Draco woke; body stiff and legs uncomfortably warm. Pushing off the blanket that strangled him he sat up. Remus' words floated through his head, he had a choice. Now what would he choose?
Draco found himself in the attic, staring at the grounds through a salt crusted window when he found his answer. Hermione lounged on the beach, book between her hands. The breath caught in this throat. He wanted a chance, even if it wasn't with her, just a chance to become a man better than he was destined to be, he would take it. He wished to be as good a man as she thought he was.
Something small and tight blossomed in his chest. He walked quickly down the stairs, searching until he found Remus. Remus sat with Teddy in his lap, but otherwise he was alone; Draco quietly shut the door to the living room before sitting next to his former teacher. After a few moments of silence Draco began to talk, it took hours to get everything he needed to say out. At one-point Tonks retrieved Teddy, sighting a rest and a change of nappy for the interruption. She closed the door tightly behind her, sharing a nod with Remus before leaving.
By the time everything finally spilled out Draco felt as if he had used the rest of his words for the year. After a moment Remus stood and turned to offer a hand to Draco. He reached up hesitantly, before taking it. Standing he froze when Remus gripped him in a tight hug.
"You will be a great man Draco."
Shocked Draco followed him from the room and into the kitchen, Molly sharply ignoring him as he ladled himself some soup. He seated himself between two red heads, eyes quietly searching the table for Hermione. Not finding her he focused back on his soup. Slowly the table emptied, and Draco pushed his bowl away, falling into sleep with his head pillowed on an arm.
Hermione stepped into the kitchen, the small cluster of adults at one end of the table pulled her attention. She stepped close, confused about the conversation.
"What is happening?" She questioned to Molly.
Molly stared at Remus as she responded, a look of shock and mild alarm marring her face, "The Order is moving on Hogwarts in two days. Between the information Draco shared with Remus and the visions Harry has been having we have a chance at defeating him."
Molly tore her gaze from Remus, vision landing on the too thin boy asleep at the table. Every tale her children had spun about him, every interaction with the family, warred against what she had seen since he arrived. It fought against the choice he had made to fight against the dark. Molly watched as Hermione gently woke him, the small bud of a smile on his lips before he shuffled off to bed. Molly stared after him long after the door swung shut. She did not trust him, but she would protect him.
She turned to look at Hermione, her second daughter, deep in conversation with Remus, the tactical planning between them lighting both their faces. Tomorrow would be a busy day, moving everyone to Hogwarts, and taking it back from the evil that enshrouded it.
Molly set Remus and Hermione who spoke at the table to the task of cleaning the cottage's kitchen, despite her feelings about Charlie marrying Fleur she refused to leave them with a mess for housing the members of the Order. Molly scrubbed at a stubborn pot, focus broken when her youngest son started to yell.
"…do you mean he is going with us?" Molly blinked hard and turned to stare at Ron.
Hermione responded before Molly had a chance.
"Of course Draco is coming with us Ron, this is his war too!" She tossed down the rag she had been using, "You are such a hypocrite sometimes Ronald. You want a chance to prove yourself but you never give that chance to others!"
Hermione stormed from the room, Ron gaping afterwards her.
Molly spoke up now, "Ron, come here."
She handed him the stubborn pot, pulling another for herself from the counter. They worked together in silence for a time.
Ron began to speak, eyes trained on his pot. "I think I love her mum, and she isn't in love with me, what am I supposed to do now?"
Molly thought for a second, "You stay her friend. I think she fell in and out of love with you before you noticed her Ron. When you finally began to notice her she had moved on. It is going to hurt, but if you can put those feelings to the side and treat her like your best friend again you can save the relationship that you two have. I know how you feel about Draco."
Ron scoffed, the pain in her son's face pulling at Molly's heart. "I know you have never had a good time with him, but she sees something in him. She sees something more than we can, something worth fighting for. You know how Hermione gets about things like this. If it turns out badly at least you won't have ruined your chance with her." Molly looked at her son now, staring at him until he looked up at her. "Remember that she is going to make her own choices Ron, the best thing you can do is stay her friend through them." She paused, kissed his brow gently and sent him to bed.
Hermione woke early to the gentle breeze off the ocean. She found Remus and Tonks curled together in a single bed, retrieving Draco's wand from the night stand she nodded to Remus as he slit his eyes open at her. She wound her way through the boys' room; the twins had claimed the only bed in the room forcing Harry, Ron, and Draco to the floor. She noticed that a good meter separated Harry and Draco as she stepped over sleeping bodies to crouch by Draco. She lightly placed a hand on his chest. She found herself confused as she now stared up into his grey eyes, once her mind caught up with what happened she chuckled.
"Do you always wake so violently?" she questioned.
Draco flushed, pushing himself up, offering her a hand.
"It is a reflex anymore."
Hermione felt the humor slide from her face as she caught his meaning. She lightly touched his arm, "Come with me."
Draco followed her as she wound her wait through the house, ignoring the sounds of everyone waking. They walked down to the beach where she slipped off her shoes and continued nearly to the freezing waves. She had Draco's wand tucked up a sleeve, she stared at the horizon while she waited. Draco joined her; she pulled her gaze back slowly, the sight of Draco's toes jarring her. The stood side by side, listening to the whistling wind for a time before Hermione slowly took his wand from her sleeve. She placed it in his hand before stepping away.
She stopped when his hand seized down on her wrist. She turned back, eye brow raised in question. Draco stared down at the wand in his hand then back up at her.
"Why?" No emotions leaked through his mask of indifference.
Hermione looked up towards the house, people bustling in and out of the doors preparing for the siege they planned tonight. She pulled her wrist from his grasp, instead squeezing his hand once as she spoke.
"Because," she swallowed hard, "I see something in you that deserves a chance to grow."
Not breaking eye contact he responded, "And what if I run? Disappear and don't come to fight?"
She searched his eyes before answering, "That would be your choice then. And your choice is something I can respect."
"Can…" he paused, "Can you stay with me a little while longer?"
A small smile flirted at the edge of her lips when his voice cracked.
"Of course."
Ron stared down at them from the porch, arms crossed and a scowl marring his face. Harry joined him, noticing the hand that joined them. He placed a hand on Ron's shoulder.
"Come on, you know we can't change her mind. The best thing we can do now is let it blow up in her face. Molly needs us; it is almost time to go."
Draco stepped into the circle of people surrounding Remus as he explained what the next steps where. He hung back, staring at the back of Hermione's head. She shifted slightly, catching his eye with a nod. As the crowd dispersed to go about their duties Hermione hung back, standing still until she could join Draco.
"I can't let you go looking like yourself."
Draco snorted, "Yeah, because a known death eater showing up would be such a pleasant surprise."
"Don't do that," Hermione replied vehemently.
"Don't do what? Say the truth out loud?" Draco stated quietly.
"If it wasn't your choice then you aren't a death eater." Hermione looked away, focusing on the horizon.
"So, what are you going to do about my looks then?" Draco asked, not wanting to start a fight.
"I have a few tricks up my sleeves." She focused on his face now, "Question is do you trust me?"
Draco shared her gaze, not flickering and inch as he answered, "With my life."
Hermione felt the bottom of her stomach drop away. To distract from the uncomfortable feeling, she started to layer spells across him.
Draco stood still while she worked, memorizing her features. He would probably die today, and he wanted his last thought to be of her, just like this. Her lips pursed slightly, eyebrows creeping towards each other, brown eyes focused and hair twisting in the wind. His chest burned with the desire to lean forward slightly and place a light kiss on her forehead. He didn't though.
Soon enough she finished, stepping back slightly she looked him over once. Smiling lightly, she spoke, "I think I am going to call you Vlad."
Draco felt his lip curl, "You made me look Russian?"
"I made you look different, but if you don't stop scowling like that everyone will know who you are regardless."
He took her chiding in stride. "Come on princess, we have a war to wage."
She tossed a comment over her shoulder as she walked towards Potter and Weasley, "Don't call me that. Come on Vlad, let's go."
"I know that you are preparing to fight. Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood. Give me Harry Potter, and they shall not be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter and you will be rewarded. You have until midnight."
Voldemort's voice slithered through the great hall, chilling the air.
Pansy's shrill cry rent the air. "There he is, someone grab him!"
As one the student body turned toward the Slytherin, wands raised.
McGonagall stared at the students, decisions flickering behind her eyes. "All of Slytherin house will be evacuated first, followed in succession by Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors, and Ravenclaws. Those of you not from Slytherin who have come of age are welcome to stay and fight for Howgarts."
"Well, now that just doesn't sound fair now does it Professor?"
Hermione hissed to Draco as soon as she saw his haughty mask in place. The spells she had laid across him had slipped away sometime between entering the castle and following Harry to the Great Hall. "What are you doing?"
He drew everyone's gaze with those words, unheeding the glares he continued. "Most of Slytherin has been fighting against the darkness longer than the first years have been alive. Would you deprive them a chance to fight, to disprove the hatred slammed down our throats since the moment the sorting hat left our heads?"
Hermione watched, a growing horror eclipsing any other emotion. He was challenging McGonagall and in front of everyone. Draco moved forward, slowly closing the gap between them as he spoke, his voice echoing through the room.
"Though I do agree that Pansy would be best evacuated with anyone underage."
At that pronouncement Pansy huffed, spun and disappeared through a side door.
"And who are you to make those decisions Mr. Malfoy?" McGonagall intoned slowly.
"Me? Who are you to make those decisions? You have failed to see the good in your students who wear green and silver for years. Now I am not paragon of goodness mind you." Hermione saw a sneer cross his face as he continued. "But with evil living in my house it has become transparently clear that I was wrong, and if you continue to push your bigotry onto helpless students then you are worse off than I am Professor."
McGonagall stared at him, weathered face showing her age. They stood, only a few meters apart. Hermione forced her anxiety down as it bubbled up her throat; they were close enough that if McGonagall threw a spell Draco would have no chance to defend himself.
After a moment of swelling silence, she spoke. "Well said Mr.," her eyes softened and she amended her statement, "Draco."
Raising her voice to address everyone she continued, "All students who are of age are welcome to stay and defend their home. All underage students will be evacuated, Mr. Finch if you would please guide the students to safety?"
Hermione watched as they shared a few words before parting ways. As he drew near Hermione questioned him about what she had said.
Draco looked bewildered, "She said she was proud of me."
Hermione let out a short laugh, "Come on."
Hermione caught up to Weasley, who began yelling. Hermione yelled back and Draco kept quiet until they reached a decision. "We have something to do first," Hermione tossed over her shoulder as she started to run. Draco ran with them keeping pace until they ended up a boy's bathroom.
Weasley turned to him, snarling. "You stay here. We will be back."
Hermione shot him a smile before they both disappeared into a hole that appeared from one sink sliding open. Twenty minutes later they both climbed from the whole, drenched. Draco gave Hermione a look.
"Don't ask. Let's go," She started off after Weasley. Draco followed
"How does disappearing down a dark hole in a creepy bathroom equal a horcrux being destroyed?"
She glanced back at him once as they rounded a corner. "You remember that basilisk from second year? Yeah, it was still down there. Harry used basilisk venom to destroy a horcrux before."
She cut off as she caught sight of Potter. She rushed over to him, "The cup is destroyed. Did you find it?"
"I might have an idea but we have to hurry."
"Where are we headed?" Weasley questioned.
"Room of Requirement, we are looking for the diadem," Potter started to push through the rushing students.
Draco followed behind, hands in his pockets. Entering the Room of Requirement Draco began to search with the golden trio. All hell broke loose as he caught sight of Blaine along with Blaise and Goyle. Crabbe sent a Cruciatus curse past his head towards Potter.
Blaine started to yell at him, "STOP!The Dark Lord wants him alive —"
"So? I'm not killing him, am I? But if I can, I will, the Dark Lord wants him dead anyway, what's the diff — ? It's that Mudblood! Avada Kedavra!"
They all dove away the curse. Hermione returned fire with an expeliumus causing them to run. Ron chased after them hollering. Draco stayed feet planted on the floor as Hermione and Harry retrieved the diadem. He helped her down from the pile of junk. She turned to say something when she paused, a look crossing her face.
Weasley came flashing by, screaming. "Goyle set the bloody place on fire!"
They all raced after him. Draco looked back once, catching sight of Potter further behind. The roar of the fire sent him racing away and he found himself climbing to escape the flames. Circling the piled tower, he found himself shoulder to shoulder with Blaise. Flames licking at their feet, together they watched Goyle fall and be consumed by the fire. Draco swallowed hard, accepting of his coming death.
Hermione raced behind the boys, eyes searching for Draco. When she caught sight of them she cried out.
"We can't leave them!" Harry hollered, swinging wide to try and reach them.
"He can't be serious!" Ron yelled to Hermione.
She only sent a glare back to him, agreeing with Harry.
They circled, reaching for the two boys. Missed.
"If we die for them Harry, I'm gonna kill you!" Ron shouted as they circled again.
Harry managed to snag Draco and Ron grabbed Blaise as they followed Hermione through the doors. Hermione cleared the doors and dismounted tossing the basilisk fang to Harry to destroy the diadem; Ron field kicked it through the still open doors as they slammed shut.
Hermione breathed hard, lungs stinging slightly from the smoke clinging to her clothes. She only had a moment to breathe before a death eater strode around the corner firing spells off in quick succession. Hermione responded spell for spell until a shot of light from near her feet took him out.
Glancing down she found Draco, a random wand clenched between his fingers. "Well go on then princess; don't you three have somewhere else you need to be?"
He slowly pushed his way up, pupils dilated and uneven. "You need to get out of here Draco; you will be a prime target for anyone with a grudge."
He shook his head hard, wincing. "Don't worry about me, just finish this."
Draco turned so that she wouldn't hear his next words, "I don't expect to make it through the night."
He strode away, already dueling his way down the hallway, echoing gasps lighting the way. He heard the quick argument from the trio.
"Let the fool kill himself, what do I care?" Ron's voice echoed.
Draco was too far away now to hear any response. Minutes stretched as he fought on, taking hit after hit until finally he escaped into unconsciousness.
"You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured."
Draco sat up, chest heaving. Looking around he found himself lined with other fallen. He rested next to Remus, an ache in his chest swelling at the sight of such a vibrant man paling under death's pallor. Looking upwards he found the Weasley mourning the loss of a son, Hermione stood some ways off, shoulders shaking. A hard cough had Hermione swinging around to stare at him through tear laden eyes.
"You are supposed to be dead."
Her whisper floated to him. Draco laid back, suddenly exhausted. "Yeah, I suppose I am."
"Is Draco alive?"
"Yes," Harry breathed back.
Narcissa stood, "He is dead!"
"Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone. The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you, and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman or child, will be slaughtered, as well every member of their family. Come out of the castle now, kneel before him, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together."
The amplified voice of Voldemort echoed through the broken bits of still standing castle. Everyone rushed towards the court yard, streaming through any open avenue. Voldemort stood tall and proud, Harry's body on display between Hagrid's arms.
McGonagall's scream echoed over the grounds, Bellatrix's mocking laugh following in quick succession. Minor scuffles erupted, ending with Neville wearing the sorting hat, a full body bind curse keeping him still.
"Is that Draco, I see? Come here my boy, this rebellion is over now."
Draco, suddenly alone as everyone standing near him stepped away; Draco stared into the face of evil, waves of emotions nearly drowning him until he found one strong enough to hold him through. He sent a vulgar hand sign followed by a wordless curse.
Suddenly screaming and the twang of bows erupted from the back of the death eaters line, Draco watched as Longbottom pulled the sword of Gryffindor from the now burning sorting hat, killing the vile snake that haunted his dreams. Chaos erupted and Draco began to fire at the incoming wave of death eaters. He fought viciously, only pausing when his mother appeared before him.
"Come, your father is dead. It is time to leave."