The room was only lit by a few torches on the wall. The flames cast dancing shadows on the round wooden table that seemed to stand in the corner of the room. "I don't like this table." Harry said, but apparently, all he could do was whisper. He looked to the seats next to him where Draco's parents, Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy, sat. They seemed to be avoiding looking at Harry. "We're gonna need a bigger one for our meetings once I'm really back." Harry whispered.

He turned around and looked into the length of the room. It was about 15 Metres long, but only about four Metres wide. The beige-green curtains were closed in front of the high windows that spread on the left-hand side. On the other side was a huge fireplace. For a moment, Harry wondered why no one had bothered to light it.

"We will be sure to replace it with something more suitable, my Lord." Lucius Malfoy said.

My Lord? Harry wondered. Why would Lucius-

"I should hope ssso." Harry hissed. "It is a huge honour that I chose you after you have done nothing for me in the past yearsssss." He saw the Malfoy couple flinch and felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

"Yes, a huge honour." Lucius hurriedly assured. "We are so sorry, my Lord. If there had been a sign or anything-"

"Let's not have this conversation again." Harry whispered, although he got the feeling he might not exactly be himself. "I came here because I need Harry Potter. And young Malfoy might be just the right person to help us."

"Please do not involve Draco in this." Narcissa spoke up for the first time.

"Why not?" Harry hissed. "Do you have reservations about me returning, Narcissssssssa." He saw her flinch and shake her head, all while avoiding looking at Harry.

"Of course she wants you to return, my Lord." Lucius jumped in. "We all wish for nothing more. We'll do everything we can."

"Then get me the boy!" Harry hissed, which sent more chills down his spine than any yell could have. He felt a sharp burn on his forehead and suddenly, the whole scenery disappeared.

"Harry?"

He glanced into the worried eyes of Ron, then looked around the room. He sat on a mattress on the floor. The Weasleys had invited him for Christmas and now he was sleeping with Ron in the attic. On different mattresses, of course. But apparently, Harry's yell of agony was enough to wake up his best friend.

"Are you okay?"

Harry glanced back at him and slowly let go of his forehead. The pain had subsided. Harry let himself fall back onto the mattress. "He's at the Malfoy's." Harry said.

"Who?" Ron asked.

"Voldemort." Harry ignored Ron flinching. "I've had a dream like this before. Where I could see what he was doing. Right before the fourth year started."

"You can see what You Know Who is doing?" Ron sat up in his bed completely, probably to be able to think better. He was just awoken in the middle of the night, after all. "Are you sure?"

"Pretty sure." Harry confirmed. He was still too embarrassed and freaked out to tell Ron he took Voldemort's perspective when he had those dreams.

"Alright." Ron said. "And what was he doing?"

"Talking to Draco's parents." Harry said. "He plans on coming back, but he still needs me for that. And he wants to use Draco to get me."

"Are you sure it wasn't just a normal dream?" Ron asked. "I mean, you are pretty obsessed with Malfoy. I mean, Draco. But his parents may also be something your dreams could be concerned about. And You Know Who too."

Ron did have a point. It had been three months since Draco had rejected Harry, had told him in no uncertain manner what his intentions were. But not a day had gone by when Harry had not thought about how things could have been. In Harry's defence, it was hard to forget someone when he had to see him every day and knowing Draco did in fact feel something for Harry. And they were still flirting sometimes. But without much hostility. Although they had not overcome their rivalry. Harry did not think they would overcome it even if they were to start dating. Draco was still in Slytherin, and he was their seeker, and he was still a Malfoy. And there was something defiant about everything he did.

Harry loved it.

"I haven't thought about Draco in months." Harry lied.

"Oh please." Ron snorted. "You still stare at him way more that a person with normal common sense should-"

"Anyway, I don't think it was a dream." Harry changed the subject. "When I had this kind of dream about half a year ago, it had nothing to do with Malfoy. Voldemort was scolding Peter Pettigew and then a muggle came and he killed him."

"Well, your mind could still just process some events that happened during daytime-"

"Believe what you want." Harry snuggled deeper under his covers. "I just know these aren't normal dreams."

"Alright." Ron said defensively and laid back down onto his own mattress. "I believe you."

The boys laid in the dark attic in silence. Soon, Harry heard snores again. It took him a while to fall back asleep too.

#

"You know," Ron said once breakfast was over and him and Harry were wandering through the snow. Sometimes Harry dragged him out to get away from the turmoil in the confined burrow. Harry loved being with the Weasleys, but sometimes it got a little too much. "I was thinking about your dream last night-"

"It wasn't a dream." Harry exclaimed.

"I know, sorry. Your vision or whatever." Ron corrected. "Anyway, if you can see what You Know Who does, don't you think he can see what you're doing too?"

Harry shrugged. It had not occurred to him yet. He had been too worried about what Voldemort's next step was to get Harry and resurrect himself completely. And how Draco was being involved. "I don't think so." Harry said. "Or else he would not be this desperate to find a way to get me."

"What if he finds out?" Ron asked.

Harry gritted through his teeth. Ron was right. It was dangerous. But he did absolutely not want to have another threat looming over his head. The very thought that the whole Triwizard Tournament ordeal last year was solely a plot to get Harry to bring back Voldemort... it filled him with nausea. And he did absolutely not want a mutual connection to this horrible creature that was not even real human anymore. And even if he did get a real body again, he would simply be a more powerful monster, but still not human.

"We just have to get rid of him before he has the chance to get me." Harry said.

Ron nodded. "Maybe we should talk to my parents. They were here last time when they fought You Know Who."

It was a reasonable proposal. But Harry felt uncomfortable telling anyone else about his dreams. Especially since he was always Voldemort himself. Not even Ron knew about that.

"Let's wait 'til New Years is over." Harry said. "I don't want to ruin the mood."

"Are you sure?" Ron asked carefully. He knew his best friend was tense. "This is kind of... dangerous. It has higher priority-"

"I'm sure." Harry interrupted. "Can we please drop it?"

Ron still looked apprehensive, but he stayed silent.

#

After the exhilaration of the New Year spirit in combination with the alcohol Fred and George had discretely given them, Harry felt a cosy sense of tiredness settling in his bones. The twins were the only ones still up at 5 o'clock in the morning when Ron and Harry bid them goodnight. Ginny probably would have stayed up too, but Mrs. Weasley had already sent her to bed at 2 o'clock because, well, she was the youngest.

"That wine was disgusting." Ron said once they were settled on their mattresses.

Harry hummed in agreement. "Kinda tasted like the medicine I once was forced to drink at the Dursleys when I had a cough." Normally, Harry did not like talking about the Dursleys but his inhibitions were a lot lower.

"It's kinda fun being drunk." Ron said.

"Yeah." Harry let out a contented sigh and settled deeper under his blanket. "You were right."

"I didn't say it." Ron said. "Fred and George said it would be fun."

"I mean with Draco." Harry said.

"I know." Ron said. "You're not very subtle. Also, Hermione always tells me what you're thinking. I miss Hermione."

"Me too." Harry said. "Not as much as you though."

"How would you know that?" Ron said.

"You wanna kiss her." Harry said. "It's weird."

"You're weird." Ron said. "You wanna kiss Malfoy. He's a git. Hermione is pretty. And smart. Please don't fall in love with her."

"I won't." Harry assured.

"She wouldn't like me anyway." Ron said. "But you can't have her either. I would be sad."

"I know." Harry said. "I wanna kiss Draco."

"I know." Ron said. "You're weird."

"You're weird." Harry deflected and briefly wondered how someone as smart as Hermione became friends with them.

Being this drunk, it did not take long for Harry to drift off.

#

He was in the Malfoy Manor again. Unlike last time, he was not sitting on the small table in the corner of the long ball room, but he was being held in someone's arms in what appeared to be the dining room. A black table stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by chairs with elaborate pearly adornments.

Harry slowly stepped around the table and took his time raising his gaze. His heart sped up as he saw the situation he had landed in. Before him stood the Malfoys. All three of them. Even Draco. And all three had similar looks on their faces. Stony, careful not to show any sign of emotion. But Harry could tell by the slight shift in Draco's statue that he was nervous.

"You're unsure..." Harry hissed.

"No, no-"

"Lucius." Harry interrupted. "Let the boy speak." Harry's eyes focused back on Draco. He had had dark circles under his eyes and his Malfoy stance wasn't strong enough to hide the fearful tremble in his hands.

"No, my Lord." Draco said and Harry was slightly surprised how steady his voice sounded. But, having studied Draco many times before, Harry still heard the slight tremble in the first word. "I will do it. I am sure."

Harry stood there for a few more seconds, just staring at Draco, who lowered his eyes but otherwise did not move an inch.

"You're lying." Harry hissed harshly, and for the first time this morning, Draco dropped his act and Harry could see the tremendous amount of fear in his face.

"No, no-"

"You don't want to do me this small favour." Harry hissed and took a step closer, well, his carrier did. "We're so close. I could be back before the next full moon, but you, Draco-"

"My Lord. I assure you-"

"Don't you interrupt me." Harry's eyes settled on Narcissa, who had stepped forward and now retreated back slowly as if she was trying not to alarm a wild animal. Harry glared at her for a few more seconds until he was satisfied with how still Narcissa stood under his gaze. Then, he focused his attention back on Draco.

No one moved. Harry just watched. The Malfoys did not dare to look up. Harry could not see anyone move a muscle. "Just a reminder what happens if you fail." Harry saw Draco look up quickly, his eyes widened with fear, but there was no time to protest or escape before Harry raised his wand, "Crucio!"

Harry sat up. His scar hurt, but not nearly as much as his heart. He could still hear the scream. The scream of unbearable pain that came right from Draco's core before he crumbled to the floor.

He knew he would never be able to sleep after seeing this. Throwing his blanket off of himself, he stood up and left the attic. He hummed on his way down the stairs and cursed the rule of underage wizards not being allowed to do magic away from school. With the vivid memories of his dream, it was scary to go down the dark stairs of the Burrow.

What? Even Gryffindors were scared sometimes.

Like usual, the fireplace still had a few glowing embers that took not much work to enflame. A quick look at the Weasley's clock (yes, they also had a clock that showed the time, not just the one that showed their whereabouts) told him that it was 06:45 am.

Great, not even two hours of sleep.

Still drowsy, Harry sat in an armchair in front of the warm fireplace. It was comfortable.

Harry sat up straight. What was he doing? Getting comfortable in front of a warm fireplace?

Draco was hurting. And that psychopath was in their house. Harry had to help Draco. And what did Voldemort say? He could be back before the next full moon? Harry needed to prevent that.

He leaped up from his armchair and hurried back up the stairs. Trying to be as quiet as possible, Harry opened the door to the attic and carefully closed it behind him. He scrambled to find his clothes in the dark and went to change himself.

"What're you doin'?" Ron mumbled.

Harry froze in the act of pulling his pullover over his head. "Nothing." Harry whispered and tried to pull on his pullover even more quietly. "Go back to sleep."

"Why're you gettin' dressed?" Ron asked. His voice had this scratchy quality that indicated he was still half asleep. "'s still dark." He emphasised that by snuggling deeper under his covers.

"I'm not tired anymore." Harry whispered.

"Impossible." Ron mumbled and turned away. Harry let out a mental sigh of relief because Ron seemed too tired to question him any further. He pulled down his sleeping trousers to pull on his daytime trousers. "How is your head not hurting?"

Harry stopped for a moment. Now that Ron had mentioned it, he did feel a slight throb in his temples. "Nothing against Draco's pain." Harry mumbled to himself as the image of Draco crumbling to the ground in pain resurfaced. Harry could still hear the scream.

"What does this have to do with Malfoy?" Ron mumbled. Harry was surprised his half asleep best friend had heard his mumble. He must mumble louder than he heard it in his own head.

"Nothing." Harry whispered. "Good night." Being fully dressed by now, Harry grabbed his wand and tiptoed to the door.

"Wait." Ron sat up abruptly, then held his head and groaned.

"What are you doing?" Harry whispered. "Go back to sleep."

"Just..." Ron let go of his head and looked at Harry, as good as he could in the dark attic. "You're not gonna pull that saviour crap and try to get Malfoy out of his own house," Harry looked back at Ron in surprise. How did he figure that one out? "Are you?" Harry's surprised look and lack of answer seemed to tell Ron everything he needed to know. He groaned and let himself fall back into his mattress. "Harry, please, nooooo."

"I have to." Harry defended. He knew there was no fooling Ron now. He briefly summarized his dream, again leaving out the part where he was basically Voldemort.

Ron groaned again like he was in great pain, and threw aside his covers. "Alright then." He stood up and stretched. He had grown a lot over the last month. "Let's save your boyfriend. Just let me get dressed."

"Ron." Harry sighed. "You don't have to come-"

"I'm not gonna let you go alone." Ron glared and hurried to change his shirt. Harry watched worriedly as Ron pulled his Weasley sweater over his head. Having been roommates for four years, there was nothing intimate about that. "Besides," Ron changed his trousers. "This is bigger than just Malfoy. It's about You Know Who not killing you. Blimey, you're crazy to just come to the guy who's been wanting to kill you since you were a baby."

"It's gonna be worse when he actually comes back." Harry replied. "And that could be soon."

"I know." Ron said and pulled his second sock over his foot. He stood up and followed Harry down the stairs quietly. "Maybe we should tell my parents." Ron whispered.

"No way." Harry shut down immediately. "They would tell me it was just a dream and forbid me to leave the house."

"Then let's at least owl Dumbledore." Ron said. By now, they had reached the living room where the fire was still lit and throwing dancing shadows around the room. "Or Hermione. I'd rather someone knew where we went."

"Alright." Harry said. He had to admit it was a comforting plan.

"Where are you sneaking off to?"

Startled, Ron and Harry turned around. There the twins stood, grinning mischievously. It was a bit scary how their grin was exactly the same. Except George's was a little more tilted to the right. "None of your business." Ron said.

"Oh, is it not?" George asked.

"Not even when we ask you louder?" Fred increased his voice, implying the threat to awake their parents.

"Alright, alright." Harry quietly interrupted what was about to turn into a sibling fight. "We're gonna stop Voldemort from returning." Even the careless twins flinched upon hearing that name spoken out aloud.

"How the hell do you expect to do that?" Fred asked.

"And why now?" George asked.

"Why are you not sleeping?" Ron asked.

"Do you expect the party to stop just because everyone else went to bed?" Fred asked.

"So you didn't catch any sleep?" Ron asked.

"Do you ever think about anything else?" George asked.

"Hey-"

"Alright." Harry interrupted the sibling banter again. "Could you please be quieter? I'm gonna write a quick note to Dumbledore."

"Imma write one to Hermione." Ron said, grabbing two pieces of parchment from the cabinet where the Weasleys also kept some Floo Powder, a book with addresses, a glass filled with quills and one with ink and a bowl with random knick-knacks that amassed over time. He handed a parchment and a quill to Harry and they leaned over the kitchen table to write.

"You're going to the Malfoy Manor?" George asked and Harry only then registered him looking over his shoulder.

"Could you mind your own business?" Harry asked. He was growing impatient. With every minute, Draco could get more hurt. Or worse...

Harry gritted through his teeth and quickly finished the note by signing it.

"No need to be so rude." George crossed his arms.

Harry opened the window and made a practiced hooting sound. Hedwig did not take long to show up and Harry caressed her a few times to show her how thankful he was. "Take this to Dumbledore. But you don't need to hurry." He told her, tying the note to her leg. He did not need Dumbledore to show up before Harry had a chance to get Draco out of there. The headmaster would probably try to prevent him from taking action and tell him to stay away from Voldemort.

After Hedwig took off, Harry turned around to see Ron still scribbling around in his note, crossing something out and writing something new. "Are you done?" Harry asked. "We need to leave."

"Yeah, just..." Ron obviously sped up his writing and finally signed the note. Then, he stopped and stared at the note for a few more seconds.

"It's fine." Harry said impatiently. "Just give it to Pig."

"Alright, alright." Ron said and followed Harry outside. The twins followed too. While Ron called his owl, Harry turned to Fred and George.

"What are you doing?"

"What do you think?" Fred asked.

"You're not coming with us." Harry said.

"Why not?" George asked.

"Could you stop with the questions?" Harry asked.

Sensing that Harry did not have the nerves for their shenanigans, George said, "Of course we're coming with you. You're gonna do something stupid."

"We love doing stupid stuff." Fred added.

"This is not a game." Harry said.

"You Know Who is at the Malfoys." Ron filled them in.

"Does he have a real body yet?" Fred's voice got weirdly high.

"No." Harry said.

"We're trying to prevent that." Ron explained.

"And how do you expect to do that?" Fred asked.

"And why now?" George asked.

Ron looked at Harry, unsure how much he was willing to share. "The earlier, the better." Harry finally said. Fred and George exchanged looks. They obviously knew that was not the entire story.

"Then let us take you there." George offered.

"We're of age now." Fred said. "We can apparate."

Ron looked at Harry again. "Would be fine by me."

Harry looked between the Weasleys for a few more seconds, then nodded. "Alright, let's go."

They put their hands together in the middle. Harry felt a jerk behind his belly button and the Burrow disappeared from his sight.