Chapter Four: Life Force

I've already decided to stay by Harry's side.

A week had passed since Draco left Harry's side on that painful Monday night, but he remained within the walls of Hogwarts—only this time, he was hidden in the shadows. The blonde boy currently stood on the astronomy tower's crumpling stones, looking over the vast expanse of the school below him. He watched the crowds of students enter and leave the castle walls, gossiping with one another as they walked.

Fingering his lips with a stray thumb and middle finger, he replayed the kiss he placed on his beloved's lips. The Gryffindor golden boy neither responded nor reacted, but he didn't move away either. Perhaps Harry knew that he was saying goodbye? He remembered the look on Harry's eyes; the usually lively green orbs were dull and lifeless when he left the room. The sight was sickening to the stomach.

A flashback.

"You can go back now" Harry had told him, not even lifting his head to meet Draco's burning silver eyes.

"There's no need to stay here anymore"

Draco nearly laughed, if the memory wasn't so painful. "Stupid Gryffindor and his hero-complex" he muttered under his breath with a soft smile on his lips. He closed his eyes for force back tears from falling. "I know you're worried, scarhead" he said to the brunette who was amongst the crowds—but the boys wouldn't hear him from this distance.

Just a little more and I'll give you my all, love.

A huge wave of nausea hit him; the sensation of vomit climbed through his esophagus and went straight to his mouth. He held it; knees giving in and buckling down making him fall fast towards the unstable stones beneath him.

No! Not yet, he shuddered. Another spasm of pain hit him, this time aimed for his chest and lung making his cough horribly—the raspy sound echoing through the empty corridor. It was steadily growing harder and harder to breathe as minutes passed and the attacks of pain continued to thunder through his body. His white shirt crumpled to his chest by his hand which was clutching the fabric tightly.

'I can't give up now', he thought, knuckles growing wide as he grasped the old stone on the floor in front of him. 'Endure it Draco!' He yelled at himself mentally, forcing the fits of coughing to subside. Gradually he let his body calm down. His breathing was still harsh, and if the tightening of his chest was any sign—he was loosing his time, fast.

Harry

. . .

"Draco?" Harry called; entering his dorm room with his bag slung around one shoulder. Feebly he waited for the boy to answer before he remembered, "He's gone" he whispered quietly to the empty room. He sighed, placing down his school bag to the nearest chair and taking a seat on the plush sofa in front of the fire. The dorm room seemed too big now that he was used to having the blonde angel for company.

Just when all his forgotten memories were returned to him; he had to let him go, loosing the boy all over again.

"Damn it!" He yelled in frustration, slamming his fist down to the wooden table and almost splitting it in half. Fire roared in response to the wind from his strike and a small metal object fell to the ground with a high pitched noise. His eyes grew wide, spotting a glistening golden thing sparkle near the angry fire. 'What is it?' He thought, drawing closer to the mysterious item.

It was small and golden in the shape of a perfect circle. Its diameter was just right to be a ring's size. 'An angel band', he immediately thought, eye growing even wider with realization. 'Draco's angel band!" his mind screamed when he final recognized the foreign object. The stupid git had given him the one thing he needed to survive! Bloody Sytherin was turning into a Gryffindor!

A flashback.

It was a random night in their seventh year at Horwarts, just before the war started. The sky was a deep color of midnight blue and the clouds were clear, leaving the stars free so shine all throughout the vast darkness. The two boys sat along under the giant willow tree after a difficult sparing session with one another. A tempus charm told them that it was almost one o'clock in the morning but neither cared.

These were the few times they could be alone peacefully without the charade of cruelty and disgust for the public. Only the members of Dumbledore's Army and the underground Slytherin alliance had known of the camaraderie which had formed between the two houses—everyone else still believed the false truth of the Slytherin-Gryffindor feud. Even the Order of the Phoenix did not know of the secret group.

Both seventeen year old teens sat down on the moist grass, backs leaning against the large trunk of the willow tree. Sweat mounted on their forehead and their breaths were heavy. In each their hands both held a wand from the earlier duel they had done for practicing. Within the next few weeks, they would both be fighting for real—on opposite sides of the war; Gryffindor on light and Slytherin with the dark lord.

They had all agreed with this strategy—Draco would lead the batch of rogues into the battlefields and bring down death eaters from behind enemy lines, while Harry lead the defense in Hogwarts. Both boys mentioned had to master different skills, greater skills which were harder to ensure the protection of everyone in their command. Draco would also need to master a masking charm to forbid the Dark Mark from being etched into his skin.

"The stars are beautiful, are they not?" The question came from Draco, as he stared in to the distant skies above them. Pale and bright sparkles spread across the vast reaches of space. The brunette paused, taking in the question, looking at the blonde who seemed almost—innocent.

"They are" he replied, unblinking. There seemed to be no barriers between them tonight. The cold walls the Slytherin Prince usually built around himself were non-existent. The other boy too, seemed innocent. 'Just how much pain have you suffered?' Harry wondered, still gazing over the platinum locks beside him, eyes hiding underneath the strands of hair.

"It seems like there's no time to just—look" Draco said in a whisper, lifting his head to turn towards the stars. His eyes glowed, with a new found life and maybe a bit of hope staring into the ancient bits of light that through the universe.

"There's always time" Harry fought weakly, knowing what the boy said was true. He, himself, no longer looked at the sky just for pleasure. More and more as the days passed by, he looked at the heavens and say death fast approaching. He looked and watched for signs of the dark mark in the sky—he simply forgot how to look at the stars.

"Not during this war" the statement was again true. No one would be looking at the stars whenever their heads were turned towards the sky. Somehow even subconsciously, they would be watchful of signs that any unwanted presence was near.

"Some time then?" it was a childlike question but he didn't care. They were almost adults at the age of seventeen, being a child once in a while—the ignorance was bliss.

"Some time" his partner agreed, still gazing up into the glittering objects above them.

Harry watched pale skin shimmer in the moonlight due to sweat. The Slytherin boy's platinum blonde locks sticking to his forehead and the back of his neck because of perspiration. The boy was beautiful—he had thought so for a long time now. The way his pale neck curved and joined his shoulders gave Harry the itch to touch the creamy white skin and so he did.

"Harry, what are you doing?" Draco moaned slightly when the pressure of Harry's hand pressed against his nape. The feeling was breathtaking. It was unlike the times they tore at each others clothes during class hours because of a brawl—it was innocent. There was no hatred in the touch; no false anger, no expectations to obtain. Harry had grown into the habit of touching him lately at random parts of his body.

"Seeing" The other boy answer meekly, almost quiet as he trailed his hands over the smooth skin presented to him by the magically tired Slytherin. The slicked surface felt softer under his fingertips as he continued the caress.

"Seeing what?" Draco answered dully, bending his head to the side, giving the Gryffindor more access. He didn't mind the boy's touches. There was no malice in it—just exploring like a child.

"If your skin is as smooth as it looks"

"Is it?"

"Ohh yes" Harry replied, moving his fingers to dip over the fair chest that was exposed through Draco's shirt which has a few top buttons undone. It was tantalizing—the want for him to touch the skin. It was almost silken to the touch—velvety, he just couldn't decide. After a while, both sitting in silence as their bodies cooled down, he stopped.

"Is it over?" Draco asked quietly, head slightly turning to look into Harry's green eyes. There was no anger—just questioning. He'd asked because a part of him wanted the boy to continue, but yet another part of him told him that it was stupid, irrational, illogical and most importantly, they'd regret it right after. Who would touch the enemy—turned friend—with such intimacy? Intimacy that he longed to share with the brunette.

"Yeah" Harry sighed, feeling disappointment fill his as he did. His hands felt strangely empty from loosing contact with Malfoy's skin. It was odd. Perhaps all the time spent together was growing on him? Nonetheless he still wanted the feeling to return. Cautiously he placed a hand over Draco's, looking at him slightly for any response. The boy merely nodded before turning away.

There was silence between them—comfortable silence. Neither wanted to break the trance they'd both fallen into. Resting, like the calm before the storm. At the moment, everything seemed to fade away and they alone existed in the universe. Nothing else mattered. They were content with just having each other, bonded by something greater than friendship and camaraderie.

Draco's soft white-gold colored hair fluttered with the wind as the breeze blew across them. Silver eyes stared into the vast area of the lake, the glistening reflective surface mirroring the moon. His loose white shirt left unbuttoned, his school robes bunching behind him where he sat. One of his long pale hands rested on his thigh and the other rested on the ground beside him beneath Harry's.

Harry closed his eyes, unable to speak. There was nothing he could say that wouldn't ruin the moment they had. He stayed quiet. Briefly he remembered why exactly they were sitting underneath the willow tree at the near crack of dawn—it was because of a war, a war they had to fight on separate sides of the battle. There was fear of making mistakes. What if he mistook the blonde for a real death eater and killed him on the spot? He shook his head, not wanting to think of it.

"It won't happen, you know" Draco's voice faintly registered from beside him, forcing his green eyes to open and take a look at the boy whose face was calmly looking over the water.

"What?" he said in confusion, but still unmoving.

Draco closed his eyes for a long moment, opening them to face Harry's emerald orbs. "You won't fire a curse at me, idiot" he said, a smile gracing his face. To Harry, he looked utterly stunning—more so as the moon gently illuminated his face.

"How are you sure?" The voice was doubtful more than questioning. Begging for a bit of proof to the blonde's certainly. A pale hand came to caress his cheek and soft silver-grey eyes bore into his own.

"Because I trust that you can find me on that battlefield" the answer was simple, but its meaning bore a lot. Draco trusted him—was trusting him, with his own life! Somewhere in the back of him mind he still grew unsure, but the voice faded out his thoughts once more.

"I believe you can do it Harry" His name ghosted over the other boy's lips—speaking it as if it were a praise rather than a name. A crystal tear came from Harry's eyes, just a lone tear finding its way down his cheeks as he gazed into the molten silver orbs that seemed to powerful. Immeasurable strength could be found in Draco's eyes, strength that the boy was giving to him.

Again there was silence as they awkwardly parted.

"Promise me Harry" the sound of Draco's voice beside him cooed, he shifted his head a little closer to listen. "You will defeat him and come back alive" it was soft, barely audible even despite the silence that surrounded them. The remark caught him off-guard and speechless. It was only after the blonde's voice called to him again that he regained his ability to speak.

"Of course I will, you git" he replied half-heartedly with a soft smile playing on his lips.

"I'm not joking, you idiot" Draco answered back, momentarily reverting back to his Malfoy arrogance but he immediately pulled it away. "I'm serious" his voice grew darker and lower as he continued "Come back alive" he said like a command not a request. It wasn't a request. He wanted the Gryffindor boy to make it through the way and perhaps have another shot at normal life.

Harry sighed from beside him before answering. "It's not my promise to make, Draco" he replied, voice strong but the softness of his tone suggested something other than courage—it was fear. He didn't want to die but doubts filled his head with each passing day.

"Make it your Potter" he pressed, more forcefully on the brunette, gripping the hand that was against his own.

Harry squeeze back and them smiled at him. The smile alone was enough, Draco understood. It was a silent promise, but a promise nonetheless and that was enough. Leaning back against the tree, he sighed in wonder. "Let's come back after the war" he thought aloud, watching as steadily the new dawn began to break in. He didn't realize that they'd spent so many hours outside the castle walls. "Let's do this again. It felt nice"

This time Harry had a voice to answer him back. "After the war, under this willow tree, we'll see this again" he said, looking at the cast arrays of color that slowly flooded the sky—sunrise. Never had he seen the sun rise, at least looking this close. It was breathtaking. The same could be said for the boy beside him who seemed to glow more as the young sun rays that the night before.

For a moment, Draco took the time to pause and watch as Harry's amused eyes watched the magnificent display of colors before them. The sun was rising, slowly but gracefully. Looking at the brunette who sat beside him, he wondered—perhaps Harry's triumph would be as awe-inspiring. He shook his head—no, Harry's would be better. Forgetting the Malfoy front, sneer and all, Draco lifted his lips and smiled, nodding his head in agreement. "Okay"

The calm before the storm, the tranquil and serene paradise before the thundering force of reality came crashing down on them—the war had started.

. . .

Harry scowled, staring at the golden band in his hand. 'The stupid git told me he didn't lose it' he thought furiously in frustration with each shimmer from the gold's reflective surface reminding him of what Draco had at stake. "He lied to me" he cursed, closing his hand over the small item so tightly that his fingernails dug against his palm almost drawing blood. There was a resounding crack that filled the room. His eyes widened in surprise.

'Could it be?'

A wave of fear swayed over him, a cold chill running up his spine and making the hair on his skin stand up. He slowly turned his hand, facing upwards and gently lifted the fingers that encased the golden object—there was a crack. The realization hit him harder than having Hargid fall on top of his head.

Draco was dying.

. . .

I can finally rest.

'Gryffindor idiot, took you long enough' Draco thought, letting a small painful smile play on his lips. He sat on the wide ledge somewhere amongst the Hogwarts towers, his hands leaning against the cold stone ledge in front of him. Perhaps it was Ravenclaws' or Hufflepuffs' tower? Either way, it gave him the perfect view of Harry's dorm. He could make out the faint outline which was Harry's body from the dark barely lit room.

'It yours' he said in his mind, watching as the brunette clasp the rings in his hand. That was enough; Harry had accepted the ring—accepted a life which Draco had given him. He smiled at the thought. 'Harry could live a normal life now. No more curse'

My life is yours to keep, Potter.

"There's nothing else for me" he said in barely a whisper as he climbed of the ledge and instead leaned against it from the safety of the corridor. No one was waiting for him. His friends were still alive and didn't remember him. His parents were dead but were banned from seeing him and vice-versa. He laughed bitterly, thinking of his father's vocal opposition at what he was doing. Some things never change—that idea was some what calming.

The boy I love can live.

'I came because of him. I want him to live' he thought, making his way towards the flight of stairs that led away from the corridor. Painting never didn't change; though most had been terrible damaged, the portraits remained as talkative as ever. It made him feel like he was a student again. He allowed for his fingers to graze the cool stone walls—some of them have been repaired due to the war. There were uneven creases and dents that were unexplained.

He chose this path—but he became selfish. He led himself to Harry, wanting to be with the boy he so desperately loved. It was a curse he brought upon himself the day he died… But if he didn't Harry would surely die. Even though he broke the laws of heaven, he didn't care. It was worth saving his beloved even if his soul would disappear.

He misguided Harry—misjudging his unrequited love for his own. Maybe it was the way he transferred his life force? Did he do a mistake and pass on other emotions as well?

'I'm sorry Harry' He let his head fall, drooping in front of him. 'I didn't want to get your emotions mixed up' His time was steadily nearing, with each steps his feet grew heavier and his vision blurred. His body was giving up. The feeling materialized when his knees suddenly gave away.

He clutched the stone in front of him, as pain recoiled in his chest like ribs were breaking instantaneously. Coughing ensued after; terrible, terrible coughing like an irremovable thorn was embedded in his throat that couldn't be pulled away. He brought his hands to his mouth, hoping to muffle the harsh coughing but the taste of copper filled his mouth instead. Looking down, he saw blood staining his hand. He carelessly wiped it on the walls.

'I'm at my limit' he thought, summoning his last bits of energy to stand up; one of his hands pressing against the walls to keep himself steady. He will not fail like he did before—he was going to make sure Harry was alright first. Groggily he made his steps towards the Gryffindor tower, just to check on Harry once more.

I want to see him one last time.

. . .

'Perhaps it's because I'm nearing my time'

"The stars seem brighter tonight" Draco voice croak as he tried to speak, immediately the sensation of burning fire began to fill his throat. He bit his lips, silently cursing, to keep himself from crying out. Everywhere hurt—every single part of his body felt like it was burning over charcoal. Was this the flames of death that was slowly going to take his soul?

He felt a soft nostalgic chuckle escape his lips, despite the pain that came with it. How long was it ago that he made that promise?

'I'm sorry I couldn't keep it'

"Maybe there it time to just look at them this time" he sighed to himself, and inwardly wincing as the throb intensified. He closed his lip and his eyes, letting his hands fall to his lap as he leaned back against the willow tree. It was the same willow tree almost a year ago where he watched the sun rise together with Harry. What would it be like to watch it with him?

Harry stopped mid-way to his destination as a familiar hint of platinum blonde came into his view. 'Draco?' he thought urgently as he continued to walk. Lips and mouth suddenly drier with each step he took. What was the blonde still doing here? Didn't he send his home almost a week ago? 'It couldn't be' he thought furiously as he walked directly in front of the angel.

Draco's eyes were closed, as well as his mouth—it looked like he was resting. He looked completely peaceful, it broke Harry's heart. 'Why did he stay?' Harry asked himself, biting his lip to keep from shouting at the slumbering boy in front of him. He was paler than he last remembered; the normally pale skin looking almost ghostly white as if it were translucent. Soon enough sleeply silver eyes opened to look into his own.

"Harry?" Draco's voice sounded almost like a lost child's as a lopsided smile appeared on his pale pink lips. He carelessly waved a hand over his face in greeting. Faintly Harry could see through the fading hands, even the bark on the tree was faintly visible behind the blonde.

"I saw you again" Draco barely whispered, lifting his arms up to Harry as he was expecting to be carried. When Harry didn't flinch, he moved on his own; standing up and wrapping his arms around the brunette. His skin felt cold against Harry's—it was a deathly cold.

"Why didn't you go back?" Harry hissed behind gritted teeth, suppressing the rage that was starting to oil his blood. Perhaps it was more of concern than range, but for now all he knew was that Draco should have gone back to heaven with his father but the boy didn't.

Draco merely purred against him in response. "You're warm Harry" he said completely avoiding the question and once again letting some of his last bits of energy flow into Harry's. The brunette immediately felt the calming sensation. Harry reacted, shoving Draco away.

"Draco don't" he hissed with a commanding voice. "Don't give me your life! You should have returned!" he yelled now, uncaring if he could be heard inside the castle. On his sides, both hands were curling tightly into fists. Why was Draco doing this for him? Why? Why was Draco giving up his chance? He didn't know. He couldn't understand.

In the distance, the moon was steadily going down leaving the sky open for the sun. Draco didn't even flinch at Harry's loud booming voice. Instead, he looked down, holding his arms—almost like he was holding back his tears so that the other boy couldn't see. "I can't"

"Why?" the question was harsh and demanding. Harry lost all reason to care. He just wanted the Draco to go back home. He didn't want the other boy to die. He'd rather die himself, than watch Draco do this for him. It was far too painful.

"I don't have my angel's band" he said quietly, then allowing Harry to seem his wings for the first time. No longer were they pristine white. No longer did he have two beautiful longs wings behind his back. What he had was one barely there wing which was falling off in dark black feathers before fading away and the other wing was degenerating at the same place. "My wings" he said, attempting to move them with a wince "can no longer fly"

Draco closed his eyes, allowing for the tears to fall freely now. "There's no way to reach Heaven anymore" he said, finding his voice with the burning pain slowly fading from his body until it was gone. "I'd rather stay with you" he continued, forcing on a painful smile on his face as more of his feathers fell of his back and disintegrated into nothing. "Let's watch it once more, please?"

His question caught Harry off guard. The Gryffindor boy who was steadily bruising his lower lip and removing blood flow in his hands unconsciously relaxed when he heard the question. "Watch?" he murmured, dumbfounded of what the angel meant. Watch what? He looked at the other boy's features carefully, and seeming an amused smirk playing on the angel's face. What was he smiling for?

"I promised right?" Draco spoke, with a hint of humor in his voice, pointing to the colors that were gently filling the sky. Like the year before, it showed a wonderful array of colors in the clouds and covering the stars. "After the war we'll see it." He said triumphantly, watching as Harry's face changed from one of anger, to one of recognition, to the unfamiliar emotion he had behind covered eyes.

"You stupid git!" Harry yelled, surprising the blonde. Draco was expecting something of humor, a bit of tears, maybe a few fits of laughter or shrugging him of, but never anger. "I wanted you alive when I said that!" Harry continued yelling, letting his hands capture Draco's shoulders but he caught nothing but air. His green eyes widened in surprise and Draco was shaken nonetheless.

"You remember?" He asked stupidly, molten silver eyes staring into fierce green. When did Harry remember? When did all the memories come back? He was shocked; frozen in place unable to say anything else unless the brunette answered him. He also didn't move in fear that it was all his imagination. Perhaps Harry had regained some memories from the past?

"The night dad came for you. He gave it back" Harry answered back, trying to keep his voice steady. He saw the surprise in Draco's eyes. He didn't know it the news frightened the boy, shocked or made him happy. All he knew was that the disappearing angel in front on him was not moving at all. "You lied to me! You didn't go back you stupid git!"

This time Draco gave a loud resounding laugh. It was warm and melodic, filling the air with a sudden feeling of ease. It was a sound Harry had longed so much to hear since the war began. "Thank you Harry" he whispered, moving forward as slowly his body disappeared into nothingness. "Calling me a git, just before I go" he smiled; a true genuine smile just at the sun illuminated the skies.

He watched, in awe of Draco's laughted after so many months of not hearing it. The blonde drew closer to him and he stood like a stature—as if he were seeing it third person. "Classic Potter" the angel whispered quietly into his ear and leaving a soft kiss on his cheek. The blonde moved away, slowly disappearing bit by bit until all that remained was his face, then his eyes. Harry found himself staring into the glistening silver eyes that he'd only encountered once in his life, afraid that if he blinked it would be gone.

Draco closed his eyes and he was gone.

After the war, under this willow tree, we'll see this again

. . .

Author's Note:

Hey guys!

Yay! This is the first multi-chaptered story I have finished on FFN! I'm so proud! Thank you for all those who supported this from beginning to end. I hope other too will find and enjoy this story, just as much as I have enjoyed writing it! This story is very dear to my heart and, to be honest, I had tears flowing from my eyes just as I was writing the very last words. My heart goes out to all those who have felt what Draco did in this piece of fiction. If you have loved someone so dearly that you were willing to risk all even your life, despite it being unrequited.

Truthfully, I think that this had helped me greatly to move on from my first love even though it was oh so many years ago! My special person didn't love me back the way I did. We were friends but my person loved someone else but regardless of that, I did everything to make my person happy. Love can be created in the most unreasonable of circumstances and yet sometimes it still prevails. Mine didn't but its okay. Experience is what makes up human—it helps us to grow and mature into who we are at present.

I wish that you all enjoyed this ending! See you again real soon in Rainbow Colored Sweets! Meanwhile, please do take the time to REVIEW and tell me what you think okay?

Peace!

-Arh.581958