Author's Notes: Exams are nearly over! Yay! The week of absolute hell has finally passed by and I've been able to party all night Friday but I still have one exam left, not too bad… Anyway I certainly didn't forget you guys as not only is chapter 37 up but I'm currently writing a new fanfic, much lighter than this one also revolving around our favourite couple Hermione and Draco!

PLEASE READ: The new fanfic should be up very soon but I am in dear NEED of a BETA-READER! My faithful beta-reader Pia won't be able to help me out with this one so please EMAIL ME if you're interested!

Ok chapter 37, first of all it hasn't been beta-read yet so sorr about grammar and spelling mistakes. Secondly, I'm sorry for what you're about to read but I have always warned you about my fanfic being dark AND I did put in some subtle clues in the last chapters which some of you have picked up on. Yes in this chapter you finally understand where Draco is headed and why he was acting weird previously. Also there is a meeting mentioned with Dumbledore which will all be explained in the last chappie. I've already written a draft of it and trust me its very exciting! It will be up Friday probably and then the epilogue will follow no more than two days later.

Thank you to all my faithful reviewers:

.Drama-Queen: Lol, yes Voldemort is finally dead! And Draco, well he just went for a walk…

JTfanaddict: Hehe, first of all, I'm a girl. Sorry if I never specified before. You'll soon find out for Abby and George's death is more revelant to the sequel as Fred will become an important character. I did see GoF preview from internet and I was sooo excited! Cant wait, thanks for reviewing!

Malfoy'sAngel: I'm so glad you liked the final battle, its just so hard to describe on paper! As for Draco, nope his father is out of the way, read on and you'll find out! I read your fic and really liked, hope you update soon and you go my review. Thanks for your support!

xOxOkIsSmYaSsXoXo : Hehe, thanks for reviewing, do not worry I will update very soon next time!

Pippin1177: Hey, nope he didn't go back in. I did specify the house crumbled down in the end so Draco would have a hard time looking for the books, but good guess. Thanks for the review! Hope you like this chappie!

LadySnake: Draco doesn't go back in unfortunately but I'm glad you understood how important Abigail has become. She possesses all the Serpent knowledge... read on to see what Draco has done. Enjoy!

Alenor: Lol, good guesses, I wish h could have got a ring for Hermione but that would be too easy. Don't hate for what he's about to do... thanks for the review!

Juicy-Fuit for Drako: Hey, thank you for the review. Its all Draco in this chappie, hope you'll enjoy!

Hpcrzyfb: Hehe, would I be so cruel to Harry and kill Abby off ? Read on to find out. I'm glad you enjoyed the fight with Voldie because its hard to write without confusing the readers! Thank you for your reviews!

Dracosgirl2515: Hey, you made a very good guess, to a certain extent Draco does freak out about the book, but Abby' still around, at least for the moment. Read on to find out and enjoy!

Dracos#1gurl: Hey ! Why did I kill George off? Well it'll be important for the sequel as we'll see muc more of Fred. I couldn't kill off Ginny, I love her so much but it'll be a different Harry Potter world eithout the twins. Enjoy chapter 37!

Roguish muse: Thanks for reviewing, read on to find out what happened to Abby and Draco.

Tomfeltonlover1400: Thank you so much for your review, I'm so glad you liked the last chapter. And of course Harry wins, who wants Voldemort to rule the wold, however... read on!

May: Hey, you're the only reviewer who's picked up on my subtle clues (I think). Yes Draco is acting very weird but everything is explained in this chappie. Its not quite the end as there will be a sequel but I'm sad that the next chapter is the last one after all. Thank you so much for reviewing so faithfully!

Dark rose: Hehe, you made a very good guess.. nuff said. Enjoy!

My heart was pounding in my chest when I wrote this. I suddenly realised that it's almost the end, we're nearly there at the final chapter, with the final scene… Nuff said!

Read on without further ado…

..~**~..

Chapter 37

Draco walked through the thick dark forest in search of the meeting place. He had never been there before but he had memorised the exact location as soon as he had become a Death Eater. It was the official hiding place for Voldemort's followers if things went wrong and last night, they had gone horribly wrong.

Voldemort was finished and the Death Eaters were without a leader.

As Draco continued to walk in the silent forest, he could barely feel the new sun's rays through the thick branches, which whipped against his face and cloak and shredded his clothes. He didn't know what time it was but his mind was begging for sleep. He felt himself getting weaker with every step he took and his mind inevitably started to wander off, trying to process what had happened the previous night and lead him on this path.

Voldemort had died, Draco had been there; he had participated to the downfall of one of the most powerful wizards in history. He had also killed the man he hated above all others, his father.

What had driven him to kill two of his mentors? He still didn't know, it was all so blurry and confused but one thing was for sure, he was his own master now. He finally had control over his life. He no longer received orders from others and he never will. Memories of his father torturing him into someone he didn't want to become would never leave his mind but thanks to Abigail Serpent he knew what his destiny was, who he could become and he was about to embrace it. He knew all along deep inside that he wanted to follow the prophecy, discover for himself how far he could go without anyone's help, without following anybody's orders and as soon as he found the hiding place it would begin.

But then, there was her.

There was Hermione Granger.

His girlfriend, his love – his Mudblood.

She taught him how to love; she made him discover his true self. He wasn't an obeying heartless Death Eater after all but a man capable of love who could achieve great things. So why had he left her side?

He wasn't sure. He could never be a part of what she believed in, he could never have a place among her own circle. Dumbledore's circle.

Draco would rather die than go and see the old man again. Once was more than humiliating, it was time he acted on his own accord, no more serving, no more obeying. It pained him to see Hermione, the cleverest witch of Hogwarts, blindly follow the old fool. It pained Draco when she had let go of his hand to run by the old man's side, but worse was how she deeply cared for Potter and the Weasel. They had a place in her heart that Draco would never have for anyone and it angered him. She would never understand him, she couldn't, she wasn't interested in power. It was clear the moment the Serpent books had been left to burn how different they were after all.

He had also seen it when Hermione had gone to Potter's side to save Abigail. He watched the three of them together, caring for one another and the truth had hit him then. They understood each other in a way Draco couldn't. After all they had fought for the same goals, they had the same faith and ideals and it killed him. He wasn't like her and yet he wanted her so badly. Maybe with time she could change, understand his ways, his ultimate destiny but then the prophecy was clear about one thing and it was her – they could never be together.

As long as Draco followed his destiny, he was a loner. And so he had left.

He had left her behind and apparated to the nearest portkey point where he could safely return to England. As Draco continued to march on, lost in his jumbled thoughts, he suddenly caught of glimpse of light among the dark and his mind woke up.

He had arrived.

The dense forest suddenly came to an end and he stood among a clearing where he saw a small log cabin from which light poured out. Taking a deep breath, Draco hid his white-blond hair and face with his hood and knocked three times on the door. He then lifted his sleeve, revealing the Dark Mark engraved in his pale skin.

Instantly, the heavy wooden door opened before him and he entered.

Inside, the log cabin was magically enlarged to accommodate Voldemort's hundreds of followers except tonight the room was nearly empty. Draco looked around at the bare room where the usual throne had been erected in the middle and a few chairs were stacked in the farthest corner. Less than fifty Death Eaters were standing before him.

"Identify yourself!" a hooded figure asked him loudly, pointing his wand at Draco's chest.

"Where are the others?" Draco asked in return.

"They're either dead or captured," a second man answered him sternly. "Our Lord won't be happy."

Draco turned to face him, astonished. Hadn't they heard? Didn't they know that Voldemort was dead?

"Who are you and what news do you bring?" the first man asked him dangerously, still grasping his wand firmly.

Draco suddenly noticed that all eyes were on him as every black-hooded figure awaited news concerning their Lord. He looked back at them and took a deep breath.

"The Dark Lord is dead," Draco admitted causing the hall to fall silent before uproars and cries suddenly broke out among the remaining Death Eaters.

"You're lying!" the Death Eater standing before Draco shouted back, ready to strike at him.

"McNair!" the second man snapped at him. "He tells the truth. We all felt it last night and now we know that it is true. Look at your forearm and you'll see that the Dark Mark is gradually fading away. "

Draco could see McNair's eyes narrow at him. "Did you see who killed him?" he asked furiously, several Death Eaters stepping forward, ready for revenge.

Draco looked at him a few seconds, considering his answer. It was now or never. It was finally time to take his destiny into his own hands, there was no turning back now.

"Of course," Draco announced, pulling down his hood whilst his heart skipped a beat in anticipation. "I was there."

The crowd fell silent at his words before McNair suddenly shouted "Traitor!" He lunged forward at Draco but the Slytherin Prince had his wand ready and killed him without hesitation.

"You have some nerve boy!" the Death Eater standing next to him snarled, revealing his own face.

It was Zabini Senior, one of Voldemort's most faithful servants. "Do you think you can defeat us all?"

Draco smirked back at him. "No, I'm here because I have a proposition to make."

"And who says we'll listen to you?" he snapped back angrily, brandishing his wand.

"Because no one else can help you now. Dumbledore and his order will soon track down every single person in this room and send you all to Azkaban. No one can help you now but me."

Several Death Eaters grunted at his words and Draco snapped his head in their direction. "Do you think you are strong enough to fight them?" he asked them sarcastically. "Look around, less than half of us have turned up tonight and I doubt those captured have a chance of escaping Azkaban with or without Dementors guarding it. Now is not the time for revenge, it is the time for change!"

Murmurs spread across the room like fire at his words. "It is time to realise that Voldemort was wrong," Draco continued loudly, looking around at each and every Death Eater present. "When he recruited us, he promised to restore the glory and power us Purebloods once had over the wizard world. He promised us that one day we would rule as the lords we once were. But he lied; he fooled us! Look at what we have done instead these past years! We were led into the foolish quest of killing Dumbledore and his golden boy. Did we obtain more power in the wizarding world? No. The wizarding community respects us even less. Voldemort made us Purebloods grovel at his feet, fear him, kill, rape and torture for his own sick pleasure, turning us into beasts instead of the respectable lords we used to be."

Many Death Eaters nodded in approval whilst the others seemed unconvinced.

"He came back once, he'll ressurect again!" a tall man exclaimed, revealing his face as he stepped forward. "I will not betray him."

"Trust me Nott, Potter made sure he was dead," Draco slyly corrected him. "Believe me, Voldemort isn't coming back, he is no longer 'our lord' and he never deserved to be as his father was a Muggle."

Several gasps were heard amongst the crowd whilst Nott shook his head in disbelief.

"The Serpent girl was right," Zabini murmured quietly to himself.

"Yes, Voldemort wasn't worthy of our cause, he never meant to help us in any way and instead we became his slaves and he used us for his revenge against Dumbledore. But now that we are free of him, we can finally achieve what we have believed in all these years. We can beat our enemies at their own game and restore the power and glory that has always belonged to us."

Draco could feel his heart pound fiercely against his chest as he awaited for their approval.

"What's your plan, Malfoy?" Zabini finally spoke up.

"It's very simple. We are all Purebloods and as such we own most of the wizarding world's properties and businesses. Between us, we own more than three quarters of the wizarding world and as such we can become supreme rulers."

Draco looked around as he started to unfold his plan to his fellow Purebloods. All eyes were fixed on him in approval or suspicion but nevertheless they all agreed with his motives and aim.

"Don't you see? Voldemort was leading us into a desperate war against Dumbledore when we always had the means to prove our superiority and restore our power. We make the law in this country through our possessions, we can play by the Ministry's rules and yet still be superior. We already have power over Half-bloods and Mudbloods. We are their employers, we own their land, we manufacture their products – they are completely dependent upon us and we can do whatever we please with them. Once we exploit our power, we will quickly become strong again and then revenge on Dumbledore will be a piece of cake."

At last, the large majority of the Death Eaters had pulled down their hoods and were ready to follow Draco's destiny. Zabini stood speechless like many others. Draco's passionate speech made them all wonder why it had never occurred to them before the amount of power that they already held in their hands. Why hadn't they made use of it before? How come Voldemort had never mentioned it to them?

"We need a leader," Nott stated the obvious, narrowing his eyes at Draco. "Someone who knows what they're doing."

Before Draco could answer, Blaise suddenly appeared from the mass of black-cloaked figures.

"Draco is a natural leader and Malfoy Enterprises is one of the largest companies in the wizarding world," he said loudly, siding by his friend. This was finally it. The remaining Death Eaters either followed Draco or disposed of him but the Slytherin was confident, remembering what the prophecy had foretold. The crowd talked animatedly amongst themselves and Nott looked back and forth between Draco and Zabini Senior, waiting for his final decision.

Zabini shook his head.

"And what makes you think that Dumbledore won't simply kill us like he did with the Dark Lord before we get a chance for revenge? His followers don't obey the rules like the Ministry, they'll take every chance they'll get to destroy us. We just aren't strong enough to play nicely!"

Draco listened carefully as he spoke. He had anticipated this moment since the beginning and now he was ready to reveal the final part of his plan, his secret weapon.

"You give me your allegiance and I swear Dumbledore will no longer be a threat to us."

Nott looked back at him wide-eyed, whilst Blaise smirked knowingly.

"How?" Zabini senior asked annoyed at the boy's arrogance.

"Simple," Draco replied, assuring his future as their new leader. "Abigail Serpent."

After brief consideration of his words, a smile crept on Zabini's lips.

..~**~..

A couple of hours later, Draco was sitting in his room back at Malfoy Manor. He had gone home to explain the situation to his mother and to start planning things ahead in his mind. At the same time, he could feel his body giving up from exhaustion and lay down on his bed for a moment, realising what he had accomplished.

He had finally achieved the one thing he had fought for since his initiation. And yet a sense of failure overwhelmed him.

He had seized the opportunity to have everything he had ever wanted and still he felt as though he had just given up a part of himself. What was wrong with him? Had he missed something out?

Maybe it was the lack of sleep and so taking his cloak and shoes off, Draco finally closed his eyes and fell into a well-deserved slumber, haunted by a pair of brown eyes.

A couple of hours later, he awoke. He hadn't slept well and he had a bad feeling crawling around the pit of stomach. Something was going to happen tonight, Draco could feel it and it unnerved him. Maybe it was his dream. He couldn't remember it exactly but it had involved Hermione and he didn't take it as a good sign.

Realising he had some unfinished business at Hogwarts, Draco decided to return to the school while he still could and decided to take a quick shower before he left.

..~**~..

The sun was nowhere to be seen as Draco entered through the castle's large doors. Instead menacing dark clouds covered every inch of blue sky and soon rain started to fall down heavily as Draco walked in, increasing the feeling in his stomach that something was wrong.

He walked down the entrance hall and quietly passed the Great Hall which had its doors closed. Loud noises could be heard behind them and Draco realised that it was a celebration. Obviously Voldemort's death had spread like fire among the wizarding world and Draco could picture students, teachers and Ministry officials inside, eating, drinking and partying away thinking all danger had disappeared with the death of the Dark Lord.

He felt disgusted as he imagined Potter in the middle of it all receiving numerous congratulations and pats on the back from his despicable Gryffindor friends.

If they only knew…

Draco walked right past the Great Hall and took a set of stairs leading to the dungeons. It was time he paid a little visit to his Head of House, Snape, who he knew had attended the Death Eater's meeting earlier on and had certainly heard all about their future plans.

Now was the time for Snape to decide where his loyalties lied. He entered the dark office without knocking and suddenly feared that the Potions master might be in the Great Hall as well, celebrating along with the Headmaster. Fortunately Snape was never one for parties and large crowds and Draco eventually noticed him standing by his potions cabinet, muttering to himself.

"Draco," he greeted, noticing his presence.

He didn't seem the least scared or surprised but kept the same impassive face for which Draco had always admired and respected him. Even now, as Snape's life depended on the young Slytherin, the Death Eaters' new leader, the Potions master remained calm and his expression unreadable.

"We need to talk," Draco let out, closing the door behind him. He stepped forward and looked around the damp and desolate office as he remembered what had brought him to such a place.

"I suppose you were present at the meeting and already know why I am here," he spoke, deadly serious, facing his former Head of House.

"Yes," he replied bluntly, studying his former student. "I see you finally chose your own path, Draco and in truth, I am proud of you."

Draco couldn't disguise his surprise and nodded in response.

"So what now, Snape?" he said, already guessing his professor's actions.

"I'm afraid I cannot join you, Draco," Snape answered him truthfully, frowning deeply. "Dumbledore knows me too much and I owe him my life. Still, I nearly deserted him the day I found out about your visit to his office at the end of last year. But no, I can neither join you nor stay with the Order. I am no longer at Dumbledore's service except as a member of his staff at Hogwarts. I must remain here as I am no longer safe in the wizarding world since I have betrayed the Death Eaters."

"Then it is settled. I can count on you to keep quiet about my affairs and I will leave you alone," Draco concluded, shaking hands with the greasy-haired man that had been more of a father figure to him than Lucius.

"You can always count on my discretion and support, Draco."

The new leader nodded in gratitude and then turned to leave but as his hand reached for the door handle, he stopped.

"Oh and Snape," Draco began, still facing the door. "Take care of her for me."

And with a final swift movement, he was out.

..~**~..

Draco walked cautiously along the corridors to his next destination – the hospital wing. Judging by Abigail's injuries she was surely lying in one of the beds and he needed to find her before anyone saw him.

Reaching the infirmary doors, he listened out for voices inside but heard none. He entered silently and waited a few seconds for his eyes to accommodate to the darkness of the large room. He could hear the heavy rain pound against the windows and the distant rumble of thunder.

And then he saw him – Potter.

He was sitting on a chair beside an infirmary bed, staring out in front of him, a sad expression on his face. His hand was unconsciously stroking another pale small one. So he isn't partying after all!

Suddenly his respect for his messy black-haired enemy increased. The Boy Who Lived had preferred to remain alone with Abigail, away from the rest of the world that was currently celebrating his greatest achievement.

Sighing deeply, Potter finally stood up and noticed the Slytherin. Draco instantly held on tightly to his wand inside his robes, ready for anything. Potter quickly stepped across the room, approaching Draco and stopped short a few feet away.

"Malfoy, where were you?" he whispered urgently at him. "Everyone was surprised that you left so abruptly."

The black surrounding his eyes and his worn out face told Draco that he hadn't gotten any sleep since the previous night. He then realised that Potter was convinced that the Slytherin Prince was now on his side. He had helped to defeat Voldemort after all.

"I had to go home and see my mother," Draco shrugged, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Well, everyone's in the Great Hall. Did you come to see Abigail?"

"Yes," Draco answered, realising he was having his first civil conversation with Harry Potter. "How is she?"

Harry flinched at his question. "She lost a lot of blood. Pomfrey did everything she could to stabilise her and now she's unconscious. We don't know when she'll wake up."

Oh she'll wake up! Draco thought slyly.

"I'll wait outside if you want," Harry finally said, leaving the infirmary. Draco was surprised to get rid of Potter so easily and looking back at Abigail's bed, he stepped towards it. A few others students were asleep further away but otherwise most of the infirmary beds were empty. Pomfrey had probably let the others attend the feast. Draco looked down at Abigail's incredibly pale face. She seemed on the brink of death. All sorts of wizard devices stood around her, stabilising her condition. Her shoulder was heavily bandaged and the various other cuts among her face and neck had dried up.

He contemplated her for a while, taking in her dark raven hair spread across the white pillow and her serene pale face which he had previously seen contorted in fear and pain. He couldn't bring himself to wake her up and cause her more suffering after everything she had already been through but he had to warn her.

Pointing his wand at her chest, he murmured the spell distinctly. "Enervate!"

She awoke abruptly, gasping as she inhaled a huge gulp of air. Her eyes widened as the pain hit her back in full and she scowled furiously. After a few moments, she finally noticed Draco beside her.

"Where am I? What happened?" she mumbled, looking up into his stormy grey eyes, confused.

"In the hospital wing," he informed her, staring back down, "apparently you're not in good shape."

She cringed in response and tried to sit herself up but failed. "Oh don't bother moving. You'll soon be asleep again as soon as I'm done talking with you," Draco told her without the slightest hint of concern for her state. "I've come to warn you."

"What are you talking about?" she breathed out, searching his eyes for an answer.

"I've come to warn you that since you helped defeat Voldemort, you are once more indebted to us Death Eaters according to your family's law."

Abigail frowned as he spoke and he took great pleasure in watching her eyes narrow in confusion. "But we defeated Voldemort. They no longer have a leader, there is no war," she answered closing her eyes as she tried to fight her pain.

"The war is still on and as for the Death Eaters, they already found a new leader," Draco explained, smirking down at her. "Me."

He watched as realisation dawned upon her tired and beaten face and silence fell amongst them.

"Merlin!" she eventually exclaimed loudly. "Malfoy, what the hell have you done? Why do you continue to side with them?"

"That's none of your concern," Draco replied icily, ready to leave. "I only came to say that I'll be contacting you as soon as you've recovered."

He turned his back to her but she suddenly grabbed his cloak.

"Draco, don't tell me you're giving everything up for a stupid prophecy!" she cried out in disbelief.

"Goodbye, Abigail," he answered and walked away.

"Don't do it!" He heard her call after him desperately, as loud as she could. "It's not worth it! It's not worth a life of solitude, please Draco come back!"

"I'll be seeing you soon," he stated before leaving the infirmary.

"What about Hermione?" He heard her shout as he closed the door behind him. Potter, sitting further down the corridor, suddenly stood up from his seat, hearing Abigail's distress. Draco held his angry stare before walking away in the opposite direction. Now all he needed to do was to return to the Forbidden Forest and disapparate before anyone else saw him. Now wasn't the time to be caught and interrogated. He had his business to take care of as soon as possible – he had his future to plan.

It could have been easy for him to escape the inevitable encounter if it hadn't been for Abigail. But he had awakened the wounded girl and although she felt her body weaken with every second and gradually slip back into unconsciousness she did the only possible thing she could to stop Draco.

With a last effort, she focused her thoughts and called out to the only person who could talk some sense into him - Hermione.

"Hermione! – Draco – forbidden forest – stop him!"

..~**~..

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