Summary: When long ago, Salazar created the Slytherin house and put himself on its throne, he never thought that, one day, the Snake could evolve and the crawling lord mute into the sky sovereign, the one and only Dragon. Draco/Harry, Lucius/Severus, Ron/Hermione

Warning: Mentions of incestuous and vampiric relations

Author's notes : First, I want to thank all those who reviewed, you were wonderful. I hope this chapter will please you no less and that you'll find all you wanted to read in it.

Moreover, you may wonder why this chapter is called times of war. It can't be war! It's the beginning of the year! Yes, that's right, but when I began this fic, I thought 'Why is the big battle always at the end of the year? Why let the Gryffindors the time to prepare?' It didn't seem logical to me. So, I decided to write a fic in which the fight would be soon in the year. That's to say, here, in November. Please, forgive me for that. Don't worry, I'll narrate what happen till the end of the year, even if quicker. Maybe one day, I'll take the time to write some parts of it from other characters' point of view.

Last but not least, please, read the chapter till the end, and don't be tempted to stop because of some bad news. (because I know that if it had been me reading, I would have stopped just before the end and send this fic's link to the trash). So, please, just go till the last sentence.

THE SNAKE'S CLAN

Chapter 12 : Times of war

November

All seemed calm. Professors were teaching their students the usual classes in the usual classrooms. Wind flew in the school's corridors, taking away ghosts that tried to resist the blow and pestered against the Zephyr God. House elves fussed in the kitchen to prepare the upcoming lunch. Homework was given and children finally released. They ate in silence then went back to class, studied, ate, slept, ate, studied, ate, studied, ate, slept and it went on in circle for two weeks.

In the middle of November took place the first quidditch match. Gryffindor VS Slytherin. Arriving first, the Slytherins randomly shared the tribunes, earning astonished glances from the other houses. With good will, Hermione sat in a Ravenclaw Tower, next to Draco. Justin didn't missed the opportunity : such an event was to be recorded in the Hogwarts Herald ! Maybe would he even be able to sell it to some outside weekly magazines. He effectively did. Three days later, the full match was related in the Daily Prophet in a special edition, subtitled 'Hogwarts in Revolution!'. Many photos accompanied the article. You could see the multicoloured disposition of the students' robes, the entering of the quidditch teams under the captaincy of Harry Potter and Blaise Zabini and the two of them sharing hands in the air. Then came Viktor Krum releasing the Snitch, many prowesses in the sky, the Gryffindors then Slytherins marking, and in the end, as the greens had thirty points in advance, the red seeker catching the snitch, earning his house the victory. But the photo that made the first page of the edition wasn't of quidditch. It was of two students, a Gryffindor and a Slytherin, a muggle-born and a pure-blood, the first carrying a green flag and the second a red one. Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy.

Of course, many commentaries underlined the magical picture: 'Love blooming in Hogwarts!', 'The breaking of social barriers!', 'What will answer Lucius Malfoy to this provocation?'

Lucius Malfoy only answered that his son was old enough to do as he wanted. Dumbledore mysteriously added that viewing photos as proofs could lead to false opinions. When reading the news-week, Harry was unconsciously jealous, even if he tried to forget it himself. Some days later, as journalists came to Hogwarts to interview the students, Draco made a apparition, arm in arm with the Gryffindor champion. It bowled the visitors over. Shots and flashes crackled during long minutes without interruption. It was the first time in Harry's life that he willingly submitted to a session of photos. If the world could see him with Draco then he would be happy.

But this special day had to be ominous. The very night, they received a declaration of war against the Order of the Phoenix and all Hogwarts. Many members of the Dumbledore army wondered why Voldemort took the time to send them a declaration. When asked about the subject, Slytherins shrugged their shoulders and rose their eyes heavenward, as if the answer was evident. The questioner then felt like an idiot till he encountered some other member, that had got the same reaction out of the snakes and hadn't understood either.

Harry had narrated to his room-mates and friends how Godric Gryffindor had come back from the dead to warn them against his grand-son that was none other than Draco. After some moments of doubt, all were bursting with questions and remarks of their own. How could a good Gryffindor fell into a so rotten house? Maybe they would learn that Malfoys descended from muggle-borns? Laughs had fused when they were told there effectively was a muggle in the lineage, grand-mother of old-Draco. They had stopped as abruptly when Harry had added Merian Malfoi had 'married' Salazar Slytherin. The full house still wanted to rub the not so pure-blood thing in Malfoy's face. None of them did. He would surely have retorted back something like, "Remember I am also a descendant of Gryffindor. But I found your house so pitiful and pathetic that I decided to go for Slytherin." None of them dared to go verify. The fact that the blood link existed was insulting enough. These contradicted reactions seemed to amuse Harry.

About the war, Dumbledore first decided to send back home as many students as he could. That was before Draco took the matter into hands. For a long time did he conversed with Harry in the Room of Requirement. Truly, you could say they talked till allied Gryffindors, Slytherins and teachers came and dragged them out by force. They then exposed their battle plan.

The following day, the two newly named house generals publicly read the declaration to all Hogwarts population. It was an uproar. The students would defend their school! Never had there been better army. Parents were notified of the situation. Some asked for their children back, demands that were generally refused by the students. Some came to Hogwarts as help.

Arthur Weasley cringed when learning his second son was in Malfoy Manor but he said nothing. Draco was officially accepted by the red-haired joker twins. He put them and Snape in a special team, charged with creating bombs. The professor had difficulties accepting. Not that he didn't want to associate with Weasleys but he would have preferred currently being at his lover's side.

Many death-eaters had been seen round Malfoy Manor. They had never attacked and seemed to be spotting and espying their enemy's forces. Nobody found out the dragons.

Draco often made journeys to Riddle Manor and back. What with his Shadow state, he could go unnoticed. Harry sometimes accompanied him, hidden by the Invisibility Cloak and magical barriers Dumbledore put on him. They so discovered Voldemort and his followers would attack both Hogwarts and Malfoy Manor the same night, preventing one team to go and help the other, on November the 25th. It was a Wednesday, a night of full moon. It was no surprise: among Voldemort's allies were the were-wolfs. The numerous decrees of the Ministry had definitely convinced them on which side to take. Giants had been disposed as neutral and retired in their mountains. Sole Hagrid, Mrs Maxime and a handful of others remained. Vampires, had declared Malfoy, wouldn't intervene either. He had only revealed his family had a long passed pact with them. Dumbledore had remarked they wouldn't be enough, the battle would be a massacre. Draco countered he waited for last hour help.

Remus was distressed over the fact he wouldn't be able to help them without endangering them. That was before Snape arrived, presenting a potion vial. It could either allow the were-wolf to conserve a part of his humanity and attack only death-eaters, or kill him. Before Sirius could stop him, Remus had drank the potion. All the present ones thought Black would kill Severus. Dumbledore stopped the enraged dog. Four days later, the day before the attack, Moony still was alive.

- - - - - - - - -

The wolf had observed many people during these last two weeks. His primary target had been Charlie Weasley, or rather Atus Cast. The young man was on edge, tired and anxious. He quitted table or conversation without reason, with only the pretext to go and join Bill by fireplace. Many thought he had an idyll somewhere and used Bill as an excuse. But Remus knew it wasn't the case. On these moments, Charlie truly went to his brother. Remus didn't say anything about it. He didn't fed the rumours, and didn't extinguish them, because he felt the same. This profound need to see that the people he loved were well. The terrorising anguish that could arose anytime and anywhere, the horrible fear that a misfortune had stricken your dear ones. He suffered the same for Sirius.

By three times, the man had been counted as dead. By three times, he had come back. But three had to be the limit. Nobody could escape Death more than the Chance number. That was the reason of Remus's unbearable fears. Not even Draco, with his mastering of time, could undo the will of Destiny. You could scoff at the Death one, two, three times but after that, Destiny would handle your future. And She accepted no contradiction. If only there was a way to discover the fate in advance, he would do it for sure. Anything to appease this torture. But he surely wasn't sole to wish the knowledge. Why would he deserve it more than another?

This constant alarm exhausted his body, and particularly his nerves. He was grumpy. Peoples were occupied with and worried over the upcoming war: they didn't noticed. It was better this way. He felt tired. Each night, he climbed up the stairs to his room, didn't bothered with changing and sank on the bed. He wanted nothing more than to give up to sleep and never awake to this world of distress and melancholy. And each time, he realised with a start his obsessive thoughts. What he considered his egoism. What right had he to wish for death? How could he even dream of letting his friends meet this ordeal alone? When he confronted his reflection in the mirror, it appeared as a traitor.

"You don't want to fight! You're a coward! A traitor! You'd let them die for your own peace!" it said.

Six days, five days… He computed the time left before the battle. He regretted having drunk Severus's potion. He deplored Sirius hadn't insisted more. He rued nobody had stopped him from his biggest mistake. He wished Severus never had invented such a potent formula. He desired this attempt would have failed as so many previous had. He hankered after a counter-potion.

Classes were to go on for all years. Unimportant subjects were dropped. DADA hours had been doubled. Sirius taught half of it. Word of the ex-convict come back hadn't got outside Hogwarts and a handful of aurors that could be trusted. Students were afraid, but still many felt the distinctive thrill of unfulfilled vengeance. Remus smelled it. And he was losing hope. Didn't these children understood what they were running into? Did any of them had the fainter idea of what was war?

Four days, three days… To class and back to room, to class and back to room. He wanted to go back into hiding, to one of his hideaway. The shrieking shack would have been a good suggestion, hadn't it been known by so many people. The full moon was near, the wolf in him was awakening quickly.

"Poltroon! Scaredy-cat! They'll die because of you! You're a fool to think you can restrain me! I'll eat them alive and I'll make you watch and hear! I'll relish sensing your remorse! You're a weak! Judas! Renegate!"

What part was the wolf's words? What part was his own imagination? He couldn't sleep, he couldn't dream, he couldn't even stare into space. They immediately recaptured him. When he traversed corridors, he heard the paintings whisperings. "He'll let them die! He's a killer! An assassin!"

Two days, one day… He hadn't succumbed to the potion. Yet. Never had the wolf been so strong in him. If he survived the war, he wouldn't the beast. Dumbledore had sent them all to sleep for their last night. No need to say few were those who actually were able to. He was in the major number. Harry was with Sirius, after having searched for Draco who had disappeared. Some Gryffindors had made disagreeable remarks at the Slytherin's absence. Had he abandon them? Had he been there to give the Order false information? Harry had brushed past the harsh words without concern.

The wolf longed for release, yearned for liberty, crave for a good kill in the woods. Some human would be perfect. A student, a first year, they were the most tasteful.

Tuesday, November the 24th – Late in the night

In the middle of the night, Remus lifted his head from the book he was looking at, unable to read with his brain full of contradictions as it currently was. A slight hollow sound had caught his attention. It came from the corridor. Too faint to be a student, too echoing to be a painting, too real to be a ghost. The man frowned and the wolf growled. The door didn't opened but Remus perceived the thing's penetrating his room. As it threw itself upon him, Moony instinctively brought out his wand and cast a freezing curse where his senses dictated him. It didn't touch and his wand was snatched away from his hand. Then the thing appeared and Remus cursed for not recognising sooner the visitor. Dumbledore had warned them though. But he was so tensed he couldn't discern any longer allies from foes except for when they were in the very front of him.

"Is thatthe wayyou welcome your friends?" the latecomer reproached.

"And since when do the Malfoys willingly consider were-wolves as friends?" he replied bitterly.

Draco bent over him menacingly. The wolf was ready to strike and destroy the menace. It hated being dominated and looked over. It couldn't support it. It was too much, too many painful memories. A fault line and it would launch and kill. But there was no breach to use at its advantage. The boy was a master wizard. Its throat contracted and it growled dully its hatred. Draco advanced one step, obliging Remus to reluctantly take one back if he didn't want to touch. This way, they made it to the small and old bed. By a simple extending of his hand, Draco made the man fall on the mattress. The wolf submitted. Draco crawled up the bed and mounted his professor.

"Be careful not to loose what little respect you just gained back, for this moment shall happen that I would kill you."

Remus could only nod his approbation that Draco disappeared from his sight. He redressed and discovered the blond tranquilly installed on the small desk. The boy observed his elder with satisfaction.

"If I was to possess a harim, you'd be part of it."

Remus's heart leaped in his chest before stopping totally. Of all the things he was waiting for, this one was the last he would ever have imagined.

"Considering aesthetic, you're not what's best; but I value spirit over physic and you have much of it. I'd put you in my prize collection, along with the Weasley bros, Sevy and Luz."

Remus was frozen in shock at the words. Was the boy joking? He didn't seem like it. The easy and light tone was all the more frightening in its simplicity and purity. 'I want to attack. I want to, but I can't.'

"You see, Remy," went on Draco, "I could drink you dry and nobody would move and help you. Nobody would even know or suspect me."

'Drink? No… It's impossible! I would have smelled it!'

"I like your resistance, the way you always come back after the worse happened to you. I like your humility, how you tamed the beast in you. I liked when you yielded to me. Would you let me drink you Remy?"

If Draco had been any nearer, Remus wouldn't have been able to resist the ascendancy. He felt it strongly and Draco was three meters away. The boy hadn't come back toward the bed as he could have, like anxious to accord liberty of thoughts to his victim. For now, Lupin needed to answer. The Malfoys weren't known for their patience. Would he willingly let a vampire drink from him, a were-wolf? They were long-time enemies. Rather, their people were. He'd never been at ease with his fellows. Surely because he'd never been at ease with himself since his transformation. He was alone in a world where he was feared and hated. Laws overwhelmed him. But just now he felt different. He was wanted, desired. It was pleasant, if not real. Acting of its own, his head slowly nodded.

Draco's eyes illuminated. "Truly? You would? I wasn't sure you'd accept. That's great."

Remus was startled again by the sudden change in the tone. It appeared to be the general reaction of a normally constituted person when conversing with Draco.

"Ah, I'm going mad. I shouldn't go so near Harry or I'd finish by killing him. Well, you see, I need you for a secret plot…"

- - - - - - - - - - -

Ginny rolled in Neville's arms, careful not to wake him. Snape had given them all a sleeping potion but she had refused to drink it, willing to be awake for what could be her last night. Neville hadn't either. They had made love. It was their first time.

The finished weeks had been tiring to the core. Classes, training, stress. In less than twenty hours, Voldemort would attack them. Despite their numerous spying, Harry and Draco hadn't discovered much on the dark lord's means. It would be a blind defence. Gryffindors still hadn't understand why the man had warned them of his coming. Either it was madness, or cunning and he would attack at an other time. She wasn't sure which one she preferred. Neither one.

She wasn't afraid. No, not really. After what she had been through in her first year, she had become strong of will and spirit. What she feared most was to be used by Voldemort again.

She had been surprised when learning Malfoy was the heir of Slytherin. The cretinous git finally had some effective power other than bothering and mocking others. It was right that Malfoy had changed a lot during the last years. He'd been much noticed in her fourth year but after that, had done what he could to stay out of everyone's way. Ron had given him many difficulties. She chuckled. There wasn't an evening in which he didn't came back to the Tower all bloodied, dirtied by his own blood or another's, generally Malfoy's. Then there had been the rumours of the Malfoys having killed Charlie. The lack of proof had been unbearable. Her father had stopped at nothing to make the old lords fall. Nevertheless, it hadn't been enough and the dark family still remained. Now, she could fully appreciate her father's failure; and knew that her father thanked the skies that he couldn't succeed.

And now they discovered Malfoy had Gryffindor blood. For a surprise, it was a bolt from the blue. But it was true Malfoy was braver that was they assumed. Rather, past Draco had been brave and had transmitted his courage to present Draco.

She had talked to Harry about the two boys' relation. She had demanded to know if that really was what Harry desired and needed.

"Had it been last year, I would have hated it," her almost brother had explained, "Being protected, cared for. It'd have been intolerable. But this year, I'm able to accept it. Maybe because I know Draco went through much too. He agrees with me taking decisions, fighting in the war as a responsible adult. Well… He wanted to hide some things at the beginning and still don't tell some, but we all have our secrets. Let's say he modified his general attitude for me."

Harry had always needed to be protected and surrounded, even if he refused the evidence. He tried to appear and be strong but it happened some of his friends noted the tiredness of his looks and discovered the truth. Harry never was better than when he knew his friends supported and backed him. Still, he feared for their lives, and with good reason. That was why he went to someone that would appease his anxiety, someone that could defend himself and Harry if danger appeared. To be cared for was a luxury Harry now could afford, and he deserved it.

The young man had spent his sixth year developing his inherited powers and mastering wandless magic. Dumbledore had reserved a small room for him, that he had protected so that Harry wouldn't be detected. It was said the Gryffindor champion was an animagus, but he had never agreed with nor contradicted the rumours. From their side, Hermione and Ginny had done researches and discovered fire was their house's element. That was the way Harry had destroyed Quirrell during his first year. They imagined what powers could Harry have, but he never told. And now, he met his counterpart, the heir of Slytherin, master of water and time.

Ginny was fixed about Harry's feelings. No, what bothered her rather was Malfoy's ones. What had nurtured the Slytherin into loving Harry, as he affirmed he did?

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Professor! And what if we add two grams of dried salamander skin per litre?" proposed a twin.

"Let's test!" immediately acted the other.

"Stop it! We have no time left for experiences!" shouted Snape, his nerves on edge. "The bombs must be ready by lunch! Hurry up!"

"Ah… No need to be so touchy…" complained Fred.

"We only wanted to make them more efficient…" outbid George.

"They're effective enough! Prepare them," concluded the dark-haired man. In an other cauldron that was waiting in a corner, he began dropping some roots and carefully measured liquids. He was brewing the material for a gigantic bomb Draco had asked of. The two brothers went quiet and began working on with the production. But, as he hoped for a deserved silence, Snape heard them whispering.

"He's so irritable! No sense of humour at all!"

"Remember he'd rather be at the Manor…"

Severus's hand flinched above the boiling concoction.

"Oh yeah right. With Malfoy and all. I had forgotten they were lovers."

Then it shivered dangerously.

"Ah ah ah… Oooohhh… Luciuuusss…" Fred mimicked.

Snape dropped the vial. The cauldron exploded.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Flash-Back

When they found the map, in their first year, they immediately imagined the numerous pranks they would be able to realise with it. Four years later, as Ron and Harry were in their third year, they decided to use it to discover secrets of their hated teachers. Snape was the first on the victims' list. Often had they already noticed how Lucius Malfoy visited the potion master at night. The man had harmed their little sister the past year, it was time for revenge. Besides, their father would forgive them if they were to get caught: he'd be too happy his sons had tried to bring down his nemesis. The simple thing they feared was: what if the two death-eaters were plotting for the dark lord? That was why each time they went on excursion, they let a letter on their bed, saying where they had gone and why.

They were used to their dad talking about Malfoy. The way he treated him. Arthur Weasley never respected the man, used to thing of him as a dark wizard and death-eater but didn't really feared him. That's also how his children had learned to consider Lucius Malfoy, especially after his fiasco with Riddle's diary and Dobby's liberation.

A night, they decided they would learn nothing by staying in the corridors, they had to discover proof of what took place in the room. When they arrived, they posted ear to the door so that they could ear what was talked about inside. But some seconds after, the door opened and Malfoy emerged before they could hide.

They froze on place. The man couldn't not see them, they were in front of the door, in the middle of the corridor. But it wasn't being taken on the spying act which frightened them, it was the man himself. He was Lucius Malfoy, and at the same time, he wasn't. He was dressed only in a shirt and pants but he looked stronger than ever. The twins had the impression if he attacked them, the only person they could run to for help was Dumbledore and even then , they weren't sure.

The man smirked at their faces, entered the room back and closed the door. The brothers ran to their dormitory. Two days later, they gave Harry the Map.

What did Lucius Malfoy had that was so special, they didn't know. He looked like the same arrogant man as ever. Maybe because this time, he could afford it. It was… he had smelt power. Like Dumbledore did when he was angered. It was horrifying. That's when they understood the Lucius Malfoy that showed during the day was a parody, a masquerade destined to the public. The man they saw that night is the real Malfoy lord, and he is dangerous.

They weren't stupid, they perfectly knew what had been running inside the room. After all, why would Mr Malfoy walk bare feet in Snape's apartments? But never did they imagined using this piece of information against the professor, neither did they narrated their encounter to anyone; because they didn't want to die. And if they told someone, they were sure they'd get killed. Malfoy wasn't someone who joked. And they were certain no-one would be able to stop him from destroying them. That's why they kept their mouths shut since they discovered it. And that's why they will go on this way.

When Malfoy had almost been imprisoned, they had remotely considered revealing it but had decided against it not a day later when the man had been liberated. Wasn't it an other proof of his incredible powers? It was finally proved wrong but the fear had remained.

The night Draco had saved Ginny, they had also understood the son was as powerful as the father, maybe more for Ron had recounted them how he obeyed to his son's orders. They had swore to each other the keeping of this secret that weighted on their shoulders.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Minerva turned in her bed. Her hairnet had long left her head and freed her long hair. It now lied somewhere on the floor, next to the pillow that hadn't want to put her into a peaceful sleep. Of course, Severus had given her a sleeping potion, as to anyone in the castle, but she had refused to use it. What if the dark lord choose to attack them one night in advance? She needed to wake up at the first sound of battle.

The last war against Voldemort had been decentred and she couldn't remember the war against Grindewald, she had been too young. By so, she had no true experience on the mater. Few had. Dumbledore was the only name that came to her mind.

She wondered what was the headmaster doing. Could he sleep? Was he rather reading? How could anyone sleep tonight in the castle, when it may be their last day together? True, they had to be fit for the battle but still… She'd rather be with someone else, everyone, simply not alone.

Despaired, she got up and put on a dressing gown. If she could meet Peeves, she'd be happy. But the corridors were empty. Paintings themselves seemed devoid of their usual life. She began feeling the characteristic squeezing of her heart and dismissed it. No way she would be afraid in the middle of Hogwarts! Particularly on the way to the headmaster's office!

She passed by the corridor where was Cast's room and saw light coming from under the door. So, he didn't sleep either? He ought to be conversing with this so special people. Officially, Bill. She smiled. Young's love…

Some more meters… She faced the Gargoyle. She opened her mouth to pronounce the password but the sound never passed her lips. An enormous explosion made Hogwarts tremble on his foundations. Panicking, she looked around her. The walls seemed to last. Before she could react, Dumbledore emerged from the office and took the direction toward the dungeons. She followed.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

"What use could I be to you of?" suspiciously wondered Remus.

"I want you to protect Atus tomorrow," revealed Draco.

"Charlie? Why? He risks something?"

"He was Voldemort's prey. The madman would be happy to know him dead."

"I thought all our forces were to be concentrated in killing the dark lord?"

"It's war, Remus, our only aim is to survive."

Lupin's eyes went suddenly tired. "If you say so…"

Draco fell into silent. Then he got up, walked to the wolf and whispered in his ear, "Tell me Remus, aren't you the one that suffered most among them?"

This sudden realisation, it startled him. During the gap of twelve years between James's and Lily's deaths and his teaching in Harry's third year, nobody knew what had befallen over Remus Lupin, the were-wolf. He had simply disappeared after the aurors investigations. To never come back. He had wanted to forget. To put the past away. James's death. Peter's assassination. Sirius's treason. His marking as a monster. He had fled to Transylvania, the land of vampires. Deeply, he had hoped to be removed from the living. Fate had decided he was to be punished. He was captured but not killed. The blood-suckers were known for their cruelty. He tested it. Ten years passed.

Locked in a cell, used as toy and meat by two vampires, he had distinguished above him an owl. His tormentors had stopped and taken the message it was transporting to their master, the sort of people he imagined Dracula was like. Remus learned later the letter had been for him. It had been of Dumbledore. The old wizard had saved him. Indirectly, but he still had. Lupin was proposed a post of teacher in Hogwarts. The master vampire had then written to a friend in Scotland and said friend had answered to let the captive go. Voldemort had projected to use the were-wolf as a second information source in the school. As the were-wolves were strongly hinted toward the dark side and lord, the death-eaters had hoped for a prompt collaboration. Little did they know he would strictly refuse. But it was too late.

Remus had always wondered who had been the vampire contact into Scotland. Draco had been too young at the time. But if the boy was a blood-sucker, what was the possibility that his father also belonged to the race? Specially, as he hadn't smelled Draco, the boy ought to be a vampire-born.

Lupin had discovered the existence of vampire-borns when in Transylvania. Vampires were able to reproduce by the sexual way! The children were generally hidden and trained to hide their ascendancy; that was how this part of the vampiric people went unknown. Vampire-borns possessed three quarters of the strength and senses of a true vampire but without the sun and reflect problems. They feared the Holy Cross and hated garlic, even without being physically harmed by it. About the blood matter, they needed to feed the same way, the same amount and with the same regularity. Lucius so was a vampire. The man also was a death-eater. That was too much for a simple coincidence. Voldemort couldn't possess that much vampires into Scotland. They hold their forest too deep into their heart to live elsewhere. He should thank Malfoy for his delivering one day. Just to see his face…

"In your time," asked Remus, "Before you reincarnated, you made war, didn't you? You're aware of what we'll meet tomorrow?"

"I do. And you do too. I remember, a thousand years ago, when a wizard was seen, he was hunted down to death. You had to fight to survive. And I had no offensive magic to protect my lands. So I killed. I killed as many as I needed, and even more. It was pleasant to impale these invaders on my sword. To look as their blood shed… Black won't die. Take care of Atus," Draco quickly changed subject again.

'Why does he want that? Why does Charlie need special protection? He said he was Voldemort's prey but there are many the dark lord wants to see dead. Does it have a link with Bill? This secret of theirs. What happened exactly to them? I smelt strange vibes emanating from their bodies. Could it be that… Bill always admired Charlie, maybe this change of body meddled his mind. Before, Charlie's appearance must have kept the feelings and thoughts at bay: they were brothers. Now... What are they? Is this why Draco asks that of me? Because he desires to protect whatever special thing Charlie and Bill have? Could they be… No… It would be so… unnatural… Two brothers sleeping together, they'd never have dared. Yet I don't know much of them. And what if Molly makes the same reasoning as me? She'd be horrified! Both boys would be chased from their home. No, I can't have seen right, it's impossible… isn't it?'

"How can you be so sure about Sirius?"

"Some facts hold no secret to me."

"Hum…" He still doubted, "I'll protect Charlie during the war," he finally accepted.

"No, you didn't understand me, Remy. I asked you to protect Atus tomorrow, after the battle, when fighters will regroup and discover which ones of their friends still are alive, and which ones are dead."

As much as the surname had been unnerving at first, he didn't even noticed it now. He tried to register what Draco told him. What danger could there be after the war? "Bill will die?"

"No, I hope not. Lupin, don't ask more. Just promise to protect him. He won't survive if there no-one to help them at that moment."

Remus remained mouth agape. Had he heard correctly? Did Draco had said what he thought he'd been saying? He mumbled his acceptation of the mission. A frozen flow ran the long of his bones. Had the boy said that to Harry? How would the young Gryffindor react when seeing? But he couldn't voice out his fears when the room trembled violently. What happened? Draco quickly got up, muttering under his breath things Lupin couldn't hear. He followed the boy out of the room and the long of corridors. They met with many people that the explosion had attracted and finally arrived to the potions' classroom.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"What happened?" inquired Dumbledore at the brothers when arriving. The twins had been projected out in the part of the room that was still in a single piece. The other half had been blown off by the power of the explosion, giving a beautiful sight of the stared night. The ex-present professor wasn't to be seen.

"We don't know!" exclaimed George, "We were brewing a potion when it exploded behind us. We must find Snape!!"

"No need," came a dark voice from under the ruins. A darkened, dusty Severus made his apparition, his clothes ripped in shreds, his arms bleeding from numerous cuts. "I have enough! I don't care what happen, I'm going!"

"And where would you be going?" inquired a newcomer.

Snape stopped advancing toward the still alive fireplace and slowly turned back. At that point, Harry and Sirius arrived and observed a frightened potion master in front of a reproachful Draco.

"Hum… To the Manor… my lord."

"Really? Hadn't I given you an order to execute?"

"… Yes… But it failed and there isn't enough raw material to produce another bomb of this large-scale," he justified.

"Of course, there isn't! You made sure of it!"

"… It was an accident…"

"But your responsibility," recalled Draco.

To all observers, Snape was in a tight corner. To the man himself, he was in one of the seven Hells. The potion hadn't failed, he had failed it. And Draco knew it.

"I know… I'm sorry." In an eerie silence, the man kneeled to his student. "I'm sorry," he repeated.

"Do you know why I ordered you to create this particular bomb, Severus?"

"No, my lord," admitted the interrogated, head bowed.

"It was to protect you."

"Wha… To protect me? But why?"

"I planned to send you to the Manor, but the faction I wanted to entrust you with is a difficult one. You had to be able to provoke the fall of the undergrounds' entrance without a wand if need was. Else you would get killed. Should I consider you have failed and force you to remain here?"

Snape's was agape. If they had been in the broad light of a day, Sirius would have seen the person he loathed the most on the verge of tears. He would have find it pitiful and laughed. Then, he'd have thought back on it and pitied the man. But they were the night and he couldn't see the pearls ready to fall. So, he only wondered what there was in Malfoy Manor that Snape was so eager to go back to. He remembered, long ago, when they were in their first years at Hogwarts, how the little outcast Snape used to follow the known headboy Malfoy everywhere. How he looked up at his elder, and how they made fun of him for that. And he understood what they accused him of had been right. Only now it wasn't an accusation: Snape wasn't licking Malfoy's boots, they were lovers.

"No… please no…," begged the proud Slytherin. He didn't care about reputation anymore. If he was to die, it would be at the Manor, with Lucius.

Taking pity of his professor, Draco kneeled next to him and lifted some dark locks of hair that half hid his eyes. "Severus, when will you learn I am not Voldemort?"

The man didn't reply for he didn't know what to say. Of course, Draco wasn't Voldemort. But he'd been at the dark lord's service for so long that he wasn't able to make the difference.

"I can assure you that you won't die during the war, but if you commit suicide before it even begins, I can't promise anything," went on Draco. The boy took out of his pocket two small pendants. One was a vampire's canine, the second a dragon.

"The first is for you. Give the other to Bill, it's Atus's. I'll change my orders to my father. But please… take care of you. If you die, I'll be forced to bring you back as a ghost to save the world from Lucius's wrath."

Severus let a weak smile show and faintly nodded. Then he took flow powder from a jar that had fallen on the floor and disappeared through the fireplace.

What had took place, few were the ones that could pretend understanding. Among them was the headmaster, that rejoiced in thinking back on his conversation with Mad-Eye. He'd joined the man, asking that aurors don't penetrate the Malfoy lands, were they to intercept magic coming from it. Voldemort, what with this big ego of his, could have suddenly decided to attack the Ministry at the same time than the two other poles of battle. For the major part, it was only an excuse. He didn't regretted it an once: Severus was vulnerable to the aurors, due to his dark mark, and was Dumbledore to die during the battle, the potion master's biggest defender would disappear. He trusted Lucius with Severus's care but no-one could imagine what the aftermath of the battle would be.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lucius had felt his lover enter the Manor. He wasn't surprised: Draco had warned him some days ago that he would send Severus. The high lord didn't mind it, on the contrary: he preferred having Snape underhand, were things to turn out badly. His son being far away was already enough for his apprehensive heart. Contrarily to many of his generation, he had strong notions of war and organisation. He also was aware of the powerful means Voldemort would require. During the past year, the dark lord had fumed against his almost defeat against Dumbledore and doubled his efforts, as his ego had taken a serious blow. He had more death-eaters than ever, the were-wolves and the dementors. Not to forget his basilisk pet: Nagini.

He had wondered why he attacked Malfoy Manor now. Why not bring down Hogwarts and attack them later? The answer was simple: it was the special reinforcements Draco had provided the Manor some weeks ago: the dragons. There wasn't much of them, but it was enough to bring down at least a hundred fighters. They would particularly take care of the dementors, which they didn't fear. Voldemort needed the school's battle pole to be free of them, for the dragon master would have commanded them. If the dark lord attempted to kill Draco, the dragons being at proximity would become enraged and almost impossible to stop. That represented too many risks.

Severus penetrated the library, where Lucius was finishing his battle plan with Bill.

"Professor! What happened?" exclaimed the young man at the poor sight of his former teacher.

"Nothing," grumbled the wounded one, coming next to the vampire.

The blond man laid a finger on a dark spot of Snape's cheek then sniffed it and smirked. "Isn't that the remainder of a special potion you were to prepare, maybe?"

Severus looked daggers at his lover, "I don't want any commentaries on this," he hissed, causing the lord to raise brows and to forward him to a shower.

Five minutes later, Malfoy decided they had finely worked and it was time to rest. When hidden by shadows, Bill smiled at the false reason Lucius had invoked to join his lover in the bathroom. It pleased him nonetheless for, with little chance, Charlie still was awake at Hogwarts…

Flash-Back: Winter holidays of the sixth year.

Prostrated above his son's body, Lucius hadn't moved since their apparating. He had never been particularly kind to his offspring, and used to spoiled him because he didn't want a brat under his feet. Then Draco had gone to Hogwarts and disappointed him by not being first in everything, as himself had been. He'd been shocked when his son had dared menacing him not six months previously, and slightly afraid at the news he'd been put under an Imperius curse without realising. He wasn't gentle or tender, or even remotely warm, but there was one thing he knew: since his birth, he'd never cease loving his little boy.

Seeing him fighting the dark lord then falling from the green curse had definitely broken any barriers that stopped him from showing it, and silent and cold tears watered his cheeks. His son being a vampire had saved him: the family curse had protected his son from the Avada Kedavra. What could be killed that was already dead? He felt a soft and clement hand caressing his hair, as a compassionate mother do her children, and heard a sweet voice whispering the body under him was alive.

"I know," he murmured back.

"Then why do you still cry for me?"

"Because I can't stop." He shamed admitting it, but it calmed him to voice it out. The happiness to have his son with him was too much to bear, and the tears soothed his fears and spirit.

"It's fine," the humane and considerate voice added, "It means you're truly mine."

At that time, Lucius had thought it was an allusion to Draco being the Slytherin heir. Only when Dracken's secret had been revealed, had he understood: he was Draco's father, but also his descendant, his little child. Their relation didn't become anymore complicated: they knew how to keep their respective roles, and when to modify their behaviour.

Flash-Back: Summer of the fourth year.

Night had fallen and only some beams of moonlight vaguely illuminated the room. What had happened? He was in a bed and a person was curled up in the blankets next to him. Slight light glints in the hair contradicted the Severus theory. Still, he didn't remember being drunk enough to go to Narcissa. This woman disgusted him. Besides, there was too many risks she would discover this little secret of his. By the way… No… It was impossible… How could Merlin allow such a thing… Lucius brutally turned on the mattress and lifted the sheets. He was rewarded with a groan of displeasure at the disturbance. He froze in shock. He had bedded his son, his own flesh and blood. Not only that, he'd fed of him. When he was supposed to let the vampire in the smaller body grow at his own pace! How could he have been so stupid? He should have gone away at the first scent of blood!

What would be Draco's reaction when awaking? Of course, the boy had taken quite an active part in the sex, but it was normal, given his developing vampire instincts and hormones. Lucius's own actions, however, were unforgivable. What if, by giving in to Draco's need, he'd aggravated it? Was it irreversible? Had he condemned Draco to a life of physical desire? It couldn't be! No Malfoy could be seen this way in society! It would result in a scandal! Fearing the explanations at his son's waking, Lucius fled the room.

The day after, as he examined papers in his office, he heard a little knock on his door. He acknowledged it and the large door opened, letting place to a blonde boy, his flushed face and his eyes that only looked at the floor.

"I take it you consider yourself as cured?" he asked in a dark tone. During the rest of the night and the morning, he hadn't come to a correct answer about what to do. He so used the voice that controlled the best his terrors. A voice that Draco dreaded like plague.

"Yes father." The response had been nothing much than a whisper and would Lucius having not been a vampire with sharpened senses, he wouldn't have heard it. Sure that his son wouldn't see him, he allowed himself to rub his eyes.

"Do you have a question?" The time for them would come sooner or later. It was better to resolve the matter quickly.

But to his astonishment, the boy answered by the negative.

"You haven't any question?" he repeated as to make sure his ears hadn't lead him astray. But the boy didn't corrected. Lucius had heard well.

"Even about some family secret?" he insisted. Again, the answer was the same. "Why are you here then?" he finally inquired, desperate.

Draco looked even more at the floor. "To apologise."

Lucius wondered if he was to congratulate the boy for his courage - he came to his father after getting fucked by him, knowing not what the man's intentions had been - or to punish him for even thinking of excusing - Malfoys simply don't apologise. He settled for neutral. "Why?"

"For inducing you into… into something… you didn't want…" The boy achieved with care. He didn't want to anger his father more than his next revelations would naturally do.

Lucius sighed imperceptibly. "You aren't responsible. You didn't know." He finally reassured his son.

"I did."

The two words blocked his respiration. What did Draco just say? "You what?"

"I already knew… that you were a vampire. I had seen you with professor Snape…"

How come? When had he been so careless that Draco could have approached them without him smelling it? But then… "When you cut your hand…"

"I made it on purpose…"

This boy had deliberately misled and deceived him. More, he'd tricked him! How dare he? As Lucius didn't reacted, Draco hesitantly raised his eyes to look at his father. The man fumed. "In your room! You disrespectful child! You're not allowed out till September!"

The truth was: Lucius was inwardly greatly relieved at his discovery. First, he hadn't taken Draco into unknown territory and second, he was spared from the task of explaining vampire sex to his son. He still remembered his own father, entombing young Lucius under books on the matter, for the man didn't know how to begin the history. That had resulted in his total incomprehension of the subject and a twelve years old vampire lost in a muggle village.

Flash-Back: Lucius's second year.

The Yule Ball, formidable event at Hogwarts. Normally so happy and joyous. This year's one was supposed to bring Lucius's change in life. For three years had he felt the transformations in his body, and for as much time had he been forced to drink potions in order to lessen the shown effects. It didn't prevent his biggest nightmare from becoming true: he was morphing in the middle of the Hall. All the students around him aroused his hunger and need for blood. Dumbledore was discussing in a corner with the newly named transfiguration teacher: professor McGonagall. He went out, taking care of not running in order not to awake suspicions, and was stricken by the cold wind. Taking some steps toward the greenhouse, he enjoyed the calm and silence of the night. That was before his sharp ears caught noise of two students enjoying the pleasure of flesh in the herbology classroom, and he shivered. He took out of his pocket the last vial of blood his father had sent and bothered opening it. Cries of desire meddled with his mind and he fought not to direct his steps in the direction of the happy young ones. A particularly strong moan made his nerves strike, and when he opened his eyes again, his right hand had crashed the fragile potion container. He cursed. What was he going to eat? He licked his fingers for what remained of the blood, drinking also some of his that had poured from his wounded hand. Too late did he realised the mistake: there was only enough blood to accrue his desire and intensify his senses. He needed a prey.

The calling of some friends of his send him frantic. Where was he to go? If they approached any nearer, he would kill them. Word of his nature would spread through Hogwarts, Dumbledore would make sure to use it against his father, Voldemort's strongest follower. Never would the headmaster understand their condition was the particular reason they joined the dark side rather than remained neutral: how were they to survive faced with the ministry's many decrees against vampires? Only Voldemort would be able to bring them down. Delirious, he ran in the forbidden forest, outside of Hogwarts walls and apparated. He had began learning it during the last holidays, despite his father's forbidding it.

Feeling he had stopped, he sighed. Then cries of horror made him looked around him. It wasn't the Manor. It weren't even wizards. Muggles were pointing at him with a strange rod. He smirked and lifted his wand, but a noise like thunder startled him and made him stop his movement. He stared at the staff's end in amazement and fear: it was fuming. Lowering his eyes, he saw a hole in the wooden floor, just between his feet. The rod now was turned in his belly's direction and he took some steps back. Terror overloaded his brain. Muggles didn't possess magic! How could they do it?! What would happen if the man did the same on his body? Would that kill him? Could a muggle kill a wizard? He wanted to turn away and run but it would be presenting his back to an enemy. He retreated till he bumped in a wall. He hoped it could have been a door, but he couldn't verify without letting the man out of his sight. He gripped tightly his wand in his hand.

"What are you?" asked the woman next to who probably was her husband.

"A wizard…" he whispered as an answer.

"Right! And your eyes? Your fangs? You're a fucking vampire! It's you that kill the region's animals!"

He didn't even thing of defending. All he heard was that they knew. They would lock him and word would spread wide! He couldn't let them, he couldn't… He growled. The man shot. Dolour took him in the chest. He launched at the muggle and clawed his eyes. The woman cried out of fear and he silenced her by ripping her neck. The man shot again at random, the vampire lacerated his face till the muggle felt on the floor next to his wife. He was hungry, his stomach asked for food. The strong odour of blood enticed his senses. That was when he spotted two frightened eyes that had observed the scene from behind a half-closed door. Noticing he'd been discovered, the spy bolted the door. It didn't last faced with the wand and the vampire penetrated the small room. There was no-one. He sniffed and drew out the intrude from under the bed. It was a boy, maybe one year less than him. Someone that would grow with hatred and one day come to avenge his parents. He bit the white neck.

Half an hour later, he left the house, trembling. Having eaten, his brain had recuperated his full faculties and he'd grasped the reality of his situation: he'd killed two muggles, then devoured their son. He had acted like a monster. Panicked, he'd searched the small house for any other occupant. Hopefully, there had been none. Where could he be? He had to go back to Hogwarts, curfew was soon, the Slytherin head would search for him. Suspicions would rise. In the morning, muggles would discover the blood spree that had taken place in their neighbourhood. The muggle politicians would call the wizard's Ministry to account. People would talk, understand. Raising his wand, he muttered a spell and the house blew up in flames. He apparated. After four attempts, he was back at Hogwarts's border. He ran to his dormitory to change and went back to the Great Hall. Nobody important had noticed his absence. Some of his dorm-mates had, he told them he'd been meeting a Ravenclaw. They grinned. The truth never was suspected.

From this night on, he wasn't the same. He worked on becoming stronger, more powerful, more dangerous. And he never forgot the fear he had felt when faced with the muggle man.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Wednesday, November, the 25th

They all had gone back to sleep. At two o'clock, Draco still wasn't up. Worried, Harry went to the small room in the Slytherin's dungeons he'd slept into a month ago. The door was closed. Hermione, that had accompanied him, cast an Alohomora to open it. It failed. Blaise, who was observing them from the sofa in front of the fireplace, smirked and laughed. She admonished him to come and do better. He did. The door moved and the common room was suddenly invaded with fumes.

Thinking the room was in fire, they anxiously ran in. Draco was lying on the bed, hands on his belly. He was smiling contentedly. He didn't move, he didn't breathe. When they checked, even his heart had stopped beating. But he seemed so peaceful they didn't dare moving him. They didn't know what to do. But the question was answered by itself when Draco got up, as naturally as ever. They checked again, he was fine, thought seemed slightly drunk. None of them understood and none of them asked. When they arrived in the Great Hall, full of professors, parents and students, Sirius didn't let pass the opportunity to make fun of Draco.

"What did you do?" he asked, "You look like you're shoot."

The Slytherin smiled and said back, "My being shoot is your passport to life."

"Really? So you won't succeed in sending the Avada straight to me?"

By way if an answer, Draco only yawed. It was true he gave the impression of being drugged. Was that the result of these fumes they had found him immersed in? Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"Draco," he beckoned, "Why did Voldemort send a declaration of war?"

The young man looked directly at the old wizard and smirked, "You thing my brain is fucked up? Let me tell you it's not. You'd rather let me in peace or I may forget to take your paper for life." He yawed again. "Merlin, I'm tired. I exaggerated the herbs… Shit that hurts…" He rubbed his temples.

Mrs Weasley's face showed her being shocked at such foul language in front of the headmaster, but the man didn't appear as minding. He went on smiling. "You didn't answer my question," he recalled.

"And why do you want to know? That'll bring you nothing more. Besides, I'm certain you have the explanation, so why bother asking? That amuses you to see me suffering, is that it? Well, I agree, I'm suffering… a lot… Shit… The junk ought to be splitting his sides laughing. I hate him… Asmodeus! Remind me to make him die slowly tonight. Well… Fine… I'll tell you… Rather, I'll tell Harry and the lot of you are authorised to hear me out."

A glass appeared in his hand and he drank whatever it contained before going on. A grimace of his indicated the auditory it wasn't pleasant. "What Voldemort wants for now isn't the world. He's logical. He knows that if he wants to resist the muggles' arsenal, and the wizard rebels, he'll have to possess strong fortresses. Some places in England are known for their incredible protections. The best of them is Malfoy Manor, for the reason I gave you one or to days ago. You remember? The pact with the lands. Second in rank but the most famous, Hogwarts. If I say second, despite the forbidden forest, the unplottable matter and the many charms the founders placed on, it's because none of them will resist the death-eaters. It's still second, thanks to three of the founders that died here. Their spirits are powerful and they protect the school."

"But…" cut Mr Weasley, "Why is Malfoy Manor more protected than Hogwarts? The founders were the most powerful wizards!"

"Yup. But their descendants left the school. They came to it for their studies then never came back. The grounds feel like they've been abandoned. On the contrary, every generation of Malfoy came to life then died on our lands. I was the first and I am the last. The Malfoy estate is stronger than ever because it feeds of the time loop I created. You see… When you die with heirs, you hand them down a part of your acquired knowledge in life, and the rest to the land. Then they transmit it to their heirs, et caetera… I was born on the Malfoy lands and inherited my two fathers' powers then I died and left it partly to the lands, partly to my son. Now, I was born again and inherited what I left a thousand years ago to my family, but with all the modifications and amelioration my descendants brought to it. By getting my memory back, I recuperated the original patron of the Malfoy family's mind. I now possess both of them, the past one and the present one. I'm linked to the Earth in past and present and reinforced more than it was ever possible the pact with our grounds. I represent the lands' life. Hogwarts doesn't have such a icon. That's the major reason for its weakness. Am I clear?"

The Great Hall was silent.

"I deeply appreciate when I explain something and there's no-one competent enough to follow me… Forget everything I said. Why did I say that by the way? Oh… That's right… The strong places of England. Third, there's Azkaban, and fourth but far behind, the Ministry. Now, why does he attacks them all at once: I won't explain, it's war matter, too complicated for you. Finally, the most important part. Why did Voldemort take the time and energy to declare us war? Malfoy Manor and, even if less, Hogwarts, possess the spirit of dead people in their grounds. They protect the inhabitants. It would do the junk no good to just run and sack the lands. He wants that, of course, but not only. What he truly wishes for is to reign over the lands, to gain their support."

"I don't see any relation with a declaration of war," mused Ron.

"Because, weasel, you didn't let me finish. The codes of ancient magic have to be respected. If Voldemort declares war to us, inhabitants, and prove the lands we're too pitiful to protect them, they will change hands. It's only a matter of spirit."

"And what if they don't want to change hands?" inquired suspiciously Harry.

"Well… That's the case we're in. Voldemort has to break the champions. If he exhibits the defeated ones during a ceremony of victory celebration, the lands are forced to obey him."

"That's horrible…" commented Mrs Weasley.

"That's ancient magic, what you call dark magic for the most part."

"I wonder something," cut through Dumbledore, "If some of us die here, won't their spirit be able to help the lands resisting?"

"Are you planning on sacrificing?" smirked Draco, "You can forget it. By declaring us war, Voldemort assured none of our spirits will go to the lands if we die during the battle."

"Where will they go then?"

"To your birth place."

"And yours to Malfoy Manor…" the headmaster added, impressed.

"Exactly! That's the meaning of old properties, our ancestors were intelligent. If we die during a battle, nothing can prevent our spirits to go and help the remaining fighters. And an angered newly spirit is very strong…" Draco let the end in suspense.

"Why did Voldemort declared war to Malfoy Manor, then, if it would be of no use?" pondered Harry.

Draco grinned, "Because, like Dumbledore, he wasn't aware of this last part."

"Last question: by 'break the opponent', what do you mean?" finished the headmaster.

Draco coughed slightly. "You made sure to ask this one, don't you? Trust me, you don't want to know… If one of you is captured, just commit suicide… Compared to the breaking of a spirit, the Cruciatus is a children toy. I trust my father or you, Dumbledore, would resist one hour or two, but the rest would fall within minutes."

"But why not simply kill us?" intervened again Harry.

"Because he has to destroy our resistance to take from our souls whatever made us champions. If we're dead, that's impossible. That's why he won't kill you, or Dumbledore. That's a point for us."

"And you? What will happen to you?" the Gryffindor worryingly asked.

"That's simple. He'll take me to Malfoy Manor and force me to assist to my father's breaking. To protect him from further harm, I'll perform the ritual of transmission. Then Riddle'll use everything he has to break me. It'll take some time but he'll eventually succeed."

"You're all barbaric," commented Black.

"Not at all… In the past, many lands were possessed by high lords. These laws prevented the grounds from suffering sacking. When the champions were captured or killed, the war ended. The people remained unharmed after that. Pity Voldemort isn't one of us or I would have asked for a champion fight. Only some of us would have fought…" Draco sighed and it was obvious some memories were hurting him.

"You were captured, don't you?" questioned Hermione gently.

"I was…" Draco was blanch. "That's how I died…"

"But… your lands…" couldn't understand Harry.

"They lived. And… Even if I'd rather not tell you the rest, I suppose you have a right to know…" His eyes were sad when looking at his cherished one. The Gryffindor had come nearer and they were almost touching. He wanted to know who had killed the man he loved. "You know my father was adopted by Salazar? Many feared him for that. It became panic when he was made high lord. His lands were beautiful and powerful. If one of his descendants was to declare them war, they wouldn't be able to fight him back. To prevent that, they waited some years after the death of Slytherin, grouped and attacked my grounds. We had no magic. We lost immediately. But, even without powers, I had more knowledge than them. I used an ancient dark ritual that didn't require magic. It made my son the new ruler and allowed my spirit to take form. My son was four at that time. I had hidden him with the other children. The attackers felt me perform the ritual but they couldn't react in time. My spirit was free of any curse that had been put on my physical form. I killed their armies and families… It marked the beginning of the hatred for Malfoys…"

"But you were attacked!" defended faintly the green-eyed young man.

"Yes… Still, I made a massacre… Harry… The assailants were the Gryffindors. They were your ancestors…"

"Ah… But… How… If you killed them all, How can I be here?" he asked in a whisper.

"Because in the last of their castles, after I had slaughtered everyone, I discovered a woman with a newborn… But her love for her son was so strong and the baby reminded me so much of Merian that I couldn't bring me to slay them. They were the only survivors of the family…"

Harry forced his breath to slow down and his heart to calm. This was more than he had expected. Draco had… destroyed his entire family… It was to defend… He had only make sure they wouldn't attack his lands again… It was the common way at that time. His ancestors had tried to destroy the Malfoys, they had been no better… "I… deeply appreciate that you told me all of that… You could have hidden it and I would never have known… Thank you."

"Draco," interrupted Dumbledore, "Why not use this ritual again?"

"Because it requires something you aren't ready to give. If we lose and I'm taken to my lands, I'll consider it, but not before."

"What does it require Draco?" softly asked Harry, looking deeply in his love's eyes.

"… The soul of your mate… I sacrificed my wife to save my children…"

"But you have no mate, now!" Harry lowered his voice, he didn't want his private affairs to be known from all of the school. "How would you do?"

"I'm not a virgin, Harry. There's someone's name I can call to a ritual of binding, even if he's absent." Draco also lowered his eyes, fearing Dumbledore would force and plunge in his mind. This name, he would never reveal it, for it would horrify them. This name was his father's.

Hopefully, Harry was too embarrassed and reddened to ask. The others felt it wasn't their place. Besides, if one of them wanted to add anything, he never get the occasion: Draco had raised his head and smiled broadly. His eyes were lost in the air and he exclaimed, "Shit! They really came!" He laughed and got up from the table he'd been sitting on, directing toward the outside doors. All sights on him, he opened them broadly. Three people were outside, covered with cloaks that showed none of them. Draco embraced them. "I never imagined you'd really come."

"A promise is a promise. It's good to see you alive," answered who seemed to be the most important of the three, the two others staying slightly behind, in a guard pose.

"Who are you?" cut menacingly Sirius, wand in hand. At the entrance of the newcomers, Remus had growled in defence and retreated next to his friend. These ones surely had to be enemies for him to react so brutally.

The first stranger emitted a little laugh and advanced on Remus, Sirius's wand still on him. "I see you still remember me, wolf." He came nearer and nearer to Remus, whom crisped and contracted in against a table. He growled his hatred of the stranger. Black made to stupefy him but his wand flied from his hand into Draco's. The newcomer made one step too much and Lupin launched.

But the man had foreseen the attack, so much Remus's face had lost assurance and slowly taken, under an upsurge of fear and rage, a ferocious expression, almost bestial, that announced the revolt, so long contained. He caught Lupin's arm and forcedly wrought it, and the wolf twisted in pain.

"Alex!" shouted Draco, "Stop that!"

The man immediately did and Remus escaped the strong arms by some steps. The stranger inspired him a feeling strange and complex in which there was terror, rancour, unintentional admiration and also the confuse intuition that, despite all his efforts, he would never stamp out such an adversary. He fought back by duty and pride, but with these eternal fear and expectation to be defeated.

Dumbledore coughed to gain attention. "May we know who you are?"

"Of course, I forgot to introduce, where are my manners?" exclaimed the newcomer, "I am Alexander, these are Marc and Cal," he indicated his two followers, "We're vampires."

There was cries in all the room and the global population of Hogwarts receded by five meters.

"Your people declared neutral. You shouldn't be here," commented the headmaster, not frightened the less.

"We left our tribe. You'd better win or we'll be impaled for treason when going back."

"Hum… I suppose Mr Malfoy vouch for you?"

"I do," answered the mentioned. At a movement of Draco's head, Zabini came forward and shared hands with the vampire. "I commit you with the commanding of Slytherins. You'll have to answer if one is harmed."

Both nodded, understanding their full responsibilities.

"Mr Malfoy," called Dumbledore when the important people had joined around a table. "Should we wait for another surprise of yours?" His tone was severe but by his look, you could see he still was pleased with the turn of events.

"Truly, you can and you felt it. I love my children: they never deceive me."

He hadn't finished talking that new screams echoed from the outside grounds. He smiled earnestly when a little group of death-eaters entered the Great Hall. All got up and took out their wands. Some curses flied that were thwarted. To everyone's astonishment, Pansy came running from stairs and into the arms of one of them, soon imitated by some Slytherin children. Only seconds passed that the masked men were kneeling in front of Draco.

"We pledge loyalty to the heir," they recited.

"Fine, we're all present, now," grinned Draco. "Take out your cloak, all of you, you'd be killed by error. What does he has?"

"To Malfoy Manor, two hundred death-eaters and fifty dementors. To Hogwarts, two hundred and fifty death-eaters, eighty dementors, forty were-wolves. But he may decide to change the numbers when seeing we've gone."

"No, I don't thing so. The repartition is good. He'll keep it. Beasts?"

"To Hogwarts, Nagini, runespoors…"

"Runespoors?" cut Draco, surprised, "Why?"

"They're classed four in the book of fantastic beasts by Scamander," explained Hermione, "They're very dangerous."

"Not at all," contradicted Dumbledore, "Them being dangerous is only a rumour."

"Voldemort surely thought to use them to frighten the young ones," proposed Harry, "They're frightening when you don't know them."

"How do you know that? And what are runespoors?" inquired Ron, worried about this new knowledge of his friend.

"I met one last year. There are snakes with three heads. You only need to cast on them a mind meddling charm. The spell is Intricatus."

"You heard, all of you?" shouted Draco in the students' direction, "It's Intricatus, train while the big ones talk! What does he has besides that?"

"It's almost all," went on Mr Parkinson, "He also has a Graphorn."

"What?" cried many at the table. From the fantastic bestiary, 'Graphorn is a large, greyish-purple creature which lives in the mountains of Europe. Graphorns have two extremely sharp horns. They are extremely dangerous animals. Graphorn horns are useful for potions and Graphorn hide is even tougher than dragons' and also repels spells.'

"Ah, shut up!" ordered Draco. "Harry, you can take care of it?"

"I think we trained enough, yes."

"Great. I'll take Nagini and the were-wolves. The adults, you'll have the death-eaters. Dumbledore, contain Voldemort as long as you can."

"So you believe he isn't powerful enough to kill him?" inquired Black.

"Nuance, I know he isn't."

"You have no idea how powerful he became," instructed Mr Davis, "He called for ancestors' spirits."

"Wait wait wait," cut Black, "Before, I'd like to hear why you changed side."

"There are two reasons," explained Nott, his hands starting shivering on the table and his face losing all colours, "The first is we all have children at Hogwarts. We don't want to have to fight and kill them. The second is… We don't want to have to fight him." He didn't move the head but his eyes imperceptibly flickered toward Draco.

"The brat?!" almost shouted Sirius, "Why?"

"You can't understand," said Nott, white as a ghost, "You weren't there when they fought…"

Black then remembered what Harry had told him about this battle between Voldemort and Malfoy. How it had been so horrible death-eaters had all fled. By the way, Malfoy didn't seem too concerned over what they were saying, and was currently proposing chocolate frogs to his godson, happily licking at one at the same time. "Malfoy," he called, earning the boy's attention, "What is your animagus form?"

"Me? I don't know."

"You morphed and you don't know?" smiled Dumbledore.

"Yes. It simply doesn't exist. It is… hum…" he sucked more of his chocolate, "You can see me as a Liondragon but my muzzle is longer, maybe the mix between a Swedish Short-Snout and a Peruvian Vipertooth… Maybe… I competed against an Horntail some weeks ago. T'was fun. We were fifteen meters away one from the other and we breathed fire. I got half roasted… Lol…"

"To hope measuring up against an Horntail… You're mad…" mused Ron.

Draco looked at him, a gleam in the eye. "I was half roasted, I said… There was nothing left of her."

"You killed an Horntail?!!!!" exclaimed Atus, "They're protected!"

"Yep. But me more. I'm unique. So… Voldemort's trained? Great. I did a pitiful score last time. I have to do better. Did he mentioned Nundu? Occamy? Quintaped?"

"The quintaped, yes. But they didn't want to leave their Island," informed Parkinson.

"Cool. One day I'll go and search for one. I'll put it in weasel's bed…"

Ron reddened and clutched his hand, resisting the urge to put a fist in Malfoy's head. What took him from it was the dragon danger. He didn't want to die before the battle, it would be far too insulting.

"Well, if that's all, I'll go and sober up. Ah! Parkinson, you forgot something, for the Manor…" When the man's eyes grew huge in incomprehension, Draco smirked, "Something more dangerous than two hundred death-eaters," then went away. "Lucius's better take care of himself…"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Water fell on his bare shoulders, ran the long of his chest then dripped from his legs. He relished in his element, nourished of its proximity and absorbed its properties. Two hours more and night would come. He would fight to death against invaders and against himself, for each wound would render the harmed one a potential prey to his hunger. In a half daze, he heard a human enter the bathroom and undress, then smelled his lover at his side. Tempting hands massed soap on his back and he enjoyed the erotic feeling. Shoulders then sides and back bone, the caress made him turn, eyes closed. He didn't need to open them, water was his sight. He encircled the nude body within his arms and pressed fully against it. A gasp escaped both of them and they rubbed one against the other to increase the sensations. He lifted the head to prevent hurting his visitor: from the depths of his throat emerged light flames. The temperature heated up in the small room and water became steam. The body he clasped was shuddering with desire and vibrating of intense purrs. Blood palpitated in the sweet veins and he felt his canines grow. The boy wouldn't resist, it would be easy food. His fingers travelled to fondle his victim. The boy's head bent backwards in pleasure, presenting a fine and untouched neck. He growled in appreciation, opened his mouth, revealing glinting fangs, and compressed the pulsing flesh between his lips.

"Stop me, please, you must stop me now…" he whispered.

"I can't, I need you," moaned the boy.

A body was pushed against a shower's wall and its legs lifted up to rest around a muscled waist. No preparations, they were made for each other, and the two beings were united as one. Slow, languishing and erotic movements in an ocean of warm love and desire. Their spirits were cascading, their mind more misted up than the outside.

'Father, if you love me, don't let me bit him…'

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

He had stopped the running water and taken the hard breathing body to his bed. Salazar had given him enough willpower to prevent him from devouring the offered prey. It had saved Harry. Had he sucked one single drop of blood, he wouldn't have stopped. The young man opened his eyes and looked at him. He needn't any word to transmit his love.

"You captured me the very first time I saw you," Draco murmured. And it was true. Harry had been on his mind since that fateful day at Mrs Walkins' shop. First it had been revenge then simply hate. In his sixth year, with memories coming back, he had forgotten about his loathing. The young boy was suffering alone, strong and proud. He had spied on him, had seen him developing his powers, and had resisted revealing himself and defying the learner. He had felt physical desire and spiritual need to possess. He had discovered sides of Harry Potter he could have used against him. He didn't. The boy intrigued him. Then he had saved Charlie Weasley. The man had shown him Gryffindors could be pleasant. Finally he had noticed, the looks, the smell, the behaviour… His prey wanted him. He had took his resolution: he would seduce the boy who had made his life a hell. He did. Harry Potter was powerful, hot-spirited and commanding, yet kind, sweet and fragile. Draco had been seduced back.

"Draco," inquired the boy in his arms, "Do your vampire friends hate Remus?"

The Slytherin laughed softly, "No, Harry, that's the contrary. Two of them don't care about him. Alex will protect him if need comes."

The Gryffindor nodded. "Fine. I don't want Remus to get hurt… It is time to go but I can't get to got up. I dread what will happen tonight…"

"Nothing will happen tonight. If we follow closely the battle plan, we will survive. Do you trust me Harry?"

The boy smiled, "Of course I do."

"Then trust that I will come back to kiss you to heaven. Remember: nothing is never sure, only Time will prove itself to you."

"You already said that to me… Why is it so important?"

"You will understand, Harry. Not now, but one day. Be patient."

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Fate had put these men and women in a battle which none side would come back unscathed from. Few were to be the dead condemned, but harsh were to remain the horrible memories of the ones they had lost.

Death-eaters encircled Hogwarts, a numerous group of dementors in the first rank. In the middle of this sea of masked fighters, Voldemort reigned. Next to him, his faithful pet, the female basilisk Nagini. Behind, under the dark shadow of an enormous tree, was the Graphorn, waiting for the enemy the dark lord had promised him. A horde of still human were-wolves was facing another entrance of the school: the greenhouse. Runespoors weren't to be seen.

First to third years had been assigned to keeping Hogwarts walls from collapsing. Fourth years were for a half forming an organised infirmary in Hogwarts's underground, the other half ready to go on the battle field to take the wounded away. Fifth to seventh years Gryffindors, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs plus the parents would be fighting under the direction of the Weasleys, father and sons, and the competent teachers. They would prevent death-eaters from entering the Hall. The Slytherins would capture them in the rear, thanks to the secret passages.

Stars hidden by clouds were watching the upcoming battle of the humans. Draco kissed Harry a last time and went to his place. They didn't say good bye, it was bad omen. The blonde penetrated the Herbology classroom, two vampires after him. The outside were-wolves smelled them and growled. They hissed in return and morphed.

Blaise and his classmates were huddled up at the end of the passage. At his side, Alex and Remus. The were-wolf was bent in two by dolour of his imminent transformation. The vampire took his hand.

"Stay beside me, I won't let you kill," he promised.

Suffering yellow eyes plunged into the red ones. He hated this man that had tortured him. He loved this man that had never feared his company. He would stay at his side.

The Great Hall's doors opened wide and Dumbledore came out, Harry at his right, students behind. The Graphorn roared and the Gryffindor spotted his adversary. He didn't mind dementors, Draco sole was in his mind and heart.

Voldemort and Dumbledore advanced and faced.

"Still not ready to give up, old man?" inquired the dark lord.

"I could be dead that I would fight you."

"That is a chance because that's all that awaits you."

Draco sighed in the glassed room. He kneeled on the floor and joined his hands above his head. "Spirits of the lands, enemies are attacking. We will fight for you to death. I beg for your help. Don't abandon your children." He didn't say more, the grounds answered his call.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Inhabitants had been dispatched in groups all through the Malfoy estate. Dragons remained behind rocks to use surprise effect. Lucius didn't need to summon his lands, he could feel them burning and complaining against the invasion. Severus and Bill flanked the lord, wand ready. Thunder resounded and the death-eaters launched the attack.

Two masked men arrived first, that quickly had their throats slat by the angry vampire. Then it became a free-for-all. Lucius had dropped his wand for a sword. He cut off heads swiftly and properly, the agility of his half dead body beating the heavy movements of humans. The death curse flied toward him in a flash of green and Snape cried out for his lover. But the spell bounced back on a black winged horse and the fighters shivered. That was the form spirits had chosen, they were the…

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Thestrals emerged from an opening of the Earth and devoured the first dementors they came upon. The others dispersed in terror, trying some other entrance.

In a single cry, children and adults had run toward death, sending the most powerful hexes they knew. Patronus, Immobulus, Incarcerous, Incendio, Relashio were opposed to the three dark curses.

Ron and Hermione were side by side, the red-head countered a bursting curse that was aimed for his girlfriend and the young woman cursed. She had spent three years training, it was time to show the result of her efforts. In a way McGonagall would have been proud of, she transformed in an owl. The close death-eaters weren't ready for an aerial attack and their eyes paid for it. A handful of Gryffindors grouped under the muggle-born emblem. Further away, Hufflepuffs had done the same with Fumseck.

Charlie Weasley came upon one of his past tormentors. His hatred grew heights and he send a Flagrare spell. The man screamed and burned from the inside in seconds, letting a heap of dust. This had been dark magic. Masked men turned at the recognition. How was it a light one dared to use their tricks? Then they recognised him: Lucius's student, and raided him. But Cast wasn't prepared yet to die, he had promised his brother, and he would keep his word!

Were-wolves had morphed and assaulted the fragile greenhouse. They met with carnivore plants, then encountered carnivore young men. Draco used his shadow state to go from one to another, taking no time to tear down carotids.

True to his oath, Alex called Lupin back to reason each time he was tempted to abandon the fight against his wolf part. The two of them did a massacre. Slytherins were encircled but never stopped killing to flee. Suddenly, red sparks flew on the vampire whom flesh inflamed and he cried out in suffering. Responding, Remus hurled himself on the aggressor and shredded his head to nothing. Blaise had calmed the burning of his ally with an extinguishing spell and they ran back to the centre of the battle.

Harry had taken some steps toward his opponent, morphed and they had observed one another. Graphorn against Griffin. The two beasts stormed and met violently. The Griffin's claws lacerated the Graphorn's belly without true result till he was pushed on his back by a powerful blow and horns plunged on him. He moved to his side in time for them to miss his heart but let out a cry as they pierced his left wing. Roaring, he used the incredible strength of his posterior paws to send the attacker flying against a tree. Harry used the time he was provided to get up and charge the beast, pecking his throat. The Graphorn ripped his feathers and flesh but he didn't let go. The strong beak finally vanquished the tough armoury hide and he destroyed the now unprotected neck. Taking back his human form, he ran to Dumbledore's help, his mouth full of blood and cut veins. But he met with Nagini first.

The old wizard had continued his unfinished duel from the battle of the Department of Mysteries against Riddle. Except that this time, the deal had been inverted. Voldemort had invoked the memories of ancestors to canalise their powers, and also knew how to use the force that his link with Harry gave him. The impact between the two energies had been so important it had intensified the crackle of the ground at the place the thestrals had come out. They battled with long swords and bucklers and if Dumbledore's experience was more important, Voldemort's strength was greater. A well placed blow send his blade flying and the headmaster wandlessly cast a Defensive Charm on the dark lord, who had to counter it, by dodging. When he turned back to his opponent, Voldemort met a reared up Aethonan. After a second of fear and another escaping, he smirked.

"You're a fool, Dumbledore. Crepas!"

The winged horse neighed in pain and collapsed on the ground, one of his knee' bones destroyed. Voldemort then took pleasure in breaking the large wings, listening with satisfaction to the suffering of his target.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Severus saw a dementor upon him too late and he was reversed on the grass. His wand escaped his grasp and he punched the cloaked thing to get it off him. He screamed for help when his arms were immobilised and the thing's mouth descended on his. Support came. A cry echoed and he saw an enormous mouth eat away the dementor. Never had he been so happy to meet an angered dragon. This one was a young Swedish Short-Snout, if Snape remembered correctly the books he had read Draco when the boy was young. It landed next to him, presenting his back.

'Is it truly proposing what I'm understanding? It can't be… No… Really?'

He had always hated brooms, but to parade on a dragon had been a fantasy of his when he was in Hogwarts. 'If Draco read that in my mind, I'm going to kill him…' he thought but he enjoyed it no less. From his aerial platform, he cast curses on death-eaters.

Bill had been cornered by Voldemort's followers and attempted resisting the Cruciatus they put on him when green light began crashing from the skies, dispersing the torturers. The dragon halted and Severus descended from his back. The young man was well enough to survive, but had to be protected. He entrusted the dragon with Bill's care. A flash of instinct told him to look for his lover but Lucius wasn't in sight. Severus panicked and ran toward the nearer noises of battle.

The lord had been ruthlessly slaying death-eaters when he'd come upon an horror. It was of human form, wearing torn remains of cloth, the face barely recognisable. It was his undead wife. She launched at him with a hiss and clawed his arm. He stroke a sword blow right to the neck but the metal did nothing. The outside flesh was disintegrating but the inside was as hard as rock. Back to the wand, he tried some curses but all were apparently destined to living humans and failed. The zombie jumped on him again and pierced deeply his chest. He growled, abandoned his wand and assaulted her. They rolled on the floor, fighting with teeth and nails, till he had her under him. He gripped her neck tightly.

'Salazar, if you are my ancestor, I shall succeed!' And he performed the strongest Homorphus Charm he could. Narcissa emitted a guttural cry and became back an unmoving pack of flesh and bones.

"Lucius!" called Severus who arrived running, "What… happened…"

The vampire looked under him and imagined what the potion master was seeing: his lover pressing a woman on the floor in a position that could lead to many controversies, even despite said woman being dead… "It isn't what you think…" he miserably explained.

And Severus couldn't help but grin, for not only it was the most pathetic thing Lucius had ever said, but it also and most importantly was the first time the vampire ever excused to him. He bent to kiss the lord and they ran right back to the dragon. Bill had awoken and, except for his hurting everywhere, he was fine. They helped the inhabitants in clearing the lands from the remaining death eaters.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Dumbledore!" shouted Harry as he saw the horse falling then morphing back, not able to maintain the transformation anymore. Nagini made to bit him but was stopped by a calling and Harry could run freely to the headmaster.

"You…" the Gryffindor hissed, "I'll kill you…"

Voldemort laughed, "I doubt that, boy! Crucio!"

Harry felt the pain run in his body but dismissed it from his mind, concentrating on his task. To destroy Voldemort's soul, they had to break the connection he possessed with him, and that, he was the only one that could do it… "Prior Incantato!"

Their wands linked in a ray of light and curses came out from both of them. "I call to the spirit of my dead mother. The spell she put on me shall come to an end and our linked minds be unlinked."

The grounds trembled and Harry advanced to escape from falling in the growing fissure. His head hurt like hell and he saw in dashes the day he had been bonded to his enemy. When it finally ceased, he fell on the floor, exhausted.

"Boy," groaned Voldemort, "You just destroyed your only protection. Avada Kedavra."

The green light flied, but never touched him.

- - - - - - - - - - -

"Nagini!" called Draco, hoping the snake would understand even remotely the dracken-tongue. The female beast turned back to him and stared at this imprudent that dared stop her from her meal.

"How could you fell so low as to serve a half-blood?!" he shouted. The snake hissed. "I am Dracken Malfoi, son of Salazar Slytherin, the master of all snakes, and I order you to leave this fight and retire in the forbidden forest!"

The snake wasn't moved and attacked. He blocked her with a Defensive Charm. His pupils fined down in a simple line and his voice darkened, "I am Draco Malfoy, master of all dragons, and I advise you to flee before I slaughter you."

This had more effect and the snake disappeared in the forest. He smirked. Then he heard Voldemort's shout. His heart's beating halting, he morphed and hurled to his lover.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Harry felt soft fur above him and opened his eyes. The killing curse hadn't touched him, something had protected him. The fur moved and he was faced with the most ethereal vision. The dragon was all in length, maybe twelve meters, with a tail that did half of it, from an ice blue colour on the belly to a marine blue on his back. Two long horns went backwards from the back of his head and he possessed thin whiskers. He hadn't got wings, but the swift and speedy way he moved indicated a great agility and probably the ability of flying.

The dragon took Harry's back robe in his teeth and transported him to the other side of the crevasse, where Dumbledore lied, then faced the dark lord.

"We meet again, young Malfoy. If I recall correctly, our last encounter wasn't resting to you."

But Draco didn't care about his babbling, "It is time to die, Tom," he growled.

Voldemort looked at the dragon and Dumbledore in awe and his face crisped in a grimace, "I see… He's sending you his last resources. Fine, if you want it this way, you'll have it this way!" He send his wand in the fissure and morphed.

During a time, all fights interrupted and all sights were lost on the two opponents. The snake was gigantic, some twenty-five meters long and two meters in diameter, all black with red tattoos. At his side, the dragon was so small and looked so fragile Harry shivered for his lover. Imitating Dumbledore, he sent all he had left of energy to help the dragon, and didn't even kept the necessary to get up then the two beasts began their fight of giants.

Voldemort had the advantage of length and strength but Draco had the speed and claws. For a long time did they fought, the observers not daring to send any curse for fear to touch the wrong one. Many death-eaters had been killed or stupefied, there remained none of the dementors. The thestrals could be thanked a lot for their work. Now, they had stopped to look at the fight, as many humans had done. Slytherin children dreaded every blow Draco took and cursed when the snake didn't died of his wounds.

Because wounds, he had many. As soft the belly's fur had felt to Harry, as keen now appeared the back's one and the dragon made sure to continually present the upper part of his tail to the snake. But Draco couldn't prevent the contrary to happen: the snake's skin wasn't any less sharp, as if thousands of perfect swords had been used to craft both of them.

They turned and turned in both sky and earth, in turn the dragon lifting the snake, in turn the snake making the dragon fall and they were coming dangerously close to the edge of the fissure. It was evident to all who looked than Draco was attempting to make Voldemort fall.

As the snake was caught between the fissure and the dragon, this last one launched at him and used all remaining strength to push more and more, dodging the fangs that were attempting to rip out his neck. The snake's tail bent into space, then half of him, and he finally fall.

Harry's heart began beating again, but stopped back almost immediately and he cried out his lover's name. Draco was falling with his adversary. In a desperate attempt, Voldemort had plunged his two long fangs into the dragon's tail, resisting the dolour of the keen skin to get revenge. The dragon shouted for help. Harry tried to get up but couldn't succeed: he'd given too much and had nothing left of strength. Thestrals flied to the other part of the crevasse and even some in it but both opponents were already deep within it. All noise stopped.

Harry looked at the fissure without accepting the last seconds of his life. This was a dream and he was going to awake. It was so stupid to die like that, when they had almost win… It wasn't Draco's style at all… Was it?

To his utter horror, the lands considered the battle had ended and the crevasse began closing back.

"They can't do that… Draco's in there… Stop it! Don't close! Stop!" he shouted to whoever was commanding the grounds. It didn't delayed the shutting of the earth, then going back of the thestrals and sealing of the lands.

End of Chapter 12

Author's note: If you read this, it's that you passed over the bad news. Thank you for having read the note at the beginning. No, you won't have the sequel just now, because I'm currently writing it. But did you really think I would kill my hero? I simply can't bear sad endings, so don't worry, your Harry will finally find his happiness. (and no, not in death, lol)

Chapter 13 insome days.