Circle of Love

Draco sat in the sitting room, a book in his hand that he had opened but hadn't even begun to read. He stared into the flames of the fire, and all he could in vision was Hermione dead somewhere. She'd gone off with Potter and the Weasley girl again. This was the third time they had done that, and he was worried. Draco was also angry that none of the three would tell him just where they were going or what they were doing. The first time Hermione had returned with a mysterious burn on her hand.

”What happened?” Draco asked Potter, and looked over the burn. It bubbled in places, and he tried a burn potion. That had only made it worse.

“What do you think Malfoy?” Potter said rudely to him. “It was some spell.” Harry had continued at Draco's raised eyebrow. The burn was slowly growing bigger, and he wanted to smack Potter for letting her be in this kind of danger.

“Dark magic?” Draco asked Hermione, tired of Potter already. Harry had opened his mouth to answer, but Hermione held up her uninjured hand to stop him.

“Yes love.” Hermione winced in pain, and another of the bubbles popped, and oozed out a mixture.

“I'll get Snape. Hopefully he has a remedy for this.” Draco kissed her on the forehead, and ran a worried hand through her hair before going to get Snape.

Snape had had a cure, but the curse had left a scare on her hand. Every time he saw it, he'd run a finger over it. It was a painful reminder to him of the danger, and his inability to help.

Their next disappearance had been injury free. The trio had returned dejected, and no amount of questioning could get a straight answer out of any of them.

Hermione had walked into their bedroom, and flopped down on the bed. Draco looked up from one of the books he had been studying from to see her with her hand over her face.

“I wished you'd tell me where you three go- and what you are doing. If it deals with You-Know-Who, I could probably be of help.” Draco whispered in her ear, and laid down beside her. His finger gently drew through the curls, then ran down her chin.

“We've been through this before Draco,” Hermione mumbled, and moved her hand to her side to look at him. “This is something that we have to do.”

“You still don't trust me!” Draco sprang from the bed, and paced the room like a caged lion. Hermione sat up, and placed her legs over the side of the bed. She silently watched him for a minute.

“It's not a matter of trust either- and we've been through that also.” Hermione replied, and stood up. “It's what Dumbledore-”

“Dumbledore is dead!” Draco spat out in anger. “Ginny is going! It was Weasley's job, not hers. Why can't I help? I feel like I'm in prison, trapped in this house.” He stopped his pacing and turned to look at her, a mixture of love, and concern.

“Ginny was Ron's sister, so it makes sense.” Hermione said with a frown on her face. She hadn't been happy about Ginny going. She was younger than her and Harry, and it worried her if something happened to her best friend. She had tried to talk Harry into including Draco, but he would have nothing to do with that idea.

“No it's because Potter thinks I'll lead the Dark Lord to where ever you are.” Draco said, and sat down on the bed. He pulled up his sleeve, and gazed in hatred at the mark he had agreed to take.

Tonight was Christmas Eve, and Remus and Tonks were to be married tomorrow if the trio returned on time. His cousin had recovered quite well from the Longbottom attack, and to everyone's surprise had announced that she and Lupin would be parents in a few months. That had been the cause of the freaky connection that night.

Draco had smirked at Lupin when he had heard that. The girls in the house had cooed happily at the thought of a baby pattering on little feet through the house, and Snape had slammed his door to his potions laboratory.

The American girl, Mariah, had taken over Hermione's room. With Draco's blessings, of course. She still treated him like a monster, and Snape she just turned and walked away from. She spent a lot of time in a room near Snape's laboratory, making what Draco assumed were potions. The smell from two working potions laboratories drifted through the air unpleasantly, but it at least kept the girl busy. It was as her brother Caleb had said, she forgot everything working on them.

A sudden explosion from the basement area of the house and a loud shout of frustration had Draco dropping his book and running. He arrived at the door as it opened, and Mariah walked out. She was coughing, and a billow of smoke followed her out. Her face was covered with black soot, and he barely caught her as she fell.

“You okay?” Draco asked her, and groaned as her eyes closed. “Great!” Draco carried her to the sitting room. He laid her on the settee, and pondered what to do next. Her face was pale beneath soot, but he noted she was at least breathing.

“Great night for Professor Snape to be at a meeting,” Draco mumbled and conjured up a bowl of water and a washcloth. He gently wiped at her face, and for the first time actually looked at her without her being able to run away. Rather pretty, he thought and he still felt she looked familiar to him.

Draco sighed with relief when Tonks walked into the sitting room, a worried Lupin behind her. They rushed over to them, and Tonks gasped when she saw Mariah lying there.

“What happened? We heard an explosion.” Tonks asked, and bent down to look at Mariah.

“Her- she blew something up, and then passed out.” Draco stood, and pointed to the unconscious girl, who's eyes fluttered open slowly. They gazed at the other three unfocused for a moment, and then she coughed.

“You okay?” Tonks asked Mariah, and placed her hand on the girl's forehead. Mariah nodded, and frowned.

“Yeah, stupid me. I fell asleep waiting on the potion to finish up, and it boiled over.” Mariah blushed, and rubbed a hand on her eyes before sitting up.

“What were the ingredients? You could-” Tonks began to ask, but Mariah shook her head.

“Nothing too bad, just a headache potion. I'll be fine.” Mariah mumbled out, still embarrassed that she had ruined a potion, and blown it up to top it off. “I've been trying to keep the medicinal potions up to date, and I haven't much else to do around here.”

“You've been spending too much time working with those potions Mariah,” Remus commented, and watched her stand up. The girl looked tired to his eyes, and he worried. He and Tonks had talked about it, but hadn't figured out how to influence the girl away from that room. Knowing who her real parents were, he was amazed at how like Narcissa she was in mannerisms, and how like Snape she was in her focus on tasks.

“You sound like Caleb,” Mariah laughed, and looked at Draco. She was still frowning, but her lips began to turn up into the smallest of grins. “Thanks Malfoy.” She said softly. Draco's eyes blinked in surprise.

“It was nothing special.” Draco said. For the most part she never looked at him, talked to him or even noticed he was in the room unless to push past him. He looked at Dumbledore's portrait, and noticed the professor smiling.

“I've got a mess to clean up,” Mariah sighed, and with her wand got rid of the rest of soot that clung to her face. “I won't do anymore tonight.” She told Remus, and with a small wave to the three she left the room.

“Good night Mariah,” Remus and Tonks said.

A commotion at the entry had them all turning to see the trio returning. The slamming of the door had them realizing all had not gone well. The three walked into the sitting room, and Harry and Ginny sat down heavily on the settee and Harry groaned and closed his eyes. Hermione walked over to Draco, and he enveloped her in a hug.

“You're back!” Tonks exclaimed happily. “Molly brought us dresses for tomorrow. I'm going to look like a boat, but hey.. at least I can float now.” She rubbed her hand softly over her belly, and grinned. “Oh he kicked!” Her normally purple hued hair was now sporting a blue shade, in honor of the baby.

“So the wedding is still a go?” Harry opened his eyes, and looked at Remus with a grin.

“You're the best man Harry, we couldn't do it without you. Glad you got back in time.” Lupin replied, and he looked over the three in concern. He still didn't know what they were doing himself, but Albus in his portrait had assured him what was going on had to be done. He knew it had to do with Voldemort, and each time they had left the Headquarters at number 12, Grimmauld Place, he worried.

The lights from the Christmas tree in the corner winked on and off in a myriad of colors, and the few presents that were already underneath were wrapped in the joyous colors of the season. With the fact that they were all wanted by the Voldemort, it was hard to get out and shop without being seen. The girls had insisted that even without many presents, the tree needed to be up. Ginny had reminded them though that her mum would fill it to over flowing by morning, like the female Santa that she was. Draco had groaned, remembering the homemade sweaters he had seen the Weasleys wear proudly during non school hours at Hogwarts.

Draco agonized over what to give Hermione, and still hadn't decided. Twinky had brought a lot of his mother's things when he had arrived from the manor to Grimmauld Place, but he wasn't sure what or if he could part with any of them. He also wasn't sure how Hermione would take receiving any of those items.

The wedding tomorrow would at least bring a sort of celebration and hope to the day. Many of the Order would be there, and Minerva would be officiating. With the Ministry being overrun now by Death Eaters, it wouldn't be legal until the War was over. If they won. A magical world controlled by Voldemort would be hell.

“How did it go?” Draco whispered to Hermione, and pulled her in his lap as he sat down in one of the chairs by the fire. She placed her head on his shoulder and looked up at him.

“You know-” Hermione began to whisper back, but he laid his finger on her lips. She sat up to look at him, and his finger traveled to her chin.

“I don't need to know where you all have been.” Draco sighed, “But at least tell me you guys were safe. I worry every time you step out that door.” He wrapped his arms around her, and grinned when he felt her head gently touch his forehead.

“We were fine,” Hermione's eyes gazed into his, and she leaned in closer to kiss him. A cough from Remus had her breaking guiltily away.

“Why don't we go up to my room and try on the dresses?” Tonks asked, and the girls nodded. The three left the room in giggles, and Remus sat down on the couch by Harry.

“Potter we need to talk.” Draco said from the chair he was sitting on, his open book still laying on the arm of the chair.

“Not now Malfoy,” Harry replied, and stood up. He ran a hand through his black hair, and it stood up more than usual. He was tired, he stank from the futile trip the three had been on, and he didn't want to hear a word Malfoy had to say to him.

“Actually now is a good time.” Draco stood up, and walked to where Harry stood. “I don't know what you and the others do when you leave here. Whatever it is though has gotten Hermione hurt once already. What's going to happen if it's Ginny? Or a choice between saving Hermione or Ginny?”

Harry's mouth opened to speak but closed it. He dragged his hand through his hair once more, and closed his eyes. “It will never come to that.” He replied finally, and opened his eyes to look at Draco.

“That's where you are wrong Potter.” Draco hissed out, his gray eyes staring angrily into Harry's emerald ones. “You know Ginny would come first. Hermione would expect that. You love her-”

“I love Hermione also, she's my best friend!” Harry retorted.

“But she's not the one that holds your heart. Face it Potter- who would you choose?” Draco asked.

Harry's face turned a pale shade, and he gulped. His mind twisted the answer in his head, but the words refused to come out. He looked at Remus, who shrugged his shoulders. He looked at Dumbledore's portrait, who calmly popped one of his candies in his mouth. No help there, he thought with a sigh.

“Afraid to answer Potter?” Draco sneered, “Because we all know it.” His hands clenched at his side.

“Ginny,” Harry finally answered, “I would choose Ginny. Is that what you wanted me to say? What you needed to hear?”

“I just wanted you to admit it to yourself Potter. Let me help you. Think on it. I don't have a clue what you are up to, but if it deals with the Dark Lord-” Draco said, and nodded.

“No!” Harry shouted.

“After all these months, you still don't trust me!” Draco took Harry by the shoulders and shook him slightly, “I am on your side!”

“Your Mark!” Harry shrugged out of Draco's grip, and it broke the lethargy he was feeling. He straightened his shoulders, and pulled his sleeves back into place.

“Yes my Mark- what about it?” Draco asked with an arched eyebrow. He rolled up his sleeve, and exposed it. Harry glared at it hatred.

“It could lead the Death Eaters to us!” Harry exclaimed, and looked back up to Draco. The old animosity that he held for Draco simmering to the top now.

“It hasn't brought them here has it? Is it another excuse to leave me out?” Draco asked, and rolled his sleeve back down. His eyes never left Harry's.

“You think Hermione can't take care of herself? Is that how Malfoys work? Not letting or trusting their women?” Harry said in derision.

“I know Hermione can, but this war Potter- I want to be with her if something happens! Bloody hell! You're stubborn!” Draco said in exasperation.

“What's going to happen when you discover that you don't care for Hermione like you think you do? It'll break her heart, as bad as Ron's death did.” Harry retorted, his green eyes growing sad at the mention of Ron. His anger over his best friend's death and the guilt for not being there still ran through him. Instead of waiting for Ron and Hermione like he had wanted, he'd let Ron persuade him to lend him his cloak. Without the Invisibility Cloak, Ron wouldn't have been able to follow the group of Death Eaters with Hermione. Without that cloak, he wouldn't have heard Draco's goons make fun of Ginny, and he wouldn't have tried to stop it. It had been a hard pill to swallow for him to hear from Hermione that Draco had tried to prevent it, and now she was with him.

“Still can't get over that, can you Potter?” Draco snorted, but held his ground as Harry drew his face closer to his, their noses almost touching. He could feel the suppressed rage boiling in the air between them. “Do you trust Hermione?” Draco asked Harry.

“Of course I do! She's my friend.” Harry answered, wanting to punch Draco for even asking that. His hand fisted, and he could barely control it from rising and striking. His promise to the professors to keep the physical stuff to training sessions warred with the anger he was feeling now.

“Then trust her judgment in me.” Draco said, his eyes taking in Harry's fist with a sneer. His eyes dared Harry to punch him. To make that first move, anything was better than the stalemate of stares they lived with now.

“You're an arse Malfoy. You've only turned to the Order because of your mother. What happens when you change your mind, and want back in with the Death Eaters? When you've discovered that you're still the coward you've always been?” Harry replied, and his shoulders shook with the anger he felt, and he stepped even closer to Draco. His fist wrapped around his own pant leg in the effort to keep it from striking.

“I am no coward Potter! You accused Snape of that also! I'm here, I wouldn't and couldn't go back if I wanted to. I burned that bridge the night I helped Professor Lupin save Hermione. My own father hunts for me! I'm as wanted as you.” Draco laughed bitterly. “Snape would have to kill me if I'm caught with you, and we were found by Death Eaters and him. Let me help you. I can at least keep Hermione safe so you can focus.”

“This is my task-” Harry blurted out, his fist letting go of his pant leg to raise up slightly.

“And you have the girls with you! So that's a load of Hippogriff crap right there Potter!” Draco interrupted Harry and pushed him back away from him.

“Boys, lower your voices the girls-” Remus finally interjected. The boys voices had risen high enough, and soon the girls would come to find out what was going on. Harry and Draco turned to look at Remus, both having forgotten they had an audience.

“Sorry Professor,” Harry mumbled out, and Draco nodded silently. Remus's words worked like a calming charm, and the boys backed away from each other.

“Listen Potter, I'm not asking to be your best mate here.” Draco said calmly now. He'd gotten Potter to think he hoped.

“Well that'll never happen,” Harry replied and walked closer to where Remus still sat on the settee.

“I'm just asking to be allowed to help- and possibly keep both girls safe on what ever you are doing.” Draco continued, ignoring Harry's retort.

“I'll think on it.” Harry finally answered.

“You do that Potter. If I have to, I'll invoke an Unbreakable Vow to gain your trust.” Draco turned and walked from the sitting room. When the doors closed behind him, Harry turned to Dumbledore's portrait.

“Professor?” Harry said.

“It's your decision Harry. It's time to let it go, and put some of the past behind you.” Albus replied and disappeared from his portrait.

“Great,” Harry said, and felt the weight grow heavier on his shoulders.

“Harry, I'm not privy to any of this either. We all want to help you. But Malfoy's got a point, he can protect the girls when it gets dangerous. And I am assuming it is.” Remus said, and placed a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. “Don't decide right away, just give it some thought.”

“Thanks Professor.” Harry said, still feeling the weight, and it made him want to sink to the ground.

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Okay hope you like-- please review. Thanks ~juls