The Chronicles of Life and Death:

A OneShot Series

"Walk Away (Maybe)"

Author's Note: Title Credits and Lyrics by Good Charlotte. The basic story for this is: I was just (literally it's on as I write this) listening to GC's Chronicles of Life and Death album, and "The World is Black" came on. I thought the lyrics fit the First and Second Wars against Voldemort. And now I'm thinking that I want to do a oneshot series based on every song on the album. I may or may not get every one done. The good bit is that they're oneshots, so it won't essentially matter.

Well, here's the second one. This follows Draco Malfoy. This time I have got bits of the song put into some dialogue.

XXX

"Draco, dear, are you quite all right?"

"I'm fine, Astoria."

In truth, he wasn't. How could he be? He'd never be okay.

"We haven't heard anything from Daphne lately," she said.

Ah. Her sister. Daphne Greengrass, she was one of Pansy's gang.

"Or your parents."

She'd hit a nerve, and she knew it.

"I don't want anything to do with my father."

"Your mother risked her life how many times to save you, Draco?"

"That doesn't matter. I've got nothing against her, but with my mother comes my father."

"Does this have anything to do with the fact that your mother saved Harry Potter's life?"

"No," he said quietly, but with finality. "Potter saved my life as well. It's only fair someone saved his."

"You've never thanked him," Astoria pondered.

"Why should I?" Subconsciously he ran his right hand over his left forearm. "I choose to life with my regrets."

"You're scared," Astoria accused. "You think it's easier to walk away, but it'll catch up with you in the long run. Draco, I think it's time to face your fears. You're thirty-eight."

"Astoria…"

"That's it!" she exclaimed, grabbing a quill.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm owling Ginny Potter. I ran into her the other day in Diagon Alley, she and Harry were with their children."

"You don't talk to those people, do you?"

"Why can't I?"

He hated when she did that; answering a question with a question.

"Times have changed, Draco, and Ginny's really quite nice." She tied the letter to her owl's leg and sent it off.

"Am I at least allowed to ask what you wrote?"

"Oh, that? I invited her and Harry to dinner."

All the color drained from Draco's face.

XXX

"Ginny!" Astoria said warmly with a smile. "I'm so glad the two of you could make it."

Draco stared at her; sometimes his wife amazed him. "Hello, Po –Harry," he corrected himself.

"Draco." His greeting was forced too.

"Look, can I talk to you?" Draco asked after Astoria left to give Ginny a tour of the manor.

"Fine."

"I'm sorry."

"What?"

Obviously Draco's apology was not expected.

"I'm sorry. I was an arse and… thanks for saving my life."

"I give up, Malfoy, what possessed you to say that?"

"Nothing. I really mean it. Potter, you've saved my life more than once."

"And there's nothing you value more than yourself and your life."

"That's not true," Draco said. "It may have been once, but not anymore. Can we both be mature about this? I'm thanking you for saving my life."

"You're welcome. I hope you realize that it seems our wives are…"

"Friends? I have. Does Weas– Ron know about Scorpius?"

"What about Scorpius?" Harry asked, confused.

"Oh. That he and your niece Rose are quite good friends."

XXX

Author's Note: That's the end of this story. Strangely, as much as I dislike Draco/Hermione or Draco/Ginny I love Rose/Scorpius.

Now, if you want me to update, I want a review.