Blaise mumbled out the conversation he had with them, what his mother had done to the others, and how the curse lifted when he forgave them.
                              
"The others might come, too," he whispered, fully acknowledging the fear that had been building since Adrian and Graham first showed their arms to him. Worst might come for him. He couldn't show that fear with Theo or Neville there. But Draco was different. They didn't have to hide anything from each other.
                              
"I won't let anything happen to you," Draco vowed, holding him tightly. "I'll take care of you."
                              
Blaise believed him and he had to smile. Draco was on probation and scared to death of Azkaban, but nothing would stop him from protecting him. Blaise knew he would have to pull Draco back if it came to it. Draco let go to look at him. Draco's fingers traced jaw and he straightened up, fixing Blaise with that stern glare that he had mastered at a young age. Blaise felt himself shrink.
                              
"You will not go to any more reunions without me there," Draco ordered.
                              
Blaise trembled slightly, hearing the command in his voice, again. He hadn't heard that since Draco left for Easter last year. "Don't try to save me. Don't come back for me. Don't try to help. You have to protect Theo and Daphne, now, Blaise. Promise me that. Promise me that you will keep them safe. They are the only things that matter." Draco's hard, strong voice from long ago. "Make sure Theo doesn't become a Death Eater, hide him and Daphne, if necessary, but don't ever come after me."
                              
Blaise had tried to resist his order, but Draco was adamant, forceful. Blaise wasn't in charge then. He took orders, he didn't give them, and he trusted Draco with his life. However, he fought against the command, but Draco called in his debt. Made him promise. Blaise owed him everything. He had an obligation and he agreed in the end. Promised to protect them. Promised Draco that he would let them kill him... let them destroy him. "I'm already dead, Blaise. I should have died on that tower, because I knew the cost of failure then. I'm not going to be here much longer, and I need to know that you will do this or I won't be able to rest. Please...."
                              
"Blaise?" Draco asked, ripping him out of that painful memory. 
                              
He nodded. "I don't think I'll agree to any more meetings. That one was bad enough."
                              
"That's a good idea. Be careful what you open, too. Let me check your mail for now on," Draco said, rubbing his shoulder, supportively. Salazar, Blaise missed this so much.
                              
"Okay," Blaise said, softly. 
                              
Draco moved his hand to Blaise's jaw and forced it up. "Are you alright?"
                              
Blaise shook his head, between the meeting yesterday, retelling it three times and comforting Draco, he was wiped emotionally. "But I'll live. It was a rough day... week."
                              
Draco nodded. "I want you to stay out of Hogsmeade, too, unless you all go as a group."
                              
"Yes... boss," Blaise said, with a smile.
                              
Draco scowled. "Don't."
                              
"Harry is probably waiting for you... are you going to argue with me or go get him?"
                              
Blaise withheld a smile as Draco's emotions darkened. He was on the right path, now. Mission accomplished, Blaise thought.
                              
***
                              
Draco felt better, a lot better. Not fully recovered, but that wasn't ever going to really happen. He was worried about Blaise, certainly, but he had to find Harry. He couldn't believe how self-centered he'd been lately. He'd been so focused on his own problems that he didn't even see how much it was hurting Harry. Crap... Harry deserved a better boyfriend. Blaise was looking at him in a way that made it seem like he was waiting for his orders. He rolled his eyes. He didn't want to take it though. Harry was the one who was really in trouble.