Death, Decay, and Diffindo

by He-Who-Shall-Live

Things were looking good for Harry Potter. His nemesis was defeated, the war was won. Everything was slowly getting better until, on a routine Auror training trip to the states, the last Potter falls into an inexplicable coma. Now, eight months later, Harry awakens to a shattered world. Picking up the pieces, Harry sets out to find answers and, more importantly, his friends.

8. Stories and Lamentations

I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters… Or any of the Walking Dead characters either… If I had, Carl would not have been shot and Lucius would have had a much bigger role in things, just saying. Shane would still be dead though… Yeah…As a doornail

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Previously, on Death, Decay, and Diffindo:

"I'm really here Hermione, I'm real." Harry replied with a small chuckle.

"Are you…really?" Hermione asked with hesitation and desperation in her voice.

Harry leaned over, grasping one of her hands in both of his. Hermione was startled at the contact she felt.

"Yes Hermione, it's really is me." Harry said quietly, a large smile planted on his lips. It took several seconds for Hermione's stasis addled mind caught up with the voice, face, and feel of the person beside her.

Hermione began to sob in relief as she took in the real Harry. The alive Harry.

Her voice failed her then, the emotional lump in her throat robbing her of any possibility of talking. Instead she let her tears of relief and happiness pour shamelessly down her face as gripped Harrys hand like a lifeline.

, now clad in a hazmat suit, watched the reunion from the other side of the tent.

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After Hermione had woken up, Dr. Jenner had entered the quarantine tent and taken his samples. Harry stood beside Hermione's bed, both holding the others hand the whole time. The doctor left after taking the samples he needed, promising to get their tests done as soon as possible.

"They have priority. I should be able to tell you the results before dinner is served, don't worry." He said with a polite smile before exiting the room once more. Harry and Hermione had been quite during the blood taking, simply enjoying one another's company. No words were needed. She was just happy to have a constant back in her life. After Jenner left, however, the formally bushy haired Gryffindor began talking as fast as her exhausted state would let her.

"I'm so happy you are alive Harry! So, so happy!" She said before she started crying a little. Harry quickly tried to comfort her.

"It's ok Hermione! I'm right here."

"Wooos right here?" A groggy voice called from the bed next to him. Draco immediately went to Andromeda's side.

"How are you feeling Andromeda?" Draco asked in concern.

"Fine..fine…where are we? What…Harry? How are you here!" She asked as she tried to sit up. Draco reached over to help her.

The next fifteen minutes were filled with Harry, but mostly Draco, explaining the situation and where they were. Both women were terribly sad to hear about the attack on the camp. Andromeda was particularly sad that Jim had died. Everyone wanted to hear more about the Vatos…even T-Dog.

Doctor Jenner reappeared giving them the all clear just as Harry was about to tell them the abridged version. It was good timing though. Everything that needed to be explained had been. Well most everything….the magic would have to wait.

Draco was frantic when Andromeda stood up and onto her unsteady legs. She had been in stasis so long and she was still very weak. Draco had demanded a 'Wheeled Conveyance" to be brought to Andromeda earning him some funny looks.

Eventually, the four magicals were able to move out of the quarantine room and back to the 'big room' where the dinner was being held. Everyone cheered when they saw both Hermione and Andromeda awake and talking once more. Harry took a seat on Hermione's left while Draco pulled up a chair next to Andromeda.

The revelry progressed quickly as there was a significant amount of alcohol present. Harry didn't like the taste of the wine he was given though. He would take a firewisky any day over this stuff.

All the laughter and conversation stopped when Rick began tapping his glass and stood up.

"It seems to me that we haven't thanked our host properly." Rick began.

"He is more than a host!" T-Dog replied loudly. Everyone around the table agreed, Daryl even let out a 'Booyah!' Harry agreed with that sentiment.

"So when are you going to tell us what went on here Doc? All the other doctors working to beat this thang….where are they?" Shane asked over the praise for the doctor. Everyone paused at the question while Dr. Jenner looked on with mild apathy. Harry thought Shane was being a dick about it….but he was right. He did ask the million pound question….

"We're celebrating Shane…we don't need to do this now." Rick replied with mild disappointment.

"Whoa hang on there. That's the whole point we came here right? For answers? That was your call. But all we found was him….one man…..why?" Shane questioned. Everyone looked towards the doctor at that moment.

"Well when things got bad, a lot of them just left. Went to be with their families. And when things got worse, when the military got overrun….the rest bolted."

"All of em?" Shane asked, unwilling to completely believe the man's story. Jenner, for his part, simply looked at Shane with a look of…pity? What was that about.

"No…many of them couldn't face walking out that door. So they….opted out of the whole thing. There was a rash of suicides…..that was a bad time." The doctor replied, he gaze far away as he remembered his colleges killing themselves. Everyone around the table had become progressively more and more depressed as the story went on.

"You didn't leave….why?" Andrea asked.

"I just kept working…hoping I could do…some good." Jenner replied.

"Were there any others?" Hermione questioned tentatively.

"One…there was one." The doctor replied in a soft voice, looking down. No one felt the need to ask what had happened….they all had a pretty good idea.

There was a shot pause before Glenn spoke what was on everyone's mind.

"Dude..you are such a buzzkill man…"

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The dinner eventually wound down, everyone either tipsy or flat out drunk. Everyone was happier though. Even after Shane's buzzkilling, the meal had progressed back onto lighter topics and happier conversations. For Harry, however, the fun and happiness clashed directly with the nervousness and anxiety he felt as the night progressed. He had so many questions….but he couldn't figure out if he really wanted to know the answers. Soon though, the group broke up and went to their chosen rooms to sleep off the alcohol and good feelings.

Harry helped Draco push Andromeda's wheelchair down the hallways and into the room she and Hermione had chosen for themselves. Teddy had sat happily on his granma's lap, enjoying the motion of the wheelchair and chattering away at Andromeda as only a little child could. Once she had been situated, Hermione took Teddy into the adjoining room to put him down to sleep. Harry almost objected but he held his tongue when he saw his godson hold his arms out for Hermione to pick him up.

'Best not interfere with their routine' Harry rationalized. The small ache in his chest didn't go away, however. He, Draco, and Andromeda sat there in a tense silence. No one was looking forward to the conversation that was about to take place. Harry took a look around just trying to keep his mind occupied. The room was fairly nice. It had a nice bed, plenty of light, a small two seated couch, and a small vanity tucked in a corner with water bottles all over the top.. There was also a TV on top of a dresser but it sat unused.

Quickly enough, or painfully slow, Harry couldn't decide which, Hermione came back into the room, closing the door quietly behind her. She moved across the room to sit in the chair next to Harry. He simply watched her advance, easily able to see the tension in her body and apprehension on her face as she walked.

She cleared her throat after she sat down.

"I know you have questions Harry. But please, answer one of mine first." Hermione started. Her brown eyes large and imploring. He never could say no to those eyes. Even when she had stolen his Firebolt and given it to the teachers, those eyes had tempered his hot temper. Not much…but more than anyone else has….ever.

"Alright." Harry said.

"Ok…ok. How did you survive Harry? I…I had hoped you were still alive but….there hasn't been power for months." Hermione questioned. The desperation, longing, and sadness she had felt while she was incapable of getting to her first friend came rushing back. She could feel the tears trying to fall, but she fought them back.

"I err…don't know exactly. I woke up about two weeks ago…" Harry began to explain before he was interrupted.

"Two weeks!?" Andromeda practically yelled before evolving into a coughing fit. Draco got up immediate to grab one of the bottles of water on the vanity. He opened it before handing it to Andromeda. She nodded her thanks as she sipped it slowly. Once her coughing fit was under control she was able to speak again.

"You only woke up two weeks ago? That can't be possible…Eight months? Six…SIX! Without food or water?" She demanded. Harry just shrugged.

"I don't know how, but it is possible. I'm here after all. I thought my magic might have had something to do with it. But I haven't ever considered it honestly." Harry replied. The only time in his memory his magic had done anything like what had happened was when his hair had regrown over night after being shaved to the scalp.

"But…six months of magic sustaining you? No one has that large of reserves!" Andromeda was incredulous. Sure, maybe someone like Dumbledore could get away with that…but she just couldn't see Harry being that powerful.

Hermione, on the other hand, could easily believe it.

"That could really be what happened Andromeda. There hasn't been a single Auror trainee that has been able to best him in power. " the younger witch stated. She had been surprised. Happy, but surprised when she had heard Harry's top ranking in the Auror trainee corp. He had never applied himself enough in his studies….not enough at all. But he made up for that with insane amounts of luck and power.

"I wouldn't put it past Potter. He did defeat the Dark Lord after all..." Draco drawled from his position near Andromeda. There really wasn't much to say after that. Everyone was silent for a few moments before Harry decided to break it.

"Can I ask a question now?"

"Yes Harry. Sorry, go ahead." Hermione replied quickly. She knew that he hated being in the dark. The fact that he let her ask her questions first was not lost on her in the slightest.

"What happened Hermione? What the hell happened to our world?" Harry voiced his most pressing question. It really wasn't the most important question he had but really, that one had really combined all of them together.

Hermione sighed sadly before looking towards Draco and Andromeda. Both magicals had gotten paler than they had been. The deceptively simple question was bringing back the horrors of the past eight months. She had been worried about where to start, how to tell him about the things that happened. She was slightly glad he had asked the question the way he had.

'At the beginning it is then.' She mentally psyched herself up.

"Okay Harry…that day in the American Ministry? You were talking to the security guard before just falling to the ground. It..it looked like a puppet having its strings cut! I was terrified. " Hermione paused to hold back her tears. That had been the second worse thing she had seen in her life. Hagrid carrying the 'dead' Harry was the worst by far.

"You were immediately taken to the medical ward. No one had any idea what had happened to you, so the entire Ministry went on lockdown. After it was clear you were an isolated case, they resumed normal functions and transferred you to the IMM…err the Institute of Magical Maladies. " Hermione further explained when she saw his confused face. She sported a small blush at her mistake.

"The only thing that the medical witches could say for sure was that you were stable and in some kind of coma. On top of that your magic was extremely low. I wanted to take you back then but they said no. I demanded they talk to Madam Pomfrey. She came over and, in the end, agreed that you needed to stay put. Since they had no idea what happened, they didn't know what types of interactions portkey or floo travel might have on whatever the cause was." She looked into his eyes then, trying to convey the sense of sadness and desperation she felt at his condition.

"I stayed by your bed for days. Ro..Ron had to pry me away, convincing me there might be some information somewhere that I could find." Hermione continued to explain, choking on Ron's name. Harry felt his chest tightening until it was almost painful. He reached over and hugged her, desperately trying to make her feel better. She sobbed into his shoulder as the painful memories became too much. All Harry could do was pat her on the back.

"I'll take over Hermione, you just gather yourself." Andromeda said kindly to the younger witch.

"We all came to see you Harry. Teddy demanded we see you every day. He was none too happy when I told him it couldn't be done just for us. The minster wouldn't allow it you see. International travel was still being restricted under the wartime rules. Teddy sulked and screamed for days. " Andromeda said, smiling fondly at the memory.

"About a three weeks after you went into a coma is when bad things started to happen. Very few in the magical world noticed it at first. The muggle's were the only ones reporting about the civil unrest and violence going on in places like Bulgaria and Romania. Magicals just chalked it up to bad luck while the muggles didn't understand what was going on. When the same things started happening in the rural parts of England, France, and Germany, people just thought they were sympathizers with whatever was going on and went on their merry little way."

"It wasn't until one of the Bulgarian ambassadors portkeyed into the Ministry of Magic with a man eating his arm did people start to pay attention. The resulting panicked spell fire killed both the man and the ambassador, leaving questions with no answers. From what I understand, the Ministry then sent an Auror team to investigate. They were never heard from again."

"Now some of this is second hand. But from what I heard, Kingsley rallied the departments to look into what was going on. By that time it was too late, not that anyone knew it. Several sections of London had started seeing the 'violent cannibals', or so the people called them. The scattered reports that had been coming in turned to hundreds, then thousands not a few days later. Still, magical Britain didn't really care and the investigation spent no time looking into muggle broadcasts. It was a muggle problem after all, why should they concern themselves with it? A month and a half after the first report of violent cannibals in England the first walker, as we now call them, entered Diagon Alley. "

"No one knew then that the bites from these creatures were fatal. That one walker bit nine people before someone managed to kill it. The mediwitches that had arrived on the scene cast a few cleaning charms on the wounds and sealed them up before calling it a day. Those nine people ended up turning at their homes. The Alley had been entirely unprepared and continued to underestimate the situation.

"It wasn't long after the attack in Diagon that hundreds and hundreds of refugees started portkeying into the Ministry from all over the world. Russia, Bulgaira, Ukraine, even as far as Japan. All of them brining stories of incomprehensible horror. The Ministry was soon overflowing, stuffing people into any corner they could while providing medical attention. Kingsley declared a state of emergency and tried to get into contact with the Prime Minster. It was far too late for muggle England though, most of the country had fallen by that point. Parliament had been in the process of moving when they were attacked by walkers. Nearly the entire government fell in that one swoop. Meanwhile, scores of walkers had pushed their way into the Alley. No one knew how they were getting past all the wards, but they were. The only remaining place free of the horde was Gringots. The last I heard, the doors to the bank had been breached; no one knows what happened to the goblins.

"There were so many people upset about not being able to get to their vaults…but it didn't matter in the end. Despite the number of muggleborn arguing about quarantines, none of the Wizengamot listened. Since no one knew the bites were what was causing the death and reanimation of the bodies, none of the infected refugees had been removed from the population. When the bitten died and became walkers, the close proximity caused the infection to spread out of control. The Ministry worker I talked to at Hogwarts said that there had been a pitched battle inside the Ministry against the walker horde. Something happened then…something terrible. We still don't know what exactly… but whatever it was caused the entire Ministry to...to…I watched the Ministry just vaporize, taking all of the Alley and a massive chuck of London with it." Andromeda choked out her last sentence around the lump in her throat. So many had died in the blast…and she still didn't know what had happened.

"At that point, all the survivors were told to evacuate to Hogwarts. I took Teddy and Draco and didn't look back."

Harry had sat in shock listening to Andromeda's story. His hands were gripping Hermione so tight he wasn't sure why she was not yelling in pain. So much death….so many lives gone….

"Hang on…wha ….why was Draco with you?" Harry asked with honest confusion.

"None of your business Potter!" Draco snapped at Harry instantaneously. He was as pale as a sheet when he said it though, so the strength behind it was lacking. Harry just looked at Draco in bewilderment as Andromeda patted his knee.

"It's ok Draco, you need to talk about this."

"I don't want to talk about it!" He rejected.

"That's ok, but he asked what happened, and I am going to tell him." Andromeda replied firmly before turning to look back at Harry.

"I received a letter from Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco asking for an audience with me. I was promised there was nothing nefarious with the planned get together so I decided to go. Besides, I figured it would be nice for Teddy to meet some of his other family."

"What? You took Teddy to the Malfoy's? Are you insane!?" Harry attacked immediately. How could she do that! Put him in that much danger? Her own grandson! What was she thinking!

Andromeda held up a hand to forestall any more of Harry's rant.

"They swore an unbreakable oath at the Ministry not to harm Teddy or I in the slightest. I even verified the Ministry's certification of the vow. It was genuine. "

"So I went to meet with them. I was curious as to the nature of the meeting, but I had an idea. That turned out to be wrong by the way. Once I entered the manor and was seated there was some small talk. Narcissa held Teddy even and Lucius didn't say a thing. Obviously they were trying to make me feel at ease, which only reinforced what I thought the meeting was about."

FLASHBACK: Malfoy Manor, seven and a half months ago.%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Once the green flames died down Andromeda was able to see the Malfoy family assembled in the receiving room. Narcissa stood on Lucius' left while Draco stood at his right

"Welcome Andromeda to the House of Malfoy." Lucius said formally as she stepped out of the floo.

"Thank you for allowing us entrance." She replied just as formally. Lucius gave her a small nod in return. Narcissa, at that point, approached the two.

"Welcome Andromeda. It is wonderful to see you. And this must be Teddy hmm?" She greeted warmly. It was the first time in twenty years Narcissa had spoken to her with anything other than contempt. Andromeda didn't pay it much mind though.

"It is good to see you again in less….trying circumstances. And yes, this is my grandson, Teddy Lupin." Andromeda admonished in a backhanded way. She may have married a muggle and fought for the Light, but she was still born a Black. The rules and dances of 'high society' had been ingrained into her from an early age. Teddy, having been looking around curiously before, buried his head into her shoulder, picking up the tension in her voice.

Narcissa's eyes widened slightly before they showed her sadness. Sadness at what she had done or just reminiscing, Andromeda had no idea. Lucius cleared his throat slightly.

"Yes…but times are different now and the House of Malfoy is…changing its direction. Has changed its direction. Family is more important than the…ideas we held in high regard."

"Oh? How wonderfully convenient. Do tell, how much higher Lucius? " Andromeda asked in a polite voice. Her words, however, were scathing, implying she didn't believe him while simultaneously drawing the parallel from his last change of heart after the first war.

"Completely and totally higher Andromeda, daughter of Black. Past mistakes threatened the Malfoy line in ways that…I didn't comprehend. Family is Paramount and, as such, has become the focus of the three of us."

"Very nice words Lucius. Were they practiced? And it would do you well to remember I am a Tonks now. I may have been born a Black…but the only people who proved to be family to me were the Tonks." She replied back instantly, her gaze never wavering from Lucius'. He bowed his head slightly in response, acknowledging both the barb and its truth. Narcissa stepped back at that point, to her position beside her husband. A quick glance over at the youngest Malfoy didn't tell her much. The boy's face was completely blank. Looking at her dear sister, however, showed she was hurt by the words she had spoken.

'Good. She needs to be.' Andromeda thought to herself as she repositioned Teddy.

"Let's retire to the sitting room for our discussion. Would you like any refreshment? Or something for the child to snack on?" Lucius asked, finally acknowledging her grandson…without saying his name.

"No, thank you. I prefer to begin our discussion promptly." She replied. Lucius simply nodded, holding out a hand towards another room. Everyone was soon assembled in one of the many sitting rooms. The Malfoy family sat together, facing Andromeda and Teddy, who had taken position on her lap.

"This is a very nice room. Harry described one like it to me once. It was much darker in his story though." Andromeda said lightly as she looked around. She had a very good idea what this meeting was about….and it would do well for the Malfoy's to remember what exactly happened here. She was happy to see, in a vindictive sort of way, the three Malfoy's grimace to varying degrees.

"Yes…we regret our actions, all of them. Even more so, our actions against the House of Potter."

"The Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter you mean?" Andromeda corrected instantly. She was not going to make it easy on them, not one little bit.

Lucius had the decency to look abashed at his mistake. Which he should. There was no excuse for his slip.

"Yes…our actions against the Most Ancient and Noble house of Potter and, by extension, the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black are disgusting marks on our honor. Ones we do not wish to argue or disagree with. They are stains well-earned and we will carry their burden as the consequences of our actions and mistakes. I, being the Head of House and chief perpetrator of said actions also bare the burden of running the Malfoy name and putting my entire family in danger." Lucius agreed, surprising Andromeda slightly. She wasn't so sure now what this meeting might be about….Originally she thought it was to get Narcissa back into the Black family….but now she wasn't so sure.

"Let's cut all this shit out Lucius. I'm tired of it already and it hasn't even been fifteen minutes. Why the hell am I here?" Andromeda snapped, failing to censor herself even though Teddy was present. She felt bad about that…but what is done is done. Her surprise at his comments had turned into anger. Yes, she knew all the dances and flowery language from her childhood, but she had hated it. She still did. This was the first time in years she had to use it and already she had a pounding headache. Screw talking in circles, just get do the damn point man!

Lucius and Narcissa looked taken aback by her sudden change in tone and language. They had been hoping she would continue in the manner…befitting high society….where they knew the ground and would at least be on somewhat equal footing….taking that away caught them completely off guard. Draco, on the other hand, smirked slightly, the only expression he had shown thus far.

"Sister, please..."

"Don't call me that, you don't get to call me that. You lost that right when you helped your precious Voldemort on his campaign of terror and extermination. You hated my son-in-law, you hate my husband, and you hate my grandson. The only reason I even agreed to this is, in my stupid sentimentality, I was glad to get a letter from you Cissy, and that you all swore unbreakables. It must have been important so I came, if only to see you one last time and close this horrible chapter in my life. I don't want to be here with any of you. So get to the point or I'm leaving." She replied in fury. Teddy picked up on her distress and wrapped his little arms around her neck. She patted him gently on the back as she looked at the speechless Malfoy family.

"Alright Andromeda...to the point then. There is a new Heir Black, soon to be Lord Black…."

"Harry will be the next Lord Black, once he takes up the title. And you want me to help get Narcissa back in to the Black family so your son can have a shot at arguing for the Lordship. I think we are done here." Andromeda bit out furiously and stood up. She may not have interacted much with Harry, but both her daughter AND son in law had chosen him as the godfather of their child, making him family by extension. She would be damned if she betrayed him like this.

"Wait, Andromeda that isn't why…" Lucius argued.

"No! Wait Domie, please! That's not it at all!" Narcissa begged as the entire Malfoy family stood up. Andromeda hadn't heard that tone from her sister for a very long time and it made her pause for a second. She looked the three Malfoys over for a moment. They seemed sincere….

"What then? This isn't an attempt to lift the Malfoy name back from obscurity? Tell me why then, and be quick about it! No more games!"

"Please, Andromeda, just sit down and let us explain."

"Your time is limited Lucius."

"It's for me, well my children." Draco spoke up, silencing all three adults. Andromeda looked incredulously at the youngest Malfoy. Did he really think he could pull one over on her like that?

"So instead of Lordship now, you want to have your children be the soul inheritors Draco? I admit, that is very cunning….but it won't work. I won't help you do that."

"No! It's not like that at all Auntie! Please! Just listen to my reasoning, then make your decision." Draco pleaded when he realized exactly how close this opportunity was to slipping though his fingers. He had been extremely pleased when Andromeda has accepted their invitation. It had been his idea to take the unbreakable at the Ministry, he was sure that would have gotten her attention.

Andromeda, meanwhile, scrutinized the youngest Malfoy from top to bottom. He was practically begging…and he denied the reasoning she had assumed he was going for…but could his word be trusted? Something in the back of her mind was telling her to listen. Even if they had been monsters in the past, Cissy and her son were still family through the Black side. Besides, she would need to know as much as possible so she could tell Harry everything as soon as he woke up. Hearing his proposal wouldn't be too much trouble…and she could always walk out. They couldn't hurt her, not with the unbreakables in place.

"Alright Draco….you have five minutes." She responded before retaking her seat. Narcissa and Lucius sat back down with a relived sigh while Draco continued standing.

"Okay…okay here is how it is. The Malfoy name is trashed. After everything we did, we deserve it. It's unmistakable and none of us are going to challenge that. As you are well aware, Sirius put you back into the Black line while he removed my mother and myself from the Black line, but he didn't invoke the Blood Traitor magic. "

"Which was more than you deserved Draco." Andromeda said in a hard voice. She would have been devastated if Sirius had called for the Black's Blood magic…but it would not have been any less than they deserved.

"Yes…yes I agree now. I wouldn't have before but…the war changed everything, even me. I can see how wrong it was for us to follow that mad man. He killed as many of us as combat did! But that's not what I was wanting to discuss. I've changed and now I can see, with utmost clarity, that family is the most important thing a wizard should have. I would like your help in getting back into the Black line."

"You just said that I wasn't here to help you get a valid position to fight for the Lordship. And now you are a liar Draco. I am so disappointed." Andromeda stated sadly as she prepared to leave. She had hoped that he had seen sense…but no, he was too deep into the family to do anything less than what he had tried to ask her to do. It would hurt, but she would need to cut them from her life completely.

"No! That's not what I want! This isn't about the Black Lordship! I don't want to be in consideration for the Head of House. I would readily accept entrance back into the Black line so long as that was the stipulation, that I would never be considered for the Lordship!"

"But you want your children to be though? Why else would you want back into the line, assuming you aren't lying ." Andromeda returned with anger.

"Protection!" Draco all but yelled, frustrated by the way the conversation as going. This wasn't what he had planned at all!

"Protection?" Andromeda asked in bewilderment.

"Yes! Protection for my children, whenever I have them." Draco responded.

"You need to explain that to me Draco…."

"As I've stated, the Malfoy name is spit upon by everyone the country over. Any of my children would automatically have that stigma attached to them, for the things that I and my parents did. I don't want that! I…I don't want my mistakes to have such a dire impact on my children! So many doors would be closed to them, so many opportunities." Draco explained with a large amount of emotion.

"But, but! If they were a part of the Black line so many of those doors would remain open. Any son I would have would still have a vast number of opportunities to choose from. The Malfoy name wouldn't be enough to protect any daughter I have, but the Black name would! People would think they could get away with anything against a daughter of Malfoy, but never a Black! Even more so now since Harry would be the new Lord Black. None of them would have to be considered for the Lordship either. That would only ever be a decision Potter could make. " Draco finished, looking expectantly at Andromeda. For her part, her mind was reeling at the reasoning.

She could understand it now, of course. The Black name had risen up to heights it hadn't seen for centuries due to Sirius' and Harry's acts. It also explained a great many things, like their need to talk to her first.

"And you can't approach Harry with this without some kind of backup he respects…." Andromeda said slowly as the dots connected and the gears continued to spin.

"Yes, exactly! Especially not after his ultimatum. He would jump to the wrong conclusions, like you did. Not that I blame you!" Draco hastily placated after hearing what his statement sounded like. He couldn't afford to.

"Ultimatum?" Andromeda asked in curiosity. She hadn't known he had given them an ultimatum.

"Minutes before the trial, Harry came and talked to us. Told us that he had been given the chance to use the Black Blood magic against myself and my son, but chose against it. He…told us that if we ever made the same mistakes again, that we wouldn't live long enough to regret it." Narcissa explained.

Andromeda felt her eyes widen slightly. That was certainly an ultimatum if she ever heard one.

"Huh, kid has more backbone than I thought." She mused out loud

"I was there, in the forest, when he confronted the Dark…Voldemort. I watched as he sacrificed himself so others would have a chance. I have never seen the like in all my life." Narcissa said, her mind snapping back to that terrible night.

Just then, a haggard looking house elf popped into the center of the room.

"Masta Lucis! Masta Lucis! There be some people trying a get in da front door! Dippy be thinking they be muggles Masta Lucis!" The elf stated frantically.

"The front door? Muggles? What of the wards Dippy? I've felt nothing to indicate people on the property."

"Me sa not knowing Masta Lucis! But they bes there, pounding on da door!"

"Activate the repelling wards while I floo the Ministry then." Lucius said as he stood up.

"Wes can't Masta Lucis! Wes beens trying but they no work!" Dippy the elf cried. She couldn't believe she was failing her master so bad! Couldn't even bring up wards!

"The wards aren't working? That shouldn't me possible." Narcissa stated. Draco looked concernedly at his mother. What was going on?

"I will go observe the situation Lucius, go floo the Auror's." Narcissa said as she got up and walked towards the front of the house.

"Dippy, go with her." Lucius ordered as he headed to the floo. Dippy disappeared with a crack. Lucius walked to the small firecall station in the room before throwing a pinch of dust in.

"Auror department." He called out before sticking his head in the flames.

"Yes? Yes I need help. I have unidentified muggles pounding on my door. The wards are failing to repel them I need….Hello? Hello?" He began to explain, only for the other side to go black and the flames to extinguish.

"What the devil?" He asked out loud.

"Wand out Draco, something feels wrong about this." Andromeda stated, pulling her own wand out and repositioning Teddy. Draco followed suit and had is wand out, Lucius followed soon after.

Just then, Narcissa ran back into the room covered in blood and holding a house elf.

"Lucius! They've broken in! Hundreds of them! The house elves couldn't stop them. They…they're eating them Lucius! " Narcissa practically screeched, such was the level of her panic. She quickly deposited the elf in her arms on the couch. Lucius swiftly cast a warding charm on the door, shutting and locking them tightly.

"You're hurt mother!" Draco yelled, pointing to a bite like mark on her arm.

"It's nothing. One of them bit me before I could shove them away. They are coming Lucius! Did you floo the Aurors? " She waved off her wound dismissively as she questioned her husband.

"Yes but the connection died shortly after."

A loud crash was heard in the next room. Everyone turned to stare at the door. Dippy popped in right then bloody and barley able to stand.

"Mast…Masta Lucis….dey…be comi…coming…." The poor injured elf gasped out through the pain. Almost immediately after delivering that dire message, Dippy the house elf collapsed, dead from blood loss. Not a second later, the doors that had been warded were pushed open. Three shambling, muggles by the looks of their clothes, stumbled into the sitting room. All three were hideously deformed or injured in one way or another. One was even missing an arm! Andromeda moved beside the Malfoy family. Too late did she notice Narcissa hadn't followed her.

"Narcissa!" Andromeda yelled, startling Teddy and causing him to cry. The female Malfoy seemed to shake herself out of her shock, but it was for naught. The three muggles grabbed her and forced her to the ground, moaning the entire time.

Lucius wasted no time in his attack.

"Avada Kedavra! Avada Kedavra!" He yelled, shooting the green curse at two of the three muggles. Both fell off to the side, stiff as a board. The third one raised itself up from off of Narcissa and looked towards Lucius.

"Avada Kedavra!" Draco yelled, targeting the last muggle that was on his mother. It too fell over, stiff like a frozen statue. Lucius ran over to his wife and kneeled on the ground. He cried out in shock and despair as he saw her lifeless eyes staring up at the celling. Draco made to move to his father's side when Andromeda stopped him by grabbing his shirt.

"Lucius! Look out! There's more!" She yelled before casting a Bombarda spell at the group coming through the door. That bought enough time for Lucius to stand up, fury present in his entire posture.

"Protege familia! Pones autem praevaricatorum!" Lucius yelled out while holding his Head of House ring high in the air, calling upon the ancient siege wards of the Manor to protect the family. According to family history the siege wards had only been activated a few times since they had been put in place. They would take the stored magical energy from the wardstone at the center of the manor that had been collected and use it as a concentrated attack on every living thing that was not a member or a friend of the Malfoy family. All intruders would have burst into flame and died in agony…at least that was what should have happened.

Instead, a high pitched, teeth jarring, whining sound started to echo throughout the entire manor. The four magicals looked around in confusion as the sound got louder and higher in pitch. Everyone grew concerned when the entire house began to shake. Lucius's mouth dropped open in shock when he finally understood what was going on.

The wardstone was collapsing!

There were only seconds left. He immediately chose the only option left to him. Save his son and his two in-laws.

"I banish you three from the House of Malfoy hence forth! Be gone!" He commanded, pointing he wand at the three of them. Instantly they were forcibly apparated away and off the Malfoy grounds. Lucius had only a second to smile before his world went white and he knew no more.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Draco, Andromeda and Teddy all fell in a heap a thousand yards away from Malfoy Manor. Teddy cried out in fear at the sensation and the fall. Draco sprung up, looking confusedly at the Manor in the distance. Why had his father done that? He could still fight! He received his answer when a bright white explosion engulfed the entire manor and most of the surrounding estate. Draco fell to his knees seconds before the shockwave washed over the three. Draco was sent sprawling while Andromeda threw herself over Teddy.

After the winds died down Andromeda chanced a look out into the distance. The scene that greeted her was one of utter destruction. Where once the mighty Malfoy Manor, which had stood for over seven hundred years, now a massive flaming hole stood in its place. The fires that burned uncontrolled blackened all the vegetation surrounding the estate. Nothing was left.

When she noticed movement around the periphery of the estate, Andromeda grabbed Draco and, while still holding Teddy, sidalong apparated them to the Ministry.

FLASHBACK END%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

"When we got there the order to retreat from the Ministry had already been given. A large group assembled around us and we all were portkeyed to a safe area inside muggle London. I watched as the Ministry went up just like Malfoy manner. Nothing was left. I immediately apparated them to Hogsmead and, together, we ran into Hogwarts." Andromeda concluded her tale. Her hand had found Draco's about halfway through the story and hadn't let him go sense. The youngest…last Malfoy was sitting rigid next to his Aunt.

So many things made sense to Harry now. Like why Draco had been so willing to help, why he had been so protective of Andromeda. She was the last of his family on the planet. Harry felt an immeasurable sense of sadness then. He knew how it felt to have family ripped from him and he wouldn't have wished that on his worst enemy…ever.

"Draco…I am so sorry." Harry said softly to the distraught teen. Draco only nodded stiffly, more pale than he had been in a very long time. Harry thought it would be best to never mention the glistening of the unshed tears in his eyes.

"It all happened so fast…." The last Malfoy whispered as he remembered that day from his own point of view. He had been so hopeful that he could convince Andromeda to help him, so determined. That was the day the Malfoy family would have changed for the better! Well…it sill changed, just not in any way, shape, or form that he had intended.

"I..I need to take a walk." Draco said, getting up suddenly and all but bolting for the door. Hermione and Andromeda watched him go sadly.

"He's still bottling up so much." Andromeda said with sadness. Hermione only nodded her head before continuing the story.

"Things went downhill pretty fast after that..." Hermione spoke up, her voice still rough from her crying. She was still crying, but now it was her sadness for Draco that brought her to tears. She may have hated him for the longest time, but even she would not have wished that on anyone, even Malfoy.

"How could all this happen." Harry asked out loud, mostly to himself.

"There were theories…so many theories. Even a plague from God was mentioned more times than I could count. The simple fact is Harry…we just don't know enough to be sure." Hermione replied. They had spent so much effort in trying to figure it out…but nothing came of it. They might as well have been running around in circles.

"What about Ron Hermione…what happened to him? And the other Weasleys, are they all dead?" Harry asked, turning towards his friend. He knew it was a mistake to ask as soon as he saw her distraught face.

"Ne…never mind Hermione! We can talk about it later."

"No…no Harry you need to know…I just…give me a second." Hermione said in response. She had to control herself. She needed to tell Harry what had happened to his friend and his extended family.

FLASHBACK: The Burrow, seven and a half months ago.%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

"Hermione, be a dear and go get your fiancé out bed please." Molly Weasley asked pleasantly as she cooked the morning meal.

She was down one helper this morning. Arthur had been called into the Ministry early for something. So, while down a helper she had one less person to feed. That thought sent a sudden flash of deep sadness through her bones. Her son, Fred…was gone. There would be one less to feed at the table, forever. Damn that war! She hated it, hated all the pain it caused and all the people it took.

Thinking about the war brought other emotions forward. Anger and frustration. She had been so angry at Harry for helping the Malfoy's get off, again. They had fought for Voldemort! Had helped him murder her poor son. They had even tortured Hermione, her newest daughter in the family. Why on earth would he have done such a foolish thing? She had gone so far as to check him for curses the moment he stepped out of the courtroom. She had considered Harry part of the family, and for him to go and help the people who hurt her family…well she just couldn't let that go without saying something!

The rift that had formed in the aftermath of her rant between her, the family, and Harry was deep. She hadn't seen him in months. And then that poor boy had gone and fallen into a coma. She had visited him, along with the entire Weasley family. Molly felt so guilty over what had happened, even more so for keeping Ginny from Harry. They were a nice pair, but in the aftermath of the Malfoy Family Trial she had forbidden her from seeing him.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the dull thumps of someone coming down the stairs. Seconds latter, Ginny, Ron, George, and Hermione had descended.

"Morning all!" Molly called out cheerily, hiding the thoughts and emotions she had been feeling just minutes ago.

"Hullo mum." Ron said over a yawn. She had let them all sleep in that day. It was a nice day to do so anyway.

Soon, everyone was seated at the table ready to dig in. Molly walked over and sat down as a parade of her freshly made foods hovered into the room and down onto the table.

"Tuck in everybody!" She called out happily, walloping a large spoon of mashed potatoes on her plate. Everyone started eating then. Conversation was light as everyone enjoyed their meal and the atmosphere. After Molly had finished most of her plate she sought to engage the newest addition to the family in conversation.

"So, Hermione. Any more news on all those ghastly muggle attacks? " She questioned.

"Oh it's getting terrible Mrs. Weasley. I haven't been able to find out much more than that the attacks are increasing. So many of the news channels just aren't saying anything new." Hermione said after swallowing a mouthful of food.

"That's terrible dear. But maybe no new news is good news hmmm? Maybe they are dealing with it." Molly replied with an upbeat attitude. Honestly, the things muggles get wrapped up in….

"Maybe…" Hermione said unsurely before looking down at her plate. She wasn't convinced the situation was getting better. In fact, she was almost sure that it was getting much, much worse.

"See children? We have a lot to be thankful for. Imagine if we had to deal with something worse than vampires? Honestly!"

Everyone around the table murmured their agreement as the kept eating. While still sleepy, for the most part none of them really cared what was going on in the muggle world save for Hermione. They were all more interested in the Death Eater trials and what had happened in the Alley a few days ago.

Near the end of the breakfast, a large gonging sound reverberated around the house. Everyone went pale instantly. The Family Clock! Molly shot up and ran into the other room, her children and Hermione following closely behind. Everyone's heart froze when they all looked up at the clock.

The hand representing Arthur had spun until it was firmly under 'MORTAL DANGER'. Molly cried out in shock before running to the floo. "The Ministry, Author Weasley's office!" She yelled into the fire after she threw her pinch in.

"Arthur? Arthur! Are you there?" Molly called frantically into the fire. There was no response on the other end. She couldn't even see her husband's office!

"Mum look!" Ginny yelled, getting Molly's attention. She had been so caught up in her frantic search for her husband that she hadn't heard the clock's ominous chime happen again. Now every Weasley still alive was firmly under the 'MORTAL DANGER' heading, including Hermione!

"Mum, what's going on!" Ron asked in a slight panic. The clock had only done this once before and that was during the Death Eater attack during Bill's wedding.

"I don't know Ron. Wands out everyone!" Molly called out. She had to remain calm. Or…at least look calm in the face of whatever threat where was, even if she was terrified on the inside.

"I left mine in my room!" Ginny cried out before dashing to and up the stairs.

"George go help your sister find her wand!" Molly barked out. Ron left immediately to help Ginny.

"Molly? Molly! Are you there?" Arthur's voice called out from the floo. Molly let out a huge sigh of relief. Arthur was alright!

"I'm here Arthur! What is goin…" She replied back to him before he interrupted her.

"Hurry! Activate all the wards!" He yelled at her.

"What? Why Arth…"

"JUST DO IT MOLLY!" He bellowed back at her. She flinched like she was struck before she went into the kitchen and put her wand up to the wall.

"Dumbledore." She said the password to activate the wards. Immediately a low hum filled the house as layer upon layer of successive wards were activated. She scrambled back to the floo, catching the tail end of the conversation Ron was having with his father.

"Just stay inside Ron. Molly! Listen, I don't have much time! The Ministry is being evacuated! Something…something got loose! People are eating each other! We are being overrun! You need to aim for the head Molly. Tell the kids! Aim for the head! The killing curse does not work! Use Diffindo! I love you all. Stay sa..." Arthur's message was cut short when a loud explosion was transmitted through the floo. Molly was blown back and debris flew everywhere as the fireplace exploded outwards.

"Mum! Mum are you alright? Say something mum! Please!" Ron cried openly. He didn't need to look at the clock to know what it said.

"I'm alright Ron…just help me up." Molly managed to get out. She was still in shock over the ordeal. She glanced absent mindedly at the clock out of habit. This time, however, her blood froze when she saw her husband's clock arm pointing directly to "Dead'.

Molly cried openly along with her son as the two started at the clock. Hermione's shock was so complete that she couldn't even shed a tear. Ginny and George rushed into the room shortly after the explosion.

"What was that! Why are you crying mum?" George asked after he saw how distraught his mother was. She was only able to point towards the clock, words having failed her. George looked over and gasped in shock while Ginny started to wail uncontrollably. George was the first to shake himself out of his shock, he had important information he needed to get out.

"Mum! Ginny still can't find her wand. And while we were upstairs I saw a huge group of people headed this way! I didn't care at first, they had been walking in the other direction. But once the wards went up they all turned and started heading here! It was really creepy now that I think about it…." George said, thinking about how weird it had been seeing all those people turn as one and start coming their way.

"It's okay dear, the wards are up so nothing can get us in here. Remember the reworking Bill did? Our wards are stronger than ever!" Molly declared confidently while trying to fight back her tears. There would be time to mourn later. Right now, she had to keep her children calm and safe.

"Keep your wands up though, just to be safe. Ginny, where on earth could you have left your wand!" Molly admonished slightly. She couldn't help herself, even in the face of her crying daughter. Her comment, incidentally, made Ginny cry harder.

"Oh there there Ginny. I know this is hard…but your father loved you." Molly tried to sooth. All she wanted to do was cry along with her daughter…but the war had changed her. She knew now how important it was to project calm so that others would stay calm. Now was one of those times.

"Mum….how far do the wards extend?" George asked hesitantly as he peered through the window.

"Oh George, out past a hundred yards. Why?" Molly responded without paying much attention. She was still trying to comfort her daughter after all.

"Because mum…they are inside the wards right now." George responded gravely, backing up from the window.

"What? That can't be right…" Molly responded. She moved Ginny around and motioned for Hermione to come over. The brown haired girl moved over and quickly encompassed Ginny in a hug as Molly made her was over to the window. She had just stuck her face up to the glass to look out when a bloody hand impacted the window.

"Bloody damn!" She yelled out as she jumped backwards. Ron and George put their wands up at the door while Hermione pulled hers out while pushing Ginny behind her.

"Oh my goodness. I am glad that glass was charmed unbreakable!" Molly replied with a nervous laugh. How had they….whoever they were gotten through the wards? Hadn't William said the wards would make some audible noise if someone broke through?

"Mum the glass!" Ginny yelled, pointing at the window. Molly was shaken out of her thoughts when she saw the cracks starting to form.

"That's impossible! It would take a dragon to break that glass! " Molly yelled in fright. The glass shattered a second later as one of the attackers fell through it.

"Stupefy!" four voices yelled. The red spells pelting into the throng of people pushing to get inside. None of the spells were effective though, as every person hit paused for only a second before redoubling their efforts to get in.

"Quickly get upstairs!" Molly yelled as she started throwing hexes and the few curses she knew. None caused the desired effect and she soon retreated. As she made her way through the kitchen she saw dozens, maybe hundreds more people banging on all the windows.

"How can this be happening!" She yelled out to no one as she rushed up the stairs. She brushed passed her two sons who had taken up station on either side of the stairwell.

"We need to get out of there! Should we apparate to the Ministry?" George asked as he continued to stare down the stairs.

"No! No, your fa…your father said they were evacuating…Hogwarts. We need to go to Hogwarts!" Molly stumbled over the reminder her husband was dead.

"Mum! I can't apparate!" Ginny cried out with no small amount of terror.

"Don't worry, I'll take you honey. You three go, we'll be behind you."

"I'm not leaving you mum!" Ron immediate disagreed.

The sound of a large number of people coming up the stairs caused all conversation to stop.

"Bombarda!" George yelled as soon as he saw the first deformed muggle crest the stairs. The house shook from the spell.

"NO! Use Diffindo George! Diffindo!" Molly called out, pointing her wand at the advancing people.

"Diffindo!" Ron, George, and Hermione all cast at the same time. The advancing wall of people paused for a second before resuming their march up the stairs. Hermione had to grab Ron's shoulder when the house shook violently without warning.

"I said no Bombarda George!"

"I didn't cast it!"

"Then what…" Molly began to ask before the house gave another massive shutter. She looked up as she heard a loud snapping sound, only to see a massive crack appear in the ceiling. Much to her horror, the crack quickly expanded and shot across the room.

"The house is coming apart! " She yelled over the spell fire.

"Everyone, apparate to Hogsmead now! GO go go!" She yelled at the three apparition capable kids.

"Mum I'm not…" Ron started before he flinched at the look his mother was giving him.

"Ronald Weasley! You apparate to safety right this minute! You too George!." Molly bellowed at her son. Ron, George, and Hermione all raised their wands in preparation. George and Ron left with mighty cracks, a testament to their lack of focus on the spell. Hermione stayed behind just a second longer, she always had to concentrate a little bit more than others.

"Mum!" Came Ginny's terrified scream. Hermione and Molly looked to Ginny only to see the floor starting to sag.

"Ginny!" Molly yelled as she sprinted towards her daughter. Hermione felt the floor beneath her give way and her stomach to fly into her throat as she started to plummet down from four stories up. She quickly apparated to Hogsmead. She had forgotten to twist so she fell down after losing her footing. All she could think about was two things. First, that she was safe…..

Second, that she now had to tell Ron his mother was dead…..

FLASHBACK END%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

"I felt the house start to collapse. And when I used the pointme spell….neither of them survived. I am so sorry Harry." Hermione said through her tears. Harry just sat there, shocked once more by the…sheer brutality of how his surrogate family had died. Sure they were on the outs, but that didn't change how he felt about them!

"I believe that's enough for tonight Harry. We can talk about this tomorrow." Andromeda said from her chair. The last Black sister was exhausted from telling her story and from listening, again, to Hermione's. She had so many emotions running though her…her body just couldn't handle them all.

"But…what about Ron?" Harry managed to ask.

"I said enough Harry! Look at Hermione! Be considerate young man!" Andromeda admonished. It was a low blow, but one that needed to be utilized. All three of them, four including Draco, couldn't deal with everything all at once, bringing back all the memories in one night.

Harry looked over at Hermione after Andromeda's admonishment and saw that she was correct. The normally beautiful young woman was…well still beautiful but the tear streaks and her red eyes proved she needed rest…both emotional and physically.

"I'm so sorry Hermione. Is there anything I can do?"

"No Harry…I have to deal with this in my own way. Some sleep would be good." She replied through sniffles.

"Why don't you go find our missing Dragon, Harry. He's been gone quite some time. " Andromeda suggested. Harry looked over at her and saw in her eyes that it wasn't a request.

"Right…I'll go find Draco." Harry agreed. Giving one last hug to Hermione he made his way to the exit.

"If you need me in the night, either of you, just come get me…"

"We will Harry. Thank you." Andromeda replied for Hermione. The poor girl had talked enough.

"Right the…." Harry said, hesitating only slightly as he exited the room. He had wanted to stay with Hermione….but maybe 'girl' time would help her just as much. So long as she got the help…

Now he just needed to find Draco before he could sleep.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Draco meandered through the hallways with no particular goal. He was lost in his thought about his family. His parents had been ripped away from him so suddenly…they had all survived Voldemort for Merlin sakes! How could they die to..to…cannibal muggles!? It was surreal….and emotionally painful to an extent Draco didn't know if he could ever get over. Andromeda had walked in to his room at Hogwarts one night to find him laying in a pool of his own blood. He had been so lost….He survived his suicide attempt though, obviously. He still remembered the multitude of promises he had made to his Aunt (she let him call her that now) before she would let him out of her sight.

Draco rubbed his wrist absently.

Looking back, he couldn't believe he had been so weak as to try and kill himself. His parents must be so disappointed in him. That happy thought was soon forgotten when Draco heard a woman's scream coming from the room ahead of him. In an act that would make a Gryffindor proud, Draco ran to the door and wrenched it open.

The scene was not what he was expecting.

Loir was sitting on a game table frozen in position while Shane had his shirt mostly off and his hand down her pants. Draco could easily see that Lori was not a willing participant and made sure to note it out loud.

"Well….I knew you were more muscle than brains but even you should know that it's impolite to force a woman the way you are." Draco drawled out. He knew the way he talked irked Shane to no end. He had heard him complaining to Dale about it at one point. Draco continued to be amused by that.

"Jus mind your own damn business boy!" Shane slurred out, glaring at Draco through his bleary eyes.

"Lets ask Lori shall we? Lori do you want Shane's hand down your pants?" Draco asked with mock sincerity. He knew the answer already, obviously. He was just doing to piss Shane off.

"No!" She yelled before trying to push him away. Shane didn't budge though. Draco moved forward just as Lori raked her fingers down the side of Shane's neck. The last Malfoy was impressed with the amount of blood she drew. Shane, the dumb lug that he was, wiped his neck and started at his hand for several seconds.

…..Maybe he was hoping it would do a trick?

"You best forget what you saw, if you know what's good for you." Shane growled out as he turned to look at Draco.

"You mean how you were trying to rape a married woman? But of course! How could I ever remember something like that!" Draco replied with no small amount of sarcasm. He knew he was poking the bull…but he just didn't care at that point. Shane didn't take kindly to his sarcasm, however, and chose to show his displeasure in the only way he knew how.

Faster than a drunk man should, Shane took three large paces before punching Draco right in the jaw. Shane was much stronger than the young wizard and the punch knocked Draco back out of the room and into the wall.

"Stop it Shane! He's a kid!" Lori yelled from inside the room. Shane paid no attention, however, as he stalked towards him. Draco was seriously considering pulling his wand when another voice broke through the confrontation.

"What the bloody fuck is going on here?" Potter all but yelled from the end of the hallway. Harry had been looking for Draco almost everywhere when he happened to turn down that hallway. The rec room was the last place for him to look really. He had expected to find Draco alone. Instead, he sees Draco come stumbling out of a room only to then see Shane stalking up to him with his arm cocked back.

Shane paused when he heard Harry's voice.

"I was just showing Draco here a new move…." Shane said, trailing off his sentence.

"Well next time, how about you don't 'show a new move' to a nineteen year old you piece of shit. Or do you enjoy beating on people younger than you?" Harry demanded, his anger skyrocketing. He may have no love for Draco…but after all he had heard that night….damn it all he felt protective of the git.

"Watch it Harry…you're new here…." Shane warned, slurring his words the entire time.

"And you're drunk. Don't think that changed your disposition any. Go sleep it off or I will show you a 'new move'." Harry stated coldly. Shane stood up straight, glaring at Harry and trying to intimidate him.

Voldemort….duel….enough said.

Shane seemed to deflate slightly when Harry didn't buckle immediately. He turned and wandered off with one last glare at the Last Potter. Once Shane was gone, Harry approached the young wizard.

"Are you alright Draco?"

"I'm fine Potter, I didn't need your help!" Draco quickly informed him. He still had standards after all!

"Of course you didn't. Let's get you back to your room."

"I know the way Potter, I don't need a guide."

"Then we can walk silently together." Harry responded with a small smirk. Draco just huffed before walking off back down the hall and leaving Lori to her own devices.

The walk the two wizards shared was surprising not awkward. The silence between them was almost friendly…at the very least commiserating. When the two reached Draco's room, he gave Harry a stiff 'good night' before slamming his door shut. Harry just let out a sigh as he walked down the hall and entered his room.

As he laid his head down, he couldn't help but think that the world had gotten a whole lot more sad since he had been in a coma. So many people had died….the magical way of life was all but destroyed. Harry closed his eyes. His last thought before sleep finally took him was wondering how he could make Hermione feel better.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Throughout the night, as everyone slept soundly for the first time in months, the clock continued to count down. Inching closer and closer to zero every second on the night.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

False rescue.

After the fall, Ginny woke up in horrible pain. She cried out only to start coughing as the dust and bits of house flew into her throat. As she looked around she saw that she was in a part of her room, the floor below where she had been standing when the house gave way. She could see the last Harry Potter poster she had hanging up on her wall. She tried to get up only to have pain shoot through her entire being. It was only then that she realized two things. A beam was holding her down at the waist….and she couldn't feel her legs….

She panicked then, screaming her head off while trying to push the large beam off her body. The effort was wasted however as she simply didn't have the strength to push the large piece of wood off of her. She abruptly stopped her screaming when she heard a faint scratching noise. She couldn't quite place what it was…maybe it was a rescue?

"HELP! Please! I'm stuck in here! Can anyone here me? HELP PLEASE!" She yelled as loud as she could. There was no mistaking the sound coming closer to her in the dark.

"Yes ! Yes! I'm here!" She continued to cry out. A few agonizing minutes later and she could hear her rescuer really close.

"I'm right here! You're nearly there!" She called out happily. All at once, a part of debris wall to her front fell forward letting a little light in.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" She cried out in happiness. She was saved! When her rescuer moved she was able to see part of his face. She had never seen a more handsome man! Well, at least that was what she thought at the time. He was, after all, rescuing her!

"I'm trapped under this beam and I …I can't feel my legs. Please, we need to find the rest of…" She started to ramble before she stopped suddenly. She had finally gotten to see the man's full face….

Half of it was missing…..

Ginny screamed then, louder than she ever had before. It was a terrified scream. A scream filled with the dread of certain death. The mutilated man made his way toward her, crawling all the way up to her chest. She felt a searing pain lance up from her neck as suddenly as she felt like she was drowning.

Thirty seven seconds later Ginevra Weasley died while being eaten by a muggle in a running suit.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

A/N

Sorry I didn't get this out sooner! I had a whole bunch of things keep interrupting me. Anyway, I hope you all liked it! I tried to balance it out some. I felt real bad when I wrote the Malfoy's death…it just seemed so sad. Then, when I was about to post, I had the sudden flash of how Ginny died…..sorry to anyone who liked her!

Anyway, you know the drill. Read and review please! Tell me if you liked it! That is very important to me.