After the End
Blonde Dragon

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 where Harry finally makes his appearance! Yay! Semi-dramatic chapter, I warn you. No slashly-ness just yet. That may take another couple chapters for the 'good stuff' to kick in. : I need to build up!
Reviews:
Lady-Halina-Malfoy – Thank you for your review! I'm glad you did give my fanfiction a shot, even though there was the slash warning. I'm really glad you've enjoyed it, as well! I just added some random death eaters in the previous chapter because I wanted mindless grunts, really. I didn't want to sully some of the known death eater's personality with random torture. For this fic, anyway. :)
Kat – I wouldn't be surprised about the Snape thing, either. I just can't wait to know about it! The books never said it was true, but they never denied it either. And Harry will be in this chapter. Not to fret!
Dieu Anonyme – Yup! This chapter is where Harry makes his dramatic entrance.. :D And that's true, it does seem a little 'classic' .. but I couldn't resist. YAY! It makes be very happy that my descriptions are on your exceptions list!
Lone Wolf55 - :) I'm working on a new story, actually, aside from this one. And I'll really need some help, if you don't mind. Do you mind if I send you an email with the plot to see if you'd be interested in beta-ing? It'll be 3rd person P.O.V. and I'm not as good at that as I am at first person P.O.V. :;;
Spork Princess – I feel that Snape's not really on anyone's side but his own, personally. Like Draco :D And of course, the Unbreakable Vow probably has something to do with the fact Snape helped … but then again, I did make him Draco's godfather. .. maybe there is a heart under the greasy hair? Heehe.
I landed ungracefully on my knees upon apparating at Kings Cross Station. Dots flared across my vision at my forceful landing. The sound of blood dripping from my many wounds echoing through the cold night with a sickening plop- plop- plop. The sound sickened me to no end. Well, maybe the feeling I was about to pass out and the pain was a little worse.

I looked up, able to see my surroundings now. I was kneeling on the cold concrete just outside Kings Cross Station in the darkness. I somehow managed to apparate outside, instead of inside, which is what I wanted to do in the first place. Some of the outside lights were on, apparently for safety purposes. I didn't care as long as they would let me see what was going on around me and light my way.

Now that I was here, I had no idea where I was supposed to go. Snape told me to apparate here, that it would be safe. But it was deserted; I couldn't see a single person milling around. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised; it was practically the middle of the night. I didn't know much about muggle schedules, but I don't think they hang around public places after they've closed down. As much as I hate to admit it, muggles were rather similar to us in the wizarding world. From what I knew about muggles, they still had social structures, moral rules, and the like. We wizards and witches, however, were just better. I was raised to believe this, and it still half-way stuck with me.

I pushed myself shakily to my feet, staggering into the outer wall of the station. I gasped loudly, not expecting such pain to flow through my veins once out of the Malfoy Manor. I was in bad shape, and there was nothing I could do about it. I sighed softly and put the wand carefully in my robes. I may not have a wand holder, but that was no reason for me to be out in the Muggle World with my wand out for all to see. I smiled softly as I reached in my robes and gently caressed the smooth, black handle of my wand. I had been deprived of my wand for far too long.

My wand was special, according to what I was told even when I bought it. There wasn't one type of wood, but two. The handle was made of ebony, a sleek, beautiful wood. Perfect for magical conduct, so I was told. The tip of the wand was slender Alder – one of the only alder wands in Ollivander's shop. It was a rare wood to make wands out of, apparently, though I don't understand why. Weaving in its core was a dragon heartstring. I wasn't too surprised with this choice, but it still had me balking at how common it seemed. (1)

My smile faded a little bit as I took my hand away from my wand. The memories of my first experience with my wand brought me back to the situation at hand and how it'd never get back to the way things were with crushing reality. I sighed softly, lifting my head up to look at the scenery once again. There was no one around, so no one to help me. 'Get used to it, Draco. That's the way it'll be. Now stop moping around and get going.' I scolded myself.

I pushed myself off the wall with a grunt and wrapped my arms around my ribs. They'd suffered a bit of a beating the night before, and without anyone to notice, I let myself attempt to help my injuries. My gaze fell down to the ground before my feet, making sure I put one in front of the other in a decent form. This job was made easy with the streetlight lamps illuminating my way. I wasn't aware of where I was walking until I heard a loud shout. " 'EY! Blondie!"

I stopped, blinking. What? Who on earth was that? My head snapped up and I narrowed my eyes as menacingly as I could. "Are you talking to me?" My voice could barely carry the menace in the words.

Two men were approaching me, slightly thinner than Crabbe and Goyle, but with the same glowering disposition they held when being my bodyguards. I growled low as they walked closer. I tried to step back, but found a wall behind me, blocking my attempts at escape. I gasped loudly, biting my lower lip to stifle the cry of pain from coming out. I held my head up high, ignoring the blood running down the side of my face and on my lips. The taller one spoke as he came forward, smirking maliciously. "Well well well, what have we 'ere? Someone who doesn't seem t' know where 'e is."

I frowned darkly, but kept my mouth shut, gripping my wand tightly beneath my robe sleeve. The shorter one looked me over, his smirk echoing that of his friend. "N' what do ya think he's wearing? Looks like a dress, me thinks. Whaddya think?" He nudged his friend.

The taller shrugged, scowling lightly. "I dunno. 'ow much money d'ya think 'e 'as?"

I couldn't help but scowl now. They were after money? Why didn't they just go to the muggle back of theirs and get some? Or get a job, like working peasants do? I couldn't think of anything else before the shorter one had his hands on my shoulders, pinning me to the wall. I grimaced, but just stared daggers up into his brown eyes. "Looks like he's a pretty young thing, eh? Ya think we should have some fun with him first?"

I stiffened. I think I knew where this was heading. Before the taller man got a time to respond, I spat in the brown-eyed man's face. "I don't have any money. Now let me GO!" I managed to tear through my raw throat in a forceful cry as I started struggling against his grip, ignoring the injures I had already sustained.

"Heh, feisty one, ain't 'e?" The taller man commented as he walked closer to his friend, who was growling low as my spit dripped down his features. "Let's see what we can do 'bout that, 'eh?" The two grinned at each other, before reaching for my robe's clasp.

I yelped in surprise, before I began to struggle again. Unfortunately, all I got was a punch in the stomach for my efforts. I doubled over, coughing and struggling to catch my breath, as I felt them start to rip at my clothing. One of them straightened me up and pinned me bodily against the wall as I was still in a daze of pain from the blow. I began to struggle against their hands and blows, blood making its way down my skin from new and old wounds surfacing. I screamed as loud as I could as one of their cold hands found their way onto my whipped back. "Let me GO! NOW! Get AWAY!"

I squeezed my eyes shut as I let out another scream, feeling a horrible feeling come from my chest. I heard a few cackles break their way out of my body. 'Shit! Not my magic!' I tried to keep the sparks in, but the damage was done. "What the hell!" I heard one of them scream. (2)

"HEY! Get away from him!" A new voice broke through my haze. I blinked, staring up at the figure at the end of the hallway. The newest entry came closer to the fray, seeming to loom tall and menacing over the other two men. I was released from the grip of the men, effectively sending me to the ground with a loud groan.

I heard the voices bickering, and I swore I recognized one of them. I couldn't really make sense of what was happening around me. My body was slowly growing colder each second. I looked down at my hands and found them trembling, but I couldn't feel them. 'I think this is what was called Shock.' I thought miserably to myself. I heard two sets of feet running away, seeming to run over each other as they did so. I hope they died. Bastards. I gritted my teeth, before I heard softer footsteps walk closer to me.

I hesitated for a moment, not wanting to see my savior. God, this was embarrassing. A Malfoy needing to be saved from muggles? A disgrace. Oh, wait, my savior was talking. "…shouldn't be walking around here at night. It's not safe. Are you all right?" The male voice was asking with concern. I knew that voice. I concentrated for a moment, before feeling a hand on my shoulder. I flinched back, before I managed to summon enough courage to look up at the one who saved me for no reason.

"…Potter?" I weakly gasped out; I didn't have the strength to actually talk. My eyes stayed wide as I watched the green-eyed boy's eyes widen in shock as well. He covered it, however, and just nodded grimly, that jet black hair messily falling in his features again. I couldn't help but chuckle softly at my own predicament, the laugh causing me to cough up some more blood in process. Of course! I escape the Death Eaters to fall into the clutches of Harry-Bloody-Potter after being saved from muggles!

I felt hands hesitantly touch my shoulders again, the pain coursing through me even from the simple touch. A hoarse scream came to my lips as I struggled to back away. Cursed weakness, I couldn't move far. I was stranded there with my school arch enemy. The pain clouded my vision, forcing black spots to slowly eat away the outer edges of my vision. No … I couldn't go back to them! I couldn't be discovered! With the last ounce of my strength, I looked into those hardened emerald eyes and forced a crack whisper past my lips. "…Help …. me…"

I didn't get to see his response as the darkness consumed me and I let me body descend in the sweet release of unconsciousness.

A/N: Well, there you have the fourth chapter! I hope you enjoyed it! I'm sorry about the lateness and the lack of length. (pout) I'm too caught up in the next chapter. :D I have it half-done already. I also seem to be evil, ending at very evil points. Hope you don't mind. ; The next chapter will have more Harry/Draco interaction … sorry, not that kind of interaction. Heehee. Draco's not well…yet. And reviews are making me so happy! (Squeals in joy)

(1) Explanation about Draco's Wand: I did some searching on wands, and couldn't find out what kind Draco had. So, I decided to research the idea of wood having properties and whatnot and this is why I decided these things.

Ebony: From what I see in pictures n' movies, it does seem that Draco's wand handle is dark black, and I think ebony wood would be best. :D According to Bard Woodscraft (I can't get the link to work on here for some reason, but email me and I can give you the link), Ebony is good to "banish, dissolve, disapparate or cast off evil or outworn influences". Ebony is also said to have strong presence and energy, and not for the faint of heart. Of course, Draco is no faint of heart. :D

Alder: Also according to Bard Woodscraft, Alder is said to have "protection against drowning and death; death curses and shielding against them; shielding against all ill-omens and destructive emotions; cultivation of the vision of inner and outer worlds; bridging of the above and below; preparation for conflict; shielding against unwanted intrusions from beyond." Which is what Draco needs, I think.

Dragon Heartstring: I happen to think this choice is obvious. :) Though, I did contemplate veela hair for this fiction, since I knew there would definitely not be unicorn hair in Draco's wand. Heehee.

(2) I'm not sure what happens when magic goes out of control, but I'm pretty sure there's some sparking around the body. I thought this type of situation might have some effect on him. Heehee.