Disclaimer: See initial chapter.

A/N: This chapter was particularly difficult to write… grief is a difficult theme to tackle.

A Grim Awakening

Draco's POV

I wake to a world of light and pain. Sensing a shadow, I opened my eyes. I see a pair of black boots, Snape's boots, if I must be precise.

I roll from my side to my stomach, resting my aching head on the cool stone. I take a deep breath, which sounds like a groan. I push off from the floor to a kneeling position. Snape offers his hand and he helps me to my feet.

He brushes dirt from my shoulder, his face very solemn.

"I have bad news Draco."

I don't want him to say it…

"What did you run out of powdered Unicorn Horn?"

He doesn't appreciate my humor.

"Draco, Vincent was off grounds last night…"

"Got lost looking for the kitchens I imagine."

His face hardens, and then softens… I guess he knows my game, now.

"He's dead."

And I can't say anything. I knew it upon awakening. I wanted to lie to myself but I knew it. I just wanted it not to be true… something happen to stop the inevitable… I don't get my way that much anymore…

"He died well, Draco. He hurt quite a few of them before he was subdued. The Headmaster will make an announcement at breakfast. You should…"

"You stood by and watched didn't you?"

"Draco… I … I hate spying… I hate what I have to do."

"I know, Severus. So I should tell the house?"

"Yes."

If I tell that means I believe it. I don't want to say it out loud.

"It isn't fair…"

I feel tears in my eyes and barely fight them back. Snape steers me towards a sofa and makes me sit. He pats me on the back awkwardly… can't expect him to know how to express emotions… his father was a drunken prat… I don't think his home life was good…

"He was my friend… I didn't always treat him well… but he was my friend."

"I know, he knew."

We're using past tense…

"I tried to stop him…. But he stopped me."

I gingerly touch my eye, which is undoubtedly blackened. Severus moves to heal it.

"Don't… I want it to stay… while it can."

Severus nods his understanding.

"Vincent was a good Slytherin Draco. He did what he had to. He kept his dignity, he had a plan."

"What good is a plan that kills people? He could have run, done something… stayed alive."

"He died for a purpose… I read his thoughts before… I know what he meant to do. Salazar would have been proud."

"Salazar loathed Muggle-borns. He would have detested Vincent's actions."

"Not early in his life. Salazar got more eccentric in his beliefs as he aged. He was a Potions Master… he developed potions that are crucial to us even today. But some of the ingredients he must have used in his research are harmful if not handled correctly, it wasn't really understood then. I think they made him mad. This explains his eccentric behavior late in life."

"You call building a secret chamber and placing in that chamber a killing machine eccentric?"

I'm incredulous… and then I realize Severus is trying to distract me with new information.

"Anyway in his younger years he was everything I taught you a Slytherin should strive to be. Qualities Vincent had. I know that putting some reason behind the death doesn't really dampen the loss you feel… but it should help you accept it… eventually."

I remain silent and Severus remains beside me. He's more a father than Lucius ever was… though I think telling him that would embarrass him.

"I managed to convince the Dark Lord to surrender Vincent's body to Dumbledore. I said it would make Dumbledore despair. In reality… he deserved a proper burial.

"Thank you, Severus."

He ruffles my hair… a gesture from my childhood. Then departs without the usual billowing of robes….

I rest my head in my hands and try to think of a way to tell my house.

Harry's POV

I woke feeling rested. My meeting with Draco had been great. He seems slightly scared of relationships in general… Not that I can blame him… with what little he has said of his father… I can gather he might have trust issues.

Though he is opening up to me… which feels great… when I need him… he knows what to say. He makes it feel better… makes me more whole than I've ever felt before.

I hope out of bed despite the early hour. I think I'll take a shower than walk the grounds before breakfast. I'm going to miss Hogwarts when I leave.

After my walk, I enter the Great Hall. Odd…

The whole Slytherin House is already at their table…but breakfast has just started… And Draco has a black eye… he didn't have that last night.

I barely resist the urge to go over there… They all look so grim… So does the staff for that matter. I sit at the table so I can face the Slytherins… They're easy to see not many people are down yet… No one gets up early on a Friday.

I pick at my breakfast as the masses filter down to the Hall. I'm joined by Ron and Hermione.

"You're up early, mate. I wonder who shoved a stick up the Slytherins' arses."

"Morning Ron, Hermione."

"Something must have happened last night."

How astute of Hermione… She has the habit of stating the obvious. They start chatting about the incident in Transfiguration where Dean turned his hair a shade of pink that Tonks would have envied. I tune them out and focus on my breakfast.

"What's wrong Harry?"

That must be Hermione's favorite question.

"Well… something serious must have happened for the Slytherins to be so upset."

"Ahh… a bunch of Death Eaters probably got killed. They're just upset about losing their mums and dads."

Sometimes Ron's lack of empathy bothers me… but I only shrug my shoulders…

Dumbledore is making an announcement…

"Students, last night a terrible thing occurred. One of your fellow students was killed. Vincent Crabbe refused the Dark Mark and was murdered by Voldemort. Until this time we have been fortunate, though there have been losses among family and friends, the students have been spared. Today there will be no classes. Specialist from St. Mungo's will be here if you need someone to talk with. Heads of House will be meeting with all their students to discuss safety measures. Please return to your common room."

We all get up and listen to Dumbledore. For several moments all is silent, and then the hall is filled with the loud buss of gossip. As we walk by the Slytherins I look for Draco… then Ron opens his mouth and loudly says.

"The fat lump probably got yes and no confused. He deserved it…"

In a flash of black robes and blond hair Draco pins Ron to the wall, his arm against Ron's throat… he leans very close.

"Well Weasel wouldn't expect you to understand the pride in refusing Voldemort. Your family has always lacked pride; one cannot understand what he doesn't know. But I would expect you with all your Gryffindor bravado to recognize courage. You must be thicker than I thought which is an accomplishment.

Draco pauses… he must be straining for composure… the teachers must have heard Ron's comment they aren't interfering.

"Your family is among Voldemort's enemies with the exception of that prat your lot cast off; he is rising quite quickly through the ranks of the Death Eaters. But you are too much of a fool to recognize or honor someone who died for your cause. You filthy hypocrite, Vincent was more loyal than you. How many times have you abandoned Potter? You great prat… Just remember it is rude to speak ill of the dead. But one can't expect a Weasel to know manners. Be warned if you or anyone else insults Vincent again I will hex you or them to hell and back. Understood?"

With a swift movement he releases Ron, who was beginning to turn blue. Draco swept off toward the Dungeons. I walk past Hermione who is coddling Ron and head to the common room.

After enduring McGonagall's speech, I head to my room to use the Map to find Draco.

Draco's POV

I skipped Severus's safety speech and headed to my spot by the Lake to think. It is still hard to accept he is gone. He'll never make me laugh again. He won't ever try to comfort me with clumsy words when for some inexplicable reason he knows I'm upset.

Damn it… How could I fail him? I'm such a bastard for not noticing that he needed me he was always there for me…

Damn it all…

I start throwing rocks in the Lake. The squid throws a few back. Vincent had always liked the squid… Hell he liked all animals… He and Greg were the only ones who took NEWT Care of Magical Creatures.

Who the hell…. Of course…

"Hello, Potter."

I don't even turn my head.

"Hello Draco."

He sits next to me and stays silent. I throw some more rocks.

"Potter, I'm not a fan of pity."

"He was a good Beater."

"At least you're honest. I was accosted by a pack of Hufflepuffs who tried to praise Vincent to me."

"He was your friend."

"Yes."

"I'm sorry."

"So am I."

We don't say anything else. We just sit and throw stones. The wind blows and the sky is a startling shade of blue. The weather just doesn't match my mood.

"I love this place… it was more of a home than the Manor."

"Me, too. My relatives didn't like me much."

"Then they were bastards."

"I won't argue that."

We sit a while longer before a sense of duty calls to me. My House needs me.

"I should go… the Slytherins need me."

"Well… if you ever need someone to talk to… Who won't throw a bunch of worthless platitudes at you… drop me a line."

I smile and then pull him into a hug.

"Thank you… Harry."

He smile is nearly blinding… and then I turn and walk away.

Potter doesn't catch up with me as I walk back to the castle… he is probably in shock.

I lose myself in memories of a more pleasant past… when a voice breaks my musings.

"Malfoy wait!"

I turn around.

"Little Weasley."

"Malfoy… I just want to apologize for what Ron said."

"You shouldn't have to apologize for your brother, he is your elder."

"Yes, but he can be a real prat."

"That is true. I accept your apology."

I turn to leave.

"He was your friend."

"Indeed he was."

"I'm sorry you lost him."

"Thank you, Little Weasley. And I'm sorry you lost your brother, Percy."

"He's not dead."

"He might as well be, he took the Mark."

"I still love him."

"As you should, he is your brother."

I flash her a smile which she tentatively returns. I continue toward the dungeons. Finally I reach the Common Room.

"Pansy, Greg, could you gather the House? I wish to speak with the.

I sit in a chair near the fire. I study the flames… Strangely it brings me memories of Harry's closeness and the safety it lent me… Inexplicably my cheeks warm.

"Draco, everyone is here."

"Thanks, Pansy."

I stand. I turn and see many faces fixed in my direction… terrified… sorrowful faces.

"For far too many years the House of Slytherin has been regarded with contempt. We have suffered prejudice, scorn, and even hatred within the walls of Hogwarts. We are hardly treated better outside these walls. Do not despair in face of this injustice and the loss of our friend. For now is the time when we can take back the honor of Salazar's House. We each and everyone are expected to enter Voldemort's ranks. However service to the Dark Lord is not a behavior befitting a Slytherin. We are a house of reason and cunning, yet, the Dark Lord is a madman blind to reason by his hatred. Slytherin admired pure heritage, Voldemort is the son of a muggle. We are leaders and dignified, Death Eaters are slaves and have no honor. The path of our parents cannot be our own."

I pause to catch my breath and to better gauge the reaction of my peers. They seem to be accepting it.

"Vincent gave his life to prove we have a choice in our fate. He left to me the task of keeping safe those who intend to refuse the Mark. In this task I intend to succeed. However, I will need the support of you all. For we will be stronger united than separated."

I study to their faces again. They seem to believe me.

"I do not expect decisions to be made today. Today is a day to grieve. Additionally no Slytherin should make a decision without contemplation. We will meet again tomorrow at seven. Then you shall declare you allegiance. Now you may do as you must."

I return to the chair near the fire, I try to read but I'm still lost in memories of Vincent and my bitter failure. I slowly pass the hours until I can retire.

Finally when I'm in my room, alone, I allow the tears to fall.

Fin

My longest chapter yet. Review please.