I sat, like many a night before, in the main dining room with the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters, waiting desperately to be excused. It'd been ages since we'd finished eating, the table had long since been cleared; yet there he sat, staring in silence down the table, while I worked fervently to avoid eye contact.
Then with a sudden clatter, a man barged into the room, knocking a vase over as he did. A tremor raked across my spine as the porcelain hit the stone floor and broke the eerie silence that we had sat in for too long. Only one person, if you could call him that, seemed unphased by his intrusion.
"I assume you bring news for me." The Dark Lord spoke, the corners of his mouth twitching into a perverse smirk.
The man was panting, holding his chest in one hand and bracing himself on his knee with the other, as if he had run here from afar.
"He's been sighted. Harry Potter has been sighted in Hogsmeade." He choked out in strained gasps.
As soon as the words left his lips Voldemort wandlessly sent him flying out of the room and onto a bench in the hallway.
I leaned forward in my chair slightly and repositioned my feet on the floor and my hand around my wand, anxiously waiting for what I knew would come next…
"Gather our forces we attack Hogwarts at midnight." The Dark Lord exclaimed at last. The clap of apparition broke out around the table as I pushed my chair back and stood to do the same. As I lifted my wand, his voice sounded in my ears, overcoming the chaos of the room. "A moment, Draco."
With a blink of my eyes I refortified my defenses and turned to face him. He was still seated, at the head of the table, as if nothing was amiss, as if he had not just ordered a battle to commence.
"Yes, my Lord." I answered, as the base of my spine was forced downward back into my seat, painfully colliding with the wooden back. I didn't fight it, what good would it do?
I waited.
The room began to quiet as the last of the Death Eaters apparated. Finally, we were alone.
"I have a mission for you, if you think yourself worthy." He sneered, his red eyes challenging me.
"I am honored, my Lord." I responded, and immediately felt the tug of my spine slacken.
I withheld my sigh of relief from the discomfort, knowing that there could be no true relief; not today, not from him.
"There is something at Hogwarts that needs protecting. As you are… barely of age, you are able to pass as a student. I request this of you, young Draco: get to the school before the teachers put up their pitiful wards, the Carrows will let you in through the front gates. And on pain of death, kill anyone who comes across the 7th floor corridor."
Xxx
Once we were back at Hogwarts, chaos ensued; Harry went off in search of Ravenclaw's diadem and I frantically searched for Draco.
As soon as Harry gave me the Marauder's map and took off, I scoured it for the one I missed most…
Logic gone and desperation taking over, my chest tightened as I searched.
What if, what if...after all this time...
Finally, I found him; a small dot with his name on it running up the grand staircase. I tucked the map into my pocket and ran as fast as I could to find him.
Xxx
Pushing students aside left and right, I kept my hood up, hiding my hair and face and ran upward; relentlessly scanning the disorder for her, or anyone that could help me get to her.
As if they would. I was a Death Eater after all.
My heartbeat against my chest as adrenaline seeped through my veins and my will to live returned.
I was free; for the first time in ages I was out of the Manor, out from under those glaring snake eyes...I was free to find…
Then I saw it… a chestnut cascade of waves and curls that could only belong to one person.
"Granger!" I yelled carelessly, running to meet her on the landing. "What are you doing alone? Where's Potter?"
Her eyes widened with recognition and her arms reached out toward me.
I grabbed a hold of her before she could respond.
She was much thinner than I recalled, I could feel each of her ribs through her jumper; but despite whatever she'd been through to get here she hadn't lost that ferocity of conviction in her eyes that I craved.
"I have been waiting an eternity to do this," I admitted, aligning her body with my own and leaning in to taste her.
"Come on Draco, we have to go!" She exclaimed, demonstrating more self-control than I had by pulling away.
"Where are we going?" I yelled back, as she grabbed my hand and led us down the stairs.
It wasn't the reunion I'd envisioned, but under the circumstances I should have expected nothing less.
"To Myrtle's!" She called back over her shoulder as we made our way through swarms of frightened students.
"What for?"
My hood fell backwards against my shoulders and I made no effort to replace it.
"We have to get to the Chamber of Secrets!"
We sprinted together, dodging students, for the first time, not caring who saw us. Hand-in-hand we ran without hesitation or care, only our mission before us.
When we finally made it to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, she darted towards the sinks and began examining each of the nozzles.
"What are you looking for?"
"A snake, it should be on one of the faucets; that's what Harry said at least." She responded and I quickly joined her in her search.
"Here it is; I found it."
Rushing forward, she bent down towards the snake and whispered.
She waited and watched, but nothing happened.
Again, she spoke the funny snake language, and again nothing happened.
"Fuck, why isn't it working?" She gasped.
I didn't know any Parseltongue, but I did know one thing about the Chamber.
"Didn't they seal this off after everything that happened second year?"
"Yes, you're right! We have to figure out how to get through here; we absolutely have to retrieve a basilisk fang!"
With a smirk I drew my wand.
"Leave it to me. BOMBARDO!" I exclaimed as I pushed her behind me and completely destroyed the sinks, revealing a gaping hole.
"Well done." She smirked up at me.
I winked before stepping closer to the hole. Waving my wand, I cleared the dust from the air.
"Do we just jump in?" I questioned, staring into the darkness.
"I think so… On three?" She asked nervously biting her lip.
Quickly weighing the odds, I decided we were probably less likely to die jumping in this hole than we would be if we didn't.
"Right then... 1, 2, 3!"
We were falling fast now; down, down, down, the side of the tunnel.
Then without warning the stone walls abandoned us and we were heaved into the vast darkness.
"Arresto momento!" Granger yelled just before we hit the ground.
We landed abruptly, but not as hard as we would have without her spell.
With a struggle and crunch beneath my feet, I stood and lifted my wand.
"Lumos." I breathed, lighting the room and revealing tunnels and the crumbled bones of variously sized fish. "What's next Granger?"
"Now, according to Harry, we find the second entrance. It should be down the larger tunnel to the left here. Follow me." She urged and I acquiesced, lighting the way.
We continued on for a half hour or so, neither of us knowing exactly what we were looking for. Eventually, the tunnel opened up into a cavern of sorts; then we saw it. A door covered in snakes.
This time, the snake language worked, granting us access.
We walked through the doorway onto a grandiose walkway, jaws dropping. This was it, the Chamber of Secrets.
We continued in awe down the black marble pathway lined with menacing snake statues and water.
"I can't believe this stayed hidden for thousands of years; it's incredible." I stated, admiring the stonework.
Spotting the bones of a giant snake across the chamber, we continued on as the room itself seemed to shiver and a hint of dust fell from the ceiling.
"He's breaking through the castle's wards." I whispered, "It must be midnight."
Gathering ourselves we ran towards the head of the basilisk's skeleton.
I grabbed and yanked a fang free.
"Okay, where's the Horcrux?" I asked, assuming the next steps.
"Wait. I want to do it; I want to destroy it. After all this time searching for them and all he's done…I just, I need to do it." She stated, inhaling and reach her hand out.
I didn't question her or try to interfere; her mind was made. I rested the tooth in her palm and watched as she removed a golden goblet from her beaded bag.
Placing the goblet on the marble in front of her, she raised the fang over her head and briefly met my eyes. Giving her the briefest nod of reassurance, I braced for impact. With a sharp inhalation, she brought the venomous tooth down onto Helga Hufflepuff's cup.
Once she struck it, all hell broke loose.
Water came at us from all sides and it seemed to be screaming at us. It enveloped us and pelted us in one fatal rush; doing everything it could to crush us.
Every droplet stung as it hit and I fought through the flood for Granger's body, wrapping my arms around her.
Then, just as quickly as it had begun, it ended, and the water dissipated into the ground, leaving us drenched and gasping for air.
When it felt safe to open our eyes, we found each other, practically throwing our bodies together, locking lips with messy urgency.
The heat of her slim form penetrated through the cool wetness of my clothes as I pulled her into me.
Fuck. I'd missed this.
I hardly noticed the water trickling down our faces, moistening our kisses, as her tongue captivated mine. Sliding my fingers into her hair and down her lower back I pressed her against me, desperate to capture every inch of her within my palms. She responded decadently, panting hotly against my lips. My pants, already tight and wet, grew even more snug against my skin, as arousal took over.
It had been so long, too long. I needed her.
I darted my eyes back and forth between kisses, searching for something, anything to prop her up against. The foreboding stone snakes posed to attack were the only option, and not the most practical.
Fuck it, I thought, as she tugged at my bottom lip.
"Turn around."
Xxx
Before I could protest, he forced me in motion, whirling my body around with ease; I barely managed to catch myself, on a nearby stone figure. Catching my breath, I opened my mouth to stop him from proceeding any further, vaguely remembering that we had somewhere else to be.
"Draco," I sputtered, but it was too late.
His hands moved decisively up to cup my breast and down towards the buttons of my jeans, while his hips pressed into my bum, paralyzing all cognitive thought.
Instinctively, I arched my back and pushed into him, relishing the pressure of his manhood against me.
His breath warmed my neck seductively as he dragged my jeans downward and I braced myself against the cold stone. My knees quivered as he uncovered my rear, yet I spread my legs apart, readying myself for him.
Godric, I craved this. Dreamt of it even, all those nights on the run.
He made quick work of his pants before returning a hand to my hip and sliding it forward and down. His long, nimble fingers moved across my skin, quickly finding that sensitive spot above my entrance as he pressed his manhood between my cheeks.
Pressing down, with deep circular movements, he moved the tip of his cock downwards, searching for the wetness between my thighs. I dug my nails into the stone and leaned myself forward, opening myself up to him.
With his muscular chest laid across my back and his head massaging my wet folds, he whispered across my shoulders.
"Mine."
Without hesitation, he delved within my lips, sheathing himself completely.
I gasped, equally shocked and gratified by the stretching of my insides to accommodate his sizeable member. Leaning my head back against his shoulder, my body tensed as it adjusted.
Moving his fingers with knowing determination, he worked my clit, soothing my ache as he began to move within me. Angling his hips, he slid deeper inside, reaching parts of me I didn't know existed.
My breath caught in my chest as he increased the pressure of his fingers, I was already so close…
"Oh, ohh…" I purred, as he left a trail of kisses down the back of my neck.
Patiently, he held his length within me and massaged until I could hold back no longer.
Only once I'd showered him with my liquid praises did he begin to pump his cock. My insides pulsed tightly around him, lubricating his movements; he moved slowly at first, but with each thrust picked up speed and force.
I struggled to steady myself as my orgasm radiated outward, but he held my hips in place. My breathing became heavy and ragged, as he plunged within me, and I lost all sense of propriety.
"Draco!" I gasped loudly, sending faint echoes of his name throughout the chamber.
We'd never fucked like this before, but I prayed, as my walls begin to swell once more, this would not be the last time…
Xxx
Once our pent-up lusts were temporarily sated, we attempted to gather our senses and figure out what to do next. We quickly used our wands to dry ourselves completely. When we were finished Hermione dug into her beaded bag and found the Marauder's Map.
"Help me find Harry." She said, as she placed her wand to the folded paper. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
I knew all about the map, but this was the first time we had used it together. Something was off…
"Hey why are there certain names disappearing suddenly?" I asked her.
"Either those people are dying or…" She muttered, eyes darting from name to name on the map, "the apparition wards have been broken! We can now apparate throughout the castle and possibly outside of the grounds!"
"That is great for us but also potentially problematic..." I realized, continuing to search for Potter on the map. "Then again everything about this situation is potentially problematic at the moment." I chuckled.
"Oh hush…" She sighed, never removing her eyes from the map. "I can't seem to find him. Where the hell is he?"
It was in that moment that I realized three things.
First, I remembered the Dark Lord told me to guard the 7th floor corridor. Second, I realized that the Room of Requirement is in the 7th floor corridor. Third, I knew from what happened 6th year that the Room of Requirement did not show up on this map.
"I know where he is." I exclaimed, grabbing her hand apparating the two of us to the 7th floor.
Upon landing she faltered, nearly falling over sideways. I steadied her with an arm around the waist.
"You could have given me a little more warning," she groaned, looking a bit nauseated.
Before I could respond, her face lifted and changed; recognition lit up her eyes.
"Harry and the next Horcrux are in the Room of Requirement, aren't they?" She whispered ecstatically.
"I'm afraid so," I said warily as I recalled the necessary words.
I need the room where it is hidden.
I need the room where it is hidden.
I need the room where it is hidden.
Soon those familiar grand and ornate doors appeared before us and we entered the room.
"Harry! Harry, where are you?" She called out, her voice echoing through the pillars of discarded items.
"Over here!" He answered and we jumped back into action, following his voice into the maze.
"Hermione! I've got the dia—" Harry started before abruptly cutting off his words as I came in to view.
This was our first encounter since the Manor; the first time ever that all my bloody cards were on the table.
"Evening, Potter." I sneered haphazardly.
Acting civil was going to be quite the awkward adjustment for us, I could see that a mile away.
"Erm, the diadem. Hello Malfoy." He muttered, holding up a tiara.
I nodded curtly; thankful Granger was there to fill the void.
"That's wonderful! I have the basilisk fang he—" she started, before a fourth voice chimed in.
"Well, well, well..."
My entire body tensed as I recognized Goyle's voice.
"...What do we have here Crabbe?" he continued as we spun around to face them.
I should have fucking known the Dark Lord would have sent them too, fuck...
"Looks like we've got ourselves a traitor!" Crabbe added, stepping forward.
Without hesitation I moved in front of Granger and towards my two old cronies.
"The Dark Lord will love this." Goyle sneered, leaning forward, no more the 3 feet before me, "So will your Father."
"Yeah, but they won't find out from you two! Stupify!" I yelled as Potter sprang into action beside me.
"Expelliarmus!"
"Crucio!"
"Reducto!"
With crash items began to tumble down from above, blocking the pathway between us and our foes and raining down upon us.
"Granger, run!" I yelled dodging a spell from Crabbe.
She did as I asked, leading the way with her bracelet clad wrist held high; deflecting discarded items left and right.
"Protego!" Potter bellowed protecting the two of us.
As one tower of things fell and collided with another the entire room seemed to crumble.
We rounded a corner and came across a fork in the road. Following it to the right, we ran, searching for the exit.
"Not so fast traitors!" Goyle spat blocking our path, flourishing his wand, "FIENDFYRE!"
As the words left his lips I stumbled back into Potter, and grabbed onto Granger's Jacket, pulling her towards me. Things had just gone from bad to horrific.
An animal like fire spewed without end from Goyle's wand and took flight over the nearest pillar of things.
"Back! Go back the other way!" I yelled as we backtracked and found the same fork. Taking the other path, the fire raging behind us we came across a dead end.
"Fuck!" Potter growled as he turned his eyes upward. "We'll have to climb!"
Sweat beaded down the back of my neck as the fire raged closer.
"Wait!" Granger rebuked out of breath, "The brooms! The brooms were stored here."
It took a second, but only that, for me to catch on.
"You're fucking brilliant Granger. Accio broom sticks!" I yelled with a wave of my wand, before tucking it into my pocket. "Come on!"
We began to climb, stumbling and knocking things down as we went, the fire burning nearer and nearer. As we reached the top of the tower the animalistic fire reached the bottom, hunting us with animalistic determination.
The guttural screams of my former companions rang out through the room and a shiver ran through my limbs; I could feel goose bumps forming beneath my sleeves despite the fire raging dangerously close to my feet.
And then, they were gone; silenced by the crackling of wood beneath flames.
"There they are!" Potter yelled as 3 brooms flew before us.
One look at Granger's queasy face made me grab her around the waist with one arm and onto a broom stick with the other.
"Ride with me" I urged her, quickly positioning the broom between our legs. She didn't argue.
We mounted our brooms just in time as the flames climbed the tower below us; we pushed off and soared forward, brushing the ceiling with our backs as we avoided the flames.
The room below us was completely ablaze as we approached the exit, everything destroyed...
"Harry!" She screamed underneath my arms. "Throw the diadem into the flames at the last possible moment!"
Potter didn't question her. As we flew through the doors he did as he was told.
Just like in the Chamber of Secrets we felt His anger and wrath coming towards us, this time in the form of heat and flame. We flew out of the room just in time to see the Dark Lord's face embedded in the flames behind us disappear behind the huge doors.
We landed with a crash onto the floor of the 7th floor corridor, shocked and out of breath; each of us coughing out smoke and desperately inhaling fresh oxygen. Salazar it felt good to be alive.
"Good call with those brooms. How did you know?" Potter asked once he'd caught his breath.
"Thanks." Granger managed, coughing on all fours.
"Umbridge banned flying 5th year, remember?" I added for her, attempting to be cordial. "She took up all the brooms and stored them here."
He nodded thoughtfully in response.
"How many is that? Horcruxes I mean." Granger asked when she was able, and we prepared for our next move as a newly formed team.
"We should have one left. I just don't know what." Potter coughed, still choking on smoke.
I smirked, happy to have some intel.
"It's Nagini."
"His snake? I wasn't sure that was even possible..." Granger gasped, before cinching her eyebrows together. Concern etching into her face with rapid precision.
"How do you know?!" Potter questioned.
"The fucking beast has been living in my home all summer…" I grimaced, briefly recalling Charity Burbage's last moments, "...the Dark Lord guards her above anything else; they'll be together now. The question is 'where', if he's may not even be on the school grounds."
"Harry, you have to look in your mind. You have to find him." Granger urged her friend with a nod.
I watched curiously and waited for Potter to do something.
He clenched his eyes closed with concentration, jerked his head about, then, after a moment, he spoke.
"The boathouse. They're in the boathouse. He's with Snape."
"Let's go." I ordered, leading the way towards the stairs.
We had about a mile of chaos and calamity between us and our destination, but it was now or never.
Again, we were racing through halls, running down staircases, dodging spells, spitting hexes.
The entire school was in shambles, stone and debris littered every staircase and passage; every form of being imaginable, humans, centaurs, house elves, dementors, giants, werewolves, and arachnids, were fighting to the death. We ran fast, stepping over brick, stone, blood, and bodies, knowing that the only chance to win this war was keeping Potter alive.
Xxx
Harry led the way as Draco and I ran hand in hand, firing spells left and right. Him protecting my back and I his.
We'd almost made it to the 1st floor when the Carrows blocked our course, throwing unforgivables our direction.
"Protego!" Draco yelled, shielding us from one such curse.
As I opened my mouth cast my own spell, a loud crash sounded behind me; I turned back to find Harry on the strewn against a broken shelf. When Harry didn't move, I stepped forward, wand out, chest pounding.
"Expelliarmus!" I yelled, flicking my wand towards Amycus. Missing him by a hair.
I was off my game.
"Crucio!" He bellowed and I was forced to the ground, consumed by pain.
Xxx
"Granger!" I gasped as a ghostly scream escaped her lips and she hit the ground with a painful thud.
"STUPIFY!" I screamed, stunning Amycus and breaking his curse.
Alecto raised her wand above her head, rounding on me with a laugh.
I stepped back to shield Granger and stumbled over the rubble, dropping my wand.
"Your Mother won't be able to save you from this, Draco darling" She sneered, preparing to cast her next spell.
"Fuck" I spat, as my spine collided with stones and I grasped for my wand.
"REDUCTO!" yelled a voice from behind and the hallway began to shake. The room shuddered loudly as bricks and stone fell from above and landed on top of the Carrows, crushing and burying their bodies.
Jerking my head backwards to see who had saved us, I was surprised to see Granger's friend, the female Weasel.
Assuming safety, I found my wand and turned myself towards Granger.
The red head kept her wand aimed at me as I knelt over her friend, and I could feel her distrusting gaze over my every breath.
"What are you doing Malfoy?" She demanded threateningly, stepping closer.
I turned to face her with my signature smirk.
"Waking up my girl." I quipped, shocking her just long enough for me to cast my charm, "Renerverate."
The She-Weasel simply watched, stunned.
Then as Granger came to, so did Potter.
"Ughh... Gin, is that you?" He mumbled from the corner.
"Yes, it's me. Harry, are you okay? What is going on here?" she demanded, never taking her eyes or her wand off me.
Potter looked cautiously from me and to Ginny before answering.
"Oh yeah, he's erm, she… they have um...yeah…I'll explain later. Come on Malfoy get Hermione, we have to go." Potter stuttered before getting up and saying goodbye to Ginny.
"Are you alright, love?" I asked, helping Granger sit up.
"Yeah, yes, my head is a little fuzzy, but yes, I'm fine." She admitted, letting me pull her up onto her feet.
"Okay, good, we've got to get going."
"Alright," she nodded, looking around and seeing her friend for the first time. "Oh, hey Gin."
"When it's all said and done YOU have some explaining to do 'Mione!" The redhead yelled with a grin.
Granger laughed and yelled back to her over her shoulder.
"I promise Ginny, after this is all over, I will give you ALL of the answers!"
We dusted ourselves off and Potter kissed Ginny goodbye, then we ran once more towards the boat house.
When we finally made it to the long, cobbled staircase that led to the boat house, we slowly and quietly made our way down each step.
We crept around the backside of the edifice and listened to the conversation happening within...
"While you live, the Elder Wand can never truly be mine, Severus." The Dark Lord mused raspily, without emotion.
"My Lord..." Severus pleaded.
In response the Dark Lord whispered in that odd hissing language to Nagini. Then enormous snake listened to her master and lunged at her prey; and we were forced to listen to noises that followed.
Hiss. THUNK. "Ahh." Hiss. THUNK. "Agh." Hiss. THUNK. "Uhh."
I cringed and shuddered as I pictured what was happening on the side of the wall. My chest clenched and I held my breath, as fear embraced me. Granger's nails dug into my skin as she grabbed ahold of my arm, flinching against me with each of the snake's lunges.
I fought back the burning wetness in my eyes as we listened helplessly to Severus' pained groans.
I wanted to make it stop. I wanted to take his place. More than anything, I wanted to him to live.
Once Nagini had finished her ministrations, the Dark Lord spoke again.
"Come Nagini, I must keep you close." We heard him whisper, followed by the crack of apparition.
Releasing my breath and jumping forward, I ran full force toward the entrance.
Upon entering we found him, a bloodied crumbled mess, sunken against the corner walls. His eyes followed Potter as we rounded upon him, and to my surprise, silvery tears trickled from within.
"Take them," he strained to whisper, looking only at Potter, "take it to the pensive."
Granger was quick, getting him a flask from her bag while I unstopped a vial of antivenom from within my pocket.
"He doesn't have much longer." I interjected, pushing Potter's hand aside as he collected the last of the memories.
"Hurry." Severus spoke directly to Potter once more.
"Got it. Hermione, Malfoy, use the map. Find me after." Potter stated as got up and prepared to apparate.
We hardly acknowledged him as we moved to help Severus.
"Tell Cissy...I... I'm…" He tried to speak before his eyes rolled back and his body slumped down further.
I tilted his head back and opened his mouth wide, his near lifeless form complied with ease, then fed him the antivenin. I shut his mouth and massaged his throat, forcing him to swallow it all, as Granger began healing his wounds. Once I was certain he'd taken it all in, I joined her in her chanting. Together we reconnected his ripped tissue and recovered as much of his blood as we could.
As we completed our spells and rechecked his injuries, we watched his chest move up, filling with air. With hopeful anticipation we watched the gradual steadying of his breaths; eager to find some promise of stability.
Neither of us were the Healer he needed, but we were all he had.
Color returned to his skin as he rested, and we too were able to breathe a little easier.
"We can't leave him here." Hermione stated worriedly.
"He can't be moved either…In his state, it's too dangerous."
"What choice do we have?"
Smoothing my hair back, I considered my options.
We could leave him here and return after the battle...if we survive...but...
"He won't heal properly without continued, immediate care. At the very least we need to get him a blood replenishing potion and some dittany. I'm afraid I used the last of mine on Ronald…" She added, thinking aloud.
As always, she was right.
"Okay, I have an idea...if this doesn't work I-" I stopped, unable to consider the thought. "I am going to grab him; once I do, reach around him and hold onto my arms, as tightly as you can. Don't let go. We have to hold him steady between us."
She helped me hoist him up and followed my instructions. Once she was holding firmly onto me, I reached around and did the same to her. When I was certain we could maintain our hold of Severus, I focus my mind on the safest and closest place we could go.
We landed in the Headmasters office, just outside of the bedroom door, and fumbled to maintain our grip.
"Sorry, sorry…" Granger groaned, regaining her balance.
"It's fine, his bed shouldn't be much further." I huffed, pushing the door open.
We managed to get him into the room and onto the bed where Granger began to rechecking his injuries.
Just as I had hoped, Severus bed chamber contained a medicine cabinet filled with various types of healing potions and tonics. I returned to the bed with best treatments he had to offer and sat down on the edge next to Granger.
She stared at the floor blindly, her eyebrows cinching together once more.
"Go, check on Potter, surely he's out of the pensive by now. I'll take care of Severus."
"Are you sure?" She asked, meeting my gaze.
I nodded, flashing the briefest of smiles. "I'll be out in few"
"Thank you, Draco." She mused, getting to her feet; worry still prevalent in the lines of her face. "Take the map just in case."
Curious, I considered stopping her on her way to the door but stirring of the injured man next to me changed my mind.
Just as she left the living space, he spoke.
"Draco…"
"Shh, shh. You need to rest Severus." I urged him.
Through strained whispers he managed a few more words, "He…he has to die…"
"Yes, I know, the Dark Lord has to die. Now res—"
"No. Harry P-Potter must die."
"Alright, you're delirious. Take this potion, you'll feel better when you wake up." I pleaded with him as I forced the blood replenisher into his mouth and coaxed it down his throat.
He coughed the potion back before settling into the pillows, sighing with pained exhaustion.
"He's the Horcrux the Dark Lord never intended to make…" he groaned as he slumped his head to one side.
"What!?" I gasped, dropping the empty vial. "Are you sure? That can't be... Severus? Severus?"
Low snores left his unconscious lips and I realized I wouldn't be getting answers from him.
Picking up the vial from the floor, I attempted to sort through what I'd learned.
Potter had to die.
Granger knew; she'd probably known for some time…
Xxx
The battle had been at a standstill for over an hour, as per the Dark Lord's request.
"You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured." The Dark Lord had said.
The sun was coming over the hills now, spreading light across the destroyed Hogwarts grounds.
After Potter left, we went back to the once place where we'd always gone before, our place, however unappealing it might be; Myrtle's.
We'd moved in a daze to our spot against the far wall, disregarding the mess we'd made earlier in the evening. Moving my arm around her, she fit into the crook with ease.
We remained like this for well over an hour, neither of us willing nor able to move. The cruel memories of the battle settling in, the grief of what had passed, what we'd seen and what was still to come, consumed us until we were numb.
It wasn't until we heard voices, a few yells and cheers, coming through a nearby broken window. A strange unease filled my stomach as the sounds interrupted our trance. Reluctantly separating myself from her, I stood and moved to look through the window.
"Granger, it's time to go," I breathed nervously, squinting in search of a woman with white-blond hair... "The Death Eaters are coming towards the castle; we'll need to warn the others."
Instead of getting up, she brought her knees to her chest and her head down into her hands; her body trembled faintly as she released a small sob.
She knew what this meant, what their cheers meant.
Harry Potter was dead.
Knowing nothing I could say would remove her sorrows, I stepped away from the windows towards her; we would do it together.
Crouching down in front of her, I placed my hands around hers, gently removing them from her face. As she lifted her head, I wiped her tears and she opened her eyes to meet mine.
I met her gaze, finding nothing but despair, and leaned forward to kiss her forehead.
"We could run away, love." I whispered into her ear. "I'd follow you anywhere."
Blinking the remaining tears from her eyes she flashed a flicker of a smile, before returning her eyes to mine.
"If only Draco, if only…"
I gave her a moment to compose herself, before lending her my hands.
"There we are." I mused, helping her to her feet.
Dusting herself off and readying her wand she stopped, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"What will you do now?"
"What do you mean?" I questioned.
She sighed heavily.
"You'll have to go back with them, won't you?"
The yells from outside grew louder, closer.
"Last chance to run away with me Granger…"
xxx
When we arrived at the entrance to the Great Hall, we noticed that our peers were already making their way out of the main entryway and into the courtyard. We followed them haphazardly, bracing ourselves for the inevitable tragedy that lay before us.
The courtyard was a diminished heap of rubble and the students left weren't in much better shape. As the crowd of Death Eaters approached us through the fog, I looked around at those who were once my classmates. They were few and far between, sullen and defeated; if they still held on to any idea of hope, it didn't show on their faces. Forward they trudged with uncertainty and reluctance.
When we finally came to a stop to wait for our foes, I noticed something on the leathery on the ground beneath my shoe. It was filthy, and hardly recognizable, but I knew what it was, the Sorting Hat.
As I bent down to pick it up, Granger clenched onto my arm, hard. Quickly, I picked up the hat and looked up to see what was going on. Within seconds I found what she saw.
It was the Dark Lord, alive and well; and Potter, limply lying in Hagrid's arms.
Just as I noticed Harry's limp form hanging from Hagrid's arms, someone else noticed too, Ginny Weasley.
"NOOOOOO!" Ginny screamed before the Dark Lord silenced her.
The rest of the crowd gasped and sighed audibly as the gap between us and them grew smaller.
While the Dark Lord began his victory speech and the Death Eaters began to cheer, I avoided eye contact with everyone; with useless desperation I tried to believe that I was invisible among the crowd.
Once their celebrations subsided, the courtyard quieted, and my name rang out from across the divide.
"Draco!" My Father beckoned, finally noticing that I was still alive yet on the "wrong" side of the courtyard. "Come along."
Spotting his face, I looked beyond him, pleased to find Mother beside him.
A temporary sigh of relief escaped my lungs, before the tightening of my chest returned.
The silence was deafening as all eyes fell on me, including Granger's, as they waited for me to make a move.
Every breath I took seemed to drag on for ages and I was certain every person present could hear the relentless pounding of my heart within my chest.
Cautiously, I looked from his Father's eyes to my Mother's; I followed her gaze as it left me and settled onto Granger and was followed by the briefest of smiles.
I'd known all along the choice I would make when the time came, Mother's approval only reaffirmed my decision.
The crowd in front of us moved aside to let me pass; everyone watched and waited.
Returning my eyes to my Father's, I stood, resolute and unmoving.
I watched his emotions play out on his face as recognition struck.
First there was shock, forcing his eyes to widen, his brows to raise, and his mouth to drop ever so slightly.
He looked from me to my partner, still clutching my arm, then back again to me.
His brows pointed, lip curled, and his eyes squinted as disgust took over next.
Then it was rage.
Malice took hold as a snarled formed and his eyes burned into mine.
I lifted my wand as I watched his chest rise, he'd set his mark, he'd come for us.
I slid my foot forward and over in front of Granger's; let him come forward, I was ready.
Father removed his wand and began to step forward when the Dark Lord's voice interrupted.
Neville Longbottom stepped forward despite the Dark Lord's taunts and my Father's attention was averted momentarily.
My focus was torn too, but not by Neville; the old and tattered hat in my hand had very suddenly become quite heavy.
I risked a look downward and nearly tripped with surprise.
The Sword of Gryffindor.
I started to get Granger's attention, but something else beat me to it. The crowds on both sides began to move frantically and people on either side of the courtyard both yelled in horror and cheered in excitement.
"He's alive!" She exclaimed in delight and I looked around to see for myself.
The Dark Lord was firing spells and to my disbelief he was firing them at Harry Potter himself! Granger turned back to me with an ear to ear grin, but our elation was short-lived, interrupted by a curse.
"Avada Kedavra!" My father yelled as he ran towards us.
The Unforgivable missed me by an inch, landing on the castle wall behind me.
I ducked down, forcing Granger down and backwards towards the castle doors.
"Stupid, traitor! Insolent, no good, boy!" Father continued to yell as he fought his way towards us through the crowd of frantic people.
"Granger, hurry, take this and get inside!" I urged as I discarded the sorting hat and handed her the sword of Gryffindor.
"Wh-Where did you-?" She asked, mouth gaping open.
"I am going to slit you and your mudblood's throat!" Father roared; his voice was close, dangerously close.
"Take it! Go, GO! I'll explain later!" I yelled, whipping around as she took the sword and ran in the opposite direction.
Turning around, I found long blonde hair, but not Father's.
Mother had come to stand between him and I and was pressing the tip of her wand into his neck.
"Narcissa! What is the meaning of this!?" Father demanded as I watched, wand ready, unsure of what to do next.
"Lay a hand on my son, and you will not live, I'll see to that myself." Mother threatened through clenched teeth, pressing her wand deeper.
"Cissy, darling, he's no son of ours! He's chosen his side now, that filthy mudblood whore."
"So, help me Lucius! I will not allow you or anyone else to harm a hair on either of their heads." Mother spat at Father with over 20 years of built of spite. "End this now."
"Ha! Oh Cissy, tread lightly my dear. I think the war has gone to your head." Father scoffed, pulling aside her wand.
"It's time to choose Lucius. Now, for once in you your life don't be a bloody coward! Come with me; fight for the light and not for the dark!" She pleaded, recentering her wand on his chest.
"You're a fool to believe I'd let ANY of you live after this! CRUCIO!"
"PROTEGO!" Mother yelled, wielding her wand quickly.
I stood there stunned and watched them duel; Father clumsily threw Unforgivables and blocking spells while Mother swiftly dodged and used defensive spells.
Blocking the last of her spells, Father paused.
"It's time to give up Cissy. You, your son, and the mudblood are all going to die today!" He raged, "Avada-!"
"Not a chance! LEVICORPUS!" Mother yelled and with a flick of her dainty wand she sent Father's body flying across the courtyard.
Running forward, ahead of Mother I watched his body as it fell and landed about 10 meters away from us. Even from a distance I could see the back of his head hit the stone ledge of an archway, easily crushing his skull. Upon further inspection I found the rest of the fall had left his body broken and bloody. It was clear by the nearly unrecognizable remains of Father's face; he was dead upon the first impact.
Running back towards her, she stood, frozen in time; tears pooled within her eyes.
"I'm sorry Draco," She whispered as she looked back to me, tears gliding down her face now.
"Don't." I urged her, taking her hand.
She nodded shakily in response.
"Severus, is he? Have you?" She managed.
"He's injured, but safe, in the Headmaster's quarters." I answered sparking a hint of relief to shine in her eyes.
"Thank you. Now go. Find her." She nodded reassuringly.
I didn't hesitate, I didn't have the time. I ran into the chaos that had consumed the castle's entrance.
I darted through the main hallway throwing spells this way and that. I even crossed a couple of Ravenclaw students who weren't sure which side I was fighting for. Fortunately, Luna Lovegood was able to get them off my back.
Once I made it into the castle, I pulled the Marauders' Map out of my pocket and scanned it as I ran. Luck on my side, I was able to spot her quickly, moving down a staircase a couple of floors up.
I ran up the stairs, following the map and dodging calamity; thankful to find the clearer path the farther up I ran.
Finally, I rounded a corner and spotted her running towards the other end of the hall, Nagini at her heels.
"Granger!" I yelled chasing after them.
"Draco! Grab the sword!" She yelled back to me, her voice echoing throughout the hallway.
Scanning the ground, I spotted it just ahead. As I lunged for the sword, Nagini whipped her head around and rose upward.
"Got it!" I yelled, charging forward as the beast prepared to strike.
Granger was backed into a wall with Nagini hovering overhead, taunting her.
With both hands I raised the sword above my head as I approached the deadly snake. I grunted as I brought the sword down and sliced through Nagini's thick neck.
Xxx
It was finished. The war was over. Voldemort was finally dead.
Potter, Granger, and I sat outside of the castle, waiting for something, anything to happen. The past 7 years of our lives had been centered on protecting ourselves and each other from evil; now that that evil was finally dead, we didn't know what to do. So, there we sat, in a hazy shock.
"So," Potter mused after a while, "How did you guys find the Sword of Gryffindor?"
"Oh, well, I'm not sure exactly, it happened so quickly," Granger responded and they both looked at me.
"I'm not sure either. One moment I was holding the Sorting Hat and then the Sword appeared inside it."
Granger perked up and looked from Potter to me and back to Potter again.
"It was while we were standing in the courtyard! It all makes sense now! You know what this means, don't you?!" She asked excitedly.
I cocked an eyebrow at her and waited for her to answer. Potter beat her to it.
"The sword will only appear to a true and noble Gryffindor," He gasped, surprise and shock dripping from every word.
"I told you that the hat would have sorted you into Gryffindor if you hadn't begged it to put you in Slytherin!" Granger exclaimed before wrapping her arms around me.
I chuckled a bit, not knowing what to say.
"Welcome to the lion's den mate!" Harry joked, and, for a moment, things felt new, yet also normal...
We hung out for a little while longer, all of us knowing we had responsibilities to get to.
"Have you seen your mother since...?" Granger asked.
"No, I imagine she's with Severus"
"We should go check to be certain. I'll be able to breathe a little easier knowing they're both safe. And Harry, I know it's hard but, Ginny really needs you after the loss of her brother. Has anyone talked to Ronald yet?"
"I'm not sure… I assume his parents have gotten word to him. I'm worried that, in his current state, all of this will be too much for him to handle. I mean, Percy is dead, so is Lavender Brown, and you...well, you're dating bloody Malfoy." He sighed motioning towards me. "No offense."
"None taken," I responded with a shrug.
"I have worried about that as well; maybe we shouldn't mention mine and Draco's relationship just yet. Percy and Lavender are enough for now."
"I think that's best." Potter agreed as we began to stand up. "I'll see you two soon."
We watched him as he walked away, the chosen one, the boy who lived, the man who killed the Dark Lord.