WARNING, WARNING – CHARACTER DEATH!

I have been procrastinating this chapter for so long because it is so sad. A character does die, and I knew from when I started writing this story that it was going to be this person. No matter how I tried to change what was going to happen this death made the most sense.

WARNING, WARNING – CHARACTER DEATH!

***Part of this chapter is dark, essentially sacrificing a character to achieve something***

There will be injuries, blood, pain, and overall sadness in this chapter.

You have been warned.

x.x.x.x.x

In the middle of the box laid the pocket watch that he had got Draco for Christmas. Yet it wasn't the watch that had made him sick, it was the copper smell that wafted up from it and the dried red stains that blemished the traditionally polished silver.

It was blood covering it, and Harry knew immediately whose blood it was.

Draco was bleeding, someone had taken him, and Harry had one guess to who that was.

Dumbledore had Draco.

Harry's heart was racing as he grabbed one of Draco's handkerchief's that had been left in his room and with an unsteady hand, he picked up the gifted pocket watch. He was trembling all over and he could feel the tendrils of magic course down his arms and to the tips of his fingers, the pocket watch was covered in Draco's magic, but Harry could sense that there was something more. Tucking the item into the breast pocket in his robe he turned to his reptilian friend.

Fishing for a clean shirt tossed on the floor he gently wrapped Seviper and brought the snake to his chest. He had tried to revive his friend but after multiple attempts the snake didn't move. Beads of sweat dripped down the back of his neck as his mind was scrambled trying to comprehend what was going on.

How could Dumbledore have known that he was in a relationship with Draco? They had tried to keep it as discreet as possible from the headmaster, or did he not know and just randomly selected one of his friends? Dumbledore must have found Draco after he had gone with Professor Flitwick earlier, Harry's stomach churned, that was hours ago.

Or. his stomach lurched as a picture of Sirius flashed in his mind, what if this was all a setup to lure him out of the castle. But he couldn't understand why Dumbledore would need Draco, wouldn't he need Tom? After everything he had learned this year, he still felt as if there were a dozen of questions unanswered.

His heartbeat thudded loudly in his ears as he thought of Draco, his mate, someone he had come to love, injured because of him.

A knock at his door had him jostle Seviper and instinctively clutch him tighter. Edging his way to the door, he slowly opened it to catch Blaise's dark eyes staring back at him. Whether it was information that he had learned, or something on Harry's face, Blaise's eye's hardened as he slid himself into Harry's room.

"What happened," the Prefect snarled, his face pinched with stress from the day.

Shifting from one foot to the other Harry uncovered Seviper's head ignoring the subtle gasp coming from his friend.

"Is, is he dead?" the whisper was laced with concern and Harry nodded his head, no.

"Dumbledore couldn't have killed him, just sending me a message I think, or maybe Seviper learned something, I'm not sure," Draco's pocket watch felt heavy on him, Blaise eyed him uneasily.

"Have you tried to revive him?" again, Harry shook his head, no.

"Yeah, but nothing happened," Blaise hummed with worry.

"Let's meet up with the other's, one of them might be able to," Harry raised a brow at Blaise's half-hearted lip quirk, "I'm not the best with healing spells," a small grin broke out on Harry's face.

Fifteen minutes later he was surrounded by his friends, each with a concerned look on their face as they took in Seviper's motionless form. Harry swore Luna had tears in her eyes, but she adverted her look as he tried to catch her gaze.

"Let me hold onto him Harry," slightly surprised he willingly handed the snake over to Hermione's outstretched arms and rubbed at the back of his head.

"No one's seen Draco or the Headmaster," came Blaise's ominous voice and the other's nodded their head in agreement; Neville glanced at him with unease.

"I think we may need to reach out to the Professor's, one of them might have an idea of where he, or either of them, could have gone," dread settled in the pit of Harry's stomach as he listened to his friend's discuss who would find what Professor, each deciding to find their head of house.

"Harry, could you find Professor McGonagall?" blinking as he realized he was being spoken to him gave a reassuring nod.

"Meet up in the courtyard in half an hour?" his voice warbled, the weight of his next decision causing him to shift.

As if sensing his discomfort Neville clasped onto his shoulder, "We'll find him Harry," and with a curt nod the group dispersed.

It made Harry feel uncomfortable that he hadn't mentioned to his friends the note that Dumbledore had left in his room, that he hadn't said anything about the blood on Draco's pocket watch.

It all felt so wrong.

But as he turned the corner to head down the familiar path that he had taken with Dumbledore months ago memories of the night at the Department of Mysteries flared up and he clutched his wand tighter in his hand, having subconsciously sought it out from his robe pocket.

He missed Sirius so much, he liked to think that Sirius would have supported his relationship with Draco – probably shocked at first, but the man had confided with him that at the end of the day, all that ever mattered to him was that Harry was happy. The few scarce moments he had time alone with Sirius the man had told him story after story of his parents and how his father crushed after Lily from afar. They hadn't started as friends but as two people in passing and over the years the feelings had changed into something more.

With Draco, Harry was more than happy. He felt alive and not alone. His friendships were one thing, but this school year had opened his eyes to something beyond what he had typically felt. He had spent every year at Hogwarts trying to survive, wondering what would try to kill him and how he could keep himself alive. But Draco had shown him that there was something besides fear for him, a future with someone, a whole different type of adventure.

The sounds from the castle became faint and Harry slowed his steps as he tried to catch a sound from deeper in the forest, it was late enough in the afternoon that he felt the coolness of the evening approaching. It would still be light out for a few more hours, hopefully he'd find Draco before it turned dark.

Having recognized how far along he was on the path Harry realized he was on the outskirt of the Apparition point, and he licked his lips as his eyes darted from one tree to another, the silence was unnerving as it seemed even the animals had disappeared.

Opting to get off the path he diverted left and creeped his way between the brush, a scent of something sweet hit his nostrils and he paused as he held in a sneeze. A shiver ran up his spine and Harry had an odd feeling like he was being watched.

A few more steps and he found himself behind a large tree, placing his back to it he looked over his shoulder and tentatively around the side of the tree.

His heart dropped as the first thing he caught sight of was Draco's body propped up, a conjured rope binding him, and his head lulled to the side. Anger spiked as Harry caught sight of the famous blonde hair tinted with red.

Probing their bond, he still felt nothing, and his heart ached.

"I know that you're here, Harry my boy," mouth going dry Harry took a deep breath and stepped away from the tree, wand still clutched in his grasp.

A cauldron sat upon a conjured table in the middle of the clearing with an array of ingredients splayed to the side of it. Dumbledore, with his ever-vibrant robes, was waving his wand in a clockwise motion and adding in ingredients in what was a particular order.

Harry eyed the crackling fire that was a few steps from where Dumbledore stood, and his unease grew as he caught sight of markings on the ground that were oddly reminiscent of ones that he had seen in his Divination text.

Attempting to get closer to Draco he stopped as Dumbledore held up a hand and spoke, "That's far enough, my boy," the frown on Harry's face deepened, hatred growing for the simple phrase.

"I don't understand what's going on Professor, why did you hurt him?" it was the small rise and fall of Draco's chest that kept his magic tentatively at bay.

"Love is special," the headmaster murmured, "I too have been in love with someone special," Harry felt discomfort settle in his stomach at the longing look that flashed in the headmaster's eyes.

"I don't know what you're talking about Professor, Draco is a housemate of mine," eyes that once sparkled peered over the top of moon rimmed spectacles with a dim look.

"I'll admit Harry, I was surprised at your relationship with Mister Malfoy given the history between you two," with a wave of his hand a few ingredients were added into the cauldron, the stirring stopped and with another wave of his hand Dumbledore conjured a timer.

"Ah, ten minutes, then I shall add the hmmm," eyes flickered towards him, and Harry stilled, having tried to shift closer to his mate.

"When you had told me that you were in a relationship with Mister Zabini I had believed it until I had sprung a surprise visit to the Zabini manor and who I believe was Lady Zabini's lover was happy to confide that you had been spending all your time at the Malfoy residence," Harry frowned, the familiar feeling of betrayal coursing over him, pushing down his anger he let a harsh breath out his nose.

"Why do you need Draco," a summer breeze flitted through the trees.

"I want to bring back someone that I love, that died before their time," he said with a note of remorse and Harry realized then that he didn't know much about his headmaster.

"You plan on reviving someone? Magic can't do that," Harry said softly, puzzlement lacing his words.

It was the number one lesson first years learned upon the start of the Hogwarts curriculum. Magic could not produce true love, could not conjure anything out of nothing, and most definitely could not bring to life something that had passed.

But Dumbledore would have known that and as the man looked lost in a memory Harry realized with growing dread that perhaps the older wizard had figured something out.

The bond between him and Draco flickered, and Harry's eyes darted towards the blonde who still seemed to be unconscious, licking his lips Harry decided he needed to give the Veela time to regain consciousness. Perhaps Draco's Veela could sense that he was close to him.

"What made you choose Tom?" catching Dumbledore's brief pause Harry suspected that the man didn't expect Harry to either know about, or mention the Dark Lord, especially by his first name.

"There are certain guidelines that magic follows, spells are cast with a wand that then produce a result," Dumbledore slipped into the same tone many Professor's would during their class, "You can remove an item from existence," with a swish of his wand, Harry watched as Evanesco removed a bush, "you can alter the state of something," a thunk and leaf fell from a tree, heavy.

"Magic can be used in a positive way," birds flew from the tip of the headmaster's wand and into the sky, "but with good, magic can also be used to hurt," before Harry could recognize what was happening, he was clutching to his cheek, wincing as he felt blood between his fingers.

There was a twitch in the bond, but Harry was quick to catch on that the man was trying to bide his time, he had to do something.

"You knew Tom was an easy target, you watched him grow up in a terrible environment, you tortured him," Harry spat out, vivid memory of watching Tom scream and whither in pain.

"Tom was a child filled with anger and hatred, he came into the wizarding world unhappy," there was an empathic tut from Dumbledore's mouth and Harry snarled.

"What a load of shit, and you know it. You ruined Tom's life. You are the reason why he was filled with anger, and you took advantage of someone that only wanted to be a part of something, anything, he could have had a happy life, he would have been something else," Harry felt his magic at his fingertips as his eyes connected with the headmaster across the cauldron.

"He would have a better life if you hadn't killed his mother," the air between them was thick.

"I don't know by what means you have your information, but I can attest that I would do no such thing," Harry snorted.

"Our lives are just a pawn in your game, aren't they Professor, to manipulate us to achieve your means," life flickered though the bond and Harry resisted the urge to glance over at his mate.

"You will never understand the life that I have lived Harry, the choices that I have made for the sake of others," for the first time ever Harry watched as anger filled the older man's eyes, "I am done," with a flick of his wand Harry watched in horror as a spell hit Draco and the blonde's eyes snapped open and he screamed.

Immediately Harry recognized it as the Bee-sting Hex that some of the Slytherin students had been learning. Enlarging a fallen piece of wood nearby he put it between the two effectively cutting off the spell. His green eyes caught confused silver, but recognition quickly lit as Draco took in the scene in front of him, Harry growled as pink welts blossomed on a side of Draco's face. Taking two steps he put himself in front of the blonde.

Dumbledore's timer had gone off and the older wizard was seemingly content on turning his back towards the two students and with rapid succession he added additional ingredients. Harry took advantage of that moment and turned towards Draco, letting out a scream as he clutched to his shoulder, the smell of blood flooded his senses as the warm liquid seeped through his shirt and robe.

"Now, now Harry, we don't need young Mister Malfoy quite yet," dropping to his knees Harry clenched his eyes shut trying to will away the urge to throw up. Anger flared though their bond and looking towards Draco he tried to give his mate a reassuring smile.

Draco's eyes had turned completely silver and he was looking downright murderous, trying with all he could muster, Harry pushed reassuring thoughts through their bond.

"I see you have control of your Veela side, Mister Malfoy," Harry shared a look with Draco.

"Leave Harry alone," the Veela's voice was rough, fueled by anger, as Dumbledore gave a tight-lipped smile.

"I do not need Harry to complete what is to be done here tonight, Mister Malfoy, I need you," pushing himself to his feet Harry pointed his wand at his headmaster.

"Bombarda!" aiming towards the table Harry had only hoped he could cause a disruption, a shimmering shield flared and in the next moment Harry screamed as felt himself slammed against the tree behind him and his shoulder cracked.

A trill erupted as Harry's eyes tried to focus on Draco who had let out a screech reminiscent of the first one at the Malfoy manor. Dumbledore, unsurprisingly, seemed unaffected. As Draco thrashed against the rope that held him against the tree Harry could feel that his mate was losing control of his Veela side.

"Draco, Drayco, Dra-drayco," his words were beginning to slur, and he was struggling to control his breathing. Silver eyes snapped towards him, and Harry could have sworn the Veela started to coo at him.

"Con, control yourself Draco, please," he panted out, feeling sweat drip down the sides of his face. Draco let out another screech and Harry noted that his claws were digging into the ground beneath him.

"You love him, don't you Mister Malfoy, he means a great deal to you," Draco was too far gone to respond with words but let out growl.

"I was forced to kill the one that I loved," that caught Harry off guard and for a moment Draco stilled.

"When I was your age, I had met my best friend by a peculiar stroke of luck. We immediately bonded with one another with our passion for magic and the drive to learn about objects unknown to most others. We had made a pact with each other that we would get stronger together. But magical objects can change people, and he slowly started turning into someone else. No longer the person that I had cherished," in rapid succession, emotions had flashed behind glass covered eyes.

"The magic and power had changed him, and our pact was broken, and he fell because of me," the markings on the ground began to glow as Dumbledore's wand made a complex motion above the cauldron.

"I intend on bringing him back," with a whimper, Harry adjusted himself and looked towards Draco whose claws had begun to tear at the binding holding him. In a second the bindings were cut loose and with a snarl Draco lunged at the headmaster, claws poised to hurt.

A spell was sent towards his mate and with a haphazard wave of his uninjured arm Harry tried to stop it, a tree cracked in half Harry let out a cry as his magic was uncontrollable, he was letting his emotions get the better of him. Dumbledore had an unimpressed look on his face as he approached Draco who was clutching to his stomach on the ground, there were cuts along his arms, his neck, and a few on his face.

"There is one way, and one way only Harry to bring someone back from the dead. But to do so, the final step is to take away a strong bond of love and there is nothing more powerful than a Veela's love for their mate," tears briming at his eyes Harry tried to send off another spell but his emotions were too out of control, and his magic ignited the ground next to him.

"Please, please don't take him from me," catching a glimpse of silver Harry choked back a sob at Draco's soft smile.

Dumbledore began to mutter something under breath and as a silver strand slowly made its way towards Draco, Harry felt at a loss of what to do. Attempting to push himself to his feet he let out a startled scream as a metal trap surged around his foot and pierced his flesh. Falling to the ground he witnessed with horror that he was going to watch his mate die in front of him.

In what felt like slow motion, Harry wondered briefly if the blood loss was getting to him, he caught movement from Dumbledore's right and a spell sizzled through the air and a rock that was sitting harmlessly grew and transfigured in a stone man that kneeled between the professor and student, hands planted on the ground. Dumbledore paused and sent a spell towards it and without moving, the spell did not touch it.

Recognition sparked momentarily and the man sighed.

"Minerva," eyes widening Harry craned his head to catch a glimpse of the Headmistress and Gryffindor Head of House step out from behind the shadows.

Eyeing the darkened sky Harry wondered how it had got so late.

"Albus," taking in the twitching and struggling Draco to the bloodied and winded body of himself her lips pursed, "you need to stop this at once," she snapped.

As quick as a cat she sent a spell towards him and the trap his foot was caught in vanished and he let out of groan. The statue that had been planted in front of Draco suddenly moved, picked up Draco, and with a few steps placed the blonde next to him, Harry watched interestedly as the statue reverted into a harmless rock on the ground. Their bond flared as Draco grabbed his own hand, clutching it tightly.

The forest was silent save the sounds of the bubbling cauldron, yet by the tightening of Dumbledore's lips, it was apparent that the man was running out of time.

"Do you think I'm daft, Albus," there was no question as McGonagall's eyes traced the clearing, she seemed to pick up something as she glanced to the ground.

"You are not the only one that is capable of understanding what is happening, what has been happening," whatever bit of friendship that was between the two snapped as she held up her wand and Dumbledore did the same.

Spells shot off faster than Harry had anticipated, and he pushed himself up from the ground with Draco's assistance and flopped into the blonde's hold.

"I'm sorry," came the gruff comment and Harry couldn't help but let out a bark of a laugh.

"You're not dead Draco," his voice cracked.

Harry had heard from Hermione that many years ago McGonagall was a fierce dueler - that she was slated for Ravenclaw, but that hat had argued with putting her in Gryffindor. That the Transfiguration Professor had been a fierce competitor on the Quidditch team yet above anything else, she was a duelist, some had pictured she was even better than Professor Flitwick who was in a league of his own.

Everything but the Quidditch knowledge had been speculative but as Harry's green eyes traced her movements, he realized how truly spectacular she was. She anticipated his spells before he used them, was able to counter them with ease, and just like her Animagus form she was able to move around lightly on her feet.

In that moment Harry truly believed that everything was going to be alright, that they would make it out of the situation alive.

Yet as it seemed like McGonagall had the upper hand with keeping Dumbledore preoccupied, Dumbledore waved his wand in unusual pattern.

A bright light flashed with such intensity that Harry had to press his face into Draco's chest to avoid it, but when he opened his eyes, he realized that he was no longer next to his mate but on opposite ends of the open space and once more the blonde was unmoving.

Dumbledore was in the middle of the markings on the ground, his wand above his head, repeating an incantation as objects starting swirling around him. The stone that he had seen while Dumbledore was torturing Tom was in front of him, glowing with each word the man was saying.

A gasp from beside him had his heart dropping once he caught sight of the tattered, blood-soaked body of his professor, whatever spell Dumbledore had used she had taken the brunt of it.

"Professor McGonagall?" ignoring the pain in his body, he sluggishly moved his body towards the woman as she gave him a genuine smile and Harry's stomach lurched as blood dripped from the corner of her mouth.

"I'm so proud of the man that you've become Harry," her words were rattled and broken but her eyes were lit with the same look as she had after every match he had won and accomplishment he had achieved.

"Professor, I'm so sorry," tears were running thick as he tried to find his wand, her hand grabbed his and she gave it a squeeze.

"I loved both of your parents Harry, watching them grow, seeing them so happy with you," coughing, her head lulled to the side and Harry's heart jumped in his throat.

"I swore that I would watch over you, I'm sorry that I couldn't have been there when you were growing up," two fingertips touched his cheek, "I did my best to care for you, even at the expense of a change of colors," her eyes trailed to the snake emblem on his robes, Harry's eyes widened.

"You caused the resorting?" he whispered, she smiled.

"I knew, I knew that something was going to happen. I did whatever it would take to change the, the course of events from," she coughed once more, blood splattering from her mouth, "I would have supported you at the end," she whispered, and her eyes darted to something behind him as his heart clenched.

"No, no, you're going to be fine Professor, you'll be fine, it'll all be fine," he was babbling, and with one last squeeze of his hand, she smiled.

"I've always loved you as a son, Harry," as her eyes began to close a green light enveloped her and Dumbledore's chanting became louder, the words more frantic, as if he was trying to keep control of his actions.

"No, no, NO," the screamed left his mouth before his brain recognized the anger and his magic flew from his fingertips, trying to stop the headmaster from completing his task. His magic wasn't controlled enough nor had the strength to combat with the dark magic that Dumbledore was producing.

Memories of a cat trailing him while he was at the Dursley's resurfaced in that moment. He had always found it strange that a cat was seemingly keeping watch over him. He had tried numerous times to feed it and to even pet it, but it was gone before he could utter a word.

It had never been confirmed but he know he owed his Quidditch career to his professor, she had saw something in him during that first-year incident and had vouched for him. To his knowledge, she had never missed a match.

She was always there when he found himself in whatever trouble had managed to find him.

She had always seemed to know what he needed before he did. She always had an eye on him and had sacrificed her ability to watch over him by initiating the sorting, somehow knowing that he would no longer be in her house.

She had died trying to protect him.

In that moment, Harry fell apart.

He was no longer crying, and he felt like he had no voice left to scream, yet his magic whipped around him like a storm. Trees snapped in half, rocks were tossed around, and the rumble of a storm approached. Lightning flashed as he turned his green eyes to Dumbledore whose voice became louder with each word.

The bond between him and Draco flared, and their magic pulsed together; Draco screeched, and Harry watched with wide eyes as black wings sprouted from his back. In an instant, as if the blonde had apparated to him, Draco was at his side, wings enveloping him as the storm raged on.

What felt like hours yet was only mere moments the storm had vanished. Draco's wings had retracted, and his silver eyes rolled in the back of his head as his blonde head hit the ground. Harry blinked once, then twice, as silence had blanketed the forest once more.

Squinting, his eyes traced the bleak opening, scorched from his and Dumbledore's magic not much was left. His eyes glossed over the motionless figure of his professor as a new voice had him caught off guard.

Black spots started dancing in his vision as he tried to keep himself conscious, he slumped next to Draco, head flopping on his arm, he tried to keep himself awake.

"Albus, my friend," barely conscious at this point Harry looked over Draco's shoulder.

Standing next to the headmaster was a man, roughly the same height, with piercing dual-colored eyes. Dumbledore had tentatively reached out and grasped the bare shoulders.

"I have missed you, missed you so much," a pause and Harry's eyes began to fall shut.

"I have missed you, Gell."

"I have missed you too Albus," with that, Harry knew no more.

Floating in unconsciousness Harry felt weighed down. He felt tired and drained. He felt sluggish and weak. He was exhausted.

The first thing Harry realized as he was beginning to wake was that his entire body hurt. His toes felt like lead, his arms felt like he had pulled a carriage all on his own, and his eyes burned. The second thing that he had realized was the scent. It smelled sterile.

Immediately he knew where he was.

When his eyes didn't open as he tried, he began to panic. When he reached out to Draco in their bond and felt nothing, his panic began to increase.

Then memories of everything that had happened came flooding back at once and he felt like he had been hit by the Hogwarts Express.

With a gasp his eyes snapped open, and he was looking at the ever so familiar ceiling of the Hospital Wing. His hand clutched to his chest as he gasped once more, panic settling in he clutched to his chest as the adrenaline in his body forced him to prop himself on his elbow.

"Mister Potter!" it was a surprise cry, and he was none to shocked to see Madam Pomfrey rushing towards him, her wand waving patterns over his body.

"Please Mister Potter, you need to take it easy," he shrugged off her hand on his shoulder and he looked towards the bed next to him, not seeing anyone next to him, he fell back on his back, body arched, panic taking control.

"Draco," he gasped out, but the panic had settled in, and he couldn't concentrate on what Madam Pomfrey was saying to him.

In an instant, there was a flash of blonde and Harry concentrated on the familiar presence.

"Mister Malfoy! You should be in bed," Draco screeched, and the woman fell silent.

Harry looked into Draco's pure silver eyes and took note of the claws pressed on his hips. Pressing their heads together, he gave the blonde a smile, panting still as the adrenaline settled.

"I'm here Draco, I'm here, and you're here," after a few minutes of hushed words between the two, Draco's claws retracted but the silver eyes stayed.

"Mister Potter, Mister Malfoy," as if suddenly remembering that there was someone else in the room the two teens glanced towards her, Draco positioning himself between the two as if taking her as a threat.

She edged cautiously towards them.

"Mister Malfoy, I'm not a threat to your or your mate, I just want to make sure that the both of you are okay after what you went through," she held up her hands as Draco growled.

"I care about the both of you; you both had a tremendous amount of physical and magical injuries when you were brought in. I want to make sure that you both are okay," her voice was light, and Harry found it interesting how focused she was on Draco.

"Can I please check you and your mate, Mister Malfoy?" she didn't move nor did Draco.

A tense moment between the three and she seemed to relax as Draco placed himself behind him, arm firmly across his shoulder.

Taking that as a sign, Madam Pomfrey cautiously walked towards them, pausing again as Draco let out a growl as she pointed her wand towards them. She gave them a sad smile.

"It's okay Mister Malfoy, I'm just going to run some tests to see how your magic levels are," with Draco's curt nod, she continued.

It was after a few spells that Harry spoke.

"How long have we been here?" her movements didn't waiver.

"It's been about twelve hours since you were brought in, Aurors found you, it's almost noon," she stated, Harry had experienced her responses so often that he didn't take it to heart at her tone.

A morbid image of his Professor came to mind and he clenched his eyes shut as he felt tears threatening to fall. Draco was quick to maneuver the smaller teen into his arms and tuck his head underneath his chin as if knowing exactly what was going through his mind.

"What about, what about Professor," his words trailed, and Madam Pomfrey stopped her motions and closed her eyes, a moment of weakness on display.

"You both will need to be seen by the Healers from St Mungos once I am done," her tone cracked, and Harry's heart shattered.

The rest of the examination was done in silence as Harry wallowed in his thoughts; hatred for Dumbledore grew while his heart mourned for the Gryffindor Head of House. She ushered them into separate beds as the proximity to one another was conflicting with her results.

It was nearing four when the doors of the Hospital Wing slammed open and three men wearing the Auror robes strutted in, a determined look on each of their faces. With a skewed expression marring her face the matron of the Hospital Wing scowled at the men.

"I explained to you that you cannot conduct your interrogation until after the Healers at St Mungos have looked over both Mister Malfoy and Mister Potter," it was a sight to see the normally caring woman so irritated.

The men ignored her and proceeded to stare at the two teens, Draco's face morphed into a neutral expression as their bond flared with annoyance. Harry tried to remain calm, but unease creeped into the back of his mind.

"Mister Potter, Mister Malfoy, my name is Gawain Robards, I'm head of the Auror department, I have with me Auror Shacklebolt and Auror Proudfoot with me here," eyeing the man behind Shacklebolt, Harry only had a moment to wonder where Tonks was, "We're here to question you about what has transpired in the last twenty-four hours," whipping out a notebook the questioning began, Madam Pomfrey shot them a scowl as she huffed back to her office.

Harry listened with a frown marring his face as Draco retold what had happened after he had separated from Harry and the others once he went to talk with Professor Flitwick. He had left the Charms classroom when the headmaster had approached him and asked to speak with him. He had initially declined but the man seemed intent on having a discussion with him.

"Why would you say no to a conversation with the headmaster?" Proudfoot interjected and Harry had to bite the inside of his cheek as annoyance flared through their bond, Draco hated to be interrupted.

"We have finals, I have set myself with a study regime and don't appreciate any unplanned interjections," snipped Draco, "anyone in the Slytherin house can attest to that," Harry hummed in agreement, Draco was particular about his study schedule.

"What happened after that," Robards prodded.

Draco told them how he had expected to be taken to the headmaster's office but as they had turned the corner, he was hit with a spell and knocked unconscious.

"The next time I woke up I was in the forest, tied to a tree, watching Dumbledore brewing something as Harry appeared," two sets of eyes turned towards him as Shacklebolt looked at the medical evaluation that Pomfrey had hung at the base of their beds.

"Mister Potter, how did you know where to find Mister Malfoy and Headmaster Dumbledore," mouth going dry Harry blinked as he looked down towards the cup that Draco had handed to him, "We have talked with the students and your group of friends had mentioned that you had been looking for Mister Malfoy but did not meet up with them when expected," Harry swallowed and held the cup in his lap.

"After my friends and I had found out that Draco wasn't in his most recent final we decided to look for him, we had all gone our separate ways and I had opted to look down by the lake, I saw what I had thought was smoke and decided to see what it was," a partial truth.

"And you didn't think to find a professor?" Robards words were laced with skepticism.

"I figured it was one of the Centaur's, I've known of them to get close to the outskirts of Hogwarts," there was some truth which the Auror's seemed to know of.

"I went into the forest and followed to where I believed the smoke was, I ended up finding Dumbledore and Draco in the clearing," taking a sip of water Harry cast his eyes down.

"What did you believe Headmaster Dumbledore was doing," both teens shrugged.

"I don't know, there were markings on the ground, and he had a potion brewing," the memory of Draco tied up and bleeding caused Harry to grasp the glass tighter, and a feeling of calm washed over him.

"Did either of you recognize the markings?" another negative answer and the Auror's shared a look with one another.

"Did either of you suspect that your Headmaster was capable of injuring and removing a student from the grounds?" Harry had anticipated the answer and he shared the same response as Draco.

"I never once believe the headmaster to be capable of what he had done," the questions continued for another three hours; they had back tracked and challenged what they had done earlier in the day, to what friends they had saw. They asked numerous times about what had made Harry go towards the forest, it wasn't the best cover up, but Harry stuck to it.

But when the Auror's had mentioned Professor McGonagall the Slytherin's went silent, as if both trapped in their own memories.

"What prompted Headmistress McGonagall to be there," Proudfoot asked at various times and with as much honestly as in knowing his own name, Harry did not know.

"She appeared out of nowhere, she wanted to protect us," he trailed off as green light surrounding her body came to mind and he squeezed his eyes shut.

"Mister Potter?" she died for him.

"Mister Potter?" she died protecting him.

"Harry?" people that he cared about were dying around him.

"Harry!" it was the snap of his name that had him jolted from his depressing thoughts as he looked towards Draco who was looking at him with eyes full of concern.

"Mister Potter, we understand that what you witnessed no one should ever have to, but we need to know what happened," and with salt pressed into the open wound, Harry told them.

From the flash of light to her bleeding body near him, to the light incasing her, to whatever Dumbledore was attempting to accomplish coming to head, Harry relived the death of Professor McGonagall.

"What happened next," there was caution guarding Robards disbelief, as Harry glanced at the wall behind the man, listening to Draco explain his state of unconsciousness at the time.

"And what do you recall, Mister Potter?"

Harry thought hard about the man that had appeared in the clearing. It was someone that Dumbledore had been familiar with, someone that he had killed, and someone that he had severely missed, he told the Aurors as much and while Robards and Proudfoot jotted down the information, Shacklebolt was staring at him intently.

"Headmaster Dumbledore revived someone?" with Harry's 'yes', the man stared at him, "And the Headmaster knew him?"

Robards shot the Auror a peculiar look while Proudfoot seemed puzzled.

"Did you see the man's eyes?

Sharing a confused look with Draco, Harry shook his head.

"Not a good look, they looked different, but he did have blonde hair and very apparent cheekbones," before Shacklebolt could continue the doors to the Infirmary slammed open once more and an extremely irate Lucius Malfoy stormed in followed by Narcissa Malfoy, whom, while composed, eyes darted immediately to her son and flickered towards him.

"What is this nonsense about students being interrogated without parental consent?" snapped the elder Malfoy and Robards bristled.

"Mister Malfoy, this is a severe incident that happened here on Hogwarts grounds, both boys were-"

"And have the Healer's from St Mungo's completed their evaluation? Hm? What were their results? I believe that protocol dictates that with Madam Pomfrey's initial check, they are to be checked by the lead Healer of ward four, Healer Stout, which it should not surprise me that, while I'm just finding out about this incident, she has not been contacted to complete the evaluation," the words were like knives as the three men seemed uncomfortable by the onslaught.

"Mister Malfoy," Harry swore the man's eyes had flashed silver.

"Neither my son, or Mister Potter, will be answering any more questions, and will not aid in the investigation until they have been seen by Healer Stout, and it will be quite unfortunate for the Minister to hear about this abhorrent conduct from his supposed, top Auror's," Harry glanced over to see Draco's mother saddle next to her husband and shooting the men an unimpressed look.

"We are very apologetic Mister Malfoy, and Missus, we will take our leave," the room was silent as the three Auror's left, Harry took note of the look that Shacklebolt sent his way as the door closed.

Narcissa was at Draco's side in an instant as she fussed over him, and the blonde rolled his eyes as he swung the covers from him and went immediately to Harry. Feeling the heat rise in his cheeks Harry didn't object as Draco put himself behind him and pulled him to his chest, he pretended not to notice the sweet smile the older woman sent towards them.

"What happened," the words were cold as Harry had expected and he took a deep breath as he tilted his head back towards his mate.

"Dumbledore brought someone back, he had meant to used Draco as sacrifice but ended up choosing Professor McGonagall instead," Harry felt his throat tighten.

The growl that left Mister Malfoy's lips had Narcissa straightening and putting herself between the two teens and her husband, Draco's arms immediately tightened around him.

"Lucius," she warned, and it was tense moments as the couple seemed to be communicating between one another, Harry wondered how deep their mated bond was.

"We will be taking you home tonight, Draco, you will no longer be attending Hogwarts as this school is unfit to protect its students," heart lurching, Harry's panicked flared and Draco snarled, eyes reverting to silver once more.

"No," the word came out in a growl and Harry could only imagine how the Veela part of him was feeling, both on the verge of death and now being told they would be separated.

Whatever Mister Malfoy wanted to say was stopped as Narcissa gave her own cold glare towards her husband and mate.

"We will not be discussing this now," she snapped, eyes softening as she looked towards them, "Students will be returning home tomorrow morning, there are over a dozen Auror's stationed at Hogwarts, and we will pick you up from the station, Draco darling, as we expect you want to see your friends," dread settled in Harry's stomach at her words, Draco would be going home tomorrow, but where did that leave him.

Madam Pomfrey took that moment to reenter the room and the Malfoy tension rose once more as the women talked between themselves, Narcissa thanking her again for letting them know what had transpired that evening.

After Draco's parents left, and Madam Pomfrey had checked them once more and gave them their nightly potions the duo was finally left alone. Draco nuzzled behind his ear with his nose and planted a kiss at the base of his neck.

"Are you okay?" they both knew it was a stupid question, shimming out of Draco's hold he faced his mate.

"I almost lost you," the image of Draco tied and being part of a sacrifice was an image he would never get rid of.

"I watched you get hurt, and I couldn't protect you," Draco's voice broke as he ran a hand along Harry's bandaged shoulder and to the wrapping on his foot, Harry gave him a weak smile.

"She died protecting us," the words felt heavy as he said them, and the tears came thick and fast. Tucked underneath Draco's chin the two teens fell asleep hearts mourning their teacher and the disaster that had struck Hogwarts.

x.x.x.x.x

So, a very depressing chapter, I know that there will be revenge for what Dumbledore has done. Hopefully now that I have got over unwillingness to complete this chapter, I will be able to move forward.

Till we read again,

Fennekitten