Author's note:
The moment we've all been waiting for...
*D*D*D*D*D*D*D*D*D*D*D*
Draco walked out of the cabinet and into a clearing in the Forbidden Forest. Torches illuminated the area, and his assembled brethren cheered for him. He reveled in the moment then lifted the unconscious girl in his arms for all to see. "Ginevra Weasley has been liberated from the influence of Dumbledor and his puppet Harry Potter," he called out and all jeered at the names of their enemies. "Due to her previous service to the Dark Lord in opening the Chamber of Secrets…" The crowd murmured at this, unaware of the child's involvement. "She has been taken in as a ward of the Malfoy house, taking on their honor and standing." He then placed a lightening charm on her and handed her off to his mother. She looked upon him with pride, before disapperating with her new charge.
He closed the cabinet door in preparation for Dumbledor's passage through. He took the opportunity to look out at the crowd circled around him. He was happy to see his father, and that the man looked far better than he had the last time they'd met. Beside him stood his Aunt Bella and Uncles Dolph and Rabby. He was glad his family would see his moment of triumph.
He turned his attention back to the cabinet anxious for the old fool's arrival. He needn't wait long though, before the door opened and Dumbledor stumbled through.
"Finally!" one of the assembled called out as the others began to mock and jeer the old man.
"Draco, my boy, please," the headmaster said quietly, despite the urgency in his voice. "It's still not too late for you."
The young man laughed. "Perhaps, but it's definitely too late for you."
The wizard looked about him wildly. "Where's Miss Weasley?"
"Gone," Malfoy said flippantly.
Dumbledor staggered forward. "Draco, please," he tried again. "I can keep you and your family safe. Just come back with me, and we'll get help for Miss Weasley."
The young man laughed again. "Ginny doesn't need your help anymore, and I never needed it. As you can see, my family and I are just fine," he said gesturing to the crowd around them. The assembled roared in eager approval.
Bellatrix cackled maniacally. "Show him who you really are, Draco!"
The young man lifted his sleeve baring his left forearm and the dark mark emblazoned upon it. He smirked at the look of surprise in the old man's face. This was more fun than he'd expected but he was ready to end it. No need to get careless, he thought.
Movement from the cabinet drew both of their attentions. The door slowly opened to reveal Snape's dark form.
"Severus, it's worse than I thought," Dumbledor wheezed, his breath becoming labored from the strain of holding himself upright.
"Surely, you didn't think him loyal?" Draco mocked. "You're a bigger fool than I thought. You are nothing compared to the Dark Lord."
Still turned towards the potions master, the old man spoke. "You were right, it would appear. I should have acted sooner," he said sadly.
The young man rolled his eyes and was caught off guard when Dumbledor's wand flew from his hand and into Snape's. Ron was bloody right, he thought bitterly. Fearing his moment of glory was about to be stolen, he raised his wand and completed his mission.
There was a flash of green, and the old man crumpled to the ground. Draco was surprised. He thought tearing his soul would hurt, but he felt…amazing, powerful. He understood now why wizards would choose to use an Avada when there were so many other ways to end a person. He lifted his wand to the sky and cast the morsmorde. Green again lit them as the Dark Mark took form over the clearing.
The crowd roared. Draco flicked his wand once more, setting the cabinet ablaze, preventing others from arriving and cutting off Snape's best chance of plausible deniability. It was the least he deserved for trying to steal his moment. "Best be going. Aurors will be here soon. You coming," he asked the potions master.
They both knew being caught here alone with the body of Albus Dumbledor bearing a dark mark would be a death sentence.
"Come with us, uncle," he said, realizing it would be best to appear grateful to the thief.
"The boy is right," Lucius said clapping him on the back. "We have a feast prepared and reveling to do."
Snape took one last glance at his best escape burning to the ground and answered, "Of course, old friend," he replied with a smile. "How could I miss my godson's triumph?"
Lucius practically glowed with pride as he looked to his son. "Come, Draco, the Dark Lord awaits."
*R*R*R*R*R*R*R*R*R*R*
Ron moaned as Harry once again shifted his weight and jostled his wound.
"Sorry, Ron," the young man said as his attention was once more drawn to that bloody cabinet. The ginger feared that his "friend" would abandon him through it if help didn't come soon. They had seriously overestimated the Order's capabilities and response time. If he survived this, he'd never place his faith in them again. Not when his own life was on the line.
He almost laughed when the damned cabinet suddenly burst into flames. Thank fucking Merlin, Ron thought. At least now Harry couldn't leave him to die, and no one else could follow. Best of all, aside from not dying, of course, Snape was trapped on the wrong side. It would make it next to impossible to not look complicit in Dumbledor's murder, and Ron had every intention of making sure that Harry blamed Snape for it. Then that would get the greasy git out of his hair. Draco may trust him, but Ron sure as hell didn't. He had protected Harry way too many times for the bat to just be another spy. Plus, he wanted to be the one the Dark Lord depended on and favored. Ending Snapes spying days could only work to his benefit, regardless of which side the bastard was on.
Harry was giving Ron another blood replenisher when they finally heard voices down the hall. Harry called out for help and soon Ron was in the hands of competent healers.