Chapter 13 The End Is Near
Authors Note: Ok so I'm leaning more towards writing a 7th year. But then again the amount of answers I got for both was even. But I would like to remind you guys of something. If I do a five years later she may or may not get her memory back but that does not mean she will end up with Draco. Also for a 7th year Harry, Ron, and Hermione will most likely follow the book but we will see into Voldemort's inner circle. And the things he makes people do and what he does to them. But again, it does not mean she will get her memory back and end up with Draco. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter but I fall asleep every night wishing I did.
Oooo
Her eyes slowly regained focus as she swept over the vast room. They eventually settled on the figure in front of her. "Malfoy? Are we in the Room of Requirements? How did you get me in here? Oh, you bloody ferret, did you hex me!"
Draco was unable to meet her eyes. The pain of seeing those brown orbs that once pinned for him, now coated in hatred could crack anyone. "Get out."
"What?" She stepped back in shock. The hostility of his voice rang through the room. The whole situation was rather confusing. "Malfoy you can't just" –
"Granger get out!" His booming voice made its appearance once more. She cast him one more look before throwing her hands up in frustration and leaving the room.
Everything hurt. The way she called him Malfoy. The way he called her Granger. They way he acted towards her. It all hurt. It broke him. He used to be Draco and she used to be Hermione. He could only lift his head to stare at the spot she once vacated.
He had to stop thinking this way. He had a job to do. The Death Eaters would appear in the cabinet ant moment now. Waiting for him. Him.
He hated that word. Him. Like all this was his fault. He already knew that. Even if he couldn't say it allowed.
He took a little amount of his strength left to turn and approach the cabinet. "Harmonia Nectere Passus. Harmonia Nectere Passus." He jumped back when a loud bang erupted from within the Cabinet. The door slowly creeped open as Bellatrix stepped out laughing. Followed by other various Death Eaters.
It was really happening. He would kill one of the worlds greatest wizards. There was no turning back now. He may not die due to the bond but Voldemort was real. Someone Draco pitied and feared.
He left the room with a dozen others. He would go to the Astronomy tower like Snape instructed. His fellow Death Eaters would be sealing the grounds and attacking anyone who tried to interfere.
He slowly disappeared from the group as his horrid aunt couldn't stop blowing things up. He could only hope Hermione was safe in her common room. She talked about Harry going somewhere with Dumbledore but that wouldn't stop her from going there. It's not like she went to the library for reading. Everything hurt again. He couldn't think about her like this anymore. She had to return to Granger. The annoying little mudblood.
Completely lost in his thoughts he appeared in front of the steps that would seal his fate. This was how it was always meant to be. He took a deep breath before talking the first step to his new life.
"Good evening Draco." Dumbledore stood before him. No sign of fear present in his eyes. "What brings you here on this fine spring evening?"
Draco kept his wand raised. He had to do this. "Who else is here? I heard you talking." His voice come out a panicked and rushed. The sooner this was over the sooner he could die. He never wanted to live in a world without Hermione.
"I often talk aloud to myself, I find it extra ordinarily useful. Have you been whispering to yourself Draco?" There was a pause as Draco eyed the mysterious man. Pain started to form on his face. "Draco you are no assassin."
"How do you know what I am! I've done things that would shock you!" Why was this man hopeful. Why did it seem that Dumbledore was the only one who understood? The only one that saw the good in him anymore.
"Oh, like cursing Katie Bell and hoping that in return she'd bare a cursed necklace to me. Like replacing a bottle of alcohol with one laced with poison. Forgive me Draco, but I cannot help but feel these actions are so weak that you heart cants really of been in it."
"He trust me!" Draco hated the childish words that escaped his lips. He hated the use of his first name. The way Dumbledore could read him so easily. He hated himself the most. "I was chosen!"
In an instant Draco's wand was forgotten and his left arm was exposed for the world to see. The wind rippled by the tower as his Dark Mark swirled on his arm. A symbol of everything he was. The shock in Dumbledore's eyes would never be forgotten. He showed pity on Draco.
"That must not have been easy on Miss Granger but alas I shall make it easy for you." Dumbledore slowly withdrew his wand.
"Expelliarmus!" The noise of his professor's wand hitting the floor could be heard through the whole tower. He knew nothing about Hermione. He was just trying to trick him.
"Draco. Draco." A door creeped open from below. "You're not alone, there are others. How?" The fascination in the old man's eyes looked crazed in a moment like this.
"The Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirements. I've been mending it." Why was he revealing so much? Why couldn't he just do what the Dark Lord intended.
"It has a brother. A twin."
"At Borgin and Burkes. They form a passage."
"Ingenious." Draco's breathing was becoming heavy. This man knew his fate. It had been sealed like Draco's months possibly years ago. "Draco I once knew a boy who made all the wrong choses. Please let me help you." Why was Dumbledore doing this. The idea of anyone trying to help him seemed impossible. He deserved nothing.
"I don't want you help. Don't you understand. I have to do this. I have to kill you. Or he's going to kill me." The last part come out as a whisper. Tears threaten to leak from his eyes as he tried with all his power to contain them. Anyone who came in would be able to recognize the pain his face was portraying. Draco was on the verge of lowering his wand. He thought maybe he could get away. Maybe Dumbledore could really help him. His hopes and dreams burned before his eyes as the other Death Eaters joined the party. He was childish for thinking there was a way out.
"Well look what we have here." Bellatrix's voice broke through the rising tension of the room. "Well done Draco." She whispered the last part in his ear This was it. He would kill Dumbledore.
"Good evening Bellatrix. I believe introductions are in order don't you think." Draco kept his wand raised. He honored the man for being so clam in a moment like this. The last moments of his life.
"Love to Albus. But I'm afraid were on a bite of a tight schedule. Do it!" She was now completely facing Draco. His eyes flashed between his aunt and headmaster.
"He doesn't have the stomach. Just like his father." Draco didn't recognize the Death Eater who spoke up. Bit it gave him a chance to look anywhere but Dumbledore. 'I'd finish him my own way."
"No! The Dark Lord was clear. Draco has to do it." How could she be so stupid. How could Draco have ever loved his aunt. She was beyond crazy. Sucked into a world she couldn't even see was wrong. "This is your moment. Do it. Go on Draco! Now!" Her voice was becoming inpatient. Draco felt his heart stop and his throat go dry. He couldn't make sense of what was happening.
He raised his wand higher. Taking in short breaths. He could feel the words daring to escape his quivering lips.
"No." Snape appeared out of nowhere. Finally, Draco could now drop his wand and soak into the darkness. He never thought he would be so happy in a moment like this to see his hated potions professor.
"Severus." Dumbledore voice boomed through the tower as the two professors looked deep within each other. "Please." There was no sorrow or fear shown within Dumbledore. Only acceptance.
"Avada Kedavra." The green light shot from Snape's wand and entangles itself around the victim. The force sent him stumbling back and over the edge. He fell through the air as his heart came to a stop.
Everything went into motion. Bellatrix screamed with joy as she shot a dark mark into the air. Draco stood there frozen however. It all happened so fast that he couldn't wrap his head around the death.
A frim hand was placed on his shoulder and spun him around. This was the last time he would be at Hogwarts. Everything would change.
Draco ran down the steps. Voices were shouting all around him. He was about to run down the corridor when the same firm hand grabbed his arm. "Draco we have to go." He eyed the man who killed Dumbledore slowly before ripping his arm away. How could a friend kill another.
"I have to do something." He was running down the corridor before Snape had the chance to stop him once more.
There she was, leaving the library. He silently cursed her for being a bookworm. Always doing homework that was weeks away. "Granger!"
She didn't even have to turn around to know who it was. "What do you want Malfoy?" She continued to walk in the opposite direction.
Without warning he grabbed her wrist, pulling her into an empty classroom. Once inside he placed a silencing charm around them. She was pushed up against the wall while his arms were on either side or her small frame. Trapping her.
"Malfoy let me go! You can't just do that. I'm serious you stupid ferret!" She reached for her wand but he was to quick. He ripped it from her grasp and threw it across the room.
"Ugh! Let me out! And give me my wand. Sometimes you can be" – Draco silenced her with one finally kiss. He knew it was selfish but she just tasted so good. His arms stayed on the wall while hers rested by her side. But to Draco's surprise she was kissing back. The moment their kips touched it was like a spark. The energy and passion was still there. Even if she didn't know it.
When he pulled away he noticed a very warm blush on her cheeks. He would have smirked if the moment wasn't so serious. "Dumbledore is dead." It came out as a whisper.
Her head shot up to meet his gaze. "Malfoy this isn't funny. I don't know if you're playing a prank on me but you shouldn't joke about that."
He was starting to become frustrated with their minimum time. "Hermione listen to me! Dumbledore is dead. You have to trust me!"
He could read her emotions so well. Spending months with someone allows you to pick up on a few this. The bond was just a bonus. But he could tell she as in deep thought. Her only response was a head nod.
"Find Potter and Weasely. Stay in the common room until it's safe to leave. The professors probably already know he's dead. Can you do this for me?"
She nodded her head again. He moved his arms and let her get her wand. Her hand was on the doorknob before she spoke again. "Where will you be going?"
"Away."
He saw he head nod one more time. She started to turn the nob. "Draco … be careful."
"Always."
With that she was gone. The use of his first name made his heart flutter. Maybe there was hope. Maybe she wouldn't really be his one day.
He left the room, wand in hand, joining the other Death Eaters in the Great Hall as Bellatrix broke plate after plate.
A few more curses were shared as Draco tried to stay in the back ground. They made it all the way to Hagrid's hut before Bellatrix had to set it on fire.
Little did they know someone saw everything. "Snape! He trusted you! He trusted you!" Potter came running out of the woods shouting endless curses at Snape. He was able to block every single one easily. He shot one back, causing Potter to fly 20 feet from where he stood and hit the floor.
None the less he could back up. "Fight back! You coward." Once again Harry was thrown from his feet. In this moment Draco truly respected the courage and loyalty he contained.
Snape started to walk away as Potter stood one last time. He was shouting the curse he used against Draco only days before. Something clicked in Snape and he approached Harry's tried body on the ground. He kicked his wand away before bending down to look him in the eyes.
"How dare you use my own spell against me. I'm the Half-Blood Prince."
Snape dramatically turned around and signaled for Draco to follow. This was really it like so many times before. The war had begun and he was on the wrong side. Born onto a side he resented but could never show. He couldn't only imagine the things the Dark Lord would do to him and others. The missions he would be sent on and the things he would have to witness. This was it.
His mind flashed to Hermione one last time. He knew she would fight alongside Potter. Draco only hoped she was smart enough to survive and Potter was smart enough not to get her killed.
Meanwhile Harry had risen from his spot on the ground and made his way back to the castle. Upon entering everyone was surrounding the body of the beloved Headmaster. He broke thought the coward and dropped down beside him. Hermione watched as tears escaped her eyes.
Draco hadn't lied to her. He was completely honest. Hermione couldn't understand why. He could have put himself in so much danger by seeking her out and telling her. But he did it anyways.
She reached up and touched her lips. She as well felt the spark but would never admit to it. His actions were so confusing to her and she felt as if a portion of her life was missing. She didn't feel complete. But his touch felt right.
She hated thinking like this. He would always be Draco Malfoy. A Death Eater. A bully.
But now every time she thought of him her heart skipped a beat. Trying to contradict her own thoughts.
Authors note: Don't forget to leave me your suggestions! There will also be about one more chapter before I decide on a 5 years later or 7th year continuation! Hope you enjoyed.