"You're lucky I have a way into the castle," Draco said smugly, catching the attention of the other three. After Harry's declaration, Granger and Weasley immediately started questioning his 'vision' and advising him how bloody difficult it would be to get into Hogwarts without being captured. They were bickering, completely ignoring Draco's presence when they needed to do the exact opposite. Draco had something they didn't, and seeing them forced to acknowledge him for it was satisfying.
"What do you mean you 'have a way into the castle'?" Weasley demanded as Harry asked, "The cabinet?"
Draco pointedly ignored Weasley and nodded to Harry.
"And it works?" Granger asked, worried.
Draco held back a grimace. He had no idea. If the other Weasley was still using it for her Gryffindor getaway, he had no idea where the Vanishing Cabinet would lead. To a room that they couldn't exit? Or maybe the cabinet wouldn't work at all?
"It's our best bet," Harry said firmly before Draco could respond.
"Are we really trusting him?" Weasley asked.
"Yes," Harry said without hesitation. "To Grimmauld?"
Draco nodded but his heart started to beat faster. Heading to Grimmauld would be a shock; there were a few more people there since Harry had last been. At least it would make James's day.
"We'll follow you," Granger told him, reaching for Harry and Weasley.
Harry seemed unbothered by that plan, so Draco tried to ignore the internal voice screaming that they weren't going to follow. He braced himself for the apparition, closing his eyes and going through his routine of clearing his mind.
"Anytime now, mate," Weasley teased.
Draco opened his eyes and growled, "You're lucky that I -"
"I'll go with Draco," Harry said, interrupting and stepping forward. Granger looked troubled but didn't say anything.
Draco maintained his scowl at Weasley while Harry gently grabbed his arm. After a shared look, Harry apparated them. The sensation was over quickly, but it took Draco a moment to orient himself after the rush of panic it always brought on.
"Sorry, I didn't know if you still had trouble with it, and I figured Ron wouldn't drop it if he found out," Harry said while Draco took a breath. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Draco said, steadying himself. Harry was too good; he probably deserved to be teased about his trouble with apparition even if it annoyed him. Harry shouldn't have cared.
"Good," Harry said, and another crack indicated that Weasley and Granger had indeed followed them. He willed the house's wards to accept the new visitors and reached for the doorknob.
"Don't freak out," he warned and opened the door.
"Why would I…" Harry trailed off as a new voice sounded from down the hall.
"Draco! Are you trying to kill us? I was this close -" James rounded the corner and froze when he saw Draco wasn't alone. "Harry."
"Dad?" Harry said, frozen on the step as Draco made his way inside. Behind him, he heard Granger gasp.
"Call me Prongs," James said with a smile, when after another odd pause, "I - um - welcome!"
As Harry and James stood frozen, staring at each other, Regulus appeared from behind James, eyes darting, taking in the scene.
Granger gasped again and squeaked, "Regulus Black?"
"Pleasure," Regulus said, barely glancing in her direction in favour of grabbing Draco's arm.
"You're dead," Weasley said to Regulus.
"Clearly," Regulus responded, tugging Draco away a few paces but still close enough to watch what was happening. It looked so right to have Harry and James together, even if they both were acting awkward about it. Draco's chest felt tight as James finally broke the tension and hugged Harry.
Weasley was mouthing 'What the fuck?' to Granger, who shrugged and whispered something back. They were both watching the interaction, dumbstruck.
"What happened?" Regulus asked Draco, catching his attention.
"They got the horcrux at Gringott's, the Dark Lord knows, and we need to get the diadem before he does," Draco summarised and as expected, Regulus took it all in stride.
"We need to use the Vanishing Cabinet," he stated. Thank Merlin, this man was sharp.
"Is this real?" Harry asked, drawing Draco's attention again.
Harry looked like he was on the verge of tears as he turned towards Draco, eyeing him and Regulus. "You figured it out?"
Draco nodded, proud of himself, and James said, "Draco's a bloody genius."
"Yeah. He is," Harry said, pulling back from James.
"But how is this possible?" Granger asked. "You're both…"
"Dead? Not anymore," Regulus said. "And not to be rude, but I think there's a better time to tell that story." He turned to James. "They got the horcrux at Gringott's, the Dark Lord knows. It's time to destroy them."
A thrill shot through Draco at those words and James said, "Finally." With a grin, James looked between Harry and his friends. "Tell me you lot have a way to destroy them?"
"Well, the Sword of Gryffindor is at Hogwarts," Granger said cautiously.
"And that will work?" Regulus prodded.
"It should. Professor Dumbledore tried to give it to Harry in his will," she cringed, glancing at Draco, "and it is probably infused with Basislik venom."
That sounded like wishful thinking to Draco, but James said, "Good enough for me."
"Upstairs," Regulus said as James grabbed Harry, leading the way to the cabinet. Granger and Weasley followed tensely as Draco and Regulus followed behind them all. As they climbed, James chatted with Harry, clearly trying to keep the mood light, but with each step, Draco felt dread.
"Can you do this?" Regulus whispered to Draco, likely sensing his hesitation.
"Of course I can."
"I have a feeling this is the end, no matter how it turns out," Regulus warned, but to his credit, he didn't falter, and he didn't try to convince Draco to stay behind. The days of trying to protect him were over.
Draco repressed the shiver that ran through him. Regulus was right. They had to destroy the horcruxes and, ultimately, the Dark Lord in quick succession. Now that it had started, they needed to finish it. He straightened, trying to impress his confidence onto Regulus.
"Draco! Come fix it, I don't trust myself," James yelled, and Draco pushed his way to the front of the group and removed the block on the cabinet keeping it non-functional while they weren't using it. Harry still looked a little dazed by the revelation that his father was alive and corporeal while Draco readied the cabinet. When asked if everyone was ready, Harry gave a firm nod and said ominously while rubbing his scar, "He's coming."
Draco opened the cabinet and stepped through. Harry followed, and he could hear the others shuffling in behind. When he reached the door to the connected cabinet, he pushed, and miraculously, it opened.
The open door revealed a room Draco had never seen before, but he instantly understood what it was - the retreat for students to get away from the Carrows. It was filled with all sorts of stacked beds and desks, almost like a common room and dormitories combined into one. The Room of Requirement was even more intelligent than he imagined. He stepped out, glancing around to see that the room had tucked the Vanishing Cabinet in a back corner somewhere, but the noise of the cabinet opening and subsequent footsteps still alerted someone to his presence.
"Malfoy?" Longbottom said, alarmed, with his head poking out from a nearby bunk. He tried to stand, but his leg gave out, and the oaf tripped over it.
"It's alright, Neville," Harry said, pushing past Draco and giving Longbottom a steadying arm.
"Yeah, don't worry about Malfoy. We are keeping him in line," Weasley piped up from behind him.
Draco scowled but held back his retort as Harry helped Neville to his feet. "Are you injured?" Harry asked him.
"What are you doing here?" Longbottom asked, eyes wide, staring at Harry.
Before they could answer, another voice chimed in. "Ron?" Then Ginny Weasley appeared from behind a row of beds, "Harry!" She ran forward and embraced them both and Draco forced himself to stay still.
"Off Gin," Weasley grumbled.
"You shouldn't be here," she said, pulling back and eyeing the whole group.
"I need to get something very important," Harry said earnestly, "and we might need to evacuate the school, there is a good chance Voldemort is coming here."
They both looked shocked at that. "Can we say his name now?" the Weasley girl said, and Longbottom added, "You need to talk to Professor McGonagall."
This was taking too long. "You all need to get out of this room," Draco said. More students appeared, wanting to investigate the commotion. They looked at Draco like he'd spoken another language.
Harry looked around anxiously, but agreed, "Draco's right. We need to get to another version of the Room of Requirement, and it needs to be empty."
"So you weren't fucking with me by saying you needed access?" Weasley asked Draco, and she looked between him and Harry, likely seeing what Draco attempted to keep from her. "Part of me hoped it wasn't true." Draco scowled at her.
"What isn't true?" Harry asked.
"Doesn't matter," Draco said and then ordered, "Everyone out!"
They didn't listen to him, but when Harry gave the same command seconds later, they immediately started pouring out of the room. As the students filed out, Longbottom turned to Harry.
"Who are they?" He gestured to where Regulus and James stood quietly behind them all. "Do you have a cousin?"
"Oh, um, yes," Harry said and Draco held back a snort.
When they finally had the room evacuated, Longbottom and Weasley again insisted that Harry needed to get the professors on board and prove to them there was impending danger. Draco hated the idea of separating, but it did make the most sense.
"Meet back here?" Harry asked, worried, clearly feeling the same if the way his eyes darted between Draco and James was any indication.
James gave a mock salute, saying, "We'll get the diadem," causing Harry to smile weakly as he hurried off with the others. The group of students milled about uncertainly as Draco turned back to the Room of Requirement. I need somewhere to hide. I need somewhere to hide. I need somewhere to hide.
The door reappeared, and the three rushed in, heading straight for where the diadem was left last.
"It's still here," Regulus breathed out, as all three stared at it, relief flooding them. Draco levitated it and put it in his pocket, avoiding touching it.
"We need a plan," Regulus said, halting them from leaving. "Top priority is destroying the horcruxes and keeping Harry alive. If this comes to a battle, Draco, you need to get Harry the ring and hide." Draco nodded. "As soon as Harry puts on the ring, head to Grimmauld. Wait there," he ordered firmly, and as much as Draco disliked the idea of being removed from the action, he nodded.
Regulus turned to James. "I don't know what this battle could look like. If we need to get close to the Dark Lord, let me go. I can fake being a Death Eater for a short period. If we get the horcruxes, let me get close enough to kill him, for good." Regulus almost sounded like he was pleading, but Draco realised that was because he was pleading with James. He was asking to not be stopped from putting his life at risk to kill the Dark Lord. His stomach turned at the thought.
James nodded unhappily and said, "But If we need to surprise the Dark Lord, let me do it. I can almost guarantee he'll freeze seeing another Potter live a killing curse."
Regulus agreed, probably assuming that was far more unlikely. Satisfied with their new directions, yet somehow even more stressed because of it, the three left the room. They finished before Harry returned and waited impatiently. After agonising minutes, Harry ran up to them, leading Granger and Weasley with a huge grin across his face.
"I wish you could have seen that. McGonagall forced Snape out of the castle," Harry said once he was within earshot. "Did you get the diadem?"
A wave of fear rushed through Draco; he'd forgtten Snape would be here. "Stay away from Snape!"
"Uh, okay. I wasn't planning on meeting up for tea."
"Harry, he's serious. Don't trust a word out of his mouth," Regulus said urgently.
"Alright," Harry said nervously. At least he seemed to be taking Regulus's warning seriously.
"What's going on?" James asked, eyeing the students swarming towards them.
Granger spoke up, "They need to use Grimmauld to evacuate."
Kreacher is going to have a heart attack, Draco thought and then said, "I can't make any promises about the house not killing anyone." Or Kreacher. He mentally told the wards to let people through.
Granger looked nervous, "Is there a way to make sure that doesn't happen?"
"Are you familiar with the house?" Regulus asked her.
"I suppose."
"Good, help get people through. I don't want you running off with the horcruxes until we have a way to destroy them," Regulus said pointing to where students were now crowding into the room.
"But I -"
"It's alright, Hermoine, I can get the sword," Harry said.
"And I'll stay with you," Weasley added.
Regulus contemplated for a second and looked to Harry. "How long do we have?"
Harry shrugged. "I keep getting flashes; he knows the ring is gone and he's moving fast."
Regulus considered. "James and I will stay here too. You two get Gryffindor's Sword. Make sure it works for what we need."
At Regulus's dismissal, Draco and Harry sprinted for the Headmaster's office, ignoring all the gasps and whispers. Is that Harry? What is he doing here? Is he with Malfoy? Draco gritted his teeth against the way they sneered his name and kept moving.
As they approached the gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's office, Harry asked, "Do you even know how to get in?"
"I was told the password," Draco said, thinking back to his last visit to Snape. They stopped in front of where the stairs would appear, and Draco said, "Boomslang skin."
The staircase remained stubbornly hidden.
"Are you sure -"
"Shut it, Snape must have changed it," Draco said annoyed.
"Fluxweed." Still nothing. "Lacewing Fly. Bicorn horn. Doxy egg." Draco rattled off every potion ingredient he could think of, but the stairs wouldn't budge. What were the ingredients of Polyjuice? He was running out of options when, beside him, Harry grabbed his scar and groaned.
"He's at the caves looking for the locket," Harry exclaimed.
Draco cursed and paused, wracking his brain for more potions.
"Now what?" Harry said, watching Draco.
"I'm thinking," Draco snapped.
"How about we just ask it nicely?"
Draco threw Harry a look and said sarcastically, "Oh, staircase, would you please lower yourself so we can steal a very rare, valuable, and historically significant sword so we can murder a madman?"
Harry started to snap back but was interrupted by a soft grind of stone, indicating the staircase was lowering. "Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it," Harry said softly.
"This is ridiculous, let's just get on with it," Draco snapped, still in disbelief that Harry had been right.
They climbed the stairs into the Headmaster's office, and Draco knowing to expect the headmasters' portraits on the far wall, stubbornly kept his gaze in the opposite direction, scanning for the sword. Harry had no such reservations and marched right up to the desk with a soft "Oh." Draco didn't have to look to know he was looking at Dumbledore's portrait.
"Do you see the sword?" Draco asked
"It's right here," Harry said. When Draco turned to look, Harry was holding up the sorting hat. Before Draco could ask what the hell that musty piece of fabric had to do with the sword, Harry reached inside of it and pulled out a brilliant silver sword lined with rubies in the pommel. He held it aloft with a smile, and Draco knew he looked like a fool staring at Harry like that. Why did he look so damn fine holding a sword?
"It only appears to someone brave at heart," Harry said, a little smug, then shifted the hat over, making space on the desk. "You have the diadem?"
Draco levitated it out of his pocket, still avoiding touching it and placed it on the centre of the desk. The diadem had been taunting him for the better part of the year, and here they were, finally able to kill it. Harry looked thoughtfully at it, then lowered the sword.
"You should do it," he said and offered the sword to Draco.
"No," Draco said, jerking backwards. "I'm not a Gryffindor."
Harry rolled his eyes. "I don't think the sword is that picky. Here." He practically thrust the sword into Draco's arms but then looked hesitant seeing Draco's face. "You do want to, right?"
Determined to prove himself, Draco said, "Of course I do."
Harry grinned, and Draco steadied himself. He raised the sword, squaring his shoulders, aiming for the middle of the diadem, but the moment he went to swing, a voice echoed in his head.
Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure.
Draco jerked.
I can give that to you. More knowledge than you can fathom.
"Draco?" Harry said, but Draco was focused on the voice.
You know the value. The things I could tell you…
Draco did know the value. The only reason he's gotten this far was because Regulus and James were smart, they learned how to defeat the Dark Lord. The diadem seemed satisfied with that line of thought.
"It's talking to me," Draco said, not taking his eyes off of it.
"Destroy it," Harry said earnestly. "It's trying to stay alive."
Not only that, it would be a shame for my knowledge to die with me.
That would be a shame. "What do you know?" Draco asked it.
Touch me and find out.
Draco felt like he was in a trance. He should touch it. He lowered the sword and started to reach with his opposite hand.
"Draco!" Harry shouted at him and smacked his hand away. "Don't touch it! We need to destroy it."
Draco finally looked up at Harry and felt a little more like himself. The diadem was still present in his head, but one thought prevailed as he looked at Harry. He wanted, needed, this thing destroyed.
Closing his eyes to avoid looking at the thing again, Draco raised the sword and swung. He felt the sword connect and then rebound, making him stumble as his arms were forced upwards. A screech filled the air, and Draco opened his eyes.
The diadem was leaking black smoke. The metal was twisting and rusting over while the centre gemstone crumbled. He'd just killed a piece of the Dark Lord.
"That was brilliant," Harry said, and Draco blushed.
"It's destroyed," Draco said, still in disbelief but feeling pleased.
"We should go find the others. Ron still has the locket and Hermione should have the cup."
Draco nodded. Now that they knew the sword worked, it was probably the most valuable thing in the castle, but instead of rushing to the others, they both stood there.
"This is it," Harry said softly, looking at Draco.
"Yeah," Draco said, handing the sword back over to Harry. They'd officially started the chain of destroying the horcruxes, and they needed to get them all quickly now. He fumbled for Harry's ring. This was probably the best time to give it to him before things got worse.
Before Draco had decided on what to say, Harry asked, "Why?"
Draco replied instantly, "I regret to inform you that asking 'why' isn't a particularly interesting question."
Harry rolled his eyes again but clarified, "Why have you helped me? Why did you bring my dad back?"
"I needed James to bring back Regulus," Draco said honestly but paused before saying more. He'd helped Harry because he wanted to, but he had no idea what Harry thought of him. There was trust between them now, but there hadn't been time for much else. "And I can't live peacefully while the Dark Lord does," Draco answered. It was the truth, just not the full of it.
Harry nodded but looked disappointed. "And you didn't do it for any other reason?"
What was Harry hoping to hear? "I -" want things to go back to how they were, but Draco couldn't say it, not unless Harry wanted it. He wasn't going to be rejected again. "Why do you trust me?"
"Honestly? I know I shouldn't. Hermione tells it to me all the time, but I want to. I want things to be how they were before Dumbledore. I," he paused and looked straight into Draco. "I really liked you, Draco."
"I did it for you," Draco said quickly, "I think I still really like you."
"Can I kiss you?" Harry blurted out.
"Yes," Draco said instantly. He hadn't let himself hope he'd hear those words.
Draco had a brief moment of panic, worried that something fundamental had changed between them and that Harry would be repulsed by him, but that was quickly proven wrong. Harry touched him, and it was exactly like he remembered. His mind went still, focusing solely on the feel of Harry against him. Unfortunately, it didn't last nearly as long as Draco needed.
Harry pulled back with a groan, clutching his scar. "He's here." His whole face twisted in pain. "We need to go find the others." He pulled back from Draco and started for the stairs.
"Wait!" He needed to give Harry the ring.
"We'll have time later," Harry said, still moving. There won't be time if you're dead, Draco thought bitterly, but before Draco could stop Harry, a voice echoed through the castle.
"I know you are preparing to fight." It was the Dark Lord; Harry's visions had been right. Draco clenched his eyes shut at the sickening voice. He couldn't tell if it was coming from inside his head or all around him. "It is futile. You cannot fight me, and I do not wish to spill magical blood. Give me Harry Potter and I will leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded.
'You have until the top of the next hour."
Panicked, Draco cast a spell, checking the time. They had barely over half an hour. He searched for Harry and blanched when he realised Harry hadn't been as shaken by the voice as Draco had been. He was already at the end of the corridor, almost out of sight.
"Harry, stop!" Draco yelled, but before he could start sprinting, someone else yelled, "Petrificus Totalus!"
Draco's limbs snapped into place at his sides, and he dropped to the ground. He cursed himself for being allowed to be caught like this, and then a boy's face appeared in his field of view, leaning over him.
"I won't let you turn Harry Potter over to You Know Who," the boy said defiantly, and Draco recognised him. It was the kid whose owl he threatened to kill. What kind of payback was this?
"Now what?" Another boy asked. Let me go so I can save Harry, Draco screamed in his mind. It was embarrassing to be caught by children, but the boys debated stubbornly, ignoring Draco's glaring. They were nervous that if they took Draco anywhere they'd be caught for staying behind and sent out of the battle. Minutes passed with no sign of anyone else. This wasn't a strategic part of the castle; people would be preparing at the entrances and exits. Draco had no choice but to wait until these idiots decided to free him or the spell wore off. He hoped Harry got somewhere safe, but couldn't help the sinking feeling that he just ruined everything by kissing Harry rather than saving his life.
The worries plagued him until he heard one of the best sounds in the world. Regulus yelling.
"What are you doing? You two are far too young to be here. Get upstairs. Now!"
"We want to fight!" One of the boys protested.
"Do you? And when your brother drops dead because he can't hold a proper shield?"
"I can shield."
"Expelliarmus!" Regulus said, and Draco heard a wand clatter against the stone.
"That's not fair."
"None of this is 'fair.' Get upstairs," Regulus said venomously.
"But we caught someone trying to capture Harry," the other one said.
"I'll deal with them," Regulus said coldly. "And I'll deal with you if I see you again."
That threat was apparently enough to get them moving. As the pair retreated, Regulus finally got close enough to see who the boys had captured.
"Draco?" Regulus cancelled the paralysis, and Draco jolted upright.
"I don't know where he went," he gasped.
"Calm down," Regulus said, kneeling next to him.
"We got the sword. We can destroy the locket and cup, and then Harry needs to," Draco couldn't say the words. "I -"
"You are going to hide," Regulus said forcefully, hauling Draco to his feet.
"Grimmauld is exposed," Draco said. If the Death Eaters got wind that Grimmauld was how they were getting people in and out of the castle…
Regulus considered and led Draco towards the opposite stairs. "You have 15 minutes. Go to the Shrieking Shack. I see no reason for them to attack there, if that fails, get to the forest. Do not engage."
"But - " He fumbled for the ring on his finger.
"Give me the ring. I will get it to Harry."
"You promise?" Draco looked at him desperately.
"I promise, now go. If you die, then Harry is doomed." That was a sickening reminder that Harry needed Draco to get him out of the ring.
Regulus disillusioned him, and Draco ran. He tried to focus on the battle preparations. It was out of his hands, and his only goal was to stay alive. He made it to the Whomping Willow and used the trick James had told him about with the knot. He was in the tunnel when he heard the first boom; the battle had begun.
He huddled in the corner of the shack, trying not to jump at every noise. He trusted Regulus to get to Harry, but what about James? He should have been with Regulus, but he was nowhere to be seen. He started shaking, not from cold.
Time passed, and the only thing keeping him stationary was the constant reminder that he needed to bring Harry back. Harry could die tonight, but he couldn't.
At first, he thought he was going mad, but slowly, the faint sound of voices became louder and started to terrify him. What if Regulus was wrong and someone came here? He willed the voices to disappear, but they kept getting louder until Draco could distinctly make out the voice of his nightmares.
"Leave, tell the others to ready a retreat," the Dark Lord said.
"But My Lord, you -"
"Leave me! Nagini claims she smells something interesting."
Draco desperately hoped he wasn't that something interesting, but part of him knew better than to hope. Draco slid against the wall of the shack, silently edging closer to the door and back out the passage, but it was in vain. Footsteps. Someone entered the shack, and Draco froze, hoping his disillusionment held. The Dark Lord strode in confidently, Nagini at his side with a bubble around her. Draco's heart sank.
When the Dark Lord turned around, his red eyes went straight to Draco, and he knew this was going to end poorly. With a flick of his wand, he revealed Draco, cancelling Regulus's disillusionment.
"My Lord," Draco said, dropping into a bow. He needed to talk himself out of this.
"Don't play games with me, Draco. You ran. You betrayed me," the Dark Lord hissed coldly.
Draco's mind raced with what to say. Maybe he could convince the Dark Lord he left to get Harry's trust so he could capture him. "I was a coward, My Lord. I was trying to find the right time to return to you. I was -"
"Do you know why I cared so much about finding you, Draco?" The Dark Lord interrupted Draco's excuse. Draco shook his head without looking up. "You killed Albus Dumbledore."
Draco stiffened head still bowed. Did the Dark Lord need him to kill someone else?
"Have you heard of the Elder Wand?" Draco inhaled sharply. The wand was a legend. "So you have. Are you aware that you have its loyalty?"
Draco wracked his brain. "I have never touched the wand," he gasped.
"Ah, but it was Albus Dumbledore's, and you killed him. It became yours regardless." Draco glanced around the room. He needed to get out of here. The walls looked flimsy enough to curse. "I see you know what that means for you now."
The protective spell around Nagini dropped, and she slid towards Draco. He couldn't die here. He gripped his wand and pleaded again, "Please don't. I'll -"
"Is that what you want your final words to be? A plea? You are your father's son right to the end."
The fear and panic coursing through him shifted to something else as he heard those words. He was not his father, he was far better, even if he was never good with his temper.
"I fooled you," Draco said, meeting the Dark Lord's eyes for the first time. Fury welled inside of him, bolstering his defiance. "I was helping Harry all year. I've been hunting your horcruxes," Draco spat.
Instantly, the Dark Lord forced into his mind, and Draco let him in. He threw the memories at him. Finding that Bella had a horcrux. Telling Harry. Helping Harry escape Gringott's. Finding the Ravenclaw's Diadem. Crushing the diadem with the sword.
The Dark Lord recoiled, seeing the diadem smashed and hissed at Nagini. Before Draco could even get in a breath after the assault on his mind, the snake stuck his neck without hesitation. Draco tried to raise his wand, but she released his neck and bit his shoulder. He jolted with pain, dropping his arm as numbness spread across it.
"I've told her to make it slow and painful for you," The Dark Lord said furiously. Draco felt satisfied to get such a rise, but then he hissed a final time and then left, not even giving Draco the honour of dying in front of him, and Draco started to panic. He tried to reach for his wand with his other hand, but Nagini struck his palm as soon as it moved.
He grunted in frustration and pain as he tried to wrestle the snake off of him. The Dark Lord's voice echoed eerily a moment later, making another announcement. Draco barely caught any of the words as the effort to survive Nagini was getting harder and harder. He couldn't do anything except take each strike from her. His vision started to fade despite his efforts. He clenched his eyes shut against the tears that started to form. He needed to save Harry.
But he was in so much pain, and he didn't know what else to do. He struggled half-heartedly until Nagini released her jaws and didn't clamp down again. He wanted to know if something happened, but his vision was black.
A commotion and then someone shouted his name, and even though he couldn't see who it was, it sounded like Harry. Hope swelled inside of him. He needed to stay alive for Harry. Draco knew he couldn't die here, but even though he was fighting with all he had, Nagini was stronger than him.
Something distinctly non-snakelike gripped his hand.
"Harry," he spluttered, it was hard to talk.
"Hey, stay with me," the voice said.
"Forever," Draco mumbled, and no matter how strong-willed was, he faded.