Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Harry Potter that will be used, unfortunately.

Summary: Harry was captured by Death Eaters and taken to Voldemort. Can he defeat him and come out alive?

AN: Just to get everyone on even ground here. Draco was unconscious for 1 week and 3 days. He woke up 4 days before Harry's 20th birthday which means that Voldy was defeated about July 17-18. Just thought you should all know.

AN2: This story is Pre-HBP so there won't be any spoilers.

Title: The end…or the Beginning?


Harry sighed as he looked at himself in his full length mirror in his room at Snape manor. It was 10: 30 now and he was supposed to be at the Burrow at 11:00. Looking at himself in the mirror again he nodded and turned away and began walking out the room. He was wearing black jeans that hugged his hips and arse before flaring out at mid thigh down to his feet covering all but the toe of black boots. A white tank top with a green button up over that adorned his upper body. With another sigh he walked from the room.

He was half excited about the visit to his friends and half nervous as he knew that at least Hermione would question him on his activities of the last few days. He wasn't completely sure if he should tell them the truth; that he has had a huge crush on Draco Malfoy for a long time and it had only been repressed since graduation and that the possibility of him being a Death Eater didn't even destroy it. He didn't think they would understand let alone accept it like Remus and Severus did.

"I'm sure it's not going to be that bad Harry," came the soft voice of Remus. Harry looked up startled from his thoughts and gave the man a questioning looking. "You've just sighed three times in a row and you've been standing in the entrance hall for a good while." Remus said with a soft smile.

Harry looked around him and saw that he was standing in the entrance hall; indeed he was standing about five feet from the door. Biting back another sigh he turned his attention back to Remus. "I'm just worried about what will happen. You know they'll ask what I've been doing with my time and I'm not sure on whether to tell them or not. You know how they, specifically Ron, will act if they know the truth." Harry said shaking his head.

"They're you friends Harry and they'll either accept it or they won't. But if they're real friends they'll support you. Go, have lunch and spend time with your friends instead of brooding around here with two men twice your age," Remus said giving him an amused smile.

Harry huffed in mock irritation before smirking at Remus. "You just want me out of the manor so you and Sev can shag like dogs in heat." Remus blushed a bit at what Harry said but before he could say anything in response the silky voice of his lover spoke.

"We wouldn't need you out of the house for that, that's what silencing charms are for," Severus said coming up from behind Remus and smirking at Harry. Harry rolled his eyes, glanced at his watch and cursed lightly under his breath.

"I've got to go you two have fun," Harry said with a wink at them before apparating from the entrance hall with a crack. Severus turned to Remus and quirked a dark eyebrow at him.

"You heard the brat Rem, I think we should take this time to have 'fun' as he said," Severus said sliding strong arms around the werewolf's waist pulling him chest to chest with him. Remus smiled up at the potions master from under his fringe coyly.

"Yes I think that's a wonderful idea," Remus murmured before leaning in to kiss Severus' lips.


Harry apparated directly to the Burrow after leaving the manor; feels the familiar sensation of the magic there. After fifth year during the summer Dumbledore had helped them establish better wards around the Weasley home as protection and only a few certain people had been keyed into the wards. It had been a safety precaution because no matter how anyone looked at it the Weasley's had been a target, whether for the blatant show of support to Dumbledore or the association with Harry Potter.

Harry sighed as he looked at the house that since he was twelve had been a place of warmth and familiarity. True, he had mostly grown out of that feeling with training and the war, had grown distance from his friends and the Weasley's over the last three or four years but it had been the first place where he had felt welcomed. Just as he was about to start toward the house the door opened and a familiar voice called out to him.

"Harry!" was the distinct and happy call of Hermione who rushed from the house toward him a familiar redhead behind her. Harry smiled as he made his way towards the girl, meeting her halfway and embracing her in a friendly and warm hug.

"Hey Hermione," he said as he breathed in the scent of her hair, familiar in its apple smell from the shampoo she was fond of. She hugged back tightly before pulling away smiling up at him. Harry looked to Ron and pulled him into a manly one armed hugged. "Ron." He said patting him on the back before pulling back.

"Harry, mate its good to see you. Come on in, mum's got lunch almost done," Ron said giving his friend a lopsided grin. They made they're way back to the house and stepped inside.

"Harry!" the exuberant cry of Molly Weasley hit him moments before he was embraced tightly. He choked and coughed at the vice-like grip that held him before Molly released him. She smiled at him brightly before looking him up and down carefully. "You need to eat more Dear your too thin," she said with a small cluck of her tongue.

"I do eat Molly," Harry said half-heartedly already knowing it wouldn't do any good.

"But you need to eat more Harry," she said before walking off to continue with finishing lunch Hermione brushing past him with a smile to help the woman. Dean, Seamus, Neville and Ginny who all sat around the living room of the Burrow greeted him also. Greeting them all back he sat in an armchair situated across from the couch Dean, Seamus and Ginny sat on. Neville was sitting on the floor back to the couch.

"Been awhile Harry, how's thing with living with Snape?" Seamus asked.

"Its fine, Severus and I have put aside our differences long ago. Besides, Remus is there also." Harry answered nonchalantly.

"It's still weird though," Neville spoke up shaking his head lightly. "You and Snape getting along and living in the same house together for so long and none of us knew. It's just weird to see it or hear about it."

"Could one of you levitate the table outside so we can start lunch?" Hermione said as he walked into the room. "Its ready we just need to set the table and chairs up."

"Sure thing 'Mione," Ron said as he got up from his seat. "Come on you guys, grab the chairs." Everyone stood up and began on their task of getting everything setup for lunch. As soon as Ron had the table set down onto the ground Hermione and Molly began levitating the food out as the other went about setting the chairs around the table. Once everything was brought out they all began to sit down for lunch around the table. As everyone began to tuck in Molly looked up from what she was doing and looked around at the younger people around her.

"So everyone," Molly said as she sat down with them looking around. "What are you all going to do now that the war is over?"

"Well mum you already know that Ron was accepted into the Auror division," Ginny said nodding her head toward her brother who beamed proudly. It was true they had accepted him with an additional six months of training since there was much interruption due to the war. They had just wanted to make sure that Ron was up on all the skills needed for the job. The other Gryffindors complimented Ron as Molly smiled warmly at her son. "And me well, I've decided to become a Healer. They want me to take a year of apprenticeship under a registered Healer at St. Mungo's to go along with the knowledge and experience I already have." She said and smiled brightly, blushing bright red as her mother got up and hugged her. She hadn't told anyone what she had had planned.

"Ginny that's wonderful!" Molly said as she sat back down from her hug. "I think you'll make a great Healer dear."

"Me too, you were a lot of help with all those you healed from battles and whatnot." Harry said giving the girl a smile. She smiled back happily.

"Thanks guys," she said simply. "What about the rest of you?" she asked as she took a bit from her sandwich.

"Well since Ginny revealed her wish to go into healing I guess I'll go next since I'm also going into healing. I'll be working under a registered Healer at St. Mungo's also, but only for six months since I accomplished the first half of the apprenticeship already," Neville replied. He had taken the first six months of the apprenticeship after graduation before the war broke out in earnest and he had thrown himself into helping the Order and Harry with the Death Eaters and Voldemort.

"I'm working in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in the Improper Use of Magic department but I plan on working my way up. There are a lot of things that need to change and I'm hoping I can accomplish it," Hermione said eagerly. She was to be working under Mafalda Hopkirk who was the Head of the Improper Use of Magic division of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She told them so and they all congratulated her.

"Well," Dean said as the compliments died down and all turned toward him expectantly. "If you guys remembered I had been drawing a lot more since the beginning of 7th year and I've drawn a bit of each of you as well as others throughout seven year and the war." Dean took a deep breath and flicked a nervous glance around the table. "I don't know about you guys but I don't want everyone thinking the wrong stuff about how I felt during the war. There a was time where we all felt ourselves losing hope and I know Harry that you get tired of the hype all the time. So I was wondering if with the pictures I have drawn of you guys and with your help and permission of course if we could get together and with each of your pictures write a description of what you thought when it was said Voldemort was back and what you felt during the war?" Dean explained and looked around at everyone who sat with thoughtful expressions.

"You mean almost like our memoirs, correct?" Hermione asked breaking the small silence that had fallen.

"Yeah but these won't be your whole lives just specific events of things throughout it. Like in fourth year when Voldemort came back and then when no one would believe he was back. Then maybe a bit on how you thought on the things that happened in 6th and 7th years and then the two years following graduation and how you felt during the war. What do you guys think? I want your opinions on it before I do anything," Dean replied. There was a small silence where everyone contemplated what had been said, chewing thoughtfully on they're food. Finally Harry was the one to break the silence.

"I like that idea Dean. I think giving everyone a look into us during the war and whatnot is a great idea. Even if everyone doesn't believe it there will be some who will and they'll know that their savior isn't some infallible person who's always brave and doesn't lose hope just like any other person does," Harry said with a hint of bitterness in his tone. There had been times when he had dipped into a deep depression and had felt like the war was useless and hopeless. There had been times when he had been tired of fighting and wanted to just give up but Severus, Remus or any other of his friends would always try to find way to pull him out of his mood. They normally succeeded 95 of the time but sometimes he had just been too deep, too lost to care. The sound of Molly's voice brought him back from his dark thoughts.

"I also think it's a wonderful idea Dean," Molly said casting a sympathetic glance at the black haired young man having also remembered some of Harry's rougher moments during the war. Everyone spoke up giving they're agreement to the idea and promising to get together again to start on the project.

"What about you Harry, Seamus what are you plans?" Ron asked from his place across from Harry. Harry and Seamus passed a glance at each other, holding the look for a moment before Harry shrugged and Seamus nodded.

"It was something Seamus and I talked about back in 7th year but a couple times after that also. We had decided to go with it in the end," Harry said and looked to Seamus with a quirked eyebrow. Seamus nodded and picked up from where Harry left off.

"We're going to be partners in opening nightclubs; one in the muggle world and one in the magical world. We've both been to muggle nightclubs and decided that the magical world shouldn't be deprived of such a place." Seamus said enthusiastically eyes bright with the thought. "There's already a building in the muggle world – West central London – that's been bought for the club. I went and bought it a week ago since the war was over and Harry said it was fine. We plan to start getting everything setup in about a month or so."

"We want to let things settle a bit here before we start on that but as soon as things have calmed a bit more were going to start on that and also the one for the magical world also," Harry said looking around at the others.

"How come you never mentioned this to us?" Ron said gesturing to Hermione and himself.

Harry sighed slightly and said carefully, "It all depended on both of us surviving the war. Seamus really wanted to open a club and I liked the idea so I offered to put forth the money for the building and setting it up as long and Seamus promised to pay me back his half of it when he could though I told him it really wasn't necessary," here Harry tossed a pointed look at his Irish friend. "He's going to help me out by being partner on both and dealing with some of the financial stuff like book keeping and whatnot."

"That's sounds really great Harry. I'll come to both when they open up," Ginny said giving Harry a smile.

"Me too guys," Dean said nodding his head with an interested look on his face.

"Harry that's a nice idea and all but don't you want to have something to do with your time during the day?" Hermione said looking skeptical at the idea.

"Hermione," Harry said patiently and calmly. "I lived the first ten years of my life with people who hated me and treated me no better than an unwanted pet that they just couldn't get rid of. Then I spent the next nine years of my life in one battle or another and then in a war; I think I deserve the right to find something that will allow me to mostly sit back and enjoy life for once, don't you think?" Here he raised an eyebrow at the brown haired girl in question and challenge.

"He's right Mione. Harry has more than the right to relax for awhile after everything he's been through. Besides, as friends of the owners we get special privileges right Harry, Seamus?" Ron said giving the two a mischievous smile.

"That's right mate, you guys would get special treatment as our friends," Seamus said jovially, winking conspiratorially at Hermione and nudging Harry with his elbow. Harry chuckled at Seamus' behavior shaking his head lightly. The other man was always laid back and joking even during the war Seamus had been a comic relief in the hard times when needed. After 5th year Harry and Seamus had slowly grown closer and mended the rift that had been between them most of 5th year. During the summer before 7th year and anytime they could during the war He, Seamus, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and anyone else that wanted to had gone clubbing. The idea had sprung up one night in 7th year after a Quidditch match against Slytherin that they had won. They had been celebrating, having a party and Seamus had said something about wishing they had a club to go to celebrate. After that it was – as many say – history.

"Alright Harry," Hermione said grudgingly with a sigh and then she smiled. "If it'll make you happy and you do deserve some relaxation after everything you've been through."

"Thanks Hermione," Harry said, rolling his eyes. They had finished eating lunch as they talked and were now sitting around the table in the beautiful afternoon sun.

"I think all of your ideas are wonderful dears," Molly said smiling warmly at all them. "I'm going to clear the table and let you all talk." With that Molly rose from her seat and with a wave of her wand piled any empty bowls and plates together and anything else on the table – sans cups and pitchers of pumpkin juice and whatnot – and levitated it all into the house. The ex-Gryffindors were left alone and sitting around the table full from their lunch.

"So Harry," Hermione said casually as she sat back in her chair. "What have you been doing these last few days that makes you so scarce?"

Harry stopped briefly mid stretch. When he was done he looked up to notice everyone else was passing expectant and curious glances at him. Taking a quick sip of his drink he looked back up again.

"Well for one thing Remus and Severus are enjoying they're mostly uninterrupted time together since they go back to teaching in September. I've also been spending a lot of time on figuring out what I'm going to do with getting the club together and such. I've also been going to talk to Dumbledore a few times," which was the truth. About what really didn't need to be known – not yet at least. Of course nothing was really learnt in these little meeting since Dumbledore had been as cryptic as ever. Old coot.

"That's all?" Dean asked rubbing his hands together as he glanced at Harry. Harry noticed the suspicious look Hermione was giving him from the corner of his eye but didn't make any other move in showing that he noticed.

"Mostly," Harry said vaguely with a shrug.

Hermione's eyes narrowed as she stared at her friend hard. She was sure there was more to it than that. "There hasn't been anything else you've been doing?" her voice held a hint of suspicion but also a bit of knowing. Harry wasn't sure what she thought she knew but he knew Hermione wouldn't be satisfied with a half-arsed answer.

Sighing, Harry decided it wasn't any use keeping it from them since he knew Hermione would nag him until his tightly held control on his temper would waver. Looking to each face around him, face impassive he said: "I've also been visiting Draco Malfoy at St. Mungo's." very casually like he was talking about the weather. The reaction to that statement was very comical. Six pair of eyes widened and the faces took on shocked looks as they all stared at him incredulously.

"You…you've been what!" Ron sputtered, facing tinting red. "But he's a Death Eater why would you be visiting him!"

"Think about it for a second Ron," Harry said steeling himself. "He is...was... a Death Eater, we know that but why was he found shackled to a wall, bloodied and bruised then?" He was trying to be logical about this as he talked in calm, even tones. He had thought about it before himself also.

"He probably did something to piss his master off and that was his punishment," Ron said vehemently.

"Ron stop being a hot headed prat for a moment and think about it," Harry said firmly staring hard at his redheaded friend. "You know how Voldemort use to punish his followers; a bit of Crucio here and there, an Avada Kedavra if it was something that he thought was worth killing someone over but that was usually it. It was normally a quick death or a small bit of torture but the way Draco was found? That was extensive torture over a length of time. You didn't see him when he was found like I did that wasn't Voldemort's style. It looked like he had been tortured for a long time." Harry explained and looked around at all his friends.

"What are you trying to say Harry? What are you getting at?" Hermione questioned looking at him carefully.

Harry bit his lip and thought about if he should voice his theories or not and decided that he would as it may help with this discussion. "Hear me out before any of you say anything," he said and when he received nods from everyone he continued. "Even when Severus was still a spy we had received information from an inside source that we knew nothing about besides the fact that they called themselves Maverick. When Severus was found out we still received information up until about three months before the end of the war when the last letter according to Dumbledore said that they had been found out. Now after I killed the bastard and you guys came, remember I mentioned that Draco was being held prisoner?" Harry asked and received nods again.

"Well do you remember the look on Dumbledore's face when I mentioned it? It was sort of shock and horror? Add that to the way Draco was found and you have to admit that there is something suspicious about all this," he stopped and looked at everyone letting this information sink in. He saw the dawning comprehension in Hermione's eyes and knew that she was putting things together and actually thinking about it all.

"You think Malfoy might be Maverick?" the questions came from Ginny who was looking at Harry incredulously.

"Possibly, yes," Harry answered shortly, tone boarding on vague.

"Harry please!" Ron snapped glaring at the black haired man. "Malfoy spouted all that pureblood supremacy shite anytime he pleased in school. It was always mudblood this or that with him," Ron said casting an apologetic look at the muggleborns at the table before returning his glare to Harry. "Why would he fucking spy for us? And what's with all this 'Draco' stuff, Harry?" he spat

"People can change Ron it is possible for a person to change, you know!" Harry said voice just shy of snapping. He was trying to remain calm because that was the only way to get things done, especially in a situation like this. "As for calling him Draco I feel no need to keep up the rivalry that had died back in 7th year." Harry said omitting certain truths.

"Harry that's a pretty strong claim," Neville spoke up. "Maverick had been a person who had helped save many lives you have to admit it's hard to believe that Maverick may be Malfoy." Neville looked at Harry as he said this, his eyes calm and seeking to understand. Neville had changed a lot since 5th year and was more calm, collected and not as clumsy as before.

"I know Nev but we're thinking of Draco as we last remembered him. Which, admittedly leaves one to think where I'm basing this from," Harry said and paused, wondering how he should explain. His theory was based off of examples really and he wasn't sure if it held true in Draco's case.

"Think of it this way," he said looking to each face briefly before continuing. "Slytherins are cunning and ambitious, we all know that. Say, Slytherins wear masks to protect themselves, to keep themselves safe? You know Severus did in his role as spy against Voldemort. Now say, a Slytherin had a change of heart or whatever and didn't want to join Voldemort but in some way wanted to help in the fight against him without it being known as they didn't trust anyone." Harry was really into this as he talked, eyes taking on an out-of-focus look as he spoke.

"They went about it as a spy, in their own unique way and sent information to the side against Voldemort in hopes of helping in some way. But he didn't leave his name as he didn't want anyone to know it was him," he didn't even realize he was talking more personally now, more about Draco than a random person or example. "He probably knew going into this that he may die and in his last letter somehow communicated exactly who he was because Dumbledore had seemed more shocked and horrified than I had expected when I told him Draco was held prisoner. Draco probably didn't expect to live and in some search for redemption revealed himself in his last letter to show he wasn't the bastard everyone thought him to be…" Harry trailed off after that falling silent. He was seeing back to when he found the blonde shackled to the wall, bloodied and bruised. He wasn't sure on his theory but he thought that the example was good enough.

"I guess I could see where it would be possible," the thoughtful voice of Seamus broke him from his reverie and Harry looked at him curiously. "If that was indeed the case I could see how you would come to the conclusion that he is Maverick." Seamus said in rare moment of seriousness. Looking around the table Harry saw all except Ron nodding there heads in agreement.

"You guys can't possibly be agreeing with this!" the redhead shouted looking around the table incredulously. "Malfoy was a Death Eater and git to boot; he wouldn't have helped the Light side,"

"Ron think about this," Hermione said looking at her boyfriend closely. "I mean really think about. Everything that Harry brought up is valid, even if you don't believe Malfoy is Maverick than you have to admit that there's a possibility with the points Harry brought up."

Ron, red in the face, looked around at his friends who sat looking back at him. He looked at Harry closely who looked back calmly eyes not leaving his. He couldn't understand why his friend seemed so adamant about Malfoy. Looking away from the hard stare he glance around the yard eyes resting briefly in surprise on his mother who stood in the doorway looking shocked herself before looking back at his friends.

"I can't believe you think the Ferret would help out the Light Harry," he said finally.

"Just think about Ron. I've got to go," Harry said standing up jaw set tightly. "And before you ask Mione, yes, I'm going to visit Draco with Sev and Remus," he said glancing at the girl. Patting Seamus on the back he gave him a one arm hugged and giving a similar gesture to the others minus the pat to the girls. When he reached Ron he stared for a moment. "See you later Ron," he mumbled before walking over to Molly who he hugged also. She hugged him back just as tightly.

"I had a nice lunch Molly but I have to go. I'll see you all later," he said. Molly nodded still looking a bit shocked. Stepping back a few paces he waved at all of them before apparating away with a crack.