After the End
Blonde Dragon

Summary: After certain events in HBP, Draco has not had a very good time dealing with his actions. When he stumbles into Harry once again and seeks help, how will the other react? (A bit AU after 1st chapter, HPDM Slash eventually, SPOILER WARNINGS! Draco P.O.V.)
Disclaimers: I do not own the characters used, nor the recap plot used in this first chapter. All are © of J.K.Rowling. It is by her grace fanfictions writers are allowed to write about her world and characters.
Author Notes: This chapter is basically a "recap". It's the scene in HBP dealing with Snape, Draco, and Dumbledore in the tower told through Draco's eyes. If you haven't read the book, PLEASE do not read this chapter/story until you've done so. I refuse to be responsible for giving away spoilers without warning. The second chapter will hold more of the plot, but I didn't feel it was right to start the story without this background information.

I stared at him; he was weak as he leaned against the wall. Even as he spoke, he moved further on down the wall. The words that came out of his lips went straight to my heart, causing my body to stiffen. I was just wasting time as I pointed my wand at his heart. I could finish the mission the Dark Lord assigned to me with ease if I could just summon two words from my lips. But I couldn't bring myself to do it.

"I can help you, Draco." He wheezed out at the end of his speech, looking at me with earnest.

"No, you can't," I was quick to reply. My wand hand trembling as I spoke. I couldn't keep it still. "Nobody can. He told me to do it or he'll kill me. I've got no choice." Couldn't he hear and understand what I'm saying? I've been saying the same thing now for a while! Can't he understand me?

"He cannot kill you if you are already dead." I stiffened as his words cut through me like a knife. Was he trying to turn the tables on me? No, this wasn't acceptable! Why can't I bring myself to kill him before I get killed myself? At least his death would be painless. I shuddered as I thought of what would be done to me. "…You're not a killer."

I frowned darkly. What did he know? "But I got this far, didn't I? They thought I'd die in the attempt, but I'm here…and you're in my power…I'm the one with the wand … You're at my mercy …"

He had other thoughts, apparently. "No, Draco. It is my mercy and not yours that matters now."

What the hell did he mean? I started to speak, opening my mouth but I couldn't get any words out. My wand hand trembled as I stared at him. What did the old coot mean? Before I could stew over this, I was brushed aside as four Death Eaters came into the room. I stared dumbly at them as well as Dumbledore's reaction. They spoke; I could see some turning to talk with me, but their words buzzedincomprehensible in my ears.I just couldn't drag my eyes away from Dumbledore. I didn't even register anyone else in the room before I heard Dumbledore speak my name and referred to me inviting Fenrir Greyback to the party. I shook my head. "I didn't. I didn't know he was going to come…" One of the first honest things I was able to speak that night. I didn't know the vicious werewolf would be here. I didn't want him to be.

I watched Dumbledore speak with the others, my eyes widening as a Death Eater urged me to do my deed. I couldn't! Didn't they see my hesitation? Or maybe they did.My wand hand was shaking violently and I knew Dumbledore was right. I wasn't a killer. I couldn't kill my unarmed old Head Master.

Thankfully the Death Eater's urgings were interrupted as Snape came into the room. Amycus spoke to him, informing him of my hesitatance. I still couldn't move, save my tremblings. "Avada Kedavra!" Snape's voice called out beside me as he did what I couldn't do. Dumbledore fell limply to the ground, succumbing to the darkness of death.

Snape grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and gave me a healthy toss towards the exit, never once losing his grip. I stumbled slightly as I fled in front of him and the other Death Eaters. The flight was a blur to me, guided only to sanity by the burning in my legs and lungs and the tight hold Snape kept on my neck. Somehow, we managed to make it through the crowded battlefield unscathed. I looked ahead of us and found that the gates just out of our reach. Shortly, I knew, we'd be beyond them to Disapparate – but my insides couldn't decide whether or not I was happy to be away or terrified of my punishment.

"Stupefy!" I stumbled as a red light shot over Snape's head, turning my head to look behind me. I recognized that voice. Harry Potter had followed us.

Snape shoved me forward. "Run, Draco!" He shouted at me before he turned towards Potter to confront him. I stumbled forward at the shove once again, but my feet wouldn't let me stop to see what was going on. I wanted to help Snape, not go to what I knew would just be torment and anguish at the hands of the Dark Lord. I wasn't given a choice in the matter. A Death Eater grabbed my arm, aiding my decision by tugging me towards the entrance.

After we had pasted the gates, I looked behind us to make sure Snape was all right. My wonders were sated as Snape soon joined us, bleeding from scrapes over his features. Scowling, he grabbed my arm. Before I could say anything, we Disapparated to face the fate I knew wouldn't be kind for failing the Dark Lord's mission.

A/N: As stated before, this is just a recap of that event through the eyes of Draco Malfoy. The story will pick up faster in the second chapter, which I will be uploading/working on tonight. It will start to get AU after this chapter, but that's where I was headed all along. :)