One-Shot for QLFC.

Wigtown Wanderers

My Prompts-

(dialogue) "There has to be something better than this."

(action) shouting

(word) inexplicable

Warnings- Death, emotional suffering, evil.

The air in Diagon Alley carried a weight of gloom and questionable dealings. Draco Malfoy strolled through these streets seeking an escape from the prevailing sense of despair. The memory of those eyes haunts every corner of his mind serving as both a reminder of the man he is resolved to aid and a source of dread following the Battle of Hogwarts.

"There has to be something better than this," Draco whispered under his breath, weaving through the labyrinth of brightly lit stalls, his gaze darting around nervously. He half-expected those unmistakable green eyes to materialize out of the darkness, to confront him and demand answers he wasn't sure he had. This constant vigil, the anticipation of Harry Potter's judgment lurking in every dimly lit corner and whisper of wind, had driven him to the brink of desolation. It was an obsession, a haunting, that left him feeling defeated, as if no matter how far he ran or how well he hid, those eyes would find him, stripping him bare of his pretenses and leaving his guilt exposed.

The world had morphed under Voldemort's rule turning into a version of its former self. In this reality Draco found himself playing the part of a double agent walking a perilous tightrope between redemption and ruin.

His informants had indicated that Harry Potter was scheming something that could tip the balance against them. Details were scarce. Concealed. Driven by his desire to atone for past wrongs Draco persisted in his quest. He was resolute in tracking down Harry, extending his support and proving that he transcended association with his family name.

However Harry Potter, the boy who lived " had transformed into something different. There were rumors circulating about him quietly eliminating Death Eaters and Ministry workers at the fringes of society. His plan to vanquish Voldemort was bold and almost reckless. There seemed to be a method behind his madness. A brilliance that made Draco believe it might actually succeed.

As Draco ventured further into the heart of the resistance movement, sightings of those piercing eyes became more frequent and intense. It was inexplicable how those eyes seemed to track him, silently judging him and daring him to prove himself worthy.

Then one night as dark as Voldemort's soul itself Draco found himself standing face to face with Harry Potter. The same green eyes that had haunted him before were now inches away from his own. Burning not with hatred but, with a fierce determination.

"Malfoy," Harry's voice rumbled lowly; suspicion intertwined with a hint of respect. "I know why you're here. I know what you're, after. But don't think for a moment that I trust you."

"I'm not asking for your trust, Potter," Draco shot back, the volume of his voice rising in a rare show of vulnerability. "I'm here for a chance to prove myself, to make amends for the past."

The silence that ensued was heavy, filled with words and the complex history that intertwined their lives. In the glow of their concealed sanctuary Dracos gaze descended to the floor as he grappled with turmoil searching for the right words to mend years marked by choices and their consequences.

"I'm doing this because..." Draco's voice trailed off, a struggle visible in his eyes as he wrestled with the ghosts of his past. He lifted his gaze to meet Harry's, a torrent of pain and determination swirling in the silver depths.

"My parents were murdered, Harry. I've been living in emptiness, a shadow of the person I once pretended to be. I thought I knew what power was, what it meant to be feared. But all that... It's nothing but ashes in the wind now. I'm here because I have nothing left to lose and everything to make right."

The air between them thickened with the weight of Draco's confession, the words echoing in the cramped space, bearing the raw, unpolished truth of his transformation.

Harry absorbed Draco's admission, the depth of his pain, and the sincerity that laced every word. For a moment, silence spoke volumes, bridging years of enmity with a mutual understanding borne of loss and suffering.

"Why did you leave Hogwarts, Harry?" Draco's voice was softer now, tinged with curiosity rather than accusation. "Why did you leave everyone behind? We heard rumors, but nobody knew for sure. We thought you'd died."

Harry's response was not immediate. His eyes, usually a beacon of resilience, clouded over with a shadow of defeat, a testament to battles fought and too much lost far too soon. He averted his gaze, letting it drift to a fissure in the stonework, tracing it as though it were a path leading him away from the present, away from the ache of Draco's questions. In that silence, heavy with unvoiced sorrow, Harry seemed to shrink, burdened by the weight of a decision that had left him isolated from the world he fought to protect.

"I left because staying meant playing by rules that no longer made sense in a world where Voldemort had infiltrated the very heart of what we were fighting for. Hogwarts wasn't safe—not for me, not for anyone. My presence... it only puts others in more danger." Harry's voice was barely above a whisper, heavy with the burden of decisions no one his age should have to make. "I didn't leave to abandon them, Draco. I left to protect them, to find a way to end this once and for all. Because every moment we spent in hiding, playing at schooling and pretending everything was normal, more people were dying."

He paused, his jaw tightening as he turned back to face Draco. "I couldn't stand by and watch the world burn, hoping someone else would save it. I had to act, even if it meant walking away from everything I knew... from everyone I cared about."

The confession laid bare the chasm of sacrifice and solitude Harry had traversed since leaving Hogwarts. In his eyes, Draco saw not the boy who had once seemed untouchable, ensconced in the love and loyalty of friends, but a man who had been forced to shoulder the weight of the world, alone.

Draco's persistence pierced the fragile truce, his next question laced with an edge of desperation. "But Voldemort rules everything now. He's killing Muggles by the thousands, every single day. How could you leave when he's growing stronger, when every moment we waste, more innocent lives are lost? How can we possibly stop him now?"

The question hit Harry like a physical blow, igniting a spark of anger that flared into a blaze. He whirled on Draco, the fury in his green eyes alight with a fire that had been simmering beneath the surface.

"How dare I? How dare YOU?" Harry's voice rose, each word a thunderclap echoing off the walls. "You ask me how I could leave, but let's not forget, Malfoy, you were on their side! You and your family worked for Voldemort, basked in his favor, while he tore the world apart!"

Draco jerked back as if struck, the accusation slicing through him. The air between them crackled with tension, a chasm of past grievances and present fury opening wide.

Draco stood frozen, completely caught off guard. No one had ever seen through his well crafted defenses before. He had always managed to conceal his emotions from everyone except his mother. It was the first time he had felt so exposed.

His anger dissipated and his facade crumbled away, leaving only raw emotion behind. His face twisted in agony and he tried to speak but could only manage… Despite his best efforts to keep it at bay, his face became a mask of pure sorrow and tears.

"I'm well aware of my past, Harry," Draco retorted with a mixture of anger and sorrow evident in his voice. "I'm trying to rectify my mistakes, even if it means risking everything to confront him. I genuinely believed that you represented our opportunity for triumph. If all you see in me is a Death Eater, then perhaps I misjudged the situation."

"Can you find it within yourself to forgive me? Even if it entails sacrificing everything, please guide me on how to make amends."

Tears streamed down Draco's face, showcasing his desperation. The room was tense, but Harry's anger gradually transformed into solemn determination.

"Draco," Harry's tone softened, "I haven't given up hope. Not on the battle or on the potential for people to change. My actions were aimed at adapting our tactics in the fight instead of surrendering altogether. We need to strategize more intelligently rather than just exerting greater effort."

In a moment of honesty Harry raised doubts about Draco's loyalty stressing the importance of dedication to their shared cause. Draco, setting aside his pride and past self image assured his support. Not driven by a desire for redemption or vengeance but to put an end to Voldemort's rule. As they planned their steps the weight of their mission bore down heavily on them leading to a revelation from Draco that softened Harry's doubts and fostered a moment of mutual understanding between them.

Harry granted forgiveness with one condition; that Draco must survive the war and remain by his side as a friend. A pact was formed, solidifying their connection.

Their journey brought them to the looming silhouette of Hogwarts shrouded in darkness and under Voldemort's grip. Concealed in shadows they observed the fortress. Strategized their approach by focusing on its defenses. Dracos insight into Hogwarts weaknesses played a role signaling a moment in their strategy.

Under the cloak of night Harry and Draco embarked on an expedition to infiltrate the heart of Voldemort's stronghold. Using a passage known to a select few they navigated through the castle, with precision and silence. The lively corridors of Hogwarts now echoed with the quietness that defined Voldemorts oppressive regime. Starkly contrasting with its former vibrant memories.

Their journey through the castle involved a mix of planning and spontaneous decisions showcasing their strengths and unwavering determination. When they reached the Headmaster's chambers the weight of their mission hung heavy in the air. With a shared glance filled with resolve they readied themselves for the showdown, aware of their respective crucial roles. Harry's final words to Draco emphasized the danger and urgency of their task; to eliminate the snake and ensure Voldemort's defeat. Side, by side they moved forward united by a goal and a bond that transcended wartime alliances.

The room was vast, its walls lined with artifacts of power and dark trophies. Voldemort sat at the far end, perched like a malignant king on a throne that twisted the very air around it with the malice it emanated. His snake, Nagini, coiled at his feet, her eyes slits of anticipation.

Voldemort's gaze seemed to cut through the very fabric of their invisibility as they entered. "I have been expecting you, Harry Potter," he hissed, his voice a cold whisper that raised the hairs on the back of their necks. "And you… Draco Malfoy, traitor to your blood. You dare to stand against me in the heart of my domain?"

Harry and Draco exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. This was it—the moment of truth. With a swift motion, Harry threw off the invisibility cloak, revealing himself to the dark lord, while Draco stepped forward from the veil of his disillusionment charm, standing united with Harry.

"Your reign ends tonight, Voldemort," Harry declared, his voice steady and resolute. "Hogwarts will no longer be a symbol of your tyranny."

"And what are you going to do about it you foolish little boy?" He mocked and he lowered his wand.

"You can't even hold a wand straight, how are you so confident you will be the one to end me? What do you think will happen? Do you think everyone is going to come running out as soon as I fall, embracing you, thanking you for your bravery, your courage?"

The air crackled with the imminent clash of power, a tension so thick it was almost palpable.

In the heart of Hogwarts, where shadows draped the walls like dark tapestries, the room loomed large and ominous, now a bastion of Voldemort's reign. Here, amidst whispers of resistance that seemed to seep from the very stones, Harry and Draco stood together, an unlikely alliance forged in the crucible of war. Their shoulders touched lightly, a silent testament to their unity, as they confronted the dark figure before them. The air crackled with magic, tension, and an unspoken vow to end the tyranny that had ensnared their world. Eyes locked on their foe, their resolve was a beacon in the enveloping darkness, a defiance so palpable it seemed to challenge the shadows themselves to retreat.

Voldemort, with his chilling gaze and an air of malevolence that cloaked him like a second skin, surveyed them with disdain. The room, charged with anticipation and the weight of impending doom, seemed to contract as the dark lord raised his wand, pointing it directly at Harry.

The moment stretched, time dilating around them as if the universe itself had paused to witness this pivotal clash of destinies. Then, with a voice that seemed to emanate from the very depths of darkness, Draco uttered the fatal curse, "Avada Kedavra."

The curse, a jet of green light that had spelled the end for countless souls, burst forth from his wand, streaking across the room with a malevolence that seemed to darken the very air it passed curse hit Nagini, and she dropped dead to the ground. The sound of the snake dropping hit the floor like a thunder clap, the sheer impact of her enormous size causing small tremors throughout the school.

Voldemort's eyes narrowed, as he quickly recovered from his initial shock. He shot a piercing glare at Draco, as his attention shifted the snake to him. The Dark Lord's gaze seemed to penetrate Draco's very soul, awaking the fear that he worked so hard to suppress.

"Avada Kedavra," Voldemort hissed, the curse slipping from his lips like a death knell, green light erupting from his wand with a fury that matched the darkness of his soul, going straight for Harry.

In that heartbeat of time, with destiny hangingthe balance. Draco stepped forward. His wand, gripped with a desperation borne of determination, flashed in a reflexive arc, launching a spell of his own. It wasn't a spell taught in any class at Hogwarts, nor found in any book. It was a spell of pure, raw determination.

The two spells collided with a force that seemed to shake the very foundations of the castle. A brilliant spectacle of light and power, where green met the defiant burst of Draco's spell, creating a vortex of swirling energies. The air crackled with the power of their wills, a battle not just of spells, but of destinies intertwined.

Voldemort's eyes, narrow slits of pure hatred, widened in surprise and then narrowed again, but this time with a focus that burned with intensity at Draco. The young Malfoy, pale and drawn, stood his ground, even as he felt the drain of his energy. He had acted on impulse, on a flicker of belief that there was still a chance to defy the darkness that had overshadowed his life.

"It's okay, let go. Just let go, Draco," Harry said, his voice steady yet imbued with an urgency that belied the calm he projected. It was more than a plea; it was an acknowledgment of Draco's bravery, a recognition of the sacrifice he was prepared to make. Draco's arm trembled under the strain of maintaining his spell, his eyes flickering between Harry and Voldemort, torn between a lifetime of indoctrination and the flickering hope that Harry's path offered. In that moment of hesitation, the air thrummed with the potential of what was to come, a silent standoff that spoke volumes of the choices laid before him. Draco finally let go.