*** I don't own anything relating to Harry Potter. All recognizable characters belong to the original author, JK Rowling.***
Conversation 4 part D: Meeting Malfoy
...continued...
Draco looked on contemplating. Not letting his inner thoughts reflect on his exterior. He had heard the word in passing but couldn't place it. He heard it only in reference as Dark Magic but never thought to look it up.
"I've heard the word but beyond its reference to Dark Magic I don't know anything about it," Draco said deciding for the truth.
"Well, best that you didn't try to look it up, you wouldn't have found any material on it. It's been removed from public access. Although if you do need any reference to Dark Magic, I can reference you to Hermione, she attained a disturbing amount of knowledge on that subject during our travels," he finished jokingly, surprised at himself for being able to treat those days with that light banter.
"So what exactly is a horcrux and what does it have to do with the story," Draco said wanting to get back to the conversation.
"In the simplest form, a horcrux is an object that has had a piece of a person's soul transferred onto it. I want to get the explanation out in one go so let me get it all out first, then I can answer your questions. As Dumbledore explained it, each of our bodies has one soul it houses, that's easy enough to explain. But he also said that our souls can be ripped into pieces, when evil deeds are done and a certain magic is used, a horcrux can be created. This would ensure that even if the body is killed the other pieces of the soul survive because a horcrux is the opposite of a person. A person's soul can survive on without the body but with a horcrux, the object, or the body is essentially that piece of the soul and when that is destroyed, so is the piece of soul that was attached."
Harry looked on as he explained trying to gauge a reaction from Malfoy. He had taken everything he was told in stride, not once interrupting but as he recalled his own conversation with the headmaster so many years ago, he knew the questions aren't far behind.
Draco listened on, beginning to understand so much. More than anything he was astounded at the lengths the Dark Lord went to ensure his immortality.
"So the Dark Lord made a horcrux to ensure he never died?" Draco finally managed to voice out. His thoughts were still a jumbled mess.
"No, not one, six intentional, one unintentional, and the piece that remained in his body," Harry responded seriously hoping Malfoy would gather the severity of what transpired back then.
Draco couldn't believe it, he didn't know what these evil deeds consisted but he knew it was hardly picking daisies to cast that Dark Magic into breaking one's soul. Curiosity go the better of him "What kind of evil deeds are necessary?"
"The exact way to create one has been lost but for each ripping of the soul, it requires a life and the object that will serve as a horcrux," he responded accurately.
"So that's what you must have been looking for, but how did you know what you were looking for, he could have made anything into one of them?" Draco said finally understanding the enormity of the task Potter must have had in his hands back then.
"Well that's where the memories come into call. They provided patterns of Voldemort's behaviors and we deduced a lot from it. Also, I had already unknowingly destroyed one back in second year," Harry said hoping this would clear up some more questions of whether the son knew how much his father's actions intertwined into his story, Lucius.
When Draco didn't mention anything else Harry question him. "Did you know that your father planted the diary and it was that diary that led to the opening of the chamber of secrets?" It was a lot of leaps he had to make and Harry wondered if Draco could figure out what he was really asking.
"I didn't know that. As young as I was back then my father didn't really let me into his secret plans. I didn't know until later that it was my father placing that diary into Ginny Weasley's cauldron that would lead to what it did. My father certainly didn't know that was a horcrux which I'm guessing is what you're really asking,"Draco answered with his brows furrowed, still frustrated about how much he didn't know.
"I didn't know it at that time either that when I stabbed it with a basilisk fang, that I was destroying a part of Voldemort's soul. That took me by surprise but that's where Dumbledore began his journey into locating the rest."
"How the bloody hell did you even begin to accomplish that, its a damn miracle you came out as victor. How do you know you got them all, maybe there's more out there," Draco said with hints of panic in his voice. He wondered if it was maybe best to have remained ignorant of the whole thing.
"I told you, from the memories. There was a reason I needed to be on good terms with Slughorn, it was the final piece to the whole puzzle."
"Really? I just thought Granger was rubbing off on you with the whole top student thing you had going. Seemed like she would incinerate you with her glare sometimes," he said with a laugh remembering the bookworm's constant frustration at her friends triumphs.
"Yeah she was bitter about it for a long while, but actually it was Snape who helped me out in that class. I got his old book and his notes were surprisingly very helpful," Harry said anticipating Draco's question.
"So what was so special about Slughorn's memory?"
"It was vital because it gave away exactly what we were up against. Slughorn had already given a memory of that conversation between himself and Riddle back when he was still a student. He gave that memory willingly but it was modified, it was tampered with meaning Slughorn personally changed what was discussed when a young Tom Riddle approached him about the subject of horcruxes. The tampered one just show him dismissing his question but the original, which I was able to gather with the help of a little Felix Felices, was much more important. In that memory Slughorn is again approached by Riddle asking about horcruxes but in this version he answers. Riddle asks if it not more prudent to make seven since it is a much more magical number."
Harry hears a small gasp from across the table. Malfoy is surprised to say the least.
"Yes, with that small memory we were able to figure out exactly what we were up against. He intended seven horcruxes. The diary was one, the others which we found out later included a ring from his maternal grandfather, the Hufflepuff cup, the Ravenclaw diadem, a locket that once belonged to his mother, Nagini, and the part that remained in his body was supposed to be the seventh piece. That is what we were looking for during our year on the run. It sounds easy now but back then we had only conjecture, we didn't really know that it was these things we were looking for. We only knew we were looking for powerful magical objects that could hold some meaning to Voldemort. We only solidly knew of the locket, the cup and Nagini, the rest was blundering guess work."
"How we were ever saved is a bloody miracle Potter, you know that. Half of the things you mentioned have been lost long ago, even surmised as pure legend, how the hell did you find them? The future of the Wizarding World on the shoulders of some good guesses. You've got some bloody luck Potter, and I'm not talking about the potion either. I'll never sleep again," Draco finished dramatically seeming to understand the gravity of the whole situation that Harry had to deal with.
"We were extremely lucky, I was at least. People around me didn't fare too well if you didn't realize," Harry responding letting some of the darkness and anger seep into his words.
Malfoy was reeling, he was still trying to wrap his head around what he just heard. Putting it out there he still wasn't satisfied, there were still some large holes in the story. He had a feeling Potter was only beginning. Looking onto the man in front of him he could only wonder at the strength of character it took to take this all on as a kid. He'd only been a kid when the fate of the world was placed on his shoulders, he himself was only a kid, they were all kids who had nothing to do with any of what happened but were suppose to finish it. He couldn't tell at which precise moment it happened but he could see it clearly now, there was some genuine respect for the man sitting across from him.
But yes, he could see now how it must weigh on Potter's mind, all those people lost in the last battle and even before then. Death must be a well known friend to his once nemesis. Draco didn't have a verbal response and only nodded for Harry to continue.
"There's more. But first I have another question. Have you ever heard of the Tales of Beedle and Bard, specifically the story 'The tale of the three brothers?," Harry primed knowing this part of the story was also necessary.
"Why Potter? Running out of bedtime stories for your kids?" Draco tried joking but seeing Harry's impatient face decide to follow up with the truth. "Yes, they're children's tales, told to impose moral values. Most in the Wizarding World would have grown up hearing about them. The story of the three brothers isn't the most popular but yes I remember it. About the three brothers crossing a river and meeting Death. Death then congratulated them and gifted each an object of some sort. It wasn't particularly the most interesting as I recall. Something about the objects being the Deathly Hallows and who owned them was the master of death or something like that."
"It's not just a story."Harry stated needing to get this out first before anything else.
"You know Potter if you're going to be spewing this kind of thing, I'm going to think this whole thing was a lie. The story is only a tale to entertain children.
"I know for a fact that it is real."
"It can't be. The magical gifts from death, the Deathly Hallows can't be real. What were the things, the Resurrection Stone? You can't bring people back from the dead. An invisibility cloak, those are a dime a dozen but they aren't taken from Death's own cloak. The Elder Wand, there's been many claims as to the most powerful wand throughout history. It can't be real," Draco said the last part challengingly.
"I don't know if three brothers really did meet Death upon crossing a river but I know for a fact that these object are real. I've held them." He paused there, letting Draco sink in what he was saying.
"It can't be real," Draco said more likely trying to tell himself that than directed at Harry.
"Earlier, you said it yourself, I got away with more than most during school. That was mostly due to a Christmas present I received my very first year at Hogwarts. An invisibility cloak, left in my possession by Dumbledore who was holding it for my father, who got it from his and so on, from what I've heard."
Draco heard this unbelieving. Potter had no reason to lie to him but the whole idea was absurd. It seemed impossible. "But invisibility cloaks are not that rare." Draco said finally clearing up some questions on how Potter seemed to get away with doing what most could only dream of. "They are sold, somewhat expensive but available."
"Yes that may be true, but what I have in my possession is a true Invisibility Cloak, not one with a disillusion charm that wears off with the years or can be torn. See for yourself,"Harry huffed pulling his trusty cloak from within his robes and throwing it across the table.
Draco caught it and examined it in silence. Potter was right, this before him it was a true and singularly unique invisibility cloak. One that challenged his beliefs on what he simply thought as a children's tale. He was still unsure but decided to challenge the other two objects.
"But the resurrection stone, explain the whole thing Potter, my mind is being blown over here."
"Fine, I'll stop with the dramatics. As the story goes, the brother brought back his would be wife wasn't truly happy, because the dead shouldn't be brought back. What he stone conjured was an echo of sorts, different but similar to ghosts. The resurrection stone was actually the stone set on the ring that once belonged to Riddle's grandfather, Marvolo Gaunt. Voldemort unknowingly made the resurrection stone into a horcrux. I don't have it with me but I can vouch for it. I used it in my last moments as I walked to meet Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest. Trust me, it works. As for the wand, you're partially right. There have been many claiming to be the best wand out there. What you probably didn't know that its always been the same one, just under guise of different names, the stick of destiny, Deathstick, the elder wand, and so on. What you also probably didn't know is that you Draco Malfoy were, for a time, the master of said wand."
Harry didn't get another word in because that's when Draco broke in "What?!" his words laced with incredulity.
"Yes Malfoy you heard me right. Grindewald was once the owner of said wand. When Dumbledore challenged him all those years ago he became the owner of it and on that night when you disarmed him in the Astronomy Tower you became the rightful owner of the wand. You don't need to kill to become its master. You were the master up until that night at your Manor when I disarmed you and then it fell to my hands."
Draco could only shake his head. He couldn't believe that he himself had been the master of the elusive Elder wand. He was its master and never even used it! He was kind of miffed at the fact.
"Is that why Olivander was stowed away in the dungeons of my home?," were the only words he could voice.
"Yes, but Voldemort only knew of it as such, the Elder wand, he didn't know it was one in a set of three magical objects. He needed information on why our wands reacted like they did when we dueled. It had something to do with sharing a core in our wands. So he sought out the only thing guaranteed to give him the upper hand should we meet up again."
Draco at this point had his head in his hands with his elbows resting on his knees. He ran his fingers through his hair ruffling his usually immaculate appearance. This was all too much, it was getting to him. There was so much more, so much more than he ever gave credit for.
"So how do these Hallows make it to the bigger picture, I thought it was about Horcruxes?"
"I thought that too at some point. Its strange how much we think alike." Harry laughed at Draco's face of indignation. "When Dumbledore was preparing me for my eventual meeting with Voldemort we had only discussed the Horcruxes. That was the only thing that held our attention. He knew his time was running short and needed to tell me just enough so that I could continue the search. He never discussed the Hallows. Those were introduced to us when his will was carried out. He only left me clues as to the Hallows, very vague clues at that. He hoped to give me enough to become aware of them but not obsessed because my true search was the Horcruxes. I didn't realize it at the time but the Hallows were already in my possession and only needed to focus on horcruxes. So we did that, spent months doing nothing but thinking and planning. We found the locket, but even when we did it was still frustrating as we didn't have anything to destroy them with."
"Well aren't you a wizard, just blast it-"Draco stopped on his own, he didn't need for Harry to finish the sentence before he knew the answer to his own question. "With magic that Dark it would take something more powerful than a simple reducto to get rid of it huh?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, these objects required vast amount of Dark magic to be created and needed an equally strong force to destroy them. I'm talking the most dangerous substances out there, Basilisk venom, Fynde fire and the sword of Gryffindor which was embedded with basilisk venom so i guess its the same thing."
"So how did you destroy them since I know you can't step into Diagon alley and find them there."
"We did manage to get a hold of the sword of Gryffindor thanks to Snape although it would've been easier if the ministry had given it to me when they were suppose to."
Harry saw the question in his expression and went on. "Dumbledore willed it to me along with the first snitch I caught which had the resurrection stone inside although I didn't know it then. He also left Ron an inluminator of his own making and Hermione the original tales of Beetle and Bard. These were the only clues he left me apart from our conversation. From those i was suppose to gather the whole Hallows things and destroy the remaining Horcruxes."
Draco was shaking his head in his hands again.
"I know, it wasn't much to go on, but we got there in the end."
"No that was nothing to go on. Dumbledore had a lot of faith in you," Draco was truly astonished at what Potter had to work with.
"I had a lot of help, he knew that. But looking back, it does seem somewhat impossible. If I hadn't personally gone through it, I might have not believed it."
"So what happened next, I don't even remember where the story left off. I might have 20 more years of therapeutic counseling thanks to this little chat Potter."
"The three of us were camping though Britain trying to look for Horcruxes and not get killed. Although it was two of us for a while if you can believe it." Harry didn't know why he was divulging this bit of the story. It wasn't necessarily essential to the main point but he wanted it out there. He wanted Draco to understand that it wasn't all sunshine and daisies on his side. They had a lot of rough times. He saw Malfoy questioning eyes and carried on to his explanation.
"There was a lot of pressure and a lot of people were missing. None of us had seen anybody since we started the whole camping trip. Hermione was worried sick about her parents and their memory, Ron had so many family member to worry about, it wasn't a picnic for any of us. Then we had to wear the stupid locket thing. Wearing it brought your darkest thoughts forward and finally one day Ron snapped. We hadn't been having much luck in anything and we had a falling out. He thought Hermione would followed but she stayed. He came back eventually but not before an extended moment of suffering and things smoothed over eventually."
"Its not surprising but it is nice to hear that you were human after all. Not so invincible although you made sure you seemed that way. What happened to Granger's parents, you lost me in that bit?" Draco asked still seeming unnaturally interested in his good friend.
"I don't know if its my tale to tell but I will. Before we began our camping adventure she thought of a way to keep her family safe. She's an only daughter so it wasn't as difficult. She modified their memories, made them forget they had a daughter, made them believe they had other names and moved them to Australia."
"She's always been clever but in the end all for good measure. I know for a fact her family was a high priority in the capture and kill list." Draco surprised himself because it was the first time he divulged anything that happened on his side of the war. It was true, her family was in real danger and the measures she took speak not only of her cleverness but of a love for them.
"I didn't know that there was an actual list. Is it too arrogant of me to think I was top of that list?" Harry asked wanting to stray from the seriousness if only for a moment.
At this Draco gave a genuine laugh. He was surprised he arrived at the day that he could laugh of his once dark past. "You were at the top of several list but not kill. Voldemort really wanted to end you personally, we had direct orders to not hurt a hair on your head lest we face the same fate," Draco finished surprised that discussing his past didn't hurt as much as it once did.
"So we get to the day I arrived at Malfoy Manor. Beautiful home by the way. At that point we'd gotten rid of the locket and knew for sure of the Hufflepuff cup and we had the sword of Gryffindor with us. We actually got caught by accident, it was really dumb. I forgot about the taboo and accidentally used Voldemort's name. The snatchers were on us before we knew which way was up. All our wards were useless as soon as I uttered his name. It was Hermione's fast thinking that got me an audience at your place. She hexed me hoping to alter my appearance enough to pass as inconsequential but no. I thought for sure that was our end when we saw Bellatrix. It was by pure miracle Voldemort wasn't there, he was still in his hunt for the wand. So there we were, brought forth by Greyback, completely helpless brought forward to you to confirm who I was," Harry left off there knowing he didn't need to ask one of the questions he had wanted to know all along.
"Why didn't I give you away, that's what you want to know, isn't it? To be honest, I don't have it narrowed down to a simple answer. I knew immediately who you were but I couldn't bring myself to say the words. I'd never had much conviction in the whole war mess. But at that moment it struck me, we were just kids, we were school and house rivals but that didn't mean I wanted you dead. I didn't mind a hex or some name calling but that day we were dealing with thing beyond our years. In those moments it was about our lives. I'd wanted you to succeed for a long time and for you to be in my house and let my words bring your life to an end. I couldn't. I didn't want that in my hands. I didn't want any of you there. Especially Granger, she didn't deserve that," he said that last part with his voice still haunted with the images of watching her being tortured in his sitting room.
"I'm glad you escaped with your lives. Even if was because of a house elf. Even if it meant several crucios our way."
"I knew there would be consequences to our escape, I just hoped it wouldn't cost you your lives. Yes it was Dobby, your once house elf that got us out although it did cost him life. Not many people remember the little heroes. That was a close call for us but it gave us a clue as to the next horcrux. I don't know if you noticed but Bellatrix was especially interested in whether or not we'd been in her vault. How Hermione managed that lie on the spot will never cease to amaze me. We hadn't been in her vault but what she didn't know is that we actually had the real sword while the one in her vault was a copy. From her worry I surmised that there must be another one there. and it was true, so we-"
"Don't tell me, let me guess. You broke into Gringotts and escaped in a dragon. After hearing the rest of the story, it doesn't seem so farfetched now," Draco managed half laughing half wanting to cry at the whole incredulity of it.
"Yes the cup was there, and once we got out, on the released dragon, we only had one more intentional horcrux and by Voldemort"s anger I realized then that our game was up. We'd long wondered if he could feel whenever we had destroyed a horcrux and before that we were confident he didn't. The plan was to destroy them all without him knowing so when as I was to face him, it'd really be the end. We'd lost the sword. After our escape from Gringotts he was in right rage."
"You're telling me."
"From our connection I gathered that the last one was in Hogwarts although when we made our way there, I didn't know it meant the final battle was upon us. My intention was looking for something from Ravenclaw and destroying the cup. He was scared that I'd manage to work this much out and so he set out to look for the rest once he had hidden. What tipped him off was out breaking into Gringotts and specifically taking the cup and only the cup. Each discovery was worse and worse. He now knew that we'd reached his most secretly guarded places and had retrieved the Horcruxes. He was scared but felt more dangerous. Still confident in his victory though. And so we get to Hogwarts. Voldemort had the Elder wand having removed it from Dumbledore's grave not knowing it was mine from the moment I took your want back at the manor. Your wand was surprisingly yielding by the way. Way more easy to use than the other one I was stuck with," Harry admitted with ease hoping to earn rise out of the Slytherin.
"What happened to your own that you found it necessary to go around stealing people's wand."
"It broke in half during my encounter with him in Godric Hollow the night I visited. Which reminds me, I forgot that bit. Hermione and I went during Christmas eve, before Ron made it back. We visited Bathilda Bagshot hoping to learn more about Dumbledore but it turns out she'd been long dead and instead he'd had his snake there waiting for the moment I returned. He knew I would and we narrowly escaped but not before weakening me greatly without my wand. The first time I'd been back to Grodic's Hallow since that eventful night long ago, the first time I'd ever seen my parents' graves."
"You knew each other so well, really understood each other. Kind of scary there Potter," Draco admonished.
"Part of the job I guess. I needed to understand him. But yes on that May night we arrived at Hogwarts, we destroyed the cup by going reopening the chamber of secrets and recycling some basilisk fangs. The mysterious Ravenclaw item turned out to be the Lost diadem of Rewena Ravenclaw. I found out from the Greylady that it was in the room of requirement which was destroyed thanks to Goyle who summoned the Fynde fire. That signaled the fifth of six intentional horcruxes leaving only Nagini.
"You keep saying 'intentional' horcruxes Potter. There's more isn't there?" Draco said having noticed this previously but finally getting time to mention it.
"Yes, I'll get to that part, I was wondering when you'd finally take notice. So we get to the intermission of the battle. Voldemort calls a cease fire and during this time arranges a meeting with Snape. I know where it's being held and with help of the cloak we are privy to that meeting. Voldemort has just finished speaking with your father and calls in Snape. He voices his concerns for the wand, saying that it isn't working for him properly. He comes to the incorrect assumption that because he hasn't killed the actual master of the wand it won't work. He assumes that Snape, by killing Dumbledore, is the master but that's not how it works. You don't need to kill a person for a wand to change allegiances. So here he orders Nagini to attack and leaves with the arrogance that at the time we meet, he will be invincible. We rush in and in his last breaths Snape gifts me some memories. I know enough to know that getting to the pensieve will be a priority. What I see grants me so much clarity for moments I think it's too much. He shows me more than I ever imagined. It turns out Snape and my mother were friends long before either went to Hogwarts, she was muggle-born. He loved her. He changed his allegiance out of love for her. When it came to me, he agreed to protect me but no one was to ever know. Then we get to 6th year, when Dumbledore tried on the ring that was the horcrux, he knew this but it overtook him. His hand was cursed, Snape could only contain it but the verdict was the same, he had a year to live. That's when you were discussed. They knew of Voldemort's plan and so Dumbledore asked the impossible from his loyal colleague. He asked that when the time came, that Snape carry out what you were meant to do. He asked for mercy from Snape, to end him, to prevent you from irrevocably damaging your own soul with his death. It was all arranged. It would cement his allegiance in the eyes of Voldemort. He was dying already." Harry chanced another glance across. Draco looked pale beyond his already natural pale tone. His face showed shock but also hints of relief. He took a deep breath and he could practically see that burden being removed from his shoulders, he even seemed to be sitting higher.
"He knew he was dying?" Draco asked trying to commit that to memory.
"Yes, his death was arranged, sort of. I wouldn't lie about something like this. Not to you, not now. But there's more to the memory. In it was a final message from Dumbledore to me. He said that once Voldemort took great lengths to keep his snake safe I could be told the last bit of information. He said that when that time came, I had go willingly. I was surprised by Snape's reaction but kind of relieved by it. He was upset that I'd been raised like cattle to slaughter."
"You were the unintentional horcrux," Draco said the statement with a twinge of question at the end.
"Yes, I'm surprised you got there so quickly. But the final message was that when the time came, I had to die, and it had to be by Voldemort's own hand. So when I left Dumbledore's office after seeing those memories I walked on with the invisibility cloak. I didn't want to be seen, if I did, it'd be too easy to stay and so much harder to go. Then everything started clicking, I found out how to open the snitch to retrieve the Resurrection stone and called upon all those I'd loved and lost. In those, my hardest moments where I had to willingly walk to deaths hands I used it to give me the strength to keep moving. In those moments I traveled being the true master of the hallows, although I only had two with me at the time, I walked on as the story goes, as the master of death, not as enemies but long lost friends walking side by side. And at that moment it felt as such. There was such a relief knowing this was easy, I had nothing to do, no dueling, nothing, just let myself fall. I walked into that clearing removed he cloak and could only concentrate on standing as I saw the flash green move towards me and consume me."
"But how the hell are you alive Potter! If any of this is true, and I'm beginning to think it's not then you managed to survive the killing curse twice! This is bordering on fanciful,"his opponent spat out with more anger than he'd shown during the whole conversation. Draco didn't know why he was angry. Maybe it was because Potter had an insane amount of luck. Maybe because he could only imagine the worth of a person to be granted pardon by death twice. Maybe it was because he envied him, maybe because he pitied him. Maybe it was because he was frustrated at these answers not having been voiced sooner. But he realized his temper needed dampening before they could resume.
"So what happened next," he managed with a much calmer tone.
"The next parts a bit strange and its one I haven't even voiced to anyone else. I remember waking to a semblance of King's Cross Station. Dumbledore was there and we had a bit of a chat. I don't remember much but I knew I was comforted. I knew that if I chose it I could have gone on but I knew there was still things I had to do. So I awoke and I immediately realized that Voldemort had also been affected. He called your mother forward and asked to check if I still lived. She came forward but the only words from her where regarding your safety. Once I assured her you were alive and in the castle she lied to Voldemort and told him I was dead.
"She was never as dedicated to the cause as my Father was." Draco knew his mother had never wanted any of it. She had been a young bride when she got sucked into the fold by her husband.
"For that I'm always be grateful. After that he cruciod me a bit, and in case you ever wondered, it's bloody difficult pretending to be dead when you're being cruciod, but luckily he didn't notice. He walks back to Hogwarts hoping to parade my demise, but I'm alive. Neville takes care of Nagini. The only part left is the one that resided in his body having himself killed the part of his soul that resided in me. The only one left was the one in his flesh. And we arrive at the final confrontation. Up to this point the whole Elder wand was still somewhat speculation but I was pretty sure I was right. This was the moment that would prove it. So when he used the Elder wand and cast a killing curse against the true master of the elder wand, the only natural course was for it to be rebounded killing him in an insignificant leap of gravity. With the Elder wand I fixed my old broken one and its the one I've used ever since," Harry finished wanting to know Malfoy's reaction to this long story that connected their destinies.
"What did you do with the Elder wand?" Malfoy asked with mild ambition in his eyes.
This was the only bit of information he would always keep only to himself. It was too much temptation even for the best of wizards and he didn't want anyone to find it.
"I'm sure you can understand why I'm keeping that bit to myself. Not even Ron and Hermione know what I've done with it. It's for the best I think," he finished noticing the smile on Malfoy's features.
"Clever," was the only thing Draco could voice because he could see the reasoning. It would be too much temptation anyone.
"So we come to the end and the rest, is as they say, history. There was the incarceration of the rest of the Death Eaters, the trials, the rebuilding of Hogwarts and trying to heal those wounds."
"There's still one question bugging me. Why you? Why were you the 'Chosen one', 'The Boy Who Lived?' Why was it you he chose to kill that Halloween night all those years ago. Why go after a baby," he finished wanting to close this chapter, to get all the answers.
"Oh, I guess not many knew of the prophecy."
"Prophecy? The one my father got sent to Azkaban in fifth year for? That's what this whole thing is about? Some Trelawny look alike spoke some words and suddenly the entire fate is in your hands?"
"Well yes that one, although the one in the ministry was only a copy. The original one was heard by Dumbledore from Trelawny actually. I know what you're thinking but although most of what she says is codswallop, she does have her authentic moments where a true prophecy is revealed, although she can't remember what she says. On the night she revealed that prophecy to Dumbledore there was someone else listening in. That night she spoke of one that could defeat the Dark Lord, a boy, who would be born in late July, whose parents had thrice defied the Dark Lord. This child would be marked by his own hand for neither could live while the other survived, "Harry finished, unconsciously quoting the words that marked his destiny for so long.
"So that's why he went after you, because a prophecy said you could be the one to bring his downfall?"
"Curiously it could have not meant me at all. The prophecy only meant a boy born in late July, whose parents had thrice defied him. That scenario applied to two families."
"So how did the dark lord know who it referred to?"
"Simple, the Dark Lord would mark him as such. Do you want to know who could have been my place if only Voldemort would have chosen differently?" Harry asked anticipating a reaction from Draco.
"I'm still reeling here so hit me with it. I don't think anything you could say could rock me much more."
"Haha. You'd be surprised. Neville. The other boy born at the end of July whose parents had thrice defied him was Neville Longbottom."
"No, you're kidding me now. Shitting me. Are you saying the fate of all our lives could have been on Longbottom's shoulders? Do you know why he went with you instead of Longbottom, not that I'd blame him but he didn't know how you'd turn out," Draco said amusing himself by still managing to make fun of the once blundering Gryffindor.
"I can't be sure, but the way Dumbledore told me makes sense. He chose the boy who he saw as a greater threat. Not a pureblood but a half-blood like himself. That is where it all started from. That's where my story started and ended, with the prophecy," Harry finished, glad to have finished with this part of the conversation.
"Your story might be done but I think there's some things I still need to say,"Draco added. "I never properly thanked you for your part in my family's and my trials. It was thanks to your testimony that my mother and I never saw the inside of Azkaban. Honestly, that's a debt owed, so if you ever need anything don't hesitate Potter. I also want you to know something else, I don't know why but something tells me I need to say them out loud. I long ago stopped believing in the importance of blood status. I don't think I ever did. Once I really understood what it meant and all its ramifications I never again wanted to have anything to do with it. We're at that age when we have kids who are beginning to understand who we were, we both have kids at Hogwarts. I just want you to know that the indoctrination stopped with my father, I'm doing better for them. Nobody wants a repeat," he managed to finish wanting Potter to understand that he had grown up and was different from his family. He wasn't seeking his approval but also wanted him to know that what he did then was right, he never was the person that the dark mark branded him as.
"I understand that Malfoy, I let those things go a long time ago. I didn't hold on to those prejudices for long. I knew from experience they're hardly ever right. You don't owe me an explanation for that. I know the man you've become now. But there is something else you owe me an explanation for. Like and explanation as to why your youngest son is after my Lily," Harry finished with some mock accusation in his tone.
"Don't even get me started on that Potter. It's not necessarily something I encouraged believe me. This must be some the universe's idea of payback for my past grievances. Do you think it's getting serious?," Draco asked with more seriousness to this particular topic.
"I think it is, but if my daughter is ever asked to become Mrs. Malfoy I might have to bring out that Elder wand again. Just when I thought I'd seen just about everything," Harry said now with actual laughter in between words.
"Do you want some surprising truths of your own Potter?" Draco asked deciding on a whim to reveal what he knows as far as the relationship.
"Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like it. Alright, lay it on me. I can take it. I killed Voldemort. I can take it," Harry finished absurdly trying to mentally prepare for whatever Draco was about to reveal.
"Leo came up to me some time ago and asked for something from the family vaults. He asked for one of the pieces that falls to him. I had to split it since most of my past generations go for just the one kid. He asked me for the family engagement ring which falls to him. I asked him if he was sure that it was what he wanted. We had a long chat but needless to say, I think its serious. I just mostly wanted to know how aware you were."
"So its true, I wasn't just imagining it. Yeah I'd seen them and I was mostly in denial but its difficult to argue against it. They're still too young, seventh year. I can't believe it, I'm going to have to share grandchildren with you Malfoy."
"Whoa there Potter, don't get ahead of yourself, we don't even know if she's going to say yes. There might still be a way to avoid having to spend too much time in each others company."
"I thought so too until you mentioned the engagement ring. Lily asked for a special dinner for this Friday night, two days. She wanted the whole family there, James and Albus. Didn't say what it was about, only that she'd invited Leo over and that she expected our support. Its undeniable, its happening. The only consolation I have is that the kids will definitely be in Gryffindor,"Harry finished knowing this would irk the ever Slytherin.
"Wait one moment Potter, there has never been a Gryffindor Malfoy and so help me if that happens I will personally hunt you down and do what the Dark Lord never could. If any Malfoy ever wears those colors I will blame you for it."
"What else do you expect? You were the brilliant one who decided to name their son 'Leo'. You practically stuck the Gryffindor scarves on our grand-kids with that one."
And they spend the rest of the evening and late into the night in the same vein. Bringing out the stronger drinks and toasting to the closing of old chapters and the beginning of new ones between their families. They talked about much more and nothing at all.
They weren't enemies anymore but they also weren't best friends. At his point in their lives they reached a new starting point. From now on their interactions would be based who they turned out to be not who they once were.
-(this concludes the conversation with Draco. I have one or two more chapters left where I tie the story back to the original conversation with Ron and Hermione.)