p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"TIME SKIP TO FINAL BATTLE/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"No one knew where Harry was. They hadn't seen him for hours and they were getting worried. They all crawled out of Hogwarts to stand in the courtyard, only to see that Voldemort and his death eaters were approaching. Hagrid was being held prisoner but it looked like he was carrying a body with him./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Who is that that Hagrid is carrying?" Ginny asked, worry lacing her voice./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Harry Potter! IS DEAD!" Voldemort yelled./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Ginny let out a scream of pain but she was stopped, comforting arms wrapping around her to hold her back./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Silence!" Voldemort yelled. "Stupid girl! Harry Potter is dead. Now, you will place your trust in me."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Hermione felt herself shaking from head to foot. First, Arya had been wounded and left at home with her parents. Who knows if she was alright... and now... Harry was dead!/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Now, it is time to declare your loyalties," Voldemort announced./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Draco," Lucius called./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco hesitated. He couldn't side with his father. He couldn't. Even though his mother was over there he knew it was wrong. He was about to defy his parents by shaking his head but something in his mind told him to obey his father... it was like a small voice in his heart told him to. The reasons why he didn't know but he couldn't deny that voice that seemed to have all the right answers./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco headed over and stood between his parents, standing closer to his mother as if not wanting to even be near his father. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Suddenly, Neville stepped forward, limping badly./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""And who might you be?" Voldemort inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Neville Longbottom," the boy replied./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The death eaters began to laugh but the kids and professors all glowered. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""It doesn't matter that Harry's gone," Neville began./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Stand down Neville!" Seamus whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""People die every day," Neville objected, "Friends, family. Yeah we still lost harry tonight. He's still here with us... in here."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"with that he touched his heart, making almost everyone tear up./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""So's Fred, Remus, Tonks... .they didnt die in vain. But YOU WILL! Because you're wrong! Harry's heart did beat for us! For all of us! It's not over!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"With that, Neville drew the sword of Gryffindor from the sorting hat and suddenly, Harry's body leapt out of Hagrid's arms and to the ground. Harry stood tall but he was unarmed./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Voldemort turned on him and all the death eaters began to shoot curses at him... but none of them made it even near him... a huge white light seemed to appear out of nowhere and surround Harry like a giant shield!/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Everyone stopped shooting curses and the light faded, leaving Harry smirking knowingly. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What is this witch craft?" Voldemort hissed./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Suddenly, a voice that sounded like the softest bird song sounded and all eyes turned to the source of the voice. "It's no witch craft."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""ARYA!" Luna and Cho both cried in unison, their eyes widening in joy at the sight of the girl./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smiled. She looked just as bad as most of the students. She was wearing a black t-shirt but the shoulder was ripped. Her pants had rips on the knees and her knees were bleeding. the cut on her cheek and forehead were healed but the red mark was still there./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Voldemort glowered which only made Arya smile more. "YOU! You are supposed to be dead!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya snorted as she approached the dark lord, no fear in her eyes, "Yeah, you tried your hardest to see to that. Obviously it wasn't enough. You sent every last death eater alive to hunt me down. You almost killed my parents and my brother when you attacked my house! You don't want to know what hell I had to go through to get here."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Voldemort glared and looked over at Lucius and Bellatrix who were glowering. He had sent them to ensure that the girl didnt arrive but obviously their attempts hadn't stopped her enough. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What do you want?" Lucius hissed through gritted teeth./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya completely walked past Voldemort, as if he wasn't capable of killing her. She approached Lucius and looked up into his eyes and smiled, but the smile never reached her eyes./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""To get an answer," she hissed back./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"With that, she turned from Lucius and looked over at Draco. Narcissa still had an arm around her son's shoulders but she had released him when she had seen Arya. The woman was smiling at the girl fondly and Arya smiled back./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Her eyes met Draco's and she slowly approached. Draco was staring at her, too shocked at her presence to even speak./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Hello Draco," she whispered. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Stay away from him!" Lucius ordered, shooting the crutatius curse at her but for some reason, it seemed to bounce off the girl./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"All eyes widened and mouths dropped open when Arya didnt even move when the curse bounced off of her. She lifted one hand and Lucius's wand shot from his hand into hers. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I've stayed away from him for far to long," Arya whispered, her eyes never wavering from Draco's, "So you might as well deal with it."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco's eyes widened at this statement. Arya smiled softly at him and reached over, gripping his hand in hers. He was still too stunned to grip her hand back but her warm fingers sent a warm feeling up his cold body./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Draco... if there was ever a time in your life that you loved me... that you loved anyone unconditionally... please tell me."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Voldemort let out a loud chortle and Arya turned to glare at him./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""He will never love you minx," the dark lord taunted. "Might as well give up."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smirked and strode over to the dark lord. Voldemort seemed just as shocked by this as everyone else for he raised his wand and shot the killing curse at her. A white light surrounded the girl and completely repelled the killing curse. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Voldemort's eyes widened and he glared, "What is this enchantment?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smiled, "No enchantment. It's actually not me that is doing that."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What are you talking about?" Voldemort hissed./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""It's Draco," Arya replied./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco's eyes widened and all eyes turned to look at him./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I was never able to complete the protection spell because I was missing one thing," Arya explained. "Love. I was missing the one person who would be able to fulfill love in my life... and that was Draco."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Narcissa found herself smiling so wide that Lucius glared at her but she ignored him. She looked at her son to see that Draco was trying hard not to grin but a smile had appeared on his face at those words./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Really?" Voldemort taunted. "And what makes you so sure?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya just smiled and just when Voldemort was about to strike Harry with the killing curse, Draco sprinted out from beside his parents and threw a wand in Harry's direction./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""POTTER!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Harry caught it and sent a spell at Nagini. The war had begun/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""ARYA!" Luna cried./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya turned and looked at the girl who was about to follow the rest of the kids back into hogwarts./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya sprinted over and grabbing Luna and Cho's hands, she pulled them back into Hogwarts as professor Mcgonagal began to make protection spells around them./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Arya!" Hermione and Ron cried, rushing over to hug her. "Where did you come from?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""From within the belly of a beast," Arya replied. "literally! I don't know what is worse, going head to head with two death eaters or trying to get out of the obstacles they place in front of you!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Arya!" Harry's voice cried./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The three spun around to see Harry rushing towards them./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""harry!" Hermione and Ron cried, both hugging him./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You two need to take the hucrux in the goblet and destroy it," Harry replied. "Get a fang from the chamber of secrets and stab it."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What about you?" Ron insisted./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I'll deal with Voldemort."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""But Nagini is another hucrux," Hermione pointed out. "What about him?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Harry turned his eyes on Arya who smiled, "Leave it to me. I'll find Neville."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Harry nodded and rushed back up tot he courtyard to find Voldemort while Ron and Hermione sprinted down the stairs towards the chamber. Arya gave Luna and Cho a hug each before sprinting down a corridor in search of Neville who had the only thing that could kill Nagini./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Arya!" a voice called out./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl spun around only to see Draco Malfoy running towards her with his mother hot on his heels./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""DRACO!" Arya cried, rushing to meet him halfway/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco was in short, surprised that she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest but he didn't care and he hugged her back with the same urgency./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Are you alright?" Draco asked, pushing away to hold her face in his hands. He ran his fingers over the red marks on her face that were left over from her injuries, ran his hands down her bare arms, making sure nothing was broken./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I'm fine," Arya assured him./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya looked over Draco's shoulder at Narcissa who was smiling at the exchange between the two young people. Arya walked away from Draco and approached the woman./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Narcissa approached the girl and hugged her, much to Arya's surprise but joy./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Thank you for everything you have done for my son," the woman whispered. "I have never seen him as happy as he is when he is around you."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smiled as they parted and Nacrissa's face changed to a scowl, "And I apologize for what my husband did to you."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya shook her head, "What's in the past is in the past."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What do you need help with Arya?" Draco asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya turned to him, "I need to find Neville because he has the sword of Gryffindor and it's the only thing that will kill Nagini."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco nodded, "I'll find Longbottom. You stay here."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""No I'm coming with you," Arya objected./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco shook his head, "You don't know how dangerous Nagini is. Stay here with my mother."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""No," Arya said defiantly, crossing her arms, "Try to stop me."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Arya," Draco warned but he melted by the look that Arya gave him with her big blue eyes. Finally he sighed, "Fine."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smiled and rushed after Narcissa who was chuckling at the exchange between her son and the girl. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The two soon found Neville who had been on a search for Ron and Hermione./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""But where is Nagini?" Neville asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""He could be anywhere," Draco pointed out, warily looking around, "We have to be careful. Voldemort used Nagini to kill Snape."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""WHAT!?" Arya cried, her eyes filling with tears. Even though Snape wasn't the nicest professor, he had been kind to her./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco nodded and hung his head, "It's my fault."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""No it's not Draco," Neville objected. "You refused to kill Dumbledore so Snape did it. If he hadn't, you would have been killed. He was doing it to protect you. Harry told me that he saw in Dumbledore's mirror that Dumbledore had asked him to kill him so that you didn't have to."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""But why?" Draco insisted, tears coming to his eyes./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya reached over and took Draco's shaking hands in hers, rubbing them gently, "Because. If you had killed Dumbledore, Voldemort would have killed you to get into possession of the elder wand. Snape knew this so he killed Dumbeldore so you wouldn't suffer that fate."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco bowed his head and shook it but Arya reached up and pushed his chin up to look at her, "He did it to save your life. Use it well if you wish to repay him for his deed."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco nodded but the two were drawn apart by Neville./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""GUYS!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The two spun around just in time to see Nagini coming towards them. Draco drew out his mother's wand which she had given him and Arya drew out her own. Neville gripped the sword tighter as the snake approached them./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Neville," Arya said. "I'm going to protect you with the protection spell. While I do that, get closer and kill him."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Neville nodded and at once, he was surrounded by a white light./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Neville ran towards Nagini and drove the sword into the creature. However, when he stood up, he realized that the snake wasn't before him...He spun around and saw Draco's face had gone ashen white... and Arya was in his arms... a huge wound on her left arm... and Nagini was slinking away. Neville had missed and the snake had bitten Arya!/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Arya!" both boys cried./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl fell limp in Draco's arms and he picked her up bridal style, "Go get that snake Longbottom," Draco instructed. "I am getting her out of here."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Neville nodded and rushed off. Draco picked the girl up and began hurrying back to where he had left his mom. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Stay with me Arya," Draco whispered, shooting a spell at a death eater who crumbled after the spell struck him in the face. "Stay with me."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya looked up at Draco's worried face and smiled, laying her head against his chest and letting her eyes fall closed... she was so tired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When Arya came to, she found herself in the medical bay of Hogwarts. it wasn't as clean and bright as it used to be and things were knocked over all over the place but she recognized it./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She saw the familiar figures of Luna and Cho sitting by her bedside. As she moaned and began to open her eyes, Cho jumped up and ran to get the others while Luna gripped her hand./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You're awake!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""How long was I out?" Arya whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Three days," Luna replied. "We were worried!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What happened?" the girl whispered. "Voldemort..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Voldemort is gone and dead," Luna assured her, "Harry killed him. Neville killed Nagini and Ron and Hermione destroyed the other hucrux."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Suddenly, Arya's bedside was crowded as all her friends rushed to her side. Harry was there first and grabbed her other hand./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""how are you feeling?" he asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sore," the girl admitted. "I feel like I slept on rocks for a week."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Harry chuckled, "You took a nasty bite to the shoulder. Luckily it was only enough to knock you out for a few days."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smiled and looked around at Hermione, Ron, Cho, the Patil twins, Professor Mcgonagal, Seamus, Neville, her brothers and George./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Fred..." the girl said, sitting straight up. "He didn't make it did he?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Harry shook his head and the girl felt tears spring to her eyes. George sat down and pulled the girl in for a hug, "He'll always be with us little sis."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smiled and nodded, wiping her tears. She looked around again and her eyebrows went down./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Where..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""We sent Draco to bed," Blaise said, appearing from behind Ron, "He wouldn't leave your side and practically starved himself and deprived himself of sleep for three days. We finally dragged him to bed last night and he crashed."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya nodded and slowly began to sit up./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Where do you think you're going?" Aiden insisted, blocking her exit./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I just need some fresh air," Arya replied, hugging her brother. "I don't want to be an invalid."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Why is it that the healers are always the worst patients?" Austen insisted as his sister wandered off./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Let her be," Mcgonagal remarked. "She needs a break. Though we should alert Mr. Malfoy to her awakening. he would want to know."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Blaise and Theo nodded, "We've got it covered."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"About an hour later Arya wandered up to the astronomy tower and looked out the window. This place had seen so much... it had seen her first kiss with Draco... where she realized the extent of her feelings... where Dumbledore had died... Snape had saved Draco... it had seen so much./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Rest in peace Fred," Arya whispered, "And Remus...Tonks... all of you who died defending the wizarding world. I'll miss you."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She sat down on the edge of the tower and rested her sore legs. A few minutes later she was snapped out of her daze by the sound of footsteps beating fast as they bolted up the stairs. For a second she thought it was Harry or Hermione coming to tell her something had happened... so she jumped up only to be met by the best sight./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco stumbled up the stairs, his hair ruffled from sleep, only wearing his white shirt, shoes and pants for he hadn't found putting a coat on important especially when Theo and Blaise woke him up with great news. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He had practically flown out of the common room and ran around the whole school till Padma told him that Arya was in the tower. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco stopped short, staring at the girl who stood on the other side of the tower. She looked completely different. Even though there was the red mark on her forehead and cheek from her wounds and her shoulder was bound in a bandage, she looked incredibly refreshed. Her cheeks had color and she was clean, wearing the Ravenclaw sweater and a pair of jeans./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Draco..." she breathed./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco didn't say a word but bolted across the tower and snatching the girl up urgently, he crashed his lips to hers. Arya felt all the air drawn out of her by Draco's urgent and passionate kiss but she didn't care. She ran her fingers through his hair, standing on tippy toes to get closer to him. Draco grabbed her around the waist and pulled her flush against him so that her feet were barely touching the ground. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"After he finished kissing her long and thoroughly, Draco buried his face in her neck and breathed in her sweet scent of fir trees and vanilla. Arya pressed her nose against his neck and smiled when she felt him plant a kiss on her shoulder./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I love you," Draco whispered, surprising Arya./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When Arya didn't reply, Draco backed up and looked at her, sudden fear in his eyes. However it quickly disappeared when he saw the bright smile on her face, tears streaming down her cheeks./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sh," Draco whispered, wiping the tears away gently with his thumb, "What's wrong?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya shook her head, "You don't know how long I have wanted to hear you say that."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The smile on Draco's face widened to a grin and he gently kissed her forehead, pulling her head to his chest and kissing her hair, "You don't know how long I have wanted to say it to you."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya's arms wrapped around his back and held him close as Draco stroked her hair. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I told you almost three years ago that I couldn't be more to you until you found out who you want to be..." Arya whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco pushed away from her and held her face in his hands, smiling softly at her, "And I decided that the person I want to be is the person who makes you happiest. I like myself better when I'm with you."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smiled widely and kissed him, not caring that both of them could taste her tears that were pouring down her face, "I love you Draco Malfoy," she whispered against his lips./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco smiled against the kiss and kissed her again, "I love you more Arya Gerasimov."/p
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p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"No one knew where Harry was. They hadn't seen him for hours and they were getting worried. They all crawled out of Hogwarts to stand in the courtyard, only to see that Voldemort and his death eaters were approaching. Hagrid was being held prisoner but it looked like he was carrying a body with him./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Who is that that Hagrid is carrying?" Ginny asked, worry lacing her voice./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Harry Potter! IS DEAD!" Voldemort yelled./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Ginny let out a scream of pain but she was stopped, comforting arms wrapping around her to hold her back./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Silence!" Voldemort yelled. "Stupid girl! Harry Potter is dead. Now, you will place your trust in me."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Hermione felt herself shaking from head to foot. First, Arya had been wounded and left at home with her parents. Who knows if she was alright... and now... Harry was dead!/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Now, it is time to declare your loyalties," Voldemort announced./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Draco," Lucius called./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco hesitated. He couldn't side with his father. He couldn't. Even though his mother was over there he knew it was wrong. He was about to defy his parents by shaking his head but something in his mind told him to obey his father... it was like a small voice in his heart told him to. The reasons why he didn't know but he couldn't deny that voice that seemed to have all the right answers./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco headed over and stood between his parents, standing closer to his mother as if not wanting to even be near his father. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Suddenly, Neville stepped forward, limping badly./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""And who might you be?" Voldemort inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Neville Longbottom," the boy replied./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The death eaters began to laugh but the kids and professors all glowered. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""It doesn't matter that Harry's gone," Neville began./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Stand down Neville!" Seamus whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""People die every day," Neville objected, "Friends, family. Yeah we still lost harry tonight. He's still here with us... in here."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"with that he touched his heart, making almost everyone tear up./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""So's Fred, Remus, Tonks... .they didnt die in vain. But YOU WILL! Because you're wrong! Harry's heart did beat for us! For all of us! It's not over!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"With that, Neville drew the sword of Gryffindor from the sorting hat and suddenly, Harry's body leapt out of Hagrid's arms and to the ground. Harry stood tall but he was unarmed./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Voldemort turned on him and all the death eaters began to shoot curses at him... but none of them made it even near him... a huge white light seemed to appear out of nowhere and surround Harry like a giant shield!/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Everyone stopped shooting curses and the light faded, leaving Harry smirking knowingly. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What is this witch craft?" Voldemort hissed./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Suddenly, a voice that sounded like the softest bird song sounded and all eyes turned to the source of the voice. "It's no witch craft."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""ARYA!" Luna and Cho both cried in unison, their eyes widening in joy at the sight of the girl./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smiled. She looked just as bad as most of the students. She was wearing a black t-shirt but the shoulder was ripped. Her pants had rips on the knees and her knees were bleeding. the cut on her cheek and forehead were healed but the red mark was still there./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Voldemort glowered which only made Arya smile more. "YOU! You are supposed to be dead!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya snorted as she approached the dark lord, no fear in her eyes, "Yeah, you tried your hardest to see to that. Obviously it wasn't enough. You sent every last death eater alive to hunt me down. You almost killed my parents and my brother when you attacked my house! You don't want to know what hell I had to go through to get here."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Voldemort glared and looked over at Lucius and Bellatrix who were glowering. He had sent them to ensure that the girl didnt arrive but obviously their attempts hadn't stopped her enough. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What do you want?" Lucius hissed through gritted teeth./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya completely walked past Voldemort, as if he wasn't capable of killing her. She approached Lucius and looked up into his eyes and smiled, but the smile never reached her eyes./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""To get an answer," she hissed back./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"With that, she turned from Lucius and looked over at Draco. Narcissa still had an arm around her son's shoulders but she had released him when she had seen Arya. The woman was smiling at the girl fondly and Arya smiled back./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Her eyes met Draco's and she slowly approached. Draco was staring at her, too shocked at her presence to even speak./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Hello Draco," she whispered. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Stay away from him!" Lucius ordered, shooting the crutatius curse at her but for some reason, it seemed to bounce off the girl./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"All eyes widened and mouths dropped open when Arya didnt even move when the curse bounced off of her. She lifted one hand and Lucius's wand shot from his hand into hers. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I've stayed away from him for far to long," Arya whispered, her eyes never wavering from Draco's, "So you might as well deal with it."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco's eyes widened at this statement. Arya smiled softly at him and reached over, gripping his hand in hers. He was still too stunned to grip her hand back but her warm fingers sent a warm feeling up his cold body./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Draco... if there was ever a time in your life that you loved me... that you loved anyone unconditionally... please tell me."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Voldemort let out a loud chortle and Arya turned to glare at him./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""He will never love you minx," the dark lord taunted. "Might as well give up."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smirked and strode over to the dark lord. Voldemort seemed just as shocked by this as everyone else for he raised his wand and shot the killing curse at her. A white light surrounded the girl and completely repelled the killing curse. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Voldemort's eyes widened and he glared, "What is this enchantment?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smiled, "No enchantment. It's actually not me that is doing that."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What are you talking about?" Voldemort hissed./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""It's Draco," Arya replied./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco's eyes widened and all eyes turned to look at him./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I was never able to complete the protection spell because I was missing one thing," Arya explained. "Love. I was missing the one person who would be able to fulfill love in my life... and that was Draco."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Narcissa found herself smiling so wide that Lucius glared at her but she ignored him. She looked at her son to see that Draco was trying hard not to grin but a smile had appeared on his face at those words./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Really?" Voldemort taunted. "And what makes you so sure?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya just smiled and just when Voldemort was about to strike Harry with the killing curse, Draco sprinted out from beside his parents and threw a wand in Harry's direction./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""POTTER!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Harry caught it and sent a spell at Nagini. The war had begun/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""ARYA!" Luna cried./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya turned and looked at the girl who was about to follow the rest of the kids back into hogwarts./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya sprinted over and grabbing Luna and Cho's hands, she pulled them back into Hogwarts as professor Mcgonagal began to make protection spells around them./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Arya!" Hermione and Ron cried, rushing over to hug her. "Where did you come from?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""From within the belly of a beast," Arya replied. "literally! I don't know what is worse, going head to head with two death eaters or trying to get out of the obstacles they place in front of you!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Arya!" Harry's voice cried./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The three spun around to see Harry rushing towards them./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""harry!" Hermione and Ron cried, both hugging him./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You two need to take the hucrux in the goblet and destroy it," Harry replied. "Get a fang from the chamber of secrets and stab it."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What about you?" Ron insisted./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I'll deal with Voldemort."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""But Nagini is another hucrux," Hermione pointed out. "What about him?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Harry turned his eyes on Arya who smiled, "Leave it to me. I'll find Neville."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Harry nodded and rushed back up tot he courtyard to find Voldemort while Ron and Hermione sprinted down the stairs towards the chamber. Arya gave Luna and Cho a hug each before sprinting down a corridor in search of Neville who had the only thing that could kill Nagini./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Arya!" a voice called out./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl spun around only to see Draco Malfoy running towards her with his mother hot on his heels./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""DRACO!" Arya cried, rushing to meet him halfway/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco was in short, surprised that she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest but he didn't care and he hugged her back with the same urgency./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Are you alright?" Draco asked, pushing away to hold her face in his hands. He ran his fingers over the red marks on her face that were left over from her injuries, ran his hands down her bare arms, making sure nothing was broken./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I'm fine," Arya assured him./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya looked over Draco's shoulder at Narcissa who was smiling at the exchange between the two young people. Arya walked away from Draco and approached the woman./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Narcissa approached the girl and hugged her, much to Arya's surprise but joy./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Thank you for everything you have done for my son," the woman whispered. "I have never seen him as happy as he is when he is around you."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smiled as they parted and Nacrissa's face changed to a scowl, "And I apologize for what my husband did to you."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya shook her head, "What's in the past is in the past."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What do you need help with Arya?" Draco asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya turned to him, "I need to find Neville because he has the sword of Gryffindor and it's the only thing that will kill Nagini."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco nodded, "I'll find Longbottom. You stay here."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""No I'm coming with you," Arya objected./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco shook his head, "You don't know how dangerous Nagini is. Stay here with my mother."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""No," Arya said defiantly, crossing her arms, "Try to stop me."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Arya," Draco warned but he melted by the look that Arya gave him with her big blue eyes. Finally he sighed, "Fine."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smiled and rushed after Narcissa who was chuckling at the exchange between her son and the girl. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The two soon found Neville who had been on a search for Ron and Hermione./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""But where is Nagini?" Neville asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""He could be anywhere," Draco pointed out, warily looking around, "We have to be careful. Voldemort used Nagini to kill Snape."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""WHAT!?" Arya cried, her eyes filling with tears. Even though Snape wasn't the nicest professor, he had been kind to her./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco nodded and hung his head, "It's my fault."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""No it's not Draco," Neville objected. "You refused to kill Dumbledore so Snape did it. If he hadn't, you would have been killed. He was doing it to protect you. Harry told me that he saw in Dumbledore's mirror that Dumbledore had asked him to kill him so that you didn't have to."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""But why?" Draco insisted, tears coming to his eyes./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya reached over and took Draco's shaking hands in hers, rubbing them gently, "Because. If you had killed Dumbledore, Voldemort would have killed you to get into possession of the elder wand. Snape knew this so he killed Dumbeldore so you wouldn't suffer that fate."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco bowed his head and shook it but Arya reached up and pushed his chin up to look at her, "He did it to save your life. Use it well if you wish to repay him for his deed."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco nodded but the two were drawn apart by Neville./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""GUYS!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The two spun around just in time to see Nagini coming towards them. Draco drew out his mother's wand which she had given him and Arya drew out her own. Neville gripped the sword tighter as the snake approached them./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Neville," Arya said. "I'm going to protect you with the protection spell. While I do that, get closer and kill him."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Neville nodded and at once, he was surrounded by a white light./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Neville ran towards Nagini and drove the sword into the creature. However, when he stood up, he realized that the snake wasn't before him...He spun around and saw Draco's face had gone ashen white... and Arya was in his arms... a huge wound on her left arm... and Nagini was slinking away. Neville had missed and the snake had bitten Arya!/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Arya!" both boys cried./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl fell limp in Draco's arms and he picked her up bridal style, "Go get that snake Longbottom," Draco instructed. "I am getting her out of here."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Neville nodded and rushed off. Draco picked the girl up and began hurrying back to where he had left his mom. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Stay with me Arya," Draco whispered, shooting a spell at a death eater who crumbled after the spell struck him in the face. "Stay with me."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya looked up at Draco's worried face and smiled, laying her head against his chest and letting her eyes fall closed... she was so tired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When Arya came to, she found herself in the medical bay of Hogwarts. it wasn't as clean and bright as it used to be and things were knocked over all over the place but she recognized it./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She saw the familiar figures of Luna and Cho sitting by her bedside. As she moaned and began to open her eyes, Cho jumped up and ran to get the others while Luna gripped her hand./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You're awake!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""How long was I out?" Arya whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Three days," Luna replied. "We were worried!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What happened?" the girl whispered. "Voldemort..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Voldemort is gone and dead," Luna assured her, "Harry killed him. Neville killed Nagini and Ron and Hermione destroyed the other hucrux."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Suddenly, Arya's bedside was crowded as all her friends rushed to her side. Harry was there first and grabbed her other hand./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""how are you feeling?" he asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sore," the girl admitted. "I feel like I slept on rocks for a week."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Harry chuckled, "You took a nasty bite to the shoulder. Luckily it was only enough to knock you out for a few days."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smiled and looked around at Hermione, Ron, Cho, the Patil twins, Professor Mcgonagal, Seamus, Neville, her brothers and George./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Fred..." the girl said, sitting straight up. "He didn't make it did he?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Harry shook his head and the girl felt tears spring to her eyes. George sat down and pulled the girl in for a hug, "He'll always be with us little sis."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smiled and nodded, wiping her tears. She looked around again and her eyebrows went down./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Where..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""We sent Draco to bed," Blaise said, appearing from behind Ron, "He wouldn't leave your side and practically starved himself and deprived himself of sleep for three days. We finally dragged him to bed last night and he crashed."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya nodded and slowly began to sit up./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Where do you think you're going?" Aiden insisted, blocking her exit./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I just need some fresh air," Arya replied, hugging her brother. "I don't want to be an invalid."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Why is it that the healers are always the worst patients?" Austen insisted as his sister wandered off./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Let her be," Mcgonagal remarked. "She needs a break. Though we should alert Mr. Malfoy to her awakening. he would want to know."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Blaise and Theo nodded, "We've got it covered."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"About an hour later Arya wandered up to the astronomy tower and looked out the window. This place had seen so much... it had seen her first kiss with Draco... where she realized the extent of her feelings... where Dumbledore had died... Snape had saved Draco... it had seen so much./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Rest in peace Fred," Arya whispered, "And Remus...Tonks... all of you who died defending the wizarding world. I'll miss you."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She sat down on the edge of the tower and rested her sore legs. A few minutes later she was snapped out of her daze by the sound of footsteps beating fast as they bolted up the stairs. For a second she thought it was Harry or Hermione coming to tell her something had happened... so she jumped up only to be met by the best sight./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco stumbled up the stairs, his hair ruffled from sleep, only wearing his white shirt, shoes and pants for he hadn't found putting a coat on important especially when Theo and Blaise woke him up with great news. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He had practically flown out of the common room and ran around the whole school till Padma told him that Arya was in the tower. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco stopped short, staring at the girl who stood on the other side of the tower. She looked completely different. Even though there was the red mark on her forehead and cheek from her wounds and her shoulder was bound in a bandage, she looked incredibly refreshed. Her cheeks had color and she was clean, wearing the Ravenclaw sweater and a pair of jeans./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Draco..." she breathed./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco didn't say a word but bolted across the tower and snatching the girl up urgently, he crashed his lips to hers. Arya felt all the air drawn out of her by Draco's urgent and passionate kiss but she didn't care. She ran her fingers through his hair, standing on tippy toes to get closer to him. Draco grabbed her around the waist and pulled her flush against him so that her feet were barely touching the ground. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"After he finished kissing her long and thoroughly, Draco buried his face in her neck and breathed in her sweet scent of fir trees and vanilla. Arya pressed her nose against his neck and smiled when she felt him plant a kiss on her shoulder./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I love you," Draco whispered, surprising Arya./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When Arya didn't reply, Draco backed up and looked at her, sudden fear in his eyes. However it quickly disappeared when he saw the bright smile on her face, tears streaming down her cheeks./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sh," Draco whispered, wiping the tears away gently with his thumb, "What's wrong?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya shook her head, "You don't know how long I have wanted to hear you say that."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The smile on Draco's face widened to a grin and he gently kissed her forehead, pulling her head to his chest and kissing her hair, "You don't know how long I have wanted to say it to you."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya's arms wrapped around his back and held him close as Draco stroked her hair. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I told you almost three years ago that I couldn't be more to you until you found out who you want to be..." Arya whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco pushed away from her and held her face in his hands, smiling softly at her, "And I decided that the person I want to be is the person who makes you happiest. I like myself better when I'm with you."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Arya smiled widely and kissed him, not caring that both of them could taste her tears that were pouring down her face, "I love you Draco Malfoy," she whispered against his lips./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Draco smiled against the kiss and kissed her again, "I love you more Arya Gerasimov."/p
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