Title: Of Ducks and Roses
Rating: PG-13
Recipient: ayboo_da_bish
Disclaimer: J.K.R's characters are not mine. Shocking, I know…That includes the chunks of text I took straight out of Deathly Hollows.
Warnings: minor character death, slight innuendos, alcohol usage and swearing. (ha ha… just noticed I wrote down no character death as a no-no on my form… oh well…)
Author Note: Took out half of Deathly Hollows for this to work. It starts during the final battle on May 2 (my birth-date by the way), but the earliest date is some time around Christmas of DH (flashbacks galore!…Hermione reaches HQ after Malfoy Manor, I would say… instead of Shell Cottage). I know I was asked not to have Hogwarts time, but I think the first chapter can be considered borderline in this case. I just had to put it in…
It is also the first time I have written a fight scene. Yay me!
This story was written for the DMHGficexchange- the Darkest before Dawn.
Enjoy and review!
Chapter 1: Battle Cry
It started out as a feeling
which then grew into a hope
Saturday, 2 May, 1998
"Malfoy!" A desperate, familiar voice called to his right. He spun around searching for the voice's owner - his fighting partner, fearing she may be in trouble.
"Duck!"
Hundreds of practice hours kicked in at that moment and in three seconds, he fell to the ground with a thud while a green light flew inches away from where his head was a second ago. Without pausing, he rolled on his back and aimed a silent stunner at his attacker. As soon as the Death Eater hit the ground with his own heavy thud, Draco got to his feet and turned around quickly to assess his situation.
The crackling thunder of spells being thrown left and right echoed across the large field. A flash of light to his left had Draco running to the right as fast as he could to round his attacker and hit him from the side. In four strides, he was in position and aiming a curse at the masked man.
Five feet away from his current position Hermione Granger stood fighting, hair escaping her braid and a fiery look shining in her eyes as she shot spell after spell at the outnumbering attackers.
"Come on, Malfoy," she called, turning to him with a quick look. "Get back in the game…" She ran off, dueling with another masked wizard. He watched her move away for another few seconds, making sure she took the large man down without a hitch before returning to his part of the fight.
He spun again, taking down another two Death Eaters in as many minutes. Aside from Granger, there was no one else from the Order around them, and currently a group of ten still-standing wizards was slowly surrounding them. He saw her run back to his side, immediately turning her back to him so they were covering both sides. She moved closer until their frames bumped.
"Got a game plan, Granger?" he asked in an urgent whisper, turning his head slightly towards the brunette.
"Found spell few weeks ago," she murmured back, the words flowing out of her mouth as quickly as she could, turning into fighting mode. "Hard and complex but I can manage. Give time needed to get them off our backs and back in main fight. But need you to cover… at least two minutes. Manageable?" The Death Eaters were getting closer, evil grins peeking from behind their masks at the sight of their trapped prey.
"You duck, I'll cover," he gave her the signal and immediately started the countdown, as he knew she would too.
One…He felt her nod, her muscles tensing.
Two… he closed his eyes, listening to the dark Wizards approaching and feeling the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
Three…
She crouched down behind him, mumbling complex incantations under her breath as he spun and threw a few Diffindos along with three stinging hexes.
Their opponents immediately retaliated, sending multi-colored beams towards the pair. Draco bent down, his form curling perfectly against her petite one, conjuring a small but forceful shield in seconds. Another minute and a half to go , he thought bitterly, suppressing the thoughts that floated to his brain at the feel of a woman in his arms. He looked up, sending another round of curses and hexes, knocking down about three wizards so far. At least he was slowing them down. Just forty-five seconds to go. He sent an Expulso charm at two of the larger men, making them fly a few feet back and fall on their backs. Come on, Granger, he urged in his head, sending more badly aimed curses at the advancing group. He was just about to put another shield charm around them before the first one collapsed when she turned around in his arms, her face a breath away from his. He looked in her eyes; they were two cinnamon orbs, shimmering with an undercurrent of power and magic, ready to unleash at their unsuspecting prey. "Duck," she murmured in a voice that was cold as ice yet filled with fire at the same time.
One… Draco immediately crouched…
Two… just as she stood up to her full height, her aura crackling with pent-up energy.
Three…
The world exploded in a flash of black light*. Draco snapped his eyes shut, his hands curling into fists to stop himself from the natural instinct to find Granger's hand and protect her from… herself. He stayed that way for what felt like hours though was only about five minutes. Finally, he felt a soft hand on his shoulder. "Come on, Malfoy," Granger said in a gentle voice, helping him stand as he still had his eyes shut tight. At last, he opened his eyes to see the field around them filled with unconscious men, all bound in large shackles.
"You…" he said in a raspy voice. He cleared his throat. "You did this?" she nodded, swaying slightly; he caught her around the middle with one hand. "You alright, Granger?"
She nodded again. "It's just this spell, it takes its force from the caster, and I've never used it before…" she panted slightly as they started walking towards the far away castle. Draco could not believe they had gone so far in their trials to get the twenty or so Death Eaters away from the escaping kids in Hogsmeade. "…only knew… theory… said it takes… ten minutes to restore… power after first try…"
"But I doubt it's meant for two, am I right?" he concluded.
She nodded, taking a large breath before panting out the rest. "Supposed to be used as last resort when there's one person that needs to be protected… had to modify for two…" she staggered in his arms, almost falling. He reached his hand to the small bag of potions on his belt and took out a tiny vial with dark liquid inside.
"Strengthening Solution," he muttered as he uncorked it for her and let her drink it. When she finished, she rasped out a quick, "Thanks," and continued walking towards the thundering school.
He walked beside her, thanking whatever gods were out there for the little time they had to walk in peace before joining the main battle.
He had switched sides just six months before; it felt a lifetime ago.
He was paired off with Severus, not surprising really. The man was both his guardian and his only friend in Headquarters. Both he and the potion master played the roles of double agents, Snape at Hogwarts and Draco at Malfoy Manor. He did, however, warm up to the little She-Weasel and her twin brothers after a while.
He was quickly brought up to speed on all minor operations, but not yet trusted with the larger things. Slowly, however, he was given more responsibility both around the Black house and on missions. Still, the largest secret, the whereabouts and doings of the Golden Trio, was kept hidden from him. That is, until the night they stumbled into HQ for the first time since his arrival, three and a half months prior.
It was right after Draco had returned from Malfoy Manor. After explaining what had happened during the night between his family, the Golden Trio and Dobby, he was sent on guard duty by Lupin. He was still trying to cope with the fact that Dobby was dead when they burst in.
Potter and Weasley were covered in blood and dirt, just barely holding between them a mass of brown hair, pale skin and red blotches. Granger was hurt, and they'd come back to the only place they felt was safe.
Draco sounded the alarm quickly, awakening the sleeping residents and running full speed to the hurt girl. As soon as his hands were around her, the two boys collapsed on the floor, unconscious. That was the night he dropped his act and left home for good.
Three days later, Granger woke up in her room in Grimmauld Place, and the only other occupant at that moment was a sleeping Draco. Her scream of rage woke him up. She charged at him, lost in a haze of anger. Lupin and Severus practically had to peel her off him. When she had calmed down enough, they explained to her what happened, including Draco's redemption and Severus's deception. Finally, she asked in a haunted whisper where her two friends were. Lupin looked away in shame, Severus stayed silent, and so she turned her question to Draco. In a quiet voice he explained that as soon as they'd heard she'd be alright, they'd left to keep chasing Horcruxes. (He left out the part where he was the one to have a screaming argument with them about how they were going to break her heart when she found out and how they should at least stay until she woke up.) The strangled sobs she made wrenched at his gut. He actually ached to comfort her. Her!
For two weeks, she walked around with a deadened look on her face. Her wounds healed and she was finally ready to start training at HQ, at least physically. Emotionally, she wasn't ready for anything. She would sit on her bed, or in the library, not doing anything, not seeing anything. The She-Weasel (one of the few people Draco actually managed to be… friendly... with) tried everything to get her best friend to talk, but with no luck. Finally, the desperate redheaded witch came to Draco, asking for his help.
He still remembered it like it was yesterday.
I/She hadn't talked to him since she'd attacked him that day she came to. He walked into the library, peeking behind the corner to see if she was there; he sincerely hoped she wasn't. She was. Granger sat on one of the posh armchairs, an open book in her lap, but she wasn't reading; her eyes were closed and silent tears were streaming down her face. He knew what he had to do.
"Crying for Pot-Head and Weasel?" he asked, a snarl appearing on his lips. Merlin, it felt good to be bad again!
She wiped the tears away with the back of her small hand. "That's none of your business, Ferret," she mumbled, already looking to Draco slightly more alive. He ignored her.
"I don't get why you even bother to. They obviously don't care, if they left like that," he chuckled in a way he hoped sounded evil.
Her eyes opened and he could spy a tiny flame lighting up inside of her. It was working.
"That's not true, you evil git…."
"Oh, nice comeback, Bookworm. Got any more of those?" he said, smirking.
"They… they had to go!" She said forcefully.
"You're not even convincing yourself, you know, least of all me."
She was now standing just inches away from him, the flame grew into roaring blades of fire. "They had to go! This whole freaking war is leaning on whether or not they can do what they have to do! It's not their fault! IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT!" and she collapsed on him, loud sobs that she hadn't let out finally breaking free. He ran his hand in a soothing manner over her back, through her wild curls, surprised by how soft they actually were.
"I know, Granger… I know…," he murmured. "And it has nothing to do with you… they had to go and they left you where you could heal… where you could help…" They stayed like that for hours; her crying out her pain, letting go of the anger and hurt, and him hugging her close to him, murmuring sweet nothings in her ear.
The next day she began her training with Draco and Severus and he hasn't seen her cry since.
"Malfoy?" Granger asked, waking him from his daydreaming.
"Hmm?"
"What if they don't show up?" she asked in quiet voice, revealing another timid part of her soul to him.
"They will…" he answered simply. "This is it, Granger, the Big Battle, where we win it all or lose it all. It's sort of granted they'll show up…" She gave him a small smile in thanks. He forced his features into a cold mask, readying himself for the battle to come as they walked into the island of destruction formally known as Hogsmeade. Explosions of light could be seen in the distant grounds of the castle. Draco started walking faster now, his eyes set on the school.
Suddenly, he was being dragged into a dark alley by Granger's small frame, her petite hand on his mouth as an effective signal to shut up and wait. A moment later, two large half-giants ran past their hiding place towards the fight. Her hand fell away from his mouth as they stayed rooted to the spot. Finally he broke the silence. "Shit, that was close."
She looked at him sternly, not appreciating his attempt at lightening the mood. She looked around the corner then walked back out to the main street, moving faster now, with a purpose. He followed her, his eyes once again falling on the ancient castle he had learned to call home, although this time, he didn't forget to look around himself every once in a while.
They walked with a sharp silence, wands at hand and eyes alight with the fire of battle. All too soon, it seemed, they were at the dark gates of Hogwarts, the sounds of fighting thick in the air. As if they could read minds they took off in a dead run towards the castle. They ran through the small battles around, not paying them any mind, moving farther and closer as they dodged spells, until finally, they entered the Entrance Hall together. They raced up to the seventh floor, knowing everyone that mattered would be in the Room of Requirement. Just before rounding the corner, they saw an old lady in a horrid green dress run past them with surprising speed, behind her a petite woman with bright pink hair Draco realized was his cousin, Tonks. The two ran fast, giving them no time to exchange pleasantries, though. They stopped by the large oak doors of the Room of Requirement and Draco could hear arguing voices from inside.
"Ginny," Potter's voice could be heard. Apparently Granger hadn't heard him yet as she was breathing hard. "I'm sorry, but we need you to leave too. Just for a bit. Then you can come back in."
Suddenly, the door opened and out ran the She-Weasel, her mass of red hair looking like fire. "And then you can come back in!" Potter shouted, to no avail. "You've got to come back in!"
"Harry?" Granger asked from next to him in a tiny voice, looking franticly around. Draco pointed at the door. She jumped to her feet, running to the door just as it opened to reveal Weasley and Potter. She jumped on them, crying out in joy. "Harry! Ron! You're alright! You're ok! You're here! Oh, Merlin, you're here!"
The two boys just stood there, letting the brunette hug them, as if they've gone into shock at the sight of her. And then they were hugging her back fiercely, as if they would never let go, whispering things in her ear, tears standing in all their eyes.
"Hang on a moment!" Weasley suddenly said, letting go of her. "We've forgotten someone!"
Granger looked at him in confusion. "Who?"
"The house-elves, they'll all be down in the kitchen, won't they?"
Draco gave him a bored look and Potter now shared Granger's confusion. "You mean we ought to get them fighting?" Potter asked.
"No, I mean we should tell them to get out. We don't want more Dobbys, do we?" A pang of regret hit Draco in the chest at the name of his old house-elf. Weasley continued. "We can't order them to die for us-"
And then Granger was all over Weasley, hugging and kissing his lips fiercely. Draco looked away.
"Is this the moment?" Potter asked and for the first time in his life, Draco wholeheartedly agreed with Scar-head. The two embracing teens ignored him. He looked at Draco pleadingly.
"Oi! There's a war going on here!" the blonde shouted at them. They parted slightly, hands still around each other, both grinning sheepishly.
"I know, mate, so it's now or never, isn't it?"
"Never mind that," Potter said, apparently gaining back his voice. "What about the Horcrux? Do you think you could just – just hold it in until we've gotten the diadem?"
"Yeah – right – sorry –" Weasley said, not sounding very sorry at all. He let go of Granger and started picking something up from the floor.
"The diadem? What's going on, Harry?" Granger asked, still pink in the cheeks.
"We haven't got time to explain; basically, Ravenclaw's diadem, that thing from Luna's house, remember? Anyways, it's the missing Horcrux and it's in the Room of Hidden Things." As he explained, Potter got down and started helping Weasley with whatever they were doing. Granger looked down too and gasped when she saw the sharp teeth.
"Is that what I think it is?"
Weasley looked up at her and smiled. "Basilisk teeth," he said, nodding and looking quite pleased with himself.
"It was Ron's idea, 'Mione," Potter told her. "You should have seen him!" Weasley blushed an unattractive red that clashed horribly with his hair and looked down at his full hands. Then he looked back up and seemed to notice Draco for the first time. "What are you doing here?" he asked, scowling.
"Granger and I are partners," he answered simply. Weaselbee turned to look at the blushing brunette.
"What is he talking 'bout, 'Mione?"
She looked down, looking nervous. "You were gone… and –"
"And you need to go get that diadem thing!" Draco interrupted. "Granger and I need to get back into the fight." He looked at her and she nodded, looking away from her friends. "Come on, Granger, Lupin will be waiting for our report." He walked away then, letting her say goodbye to her friends. The two boys might have an important mission, and they might need her, but Draco knew that Granger would stay with him, her partner in battle. He stopped just before turning the corner, though, keeping her in his sight and still able to hear their little conversation.
"You're going with him?" Weasley asked her, looking as if the whole idea was completely ludicrous.
"Yes, Ron, I am… We're partners…" She scowled, then her features seemed to soften. "Listen, good luck with the diadem, don't put it on in case it has any curses put on it; it's a long shot but it could happen. I'll be back with you guys as soon as I can. Don't do anything foolish, alright?" She hugged them again, let go then turned towards Draco and caught his eye. He turned to look around the corner, watching people run up and down, screaming orders at one another. He was itching to rejoin the fight. He turned back to watch her. She nodded to herself and started walking to where he stood, never looking back over her shoulder. Just as she reached him, an explosion hit the castle wall and large pieces broke away, falling towards them. In a flash, he was on the floor as far away from the fallen wall as possible, holding Granger's petite body against his larger frame, protecting her from the debris of stone and rock.
Draco looked up when things had settled slightly to see that the fight had resumed in the collapsed corridor. He spotted his cousin struggling against a large Death Eater.
"Stay down, I'll be right back," he whispered to his partner. Without waiting for her to argue, he got up and ran towards Tonks, firing a body-bind hex at her attacker from behind.
"Tonks!" he called as the Death Eater fell with a thud. "Get over here!" She ran towards him, dodging two falling bricks on her way.
"What's up, baby Malfoy?" she asked, her eyes bright and full of adrenaline. He scowled at her carefree attitude.
"Have you seen Remus? Granger and I are supposed to report to him." He bent down as a hex flew above his head. She mimicked him, sliding quickly against the still standing inner wall of the corridor.
"Where's 'Mione?"
"Right here," Draco's partner's voice came from beside him.
"Do you ever just listen?" he asked her in frustration, turning to look at her. She smirked and Tonks actually laughed. "Tonks, focus, please, we need to find Remus."
She sobered up. "Last I heard he was leading a group of fighters into the grounds. I was on my way to him but got caught up and I don't know where to look now."
"Alright you three?" a deep voice from above them said, sounding frighteningly like their old Headmaster.
Tonks was the first to look up. "Oh! Aberforth! Have you seen Remus?"
"He was dueling Dolohov, last time I –" The three took off at a dead run towards the grounds, hoping against all hope that they would make it in time. As they raced, Draco found himself once again zig-zagging through the grounds of Hogwarts, this time though, the life of a man that was almost like an uncle to him was on the line, and he could not afford to lose the people he cared for; there were so few of them after all, each one precious to him. They were next to Hagrid's burning hut when they found Remus. He was dueling with Dolohov, a fierce, determined look in his eyes. Draco let out a sigh of relief; he was reassured, once again, that nothing could truly hurt the intelligent werewolf. And then, Dolohov hit him with a curse.
They watched as he fell, looking straight into Tonks' eyes. Just before hitting the ground, he looked into his wife's eyes and whispered with his last breath, "I love you."
"No… No… NO! REMUS!" Tonks screamed, running towards him, ignoring her husband's killer. Dolohov grinned maniacally at Draco, smirking as he moved his eyes to the heartbroken woman. Draco ran without thinking, sending a stinging hex right at Dolohov to stop him from coming anywhere near his cousin and her grief. As he started dueling with the menacing man, he saw Granger out of the corner of his eye, holding Tonks and carrying her away along with Remus' body. Draco had no time to grieve over the loss of his mentor as Dolohov sent a crucio his way. He barely managed to move away in time before the red light flew over his head.
"Well, well, well. I think I've got myself a Malfoy!" Dolohov smirked evilly, circling the weary teen. "What should I do with you…? Decisions, decisions…"
Draco and he were now circling each other, waiting for the slightest movement that would single the next attack.
"I think I'll send your dead body to your mummy, what do you think, eh?" He sent a spell at Draco, who dodged it easily.
"Enough games, Malfoy." He flicked his wand quickly, giving Draco only enough time to fall to the ground. Another curse shot above his head, but this time from behind him, aimed at Dolohov. It missed, but it gave Draco enough time to get back on his feet. In seconds, his partner was standing next to him, her eyes ablaze with the fire of promised retribution. She barely twitched her hand, and to anyone else it would look just like that, but Draco knew exactly what it meant. He almost felt bad for what the two of them were about to do to Dolohov.
One… they pointed their wands.
Two… Dolohov smirked at them, completely confident he would be able to beat the two eighteen-year-olds.
Three… Draco shot a stinging spell just to Dolohov's left at the same time as Granger aimed for the right. He shot a spell now to Dolohov's right and she to his left. And again, and again, and again. The large Death Eater stood between their perfectly timed hexes and courses, unable to move an inch in case he was hit. Then, when his eyes darted to the left then the right and back, they shot two body-binding spells straight at his chest. He was knocked backwards about five feet, hitting the hard ground loudly. With a practiced flick, Granger then shackled him and made sure he was truly unable to move or fight anymore. At that point the sounds of the battle around them filtered through to Draco's consciousness. He looked to his left and his heart fell; Tonks was standing there, tears falling freely down her cheeks with her eyes dark and menacing, glaring at her dueling partner: Draco's aunt, Bellatrix.
"Itsy, Bitsy, Tonksy lost her little pet," Bellatrix spat, grinning widely at her niece. "How does it feel, Tonksy?"
"Even if I told you," Tonks said in a strained tone, "you wouldn't be able to understand, because," hex, "you," curse, "don't," spell, "have," jinx, "a….HEART!" and she sent a killing curse towards her aunt. It missed wildly; the woman was too distraught from the death of her husband, she could not possibly fight. Just as he was about to intervene, Bellatrix sent a fatal spell straight to Tonks' heart. She fell to the ground, her face stained by tears and now dirt. Draco ran to her, falling to his knees next to Tonks.
"Draco," his aunt said, a maniacal laugh leaving her lips. "I'll leave you to it my dear, dear boy." He ran to her but she was already gone. He ignored the tears, blinking them away as he tried to concentrate on his cousin. Gently he lifted her body up and carried it slowly into the castle. He laid her down next to her husband's body, letting the tears fall. He felt a presence next to him.
"Ginny," he mumbled in a hoarse voice. "They're… they're dead…"
"Sh…" she murmured, putting her arms around him. She let him cry on her shoulder for long minutes, until there were no more tears. "I'm sorry, Draco, but we have to keep fighting. All of us. You can't break yet, ok?" He nodded, looking at the closest thing he had to a family; they were gone now, looking so peaceful with their faces gazing up at the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall. Suddenly, he could feel the redhead next to him getting restless. He turned to her and saw she was looking around the hall with concern. "I can't see Hermione; she left to find you and I haven't seen her come back." In seconds, he was on his feet and bolting out of the hall, somehow knowing exactly where to find his partner.
He ran faster then he ever had, faster then the wind, all his being straining towards his partner. He could not afford to lose her, absolutely not her.
He found them, her and her attacker, by the forbidden forest, dueling mercilessly. He was still too far away to help.
"Get out of my way, Mudblood!" Lucius growled, pointing his surrogate wand at Granger.
"No way in hell," she said back, circling with the blond Death Eater. "I'm not letting you get anywhere near him!" She was protecting Potter, Draco thought to himself. Good!
"He is my son, you filthy piece of trash." Draco stopped short. Hermione Granger was protecting… him. He had no time to think about it; he saw his father make a move with his wand he had seen the man do many, many times; too many times. Draco could practically see the words forming on his lips. "Avad…"
"NO!" Draco screamed as he run towards his father and his partner. "HERMIONE! D-U-C-K!" Instinct kicked in and she fell to the rough ground just as the spell shot above her head. "STAY DOWN!" he shouted to her, firing curse after curse at his father. He dodged all of them, laughing at his son.
"You're fighting for her, Draco?" he asked, snickering. "Really, Son, I taught you so much better then that. Now, go away and let me finish off the little Mudblood," and with that said, he turned away from Draco and back to Granger, still lying on the ground. "Crucio," he cast lazily. It hit her right in the back, making her shudder, twitch, and cry out in pain. Draco aimed his wand at his father and sent an Exploso at Lucius's feet. His concentration immediately broke and the spell was lifted from Granger. With a dark glare he turned to his son.
Just as he was about to strike, they could all hear Voldemort's high, cold voice say, "You have fought valiantly. Lord Voldemort knows how to value bravery.
"Yet you have sustained heavy losses. If you continue to resist me, you will all die, one by one. I do not wish this to happen. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a loss and a waste.
"Lord Voldemort is merciful. I command my forces to retreat immediately." Lucius moved away, disappearing in to the forest. Draco wanted to follow, but Granger was hurt and unconscious and he needed to take care of her. He moved to her side as the deadly voice continued talking, lifting her up in his arms and walking towards the school. "You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured.
"I speak now, Harry Potter, directly to you. You have permitted your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait for one hour in the Forbidden Forest. If, at the end of that hour, you have not come to me, have not given yourself up, then battle recommences. This time, I shall enter the fray myself, Harry Potter, and I shall find you, and I shall punish every last man, woman and child who has tried to conceal you from me. One hour." Than the voice was gone, leaving the grounds eerily silent. Draco walked into the Great Hall once again, watching the rows of dead, sadness filling him up inside.
"Hermione?" Ginny's voice called as she spotted Draco carrying the body. She ran to him at full speed, tears already falling down her face. "Is she… is she…" she tried saying, as she stopped next to him. He shook his head.
"She's just unconscious," he said loudly so that the rest of the people rushing towards them would hear too. He looked down at Ginny again, seeing her questions in her eyes. "My father found her. He was trying to get to me. She was trying to defend me." He watched Granger's face as she started coming to, putting her down on a mattress. He continued telling Ginny what happened as she examined the confused brunette. "He sent a crucio at her when he saw me. We were getting ready to duel when he started talking." She nodded, using a few basic spells to make sure Granger wasn't badly injured, then turned back to Draco.
"She'll be just fine. Give her a minute or two to understand what's going on, then both of you come to the room connected to the Great Hall, Kingsley has taken over leadership now that Remus is… is…"
He nodded, telling her he understood. She left with a nod of her own, tending to other injured but Draco could see her glance towards the doors every few seconds, waiting for Potter.
The allotted hour passed in a haze of taking care of the injured, mourning the dead and comforting one another, and Potter had yet to appear. Then, just as the hour was up, a voice boomed throughout the castle grounds, making Draco shiver. "Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone.
"The battle is won. You have lost half your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, men, woman or child, will be slaughtered, as will every member of their family. Come out of the castle, now, kneel before me, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live, and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together."
The Great Hall filled with a silent so tangible, Draco could feel himself breathing it in. Slowly, moving as one, as if under a spell, everyone that still could, stood up and started walking towards the entrance of the school. Granger stood next to him, holding Weasley's left hand, his other arm secured around his little sister. Professor McGonagall, beaten and weary, was the first one out. The scream of agony that left her lips shook them all to the core, making them move as if in water. Then they were outside the castle, and Draco could see Potter's body in Hagrid's arms and his three companions screamed and howled and cried, broken completely. The rest of the fighters joined in with their calls, including Draco.
"SILENCE!" The Dark Lord cried, pointing his wand at the crowd of howling fighters, silencing them forcefully. "It is over! Set him down, Hagrid, at my feet, where he belongs!" The sobbing gamekeeper lay Potter gently at Voldemort's feet, then stepped back. "You see? Harry Potter is dead! Do you understand now, deluded ones? He was nothing, ever, but a boy who relied on others to sacrifice themselves for him!"
"He beat you!" Weasley yelled, breaking the charm. They screamed once again, and again they were silenced with a spell.
"He was killed while trying to sneak out of the castle grounds, killed while trying to save himself –" he was cut off by Neville Longbottom, running full speed towards the snake-like man. He was shot down immediately by Voldemort himself. Disarmed and defenseless, he was forced to kneel before the Dark Lord.
"And who is this? Who has volunteered to demonstrate what happens to those who continue to fight when the battle is lost?" he hissed as Bellatrix cackled.
"It is Neville Longbottom, my Lord!" she laughed out. "The boy who has been giving the Carrows so much trouble! The son of the Aurors, remember?"
"Ah, yes, I remember," Voldemort said, a sort of smile forming on his disfigured face. "But you are a pure-blood, aren't you, my brave boy?"
"So what if I am?" Neville said loudly, and Draco immediately admired and truly respected the once stumbling, bubbling boy turned powerful man. The brave Gryffindor was kneeling in front of the most feared Wizard in the world and he was still defying him, fighting him; and that act of strength gave Draco hope, hope that they might have a chance to win after all.
"You show spirit, and bravery, and you come of noble stock." Draco snorted at that. "You will make a very valuable Death Eater. We need your kind, Neville Longbottom."
"I'll join you when hell freezes over," Neville spat. "Dumbledore's Army!" he shouted and a loud cheer came from the light side, from Draco's lips, a battle cry.
"Very well," Voldemort said and Draco could hear the darkness of his non-existent soul in the deadened voice. "If that is your choice, Longbottom, we revert to the original plan, on your head be it." He waved his wand and seconds later Draco could hear something zooming from behind him, from the top window of the castle, and then Voldemort was holding the Sorting Hat. "There will be no more Sorting at Hogwarts School. There will be no more houses. The emblem, shield and colors of my noble ancestor, Salazar Slytherin, will suffice for everyone, won't they, Neville Longbottom?"
He pointed his wand at Neville, making him grow instantly rigid, and forced the Hat onto Neville's head, beyond his eyes. Draco wanted to do something to save the brave, brave man who gave him hope when all else seemed to fade, but he couldn't, a now-awake Dolohov had his wand pointed straight at his chest, and his father pointed his at Draco's partner. He couldn't move.
"Neville here is now going to demonstrate what happens to anyone foolish enough to continue to oppose me," Voldemort said, and with a flick of his wand, the Sorting Hat burst into flames. There was screaming from all around Draco, because Neville Longbottom was going up in flames, literally, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop the horrible torture happening before their very eyes. Then suddenly, there was chaos.
The sound of charging hooves assaulted the air as Voldemort's giants charged at the running form of Hagrid's little brother and the Forbidden Forest's centaurs. The unmistakable sound of bows being drawn gave them only a slight warning before hundreds of arrows made there way towards the Death Eaters. Then, with a fluid movement, Neville threw the burning Hat off his head, a shining sword appearing in his hand and with it, he slew Voldemort's snake. The disembodied head of the viper fell to the ground to its master's feet, and he was screaming, but no one could hear and then Hagrid's voice cut above all the screams, and spells, and roars, "HARRY! HARRY-WHERE'S HARRY?"
The centaurs were now making the Death Eaters run inside, gaining control of the yard, and the Hogwartians were chasing after the dark figures, fighting with renewed hope, or maybe desperation. Draco ran after Dolohov, zig-zagging between the fights, losing sight of Granger. That didn't matter at the moment; he knew she could take care of herself, at least until Lucius found her again.
Dolohov turned around just in time to see Draco firing his spell straight at the Death Eater's heart. Lupin's killer fell with an insignificant thud and Draco jumped over his unconscious body, in a hurry to catch his father before the elder Malfoy found Granger.
But suddenly an achingly familiar voice cut through him. "Draco!" his mother called out, running to him. He stopped dead, looking at Narcissa with shock.
"He let you come here, why did he let you come here?" Draco asked her in desperation. He thought his father loved Narcissa as much as Draco did, even if Lucius hated his son.
"I came for you, my son. Now, please, Draco, come with me to safety. He wants you dead. Please," she pleaded, desperation clear in her voice.
"I can't, Mother, I have chosen to fight for this side. They depend on me and I on them," he told her wretchedly, seeing Lucius looking around franticly for Draco's partner. "Please leave, Mother, stay away from the fighting. I will see you after this is finished, one way or another."
"I will do no such thing, Draco Lucius Malfoy!"
"Please, Mother," he begged of her, itching to go help Granger in her fight.
"I am not going anywhere, Draco, I am fighting by your side, my son."
Draco looked at his mother in awe, momentarily forgetting about the madness around them. Finally, he nodded. "Stay safe, Mother."
She nodded in return before running to fight a hooded figure that was attacking Luna. Draco threw her another quick look to make sure she was alright before turning to look for Granger.
He found her, battling Bellatrix alongside Ginny and Luna. They were fighting their hardest but his aunt was faster then all three. She was actually laughing as she shot a killing curse at Luna, missing by mere inches. Draco felt a whoosh of air pass him as he watched, but then Bellatrix was aiming her wand at Granger and Draco was running as fast as he could, knowing what would happen next if he didn't tackle his partner to the ground. He knocked into her right as the spell shot above them. Bellatrix didn't seem to notice as she pointed her wand and her curse towards Ginny. It just barely missed the redhead, but before Draco could engage in the fight, Molly Weasley's voice roared through the hall, "NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!"
The two women fought as the air crackled around them with a promise of death. Draco quickly got to his feet and took hold of Granger's waist, hoisting her away from the fight to the far corner of the room, away from Voldemort and his battle with McGonagall, Kingsley and Slughorn.
"Are you okay?" he asked gently, helping her seat against the wall. She nodded, panting slightly.
"I think I cracked a rib when you ran in to me," she murmured, holding her stomach. Draco got to his knees in front of her, muttering a few basic healing charms over her body. She relaxed slightly and he let out a sigh of relief.
"Finally," Dolohov's voice came from behind Draco and he stiffened, "I have you right where I want you. Let go of your wands, Malfoy, Granger," he growled. They let them fall to the harsh floor, looking at each other, both trying to find a way out of their mess. A strange silence seemed to fall on the crowd of fighters, and through the mass of people watching, Draco could see someone circling with Voldemort.
"Harry," Granger's muffled cry came but was immediately silenced by Dolohov.
"Get up," he sneered, "Quietly. We're going outside so I can finish you both off."
Draco got up, knowing they had no choice, and helped Granger up, sliding his hand around her waist while trying to push her slightly behind him so she wouldn't be hit by a curse.
Dolohov looked at them with wild eyes, leading them as if to the plank, out of the hall, through the entrance and down the stairs to the castle's dark grounds. "Faster!" he bit out, poking Draco's back with his wand. Draco stumbled slightly, trying to get Granger as far away from the mad Death Eater as he could. She looked at him with wide fear-filled eyes. For a moment he was shocked into stopping; he had never seen her afraid, of anything. All Draco wanted to do at that moment was protect her, protect the girl who had been his savior in more ways then one. He squeezed her waist, trying to convey to her that he was there with her, and that somehow, they would come out of this; he just didn't know how. The trust in her eyes burned through him, giving him strength.
"What do you want?" Draco sneered at Dolohov as they stopped by the lake.
The large Death Eater smirked maniacally, his mind long gone. "To hurt you and kill her," he told them, almost gleefully. Granger shuddered behind Draco.
"I won't let you touch her," Draco stated, holding his arms out to keep her out of Dolohov's line of fire.
"Then I will just have to kill you first! AVADA –"
"NO!" Lucius's voice came out of nowhere, and suddenly, Draco's father flung in front of Draco, the curse hitting him right in the chest. He managed, however, to send his own killing curse at Dolohov right before he fell and a second later, Dolohov was dead, his maniacal laugh still plastered to his face.
Draco fell to his knees by his father's head. Behind him, Granger sat down too, he hand on his shoulder, his anchor to reality.
"He…I…I thought… immortal…" Draco mumbled, turning to her, his eyes wide and his breathing shallow.
"Come on," Granger murmured. She helped him up, holding him now with an arm around his waist. They walked slowly, not looking back at the fallen bodies by the shore of the lake, and they finally reached the Great Hall just as Voldemort sneered at Potter and said, "I killed Severus Snape three hours ago…" Draco didn't hear the rest, he collapsed to the floor as The Dark Lord and The-Boy-Who-Lived kept talking. But how could they? He wanted to scream. How could the world keep spinning if Severus Snape was dead?
He didn't know how long he sat there in a heap on the floor, but he heard his name being said a few times by the only two wizards still sparring, then the rising sun hit his eyes and he heard two voices yell at the same time:
"Avada Kedavra!"
"Expelliarmus!"
There was a bang and a flash of golden flames, and a silence as Draco saw the killer of Severus Snape, his only real father, fall to the ground, dead. Then there were screams, and tears, and hands touching each other with joy, and only Draco was left numb with the loss of everything. The screams seemed far away, the tears did not touch his eyes, and the hands felt cold and dead to him, like the whole world, because Severus Snape was gone. But then a warm hand touched his arm and helped him up. He let the hand dictate his movement, and his entire world was suddenly that warm little hand, anchoring him once again to earth.
He was laid down on a bed. He didn't know what it looked like, and he didn't care; if his anchor seemed to think it was good enough for him, then it was. He lay there and let the oblivion of sleep fall over his exhausted body.
But just before it took him under, he felt the hand in his hand and a quiet voice told him, "It will be okay, I am here. I'm here." In his mind those words stayed, slipping into his dreams and holding him as he slept. In the depths of his seemingly dead heart, a new battle cry was born.
000
And then that word grew louder and louder
'til it was a battle cry
A\N:
Black light – as explained in "Good Omens" (Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman): "The technical term for it is infrablack. It can be seen quite easily under experimental conditions. To perform the experiment simply select a healthy brick wall with a good run-up, and, lowering your head, charge. The color that flashes in bursts behind your eyes, behind the pain, just before you die, is infrablack."
The original request:
Would you prefer an art or fic gift? Fic, please! :)
Preferred rating: PG-13
Describe what you'd like in as few words/keywords as possible: Speculative ending (not very happy, nor very sad); smidge of Lucius/Narcissa; life and death situation; true blue love.
Optional: Song, Poem, or Quote (title/original creator): The Call (Regina Spektor) or In a station of the Metro (Ezra Pound). Take your pick!
Dealbreakers (absolute no-no's): non-con and adultery (even allusions to those); Hogwarts Era; muscles developed from Quidditch.