A/N: This chapter is not directly after the setting of chapter 4, there's a bit of a time stretch. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and please remember to review if you liked it, or have any suggestions! Thanks. :)
RainbowJH- Yes, Draco had some reciprocated feelings for Hermione, based on their mutual fear of the war and what was to come...However, I do not plan on him revealing to Hermione that he's loved her for 5 years or anything like that. Draco's formed a sort of fondness for Hermione since she comforted him in the bathroom, but he's not in love with her...(yet) ;)
Draco stood at the top of the Astronomy Tower, clutching his wand in front of him for dear life.
"Draco. Years ago I met a boy who made all the wrong choices. Please. Let me help you..." His voice weak, Albus Dumbledore pleaded with him, despite his ulterior knowledge of his own assassination plans.
Draco shivered, and held back the tears threatening to fall from his grey eyes as they lightened frightfully.
"I don't need your help!" he cried out. "I have to do this! I have to kill you! Or he's going to kill me..."
Dumbledore sighed understandingly, as though he didn't care whether his life was in the hands of a 16 year old student or not.
"Expelliarmus!" Draco shouted, catching Dumbledore's wand with his shaking hands.
Suddenly, Draco heard screeches and sinister laughter behind him. "Ha! Come here you lot! Draco's got the ancient dimwit cornered!"
His heart sank to his stomach at her words. 'This is real. They're expecting me to...'
He felt sharp nails digging into his chest, and wild, frizzy hair wafting over his face. "Go on, boy! What are you waiting for?" Bellatrix demanded.
Draco lifted his wand higher, struggling to cast the spell.
Bellatrix tittered derisively. "Are you scared boy? Come on! Do it!"
He looked into Dumbledore's eyes, and shut his own, preparing for the worst.
"Move, Draco." Another voice behind him declared.
"Snape?" Draco mumbled.
"Severus...please." Dumbledore pleaded almost...unconvincingly.
"Avada Kedrava!" Snape shouted, as the headmaster collapsed over the edge of the tower.
Draco tried his hardest not to cry.
"Ahahahahaaha!" Bellatrix cackled. "Dumbledore is dead!" She scurried to the edge, and watched him crash, down to Hogwarts grounds. "Yes!" she screamed, shooting her wand in the air.
Draco wiped his eyes as he watched the mark in the sky.
"Come, Draco!" Bellatrix screamed, running from the tower, all of the other Death Eaters in her wake.
He followed swiftly, cringing as he watched Bellatrix wreak havoc in the Great Hall.
"What's tha' measly piece of wood o'er there?" another voice called out, pointing to the gamekeeper's hut.
Bellatrix ran to Hagrid's house, enveloping it in flames with a flick of her wand.
"Draco, do you want to have a go at it?" Yet another death-eater beckoned to him.
But he was already off and running. Running to Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The school he began to miss more than anything.
Everyone was gathered around Dumbledore's slender body below the Astronomy Tower, mourning by way of vanishing the Dark Mark with their wands raised up towards the sky.
He hid behind a pillar, watching as though the sight were forbidden.
A tear trickled down his face, as he grieved to himself. Forbidden grief.
And then Harry was running up to Dumbledore, collapsing on his corpse, and crying on Ginny's shoulder.
'Where did Potter come from?" Draco mused to himself, watching him slowly get up, and walk away, Ginny holding his hand supportively.
As everyone began to disperse, Draco peeked his head around the pillar, almost as if he were expecting something.
And then, he saw her. A pang of guilt rushed through his body as a pair of deep brown eyes met his.
"I'm sorry." He whispered, as if Hermione could hear him. She turned from him, tears in her eyes.
He watched her numbly...and eventually, pulled himself away.
'Away to the deatheaters.' He thought. 'Because that is where I belong now...'