"You know, we could have used this on the way down," Ron grumbled, the group trudging up the stairs - Draco at least remembered that much. And he was not getting his robes more dirty than they already were, thank you very much.

"I only knew because Riddle was too posh and proper to slide down," Draco said with a roll of his eyes. As they walked, he noticed Harry had yet to let him go, hand always finding some part of him to hold onto.

"I can't believe you two fought a teenage You-Know-Who and won. And with a basilisk, too!" That was another thing, Harry was being far too quiet. Draco gave Harry a soft smile and nudged him. Startled for a moment, Harry stared before giving a small nudge back.

Voice quiet, Harry slowed their pace a little to where Ron was ahead, "Draco, I... I'm glad you're alright." A bit of a smile, Harry pulling him closer. "I love you too much to see you get hurt like that."

Draco blinked before he smiled and grinned. "I love you too, Harry." He bumped his hip against the younger's. "How could I not love my best friend?" From a bit further up the steps, Ron stumbled and made a quiet noise. Probably tripped on the steps.

"Right... Right." Harry laughed, the sound a bit off from the stress of the night as he wrapped his hand around Draco's. "Best friends until the end, yeah?"

Draco beamed at that, nodding. "And after that, I hope."

"Forever." As they reached the top of the stairs, Draco stared with wide eyes at seeing every single teacher standing in the girl's bathroom, Myrtle pouting from behind Dumbledore's shoulder.

"Oh, they lived."

"I, ah... Yes. We lived," Draco said, looking around.

"Pity," Myrtle sighed, drifting through the air before pausing by Harry and patting his shoulder, the child shuddering at the touch. "Feel free to visit sometime."

"So, ah, we can explain?" Harry attempted, trying to edge his way behind Draco. "It's- It's actually a really great story when you think about it."

"I was possessed." At least two teachers walked out, halfheartedly mumbling about checking on students. Severus stared at them with conflicted emotions, McGonagall looked enraged, and Dumbledore looked a few moments away from laughing.

"Well, then. Minerva, I believe your office is closest? Would you be a dear and fetch Poppy while we get these three there? I believe there's a few things I need to speak to them about."

The three were bustled off to McGonagall's classroom, though Draco noted that Severus didn't leave to check on any students. His only concern seemed to be staring at Draco with a look that spoke volumes, mostly of how he would be writing to Narcissa within the night. "Well, then. I've certainly heard the professors and their accounts of how tonight has transpired. I would like to hear your version, please, you three."

Draco glanced to the other two before staring down at his lap. There was shifting from both of them, Harry finally taking a breath and sitting up, "It's... It's a bit of a long story, Professor."

"One that...goes back longer than just the one night," Draco added, unable to look up at any of them. The hand twining with his had him glancing to Harry, the child giving him an encouraging smile. Draco sighed and nodded. "It started when I found this... This journal."

So he told them. He told them everything that had happened since he found the diary - leaving out the obvious time travel bits. The voice that spoke back to him through the diary, the friend he had found in Riddle, the way he had been tricked and deceived and forced to follow along to his plans once the diary had taken hold. It all spilled out, Draco keeping his gaze on the ground and keeping Harry's hand held tightly in his. Draco let the silence settle in when he finally finished, and he squeezed Harry's hand tightly.

The room was quiet before Dumbledore spoke up, his tone enough to have Draco glancing up for a moment, "Do not be discouraged, Draco. You are not the first Voldemort has fooled even with knowledge of who he was. You will doubtlessly be the last."

Draco only nodded and gave a quiet little 'yes sir.' Suddenly, the door burst open, and in came Hagrid. "Professor Dumbledore sir, you've got it all wrong, it wasn't Draco."

The others startled, Dumbledore only looking up calmly and offering Hagrid a smile, "Ah, Hagrid. I see the Minister has seen fit to release you. As for Mr. Malfoy here-"

"It wasn't him, it was Riddle, I saw 'em with me own eyes."

"Hagrid-"

"I'd be willing to swear in front of the entire Wizengamot, and everything, this boy is innocent-"

"Hagrid." Once Hagrid fell quiet, Dumbledore gave a soft smile, "I am well aware that Draco is not at fault for these events."

"...Oh. Right then. I'll just see myself out, will I?" Hagrid gave a nervous chortle before leaving the room, closing the door quietly. McGonagall sighed, shaking her head and looking exhausted. Draco couldn't fault her for that, it had been a rather long night.

"Minerva, I rather believe a feast is in order after tonight, especially considering the petrified students will be waking up shortly. Perhaps you could escort Mr. Weasley here to where their families are waiting? I still need to clarify a few things about tonight with Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy." Draco frowned and shot Harry a glance. What was there to clarify? They told him everything.

While McGonagall frowned and escorted out an uneasy Ron, Severus looked to Dumbledore with a frown, "Haven't these two said enough tonight? They need rest, Dumbledore."

"I believe I rather agree," Draco said, scooting a bit closer to Harry.

"While I'm aware you two have been through a lot tonight, I rather fear there's just a bit more to discuss with you. Draco, you said you found this journal while home for the summer?" Draco gave a slow nod at the question. He'd been certain to not say exactly where he found. "Yes, I suppose that would make the most sense... As you've discovered, what you found was a piece of powerful dark magic that Voldemort made back when he still attended Hogwarts under the name of Tom Riddle."

"Yes, we've known that part for a while, now." At least, Draco had. Harry hadn't found out until tonight in the Chamber, which Draco felt a little bad about. Keeping that from Harry...he hadn't enjoyed it.

"How did he even make something like this," Severus spoke quietly, staring down at the destroyed diary that Harry had brought up with them. "This is darker magic than most wizards will ever know, for a sixth year to craft such a thing..."

"It's possibly he had help from those more experienced than himself," Draco suggested.

"As a sixth year?" Severus shook his head. "It's possible, but highly unlikely. As for you." The man turned on him with all the rage of a concerned parent, Draco abruptly remembering why everyone in his time had feared him. "What were you thinking! You know better than to trust magic such as this! A journal that writes back to you, Draco, and responds in such a human manner? You should have showed one of us at once!"

"I suppose I was just pleased to talk to someone without having to lie or hide anything." Draco flinched back in his chair at the raised voice, squeezing Harry's hand

There was a tense silence for a moment, Harry shifting uncomfortable as he looked to Dumbledore, "Sir? You asked me earlier in the year if there was anything I wanted to tell you. I... Tom- Voldemort, he talked about how alike we all were, sometimes. I was wondering why the hat chose to put me and Draco in Gryffindor."

"Ah, yes... A question we have all wondered at one point or another. How it all has come to pass. Tell me, Harry, in what way are you and Tom Riddle alike?"

Draco watched as Harry's eyes widened. "Well- Well, we both speak Parseltongue."

"Indeed, a rather rare ability in our world as you've found out. What else is there?"

"Well- We look pretty similar, yeah?" Oh, good. Harry had noticed that as well.

"A rather curious thing, I must say. No doubt you have countless more observations of similarity. However, knowing that, why do you think the hat chose to put you in Gryffindor?"

"Because I asked it to. Because I didn't think Draco should be alone."

"Exactly, Harry, exactly." The tone of voice had even Draco looking up, the two seeing the man was smiling at them kindly. "It is our choices, rather than our abilities, that reveal who we truly are. As for Draco, here... You were the one to see the sword emerge from the Sorting Hat?"

Draco gave a slow nod. "Yes, but I don't see what that has to do with anything." The sword was still on the desk in front of them, and his answer had Dumbledore chuckling and tilting the flat of the blade in their direction.

"Then why don't you look a little closer." Draco looked down and his eyes widened at seeing...a lion. Not only that, but a name. A very familiar game engraved upon the hilt.

"But... But..."

"Is that-"

"It is indeed," Dumbledore smiled, setting the sword back down. "The original sword of Godric Gryffindor. It takes quite the Gryffindor to pull that out of a hat, if I may say so myself."

"A... A... A Gryffindor..." There was just no way... He was a Slytherin- Had always been a Slytherin! The only reason he was a Gryffindor now was because of that stupid hat. The hat insisted he was a Gryffindor! That was the only reason the sword appeared!

"I dare say Gryffindor and Slytherin would have had quite a fight over you two," Dumbledore settled back in his seat, looking between the two with... With pride? "I rather believe that's enough excitement for us all tonight. And if my guess is correct, which they often are, I believe some rather worried parents are about to show up."

Draco slowly nodded. "Right. Right, of course. Harry, we should go." Although Harry gave him an odd look, he stood and followed after him as they made their way to the door. They didn't even get it open before Narcissa was opening it, eyes wide as she stared down at the two.

"You do realize we were forced to write her the second you both went missing," Severus offered, having been quietly standing in the corner for some time.

"Yes, I expected as much." Draco gave her a weak smile. "Hello, mother." That was about as far as he got before he and Harry both were wrapped up in Narcissa's arms, Harry tense and uncertain beside him at the contact. Draco only wrapped his arms around his mother. "We're alright. We haven't even been to the hospital wing."

"And why not!" Narcissa was bustling them out at once, Draco catching sight of Lucius talking to Severus quietly. "You two are going right this instant- Oh, Draco, darling why don't you ever tell us these things- And Harry! Of course we don't blame you dear, for what happened, but you two could have been hurt so much worse than you are!"

"Mother, we don't need the hospital wing. We're fine." There was a noise of protest not from Narcissa, but from Madame Pomfrey, who was waiting for them with her arms crossed. Draco couldn't fault Harry for hiding behind him. "I'm fine, though... Harry's arm might need to be looked at."

"What have you two done now," Pomfrey sighed, taking out her wand and gesturing for Harry to hold his arm out. "Well? What happened? Looks fine to me."

"Oh, uh, I was kind of bitten by a basilisk?" Oh, hm. Madame Pomfrey could go pale very quickly. "Fawkes sort of cried, though, and that fixed everything right up."

Draco nodded, "The venom was stopped back in the Chamber." Which he was still rather thankful for, considering Harry had been only a few minutes from dying. Again.

"Sweet Merlin," Pomfrey sighed, casting a few spells on them and checking them over. "Exhaustion is clear, you two will need plenty of rest. I'll allow you to go to the feast tonight but I must insist you rest for the next few days."

Draco quickly nodded. "We certainly can keep that promise. No adventuring for the next few days."

"Aim for the next few months," Pomfrey cast one last spell before nodding at them and looking to Narcissa. "Now, they'll be fine, dear, don't you worry. Just need a bit of rest."

Draco kept hold of Harry's hand. "Can we please go to the feast now, mother?"

"Alright, alright," Narcissa finally let the two go, kissing both their cheeks. "I trust you can stay out of trouble for a few more weeks?"

"We can try." Draco smiled and launched at her in another hug. "I love you."

"I love you as well, my dear," Narcissa hugged Draco back just as tightly, kissing at the top of his head. "Do be careful on your way to the Great Hall. I've enough terror over your safety for the year, I think."

"We will be." Draco stepped back and smiled at Harry, holding his hand out. Harry took it at once, finally smiling as Narcissa nudged them along with a parting comment about speaking to Severus. "At least we're okay."

"Okay. Yeah. That's a word for it." Ah, that would be the adrenaline crash starting to kick in. "Did... Jesus. I mean, all of that... It feels like there's still more that we should be ready for, you know? We did it. We beat Tom, we killed the basilisk, and it still feels like we didn't win."

"Harry, I am certainly counting that as a win," Draco gave a weak grin. "We're not always gonna be in danger."

"Then why does it feel like it," Harry finally let go of Draco's hand, wrapping his arms around himself and staring at the ground. It reminded Draco of how the boy used to act, at the start of first year. "I just... It feels like it's not over."

Draco took Harry's hand and rested it on his left arm. "I'll tell you about this later tonight." Startled, Harry's hand curled over the robes, the child quiet before he looked up at Draco.

"You were one of his followers in your time, weren't you?"

"Yes and no," he said with a little nod. It earned a laugh from Harry, bitter as it was.

"Let me guess, complicated?"

"Very. I'll tell you as much as I can. No more secrets."

"I don't need you to tell me everything," Harry pulled them to a stop as he spoke, wrapping his arms around Draco and holding him tightly. "How many times do I have to tell you before you get it? You don't have to tell me about the future or what's going to happen. I only want you to tell me when you're comfortable telling me, or you think you need to. We're all allowed our secrets, Draco."

"I know. And I won't tell you everything. But I'll tell you what I can. There are things you should know." Draco stepped back from Harry, hands gripping the boy's arms as he smiled softly. "Now let's go."

"Yeah... Yeah." Harry shifted to where his hands gripped Draco's, smile finally showing on his face. "Think Hermione and Blaise are gonna be in a right state for missing so much studying?"

"Of course." Draco leaned his forehead against Harry's for only a moment before pulling him along. "Let's go. I'm starving." That and it would be good to see everyone safe and sound. Good for both of them.

Finally... This year, at least, was finally over.

::

It was nearing dawn by the time the celebratory feast had ended, and students were still heard cheering and laughing down in the common room - no doubt due to Dumbledore's announcement of exams being cancelled. A few Ministry officials showing up to take custody of Lockhart for 'multiple evaded lawsuits' had also been rather nice, Draco supposed. "I can't believe it was only a few hours ago that we were last in the dorm," Harry collapsed on Draco's bed, silly grin on his face. "Feels like days."

"Doesn't it?" Draco collapsed beside him, closing the curtains on his way down. "I'm just glad it's all over. I'll be happy if I never see another diary again." That earned a quiet laugh from Harry, the two silent for a moment before Draco felt a tug to his left sleeve. Draco shifted and squirmed until Harry's head was on his stomach, Draco laying the right way across the bed. Draco ran a hand continuously through Harry's hair. "The Dark Mark. He would put it on each of his followers. It would be a snake in a figure-eight, and a skull in the middle."

"That..." Harry shifted and squirmed against him for a moment, looking up at him. "But... Your dad has that mark. I saw it over the summer one time. Is that why everyone treated you like that at the beginning of first year?"

Draco nodded. "Back then, I took the Mark. It was more as a punishment. He said it would improve my family's standing." It was a threat. Take it or his family would be worse than scum. Worse than traitors.

"So... It wasn't because you wanted to follow him, it was because you were trying to help your family."

"I suppose you could say that," Draco said with a little shrug. "I started out wanting to follow him. I thought every word he said was right."

"What made you change your mind?" Harry wiggled a little more, not settling down until he was near completely laying on top of Draco.

"...He killed a pureblood."

"I thought his whole thing was about purebloods being better than everyone else?"

"He was the spare. He wasn't his real target, but he was there. He was in the way." God, Cedric Diggory. The first real casualty in the Second Wizarding War. He had heard the stories, too. Voldemort hadn't even paused, hadn't hesitated. He had killed a child because he wasn't needed - because he was in the way.

"He killed someone for... For no reason." Harry sat up, staring down at Draco with understanding that he shouldn't have. Not him, not when he was twelve. "It's going to keep getting worse, isn't it?"

"I think so, yes... If it helps, next year will be okay." As far as he knew, next year wasn't anything much. A few Dementors, but that was all he could recall at the moment.

"It helps," Harry sighed, leaning over to where his forehead was braced against Draco's. "I thought you were dead."

"I'm not, though. I'm here, with you. I'm okay, Harry. We're okay." There wasn't a response this time, Harry only moving to hold on to Draco tightly, breath hitching small amounts. Draco held Harry close, tucking the boy under his chin. "We're okay. I'm here with you. We're okay."

"You weren't moving. It didn't even look like you were breathing and he was standing right there- I thought you were dead, Draco!" Harry's voice was cracked and wrecked, the child shaking against him as the stress of the night finally got to him.

"I know, Harry. But I'm okay. I'm here. We're okay." Focusing on his magic for a moment, Draco cast a wandless silencing charm, hopeful it worked as he tucked Harry closer and pulled the covers around them. Poor thing had been through maybe even more than Draco had. "I'm okay, hush, Harry, I'm here," Draco kept repeating, Harry kept close against his chest.

It took a while for Harry to finally start calming down, the sun leaking through the bedroom curtains by the time the shaking stopped and the child's breathing started evening back out. "Harry," Draco asked quietly. "Are you okay?"

"Dunno," Harry curled closer, hiding his face against Draco's neck. It wasn't hard to feel the wetness from what was no doubt tears. "No. Not really. Not right now."

"Okay. That's okay. Not being okay. Do you want to see if there's breakfast downstairs?" There was a motion that Draco was half certain was a shake of the head. Could have been a nod, he supposed. "Do you want to get started on packing?"

"Just wanna lay here for now. Just... Just for a bit."

"Alright. Try to get some sleep."

"You'll stay with me?"

"I promise."