Chapter One
Battle of the Astronomy Tower
CRACK!
Harry and Dumbledore apparated inside the Astronomy Tower, moments after their battle with the Inferi. Dumbledore was leaning on Harrys body, still exhausted from the potion.
"Put me down, Harry. I need rest." Dumbledore let out as he struggled to catch his breath.
Harry set the Headmaster down as gently as he could, trying not to drop him.
"Professor, we need to get you to Madam Pomfrey." Harry started.
"No. Severus, Harry." Dumbledore groaned. "Get Severus."
Harry was interrupted by the slamming of a door downstairs. Someone was stomping up the steps, rather quickly.
"Someone's coming Harry. Get below. Stay quiet and stay hidden." Dumbledore said as he got to his feet.
Harry rushed down the spiral staircase and ran to the floor beneath Dumbledore, his wand drawn. Draco Malfoy emerged from the doorway, his wand in his hand. Once he laid eyes on the weary Headmaster, he quickly pointed his wand at him.
"Good evening, Draco." Dumbledore said calmly. "What brings you here, on this fine, Spring evening?"
"Who else is here?" Draco snapped. "I heard you talking!" His voice was trembling and his wand shook violently in his hand.
"I often talk aloud to myself. I find it extrodinarily useful." Dumbledore lied.
Draco stood, his wand still shaking. He was holding back tears as he quickly scanned the room.
"Draco, you are no assassin." Dumbledore said calmly.
"How do you know what I am? I've done things that would shock you!" Draco snapped.
"Like Cursing Katie Bell hoping that she would bear a cursed necklace to me?" Dumbledore started. "Or replacing a bottle of mane with another laced with poison? I can not help but to think that these actions are so weak that your heart couldn't really have been in them."
Tears began to pour from Draco's face and down his cheek. The images repeated in his mind over and over again. He could have killed Bell and he knew it.
"Draco, years ago I knew a boy who made all the wrong choices." Dumbledore started. "Please. Let me help you."
"I don't want your help! Don't you understand? I was chosen!" Draco pulled up his sleeve to reveal the same mark all Deatheaters wore. The tattoo covered his forearm.
Dumbledores eyes widened as he saw the mark, a look of sorrow and guilt covered his face. Harry clutched his wand tighter. He knew that Draco was a Deatheater, yet not a single person believed him.
"Then I shall make it easy for you." Dumbledore said as he raised his arms.
"Expelliarmus!" Draco cried.
"Very good, Draco." Dumbldore said softly.
A loud bang was heard down stairs, the slamming of a door was followed up by loud footsteps coming up the staircase. Draco glanced at the doorway and then back to Dumbledore.
"There are others?" Dumbledore asked in a curious voice. "How?"
"The vanishing cabinet in the Room of Requirement" Draco snapped.
"Ingenious."
Bellatrix emerged in the doorway. She stopped and smiled when she saw Draco occupying Dumbledore. She stepped in the room, behind her followed Fenrir Greyback, Amycus & Alecto Carrow and another Deatheater.
"Albus Dumbledore, alone. Albus Dumbledore, unarmed." Bellatrix said, a smirk marking her face. "Well done, Draco."
"Good evening, Bellatrix. I believe introductions are in order, don't you?"
"I wish we could stay and chat, Albus, but we're on a tight schedule."
Harry was still watching, his wand still pointing towards Draco. Harry felt the prescence of someone to his left. He slowly looked over to see a wand pointed his way. He jerked his wand in that direction, but quickly realised the wand belonged to Severus Snape. Snape lowered his wand and placed his finger over his lip signalling for Harry to be quiet. Harry nodded his head as Snape turned around to leave.
"DO IT DRACO! NOW!" Bellatrix shouted.
"No." Snape said, emerging from behind the Carrows.
Draco stepped away as Snape walked to his side. Bellatrix glared ay Snape.
"Severus..." Dumbledore's voice sounded like a beg. But he was still calm.
A short silence filled the room.
"Please..."
Snape raised his wand, pointing it Dumbledores way. He looked the man in the eyes. A tear falling from Dumbledores eye. Snape felt the pain and sorrow the Headmaster felt. Snape lowered his wand as he took a step backwards, his eyes watering.
"Albus.. no.." Snape let out.
"Seve-"
"STUPIFY!"
The white bolt hit Dumbledore in the stomach as he flew backwards, his feet no longer on the ground. The man fell over the railing, his body falling to the ground. Snape looked over to see Draco lower his wand, his face red and tears pouring from his eyes. Snape raced over to see Dumbledores body hit the ground and roll. Bellatrix laughed, an evil sadistic laugh as she cast a spell into the air, the Dark Mark appearing above the school. Bellatrix skipped out of the room, everyone else walking behind her. As they made their way through one of the halls, Snape sent one professor flying into a room. Bellatrix shoved Greyback and the other three Deatheaters outside to deal with the wizards and witches launching spells at them. Bellatrix stood on a table in the Great Hall, smashing glass plates and cups each step she took. She yelled as she flicked her wand to the front of the Hall, glass shattering everywhere. More tears left Dracos eyes. The trio made their way outside, walking down towards Hagrids hut.
"Yoohoo! Anyone home?" Bellatrix sang as she approached the hut.
"SNAPE! MALFOY!"
Harrys cries could be hear from behind them. It was in that moment that Snape remembered that Potter was watching everything. Harry cast Inscendio, but Snape deflected it back at him, and Harry fell backwards. Hagrids hut burst into flames and Bellatrix sang and danced around it. Harry got to his feet and was marching towards Snape again.
"I WANT MALFOY!" Harry shouted.
Bellatrix sent a Hex at Harry, and the boy flew a number of feet backwards.
"NO! He is for the Dark Lord!" Snape scolded, sending Bellatrix on her way.
She rolled her eyes, but she knew better than to defy her masters orders. Snape saw different colored beams in the distance, beside one of the towers. With a simple hand motion, he sent Bellatrix their way as back up.
"STUPIFY!" Harry shouted.
Snape once again deflected the spell back at him. Harry fell backwards and landed with a thud. Snape turned, thinking that Potter had had enough.
"SECTUMSEMPRA!"
Snape turned back around quickly, deflecting the spell for a third time. Snape knew now that Harrry did have his old book. He walked towards him slowly, his robes flowing behind him.
"You dare use my own spells against me, Potter?" Harrys eyes widened. "That's right. I'm the Half-Blood Prince."
Snape kicked Harrys wand away and walked back towards the burning hut. Draco stood frozen, not sure how to react. Snape was engulfed in black smoke as he grabbed Draco and flew away.
