"The Elder Wand," Harry said as he took it.

"Where was it?" Hermione asked.

"In the attic. When I was up there, I stepped on a hollow spot. So I used the Reductor curse and opened it. I found it just as Lucius Malfoy came in," Ron replied.

"This is amazing. We can destroy the sword now," Hermione smiled. "Guys, we're almost done. We've almost ended the war," she added.

"Well, let's not start celebrating yet. We still have a bit more to do," Harry sighed. They nodded.

"Are we destroying the sword here?" Ron asked.

"No. I have another place where I think we should go," Harry shook his head.

"Where?" Ron asked.

"The cave outside Hogsmeade. The one Sirius brought us to," Harry answered.

"Harry, that's the last place we should go," Hermione stated. "We're about to destroy the sixth Horcrux. We've almost made Voldemort mortal. Going near Hogwarts is extremely dangerous."

"I'll have to go there soon anyways. We'll be okay, Hermione. I won't let anything happen to you two," Harry said.

"I know," Hermione sighed. "How are we going to find out who Voldemort put the Horcrux in?"

"I'm not sure. I think we'll get a clue when it's time," Harry said. He looked at the clock. It was five in the morning. "We should go now. We'll need the day to find the person."

"Yeah, probably," Ron agreed.

"All right. Let's pack up and head over there." Harry pocketed the Elder Wand as he stood and put on his bag. He took the tent down, then they disapparated to the cave outside Hogsmeade village.

"Where's Sirius?" asked a ten year old Harry.

"In Diagon Alley. He needed to get a few things and he was meeting up with an old friend," Remus replied.

"Something for my birthday?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe. I'm not telling," Remus smiled.

Harry rolled his eyes and went back to his book. After a bit, he looked up again. "When are we getting my Hogwarts stuff?"

"You haven't even gotten your letter yet," Remus grinned.

"So? I want to get everything. I'm excited," Harry shrugged.

"And you should be. You'll have lots of fun."

"Will you and Sirius visit?"

"Of course we will. As long as none of the visits involve visiting you in the hospital wing or Dumbledore's office," Remus smirked.

"I'll try. You two raised me so I can't promise," Harry said.

"There better not be any of those visits," Remus eyed him. Harry laughed. Remus smiled affectionately and hugged the boy, who rested against his chest, completely relaxed.

Remus opened his eyes and looked at the clock on his end table. Five a.m. He sat up. He rubbed his eyes and sighed. He could feel Harry in his arms. He could hear his voice and laughter. He was losing his mind about his nephew. Remus knew it was almost time for Harry to fight Voldemort. It was almost time to see if good really could overcome evil. It was almost the moment of truth.

Remus jumped when there was a knock at his door. "Come in."

"Hey, Moony."

"Padfoot? What are you doing up? It's five in the morning," Remus frowned.

"We've received an owl," Sirius said.

"From who?" Remus asked, getting dressed.

"The Weasleys."

"Why? What's happened?"

"Nothing, nothing. They heard Ginny was here. They want to see her. They can't really leave because they're being watched. We need to bring Ginny over," Sirius explained.

"How? If the house is being watched," Remus wondered.

"Disillusionment Charm," Sirius replied.

"Yeah, that could work," Remus nodded. "Is Ginny up?"

"Yeah, she's getting dressed."

"Okay. Let's wait downstairs," Remus and Sirius walked down the stairs and went in the kitchen to wait for Ginny. The wait wasn't long. When she reached them, they explained the plan of the Disillusionment Charm. She agreed with it completely and Sirius cast the spell on the three of them. They walked out to the Apparation point and Apparated to the Burrow.

"Potter and his friends have the Elder Wand, my Lord," Lucius Malfoy said.

"Which means you failed. You all failed," Voldemort sneered. Lucius didn't speak. "Send Severus and Draco to me."

"Yes, my Lord." Lucius bowed and entered a room off to the right. "The Dark Lord wishes to see the both of you." he said to Snape and Draco Malfoy.

"Thank you, Lucius," Snape said and headed out the door with Draco. "My Lord." They bowed.

"I have a task for the two of you," Voldemort said. "Potter and his friends have the Elder Wand. They need only destroy two more Horcruxes before I am mortal. All the others have failed. I pray you do not. Find Potter and his friends. Stop them. If you succeed, you will be rewarded."

"Is there any information on where they are hiding?" Snape asked.

"They are close. I can feel it. Look around," Voldemort told them.

"Yes, my Lord," Snape and Draco bowed again then left the room.

"In the meantime, I have an attack to plan."

"Sshhh. Did you hear that?" Harry silenced his friends. They listened. They could hear the crunching of snow. "Someone's coming," he whispered.

"I thought only Sirius knew about that cave?" Ron whispered back. Harry shrugged.

"You know what you must do, Draco?" came the voice of Severus Snape.

"It's Snape and Draco Malfoy," Harry hissed then went back to listening.

"Yes, sir. I must kill Potter and his friends," Malfoy replied.

"Very good. Go look over there," Snape said.

"Are they coming this way?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know," Harry shook his head. He had been examining the Elder Wand and now pocketed it. He crawled towards the entrance and peered around. He suppressed a gasp.

"What is it?" Ron asked.

"Malfoy's heading this way," Harry replied. "We need to get to the village so we can hide."

"How? Malfoy's on the trail. That's the only way we know. And we can't Apparate. Malfoy and or Snape will hear," Hermione answered.

"We have to find another way. Come on," Harry led the way out of the cave. He headed away from Malfoy and into the bushes. "Head up. We'll get to the village," he pointed to the grass and rock covered hillside beside them. They began climbing, using anything that would support them.

Harry's heart sped up as a flash of green light soared past his head. He looked back at the cave below. Malfoy was staring straight at him, wand raised. When they made eye contact, Malfoy took off running back up the trail. He began climbing faster and Ron and Hermione followed his lead. After a couple minutes, they reached the top and climbed over the edge.

"Stupefy!" red light flew between Harry and Ron. They turned and were facing Malfoy. The trio raised their wands.

"Malfoy, what are you doing?" Harry said.

"I'm doing what the Dark Lord wants me to do. He wants me to stop you," Malfoy replied. Harry noticed Malfoy was slightly shaking and had a small look of fear in his eyes.

"You're not a murderer," Harry said.

"Shut up, Potter! You don't know me!" Malfoy yelled. Harry heard a quiver in his voice.

"Coincidentally, I do. Maybe not everything, but enough. I know enough to know you're not your father. You're not a killer," Harry said calmly. He could see Ron and Hermione staring at him.

"You don't know me. I have to do this."

"Why?" Harry asked.

"He'll kill me. He'll kill me," Malfoy answered. Harry thought Malfoy sounded close to tears.

"You are not a killer, Malfoy. You are not your father. You don't have to be," Harry said.

"I have to. I have to. I have to kill you," Malfoy said with as much courage as he could muster.

"Then kill me," Harry lowered his wand. Ron and Hermione were staring between Harry and Malfoy in horror.

Malfoy, still shaking, pointed his wand at Harry. "I have to. He'll kill me. I have to," he muttered.

"Do what you have to," Harry stated. He and Malfoy were staring each other in the eye.

"Come on, Draco. You have him. Do it. Prove yourself to the Dark Lord," Snape had appeared behind Malfoy, which seemed to make Malfoy shake worse. Harry and Malfoy still hadn't broken eye contact. Harry couldn't help but think this was the longest they had looked at each other without trying to curse the other into oblivion. If the situation had been different, Harry would have laughed at the thought.

"I can't do it," Malfoy said just below a whisper.

"Yes, you can, Draco," Snape urged.

Malfoy's wand slowly lowered from pointing at Harry's chest. "I can't do it. I'm not a murderer. I'm not my father. I never will be. I don't want to be." Harry glanced at his friends. They had finally stopped gaping and were waiting for what was going to happen next.

"You're a disappointment, Draco. You know the consequences of your decision."

"Yeah, I do. I'm not a murderer and I'm not my father." Malfoy had finally broken the connection with Harry and was glaring at Snape. He was also slowly backing up towards the trio.

"Draco, what are you doing? Get back here," Snape ordered.

"No. I've made my decision. I won't become a murderer for Him or anyone," Malfoy shook his head. He was beside Hermione now.

"Very well. I'll do what you were too cowardly to do," Snape raised his wand at Harry who didn't even flinch.

"I'll never understand why Dumbledore trusted you. You're nothing more than a traitor and a coward. Draco has more courage than you do," Harry said, still not raising his wand.

"Harry, what are you doing?" Ron muttered.

"You know nothing, Potter. Don't talk about things you could never begin to understand," Snape spat.

"That reminds me. I have a question. Why have you hated me since the day I walked into that school?" Harry asked.

"Your father was arrogant."

"So because my father taunted you in school, you hate me too?"

"He did more than taunt me. He humiliated me. Made my life hell. You're just like him. You believe rules are below you. Just because you're the Boy-Who-Lived," Snape glared.

"I'm not my father. I only look like him. Looking like someone doesn't make you that person. I never said I was above the rules. I never believed that. That's what you believed because you can't get over a grudge that you have on my dad. I don't want to be the Boy-Who-Lived. I never have. I hate it. How could I want something that took away my parents before I got to know them and so many others I care about? How could you think anyone would want the thing that took away the only girl you've ever loved?"

"What are you talking about, Potter?" Snape had tried to make his voice angry but it shook.

"I know how you felt about my mother. I know how it destroyed you when she married James Potter and had his son. Did you ever stop to think that maybe, just maybe, I was more like Lily Evans than James Potter?"

Snape stared at him. "It doesn't matter anymore. Avada Kedavra!"

"Protego!" Harry yelled. The jet of green light was deflected. It was now soaring towards its sender. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Malfoy could do nothing but watch the light hit Snape in the chest and the Potions master fell. No one moved. No one spoke.

Severus Snape would now be nothing more than a memory.

Sirius, Remus, and Ginny walked to the front door of the Burrow. There were lights on in the house and shadows could be seen walking by the kitchen window. All drapes were drawn, dimming the lights.

Remus knocked. "Molly, it's us."

"Prove it."

"Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny are illegal Animagi," Remus answered.

The door opened. "Come in." When they were inside, Sirius did the counter curse and they were visible again.

"Mum!" Ginny cried and hugged her mother.

"Ginny! Oh, Ginny, dear! Why didn't you go into the cellar with your brothers?" Mrs. Weasley was crying.

"I wanted to help the trio," Ginny replied. Her mother kissed her cheek then turned Ginny over to Mr. Weasley.

"Ginny," he hugged her tightly. "Thank you for keeping her safe," he said to Remus and Sirius as Ginny hugged the twins.

"It's no problem, Arthur. We'd never let anything happen to Ginny," Remus said.

"We're still very grateful," Mrs. Weasley smiled through tears and looked at her only daughter. Ginny had moved to the living room with Fred, George, Bill, and Charlie. She was sitting beside Charlie who had his arm around her. She, Charlie, and Bill were watching the twins goof off. They were all laughing. For a minute, everyone forgot they were in the middle of a war. Forgot their families weren't quite complete yet.

"You would do the same for Harry," Sirius smiled. Mrs. Weasley nodded and hugged them.

"Please stay a bit. Have a cup of tea," she wiped away her tears and started the kettle. She, Mr. Weasley, Remus, and Sirius sat at the table.

"Has there been anything from the trio?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"I saw them a couple days ago. I won't lie. They don't look good," Sirius said. Mrs. Weasley choked back a sob. "But they are very much alive. They only look bad because they're covered in burns, cuts, bruises, and dirt." He decided to leave out the fact they had been covered in blood as well. "That's only because they had to go in the Lestrange vault. If you're not a Lestrange, everything burns and cuts you," he explained.

"They have two Horcruxes left then they're after Voldemort," Remus added. They flinched at the name.

"They've been gone for over two months. It's time for them to come home," Mrs. Weasley said.

"Yes, it is. They're ready to come home too," Sirius nodded. They all fell silent. They were all thinking about the same thing. The day their children came home.

"Come on, guys. Let's get back to the cave," Harry sighed, turning away from Snape's body. Ron and Hermione nodded and followed Harry.

"Hey, Potter!" Malfoy yelled. The trio stopped and turned. For a few seconds, Malfoy said nothing, clearly debating with himself. "Umm, thanks."

"For what? The only thing I did was save my life," Harry said.

"You also made me see I don't have to be like my father." Malfoy was clearly uncomfortable. Had Harry not been so tired and focused on destroying the sword, he, too, would be uncomfortable.

"That should have been common sense," Harry shrugged.

"Well, I haven't had much of that," Malfoy stated. Harry nodded. "Look, Potter. I guess I just wanted to thank you for not letting me turn into my father."

"Like I said, you're not a killer. You may be a huge obnoxious jerk, but you're anything but a murderer. Besides, you stopped yourself. You didn't have to listen to me. Why you did, I'll never know." Malfoy gave a small laugh. "You stopped yourself. By not killing us, you became your own person. And anyways, I had just been trying to save my life."

"Well, thanks anyways," Malfoy held out his hand.

Harry looked into Malfoy's eyes. He remembered their first day of Hogwarts. Malfoy had offered his hand then too, but Harry turned it down. Now, however, it was different. Harry shook his hand. "You know, this doesn't change anything. We're still enemies. If we became friends, Sirius would rip me to shreds."

Malfoy grinned. "No one said that's a bad thing."

Harry rolled his eyes. "He'd kill you too."

"True."

"You should get out of here. Things are about to get a lot worse around here," Harry told him.

"Okay. Be careful, you guys." Malfoy disappeared.

"That was something I never thought I'd see or hear. A Potter and a Malfoy, shaking hands and not cursing each other," Ron said as if in awe.

"Yeah, it is kind of odd. I'll admit that," Harry agreed and they headed back to the cave.

"I think it was nice. Maybe they won't hate each other as much now. Malfoy's kind of changed," Hermione stated.

"I think him listening to me and not killing us is a huge change. He just turned his back on Voldemort and his father. He's finally going his own way," Harry replied, pulling out the Elder Wand as they sat down again.

"I think that's fantastic," Hermione said.

"So here's a question. Will he survive?" Ron wondered.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"He said if he didn't kill you or us or whoever, he'd be killed. He didn't kill any of us. He switched sides. Will he survive?" Ron explained.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other. Sure Malfoy was their enemy, but they had just seen a new side of him. They didn't want him dead, no matter how many times they had wished it and thought about it over the years.

"Anyways," Hermione said, breaking the silence. "How are we doing this?" she pointed at the Elder Wand.

"Reductor Curse is probably the best one to use," Harry replied. He reached into his bag and pulled out Gryffindor's sword. He put it on the ground in the middle of them. Harry stood up. His friends did too and stood beside him.

"Ready?" Ron asked.

Harry nodded and raised the wand, pointing it at the gleaming silver sword. "Reducto!" he shouted. The cave was filled with bright light.

Voldemort's red snake-like eyes snapped open when he heard someone walk up to him. "Yes, Draco? Where is Severus?"

"Dead," Draco said simply.

"What?"

"Snape is dead. Potter and his friends have the Elder Wand. They're alive. They're going to destroy you, Master," Draco sneered.

"You failed me, Draco. You've failed your father," Voldemort said.

"Yeah. I'm okay with that. I'm not my father and I never will be. I'm not a murderer," Draco said.

"Draco, you're a disappointment," Lucius Malfoy stepped up to his son. "You have turned your back on your life."

"No, Father. I've turned away from your life. From this life. I want my own life and it won't involve murder," Draco told his father.

"Draco Malfoy, you have allowed my Horcruxes to be destroyed because you were a coward. You must receive the consequences." Voldemort pointed his wand at Draco who was glaring at him.

"My Lord, spare my son. I can change him," Lucius bowed his head.

Voldemort didn't speak for a while. "Very well, Lucius. You get one chance. Do not fail me," Voldemort lowered his wand.

"Thank you, my Lord," Lucius bowed again. He grasped his son's shoulder and lead him into the room to the right.

"You can't change me, Father. I've made my choice," Draco glared at his father.

"I am not going to let you throw your life away, Draco."

"I'm only throwing away who you made me. I'm getting my own life," Draco answered.

"You're a disappointment."

"You're not great either, Father. I'm staying with Mother. Unless you change, I don't want to see you. Goodbye, Father." Lucius watched as his only son turned his back and walked away.

A/N: Keep in mind, again, that this story was written long before I ever liked Severus and that is why I killed him. Reading it now makes me sad. :P