By The Destructive Duo
tarynsnape@yahoo.com
Shocked, Harry sat silently, staring up at Draco Malfoy. Albus and Severus rushed to the front of the crowd to see what was going on. Gaping in disbelief, Severus' reaction mirrored that of Harry's.
"Malfoy?" Severus inquired softly, echoing Harry's sentiments. "I don't understand...Did you kill Voldemort?" A hush
fell over the gathered Order members, all waiting anxiously for Draco's response.
Nodding slowly, Draco placed his wand in one of the pockets to his robes.
"Why?" Severus prompted, confusion written across his normally stern features.
"It's a long story..." Draco began, glancing nervously at the gathered group. "That I'd be willing to tell you, just not here." Nodding in agreement, Albus muttered a quick spell to disintegrate Voldemort's body. The other lifeless bodies, including those of the Death Eaters, were sent to St. Mungo's for identification. When all was said and done, the group
apparated to the edge of Hogsmede, just outside the Hogwarts gates.
Running ahead of the group, Severus made his way to the dungeons, were Hermione was pacing back and forth before the large
fire. When she saw him, she ran forward, flinging her arms about his neck.
"Severus! You're ok!" Kissing every inch of bare skin she could find, Hermione sobbed happily.
"Yes, love. I'm fine." he chuckled, pulling her away. "All will be explained. Come, to the Great Hall." Leaving Dobby and Winky in charge of Taryn, the two set off to the Great Hall, where Order members and staff were congregated. Hermione gasped
when she saw Draco standing at the front of the crowd, but a reassuring rub on her back from Severus kept her going. "He killed Voldemort, love." he whispered in explanation.
Albus raised his hands for silence, which fell upon the hall almost immediately.
"Mr. Malfoy, your explanation please." Draco nodded, stepping forward and clearing his throat.
"A year ago, my father displeased Voldemort greatly. As punishment, my mother was murdered." several gasps of astonishment echoed through the hall. Draco nodded solemnly, continuing. "My mother was the only person in my life that ever loved me, so needless to say, I was enraged."
"That's so sad." Hermione whispered to herself. Severus unconsciously wrapped his arms tighter around his wife.
"I had been forced to become a Death Eater straight out of school, even though I didn't want to. I never thought what Voldemort was doing was right. I thought he was evil...my father was evil. Neither of them cared when my mother's lifeless body fell to the ground by my father's own wand." Draco hastily wiped away the tears that were forming at his eyes, clearing his throat once more. "So, I vowed revenge. I managed to get the position of DADA professor, but so as to not alert Voldemort of my unloyalty, I acted like a complete bastard."
Hermione snorted at this.
"Bastard is an understatement." she smirked, glancing up at Severus. Holding back his laughter, he turned back to listen to Draco.
"I placed a spell on myself and then went looking for Harry, to pick a fight. The spell enabled it so that when my skin came into contact with him, it would embed the Death Eater tracking charm on him. I was hoping he'd figure out what it did, which he did with the help of Professor Snape."
"Why didn't you just kill him yourself, when you had the chance?" Harry interrupted, echoing the thought on many minds.
"Well, for one, I wouldn't be able to take all those Death Eaters alone." Everyone nodded in agreement as Draco continued. "And I figured you wanted revenge on him as well." he explained, turning to Harry. "After all, he killed both your parents, not just your mother."
"Oh."
"I stood in the background, unseen by everyone, shooting out curses to Death Eaters when I saw one of you in a spot...and then I saw Harry fall to Voldemort. I rushed forward, fulling intending on ending it then, but my father jumped in my path."
A chorus of 'oohs' and 'ahhs' echoed through the hall once more.
"So I did the only thing I could do...I killed him." he choked back the sob that bubbled forth. "I killed my father and then I killed Voldemort."
Albus walked forward, placing a comforting hand on Draco's quivering shoulder.
"What you did was very brave, Mr. Malfoy." Draco smiled weakly at the elderly man.
"What do you know, Malfoy." Harry grinned, walking forward to stand before his one-time arch nemesis. "You've finally stolen the spotlight from me." Draco laughed at this, grabbing Harry's hand and shaking it vigorously.
They became fast friends that night.
And so the celebration ensued, in Hogwarts and around the wizarding world.
Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter and Severus Snape were awarded The Order of Merlin, First Class.
Disclaimer: It's all JKR's.
AN: This is not the last chapter! Feedback is appreciated, good or bad. Anything to help us develop as better authors.