Disclaimer: Please see previous chapters.
A/N: Sorry about the delay. I had a minor hand injury that kept me from typing. Thanks a million to all you that reviewed and I hope you haven't lost interest in this story! There are only a few chapters left! Please enjoy and remember to tell me what you thought!
Chapter 11: One Body
Harry was very surprised to hear his breath coming from him in such unsteady gasps. Surprised for two reasons: one, it meant he was alive, and two it meant he had come close to death yet again and this time, he had been frightened.
He lifted himself up off the filthy floor and glimpsed Bellatrix's lifeless body not far from him. He had lost his chance. He felt something tap his elbow. Someone was holding out his wand to him, realizing his friends had arrived just in the nick of time again. He allowed a slight smile in spite of himself and took it without a word.
After a few moments of staring at the body before him and trying to regain focus it occured to him that his friends must be puzzled at this strange scene they had come upon. He turned expecting to see the blank staring faces of Ron, Hermione, Neville, Ginny and Luna but nearly fell backwards at the biggest shock he had felt all day. He was staring at none other than the pale and weary face of Draco Malfoy!
His mind raced to catch up with what had happened. Draco, who appeared to be nearly as confused as Harry, explained.
"I grabbed your wand and killed her." He said it as if it were a simple fact ad nothing more. It was , of course, much more. In that moment Harry began to hate him more than he ever had. He felt absolutely sick with the hate that tightly curled in a ball in his heaving chest. Malfoy had saved his life and now Harry could not kill him. What's worse, he was actually in his debt.
"You murdered your Aunt?"
"Yes." It came out quite but filled with disdain.
Now he understood. When Harry had arrived she had been dueling Malfoy. She had tried to take the map-the map that was supposed to restore Draco's glory. She had been willing to kill her sister's only son for her own greedy ambition. In that moment he had nearly forgotten that the map was actually all about leading him to his death. He felt pity for Malfoy again, and, even more amazingly, understanding. He didn't even blame him. After all, Harry would have killed her too. Draco took a step towards her and Harry realize what he was after.
"Accio map!" he barked.
Draco's face fell and turned paler. He looked almost like a corpse. It was then that Harry heard the pounding feet coming up the stairs behind him and in that same instant he knew what he must do. He raised his wand and stared into Draco's face, mirroring his hate. Just as Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Neville and Luna entered the room they heard Harry say to him from across Bellatrix's dead body, "Draco you saved my life and now I am going to save yours." He did not say it resentfully or friendly. It was just as Malfoy had explained the situation to him: matter-of-factly. Now it was Draco's turn to widen his eyes in amazement.
Behind Harry every jaw had dropped.
A/N: Okay, okay, I know it was short but I couldn't resist those infamous cliff hangers. I am currently editing the last chapter to make it as good as I can for you guys. What do you want to see in the end? Anything you felt was unresovled? Don't forget to review!