Draco Malfoy was the last person Harry had expected to see standing before him. When Harry had watched Dumbledore be killed a few months ago, first he had been in complete shock, then felt utter confusion. His obsession with Draco had reached new heights, and it had been harder to hide from Ron and Hermione the real reason behind that obsession. Harry Potter was in love with Draco Malfoy.
Not that he'd ever admit it. And when he had realized Draco was supposed to kill Dumbledore, his heart had broken. But as he had seen the confusion and confliction within run cross Draco's face, he had felt hope. Then Snape had killed Dumbledore and Harry had ceased being able to feel and had not thought about Draco since. He had thought it likely that Voldemort had killed Draco. He knew what Voldemort thought about weak followers. So he hadn't given another thought to Draco, afraid of what those thoughts might do to his heart. And now here his beloved stood, alive, before him.
"You're alive," he said, still in shock. Draco was shifting back and forth from foot to foot, fidgeting with his wand.
"Well, of course I am," he smirked. "Did you really think He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would kill me?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. Maybe I should take care of that for him." Harry withdrew his wand.
"Harry, no, please."
The use of his first name and the fact that Draco had said "please" made Harry pause. "And why not?" he asked angrily. "You might not have been the one to kill Dumbledore, but it's your fault he's dead!"
Draco hung his head in shame. "You're right."
When Draco had first been told he was to kill Dumbledore, his heart jumped into his throat. He was supposed to hill his crush's mentor? For that's what Harry had been when he got his assignment from the Dark Lord. As Draco spent the year watching Harry from afar, his feelings for the other boy had grown. As had his panic. He had spent many of those hours in the Room of Requirements trying to figure out what to do. He had finally gone to Dumbledore and confessed everything, right after Harry had found him crying in the boy's restroom. Crying! Malfoy's didn't cry! But Dumbledore had been very understanding. He had told Draco he'd done the right thing, and to go ahead and fix the wardrobe, he would take care of everything else. Draco was to act as if everything was going according to plan.
But then that night had come, of course Draco couldn't kill Dumbledore, but Dumbledore had done nothing to keep Snape from killing him instead. Of course, neither had Draco. Which was why he had agreed with Harry and accepted blame for Dumbledore's death.
"Wha…what?" Harry faltered. "You're admitting it's your fault?" He really didn't know what to say.
"Yes, it's all my fault. I did nothing to prevent it. That's why I asked you to meet me here. To ask for forgiveness. But I knew if I told you who I was, you'd never come."
Harry was absolutely astonished. Draco was apologizing and asking for forgiveness? Harry imagined he could feel the chill of hell freezing over. "And why should I forgive you?" he asked.
In reality Harry wanted to yell, "You're forgiven!" and rush over, take Draco in his arms and kiss away the tears he saw forming behind Draco's eyes. But he doubted that's what Draco wanted. Plus Harry wasn't sure he was ready to forgive him yet. A lot would depend on how Draco answered his question.
"You shouldn't. There's no excuse for what I let happen, other than cowardice. And you and I both know that's hardly a reason."
Harry thought about what Draco was saying. Yes, Draco had been a "coward", but Harry knew firsthand just how intimidating Lord Voldemort could be. Asking a 16 year old to kill another person? It just absolutely made Harry's blood boil. No matter who it is, no 16 year old should be asked to kill someone!
Draco took Harry's now obvious anger to be directed at him. "Obviously I have to prove to you I'm not the person you thought I was. And yes, that means groveling if I have to. Although not for too long, I am still a Malfoy. And Malfoy's don't grovel," he said with a smirk. "As it is, my father would roll over in his grave right now if he could hear me. But seriously, I'll do whatever I can to earn your trust."
Now Harry was certain he could feel that chill coming up from hell. "Show me your arm. No, the other one," he said as Draco started to extend his right arm. Draco caught Harry's meaning and pulled up the sleeve on his left arm and showed Harry. The skin was still smooth. There was no Dark Mark. Since Harry knew no spell or charm could conceal the Dark Mark, Draco had not received it.
"I'll think about," Harry said. "In the meantime, lay low." With that he turned around, walked out, and apparated back to the Burrow.
A/N: Well? What did everybody think? And I'll be updating my other story this weekend. :D