Author's notes: I do not own Harry Potter nor associates. Explanations for new terms/spells/magical items are at post-fic author's notes.
I had not been able to resist the urge to write and finish the story! So here's the update!
AJ586 : Thanks for the review. Glad that you liked the story. Though this is already the end.Nippledora Tweaks: If fan fiction weren't made up, I'm sure they grew out of Mandrakes.
"Dear Father, please be informed that I would be home three weeks from now due to major examination coming up. Please send regards and apologies to the Dark Lord on my behalf. Do take care of your health. Your son, Draco." The Slytherin set down his quill and admired the work. Three weeks to administer their ploy against Voldemort. Meanwhile, Harry looked into Hogwart's history. He needed to find the name of that one prefect, to substantiate his claims.
Harry's eyes went down the list of prefects in Hogwarts, when Tom Riddle was in sixth year. He scrolled down the list, "... Lowse, Fredrick; Loystor, Cadence; Malfoy, Madeleine..." Harry had found what he was looking for. Madeleine Malfoy, Draco's aunt.
"Draco, your aunt, Madeleine Malfoy was a prefect.." Harry told Draco, as he continued reading, and came to a short stop. Her term had lasted only one year. This was no surprise to Harry, for Draco already told him that Madeleine had died when she was fifteen. Strange deaths in Hogwarts were documented, but not this. Harry was perplexed by such oddity.
"Harry. What are you getting at?" The blonde, who was penning his letter halfway across the castle, promptly replied. His rash attitudes always prevented him from seeing the small details of things, something Harry was particularly good at.
"Draco. Remember the rumour that the Slytherin accostrome was last in the possession of a certain female prefect? Do you think it can be her?" The Gryffindor left the library and went to Draco. They were not only telepath, for now they could find out where each other was just by focusing their thoughts. Draco had been at the oak tree near the quidditch pitch, but once he sensed that Harry was coming near, he went to meet him halfway.
"Draco. Quick, we have to talk to the accostrome now," said Harry when he met up with Draco. Without hesitation, Draco led them both back to his room. The Slytherin common room was empty, except for a napping Zabini in a corner, who actually never gave much care to whether Draco was in company of Harry.
Gingerly opening the accostrome, Draco muttered a meek apology to the accostrome, presumably to make up for the unruly treatment the other night. The accostrome did not respond, its magma calm and slowly swirling.
"Who are you?" Draco questioned the accostrome, both their eyes peered down hard at the moving liquid.
"No one." The words formed instantaneously infront of them.
"Madeleine Malfoy. Are you in there?" Draco questioned again, now sporting a domineering tone, exuding a classic Malfoy air.
"Watch your manners, Draco Guthrie Malfoy." The accostrome seemed angry, for the silver swirls turned fire red, the words appeared to look larger too. Draco had initially thought that Salazar Slytherin felt insulted from being mistaken as a meek prefect. The swirls then resumed to its silver grey colour, before displaying yet another shocking response- "That is no way to speak to your grandaunt."
The two gasped, almost dropping the accostrome. Draco could not believe his eyes; his aunt residing together with Salazar Slytherin in such complex magical item. His grandaunt, when she was still a student, had managed to put a part of herself into a magical item whose logic was never known to any wizards but its creators.
"Will you come and see us, please?" Harry tried asking, but no response was made. The accostrome had only responded to what Draco said. Draco shook his head, telling Harry not to press on. He really did not want to know what his grandaunt had to do with Tom Riddle. Harry shot the blonde a confused look, not knowing why he had chosen to react this way.
"I don't want to know what happened. It's just too...scandalous." Draco could not even find the right word to express what he meant. He had the gut feeling that his grandaunt was more than just house mates or fellow prefect to Tom Riddle; there was something that went on.
"Scandalous?" With raised eyebrows, Harry couldn't help but chuckle at the Slytherin. It never came across to Harry that a grandaunt could be scandalous, at least not in the way Harry was picturing it to be. Shrugging off the thoughts, Harry thought it might actually be better if he left Draco to look into the matter himself. After all, they were probing into Madeleine's private life. Bidding farewell, Harry left the dungeon and went to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. He could only do that one thing in that bathroom.
Hermione certainly felt something; she obviously sensed something strange was going on between Harry and Draco. Seeing Harry coming back to the common room with bleary, bloodshot eyes a few times a week, and hearing of his disappearance from his bed at night, Hermione tried to piece the puzzles together. It shuddered to think of Harry and Draco as lovers. Hermione, typically still bounded by strict Muggle traditions and values instilled by her parents, had difficultly with homosexuality.
Albus Dumbledore, sat at his desk as Fawkes let out an almost deafening cry. It was time already, for her rebirth. Smiling benevolently at the magnificent phoenix, Dumbledore sensed the beginning of something of a greater scale. As Fawkes burned to ashes, Dumbledore placed the Sorting Hat beside Fawkes, telling the chick, "Bless those who are loyal to us." The headmaster knew that Fawkes would certainly go to the rescue of those who were of utmost loyalty to Hogwarts, just as how she had brought the sword of Godric Gryffindor to Harry in year two.
A week had passed, and Draco still had no further news from his father. Had he really bought the story of having to studying for a major examination? Draco was stunned at how gullible Lucius had become, or perhaps, there is a plan on their part, too?
It was evident to the rest of Hogwarts that Harry had become friends with Draco, often seen together, they were fast becoming the small talks over lunch and gossips exchanged along hallways. Speculations of their sudden friendship ranged from something close to the reality to total bizarre- and those came from none other than the Weaseley brothers.
The plan had been going on well, all they had to do, was to wait for Voldemort to attack.
At the end of the third week, Draco was brought out of class by Dumbledore himself. He knew perfectly well that his father was here for him.
"Harry. I'm going back now. I will keep you informed of any changes." Draco told Harry, as he walked to the Headmaster's office. Stand in front of him was Lucius Malfoy, fully recovered and well. Giving the headmaster a cold stare, Lucius placed his hand on Draco's shoulder and led him away. Draco turned back and stole a look at the Professor, who gave him a wink and motioned to Fawkes, who was now a full grown phoenix.
Draco followed Lucius home, both remaining silent throughout the journey. Something had changed about the man infront of him. Draco felt that there was just that something that was different from the last time he saw Lucius. There is this pallor, but at the same time, he seemed less uptight and serious. He had actually looked that tad benevolent. Upon reaching their villa, Draco was told to go to the dungeons, where the Dark Lord would be waiting.
"I see that you are here," a loud cackling voice addressed Draco, as he entered the dungeon. Voldemort had his back turned, and the blonde only see a dark figure.
"Harry. I'm seeing him now." Draco did not know if the Dark Lord could detect the telepathy between him and Harry, but he had to risk it to keep Harry informed. While Draco was deep in thought, he failed to notice the dark figure loom over him. All of a sudden, a strong gripped Draco's neck, choking him.
"Communicating with our little friend, are we?" Voldemort hissed, for he could detect the telepathy. Draco's eyes widened with fear when he felt the Dark Lord's acid breath, a vague smell of decomposed material filled the air about him. Sensing Draco's struggles, the Dark Lord loosen the grip, and spun the blonde around to face him. For the first time, Draco stared into the eyes of the Dark Lord. "Bring your little friend here, Malfoy. I want to see him."
Draco was about to say no when he felt a strong cruciatus curse hit him. He flew from his spot and hit the wall some ten feet away. The pain radiated through his body, his bones ached and his muscles underwent uncontrolled spasm.
"I do not take no as an answer. Now get Harry Potter here or you shall bear my wrath!" Voldemort vociferated, the fire burning in his eyes glowed brighter, and seemed to burn right into Draco's heart when their stares coincided.
"Harry. He wants you to come. We're at my villa." Draco sent the thought to Harry, who promptly left Hogwarts under his invisible cloak. Flying on his Firebolt, Harry travelled fast and high to the Malfoy villa. Once Harry entered the sky about the villa, he felt his broom being taken away, and himself falling from some height onto the nearby field. Harry groaned as he hit the grass, but fortunately, he was not injured. Lucius Malfoy stood before him. Conjuring a binding charm, Harry was bound with ropes and was pushed towards the dungeon.
"Get in there!" Lucius barked and shoved Harry into the dungeon, where the Dark Lord and Draco were. Harry stumbled and fell into the room, falling flat on his face. There was no way he could fight Voldemort in this state.
"Well, well, Harry Potter. We meet again." Voldemort walked towards Harry. Lifting up his foot clad in dragon hide boots, the Dark Lord brought his foot to Harry's face, further pinning the boy to the ground. The aggressor gave a malicious laugh, and stared at Draco. "Let's see if your little lover can save you this time round." With that, both Harry and Draco were subjected to the cruciatus curse. Piercing pain ran through their bodies, filling every nerve ending and every muscle. Their groans could be heard, and Lucius felt something. He actually felt sorry for Draco.
Voldemort pulled Draco up by his collar, and shoved him to the wall. Once again, Voldemort peered into Draco's eyes. "Finish him off," the Dark Lord mouthed.
"No!" Draco cried. This time, he did not receive the crucio treatment. Instead, double shot was sent to Harry. Draco cringed at hearing Harry's helpless cries. It hurt Draco to see Harry suffer like this, and Draco knew exactly Voldemort was playing at. Holding back his tears, Draco had no choice but to point his wand at the helpless Gryffindor, whose muscular spasms had not stopped.
"I'm sorry Harry," Draco said loudly, "I will always love you." Draco hesitated, to see if Harry could at least reply something.
"Why, Draco?" Harry groaned, his voice bleak and weak.
"I don't want to see you hurt like that... as I said, it's easier to leave, than to be left behind. Goodbye Potter," with that, Draco shouted a loud avada kedavra. Harry left an ear-piercing cry before his limbs fell to his side. A single tear rolled down Draco's cheek. The Dark Lord laughed as he saw the boy fall. His nemesis was now dead. At the hands of the very person he trusted and love.
"You made me kill the person I loved and trusted, you evil git!" Draco turned around and screamed at Voldemort. His lips trembling, Draco's tears flowed freely. Voldemort took no notice of what Draco said, as he continued to laugh.
"Just like you! You too killed the person you trusted and loved most!" Draco moved up till he was only inches from the Dark Lord, staring straight at his face. The Dark Lord stopped laughing upon hearing that, his face knotted with disgust. "When you killed Madeleine she left you a curse. A curse that will cause your downfall." Draco enunciated clearly for everyone to hear.
The Dark Lord again let out a malicious laughter. "She cursed that I will be destroyed by that one pure soul. But that soul is gone. He is dead. I will prevail. She has failed." The Dark Lord hissed through his teeth, making sure Draco caught every word he said.
"Madeleine loved you, Tom Riddle," Draco spoke in a staccato manner, clearly building up certain suspense. "Her love was undying." Draco paused, as though to clear his thoughts. "My love for Draco is also undying." With that the wand was pointed at Voldemort, who was stricken with fear. He had not heard wrongly- "the love for Draco".
"Avada kedavra!" In a split second, the curse came out of the wand that bore one of the two feathers from Fawkes. Just as expected, the charm was repelled by Voldemort's wand. Both fell back with and hit the floor with a loud thud.
"Expelliarmus!" Lucius took both their wands away. He did not know what he was doing, but he wanted to save his son. "Harry, take Draco away! I will deal with the situation here!" Just as this was heard, ball of fire swooped into the dungeon. It was Fawkes. Dropping the sorting hat next to the blonde, she circled the air before attacking Voldemort with her claws. The blonde picked up the hat and drew out the sword of Godric Gryffindor.
"Voldemort! Face your death!" The sword was then plunged straight into the Dark Lord's heart, a deafening cry heard. A light was emitted from the stab wound in Voldmort, a light so blinding everyone turned away. When the light dimmed, all was left was a pile of burning ember, with a solitary sword sticking out of it. Seeing that the evil was finally gone, the blonde accio-ed his Firebolt and flew out, following Fawkes.
Trusty Fawkes was leading Harry to where the Rose of Miztgral was, flying at a great speed. Harry tailed Fawkes, as the wind blew the tears away from his cheeks. Harry was led to an icecap of a mountain, where he caught sight of the gleam of the glass in the sun. Dismounting his broom haphazardly, Harry threw himself forward, just as he had done so in his dream.
The single rose, stood proudly in the snow. Harry fingered the rose, admiring the last of its beauty before breaking it off the stem. His tears flowed naturally, dripping down onto the rose. The rose stirred momentarily, but remained dormant. Harry knew what he had to do. He plunged the rose into his wrist, allowing the blood to flow into the rose. Where his blood touched, the rose became alive. To stop his own bleeding, Harry tore a strip of cloth of his shirt, or perhaps Draco's shirt and wrapped it around his wrist.
Harry ran into Draco's room, and saw himself lying on the bed. Lucius looked down at the lifeless body, and for a moment, Harry thought he saw tears in Lucius' eyes. Narcissa sat next to Lucius, her eyes bloodshot from over crying. Harry bent down towards the body, and used his good hand to crush the petals of the life-giving rose and laid the petals on Draco's lips. He pushed the petals lightly, trying to force them into Draco's mouth. The body seemed to have gone into rigour mortis, Harry had to use force to pry over the mouth. As the body rigidly received the petals, Harry stared down at his how face, how pale it has become.
Between waiting for the Draco to be revived, several thoughts flashed through Harry's mind; if Draco did not live, Harry would gladly live under the pretense of Draco's body, at least, that way, Lucius and Narcissa could look at their son. As Harry gripped the cold hands of the body, he brought it to his face and kissed it. Tears were spilt. Just as Harry thought all was gone, a slight pulsating in the palm of the body jerked Harry to his senses. The cold hand was gradually becoming warm again, and Harry could distinctly feel the heart beat of the body infront of him.
"Draco! Wake up! Can you hear me?" Harry shouted and brought Lucius out of his trance too. The two parents clamoured toward the body, unaware of how they should react. Their gut told them, the soul in the body there belonged to Draco, but the body was essentially Harry's.
Draco's eyelids fluttered open, and he resumed breathing. He felt every part of his body aching, his throat so dry he could not speak a word. Harry propped him up against the bed frame, and fed him some liquid. The parched lips hurt as liquid touched them, and Draco grimaced. Harry promptly took the spoon away from the mouth, and threw it on the wall. The lips remained parched, and without hesitation, Harry pressed his own moist lips to those belonging to the boy with the green-eyes. For the first and perhaps only time in his life, Harry kissed himself. The blonde then pulled the boy into his arms, embracing him.
"I need some water," Draco told Harry. The blonde grinned and took a mouthful of water from the cup, before he locked lips with Draco and emptied the water into Draco's mouth. For a moment their tongues touched, but they had decided to not take things too far, not when these were all in plain view of Draco's parents.
Albeit Lucius having repented, he found it hard to accept that his son was kissing the boy they had been at war with for the past six years. Narcissa gave an understanding nod, and motioned Lucius to give the two some privacy.
The two remained hugging for a moment, before Draco noticed Harry's wounded hand.
"Are you all right?" Draco asked, concerned.
Draco shrugged and touched his wound gingerly. "Now I know how my mother felt on the night they were attacked. She would give everything to save me. This was the least I could do, for the person I love."
Tears welled in Draco's eyes, and made the green eyes look forlorn. That night, the two waited for the polyjuice effects to wear off, as they pledged to spend the rest of their lifetime together.
If you are still clueless, Draco and Harry polyjuiced into each other (hence the 3-week wait) and Harry returned to Draco's house as Draco, and had pretended to kill the latter, who was acting as Harry. That's the jist of it, and I will wrap up things in the epilogue. (Yes, there IS an epilogue.)