Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Alternate Warning: This fic was written before the publishing of Deathly Hallows, and is therefore not compatible with the seventh book. All canon events within the first six books, however, were taken under careful consideration. This story is complete and has 59 chapters. For the more explicit version of this story, go to aff.
Author's Note: When I wrote this, almost two years ago now--maybe longer, I'm not sure--I kept making the mistake of adding an "e" to the end of Voldemort's name. I will do my best to edit that before I post the chapters on this site, but if I miss one or two, please overlook it. Also, I did not acquire a beta for this story until the last few chapters of this fic, so if anyone is up for the job, I would highly appreciate it.
~Prologue~
The night sky was alight with fire and exploding magic. Flashes of Unforgivable Curses sprang from the wands of Death Eaters and Aurors alike. Wizards and witches dashed around one another on brooms; and giants, werewolves, and all manner of magical creatures churned below them amongst the scattered armies of both sides, howling their blood lust into the night.
Remnants of the Order of the Phoenix, some no older than children, fought bravely and wild-eyed, lost in the fever of the final battle. Fear, blood and death filled the air so thickly one could slice into parts with a knife. London, shaking with the fury of war, had become Voldemorte's chosen battle field hours before. Now, as the battle rages on, the layers of magic that kept the Wizarding world and the Muggle world safely separate began to stretch and shatter.
Muggles ran terrified, cars slammed into one another, and ear-splitting screams tore through the air as the horrific and wondrous magical battle started to materialize.
Hermione screamed a curse that sent a warted giant teetering sideways and crashing into a nearby building. Hermione barely registered the sound of a horn blaring before she was shoved violently out of the path of a swerving bus. Rolling into a crouch, she whipped her head around and took in what was happening. Ron dashed towards her and grabbed her arm.
"Hermione! What is going on?"
Hermione glanced over her shoulder, her eyes glazed with terror as she realized the two worlds were colliding. "Ron! This battle has to end soon. This city won't survive the magic. This war could wipe out the--"
An explosion behind tore the last words from her mouth. Ron pulled her behind a toppled car, using his body to protect her from the shrapnel that flew from the explosion.
"Where's Harry?" Hermione hissed.
Ron looked down into her face, her features, like his own, indistinct under layers of dirt and ash. How they survived this long, Ron found was something to wonder at. Ron jerked his chin to the east. "Voldemort made his grand appearance twenty minutes ago. Harry's fighting him now."
Hermione's eyes widened a fraction. "We have to go there! He might need us!" she shouted over the din before sprinting off into the direction Ron had shown her.
Ron allowed himself half a second to roll his eyes. "That's why I came to get you," he muttered to himself in a sing-song voice.
Their journey down the next four blocks was mind numbing. Buildings groaned, glass shattered, and cars careened all around them. Somehow, they managed to make it there without being stopped by some blood thirsty Death Eater.
However, they quickly found out why when they found Harry and Voldemort.
The battle seemed to come to a slow pause as wizards, Death Eaters, and creatures alike stopped to watch the epic battle between The-Boy-Who-Lived and the Dark Lord.
Harry had destroyed all the Horcruxes and they laid in a burning pile of rubble near their feet. The two were circling the fiery mound, glaring at one another, wands raised and pointed.
Voldemort seemed calm despite the obliterated Horcruxes and the destruction of his long sought-after immortality. Though he seemed physically weaker, his black robes billowed around him majestically and his snake-like face glistened with dark amusement.
Harry was tense, his green eyes bright and darting around him, showing his confusion at the Horcruxes destroyed yet Voldemort lived.
And so they circled and Voldemort did not attack.
Gasping, Severus Snape pushed his way through the gathering crowd, Tonks hot on his heels, and stood peering over Hermione's shoulder at the scene below them.
"I don't understand," Tonks whispered. "Harry was certain that he found them all."
Severus remained quiet, assessing, as Ron and Hermione shifted uncomfortably, glancing around them as Muggles continued to scream and the Dark Army became even more still, silent, and watchful.
Voldemort paused in his circling and Harry halted almost immediately, his bright green eyes resting on Voldemort's pallid face.
"I find myself in the most unusual of predicaments," Voldemort said, barely concealed laughter rolling behind every word.
"Enlighten me," Harry growled. "Why won't you attack me?"
"Because, Harry," Voldemort sneered, as if speaking to a small child. "Unfortunately, it is now not in my best interest to do so."
Harry narrowed his eyes, frowning hard. Almost instantly he solved the riddle. However, before Harry could turn his wand on himself, Voldemort shouted "Expelliarmus!"
Voldemort laughed softly, the sound coming out like a snake's hiss. "Interesting, isn't it? That killing you would be my death? I made you my final Horcrux when I gave you that scar," he said pointing at Harry's forehead with Harry's wand.
A gasp resounded throughout those gathered. Severus clenched and unclenched his fingers.
"What am I going to do with you now?" Voldemort asked, sounding almost whimsical.
Slowly, Severus raised his wand, a muscle twitching his jaw.
"No," Hermione breathed as she saw it was pointed at Harry.
"Would you rather kill him yourself?" Severus grated out. "It has to be done."
Ron and Tonks simultaneously pressed the tips of their wands into Severus' back. "Don't even think about it," Ron growled.
"There has to be another way," Hermione pressed, careful to keep her voice low. She placed a hand on Ron's arm and pressed down, silently urging him to lower his wand.
"'Mione! You're not serious!" Ron hissed.
"There has to be another way," Hermione persisted, keeping her eyes on her old Potions teacher.
Severus was silent for a moment. "There is no other way."
Hermione's eyes darted back towards Harry, her eyes filling with frustrated tears. Severus raised his wand again and opened his mouth to utter the Killing Curse.
"SILENCIO!"
Hundreds of heads whipped towards the shouted spell as Severus is hit with it. His mouth moved but no sound came out. Out of the corner of his eye, Severus saw a shape speeding towards them on a broom, green and black robes rippling across the form. As the wizard drew nearer, shining silver hair catches the moonlight as he descended upon them at breakneck speed.
"EXPELLIARMUS!" the wizard shouts again, his wand pointed at Voldemort. Catching both the Dark Lord and Harry's wands, the wizard crashes into Harry Potter.
Severus sucks in a breath and begins struggling through the crowd before him, recognizing his godson.
Draco Malfoy grappled with Harry for a moment before pinning The-Boy-Who-Lived beneath him. Voldemort lunged forward, screaming his wrath, but Severus threw himself between them. Hermione, Ron, and Tonks stared wide-eyed as they pushed their way through shell-shocked Aurors and Death Eaters.
A thunderous crack shook the earth as Draco manages to snap both Harry and Voldemort's wands over his knee. Then, Draco grabbed the back of Harry's neck, smashing their foreheads together. Harry quit fighting him when their eyes locked.
"For Dumbledore," Draco whispered before uttering a string of spells Harry didn't recognize.
Suddenly, Harry's scar exploded in white hot pain and streaks of fire coursed through his body. Harry didn't hear the last spell that fell from Draco's lips but, inexplicably, the pain began pulling out of him. White light, blinding anyone who looked at it, poured from Harry's mouth and scar and was sucked in by Draco. Draco's body convulsed and shook as the light went into him and with a final spasm, he let Harry go and fell to one side.
Harry scrambled away and turned in time to see Draco reach for his wand. Harry's heart stopped when he saw Draco's face clearly and saw *his* scar etched into Draco Malfoy's forehead. Immediately, Harry's hand shot up to his own forehead but the seeking fingers found nothing but smooth skin there.
Harry watched, dumbstruck, as Draco pointed his wand at himself.
Behind them, Severus struggled to keep a weakening Voldemort at bay. Aurors flanked them, fighting off any Death Eater who tried to come to their Dark Lord's aid. The raging Voldemort met Draco's eyes in that last surreal moment.
"And for my mother," Draco growled with so much conviction and malice it made Voldemort pause in his struggling against Severus. "Avada Kedavra." A blaze of green magic shot from Draco's wand and through his body until he lay still, dead.
Voldemort's face twisted and contorted as silent magic swirled around him. His mouth curled in a large O before his body went rigid and then exploded.
Thrown back from the magic, Severus landed near his godson and as Aurors and friends rushed to Harry's side, Severus Snape crawled towards Draco's body. Harry watched as Severus gathered his godson into his arms, whispering about 'damn fools' and 'an idiot for trying to be a hero'.
Hermione glanced at the sky, noticing that the magical barrier between this world and the Muggles' was beginning to heal itself. Looking back at Harry, she saw him rise to his feet and walk unsteadily towards Severus. Dropping to his knees beside Severus' huddled form, Harry reached out and touched Draco's shoulder. Harry snatched his hand back as Draco's body began to glow.
Old magic swirled around them, winding around Draco's body and lifting him into the air. The magic grew denser and denser, until Draco's body looked like a burning star. Suddenly, the light brightened to a flash and then dimmed. Slowly, Draco's body descended back to the ground.
Everyone quieted and looked on as Severus once again took Draco into his arms.
Except, now, Draco Malfoy was breathing.
~*~
Never A Memory
Cast
Harry Potter ~ Wizard, Boy-Who-Lived, Lead Auror on the Malfoy Case; Son of Lily Evans and James Potter
Draco Malfoy ~ Wizard, Pureblood, Defeated Lord Voldemort; Son of Narcissa Black and Lucius Malfoy. Host of the Black Tulpa.
Ronald Weasley ~ Wizard, Pureblood, Partner to Harry Potter in the Auror's Division of the Ministry of Magic, Lead Auror on the Malfoy Case; Son of Molly and Arthur Weasley
Hermione Granger ~ Witch, Muggle-Born, Fiancée of Ronald Weasley and best friend of Harry Potter, Head of Division for Muggle Affairs at the Ministry of Magic
Severus Snape ~ Wizard, Half-Blood, Godfather of Draco Malfoy, Potions Master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Minerva McGonagall ~ Witch, Animagus, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry'
Rufus Scrimgeour ~ Wizard, Minister of Magic, acts and looks somewhat different than what is described in the books
Blaise Zabini ~ Wizard, Pureblood, Best Friend of Draco Malfoy. Double-Spy during second war, hid in Italy until news of Draco and the Secret Prophecy drew him out.
Pansy Parkinson ~ Witch, Pureblood, Once-Fiancée of Draco Malfoy; Niece and Goddaughter of Pandora Parkinson
Pandora Parkinson ~ Witch, Pureblood, Double Spy during Second War and granted Clemency from the Ministry of Magic; Aunt and Godmother to Pansy Parkinson
Walburga Black ~ (deceased) Draco Malfoy's ancestor on his Mother's side. Resides in a portrait at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place.
Lucius Malfoy ~ Wizard, Pureblood; Father to Draco Malfoy; Given the Dementor's Kiss for actions as a Death Eater
Bellatrix LeStrange ~ (deceased) Wizard, Pureblood, Sister to Narcissa Black, Death Eater for Lord Voldemort; warned Blaise Zabini of the Secret Prophecy
Crabbe and Goyle ~ Wizards, Death Eaters, former thugs of Draco Malfoy's gang at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Luna Lovegood ~ Witch; friend of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley. Former member of Dumbledore' Army.
Pantheras Parkinson ~ Wizard; Pureblood Prince; son of Porphyrius Parkinson, who is the brother of Pandora Parkinson. Thus, Pansy Parkinson's cousin.
Dr. Laeverton ~ Muggle; Head Psychologist at St. Mary's Hospital
Lisa Murkwood ~ Muggle; Secretary at St. Mary's Hospital
Betty or Betty-boy ~ Term used to address Staff Members of St. Mary's Hospital
Will Mettle ~ Muggle; Patient at St. Mary's Hospital; One of John Smith's Thugs
Billy Bane ~ Muggle; Patient at St. Mary's hospital; One of John Smith's Thugs
Sally ~ Muggle; A Betty
Nina Rolter ~ Muggle; Patient at St. Mary's Hospital
Michael Deans ~ Appointed Social Worker for John Smith upon release from St. Mary's Hospital
Sergeant Bowler ~ Muggle; Member of Madison S.W.A.T.
Lieutenant Fitz ~ Muggle; Member of Madison S.W.A.T.
Agent Christian Hale, U.K.S.S. ~ Alias for Harry Potter in Madison, Wisconsin
Mackle, Anin, Boyle, Nadger, Heroth, Gasse, Lanel, Bishop, and Feerse ~ Wizards, Aurors for the Ministry of Magic and Veteran Members of the aurors Division. All become involved the Malfoy Case
Drew Williams ~ Wizard, Auror for U.S. MLED Madison, Wisconsin, Muggle Affairs Division, Detective. Partner to Joe Byrne. Husband to Martha Lane and Father of Tally and Crysta Williams.
Joe Byrne ~ Wizard, Auror for U.S. MLED Madison, Wisconsin, Muggle Affairs Division, Detective. Partner to Drew Williams. Husband to Madame Kate Galeoanne.
Phil Lackey ~ Wizard, Member of U.S. MLED Madison Wisconsin, Muggle Affairs Division, Muggle Expert
Salene ~ U.S. MLED, Madison Wisconsin, Muggle Affairs Division Secretary
Mary Heart ~ Witch, Personal Secretary of Rufus Scrimgeour the Minister of Magic, U.K.
Trisha Knockwood ~ Witch, Member of Muggle Affairs in the Ministry of Magic
Sam Little ~ Wizard, Member of Muggle Affairs in the Ministry of Magic
Captain Whistle ~ Squib, Works as a Muggle on a Cruise Liner, former Ally of Lord Voldemort, Owes a Boon to Blaise Zabini for keeping his secret
Simon Heil ~ Muggle, Acquiantance of Captain Whistle, quiet transporter for hire
Father Ernst Alt ~ Wizard, Untrained. Exorcist for the Catholic Church. Convicted of Negligent Manslaughter with the death of Anneliese Michel.
Maul ~ Black Tulpa; center of the Secret Prophecy. Once gave Lord Voldemort the Seven Keys (Horcruxes) in exchange for a chosen mortal to possess at the End of Days.
The Gatherer ~ Cruent Mantle, Wizard, Maul's Puppet. Ex-lover of Harry Potter. Hufflepuff graduate from Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Maximus Cure ~ (Michael Deans) Wizard forbidden to use magic for hire; Master of the Inversion Enchantratem. Outlaw.
Winston Reakley ~ Squib, Azkaban Caretaker
Madame Leilane ~ Witch; Owner of the Stable for Magical Creatures
Slightly ~ House Elf of Malfoy Manor
Witherwings ~ (Buckbeak) Hippogriff; transports Harry Potter to the Tien Shen Pass where Draco Malfoy hid while brewing the Verve Channel Electron Elixir
Pan ~ Draco Malfoy's Eagle Owl
Hedwig ~ Harry Potter's Owl
Griphook ~ Goblin; Possesses the Sword of Godric Gryffindor
Hogarth Rivers ~ Wizard, Healer fro St. Mungo's; Stationed at the Ministry of Magic