In a fit of hurry, Draco and Professor McGonagall make their way to the tallest tower in the castle; the Astronomy Tower.
Upon their arrival Draco stands in one of the glassless windows that was twice the height of his body. Resting his shoulder against the windowsill, he peers at the scene below.
The height of their vantage point gave the view of the front doors to Hogwarts which was cluttered by black ravenlike birds; dwindling by the moment and gradually fluttering away from the castle.
"Appears as though your plan has worked," McGonagall notes from behind him. "They're fleeing."
"Cut the head off the snake," he states in some sort of daze. Staring into the twinkling night sky, he contemplatively strokes his chin. "I find this location rather daunting, professor."
McGonagall tilts her head to the side, her eyes glued to the young Slytherin who turns to her.
"This is where I faced my greatest fear at the age of sixteen," he shares. The grave expression on his face hardens. "It's where I was ordered to assassinate the headmaster due to my father's shortcomings."
"That was a very unfortunate day, indeed," McGonagall agrees in a subdued manner.
"And now, here I find myself once again, revisiting something of the same sentiment."
"Mr. Malfoy?" The headmistress takes a considerate step forward with her fingers intertwined before herself. "I'm not sure I understand.."
"Do you know why Snape stepped in on that fateful night?"
McGonagall's eyes slowly rotate to one side. "Because you were unable to follow through with the task, of course."
"Be that as it may, Snape committed an unbreakable vow with my mother." Draco shoves both hands in his pockets while taking another step toward the edge of the windowsill. "If I were to fail in killing Dumbledore, he was to step in." He gradually wraps one leg around the other while turning back to the visibly tense headmistress. "Snape would have been killed if he hadn't followed through with the act; despite his own personal achievements."
While placing both arms behind her back, McGonagall slickly retrieves her wand from her robes and holds it safely between both hands. "There are certain rules that follow unbreakable vows. Certain limitations.."
With his back turned to her, he places both palms against the sides to the windowsill. "I've considered this," he offers. "But to no avail; I've found myself cornered into a promise that I've found I can't keep." The transparent unsteadiness in his voice is palpable.
"You're not a murderer, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall says delicately.
The statement bitterly reminds Draco of his father's words from earlier that night.
You don't have it in you to kill.
It was always your weakness.
"I killed tonight," he corrects almost too quickly. He turns to face her once more; his pale features completely stripped of color. "Watched the life flicker from my father's eyes."
McGonagall shifts her weight while clenching her wand tighter between both hands. She notices that his eyes gleam against the natural lighting projected through the window. Tears rim his icy blue eyes and his eyebrows pinch together.
"I made a commitment to my father that I would assassinate you; headmistress," he advises. "Although prior actions to this evening state different, I've found that I don't have it in me to follow through with the task, once more."
Running a quick hand under his nose, Draco peers at the ground stories beneath them. A sensation of someone clenching his heart into a fist fills his chest. Tears blur his vision as he stares at the property now cleansed of mutated birds.
"I view it as a sign of strength," McGonagall reassures, the grip on her wand loosening. "Mr. Malfoy, please remove yourself from the windowsill."
"And why would I do that?" Draco seethes, a sudden wave of anger washing over him. "I'd rather take my own life than place it in the hands of another. My father is dead, yet he still holds the last laugh."
"As noble of an act as it is for you to offer your life over mine, that won't be necessary," McGonagall advises sternly. She takes a gentle step forward and places a hand on his back. "Remove yourself, Mr. Malfoy," she firmly repeats.
Draco's head, shivering with fear, slowly turns back to her. His head hangs low as he doesn't move an inch. The upper half of his body tilts toward the gusting winds blasting his face from the opened window.
A sudden force field takes over his body, aggressively yanking him backward by the neck as he's forcefully shoved to the ground. He's held captive against the stoned floor, in an invisible body bind, as McGonagall takes a slow step toward him with her wand drawn. Her body towers over him as she looks down her nose at him.
The corners of her mouth crack into a light smile. "An unbreakable vow is only valid if both participants are still alive."
The binding charm alleviates as he reflexively stretches his limbs.
"Surely you wouldn't be so reckless as to commit to such a critical act without research, Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco places both palms and feet against the ground as he slowly crawls his way back against a wall. "Didn't possess that option when I was faced with a bloody terrorist army forcing my hand."
McGonagall offers her hand and he brings himself to his feet. His eyes curiously glance to the windowsill once more while straightening his jacket.
"Thank you, Draco," she states warmly; the usage of his first name catching him by surprise. "I don't know many people who would sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Especially for an elderly witch such as myself."
"A brilliant witch that Hogwarts requires," Draco corrects. The severity of the scenario remains on his pensive face, still shaken. "My loyalty has always lied with Hogwarts."
A toothless grin spreads across her face as she places both hands on the sides of his arms and brings him in for a rare hug.
The Purists made the executive decision to clear the castle and flee the scene. Without the advisement of their leader, the terrorist army crumbled within a matter of minutes as predicted.
Draco and McGonagall join Harry, Hermione and the rest of the staff to ensure the clearance to the outer castle. The students were currently returning safely to their common rooms under the advisement of the house prefects.
Draco separates himself from the rest and shakes Harry's hand. "I wanted to thank you," he states with a shameless smile. "You took care of Hermione and the rest in my absence."
"I'm rather experienced in these types of things," Harry reminds him. "Though I must ask; how does it feel, making the right decision and being on the good side this time around?"
"Wouldn't have it any other way."
Draco turns to find Hermione giving McGonagall a departing hug. She coyly smiles at him while tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
"She's waiting for you mate," Harry mutters while firmly patting him on the shoulder.
Draco inhales a deep breath while giving a curt nod. He watches Harry give Hermione a hug in passing before escorting McGonagall through the corridors.
Once they're alone, Hermione sprints toward him and pulls him into a tight embrace. She reflexively nuzzles her nose against his neck.
Draco closes his eyes and strokes her back, holding onto her as though he never wanted to let her go. He slowly extends her at arm's length and traces a thumb along her cheek. The corners of his mouth curl as he lifts her chin and plants a quick kiss against her lips.
Pulling back, his eyes narrow as they examine hers. "All right, love?"
"I am now."
Draco scratches his head and swallows while taking a step back. A lot appeared to be crowding his mind and the vacant expression on his face didn't help depict his thoughts.
Hermione's eyes concernedly search his. "Are you alright?"
"I should be," he answers candidly. "Yet I wouldn't be fully honest if I said such."
"He was going to stop at nothing," she reassures. "You saved many lives; wizards and Muggles alike."
"Then why do I feel so.. so bloody guilty?" The sneer on his face gives the appearance that he was displeased with the words falling from his mouth.
"Because you're a good man, Draco Malfoy." She yanks on the collars of his shirt while causing him to hunch over her. "The man that I love."
He smirks while cupping a delicate hand around her cheek. "Say it again," he whispers against her lips.
She clenches his shirt harder, shaking his upper body. "I said you're a good man, Draco Malfoy."
"Not that part," he tempts.
"You're insufferable, do you know that?" she giggles.
He furrows his eyebrows and yanks her closer. "Not that part either."
Placing both palms against his cheeks, Hermione lowers his face to hers. "I love you; you prat."
Intertwining their fingers and pressing his forehead against hers, he stares deeply into her eyes. "I've wished to ask you something, yet I haven't found the appropriate time."
Hermione places her arms around his shoulders and nods her head.
"I feel like I'm a bloody teenager all over again," he groans, rolling his eyes at himself. "Would you give myself the honor of being your boyfriend, Hermione?"
Hermione's bites her lower lip before wrapping her fingers in his hair and passionately kissing him with great force. She breaks the kiss while keeping their noses pressed together. "Nothing would make me happier, Draco."
