Dumbledore was standing before me with a look of pity in his eyes. For once, I welcomed it. I let him feel all of the pain I felt, but I felt guilty for doing it. I was going to kill him; he should be the one feeling pain and betrayal.
"You're no murderer Draco," he said reasonably. His blue eyes twinkled, even in the face of death. I almost burst into tears; this man was more important to me than anyone. He was there for me no matter what, even if I should be in trouble. Dumbledore was the only permanent figure in my life, and he was surely the only one who cared.
"You don't get it do you?" I yelled. "I have to kill you! Or it going to kill me…" Tears spilled over, and I didn't try to stop them. I wanted him to know how much it killed me, how, no matter what happened, part of me would die tonight.
"I know Draco," he said. Even knowing what was going to happen, his voice was still strong and commanding. "And my life is much less precious than yours. I harbor no grudges Draco. Just say the words and this nightmare will be over."
"Kill him NOOOOW Draco!" Bellatrix sang as she came into the tower.
"No!" I wanted to shout. "No, I'll kill you instead, you bitch!" My wand quivered in my raised hand, and it took everything I had not to point it at her.
I caught movement in my peripheral vision and glanced down. Harry was hiding below us, watching everything. I stared into his cold eyes, hoping to melt away the revulsion and hatred. Harry could have stopped all of this. He could have kept me from this fate, if only he'd just been my friend.
A tear fell from my eye before I could stop it, straight through the grated floor, and landed on Harry's glasses. I thought I saw it then, the understanding I'd been longing for, but I couldn't be sure, and I couldn't risk his life by paying him anymore attention.
I looked up at Dumbledore again, and saw pain in his eyes for the first time. Two of his favorite students were in jeopardy now. I knew what he was silently telling me, "Don't reveal him." And I wouldn't.
Snape stepped in front of me, and it was like the world slowed down. I tried to stop him as his wand came up, but I felt like I was glued in place. Tears freely slid down my face, which I wiped with my hand.
"Avada kedavra!" Snape yelled as green light flashed from the end of his wand. Suddenly time went back to normal and the light collided with my father figure. He flew backwards and out of the Astronomy tower.
I crumpled to the ground at the same time he did.