Flashes of light seemed to hypnotize Harry as he walked into the main hall of The Ministry. It was very reminiscent of the time he'd last been here, when Sirius had been murdered and the people had finally seen for themselves that Voldemort had indeed returned to power.

There were just as many cameras and reporters then as were now and his insides squirmed uneasily.

He'd gone over the speech in his head what seemed like a thousand times. He practiced during the hour Voldemort left him and around the last few times he'd read it he'd been able to hold his emotions together.

The only thing that kept him going was the thought that at least Draco would get out safely, that he'd be able to save at least someone with this second sacrifice.

The podium that had been set up for him stood towering over the reporters who all held their quills at the ready. On either side stood some very stoic men, very clearly under the influence of the new regime Voldemort had been busy setting up. It was no question as to who was behind the Ministry these days.

No one said much of anything against it though, intimidated by the power Voldemort held. He'd placed his people where they needed to be and stood in the shadows, playing to this new life in the wizarding world behind the scenes. People were more afraid of him for it.

Harry took the few steps towards the podium, his legs shaky and his nerves practically shot. When he reached the podium, he clutched it hard, his knuckles turning white. The reporters converged on him, all vying for a spot as close as possible to Harry.

Thicknesse had been standing by, seemingly bored or rather unaware by all the attention the Ministry was getting on this particular day. He smiled lazily at the reporters before nodding to Harry who nodded, albeit reluctantly, in return.

It was time now, time to lay it all out and see which assumptions would play out.

Would they be outraged?

Would they be acquiescent and move on?

Harry watched as a particularly large gentleman shuffled past all the rest of the reporters and set up a short range microphone, a large wire dangling from it to a small box in the man's hand. This would be transmitted all over the wizarding world's radio networks too.

Harry took a deep breath in and slowly let it out. People were waiting with baited breath for what he had to say.

For Draco, he thought, as he cleared his throat.

"I'm standing here before you today to tell you I, Harry James Potter, son of Lily Evans and James Potter, am in good health, and contrary to popular belief, in any sort of trouble."

Already his voice started to shake. He cleared his throat again and pushed on.

"There are those out there spreading the rumor that I have been kidnapped by Lord Voldemort, but that is not true.

When I walked into the Forbidden Forest on the night of May 2nd, I was complying with the demands the Dark Lord had set, that I come to him and no one else would be harmed.

While I walked to meet my death at the hands of Lord Voldemort, sure that my life would be in exchange for those I love, I instead received a warm welcome and a choice."

Harry could feel the hatred starting to bubble up inside. He felt like he might be sick but he kept his eyes forward, focusing on everything and nothing all at the same time. He tried to engage the captivated audience but if he looked any of them in the eye he was afraid might falter.

"If I left with him willingly, he would ensure the safety of everyone at Hogwarts. While I surely doubted his words, he promised no more harm than mere stunning would fall on anyone who chose not to lay down arms.

He promised me freedom from this fight. A fight that has been waging on since I was born, even long before that.

I am tired."

And he suddenly was. All the anxiety, all the nervousness inside was slowly ebbing out of him, leaving him almost zombie like, numb. Saying these words aloud were heavy and final.

"Tired of fighting and of not realizing my true potential. I have sacrificed a lot in my life and I've now come to understand that things can only get better with unity.

Please, I ask of those who keep resisting Lord Voldemort and his followers to stop. Lay down your wands and understand as I have that if we keep fighting, we will only lose more of those we love.

I am safe, of my own mind, and purposely out of the public eye to train exclusively under Lord Voldemort's teachings.

Please do not keep looking for me.

Thank you."

Silence filled the hall, deafening and cold, but before Harry knew it, the crowd of reporters exploded into questions and demands for answers.

Why had he made everyone think he was missing or worse, dead?

He stood for so much against Lord Voldemort, why now was he agreeing with him?

Was he under the Imperius curse?

Should he be tested with Veritaserum?

Harry didn't make a move to answer these questions, as he'd been told. Instead he gathered himself up and started his long walk back down the steps and through the hall, all the while his heart beating wildly in his chest. He felt close to tears but he kept his head high and ignoring all the people behind him still lobbing question after question, Harry made his way to Peter's side.

Green flames and then he was back inside the lonely tower, back in the warm bedroom.

Peters swiftly left him with no more than a grunt. Harry waited, for what seemed like twenty minutes, for anyone to come into the room. When no one came in, he ventured to the door and opened it a bit.

Harry peeked outside and when he didn't see Peters standing by, he opened it enough to stick his head out. Still no one stood in the hallway outside the room, so Harry took a step, then another, out into the hall.

It was eerily quiet but Harry didn't care. When he figured no one was coming to shoo him back into the room he set off down the hallway towards his familiar cell. The door was locked and of course he didn't have the key, but the small door at the top was open.

The small iron flap made a tiny metal screech but it was loud enough to make Draco stir from inside the cell. The blonde hurried to the door upon seeing Harry staring at him from the other side.

"What's wrong? Where have you been?"

It had only been about half of the day since they'd seen each other but Draco was clearly worried.

Harry guessed that Voldemort hadn't told Draco the plan, the deal, or the speech Harry had to give. His heart sank a little. "I'm fine." He said, trying his best to smile. "Draco, I made a deal with Voldemort. He's going to let you go."

Draco froze. "You what?" At first he thought he misheard Harry.

"I made a deal with him, I had to- it doesn't matter. I made the deal in exchange for him to let you go."

"Are you insane?!" Draco yelled so loud that it made Harry jump back in surprise. "Why would you make such an idiotic decision about me without talking to me?"

"I didn't think-"

"Of course you didn't! You never think, you just dive in ready to give up."

Harry felt a spark of anger flare inside him. "Give up? I didn't give up! I did it so you wouldn't have to rot in this cell!" How could Draco not be grateful?

Draco glared, wanting to smack Harry and he was very frustrated at the fact that there was an iron door between them. "Who told you it was okay to make my choices for me?"

"So you want to live here like this for the rest of your life?"

"If I go that means you're alone with him."

Harry stopped short, ready to hurl more angered words but he could see the pain on Draco's face, the realization that he couldn't leave Harry alone here. Harry sighed and ran a hand through his constantly unkempt hair. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I didn't talk to you first but after I made the deal I couldn't break away to talk to you. He's going to let you go soon and you'll be able to find Hermione and Ron and all of them, maybe even your Mother."

Anger left the two, seeping out like wisps of smoke. Draco stood close to the door, resting his fingers through the small opening. "What's going to happen to you?" His voice seemed smaller now.

Unthinkingly, Harry pressed his fingers to Draco's as much as he could. "I don't know. Maybe you'll come up with a genius plan to save me." He smirked, a little bit of his old self poking through.

Draco smiled but he wasn't happy. "I wish you hadn't done this, Harry. I can't survive Granger and Weasley on my own."

Small but genuine laughter bubbled from them then, but as always, their happiness in this horrible place never lasted for long.

Harry felt cool hands grasp his shoulders and a chillness spread throughout his body. Draco quickly retracted his hands and backed away from the door but Harry took his time in turning around to face the owner of the icy presence. Voldemort stared down at him, his face as still as ever.

"You have your deal, Harry. Say goodbye. Draco needs his rest for his journey home tomorrow."

Wordlessly, Harry turned back around to see that Draco retreated to the back wall of the cell. He wanted to say more, they both did, but time wouldn't allow. Instead, Harry stared at Draco hard and hoped beyond hope that the other could randomly read his mind.

Don't worry about me. Live.