I don't own the Harry Potter series

A/N: Hello! Thank you for checking out this story. It's been a while since I wrote for this fandom. If I am off by any fact, please let me know.

May 2, 1998

This was the year that was going down into the history books of the Wizarding World. Over the course of the years, no student ever thought that they would get to this point where they would have to fight the Dark forces the threatened the school grounds, as well as their lives. Hurrying into the throng of students that were running away from the Death Eaters or fighting against them, Draco Malfoy tried his hardest to get away from the fighting as quickly as he could. After that frightful encounter in the Room of Requirements with the fire that Goyle had set, he didn't want to be a part of this any longer. He skidded to a halt and rested against a wall that was free of any spells that were being thrown. His mind suddenly went back to his best friend. The one that he had been with ever since the beginning of the first year of Hogwarts. The time when they were children and picked on the Golden Trio. He would never forget that very moment when Goyle's grip slipped from one of the furnitures and his body was consumed by the flames of the fire. At that moment, Draco knew the he didn't want to die fighting for this. Fighting for what exactly? The only things that he had seen ever since he had been marked was death. The first one with that little bird that he had placed in the Vanishing Cabinet, then Dumbledore, and now his peers. That first sign should have been where he knew he should have stepped away but once becoming part of the Death Eaters he didn't want to think of the consequences.

A spell was suddenly flung into the side of the wall and Draco let out a horrified gasp. He couldn't stay here any longer and before he knew it, he felt his feet speeding down one of the halls.

Running footsteps made their way down the moving staircases as Rose Bradford managed to get away from the danger that lurked about. Many of her peers had evacuated from the school grounds and she wished that she had been a part of that. However, a part of her told her to stay here and look for him. She couldn't believe how much had changed since their first year of Hogwarts. From childhood innocence, she knew that they were going to be left scarred. Jumping off the last stair, her foot caught upon an object and she almost lost her footing. Regaining back her balance, Rose looked down and noticed the body of a fallen student that she had almost tripped upon. Her breath caught in her throat as she backed away as if the corpse was going to grab her. Her eyes remained glued to the figure as her mind tried to make sense on whom that student was.

Tall, red hair...

Rose averted her eyes and tried to keep her emotions steady. She knew whom it was, brining her back to her fifth year where she was taking the O. before he flew in with his twin and wreaked mayhem during the testing session. Rose never had an interaction with him but she knew whom he was and given the relationship that Gryffindors had with the Slytherins, all those years of rivalry meant nothing at this moment. She felt her feet glued to the ground and continued to stare at who was once Fred Weasley and tried her hardest to keep her emotions in tact.

There is no honor in this she thought to herself and leaned against the wall. Who knows how many of her peers had died fighting for what they believed in. She couldn't stay here any longer, she knew that she had to find a way to escape. Detaching herself from the wall, she looked over her shoulder one last time and swallowed the tears that were threatening to fall.

Wrong choice.

She skidded to a halt as she noticed another body that lied peacefully into the hall. "No," she whispered and shook her head. This wasn't the school that she remembered. It had become a battlefield that they couldn't escape. Suddenly, she heard some footsteps behind her and she whipped to see who it was. Before her stood a figure dressed in black with a wand held in his hand. He raised his wand and held it towards her ready to strike.

Death Eater she thought as she immediately searched her robes for her wand but it was nowhere to be found. Merlin's beard, I left it in the common room! she scolded herself. She looked up at her attacker and backed away as he walked closely to her with his wand pointed out. Before she knew it, the Death Eater lowered his wand and looked at her from the robes that she was wearing. The green color struck against the black and white robes that she wore, and a scarlet color that was seeping through her clothes. The Death Eater took a step back and ran to the opposite side of the hallway.

A wave of relief came over Rose. I have to get out of here! she thought to herself but her thoughts were suddenly clouded by a voice that took over mind. She placed her hands over her ears and leaned against the wall.

You have fought valiantly but in vain. I do not wish this. Every drop of magical blood spilled is terrible waste. I therefore command my forces to retreat. In their absence, dispose of your dead with dignity.

That was the last that Draco Malfoy heard of Voldemort's voice shrouding over his mind. He placed a hand over his forehead to subside the headache that was beginning to form. This grace period that the Dark Lord had given them was only temporary and Draco didn't want to think how many people had been killed during the start of this battle. He suddenly walked through the now silent hallways of the castle. Each side of the halls that he passed, the walls were damaged with the spells that had ricocheted off and towards other surfaces. Draco then stopped short when he noticed teachers that were taking attending to those where were dead. He watched as Professor Trelawney and one of the Patil sisters loading the body of Lavender Brown onto a gurney and then transporting her into the Great Hall.

He stepped away from being seen, even though he knew everyone was occupied in making sure to attend to those wounded or those who were dead. It was as if he was invisible to their eyes and for the first time, he was glad that he was invisible. He tug onto the collar of his shirt and walked away from the carnage. He ran to one of the top floors of the school and there he saw even more destruction than he thought he would. He kept his eyes glued to the floor and ran. Was it cowardice or just guilt that he felt? A question that he would never know the answer to.

The night air had turned cold but through the events that everyone had gone through, no one could feel it. Draco suddenly stopped in his tracks when he noticed a figure that was looking outside the windows from the second ground floor. It seemed as if they were dazed from what they had witnessed but given by the features of her profile, he was more than familiar with whom she was. "R-Rose?" Draco uttered.

Upon hearing that name, the young woman turned around and her wide brown eyes bore onto him. The boy that she remembered from her youth to their teen years had turned into someone who didn't know whom he really was. A slight smile came to her lips when he approached her, but yet she couldn't find her inner motive to throw herself into his arms. "Draco," she said his name, "it's been...a year."

A year that they had broken off their...he didn't know what he would call it. Friendship, relationship, both?

"What are you doing here?" he asked her. "Why didn't you evacuate with the others?"

She had been conflicted during that moment. Either leave with the rest of her classmates or just stay here and find her dear friend. Now that he was here, she was glad to see that he was physically alright but spiritually she could tell that he wasn't. That mischief that he had in his eyes had disappeared and was replaced by guilt. "A personal choice," Rose said as she slowly walked over to a staircase and sat down. She winced when she did so and hoped that it wasn't noticed.

Draco took the liberty and walked over to her. He knelt in front of her and studied the features of her face. She looked paler than from what he remembered but she still had the liveliness in her brown eyes. The dark hair that she kept perfectly in tact was a disheveled as if she had participated in fighting. He hoped that wasn't the case, but anyone was willing to do anything to protect themselves and Harry Potter from the Dark Lord. "I really wish you didn't stay here," Draco suddenly spoke up, "look at what has happened."

"I regret the choice," Rose agreed, "but I am happy to see that you are alright." She reached forward and took his hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. Her hand was cold and when she squeezed it, he did the same in return.

"Why are you cold?" he asked her.

"No need to worry," a light chuckle escaped her lips. "We can only try to gather out strength through this quiet moment that we have."

Ever since Draco was initiated to becoming a Death Eater and revealed the dark mark to her, Rose had been shocked at his choice. From what she remembered, it had been a very difficult choice for Draco to make and if he had not accepted it, she couldn't fathom what would happen to him and his family. Until that moment, Rose had thought of how their friendship had blossomed where both of them wouldn't admit it to one another:

First Year

This was the year where Rose and Draco had just arrived to Hogwarts. It had been an interesting acquaintanceship that they had formed after the Sorting Hat placed them in Slytherin. Even though Draco spent most of his time with Crabbe and Goyle, there were moments where he would sit next to her in the classes that they had. She had been taken aback by his attitude towards the other houses but he was quite the popular one amongst the Slytherins.

Second Year

This was a year that Rose would never forget. All the professors were beside themselves when muggle-born students were being petrified. She knew that she wasn't a victim towards the petrifications that were occurring, but she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling of what the cause was behind it. There were nights when she would express her discomfort to Draco, and with a roll of his eyes, he would reassure her that they were fine.

"This is only happening to Mudbloods, Rose," Draco said to her with a proud smirk upon his lips. "You have nothing to worry about." With that, he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Her only reply was a nod of her head towards her friend.

Third Year

Pansy Parkinson had become part of Draco's group of friends and she would be with them every chance she got. This did not bother Rose for it was good to have another girl in the group. There were moments where Pansy was outspoken about her opinions on other students, but Rose paid no mind to her comments. That day where Draco got himself scratched by the Hippogriff, Pansy had fawned over him and making sure that he was alright. There were moments where Rose suppressed her laughter on the way that Pansy acted, and the slight annoyance that Draco had.

"'Does it hurt terribly Draco?'" Rose imitated Pansy to Draco one night, in good humor.

Draco looked up from his schoolwork and shook his head at Rose. "You are not funny Rose."

Fourth Year

This was a year that was a mixture of a classic wizarding tale and a tragedy. Before the death of Cedric Diggory, a Yule Ball had been hosted at Hogwarts and it was an event that Rose was never going to forget. Through the excitement that every student, mainly the girls, had, Rose shared the same enthusiasm. It was something different and she wondered how Hogwarts would host it.

Rose had hoped that someone would be willing to ask her, but no one had done so. She didn't mind that she would be going alone but it still would have been a nice idea to do. As she put the finishing touches of her make up, she walked down into the Common Room and was surprised to find Draco Malfoy there. He wore a black and white robe and looked very charming.

"Draco?" Rose asked, "why aren't you at the ball?"

Draco turned around and looked at Rose. She wore a dress that was straight green and Draco couldn't help but chuckle. "Representing the house colors?"

Rose looked down at her dress and ran her hand down. "I suppose so," she smiled and shrugged her shoulder. She walked towards him. "So?" she asked, "you didn't answer my question."

"Change of plans," Draco said, "I decided not to go with Pansy."

Whatever the reason was, Rose was curious but she didn't dare ask. Though she hoped that both of them were alright in the end of it.

"Shall we?" he asked as he held his arm towards her.

Rose was taken aback by his action. She looked from his arm and then up to him as a small smile came upon her lips. At least she would be attending the dance with somebody that she would spend a great time with. Taking a gentle hold of his arm, she leaned closer to him and gave him a light nod of her head. "Lead the way."

Fifth Year

Rose didn't know what had happened during the course of the previous year, but both she and Draco were inseparable. The times they spent together in the courtyard, after classes, and in the Great Hall were moments that Rose enjoyed. Had their friendship blossomed into something more or was it because they were good friends? He had not asked her to be officially his during this year and Rose had not asked him, nor had she pushed herself towards him. It was just their friendship that she admired and if it was something more, then she was patient to wait for it.

Sixth Year

This year had been a bombshell to Rose. Not just the revelation that Draco told her but what he had done prior to that. Before school started, Draco spent the summers with Rose. From what she could see, Draco was distraught about what had happened to his father. There wasn't much that he shared with her, but Rose could feel that it wasn't good. Then again, the Daily Prophet had given away about what had happened. During those times, Rose had tried her best to comfort him through it.

Draco had been glad that there was someone who was there. He wasn't the type of run to anyone to splurge his feelings to them, but Rose, she was different from the rest of his friends. It was empathy that she showed through this tough time for him. He had looked at her as she talked and before the both of them knew it, their lips connected and it was an action that they didn't regret.

Many months later, Draco had become distant from her and Rose had tried to find the reason behind it.

"Draco," she had spoken calmly to him during that time, "what is happening? Why have you been ignoring me?" she knew she sounded like a pest but what was the reason behind his actions.

"I-I cannot tell you Rose," Draco said to him, "it would be good if we parted ways," he said to her.

Rose blinked when he said that. "You don't mean..."

He turned around and looked at her. "I do." He then walked around her but an inner emotion that she tried to fought unleashed itself. She turned around and grabbed Draco by his sleeve, causing it to rise and right there she noticed the Dark Mark that was formed onto his arm.

A light gasp escaped her lips as she looked from the tattoo and then at Draco. "Draco...no," she shook her head.

"I have no choice Rose," he said and forcefully bought down his sleeve. "Now go."

And here they were. Seventh year and fighting against the Dark Forces. Rose turned her head and looked out the window and noticed as the nighttime was slowly turning into light. "The morning is here," she whispered as she got up to her feet and looked outside. Even though daytime was upon them, it wasn't enough to take away the painful hours that had happened prior. She winced once more and placed her hand to her side. The school grounds had been cleared of the deceased but the blood that had been spilt was still there.

She lowered her eyes and felt a tear escape but she quickly wiped it away from her eye. Turning around, she faced Draco and looked at him as if this was going to be their last moment together. "Draco you need to escape from here," she told him, "go while you have the chance."

This was something that Draco couldn't do. If he did, wouldn't there be a moment where the Dark Lord would hint him and his family down? To kill them? Draco didn't want that to happen and nor did he want to die. "I can't do that Rose," he said to her with a shake of his head, "I am stuck serving him like everyone else!" he hadn't meant to sound so angry, but he was. He couldn't believe he had been put into this position where it had cost the lives of so many people.

Voldemort was unforgivable, not only to those who opposed him but also those who supported him. However, Rose did not want to think about that. "You have to do what is better for yourself and the family. You can't keep living in fear because of him. I read the Daily Prophet. I have read what he has done to wizards and muggles but he was once gone and," she slowly shrugged her shoulder, "now is probably the moment where he will...be gone...forever."

Draco heard how short she was sounding of breath and he held her by the shoulders. "He is too powerful," Draco said to her, "how can someone with that much power be defeated?"

That was an answer that Rose didn't know. She wasn't too familiar with Voldemort's history and she didn't know how this wizard had managed to become so potent. From what she knew, he had truly taken advantage of the years to be where he was. Rose reached down and took a hold of Draco's hand once more. "If you make the choice to walk away, then he would be already lost. Someone without reinforcements is...nothing."

And I can't just walk away Draco thought to himself. "You don't seem to understand Rose," he shook his head to her.

"I may not but...," Rose said before wincing once more. She removed her hand from her side and noticed a fresh smudge of blood. The Sectumsempra Spell that had been conjured by a student and had accidentally hit her to the side. With no one around, she couldn't find any medical care.

"Rose!" Draco yelled as he looked at the blood on her side. He quickly took a hold of her frame and lied her towards the stairs. "Oh my God..." he whispered as he looked at the slash that was formed at her side and was continuing to bleed. "Rose," he looked up to her and saw that she was paler than before, "please don't go!"

A small smile formed upon her lips and she shook her head. "I won't ever leave Draco," she said to him. She held out her hand towards him and he took a hold of it. It was colder than before, enough to make him believe that was close to facing Death. "Thank you."

Draco squeezed her hand as her eyes began to flutter shut. There was no question on what she was thanking him for and he wished that this wasn't the way that it would end. "Rose?" he said and no response came from her. "No," she shook his head and squeezed her hand tighter. There was no use in calling out her name nor crying. She was gone and he couldn't bring her back. He slowly let go of her hand and took a step back. He felt numb by all these events that no tears dared to come into his eyes. All he could recall were the moments when they had been close with one another, and this had been the end of it all. He then turned his back on her but doing so, he looked out the window to see the group of Death Eaters gathered on one side and the opposing side to the other end.

He knew he had to join them, otherwise Voldemort would be looking for him. If he could, he would try to escape...if it was possible.

The End