Regulus cursed as Draco fumbled in his pockets for the vial of Felix Felisis. He swallowed it as fast as he could. He needed to know what to do. This couldn't go wrong, not when they were so close. He closed his eyes as a strange sensation came over him.I want to live. I want Harry to be safe,he repeated to himself. If Felix Felisis could let him do anything, let it be that.
And all of a sudden, the world lost its uncertainty. His heart slowed back to a normal pace, and his breathing steadied. He knew things were going to work out. Probably not how he expected, but he would live, and Harry would be safe. He was certain of those two things.
"How do you feel?" Regulus asked anxiously.
Compared to the panic he'd felt moments before, he felt incredible. "Pretty good," he responded with a smile. Regulus looked at him wary.
"What should we do? Is it worth barricading the cabinet?" Regulus asked in a rush.
That sounded completely reasonable, but it was also absolutely the wrong thing to do. His gut urged him not to. He wasn't quite sure why, but since Bella was already planning on coming, it seemed like the best option wasn't to fight it. Instead, he needed to cast a patronus.
He squared his feet and said confidently, "Expecto Patronum."
Nothing happened.
"Huh? I figured that would work. Remind me of something happy," he demanded of Regulus.
"Draco, you can't cast it." Regulus was looking at him like he'd gone insane.
"Pretty sure I can. Something with Harry would probably work…" he wondered aloud. The last week had some of the highest highs he'd experienced in a long time. He'd never had so much hope as when Harry changed the mark on his arm. For the first time, he truly believed he could be free from his fate. Best of all, he wasn't going to be alone if Harry got him out. Their mutual feelings assured that.
He focused on that hope, letting the emotion consume him. It wasn't quite the happy memory Potter had always encouraged from him, but it was powerful. "Expecto Patronum," he cast again, and a silver hawk burst from his wand and started circling them.
"Ha, told you," he said to Regulus's dumbstruck face.
"What are you going to do with it?" Regulus asked, staring at the bird. That was a good question. Felix Felisis was bizarre. It only allowed him to think one step at a time. All he knew was that he needed to cast it, but he didn't realise why until now. He should warn the Order of the impending threat, not many people currently in the castle were equipped to deal with it. Considering he didn't know many people in the Order other than Dumbledore, the choice was simple.
He raised his arm, willing the bird to perch on it. When it did, he told it, "Go to Remus Lupin. Hogwarts is under attack." He pictured it in his mind, exactly what he wanted the hawk to say, and then it soared off, going straight through the castle walls.
"Are you not going to try and stop them?" Regulus asked, worried.
"I don't think I want to try," Draco said honestly. It didn't feel right. If he truly wanted to protect Harry, he needed a different approach.
"Ugh, I know I should trust your instincts right now, but I don't like this." Draco shrugged in response to Regulus's stress. He didn't need to be so dramatic. "What are you even trying to accomplish?"
"Keep me alive and Harry safe," Draco said simply.
Regulus's face paled. "Draco," he warned, but Draco cut him off.
"Oh look, here comes my aunt," he said cheerily. It was strange to sound almost happy about that fact, but whatever the potion had done to him made him completely unbothered. The vanishing cabinet's door creaked open again.
It wasn't his aunt quite yet. The same man from earlier stepped out of the cabinet and stepped off to the side, making room for those behind him. Another unfamiliar man in a cloak followed. Then, a beast of a man stepped out with a manic grin. He must be Greyback by the way he prowled forward and the sheer multitude of scars covering his face.
"I never thought I would be lucky enough to step foot in this castle. So much fresh blood," he said, making room for those behind him. Draco's first thought was that he should be more concerned about the fact he let a werewolf into the school who was known for biting people young. But it wasn't a full moon, and he felt confident that Greyback's appearance didn't change his or Harry's safety. Two more stout figures followed, a man and a woman. They looked so similar that they must be siblings. Bella followed behind them all.
"I told you, Greyback, and I keep my promises," Bella said triumphantly as she stepped from the cabinet. She looked around the room appraisingly, and her gaze fell on Draco.
"Draco!" She practically skipped over to him and grabbed his face. "I can hardly believe it's time."
"Hello, aunt," he said pleasantly.
She pulled back and abruptly slapped him. "That's for taking so long." Draco took the slap, not letting his expression drop.
"She really has gone mad, hasn't she?" Regulus commented beside him, wearing a twisted expression.
"What now?" One of the men asked, frustrated.
"You should just be happy you were selected to be here, Gibbon," Bella admonished and gestured back to Draco, "Lead the way, take us to the headmaster."
"We should get some students first. As leverage," Greyback added, still grinning.
"We are waiting right here," Draco told the group decidedly.
"What are you talking about?" Bella exclaimed.
"Dumbledore's gone. It'd be best if we can surprise him when he returns."
"Dumbledore's not here?" One of the stout siblings asked.
"What do you mean?" Bella asked him, eyes darkening.
"He's not here. He'll be back soon. Don't worry. I have a plan."
"You seem confident. Are you sure? I promised Greyback some fun."
"He can have his fun when the old kook is dead."
Bella sighed and motioned for the others to settle. "Fine, we'll wait, but don't make it long." She eyed him for a moment, then turned to the rest and said, "Let's practice a bit."
Immediately, she threw a curse at a nearby trunk, causing it to slam into the pile of objects behind. As items rained down, the rest of the group started joining in, cursing the artefacts as they fell. It was utter chaos as they slowly destroyed the room that had become his home in the past year.
"I hope you know what you are doing," Regulus said, walking up. Draco had no idea what he was doing but still felt good about how this all was going. Regulus stood tense as Draco went to join the others, trying to distract them from going for Dumbledore. He started levitating trinkets through the room, letting the others shoot them down as target practice. He needed to keep them in this room as long as possible. As he did, Regulus filled him in on the identities of the others Bella had brought with him.
Yaxley was the one who had first come through, and the one Draco thought looked familiar. Hearing the name, he realised that he had worked at the ministry with his father. The siblings were Amycus and Alecto Carrow. Regulus had described them both as cruel idiots, so of course, Bella would enjoy their company. He had never seen the man Gibbon before.
"You can't let Greyback run wild," Regulus said as a particularly nasty curse hit a shelf, causing it to disintegrate into ash. If Draco was better, he wouldn't let any of them run wild, but here they were.
Not long after, the others started firing hexes at each other, claiming to be testing reflexes, but tensions were rising. Alecto Carrow sent a curse his way. He hadn't even seen it coming, but his body instinctively moved out of the way. Felix Felisis was incredible.
"What do you think you are doing?" Bella shouted and turned on her.
"Hey, it was just a bit of fun," her brother said, stepping forward in defence.
Observing that interaction, Draco felt a new urge. It was time to leave. Things were getting too nasty here and would only get worse if they stayed trapped inside the room. He held the ring to his forehead, draining the last memory of Harry.
"What are you doing?" Regulus asked, alarmed. The rest of the Death Eaters were squabbling, so Draco knew it would be safe to whisper back to Regulus.
"I'm taking off the rings."
"Rings? Both? You can't." Regulus looked appalled.
Draco gave him a look. He could do whatever he wanted.
Interpreting correctly, Regulus started to panic. "You know what that means, right? You won't remember me or Harry? You'll try to kill Dumbledore."
"I think that's what I want," he said even more softly. He hadn't realised that's what the potion was likely leading him towards until that very second.
"Harry won't be able to save you," Regulus added, trying to convince him.
Draco shrugged. That was a bit sad. They had been so close to succeeding.
"I don't think you should," Regulus said, pleading.
Whatever argument had been happening with the other's started to settle. Greyback called over to him. "Hey, Malfoy, I'm bored. Let's get moving. I am not known for my patience."
He gave Regulus a sad smile and took off both rings on an exhale. The first thing he noticed as he slipped the rings into his robes was that he was too calm. He knew exactly what he wanted to do and had no idea why. He should've been terrified of this moment. It was dangerous, and he would be killed if it went wrong, but he was practically leaking confidence.
"Let's go then," he announced to the group and started for the exit. Bella pranced up beside him.
"Where to? Shall we wait in his office?"
That felt wrong. "Just follow me." She looked unhappy but followed all the same.
He started towards the Astronomy tower, unsure why but sure it was the right direction. They turned a corner, and suddenly, he felt an urge to flatten himself against a wall.
"Oi, they're here!" A witch with bubble gum pink hair yelled and followed immediately with, "Stupefy!"
Bella dodged the red sparks effortlessly, but it meant they hit one of the Carrows right in the chest. Yaxley had the sense to cast a shield in front of them as the opposing witch fired off another stunner.
A man, Professor Lupin, appeared behind her as Bella took the offensive. Chaos broke out. Spells were firing in every direction. The other Carrow was rousing her fallen brother as another figure joined the Order's side. Given the red hair, it had to be a Weasley. Sparks quickly blocked his view of the other side, and shouts drowned out anything other than the ongoing fight.
He didn't even need to cast a shield as he made his way forward, just dodging the spells one by one regardless of the side that fired it. Bella and the others tried to follow him, but Order kept them back. They seemed more hesitant to attack a student than the known Death Eaters that accompanied him. Draco happily used that to his advantage.
So he waltzed forward boldly, making his way behind the Order in a matter of minutes. Just as he thought he'd made it, Lupin stepped out, trying to block his path.
"What are you doing Draco?" He shouted.
Draco met his eye but didn't say anything. He ducked to the side as someone sent a blasting curse towards where he and Lupin were. Lupin had been distracted and couldn't dodge fully. He stumbled backwards, and Draco took the opportunity to reach the stairs to the next floor. He was too distracted by Bella's group to chase after him.
Finally, at his destination, he took a moment to enjoy the view from the tower but knew he had to make sure Dumbledore came to this spot when he returned. That had an obvious solution.
"Mosmorde," he said loudly, pointing his wand up above the tower. The dark mark formed in the sky. The eerie skull and snake hung forbidding in the air, calling Dumbledore right to him.
Draco returned briefly to the stairs of the tower, having heard another set of footsteps. His instincts weren't kicking in, so he figured it was a Death Eater, not another threat. Sure enough, Gibbon had come up with a slight limp.
"What are you doing? Why did you leave the others?" Draco demanded.
Gibbon looked taken aback. "I was just following you."
Draco scoffed and ordered the man back down. He wasn't sure why, but he wanted to be the only one up here. It was his task to see Dumbledore dead. No one else. He followed quietly behind Gibbon, making sure no one else would try to come up to the tower. As Gibbon rejoined the fight, he stepped in front of Lupin, and a killing curse fired from the opposite side of the corridor hit Gibbon squarely in the neck. Lupin stared at the body for a moment, probably horrified at how close he'd come to death. Lupin regained himself quickly and moved out of sight. A sick part of him was happy that he ordered Gibbon to his death. He was oddly relieved Lupin had survived instead.
Moments passed, and Draco felt the urge to return to the tower, so he made the climb upwards again. He couldn't believe his luck. Dumbledore was right there, having just landed. And best of all, he was looking at something else, not noticing Draco yet.
"Expeliarmus!" Draco shouted.
Dumbledore's wand went flying, and Draco didn't bother catching it. As long as Dumbledore was disarmed, he had the advantage.
"Ah, Mister Malfoy. I wondered when you would face me like this," he said, crossing his arms behind him and straightening his neck like he was about to have an engaging conversation.
A wave of nervousness crossed over him for the first time, whatever confidence he had was fading. "You aren't looking too well," Draco commented to the old man, hoping it sounded threatening.
"Ah yes, I've had a rather exhausting night," Dumbledore responded, letting his shoulders sag. A bang sounded from the floor below them. He continued, "You brought Death Eaters into the castle. Why would you put your friends at risk like that?"
Draco scoffed. "Like you wouldn't sacrifice anyone?" He wasn't sure what triggered that thought, but he knew it was true. Dumbledore would do it to win this war.
Dumbledore eyed him knowingly. "You have learned a lot, I see. It is a sad thing that has happened, but why let others suffer? Should we not protect the greater good?"
"You really believe that, don't you?"
"I believe in fighting for those that cannot fight for themselves. Fighting means battles. Battles means casualties, no matter how we try to avoid them."
"You're sick. You're just pretending to care," Draco sneered.
"Ah, but that is where you are wrong. I do care." He dropped his hands to his side and met Draco's gaze. Tears pooled in his eyes, starting to overflow down his face. Draco unexpectedly believed him. He would mourn whatever sacrifices he made, but not enough to change his decision.
"I care for you as well. You do not have to do this," he told Draco warmly.
"He'll kill me if I don't."
"We can help you. The Order of the Phoenix is safe."
"I can't. He'll kill me," Draco repeated.
Footsteps interrupted whatever Dumbledore was going to respond with. Snape appeared at the top of the stairs. He quickly appraised the situation.
"Hello, Severus," Dumbledore greeted pleasantly.
Draco scoffed at him. He was about to die and was talking like he'd just invited them for tea.
Snape stepped towards him, and Draco took a step away. He couldn't let Snape stop him. He needed to see this through. He had to prove himself. He had to live.
"Draco," Snape said seriously. Dumbledore was attempting to capture Snape's gaze, likely trying to communicate something. Draco had to act now.
"Avada Kedavra," Draco cast voice firm and steady. The green light flashed, filled the tower with its eerie light, and then Dumbledore fell. His eyes were already blank as he disappeared off the tower.
Snape stood for a moment, watching where the old man fell, looking unbelievingly over the edge. He probably didn't think Draco would be able to do it, Draco could barely believe it either. Suddenly, he strode forward and grasped his arm firmly.
"We need to go," Snape hissed angrily.
Draco spared a glance at where the man had fallen, wondering if he had imagined the last few seconds, but Snape towed him away. Draco felt like he wasn't attached to his body. He had done something that no one, not even himself, thought possible. He had killed someone. He couldn't process it.
The fighting was still going on below. Draco found himself not caring much for it. Some students had joined the fray, but he didn't even glance at who had. He followed Snape numbly as he rounded up Bella and the others and pushed them towards the castle's exit.
Bella cackled the whole way, cursing the paintings. Yaxley kept the shield up behind them. Gibbon's body was left behind.
They reached the grounds, and the others started to sprint. It was time to get out of there now that their mission was complete. Bella, being Bella, took a detour to terrorise the half-giant and started setting everything in the vicinity ablaze.
"Draco!" A voice screamed from behind them. Draco looked back to see Potter running behind them. Snape gripped him tighter and started to move faster. He looked worried that Potter was they be trying to capture him for the Dark Lord?
"Stupefy!" Potter yelled at Snape, but it was swiftly blocked. "Let him go!"
Was Potter talking about him? Did he know what he had done?Potter was acting like he was being kidnapped, which was ridiculous.
Draco turned back to look back again, and Harry kept coming forward, face set in a scowl and his wand aimed at Snape. Snape reached to scruff Draco's neck, probably hoping to get him to move faster, but he raised his hands in protest. He would follow willingly now that the shock of what he'd done was fading. Potter paused and stared at Draco. A look of horror crossed his face.
"Put on the rings!" He shouted.
Draco paused. What did Potter know about that?
"Draco now is not the time," Snape said, frustrated.
"Sectumspra!" Potter yelled at Snape, who blocked it easily. Snape started berating Potter for his use of that spell as he fumbled in his pocket for the rings. He usually wore had he taken them off?He slid them on and promptly fell to the ground, overwhelmed.
"Draco!" Snape yelled, immediately trying to haul him back to his feet. Instinctively, he scrambled, trying to get them under himself.
"Draco, what happened?" Regulus asked, panicked.
"I did it," he gasped out. Regulus closed his eyes as Snape gave him a confused look. His head was swimming. The numbness he had been feeling promptly turned to guilt and despair. He'd ruined everything between him and Harry.
He looked at Harry. "I'm sorry," he choked out.
"Stop! I know you didn't mean it. I want to help." Harry sounded like he was about to cry. Snape was glancing between them, baffled by the interaction.
"I did mean it. I wanted to." Draco said through clenched teeth. "You need to go back. Don't let the others get you." If Bella decided to go after him…
Harry didn't move, looking stricken at Draco's confession. "Go! Do you want another encounter with the Dark Lord?" Draco shouted.
"I was going to get you out," Potter said miserably.
Snape hauled him backwards again, and Draco let it happen. Bella had finished whatever she was doing to Hagrid's cabin and was chanting, "He's Dead. Dumbledore's Dead," as she made her way outside the grounds.
Draco looked back as Harry stood there frozen, watching. It was too dark to see his face clearly, but it looked like he might be crying. The Felix Felisis must be nearly worn off since he was overcome with doubt for the first time since taking it. He didn't want to go back with the others. He thought idly of the vow Harry had made, realising he wouldn't be breaking it. Harry hadn't been able to save him or his family. Whatever awful timing fate had destroyed that.
Soon enough, they reached the apparition point. Snape gripped his arm hard enough to bruise, and Draco tried to calm himself. He made it out alive. He still had Regulus. Dumbledore couldn't hurt Harry for being a horcrux. It was shit, but he could still help Harry; it was just going to be from afar.