So while going thru my computer the other day I found this! A story I wrote…a whiiiile back haha and I guess I never got to put this up on ffnet.

So here it is ^_^

Pairings: Draco/Ron , Snape/Neville

Warnings: Violence, eventual male x male

XXX

Chapter 1

XXX

"Crucio."

"Argh!" He could hear the laughter around him as he felt the pain envelope him for…he couldn't count how many times this had happened. He thought that his body might go numb after a while but it hadn't, and the pain just got worse.

He couldn't tell what day it was or where he was. And he could feel his whole body convulsing.

His blood was pounding against his skin. He could fell his eyes rolling to the back of his head, his arms and legs got strange piercing sensations all over them. The tears had stopped a long time ago…he gasped for air as the curse was lifted.

"I don't think he's going to tell us anything! Let's just kill him already and get on with the rest of them!"

"N-no!" His voice was hoarse, his throat torn from all the hours of screaming. After he said it he couldn't help but doubt if there were other people, they were probably already dead.

"Oho! He wants to help his ickle friends!" The foul voice that had spoken earlier laughed maniacally.

"I'm not wasting any more time on this mud-blood loving fool! Avada Ka…"

"Wait…" The voice was cold and ran a horrifying chill down his broken body. He heard it only a few times before…a voice threaded thoroughly with darkness, it was soft but he could still hear it over his own panting.

"My Lord." He heard the group of voices around him and the ruffling of robes…his eyes were open but everything was so fuzzy he couldn't see anything.

"He can still be of use to me…"

"NO!" Ron sat up breathing harshly. His body shivering and covered in sweat. He looked around the dark room before realizing he was alone again.

He ran his shaking hands through his hair. He knew he wouldn't be able to fall back asleep after that.

It had been over a year…his left wrist was tingling. He looked around but there was nothing. He was still alone in Number 12 Grimmauld Place like he had been for the past few months. He ran another hand through his hair trying to get it out of his face, it had gotten long.

THUD

He looked around the room…that sound came from downstairs. The red-head quickly jumped out of his bed and ran down the stairs. Who would be visiting Grimmauld Place unannounced?

He grabbed one of the twin's old Beaters bat at the foot of the stairwell. He saw there was a light flickering under the door in the kitchen.

"Ron?" A familiar voice called from in the kitchen and he laughed shakily going through the door to see Harry's face in the fireplace. There was a log on the floor in front of him.

"Throwing logs now Harry?" Ron grinned trying to ignore the sharp pain surging through his wrist now. He flinched.

"I had to get your attention somehow." The dark-haired teen eyed Ron. "I miss you mate."

"If this is one of those muggle booty-calls I'm leaving." Ron sat down in front of the fire.

"Hardy-har-har." Scoffed the face in the fire. "Seriously…it's been a while." Ron noticed the bag's under Harry's eyes and he had gotten skinnier too.

"Yeah, how's Hermione?" Ron found he couldn't look the fire in the eyes at that moment.

"She's doing fine…"

"Seamus?" The red-head tried not to think about it too much. He still cared for Hermione, just not in the way she had wanted…and then after the incident…

"They're thinking about getting married." Harry looked a little uncomfortable before noticing the red-head rub his wrist unconsciously.

"Its hurting isn't it."

"I dreamed about it again." Ron tried to smile wincing at the pain in his wrist; he noticed the brunette looked worried.

"Maybe I should…"

"No! Please…we don't get to talk…anymore…" The red-head immediately hated the scratchiness of his voice.

"I know…Ron…" He looked tired. "It's my fault it hurts…"

"I can deal with it." Ron mumbled.

"Listen the reason I'm calling is to tell you that there will be an emergency meeting tonight and we can talk in person okay? No matter what Moody says." He grinned.

"You're calling me at three in the morning…to tell me something that could wait?"

"Well I figured since I was awake you should be too." He smirked.

"Git."

"And I really didn't want to see you walking around the place in your skivvies because you didn't know there was a meeting."

XXX

"Traitor! We found you!"

He fell into the dirt panting. It was too soon…he needed to get out of there. There were bright flashes and smoke everywhere. The cabin was on fire…and from how bright the surroundings were…he could guess that most of the village was too.

He hoped that the man that had been helping him wasn't captured.

"Get out of here!!!"

The frantic shouting and yelling got him to his feet again. He needs to get out of there. He needs to live.

He quickly thought of the largest city he could think of…he might be able to lose them in a large city…hopefully if they didn't follow…

"Draco get out of here!!!" He heard the frantic shouting of a familiar voice mix in with the screams…of people he didn't think he recognized.

"Hello Draco…"

Everything went cold.

XXX

Ron sighed in the warmth of the shower, unwrapping his bandaged wrist revealing a skull and snake tattoo. This was the reason he hadn't been able to see Harry. He had gotten it that night a little over a year ago.

It still haunted his sleep. He had been captured…along with a few others at the, was it third raid? It was hard to remember…one of the earliest ones.

He was the only one left alive.

They had found him weeks after the battle, broken in the forbidden forest with the Dark Mark on his wrist. It had been awful, they thought he had died and even had a ceremony for him.

The problem was that whenever Harry was near him it caused him pain…and it became excruciating for the both of them if they ever touched. Mad Eye thought that Ron might have been put under the Imperious curse or the Mark could some how let Voldemort, he had to get used to the name, into what was happening around Ron. What the Order was doing, what they were planning…some of them considered him as good as a spy.

But even worse than all that was…no one could touch him…it was worse with Harry but…not even his family could touch him. Any contact made him feel as though he was reliving the cruciatus curse all over again. His mum had cried for weeks at just the sight of him…he wasn't going to be able to touch anyone anymore.

He prayed to Merlin that it would be gone when Voldemort was defeated…or that he would be killed in battle.

That's why they kept him at Grimmauld Place. He had been here since that day; it was the most protected place for him while the rest of the Order either stayed at Hogwarts or other places to not seem so suspicious. His family was pretty much the only reason he was still allowed at the meetings, they swore they would tell him everything anyway so he was allowed back. And even after all of this he could still tell he didn't have everyone's full trust any more.

Hogwarts was barely a school anymore. More like a safe-haven for all the muggle borns and any one else that had decided not to just sit around and see what happens. Most of the old professors were still there along with Neville, Luna, Dean and Seamus who were a part of the Order now. Ginny and Hermione were there half of the time and the other half going on little side missions for the Order that weren't deemed too dangerous.

Not that the girls couldn't handle it.

But Ron was left here…It had taken a few months for him to be allowed back in the meetings and even a few more after that to be allowed to see Harry…though still very rarely as most of the Aurors preferred they didn't interact.

They had even taken away his wand.

Ron grimaced at the scars around his mark he had given himself trying every spell or incantation he could think of to try and get it off. He figured his mum probably thought he was going to off himself after he and Hermione had ended it.

Well really…she HAD thought he was dead…and it HAD been a few weeks…and Seamus WAS there. Ron hit his head against the wall in the shower. He regretted ending it with her. Or really she ended it.

But they were happy together at least. And getting married? Wow.

He ignored the burning in his chest and eyes. It was horrible. He wanted to feel happy for everyone but he was stuck here while all of them were fighting. He was stuck here because everyone was afraid what the Mark would do to him if he accidentally got stuck in a group of people…it was hard to avoid contact with people…they couldn't even help him up without causing more pain.

It was awful.

He heard some voices start to form in the lower floors. He quickly stopped the shower and wrapped up his arm; slipping on jeans and a white t-shirt before heading downstairs.

XXX

It was hard to breathe. He had no idea how he had been able to make it past…

He could hear the muggles gasp and some scream. A few of them started asking him questions. He must have looked awful to earn that type of reaction.

"You think you can run you filth! Betray the Dark Lord and live?" He heard the high and awful voice of Bellatrix as she laughed. "I see you wittle ickle Dracokins!"

"Get away!" he yelled which seemed to take a lot of strength out of him. Tears from the pain making it hard to see, along with the blood.

There were a few flashes of light that barely missed him but one hex did hit his leg causing him to double over and hit the street.

XXX

"Well honestly, I think we need to take a trip to the grocer." He walked in to see his mum going thru the cabinets. "No wonder Ron looks so skinny all the time."

"I'm the reason there is practically no food mum." He grinned as she turned around and smiled sadly, he wanted to hug her put knew better. Then the twins walked into the room.

"We thought you would still be sleeping." Fred stated and then sat down at the table. George yawned before following suit. They hadn't changed much in the years besides looking more tired than usual, but it seemed that most people were doing that these days. They were still inseparable.

"Naw, I've been sleeping too much lately." Ron grinned even though it was a lie.

"Well I need you two to go to that muggle grocer for me." Molly Weasley stated as she waved her wand and a list appeared in front of George. At first Fred and George loved going to the muggle grocer…until they realized how, in fact, boring it was.

"Aw C'mon mum we just woke up!" Moaned Fred flopping on the table.

"Hey, how about Ron and I go?" George winked at Ron who looked over to their mother eagerly. Now that was an idea.

"I don't think that's such a great…" She looked torn glancing at Ron.

"Its okay, it's just the grocer and besides I haven't left this place in soo long mum! And I'll be really careful not to touch the muggles." Ron tried to put on his best sympathy face. He hadn't left Number 12 for five months and a week…but that was only because they had thought he had been compromised before…otherwise the number of weeks would be a lot longer.

"The place is really big so it shouldn't be a problem." George nodded.

"Oh…" She sighed looking weary. "Oh alright but not a word to anyone in the Order you understand? Especially Moody…he'll probably want to lock you a dungeon next that little…"

"Mum!" Fred laughed excitedly when Mrs. Weasley had given Moody a few choice words.

"Alright be quick you two and don't make me regret my decision!" She winked and both boys left the kitchen.

"Thank you." Ron gave his brother a quick nod before heading out of the house for the first time in months.

"Well Fred is never really helpful in grocers anyway…"

XXX

It was getting harder to breathe.

He knew he was bleeding…everywhere.

Tired.

Thirsty.

He had to keep running, he had to get away! His wand had been destroyed…what was he going to do?

Howls and shouting could be heard behind him.

Draco cursed as his body began to shake…he wouldn't be able to make it would he? He gasped for air pulling himself to his feet. The Death Eaters weren't as close as he thought considering they hadn't caught up to him.

He limped as quickly as he could into a dark alleyway before bumping into something and hitting the ground hard.

There was a familiar shade of red-hair…

"George that's the last time I listen to you! Honestly, there's never anyone there. What's to worry about? I just ran into a muggle!" He watched as Ron Weasley got himself up and began to dust himself off before realizing there was blood on his hands.

"Sorry sir we didn't see…" The other Weasley…one of the twins…he was looking in shock when he realized who Ron bumped into. "Malfoy?"

"H-help."

Everything went black.

XXX

"H-help."

Ron stared wide-eyed at the bloody mess before him. He noticed that his brother was frozen in place too.

"Found him!" The both turned to see a Death Eater at the end of the alley-way. That's when they noticed all of the screaming of the muggles out in the street.

"Ron!" George pulled out his wand and ran in front of his younger brother. "Grab him and go!"

"But!" The youngest Weasley winced as his wrist began to tingle.

"Ron I know it hurts but please he needs help and you don't have a wand to defend yourself with, now go…NOW!"

He quickly pulled up the blonde that was passed out on the floor and apparated quickly.

Suddenly he was in front of number 12 Grimmauld place. There was no one on the street. He ran to the door kicking it open and then running into the largest room. "Mum! Hurry! Mum!"

He shouted at the top of his voice before placing the bloody and beaten blonde on the nearest couch.

Then he realized…there was no pain…

Blue eyes widened as they stared down at the limp form…he placed his hand back on the blonde.

There was no pain.

"Ron wha…OH! Ron! Wha…whe….where's George?" Mrs. Weasley gasped looking at the broken boy on the couch. "Ron? Ron? Where's your brother?"

"I'm here." They both looked up to see George breathing heavily and his body was shaking. He had a few scrapes and a small cut on his arm probably from dodging a hex.

"Ooooh George!" Mrs. Weasley gasped with tears in her eyes.

"Mum what's all the comotio…" Fred stopped at the site of his duplicate, he immediately went to George's side before he noticed to bleeding blonde on the couch.

"Fred, call everyone…they need to get here and help him." George gasped for air sitting down as his twin left the room quickly but not before giving one last worried glance at his brother.

XXX

"So what happened?"

Ron watched Moody pace at the end of the room. He made sure he was as far from everyone as he could be…but his arm was still killing him; it was getting worse.

Almost everyone was there; McGonaggal, Tonks, Kingsley, Bill, Fluer, Charlie, Fred and George. Harry, Seamus, Neville, Luna, Dean, Hagrid and Ginny. Mr. Weasley was leaning against the wall close to Mad Eye. Mrs. Weasley and Hermione were upstairs working on the battered newcomer.

Professor Lupin was still undercover with the Werewolves and they could only see him once a twice a month…if at all.

And the rest were probably still at Hogwarts worried about leaving it alone.

Percy had died when the Death Eaters had taken over the Ministry a few months ago trying to protect Arthur, Ron grimly tried to forget the state it had left his family in since none of them had made amends with each other before hand. It took them a while to even get his mum to smile again.

"As I was saying, Ron and I were going to the grocer." George glared at everyone who scoffed. "Listen he doesn't need to spend the rest of his bloody life here…we…"

"That's not the point now…" Moody interrupted before the rant started. "And then you said that he just bumped into Ron and then you were surrounded by Death Eaters?"

"I believe they were chasing him." Ron spoke up for the first time that meeting. Realizing he now had all eyes on him, he continued. "They were obviously the ones that did it to him…"

"Of course you would see it that way…" Moody scoffed, "It could have been a trap or…"

"Honestly?" Fred scoffed standing beside his twin. "How on earth would they have known that George and Ron were going shopping at that moment and going to appear in that alley and that very time? Seems pretty well planned to me."

"Unless you're suggesting that it's Ron's fault." Harry spoke across the room from Ron. It was quiet for a moment, the strange pause that usually happens after Harry speaks. The red-head had noticed it after hanging with the other teen for a few years.

"I'm not saying he's a spy, am I?" Moody shot back.

"Not exactly but you meant it." Ginny stated bitterly. Ron hated this…sometimes he wished he had died…him being alive only caused a dividing line in the Order.

"What I am saying is…" Moody continued irritably. "That maybe him being outside of this place allowed them to see where he was…and where he was going. If he isn't under constant protection and limitations they might be able to trace him."

"Anyone staying here for this long alone would go crazy!" Tonks spoke up she didn't say anything but it was obvious she had been thinking about Sirius. "And no one interrupt me."

Not that anyone would; considering she was 8 months pregnant.

"We aren't blaming you Ron, if anything it might be a good thing that you went there." She waited to make sure no one would speak. "I mean from the likes of it he was being chased…and no matter what Mad Eye says, it's pretty much impossible to guess where people are apparating unless you can read their minds. Which given, yes you-know-who can do that but I don't think he did. I think it was coincidence and fate which brought you the young Malfoy."

"Doesn't everyone remember what Harry told us after Dumbledore died?" McGonaggal spoke up. "Draco couldn't kill Dumbledore and even Dumbledore had offered protection to the young lad."

"I think we should wait then." Harry stood up. "Wait until he's healed enough for us to question him. We'll use veritaserum if it'll make you feel better." He had nodded toward Moody with that statement.

"Fine." The older man growled but didn't walk away. It was time to start the other part of the meeting.

Planning the next fight.

"Longbottom?" Ron looked over at Neville who stood up holding some papers but was still fidgeting. Ron could say he had been very surprised at how useful Neville had become during the war and it also seemed that nobody had been kidding when they had said the teen was good at herbology.

He had found so many uses for mandrakes and devil's snare that most of their bases had them around the lines. Neville and Ron had also been a big part of the strategic planning group before Ron had been capture.

Even with all of that Neville still would ask for Ron's opinion but lately all the fighting seemed to have started taking a toll on the teen. He was thinner and his hair was shaggier but still short. And he was almost always covered in dirt.

"Professor Sprout and I were wanting to test a theory we have on Alihotsy leaves and if it can affect the Demenotors…"

XXX

"Harry." Ron nodded to the door of the kitchen and left the room to go to a…less crowded one.

"Not long Ron okay? I know I hurt you the most." Harry stated quickly following the red-head a good 7 feet behind him.

Ron quickly dodged into the room that they had placed the now bandaged blonde teen.

"Ron, wha?"

"No…look." Ron quickly grabbed Malfoy's arm.

"Wait! Ron!" Harry had started towards him but stopped. "Wait…he's….its not?"

"My arm doesn't hurt." He stated letting go of the arm. "I don't know what it means."

"We should let everyone else know and see if they can work a connection." Harry nodded still with a surprised face.

"Other than the fact we both have marks?" Ron scoffed.

"Moody doesn't mean it…he's just…"

"No, the paranoid git means it Harry." The ginger haired teen ran a hand through his hair. His arm was getting worse the longer he was with the other teen.

"I'll just let Hermione know then…maybe she can come up with something." Harry started walking towards the door. "Well think of the Brightside."

Ron was startled by his friend's sudden grin.

"Now at least you have company." And he quickly left the room.

Ron groaned.

"You git!"

XXX

The first thing Draco noticed as he came too was that he was lying down and felt heavy. But he wasn't feeling as much pain as he was expecting…did he die?

A sudden jolt of pain hit his head showing him that in fact…he was not dead. The blonde gasped and opened his eyes, was he captured? Where was he? What happened? Why wasn't he dead?

He could hear voices… he couldn't understand what they were saying but he was cold very cold...

Then he remembered. The red-hair while he was being attacked! A Weasley! What happened to the Death Eaters? All he could remember was the stupid muggles screaming.

With a gasp he opened his eyes, the ceiling. It took a second to register that his hand had grabbed something. He glanced down at the surprised look on Weasley's face. Draco noticed he was holding Ron's hand…even then he didn't want to let go.

Afraid it would all turn out to be a dream if he did.

"Don't…" His own voice sounding foreign even to his own ears. It was raspy…it hurt to use his throat.

"Harry! He's woken up." The ginger-haired teen notified the occupants in the other room. It had been his turn to keep an eye on the blonde...it was day three. Ron didn't think he would mind actually having company at Number 12 but he wished his company could have been for more fun and a lot less business.

But there was still a war going on.

Draco tugged on the hand harder. They had to get out…why was the stupid red-head making so much noise? He tried to pull the red head over.

"Malfoy?" Ron felt his arm being tugged and bent over beside the teen that looked at him with almost wild eyes.

"Death Eaters?" Ron watched his lips move with the words.

"No, they are gone, its okay I got you out of there." Ron was immediately worried as he glanced over the shaking teen. Bill was kneeling at the other side of the bed and Harry got on the other side against the wall as far away as he could when he noticed the blonde wasn't planning on letting go of Ron any time soon.

Draco looked around as if not believing he was safe…looking for the Death Eaters to pop out at any moment. His eyes fell on Harry widening…Potter? Why was Potter here? And what the hell, Longbottom?

Everything came back to him.

It was an awful sensation. Like getting the same bad news over and over again stuck in the nightmare. He could see it the year's events rushing into his mind after the Dumbledore incident. His mother crying before the green flash of light hit her…his father had done it.

Running.

The werewolves had been sent after him too…Snape and that other guy had tried to protect him as much as they could without getting caught.

He should have known it was too good to be true.

Everyone else in the room couldn't help but stare in shock as the blonde had grabbed his head and broke down. Sobbing.

Ron starred in awe but noticed that his hand had instinctively tightened its grip with the blonde's hand that was keeping it captive.

"Malfoy…" Ron didn't know what to do…he wanted to leave the room and the house as far away as he could get.

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Draco shuddered letting go of Ron's hand like it burned as he remembered his fathers' eyes as he killed his mum…that man was not…never… "I am not his son."

"D-Draco…?" Harry this time, the outburst had definitely shook most of the people in the room. Mrs. Weasley looked torn from wanting to comfort the blonde or just staying back and letting him handle it himself but Neville was keeping a hand on her arm.

Bill got Ron's attention and motioned him to leave the room…and to take their Mum and Moody with him. Ron nodded and quickly gestured them out of the room careful not to touch them but Neville ended up having to yank the older man out as he started sputtering angrily obviously tiffed that they hadn't started the questioning yet.

He heard his Mum gasp as he made sure to close the door behind him and looked up quickly. Professor Lupin was standing in the doorway covered in mud and blood panting heavily.

"Remus!" Moody and Mrs. Weasley both shouted as the man fell to the carpet.

XXX

Ron sat in his room quietly almost missing the days the Grimmauld Place had been quiet…it had been better than him being barely able to stay downstairs because of all the people.

A week had passed since Malf…Draco (Ron thought bitterly) had woken up and other than the few answers he had gave Harry he had stopped talking when Bill had given him the news of the werewolf scratches and bite.

He hadn't said a word since and it was getting hard for them to get him to eat.

Remus Lupin had been waking up off and on since he arrived. At first everyone became worried that Fenrir would become suspicious with him gone. But at the state of things he was in when he arrived, Ron figured that the werewolves had figured him out.

"Ron; you decent?" The red-head rolled his eyes as the twins came in smirking.

"Lupin is forcing Tonks to go to her parents now…so no more pregnant lady tantrums." Fred stated happily.

"And Moody reminded everybody that they still have jobs to do so I think this place might be emptying out soon." George said but didn't smile causing Ron to tense up.

That meant that it was going to be Ron, Lupin and Draco…all by themselves?

"No one's staying?" Ron groaned, he really didn't want to have to try and play nurse with people he couldn't even touch if he wanted to…well minus the blonde but he didn't want to.

"Well we can stop by every once in a while like usual but we're going to try and keep the news going on the radio." Fred winked. "Figure it helps. And Neville was called back to the school…something is happening to that kid…"

"What do you mean?" Ron eyed the twins but they didn't say anything. "I've become a nurse-maid have I?" Ron sighed again but happy his brothers would still come by.

"C'mon cheer up. Make Madame Pomfrey proud." George snickered.

XXX

The place was quiet. It was weird because now Ron decided he missed the noise. He scoffed at himself.

"Ron is that you?" Lupin had woken up again and was sitting up but Ron motioned him to stop.

"You're not allowed up yet, you've got some pretty bad injuries." He stated in case the werewolf professor had forgotten the state he was in.

"Bludger…" He groaned laying back down slowly, Ron grinned at the forced-censorship.

"You remember anything? Since you've come here?" The freckled teen thought it would be a good question to ask since he had only been waking up for a few minutes at a time.

"I remember sending my wife home." Lupin sighed immediately regretting that decision…she was going to let him have it when he was better.

If she decided to wait for him to heal.

"Pretty ballsy for an injured guy I might add." Ron laughed, but Lupin could feel the tension from the other teen and new what he wanted to ask.

"I don't think I can get in with them again." Remus covered his eyes with his hand ashamed, "I blew it."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked a little panicked, he really didn't want to be the one that had to let everyone know this.

"A few weeks ago they brought that kid…the…Malfoy kid." Lupin started looking off at the corner of the room.

Ron decided he would share the fact that the Malfoy kid was upstairs for later.

"Well they wanted Fenrir to kill him." By they he meant the Death Eaters. "But ole' Greyback decided to have a little fun instead and I know that they had been suspicious of me before but…well he wanted me to turn the kid first." Ron's eyes widened…he prayed to Merlin that it wasn't his old professor that had done it to the blonde.

"I couldn't do it obviously." Remus sighed, "I tired to get him out of there, to help him get away…and I got some help…"

His eyes had gone lowered as if he was ashamed of who helped.

"Who helped you?" Ron croaked nervously.

"We had been doing pretty well but they found us and well…" He waved his hand over the state that he was in.

Ron wondered about the helper again.

"What about who helped you? Did they make it?"

"I suppose so, the others seemed to just think that he had gotten to me and the boy first… that he hadn't been helping us at all…which I guess could have been true."

"Who helped you?" He tried again.

"Severus Snape."

XXX

Ron could never remember having so many emergency meetings so close together and he could tell people were getting nervous but this was serious.

What side was Snape on?

Everyone sat in the kitchen, around the table…even Moody was sitting this time.

Brooding.

Ron looked across at everyone.

Harry looked more serious than ever…and older. He had bags under his eyes which made the green stand out fiercer. It was hard for him considering what he had witnessed but at the same time…

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were next to each other this time seemingly to be having a conversation with each other but through their eyes.

The twins looked like they might be sleeping.

Lupin looked awful but still better than he had before. He was staring at the table with a regretful look.

Hermione was whispering something to Luna.

Ron's eyes fell on Neville. The teen had been silent, which wasn't usual like most people would presume. The teen seemed really nervous and looked a little sick. His mouth opened like it was going to speak but then he noticed Ron staring at him and stopped.

Ron gave him a confused look but the wavy-haired teen looked away.

The red-head figured the other teen probably agreed with Moody this time and was a little horrified with himself…because Neville never agreed with the crazy-eyed man. But Snape had been a little harsher on Neville than the rest during their school years.

He winced and grabbed his arm at the same time Harry grabbed his scar. They both looked at each other wide-eyed and noticed Hermione was giving them the same expression, things were getting worse.

Ron looked at the door and then at his best friend. He was going to leave the meeting; he didn't even trust himself when it hurt like this.

Voldemort was holding a meeting, Mad-eye told them that's what all the Death Eaters said about their marks hurting when they finally broke down the last time.

Everyone looked up when he stood probably expecting him to say something but instead he walked out.

They would figure it out eventually.

He hissed as the pain started to feel like his whole are was burning. He heard a yelp come from up the stairs. Blue-eyes widened and he quickly ran up the stairs.

He burst into the blonde boy's room and noticed he was holding onto this wrist while clenching his teeth. The blonde looked up at the sudden intrusion but noticed the red-head was holding his own wrist.

Pale grey eyes widened and Ron realized that no, Draco would not have known that he had the mark unless he was with the Death Eaters.

"You…" The voice was hoarse and sounded a bit painful coming out, but the red-head figured it was probably from not using it. Ron gave one nod before making his way over to the blonde.

"What's it mean?" Ron stopped short of the bed nervously pulling at the bandages around his wrist.

The blonde still seemed pretty taken aback with the fact that the Weasley had the mark as well. He stared at Ron's wrist for a little while longer before closing his eyes and the both hissed quietly as a rather sharp pain came along their wrists.

"It usually mean's that He's summoning everyone…or something." The grey eyes did not look back up at Ron.

"Something?" Ron swallowed his throat had gone dry. For some reason he felt something tug at him…he had someone to share this with now…even if it was a pointy Malfoy.

"Whatever it is…usually summons though…" Draco eyed his wrist as the pain subsided, "It just burns when he uses a lot of magic I guess."

Ron didn't want to think about that at the moment. He sat down on the chair that had been placed beside the blonde's bed for whoever had been on watch.

"When?" Ron looked over and even though the other boy wasn't looking at him he knew what he was asking.

"About three months after Dumble…" Ron stopped noticing the teen tense in front of him. He paused before taking a different route to explain. "One of the first raids, I was captured."

He left it at that.

All Draco did was nod but still didn't look at the other boy.

"Are you willing to talk now, I guess?" Ron lifted his eyebrows as the teen seemed to shift a bit but still not look at him. But the red-head really didn't want this chance to go by, and since the meeting had probably taken a different turn it might help if he rejoined with new information. "Can I just ask you a few questions?"

The blonde didn't move but responded. "If I can ask you something afterwards."

Ron honestly didn't know what the other boy would want to know but he agreed with it.

"What happened?"

This caused the blonde to scoff in a sort of laugh-snort that had really caught Ron off-guard.

"From the beginning then?" Draco looked at him with no hint of humor on his face, more dread and Ron tried to ignore the fear as well.

"Sorry I couldn't think of anything specific." Ron mumbled, honestly he wasn't the interrogator and even if he was it would probably have been easier if Harry wasn't so set on making sure the blonde was going to be a protected ally.

"How far back then?"

Ron thought a moment but knew the answer. "Dumbledore's death."

Draco tensed.

"Very well." He tried not to let his voice croak. "I was initiated as a Death Eater and ordered to kill the man to restore my father's value in the Dark Lord's eyes. Not only that but he threatened mine and my mum's life. I had to do it."

"But…"

"Let me finish, ask your questions later." The blonde spat out bitterly. "In the end I couldn't do it and Snape had to. He made an unbreakable vow with me mum stating that he would make sure that it got done…Dumbledore knew…don't say anything yet. Well after that night we returned to the Dark Lord…who of course tortured me and my mum…"

"Why didn't you do it?" Ron asked quietly enough so that the blonde could pretend he hadn't heard if he wanted to.

"What?" Draco looked down at the red head.

"Why didn't you kill Dumbledore?"

"It would have saved me from this conversation." Draco stated bitterly.

"Oh fine." Ron snorted before pretending to seal his mouth with his fingers.

The blonde hesitated. He really didn't need to be telling the red head this. And none of the information he had was worth it anyway…he should have just talked to the idiot Potter. But then again…he looked over into the blue expectant eyes of the red-haired teen.

"I…" He paused closing his eyes and reluctantly relieving one of his worst memories in the past year. "I was going to…there was no other way around it. If I wanted to keep my mum safe I had to…I…but then the old coot offered to protect us and get us away…even protect my father in Azkaban, not that either of us knew the bastard broke out the next night."

Ron watched the teen struggle in thought with his eyes closed. He couldn't help but watch the blonde's jaw as it clenched in frustration…or maybe just thought. He couldn't ignore the drop of sweat that was falling from the blonde's brow and traveling down his face into the crevices of his neck.

Then he noticed the silver scar across the other teens face. It was very slight and he almost never would have noticed it…that scar…was more than likely from the frightful encounter between Harry and Draco that one night in the bathroom…

"I'm going to admit that I wanted to take up his deal. Go into hiding away from the Dark Lord. But the Dark Lord…and then the Death Eaters came in and well…"

"You would have joined Dumbledore though?" Ron had to admit he was surprised. Even when Harry had told him how Mal…Draco had slightly lowered his wand.

"Do you really think I wanted this?" Draco felt angry…angry at his own choices…that Ron didn't understand…he lifted up his arm and pointed at the mark. "Do you really and honestly believe that I wanted this? I honestly don't believe you got yours on your own did you?"

"…" Ron looked at his wrist clutching it tightly.

"Oh don't get me wrong." The blonde snorted. "I had wanted to…before…" His gaze left the red-head he didn't want to look at him anymore. "I just didn't…"

"Know…" Ron finished for him sitting up.

"No. I would like to say that I didn't realize what the Dark Lord was doing but I did…" The blonde still tried to avoid looking at the red head. "I did know, which just makes me more disgusted at myself for it."

Ron ran a hand through his hair. He had no idea what to do, he didn't know if he could keep asking the teen questions or if he should leave…he really didn't want to try and comfort him because he really didn't know what to do in this kind of conversation.

"My turn?" The blonde asked his voice low and Ron almost didn't hear it.

"Okay but understand I won't be able to answer everything." The blonde nodded and seemed to be thinking really hard about what he wanted to ask.

"When's the next full moon?"

Ron bit his lip.

XXX

Neville Longbottom stared into the fireplace of Number 12 Grimmauld Place's drawing room.

He was going to get into trouble and he knew it. He really didn't know why he was doing it either. He looked over at Ron Weasley who seemed to have a lot on his mind as well.

Most people had gone back to Hogwarts but he decided to stay he wanted to know…

Harry and Moody were interrogating Malfoy…Draco now. With veritaserum.

Neville stared into the flames, Lupin had asked them to give him some time to prove what he was saying was the truth. He looked over at the battered and almost too thin old DA professor. He was asleep on the couch.

Snape really had helped the old professor. Neville sighed a long worried breathe. He was still going to get in so much trouble if anyone figured it out. He almost thought Ron had earlier in the meeting and felt guilty for the relief he had felt when the ginger had left the meeting.

He waited for the result of the blonde's interrogation upstairs…maybe he wouldn't have to regret his decision. He prayed to Merlin…to God, to anyone that he wouldn't regret what he was doing.

XXX

The five guys sat at one end of the table.

"Apparently Ma…Draco." He corrected himself with a thin line on his lips, it was harder than he thought it should be to do the switch. "Says that Snape had made an unbreakable vow with his mother before it happened."

He didn't have to say what incident he was talking about.

"Hnn…" Moody seemed annoyed that the blonde teen upstairs had said the same thing he had told them when he first arrived along with more, but under veritaserum, the old man had no choice but to accept the words.

And Remus' story had matched as well.

And there was really no reason to doubt the werewolf.

Lupin seemed a little more cheerful now that they had gotten somewhere. "When I was trying to hide away with the boy." He started getting their attention. "He just suddenly appeared and took us to a place we could hide. He brought food for us and even though he couldn't speak much I'm pretty sure he had decided to keep protecting Draco even after his mother's death."

"Dumbledore told me that Snape had been helping him all these years." Harry looked at the table. "Its still hard for me to believe he could have an ounce of good in him even if I witnessed it. But, Dumbledore was dying I knew it, which means Snape probably knew it to."

"No reason for him to rush the process though." Ron couldn't help himself. Even if it was adding up, Snape hadn't proven anything to him.

"Maybe Dumbledore wanted Snape to kill him." Lupin stated what Harry had obviously been thinking. "If Snape hadn't done it then young Draco would have been forced to by the Death Eaters with him…or killed if he refused. Albus Dumbledore would never want anyone to get their hands stained especially a student."

Ron noticed that Neville was still quiet through out the meeting but this time instead of looking nervous or like he was up to something. He looked a bit relieved.

This caused the ginger confusion. "What do you think Neville?" He asked interrupting Moody in a rant that probably could have lasted longer. The wavy-haired brunette seemed to tense up as all eyes fell on him.

"I…" Should he tell them the truth? Neville looked down at the table, he didn't like averting everyone's gaze. He thought it made him look guilty, which he kind of was but still. "I think we should bring him here." He offered.

"Do the questioning personally?" Moody nodded approvingly, but still with a frown. "The only problem is that git has the ability to get past veritaserum.

"But he knows where we are." Ron started thinking he should probably remind them of a few things, not that he was totally against it…but just a little. "Why hasn't he come to us?"

"Maybe the fact that none of the Death Eaters have come here could be proof." Lupin spoke up before flinching.

"You should still be resting Professor." Harry started standing up to help the old DA professor to bed.

"I'm fine but we need to figure out what we are going to do and act on it. Should we try to capture him?" Remus looked at Moody who was thinking. "The Death Eaters still think he's on there side from what I could tell."

"Fine," Harry nodded grimly. "In our raid next week, if he's there we'll try to get him to come to us…but we can't meet here." The shaggy-haired looked at Ron gloomily knowing Ron couldn't participate.

"I'm alright with that." Ron scoffed. "I want to spend as little time as I can with that prat."

The red-head had been watching Neville's expressions through out the conversations and decided that the light brown-haired teen knew something.

He would ask him about it later.

XXX

End of Chapter One!

So what'd you think? I wrote it a while back but should I keep uploading the chaps?