I stand in front of the new arrival as the boys move to attack him.

"Calm yourselves, he's my friend," I warn.

"HE'S A DEATH EATER," Ron exclaims, fury evident on his face.

I stare at him a deadpan expression, "I'm sorry, have I just hallucinated the last few days? Did we not leave the Order to join the Death Eaters?"

I see realization flash across his face as he silences his argument.

"Hi uhhh, I'm new here and was kinda wondering if you had a plan to tell me why I was dragged out of my home at 10:30 on a Tuesday," a voice speaks up behind.

"We're joining the Death Eaters," I answer, turning around to face him.

He stares at me for a minute before looking at the boys and then back at me.

"How much Firewhiskey did I drink?"

"Listen Malfoy, it's true. We'll give you the details, but not in a dark alley," Harry speaks up for the first time since Draco had shown up.

I can see Draco contemplating his options before he sighs, "Fine, I'll take you to the manor, but I can only side along apparate with two at a time, so I'll have to come back for one of you."

"Take 'Mione and Ron first and then come back for me. Ron isn't allowed to be on his own here or without a level headed person at the manor," Harry replies.

Ron tries to look offended, but he knows it's true.

I grab onto Draco's hand, and Ron begrudgingly holds onto Draco's wrist. I hold on tight as the familiar feeling of apparition flows through my body. We land outside an old ornate fence. We can't see anything but forest past the gates due to the wards.

After Draco gets his bearings, he apparates back for Harry.

"Ok, when we go in, stick close to me. I get the wonderful duty of explaining to my parents why I have the Golden Trio with me."

Draco holds the gates open for us as we walk into the grounds. Ron and Harry walk in front, as Draco and I trail behind. He throws his arm over my shoulders as we walk.

Maybe I hadn't been completely honest with Ron and Harry. Over the last year, Draco and I had been acting like a little more than friends. It wasn't official yet, so it wasn't too big of a lie.

"I've missed you, Mia," he says, quiet enough that Ron and Harry can't hear.

He's the only one that calls me Mia. He's the only one I allow to call me Mia.

"I've missed you too. This is one of the pros of having the people I trusted plot to murder me. More time with you."

He pulls me closer to him, "Who was plotting your murder?" he whispers, but it sounds more like a growl.

"Molly and Sirius, they were going to kill me during a battle and blame it on you guys."

"So that's why you're here, but why are those two here?"

"Ron found out what Voldemort's actually fighting for and the treachery of the Order. Harry learned that Dumbledore orchestrated the murder of his parent and his placement with the Dursleys."

"That would drive anyone into the hands of the enemy. Luckily, you're safe here in my hands."

"I can hear the smirk in your voice, and if you could please remove it from your face, that would be ideal."

He chuckles before our conversation is interrupted by the two boys ahead of us. Draco removes his arm before Harry or Ron notices. I pout as the cold surrounds my body.

We're almost to the door of the Manor. Sadly, it's too dark to take in the full glory of the manor, but even in the middle of the night, I can tell it's amazing.

Draco once again holds the door open for us as we all walk in. We're standing in a magnificent entry hall. Marble floors and dark walls. A crystal chandelier hangs from the middle of the room, while two staircases go up either side of the hall stretching up into the manor.

After a few minutes, Lucius Malfoy walks into the room. He's staring at all three of us standing with Draco.

"Of course. Why wouldn't my son bring home the entire Golden Trio? 'Have a son', they said. 'He won't bring home your enemies they said,'" I hear him mutter.

"Are you done with all the dramatics now, or do I need to give you a minute," Draco speaks from in front of me.

"Yes, please explain why they are here and why they are here on their own accord," Lucius drawls in reply.

"Order is plotting her murder," he points to me, "Order killed his parents," pointing to Harry. "Uuhhh, he found the truth about The Dark Lord and felt betrayed," finally pointing at Ron.

"Wait, are you telling me the Golden Trio wants to join the Death Eaters?" Lucius says shock evident in his voice.

"Yep, I figured 'hey the Order wants to kill me, but so do The Death Eaters,' but your son over here is my friend, so I figured I might have a chance," I reply for all of us.

Lucius looks back and forth between Draco and I, "Just friends right?"

"I thought Death Eaters didn't care about blood purity as much as they pretend," Ron says defensively in my favor.

Lucius waves his hand offhandedly, "I don't care about blood purity, I care about not owing Cissa 30 galleons."

"Why would you owe mum 30 galleons?" Draco questions.

Lucius stares at us for a minute longer before speaking, "Never mind all that. The Dark Lord should be here tomorrow and you three can talk to him. Until then, Draco, show the three of them to some of the guest rooms in your wing. I'm going to inform Cissa of our guests."

With that, Lucius sweeps out of the room and down the hall.

"Alright, well then, follow me to your rooms," Draco starts making his way up the stairs, the three of us trailing behind him.

Eventually, we arrive at a hallway full of doors. He points at the first door on the left, "That's my room."

Then, he points at the first door on the right, "M-Granger that's your room," he slips up, almost calling me by my nickname.

I roll my eyes,watching him walk all the way to the end of the hallway. He points at two doors that are across from each other. "Potter, Weasley, these are your rooms. Pick which one you want."

"You put us at the opposite end of you and Hermione," Ron complains.

"Huh, did I? Who would've thunk? Complete coincidence really."

Both the boys look skeptical, but slowly make their way into their respective rooms.

Once their doors close, Draco pulls me into a hug. He's taller than me, so he's able to sit his chin on top of my head. I bury my face into his chest; I can smell his familiar cologne.

"I'm glad you're here, Mia," he sighs happily.

"Me too. I like being around you," I step back to see a genuine smile on his face, instead of a smirk.

"Night, Mia."

"Night, Draco."