authorsnote: wooo, I am loving this story and had a lovely response to it! I hope y'all are enjoying it, do let me know whatcha think!

getting spicier this time!

songrecs: therefore I am - billie eilish

"Dumbledore" Her voice was grating, a horrible high pitched cackle bursting from her lips as she waved her wand with no grace nor elegance. His Mother had always taught him that his wand was an extension of him, to treat it with the respect it deserved, it wasn't a stick to wave around, his Aunt had never quite grasped that concept.

Still, she didn't need to wave her wand, Dumbledore was disarmed. He felt an odd urge to run forward and pick up his Headmasters wand, to thrust it into his hand, but he did no such thing, hell if he could have moved, he still wouldn't have.

He'd never been that brave, not really, not unless threatened. Backed into a corner Draco would come out fighting, but safe and hidden? He'd stay safe thank you very much, self-serving as always.

Slytherin through and through. He knew if Potter hadn't been immobilised, he would no doubt have yanked off the invisibility cloak, drawn his wand and fought side by side with his Headmaster. But then he was a Gryffindor, reckless, brave, stupid. Slytherin's prided themselves on their survival instincts, their self-serving nature, Draco was no different.

He knew though, under the cloak, only not trembling because of the freezing spell, he knew that though he was no different, not really, he'd never had the bravery to step up and fight, probably never would, but though he was no different, it didn't mean his circumstances weren't.

Here he was, hiding under the cloak with his childhood rival. He was hiding, having jerked his wand down. He wasn't on the side of the Light, probably never would be, but with that action, that small movement, and no doubt the dispatching of Dumbledore's cronies to get his parents to safety, with that, his life had changed.

He wasn't on the side of the Light, but now, he wasn't on the side of the Dark either.

Had he made the right choice? He couldn't have killed Dumbledore; he knew that now and really; he had known it before. Sure, the Headmaster had been disarmed and if Draco had uttered those words he would have fallen, but there was more to it than that.

Had he made the right choice?

"All cornered" Someone else sneered, he thought it was Rabastian, could have been Rodolphous, though the latter was more silent. Draco would have shivered if he could have.

Why did he move his wand? He didn't know. He had just known he wanted his family to be safe, he wanted to be safe, and he didn't want to kill anyone. There had been no earth-shattering blood purity revelation or come to glory moment of switching sides, just fear, fear and a desire to be safe.

And yet, he knew that he wasn't safe yet.

He could count 7 Death Eater's in the room, none bothered with masks, confident, sure of themselves, patrolling the corridors of Hogwarts, his 2nd home, to which he had let them into.

Bellatrix stood at the front, grinning from ear to ear, Rabastian and Rodolphous stood behind her, sneering. He could see Dolohov, his expression twisted, Rowle next to him smiling as well, smirking the better word. The Carrow's stood at the back, eyes filled with glee. That rounded out the party. He had sat with these people at the table, he had held back tears as they had cheered and jeered when the Dark Lord had given him his task. Some were even related to him.

And yet, here he stood, under the cloak, knowing deep down, knowing for sure that if he could move, he wouldn't. The immobilisation spell was unnecessary, even if he had control of himself, he would have remained hidden.

'Coward' Some would whisper, 'Alive' He would retort.

"Disarmed as well!" Bellatrix shrieked, her horrible voice echoing roughly off the walls of the Astronomy Tower. "All defenceless! Did my nephew do this?" She cackled again, her eyes flitting around the room, before realising said nephew … him, was nowhere to be seen.

He was thankful for that, thankful he wasn't here, he knew if he could be seen they'd expect him to finish the job.

The job, quest, task, whatever you wanted to call it, that he had been given, the impossible task. He had known when the Dark Lord had given it to him it had been a suicide mission, though he had acted honoured and pleased. He had even tried to convince himself, blustered and confident, 'He chose me!' But all along he had known, he was being sent to death.

He was no fool, he had only disarmed Dumbledore because the sympathetic fool had let him, he wouldn't have lasted two seconds if Dumbledore had raised his wand or even hand. He had won no victory in this, and he was thankful not to have to see it out.

"No" He hears the old man reply and he'd cringe if he could move, trust him to try and keep him safe even now, when the fool is about to die because of him, because of the fact Dumbledore had tried to save him instead of stopping him.

He can't be saved, everyone should realise that there is no redemption for him.

"No matter" He wasn't surprised his Aunt disregarded him, didn't even ask where he was or if he was safe. No, she was focused on Dumbledore, wandless, disarmed.

And yet, Draco couldn't help but feel Dumbledore still held the power. He knew his old Headmaster was one of, if not the most powerful wizards in the world. He hadn't been raised to worship the man, quite the opposite in fact, but Draco knew he was powerful, very powerful, why wasn't' he trying to get away? Why wasn't he fighting back?

Draco had no doubt Dumbledore could escape, or perhaps fight back before being taken down, wand or no wand, why didn't he?

"Severus" His gaze flitted to the door then, to see his Godfather, Snape striding in. He too looked around the room, seemed to linger on them, but Draco knew he couldn't see them. In fact, he could see him tense as he noted his absence, before turning back to Dumbledore, wand held high. It didn't shake or quiver, not as Draco's had.

"Where's Draco?" His Godfather drawled, glaring down at Dumbledore. That was one thing the Headmaster had been tricked by, his loyal spy, not so loyal, at least, not to him.

"Gone" Was all Dumbledore offered. He could see his Aunt pause then, but again she didn't ask, Snape didn't either, just lifted his wand a touch higher.

"Severus" Dumbledore repeated, and it almost sounded like a plea.

However, whatever he had been pleading for hadn't been answered, as a flash of green light burst across the room, his Potions Master said the words, 'Avada Kadavra' and then, and then, Dumbledore fell.

Considering he had been building up to this all year, that it was supposed to be him doing this, that had he not been so scared it would have been Dumbledore falling at his wand … well, he was glad for the residual affect of the freezing charm, or perhaps it was just fear, as his gasp of horror caught in his throat.

Dumbledore gone. He'd cry no tears for the man but he felt a touch hollow. Dumbledore, all powerful, gone.

Why hadn't he tried to escape?

The freezing spell slid off him, and he knew then that the old fool was dead, his magic gone with him. He turned then, to look at Potter, who wasn't remotely focused on him. No, he just looked at the balcony where Dumbledore had fallen, he looked horrified, frozen in place as though still under the effect of the charm, eyes wide, shock and horror stamped across his face.

"Pott..." He began, but the second he said his name, it felt like all hell broke loose.

He could hear an explosion at the bottom of the stairs, the Death Eaters turned and fled, and then Potter, never framed for his long-term thinking, threw the cloak off and sprinted after them. Draco didn't want to follow, didn't plan to follow, until he remembered Dumbledore's words.

'The trio will become four'

Was that the old man's plan? For Draco to join his Gryffindor favourites? The thought filled him with disgust, but from a logical perspective what other choice did he have? He'd failed, and hidden, if he re-emerged now … and with his parents hopefully to safety. No, there was no going back to the dark side now, even if he wanted to.

He knew without a doubt Voldemort would kill him, kill him and then display his body for all to see. He wouldn't survive this. Not on that side at least.

"Fuck" He muttered to himself before throwing the cloak off too, the Astronomy Tower empty. A quick wave of his wand and the disillusionment spell settled around him, he couldn't be seen, but he knew he couldn't be idle.

Later, he'd unpack what to do next, the fact that his only option seemed to be the one Dumbledore had picked out for him. For now, there were more pressing matters.

Like saving Potter's reckless, stupid, impulsive life. For if he had no other path, he couldn't let the one remaining to him die.

"Fuck" He cursed again, before following the golden boy into the chaos, hidden, but wand at the ready.

It was chaos.

Smoke and debris flew through the air. Magic, jets of red, green, purple fired across the small hallway. Magic crackled and crisped in the air, and he coughed at the acrid smoke fizzing out of a hallway. It was dark, so dark, he stepped over at least one body, and yet didn't have time nor the vision to check them, he just hoped it wasn't on their side.

No, he was focused, single minded, chasing after him, after Snape.

He had always known it, always known he couldn't be trusted, that he was a spy. It was the only thing he had ever really questioned Dumbledore on, and he had been right! And yet he felt no vindication, only fear, fear and worry about Dumbledore, was he okay? He had to be he must be. He would find out, after he got to Snape.

He whipped through the crowd and yet Greyback was suddenly on him. Apparently, Snape had forced himself through the fight unscathed. His vision was clouded by Greyback, all fur and filth and violence. "Petrificus Totalus" He roared, and the werewolf went rigid and with stupendous effort Harry pushed him off and then back on his feet.

He hurried forward, and saw another Death Eater, Dolohov was it? Turn to him, but before he could raise his wand he was blasted aside, though Harry couldn't see the source. He didn't have time to look.

He turned again and ran for the door, but was distracted once more, this time by red hair, and Ginny, barely dodging a horrible curse. He quickly brandished his wand as he saw Amycus throwing Crucio after Crucio at her. Ginny was fast, but Harry faster as he threw a spell forward, "Impedementa" And the Death Eater was blown backward.

"Harry where did you come from?" Ginny asked, eyes widening.

But he had no time, none, and he knew he had to keep going, find Snape and then get to Dumbledore. And so, he had to continue on. Snape already had an immense lead, and it was only as he escaped the smoke, as he skidded onto the main hallway did, he see him in the distance, not going to the Room of Requirement but the forest, to the apparition line, good.

That gave him a chance.

He was single minded, running after Snape, after him and only him. He'd take him down, he'd have to, for Dumbledore, Snape first then find Dumbledore.

He sprinted, fast and yet the Death Eaters had a lead, he followed them through the hall and outside, he flinched as Hagrid's hut went up in flames and could only hope Hagrid was okay. Not Hagrid too. He could see his friend running from the flames and felt some relief, and yet his lungs were burning from the run and he could only feel pain in his chest, and yet he didn't relent, he didn't slow.

And yet something hit him in the back, he felt fear spike through him, it must be the Death Eaters, maybe Amycus or his sister, Alecto was it? Either way, he knew it had to be them. Quickly he rolled over and fired another Impedementa, and by some miracle it hit one of them. He saw the other blasted aside again but could see no source. That wasn't his focus now though, he had caught up, and using his seeker reflexes he rolled onto his back and charged, charged at Snape.

Get Snape, go to Dumbledore.

He tore past Hagrid, holding off the Death Eaters, his part giant skin stopping most spells as he took swipes at his opponent. Harry couldn't stop to help, he only sprinted forwards, and fired, "Stupefy"

He had missed, the jet of light soaring past Snape's head, but he also wasn't done.

Snape turned back, glaring at him, and Harry had never felt such hatred, never felt such contempt or a righteous kind of disgust. Traitor.

"Cruc…" He fired, and he meant it this time, he had never meant it more, and yet Snape parried it with ease.

"Impedementa" Snape deflected it with a flick of his wand, as though he wasn't even bothering.

"Cruc…" He began again but once more Snape blocked it, this time with a sneer.

"No Unforgivable's for you Potter" He said coldly and Harry felt that surge of hatred again, he had always known, always known, traitor, "You haven't got the nerve, or the ability"

"Incarc" Again Snape deflected it, lazily.

"Fight back!" He roared, fury overtaking him, fury, and hatred, "Fight back you coward!" He had never felt such hatred, such anger, such a desire to hurt someone.

"Coward did you call me Potter?" Snape shouted, "Your father would never attack me unless it was four on one, what would you call him, I wonder?"

"Stu" He started, but again blocked. He felt so frustrated, and yet unable to get anything through, if he had he would have surely cursed Snape to oblivion.

"Blocked again and again and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed Potter" He sneered, "Now come!" He roared to the Death Eater Hagrid had just about held off, "Before the Ministry arrives"

"Impedi" He went again, but once again blocked. He had never more wished he could do non-verbal spells.

Before he could finish the jinx though Snape had grabbed him from the ground, by the collar, and sneered in his ear. Harry tried to break free, but his old Potions Master had a surprisingly strong grip. "Close your mind Potter and hide Draco" He said with another horrible sneer before throwing him back to the ground.

"Impedi" He went again but before he could finish the curse he was hit with excruciating pain, the most excruciating he had ever known. He screamed, or someone was screaming, clearly Snape intended to torture him into madness, or to death, if this pain could ever end.

"No" Snape roared, and the pain suddenly stopped. Harry lay on the ground, curled into the grass, holding his wand, the pain somehow stopped but his body wracked with its aftereffects. He heard Snape roar, but then he heard a thud of the large Death Eater falling to the ground, but Snape hadn't cast, instead his eyes searched the air in front of him, and then settled just beyond Harry. For a second Snape didn't move just looked, and then he roared the order to leave again, and the remaining Death Eaters revived their fallen brother and ran for the line.

And yet Harry couldn't stop, he knew no sense, only that he had to stop Snape, had to at all costs. At this point he didn't care if he lived or died, he forced himself to his feet and staggered forward.

"Sectum" He began, and yet Snape flicked his wand, and the curse was repelled again, but Harry was only feet away from Snape now and could see he wasn't sneering, but his face was full of rage. Mustering everything, he had Harry focused Levi-

"No Potter" There was a loud bang, and he was thrown backward, hitting the ground hard and his wand flew from his hand, rolling onto the grass as he had. He could hear Hagrid yelling, could hear someone talking, and he could see Snape looming over him, his pale face full of rage as he looked down at him, he was cornered at last.

The hatred on Snape's face was just as it had been before he'd cursed Dumbledore, and Harry knew his face was a mirror, hatred reflecting hatred.

"You dare use my own spells against me Potter? It was I who invented them, I, the Half Blood Prince. And you'd turn my own inventions on me? Like your filthy father, would you? I don't think so, no!"

Harry had dived for his wand and yet Snape shot a hex at it and flew feet away, into the darkness, he didn't see it picked up, by something invisible, he was back to focusing on Snape.

"Kill me then" Harry panted, he felt no fear at all, only anger. "Kill me like you killed him, you coward"

"DON'T CALL ME A COWARD" Snape screamed, and his face was filled with fury, and it struck Harry, they were both as angry at each other, and yet Harry knew his was justified, his was right, Snape's was just a fury from being what Harry had called him, a coward.

Snape slashed the air then, and yet nothing happened. For a second Snape searched the grounds in front of him and slashed the air twice in succession, this time it hit Harry, whatever had blocked it gone, he felt white spots burst over his vision, the breath was gone from his body as he was thrown back, and he couldn't even gasp for air, all of it stolen from his body.

Suddenly, he heard a rush of wings overhead, and Buckbeak had stepped in, slashing at Snape with his great talons. A jet of light missed the Hippogriff, and Harry raised himself up, unable to find the source, but he also couldn't find his wand, not that it mattered, as soon as Buckbeak rode off Harry knew, he knew it was over, his chance was over.

Snape had managed to Disapparate just over the school's boundaries.

"Nice one Potter" He heard from behind him. The air shimmered as he turned and there was Malfoy of all people, looking a touch worse for wear, a nasty cut under his eye, and his hair ruffled, his clothes a little tattered, holding his wand out to him before he jerked his head, "Got a death wish?"

soo thoughts?

the last scene was a direct rip from HBP (for I could not do it better!) but played around with/adjusted a little!

now I do wanna be clear there will be four main pov's: harry, draco, hermione and ron, with ron the least present out of the three by a lot. draco/hermione will be primary pov's.

I also need to find harry an eventual love interest (that is waaaaaaaays away tho), so let me know who you'd prefer!

as always I hope you enjoyed, fav/follow for updates

speak soon