A/N - My serious note is in next chapter. But for something more lighthearted, I couldn't get Voldemort right when it's the scene between him and Bella. And I took inspiration from the most corrupt, evil man I could think of… Donald Trump. Oh yeah. Enjoy the chapter.

"Cruciatus!" Draco crumpled to the ground.

There was no longer grass beneath them, but mud. Dirt mingled with precipitation and blood. Bright red puddles from curses Harry hadn't even known existed. Some he did, ones learned from Lucius. And those were worse to witness. Because except for motives, he was exactly. like. them. Including the fucking Dark Mark burned into his flesh.

Still wrapped in his cloak, he darted out onto the field. "Malfoy? Get up, you're going to get killed." He grabbed Draco's hand and pulled hi to his feet.

Draco brushed his robes off. "Pot - ?"

Harry slapped a hand over his mouth. "Yes. Don't say it, they'll hear."

"And if they do?"

"Then I'm killed. Go find somewhere safe." Draco left quickly, wand in front of him. Mandy Brocklehurst was slammed into a tree by the force of a curse, and Harry moved to help her too.

All the while he was watching for Voldemort - the only Death Eater he knew that could see through his cloak, the only one he couldn't hide from. He sent Mandy to go recuperate, when he heard sick laughter from behind him.

Snape hadn't listened to Dumbledore, and had come to help and was caught by Death Eaters. They had forgone magical methods, beating him with their bare hands, having bound him with magical ropes. His hair fell over his face, sticking to coagulated blood. Harry wanted to help, couldn't bear to just stand there and watch. They pushed him to the ground, and Bellatrix kicked him with steel-toed boots. He struggled to get up, only to be pushed down again.

"Stupefy!" Both Harry and Snape whipped around. Lupin stood, wand raised, in front of the group. "Severus," he said softly, stepping around the unconscious Death Eaters. "Are you alright?"

"No," he muttered. Lupin held out a hand kindly. Snape tried to get up on his own, but was shaking too badly to do it Lupin grabbed his hand and led him away, murmuring softly in his ear.

"Mobilicorpus." The Death Eaters were levitated into the air, with no one beneath them. He stared, and Dumbledore appeared, winking in his direction, before disappearing again.

"'Ey!" a stray Death Eater yelled. "Wha' the 'ell! Avada Kedavra!" The curse was aimed at the spot where Dumbledore used to be, but must've missed because it hit nothing solid at first. It kept going -

"Professor McGonagall!" Harry yelled in horror. She turned around just in time to see the green light before it caught her in the chest.

"Oh, hells," Harry breathed.

The Death Eater got to her before he did, and cackled. "Dumbledore's minion, she is. What 'mazing luck." He pushed her roughly with the toe of his boot. "Don' worry, Professor, Dumbledore'll manage without ya. Dead men have little use for deputy headmistresses." With another rough kick, he left.

Harry ran up to her. He couldn't move her, couldn't arouse suspicion like that. He reached beneath her glasses and closed her eyes.

"Harry, get out of the way!" Hermione hissed, resting a hand on his shoulder. "They wanted her and now they won't be able to resist coming and crowing over her. We've got to go."

"She's dead, Hermione," Harry said softly.

"You're not. That rather takes priority. Come on." She tugged him away from the corpse.

Dead, his footsteps echoed. Dead dead dead. Just like he would be if he didn't get out of here. He felt surprisingly unmoved at the thought, but he followed Hermione. Dead dead dead.

"Eviscero!" The Auror that had been standing only over an arm's length away from him exploded into pieces. Harry looked away from the carnage, but pointed his wand at the Death Eater. "Aculeatus!" Welts covered his skin, and he yelped.

A wave of dizziness washed over Harry, and his Dark Mark ached. Voldemort was near, drawing great reserves of power from every one of them. His vision blurred. He was livid about something, about… Snape. And the captured Death Eaters. But Bellatrix… had escaped? Yes, Harry was certain she had. And when he looked up she stood in the center of his vision. He bit down on his lip to keep from crying out.

"Where are the rest, Bella?" Voldemort. So close. Harry around wildly. He wasn't in the Forbidden Forest. Was he? No… only a vision.

"They're being kept in a topmost tower of the castle. Completely accessible with the counterspells to simple protective charms," Bellatrix assured him, face glowing.

"Most locations are," Voldemort said dryly. "But tell me, if the counterspells are so simple why couldn't you manage to remove anyone but yourself?"

"I'm not able to extend the Concealment Charm over anyone but myself. There are some - Mulciber cannot cast it safely." Open disdain in her tone.

"He can't?" Voldemort was thoughtful. "I expect competence within my troops, do I not, Bellatrix?"

"Yes, of course. What do you suggest?"

"See to it that he's killed," Voldemort answered carelessly. Bella bowed her head and Harry's breath hitched in his throat.

His cloak was smothering him, he felt feverish. Couldn't breathe couldn't think wanted it off. Air, cool fresh air that didn't taste of blood. He broke into a sprint and threw himself into a shadowy nook.

Breathing hard, Harry ripped off his cloak and threw it to the ground. Swallowing the damp air frantically, he surveyed the darkness. And the white mask of a Death Eater. He choked and fumbled for his wand.

"Harry." His long thin fingers raised his mask, and Lucius frowned at him. "You shouldn't be here, you're going to get yourself killed."

"By you?" Harry challenged. "Voldemort wants me dead on sight, doesn't he?"

"No, not by me," Lucius said softly. "But I need you to leave, go back into hiding wherever you were."

"I am not a coward," Harry retorted.

"This isn't about cowardice and you know it, you stupid boy. You would be dead right now if it were anyone else here."

Harry shrugged. "I'll be more careful next time."

"Harry, you don't understand. If you remain here any longer there won't be a next time."

"Exactly right, Lucius," Voldemort purred. They both whipped around to see him watching. "Pity I'll have to kill you both."

"My Lord - "

"Why argue with me?" Voldemort interrupted in exasperation. "I told you Potter was to be killed on sight. I also told you that the one who sees him and lets him live shall suffer." He cocked his head. "You remember that, don't you?"

"Yes." He couldn't quite meet the Dark Lord's gaze. "Allow me a moment?"

Voldemort's thin lipless mouth puckered. "No longer."

Lucius nodded imperceptibly and pulled Harry closer. Ducking his head, he pressed his lips to Harry's softly. Resignedly. Harry resisted the impulse to cry.

He no longer felt tired when Lucius pulled away. In face, he was invigorated. If only he could push past Voldemort and out into the open. But he couldn't, he blocked the narrow exit. Adrenaline pushed through his veins.

"Stand aside, Harry, your death will come shortly after." Voldemort's wand was aimed at Lucius's chest.

"No."

Voldemort raised an eyebrow. "Would you prefer I kill you first?"

"I don't care, go ahead," Harry said recklessly. "But don't hurt him."

"Harry, no," Lucius hissed. "My Lord, I'm sorry… please be merciful."

"No," Voldemort said curtly. "It's such a shame, Lucius, you were always such a benefit. But I suppose your priorities have shifted. I cannot allow this."

Harry couldn't breathe, had to do something. Watched Voldemort raise his wand above his head.

"Avada Kedavra!"

­

"Severus, you shouldn't be on your feet so quickly after." Dumbledore's gentle scolding voice.

"It's gone, Headmaster."

"I'm not surprised. The charm was linked to its caster, and since he has died…."

"Was it really Potter?"

"The prophecy assures that it could be no other."

"And you verified that with Priori Incantato?"

There was a hesitation. "Harry's wand no longer functions. Complications of Voldemort's death, no doubt."

Harry shifted, feeling the hospital wing's cotton sheets against his skin. Voldemort's death? But… he hadn't. He couldn't kill anyone. He… oh god. He got out of bed hurriedly and ran out of the hospital wing.

"Harry," Dumbledore said softly. "You did well, I'm proud of you."

"Where's Lucius?" he asked the two of them.

"Mr. Potter, you never learn," Snape said in exasperation.

"No," Harry agreed. "Where is he?"

"In his room, I believe," Dumbledore answered, frowning slightly. "Are you sure it's… wise to approach him alone?"

"Yeah, he's alright." Dumbledore only nodded his consent, and Harry walked off.

"Come in, it's unlocked," Lucius called.

Harry pushed the door open and shut it firmly behind himself. "Tell me everything that happened."

Lucius blinked. "Everything?"

"That I don't remember."

"Ah." He took Harry's hands and guided them both to the bed, running his fingers through Harry's hair absently. "Well, what's the last thing you remember?"

"Voldemort. And someone shouting the Killing Curse…." He trailed off.

Lucius pressed his lips together. "Harry, that was you."

"No, it wasn't," he said weakly. "I couldn't have killed anybody, not even him."

"You did. Didn't even flinch. And you fainted dead away right after. I thought the effort had killed you."

"And Voldemort…?"

"You would have to ask Dumbledore."

"Oh." He lay his head on Lucius's chest. "Is it safe now?"

"Of course not. But with the Mark gone there's a lot less unity among them."

"And you?"

"I solely followed the Dark Lord, and now that he's dead I feel no connection to the Death Eaters." He paused and pushed back his sleeves, revealing again the glowing cuffs. "First thing they did when the Ministry questioned me. I can't do any dark magic until they're all dead or captured, so I'm not worth anything to anybody."

"You're worth plenty to me," Harry corrected softly. Lucius only smiled. "Did they let you go?"

He pondered the question. "Probation, I suppose, with these." He pulled his sleeves down. "But they look favorably upon not killing you." Half of a grin. He tugged on a curly end of a lock of Harry's hair. "How do you feel?"

Harry considered. "I don't."

"That's alright, you will soon enough."

Someone rapped sharply at the door. "Harry? I never gave you permission to leave the infirmary!" Madam Pomfrey yelled through the heavy wood.

"In a minute," Harry called. He looked up at Lucius. "Thank you."

He nodded and kissed him gently. "Goodnight, Harry."