Chapter X: Long Awaited Embrace

Draco was staring out the mist covered window, staring at the grazing white peacocks around the manor. His legs were still burning from the exertion he showed from earlier on in the evening. He found himself wondering how Harry and Hermione were doing; he hoped with all he was that they made it out of the battle unscathed. He was also careful to employ his Occlumency, with his aunt being so close ; and the Dark Lord on his way.

His father and Severus were discussing things over fire whisky in the same room, hands resting on their wands- careful to never let their means of defense go out of reach. This was the first lesson Voldemort taught all of his Death Eaters, and it was the one Draco remembered best. Given the chance, Draco would love to be able to put Voldemort's wand out of reach…but thoughts such as those were dangerous.

Draco found himself reflecting more and more on the words of Professor Dumbledore in his final moments. Dumbledore truly had forgiven Draco for all the wrongdoing and murderous attempts to take Dumbledore's life. The man appeared to know no bounds when it came to forgiveness. Draco bit his lip and placed his hand on the cold window. He knew that somewhere out there Harry was surely mourning the loss of his mentor, and Harry was surely thinking of Draco. He didn't like to consider himself vain, but realized the longing he felt had to be shared by at least Harry- if not Hermione as well.

The clouds covered the moon and blocked most light, and the grounds of Malfoy Manor were covered in darkness. Draco heard his mother and aunt talking in the kitchen, going on about the thrills and dangers of their most recent & well planned attack. Draco felt sickened at his actions, for it was through him that the Death Eaters had made it into the school.

Greyback had been an unexpected guest, Draco never would have let that beast into the school where so many friends of his resided. Draco shook his head and drew a fist, his knuckles white with tension. Draco thought long about how he could not kill Dumbledore, it had been true; his heart was not in it. He realized then that all his life he had bought in to the Pure Blood propaganda, and once he was truly tested; he knew that he did not align with any of the beliefs. After all, he was in love with the enemy and a mud blood…muggle born to boot.

Draco looked surreptitiously over to Professor Snape, the man whom Dumbledore had trusted with everything. Dumbledore was no fool, Draco thought, maybe Severus too had bought into the lies of hatred, and he was working now to redeem himself. Surely there must be a truth to this thinking. Why else did Severus look so upset when he had to kill Dumbledore? Surely, it would have felt better to finally drop the double agent act, and go to your true side…that is unless, you had to bear the weight of hatred to defeat the root of the evil.

Draco envisioned himself being a hero, like Professor Snape, working on the other side of the war and providing assistance to those whom he cared about. It was there that Draco decided, should Voldemort let him live, that he would spend his time in the inner ranks of the Death Eaters trying to leak information to the Order. He knew Hermione would believe his words even if, somehow, Harry did not. She would convince Harry, and once the war was over, they would be together again. The three of them would embrace each other, and with Voldemort defeated- maybe they could work to destroy the barriers of segregation and hostilities.

Draco allowed a smile to cross his face, and that smile held true throughout the night. Nothing said or done to Draco could remove the smile from his soul. Not even the torture he received from Voldemort for failing his orders. Not even when his aunt willingly cast Crucio on him, not even when his father scolded him for further besmirching the family name. For Draco knew that in all the hatred, love would will out. And Draco clung on to the feelings of love he felt for Harry & Hermione, knowing one day they would be reunited. Until then, all he could do was smile, and wait for that long awaited embrace.

[AN: There we are, the conclusion to STTS, I really hope you enjoyed it. I tried to stick to cannon as much as possible in this story, while still adding fresh viewpoints. We've all hopefully read the end of HBP, and I wanted to show what Draco was likely feeling instead of the mourning of Dumbledore. This story was a first for me in the DM/HP field, and I admit it was challenging- but I really enjoyed writing it. Thanks to all of those who have faithfully waited for the conclusion to this story. I would love final reviews, and if you like my works here- check out my new story which will be starting on Jan 1 2008, The Coming Darkness. It's an action story during the first war, ranging from 1979 to 1981. Thank you all once again, and may your writing never cease. ---Tower Mage