AN: Hello, hope you are enjoying the story so far. As I said before, I will try not to repeat things that occur in the same way in the book, I don't want to copy, but if it appears that I am skipping around a bit I apologize. However, if an event is the same but a certain character has a different perspective in my story or something I will probably include it, I'm not trying to copyright. Let me know what you think, thanks for reading.
Chapter 10: Death and Deatheaters
Draco didn't look back. He knew that if he looked back and saw the pleading forest eyes on him he would be selfish and turn back.
For the first time in his life, he was taking control, even if it meant leaving the one thing that had brought him happiness in so many years.
But he would not be the reason Harry suffered when he inevitably saw Draco for who he truly was. A Deatheater.
Draco would follow through with the plan, even if it meant hurting Harry, if only to show him he deserved so much better.
That was why Draco kept walking. That was why Draco did not look back.
...
Harry didn't move for hours after Draco left. He sat on the unyielding earth, cold without the other's body heat, staring at the space he had occupied.
Harry wanted to scream, to run after him, but he was a prisoner in his own body, helpless to its decisions.
And it didn't want to move.
He thought that if he sat motionless perhaps he'd forget. Perhaps Draco would change his mind. Perhaps.
But Draco did not come back. And his heart did not forget the pain.
So Harry sat, staring at the tiny ripples forming in the lake, seemingly minuscule and meaningless though growing larger as they traveled further.
Harry had no sense of the passing of time, he could have sat there for hours without realizing it, but he turned swiftly at the popping sound of apparition behind him.
He turned sharply, drawing his wand, a small part of him hoping it was Draco returning though he knew they could not apparate on the school grounds. He was swiftly disappointed, however, when he turned to see a sad smile on the face of the Headmaster.
"Harry. You need a shave my friend," and Harry subconsciously touched his cheek. "The place we travel to tonight is exceedingly dangerous."
...
Harry breathed heavily at the top of the astronomy tower, trying to pull Dumbledore's weight with him.
"We need to get you to the hospital wing," he said, trying in vain to urge the professor onward.
"No," the Headmaster said weakly, "no, Severus is who I need..."
Harry was about to protest when each heard footsteps on the large stairwell. Dumbledore continued to lean heavily on the rail, too weak to support his own weight.
"Quickly, Harry, hide yourself below, do not speak a word... no matter what," and Harry bit his lip before nodding at the seriousness on Dumbledore's face.
Harry quietly raced below, able to see and hear the man but unable to be seen. Without audibly casting a spell, Dumbledore cast a silencing and immobility spell on Harry and he was frozen, helpless to what was to come.
Harry felt a rushing of hope and warmth as he saw Draco step to the top level of the astronomy tower but it was immediately doused by the sorrowful expression on his face. His eyes were large and afraid, his mouth set in a grim line. Harry wanted nothing more than to comfort him but could do nothing but watch.
Draco walked up to the professor and Harry listened as Draco struggled with his mission, and slowly Harry became aware as to what was to happen. He longed to scream, to fight, to shake Draco until the boy he knew returned to this gaunt, hollow body. But he could do nothing.
With a shaking hand, Draco raised his wand at the Headmaster, Dumbledore's own wand long since disarmed, and the blonde clearly fought to put on an indifferent face though tears shone in his eyes.
"Let me help you, Draco," Dumbledore said, trying to give the boy one last chance.
"I don't want your help! You can't help me, no one can. I have to do this," Draco said, desperately trying to calm his shaking arm.
If you'd let me in, I could have helped you. You don't have to do this, Harry longed to say, though the words were frozen on his lips.
Suddenly, Bellatrix, Greyback, and a few other Deatheaters barged through the door, all standing behind Draco. Bellatrix taunted in her usual haunting voice, urging Malfoy to continue.
Greyback snarled something, raising his own wand, and Harry silently pleaded for the Headmaster to do something, anything.
"No," a soft yet powerful voice said, and Harry looked up to see it belonged to Snape. Never in his life had he been so grateful to see the potions master but his happiness disappeared when he too raised his wand. "I made a vow."
"Severus... please," Dumbledore pleaded but the pale face was unmoved.
Two more words escaped Snape's lips before all Hell broke loose. "Avada Kedavra."
...
Draco watched the blast of green light hit the old headmaster, watched as he fell from the rooftop. He stood, unable to move, unable to think.
Suddenly, he was being hauled from the area by the scruff of his collar by Snape, dragged down the steps as his Aunt Bellatrix blasted the dark mark into the sky with an inhuman screech.
Snape didn't say a word, he just kept moving, unrelentingly pulling Draco by the neck.
"He's going to kill me, isn't he," Draco whispered, though he knew Snape could hear. The phrase was framed as a question though his tone made it obvious he knew the answer.
"Not if I can help it," Snape growled, finally letting some of his emotion show through his mask. They spoke no more, Draco in shock and Snape only able to think about getting the boy out of there alive.
Draco looked up at the castle that had only become a home in the recent weeks. He wanted to stay, to fix the mess he was in but he saw no choice.
"Draco..." Bellatrix drew out the name, enjoying the taste of it on her tongue. "They'll kill you if you stay," she taunted as though reading his thoughts.
They continued to race towards the edge of the school grounds, the sound of pounding feet and maniacal laughing filling Draco's ears.
Snape slowed suddenly, pulling to the back of the group, and Draco slowed with him. He turned to see what the professor was waiting for to see Harry running at them with his wand raised.
For a fleeting moment, their eyes locked, fear evident in Draco's and a burning anger and hatred in Harry's.
"Go on," Snape commanded Draco, but his feet did not move.
"I'm sorry," he whispered though he knew neither man would hear him, but he hoped Harry would understand.
Snape commanded he leave once more and this time Draco obeyed, longingly looking once more to Harry, but his eyes were locked on Snape's, vengeance written on his face.
And Draco ran. He ran from the sounds of curses escaping his love's mouth, ran towards the people he loathed the most.
AN: So this is a short chapter, I know. The next one will probable much farther in the future when they're looking for horcruxes because everything between now and then is the same as the books. Just a bit of warning. Let me know your thoughts please please please review, it honestly makes my day.
Speaking of reviewing, bekito7, your review cracked me up. Thank you for making me smile.
Also, HeartLove339, your review made my day. Every time I read it I grin. Thank you so much for reading and all of you who reviewed.
Hope you and everyone else enjoyed this next chapter, please let me know what you thought.
Thanks for reading!
-Hope