Chapter 21
Draco wasn't able to sleep a wink at all last night. Who could, when you find out that Voldemort is holding the person you love hostage again! He let out a miserable sigh as he got dress. This is crazy! It's just all happening so fast. One minute, I'm happily living my life with Hermione and now that bastard of a monster has her and we are only days if not hours from a full out battle.
Once he was finished putting on his robes, he slowly made his way to Dumbledore's office. He didn't bother going down to breakfast knowing that he would be unable to. The halls were quiet as he walked; the only sound was of the distant chatting in the Great Hall and the sound of his winter boots against the stone floors, which he found thankfully for, considering he needed time to think. Of what, he didn't know, but it at least kept him as calm as possible.
Nearly reaching the Headmaster's office, he spotted Harry already waiting. Not able to come up with any witty remarks at the moment, he merely nodded to the Gryffindor. Harry, obviously feeling the same way, did as well. The two stood in silence the entire time, consumed in their own thoughts and doubts. Almost an hour later, the sounds of students started to get louder, indicating that breakfast was over.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy." The two teenagers turned to see the Headmaster. After he gave the password, they followed him up to his office, taking the seats in front of his desk. "Tea?" he asked though it was obvious his offer was half hearted.
Both Harry and Draco shook their heads and Dumbledore took his seat. A long moment of silence passed before Harry finally spoke up. "Have you informed the Order yet, Professor?"
The Headmaster gave a slight nod. "They were all contacted last night and should be arriving immediately. I have decided to make Hogwarts into a base in order to prepare before the battle."
"But what about the students? You can't let them stay here. Especial not with a battle about to happen." Draco said.
"I'm well aware of that little factor. That is why all students will be leaving the school tomorrow. I have informed them that classes are over today and they should take the time to pack."
"Tomorrow? Can't you get them out by today?" Harry asked.
"I'm afraid not. I tried to have the Hogwarts Express to come and pick everyone up today, however tomorrow morning was the earliest I was able to get."
Harry gave a disappointed frown but nodded in understanding.
"What about the Ministry?" Draco asked the elderly wizard. "I know they're not good for much, but that have to at least give us some reinforcements. A few Aurors should be enough."
"Your absolutely right, Mr. Malfoy. I did in fact get into contact with the Ministry and the Minister refused my request."
"What!" Both Draco and Harry exclaimed in outrage. "Why would he do that?" Harry was the one to ask as Draco nodded his head.
"I'm afraid to admit it but Fudge is a very proud wizard. A person of his class does not take lightly to orders from wizards below him. He also mentioned the fact we have very little evidence of a final battle approaching."
"WHAT?" Harry bellowed. "How much proof does he need when two people broke into Hogwarts undetected, kidnapped a student and almost fucking killed another one!"
"Harry, please control your tempter." Dumbledore pleaded calmly. If he was nerved by Harry's burst of magic radiating off of him, he certainly didn't show it. Draco on the other hand took a few steps away from the seething Gryffindor.
Harry took a few deep breaths as his wild sparks of magic began to disappear. Once he was finally calm, Draco started to talk. "If the Ministry isn't going to help with this, then who will, besides the Order?"
"Many of the missions that have been to assign to the Order members were to persuade others to joins us. With the information that we know, your numbers aren't as many as that of Tom's followers. However, what he has in quantity, we have in quality."
"But how do you know that, Professor?"
"Harry, Tom is a very smart wizard. Obviously, when he puts his mind to something, it usually always turned out good for him. Now, what with all his past attempts on ending your life failing, he's gone mad. He's still a very dangerous wizard, but his sanity, I'm afraid, is slipping him. He is now completely obsessed with you."
"So what you're saying is that because the Dark Lord is going crazy, we have a chance at winning this war?" Draco asked incredulously.
"I sense doubt from you Draco."
"I just can't believe that the Dark Lord would be defeated just because he has some weird fixation with killing Potter."
"You have to understand Draco, is that Tom is a very complex person to someone who has never actually known him. As much as he seems immortal, he is not and has a weakness."
"And what would that be?" Draco challenged, still believing that the Headmaster had no plan on how to kill that bastard.
"His weakness is his strength."
The blonde stared at the elder before a scowl appeared on his face. "His weakness is his strength." He repeated with venom. "What kind of crap is that!"
"Professor, I don't understand." Harry asked. He really didn't care how crazy it sounded. If it was a way to defeat Voldemort once and for all, he'd try it.
"It's fairly easy to understand, Potter. What Dumbledore is trying to tell you is to attack while he's gloating. However, I doubt that'll happen considering it's the Dark Lord!"
"You once again make the assumption that Tom is immortal." He told the blonde. "It may not seem like much right now, but Harry will see. I assure you."
Draco scowled, but didn't argue. "Whatever. As long as Potter kills that bastard, I don't care."
There was an uncomfortable silence, which Harry broke. "Is there anything else, sir?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "No. You may go. Please inform both Mr. and Ms. Weasley that their parents and brothers we be here shortly."
Harry gave him an obedient nod before he and the blonde left the office. The two walked in silence until Draco broke it. "What a crazy old man, Dumbledore is..." he mumbled to himself.
"You're telling me!" Harry replied. He gave a questioning look to The Slytherin. "So you're on our side, huh?"
"Potter, we've had this conversation last night, remember. Why else would I have spent my summer protecting her?"
"It's just…odd, to see you like this. Don't get me wrong, you're still the same annoying, obnoxious, spoiled prick that you were,"
"Gee, thanks…"
"But you seem much more human than you did. You actually have feelings…"
"Potter…" They looked at each other. "You need help…" he finally replied shaking his head.
Harry gave a weak grin but didn't reply. The two silently walked until they reached the point were they took separate ways; Harry to the Gryffindor Tower and Draco to his Head Boy and Girl Dorm.
"I promise to get her back." Harry told him before he started his way up the staircase.
"Make sure you do, or I'll kill you myself, dark lord or not." He replied to the Gryffindor.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hogwarts felt weird. This wasn't the first time Draco's been in the castle without a majority of the students, but because of the tense atmosphere, the Christmas cheer seemed non existent.
Most of the Order members arrived already and there was quite a lot, but Draco still had his doubts. The Order was big but Voldemort's troops were bigger, much bigger. When we actually go into battle, we'll be outnumbered three to one the very least. Draco became less confident on the light's chances of winning. There's also the matter of magical creatures…
Draco found the best way to stop his depression was to stop thinking about it, though that seemed impossible. No matter where he went, there was always something to remind him of the battle soon to come.
There wasn't even anyone to talk to; he was the only Slytherin student there. He and members of D.A. was the only student left in the castle. The ones with no where to go had to be transported to somewhere safe. I'd be willing to talk to that brat Conan right now if he wasn't gone…
The only person his age he'd be willing to talk to, though he'd never admit it in a thousands years, is Potter. The two, although no where close to being friends, had some type of truce established.
He decided to go to the library. Hopefully, it was quiet enough to collect his thoughts. He sat down in a dark corner and stared into space. Too engrossed with his day dreaming, he didn't notice someone sit next to him.
"Malfoy…" The blonde nearly jumped when he heard the voice.
"Potter? What the bloody hell are you doing here?"
"Well this is a public place you know?" Harry replied with a roll of his eyes.
"What happened to your little mob of fans?" Draco sneered half-heartedly.
"They're in the great hall eating dinner. I just needed some time alone to think, so I came here. That's when I saw you looking dreadfully pathetic."
Draco snorted. "Potter, I don't do pathetic. I remain calm and collected in any situation given to me." A noise that suspiciously sounded like a laugh came from the emerald eyed teenager. "If anything, it's you who looks pathetic."
Harry looked down towards his hands and shrugged. "I s'pose your right. I mean, I haven't really had much reason to be happy now have I? But I guess you would understand how I feel, huh?"
"I never understand anything about you, let alone know how you feel." Draco grumbled.
Harry gave a slight chuckle. Draco raised an elegant eyebrow. "Why are you being so nice all of a sudden?"
Harry shrugged. "I dunno. I guess if Hermione can give you a chance, so can I."
The blonde sighed. "I wished you had felt that way before you hit me…"
Harry snorted. "And where would the fun be in that!"
"You have a weird sense of humor."
"Oh please! Don't act like it didn't feel good to throw blows at me!"
"…Yeah, your right…"
"Told you…"
The two sat there in silence.
"Do you think she's okay?" There was no need to clarify who 'she' was. They already knew.
"I hope so. If she isn't, all hell is going to break loose…" the Boy-who-lived grumbled.
He gave Harry a questioning look. "Potter, do you fancy Hermione?" he asked.
The raven haired boy gave a sigh. "I thought I did, but I found out I only cared for Hermione in a brotherly sort of way. Just thinking about her with you alone drove me insane. I thought maybe you would have doing something horrible to her and I had no way to protect her. I guess I mistaken those feelings for love." He looked at the blonde to tell him he was done with his explanation.
Draco nodded his head in understanding. He was about to talk when he saw a light flicker from the corner of his eye.
Both Harry and Draco stood up. "Did you see that?" Harry asked. Draco gave a nod. The two stared out the large window waiting for another flicker of light to appear. When it did, the two rushed over the window to see what was happening. In the distance, there was a line of yellow, red and orange on the horizon as if the sun as about to set.
"But the sun already went down…" Harry said.
"That's where Hogsmeade is." Draco commented.
The two saw a flash of green making its way through the sky. It disappeared for about a few second before making a shape in the sky. It wasn't long before the image cleared and the teenagers found themselves looking at the giant Dark Mark.
The two violently curse before dashing their way out of the library to find the Headmaster.
"It's still dinner! He might be there!" Harry told the blonde as they ran as fast as they could. Draco nodded before he started to pick up the pace with Harry following his lead. Paintings they passed commented on them and chided the two for running in the halls, but Harry and Draco ignored them.
They finally reached the giant doors that lead to the Great hall. The two pushed them open in hast and called out to their headmaster.
"Professor!"
Everyone stopped their conversations to stare at the two teenagers who obviously been running.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Harry gasped. "Death eaters are in Hogsmeade!" He exclaimed as clearly as possible.
This got Dumbledore's attention. "Are you sure about that!" he asked seriously.
"Yes. They sent a dark mark into the air. You can see it out here." Draco told him, also trying to catch his breath.
No one has ever seen the headmaster move as fast as he did. He swiftly made his way across the Great hall and out the door, with the order members in tow. They created a large crowd outside the great hall as they gazed out the giant window in the Entrance hall. A few gasps where heard when they saw the large green symbol in the sky.
"That's not all." Harry said over the crowd's chatter. "We think that Hogsmeade is under attack." The noise grew louder after he said that. When Dumbledore finally got their attention back, he gave them their instructions. "Voldemort is trying to confuse us, we must keep calm everyone!" he paused for a few seconds. "Groups one, two and three, come with me to Hogsmeade. The rest of you stay here on stand-by."
Snape put a hand on the headmaster's shoulder. "You know this is a trap right. They're trying to lure either you or Potter into the battle in Hogsmeade."
"Yes Severus, I figured that much on my own. However, I have no choice." He said gravely. "Harry you stay here at Hogwarts."
"What? No, I'm going!" Harry exclaimed.
"Harry, this is not the time." Dumbledore replied tiredly.
"I'm sick of always staying behind. I'm going to have to face him sooner of later, I should at least get it over with!"
"Harry…" The headmaster looked into the eyes of the defiant teenager.
"No matter what, I'll still go and you know it."
"And if he's going, there's no way, I'm being left behind." Ron said boldly, ignoring the disapproving look his mother was giving him. Soon after his declaration, the rest of Dumbledore's Army piped in.
"We're running out of time, Albus." McGonagall told him.
"We can't allow these children to go into battle, Albus." Molly argued.
"Mrs. Weasley, we're good. Very good. I trained them in Dueling myself. We even have our own system of combat." Harry assured her.
Dumbledore gave him a long look before sighing. "Fine, but please all of you be careful."
"Albus!" Molly exclaimed.
"I'm sorry Molly, but this must be done. Now all of you, follow me, we must hurry!"
The selected Order members made their way towards Hogsmeade. As the adult advised a plan, D.A made a strategy of their own. Harry had persuaded most of the newer members to stay at Hogwarts for back-up leaving him with only ten of the best members.
"I know this is going to be more difficult since some of you don't have your partners, but I needed the best to come with me. Ginny, Ron, I need you two to pair up since your partners aren't here."
"Harry, I'm your partner though. Who's going to back you up" He asked with confusion.
"That isn't important. More than likely, I'll be facing Voldemort; I can't allow any of you to be killed by him because of me. Besides, I doubt Dumbledore will let me out of his sight for too long."
"Harry…" Ron persisted but was cut off.
"Ron, you need to look out for your sister." He said to the tall red head. "And don't even think about following me." He gave everyone a look. "And I'm telling everyone these. I don't know what I'll do if you guys were to die tonight." He made a stop and turned around to face a small crowd of teenagers.
"I just want to thank you guys." His eyes were pointed downward. "You didn't have to do all of this for me and yet you all came to meetings to get stronger. You even stayed at Hogwarts on winter break to try to beat this bastard of a lord when you can be safely at home with your families. You showed me so much love and kindness, something I never knew before I came to Hogwarts." He looked up. "Uh-so thanks."
"Well we definitely weren't going to let you stay here by your self." Ginny interrupted.
"Yeah Potter. Now let's hurry to Hogsmeade so you can beat old snake face!" Seamus said with a grin.
He gave them a smile before they made their way to Hogsmeade.
They reached Hogsmeade within a few minutes. Harry noticed Dumbledore give the Order Members a command and with a wave of nods, they disapparated away.
"Harry," The headmaster started. "I want the D.A members to be by the side of an Order's member. At least we know then that they'll have some safety." He looked at the young man in a serious manner. "And I want you never to leave my side. Do you understand?" Harry gave a nod, already knowing he was going to say that.
In no time the battle finally started. Curses were being thrown everywhere so Harry had to be extra careful not be hit. On a few occasions a stray hex would almost hit him, however Dumbledore deflected them. "Harry, be careful!" he warned the young hero. I'm trying but these death eaters seem rather persistent on killing me, if you haven't noticed! He wanted to say but thought better of it. It wasn't Dumbledore's fault, he was only trying to protect him, he mused. Without arguing, Harry paid closer attention to the battle, hexing and stunning any death eater that crossed his path.
Draco was having his own fun hexing death eaters every which way. Though on the outside he seemed calm and collected, Draco was actually panicking inside. While fighting, he got separated from his group and it seemed as if he were surrounded by the enemy. He looked around desperately for a familiar face, but none appeared. Hoping to think of a plan, he quickly dove into a stray alley, barely missing a cursed aimed at him. The death eater followed him into the dark alley, wand in hand, ready to attack. Draco hid behind a large stack of boxes.
Gotta find a way out of this! What to do, what to do? While pondering, he accidentally shifted his foot, scaring a cat nearby. He cursed as the stupid cat ran away, giving away his hiding spot. He tried to say a hex, but a wand was pointed at his face before he could say the words.
"Enough games." The hooded figure said.
Draco closed his eyes waiting for curse to kill him. He knew the guy was going to use the killing curse; death eaters had no compassion.
"Avada Ke-"
"Stupefy!"
The death eater fell to the ground, unconscious. Draco slowly cracked one eye open to see what had happen. "Draco, are you okay?" He looked up to see Rielly. He then looked down at the death eater.
"Y-yeah. Thanks to you." He got up and stepped over the body of the death eater. "How did you find me?"
"I saw you come in here and this guy follow you. I figured you might need help." She replied.
"I did thanks. I got separated from my group and I was looking for them."
"Well come with me. I can't find Tori, so you can help me look for him." Her eyes narrowed. "They're here. And I need his help to defeat them."
"Them? You mean Eric and Aurora?" She nodded. "Well why the hell are we standing here socializing. Let's go!"
(End of chapter)
I just want to make a comment on that whole 'Voldemort's strength is weakness' thing. I realized this to be absolutely true. I mean, look how many times he had a chance to kill Harry, (not that I'm saying I want Harry to die or anything, I'm just trying to make a point.) and yet he continues to talk on and on as if he's expecting Harry not to move or run away. C'mon Voldy! You're suppose to smart and all that jazz!
Sorry guys it took me so long to update. I was planning on making this the last chapter and making it much longer, but I'm pretty sure I've tormented you long enough by waiting so long. So next chapter will be the last one, kay? Until then!
