A/N: So my goal is to get this done on 2/25…exactly 2 months after it was meant to happen! YAY! So yeah…speed writing here! There'll be more 7th year because, admittedly, it's easier to write. I'm terrible, I know! Looks shame-faced

DISCLAIMER: I NEVER WILL OWN ANYTHING, AND I NEVER WILL CLAIM TO! (Get off my back, sheesh!)

"You!" the Dark Lord shrieked.

I was lost in my own thoughts. Potter and Lord Voldemort have collapsed after that fateful Killing Curse, but like I care.

Draco…

Where is he?

How is he?

What is happening?

I was nestled in Lucius' arms, but he gave little comfort.

If Draco was…hurt—or worse—I'd kill myself.

Or die from the shock.

So I didn't hear the Dark Lord or see him pointing at me.

He sent a curse flying my way.

Lucius forced me to dodge and got hit with it himself. His face blew up like a balloon.

I inwardly cursed the Dark Lord right back.

But by now I had stood up—no use keeping this idiot waiting.

I hated him again.

He had forced my baby to almost—kill someone.

So I walked to the boy, revulsion coursing through me.

He lay still as if he were dead.

I was sure he was.

So when I felt under his shirt and felt a heartbeat, my own heart jumped into my throat.

I almost looked up and proclaimed him alive, but then I thought of something.

He might know where Draco was.

If he didn't, I'd tell.

If he did, I'd be fair, and not tell.

So I whispered quietly, my hair shielding his face, "Where's Draco?"

He gave me an answer, and I leaned back. "He's dead!"

Another reason to say it, I realized—the only way I could get in the Castle (Draco was inside) would be with the victorious Death Eaters.

And it worked.

I was swept in with them. I went to Lucius and told him what I'd done.

Instead of telling the Dark Lord, he hugged me.

"I understand," he whispered through the swelling.

I was amazed, because something warm went through me.

Something soft, and funny to feel.

It was love.

Not the motherly, protective love I felt when first holding Draco.

Not the obsessive, scared love I'd felt when I'd married.

Fluffy, warm, sweet love.

For Lucius Charles Malfoy.

Oh dear.

The war was over.

This sunk in when I hugged Draco.

Harry Potter was alive, and I knew a duel would soon begin.

But Draco and Lucius were with me.

I loved both of them.

It was a victory, even though I was sure the Dark Lord was going to loose.

In a roundabout way, we'd won.

All I needed was my little family.

I did realize then, even as I was inwardly celebrating, that something was missing.

Andy and Bella were gone forever.

Andy was literally gone.

We'd never talk again.

Even if we made up someday, never would it be like old times, because--

Bella was figuratively gone.

Lost in the insane monster that was Bellatrix.

No more happy, fun, innocent afternoons playing in the sun.

No more cozy Christmases by the fire, bragging about what we got to Sirius and Regulus.

No more hugs from Andy.

No more whispers of girlish crushes from Bella.

Gone.

Forever.

But I fought these feelings bravely.

No, I don't care.

Why would I?

I knew they weren't coming back years ago.

I learned to accept it.

Sure, it hurts, but that's goddamn life.

I couldn't deal with it, though.

Victory is bittersweet.