𝐄𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭

Harry landed on the dirty forest floor with a thump, his back aching from the impact. He swiftly sat up, vigilant towards his surroundings and any dangerous presence. His eyes caught the sight of Hermione sitting beside Ron, her hands coated with his blood as Ron withered from the pain in his shoulder.

Harry ran towards them, " What happened?"

Hermione hurriedly said, "Dittany! Bring me Dittany!"

Hermione's purse lay at his feet and he picked it up and spelled, "Accio Dittany!"

He passed the small vial to Hermione as she anxiously sprinkled the powder in the bleeding wound. The skin there slowly healed before closing up entirely. Hermione gave a big sigh of relief as she finally sat back.

Harry asked again, softly this time " What happened?"

" I-i ...Ron got splinched. I wanted to take us to the grimmauld place but Yaxley followed us. So I took us here instead"

' Malfoy's still there '

Harry's pupil shrank, "l am going to the grimmauld place"

Hermione was shocked, "No ! Harry ! You can't-"

And he couldn't take anymore, loudly shouting, "And Malfoy's still there ! He's there alone!"

Harry promptly raised his wand, ready to apparat himself. When suddenly -

" Master Harry !"

The voice of an old elf sounded. Harry turned around and was surprised to see Kreacher standing there.

"Master Harry, Kreacher is sent here by young master Draco to tell Master Harry that he needs help. Master Harry have to come with Kreacher to Master Draco"

Harry's hand eagerly squeezed the small elf's shoulder as he said breathlessly, "Take me to him"

The elf raised his hand and snapped his fingers,

*pop*

Opening his eyes again, Harry found himself standing on a floor similar as where he was standing seconds ago. Draco's slender back facing him as he paced back and forth. Without a second of hesitation, Harry came forward with a great force to grip Draco's forearm, drawing him into his body. His hands and eyes restlessly wandered Draco's lithe form.

Draco's eyes widened as he uselessly tried to shield his body, "What are you doing, Potter?!"

Strong fingers held Draco's chin, forcing him to look up at Harry, "Where does it hurt?"

Draco blinked in confusion, " What?"

Harry's eyes grew cold in a seething anger, "Where were you hurt ?"

Draco's eyes lit in irritation and he asked coldly, "Why do you care?"

Harry's eyes grew colder, "You should know when to shut up, Malfoy. Answer me"

Draco's lips turned into a scowl. Where was it Potter's business if he was hurt or not ? But He still gave a full body twirl, saying, "It hurts nowhere. I am fine"

Harry still gave him a very careful look before he believed that Draco was truly well. And Finally, the breath painfully stuffed in his burning chest escaped, cooling the mind and heart as well.

"That's...that's good", Harry said, partly speechless and partly still from the emotional shock.

Now calm, Harry's voice returned to the strong, emotionless tone it usually had, "What happened exactly?"

His eyes darting towards the sleeping Theo and unconscious Dobby. In the time Kreacher was gone, Draco had already healed Dobby's major injuries.

"Someone attacked us. But the house sensed the intruder, recognising my Black blood and aparated us to the current Lord Black, you"

Harry blew an exasperated sigh, "And I have never been more glad to be in the position. It must have been Yaxley. He followed us through when we apparated"

But, Draco's attention was soon caught by Theo who had woken up and was walking to them.

"Theo, Do you feel fine now ?" Draco asked, somewhat worried.

"I...yes. Sorry, I inconvenienced you earlier "

Hearing this, Draco's lips pursed and he was about to speak but Harry's firm voice stopped his words short.

"It's okay, Nott. We should leave here as fast as possible anyway."

After saying, he turned to the old house elf and said, "Kreacher, pick up Dobby and bring him with us"

"Okay, Master Harry"

Far from where they were, a train was traversing through the vast land filled with marshes. Inside a compartment of the train, sat a youth. His childish face, still having baby fat , was oddly serious. The look didn't suit the boy's adorable visage.

Outside the train, huge wisps of dark smoke speed up to reach the front of the train.

A death eaters among them decisively stood in front of the train, compulsing it to stop.

Other death eaters rudely paraded inside the train, moving from one compartment to another, scanning all the faces of children and teenagers.

Neville , who sat in one of the last compartments, felt his chest fill with anger at the sight of the black clad men entering through the door.

With a face scowling with disgust and anger, he stood up and loudly shouted so that each and every ear in the vicinity heard him, "Hey ! He isn't here, losers!"

Muffled gasps rang out as the surrounding students watched with terror in their veins, all of them dreading what will happen to the boy now.

The death eaters emotionlessly looked at him and raised his wand, when suddenly, a smooth voice called, "Oh ! How are you, Mr. Macnair ? It's been a long time, isn't it?"

Neville's eyes flew towards the familiar voice. Blaise stood behind the death eaters, drawing their attention with a smile on his face as if making regular conversations about weather.

The death eaters turned around, one of them saying, " Heir Zabini. I didn't expect you to come forward and make such pleasant greetings with us"

Then the death eater's eyes flew towards Neville for a brief second, as he said mockingly, " Truly, Heir Zabini, I didn't expect for a lion to hide in the snake pit. I guess stopping the instincts to protect one's own kind is a moral torture, is it ?"

Blaise eyes narrowed as he gave a chuckle as if the man made a joke, "How can a lion even enter the snake pit, Mr. Macnair ? It's just that a viper likes to break and poison its prey before eating it clean"

At this, the death eater laughed out loud as well. He understood the implication clearly, "True , Heir Zabini. They taste the most delicious when-"

" When decorated with red and purple bruises and layered with pleasure and humiliation ?"

Another death eater smiled in satisfaction, happy to see a youth with the same likes as their own, saying, " You surely know your game, Heir Zabini. It's rare to find such a cultivated gentleman with superior hobbies as you now-a-days. The ranks aren't too far for you"

Blaise gave a perfectionary nod to the leaving men, saying, "You hold me in regards too high to be reality"

Their conversation, no matter how simple and polite it looked, sent chills down the backs of the people around. Most of them thought they were initially talking about Neville being a lion in the snake pit but as more words were spoken , they got inevitably confused. But the Slytherins, who were used to such talks since infancy, and the Ravenclaws, with their sharp brains and vast knowledge, understood every well. They knew that in the whole conversation, Neville was referred with only a single word, ‘Prey’. Their heart chilled with what they heard and understood.

Similarly, The words " the ranks aren't too far for you " made the Slytherins around hold Blaise in a new feared light. 'The ranks' were none other than the ranks of death eaters. Now, Blaise was in the dreary place where Draco stood before.

Neville cluelessly watched as Blaise gave him a last look before leaving through the way he came in. The students around looked at Neville with a newfound pity as they thought, ' He's too innocent for this. Alas, misfortunes come without a warning '

Draco sat beside Ron as his blue magic worked to completely heal the wound on Ron's shoulder. To his side sat Harry and Hermione while Pansy and Theo waited outside of the tent. He didn't hide his healing magic. He and Harry had clearly told them early on their abilities but refrained to explain in detail. While all of them were curious and earger to know, Harry had squashed all their inent with his stone cold and emotionless " No questions "

Fortunately, the wound wasn't deep enough to show bones or else moving forward with him would have been impossible.

Gradually the blue glow which dimly shrouded Ron disappeared, leaving a perfectly healed shoulder.

Draco slowly stood up, saying, "The wound is healed but he needs at least a day to collect the lost strength"

Harry stood up as well, "So, we can set off tomorrow evening?"

A nod answered his question.

Together, they walked out of the tent to spot Theo dossing off with his head on Pansy's lap as she slowly stroked his hair.

Draco gave a tired sigh and walked towards them, silently flicked his wand to levitate Theo gently. He gave Pansy a firm look to follow as well. Leading them to the second tent, he carefully lowered Theo in a comfortable position. Pansy laid down beside the boy as well. Her arm softly stroking Theo's hair again.

Draco tucked both of them in blankets before coaxing, " Sleep. You need it. I'll be right here"

A pair of blue eyes, belonging to the tired face of a young woman, slowly closed as she drifted to the lands of dreams.

Draco sat up as he endearingly looked at them, wordlessly wondering about the missing member between them. He was terribly worried about Blaise, but his trust in Blaise and his abilities was far more than pointless worry.

Behind him, Harry watched the tender look in Draco's eyes and his own eyes took the colour of a jealous emerald. On one hand, he wanted to imprint this rare image in his mind. But on the other hand, he wanted to tear it apart because he knew that the love in those eyes isn't for him.

' Even if I destroyed this, destroyed them , Malfoy would still love them the same.'

The gears in his heads turned as he knew that Draco will never stop loving and caring for his snakes.

Just then a whispered voice in his head said, 'Then just make him love you so much that he won't be able to love anyone else'

An ery smile rose on Harry's face at this thought. That's right. He should make it so that Draco needs him. So that he won't be able to leave even if he wants to.

Harry called out, " Malfoy, Will you come out for a second?"

Draco looked back at Harry and from the look in Harry's eyes he knew that it was something important. He nodded tersely. Putting several silencing charms on the tent so as not to disturb the two's sleep, he walked out.

Now, some distance away from the tents but still inside the barriers put on by Harry and Hermione, Draco asked, "What is it?"

Harry took out the locket of Slytherin from where it was against his neck, saying , "We have to deal with this soon"

Draco looked at it, " So you found it "

" Yes. But destroying it is more than a simple task "

Draco's brows frowned, " Is it that difficult?"

"Spells don't work on it"

" Maybe if we tried to melt it ?"

" No effect "

" Have you tried corrosives ?"

" Corrosives? I never thought about that. And What are the most toxic corrosives you know ?"

Harry felt that if they were going to use corrosives, why not directly use the most effective ones, in their case, the most deadly ones ?

Draco's calm voice quietly sounded, "Balliski venom"

And as if a piece setting into a huge puzzle making it complete, Harry's brain clicked with a certain memory.

" Balliski venom, huh ? That makes a tremendous amount of sense"

He remembered when he destroyed Tom Riddle's diary in second year, it was with a balliski fang. A balliski fang containing balliski venom. But that was the last balliski whom he killed himself. If he was still in Hogward's maybe he could have gone to the chamber of secrets to check if there was some of it still left in the snake corpse. But now….it was impossible.

The afternoon sky faded to the evening orange. Harry and Draco discussed the ways to destroy the horcrux for a long time. Concluding that right now, the only option left was for them is to carry it with them before finding a way to finish it for once and for all.

As their words came to an end, the sky completely darkened as well. Hermione came out of the tent, to call out , "Malfoy ! Harry ! Come and have something to eat!"

Hearing her call, they made their way into the tent. As they entered, Draco quickly grabbed two ready portions, saying, "I'll take this to Pansy and Theo. They are still asleep in the other tent"

Draco silently walked inside the next tent. Pansy and Theo were deep asleep. This day had considerably tired them out. They were more used to a war of words than a war of spells. Their physic was not as active as the gryffindors next door.

Draco gently shook their shoulders. Pansy got up fairly quickly but Theo , who was still in his headspace , sat up groggily.

Draco handed Pansy a plate while he slowly coaxed Theo into eating from the other plate, saying, " Don't sleep with an empty stomach. Eat this plate clean and you can go to sleep again"

Harry was guarding the perimeter when Draco exited the tent with two empty plates in his hand. And suddenly, Harry felt a sour feeling rise in his chest. He wondered how can Draco be so…..so caring ? He hadn't even eaten his own food but chose to bring some to his snakes first.

Harry sighed with unbearable tenderness in his heart.

Draco, who sighted Harry while setting the plates aside, soon came to him, asking, "Are Granger and Weasley already asleep?"

Harry was curious as to why he was asking after the two. Afterall, he wasn't all that familiar with them. But Harry still replied, "Yes"

Draco's expression eased slightly as he said, "Good"

He turned to look at Harry before saying, "Come with me for a second, won't you?"

And Harry followed behind without a single suspicion.

Entering the first tent to see Ron and Hermione sleeping on the hard ground, Draco quickly went to work. His magic very slowly grazed through Ron's body for several minutes before the soft blue glow dimmed.

Draco's eyes opened as he said, "He's fine. No fever, infections or weakness. He will be fit to travel by tomorrow morning"

Harry heard his words and understood what his motives were. His eyes which were already tender while looking at Draco, softened even more. This person….. he is truly too good to be true. How did Harry even misunderstood him in the first place ?

But Harry still has a doubt, so he silently questioned, "Why did you ask me to come with you? You didn't even need me"

Draco's head lifted as he looked straight in Harry's eyes, "They aren't my people, they are yours. Naturally, you should be there when I check them so as to avoid future misunderstandings"

Harry didn't reply but only let out a sigh filled with worry and scolding tenderness for the person in front of him. He truly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He wanted to be angry at Draco's so deficient trust in him but when looking at the honest and clear eyes, he couldn't do it.

' Such is my fate ….'

Draco didn't pursue it as well. Completing his task he got up and silently made his way to the third smaller tent behind. Opening the tent, Draco silently passed a small vial inside.

The croaked voice of Kreacher sounded saying, " Kreacher thanks Master Draco but Kreacher cannot take this. It's too pre~cious. "

Draco's eyes turned stern, "This isn't a request. It's an order"

Hearing thisz the thin hand holding the vial slowly drew inside. Draco, now satisfied, instructed, "Drink half of it and feed half of it to Dobby"

"Okay, Master Draco. Kreacher obeys"

When Draco came back to Harry again, he clearly was very tired but still sat down beside him to repeatedly check and renew the surrounding barriers.

Draco's hand moved to touch the gem on his magical portable ring and an egg appeared in his awaiting lap. His hand rested over it as he gently caressed the white surface. His gentle gestures evoked the illusion of a motherly warmth.

Soon, the warm red blood flowed from his hand and landed on the egg who eagerly absorbed it .

Draco's voice was tired and weary when asked Harry, "We haven't been paying much attention to him, have we?"

Harry only hummed quietly, not answering as both of them knew that a little neglect to eggie was inevitable in such times. Giving eggie one last caress, Draco again put him back into his ring.

Harry looked at the boy beside him and sorrowfully noted the dark circles and tiredness on his face. He slowly sat up and said, "Wait here for a second. I'll be back"

Draco sat there, wondering about the manor, about Hogward's and his mother. Minutes passed and suddenly, he felt a weight on his lap. Looking down, he saw a plate filled with simple bread and cheese in it.

He looked up with questions in his eyes. Harry especially found this look adorable on him and truthfully answered, "You didn't eat anything tonight. So I saved something light for you"

Harry gazed as silver eyes took the soft tone of gratefulness and a clear voice sounded, "Thank you"

"Eat up. We can't have the only healer among us becoming sick, can we?"

The plate was soon emptied. And Draco, who was trying hard to stay awake and keep vigil with Harry, felt the heavy weight of slumber ruthlessly pressing on his lids. Not even several minutes passed, when Draco lost the battle and fell asleep entirely.

Harry ,who was beside him, reached out rough fingers to gently caress the pale face. In the black night, a small whisper was heard, "I love you so much that a little cruelty and blood on my hands seems like a normality if it keeps you smiling”

His gaze returned to the glowing moon hiding behind towering trees surrounding them, "What has your love turned me into, Draco ? Even I can't tell anymore..…"

The bread and cheese Draco ate minutes ago were sprinkled with the drops of a powerful sleeping draught, ironically, made by Draco himself. Harry had given this to him because he knew that Draco wouldn't agree to even relax for a second if asked nicely. So he instead took straight action and directly put him to sleep. He knew that his action was cruel and an atrocious disregard of Draco's own will. But the reality that Draco's health will be compromised couldn't be allowed by him. You can't blame him if he wanted his beloved to be well fed and rested either by hook or crook.

He never understood what it meant when they said, 'Everything's fair in love and war' Now he did. Very clearly so.

Harry wound his arm around the slim waist and pulled the pliant body on his lap. He quickly adjusted Draco to have him leaning on Harry's front while hands wound around Draco's waist.

The warm and gentle caress of a slow breath tortured Harry's neck and he felt his heart and other parts of his body grow itchy and hot. An sinister urge rose in his body as his blood roared with a savage and primal urge. His arms tightened. Endurance was never his forte but he could do it for Draco.

Ahh....Such a sweet pain he was enduring right now. Should he thank fate or curse fate ? Pray tell.

As the night progressed, this heat only grew, not subsiding an inch. Harry gritted his teeth. He was at his limit now. Anymore and he'll do something really bad.

Draco's pale nape was pressed against his lips and the faint scent of his hair made his throat dry and grated, eagerly waiting for even a small taste.

No , he shouldn't do this. Not in the open. Not where their friends were steps away. Not when anyone could accidentally or intentionally see the pale and delicate skin Draco hid beneath dark robes, covering his body from head to toe and only leaving his face visible. Harry was too petty, too selfish for even the possibility of something like that.

The two tiger teeth in Harry's mouth gleamed in the silver moonlight as his lips parted. His throat bobbed in eager anticipation.

' Just a little bit wouldn't hurt. Malfoy wouldn't even know '

The emerald eyes gleamed and a mouth latched on the pale nape as if a starving beast on a table full of tender meat.

……

Morning soon came. Draco, thinking that he unknowingly fell asleep last night, put even more effort to his tasks. Soon everything was ready and they were set to leave.

Pansy ,who was with Draco packing the things up, spotted marks of red and purple on his neck. Her hand worriedly came to touch them as she asked, "What happened?"

Draco was startled and instantly touched his nape to feel an acute sting there . He frowned but said casually, "Must be the mosquitoes"

Pansy's face frowned in obvious worry and disbelief, "Mosquitoes ? Such savage bites. Are you sure it isn't an infection ? It might be the bite of some poisonous insect. Afterall, we are in a forest"

Draco's frown deepened, "It isn't poisonous. That much I know. Just skin injury. Don't worry too much"

After that, He didn't pay her attention anymore as he busied himself and Pansy stopped as well knowing that he doesn't want to talk about it anymore.

Draco could heal the bruises if he wanted but such a minor thing wasn't something he should pay attention to. It was nothing to him.

At a distance, Harry was busy in his work but still had his magic paying spying elsewhere. His face sported a satisfied smile. His eyes having glee and happiness mixed with a darker desire.

Afterall , who wouldn't be happy to leave their mark on their beloved ? He was happy that Draco didn't heal or conceal his hickeys.

Pansy ,who was silently working with Draco to count and list all the herbs, potions, and such things they have, paused suddenly. Turning to Draco, her voice sounded in somewhat embarrassment and reasonable shyness, afterall she was a noble lady by birth and voicing such matters to a man ,even if the said man is your brother, can be uncomfortable, "Draco, Um… I am going that way. I will come back after….uh... powdering my nose"

Draco silently lifted his head from the bunch of vials in his lap and looked towards the direction Pansy was pointing.

He nodded but said sternly, " I won't let the others go that way so don't wander too far. If you aren't back in 20 minutes, I am coming to find you. And be careful of unknown presences, wizards or magical creatures. Okay ?"

Pansy: " Are you done ?"

Draco: *frowns* " Are you even listening properly ? I am telling you this for your own good "

Pansy: (;ŏ﹏ŏ)

Pansy: *shouting inside* "......My good brother, your words can't hold my bladder! Let me go before the rain shower takes place right here, right now!!!"

But Pansy, being the respectable, mannered and noble lady with the biggest pride, obviously couldn't say this to his face. So , before Draco could start another instruction manual on how to p*ss when you are on the run from your murderers and are camping in the middle of the forest, shouted with desperation.

" Okay ! I understand ! "

And then quickly made her way to the woods with legs tightly squeezed together. With her thighs stuck together tightly, she couldn't even take a step wider than 10cm. And truthfully, in her condition, taking a step wider than 5cm didn't seem safe in any way or form. Her face contorted an expression conveying something akin to pain and desperation.

Draco: ( ಠ︵ಠ ) ........(╬☉д⊙)⊰⊹ฺ

Draco: " Atleast, you should listen properly !"

Theo who

was sitting at some distance: *laughing silently* "I only hope that you get there on time, sister"

……………

Pansy cautiously rose from the forest floor and let out a relieved sigh. She quickly and efficiently ticked the leaves scattered around on the piece of ground she just used.

Turning around, she started making her way back to the camp. Walking some distance, suddenly her chest tightened.

She frowned but kept walking, ignoring it as something minor. As her steps increased, the tightness in her chest did as well, soon transforming into severe pain.

She took out her wand and kept it at hand. But what could she do when she didn't even know what was happening to her ? So she decisively keeps going in the hope that her brothers and allies will help her.

At this point, Pansy knew that this wasn't just nothing but she also knew that she cannot stop here in the middle of the forest. Who knows what would happen if she did?

Bearing the pain, she kept walking. But this resulted into naught when her breaths grew shorter and shorter and her mouth fell open in an attempt to push more air into her lungs.

In an last effort, she raised her wand, " Ex- Ex- *gasping desperately* -pecto- *gasping heavily again, unable to say anything*"

But her chest was so heavy and tight that nothing other than desperate and shallow breaths. The sound of painful and torturous wheezing rang in the desolated midst of trees and rocks.

Her limbs started losing their strength. Two steps after, she was crawling on the ground trying to keep going when black spots started clouding her vision.

A curvy body lay on the leaves covered ground of the forest. The cold in the surrounding slowly draining the warmth in her.

……..

In the camp, Draco had completed what he was doing and realised that more than 20 minutes had passed but Pansy didn't return.

His face frowned in worry. Getting up, he swiftly walked to Harry, saying, "Pansy had gone to the washroom half and hour ago and still hasn't returned"

This instantly caught Harry's attention, "What? She isn't back yet ?”

Draco nodded gravely.

Harry got up as well, " Should we go to check ? Are you sure ? What if she didn't finish and just needed more time ?"

The anxiousness gnawing at Draco's heart was increasing steadily.

' No. Something isn't right. She never takes this long'

He looked up to Harry's eyes, " No, let's just check. It's never too much to just make sure"

" Okay"

Informing others, Everyone split into groups of three and started searching and calling out her name in the surrounding area.

Harry ,with Draco and Theo on his tail, started in the same direction Pansy had gone. Harry walked ahead keeping vigil about the surrounding as Draco and Theo anxiously kept calling in loud voices, "Pansy ! Pansy ! Are you there ?"

They walked some distance but there was still no sight of Pansy. The trees around them grew sparse as they were originally deep inside the forest.

Suddenly, a miniscule crunch was heard from behind a huge rock directly to their right. Draco instantly pushed Theo behind him while pointing his wand towards the origin of the sound.

Harry ,who was at the forefront , pointed his wand as well, his magic sweeping through the air to corner whoever was there. And Harry clearly felt his magic sense the presence of three wizards.

His voice powerfully boomed, "Who's there ?! Come out!"

No reply was heard and Harry said again, "I'll count till three. One ….two….three!"

And a spell shot out from his wand, shattering the rock hiding the wizards in pieces.

The pieces flew in all directions as dust flew up, making it unable to see clearly. The dirt settled and a voice cautiously called out, " Harry ?"

In front of them stood George and Fred with Pansy unconscious in his arms.

Draco's voice exclaimed, " Pansy ! What have you done to her ?!" ; But he didn't make a move to do anything, keeping completely still other than his eyes glaring at the twin boys.

" What does Molly hate the most ?" Harry asked tersely, ready to injure them seriously if the reply was even slightly different than the answer.

George who was standing in front, answered, "when someone tries to hide their hunger"

Harry's wand slowly lowered and his magic gradually retraced back to his body. Draco followed behind to lower his wand and briskly swept forward to take Pansy in his arms.

Pansy was completely unconscious and heaving desperately. Her mouth fell open to take shallow gasps and wheezes. Her face already had the unnatural tint of purple and blue due to the lack of oxygen in her blood. She was barely at the edge of either death or coma.

His magic nervously covered her entire body. He soon found a trace of magic stuck in her chest, a spell. He quickly raised his wand to spell the counter-spell and the tip of his wand touched her forehead.

As the counter-spell took effect, the laboured breathing eased and her blue face slowly regained its natural colour.

Ensuring that she was alright, Draco lifted his gaze from where he was kneeling, "Who did this to her ?"

Fred was the one who answered, "We don't know. She was already unconscious on the forest floor by the time we came"

Draco fell silent as Harry continued, " How did you get here ?"

"We got Ron's location from the Weasley Family charms on himself" Gearge said.

Harry said nothing only sighed. The things that are supposed to happen will always happen no matter what.

"We should call the others back" Harry said, this time to Draco.

A smoke of white flew from Harry's wand to make its way towards the other two as Harry cast the spell, "Expecto Patronus!"

Draco spelled to levitate Pansy as they led the twins to their camp. As the clearing grew near, the twins caught the sight of Ron sitting on a nearby log.

Their expressions grew frantic , a mixture of anger, worry and relief. They ran forwards to encase the shocked Ron into their arms.

Ron who was crushed in between the two grimaced as the wound on his shoulder throbbed with pain due to the pressure.

They instantly let Ron go, squatting down, George guilty asked, " Sorry, were we too hard ?"

Fred followed, "Doe it hurt? What happened to you?"

Ron ignored all their questions and angrily asked, "What are you doing here ?! You are not supposed to be here !"

Ron's sudden anger caused their suppressed worry and fear for him to turn into flaming anger as well.

" What do you mean we aren't supposed to be here?!" , Fred shouted.

George more calmly but just as angrily continued, "You just suddenly disappeared and we shouldn't even try to find you ?!"

Ron's voice raised even higher, " No ! No , you weren't ! You were supposed to stay home and protect mom and Ginny !"

"Protect mom and Ginny when we know that they are safe with dad, Percy and Charlie ?! And leave our baby brother whose condition we don't even know alone?!"

" Yes ! I just asked you one thing ! To protect them and not to come pouncing here !"

" We wouldn't even be able to reach here if you knew how to take care of yourself and not to get so severely hurt !"

Harry who was patiently waiting for them to calm down finally had enough and pushed his way in between them, throwing both the sides back. He wanted to stop this before it got physical.

He stood there, sternly eyeing both the sides. His monotone voice forcefully suppressing both the sides as his magic worked behind the scene to suppress their magic flaring around as well, "Use your brains and shut up. There is no use to arguing now "

The three Weasley's temper receded with his words because they knew that he was right.

The three brothers wordlessly looked at each other. Ron was the first one to sigh and step back, asking tiredly to extend an olive branch, "How did you get here? I left absolutely no clue"

George muttered to silently excep the reconciliation, " Through the Family charms. When your life got threatened, the charms were activated and sent your location to the burrows. When the alarm rang, only two of us were there. The others have already hidden away"

Ron hummed nonchalantly.

George looked at Harry and took out some objects from his bag. A book, a golden snitch and a small device. On further examination, Harry realised that the book was one of the old editions of Tales of beedle the bard and that the small device was actually a deluminator.

He distributed the objects one by one. The snitch to Harry, the deluminator to Ron and the book to Hermione, before saying, "Dumbledore left these for three of you in his will"

Hermione was astonished, "In his will ? But why?"

The twins only shrugged, showing that they don't have a clue as well.

Harry's thoughts whirled, 'A book, a snitch and a delimitation. They have no direct connection at all. What did he want me to do, that candy addicted old man'

He was silently talking with Hermione when suddenly his scare throbbed and started hurting. Pain spread across his forehead as he let out a pained groan and lowered himself to the ground.

Beside him, Hermione was shocked, "Harry ! What is happening?!"

The ache was so strong that it made him unable to answer. All the people in his around, except Pansy, surrounded his hunched form.

Draco ,who didn't care about the argument and was looking after Pansy, ran to them as soon as he heard the exclamation. His brows frowned in worry as he sat down beside Harry.

Harry felt as if he was immersed in an ocean of pure suffering. His breathing quickened. Images flashed before his eyes. A young boy with his wand, leaping out of a window. An old man cowering in the corner of a haphazard room. A noseless face with haunting red eyes loomed over his shivering figure. And then suddenly, flashes of green shone as the oldman begged the monster of something, pleading for mercy.

In the haze of these images and pain, Harry felt a cool force against his magic , pulling him and nudging him. It felt as if it was trying to hold on to him, to anchor him to something.

A herbal scent floated through the haze and he remembered the silver hair and scorching eyes.

With a jolt , he opened his eyes and the first word he uttered was, " Draco "