"You going to hide in the corner the entire time?" Draco asked, glancing over at Colin, who was looking uncertaintly at him. Draco had deposited the unconscious Death Eater in the middle of the floor, bending over him.
"No," Colin said, stepping closer to Draco. "Do you know what you're doing?"
"Of course I know what I'm doing!" Draco said indignantly, pointing his wand at the Death Eater.
"No I mean – do you understand the process? Do you know the spell?" Colin asked, his eyes never leaving the unconscious man.
"I did my research. Now quiet down, this takes intense concentration." Draco said.
"Wait!" Colin said, taking an involuntary step forward. Draco give an agitated sigh and looked at him. Colin couldn't help but shrink back a little.
"What?" Draco said sternly.
"Shouldn't you, er, maybe you should get dressed?" Colin fell silent at Draco's hard stare.
"We don't have time for that! Now focus!" Draco turned back to the Death Eater his wand pointed at him. It was eerily quiet in the tent. Draco slowly breathed in and out, summoning all his energy so that it coursed through his body, traveling to his wand arm. He could feel his arm starting to shake; his palm grew sweaty as his body's attention started rising. Draco's breath started coming unevenly as his wand started glowing an ominous red. It started off softly, but soon started filling the entire tent. It cascaded off Draco's face, making him look paler than usual. He closed his hand tightly around the stone in his other hand; it was just as hot.
Draco closed his eyes and concentrated all his might; taking one last, steadying breath, he jabbed his wand forward, releasing all the pent up energy.
"AHHHHH!" Draco yelled as he sent the light and energy at the man. Sweat poured down his face as all the light encased the man, completely obscuring his body from their view. Colin watched as Draco fell to the floor, clutching his head in his hands.
"Draco!" Colin yelled, rushing to his side. "Draco? Can you hear me?"
Draco don't say anything, however. He was rocking back and forth on his knees, his skin becoming exceptionally pale. "Ch-check the – check the body – " Draco stuttered. It sounded as though it was a real struggle for him to speak.
Colin glanced at Draco and then the man; he didn't want to leave him – but if this didn't work...Colin turned and knelt by the other man and checked his pulse...it was non-existent. Turning back, he found that Draco had fallen over, spread-eagled on the floor. "Draco! Draco, can you hear me?"
But Draco wasn't responsive. Colin gently took Draco's face in his hands and turned his head so that they were facing each other. "Draco?" Colin gently whispered. Draco's eyes twitched open, staring at Colin. Colin drew in a gasp, for Draco's eyes were starting to drastically change. They were cloudy, sort of green with a type of amber inside.
"The man," Draco croaked, "what of the man?"
"Dead. You were excellent, Draco." Colin said, putting a comforting hand on Draco's shoulder. Draco just nodded his head: his eyes were looking at Colin, but he knew Draco wasn't really seeing him. "What now?"
"I – I don't know. Give me a mo – " Draco started but then gasped as a blinding pain seared up his back, causing him to convulse.
"Draco? Are you ok?" Colin asked worriedly.
Draco could feel every vein in his body pulsing painfully against his stretched skin. He felt his fingers and toes start tingling, as if they had just woken up from a sleep. The blood was rushing to his head, momentarily blocking out any noise around him. Draco, who hadn't realized he closed his eyes, opened them and stared at the top of the tent. His vision was extremely blurry: He blinked furiously to try and get it back, but to no avail.
"Draco?" Colin's voice seemed distant, even though Draco knew he was right next to him.
"This is going to be worth it in the end," Draco said through labored breathing. Even speaking seemed to increase the pain.
"Of course!" Colin said, putting his hand on Draco's forehead. Draco felt brief relief at Colin's cold touch, as realized how hot he suddenly felt. He tried to lift his hand, to take it out of Colin's hand, but his arms felt as though they were filled with lead. "You're strong, you can get through this. You've gotten through everything else so far. This will be worth it."
Draco tried his hardest to smile, but even that was an effort. "Voldemort won't know what hit him," Draco noticed his words starting to become slurred as he started feeling dizzy. But he knew he must hold on – he had to defeat whatever it was that was going on. He could feel Colin getting closer to him – he erupted into vision. Although he was extremely blurry, he could tell Colin was extremely worried. Draco didn't want Colin to see just how much pain he is in – he mustn't see him succumbing to weakness.
"Go get me water," Draco slurred as his vision started going dark.
"That's not a good idea, Drake, I'm not leaving you." He could feel Colin take his hand into both of his.
Draco went to command it – but he suddenly felt his whole body start to convulse and shake violently. He could feel his body flopping about like a fish – he didn't understand what was going on or how to stop it. His vision completely left him and he suddenly felt breathless. He tried to say something – to get Colin to do something – but his mind went entirely blank before he lost consciousness altogether.
Draco knew he was unconscious. But how? How was this possible? He couldn't hear anything, smell anything, or see anything – well, with his eyes, anyway. While he was unable to physically open his eyes, he was still able to see pictures within his mind: Memories started flashing across Draco's mind in quick succession – all of them having to do with Colin, surprisingly.
He was at Hogwarts, in the Great Hall to be precise. Draco was slightly shocked when he saw himself walk by – he was tiny and lanky; it disgusted him. He watched as he walked over to Potter, who looked less than thrilled. Draco realized that they were at the Dueling Club that took place during their second year. He watched as both boys lifted their wands and pointed them at each other, waiting for the signal to start. But before the signal, memory Draco sent a spell at Potter that caused him to fly across the room. Looking around, he noticed Colin not too far from his memory self. He watched as Potter flew and turned to look at Draco, glaring at him. He lifted his wand to send a spell towards Draco, when Goyle, his partner, sent a spell at him, causing Colin to erupt in boils.
Draco was now on the Quidditch pitch: it was Gryffindor verses Slytherin. Draco watched as his memory self was laughing at Potter as he twirled through the air, looking more ridiculous than usual. Scanning the crowd, he noticed Colin smack in the middle of the Gryffindor-clad crowd. He was the only one that was wearing a huge sash that said Potter – it greatly sickened Draco. He watched as Colin glared at the memory Draco, who was nearly laughing himself out of the air at Potter. He looked as though he wanted to punch every fiber of Draco.
Draco now found himself back inside the Great Hall; this time, he could tell time had fast-forward significantly as his memory-self walked passed – he was taller and still a little lanky. Draco watched as he walked to Potter, who was surrounded by an excitable crowd. "Think you're so special, don't you, Potter?" Memory Draco sneered. "Everything is just all about you, isn't it? Just because you defeated the Dark Lord doesn't mean anything. There are more adequate champions here." Draco shouldered Potter hard and was away before anyone could stop him. Through this whole interaction, Draco noticed Colin sitting close by. He wasn't admiring Potter as he once was but instead, looked quite neutral. In fact, he looked as though he was reluctantly agreeing with Draco at what he had said. He watched Potter momentarily, but then switched his gaze to memory Draco as he walked out of the Great Hall.
Draco now found himself again, in the Great Hall, except it was now decorated with the Yule Ball decorations. There were spinning students, dancing intensely to the music. Draco noticed himself dancing with his once girlfriend Pansy, twirling her around. Just then, Potter had come out of nowhere, bumping into Draco, spilling his drink all over Draco's dress robes. Draco turned around and started yelling at him, fists clenched hard. Minus the students directly around
them, no one paid attention to them for the music was far too loud, so there were no professors to come over and stop them as they started shoving each other. But Draco noticed one person that was making their way over – Colin. He didn't seem to want to stop the fight that was about to ensue, but he wasn't exactly cheering them on like the other surrounding students. In fact, he was
glancing at Potter every now and then, but mostly at Draco as he was shoving Harry most viciously. Again, he looked neutral, but interested all the same.
Draco was now in the corridor, watching as he and two other students – two young, timid looking girls – were walking towards the Room of Requirement. A few years had passed; his memory-self passed Potter, who was dressed in his Quidditch roes, and looked as though he desperately wanted to follow him. Draco remembered that year clearly – that was the year Potter was clearly obsessed with him. Draco watched as Potter reluctantly turned and headed out of the hall, towards the double doors leading outside. But as Potter was leaving, Draco noticed Colin hiding just out of sight from the two. Draco noticed that Colin was now clearly glaring at Potter as he was trying to stalk Draco, and his glare followed Potter all the way out of the doors. His attention turned back to memory Draco, who was walking in the opposite direction. His expression softened and just watched him. Was Colin – jealous? Angry that Potter was obsessed with him, Draco, rather then Colin himself? But then again, his expression had softened towards him...
He was on the grounds, watching himself, Snape, and a few other Death Eaters running out of Hogwarts; Dumbledore had just been killed. Draco watched as Snape and Potter had stopped to duel each other. Draco had kept going, worrying about himself. But as he scanned himself running the grounds, he noticed someone hiding just on the side of Hagrid's hut; it was Colin. He had a worried look on his face as he watched Draco running through the gates and disapparating just outside. He watched as Colin's face crumbled before turning around and fleeing across the grounds.
Draco watched as he and his Death Eaters were rounding up as many Hogwarts students as possible. He saw Colin watching Draco from afar, watching as memory Draco kicked aside dead bodies, thrusting future slaves forward, commanding the others. Colin took a deep breath and stepped forward, heading towards Draco – towards Draco, and no one else. Draco remembered that day perfectly. The boy would speak to no one else. He did everything that was told of him, but would only speak to Draco.
Draco watched as his memory self and Colin were having sex for the first time. Draco had been so in the moment at the time that he wasn't paying attention to how Colin looked. Colin was very much enjoying every second of it, that much was evident. Even though Draco was slamming into him as hard he could – and Colin was gasping in pain – the pure look of ecstasy of clearly palpable.
Again, they were in the tent having sex. Except, this was different. VERY different. It was slow, quite intimate, really. They were engaged in passionate kissing, something Draco didn't normally do when engaged in sexual activities. He watched as the two had entangled their hands together. Colin seemed to be taking over their actions – again, something Draco never usually did. But both their faces conveyed ultimate bliss.
They were now in the tent once more, sleeping – well, Draco was at any rate. He had his arms wrapped around Colin, holding the boy against his naked body. Colin was staring at Draco with his huge blue eyes. He was smiling greatly, snuggling up to Draco, wrapping his arms tighter around memory Draco's body. Draco could suddenly feel a pounding in his chest – at least he knew he was still alive. But why was he being shown all these memories? What did this have to do with the Horcrux?
Yes, Draco finally fully understood that it has always been Draco. He had been wrong – Colin didn't just go after those he thought to have great power – those Hogwarts memories were clear proof of that. Colin had always been there for him, had always been the one to help him through his difficult times since he had joined Draco's forces, whether Draco wanted acknowledge the fact at the time or not.
Just as the memory started to fade, he heard something, a sort of buzzing. It started off real low, but then steadily grew louder, until he realized it was Colin speaking. Was he experiencing another memory? But there were no pictures surfacing. Then...was he starting to gain consciousness? Draco tried to open his eyes, but found, besides his heart pounding in his chest, he couldn't feel his body.
"You're going to get through this. You know what I love about you the most?" Colin asked, not really expecting an answer. "You have a very high-strung spirit. You're determined and even though people are constantly putting you down, you're always finding ways to prove them wrong – to prove yourself. You were like that at Hogwarts too. And although it seemed I liked Potter most of the time, I was really watching you." Draco thought he heard him sniffle. "I'm not going to leave you Draco. I'll never leave your side. So please – please don't leave mine!"
Draco felt his heart pounding harder and harder in his chest – it felt as though it was going to rip out of his chest. He felt entirely breathless, for it was becoming more painful to breathe by the second. And out of nowhere, he could suddenly feel his entire body; it was as though he were lying on a bed of fire. He could feel his throat tearing as he let out a blood-curdling scream from the pain of it. He started tearing at his clothes, trying to release his body from the fire that suddenly was set aflame upon him.
His vision started to clear and he realized he was standing straight up, not lying on anything hot. In fact, looking around, he found that he was in a room filled with flames. Looking down, he realized that he was completely naked and – what was worse – he had completely lost his toned body and muscles. A panic started in Draco's chest once more – was he going to have to face the wrath of his slaves once more? Draco remembered the horrible hallucinations he experienced whilst in the lake.
What was he going to do? Sure, he was going to be immortal after this – but no one was going to take him seriously as a skinny, lanky nobody. Draco tried to calm down, but it was no use; he couldn't stop the panicked thoughts racing through his mind. What if this was the consequence of being immortal? What if the Horcrux was feeding off the only source of strength on him? No! He won't let it! As soon as he found his way out of this, he will start pumping again, and nothing will stop him. Nothing!
"There has to be some way to get them back," Draco said, looking around. "No equipment. No matter, I'll just do it old school." Draco dropped to do some push-ups before he sprung back up, waving his hands about. "Shit! Shit shit shit shit!" Draco yelled in pain. Fire erupted in the place where he put his hands, burning them.
"I'll just move over here," Draco said, moving just five feet to the right of him. He bent down to do the push-ups, but encountered the same results. "Fuck!" Draco cried out, sucking on his burnt fingers. He glared at the space that had caused him pain. "Hmmm...I wonder," Draco said, glancing behind him. He moved backwards and bent down low. Instead of putting his entire scorched palm on the ground, he gingerly reached his index finger down. But he barely touched the spot when it, too, erupted into flames.
"ARRRGH!" Draco screamed in agonizing frustration. He stood straight up and clenched his fists, trying to find something tangible he could punch. But it was no use; there were no walls, and even if there were, they would most likely act in the same way as the ground.
"I don't understand! What do you want me to do?" Draco screamed to no one in particular as his panic escalated. "Why can't I touch the ground?" But then an idea struck him. Lunges – he could do lunges; they were simple and his feet were already touching the ground. Putting his hands on his hips, he took a giant step forward. But the moment his foot hit the ground, the spot blazed in fire once more, causing him to squeal in pain.
"No, no! Seriously? What in the actual fuck is going on?!" Draco yelled out, continuing to move about, lunging here and there. But it was pointless, for the same results occurred each time.
Just then, there was a blood curdling scream. Draco whirled around, trying to find the source of the noise. Just to the left of where he stood, someone was walking through the flames towards him. Draco squinted, trying to make out the profile. "No!" Draco said, astounded, for he knew those glasses and scar anywhere. "Potter? What the fuck are you doing here?"
"You know, just enjoying the struggle." Potter said with smirk.
"What struggle?" Draco asked, watching as his arch nemesis, who was supposed to be dead, stepped closer to him.
"Like you don't know," he said, giving a very girlish sort of laugh. "You, trying to get your hot bod back. It's quick entertaining, really."
"I'm not struggling with anything. And why are you talking like that?" Draco said, scrunching his nose in irritation. Potter was talking in what people would call those "stereotypical gay" voices.
"Why aren't you?" Potter mocked.
"Are you going to tell me what's going on or am I going to have to punch you?" Draco questioned, folding his arms across his chest. It felt so flat, which greatly saddened him.
"You? Punch me? Pfff, puurlease! You'd break a fingernail!" Potter said, giving a snap filled with attitude.
"What the fuck? I don't even have fingernails, Potter!" Draco yelled in anger.
"Well then, honey, you have a problem." Potter tutted.
"Don't call me honey!" Draco screamed, dropping his arms to the side and balling his fists.
"Whatever you say," Potter said, examining his own perfectly manicured hands. "By the way, this whole making yourself immortal thing – I it's not very attractive."
"I don't wake up in the morning to please you or anyone else," Draco said, walking around, trying to find an easy exit.
"You're not going to find a way out of here. And even so, it wouldn't make a difference. You're not strong enough nor are you smart enough to pull off defeating the Dark Lord. You're a fool for thinking that you can."
Draco wheeled around and came close to Potter, giving him the most hateful glare he could muster. "I am not weak! I am ten times more capable than you! I'm actually still alive – "
"Yes, but was that because you were cunning? Or was it because you coasted off the accomplishments and fears of others to propel yourself forward?"
"You don't know about me, Potter! Stop acting like you're all high and mighty – "
"Who's acting?"
Draco whirled around to find Granger entering through the fire wall. She walked straight passed him and stopped at Potter's side.
"Granger? Shouldn't you be locked away in my dungeon?" Draco asked, really confused at this point. She wasn't dressed in the usual slave garments – a pin white shirt and pants – but instead, she was dressed as though she were going to a formal dinner. This contrasted with what Potter was wearing, which he hadn't noticed until just now. Potter was wearing a black T-Shirt with ragged, cut-off sleeves and extremely short pink shorts. What the hell was going on?
"Shouldn't you be getting something waxed? Seriously, that hairy chest does not suit you in the slightest." Granger said, her eyes roving over Draco's naked body.
"I don't care what you think is attractive, mudblood." Draco said, really starting to get pissed off at the whole thing. How was he to get away from this and get back to Colin?
"You sure about that? You didn't seem to have that sense when you were fucking my brains out." Granger said, looking at Draco in disgust.
"I wasn't fucking you, we just had mindless sex. There's a difference. Besides, act like you didn't want it anyway." Draco said, gazing around the room once more – there HAD to be a way out – otherwise, how did these two nimrods get in? There must have been a doorway somewhere.
"Oh Really? I wanted it?" Granger said skeptically. "I wasn't exactly begging you now, was I? Plus, I recall YOU saying something like, 'I used to have a thing for you, Granger.' Sound familiar?"
"I was drunk! You can't hold anything I say accountable!" Draco snapped, trying his hardest to concentrate.
"Denial," Potter fake-coughed. When Draco didn't give him a response, he continued. "So, back to your incompetence..."
"I'm not incompetent!" Draco yelled so loud that it tore his throat, causing him to cough. At the same time, he could feel his body heat rising significantly.
"Shall I start listing things off?" Potter asked, almost lazily.
"Please do," Granger said, watching as Draco glared intensely at them. "Is that all you know how to do?"
"Fuck you, Granger,"
"Once was enough, thank you."
"Alright, so there was the time you failed to kill Dumbledore on multiple occasions during our sixth year." Harry started.
"Let me stop you right there, Potter." Draco said, finally coming to terms with the fact that he was trapped. "I tried my hardest – there was always some ass hole that got in the way – "
"And here he goes, blaming others for his laziness." Granger said, rolling her eyes.
"GAAH! I WASN'T BEING LAZY!" Draco screamed at the top his lungs and tugging at his hair in sheer anger.
"Your half-assed attempts tell otherwise," Potter chortled. "I mean, seriously? A bottle of mead? You didn't actually think that was going to get passed Slughorn, did you? And even if it did, again, what would his conviction of the murder prove? No one would know you did it."
"The Dark Lord would know! That's all that matter!" Draco felt the heat continue to rise in his body as tried to fight to stay calm. But he was finding it increasingly difficult with these two sods getting on his every last nerve. "Why the fuck am I doing still talking to you? This is my thing – whatever it maybe – now just get the fuck out!"
"Ooh, scary!" Potter said in a mock scared voice, clinging to Granger is fear. "I'm convinced, let's go Hermione." The two of them burst into laughter.
"Honestly, you never were the brightest were you? If you can't understand why we are here, then you do not need to be making Horcruxes." Granger said, snorting with laughter as Potter rolled on the floor, laughing to his heart's content. How in the hell was Potter able to touch the floor but he couldn't?! Draco was starting to sweat profusely from the anger; he needed to get out of this room of fire and turmoil.
"Aww, is whittle Drakey getting hotty?" Potter said in a little kid's voice as he regained himself once more. "You're sweating like a pig! Not very attractive, mate."
"I think he could do with a bathy wathy," Granger chimed in, smiling widely. "Honestly, I thought gay people were supposed to smell like sunshine and rainbows. Not smelly pigs!"
"Omg, you're right! He DOES smell like a pig!" Potter said, breaking down into hysterics once more. And much to Draco's utter annoyance, they both started making oinking noises at him. Draco grunted, trying to control the anger. But it only made him sweat more; it poured out of his pores, down his face, his chest, arms, legs, anywhere that he was able to sweat was soaked.
"Just because I'm gay doesn't mean I have to smell like anything – KNOCK IT OFF!" Draco yelled as Potter and Granger had gotten down on their hands and knees and started crawling around like pigs.
"No, you're right. But even so, you make a terrible gay person. I mean, honestly, that body hair, pfff!" Potter said, standing up and helping Granger up as well. "Really, what Colin sees in you, I will never know!"
"Probably makes him feel better about the way he looks," Granger chimed in.
"You're ones to talk," Draco said, "at least I'm strong enough to – "
"Oh, and that's another thing too!" Potter cut Draco off. "Good thing you lost your muscles, because gay guys have no use for them anyways."
"They rely solely on their looks. But don't worry, you'll get the hang of it someday – well, if you survive this, that is." Granger said, looking at Draco with an almost sorry look.
"I don't know where you're getting your information from, but being gay doesn't have a personality of its own. I'm a normal person like everyone else and if you don't stop I WILL pulverize you!" Draco said, raising his fist.
"Purleeeaaass! You're totally weak – " Potter started before it was Draco's turn to cut in.
"You don't know me, Potter! I may have been weak then, but I have since learned better! I've learned from the failings of my father – I'm not my father! I think I have more than proved that and that's more than you can say!"
"Physical strength only goes so far and as of right now, you're looking pretty weak." Potter said, glancing Draco up and down. "Damn, I just can't believe how much you sweat! Here, let me help you out!" Potter looked to the left of him and nodded. Draco turned his head to find that a steaming bath had appeared out of nowhere. There were even pink bubbles foaming to the very top of it.
"Aww, now you can really take a bath! Go on, hop in! While it's still hot!" Granger said, heading over there and dipping her fingers into it.
Draco felt as though he were going to explode from all this suffering he was being put through. It was hard to think of anything as the heat in his body was continually on the rise; he could feel it crackling. Looking down, he noticed tiny electricity zaps coming from his fingers. Why was he still there? Shouldn't he have been healed by now and have the Horcrux? What was the point of this whole thing? There must have been a reason for it!
"Aw, does Drakey need help getting into the bathy?" Granger said, standing up.
"Maybe he doesn't know how to take one, poor thing." Potter said, looking highly disappointed and shaking his head.
"Well I can show you if you, want." Granger said, heading towards him. "Come here, baby." She said in that little kid voice. But Draco backed away quickly, still grunting with sheer anger. "Well then, guess we'll have to put that off until you calm down, mister." Granger said, waggling her finger at him. "But in all honesty, how could someone with very little body mass sweat as much you?"
"It's not even hot in here. Or are you nervous? Is that it? You're getting hot and bothered over us?" Potter asked, trying to keep a straight face.
"Seriously, those sweat glands are ginormous!" Granger said, pointing at Draco.
"Hermione, let's not badger the poor man!" Potter said, completely dissolving into hysterical giggles.
"Oh! You know who he reminds me of? Wilber! From Charlotte's Web! Doesn't he?" Granger said, jumping in excitement. "I loved that story as a child!"
Draco's whole body was shaking at this point. He could feel sparks of electricity coursing through his body and he didn't know how much longer he could contain it.
"He does! Although, Wilbur had much more muscles than our little Drakey." Potter said, observing Draco with a satisfying smile.
"Can you do tricks? Wilbur was able to jump and spin, and do backflips!" Granger said with the same excitement. "Go on! Let's see it!"
"I'm not some prize-winning pig!" Draco yelled.
"Well I'll have to agree with you on the prize-winning part. You'd be terrible at this! Can't even do a backflip – I'm highly disappointed in you." Granger said, hanging her head in shame.
"So in your honest opinion, Malfoy – how long do you think you would actually last as a Dark Lord?" Potter asked, looking at Draco with straight up humor. "I mean, you don't expect those little Death Eaters of yours will listen to anything you say? I mean, it's been proven that gays like to make love, not war – "
Draco snapped. Without understanding what was going on, Draco felt his body moving in an almost arc-like motion; his arm reached backwards and then launched something forward – something hot and filled with energy. The next thing Draco was aware of was Potter and Granger screaming as they dived out of the way. Draco looked down at his fists – they were blazing with
fire.
"Oh hell nah!" Potter said, launching himself at Draco. But Draco was prepared. He wheeled his arm back and launched another fire ball at Potter, who just barely missed hitting him. Potter went to throw himself at Draco – who reacted much quicker than expected, for he was able to grab Potter by the throat and throw him to the ground. He wheeled back around to find Granger heading his way. He launched another fire ball at her: She wasn't as lucky as her friend, and caught it in the face, causing her to drop to the floor, howling in agony.
"Only a coward fights girls!" Potter screamed, whipping out his wand and sending a spell towards him. Draco was able to dodge it, but just barely. He hit the ground hard, rolled, and jumped back up. He sent another fireball towards Potter, who dodged it again. Draco growled in frustration.
"Ha! Is that all you've got? You fight like a bloody girl!" Potter laughed, sending another spell his way. It hit Draco in his chest, causing him to stumble backwards, nearly falling again. To his annoyance, he let out a yelp just before he managed to catch himself.
"Ha! Look at the scaredy whittle baby!" Granger cackled, back on her two feet once more. She whipped out her wand as well and sent a spell towards Draco, who ran to the side, narrowly missing it. "This is probably why you ran away like a baby during the battle! Because you can't handle it!"
Draco yelled and sent two more fireballs her way, but to no avail. He decided to switch directions and hurled what he could towards Potter, who also was able dodge them.
"Gay guys have no aim – at least not with their hands!" Potter laughed, sending another spell at Draco. It just barely nicked him on the shoulder – it actually burned, causing Draco to briefly stop and grab the injury.
"Whoa, getting tired there, buddy?" Potter yelled, aiming another spell. Draco snapped out and twirled out of it's way.
"Don't strain yourself, we know how difficult this is for you!" Granger piped in, sending another spell.
Draco was starting to feel slightly breathless, but he knew he couldn't stop. He had to keep fighting, to get out of this hell whole and away from these morons. Another spell hit his throwing arm as he went to lift it. He was knocked to his knees, but not before using his other hand to send a flaming ball Granger's way. It managed to get her foot, briefly setting it aflame - but it extinguished quicker than it alighted.
"I'm dead and I fight better than you!" Potter roared with laughter. He did a sort of ballet twirl in the air and sent yet another spell towards Draco the same time he sent a fireball towards Potter. The two forces met in mid-air and exploded, causing their surroundings to shake. This gave Granger enough time to aim a spell at Draco, causing his nose to bleed profusely.
"Really? You're going to let a girl out beat you?" Potter laughed, holding his stomach as he was trying to breath. "Honestly, you and Colin are perfect for each other – you're both weak sops!"
Without warning, Draco's entire body burst with a flaming energy. Potter could make fun of him all he wanted, but not Colin! Putting every last bit of energy he could, he made the biggest ball of electric energy and hurled it at the two of them. Like pins in a bowling rink, they were knocked completely off their feet.
"That's a low shot, making fun of someone who's not even here to defend themselves!" Draco yelled, getting ready for the next fireball. He gave Potter the chance to help Granger up, but didn't give them the chance to see the fireball that headed towards their way once again. Quick as lighting, however, Granger managed to extinguish it with a water charm. But again, Draco was quick and sent another that hit her full in the fac. She dropped to her knees, sobbing from the pain of it.
"You may have brains, Granger, but you fight like shit!" Draco laughed maniacally, throwing fireball after fireball at the two.
"Catching her off guard doesn't make you a better fighter!" Potter yelled angrily.
"Sorry potter, I can't hear you over your ass-kicking!" Draco said, catching Potter full in the face a well. He stumbled backward, screaming in agony. Granger took her hands away from her face to see if he was alright – her face was completely charred black. Draco cackled at this. "Man, you look even more hideous than you did before!"
"You're going to pay for this, Malfoy!" Potter yelled through his fingers. Draco just laughed it off and continued hurling the fireballs at them with barely a rest in between. Draco felt his elation mount as he watched Granger and Potter dodging this way and that, looking like absolute fools.
"What's wrong scar-head? You have no one else to sacrifice themselves for you?" Draco yelled with relish. The fireball hit Potter's heels, causing him to slip and fall to the ground. Draco was by his side before he could even stand up. Without Potter realizing what was coming, Draco released the biggest ball of energy he could and blast it right in his face. With the intensity of the heat and being in close proximity of him, Potter let out a final scream before he became limp, never to move again.
"HARRY!" Granger screamed in anguish, tears pouring down her face as she ran towards Harry's side. But before she could reach him, Draco sent a fireball her way. But she managed to dodge it, tears streaming all the while.
"What's the matter Granger? Sad that your ginger boyfriend couldn't be here to see this? Probably hiding out at his mummy's house like the pussy he is!" Draco laughed, hurling more fireballs.
"You've had your fun! Now stop!" Granger cried, tripping and landing hard on the floor.
"Oh I've only just begun!" Draco yelled, fully enjoying being the one in control now. "I show no mercy to mudblood cunts like you!"
"What about Colin? He's muggle-born too!" Granger screamed
"Leave him out of this!" Draco yelled, catching her in the stomach with a fireball. He watched as she crumpled to the ground in pain. "It's shits like you that don't deserve a wand! You just push and push, hoping for equality that you don't even deserve, making us look like the bad guys!" He stepped closer to her, sending another fireball her way.
"But Colin! You got to know him – you got to see that not all muggle-borns are like that – "
"What did I just say?!" Draco yelled. He was feet from her, his fist raised, a fireball ready at hand. "Colin is the one and only exception! But you! You're a disgusting piece of filth who doesn't even deserve to live!"
"Please! Let me show you – "
"Begging? Really? Is that what you're resorting to?" Draco laughed at the pathetic-ness that was huddled in front of him. "Funny, you wouldn't have even thought to do that twenty minutes ago!" And with that, he released all the energy that had been pooling in his hand at Granger, who said no more.
Draco stood there, breathing heavily. He looked from Granger to Potter and realized just how silent it was. He looked around, hoping some magic door would appear, showing him the way back out of this nightmarish hell. But alas, there was nothing. Draco walked around the fire room, away from the bodies of his foes. He walked through the never ending fire, not sure if he was going in the right direction or not.
"What am I supposed to do now?" Draco called out, hoping someone – though he didn't know who – would hear him. "I defeated those fools! Shouldn't I be out of here by now?"
Nothing. Not even an echo. Draco's anger was starting to turn to a worrying panic as he looked this way and that, trying to find some sort of indicator of what he should do. But it was utterly hopeless. Just as he was about to turn around and try a different route, he collapsed to his knees, holding his chest. It was as though a bolt of lightning had struck him. He could feel his whole body starting to burn intensely; it was nothing he had ever experienced before. He tried to open his eyes, but the heat rolling off him was too intense, forcing Draco to squint. But try as he might, the only thing he could see was fire – both around and on him – he was encased in it.
Draco started gaging, trying not to inhale the smell of his burning skin, but it was no use. He was starting to become lightheaded as he tried to stand up. But the fire was restricting any movement, forcing Draco to curl into himself. This wasn't happening, Draco thought over and over again. How could this be happening? What didn't I do right? Just tell me! Draco felt his throat starting to close from the chemicals around him. No! This is not how I'm going to go! I refuse to let it end this way! And with an almighty effort, Draco managed to get one leg in an upright position, and then the other. After five painstakingly slow minutes later, he was almost in an upright position.
But the more effort Draco seemed to put standing up, the more fiercely the fire burned. But Draco was determined. "AHHH!" He summoned what little energy he had left and flung himself upward; the flames shot out of him, shooting outwards. His body was an unearthly temperature, melting his skin off until he was no more.
Draco's eyes flew open. He was gasping, trying to catch his breath. He could feel
every bone in his body aching in pain. His body was sticky with sweat and suddenly, the taunts of Potter and Granger came swarming back to him. He could feel someone stroking his hair, but tried to shake it off. Grunting, he tried to sit up. But his head felt heavy and he started feeling dizzy. He felt a hand on his shoulder, pushing him back down.
"It's ok Drake, I'm here," came Colin's voice just to the side of him. Draco turned his head – and groaned in agony. His neck had been completely stiff, as if he hadn't exercised it in a while. "Don't move just yet, you might make things worse."
"The Horcrux – did it work?" Draco croaked, his throat feeling exceptionally dry.
"I'm not sure, I think so," Colin said, turning his head to look at the rock just behind him. The stone had been in his hand just before he cast the spell – it must have flown out of his grasp when he collapsed.
"Go get it," Draco commanded.
"I don't really want to leave your side. I think it can wait just a – "
"I'm not a baby! I can handle myself, now just get it!" Draco yelled. He was sick of everyone treating him like he was five years old. Colin looked a little taken aback by Draco's tone, but nodded, stood up, and walked over to the stone.
Finally, someone who listened, Draco thought to himself. Colin walked back over to him and presented him with the stone. It was charred black and no longer shined. "It worked," Draco sighed, smiling as he closed his eyes in triumph.
"Shall I put it somewhere safe while you rest?" Colin suggested, sounding worried.
"Rest? No no, I don't need rest. We need to get going and get to the manor as soon as possible," Draco said, trying his best to summon some energy to get up. "We'll need to dispose of the body first, though." Draco slowly sat up – but regretted it almost instantly. He became extremely light-headed as his vision clouded severely.
"Whoa, be careful!" Colin said, grabbing Draco's right shoulder with one hand and supporting his head with the other. He slowly laid Draco back down. "The body and the manor can wait. You need rest to gather your strength. You're too weak – "
"I'M NOT WEAK!" Draco bellowed, forcing his eyes open to prove so. He watched as Colin flinched at the noise, and then his face crumpled slightly.
"I'm sorry," he said softly, voice trembling. He watched as Colin's hand twitched, as if he wanted to hold his own hand.
Draco sighed, regretting screaming. He knew Colin was only trying to help and meant nothing by it. But at the same time, he didn't want appear as though he was weak. Colin had, after all, got him through this. Draco didn't know how, but he was grateful all the same. He mustered what little strength he could and took hold of Colin's hand, squeezing it. He gave Colin a smirk before closing his eyes. As much as he hated to admit it, Colin was right. He needed to rest a little before starting their journey back. He let out a deep sigh before succumbing to sleep.