"Are you certain this is a good idea?" Theodore watched the people below him flee from a group of black-clad men sending off brightly-colored spells.

Death Eaters were firing spells left and right, skywards and people-wards. There was no discrimination. Everyone was a target. Theodore mumbled a shield charm, in time for the curses flying at him to splatter against the hardened air. He kept the shield up for a minute, until Death Eaters processed past the tree he took refuge on.

"Certain is quite a strong word. So is good," Draco answered from somewhere above. "This is necessary."

"For what?"

"Deflection."

Now that was the one thing Theodore never thought would be associated with the Malfoys. The current generation of Malfoys got most of their power and fame from being Voldemort's notorious and devoted Death Eater. To think Draco somehow managed to convince the elder Malfoys to let go of their position - it was unthinkable.

"It's not too late to feign ignorance."

"Like you would actually let me do that without first messing up my brain so bad that even the Unspeakables studying mind cannot tell the real from the fabricated." Theodore scoffed. "Your suggestion is noted but gladly rejected. I prefer to stay right where I am."

As if Theodore would leave Draco in the thicks of events all by himself.

"Wise choice." Draco laughed. Theodore didn't need to see Draco's smile to know it resembled that of a vulture eagerly waiting for the moment its prey die. "The front seat to this spectacle is all yours then, Theo. Be sure to keep your eyes on the stage at all times."

The branch Theodore was sitting on dipped as Draco landed next to him.

"Who won the cup again?" Draco asked, waving his arm in the upwards motion of a levitating charm. "Hungary?"

"Ireland, chowderhead. Hungary aren't even participating this year. Where was your brain?" Theodore kept his posture still as Draco floated him up to the highest possible branch, which dipped dangerously when he was settled on it.

"Not in the game, quite literally." Draco paced on the air, grinning at the annoyed groan Theo made. "There you go Theo, the royal box all for your viewing of the play."

Draco swept in a bow, full of mocking. Theo attempted a kick at him but found the tree top oscillated in the strong wind and reluctantly abandoned his murder attempt to cling onto the branch for dear life.

"I will kill you."

"I'd like to see you try."

"Start smelling your food and drink for poison from now on, Malfoy."

"You just sounded the war-horn, Notts. Be prepared for death."

"Not if you die fir—"

A green flash cut Theodore's words off. He looked at the sky. On the pitch black sky, the Dark Mark glimmered. Fear began to take root in his insides. The snake slithered from the mouth. This was the scared mark of the Dark Lord, only he was allowed to cast it. He didn't think this was a part of Draco's scheme.

"H-," Theo swallowed the bile at the back of his throat and tried again, "Hey, that, was that part of the plan?"

He hated how shaken he sounded. Draco didn't answer, and when the silence stretched on, Theo chanced a look at Draco. He was pale as a ghost, the only color left was the blood dripping from the bite mark on his lips.

"No," never before had Theo heard Draco sounded so unsure of himself, "We have to move."

Before Theo had the chance to ask where, Draco's hand had already found its hold around his biceps and he was pulled into the tight squeeze of Disapparition.

AN: asdfgl I'm sorry for the double notif, I forgot the AN. So ye, this chapter sat in my notes for over a year (the beginning of it, for that matter). I got a brief inspo to write and figure out the plot. But it vanished as fast as it appeared. I love writing Draco/Loki so much, I can't begin to describe the frustration I had when he came out so flat and bland the few times I made myself write. I think I might try to pick this up again now. 200 words a day until it is long enough to be a decent chapter. I read your reviews religiously. I can't believe you all's love for Remodel. Thank you guys so much.
AN1: I AM SO SORRY FOR THE TRIPLE NOTIF! FF NET COPY PASTING FUNCTION SUCKS. Please forgive my dumbassery ;-;

AN2: Quadruple notif now,,, I'm so so sorry. Front seat into seeing my disaster side is a good selling point though.