Note: I would like to thank all of you on how many reviews I have gotten… Here is yet another chapter in the longest story I have ever written and the longest that I have ever continued on a story. I would like to thank all of you who reviewed and continue to do so. You are my encouragement to go on… Lol, I know this sounds like the end, but in fact I am far from it. I would also like to say that my best friend posted her first ever Harry Potter fan fiction. It's My immortal by Eternity's angel of mercy. I'm sure she would love to hear your comments and I would like to say myself that it is a REALLY, REALLY good story!!!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my characters: Liam, Haley, Chloe, Jasper, blah blah blah… whoever else I missed. I own the plot and the necklace and all the ideas I put in the story. I do not, however own the quotes I put at the beginning of each chapter. I try to give the author recognition but sometimes the quotes do not come with a specific author.
Any body who wants to be e-mailed, tell me. I would be glad to do so!!
Chapter twenty-two:
You will still die
"I would rather die on my feet than surrender on my knees."
Draco pushed through the crowd, heading towards the smile. Something was up, something was wrong. He was almost there when someone tapped his shoulder. He spun around to find Hermione standing there, "What are you doing?"
"I… Just come on." Draco turned around and continued to walk. The person had obviously not seen him. Draco grabbed his shoulder and whirled him around. Jasper's eyes grew wide.
"Can I help you?" Jasper asked, brushing Draco's hand off of his shoulder.
"Yea, why are you so happy?" Draco bluntly questioned.
"What are you stupid? They just caught the killer… Why shouldn't I be happy?"
Draco grabbed his shirt collar, "Don't talk to me like that! I never once liked you. I would gladly turn you in as an accomplice."
"You have no proof on me." Jasper's pleading eyes wondered to Hermione. They looked so lonely. So sorrowful. She watched as Jasper reached up, trying to pull Draco off. His hands were so delicate. Jasper's fingers were like an artist. Slim and long…
It was then that it hit her. All of it rushing back in a wave of recollection… The dance… The lone figure… the picture… the hands… the mountains… it all came together…
She looked up at Jasper; his Ravenclaw tie had obviously not been tied when Draco had grabbed him, because it lay forgotten on the ground. Hermione leaned over picking it up; she rubbed the smooth silk over in her hands. It was like a puzzle all falling together. Jasper popping up more often, the picture, he was even the Ravenclaw…
Draco had let go of his shirt and was now just bombarding him with words. Jasper, on the other hand, was paying no attention to him. Hermione stood straight and their eyes locked. It was then that Jasper knew that she was no longer clueless. He took off in a flash, heading around the school building.
Hermione started after him, "It's him, Draco. I know it is!" They both rushed around the corner to just catch a fleeting glimpse of Jasper touching a port key.
"Okay, Hermione. I need you to go back and get Dumbledore or anybody who could possibly help incase we encounter somebody who is stronger than Jasper."
Hermione knew who he was talking about. It was an unspoken knowledge. Even though Voldemort had not been seen for a while did not mean that he was not out there. He was just biding his time. Everyone knew it…
"Be careful, Draco… please." Hermione pleaded.
"Don't worry about me," he leaned over and kissed her. Even though he thought it felt like one of those sappy romance movies where the hero was about to rush off and save the world. At least he got the girl.
Hermione smiled and ran to fetch help. Draco, on the other hand, turned back to the port key.
~
Draco was transported to deserted room. It was, though, lavishly decorated, with fine silks and gold. He moved towards the door, to find on the other side an empty stone hallway.
He walked silently down the long corridor. It led to a door, pushing it open he learned the hard way that it was not empty.
He was automatically caught by the Cruciatus curse. "Who are you?" The voice was one Draco instantly recognized, Voldemort. "Oh, I know who you are." The curse disappeared and Draco crumbled to the ground. His body ached from the pain.
"Draco Malfoy, what are you doing here?"
"I followed one of my fellow students through a port hole."
A door to the left opened and Jasper came running through. Draco started towards him, but stopped.
Jasper had a cruel gleam in his eyes as he walked up to Voldemort; from his pocket he pulled a small box. He knelt in front of Voldemort's throne, opening the box
Voldemort's eyes seemed to glow as he pulled the contents from the small container. It was the necklace…
Draco stayed frozen in the spot. He couldn't move, couldn't breathe… My God… what has Jasper done…
Draco stood and ran for Voldemort. That necklace should never have touched his hands. "Crucio!!" and Draco was caught in a whirl of pain.
"You could have been great!" Voldemort stepped down from the throne. "You could have been my right-hand man and we could have ruled the world together Draco. Yet, someone had converted you!! You no longer have the evil in your heart that use DeathEaters are prided for! You will now die like the rest of them… In a slow rotting hell!!" The pain ceased, and Draco stood straight. "Unless, of course, you bow to me…"
"I will not kneel to the monster that my own father has groveled at the feet of for decades." Draco said calmly.
"Fine then, you can die standing, but still will you die."
~
Haley leaned forward, watching Draco with intense eyes as he explained such an extreme part. "Where you scared?" She interrupted.
"I knew that if I were to die trying to get the necklace away from Voldemort I will not have dishonored the promise I made to your mom. And if there is one thing we Malfoy's pride ourselves it is not to break promises that we have made.
Haley and Chloe nodded. They had learned that lesson well. "Well, dad," Haley began. "I know you lived…" she laughed, softly. "Or else you wouldn't be here to tell use this wonderful romance story."
Draco smiled, pulling his daughters onto his lap, kissing each of their heads in turn.
You're my light in the dark.
Note: Well, here it is delayed… I'm sorry… I'm also sorry for it not being long… I know it's not long… I was in a hurry my mom was rushing me. We had to go. Well, I still have to go… so
HAVE A HAPPY EASTER!!! And… I would like to ask for 510…
THANKIES AND COOKIES TO EVERYONE!!!!