Harry! You're awake! Are you all right? What's going on? No one's telling me anything, they won't meet my eyes, an even Dumbledore's subdued and what's going on?

Draco...slow down...please.

Sorry Harry, I know you only ust woke up...but it's so frustrating not knowing anything! And...I'm scared, because Dumbledore's eyes always twinkle but now they're not and I don't know why.

Draco, no one's telling you anything because I asked them not to.

Why? Don't you trust me, Harry? I love you, how can you tell them and not me? You -

Draco! Please, Dragon, let me finish. I know that you're upset but I wanted - needed - to tell you myself. Dragon, are you listening?

Yes, love, I'm sorry, I'm just worried...

I know Dragon, I know, and I'm sorry, because I can't reassure you without lying.

You mean you...

I'm dying, Draco. I'm dying and no one knows why or can even slow it down let alone stop it and I don't want to go Dragon, for the first time I don't want to go!

Shh love...easy now...I don't want you to go either...

I want you to promise me something.

Anything love

I want you to keep living after I die.

...I don't know if I can, Angel.

Promise me, Dragon! I want to be able to watch you live, even if I can't do it with you. Please, Dragon. I need this. I need your promise.

All right Harry. I promise.


A heart breaks in silence. It struggles to keep going, rhythm broken by the loss of its counterbeat. But it limps on, not always in time, as it waits for its own beat to be silenced.


Epilogue

Harry's been asking for promises.

I know. He asked me as soon as he told me.

What did he ask you? If you don't mind me asking. I know it's hard for you...

You have no idea what it's like for me to know! To know...

I'm sorry. Draco? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked.

No, it's okay. I shouldn't have yelled at you, but you don't know, and I hope you never do.

Draco? What did he ask?

The hardest thing of all.

What's that?

To live.