This is just a quick one-shot I had to write.


Harry stepped out onto the Astronomy Tower slowly, staring out into the night.

"What are you looking at?" a voice whispered beside his ear, an arm slipping around his waist.

"The world."

"And what do you see?"

"Beauty. And hope. The promise of them both, just beneath the surface. But neither right now. They will come, though, I know. Someday. I want to help them."

"We must not be looking at the same world. I see darkness. And death. And destruction. I see no beauty, nothing perfect. I see no hope. Nothing light… nothing but you. Perhaps you shall save them."

"And if I do?"

"Then perhaps the world will be beautiful again. A pity I will not live long enough to know." His companion leaned against the Tower, hair streaming.

Harry felt a hand twist his guts, his blood freezing. "Why not?"

His companion simply smiled. "Look up at the stars, Harry. Aren't they beautiful? See, there's Leo, and there's Hydra… it's amazing."

"Where are you?"

"I don't show up until July. But you're up there, at least, my lion. It makes it perfect."

"I knew that. I always look on my birthday. But what does it make perfect?" Harry snapped, grabbing their shoulders. "What does it make perfect?"

"Come on, let's go downstairs. Do you want anything to eat?" they reached for his hand. He gave it to them.

"No, I got some stuff."

"What?"

He looked down sheepishly. "Chocolate-covered strawberries." He was expecting that mocking laugh, or a sneer, but they just smiled warmly.

"You are perfect," they whispered, kissing his forehead.


They lay side by side on a blanket, looking up at the stars, feeding each other strawberries. "So. What do you want to do?" Harry asked once more.

They squeezed his hand reassuringly. "I want to die. Tonight. Before the final battle."

"Why?" he felt his heart sink.

"If we win, the world will remain hideously ugly. If you win, I will die anyway. When I die, I want the last face that I see to be yours. And tonight is beautiful. It's perfect." They handed Harry a knife.

"You want me to do it?"

"If you can."

"I think I can…"

"Then right now."

"I love you," Harry whispered, brushing his lips against theirs.

"I know."

They close their eyes as their throat is slit.

The grass is nourished with Draco's blood… and Harry's tears.

So? Please review. Thanks. I'll work on my other stories now...