Sometimes, when something bad happens, you can't help but step back from the situation, and think where things went wrong. You can't help thinking "if I did this, we wouldn't be here today."
But the events that lead up to the war were in no way my fault. I realized that. I think nobody could be blamed for it. When someone as evil- and as uncontrollable as the Dark Lord appears, there is little anyone can do to prevent a situation like that. I knew that, and everyone around me knew that.
So when I ran through the corridors, heading towards the abandoned girls bathroom, I was in shock when I found Draco Malfoy cowering in a corner sobbing. This half of the school has been evacutated in case any lone spells would blow up the walls. I knew of the basilisk fang that lay in the chambers below, and I had sought after it in hopes it would help. Help with what? I had no idea. But in times like these, there's few strings of hope, and not grabbing onto it would be well regretted later.
I stepped through the bathroom door and froze when I heard the bubble of noise. I recognized it immediately as crying, and began to run lectures through my head of why a child had not ran away with the others. But as I stepped in and looked around for the source of the noise, my eyes widened.
The boy sat in the corner in a ball, his arms around his knees.
"Malfoy?" I ask, shocked.
He froze. Slowly, he brought his hand to his side, and pulled his wand from his belt buckle. I saw the movement and instantly disarmed him, his wand flying into my hand.
"Give it back!" he growled, trying to stand.
"Are you.. are you crying?" I asked suddenly.
"No!" he denied quickly, looking at the ground, "I'm just waiting for the Dark Lord. No better place than the abandoned bathroom. Now run along to your petty friend before he finds you here."
"I don't believe you. At all, in fact. Why are you crying?"
"I'm not fucking crying, Granger. Now give me back my wand, and I won't hurt you."
I couldn't help the snort that came from my noise. The puff of air was extremely unattractive, but it got the point across.
"I'm serious, mudblood! Give it back!"
"Why are you crying?" I repeated, holding the black wand behind my back.
"I'm not fucking crying!" he screams, finally finding the energy to stand.
He met my eye with a deadly glare, and I raised my wand suspiciously.
"Fascino Revelio," I spoke clearly.
"No, don't-"
But it was far too late. My eyes widened drastically as his glamour charms disintegrated, revealing the dark purple patches beneath his steel grey eyes, and the dark bruises that patched over his arms and neck. His eyes seemed to look at me in defeat.
"Why are you crying?" I repeat, my tone softer.
His nose flares and his eyes turn into another glare. He steps forward, and I raise my wand again, ready to cast a spell. He sees it and looks down at the ground.
I glanced over at the sinks, suddenly remembering why I was here, and I turned my glare to Malfoy.
"It's none of your damn business, mudblood!" he cried.
I saw the tears of rage spitting from the corner of his eyes.
"You can stop the name calling, thankyou," I said harshly, "I'm not twelve. It doesn't hurt, it just makes you look pathetic."
His glare returned in full haste.
"We can help you," I say quietly, "I know they did this to you. I know you're not as bad as you make out to b-"
"No. No, you have no idea what the fuck you're talking about. You have n-"
"Yes, I do. The order knows of you reluctance to participate in his plans. We have our eyes, and you've been taught all the wrong things."
I don't know what brought on the sudden eagerness, but I continued.
"It doesn't have to be like this."
"You don't understand. If I so much as think about it, I'm dead."
"Why do you say that?"
"Come on, Granger," he rolled his eyes, "He'll have me killed. In seconds."
"What, because he says so, you'll be dead?"
Malfoy nodded, and glanced away from my stare.
"If He had the power to do that, then Harry would be well and truly dead. Hell, a lot more people would be dead. He has no power over the good."
He seemed to renew his strength.
"My family-"
"Have chosen their sides. And you never got to choose yours. And I'm giving you the chance. Come with me. We can help you, Draco."
I had unconsciously used his given name, despite the rivalry that had been set in place for years.
The use of his name made him freeze. His eyes darted suspiciously over me, and his hand clenched.
"O..okay," he relented, his eyes meeting mine.
"You have to be sure," I said, raising my left arm, and pointing my wand to it.
He seemed to get the idea, and he lifted his sleeve, stepped forward and met my eye, and clutched my forearm. I did the same.
I muttered the incantation, and the purple, rope-like threads misted over our joined arms. I pointed the wand at the intersection point, and spoke clearly.
"Do you, Draco, swear your loyalty to defend against the Dark Lord. In all that you are, do you promise to never reveal any information, or take any steps that will aid the Dark Lord in any way?"
"I will," his voice was shaky.
The threads faded, and he slowly released my arm, looking at his own as if it had grown feet.
"Well, there you are," I said, instantly happy, "are you a parscelmouth?"