Draco and Hermione walked slowly up the sloping hills, carefully avoiding the still hooded bodies of the Death Eaters. They eventually met up with the remaining group. Camille was lying on the ground, her breaths shallow and her shirt stained with blood. Ron was holding her hand and kneeling next to her. Remus was standing apart from the group, watching the water in the lake ripple towards shore. Hermione knelt down next to Ron.
"Hey," She whispered. Ron's head shot up and he gave her a worried glance. "What happened?"
"Well, Voldemort almost killed Cosette, but then Harry killed him, and then some of the remaining Death Eaters attacked us, and nearly killed Camille." Ron looked down toward his girlfriend and sighed. "She's really weak-one of them hit her with a dark curse...she's lost a lot of blood." Draco kneeled down on Camille's right side.
"Do you know what curse?" He asked, his voice hinting around concern. Ron looked at Draco in surprise and suspicion. Sighing irritably, Draco said, "Get off it, Weasley. I was supposed to be a Death Eater, remember? Dark magic?"
"Oh! Er…something like 'ven voote…'" Ron explained, furrowing his brow. "Yeah…it was like, another language."
"Vene vuote," Draco clarified, running the back of his hand over his eyes. "That's a bad one…"
"What does it do?" Hermione asked, looking quickly at Camille. Her eyes were closed, meaning she was either asleep or too tired to talk.
"It empties your veins of blood." Draco explained, his voice dark and steady. "And wound you have will continue to bleed…until there's nothing left. They call it 'the vampire curse.'" Hermione shivered slightly, but reached over to take Draco's hand.
"Should we just wait for the Ministry workers to arrive?" She suggested. Draco shook his head.
"She won't last that long." Draco whispered. Ron looked at him, his bright blue eyes glassy. Draco met his gaze, and almost seemed to hear Ron's unspoken question. "I don't know if I remember the counter curse. I know one that replenishes lost blood…do you want me to try that?" He asked. Ron nodded slowly. "Riempire," he spoke to his wand, and a scarlet light filtered over Camille's body. For a moment, no one dared to move or even to breathe, but Camille slowly opened her eyes.
"Ron?" She whispered, her voice hoarse. Ron smiled, tears forming in his eyes. He pressed Camille's hand against his lips, placing soft kisses on her palms. Draco stood up and looked around.
"Where's Potter?" He asked casually, as if Harry went missing every day.
"He's over with Cosette." Ron explained, tears still slipping down his cheeks.
"What's wrong with Cosette?" Hermione asked, standing up. The cut on her neck stung, but she wouldn't admit to it until everyone else was taken care of.
"Voldemort reflected a killing curse on her. She's nearly dead- they're over there." Ron explained, pointing to a point near the lake. Hermione went to Harry and kneeled next to him, while Draco followed and stood back. She placed a hand gently on Harry's shoulder. He jumped under her touch like he hadn't realized she was there.
"Hey," Hermione whispered. Harry slowly turned to meet her gaze, his eyes hollow and dull. Hermione kept his stare in silence, neither of them knowing what to do or say. "Draco," Hermione said, her voice sudden and sweet, a welcome break from the stony silence that had prevailed. "Can you help Cosette? You know, like how you helped Camille? Is there a cure or anything?" Draco sighed and took a knee down next to her, opposite from Harry and Hermione. He picked up Cosette's wrist and checked her pulse.
"There aren't any cures or counter-curses for any of the Unforgivables. But…" Draco started, his voice trailing off. He looked up to find Harry staring at him, his emerald eyes reflecting the tiniest flicker of hope. "I know someone who can help." Draco finished softly.
"Who?" Hermione asked, as Harry continued to stare at Draco.
"Severus Snape."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Camille sat up slowly, slightly dizzy from the lost and replenished blood. Ron placed a hand on her back, and she smiled at him. She looked around slowly, breathing in deeply.
"Ron…" She started, her voice edged with warning and worry. "Where's Ginny?" Ron snapped his head up and looked around.
"Ginny?" He called, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Ginny?" Camille placed her hand on his leg, and pointed.
"She's over by the forest." Camille stood up slowly. Ron looked at her worriedly, before starting toward Ginny. Camille watched him walk away, a mixture of concern and worry in her eyes. Ron stepped around the fallen bodies and knelt next to Ginny.
"Hey, Gin." At the sound of Ron's voice, Ginny's head snapped up. She looked at him like she didn't recognize him, before reaching out and grasping his upper arm.
"Ron?" She asked, her voice cracking. Ron nodded.
"Yeah, Gin, it's me." He held his arms out and his little sister, who really wasn't all that little anymore, collapsed into his arms. Just like she used to do when they were both much younger, and one of the older brothers would make fun of Ginny, or Fred and George would play a trick on her. She would go to Ron and just sit in his arms, and he waited and comforted her while she cried. Only this time, it wasn't so simple. It wasn't a matter of who called who what name, or which joke the twins had played. It was a matter of death. "Shh…it's okay Gin. I'm here now." Ron cooed as his sister cried into his shoulder.
"I just can't believe he's gone…" Ginny sobbed, her voice fragile and shaky.
"I know, Gin…I know." Ron whispered. He hugged Ginny closer to his chest. "But it's going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay…" The siblings sat there for awhile, they didn't know or care how long, just hugging and whispering, and letting the tears flow. Even Ron's eyes watered when Ginny told him that she loved Dillon. They exchanged memories and thoughts and silence. When Ginny's breathing pattern returned to normal, and she felt steady enough to stand, they walked back up to meet Camille and the others. Just before they got within hearing distance, Ginny turned to her brother and kissed his cheek.
"Thanks, Ron."
"Anytime. After all," Ron said, smiling slightly and placing an arm around Ginny's shoulders. "What are big brothers for?"
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Snape?" Harry asked incredulously. Hermione looked at him quickly, but Draco just nodded.
"Cosette will need an extremely rare potion. It's hard to make and involves a lot of Dark magic. Those are his two areas of expertise." Draco explained. Harry sighed.
"Okay, fine. We'll ask him for help." He said resentfully. He lifted Cosette into his arms and pocketed both their wands. Hermione and Draco followed him.
"Are you sure he'll have the potion?" Hermione whispered. Draco wrapped an arm around her waist.
"I've known Snape all my life. He knows how to make it- he gave my father his book after he memorized the instructions." Draco leaned down and kissed Hermione. "Cosette will be fine." Hermione sighed.
"I'll have to trust you on this one." She sighed.
* * * * * * * * * * *
The remaining group met in the infirmary about an hour later. Ginny was sitting with Camille and Ron, while Harry, Draco, and Hermione were with Cosette. Remus was staring out the window.
"Draco, Harry…could I talk to you two for a moment?" Albus asked, coming into the room from Madam Pomfrey's office. The two men walked over to Albus and looked at him quizzically. "Well, as you know, Cosette's condition is getting worse. If we don't get that potion for her soon, she could die. Severus is the only person I know who is capable of making that potion, but I am afraid he's missing. And so is your mother, Draco."
"They're gone?" Harry asked in disbelief. Albus nodded.
"I'm sorry." He said, placing a hand on both boys' shoulders. He nodded to them and left. Draco walked backward and fell against a cot. Harry remained motionless, before turning and striding quickly out of the room. Hermione came over and looked at Draco. His blue eyes were cloudy.
"What happened?" She asked, sitting beside him and taking his hands.
"My mother and Snape are gone." He said, his voice surprisingly calm and steady. Hermione sat down next to him and hugged him.
"I'm sure they're fine." She reassured him, kissing his cheek lightly. "They're probably still outside or something."
Draco shook his head. "Dumbledore looked. They're gone." Hermione sighed and nuzzled her head between his neck and shoulder.
"Don't worry about it," She murmured sleepily. "We should try to get some rest…the Ministry will be here soon."
"Sweet dreams, love." Draco whispered to Hermione, who was already asleep. He placed a kiss on her forehead and laid her down on the cot. He watched his wife sleep, their child cradled against her chest, before standing up and going to Cosette's bedside. Kneeling down and grasping her hand, he murmured, "You can't die on me, Cosette. I've lost three out of the six people who mean most to me…you can't change that statistic, Cosette." He sighed, running a hand through his hair, letting the blond locks fall in his eyes. "You just can't."
* * * * * * * * * * *
Harry stood by the window in the office Dumbledore had assigned him when Harry had agreed to stay on teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts for at least another year. The moonlight filtered in, leaving splotched shadows across the rough stone floor. Harry sighed and pulled the curtains closed. The room was almost completely dark except for the tiny amount of light from the window. He sat behind his desk, clearing a spot to rest his head. He lit a candle and put his forehead against his folded arms. Why Cosette? Harry thought to himself for the hundredth time that night. I should have told her I loved her…and now if she dies, she'll never know. It's all my fault she's dying too. If I had done something, maybe it would have been different… Harry sighed again and sat back in his chair. He closed his eyes and was drifting into an unsteady sleep when a harsh rap came from his door. Harry jumped and went to open it.
"Potter." Draco said, nodding. He was leaning against the doorframe, his hair in his eyes, his white shirt bloodstained. Harry could see the crimson slash mark on his cheek through the heavy darkness.
"What do you want?" Harry asked, his own voice sound unfamiliar and coarse.
"The Ministry arrived about thirty minutes ago. They found a way to stabilize Cosette's condition, so she isn't getting worse. She's in a comatose stage, and until they find someone with that potion, she'll stay like that. But otherwise, she's fine. The others are too." Draco turned to leave.
"Wait," Harry said suddenly. Draco stopped and looked back. "Could you maybe stay here a bit? I know this sounds strange, but I really need someone to talk to."
Draco shrugged. "Sure," He said. He followed Harry into his office and sat down near the desk. "What did you need?"
"How long have you known Cosette?" Harry asked, suddenly feeling like it was a bad idea to talk to Draco.
"She's two years younger than me, and Edan was my age. They started coming to meetings when Cosette was four, so about fourteen years. Although, after her mother died, she stopped coming, so until she showed up here with you, I hadn't seen her in a year or so." Draco sighed and pushed his hand through his hair. "You love her don't you?"
"W-What?" Harry stuttered, staring disbelievingly at Draco. "How did you know?"
"The way you look at her." Draco explained. "The way you talk to her, appear around her…you wouldn't see it, but you act like she's the most important thing in the world." Draco looked away, staring at the small patch of moonlight still visible through the curtains. "I should know. I'm that way around Hermione."
"Why did you two start dating anyway?" Harry asked slowly. "I mean, it had to be a long time before Ron and I found out."
Draco smiled slightly. "It isn't the most romantic story. I was in the dungeons with Pansy, when Hermione came in looking for her Potions book. After Pansy left, we had a little talk, and I offered her anything she wanted, if she didn't tell anyone why I was down there."
"Why were you down there with Pansy?" Harry asked. When Draco gave him a skeptical glance, he murmured, "Oh, right. Continue."
"She said she wanted me." Draco shrugged. "I was merely fulfilling my end of our bargain, but it turned into so much more than that." Harry smiled.
"Everything is so different. I always thought Hermione and Ron would get married, and I would die fighting Voldemort. But now…Hermione's married to you of all people, my old enemy. And Ron's desperately in love with Camille…" Harry leaned back in his chair. "And here I am, teaching DADA, and hopelessly pining after Cosette. She only likes me because I remind her of Edan."
"You do remind me of him. I remember when we used to sit through the Death Eater gatherings, and talk the whole time about how one day we were going to stand up and lead the rebellion against Voldemort. We both hated our fathers." Draco closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Harry, furrowing his brow at Draco's silence, asked, "What's wrong?"
"Lucius had Hermione in the forest. He said I had to choose between her and Tristan." Draco ran his fingertips along his eyelids. "I killed him."
"You killed him?" Harry repeated, in utter shock and disbelief. Draco just nodded. "I can't…I mean, I just…wow…" He stuttered.
"I couldn't let him kill Hermione, and I couldn't let him take Tristan. It was a simple matter of priorities."
"I know, but still…" Harry shook his head slowly. "You're just so…I don't know…brave? Maybe…I mean, you were brought up to become Voldemort's heir, and then suddenly, you switch sides and kill your father, all for a muggle born and your half-blooded child. I never would have expected that from you."
"Then you obviously don't know me very well." Draco said, his tone almost accusing. Harry sighed.
"I guess I don't." There was a long silence following Harry's statement, leaving room for both men to reflect on the battle.
"Hey, Potter?" Draco asked suddenly.
"Yeah?"
"I think I know how to save Cosette."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Hermione watched as the door slammed shut behind Draco. She wasn't so sure it was a good idea for him to find Harry, but Albus had thought it best. She sighed, leaning back in her chair. Cosette was still not responding to any of the other potions Madam Pomfrey had tried as alternatives. Why did all of this have to happen? Hermione asked herself, brushing Tristan's hair off his forehead. Why did any of this have to happen? She looked around the room, pausing to watch each person. Ron was sitting by Camille's bedside, asleep in his chair. Camille was buried in her blankets, making it impossible for Hermione to tell if she was awake or not. Remus was lying on his back on the cot in the corner, staring at the ceiling. She considered going to talk to him, but decided against it. What can you say to comfort someone who has lost so much? Hermione sighed, turning to look at Ginny. She was balled up in her chair near the windows, a blanket draped over her shoulders. Her face was pale and streaked with dirt. Ron had told Hermione that Dillon had died, and Ginny had been there to see it all. And that Ginny had ended up being in love with him. Poor girl, Hermione thought, looking down at Tristan, who was sleeping in her arms. This is terribly unfair for her. But when is life ever fair? She thought, feeling that she was contradicting her own words. She sighed and closed her eyes.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Harry stared at Draco incredulously. "You're saying you think we can get to your house, find this book, and make the potion?" He asked. Draco nodded and shrugged one shoulder.
"Pretty much."
"You know, I may have underestimated you in a lot of factors, but I definitely did not think you were clinically insane." Harry shook his head. "Your house will be covered in Ministry workers!"
"No it won't." Draco said, his tone sure. When Harry raised his eyebrows in question, Draco continued. "The Manor's unplottable. You can't see or find it unless you know where it is or a Malfoy calls you there. Or Voldemort. But there really wasn't a difference between my father and the Dark Lord." He finished coldly.
"It must have been hell," Harry commented. "Growing up like you did."
"Sometimes I really believe that it was hell. You couldn't possibly understand what my life was like unless you had lived it. And even then it's hard to believe." Draco turned toward the window, and pulled back the curtains, allowing the moonlight to fill the room.
"Try me," Harry challenged, sitting at his desk.
"You really want to know? What it's like to be a Malfoy?" Draco asked, facing Harry's curious eyes. "Fine." He said, sitting down opposite Harry. "I grew up in a cold stone manor, so unfathomable I still don't know where all the rooms are. I was separated from everyone except my father's 'friends'- the other Death Eaters. I was made to idolize men so evil their blood ran black. My blood, however, was supposedly purest among them. Just because I was to one day take over Voldemort. Become more powerful than he ever was. Why do you think I hated you? I envied your freedom; your ability to hate all that I was and fight against it. I've never wanted to be a Death Eater. It was always just assumed that I would want to be, because of Lucius." Draco paused, staring hard at a spot of nothing. "He was a cold-hearted, greedy man. I don't regret killing him. He brought me into a spiral of evil he helped create without a second thought or a glance backward. I finally rebelled. After Edan left. I was supposed to get the Dark Mark, but I ran. And they followed me and brought me back. Lucius tried…but I fought back." Draco lifted his shirt, tracing his scar lightly. "A battle wound," He said, laughing softly. "Just like this one." He added, touching his cheek.
Harry stayed silent for a few moments, absorbing what Draco had told him. Admit it, a voice in his head told him. You admire him. You wouldn't have been able to kill your father, even if he was that evil. You were even squeamish about finally killing Voldemort. Harry sighed. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" Draco asked, raising an eyebrow.
"For never noticing how brave you are. For ever doubting your love for Hermione. For being a total prat to you." Harry smiled slightly.
"Well, thanks." Draco said, before smirking. "And I agree, you are a total prat." The two men laughed, before silence once again ensued.
"So," Harry finally said. "How do we get to your house again?"
Draco smirked. "Follow me."
* * * * * * * * * * *
"You're going where?" Hermione asked, shocked at the proposition the two men in front of her, one grinning madly and the other smirking, were making.
"Just to the manor, love." Draco explained. Hermione sighed, covering her eyes with her fingers.
"I cannot believe you two are doing this!" She exclaimed, laughing. Harry exchanged glances with Draco. He sat down beside Hermione, still beaming.
"Well, you better. We'll be back later this morning. It's oh…about four-thirty a.m.?" Harry said, glancing at his watch.
"Right," Draco leaned down and kissed Hermione. "See you later, love."
"Be careful!" She called as the two men left on identical broomsticks. "And please hurry…" She whispered to herself before leaning back and drifting into an uneasy sleep.
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Potter!" Draco called, cupping his hands around his mouth. He slowed his broom to allow Harry to level with him.
"Yeah?" Harry called back, still moving swiftly.
"We land here."
"Right," Harry said, following Draco into the forest below. They dodged a few branches before landing on an open patch of moss. "Now where?" Harry asked.
"Can you apparate?"
"No…"
"Damn."
"Why?"
"We'll have to fly otherwise. I'd take you with me, but I'm not sure how to apparate two people. You could get lost." Draco shrugged and re-mounted his broom.
"I love how you're just so nonchalant about losing me when I have no idea where I'm going." Harry said sarcastically, following Draco, who smirked and flew off. Harry trailed behind, a familiar feeling of foreboding creeping into his stomach. They cleared a final line of trees and emerged over a huge stone building. The sun was just creeping over the horizon, leaving a red gleam on the glass of the windows. Draco landed silently about twenty paces from the front door. Harry landed beside him and looked up. The building before him was made of roughly hewn black-gray marble, the doors and trim of dark mahogany. It looked to be around seven or eight stories tall, and so long and deep he could hardly see the corners. Harry gaped, taking in the dark beauty of the manor. The grounds were silvery green with dew, the trees almost as tall as the building. There were no flowers or shrubs around the foundation, just birch trees. Draco walked casually up the front steps, as Harry followed behind. He hadn't noticed what the manor, (Looks more like a castle to me, Harry thought as he walked up to the door) looked like when he had come here with Mildy. Draco put his hand on the lock and pushed down, turning to Harry.
"Welcome to Malfoy Manor." He said, a smirk pulling at his lips. He pushed the door open, revealing a dimly lit entrance room. The floor and walls were black and gold marble, the grand staircase polished cherry. Harry once again stared in awe as Draco, still looking casually unaware of his magnificent surroundings, opened a closet and put his broom inside.
"Hey, Potter." Draco said suddenly, his voice nearly echoing in the vast room. (Harry couldn't see the ceiling, although he wasn't sure if it was just the lighting and the black marble.) "Toss me your broom." Harry threw the light piece of wood toward Draco, who caught it and placed it next to his own. He continued down the hallway, passing a great number of closed rooms, before opening a large, arched door. He stepped inside and held it open for Harry. The two men stepped into another large room, consisting of floor to ceiling oak bookshelves, and deep red carpeting. There was a fireplace on one wall with chairs and a coffee table, and a stained oak desk at the other, piled with books and papers. Draco ruffled through some of the papers on the desk, before grabbing a handful and shoving them into the fireplace.
"Incendio," He whispered, pulling out his wand. The papers blazed up, and fell into a thin pile of ash on the grate.
"Uh…Malfoy?" Harry asked, after Draco had repeated this task a few times. "What in the hell are you doing?"
"Burning all of my father's old papers." Draco said, not stopping to look up.
"Don't you want to save those…you know, as evidence or something?" Harry asked, totally bewildered.
"Everyone knew he was a Death Eater. And besides, he keeps copies of everything in the dungeons." Draco paused and met Harry's eyes. "Right next to the torture chamber."
Harry gulped visibly. "You…you have a torture chamber?"
"Oh yeah," Draco explained casually, still burning papers. "Course we do. My family has been devoted to the Dark Arts since Slytherin's time. I suspect we're related, seeing as he was really the only one doing Dark magic then." Draco, finally finished burning papers, proceeded to knock all the books to the floor, creating a rather loud bang. Harry jumped slightly. "Right then, now we look through all these books until we find it…" Draco strode over to the nearest bookshelf and started browsing.
"What does it look like?" Harry asked, beginning to skim the titles of a different shelf. Titles such as, Dark Magic and Those Who Use It, Discovering the Evil in You, and Mudbloods and Muggles: Why Pure Blood is Important were present. Harry furrowed his brow and turned around.
"Its thick, black, and incredibly dusty. If you can read it, the title is in silver and it reads 'Dark Potions, by Reginald Q. Vull.'" Draco explained, his voice somewhat muffled. The men kept looking for what seemed like hours before Harry, at the top of a ladder, made a sound of triumph.
"I found it!" He exclaimed. Draco looked up and raised an eyebrow.
"Congratulations. Get down here and give me the book before I get blamed for your death." Draco said, leaning against the desk.
"Such the optimist, aren't we?" Harry muttered, dropping the book and climbing down. Upon landing, the book made a resounding thud and a cloud of dust. Draco picked it up and leafed through the pages.
"Here we go…" He mumbled, skimming his finger along the lines. "We'll need Chinese Fireball eggshells, snake fangs, belladonna, ginger roots, crushed scarab beetles, and the blood from a Hebridean Black." Draco paused, looking up at Harry. "That makes no sense. All those things together should kill someone."
"Don't ask me." Harry said. "I never paid attention in Potions." Draco raised an eyebrow and moved toward the door.
"Stay here, Potter." He said, pulling the handle. A rush of cold air filled the room.
"Why?" Harry asked, a little uneasy about staying alone in the manor.
"I just assumed you wouldn't want to come to the dungeons to get the ingredients." Draco shrugged. "If you'd like, you can follow." Harry shook his head.
"That's all right. I think I'll stay here." He smiled slightly and Draco left. Harry sat down near the now empty fireplace and closed his eyes. The mere sight of the manor threw chills up his spine. The interior was beautiful, he had to admit that, but it was cold and dark, the very air feeling like icicles when he breathed. Shivering slightly, Harry pulled his cloak closer and fell asleep. Draco came in about half an hour later, carrying a cauldron full of potion supplies. Seeing that Harry was asleep, Draco quietly unloaded the ingredients onto the desk and filled the small cauldron half-full with the dragon blood. He hooked it over the fire grate and lit a rather thick book (The Dictionary of Dark Magic) under it. He went back over to the desk and started preparing the other ingredients. It wasn't until the room was filled with a heavy perfumed smell that Harry squirmed and woke up. He rubbed his eyes and looked around suspiciously before spotting Draco.
"Oh, good. You're awake." Draco said, his voice slightly sarcastic.
"Why didn't you ask me to help?" Harry asked, standing up and moving to the desk. Draco shrugged and continued to crush the eggshells into a fine powder.
"Because you almost failed potions. Not to mention you aren't experienced in the Dark Arts. And you also needed to sleep." Pausing, Draco looked up, his eyes reflecting the shimmering flames. Harry stared for a moment, wondering if this really was the same boy that he had seen so many years ago in Madam Malkin's robe shop.
"Er…okay…thanks then, Malfoy." Harry stuttered, still confused. Draco just shrugged, and moved on to slicing ginger roots. The two men remained silent until Draco had finished adding all of the ingredients. The room was warm and reminded Harry very much so of the Divination classroom. Draco sat in the chair opposite Harry in front of the fire, the spoon that had been stirring the potion in his hand, slowly dripping blood onto the carpet.
"Do you mind if I go somewhere for a few minutes?" Draco asked, staring as the crimson droplets formed and fell.
"Where?" Harry asked, still uneasy about the manor.
"I live here, Potter." Draco said, a bit too harshly for the question. "I'll be back soon. If you really want to come, fine." He left the room, dropping to spoon on the table. Harry paused for a moment before following. The corridors were dark, partially from lack of light, but mostly because of the recurring theme of dark colors. They walked to the back of the house, where the wall was made of glass, providing a perfect view of the surrounding gardens. If it weren't so dark. Draco pushed a tapestry aside and walked through a small doorway, leading down a spiral staircase.
"Uh…Malfoy?" Harry asked, taking three steps down and almost falling. "I can't see anything."
"That's why they gave you a wand."
"Oh. Right." Harry mumbled. "Lumos." The stairs in front of him lit up, causing a spot of purple to appear every time Harry blinked. They ended up in front of another doorway. Draco pushed it open and walked through. Almost immediately, a flock of house elves appeared.
"Master Draco!" One squeaked, running to him.
"Er…hello." Draco said, not quite sure which one it was. "I have some news for you. My father has been killed, and my mother has gone missing, meaning that we won't have anyone here for a little while. I want you all to take tomorrow off…and I'll come back with more instructions then." Draco turned and left, Harry following behind. They walked back up the staircase and down a few hallways until they arrived at a grand staircase. "I'm going to my room. You can come or stay here. If you want to change, I'm sure we have something." Draco said, eyeing Harry's outfit. Harry looked down at his muddy, wrinkled clothes.
"Yeah…I'd like to change." He said hesitantly. Draco nodded and moved up the stairs, his long strides taking three steps in one. Harry followed slowly. By the time he reached Draco's door, the other man was riffling through his bureau.
"Here," Draco said, tossing a pile of clothes at Harry. "Those should work. You can change in the guest room. It's four doors down on the left."
"Thanks." Harry said absently. Draco shrugged and closed his door. Harry went down the hall and changed. Upon looking at himself in the mirror, he noticed that Draco had given him a black, open necked shirt and black breeches. He opened his door and found Draco leaning up against the wall next to him.
"We need to check on the potion."
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Why aren't they back yet?" Hermione sighed, poking at her breakfast. Ron was, strangely enough, not eating either.
"I don't know." He said quietly. "They've been gone nearly four hours."
"Do you think we should go there?" Hermione asked nervously.
"Where?"
"Malfoy Manor."
"Do you know where it is?" Ron asked, managing a sip of his juice. Hermione shook her head, defeated.
"Then I guess we're out of ideas. Other than waiting for them." She ran her hands over her eyes. "I'm just so confused about everything. I mean, what's going to happen now? What's next for all of us?" Ron pulled Hermione close and hugged her.
"I promise you that everything is going to turn out all right." He whispered. "No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you, along with Harry and Malfoy." Hermione sighed and a single tear ran down her cheek.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Draco pulled the cauldron away from the flames, placing it on the desk. Harry watched the deep red liquid bubble as Draco added the fine powdered eggshells. A cloud of black steam rose and settled over the surface.
"Are we sure that's safe?" Harry asked. Draco nodded.
"According to the book, we've done it perfectly."
"You've done it perfectly." Harry corrected. Draco raised an eyebrow. "I didn't do anything. Thank you, by the way. Cosette probably would have died without you."
"She means a lot to me too, Potter." Draco said, dipping a ladle in and pouring some of the thick, scarlet liquid into a potion vial.
"Why do you still call me Potter?" Harry asked.
"Better question, why do you still call me Malfoy? After all, it is your friend's last name as well as mine." Draco countered. He put a stopper in the bottle and tucked it into a small leather pouch. Without breaking conversation, the two men walked out of the room and down the hallway.
"Fine. We'll make an agreement. I call you Draco, and you call me Harry."
"Fine."
"Okay."
"You know, Edan and I used to have conversations like that." Draco said, pulling their brooms out of the closet.
"Like what?" Harry asked, reaching his hand out and taking his broom.
"We used to call each other by our last names, but Edan would always say, 'Why do you call my sister Cosette and don't use my name?'" Draco leaned against his broom. "I really miss him."
"I know the feeling." Harry murmured.
"No, you don't." Draco said coldly, his eyes almost the color of Cosette's in the dark hallway. "You've always had a friend around. Edan was the only person I could trust, and my own father killed him."
"You have no idea how I grew up." Harry spat.
"Oh yes, I forgot." Draco drawled. "You were orphaned. Forced to live with Muggles."
"You have no idea…" Harry hissed, his eyes narrowed.
"Of course I don't, Harry." Draco said calmly. "I just had an ideal childhood, full of blood and death." The two men fell silent, Harry glaring while Draco raised an eyebrow in sarcastic mock. After awhile, Harry dropped his eyes and sighed.
"Look, Draco, I'm sorry. Okay? It's just I'm really worried about Cosette, and I know you are too, and Hermione and Tristan…It's just…I don't know. If she dies, I've lost everything." Harry sank to the floor, suddenly feeling exhausted.
"Now that I can relate to." Draco said softly, his tone almost comforting. "And I'm sorry too. Cosette is really important to me. She's all I have left of my past."
"I thought you would want to forget your past." Harry said questioningly.
"Would you forget yours?"
"No, but-"
"Exactly. Without her, I have nothing to remind me of Edan. Nothing to bring back the memories of what I was…what I could have become. Nothing to show me how much I've changed." Draco sat down on the bottom step of the staircase and stayed silent, letting the minutes pass between them. "I remember when she was born. Edan was the only person I knew my age, and the Lestranges brought Cosette to our house for Christmas. She just laid in Edan's arms while his mother went around socializing, and she just stared at me."
"Have her eyes always been that shade of blue?" Harry asked.
"When she was younger, they were violet. They changed color when she was fourteen. Never figured out why…" Draco paused, staring at the floor. "It may have been because that's when she learned to be an animagus. Did she ever tell you about that?"
"Yeah, and she mentioned that Edan was an eagle. She's a Parselmouth too," Harry added.
"Always surprised me that she wasn't a Slytherin." He said. "She's got all the qualities- cunning, ambitious, pureblooded, and she speaks Slytherin's language."
Harry laughed suddenly, the noise seeming foreign in the hallways. "You do realize," He said, still smiling. "That not only did Hermione marry a Slytherin, but that Ron is in love with one, and I sort of am too?"
"What's wrong with Slytherins?" Draco asked, an edge of superiority in his voice.
"Apparently nothing." Harry said and stifled a laugh. "We should leave soon."
"Yeah." Draco agreed, standing and opening the front doors. The sun was just barely over the trees, leaving the leaves an iridescent green-silver. They mounted and kicked off, flying towards the rising sun.
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***AUTHOR*** I am SO sorry this chapter took so long. I had one, and then Jes didn't like it, so I had to trash those 6 pages and start this one.(10 pages in all…I think that's a record.) And I also went to the Adirondacks for a week, so that was difficult. ANYWAY, here it is, I hope you all like it. There will be 1 more chapter, unless I write too much, and then there will be two. Right, so thank you all again! *huggles reviewers* I know…
gag me with a fucking spoon.
Oh, and we still want fanart. Jes and I. So draw some and email it to her. Maziky@msn.com.
And by the way, please review. J