.

He was a Death Eater.

He was a person. You killed him.

He had just killed that girl.

Murderer.

He was going to kill Potter.

You couldn't save your parents.

She was innocent. He wasn't.

You could have saved your parents.

I couldn't.

But you can save Potter.

Why Potter?

I don't know...

Why Potter?

I don't know!

Why Potter?

"I DON'T KNOW!" Draco was surprised by his own voice. He looked up, but he was still alone. He let his head fall back against the wall, unaware of the few tears that slid down his cheeks.

Liar.

Murderer.

OooOooO

Harry closed the door behind him and turned towards his friends. He looked them over, both battle-worn and exhausted beyond belief. Harry knew he looked the same. Hermione walked forward and embraced him in a way that he hadn't realized he needed. He held her back, looking at Ron over her shoulder who have him a solemn nod. She let go slowly, and stepped back. "He saved your life, Draco."

"I know." Harry said. And it was true. He had been prepared to lunge out of the way, but in all likelihood he was going to get hit, and that would have been it. The end.

"But he killed someone." Ron added. Harry looked over to him. Ron no longer looked angry, just weary. Harry knew his anger towards Malfoy wasn't unjustified, and Harry himself had reservations about believing his story about telling Lupin. It just didn't make sense that Lupin would keep something that crucial from them.

"I know." Said Harry, yet again. The conversation lulled. "But he still fought for us. When he picked up my wand he could have hexed me, or joined the fight against you two. But he didn't. Surely that...it must mean something."

His friends stared back at him. "Of course it means something, Harry. But he still...he still killed someone. We shouldn't forget what he can do." Hermione spoke gently, but her voice was tired. Harry knew now wasn't the time to start this conversation. He wanted to trust Malfoy, and he believed he could, but he couldn't betray his the trust of his best friends by doing anything rash. He wold convince them. Hermione glanced significantly at Ron, who turned and walked towards the other side of the room. She walked up to Harry again. "I think it would be better if Ron and Malfoy don't have to share a room. But I don't think we should leave him alone in the house for too long."

"No I get it. I'll stay with him." Harry reached for Hermione's arm in a reassuring way, knowing she was right. "Get some rest. I'll see you in the morning. Ron, you too."

"Night, Harry."

"Night, mate."

Harry left the room, closing the door behind him. He descended the stairs to find Malfoy sitting against the wall, head back, looking almost peaceful. As he neared, Malfoy didn't move, and Harry noticed the tear stains on his cheeks, and the slight tremor in his hands. He went next to Malfoy and slid down the wall, bringing his knees up to mirror Malfoy's positioning. He brought his hands together.

"If you start picking at your nails against I'm liable to punch you." Malfoy said. Harry jumped slightly, surprised, but the corner of his mouth lifted in a smile.

"Ron and Hermione have a room upstairs. There are plenty though, so we can go take another."

Malfoy opened his eyes and looked over to Harry. With his face turned, their noses were mere centimeters from each other. Neither moved. "We...I don't think you should be in the house alone. You...it can be dangerous." Harry tried to explain, feeling his face burn as he stumbled through his words.

"Do you hear me protesting?" Malfoy said with a hint of his old drawl. Harry blinked at him, then stood up.

"Right then, follow me." Harry led them up two flights of stairs, to the room he had shared with Ron in previous visits to the old house. Unlike the room Hermione had chosen for her and Ron, Harry knew for certain this room had two beds.

Once they were both in the room, Harry lit a lamp and cast a few quick scourgifys to make the room for habitable. He glanced at Malfoy, standing by a wall looking at the ceiling again, and down at himself before casting the charm on the both of them as well. Malfoy looked at him, surprised, and Harry realized he hadn't asked permission before casting on him.

"Sorry, I just...I thought you'd be more comfortable. I shouldn't have done that. I forgot that you get uncomfortable when other people cast charms on you." Harry stopped when he saw Malfoy's eyes widen then slowly narrow. He felt a blush rising to his cheeks. "I, um, I mean, I've just noticed that-"

Malfoy interrupted him. "No. No, it's fine. Don't worry yourself." He started to turn towards his bed, but Harry had something more he wanted to say.

"Malfoy." Harry started. Malfoy turned back towards him, eyes wary. "Erm. I just...well..." Harry stammered, trying to make the words come out. Malfoy's expression didn't change, and he waited patiently for Harry to continue. Harry took a deep breath.

"Thank you."

Malfoy stared at him a second more, his expression becoming pained. His body twitched as if he were about to move forward towards Harry, but he stilled. Still, his eyes burned with words he wasn't sharing. Finally, he gave one short nod.

"Goodnight, Potter." And he turned towards his bed. Harry watched him for a moment longer before doing the same, and turning out the light.

AN: Ok, SOOO, I know this is a few days later than I said. I really wanted to make this chapter longer because I want to start releasing longer chapters, but I realized that I've gotten to a point where my outline is severely lacking in details and I need to do a little research. As I'm sure you can tell, I am trying to generally stick to the real DH events, and I'm changing what I think needs changing to accommodate for Draco's presence. But that means that I don't want to mess up the sequence of events and have it wreck things later on. So, all that being said, the chapters following this ARE going to be longer, which may be a little more time between chapters (maybe not, idk), and I need to fill in some details on my outline.

Now then, I hope you all enjoyed Chapter 13! Things are going to start picking up from here, time is probably going to start moving more quickly. As always, thanks to everyone who is reading and reviewing, I love getting all your feedback! I'll have more out for you soon!