Another that was begging to be written. I've had the plan for this for about a year so decided to get it down!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter :(
Harry felt the familiar sink of disappointment settle into his stomach as he listened to Katie tell him she didn't know who had cursed her. He knew who it was, he just needed proof. Giving a defeated nod, Harry turned from her and looked back down the hall. There, halfway across the hall, was Malfoy, staring at them. Harry watched the emotions flit across Malfoy's face and fixed him with a level glare until the blond turned and walked away. Harry looked back at Katie who was watching Malfoy leave with a confused frown and left, following Malfoy.
Draco watched Potter talk to the Bell girl carefully. A short flare of relief sparked through him as he saw Potter's shoulders drop in disappointment. He looked at Bell and, as their eyes met, time seemed to stop. She was looking at him with a look which seemed to burn right through him. Draco swallowed and looked at Potter to find the other boy looking at him just as intensely. Draco found it difficult to breathe and felt as if the walls were closing in on him. After staring at Potter for what might seem an insane amount of time, Draco broke the eye contact and stalked from the hall, his breath coming in short pants. He walked quickly, avoiding other students as he made his way to the bathroom. He leant over the sink and ran some water in it, pulling his sweater vest over his head in an attempt to breathe easier as he looked at his reflection. Looking back at him in the mirror was the reflection of a boy who was in too deep and completely lost. Shamefully, Draco felt the hot prickle of tears prick his eyes and couldn't stop shuddering sobs from escaping him. He bent over the sink as the sobs racked through his body and filled the silent bathroom with broken sounds.
"I know what you did Malfoy." Draco froze as Potter spoke behind him. "You hexed her didn't you?" Draco whirled around to face him. Of all people to come to him, it had to be Potter. Of all people who could help him, it had to be Potter. Of all people he wished to be friends with most, it had to be Potter. Despair flooded through Draco about the way his life had turned and how unfortunate he really was and he flung a spell at Potter.
Potter dodged it and set his own. Draco ducked and sprinted down the aisle between the cubicles; he held his breath in order to listen for Potter but all he heard was the water of a pipe that had burst. Pulling a face, he sunk to his knees and peeked below the doors of the cubicles. Nothing. Draco was about to stand again when he saw Potter's hand on the floor. He readied his wand and sent a hex the moment he saw Potter's face. Running back around the cubicle Draco ducked from a spell and whirled around to face Potter. The other boy had a curse on his lips and Draco cast a quick disarming spell.
Harry knew Malfoy shouldn't have been able to disarm him so easily but his surprise didn't stop him from holding onto his wand. He didn't count on Malfoy's desperation making his magic stronger and felt a moment of amazement as he felt himself being pulled, along with his wand, towards the blond. He flew into the boy headlong, landing them on the floor of the dingy bathroom. Malfoy groaned beneath him before raising his arm and bringing his elbow forcefully into Harry's ribs. All Harry's air escaped him as he struggled to get off Malfoy. Once both boys were standing and Harry had gained some control over his breathing, they stared at each other again. Malfoy moved first, his fist slamming into Harry's chin as he made a break for the door. Harry grabbed the back of his shirt and flung him into the sink before punching him square in the face. Malfoy cried out and shoved back at Harry, twisting his foot behind Harry's calf and sending the raven on the floor. Forgetting about escaping Malfoy jumped on top of Harry and began pummelling him with his fists. Harry gave up trying to defend himself and grabbed a fistful of blond hair making the owner howl in agony. Rolling them over, Harry grabbed the blond's wrists and held them on the floor above the other's head. Malfoy squirmed and bucked beneath him, trying to throw Harry off but Harry just clamped his thighs tighter around Malfoy's waist and gripped the hands in his tighter. After several moments of Malfoy cursing and trying to get harry off him, the blond finally calmed down and stopped moving.
"What do you want?" He asked, defeated.
"To help." Harry said. Malfoy scoffed. "Seriously Malfoy. I saw it. I saw the looked that passed through your eyes when you realised Katie was okay. I saw you crying. I saw you hesitate before you attacked me. I. Saw. It." Malfoy twisted his head to the side, avoiding Harry's eyes. "Come to Dumbledore with me." Malfoy snapped his head back.
"Are you insane?" He questioned. Harry shook his head patiently.
"Dumbledore is the best chance you've got; he'll give you the protection you need."
"What about my father and my mother?" Malfoy whispered. "Will Dumbledore give them protection too?" Harry nodded.
"You just have to help us." Malfoy closed his eyes and took a breath.
"So long as my parents are safe." Harry looked at the blond below him in new wonder. He didn't think that his offer would be taken even on the promised safety of Malfoy's parents. It was then that Harry realised that he and Malfoy were not so different. They were doing what they needed to do to protect the ones they loved.
"Potter are you going to get off me now?" Harry blinked down at Malfoy and took in their positions. Blushing, he rolled to the side and stood to brush himself down. He looked around at the damage caused and saw Malfoy's sweater lying on the floor, he bent and picked it up. He held it out to the blond who looked at it suspiciously before taking it, not putting it on but holding it down by his side.
"Now what?" Harry asked. Malfoy fixed him with a determined look.
"Now we see Dumbledore."
Draco never really understood why he accepted Potter's offer of help, he probably never would, but standing in front of Dumbledore in his office, Draco knew it was the right decision. Potter stood next to him, giving off the sense of uttermost confidence that Draco was ashamed to find soothing. He focused on the old wizard in front of him to stop himself asking Potter any embarrassing questions about how he could be so confident. Dumbledore had asked Draco to tell him everything and he had; now he was pacing thoughtfully while Draco stood there, awkwardly fiddling with the sweater vest he held. After what seemed like an hour, Dumbledore snapped his fingers, grabbed a handful of loo powder, threw it in the fire and stuck his head in the fire after muttering a name Draco didn't hear. A few moments later, Dumbledore withdrew his head with a smile.
"Professor?" Draco was glad Potter spoke; he feared his own voice would fail if he tried himself.
"Ah Harry, I called Severus. I believe he can help in this instance." Draco paled. Now he really was doomed. Snape would tell the Dark Lord Draco had failed and his father and mother would die. Draco panicked. He tried to speak but found it difficult to draw a breath. A hand on his back made him jump but it rubbed in soothing circles, encouraging Draco to calm down.
"It's okay Malfoy; Dumbledore knows what he's doing." Draco looked up at Potter before nodding and taking a deep breath. Severus crossed the hearth of Dumbledore's office and opened his arms wide. Draco didn't think, he just stepped into his Godfather's arms and allowed himself to be comforted.
"Do shut your mouth Potter." The chest Draco was leaning on vibrated beneath him. "Slytherin's do show affection, just not in public like Hufflepuffs or Gryffindors." Several minutes later Draco pulled back and Severus patted his back in assurance. Draco looked at Potter who was watching with an expression akin to wonder on his face. Draco shrugged and turned to Dumbledore.
"Now we…" He left it unfinished in the hopes that the Headmaster would.
"Now Severus kills me." Dumbledore said shortly.
"What?" Potter cried; Draco stared, dumfounded. Severus was silent.
"Harry, I am already dying, I destroyed a Horcrux which in turn had been destroying me. Severus made me a promise that he would end it when I asked. You needn't worry about the other Horcruxes though Harry. Your parents mister Malfoy had the same worries you yourself carry, well your mother did at least. She came to me and under the advice of Severus they both agreed to switch sides. They agreed to destroy the other Horcruxes in return for your safety." Draco took a breath to steady himself; his parents were fine…well not fine but better than they were at the manor or Azkaban.
"How?" Harry asked from his side. "Why?"
"Why did they switch? Love for Draco. A parent's love is a powerful thing, both anted Draco safe and they knew he never would be with the Horcruxes in existence. How hasn't Voldemort found out? Narcissa Malfoy convinced Voldemort that she deserved nothing after how Lucius had failed at the ministry and he took her to his word; he placed her in the cellar of Malfoy Manor. After this, she created an illusion of herself which was suffering greatly; it would groan and moan but not much else. She contacted me via her patronus asking for help and I offered it." Draco sank into one of the chairs and noted with slight amusement that Potter did the same. Severus cleared his throat and Dumbledore nodded before taking his own seat.
"I got her out. I gave her a potion which would allow her to travel where she most wanted to be. Unfortunately, it worked a little too well and she ended up in Lucius' cell in Azkaban." Potter snorted and Draco silenced him with a glare, as did Severus. "Scoff all you like Mister Potter but the Malfoys share a love even you would kill to share." Potter's grin disappeared, much to Draco's pleasure; Severus continued. "I knew instantly where she was when she failed to be at Hogwarts and I told Albus. We then travelled together to the prison. I spoke with Lucius and Narcissa myself and told them their best chance was to accept help if they wanted to keep you safe Draco. They agreed. Unfortunately the Dark Lord has already assigned Mister Malfoy a hideous task which must be carried out." Dumbledore sighed softly.
"Why?" Draco questioned.
"Because Draco if you don't succeed, the Dark Lord will kill your mother. He will then find she is an illusion and the hunt will be on for you and your parents." Draco paled.
"If I do it?" He whispered.
"You won't do it." Severus said. "I will but I'll use your wand. Potter disarm Dumbledore."
"Wait a minute…you have a plan so why don't you tell us this plan and we'll see if we want to go along with it?" Draco nodded in agreement with Potter. Severus sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Harry, I own the Elder Wand. It's the most powerful wand in the world. Voldemort has a track on Draco's, discreet but a track. If his wand never casts a killing curse but I die, he will know Draco didn't kill me."
"Albus is already dying and I promised to end it when he asked. I have to use Draco's wand so the Dark Lord thinks he did it. We will then give Draco your wand Potter, shut up and listen. By disarming Dumbledore, you become the rightful owner of the Elder Wand…you will stand a better chance against him that way."
"Still doesn't explain what Voldemort will do when Draco fails to show up at headquarters after 'killing' you sir." Potter pointed out.
"You are going to kidnap him Harry. Severus will go back to headquarters and say Draco killed me early because he had the chance but he didn't see you and you stunned him. This will mean the Dark Lord won't be interested in celebrating with Narcissa so her illusions remains safe. Severus will say he couldn't interfere because he needed to remain a spy on this end so it all fits."
"Except that you have to die." Potter grumbled.
"I've been dying for a long time Harry, Severus will merely speed up the process. Now, disarm me."
"But…"
"No buts. Do it." Draco watched as Potter nodded and disarmed Dumbledore with a scowl.
"I'm going to miss you sir." He said quietly. Dumbledore's eyes saddened.
"Death is not the end Harry, remember that. The answers to the rest of your questions will come to you. It is my wish that Severus kill me now." He added as Potter opened his mouth again. Potter closed his mouth and nodded.
"Hang on,"
"Malfoy just leave it." Draco looked at Potter and saw the raw pain in the other's eyes. He closed his mouth and drew his wand. Severus took it silently and Draco looked up at him as he levelled his wand at Dumbledore. The old wizard smiled and closed his eyes, leaning back on the chair. Draco kept his eyes on Severus as he reached for Potter's forearm to offer support. He found the other's hand though and was about to draw back when strong fingers closed over his and squeezed. Draco squeezed back and kept his eyes on Severus' face. He knew he was the only one who saw the tear that escaped as the older man whispered the curse.
"Avada Kedavra."