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Resistance	By : danniperson Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 44506 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 7
Disclaimer: I did not create the Harry Potter stories or universe and I do not make any money from this

Chapter List
- 12
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- 14
CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"And we're supposed to be questioning the Malfoys today or tomorrow."

The sound of this stopped Grace in her tracks as she waltzed out of her room to get some cookies from the kitchen. Question the Malfoys? Grace slowly tip-toed closer to Harry's bedroom door to where she could hear Harry and Hermione talking.

"That's great. You really think it'll be alright?" Harry asked.

"You can never be too sure. I hardly think they've become kind-hearted, noble people but I do believe they're looking out for their own interests as well as thinking we might be their better option at the moment," Hermione explained.

"And you'll really…you know…bond with him?"

Hermione snorted. "Do not give me that look, Harry James Potter! You bonded with Snape."

"Yeah, well," Harry said uncomfortably. "I try not to think about it so much."

Things were quiet for a moment and Grace heard the sounds of the friends shuffling around. Figuring the conversation had ended, she went to move away but the sound of Hermione clearing her throat stopped her. A second later, Grace made to walk away again but Hermione actually spoke again.

"So…you and Snape really…You really slept with him?"

Grace's eyes grew wide and she sucked in a loud gasp, immediately slapping her hands over her mouth. Her brother actually shagged Snape? Her heart thudded in the fear because she was scared being caught. That was followed by an aching in her lungs and ribs as she held back the urge to laugh. That was just silly! Strange, scary, and silly! It certainly couldn't be true, could it? She remembered Harry walking into the house yesterday limping and how she had made a comment about him getting laid. It did make sense, didn't it? The way he was walking and sitting so funnily? She was disturbed by a brief mental image of Snape bending her poor brother over a desk before squeezing her eyes shut and shaking her head rapidly. No, no, no, no, no! Her brain did not need to conjure up that particularly disturbing picture! Gross! Snape was nasty and ugly and Harry was her brother! Bad, bad brain.

Harry groaned. "How many times are you going to ask that?"

"As many times as it takes for me to believe it," Hermione sighed. "I mean…really?"

"Yes," Harry sighed heavily.

"I just mean…It was hard enough to believe he's your soul mate but to think that the bond would actually make you pursue any sort of physical relationship with him…"

"It is not a 'physical relationship'. It was just a one-off, okay?" Harry grumbled. "Won't happen again."

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked skeptically. "If the bond made you have intercourse because you dislike each other so much, what makes you think it won't keep doing so until you do get on better?"

"I really do not want to think about that," Harry groaned.

"Well you should think about it! He's still our professor, Harry," Hermione said. "If this is going to keep up…"

"It won't!" Harry interrupted. "Okay? If I have to make sure we are never together unsupervised just to make sure of it, I will."

"Alright," Hermione said.

"Alright as in you're okay now? Or alright as in you're going to bug me about this again later?"

"Shut up, Harry," Hermione said, sounding amused.

"And this is the part of the conversation when we discuss your possible sex life with Malfoy Jr.," Harry said.

"There's nothing possible about it," Hermione groaned.

Sex with Draco Malfoy? Grace tried hard not to giggle. She wish she understood better what as going on but, knowing what she knew about Harry and Snape, Grace figured it couldn't be too hard to get the information out of her older brother. If not from an easier source, she thought, knowing that, as always, she would ask Fred and George first. Hopefully, they could visit them in Diagon Alley soon!

"You would have thought that about my situation, too, right?" Harry reminded her in a somewhat forced teasing tone.

"That's true," Hermione admitted. "Bu I'll have people there to…"

"Grace! Come clean up the mess you made in the living room!" Lily called from the bottom of the staircase.

Grace groaned, reluctantly and quietly, moving a little ways from Harry's door before calling back, "Coming, Mum!"

Remus wasn't sure why he was feeling so guilty as he Flooed to Grimmauld Place. Being around Sirius these days made him feel strange but today was something else entirely. He definitely felt ashamed and guilty. It disturbed him more than anything else that had happened since finding out his best friend was his soul mate.

He and Tonks had been casually dating for not even a month. Last night, they sat around Remus's flat, enjoyed a few drinks then ended the night in bed together. Maybe that was it. He did feel badly for having sex with her when he wasn't even completely sure of his feelings about her. Hell, it was wrong to even date her when he wasn't even sure of that much. Surely, it had nothing to do with Sirius because that just didn't make sense. They weren't together. That thought was laughable. He hadn't wronged Sirius in his actions. They weren't married, no matter how much the Potter family liked to joke to the contrary.

"Sirius?" Remus called out, hating how nervous he felt. Ever since this damned soul mate business came about everything about their relationship had become strained. Wasn't the whole point of this to bring them closer? It doesn't have to be anything romantic, he reminded himself. They were the same words everyone liked to repeat a lot. Did they really need to convince themselves so much?

"Ah, Remus!" Sirius exclaimed, walking into the room with a forced smile, the same uncertainty flickering in his gray eyes. "How is little Miss Nymphadora treating you?"

Remus was tempted to remind Sirius that Tonks hated being called by her forename, as he well knew, but only shrugged. His mind flickered to the hazy images of last night. "Alright, I suppose."

"Good, good. Well, come in! Don't be a stranger," Sirius said, plopping down into an armchair and motioning towards the other uncomfortable, ancient furniture in the living room. "Drink?"

"No, thank you," Remus replied, sitting himself on the nearest couch. "I don't think we should be practicing magic drunk. Especially when we're trying to…test our abilities."

"True, very true," Sirius said, sitting up a bit straighter. Dumbledore had asked all of the bonded pairs to meet at least once a week to practice various aspects of their magic with one another. They would all present their findings at the next Order meeting, right before the new school term began. Other than the more complicated nature of their friendship as well as a very strange moment shared during the bonding, neither man had really noticed the bond having many effects. "So…"

"So," Remus said nervously. After a long pause, he cleared his throat then looked around the living room. "Err…Where do you think we should start?"

"I don't bloody know," Sirius grumbled. "Albus should have left us something. A guide to follow, suggestions…or show up."

"He's too busy for that," Remus said.

"Right," Sirius said, sitting up a bit straighter. "Well, then, I suppose we don't want to practice anything too dangerous."

"Yes. And I'm not sure how far we'd get practicing anything too simplistic," Remus agreed. He attempted to wrack his brain for some suitable option to start them on but the awkward silence that fell over the two old friends was suffocating and distracting. Sirius, too, seemed bothered while he lost himself in his own thoughts. Unable to stand it any longer, Remus coughed. "I, ah, heard you were being considered for the Defense position."

"What?" Sirius asked, blinking. "Oh, at Hogwarts…Yeah." Sirius laughed. "Albus thought it might be good to have more Order members at Hogwarts since Harry's so determined to get involved in things this year. There's no telling what he will do, so…The more the merrier, I guess."

"Well…That's good. I mean, you were always brilliant at Defense. When you applied yourself," Remus teased.

"I never applied myself," Sirius scoffed. Remus laughed. "I do feel that this is just Albus's nice way of telling me he finds me useless otherwise."

"You're not useless," Remus assured him. "Maybe it's just his nice way of keeping you from being too reckless."

"There's no such thing as too reckless!" Sirius argued. "I'm just doing my part."

Remus just nodded, a sinking feeling in his stomach as silence fell over them again. "So…I guess we could try some things you'll have to teach your future students," Remus suggested finally, forcing a smile. "Nothing too dangerous would be in the Hogwarts curriculum and I do remember a few things I taught when I was there."

"Good. That sounds good," Sirius agreed, standing up. He seemed to be looking anywhere but directly at Remus. The werewolf sighed heavily and got to his feet as well. There would be time to mend their friendship later. Preferably, once he actually had an idea of how to go about doing that. Maybe he'd pay Lily a visit when he was done here.

"So what do you suggest, Professor Lupin?" Sirius asked teasingly. Things may not have been as easy between them as they had always been but Sirius at least was willing to pretend they were. It made Remus feel a bit easier about things.

"Today, my eager student, we will be practicing the…Patronus Charm," Remus said. The Patronus Charm was a bit difficult to learn, hard to execute in the conditions you actually needed it, and wouldn't cause too much of a mess in Grimmauld Place. Maybe, if they had an easier time producing it, that would tell them something. Or if they…Well, Remus wasn't entirely sure how much better either of them could produce a Patronus. His thoughts were interrupted when Sirius put on his innocent face and raised his hand. "Er…Yes, S—Mr. Black?"

"If it's a Patronus Charm, shouldn't I be learning this in Charms?" Sirius asked.

Remus glared mockingly at him. "Can you take nothing seriously, Mr. Black?"

"I'm Sirius about everything," Sirius joked. Remus couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Speaking of, I was considering giving myself a middle name…"

"Lee?"

"It isn't as fun if you don't let me say it," Sirius huffed, then smirked. "Yes, yes…Sirius Lee. That way everything will make more sense when I make jokes about you saying seriously. I would seriously be Sirius Lee!"

"You would think after twenty some-odd years, these jokes would be old," Remus said.

"Nah, they'll never be old," Sirius grinned.

Remus's stomach flip-flopped at the sight of that familiar grin. He took that as a good sign. This was the way things should be like between them. Maybe it didn't mend things entirely but it was a step in the right direction. A very warm feeling flooded through him and, for a moment, Remus found himself distracted by Sirius, that wide grin of his and the mischief sparkling in those gray eyes. He was just glad that things seemed to be getting better. That was all.

"Ahem. Now, do I need to teach you how to produce a Patronus, Sirius Lee Black?" he asked. Sirius laughed at the sound of his could-be full name.

"Nah. I don't need anyone to help me handle my own wand," Sirius said with a suggestive wiggle of his eyebrows.

It wouldn't be the first time Sirius made inappropriate jokes. As often as Lily, James and their children teased them about being a couple, Sirius didn't mind playing along at times. What Remus wasn't used to was the way the whole room seemed to have warmed up by several degrees and the twisting in his stomach. He was just glad…Very glad that Sirius was back to his joking self. That he could still have fun around Remus.

"Are you sure?" Remus teased back to his horror. To be fair, he hadn't actually meant to say it and he despised how badly he could feel his face heating up. Sirius looked shocked only for a moment before grinning.

"Was that an offer?"

Remus coughed and pulled out his own wand. "We'll need a good memory in mind."

"Yes, we will. We could always make one," Sirius suggested with a delicious smirk.

Remus tore his eyes away from his best friend and raised his wand. "Expecto Patronum!"

Wisps of silver light flowed from the wand but faded into the air, never taking a corporeal shape. Remus frowned while Sirius's face morphed into a look of concern before he forced himself to smile again. "You sure you don't need help with a good memory, Moony?" he asked playfully.

"You'd think the bond would help make the Patronus better," Remus said, ears ringing slightly and choosing to ignore Sirius's comment, "not make my ability to cast one worse."

"Maybe you're not focused right. Or you're the one who needs help learning to hold his wand," Sirius teased.

He laughed, though he was hardly amused. He didn't like not being able to produce a Patronus, considering it was a skill he was fairly confident with. He had taught it to Harry his third year! Teaching a thirteen year old such advanced magic had not been an easy task, thus Remus figured he was pretty adept at the ability. Now he rolled his wand in his hand, troubled.

"You try," he finally said to Sirius.

Sirius watched Remus in continued worry for a moment before pulling out his own wand to do as requested. "Expecto Patronum!" he whispered. Silvery light flowed from his wand, going further than Remus's had. It looked to start taking a shape but ended up dissipating before it could fully take the form of the dog it usually was. Sirius frowned and eyed his own wand as well.

"That could be a problem," Sirius said with a frown.

Since Hermione was staying with the Potters for the remainder of the summer, the Malfoys and the interrogation team all agreed to meet at their home in Godric's Hollow. Lily wasn't too keen on letting Harry join the questioning, as she felt it would only encourage his ideas of going out to save the world, whereas James argued he had those ideas anyway and it would do him well to be part of things. In the end, Lily relented, seeing the error of her thinking and, instead, invited Ginny over to keep Grace distracted while the meeting took place.

The Potter living room was crowded the time everyone had gathered. The three Malfoys sat on the couch, the youngest sitting between his parents, facing the scrutiny of the Order of the Phoenix. James had even remained dressed in his Auror robes in an attempt to look a bit more intimidating and authoritative. Hermione was there as Draco's soul mate. Severus Snape stood present as friends of the Malfoys and the brewer of their batch of Veritaserum. Three Aurors also stood among them: Mad-Eye Moody, per his own insistence, Kingsley Shackelbolt, and Nymphadora Tonks. The latter two were likely only present to help keep a handle on Moody.

"The wards are up?" Moody demanded.

"For the last time, yes," Lily said impatiently, glaring at the man. "I double, triple, and quadruple checked them. Promise."

"And this lot wasn't followed," he said, jerking his head in the direction of the Malfoys.

"I looked around the neighborhood and I didn't see anyone," Tonks offered.

"And you're sure?" Moody demanded.

"Positive," Tonks said.

"Hmph," muttered Moody, walking away to check all of the windows again.

"I don't know how you do it, James," Lily mumbled.

"What?" James asked with a grin, as though he already knew the answer.

"Put up with him on an almost daily basis," Lily whispered back, glaring at him. "I understand the need for precaution, but good Merlin."

"Everything looks to be in order," Moody grumbled as he walked back in, glaring at the Malfoys.

"Shall I give them the Veritaserum now?" Snape asked dryly.

"Not yet," Moody snapped. "First we need to check them."

"For what?" Harry asked.

"To make sure they haven't taken anything that will interfere with the Veritaserum, to be sure they aren't carrying an antidote. While we're at it, make sure they don't have any funny business going on," Moody instructed. He motioned wildly at the Malfoys. "Up. Stand up!"

Two pairs of silver eyes flashed furiously but Narcissa calmly reached over to put a hand on each of her men to force them to calm down. Reluctantly, the trio stood, looking unhappily prepared to do whatever was asked of them. Moody eagerly moved towards Lucius Malfoy, leaving Kingsley to take Draco and Tonks to take Narcissa. Everyone else in the room moved back to the opposite wall to give them room.

"There is at least one Death Eater in this room," James whispered to his wife, looking pointedly at Lucius though his eyes flickered to Snape momentarily, "and somehow Moody still comes across as the most dangerous person here."

Having overheard the comment, Hermione and Harry both laughed along with Lily.

Lucius Malfoy stood as straight, unmoving, and beautiful as a statue, glaring at the opposite wall while Moody poked and prodded him. His face scrunched up now and then in discomfort as Moody cast spells checking for dark magic as well as any potions or poisons that might be in his system. The less he found, the more agitated Moody seemed to get and the more enthusiastic his searching was. Kingsley and Tonks shared nervous looks now and then but Moody never went too far in their eyes.

Tonks finished with Narcissa first, sending her aunt a somewhat apologetic look before stepping back and announcing, "She's clear."

"You found nothing?" Moody demanded incredulously.

"Nothing, sir," Tonks assured him.

Moody muttered intelligibly as he continued his own search by kneeling down and feeling along Lucius's leg.

"Looking a bit too friendly there, Moody," James muttered in amusement. Harry laughed, and Hermione seemed to be struggling not to while Lily just glared at him. "Shhh," she whispered.

"I heard that, Potter," Moody grunted. "I'd be damned grateful if I were you, making sure you don't get killed in your own house!"

"Ahem. Yes, sir. Sorry, sir," James said, though he didn't look or sound near apologetic enough. Moody resumed muttering under his breath while checking Lucius.

A minute later, Kingsley stepped back from Draco. "He's clear, Moody."

"That right?"

"Yes."

Everyone stood back and waited anxiously for Moody to finish his search. He continued muttering under his breath, magical eye spinning every which way, pulling random objects out of his robes to check for various things. The group began looking around at each other uncertainly. Only Moody kept his eyes on Lucius and Lucius kept his eyes on the wall, looking increasingly like he could blow up the house with just a look.

Finally, Moody stepped back from Lucius, still glaring at him suspiciously. "It all looks alright," Moody relented. "Get 'em, Snape."

Snape offered the Auror a sarcastic bow as Moody joined his fellow Aurors then moved towards the Malfoys with a phial in his hand. The Malfoys sat back down on the couch, opening their mouths to take the three drops of Veritaserum. Snape even stepped to the side while he work and positioned his hand so that everyone could see each drop as it fell onto the waiting tongues. He would have no question as to whether or not they were being given the correct dosage and that he was not offering any sort of aid to them.

"Let me see that," Moody demanded when Snape had finished. Snape wordlessly offered up the phial. Moody had already checked it twice before the Malfoys arrived but his paranoia would let him leave nothing to chance. He took a moment looking it over and sniffing at it before seeming satisfied enough to give it back to Snape.

"So, you're seeking our protection?" Moody asked.

"Yes," Lucius and Draco replied.

"We only want our son to be safe," Narcissa replied, patting Draco's leg.

"What do you want him to be safe from?" Moody asked.

"The Dark Lord," Narcissa and Lucius replied.

"You don't want your son to join the Death Eaters?" Moody asked.

"No," both older Malfoys replied.

"What about you, Draco Malfoy? You don't wish to become a Death Eater?" Moody asked.

"No."

"Why not?"

"He's crazy. He might kill me," Draco confessed, silver eyes wide in horror at what he was confessing. "I don't want to hurt anyone. I'm not a killer."

"And you trust us enough not to do the same?" Moody asked.

"Yes," the three replied.

"You trust people you barely know over people you've known your whole lives, huh? Some crowd that is," Moody muttered. "Draco, you will perform the Soul Bond with Hermione Granger in exchange for our protection?"

"Yes," he replied easily.

"Would you bond with Miss Granger even without the promise of protection?" Moody asked.

"I don't know. I would consider it," Draco confessed, looking desperately as though he didn't want to say as much.

"If we were to deny your offer, would turn to the Dark Lord to give him information that you have learned of us?" Moody asked.

"No," Draco and Narcissa replied.

"I don't know," Lucius said with a wince.

"Ahh. Of course not," Moody said darkly, a malicious glimmer in his eyes.

Kingsley cleared his throat. "Have any of you spoken with anyone about this meeting today?"

"Granger," Draco said immediately.

"Anyone else?"

"No."

"Did anyone follow you here?"

"No."

"Are you in possession of anything dangerous we did not find while searching you?"

"No," they all replied.

"If we don't offer you protection, will you take the Dark Mark?" Moody asked.

"Yes," Draco replied.

"Why?" asked Kingsley.

"I would have no choice."

"You couldn't refuse to take the Mark?"

"They would make me take it. It would be a choice between joining them or dying."

"You wouldn't try to find some other alternative?"

"There are no other alternatives," Draco said vehemently. "Even if I managed to escape, I wouldn't be able to hide for long. He's powerful."

"What makes you think he would want you dead that badly enough?" Moody asked.

"I…I don't know," Draco whispered.

"The Dark Lord would want to punish him for his refusal. He wouldn't want to be made a mockery of," Lucius said darkly.

"He would wish to punish us as well, by harming our son," Narcissa said, voice quivering.

"Draco Malfoy, would you be willing to make the Unbreakable Vow to assure that you will keep our secrets and not betray us should we allow this?" Moody asked.

Lucius and Narcissa gasped sharply, looking to their son in a panic. "No, Draco," Lucius hissed.

"I would if I knew I would be safe," Draco said quietly.

"What assurance could we ever have that you would protect my son?" Lucius snarled.

"That is a big thing to ask," Narcissa said, voice shaking. She still managed to sound offended through her emotions.

Hermione cleared her throat, staring straight at Draco as everyone else turned to look at her. "If Draco was to make the vow for our protection, I would be willing to take the Unbreakable Vow to promise to do everything in my power to assure his safety."

"Hermione?" Harry whispered.

"Are you sure you would be willing to do that?" James asked dubiously.

"I'm positive. They're right, you know. The Unbreakable Vow is a big thing, nothing to take lightly. If he would make the vow so that we could be sure he wouldn't betray us, I would be willing to make a promise to ensure his safety. Within reason, of course. I can't promise he would always be safe but I would promise to do all that I could to protect him. Yes."

"I don't know about that," Tonks said with a frown.

The three Malfoys stared at her in shock. "Y…You would do that?" Narcissa asked quietly.

"Of course she would. She's a Gryffindor," drawled Snape. Not much needed to be said, but, by the tone in his voice and knowing Snape, almost everyone could hear the unspoken insults. Self-sacrificing, unthinking, reckless, foolish, and many other things.

"He said surrounded by Gryffindors," Harry muttered under his breath.

Snape turned to glare at him while Hermione, James, Lily, and Kingsley laughed.

"I am well aware of the people in this room, Mr. Potter," Snape remarked.

"Ahem. Yes, I would be willing to do that," Hermione agreed.

"I'm not so sure that's a wise decision, Granger," Moody said. "You can't trust people like this. Not enough to risk your life."

"My life is mine to do with as I see fit," scoffed Hermione. "I would only make my vow after he made his. If he breaks his vow then he would die and there would be nothing I could do about it. If he doesn't, then there's no reason for me not to do what I can to help him."

"Foolish girl," Moody muttered.

"Is there anything else we want to ask the Malfoys?" Kingsley asked before anyone else could say anything.

"There is one more thing Dumbledore wished to have mentioned," Snape said. "If the Order of the Phoenix was to offer your family protection, would you be willing to turn your backs on the Dark Lord?"

"Yes," they replied immediately. Lucius seemed surprised by his own answer.

"Could you do that?" Narcissa asked quietly, hope glittering in her ice blue eyes.

"We can," Snape replied. "The headmaster would willingly provide a safe house to anyone willing to turn away from the Dark Lord. We would, of course, require proof of sincerity. He would make sure you wouldn't betray us. However, he's willing to give second chances to those who desire it."

"We should talk about this, Narcissa," Lucius whispered.

"What is there to talk about?" Narcissa demanded. "I will not have you risking your life just to appease a madman! I would do anything to save my son but I'd do just as much to ensure your life as well, my husband."

"It isn't as though you enjoy being in his ranks, Father," Draco reminded him.

"Of course," Lucius muttered. "Very well. What would we have to do?"

"I can take you to Dumbledore as soon as possible to make arrangements," Snape explained. "You would have to leave the manor, I'm afraid, and you'd have to pack quickly."

"That can be arranged," Narcissa said, reaching over to take her husband's hand.

"To be clear," Kingsley said. "You will abandon the Dark Lord in exchange for protection?"

"Yes," the Malfoys agreed.

"Are you loyal to the Dark Lord at all?"

"No."

"I think that's good enough," Lily said, looking to the Aurors. "Isn't that right?"

"We can never be too sure," Moody mumbled, still looking at them suspiciously. "But I suppose it will have to do."

"Give them the antidote," Kingsley said.

"Wait!" Harry said suddenly. Everyone turned to him curiously as he leaned into Hermione and began whispering a bit. Her face turned pink and she giggled quietly before nodding her head. Harry then cleared his throat and stood up straight. "Ahem. Draco, how do you feel about Hermione?"

Remembering the same question being asked of Hermione about Draco, Narcissa laughed and even Lucius smirked in amusement. Draco blinked in surprise, pale cheeks turning slightly pink as he answered. "I don't know."

"Why don't you know?"

"With everything going on lately, I think my opinion of her has altered slightly," he replied, sounding annoyed.

"So what do you think of her?" Harry asked with a grin.

"You shouldn't be using Veritaserum to your advantage like this," Lily hissed, frowning in disapproval.

"C'mon, Lils, they don't look that upset," James muttered.

"I think she's…a good person. A little too extreme in that nature. She is foolishly brave and compassionate. I find her brilliant, but too pushy and arrogant in her knowledge. She is very talented in many respects and I find I…somewhat envy her skills," Draco confessed, eyes burning in anger and embarrassment.

"Hey, don't give me that. It was only fair after what you did to Hermione," Harry said, linking his arm through his best friend's. "Carry on."

Snape looked as though he would make a comment but shook his head and walked over to the Malfoys with the antidote in hand.

"What did they do to you, Hermione?" Tonks asked curiously.

"They had me take Veritaserum when we met a few days ago," Hermione replied. "At the end, Mrs. Malfoy asked me how I felt about Draco. I mentioned it to Harry and he thought it would be…only fair to return the favor."

"See? Told you it wasn't so bad," James told his wife with a grin.

"Yes, you did," Lily agreed, fighting a smile.

"So, boy, are we doing this Vow?" Moody asked.

The quiet chatter that had started quieted again at the sound of the Auror's voice. The expectant gazes flowed to Draco who paled, swallowed hard, and nodded. If this was what it took to ensure safety and freedom for not only himself but his parents as well, he was willing to do it.

"Is this really necessary?" Hermione asked with a frown.

"Yes," Moody said instantly.

"I will discuss it with the headmaster," Snape said quietly. "As he is the Order's leader, I'll leave that decision entirely to him."

"Of course," Moody grunted.

"Don't tell me you're chickening out, Granger?" Draco said as an attempt to bring back his pride by picking on Hermione.

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Not quite. I was more concerned about pushing you into a potentially dangerous situation. If you would prefer, we can do it right now."

Draco flinched. "No. That's fine."

"Thought so," Hermione muttered, rolling her eyes.

"And you will be staying here the remainder of the summer, Miss Granger?" Snape asked.

"Umm…Maybe," Hermione said, turning to look at James and Lily.

"Yes, she'll be with us," Lily agreed with a smile.

Snape nodded. "You will be owled, then, if Professor Dumbledore wishes to go forth with the Unbreakable Vows."

"Alright. Thank you," Hermione said with a nod to her professor.

Snape then turned back to the Malfoys in a whispered conversation while the Aurors all gathered in their own group, eying the Malfoys uncertainly. James sighed and went to join his colleagues.

"Err…I may not be a big fan of the Malfoys but they were given Veritaserum," Harry said in confusion.

"Yes, well, Moody won't trust anyone or anything, will he?" Hermione said with a sigh.

"Do you trust them?" Harry asked.

"I don't know. For the most part, I suppose. I at least trust that they believe they're being honest," Hermione replied. "Things can change, though. I won't assume they won't ever go back to their old ways…But…I don't know, Harry. I think it could be alright."

The remainder of the day was relatively fun in the Potter household. Moody left not long after Snape and the Malfoys but Tonks and Kingsley hung around for another few hours, to the delight of the Potter family and their other guests. Tonks gave a spectacular recounting of an embarrassing incident that happened just a few days ago. The owner of a local bookshop believed there was a Death Eater lurking around, stealing from a section of Dark books. Tonks had been part of the group called in then had accidentally tripped and fell, knocking over bookshelves like dominos. The only person injured was the so-called 'Death Eater', who was merely a curious teenage boy who was renowned for his shoplifting adventures.

"Not my most graceful moment but I got the bad guy at the end of the day, eh?" Tonks giggled.

"It might have been more impressive if it had actually been one of them," James teased.

James and Kingsley went on to pick about Tonks, telling tales of her most infamous clumsy moments in the office. The conversation eventually moved onto Tonks' relationship with Remus, inciting the poor Auror to be ganged up on by Lily and Grace who, jokingly, accused her of breaking up Sirius and Remus's 'marriage'. That led to the awkward conversation about bonds in which Tonks confessed to still be searching for her soul mate, trying to convince Kingsley to find his, asking what Ginny was going to do about Blaise, Grace teasing Harry about ending up with Snape, only to create tension where their parents were concerned, and everyone, teasingly, wishing Hermione luck on her 'upcoming nuptials to that blond git'. Ginny, Tonks, and Kingsley even stayed for a very loud dinner.

It was the best evening Harry had in a long time. It wasn't as stressful, or boring, as most of the summer had been so far, and not as bad as recent events. He had actually enjoyed himself without having to worry about anything. It was almost sad to wish them a goodnight, only Ginny leaving with promises to return soon to help Hermione deal with Draco. When they were gone, Lily and James left to follow Dumbledore's orders, practicing their magic together to test the bond.

"You'll have to do that with Professor Snape soon, won't you, Harry?" Hermione asked once Lily and James were out of earshot. After all she had overheard yesterday, Hermione wasn't about to mention Snape or the bond in front of them.

"If I have to, then I guess we will. I won't be bringing it up, though," Harry said. He rolled his eyes at the look Hermione gave him. "What do you want me to do, Mione? We bonded, it should be fine! Besides…" he glanced up at the curious Grace before stepping closer to whisper to her, "do you really think I need to be alone with that git right now?"

"Oh, yeah," Hermione said, blushing.

"What are you two talking about?" Grace asked.

"Noth…" Harry and Hermione began together. Harry cut off with a hiss as a sharp pain flared through his head.

"…ing," Hermione finished, frowning in concern. "Harry?"

"Just…hurts," Harry grunted, reaching up to rub his scar. Hermione and Grace's eyes followed the movement.

"Is it Voldemort? Are you having a vision?" Hermione demanded.

"Should I get Mum and Dad?" Grace asked.

"N…" Harry began, but the pain flared up again and he groaned. His whole body began to tingle and throb, like the aftereffects of pain. There was a ringing in his ears that made it almost impossible to hear the worried tones of Hermione and Grace. His vision swam and the image of his living room seemed to be merging with something else. He felt like he was being pulled back and forth between two places, unable to fully see or hear either one of them. On one end, he heard concerned tones and angered voices on the other. One place was light and cozy while the other was dark and cold.

After a moment of confusion, things began making more sense.

"Where is Lucius Malfoy?" Voldemort hissed.

Everyone looked around but no one had an answer. They were standing in the living room of a large, lavish manor. Voldemort sat in a throne-like chair, red eyes slowly examining each of his Death Eaters as they shifted uncomfortably. "Yaxley?"

"I do not know, my lord."

"Goyle?"

"I don't know…my lord," Goyle said.

"Severus," Voldemort said slowly, a knowing glint in his red eyes. He expected Snape to have the answer.

"I do not know, my lord," Snape lied smoothly.

"Are you certain?" Voldemort asked quietly.

"I am positive," Snape said.

"Hmmm," Voldemort said, stroking his fingers along the scaly body of Nagini as she slithered across his lap. "I don't know if I should believe you. You are his closest friend, are you not?"

"Some might say that," Snape said.

"Wouldn't you?"

"I am not sure any of us could say we have many true friends, my lord. We are acquaintances, yes, of mutual value to one another. But friends? I hardly keep track of the man," Snape lied.

Harry could feel a push in his mind, not unlike the feeling Snape had given during Occlumency lessons his fifth year. He could feel a memory being pushed to the back of his mind, the images fuzzy to him. It was of earlier today with the Malfoys. The voices were muffled. It wasn't exactly the way Harry remembered it, but when Harry saw himself, he realized it wasn't exactly his memory. How strange.

"Very well," Voldemort said, though he didn't sound completely convinced. "I did expect more from you, Severus. Perhaps Lucius considers you his friend, He will certainly dislike this. Crucio!"

Somehow, Harry knew this wasn't the first time tonight Snape had been put under the Cruciatus. The pain was blinding. Harry had the strangest feeling of being able to feel the pain Snape was in without really, physically, feeling it.

"I suppose that will be all for this evening," Voldemort said. "I expect better from all of you when we next convene. And if anyone sees Lucius Malfoy, bring him to me immediately. I have a feeling he won't be of use to us anymore."

The others snickered as they passed by Snape who pushed himself to his feet and shook as he stumbled towards the fireplace. It definitely wasn't the first taste of the Cruciatus Snape had that night. He felt sick and he could barely stand. He grasped onto the mantelpiece, pulling in deep breaths for a moment until a man behind him hurried him along. Snape got a hold of himself the best he could, struggling to keep himself steady and impassive as he grasped a handful of floo powder then stepped into the fireplace.

"Harry?"

Harry gasped and stumbled back, falling onto the couch. Where was he? Oh yes, the living room. Hermione and Grace looked terrified as they watched him. "What was it, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Sn…Snape," Harry muttered. "I have to go."

"What?" Hermione demanded.

"I need to go…see. Stay here. If Mum and Dad ask, I took a walk. Don't tell them. I'll explain later," Harry said. The horrible feeling disappeared and he felt fine now. He couldn't just sit around and do nothing. Snape was in bad shape and Harry wasn't sure he'd be able to take care of himself at all. Why it mattered, Harry wasn't all that sure but he did know that he had to go see him immediately. Harry jumped to his feet then walked quickly out of the door with Hermione and Grace on his tail.

"Harry, are you…?" Hermione began.

"I'll be back soon, Hermione!" Harry called back.

"Do you need condoms?" Grace asked.

"Shut up, Grace!"

Author's Note: Another chapter! I dunno how I feel about it, but it was a necessary chapter lol. The next should be more interesting! And, I must happily say chapter 15 will be full of funness! I'm kind of excited for it!

Big humungo thanks to my beta, Dani! She rocks.

Thanks unneeded for the review!
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Resistance