Author's note: Hallo! This is a fast update because originally this was going to be part of the first chapter. Most of my updates will be fast, but probably not this quick. I'm gonna try for about 1 to 2 chapters a week, but I won't promise anything. Don't forget to review at the end.

This is the chapter that contains an alternative ending to the HBP. I'm hoping you'll all like it, but it has to be this way to make the story work. I've also tried to keep Draco in character as much as possible. Enjoy everyone.

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Chapter two

'Why haven't I done it yet? Just kill him!' Draco screamed at himself inside his head. It felt like he had been standing in the same place for days, but really it was only a few minutes. If anyone was watching the two from a distance, they would see a tall blonde figure, full of confidence, pointing his wand at the heart of Albus Dumbledore. Really, he was trying to hide his shaking hand and ignore the panicking feeling. It didn't matter to him that he had the headmaster trapped on the tower. He was the one who felt trapped in a small corner with only one option. He had to kill him and soon. Right now, time was his enemy.

He knew what he was meant to do. He had been planning it for the whole school year; staying up late, forgetting school work and giving up Quidditch. Draco had given up his whole life to be the one to kill Dumbledore. If he completed the task he would be the Dark Lord's favourite and gain more power and respect from the others. Of course, there had been times throughout the year when he thought he would never manage the task. Break down after break down nearly killed him, but he knew his punishment from the Dark Lord would be so much worse if he failed. If he lived through that he would then have to face his father. So, why couldn't he kill him then? He had Dumbledore disarmed on the top of the astronomy tower and completely alone. Nothing was stopping him from ending the older man's life. All he had to do was flick his wand and mutter the words which will end his life. It had sounded so simple to him over the year, but now he was about to complete the task he realised it wasn't quite as simple as he thought.

"Draco," He heard the older man say quietly. "You're not a killer. I know you're scared of Lord Voldemort, but I could protect you… I could hide you and your family," Dumbledore, raised his stronger arm up towards him, shaking a little. Staring at the professor, Draco let the mask on his face slip a little and gripped his wand tighter. "No! You don't understand… He'll find me… He'll kill me…" He whispered, half glaring at the man in front of him. "There is no where you can hide me…" His eyes flicked to the stairs and back at Dumbledore. He thought he heard someone, but with the noise of the fight below it was hard to tell. Dumbledore shook his head. "No, Draco… I could hide you. I have many places. He would never know where you were. " The other man tried to stare into Draco's eyes, but the younger man refused to make the eye contact. "I promise you Draco, he wouldn't find you… He's never found Mr. Potter through the summer holidays before, had he? You would be easier to hide."

The blonde didn't reply. He remained quiet, trying to think through what the headmaster had said. Could he really hide from the Dark Lord? He was marked as a follower of him. He couldn't hide with Dumbledore. At the same time, he knew he wasn't ready to be a killer. The crashes and screams around him made him feel uncomfortable. He was the one who caused this. He had for further then everyone thought he would. Most of the Dark Lords' followers, mainly Snape, thought he would fail or die trying. However, he didn't feel proud of doing this. If anyone died tonight, on either side, it would be his fault. Blinking a few times, Draco lowered his wand to point at the floor. Maybe he wasn't as prepared as he thought he was. Everything had gone to plan except the death of the man in front of him. 'Fuck this,' Draco thought, pushing his free hand through his hair. 'This is just too fucked up… I'm fucked up…'

"If you protect me… I want to become neutral. I fight for no one," He muttered, finally making eye contact with the man. It was strange seeing the headmaster without the twinkle in his eyes and almost made the younger man flinch. The professor raised an eyebrow, but said nothing at his announcement and waited for him to continue. "I want my mother to be told what I have done, but do not bring her to me unless she requests too. Let her do what she wishes, even if that's to stay loyal to the Dark Lord," He knew his mother would never agree with what he was doing, but deep down she loved him and would never turn her back on him. She would go on the run by herself. Draco knew she could protect herself well and the thought almost brought a smile to his lips. "And… Finally… I am not hiding with the bloody golden trio or anyone from your Order." He ended, never removing his eyes from Dumbledore. He was being blunt for the lack of time they had to reach an agreement. He could see the old man thinking, but no matter what Draco was not backing down from his words. Especially, his last term. "Well? We don't have all the time in the world, old man." He asked quickly, raising his wand up again a little. "I think I can agree wi-" CRASH.

"DRACOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! You up there, my dear?"

Draco froze at the force of his Aunt. Time was now up. Bellatrix had found him, probably with the support of others. This wasn't good. This was bad… A nightmare. Dumbledore appeared even more relaxed at the voice of Bellatrix as a small smile formed across his face. 'Why is acting so bloody calm?!' He thought, shaking his head. Draco didn't reply, hoping she would turn around and join the fight again. It was too soon to face her.

"Severus, are you sure he's up there? He isn't replying! He always replies!" She yelled, probably hoping she could hex him for lying. Sadly, Snape was right.

"I'm certain, Bella," A lower voice answered.

Their voices were followed by running footsteps up the rough and uneven stairs of the tower.

"Shit… Shit…" Draco muttered, looking around for an exit. The only exit was the stairs, making him more trapped then before. He could jump from the tower, but he wouldn't survive the jump and then out of the castle alive. Someone would catch him. He stared back at Dumbledore, but the man said nothing. The footsteps were getting closer each second, making him panic even more. "I need time… I need time…" He muttered, staring at his wand as if it held the answers. Then, the idea hit him. His wand did hold the answers. Pointing his wand at the other man's wand, he thought the summoning charm. As if Dumbledore read his thoughts, he caught the wand before it reached the blonde with a smile. "Is this what you want, Draco?" He whispered, bringing his wand up to point at him. Nodding, the younger man closed his eyes and waited quietly. He held onto his wand tightly, not wanting to lose it.

"Draco!" He heard his Aunt call as she reached the top of the stairs, slowly bringing her wand to point at Dumbledore. She was too late though. A red light flashed out of Dumbledore's wand, hitting Draco straight in the stomach. A

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Draco's eyes opened wide. "Fuck…" He whispered, suddenly feeling ill and dizzy. Falling back, he laid across the bed with one hand on his head, the other at his side. His heartbeat had become dangerously fast in the last few minutes and his breathing was short and quick. His hands turned into fists as his mind went 90 miles per hour. He had turned his back on everything he knew. He had always wanted a new, clean start to life, but did he really want to turn away from everyone and everything? "I'm a coward…" He whispered, feeling a single tear fall down his face. "I'm a fucking coward… How could I… Why would I?" What frightened him the most was turning against the Dark Lord less than a year after receiving the Dark Mark. No one turned away from him and lived to tell the tale. He knew there was no turning back now… And it scared him more than anything. Then, it hit him like a pile of bricks.

Who was keeping him locked in the room?

He froze, holding his breath for a moment before it became too painful. It had to be either the Dark Lord or the Order of the Phoenix. However, this didn't seem the room that either party would place him in. The Dark Lord would have awoken him already, bringing him torture for failing his task. By now, he would probably be dead or on the brink of death. But… He was alive. Would the Order keep him alive? No… He was marked as a Death Eater. No one else heard the conversation with him and Dumbledore. They would still see him as a Death Eater. If the Order had him, he would be chained up somewhere and heavily protected. The Ministry of Magic couldn't have him either or he'd be waking up in Azkaban. Groaning, he closed his eyes tightly and tried to ignore the pain in his head. Someone had moved him from the tower to here, but whom? He had no memories since being knocked out. It could have been anyone at Hogwarts. Sitting up quickly, he stared around the room again as if he could find an answer. Of course, it was the same as before.

Standing up, Draco ran over to the door and slammed against it. His mind was going too fast, making out of control. He was having a break down from not knowing who had him locked up in the dusty room. In his mind this sounded childish, but the stress in his body had built up too much and needed to be released. Sweat was pouring down his back and even his silky boxers were starting to stick to him as he stared at the door. "Who are you?!" He screamed at the door, punching it with all his might. With a small pause, Draco let out a scream and gripped into his hand tightly. The door felt like solid, cold steel against his hand causing his wrist to break. Falling to the ground, he held onto his wrist as more tears fell from his face. He was frightened. He had never felt so alone and vulnerable before in his life. "I didn't mean for this to happen," He whispered to himself, dragging himself slowly to the far corner of the room. Leaning against the wall, he cradled his broken wrist in his lap, staring at the door. He knew he was screwed no matter who lay on the other side of the door. No one would protect him now. No one could protect him now.

Wiping away the last of his tears, Draco brought his knees up to his chest, leaving a gap just big enough for his injured arm to lay. His other arm moved to wrapped around his legs and his head leaned gently against his knees. This position felt so familiar to him. Every time he had broken down over the year, he would end up like this in the Room of Requirements. It was strangely comforting. Closing his eyes, he focused on making his breathing more regular. He needed to relax and ignore the pain in his wrist or he would be ever weaker then he was now. After about 5 minutes, the blonde slowly started to drift into a very light sleep. His body was exhausted, but his mind was still worried about the future.

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Climbing a set of Victorian stairs, a tall figure stayed quiet and low. He didn't want to wake anyone up or meet anyone along the stairs. The questions he would receive would have been too annoying. He didn't know the answers, but no one believed him when he told them that. His destination was at the top of the house in a disused cupboard. To him, it was a strangely large cupboard. Until two nights ago it had been used to store cleaning materials. Now, he was keeping someone locked within it.

Sighing, he climbed the last few steps until he was face to face with the door to the room he needed. Lifting his wand, he slowly lifted the charms off the door before continuing to remove the locks he had magically placed upon the door. Before removing the last lock, the man stared at the door. He knew the person would bring back memories, most of which he never had. However, he needed to talk to that person. He needed answers. Taking in a deep breath, but man flicked his wand and muttered the last words before hearing a faint click. Slowly, he moved over to the door and took grip of the handle. Gently, he turned the handle and pushed the door open.