Was this Harry?

Was he really dead?

Harry…and she closed her eyes and thought about him, but strangely, Draco was in the background.

And his mind went blank and all he wanted to do was move closer and closer to her lips, hear her say his name….

Pretend it’s all fine, she told herself. Nothing's wrong. Just friends, just friends..this isn't someone you're dating...you're just friends and you know it. He knows it...

“ Not here! “ Draco had yelled. He was pointing to his chest. “ Not anymore! This, “ he pointed to his chest again, “ This isn’t even mine! Even if this were mine, I still wouldn’t! “

“ He said, ‘Ron, that’s the girl I’m going to marry! That’s the girl, I love’. And I’ve never heard Harry say such a thing, except for that night, when we had our party. I couldn’t forget that, Hermione. He loved you too much. Loved you so much, “ Ron said.

And despite seeing it, seeing the master fall, die physically in the hands of Harry Potter, he couldn’t help but feel that he was still alive somewhere, watching his servants, watching them, watching him.

“ Would you like to dance? “

“ What? “ her brows shot up a little.

“ I’m a great dancer, “ he said with a wink as he extended his hand for hers.

“ Ah…the plot thickens. Not only do you have to ensure your mother’s safety… but that of your mudblood flame as well? “

Draco’s eyes flickered. “ She is not your concern. "

This was his goodbye kiss now, without her knowing it, and beyond his control, he was kissing her back and he held her face in his hands…and he stopped.

“ I can’t, “ he finally said breaking away from her. “I’m- I’m sorry, Hermione. I can’t love you. I don’t want to. “ It was shattering him to the very core. The Slytherin in Draco would never die.

“ Ron, “ Dean said. “ It was Avada Kedavra, no mistaking it. Apparently they were caught off guard. I don’t know how those Deatheaters pulled it off, but they certainly did it. And did it well. “

“ He’s that important to the master? But he- he betrayed us- “

“ Then this is his atonement, “ Blaise said. “ That’s why I said Draco was right; he could walk into that room and snatch away the Master’s wand. He has a man’s heart- a heart recognized by the Vaults- someone pure, although I doubt he isn’t- “ he gave an uneasy laugh as Draco stared at him intensely. He felt uncomfortable and cleared his throat. “ He has Harry Potter’s heart. “

Hermione was staring at him, her face was tear-streaked.

“ Hermione? What’s wrong? “ he asked, almost trembling at the sight of her looking so fragile, so alone. “ Hermione, please tell me what’s wrong, who hurt you Hermione? “

“ You did. You hurt me Draco. You did this to me…” And she opened her blouse slowly and Draco reeled back in horror.

“ I made a…I had done an Unbreakable vow with Snape before, that he won’t let Draco down and that he’ll carry on the tasks needed if Draco was to fail, that he’ll keep my son safe- just watch over him, “ her voice dropped into a barely audible whisper.

“ You know nothing about me! “ she hissed, pointing a finger at him. “ You men are all bloody the same, except, except- “

Nott raised an eyebrow and gave another smile. “ Except who, Daphne? “

Draco shook his head. “ You want yourself dead, “ he said in a low voice.

“ I loved you, “ Hermione cried.

“ This is you! Your free will! Your blood’s coursing throughout your body because of his heart, but it’s you who decides- it’s you who decided to love Hermione! “ Ron told Draco.

“ Who said I loved her? “

Draco stood straight as a spear as Blaise lifted the bejeweled dagger. His eyes glinted as did the dagger. One more step before the ritual would be complete.....

And Harry was standing beside Draco, nodding at her, his eyes with maggots, a whole in his chest…” Hermione…do it…I’m loving you through him…”

Was this the girl he had loved? Still loved until now? Or was it a ghost? Was he the ghost, then? She smelled of rain and peaches…

Harry, I’m married to him now, Harry. Someone we used to dislike- used to call ferret-boy, Harry. I’m now Mrs. Malfoy, it doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Harry, I miss you so much- the wedding was wonderful.....