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Hello Everyone and Welcome to this Drarry fanfic!

This is my first time writing a Drarry fanfic but I have been a part of the Drarry community for a very long time. This was a personal project that I was set on doing for a very long time. I've watched the original videos multiple times and kept up with the spare videos on TikTok. After finally getting a break from College/University, I asked Scaredlett for permission, commenting under one of her TikToks. She said, "Aww yes yes yes! I want to read it so bad." After five weeks of endless writing and editing, I have finally finished my first, long, personal writing project and I'm very proud to present it all to you!

This is not completely my story. Major parts of it belong to Scaredlett on TikTok and YouTube. See her YouTube for the two-part Video Series. She has permitted me to do this. I’ve added more detail from the movies and my own bits to draw out the story, if that is alright.

The Original Videos: Drarry - Detestably Yours (Part One) / Drarry - Detestably Yours (Part Two)

Hope you enjoy the story! If you don't, that's ok too!

Mischief Managed!

Detestably Yours

Videos Published: Nov. 30th/Dec. 13th 2022

Written Published: Dec. 31st, 2024

Finished: May 12th, 2025

Chapter Text

HARRY'S END TO FIFTH YEAR

Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived.

Everyone in the wizarding world knew his name.

Harry Potter bore the infamous lightning bolt-shaped scar on the right side of his forehead, symbolizing himself as the only one to ever escape death. At only a year old no less. The dastardly Lord Voldemort came to his family’s home in Godric's Hollow and wiped his parents clean out, leaving him an orphan and the house destroyed.

Fourteen years later, Harry Potter was still living with his unbearable Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and cousin Dudley. He was the most well-known student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, proudly getting sorted into Gryffindor just like his mother and father, James and Lily. And during his schooling, Harry had faced the Dark Lord four more times since infancy. 

In his first year, at eleven years old, it was his own Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, Professor Quirrell. Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry’s new best friends, attempted to find the Philosopher’s Stone and save it from Professor Snape, convinced he was going to try and steal it. Harry discovered Quirrell was possessed by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and was planning to use the stone as a way to gain immortality. Harry touched the red stone and ended up disintegrating him, thus defeating the Dark Lord for the first time in a decade. 

In his second year, Harry saved Ron’s little sister, Ginny, from Tom Riddle; the memory of Lord Voldemort preserved in a diary for fifty years. Harry stabbed the diary with a basilisk fang and killed the basilisk with the Sword of Gryffindor. This resulted in another defeat of Lord Voldemort and the destruction of Voldemort's first Horcrux.

In his fourth year, the disguised Barty Crouch Jr. hexed the Triwizard Tournament by placing the boy’s name into the Goblet of Fire. Harry managed to survive the first two tasks and the Death Eater turned the winning cup into a portkey to the Riddle Family graveyard. This is where Peter Pettigrew, a cowardly Gryffindor friend of Harry’s father’s, uses his own flesh and Harry’s blood to bring Voldemort back to life. Both the Boy Who Lived and the Dark Lord faced off in a great duel, only to be saved by his parents’ memories. Harry came back scarred after losing the other Hogwarts Champion: the brave Hufflepuff, Cedric Diggory.

At the end of his fifth year, the brunet had taught many students Defense Against the Dark Arts in place of the horrible professor, a ministry official: Dolores Umbridge. He bravely went undercover in the secret Room of Requirement, teaching his fellow classmates disarming spells, protection charms, and patronuses after his professor miserably failed to do her job. After Ron’s older twin brothers, Fred and George, frightened Umbridge out of the O.W.L. Examination Hall, Harry had a terrible vision of his newly-known godfather, Sirius Black, in terrible danger at the Ministry of Magic.

Sirius Black was the best friend of James Potter, met him on the Hogwarts Express during their first year. They did almost everything together. At the edge of the First Wizarding War, James chose Pettigrew to be the secret keeper, deeming Sirius the more likely option. Sirius ended up ambushed by Pettigrew and was imprisoned in the wizarding world’s most haunted place, Azkaban Prison. He was held there for twelve years, being charged with the murder of The Rat, his friends, and being a supposed Voldemort supporter. Without the use of Vertiserum, the truth-telling potion to prove he was actually innocent, he was deemed guilty. When he escaped, he went to Hogwarts in his animagus form to find Pettigrew but wasn’t able to fulfill his mission. Sirius found his godson and offered Harry a better home than with his abusive family, but their dream didn’t last long.

Harry rushed to Sirius’ aid at the Ministry’s Department of Mysteries, only he was nowhere to be found. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna Lovegood, Ginny Weasley, and Neville Longbottom were caught in a Death Eater trap with the most sacred prophecy of the decade. The Chosen One and his friends were able to hold off Lucius Malfoy, Draco Malfoy’s father; Bellatrix Lestrange and her husband; and the others, but not without the help of Albus Dumbledore’s Order of the Phoenix.

Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Remus Lupin, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Sirius all came to help the young group to safety. Unfortunately, this meant accidentally destroying the prophecy, Order members severely injured, and the loss of Harry’s godfather to his cousin, Bellatrix, with the killing curse. Remus Lupin, a friend of his father and godfather’s (and former D.A.D.A. professor), had to hold Harry back. The numbing sound of Harry’s blood-curdling screams deafened the man’s ears and hurt him more than the loss of his long-time friend.

When Harry finally scrambled to release himself from Remus’ strong grip, he raced after the taunting Bellatrix and attempted the torture curse on her in dripping anger. This didn’t work and Voldemort was able to possess him with such a weakened state of his mind. With the help of Dumbledore's distraction of the nose-less man, Harry and everyone were able to make it back to Hogwarts and the Order’s Bases safely. Not without the boy in shambles.

The rest of the school year was rough for the young boy. Harry still managed to do well on seven of his nine O.W.L.s, but he couldn’t stop thinking of Sirius’ death. Counseling with Dumbledore turned into a horrible mess of the Headmaster’s office. Harry grieved the entire summer, only chatting to Ron and Hermione through letters about it.

Towards the end of that summer, word of the Malfoys hit the Daily Prophet. Harry sat in a muggle coffee shop by one of the English subway trains reading about how Malfoy’s father was sent to Azkaban for being on terms with Voldemort and was the only one found breaking into the Department of Mysteries. The Malfoy family was in pieces. 

Draco Malfoy’s pale face in the Prophet couldn’t be any more prominent than with flashing lights as he stood in his signature black suit and tie next to his mother, Narcissa, after leaving Lucius’ trial. Malfoy managed to keep a straight face in the Prophet, but after knowing the Slytherin for so long, Harry could determine there was great anger and sadness behind his silver, glassy eyes.

Draco Malfoy had always been a pain in Harry Potter’s arse for the past five years of their school careers. He had taunted Harry and teased him. He insulted Ron for being poor and Hermione for being a muggle-born. However, Harry could never compare him to the unforgivable nature of Voldemort and his followers. They’d taken away his parents, his godfather, and his right to a better childhood. They were ruthless! 

Draco Malfoy was a prick, but he was never the “enemy.” So, maybe that was why Harry sat oddly worried about the platinum blond boy when reading the newspaper. He looked out the clouded windows of the shop and out to the subway platform, seeing a familiar figure. He thought he saw Malfoy standing on the other side, but once he wiped the fogged window for a clearer view, no one was there.

Harry shook his head. He must’ve been seeing things again. 

With He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named back, Harry felt a never-ending twitch in his body, constantly paranoid about danger.

Would Malfoy and his family be alright? What would happen now that Lucius was gone? Would Voldemort put Malfoy in his father’s place?

Harry decided that now that he, his friends, and the slithery prick were nearly adults, they were to put their differences aside. A war was coming, and it would be best to get everyone on his side to defeat the enemy.

Chapter Text

DRACO'S END TO FIFTH YEAR

Draco Malfoy, the Spoiled Prince and Heir to the high-class pureblood Malfoy Family.

Easily recognized for his platinum blond hair and classy formal wear outside of the school uniform. 

From his earliest years, Draco was treated highly by his mother, Narcissa. He had great formal manners and was always dressed in the finest clothing. His father, Lucius, blessed him with all the coolest toys and anything his son could ever want. The boy was taught organ piano and French, and he had access to the largest library with fairytales of muggle fiction (before Lucius decided to get rid of them), adventure and fantasy stories, magic textbooks, family history, and many more genres.

Draco never had any siblings. He secretly wanted a little brother or sister, but that never came to fruition. So, his next best thing was Dobby.

Dobby was a small house elf passed down from Draco’s grandfather, Abraxas Malfoy, after he died. Dobby was a kind soul who only wished the best for the family. He dressed only in a large and ratty pillowcase, but his outside appearance never fooled the young Malfoy. Lucius would treat the house elf less than dirt, encouraging Draco to start acting similarly to his father.

Behind closed doors, Draco treated the elf just like a friend. He would tell Dobby all about his adventures on his broomstick rides around the gardens and his organ and French lessons. He’d tell the kind elf of the stories his mother told him before bed every night, about Harry Potter. Draco expressed great gratitude for The Boy Who Lived, him saving the Wizarding World, and he wanted to meet Harry one day when he goes to Hogwarts since they'd be in the same year. 

Of course, Draco never realized until much later that his mother left out great details of his father’s involvement with the First Wizarding War. He never understood the true meaning of pureblood status and upper-class society or anything to do with the Dark Lord, at least not until he was older. 

As time went on, Draco’s personality changed and it scared the growing house elf.

Draco turned into someone more like his father. The blond boy became more entitled, selfish, and mean. Draco was never as bad as his father, but certain beliefs remained the same. The Malfoy heir was taught to have self-preservation, to promote the elitist views of the wizarding world, and that anything less than that was never an option. Draco was taught how to be the heir to the Malfoy Household. He was no longer seen as a son to his father. If Draco stepped out of line, the consequences were severe, at least from what Dobby heard from Narcissa’s conversations with Lucius.

Draco was originally going to attend Durmstrang in Hungary, known for their emphasis on the Dark Arts. With Narcissa's pleading to her husband, her son remained close to home and would attend Hogwarts in the future. Draco was super excited when he received his Hogwarts letter. His family had never been so proud of him. They went to Diagon Alley and made sure to grab his supplies.

The Malfoy son met a mysterious boy in Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions. The boy had messy jet-black hair and rounded glasses. He didn’t seem to know what he was doing and didn’t understand Draco’s talk about Hogwarts or magic. Draco assumed the boy must’ve been a muggle-born. Surprisingly, the muggle-born seemed to spark Draco’s interest.

Draco Malfoy boarded the Hogwarts Express on September first like all the rest of the Hogwarts students. His mother and father waved goodbye; his mother was in small sobs seeing her only son off to school. On the train, he sat next to family friend: Vincent Crabbe and a new addition: Gregory Goyle. He talked with them about getting into Slytherin house and about Harry Potter being somewhere on the train with the students.

Sometime through the train ride, the young Malfoy and his friends ran into the mysterious boy from Madam Malkin’s and a red-haired boy with freckles. Draco saw the familiar lightning bolt scar and recognized the mysterious boy from Madam Malkin's as Harry Potter and rushed to get acquainted with him. Unfortunately, with Draco’s innocent way of trying to prove he was better than Ronald Weasley and his poor status - thanks to his father’s dastardly teaching - Harry did not accept Draco’s handshake of being friends.

That moment created the school’s most infamous rivalry in Hogwarts history.

Since then, Draco Malfoy made fun of Harry and his friends, teasing them as a way to get back at Potter for never accepting his offer.

With the Summer of Fifth Year, everything turned on its head.

Draco’s father was sentenced to time in Azkaban and Draco’s role in the Malfoy household was raised to patriarch status. He was responsible for running the household with the help of his mother since he was still underage. He became wiser and more diligent. The Malfoy heir became more reserved and quiet. He’d grown into his new looks and matured immensely. There was no more time for child’s play and mockery. After his father’s mistake, Draco was bound to face major punishment in his place.

Narcissa Malfoy allowed her sister and Voldemort’s followers to take their estate as a refuge for safety, but Narcissa pleaded with the Dark Lord to not bring her son into Death Eater affairs. Draco was only a child after all. Voldemort only saw opportunity in the boy, given his young age and growth in sophistication. Because of the extreme loss of the prophecy due to the Malfoy patriarch, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named held a ceremony for the Slytherin to become a Death Eater in his father’s place. Draco didn’t want any part of that life and pleaded with his mother to find another way around it. Narcissa couldn’t find a way to convince the Dark Lord, and Draco was forced to take the Dark Mark.

The Morsmordre casting on his forearm felt as bad as the Cruciartus curse and Draco didn’t leave his room for a couple of days after getting it, too disgusted with himself.

When the blond finally came out of his room, accepting his fate as a Death Eater and his father’s replacement, Draco went to Lord Voldemort to accept his first task. The Dark Lord explained that now that the young Malfoy was a Death Eater, he’d be able to smuggle the Death Eaters into Hogwarts. Narcissa explained that wouldn’t be possible with all the students and professors, but suggested the vanishing cabinet through Borgin and Burkes because it looked similar to an old cabinet in Hogwarts’ Room of Requirement from many years ago, making it easy to sneak in without getting caught.

Bellatrix Lestrange; Fenrir Greyback, a werewolf; and Narcissa all went to Borgin and Burkes to see the vanishing cabinet in its glory. With the two cabinets, they’d form a passage. Draco would heal the broken one at Hogwarts and sneak everyone in.

But the second and worst part of the task: Draco was ordered to murder Albus Dumbledore.

Albus Dumbledore was the Headmaster of Hogwarts and the most powerful wizard of the times. Even Voldemort feared the long-bearded man. Albus Dumbledore was like a father figure to everyone in that school and Draco would never have the gall to kill the man who made everyone feel safe in that sanctuary. Alas, the Slytherin Prince would be forced to try… or else he’d face the Dark Lord’s easiest punishment: Death, to both him and his family.

Over the final months of summer, Draco was taught horrific long hours of Occlumency so no one would be able to read his thoughts and the Imperious curse by his aunt Bellatrix. Narcissa recommended poison as an easy out to kill Dumbledore and not be tracked. Draco was devastated for the position he was in and what’s worse, he was going to put everyone in danger!

Draco had realized over the summer that his feelings of hate toward Potter were only mere spite and that he cared for the Saviour deep down. He’d always had a special connection to the Boy Who Lived. Now that Potter was going after Voldemort, he’d have to keep the Gryffindor off his trail. Draco wanted to leave his self-righteous and better-than-thou bullshit behind but he had to distract Potter. And that meant the "old" Draco facade had to return…

Chapter Text

ON THE TRAIN

Harry Potter returned to the Weasley's house with the help of Dumbledore, surprising Ron, his family, and Hermione before they all went to King’s Cross together for the start of their sixth year at Hogwarts.

Malfoy went alone to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters to avoid any of the wizarding paparazzi asking about his locked-up father.

The Hogwarts Express traveled through the Scottish highlands, bringing lots of great views of the slowly setting sun and green plains for kilometers on end.

Luna Lovegood, the Ravenclaw cheerful oddball, traveled through the compartments offering her magazine, the Quibbler. She stopped, chatting with fellow Gryffindors, Dean Thomas and Ginny. “He’s lovely!” She remarks about Ginny’s pink pigmy puff, Arnold, on her shoulder. “They’ve been known to sing on Boxing Day, you know? Quibbler?”

Ginny accepts. Ginny scans over one of the pages. She asks, “What’s a wrackspurt?”

“They’re invisible creatures! They float in your ear and make your brain go fuzzy,” Luna explains. Ginny and Dean chuckle at the made-up creature, but Luna continues delivering her quirky articles, calling down the walkway. "Quibbler?!"

~~~~~

In the back of the train, the Golden Trio sat in their own closed compartment. Harry and his friends had tracked the Slytherin and his mother to Borgin and Burkes a couple of weeks ago in Diagon - Knockturn - Alley. The concept of Malfoy being in there with the sketchy audience members seemed to stump Harry. “So what was Draco doing with that weird-looking cabinet? And who were all those people?”

Ron and Hermione shrugged in their seats.

“Don’t you see? It was a ceremony! An initiation,” Harry continued.

“Stop it, Harry,” Hermione replied, looking up from her book. “I know where you’re going with this.”

“It’s happened! He’s one of them!” the brunet insisted.

“One of what?” Ron inquired.

Hemione scoffed at Ron’s obliviousness. “Harry’s under the impression that Draco Malfoy is now a Death Eater.”

“You’re barking!” the redhead laughed, adjusting in his seat. “What would You-Know-Who want with a sod like Malfoy?”

“Bu- T-Then what’s he doing in Borgin and Burkes?” Harry asked. “Browsing for furniture?”

“It’s a creepy shop; he’s a creepy bloke,” Ron reasoned.

“Look, his father is a Death Eater. It only makes sense!” Harry explained. “Besides, Hermione saw it with her own eyes!”

“I told you, I don’t know what I saw,” the brunette corrected, glancing up from her novel. "We don't have any official proof any-"

“I need some air,” Harry decided, cutting off Hermione. Having made up his mind, Harry leaped from his seat. He grabbed his invisibility cloak and left the closed compartment. He walked towards the front of the train with only one thought, “What was Malfoy up to? ” Harry had promised himself to remain civil with Malfoy, but now the blond boy aroused suspicion. 

Draco Malfoy was in the open compartments with Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini, Slytherin classmates and best friends, and fixing his luggage to fit in the high compartment on the other side of them. Harry closely watched from the openings between the train carts, examining his every move. 

In his pocket was the Peruvian darkness powder from Fred and George’s joke shop in Diagon Alley. The solid navy stone was dropped to the ground and it instantly blinded everyone in the cart. This gave Harry just enough time to put on his invisibility cloak and hide beside the luggage above Pansy and Blaise.

“What was that?!” Draco asked, huffing through the smoke, wafting his hand to see.

“It’s probably just a first year messing around,” Pansy Parkinson replied amongst the coughing students. “Come on Draco, sit down. You too Blaise, we’ll be at Hogwarts soon.” Both the boys sat down with Pansy at the table, Malfoy with a cross expression.

“Hogwarts,” the Slytherin started. “What a pathetic excuse for a school. Think I’d pitch myself off the astronomy tower if I have to continue for another two years.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Pansy said concerned. “This doesn’t sound like you, Draco.”

“Let’s just say I don’t think you’ll see me wasting my time on charms class next year,” the blond laughs. Blaise snickers and Pansy lightly elbows him. “Amused Blaise? We’ll see just who’s laughing in the end.”

Blaise rolls his eyes at his friend's quip. Pansy frowns at her friend's disappointed face. She grew up with Draco, along with all her best friends. He was never like this. The Slytherin enjoyed Charms and D.A.D.A., he was practically king in Potions with Professor Snape as the teacher. Suddenly, he was acting like he was above it all? Both Pansy and Blaise looked at one another in worry. They knew something was wrong when their friend didn’t respond to any of their letters over the summer holiday. This was proof.

Draco looked up to the overhead storage. His briefcase up there shifted and there was no turbulence on the tracks to cause it. The Slytherin was suspicious of someone watching him. Must’ve been Potter… Here we go, Draco rolled his eyes.

Harry gazed down at Malfoy’s sour look. He shifted to get a better look, moving into the luggage. When the blond lifted his eyes to the overhead area, Harry knew he was done for. The brunet never really was a subtle one…

~~~~~

The Hogwarts Express came to a slow halt at the end of its track. The groundskeeper and friendly half-giant, Rubeus Hagrid, stood watch with his dog Fang, for the first years making their way to sorting. Hermione and Ron left the compartment, not seeing Harry but assumed he had already gotten off the train. Meanwhile, the Gryffindor stayed in the overhead compartment. Draco, knowing he was up there, excused his friends to leave without him.

“You two go on. I wanna check something,” Draco says.

"Will you be alright, Dragon?" Pansy asks.

"He'll be fine, Pans. He's the best of us," Blaise assures.

Draco smiles at his friends and motions for them to leave. Pansy nods and she leaves with Blaise. The Slytherin grabs his briefcase to look like he’s getting off the train like everyone else but stops at the door when everyone else has left. Draco closes the train cart door and magically closes the window shutters so no one would see anything. The boy took a deep breath.

“Didn’t mummy ever tell you it was rude to eavesdrop, Potter?” Draco taunts. He aims his wand above and hits Harry with the freezing spell, “Petrificus Totalus!”

As Harry knew something was coming, he tried to move but instead, he fell off the edge onto one of the tables and the floor, hurting his back. He was frozen in place and wouldn’t be able to move for a while thanks to the git. Draco smirks at the ground, walking over to where Harry fell, the only sound in the silence is the click of his dress shoes.

Malfoy removed the invisibility cloak, revealing Harry’s head had only just missed the edge of the other side’s seats. The blond glanced over at the Chosen One. “Oh yeah,” he remarked. “She was dead before you could wipe the drool off your chin.” Before thinking twice, Malfoy stomped on Harry’s face, breaking his nose.

Malfoy picked back up the cloak before sneering in Harry’s face, “That was for my Father. Enjoy your ride back to London!” He covered Harry, picked up his case, and opened the door before turning back one last time to the invisible body. “Can’t have you interfering with my plans Potter, not this time,” the Slytherin whispered softly before slamming the door shut.

Luckily, Harry didn’t have to wait long before Luna Lovegood found Harry. With the help of her Spectrespecs, she was able to see Harry through the cloak. “Finite!” She exclaimed, both revealing Harry and breaking the frozen spell. Harry gasped for air, sitting up quickly.

“Hello, Harry!” the Ravenclaw beamed.

“Luna? How’d you know where I was?” Harry asked, letting the blood drip from his nose.

“Wrackspurts! Your head’s full of them!” Luna stated proudly. Both looked around the compartment before catching up to meet with the other students on foot rather than in a carriage. Most had already gotten to the Great Hall and left their luggage items to Professor Flitwick and several other people. 

“About time! I’ve been looking all over for you two!” Flitwick complained. “Names?”

“Professor Flitwick, you’ve known me for five years?” Harry mentions, confused.

“No exceptions… Potter.” The shorter man says.

“Who are those people?” the blonde points her wand toward a male and female standing on the edge of the forest path in large coats.

“Aurors, for security.” Going through the trunks, aurors were searching to make sure nothing dangerous was being smuggled onto the school grounds now that Minister Cornelius Fudge finally realized that Voldemort had indeed returned. 

Still getting checked was Malfoy. The aurors grabbed a snake-headed cane from his Hogwarts trunk for inspection, but the Slytherin refused to let them have his father’s cane. Harry and Luna watched on as Draco snatched the cane back from the suspecting man as Professor Snape vouched for the supposed weapon. Malfoy caught Harry’s eye, teasing his bashed nose, “Nice face Potter!”

Harry smiled jokingly and Malfoy and Snape left for the Great Hall.

Luna looked at Harry's crooked nose, offering to fix it. She claimed only using the healing spell on several toes but assured Harry it’d be just the same. She refused to mention the pain it was to heal it back in place as she swayed her wand, “Episkey!” Harry grunted in pain but ultimately felt better knowing his nose was back in place and everything looked fine once again.

Chapter Text

DUMBLEDORE'S MESSAGE AND THREE AMORTENTIA SMELLS

Draco spelled himself into his Slytherin robes and made his way to the Great Hall. He sat across from Pansy, put his head in his hands, and escaped into deep thought. Maybe I went too far by breaking Potter’s nose? Was Potter actually leaving with the train back to London? God, Weaselbee and his Gryffindork friends must be really worried! How the fuck am I going to repair a vanishing cabinet? “Reparo” could only do so much… maybe I should send Mother a letter? How am I gonna-

"Draco? You alright mate?" Blaise inquires, shaking Draco from his thoughts.

"Yeah, you are looking a little pale," Pansy confirmed. "Maybe you should eat something, the small steaks are good this time."

"Don't worry Pans, I'm fine," Draco shook his head. "Just thinking."

From across the room, two tables away, the conversation was interrupted by hearing Granger loudly smacking Weasley with her book. He could hear her clearly shout, “Will. You. Stop. Eating?! Your best friend is missing!”

As if right on cue, the Golden Boy and his blonde friend came through the large doors together in their house robes. Potter was clutching a rag to the broken nose Draco had caused. Draco squinted, barely making out the fact the Gryffindor's nose was fixed back in place, mostly. Both the Weaslette and Longbottom looked greatly concerned.

“Where have you been? What happened to your face?” Hermione mothered.

“Later,” Harry answered as he sat down. “What’ve I missed?” 

Ron spoke up, “The usual sorting, and the Hat told us to be brave and strong during these troubled times. Easy for it to say, it’s a hat!”

Harry nodded in agreement.

At the front of the Hall, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore took to his owl stand to give the annual beginning-of-the-year speech. “The very best of evenings to you all!” He started. The Great Hall’s loud conversations came to a quiet close.

“First off, let me introduce the newest member of our staff: Horace Slughorn!” Dumbledore gestured to the Head table of staff members, pointing out a man beside Snape and Hagrid. Harry knew the man from earlier that month because he and Dumbledore went to his vandalized house to fix it and offered him the job as Potions Master, again. The last time he taught was before the First Wizarding War when he taught Harry’s parents. Seemed like a great guy, Harry couldn't complain so far. Anything would be better if it meant he didn't have Snape breathing down his neck to see if he and Ron would mess up.

The crowd of students and professors clapped in acceptance of their new professor.

“Meanwhile,” Dumbledore continued. “The post of Defense Against the Dark Arts will be taken by Professor Snape.”

Many of the students whispered in annoyance. Most students of Hogwarts knew that Snape had been after the job for years. Now, he was most certainly going to be ruthless in his lectures. Draco was fond of the idea of his godfather as the new D.A.D.A. professor, but Potions class was his strong suit and he didn’t need a new professor to mess that up. The other Slytherins were thrilled, clapping louder than the rest of the Great Hall for their Head of House.

“Now, as each of you know, you were searched upon your arrival tonight. And you have the right to know why,” the professor stated. “Once, there was a young man… like you… sat in this very hall, walked this castle’s grounds and corridors… stepped under its roof. He seemed to all the world a student like any other. His name? Tom Riddle. ”

Harry knew that name very well. The name haunted his dreams and terrorized him in his everyday life. He couldn’t shake the chills down his spine hearing that name. Draco on the other hand didn’t recognize the name. Despite being a follower of the Dark Lord now, he had no knowledge of his real name, only the unholy power he possessed.

“Today, of course, he is known all over the world by another name. Which is why, as I stand looking out upon you all tonight, I’m reminded of the sobering fact that every day, every hour, this very minute perhaps, dark forces attempt to penetrate this castle’s walls. But in the end, their greatest weapon is you,” the Headmaster said eerily.

Harry and his Gryffindor friends listened closely to Dumbledore’s speech. They’d faced many of his followers head-on, especially before the summer. They knew the power the Death Eaters controlled. Draco sat with his face in his hand, listening closely as well, knowing that what the bearded man said was true. Dark forces were trying to get into the castle and he was forced to let them in, making Hogwarts doomed to chaos.

“Just something to think about. Now off to bed, pip pip!” Dumbledore finished. At the end of his speech, all the students of Hogwarts removed themselves and went off to their house common rooms. 

Harry and Draco could barely sleep that evening. One couldn’t stop thinking of the danger he was going to put Potter and everyone in after he got back from the Room of Requirement, checking out this supposed other vanishing cabinet. The other couldn’t stop thinking about Malfoy and what the Death Eaters must’ve put him up to. He tracked the name around the castle that evening, looking at the Marauder’s map from his Father, Sirius, Remus, and Pettigrew.

~~~~~

The following morning, the halls were filled to the brim with students finding their way to their classes. Harry and Ron were amongst the wall, stepping up on its decorative molding to stay high above the foot traffic, laughing about something. Professor McGonagall directed the students in the right direction, one student almost going into the wrong lavatory. She caught the eye of Harry and Ron, directing them to Potions in hopes of getting them their needed classes for becoming possible future aurors.

Both boys walked into the Potions classroom, the lecture already having commenced. Professor Slughorn halted when he heard the boys bickering. “Ah! Harry, my boy, I was beginning to worry!” Slughorn said as if expecting him to show up. “Brought someone with us I see?” Malfoy looked to the pair; Harry seemed particularly happy, Ron not so much.

“Ron Weasley, Sir” Ron introduced. “I’m dead awful at Potions, a menace actually, so I’m probably just-” Ron went to leave Harry with the class, but Harry held a strong hand to his back, keeping his best friend in the class. Hermione and Draco snickered a bit at the boys.

“Nonsense! We’ll sort you out! Any friend of Harry’s is a friend of mine, just get your books out-” Slughorn accepted Ron and Harry into the group of students.

“Sorry Sir, but I haven’t actually gotten my books yet,” Harry interrupted. “Nor has Ron.”

“Not to worry, just get yourself one from the cupboard,” Slughorn pointed to their right.

With the boys sorted out, the professor continued with the lecture. He pointed to the various brews he had displayed on the large table in front of his students. Some were in large cauldrons and some were in tiny vials. Hermione mentions one was Veritaserum, the truth-telling potion. Another was Polyjuice potion, a brew she was familiar with since second year when the trio tried to turn into Crabbe, Goyle, and Millicent Bulstrode.

Hermione persisted in her vast knowledge with the next potion. Draco pinched his nose and low-key wished for the brainiac to shut up. He was grateful that they were able to get on with the lecture without much halting, but damn.

Amortentia sat in a much larger cauldron than the rest. It was the most powerful love potion in the world and was created from rose petals, powdered moonstone, and fairy wings. It was also distinctly known for its mother-of-pearl sheen. “It’s rumored to smell differently according to what attracts them,” Hermione elucidates. “For example, I smell: freshly mown grass, and parchment, and spearmint… toothpaste.” 

Harry and Ron took their places beside their classmates. Harry could see the blush on Hermione's pale face. He remembered back to the Burrow. Hermione had forgotten to wipe off a small glob of toothpaste when he had first arrived and Ron noticed it. She had blushed then too. Ron's toothpaste happened to be spearmint flavored.

“Good Miss Granger! Ten points to Gryffindor! Now, you all must understand that Amortentia doesn’t create actual love as that would be impossible, but it does create strong infatuation or obsession. Any other volunteers to try smelling it before we go on?” Slughorn offered. He scanned across his audience. “Mr. Potter perhaps?”

Draco raised his head to Potter, who slowly walked forward. He seemed almost nervous to reveal the secret smells of whoever he desired. Harry’s face flushed as he hovered over the brew, taking in a whiff of the Amortentia. “I smell the leather of Quidditch equipment and the smell of new parchment…” Harry says. Hermione looks at her friend confused. “... and the smell of apple. Granny smith apple.”

Harry looks nervously at Hermione and Ron, glancing ever so quickly at Malfoy. Hermione raised an eyebrow at her friend. Harry blushed; the green apple must’ve been a dead giveaway to who he smelled because only a fool wouldn’t notice the Slytherin boy munching on a granny smith during usual breakfast. They had always been competitive in quidditch, that much was logical. But what did the parchment mean?

Why would I smell Malfoy? Harry wondered. I don’t like him at all!

Draco’s pale cheeks blushed, no one able to see it from his dark corner. Potter was attracted to me? After all these years?! His brain countered him, Oh shut up, we’ll just put him in danger if we pursue this. This is a bad idea. Draco scolded himself, Shut up brain!

Slughorn gave another ten points to Gryffindor with Harry’s volunteering, before introducing Felix Felicis, or Liquid Luck. Students of the potions class were ordered to brew the Draught of Living Death to win the vial of said luck. Slughorn wished his students luck, and everyone left to their seats to begin. As Draco returned to his spot at his table, he got a small whiff of the Amortentia. He smelled orange and a roasting fire. The citrusy smell was definitely Potter, who never failed to miss the orange treacle tart dessert in the Great Hall.

As for the Draught of Living Death, not even Granger and Draco (who was in desperate need of it) were able to succeed with the help of proper textbook instructions. Crabbe melted his stirring spoon, Finnigan blew up his face, and both Goyle and Weasley almost lost a sopophorous bean. Pansy, Draco, and Granger's hair had been the worst anyone had ever seen it during their years. Blaise's mixture would've been alright, but he stirred his brew in the wrong direction and added one of the ingredients way too late.

Only Harry, with the help of unknown writings in his textbook, was able to brew the perfect Draught of Living Death, successfully winning the Felix Felicis.

~~~~~

After a few weeks of classes, Dumbledore called upon Harry to speak with him. In the meeting, he told Harry about Tom Riddle’s relation to Professor Slughorn and how he wasn’t just back to fill the Potions Master post. Dumbledore needed to collect a memory and ordered Harry to get close to the professor in hopes of retrieving it. When Dumbledore allowed him to leave, Harry went back to the common room to stay by the toasty fire and spend time with his friends.

Hermione cuddled up on the large couch with her book. Ron played Wizard’s Chess with Seamus. Harry dressed in his pajamas and played Exploding Snap with Dean and Neville before he decided he needed some quiet. Harry propped himself up on his bed and opened up the Marauder's map. His finger traced the magical parchment until he found the Slytherin's name. Malfoy was on the other side of the school, sneaking out of the Slytherin common room, and the name was followed to the seventh floor. Suddenly, the name stopped at a dead end and disappeared.

Draco remembered his mum's instructions and went upstairs to the seventh floor. Up there was the Room of Requirement. He knew of the place last year, thanks to catching Potter going behind Umbridge’s back. Instead of an open and glassy space like he remembered, it was crowded with lots of old and dusty furniture and appliances. An old record player played low opera and you could hear the flapping of whatever bats or bugs hid away amongst the mess. Antique jewelry boxes lay around on scattered tables and a broken globe lay smashed on the floor.

With a Granny Smith apple in hand, Draco searched again for the vanishing cabinet. It was much taller than he was, black, with intricate designs in the wood. The cabinet looked older than most of the architecture in the Slytherin common room, and that was thousands of years old. He had covered the vanishing cabinet up with a red curtain drape that looked like it was from the seventies. The Slytherin looked it up and down as he did the first time, hearing the creepy creaks in the wooden doors. He whispered “Reparo ” in hopes that it would mend in the meantime, using his apples as a way to see if the teleportation between cabinets was effective.

The apples didn’t vanish, seemingly untouched. So that meant Draco had a lot of work to do.

Chapter Text

THE CURSED NECKLACE

Weeks turned into months and Hogwarts was back in full swing. September allowed for the trees to change color. October passed everyone by, jack-o-lanterns and buckets of loose candy hidden around the ground. The Gryffindor Quidditch team set up tryouts for many new players as the best players had graduated. With the help of Ginny, Harry ran drills for the future players to see who’d be best. Cormac McClaggen and Ron fought for the keeper spot. Ron beat out Cormac by a single save of the quaffle.

Hermione expressed great concern for Harry’s use of the “Half-Blood Prince’s” Potions textbook as it had some unfriendly spells and considerably qualified as cheating during class. Ron, of course, disagreed as Harry was top of Slughorn’s class. 

Harry kept watch on the Marauder’s map as he did every night, tracking the Malfoy boy sneaking out of the Dungeons to the other side of the school and disappearing off the map. It was certainly odd. 

What was Malfoy up to? Harry pondered.

As the December snow started to fall and the days got colder, many of the students traveled to Hogsmeade, the village outside of Hogwarts’ grounds. Most students went out for a warm butterbeer and cozy pre-Christmas dates. The Gryffindor Trio certainly fancied a butterbeer to keep cozy but Harry was mainly in for it to get close to Professor Slughorn, who headed to the Three Broomsticks too often, getting drunk on his purposefully spiked butterbeer. 

Unbeknownst to Harry, Draco Malfoy stood in the unoccupied girls’ loo of the Three Broomsticks with an ancient opal necklace. It was something he’d found in the Room of Requirement while exploring the abandoned area. Draco closed his eyes and took a deep breath, unsure of himself. 

I can't do this! At any moment a girl could waltz in and hex my bollocks off.  He'd probably be expelled more like. He couldn't, he just couldn't do it.

Fuck… Draco silently groaned, tilting his head back. He was mentally pounding his head on the walls beside him. His nose scrunched up and his forehead was getting more wrinkled by the moment. What was he thinking, following a plan like this?! That's right, he wasn't! He wouldn't do this if he and his family weren't so close to being one curse away from their graves.

His aunt Bellatrix wrote in a letter a deadly curse for her nephew to use. It wasn’t close to the three Unforgivable Curses but was still quite deadly. Draco huffed as he placed the curse on the opal necklace. He placed the necklace in its package using the levitation charm and covered it in suede. He set fire to his aunt's letter and let the paper towels drown the ashes in the trash. The next girl who walked in would be placed under the Imperious curse and be requested to deliver it straight to Dumbledore.

As the Golden Trio arrived, the blond left the lavatory shaking. He couldn't believe he just did that. His adrenaline was through the roof and he felt almost faint, like he was being overheated at the same time he was chilled to the bone. Now, the second mission was being set in motion. Draco caught the Chosen One's gaze for a few seconds, holding it steady as he could before he left the Three Broomsticks in a hurry, adjusting his black scarf. The cold feeling stepping outside almost felt refreshing, but not enough to calm his nausea.

Harry’s green eyes had followed Malfoy’s motions to the door and he raised a brow. Hermione ordered three butterbeers for herself and her friends, hers the only one with ginger sprinkled on. Ron squirmed in his seat, distracted by Ginny and Dean’s date. The brunette played it off, even their snogging. She claimed that if Ginny saw her and Ron kissing, she wouldn't expect her to leave. It was only hypothetical of course, but Harry saw the rose in her cheeks.

Harry and Hermione also got greeted by Slughorn. He was slurring his words and spilled his drink on the girl's lap, but she didn't express any anger for his mistake. The professor invited his top students to the Slug Club dinner party and Harry seemed too excited for Ron's taste. Harry only explained that his facade was to keep up good appearances with the man because Dumbledore asked. Ron only nodded, it was for Dumbledore after all.

~~~~~

On the way back to the castle, the trio traveled the snow-covered path. Two Gryffindor girls ahead of them were whispering to each other and no one paid any mind to them. That was until one of the girls, Leanne, screeched, “I warned her! I warned her not to touch it!”

On the ground was Katie Bell, one of the Gryffindor chasers. She was being swayed on the ground by an unknown force before being levitated into the air, as if being possessed. She then crashed back down into the powdered snow. It was hard to determine if she had hit her head when landing. 

The trio tried to rush to help Katie, but Hagrid interfered from behind them, saying not to move. He picked up Katie and took her to the Hospital Wing. Before he left, he advised the Gryffindors not to touch the necklace Katie was carrying unless it was wrapped in something for safety. Everyone reported back to the Castle and to their Head of House.

Professor McGonagall gathered the pair of ladies and gentlemen into her office. When questioned, Leanne explained through light tears to Gryffindor's Head of House that Katie did not have the necklace when she entered the Three Broomsticks, only when she left the girls’ lavatory there. The necklace was important because she was meant to deliver it to Dumbledore. Professor McGonagall accepted her statement and allowed the girl to leave. Just then, Professor Snape arrived, called upon to examine the evidence from the incident.

The trio remained with the professors as they examined the necklace. Snape ran his wand along the necklace, running some diagnostic on it. He claimed Katie was lucky enough to even be alive after touching the cursed item. Harry immediately suspected Malfoy as he seemed to be the only one to exit the lavatory area before Katie and Leanne left. Harry voiced his opinion to the professors, without the extra knowledge explained.

Hermione side-eyed him. 

“That is a serious accusation, Potter!” Professor McGonagall gasped.

“Indeed,” Snape drawled. “Your evidence?”

“I just know,” Harry stated, a nervous tick crawling across his body. 

Hermione looked cross with Harry. Assuming Draco would have the bollocks to use a deadly curse on an innocent student like Katie? Barbaric!

“You just… know? ” Snape repeated. “Once again you astonish me with your gifts, Potter. Only mere mortals can dream of possessing such a gift. How grand it must be… to be the Chosen One?” Sensing the tension between Snape and Harry, Professor McGonagall spoke up and sent the trio back to the Gryffindor dormitories.

~~~~~

In the Gryffindor common room, Hermione and Harry were the only ones to stay awake later. Harry was on the couch next to her, lounging by the open fire. He was keeping tabs on the Slytherin again with the Marauder’s map. Harry had been doing this every night for the past few months. Harry was driving himself into insanity, seeing barely any change in Malfoy's travel patterns, except for a few nights a week the guy kept in the dungeons. 

Ron had seen him do it several times, asking Harry about it. His friend never fully specified why, just claimed it was for "research." 

Hemione grew worried for Harry. She'd seen him spend many nights staring aimlessly at the enchanted parchment. Tonight, he was doing it more intently. She watched him, almost ready to predict the exact moment his eyes might burst from his skull. The guy barely blinked.

“Don’t you think this obsession of yours with Malfoy is getting a little unhealthy Harry?” Hermione asks. “You’ve been following him for months, even skipping Quidditch practices. Just because you're captain now doesn't mean you get to skip when you want. Ginny's furious about that, you know. If you keep this up you'll go insane. You accused him today of cursing Katie with no proof. I- Do you really think he’s got the bollocks to use a deadly curse like that?”

“It’s not an… obsession. I-I’m just trying to see what he’s up to,” Harry stuttered. Had he not been that subtle? “He and Katie being in the loo can’t be just a coincidence!”

Hermione shook her head with a small knowing grin. She had seen the two boys grow up together, they were more like Ron and Hermione during the first half of First Year. They mostly bickered and threw insults like boys do, rather than pull on pigtails. If Harry were a girl, there'd be no doubt that Draco liked Harry. The bushy-haired girl could see the signs and Harry was blatantly obsessed with him. Harry was too much of a stereotypical guy to see it.

“Do I need to check you for Amortentia, Harry?” Harry rolled his eyes at his friend's rhetorical question. He wasn't even sure why she asked such a question. Was she worried Malfoy smuggled him something? “They needed to use the lavatory at the same time, big deal… I’m going off to bed.” Hermione bookmarked and closed her book, heading towards the curling stairs before being stopped by Harry.

“Wait- Hermione!” Harry shouted. Hermione paused and looked back at the boy on the couch. “I think I’ll follow Malfoy on the Marauder’s map, after Slughorn’s Christmas party.”

Hermione rolled her eyes, “I told you Harry, you’re wasting your time on this. Just because Malfoy has been a prick to us, doesn’t mean he’s up to something bad now. He’s stopped his bullying this year. He seems to have finally grown up. It’s time to move on.”

“B-But he’s a Death Eater!” Harry called out.

“We don’t know that for sure. All I know is that I'm over the childish nonsense and you should be too. I won't forgive him for saying those words that cut deep, but we're almost adults, Harry,” Hermione replied calmly. “It's time to grow up, all of us. Now, goodnight Harry.”

Shortly after Hermione went off to bed, Harry did the same. He checked the Marauder’s map one more time before falling asleep for the night.

During his sleep, Harry remembered what happened at the end of his fifth year. He was surrounded by the wizarding paparazzi as Dumbledore guided him blindly through the Ministry and flashing cameras back to Hogwarts. He caught glimpses of Malfoy in the Daily Prophet from the newspaper burning at the Weasleys. Malfoy traveling down Knockturn Alley to Borgin and Burkes with his mum. His flashing silvery eyes. He woke from his slumber with heavy breathing. It was still dark outside, the kettle fire had dimmed and the other Gryffindor boys were still asleep. Thinking of the Slytherin, Harry grabbed his wand and his invisibility cloak, following the Marauder’s map to where the blond was.

~~~~~

Draco Malfoy was going to the Astronomy Tower for some peace and quiet. He’d heard from Pansy all evening after dinner that he looked very stressed, paler, and thinner from not eating much food. She offered some secretive muggle yoga exercises as a way to decompress and practically shoved the entire large plate of mashed potatoes toward him. Blaise offered to play Wizard's Chess and Gregory asked for help on his Potions homework. Draco helped the boys while Pansy painted her nails, but Draco refused the muggle yoga, opting to stay up in his dorm staring at the ominous ceiling of his bed canopy in silence after.

Draco couldn’t grapple with his unforgivable actions at the Three Broomsticks. It was terrible to put a curse on anyone. If he could, he would’ve rather cursed his father and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named a long time ago. At least with his peace, he’d be able to drown in his feelings, away from any suspecting students and other people. 

Most times, he’d weep or complain in the second-floor girls’ bathroom. 

It was haunted by Moaning Myrtle, which explains why he’d even be allowed in there in the first place. He’d grown close with her, even being able to know her real name and what she liked. 

Her name was Elizabeth and she was a muggle-born Ravenclaw. When she was alive, she liked sugar quills and intricate puzzles. She liked watching muggle tele with her little muggle brother and playing muggle hopscotch when she was younger too. In school, she struggled with bullying due to her glasses, her pigtails, and her blood status, which showed Draco just how cruel he was to Granger and Potter.

Tonight, however, the crisp winter air as it snowed felt calming to Draco. The clouds covered up the midnight sky and all its constellations. He’d look up there and see his family’s constellations. His mother was part of the Black family, meaning every member born into it had a name relating to that or the other terms of astronomy. His aunt Andromeda, who was disgraced from the family tree for marrying a muggle, was named after another galaxy. His Great-Uncle Orion was named for the famous hunter. 

Of course, Draco was named for the dragon constellation in between Ursa major and minor.

Draco rested his arms on the iron ledge, looking over the Hogwarts grounds. The forest of evergreens had been turned white and every roofline was smothered in snow. The grounds were empty, but that’s not to say it didn’t look beautiful as the snow glistened in the moonlight. The Slytherin heard a small shuffle behind him and aimed his wand at anything that would’ve been a threat, but nothing was there. Draco’s frightened expression turned soft before it contorted sour.

Draco teared up for it all. He was devastated for being terrible to everyone, especially Potter and his friends, and the muggle-borns. He was terrified by Voldemort, getting nightmares every bloody night imagining what would happen if he failed. Seeing dreams of his family and friends' dead bodies would haunt him forever. His arm with the Death Eater tattoo flared up in the middle of classes a lot and Pansy asked him if he was alright. He assured her he was okay, however, he couldn’t tell her of the excruciating burning.

The blond was sure he wouldn't be coming back to Hogwarts next year once he let the Death Eaters in. His school/home would become a war zone and its Headmaster and protector would soon be gone. Draco cried and scratched hard at the Dark Mark on his arm, not caring if anyone was watching him. The pain almost felt too good, like he deserved it for all the chaos he’d caused today. For all he knew, Potter could be right down under the stairs. He just wanted the pain to stop; it all needed to stop. Scratching and peeling the Dark Mark seemed to be the only option because no one would save him if he bled out…

What the Malfoy didn’t know was that his nemesis was under the winding staircase to the upper level of the Astronomy tower where Draco was. He stood quietly under his invisibility cloak, silently watching the boy. Harry could hear the small whimpers and see Draco’s twisted expression when Harry walked around to get a closer look. He heard Draco crying, but he couldn’t possibly figure out why the boy was crying. All he knew was he wanted to comfort him, but he knew that wasn’t possible. 

They weren’t friends. 

So, he left, not bearing to listen to the heartbreaking sobs.

Chapter Text

DRAMA AT THE CHRISTMAS PARTY

A week later, Professor Slughorn gathered his favorite and best students in his classes for dinner and dessert, it was not the Slug Club per se, but it was more an invitational unknown test. Everyone shared stories of their younger youth and their families. Neville explained he was deemed a squib until 8 years old. Cormac McClaggen talked about hunting with his uncle and the minister. He also flirted with Hermione across the table. It made both Harry and Hermione uncomfortable seeing the guy trying to seductively smolder and suck the vanilla bean ice cream off his pinky finger. Through her extreme unease, Hermione was able to tell Slughorn about her parents being dentists in the muggle world, explaining the ups and downs to the profession. Another student couldn’t stop scarfing down his ice cream or talking with his mouth full.

After the small meeting, Harry stayed behind with the Potions Master. They joked about other classmates not making “the shelf,” directing Harry down the path of asking about Tom Riddle. Tom Riddle had made the shelf and was in his Slug Club from what he saw in some of the other memories with Dumbledore. Slughorn froze when Harry inquired. Harry reassured the man he was just curious since Riddle killed his parents and simply wanted to know more. 

Slughorn understood that sentiment. Any child who didn't know their parents would surely want to know the man responsible for their disappearance. The elder compared young Riddle to other students who wanted to become great wizards. Riddle was even considered similar to Harry himself in that regard. Slughorn expressed that whatever darkness lay inside, the professor didn’t realize it was far beneath the innocent surface his previous student revealed.

~~~~~

The next day was the last Quidditch game before the winter holidays. It was an extremely big day for the Gryffindor and Slytherin houses, a day of classic Quidditch rivalry. Ron was undeniably nervous walking through the Great Hall for breakfast. Neville and Seamus all wished him luck to calm him, but it wasn’t enough as he sat down with other Gryffindors. Unlike the other Slytherins, Draco wasn’t interested in teasing Ron for his skills or the fact he wore his Quidditch helmet to breakfast. He had too much on his mind.

He hadn't made any progress in the Room of Requirement. In reality, he had sat around wasting precious time. Some of the apples would go rotten, forgotten by the Slytherin. His tailbone ached from sitting on the stone ground with his back against the wooden cabinet. Pansy could see her friend's sunken eyes get more red and purple by the day. She advised taking a sleeping potion to help him, and Blaise recommended going to Madam Pomfrey for his nightmares. Blaise could hear Draco's whimpers in his sleep, he didn't know what to do, so he only tried to go back to sleep. Crabbe and Goyle were too dumb for their own good to see the Malfoy's struggling. Their friend was too stubborn, telling them he was fine.

He had to get through it on his own. No one could help him.

Two tables away, Ron looked down at his breakfast of egg on toast and couldn’t begin to stomach the delicious meal. Ron asked about the dinner party with Slughorn. Hermione answered it was pretty boring for the most part. She then brought up the Christmas party he’d be throwing soon as being able to join the Slug Club officially. Ron sneered, “Well I suppose you’ll be bringing McClaggen then?”

“Actually, I was going to ask you,” Hermione lightly snapped, going back to her reading of the Daily Prophet.

“Really…” Ron scoffed. Suddenly, Ron’s extreme panic for the match set in. “I’m resigning! After today’s match, McClaggen can have my spot.”

“Have it your way,” Harry smugly replied, handing him a small goblet of pumpkin juice. There wasn't any way after this Ron would give up his position!

“Hello everyone!” Luna interrupted, standing behind the redhead. She was dressed for Gryffindor support with a whole lion’s head that blinked and everything. It was the epitome of Ravenclaw's creativity. “You look dreadful Ron! Is that why you put something in his cup? Is it a tonic?”

Harry snuck back his unused liquid luck into his pockets, unbeknownst to Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Luna. “Liquid luck?” Hermione questioned. She looked between the two Gryffindor boys with disappointment. “Don’t drink it, Ron!”

Opposite to what the brunette advised, Ron drank the whole goblet of juice. Harry had an epic smile on his face. “You could be expelled for that!” Hermione scolded her friend.

“I dunno what you’re talking about,” Harry replied nonchalantly. Ron’s face lit up instantly, energized to win their match against the Snakes.

“C'mon Harry, we have a game to win!” Ron and Harry shook hands and left the Great Hall, eager to beat Slytherin into a pulp. Hermione's eyes widened, confused about what the bloody hell had just occurred. Luna paid no mind to it, ready to watch the drama unfold on the pitch. The two girls dragged themselves out of their seats to grab their winter wear, and soon everyone made their way to the match.

The snow was blistering outside and it was cold as hell. This didn’t stop the Quidditch stands from being filled with students supporting the two rival houses. Both teams played super competitively and the chasers were ruthless with their playing strategies. Ginny was extremely fast and agile, Blaise with determined and calculated, but Ron was the star of the match. Harry waited in the flurries, keeping an eye out for the snitch. Pansy cheered for her boyfriend, Crabbe and Goyle doing the same. Draco had been dragged out by the girl, but secretly he enjoyed seeing his friend and famous Pottah playing his favorite sport. Oh how he wished he could be back as seeker.

The match seemed to be going in Gryffindor's favor. Lee Jordan announced loudly as usual, all the professors behind getting a kick out of the game. No matter what came Ron's way, even if the save seemed impossible, he managed to be an amazing keeper for the Gryffindor team. He blocked nearly every one of the chasers’ throws. The crowds of the Gryffindor support went wild, cheering louder and louder with each save. Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron’s success, only to find out later that he’d just been a great player with no liquid luck at all.

Gryffindor successfully pummeled Slytherin, making Ronald Weasley the hero who single-handedly saved the Quidditch match.

~~~~~~

After that tremendous day, students were in a hurry to study for their midterm exams.

Harry studied with Hermione in the library and talked about the Christmas party coming up in a week or so. Hermione had a surprise date and Harry would take Luna as a friend. Hermione cursed herself for not going with Harry's idea of just taking a friend.

Harry remained great in Potions and kept a watchful eye on Malfoy. They didn’t interact much during the first part of the term, but something changed that day. In class, the Slytherin wrote a note and left it on Harry’s desk:

“I know you’re stalking me, Potter! If I were you, I’d stop before it’s too late.” Both boys made eye contact, signaling that the note was received. How did Malfoy know Harry was stalking him? He only used the Marauder's map at night... and he skipped a few Quidditch practices... and sometimes he missed dinner. That was only one time though!

That night, Harry was determined to meet the prick face to face. Harry went to leave the common room before Hermione caught him. “Harry! Don’t play his game!”

“He wouldn’t need to threaten me if he had nothing to hide, Hermione,” Harry said. He left in search of the Slytherin prince with his enchanted parchment in hand. 

“Harry! Harry!” Hermione called after him. Harry didn’t listen. "Stubborn git..." Ron whispered.

Following the Marauder’s map, Harry caught the Malfoy off guard in one of the corridors of the sixth floor.

“I wouldn’t stop until I found out what you’re up to,” Harry said with his chest puffed out a bit.

The Slytherin came within inches of his face, attempting to intimidate him. Harry noticed Malfoy had certainly grown a lot taller in the past year, not to put it past either that he was more handsome too. His jaw was more angular and his cheeks were more refined without the baby fat. Harry could barely make out the flesh tone on his pasty face. His silver eyes had speckles of blue, almost aquamarine. His lips were similar to the flesh tone of his cheeks. His brows were much darker than his platinum hair.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Malfoy!” Harry struggled to keep his gaze up at the boy, gulping. Harry was losing his patience with the looks of the Slytherin.

“I’m not afraid of you, Potter!” Malfoy snarled.

“Well maybe you should be,” Harry threatened through a spatter.

The blond only snickered before going their separate ways.

Why would Draco Malfoy be scared of the Chosen One? Why did Harry buffer?

~~~~~

After exams, before the holiday leave, Slughorn held the great Christmas party everyone in the Slug Club was looking forward to. Chinese-styled, red-orange paper lanterns lined the hallway leading to the party. Luna walked hand in hand with her Gryffindor friend, expressing she’s never been to the Dungeons area of the Castle, or claimed not while awake since she sleepwalks. She then changed the subject, thanking Harry for inviting her to the party since no one ever does. It wasn't always great, standing out as the Ravenclaw oddball.

As Harry and his date entered, Draco sat quietly behind a wall nearby contemplating what to do next. He was tempted to crash the party to spend time with Blaise since he had made the club, or go back to repair the vanishing cabinet. He listened to the upbeat music, wishing that he was able to enter. Unfortunately, his grades slipped, making him ineligible to come, at least not without someone else inviting him. Blaise didn’t offer since he wanted to spend time with Pansy and Draco didn't want to ruin their date.

Draco decided to head back to the Room of Requirement, trying out the new spell his mother recommended as a more powerful mending spell. The Slytherin placed another green apple into the vanishing cabinet. He whispered the charm, “Harmonia Nectere Passus,” meaning “suffering to bind harmony” in Latin.

When Draco opened up the cabinet to see the apple, he didn't expect anything to have worked. To his surprise, a large bite had been taken out of it. The glistening of the apple juice dripped in the little light the Room allowed. Draco (almost) childishly jumped for joy with the spell actually working. He grinned and rushed to his dorm. He pulled out his quill and an inkpot with decorative parchment. He had to write his mother back saying she may have just saved them all!

~~~~~

Harry was having fun at the Christmas party. He enjoyed the 80s and recent 90s songs playing on the radio. He danced with Luna, much to her delight. Harry took photos with Professor Slughorn and they said their “Happy Christmases.” Neville was a busboy handing out drinks since he didn’t make it into the Slug Club, but found great promise anyway. Blaise twirled Pansy with laughter, almost to the point of tripping on her heels. With that they went to grab some refreshments. Meanwhile, Hermione was on the run, hiding from her date.

“Hermione? What are you doing?” Harry asked as he came to hide behind the pink see-through curtains with her. “And what happened to you?”

“I’ve just escaped… I mean, IleftCormacunderthemistletoe,” She stuttered, ashamed. Hermione played with the frays on her pink dress and heaved deep breaths.

“Cormac?” Harry jumped. “That’s who you invited?!” What was she thinking? Harry thought.

“I thought it would annoy Ron the most,” Hermione explained. Ah, Harry got his answer. Just wanted to get back at Lavender and Ron. “He’s got more tentacles than a snarfalump plant!”

Another student dressed similarly to Neville came behind the curtains and offered some hors d'oeuvres to the pair. On the plate, it almost looked like fruits and chocolate, but they were anything but. “Dragon tarte?”

“No, I’m fine thank you,” Hermione turned down.

“Just as well,” The boy agreed. “They give one horribly bad breath.”

“On second thoughts-” Hermione grabbed the whole plate and shoved multiple dragon balls into her mouth. “Might keep Cormac at bay. Oh god- Here he comes!” Hermione left the plate to Harry before ducking and rushing out of the curtains as Cormac entered.

After the drama between Cormac trying to ask Harry what Hermione's issue was, the pair were interrupted by a violent swipe of the curtains revealing an ominous Professor Snape. Cormac immediately ended up puking previously eaten dragon balls on Professor Snape’s feet and earned a month’s detention before excusing himself to clean up. Snape informed the Gryffindor boy that Dumbledore left on a mission and wouldn’t be back until the next part of the term began before leaving Harry alone.

If Snape’s slow talk wasn’t enough to put Harry on edge about Voldemort things, the crowd's tone got louder as the clamoring of footsteps increased. Harry went to see what was going on. Malfoy had gotten dragged into the party by Argus Filch, Hogwarts Caretaker and fellow Squib.

“Take your hand off me you filthy-” Malfoy cursed as Filch firmly dragged him by the back of his expensive suit, stopping in front of Slughorn and Snape. Pansy and Blaise, behind them, looked like they almost expected this to happen, face palming after seeing the blondie make his appearance. 

“Professor Slughorn, Sir. I just discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to be invited to your party,” Mr. Filch mentions. Draco’s breaths were deep in anger at himself for being caught by the caretaker. This led him right to Snape’s hands, and he didn’t want that.

“Okay! Okay! I was gatecrashing! Happy?” Draco exclaims. Harry raised an eyebrow. Pansy and Blaise were about to save his arse from their Head of House and-

“I’ll escort him out,” Snape says that way no one could interfere with punishment. Draco ripped himself away from Mr. Filch’s grip.

Draco looked his godfather in the eyes with malice. “Certainly… Professor. ” Snape and Malfoy took their leave and Harry secretly followed the pair behind them. 

Snape led Draco to an empty corridor and pushed him against the detailed wall, whisper-yelling at him, “You’re not being discreet enough, Draco!”

“What’s it to you? I don’t care!” Draco snapped. Draco felt like he was prey, and backed up into a dead end by a predator. He almost felt claustrophobic against the wall.

“I swore to protect you! I promised your mother with the Unbreakable Vow! Here you are, acting like a child!” Snape disciplined.

“I don’t need protection! I don’t want your protection! I never wanted it!” Draco snarled. “He chose this for me out of all the others; I have to protect my family! I won’t fail!”

“Look at you acting all high and mighty,” Snape poked before softening. “You’re afraid. You attempt to conceal it, but let me help you. You shouldn’t have to do this!”

“No! I’ll manage without it!” Draco said aggressively, trying to keep his head held high. “I don’t need anybody!”

Harry, behind the corridor wall, could hear it all. Malfoy was, now, clearly up to something and Professor Snape was in on it. Malfoy sounded in trouble, but he didn’t let that stop him.

But what?! What was Malfoy doing that required an Unbreakable Vow of protection? Why was Snape helping Malfoy?

Harry had to get to the bottom of it.

Chapter Text

ATTEMPTED INTERCEPTION

The last night before leaving for the winter holidays, Draco Malfoy returned to the Astronomy Tower. His mental health was deteriorating, he was feeling sick to his stomach, and his left arm constantly felt it was a third-degree burn. Pansy and Blaise kept telling him to go seek Madam Pomfrey, but he couldn't. She'd see the mark, she'd out him to Dumbledore, and he'd be seen as a traitor to Voldemort. His parents would be killed instantly. He couldn't do that. He wouldn't; he wouldn't be able to live knowing he was responsible.

He had no idea of what awaited his return to Malfoy Manor. Hopefully, his mother was safe. Hopefully, the manor wasn't much different than how they left it. Maybe if he was lucky, there would be less screaming and crying coming from the guests' rooms.

Harry Potter snuck out of the common room once again after all the boys and girls were asleep in their dorms. He was scolded by the fat lady once again for waking her from slumber, but she left him off. He managed to sneak past her prefect-ness Pansy Parkinson in the corridors and was almost caught by Mrs. Norris, Filch’s cat. Once he reached the North tower, where no one usually was, he threw off the invisibility cloak. Godric, it was so hot under there! Harry heard footsteps going up the Astronomy tower stairs and followed them.

When Harry arrived at the top of the stairs, he was faced with Malfoy’s back. The boy was dressed in posh, black silk pajamas with nothing to cover his peachy feet. To be honest, Harry expected nothing less from the Malfoy. The Slytherin had a rough grip on the rails, looking like he was ready to off himself. He was shivering terribly and breathing heavily, the cold air visible coming from his mouth.

“Draco! Back from the ledge!” Harry shouted. He’s not sure what made him say that, but it got the Slytherin’s attention. Draco turned around at the sound of Harry’s voice. 

The wind blew in their hair and Draco drew his wand, pointing it at Harry. “How long have you been following me, Potter? I know you have been!” Harry said nothing, prompting a yelled “Answer me!” from Draco. Harry could tell he was scared. Malfoy's shoulders lifted up and down quickly, like he was hyperventilating. His eyes looked glassy in the dark. His toes were turning blue and the wand twitched in his grasp.

“Long enough to hear your conversation with Snape the other day,” Harry replied slowly. Malfoy’s wand faltered. “You’re a Death Eater, aren’t you? Say it!”

What a great way to start a conversation, Harry. Are you bloody mental?!  Go up to your school bully who looks ready to freeze to death and ask him that? Literally, what the fuck is going through your head? No wonder you're not a Ravenclaw. Offer him a warming charm next time, dumbarse!

“Is that what you want to hear, Potter?!” Draco shrieked at the Gryffindor, frowning. “Fine! I’m a Death Eater!” Draco harshly pulled up his silk sleeve, showing the Dark Mark. The infamous Death Eater skull and the Slytherin serpent were interconnected. On the Dark Mark, bloody and scabbed scratches reached over the tattoo. It looked like a cat - or worse - clawed at Draco’s porcelain skin.

Harry’s heart felt like it was going to burst out of his chest. He had been right this whole time!

Wait! Why didn’t this feel right? Why were there scratches on Malfoy’s arm, over the Dark Mark? Who hurt him? Did he do that? No. No. No. Malfoy’s the bad guy here! He has to be!

Before the blond could say anything else, Harry raced away and down the stairs. He had to get away from him. He made a mistake being in a death eater's presence. He'd probably fallen right into Voldemort's trap.

“Potter! Potter wait!” Draco shouted, running after him. “I promise it’s not what it looks like!” He grabbed the brunet’s wrist, holding him back for a second. The boys caught each other's eyes. Draco stared longingly and frightened into Harry's green ones. It did nothing to help the situation though.

“Stay away from me!” Harry scowled, not even taking a moment to let the Slytherin give him understanding or process what he’d seen.

~~~~~

The following morning, all the students returning home for the holidays made their way to Hogsmeade to get on the Hogwarts Express. Harry sat alone with Ron as Hermione was still upset with him.

“Noticed you were gone again last night,” Ron started. “Care to explain?”

Harry played around with the foldable cupholder between the seats. He sighed, “I was at the Astronomy tower. Needed some fresh air.”

“Odd… Any news on Malfoy’s mission?” Ron asked.

Harry debated for a second to tell Ron but there wasn’t a point to do so. Hermione was right to a degree. Maybe just because Malfoy’s a Death Eater doesn’t mean he was a bad one. Maybe he should’ve heard him out. He did say it wasn’t what it looked like… There could be other factors! Maybe that would explain his scars? “No… not really," Harry went with. "Looking back, I feel like I misinterpreted some things. You and Hermione were right. Malfoy has grown up and has kept to himself. I let my imagination take over.”

In the front of the train, Draco remained with Pansy and Blaise. Draco regretted showing his Dark Mark to Potter. Now, Potter knew he was up to something and it could put everyone in terrible danger. He sulked in his seat, feeling more tired than usual. “Are you sure you’re okay, Draco? I know it's a little nerve-wracking heading back to our god-awful parents, but being this mopey?” Pansy inquired.

“Yeah mate, you’ve been really off this year,” Blaise added. "Is that sleeping draught helping? Your eyebags look less purple."

“Yes you guys!" Draco said impatiently. "Sorry, I didn't mean to shout. I’m fine, just stressed. My grades have been slipping from their normal levels. I've been normally outstanding and exceeds expectations, but now I'm dipping into the acceptable territory. Mother and Father will not be pleased. And I’m not really excited to head home for the holidays. Always so… boring.” Draco was terribly worried, but he didn't want to tell his friends he had a literal serial killer and psychotic aunt with other criminals lounging about his house.

"Cheer up Dragon, I'll give you some of my candies, if I get some, when we see each other again. Lord knows my father will force me to attend every family gathering over the holiday..." Pansy comforted. "Blaise, you'll come to those won't you?"

Blaise assured his girlfriend he'd try to make it. Draco nodded at Pansy's offer of sweets. She knew from first year he always had a sweet tooth. He was grateful to have Blaise and Pansy, Pansy especially. He had kind of liked Pansy in their fourth year, but after an awkward kiss after the Yule Ball, they decided to stay friends. Draco knew he only liked guys from then on. Pansy knew Draco pretty well and saw him as more than just the Malfoy heir or another family-forced friend. They had a real one together and Draco wouldn't trade it for the world. He hoped that with everything going on in his life, their friendship wouldn't change, especially with the fact he secretly liked the Boy Who Lived.

~~~~~

When Draco returned to the family estate, it was still as dark and gloomy as he remembered. It felt empty and was still drafty. The floors were still dusty and it smelled like rotten flesh. All the white peacocks on the grounds had migrated elsewhere and the flower trees had gone dormant. The Manor was no longer the happy home it once was.

In the East Wing of the Manor, Death Eaters had taken a larger residence in each of the leftover rooms of the family home. Draco was unable to unhear the tortuous screams coming from some of the Death Eaters’ rooms, unknowing of what danger lurked beyond the doors.

Draco kept to himself over the break. He didn’t speak much unless spoken to. He only spoke with his mother, telling her progress had gone well so far. He couldn’t help but break down in her arms from all the pressure and failure. He wanted nothing to do with these dark matters. He complained to her about how much he hated his father, how much he hated Voldemort, and all of the chaos. 

Narcissa assured her son that once everything was complete, he and their family wouldn’t have to deal with it any longer. She knew Harry Potter would defeat Voldemort one day. She didn’t know when or how, but she knew he’d save their family and her son.

~~~~~

Meanwhile, Harry was having a warm time at the Burrow with the Weasleys and other Order members. Desserts with dancing muggle elves lay on the tables. Fred and George tested items for the joke shop. Hermione and Ginny played upstairs in her room. He caught up with Remus, Tonks, and Ron’s father: Arthur.

He didn’t wish to tell Ron and Hermione but felt compelled to tell Remus about it. Remus was like a father figure in place of both James and Sirius. He told Remus about some of the situations with Snape and Malfoy. 

Remus seemed to be more reasonable, offering the idea that Snape was just offering help to see what Draco was up to. Since Dumbledore trusted Snape, Remus had no arguments against Snape. Tonks agreed more with Harry, since the Unbreakable Vow part showed it was more serious than Remus thought it to be, as it was only broken by death. Harry mentioned as well that Dumbledore could make mistakes.

“You’re blinded by hatred!” Remus shouted at the boy.

“I’m not!” Harry argued.

“Yes. You. Are!” Remus stated. “People are disappearing daily, Harry. We can only put trust in a handful of people. I know that you and Mr. Malfoy have had a rough past, having to give you both detentions in the past. I know your background with Severus is not that great either, but you have to let that go. If we start fighting amongst ourselves, we’re doomed!”

When Harry didn't say anything, Remus and Tonks left to help Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen. Harry turned to Arthur for an explanation. The Weasley patriarch said nothing and secretively motioned Harry to come with him out to the back of the house.

~~~~~

Back in the Malfoy Manor, the Dark Lord called a large meeting.

He-Who-Didn't-Have-A-Nose sat at the head of the table, normally where Draco’s father would sit if things had been as it was. His pet snake, Nagini, slithered on the table, end to end. Around the table were familiar faces of his classmates’ parents. Crabbe and Goyle’s fathers sat with the group. Mr. Yaxley and Fenrir Greyback sat towards the other end of the table. The Carrow twins, Alecto and Amycus, sat across from Draco. Next to Draco was his mother, his aunt Bellatrix, and his uncles Radolphus and Rebastian Lestrange. Despite being scared of what this could possibly be about, Draco sat tall in his chair. He had to be like Harry. He had to be brave like a Gryffindor.

“Now that the winter holiday is upon us and Harry Potter is out of Hogwarts, we are able to attack,” Voldemort stated. “Has anyone tracked where the boy is staying; which of the Order bases?”

Bellatrix raised her wrinkled hand, “My Lord, I believe we’ve tracked his magical signature to the Weasley’s safe house. Those blood traitors!” Uproar at the table commenced until Voldemort spoke again.

“Ah! Draco, you’ve known Mr. Potter for six years now, correct? Surely you know where he stays?” Voldemort asked.

Draco shakes in his seat but tries to remain calm. “I don’t know,” the boy said, not loud enough.

“What did you say, boy? ” Voldemort scolded. Draco swallowed the knot in his throat. Mrs. Malfoy placed a hand on her son’s back in comfort.

“I-I do not know, Sir. I do b-believe he stays with the Weasleys, yes,” Draco confirmed through stutters.

“Thank you, Draco,” Voldemort replied in a calmer tone. “Then we shall attack! Let them have their day of fun. Tomorrow night, we shall have ours!”

The whole room cackled in evil laughs. His aunt’s laugh was the loudest of them all. After all the members were dismissed, Draco raced to his room and locked the door. He had to let Harry know! His family was in danger and he couldn’t be the cause of it!

Draco’s eagle owl, Libra, sat on her post by his bedroom window. He took out his ink pot and a quill to quickly scribble a message to deliver to the Weasleys. If he was quick enough, they just might be able to escape.

“Potter,

I know that we don’t see eye to eye, but something terrible is happening. They know where you are! THEY’RE COMING!!!

GET OUT! AND HURRY!!!

D.M.”

Draco immediately shoved the letter into an envelope and gave it to Libra. “Be sure to get this to Potter as fast as possible. I’ll put a disillusionment charm over you that should last enough for you to get out of range of here. Fly safe, and hurry,” Draco instructed.

He opened his bedroom window and let Libra fly, immediately placing the cloaking spell. Draco wasn’t sure how far she’d flown before he’d closed the window, but he wanted to make sure Libra was safe during this emergency.

“Please, Potter! Please get out!” Draco pleaded.

~~~~~

Arthur Weasley took Harry to the muggle-items garage he had out back of the house for privacy. “You’ll have to forgive Remus. It takes its toll on him, his condition,” Arthur explains, mucking about with his muggle storage. It was a mess on the inside, filled with all different kinds of items. A vacuum, fans, radio parts, and wires for the Ford Anglia that once was.

“Are you alright Mr. Weasley?” Harry asked, sensing his unease.

“We’re being followed. All of us,” Arthur said. “Most days, Molly doesn’t leave the house... It’s not been easy, being locked up.”

“Did you get my owl?” Harry inquired. Harry had sent a letter to Mr. Weasley at the beginning of the term, but the only letter received back was one in a cryptic language Harry didn't understand.

“Yes I did. Sorry for the cryptic language, but the Ministry has been intercepting mail recently,” Arthur answered. “If Dumbledore’s traveling, then that’s news to the Ministry, but perhaps that’s the way Dumbledore wants it. As for Draco Malfoy, I know a bit more.”

“Go on,” Harry nodded.

“I sent an agent to Borgin and Burkes. I think, from what you described, what you and Ron saw at the end of the summer, the object that Draco was interested in, is a vanishing cabinet,” Arthur explains.

“A vanishing cabinet?”

“They were all the rage when Voldemort first rose to power. You can see the appeal. Should Death Eaters come knocking, one simply had to slip inside and disappear for an hour or so,” Arthur continued. “They can transport you anywhere! Tricky contraptions though, very temperamental.”

“What happened to it? The one at Borgin and Burkes?”

“Nothing. It’s still there.”

Harry began to piece the puzzle together that night in bed before falling asleep. If nothing was wrong with the vanishing cabinet as Borgin and Burkes, then there’s one that connects to it. If that is in the castle somewhere, Malfoy's been looking for it! Then, he could let people into Hogwarts from Borgin and Burkes! However, that didn’t explain the cursed necklace.

When Harry fell asleep, he remembered he dreamed of Draco. He saw his Dark Mark and caressed his forearm, soothing his etched skin. It was a soft and intimate moment together. There was no furious tension; just calming tranquility. Harry traced over the scars, none of them saying anything. Draco breathed peacefully and lightly smiled at the feel of Harry’s thumb moving across his porcelain skin. That smile was brighter than Harry had ever seen before. Harry wasn't sure why he had dream...

The next evening rolled around and it was as cold as the previous one. Fred and George were still cooking up their holiday pranks. Remus and most of the adults were still paranoid, but they remained cheerful for the Christmas holiday coming up in a few days. Mrs. Weasley had baked gingerbread and cooked a large ham dinner. Ron hung up the family stockings and Ginny stuffed them with candy. Fred and George gave everyone a new, wrapped product from the Joke Shop.

Remus and Tonks were planning on heading back to Grimmauld Place, the Order’s Headquarters, to celebrate with Kingsley and the other Order members. Even then, Remus’ werewolf cycle was about to begin so it wasn’t safe to stay. 

Harry sat by one of the windows in the living room, staring into the tall grass. In the tall grass, it looked like a figure. It was a hooded figure in a mask. The brunet drew his wand and headed towards the front door. As he reached the front door, Tonks and Remus were saying goodbye. In the sky was a bird flying towards the house, which wasn’t uncommon. The bird dropped a piece of parchment and Molly gave the parcel to Harry since his name was written on it and shoved it into his pocket. Remus and Tonks went to apparate and the Burrow’s grounds caught immediate fire.

Molly, Arthur, Remus, Tonks, and Harry’s eyes widened. The house was under attack! Black smoke circled the Burrow, revealing Bellatrix Lestrange with a howl of laughter. At the sight of her, Harry shoved through the adults, quickly sprinting after the ragged woman. Rage filled inside him after remembering what she did to Sirius. “Harry no!!!” Molly and Arthur yelled. Remus chased after the boy but was unable to make it through the flames.

Through the huge weeds surrounding the Burrow, Bellatrix screeched aloud, “I killed Sirius Black! I killed Sirius Black! You coming to get me? Harry, you coming to get me?!”

Out of energy, Harry stopped in his tracks. Emerging from the windy tall grass was Fenrir Greyback. He was the werewolf that bit Remus a long time ago before Harry was even born. Before Fenrir could strike the boy, another Death Eater came from the side blocking his spell. “Don’t touch him!” The voice yelled. Harry felt like he recognized that voice. “He belongs to the Dark Lord!”

It was Malfoy!

Fenrir Greyback disapparated, leaving the shorter Death Eater, Malfoy, behind. The boy did not attack him, just stared at Harry. Deep into the eyes of the mask, Harry could barely make them out; Shining grey eyes lurked beneath. Harry gulped, shaking in his step backward. The Death Eater disapparated too, leaving Harry in the grass with an awaiting Bellatrix at any moment.

Malfoy had protected him, even though he was a Death Eater.

Bellatrix then shot a curse at Harry’s backside and was saved by a protection charm from Remus. Remus, Tonks, and Arthur surrounded the precious boy. Bellatrix and Fenrir Greyback tried to shoot their curses, but all were able to be blocked. The Death Eaters disapparated, their black smoky trail leading back to the Burrow. “Molly,” Arthur gasped. “Molly!”

“Ron!” Harry yelled, galloping back to the Weasley’s home. The Death Eaters crashed through the windows and set the place aflame. When everyone returned to the Burrow, all members of the family were safely outside. The house, though, was no longer able to be lived in until repairment charms were put into place.

The rest of the winter holiday wasn’t particularly cheery for both families.

Draco remained in his room for most of the leftover days. He spent his days reading the secret muggle book he got from the library, the Wuthering Heights. It was a romance story written by Emily Bronte in 1847. He kept it hidden in his Hogwarts trunk and it allowed him to escape the harsh reality of his current life. He was always a secret fan of muggle books and always had a passion for reading them. Of course, his father would never let him live now if he saw his son reading such filth. Madam Pince was able to give the best recommendations for new novels. Narcissa tried to remove Draco from his quarters, but it was no use when her son wouldn’t answer the door, too invested to care about anything else.

Harry and the Weasleys set order back into the Burrow’s structures. Many of Ron and Ginny’s possessions were destroyed when Bellatrix and other Death Eaters tore through the house. All the windows were broken and Fred nearly had one of the wooden planks from the low ceiling fall and knock him out.

Molly and Arthur, with the help of their children and Harry, used repairment charms and placed protection wards around the property. Christmas felt bleak, everyone still getting their present or two and having the amazing meal that Molly always made. It didn’t feel the same after the attack. After, the boy even attempted to pack his bags and leave early to keep everyone safe, but Mrs. Weasley kept Harry there with the persuasion of Ron.

Up in Ron’s room alone, the brunet was able to take out the crumbled piece of parchment finally. It was an unstamped envelope with a letter inside. By the initials at the bottom of the note, the letter was from Malfoy, instructing Harry and the Weasleys to leave.

He was warning them about the attack!

But they had received it too late...

Chapter Text

MEETING AT THE ASTRONOMY TOWER & A LOVESICK FRIEND

After the New Year, all the students returned to Hogwarts.

The Hogwarts Express seemed cheery with all the conversation of everyone’s holiday. Since it would probably be the only time to try, Harry left Ron alone in their compartment and went to find Malfoy, hoping to get some idea of why he was at the Burrow Attack and why he sent the letter. His eyes were one of the most recognizable, at least according to Harry. Almost no one had those steel-colored eyes.

Harry waited outside the Slytherin group’s compartment, taking notice of what was going on. The blond sat solemnly in his place, similar to the last time he went to see him on the train. Pansy sat next to Blaise, asking how everyone’s holiday was. “So how was your Christmas, Draco? Blaise?”

“Deadly boring as always,” Draco replied, not quite untrue. It was enough not to spill anything important. “Mother got me a new adventure book and some chocolate frogs, but that was the only highlight.” Draco looked past Blaise, seeing Harry in the shadows. Harry definitely wanted to talk. Draco subtly nodded toward the Gryffindor, signaling they would talk later.

Blaise chimed in, “Had to stay with Mother and her eighth husband. I must say the dude is better at violin than I thought. Perhaps I should’ve taken Mother up on her recommendations to play clarinet or piano. Draco, I might need to borrow your organ…”

“You are not borrowing the Malfoy family organ,” Draco smirked a little.

"You still want my acid pops?" Pansy offered Draco.

"Sure, why not? Start off the new year with a literal hole in my tongue!" Draco chuckled sarcastically.

Pansy giggled lightly before handing him a sour apple flavored one. Draco took one lick and his face contorted as if he had tasted dirt instead. Blaise couldn't keep a straight face. "Wow, that is quite strong!" Draco coughed with a laugh. Tears brew in his eyes from the burn, but it felt nice. Crabbe and Goyle jumped out of their seats in the back to see what the commotion was. Draco immediately shuffled through his bag to find a chocolate frog and save his tongue. He handed Blaise and Crabbe each of the cards he had gotten, replicas of ones he already had.

Harry had never seen Draco like this. He looked... happy. Happy was a term used to describe Draco Malfoy in the past when he wasn't being a straight prick, but this year was different. The Boy Who Lived never saw the Slytherin Prince looking so content at all this year. Most of the time he had this gloomy frown on his face and his eyebags were more prominent than his voice. But seeing Draco like this, Harry felt his heart swell. It was just like Hermione said, he had grown up. Only the childish innocence and goofiness remained hidden on the inside. Harry indeed enjoyed that refreshment of fun.

~~~~~

When the train arrived, all the students began to leave. Draco let Pansy and Blaise go on ahead of him, “Go ahead you two, I’ll meet you in the Great Hall.”

Ron left without Harry once again. Once the Slytherins’ compartment was empty, Harry stepped out from the shadows to confront Draco. 

“So, a ‘deadly boring’ Christmas, huh?” Harry chuckled.

“I thought you wanted to 'stay away from me?'” Draco repeated Harry’s words with venom, opposite to how the boy was acting earlier with his friends. Draco removed himself from his seat, closing the doors to the compartment and shutting the blinds.

“I know it was you, Malfoy!” Harry confirmed. “You were with them during the attack on the Weasleys! But why did you protect me?” Harry inquired. “You sent a letter and we didn’t get it in time-”

“For the same reasons you didn’t denounce me, I guess,” Draco sighed. “Seems you haven’t told anyone else. Or else Weasley and Granger would be on my tail more often.” 

The boy walked towards Harry slowly, taking in his presence. It was calming and terrifying at the same time. The Slytherin Prince looked Harry up and down, pausing at his emerald eyes and chapped lips. He almost smiled at how handsome Harry had become. His scar was light red, almost as if it were healing more. Harry's jaw was more defined and he looked like he gained some muscle. He even had small stubble growing in, it was laughable. Draco held back and turned to leave.

“I’m not trying to be your enemy, Potter. I never really tried,” Draco responded before he shut the compartment door behind him.

Harry was stunned.

Draco had never stood that close to him before. I mean he had, but not like this. Harry could feel the warmth radiating from Draco’s body. He got the sudden urge to touch him, to drag his fingers along his pale face and caress it. The tall blond looked more broken down than at the beginning of term, his eyes looking sunken in and red. His childish innocence on the outside from first year had melted away, showing a strong man breaking through.

With Draco’s final words, Harry realized that maybe he’d been too harsh on him. Draco didn’t call his friends bad names anymore and he hadn’t teased anyone all year. He didn't even call Filch a squib! Besides, the teasing from previous years, except for a few things, was all mostly competitive child’s play and bad name-calling. Most of it all could be forgiven, so long as Draco apologized. Harry wouldn't do anything further until he had that apology.

~~~~~

Hermione walked with Harry through the halls to their next class, talking about their holidays. The Prophet in Hermione’s hands had written on the many disappearances that Remus had mentioned during the holiday. “You can’t let it get to you, Harry! Like I said, you’re bloody lucky you weren’t killed,” Hermione reminded him as she read the news. “You have to realize who you are!”

Harry rolled his eyes, “I know who I am, Hermione, alright? I even tried to leave after the attack fearing they’d come back, but Ron’s mother wanted me to stay.” Harry came to his senses. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude.”

"It's alright, I know it was traumatic," the brunette nods. "Anything of Draco I should know about?" She teased.

"Ha," Harry laughed, not denying anything this time. "Surprisingly nothing bad. I'll say that."

Hermione smirked, hidden from Harry's view as they walked to Transfiguration. "Okay..."

~~~~~

That night, Harry went to meet Dumbledore again to collect Slughorn’s memories and understand Slughorn and Riddle’s relationship. The Headmaster showed a memory of the professor and Tom Riddle, in an after-party meeting of sorts. Must've been the Slug Club, Harry collected. In this memory, words and phrases were blurred or changed to show tampering. The professor spoke ominously, asking Harry to get closer to the Potions Master in hopes of getting the real memory because it may just help them defeat He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Afterward, Harry went to the Astronomy tower to clear his head and possibly find a way to get to Professor Slughorn better. Butterbeer? Potions tutoring? Harry hypothesized. He secretly hoped he’d find Draco there again, but he wouldn’t be surprised if the boy had stopped coming after Harry had discovered him. When he arrived, Draco wasn’t there so Harry rested his arms on the ledge, content, overlooking the grounds.

A few moments later, tiny clanks came from behind him up the iron stairs. Draco emerged in his familiar pajamas from behind the planetary model, surprising Harry. The boys made awkward eye contact, tension in the air being stiff. They pretended to mind their own business as the Slytherin took his spot next to the Gryffindor. More glances were shared until Harry decided to break the ice.

“Why did you do this, Malfoy?” Harry questioned. “I mean… become a Death Eater.”

Draco sighed, clearly not wanting to talk about it. Instead of staying quite though, he did talk. “Not everyone is destined to save the world, Potter. You’re naive if you think that I had a say in all of this either. I just… I don’t have a choice.”

"Everyone has a choice, Malfoy," the Gryffindor reminded.

The Slytherin shook his head, "Not me, Potter. Not when you have two horrific evils as your choices."

Harry nodded.

“I shouldn’t have reacted like that when you showed me the mark,” Harry reminisced. “But, in fact, I was scared. I was scared when I realized you were concretely in the opposite camp…” Draco’s fingers twitched on the railing. Harry couldn’t tell if it was because it was cold or he was nervous. Instead of what he did last time they were here, Harry waved his wand and placed a warming charm over the other boy. Harry could see Draco's shoulders relax and Harry knew the Slytherin felt his comfort. The Boy Who Lived continued, “... ‘Cause despite all this hatred, I always thought there was something special between us. I’m not sure what, but…”

“There’s always been something special between us, Potter,” Draco assured slyly. Slowly and unsurely, Harry placed a hand over the blond’s. With Draco’s nod, Harry curled his hand around his and squeezed lightly. Draco moved his hand, opting to intertwine their fingers together, showing their bond was indeed there. They didn’t know what this bond was, but it was a step forward from the past. The Gryffindor almost took it as Draco's way of apologizing, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to accept without the words.

It was very intimate. Draco’s soft hand caressed the Chosen One’s clammy ones. They both could feel the scratches and dents in the other’s skin. Harry could see the small grin on Draco’s face forming but said nothing. He didn’t want to lose the warmth of the moment. Maybe there was nothing to worry about. Maybe Draco just needed someone to talk with and protect him. 

Harry stepped back for a second, still holding onto Draco’s hand. Harry gazed at Draco’s sleeved arm and glanced at Draco, hoping to see what was underneath it. The Slytherin Prince only nodded and Harry unbuttoned the silk cuff on the pajamas, pulling back the fabric to see the Dark Mark.

The Death Eater symbol was 3-D on the pale surface. When Harry ran his thumb over the Mark, he could feel the skin raise. Draco gasped at the touch of Harry’s cold hands, also feeling the burning sensation he normally felt with the Mark. He said nothing though. He only saw Harry’s eyes widen and his expression blur into something unreadable. 

Harry thumbed over the red markings that reached across the forearm. He didn’t know exactly what it meant, but Draco wasn’t happy with what was there. He didn’t say anything to Draco. There was no ridiculing or insults, just silence. It was tranquil. Quiet. Only the gust of the wind being heard.

Draco grinned, joyful for being able to share this moment with his crush, but he knew the childish fun could only last so long.

~~~~~

A few evenings later, Harry visited Slughorn’s after the last potions class of the day, hoping to retrieve the information from his memory. The little first years were cleaning up their potion messes and regathering their ingredients before leaving, making this the perfect chance to chat. “Aha!” Slughorn greeted seeing Harry enter. “If it isn’t the Prince of Potions himself! To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Sir, I was wondering if I could ask you something,” Harry started slowly.

“Ask away, dear boy! Ask Away!” Slughorn encouraged.

“The other day, I was in the library, in the Restricted section…” Harry said, a little too on the nose of what was expressed in the most recent memory. “... and I came across something rather odd about a very rare piece of magic.”

“Yes…” Slughorn reasoned. “And what was this rare piece of magic?”

“Well, I don’t know. I can’t remember the name of it exactly,” Harry replied, not knowing the piece of magic Tom Riddle said because it was removed. “It got me wondering, are there some kinds of magic you’re not allowed to teach us?

The Potions Master and Harry were separated by the table in front of them. The man stayed quiet. “I’m Potions Master, Harry. I think your question’d better be posed to Professor Snape.”

“Yes, um…” Harry panicked, thinking Slughorn was going to leave. “He and I don’t exactly see eye to eye, Sir. What I mean to say is… well, he’s not like you. He might misunderstand.”

Slughorn raised a brow but answered Harry’s question, “Yes. There can be no light without the dark. And so it is magic. Myself, I always strive to live within the light. I suggest you do the same.” Slughorn began to take his leave, feeling uncomfortable with the position Harry put him in.

“Is that what you told Tom Riddle when he came asking questions?” Harry called out.

The Potions Master turned around and his eyes widened.

“Dumbledore put you up to this, didn’t he?” Slughorn accused him, raising his voice. The boy said nothing. “Didn’t he?!” The man stormed out of the classroom, leaving Harry in the dark room alone. Harry reminded himself not to take that route next time when asking questions. He tried to return to Slughorn’s office but when the Gryffindor wouldn’t be seen, he returned to the Gryffindor common room.

In the dorm room, Ron sat alone facing the open window. His freckled face was flush and his smile was brighter than usual. On Harry’s bed was a large pink box of unwrapped chocolates, plowed through. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? The moon?” Ron noticed.

“Divine,” Harry replied sarcastically. “Had ourselves a little late-night snack, did we?”

“It was on your bed, the box. I thought I’d only try one,” his friend explained.

“Or twenty,” Harry corrected, holding back a chuckle.

“I can’t stop thinking about her Harry!” Ron said, dreamily. He and Lavender Brown had been going out since the Gryffindor versus Slytherin match in December. Of course; what he said made perfect sense… Hermione was still up in arms about it.

“Honestly, I reckoned she was annoying you,” Harry mentioned, starting to clean up the mess on his bed. “Not with how much you complained about your chapped lips.”

“She could never annoy me,” Ron swooped in onto the bed with the brunet, getting a little too into his personal space. “I think I love her!” the ginger nodded when Harry looked puzzled.

“Well, brilliant,” Harry backed up from Ron. 

“Do you think she knows I exist?” Ron asked. An odd question.

“I bloody well hope so. She’s been snogging you for three months,” Harry reminded Ron.

“Snogging? Who are you talking about?” Ron questioned.

“Who’re you talking about?” Harry repeated.

“Romilda of course! Romilda Vane,” Ron replied as if it were obvious.

“Okay, very funny,” Harry laughed sarcastically. He sat up from Ron’s bed and went to look at the chocolates. Ron had never been interested in Romilda and Romilda had been trying to smuggle Harry Amortentia since the lesson about it. The redhead got up from the bed and threw the heart-shaped box at Harry’s back. His friend cried out, “Ow! What was that for?!”

“It’s no joke!” Ron shouted. “I’m in love with her!”

“Alright fine, you’re in love with her! Have you ever actually met her?” Harry asked.

“No… Can you introduce me?” Ron inquired. When Harry didn’t respond, Ron wandered back off to his spot in front of the window. On the bed, Romilda’s card lay addressed to Harry and he knew Ron had unknowingly taken Amortentia. As it was an emergency, Harry took Ron to Professor Slughorn claiming they were going to meet Romilda.

Despite tensions between the professor and Harry, and Ron snuggling up to the Professor, Slughorn managed to create the antidote and washed the aftereffects down with a small drink. The drink was laced with something, leaving Ron almost dead if it weren’t for Harry’s bravery in finding the bezoar when his professor failed to step up.

After nearly giving Harry a heart attack, Ron managed to recover in the Hospital Wing. The drink was laced with poison and was planned to be taken to Dumbledore, but it got to Ron first. Ginny, Hermione, the Headmaster, McGonagall, Snape, and Slughorn were also there to assess the situation. Ron and Lavender broke up after he was caught saying Hermione’s name in his sleep, much to Hermione’s delight.

Harry could've teased the two as they sat together in Ron's hospital bed, his two friends holding hands. Hermione with red cheeks told him to shut up.

~~~~~ 

As Harry left the Hospital Wing, he caught Draco heading up the stairs in one of the wings of the Castle. Harry was staring him down. The Slytherin did not catch his eye back. He followed Draco up the stairs to where the Room of Requirement would be, but Harry lost him.

Inside the Room of Requirement, Draco moved on to live testing the vanishing cabinet.

The apples seemed to work, so now he had to make sure that humans were able to make it through without splinching. He gathered a small white bird and placed it inside the cabinet, petting its feathers before closing it.

When the chirping of the bird stopped, Draco opened the cabinet and the bird had vanished as predicted. He closed the door and listened closely for any sound. Eventually, he heard a small crash inside. He opened the door and didn’t get what he expected. Draco’s smile faded as he laid eyes on the bird, lying down frozen.

Draco picked up the bird, it was lying limp in his fragile hold. The blond’s heavy breathing turned into hyperventilating. His eyes welled up with tears and he fell to the ground, wrapping one arm around his knees that curled up to his chest. He had failed once again.

Today, he failed to make the cabinet work. He failed to kill Dumbledore. He almost murdered Harry’s best friend, just as they were starting to get on good terms! Now, he had just killed an innocent animal! He’d never meant to kill anyone and now look at what he’d done. He was a failure. To his family, to Voldemort, to Harry, and to himself.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry…”

Chapter Text

CIVILITY IN THE LIBRARY

After Ron was released from the Hospital Wing, everything seemed almost fairly normal. Ron made an amazing full recovery. He made it snow on accident, occasionally, for the winter season, but nothing was too different. What happened with Ron was bad and it reminded Harry of what happened with Katie Bell. Maybe it was just a coincidence.

He had tuned out Ron and Hermione, staring at Draco from two tables away at breakfast. 

Had Malfoy gotten more depressed over the summer? He’s been looking more glum than in past years with his red bags under his eyes. Kinda liked his laugh when I saw him with Pansy and Blaise. Oh, he’s just twirling his wand again. Why does he do that? His hair is glistening again in the sunlight. I like it. Does his whole family just bleach it? How does one get their hair that bright? Do they even know what bleach-

“Are you listening, Harry?” Hermione snapped her fingers to get his attention. Harry didn’t answer, glancing back at Draco who looked at Harry and did a small wave of his wand to symbolize a “hello.”

"Harry, you're staring again..." Hermione explained.

"What?" Harry snapped out of his daze.

"Oh, honestly! Stop staring at Malfoy," Hermione requested. "Surely you're freaking him out or something. It's not normal to stare at someone for so long."

"Yeah Harry, so weird," Ron commented.

Harry shook his head. He really did need to stop staring at Draco. It was getting out of hand.

~~~~~~

In the library, Hermione pulled Harry aside as she let the books float back to their shelves.

She was tired of Harry’s stalking. The stalking was uncalled for and just plain weird. Her friend had never been so infatuated with someone! Not even Cho Chang last year when they were dating or hell  Voldemort himself! “Ron and I are worried about you, Harry,” Hermione said, putting away some of her books. “You look like you’re rather somewhere else these days…”

Harry didn’t even look like he was paying attention. At that very moment, Draco had to be secretly right behind Hermione, reading. Draco was at the forefront of his mind and he couldn’t seem to shake him. It was like his mind had been possessed by the Slytherin. Harry was almost ready to trust Draco, but he wasn’t so sure. He wasn’t certain who laced the mead in Professor Slughorn’s office, but after what Draco did to Katie, Harry couldn’t rule him out.

The brainiac snapped her fingers again, focusing Harry on her. “I swear you’re almost acting like you also drank Amortentia. Maybe I should brew you an antidote… Your stalking of Malfoy is getting pretty weird, Harry...”

Harry just laughed. Hermione was mothering him again. Harry was not obsessed with Draco Lucius Malfoy of all people. Sure he wasn’t as in the game during Quidditch, and sure he didn’t look at the Marauder’s map every night to see where the git was heading. But to be one hundred percent clear, Harry Potter was indeed not infatuated with Draco Malfoy! He didn't think about their intertwined fingers or the mercury color of his eyes that held the faintest blue in them. He. Was. Not!

"I am not obsessed with him, Hermione," Harry whispered so the distant reader wouldn't be able to tell the Gryffindors were talking about him. "I couldn't ever be. He's a git."

"Are you sure?" Hermione inquired. "You've been more civil lately, so that's helped. But constantly keeping track of him on the Marauder's Map? I should give it back to Remus."

"No!" Harry shouted, a little too loud to his liking. Draco, Madam Pince, and a few others turned their heads to the pair. Harry hung his head, embarrassed. Hermione raised a brow at Harry's questionable answer. "Okay, maybe he hasn't been a git, lately, but I don't know if I can trust him. Especially after what happened to Katie and Ron... I can't deem him a safe target."

"Harry," Hermione huffed. "You are going to be an adult in a few long months by the Wizarding World standard. What did I say?"

"Don't hold grudges? Stop following Malfoy? He's grown up? Blah, blah, blah," Harry sighed.

"Yep, it's okay to be unsure of any sort of relationship with him given your history. But just think of what Remus said, okay?" the girl advised.

Harry nodded. When the friends returned their books and finished their conversation, Hermione left Harry to his own devices and returned to the Gryffindor common room. Harry rushed to Draco’s nook between the shelves and his heart started pounding seeing the platinum-haired boy. Surprisingly, Harry felt himself smile, seeing Draco’s nose stuck in his book.

Be cool Harry. Be cool. Just be civil like Hermione said. Wow, he looks so pretty. What the fuck, Brain?

“H-Hi,” Harry spoke shyly.

“Hello Potter,” Draco amused, looking up from the Wuthering Heights book. Draco eyed the Gryffindor. Harry was picking at his fingers and his heels were rocking back and forth on the ground. It was almost adorable.

“The Wuthering Heights?” Harry noticed the Slytherin’s novel. “I didn’t know you liked muggle reading. Thought you were forbidden from that.”

“Well, there’s a lot of things you don’t know about me Potter,” Draco smiled. “But promise me you won’t tell anyone, or I’ll hex you!”

“Promise,” Harry grinned back, liking Draco’s snark. He, for once, didn't find any malice in his threat.

“Thank you…” Draco could see Harry's smile and he smiled back. Maybe Draco wasn’t that bad after all. This was the boy that Harry saw for his entire Hogwarts career hate muggle-borns and muggle things. Now, he was standing here with Draco, who was reading a whole-arse muggle book!

The brunet’s smile comforted Draco. It made him feel warm and safe for once this year. Draco was still hurt by his own actions but maybe Harry wasn’t too bad after all either. It was almost scaring him how calm they were. No fighting, no arguing. Just chill. “What? Why are you staring at me like that?” Draco asked, Harry’s forest eyes ready to impale his soul.

“It’s just that I’ve never seen you smile at me without a conniving smirk before!” Harry claimed. “It’s odd but nice.”

“Yes, well… Don’t get too used to it, Potter,” Draco playfully replied. “By the way, I’m sorry to hear about Weasley. You’re a great friend to have saved him.”

“Well, I… thanks… Malfoy,” Harry stumbled. “I don’t know who poisoned him, but I’m glad Ron’s okay. I was thankful to remember Snape’s first lesson when he taught us what a bezoar was. Sarcastic little shite I was for calling out Hermione’s know-it-all-ness to answer and lose Gryffindor five points on the first day.”

“Yeah, that was a great first class. Too bad the ‘Saviour of the Wizarding World’ knew nothing of magic then,” Draco laughed. “But hey, you’re the new ‘King of Potions.’ I’ll be sure to work better so I can beat you out once again. Mark my words, Potter!”

“I don’t doubt it,” Harry smirked. The playful competitive spirit between them certainly hadn’t died out. Harry was finally starting to see Draco in another light, a good light. Draco was joyous that he was able to talk to Harry for once like a normal person. He was tired of their fights. It was time for a new chapter.

“Hey, would I be able to have the book when finished?” Harry asked.

Draco looked to his book, “I didn’t think you to be a romantic, Potter.”

“I-I’m not, but it’s the one book that everyone claims you should read at least once,” Harry explains. “If it’s a romance, so be it.”

Draco smirks, but it wasn’t like in past years. Harry liked that.

Draco closed his book, removing the Slytherin bookmark within it. He looked at it one last time longingly and stood. Draco held out his arm and handed the book to him, “Madam Pince allowed me to keep this one permanently. Please don’t lose this, Potter. I’m trusting you against my better judgment.”

Harry could sense both Draco’s seriousness and his sarcasm as he accepted the book. He ran his fingers along the hard binding and could smell the fresh pages. New parchment… Harry thought. The Amortentia. He looked up at Draco with a shine in his eyes. Green eyes stared back into grey, and Draco’s pale cheeks turned that fleshy pink Harry enjoyed.

Draco didn’t know what came over him but he leaned his head down slightly with lips parted. He looked at Harry’s lips, at his eyes, and back again. He could smell the woody pine of Harry’s firebolt and orange treacle tart from dessert. Draco almost felt a haze around him, like he was dreaming. Harry set down the book on the table beside the shelves. He grabbed Draco’s hand on an impulse and gazed back at the Slytherin. Harry wasn’t sure what his body was doing, but it seemed to be mirroring Draco’s movements. His cheeks felt warm and his ears felt worse.

Draco knew that he wanted to kiss Harry; he had been wanting it for years, but he-

No.

No, he couldn’t let himself do that.

Draco shook his head, coming to his senses. This was wrong, he couldn’t possibly kiss Potter.

“Sorry Potter, I have to go. Can’t let Filch or Snape catch me in the halls. Enjoy the book.” Draco gave him a flat smile before leaving, the smooth touch of his fingers still lingering on Harry’s.

The hot atmosphere suddenly became chill as Draco left. Harry’s fluttery stomach dropped and he was… disappointed? At what? Not finding out why Draco placed the poison? Or the fact Harry was almost compelled to kiss his “enemy” and wanted it to happen?!

What the fuck was Draco thinking?! 

What was Harry thinking?!

The Slytherin didn’t sleep that night. He almost regretted not kissing Harry. That could’ve been the closest he’d ever been to feeling his lips or holding his hand that tight like he was frightened to let go. Draco knew that he had feelings for the Gryffindor, but this was the worst possible time to act on them. He had a job to do; he couldn’t let his feelings get in the way of that!

He had to lead Potter away; he couldn’t interfere with his plans…

Draco and Harry didn’t see each other in over a week after that. Draco was on the Marauder’s map, but Harry opted not to use it to prove to Hermione it was indeed not an obsession with the Malfoy. The Slytherin was avoiding Harry at all costs so there was no point. Draco took different routes to his classes. He couldn’t even begin to think of what Harry was thinking about after that moment in the library! Why the hell would he try to kiss him?

Now, Harry… Harry was promptly having a secret crisis.

He couldn’t possibly tell Hermione! Much less Ron!

Did Draco have feelings for him? Did he have feelings for Draco?

Harry only liked girls… maybe just this guy too?

Draco wasn’t going to kiss him… was he? Was he going to kiss Draco?

He must’ve been dreaming! That was the only explanation. 

Harry James Potter couldn’t possibly have feelings for Draco Lucius Malfoy, his “enemy” for five years, pureblood elitist, and a Death Eater of his archnemesis!

Nope! Couldn’t be a thing. Nope, nope, nuh-uh, no way!

While the Gryffindor was in such denial, he read the Wuthering Heights novel that Draco gave him. He always kept it on him, similar to the Half-Blood Prince’s Potions textbook. It started to worry Hermione almost just as much as Harry’s fascination with the Slytherin. Ginny felt the same way. It was odd for someone to carry such an ‘insignificant’ book everywhere.

Chapter Text

ALL JUST A GAME

Eventually, Harry Potter's non-Ravenclaw brain got the idea of where Draco Malfoy might be hiding every time the Slytherin disappeared on the seventh floor. It took him a lot longer than we thought he'd get to it, but don't worry he got it.

Since the entrance was blown up during fifth year by the invasive What's-Her-Pink-Toad-Face, the Gryffindor hadn’t visited the Room of Requirement. He’d hidden there with his classmates from Umbridge in the past for all the Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons. Remembering that the Room never showed up on the Map like Hermione explained, indeed Draco could be hiding there. He’d seen Draco go near it several times on the Marauder’s map and it was the only explanation for his mysterious vanishing.

When Harry entered the Room of Requirement, it was no longer the clean glass space it once was. Of course, it wasn't supposed to be since he didn't need the open space. He thought of the Slytherin Prince and ended up in the Room of Hidden Things as it was called with the extreme pigsty of clutter that was now there. Stacked high were all sorts of furniture and magical elements. In one corner, Harry thought he saw the old Mirror of Erised and Fluffy’s harp. As he mucked about in there, it almost reminded him of Mr. Weasley’s muggle garage.

There were potion kits and herbology plants (dead by the way). There were libraries of books and ripped leather sofas. Boxes upon boxes were jenga-fied and in the back, was a wooden cabinet. It was black and dusted with cobwebs. The curly-cues in detail sprouted from the edges and it smelled like old pine. The handles were made of goblin iron by the looks of it and a red, cream, and gold curtain draped over it. Harry assumed it was probably 20-30 years old because it was something his great-aunt and uncle Dursleys would have. Definitely smelled like an old-people smell.

At the entrance, Draco Malfoy in his black suit was travelling to the Room of Requirement to add more of the mending spell to the vanishing cabinet. He made his way through the junk as usual, reveling in all the different objects. Suddenly, he heard a crash sound and a small "Shit!"

Harry had tripped over a few items on the floor near the cabinet.

“Who is there?” Draco shouted, readying his wand. He peeked from behind a tower of items to see Harry steadying himself.

“No one, it’s just me!” Harry called. With his hands up in surrender, Harry saw Draco coming from behind the junk, his wand pointing at him again. His heart pounded seeing the Slytherin in this light. “H-Hi…”

“Oh, it’s just you,” Draco rolled his eyes, stuffing his wand away. “You’ve managed to enter the Room of Requirement. That’s very smart of you, Potter.”

“I was in here last year, remember?” the Gryffindor reminded Draco. “Marietta Edgecombe snitched on us to you, your cronies, and Umbridge, getting SNEAK written in pimples across her face.” Draco walked closer in silence. Harry just stared ahead, unsure of Draco’s next move. “So, is this where you’ve been hiding from me?”

“Yes... and no,” Draco replied slowly. "I've been doing work in here. It's quiet and no one can randomly burst in. However, you and your insufferable self always seem to break that cycle, don't you?"

Harry smirked at Draco’s comments.

"Nah, just making sure you aren't up to anything bad as usual," Harry stated, a joking tone lacing it.

"You know I'm a death eater, Potter. Respectfully, you must bugger off with this because you know I'm up to something," Draco huffed impatiently. "It doesn't concern you."

"It's the Wizarding World's mission on my back to defeat Voldemort, so unfortunately Malfoy, it is my business," Harry retorted.

"I'm sorry that my boss is onto your arse and I can't bloody sacrifice myself and my family so you can do your fucking duty, Potter!" Draco yelled back. "The world isn't that simple! I wish I could run away from all of this, to not have my friends constantly worrying about my mental health because it's in the fucking gutter here! I never wanted this! Never! My mother tried everything, yet here I am with blood on my arm, purple under my eyes, and this disgustingly ugly and burning snake embedded into my arm for the rest of my life! I told you, I didn't have a choice!"

"You think I wanted this life, Malfoy? Do you really think that at barely a year old I wanted to lose my parents? To be thrust into the large hands of my aunt and uncle who abused me for ten years and continue to do so?" Harry explained angrily. "To be hidden away from this magical world, only to be the most well-known person in it, and turns out some bald-headed snake man has it out for a literal child? To be someone who found my true family, my godfather, only for that to be ripped away in an instant by your very own aunt?! Do you think that I wanted all that? Just because I am the Chosen One doesn't mean that I grew up with everyone around me worshipping me at my feet. In fact, it's been very much the opposite!"

The Gryffindor's heart heaved in his chest. Both Draco and Harry had screamed the views of their current world. Each one was particularly bad, neither would deny that. Harry thought that because of the heir's upbringing, he had wanted to take the mark and please his family. Draco's family, especially Lucius and Bellatrix, had stood by Voldemort's side. Draco, being the ever-perfect son would just follow in line. That certainly wasn't Draco's case.

The Slytherin on the other hand, had heard plenty of stories from a young age about the great Harry Potter. He was the Savior of the Wizarding World. The Chosen One. Harry must've lived in a palace just like he did, must've been so loved. He had so many friends and everyone loved him. Harry had the easiest of lives, right? Draco's perspective changed in an instant, hearing the Boy Who Lived had a terrible upbringing and it was never as great as it sounded.

Reality shattered both boys. In that way, they understood each other.

Draco strolled close to the Gryffindor, almost chest to chest. Silver eyes stared down at viridescent. "I'm sorry, Potter," The blond whispered. "I shouldn't have assumed those things."

The brunet only nodded. His arms lay limp at his sides and his glasses slid down his nose as his head sulked. Harry stared at the floor. He had no idea why the hell he told Draco all of that. He had no reason to unleash his past on his school nemesis, yet here they stood. Their souls bared naked to one another. It was a relief to get off his chest, but he couldn't put a finger on why he said it.

Competition? Jealousy? To prove a point? To put Draco in his place? He didn't understand.

Draco sighed and saw Harry for what he truly was. He was broken, just like him. They were skeletons of their former selves. Draco's core grew much fonder of Harry then, seeing his vulnerability and relation similarities. Harry looked up, his eyes couldn't hold to Draco's face. They fixed themselves to the infamously tattooed arm, hidden by dark fabric. The Gryffindor knew Draco was in trouble and there was nothing he could do. He could tell Dumbledore, but why would Dumbledore care? He didn't care that Sirius was innocent, that Harry lost his godfather, that the Slytherins were in danger of the Troll during the first year when it was in the Dungeons. Dumbledore didn't care unless it benefited him and his star pupil.

The boys stood in silence. The vulnerability shook them both to their centers and now laid bare... they didn't know what to do. Harry wanted to hold Draco's hand, to tell him everything would be alright. He didn't have the words, so that would be enough. The Slytherin turned to leave and the Chosen One gripped his hand tight, bringing him back to face him. Draco gasped at the touch, the warmth fizzled through his cold body. Draco looked down at the shy boy before him. He couldn’t think of anything else to do. Harry’s very being was drawing him closer and it was intoxicating. His touch, smell, his unruly hair…

Draco knew it was a bad idea and everything in his gut was telling him not to. 

But how could Draco Malfoy resist Harry Potter again? Not when he looked so pretty in this light. Not when he braved his beautiful soul to him.

“Harry,” Draco said, without meaning to. He was so used to calling the Chosen One by his last name that saying "Harry" aloud was foreign, but this seemed almost natural. 

“Draco,” Harry whispered, his face leaning up to view Draco’s porcelain features. His mercury eyes with speckles of blue, the faint smell of green apples, the bony feel of his hands, the sharp jaw and pink lips, and his smoothly gelled hair. Harry for once saw beauty in the Slytherin, picture-esque like a painting in the Louvre. Sculpted to perfection. Harry didn’t know what was happening. His heart pounded in his chest and he gasped lightly as Draco got closer. He grabbed onto the table next to the old closet behind him, trying to steady himself.

With the Malfoy so close, it was like a dream again.

Without meaning to, Draco’s body leaped forward. Draco closed his eyes and latched his lips to Harry’s. His eyes widened before immediately shutting them closed at the euphoric feeling. It wasn’t Draco's or Harry’s first kiss; both of them kissed Pansy and Cho, respectively, but it certainly felt like a first kiss. It was soft and dainty at first. Draco pulled away from Harry's lightly chapped lips before returning when the Gryffindor seemed to not reject him. Harry became more hungry and the pace quickened with the next series of kisses.

The pair’s passion felt unmatched, and Draco seemed to enjoy it as much as Harry did by placing his hands on Harry’s jaw and waist. Harry had no clue what his body was doing, but he didn’t mind it at all. He went to cup Draco’s jaw and grasped his shoulder for balance. Harry gripped Draco’s blazer, squeezing the fabric tight. Harry’s breath hitched at the feel of Draco’s soft lips. Harry almost felt like he wanted to take the kiss further, maybe slip himself inside Draco’s mouth.

Draco felt sudden guilt after being too into the moment. What if the brunet thinks he had taken advantage of his weak state? Now, his plan was jeopardized and Harry would be in the crossfire. He loved the sparks and passion he felt, but it was too much and the Slytherin Prince couldn’t put Harry in such a position... He shouldn’t have gotten so close to the Chosen One.

Draco removed himself from the kiss, covering his mouth, and left without a word.

Harry kept his eyes closed, struggling to keep a straight face. He was holding back the curl of his lips. But in the end, it was worth it. Too dazed about the kiss, Harry didn’t leave the Room of Requirement to go after Draco. Harry just had the single greatest kiss of his life, and it was with Draco Malfoy no less.

Harry couldn’t believe it to the point he had to pinch himself to make sure he wasn’t in bed, dreaming! He was walking on cloud nine and he could still taste the sweetly sour apple juice on his lips. 

~~~~~

Harry walked out of the Room of Requirement with a super-sized smile on his face Without him noticing, Ron came up behind him and surprised him. “Where were ya, Harry?”

“What?” Harry said, snapping out of his daze.

“With Dumbledore again?” Ron guessed.

“Uh- Sure… Sure,” Harry lied. How would he tell his best friend about kissing Draco? That’d be a recipe for disaster!

Running into both of them was Slughorn. As soon as he saw Harry, he muttered something before changing his direction. “Still no luck with Slughorn then, eh?”

Harry’s lightbulb had just gone off, “Luck! That’s it! All I need’s a bit of luck!”

In the Gryffindor common room, Harry sat contemplating with Ron and Hermione as to whether or not he should drink the Felix Felicis. He popped the small cork of the vial and took a small sip of it. A wash-over effect could be felt all over Harry's body and a larger-than-life smile appeared on the boy’s face, almost as bright as the one after Draco’s kiss earlier. 

“Well, how do you feel?” Hermione inquired.

“Excellent! Really excellent!” Harry exclaimed as he sat up off the couch.

“Remember, Slughorn usually eats early, takes a walk, then returns to his office,” Hermione assessed.

“Right,” Harry understood. Then, he completely disregarded that information, “I’m going down to Hagrid’s!”

“What?” Hermione glares. “No, Harry, you’re supposed to speak to Slughorn! And we have got to talk about your books, seriously!” Harry turns around and stares blankly and his friends. “We have a plan!”

“I know,” Harry nods. “But I’ve got a good feeling about Hagrid’s! I feel it’s the place to be tonight! Y’know what I mean?”

Hermione and Ron looked at each other before back at Harry, “No.”

“Well, please trust me. I know what I’m doing,” Harry assures. “Or Felix does.” Harry departs all happy-go-lucky, leaving Ron and Hermione confused beyond belief.

“For Godric’s sake, he’s now drunk off Liquid Luck!” Hermione shook her head, leaving Harry to his mission. Ron nodded in agreement.

On the way to Hagrid’s, Harry bumps into the Potions Master taking Venomous Tentacula from Professor Sprout’s herbology greenhouse, startling him. Of course, Harry pays no attention to the fact he has to talk to the professor about his memory and skips on his merry little way. Since the professor won’t let the boy go by himself at nightfall, Slughorn goes with him to Hagrid’s Hut.

At the Hut, the Grounds Keeper, the Potions Master, and Harry all mourn Aragog, the acromantula that almost killed Harry and Ron in their second year. He had died of old age and Hagrid was his best friend. In the hut, the two men (mostly Hagrid) got drunk on fire whiskey and sang old songs as Harry watched in awe with thunderous applause as each one came to an end.

Both professors told stories of their animal pets. Hagrid had Aragog since he was an egg. Slughorn had a fish, Francis, that mysteriously disappeared. It was originally given to him by an old student. Hagrid then fell asleep from being so drunk, leaving Harry and Slughorn “alone.” The elder man revealed that his goldfish had been from Harry’s mother, Lily. When she died, the fish went along with her, leaving only a lily behind in its place.

Slughorn protested that he was unable to help Harry get what he needed for Dumbledore, being too ashamed of what he had done. But with Harry’s persuading to be brave like his mother, who willingly gave up her life to save Harry with her love, Slughorn was convinced. With the edge of his wand, he held it to his temple and plucked the most needed memory of him and Tom Riddle.

When stored away, the Headmaster and Harry were able to find out what the professor told Riddle all those years ago. Within the memory, Riddle found from the restricted section a piece of dark magic called a Horcrux. With a Horcrux, you were allowed to place a part of your soul inside an object that way one could become immortal. What made it so dark was having to sacrifice someone to place one’s soul into that object. Riddle wished for seven pieces, much to the great horror of Professor Slughorn. With this memory, Dumbledore and Harry realized that Voldemort had succeeded in splitting his soul.

The diary from second year, the Gaunt Family ring from Voldemort’s mother, and now others needed to be destroyed. If Harry destroyed them, the Dark Lord would be able to be defeated once and for all. Harry's mission was complete and in a month he’d be leaving with Dumbledore to search for another, believed to be hidden in a cave that was from an old photo in the orphanage Riddle lived in.

~~~~~

Harry sat relaxing in the common room with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. Hermione was reading the news in the Prophet and Ron was trying to go through his chocolate frog cards for the year, seeing which ones he already had and did not. The Wuthering Heights book was a fantastic read and Harry was almost finished with it.

“I want to see this book you’re so obsessed with, Harry,” the brunette folds the Daily Prophet in her hands. When she goes to reach for it, Harry scoots away, not letting her have the book.

“No!” Harry says. “And I’m not obsessed with it! You’ve gotta stop saying that!”

“Why not? You haven’t taken your eyes off it for probably what… five-six days?” Hermione guessed. Ron shrugged his shoulders.

“The binding is fragile,” Harry lies.

“The binding is fragile?” Hermione repeats. 

Unbeknownst to Harry, he turns his back to Ginny who takes the book from his hands. She walks away to get some distance and opens the cover. “The Wuthering Heights? What is it?” Ginny asks.

“What?” Hermione asks. Even as a muggle, she had never heard of that story before. Harry goes to reach for the book, but not before Ginny sees the cursive script on the hardcover. “This book is the property of Draco Malfoy,” it read.

“It says the book belongs to Malfoy!” Ginny states. Harry did not explain, leaving the group confused.

Why was Harry making such a fuss over a book that was Draco’s? Why would Harry have Draco's book anyway? Hermione had an inkling Harry harbored something for the Slytherin, and this just added proof. Hermione couldn't believe Harry was so blind, even with his glasses.

Ginny threw the book back to Harry and he left to go to bed for the night. As everyone conked out to sleep for the night, the Chosen One remembered that he got a note from Draco during potions class to meet him at midnight at the Astronomy tower, so he made sure everyone was passed out before sneaking out.

~~~~~

Harry arrived eagerly to see the Slytherin. Draco, on the other hand, looked not-so-cheery to see the Gryffindor. His black wand was drawn and aimed at Harry. He had to put an end to whatever their relationship was. The blond couldn’t put Harry in danger and his own family could never find out what he had done. No one would have approved of it.

“Why is your wand pointing at me?” Harry narrowed his eyes.

“It’s over Potter!” Draco sneered, his old demeanor returning. “This thing between us, it’s over!”

Harry’s brows furrowed in anger. Malfoy was the one who started this- this- whatever "this" was! He egged Harry on to kiss him! Why was he the one to end it? “But… what about our special connection? The library? The outburst in the Room of Requirement? The kiss? I thought that meant something to you, you went back for-”

“Are you that naive Potter?!” Malfoy shouted, his voice cracking. “I never would’ve had to kiss you if you weren’t so close to finding what I’ve been up to! It was just to distract you, and it worked so well!” Maybe Draco should’ve stopped himself there, knowing none of what he was saying was true. But, he had to get Harry off his radar. “I hate you so much! I always hated you…” 

Malfoy had tears welled up and his arm was shaking. The adrenaline was too much. The wind blew in his hair and Harry wasn’t too thrilled with what he was hearing. Harry stood in confusion; the boy’s actions were too contradictory. No one would ever kiss someone if they hated them that much. No one would try to save their enemy. No one would confess the harsh reality of their life to someone they hated, it would be too easily used against them. “Why are you standing there? Go away! Leave!” Malfoy cried.

Going along with his better judgment, Harry made his way towards the stairs. He struggled to hold back his tears. He was so stupid for falling for the Slytherin's tricks. Why couldn’t he see the signs? He should’ve known Malfoy was going to use him! Harry had spilled his guts to him, but it was just weakness. Slytherins are too cunning just to leave trauma alone...

Draco stayed at the top of the Astronomy tower.

His hands fidgeted on the edge of the rails. He looked over the edge, thinking thoughts he shouldn’t have been thinking. He was ready and didn’t want this future any longer, but he pushed himself away from the edge, hearing Harry’s ominous words from before, “Draco! Back away from the ledge!” He fell towards the center structure, curling up into a ball against it, and scratched at his arms through his jacket. He couldn’t forgive himself for what he just did. Why was he so stupid?! He was such a coward. Harry must be so confused and angry with him.

Back in the Gryffindor dorms, Harry harshly slammed himself onto his bed. All the boys were asleep so he couldn’t smash his fist into a closet door or punch his pillow. He couldn’t scream or shout. He couldn’t do anything. Harry tossed and turned all night, his bed too uncomfortable and his mind unable to shut off.

Draco meanwhile sulked back to the Slytherin dorms. His eyes were bloodshot and his arms sagged like a weeping willow. Pansy had gotten up in the middle of the night to warm herself up a bit since the kettle fire in her shared bedroom had burnt out. Pansy saw Draco walking like a zombie and rushed over to her friend. His oxford shirt was stained red on one sleeve and Draco immediately covered himself. Pansy inquired to see what was wrong, Draco only burst into tears and hugged her tightly.

Her motherly instincts kicked in and rushed to grab his pajamas from his bedroom and woke up Blaise to show support. Blaise brought down some chocolate and whipped up a batch of magical peppermint tea. The female Slytherin bandaged her friend's arm, not even knowing exactly what Draco's long sleeves hid from her. Blaise grabbed a blanket and the group of friends tried to calm their blond friend down before falling asleep on the couch.

Harry nor Draco, surrounded by his friends, slept well that night either.

~~~~~

About a week later, Katie Bell finally returned from the Hospital Wing. If it weren’t for Hermione, Harry probably wouldn’t have realized that Katie was at the front of the Gryffindor table with Leanne and a few of the other girls. He chatted with her to make sure she was alright. Katie claimed she felt immensely better, but had no recollection of what had occurred nor did she remember who placed the curse on her, no matter how hard to tried.

As they finished up their conversation, Draco walked into the Great Hall. He hadn't been seen for a week. Draco had seen Katie in the Hospital Wing because Pansy and Blaise forced him to see Madam Pomfrey. Since the Slytherin refused to cooperate, his friends had to take the potions for him when he stormed out. He needed space. At the sight of Harry for the first time in a week, however, he turned around right away. He didn't want another conversation with him, not after what he did to him or himself that night. Harry thinking the opposite, sprinted after Malfoy, excusing himself from Katie. Harry didn’t hear Hermione call out to him as he left the Hall, pushing past all the entering students.

Draco ran to the second-floor girls’ bathroom. It was uninhabited unless you counted Myrtle. As he ran, Draco struggled to breathe, loosening his Slytherin tie. He rushed to the sink, feeling hot and sweaty. He gagged several times, nearly throwing up from the bile stuck in his throat. He pulled off his cotton sweater vest, throwing it to the floor, and gripped the fronts of the outer sinks in the set of three to stabilize his shaking body. 

The Slytherin cupped cold water from the sink and splashed his face, hoping to cool and calm him down. He choked on his tears until he heard Harry’s footsteps at the door. He stopped himself, drying his eyes. He refused to let Harry see weakness, not again. He looked to see the Boy Who Lived, livid in the mirror reflecting behind him. Harry had his wand drawn, ready for a fight.

“Was this all just a game to you or are you too cowardly once again to face how you feel? You hexed Katie and nearly murdered my best friend!” Harry screamed at Malfoy. Draco looked in the mirror to see Harry with his nose scrunched. He scowled as he turned around, pent up in anguish. Too blinded by hate, Draco threw a spell at Harry. The Gryffindor tossed one back and a duel commenced with a broken sink pipe spraying water. Myrtle watched from above, getting a taste of the drama unfolding.

“I didn’t wish to hurt anyone!” Draco shouted. “I never meant to hurt you!”

“Should’ve thought about that before you gave Katie the necklace! Or poisoned Ron! Or let me pour out my heart to you! You fucking kissed me dammit!” Harry argued, shooting another hex. “Why are you so contradictory? Why are you so confusing? Pick a side, Malfoy!”

Between the stalls, Harry and Draco continued to throw spells at one another. They even hid under the toilets in hopes of protection from the other. Even then, they still blew one up, with disappointment to Myrtle. 

“I do care for you, Potter! I just can’t let you get in the way of my plans!” Draco confessed, hiding behind one of the still doors, huffing. “I’m sorry I kissed you! I’m sorry I didn't know that you have a troubled life instead of the luxurious one I thought you had! I'm sorry can’t do anything right!”

The boys paused for air, but Harry didn't care for the Slytherin's confession. He was too angry with him. The Gryffindor saw red and went after the other boy when he was unguarded. The Malfoy turned the corner around the end stall and Harry shot the deadly spell from the Half-Blood Prince’s book.

“Sectumsempra!”

Draco yelped in pain as he was knocked back into the pool of water. He twitched almost seizure-like as red splotches appeared through his white Oxford shirt. His whimpers of pain were loud and heartbreaking. The Malfoy’s wounds were bleeding out and the Boy Who Lived finally realized what he’d done. He never meant to almost kill Draco but he didn’t know the reversal spell to the curse he’d shot. “Malfoy? Draco? Draco can you hear me? Fuck, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! I didn't mean to!”

Moaning Myrtle screeched overhead, “Death in the bathroom! Death in the bathroom!” so loud to the point it alerted Professor Snape to enter the loo to help Draco.

The red pool around the boy stained the back of his shirt. Nevertheless, Professor Snape’s unknown chant healed Draco’s body. Harry attempted to leave but with no use, Snape had caught him. Interestingly, he was given only a month’s detention rather than the expected expulsion. 

Harry had royally fucked up with this.

Chapter Text

BATTLE OF THE ASTRONOMY TOWER

A few days passed the pair by. 

Draco remained under the care of Madam Pomfrey with the help of Snape’s healing charm. Draco had rested in the same hospital bed for about five days with a bandaged chest and stitched face that seemed to constantly try and come undone. Pansy and Blaise visited to bring extra relief potions and something for their friend to sleep better. Madam Pomfrey wouldn't stop chiding him for wanting to get out of bed. During his time in the Hospital Wing, the Slytherin mostly stared at the ceiling and he was able to get a moment to himself to think.

He had ruined his chance of being with Harry. He shouldn’t have kissed him. He shouldn’t have contacted Harry or gotten closer to him. He shouldn't have yelled at him, shouldn't have revealed he was a death eater. Draco should’ve just stayed away as he planned after breaking Harry’s nose. What even caused him to break Harry’s nose; what the fuck was he thinking?

Ron’s sister, Ginny, came to visit Draco for Harry a couple of days ago. Apparently, the Gryffindor hadn’t left his common room couch except for classes. Even through classes, Harry didn’t pay much attention. Snape was also extremely harsh in his detentions. Hermione and Ron saw Harry worked up to the point he looked ready to punch something. Harry wouldn’t go himself because couldn’t bear to see the damage he caused Draco. Even then, Harry wasn't sure he could trust the Slytherin. Why had he kissed him? Why had he kissed back? Why did he antagonize Draco? Why was he so stubborn? Could've just listened to Hermione and none of this would've happened...

The Death Eaters were going to Borgin and Burkes that night. Draco was going to ready the vanishing cabinet. Now, after five days and passed and the Hogwarts Matron had approved him to start walking around the Hospital Wing with supervision, despite the pain, Draco had to get to work. He couldn’t warn Harry, not if it meant he might use Sectumsempra against him again… or worse.

Draco had practically seen himself at Death’s door that night. He lay in his hospital bed in excruciating pain, his life flashing before his eyes. In his time while lying in the red pool of bloody water, he remembered that it felt like years.

He remembered playing with his training wand with his father near the gardens when his mother worked. He remembered giving Dobby his first-ever hug and how much Dobby’s excited crying soaked Draco’s little blouse. Draco got his first toy broomstick and almost flew it into his mother's favorite tulip bushes. At school, he remembered being sorted into Slytherin before the Hat touched his head and the flying lesson where he and Harry were playing with Longbottom’s remembrall. After that, Harry made the Quidditch team. Draco complained to Crabbe, Goyle, and his family in jealousy. Potter always got what he wanted.

In second year, Harry and Draco played Quidditch together on opposing sides. Slytherin and Gryffindor had always been competitive, except with Harry and Draco as the team seekers, it was the greatest points of the season. Draco had the faster broom, but Harry was more skilled and caught the golden snitch first, much to Draco and his father’s disappointment. Again, Potter got what he wanted.

In third year, he got to see Harry touch and ride a hippogriff. The feat was almost unheard of and Draco wanted to impress him by doing it as well. His thirteen-year-old cocky self couldn’t put it past him after he disregarded Hagrid’s orders to not insult the damn animal. He also got a wallop to the face from Hermione for trying to get the bird killed. That was well deserved, he wasn’t gonna lie. He was such a pathetic git. Harry and Weaselbee laughed in his face.

In fourth year, it was almost terrifying to see Harry in the Triwizard Tournament. He was made fun of by almost everyone except the Gryffindors. Draco had even “Potter Stinks” badges; that was a terrible idea. He had climbed up into a tree just to tease Harry about betting on his life with his father, like who does that?  

During the Yule Ball, Draco went with Pansy because he wouldn’t be seen without a date and wouldn’t let his white suit go to waste. He slow danced with her and drank the punch while listening to The Weird Sisters, but he couldn’t look away from Harry. Harry had combed his unkept jet-black hair for once and his dancing was certainly pathetic, but it was cute to see him fumble one of the Patil twins in front of their entire school. Harry sat alone for most of the night and Draco wanted to dance with him, but w ho wouldn’t let him live it down if he danced with the Chosen One, another boy, in front of everyone?! Harry nor Draco got what they wished for.

And in fifth year, Draco was just a little shitebag. After being nominated as Slytherin prefect he abused his power, taking points from the Golden Trio left and right for no reason. He joined Umbridge’s Inquisitorial Squad under pressure from Crabbe and Goyle, saying it would be fun. It was, but school didn’t become as fun as it used to. When they caught Harry and his friends, he was expecting Harry to get punished. He drew the line when the Pink Toad slapped Harry across the face. The Chosen One didn't deserve that.

Now, he’d befriended Harry for a short while. He gave him his newest favorite book. He’d kissed Harry Potter and broke his heart. He’d become a Death Eater, told someone outside the ranks, and he was an almost cold-blooded killer of two students. Now, he was about to let in the Death Eaters after Dumbledore’s return from leave by the end of the night. Harry even confirmed in his dreams that he’d want nothing to do with Draco after this.

“... I could never… Not with what you’re about to do tonight. You mean nothing to me, Draco…”

~~~~~

During the afternoon, Harry met with Professor Dumbledore at the top of the Astronomy tower. The Headmaster was bickering with Professor Snape, “I will not negotiate with you, Severus. You agreed. Nothing more to discuss.” As Harry reached the top steps, the greasy-haired man swished his large cloak and clacked his way down, stopping to stare at Harry before moving on.

The silver-bearded man gawked at the open lands, letting the wind swirl into his locks. Harry stood in silence until Dumbledore took notice of Harry’s arrival. “Oh, Harry,” Dumbledore greeted. “You need to shave my friend.”

Harry chuckled at Dumbledore’s comment, brushing a hand to his jaw. He was probably right. His new stubble was just like his own head of hair; it grew way too fast.

“You know, at times, I forget how much you’ve grown,” the Headmaster recalled. “At times, I still see the small boy from the cupboard. Forgive my mawkishness, Harry. I’m an old man.”

“You still look the same to me, Sir,” Harry assured. The elder snickered in response.

“Just like your mother, you’re unfailingly kind,” Dumbledore said. “A trait people never fail to undervalue I’m afraid.” 

The professor then switched subjects, informing Harry of their newest task. They were going to find another Horcrux. “The place to which we journey tonight is extremely dangerous,” Dumbledore reported. “I promised you could accompany me, and I stand by that promise. But, there is one condition: You must obey every command I give you, without question.”

“Yes, sir,” the Gryffindor agreed.

“You do understand what I’m saying,” Dumbledore clarified. Harry nodded again. “Should I tell you to hide, you hide. Should I tell you to run, you run. Should I tell you to abandon me and save yourself, you must do so.”

Harry stared in disbelief. “Your word, Harry,” Dumbledore readied.

“My word,” Harry accepted.

“Take my arm,” Dumbledore requested.

The Chosen One, confused, asked, “Sir, I thought you couldn’t apparate within Hogwarts?”

“Well,” Dumbledore explained. “Being me has its privileges.” 

Harry smirked before taking Dumbledore’s arm within his own. The pair apparated far away from the Hogwarts grounds to a rock island in the middle of a windy and rough ocean tide, looking at the cave Tom Riddle had in his memories. 

The pair then apparated inside and followed the obscure trail to a dead end of dark stone. Feeling the energy around it, Dumbledore recognized it as the place where the Horcrux must be hidden. He drew a knife from his pocket and drew the blade across his palm as the only way to gain passage. The enter-er must be weakened, and what better way than to wound oneself? He wouldn’t let himself allow Harry to be the maker of that payment.

The dead end crumbled, opening a cavern to the clearest of huge crystal banks around a large water source. As the water went on for some time, Dumbledore summoned the chain of a small canoe to go across. The pair made it across to the other side and met with the crystal banks. 

At the top of this bank was a bowl of dark liquid, most likely a dangerous drink to weaken the intruder. Dumbledore enforced that Harry makes him drink all of it, no matter the consequences of drinking it. The Headmaster instantly fell to his knees after the first sip, but Harry trudged on as he was told to. When finished, at the bottom of the crystal bowl lay a yellowish-green locket.

Harry struggled to make the Aguamenti charm work inside to bowl to quench his professor’s thirst. He took the shell cup to the water source between the banks, only to be met with a hand trying to drag him into the water. From all sides, inferi by the hundreds surrounded the pair. Trying to escape to higher ground, Harry was shoved into the water and was pulled far down to a nearly-drowning death.

With a spiral of fire, the inferi lessened their hold on Harry, letting him escape to the surface. Dumbledore had regained power over his body, using a fiendfyre spell to hold off the inferi. Separating the fire, the pair jumped back in the canoe and sailed safely across to the opposite side to safety.

~~~~~

As dusk fell and Madam Pomfrey had left the Hospital Wing, Draco took his opportunity to put the plan into motion. He changed from his black silk pajamas into his black suit and tie and made his way back to the Room of Requirement. A storm was settling in and Professor McGonagall was encouraging all students to come inside and head to their houses.

Draco’s body was shaking as he pulled off the old ragged curtain on the vanishing cabinet for the last time that year. He stepped back, feeling the chill coming from inside the contraption. The draught blew through his hair and the doors of the cabinet began to creak. 

The handles ticked, turning as if someone on the other side were opening it.

When the doors opened, black smoke appeared with coded whispers. Draco quickly left the Room of Requirement and headed for the Astronomy tower, knowing that was where Dumbledore would return thanks to his godfather. Out emerged Bellatrix Lestrange; Fenrir Greyback; and the Carrow Twins, Alecto and Amycus; and they secretly made their way to the Astronomy tower as well.

~~~~~

With Dumbledore on his shorter shoulders, Harry and the elder managed to disapparate back to the Hogwarts Astronomy tower. “We need to get you to the Hospital Wing, Sir! To Madam Pomfrey!” Harry urged.

The professor set himself down on one of the benches in the tower, telling Harry instead to retrieve, “Severus. Severus is who I need! Wake him; tell him what happened. Speak to no one else.”

Harry sighed. He knew that Madam Pomfrey was the better option, but Dumbledore insisted, “Severus, Harry.” 

As Harry dismissed himself to go get Professor Snape, the door to the Astronomy tower clanged open and closed below. Harry’s sense of urgency switched to one of worry. He looked to Dumbledore for advice.

“Hide yourself below, Harry!” The grey-dressed man ordered quickly. “Don’t speak or be seen by anybody without my permission. Use your cloak. Whatever happens, it’s imperative that you stay below.” Harry stood still, unsure of Dumbledore’s words. The older Gryffindor pleaded, “Harry, do as I say. Trust me… Trust me. ”

Without another word, the Boy Who Lived rushes down the extra stairs to the lower level of the Astronomy tower under Dumbledore. Behind him going up the main stairs was Draco with his wand in hand. The boy crept around the planetary model aiming his wand at Dumbledore, acting ready to attack. The headmaster stood firmly, not phased at seeing the blond boy in the offensive position.

“Good evening, Draco,” Dumbledore curtly addressed. “What brings you here on this fine spring evening?”

“Who else is here? I heard you talking!” Draco moved past the formalities. He wasn't here for chit-chat. He'd kill Dumbledore, gain the Dark Lord's recognition, and his family's skin would be saved from the snake-like bastard. He wouldn't do anything else after this.

“I often talk aloud to myself. I find it extraordinarily useful,” Dumbledore lied, expertly. Harry followed the Slytherin underneath, trying to get a better view of the two above. “Have you been whispering to yourself, Draco?” Draco’s wand aim slips only a second and Dumbledore can see the opposing views in his mind. Draco gulps, wondering what Dumbledore was going to do next. Why wasn't he worried about the fact a wand was pointed at him?

“Draco…You are no assassin,” Dumbledore insists as if he already knew what Draco had been coming here to do all along. Draco’s eyes widen, but he doesn’t let the professor see his unease.

How could have Dumbledore known? Dumbledore never received the necklace or poisoned mead.

“How do you know what I am?” the blond accuses aggressively. “I’ve done things that would shock you!”

“Like cursing Katie Bell and hoping that in return she’d bear a cursed necklace to me? Like replacing a bottle of mead with one laced with deadly poison?” Dumbledore listed. The Slytherin’s confidence was dwindling. He was trying to stay high and mighty as long as he could, but Dumbledore was acting as if the Malfoy heir were glass. “Forgive me, Draco. I cannot help feeling these actions are so weak… your heart can’t really have been in them.”

“He trusts me!” Draco’s voice cracked. “I was chosen!” The boy rips his suit sleeve up, bearing the Dark Mark in hopes of terrifying Dumbledore. The bearded man wasn’t even shocked. Harry looked from underneath, he could see Draco’s knees shaking. His hand kept adjusting his grip on his wand as if his palm was sweaty.

“Then I shall make it easy for you,” Dumbledore replied, drawing his wand.

“Expelliarmus!” Draco instantly spelled. Harry drew his wand from his pocket and held it up to Draco above, ready to throw a spell. Draco’s hand was spasming and his confident demeanor was failing miserably. His anger looked more like frustration.

“Very good. Very good,” the Headmaster complimented. Below the younger Gryffindor, the doors opened and closed again. “You’re not alone,” he noticed. “There are others.” Draco readjusted his aim. “How?”

“The vanishing cabinet in the Room of Requirement. I’ve been mending it!” Draco explained.

“Let me guess, it has a sister? A twin!” Dumbledore asked. Harry didn’t like where this was going. He backed up, looking around to see his surroundings.

“In Borgin and Burkes. They form a passage."

“Ingenious!” The Headmaster exclaimed. “Draco… years ago, I knew a boy who made all the wrong choices. Please let me help you! We’ll get you and your mother-”

“I don’t want your help!” Draco breaks. “Don’t you understand? I have to do this! I have to kill you… or he’s gonna kill me.” 

The brunet looked up to the pale blond above him, Draco looking like he was about to break down in front of his professor. Those words cemented into Harry, realizing what Draco said was true. The Slytherin was forced into the darkness and Harry was too naive to see that. That outburst wasn't a lie and Harry understood now why Draco couldn't tell him what he was up to. Harry pushed Draco away instead of bringing him towards the light. Now, Draco was put into a nasty position and he couldn’t get himself out of it.

Dumbledore’s gaze softened, seeing a scared little boy forced to do wrong. He looked to his right, seeing his old student. Bellatrix and the Death Eaters had arrived and Draco fixed his stance and facial expression, pretending to be ready to perform the curse.

“Well, look at what we have here,” Bellatrix smiled. She walked behind her nephew, congratulating him, “Well done, Draco.” With how close she stood, Draco couldn’t help but shiver at her breath.

“Good evening, Bellatrix,” her old professor said. “I believe introductions are in order, don’t you?”

“Would love to Albus, but I’m afraid we’re on a bit of a tight schedule,” Bellatrix smirked. Harry underneath moved again for a better view. “Do it!” Bellatrix whispered.

When Draco didn’t move, Fenrir Greyback spoke up. “He doesn’t have the stomach. Just like his father.” Draco side-eyed the werewolf. “Let me finish him in my own way,” He pleaded with Bellatrix.

The brunet held his wand to Draco’s position. Behind him, Professor Snape pointed his wand at Harry and the Gryffindor lowered his wand to Snape. A finger over Snape’s mouth told him to stay quiet. Above, Bellatrix disagreed with Greyback, “No! The Dark Lord was clear! The boy is to do it!” Bellatrix turned to her nephew, “This is your moment! Do it! Go on, Draco! Now!”

Snape made his way up the stairs silently. Draco furrowed his brows in concentration. This was his moment, his moment to make his family proud. But he couldn’t, he didn’t want to. He shook in his place, the adrenaline coursing through his veins being too much for his body. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth… “No,” Came the drawled voice of Professor Snape.

Draco immediately let down his guard and lowered his wand, feeling instant relief. He turned around to see his godfather glide to interfere. Harry looked in confusion, still holding his wand above. Dumbledore looked to Harry before silently doing wandless and wordless magic to perform “Petrificus Totalus” on the boy, knowing his time was coming. Harry froze in place and was forced to watch the situation unfold.

“Severus,” Dumbledore said, solemnly. Everyone stood in silence awaiting Snape’s next move; you could almost hear a pin drop. Bellatrix narrowed her dark eyes and him. The Carrows looked at one another. “Please…”

“Avada Kedava,” Snape cursed.

Dumbledore fell over the iron railing. Draco began to hyperventilate, tearing up at seeing the great Hogwarts Headmaster falling to his death. Snape grabbed the boy by his collar and dragged him downstairs. Bellatrix cast the Morsmorde spell into the cloudy sky with a loud cackle, symbolizing the Death Eaters were there before taking their leave and Harry quickly followed them now that the frozen charm had been removed.

The Death Eaters, Snape, and Draco made their way through the empty halls. Harry left the Astronomy tower in hopes of catching up with the group. Bellatrix danced on the Great Hall tables, kicking all the cutlery and glasses off and smashing them. One of the Carrows spelled someone unconscious and Bellatrix destroyed the Great Hall’s stained glass behind the Head table. Draco watched on in disappointment. His favorite place in the world, his home, was ruined and it was all because of him.

The group made their way into the Dark Forest, Bellatrix skipping happily and Harry secretly right behind them all. The group took refuge outside Hagrid’s hut. 

“Snape! He trusted you!” Harry shouted from the hills. Snape and Draco turned their heads to the Saviour, hearing his call. Distracting them was Bellatrix setting fire to the Hut, forcing the vulnerable Hagrid and Fang out.

“Go on!” Snape ordered his godson.

Harry shouted several spells at his professor, “Incarcerous! Fight back! You coward, fight back!”

Bellatrix stuns Harry, sending him flying. “No!” Snape heeds. “He belongs to the Dark Lord!” 

Harry stiffens, twisting in agony. Snape glances at Harry, walking away and doing nothing. When Harry rises, he shoots, “Sectumsempra!” Snape blocks it with ease, sending Harry back even farther than the first. This time, Harry doesn’t get back up again, laying in the rocky grass and staring up into the cloudy sky with the Dark Mark. Snape disappears with the Death Eaters and Draco.

Before Harry retreats to the castle, he and Hagrid spray Aguamenti over the hut, trying to save its remains. When Harry returns, everyone in the castle has come to the main courtyard, gathered in large circles. Harry makes his way through the crowd, finding his friends in the center, surrounding Dumbledore’s body.

Harry came beside the old professor. He moved some of the stray greys away and took the locket from Dumbledore’s robes. Harry felt no heartbeat from the Headmaster, recognizing he really was gone. His own Potions and D.A.D.A. professor had killed him. 

Dumbledore was like a father figure to Harry, guiding him throughout the years between school and handling the trauma from Lord Voldemort. Now, like the rest of them, he was gone. Harry’s eyes welled with tears and he started to breathe heavily. Ron and Hermione rushed to his side to comfort him. Hermione gave him a large hug and rubbed his back. Ron allowed his shoulder to be cried on.

As the first of them to start, Professor McGonagall raised her wand in mourning. The Dark Mark in the sky still roared the call of the Death Eaters. Madam Pomfrey followed the Deputy Headmistress in raising her wand, then Luna and Ginny, Neville and Hagrid, and all the rest of the students and staff came after. Tears and sniffles were heard across the square, but not one of them forgot how brave Dumbledore was and how special he was not only as a Headmaster but as a professor and friend as well.

Chapter Text

FINAL DAYS OF SCHOOL

After Dumbledore’s death, Snape left with no trace, much to the confusion of the other professors. Draco had returned to Malfoy Manor with his Aunt Bellatrix and the other death eaters. Draco sent a letter to Blaise asking him to grab his supplies and other things since he couldn’t come back. He gave no explanation in his short letter, only telling him and Pansy to not worry. They'd be together again, eventually, just not for a little while. The Slytherin gang couldn't believe their most confident friend had just upped and left them, especially when the Headmaster had been murdered. Everyone knew that Draco's father was a death eater, so it only made sense for their friend to leave when the times got rough.

Back at the Manor, Narcissa was glad to see her son home. She took her son in her arms and held him tight to her chest. To see her precious boy so depressed was jarring. Draco was devastated by everything that just happened. He was relieved he didn’t get the chance to kill Dumbledore, but the damage his family caused was irreparable. His godfather murdered the man and Bellatrix cursed the skies over the school.

When Draco was graced with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's presence, he was congratulated much to his astonishment. The other Death Eaters did not spill the fact he did not kill the old man. Snape was rewarded as well, becoming the right-hand man to the Dark Lord for helping Draco along his Death Eater journey. Narcissa held a reluctant smile to appease Voldemort, but she did her duty to protect her son. Severus had followed through, meaning Draco's conscience would remain cleaner than the rest of them.

Draco's Mother and Aunt held a small party with the other death eaters in honor of Voldemort's plan to take over Hogwarts was set in motion. The Slytherin felt nauseous and dizzy, and he had a major migraine brewing but he managed to stay upright until the celebratory festivities were over. Draco refused to eat nor drink the entire time, not having the stomach to do so, just simply staying in a shadowy corner unnoticed. When the fete was over, Draco went to his bathroom.

In the mirror, he saw his creamy pale complexion turn goblin green and he knew that the bile in his throat wasn’t going to stay put. He spent a good hour or two vomiting his guts away, thinking of all the horrible actions he’d done over the past year. Nearly two students died because of him, he let the Death Eaters into Hogwarts, Harry would most likely never speak to him again, and now Hogwarts' greatest protector was dead. It was completely disgusting.

The poor house elves of the place should not have had to deal with the smell that was left behind. Narcissa led her son to his bedroom, made some tea, and retrieved something small to eat to help the boy feel a little better. He did enjoy the small bite to eat. Severus made a Wiggenweld brew to also help but Draco refused to accept. He wouldn't look his godfather in the eye after what he'd done.

The Slytherin stayed in bed for a few good days and read some of his secret muggle novels, much to his mother’s dismay. She didn’t mind the blond reading the muggle novels but discouraged it since Voldemort was under their roof until further notice. She refused to have her son punished again by the odious man. Draco didn’t know what would happen next, but it wasn’t pretty.

Harry was most likely cursing the mental daylight out of him. He knew Harry was going to try and put an end to Voldemort. He didn’t know how, but Draco was going to try and help. When allowed back, he was going to return to Hogwarts. He'd return to Blaise, Pansy, and everyone to explain everything, then they'd fight for their freedom. The Dark Lord would no longer hold any power over them and a new era of good Slytherin's would rise.

In the meantime, it was going to be a long summer…

~~~~~

Back at Hogwarts, the morning was light and warm outside compared to the gloomy atmosphere.

Classes and exams except for the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s were canceled the final week by Professor McGonagall. Hermione wasn’t too happy, but she agreed it was good for everyone’s mental health.

Harry went to Dumbledore’s office to reminisce the memories of the past six years.

He had met Fawkes, the phoenix, in his office. Harry had come to realize he wielded the sacred Sword of Gryffindor. Harry had spoken with the Sorting Hat, understanding why he would’ve been a great Slytherin. Maybe he and Draco would’ve been friends if they were in Slytherin together… He saw Dumbledore’s escape from being taken to Azkaban last year. And this year, he viewed Dumbledore, Tom Riddle, and Slughorn’s memories in the school pensieve.

On Dumbledore’s desk were his wand, his will, and the two Horcruxes that he and Harry destroyed. Harry picked up Dumbledore’s wand, seeing the grooves and jagged edges it possessed. As Harry was examining the wand, he didn’t see Professor McGonagall enter the office.

“Potter,” She said. “In light of what has happened…if you should have the need to talk to someone…” Harry tried to tune out McGonagall and dashed for the office door, not wanting to talk about it. There was a lot on his mind, but he needed to find these Horcruxes and save Draco. That was all he cared about. He was still mad at the blond, still angry for pushing him away and lying to him. Harry understood that at the same time, Harry should've listened. He shouldn't have run away or lashed that spell at the Slytherin.

Everything was so messed up now.

“You should know, Professor Dumbledore…” McGonagall mentions and Harry stops in his tracks. “... You meant a great deal to him.” Harry could see his Deputy Headmistress struggling to hold back her emotions.

Harry took one more look around the Headmaster’s office, ending on Dumbledore’s sleeping painting before departing.

Ron, Harry, and Hermione all joined together at the top of the Astronomy tower, one last time before the summer holiday.

Ron sat in the shade enjoying the spring breeze. Harry and Hermione rested by the railings, talking with each other. Harry explained what happened that night with Draco and the Death Eaters. 

“Do you think he would’ve done it?” Hermione inquired. “Draco?”

Harry sighed, “No. No, he was lowering his wand. You could tell a fight going on in his head, with the way his eyes looked. He had to do it because Voldemort was gonna kill him and his family, but in the end… he couldn’t and it was Snape. It was always Snape, and I did nothing to stop it…” Harry hung his head. “You were right Hermione, I should’ve listened to you, and now it’s all messed up.”

Hermione rubbed Harry’s back a tiny bit in understanding, “It’s alright; we'll fix it.” Harry nodded, handing her the locket from the cave.

“It’s a fake,” Harry claimed. “Open it.”

The brunette opened the locket and inside was a folded note. She opened the note and read it aloud: 

“To the Dark Lord:

I know I will be dead long before you read this, but I want you to know it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in hope when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more.

- R.A.B.”

“R.A.B.?” Hermione questioned.

“I don’t know,” Harry answered. “But whoever they are, they have the real Horcrux… which means it was all a waste. All of it…” Ron gave a quirky smile to the pair, unsure of what to do.

“You know Harry, I’m okay with whatever you and Draco have going on,” Hermione changed the subject. “So long as you figure it out and everything goes alright, okay?”

“Are you sure?” Harry asked.

“He was a foul cockroach, yet he’s matured. He didn’t once call me ‘mudblood’ this year and didn’t make fun of Ron…” Hermione reminded. “Still, I’m true to what I said, Harry: he’s different now, and I know that you’ve had something between you for far too long. I was beginning to worry he gave you Amortentia with how infatuated you were.”

Harry laughed, “Yeah, I just hope he’s alright. Also, it was not an infatuation…” Hermione playfully side-eyed Harry. “Okay, maybe it kinda was, but… I have to finish what Dumbledore started. I can’t come back.”

His friend smiled, “He’ll be okay. We’ll be sure to help him and we’ll destroy the Horcruxes.”

“We?” Harry raised an eyebrow. “I don’t need you lost with me, in the middle of nowhere-”

“I’ve always admired your courage, Harry,” Hermione shook her head with a grin. “But sometimes, you can be really thick. You don’t really think you’ll be able to find all these Horcruxes by yourself, do you?”

Harry doesn’t answer, clearly meaning yes.

“You need us, Harry…”

The pair looked over the Hogwarts grounds.

The sun was setting, pink and orange on one side and the stormy clouds on the other. Fawkes the Phoenix flew overhead, singing its birdsong. Harry, Ron, and Hermione joined one another on the balcony, looking on at Fawkes flying high, enjoying this moment of peace before the mighty storm that lay ahead of them.

End of Sixth Year

Chapter Text

ESCAPE TO THE BURROW

As the summer of 1997 came to an end, so did Harry’s time with Dursleys. His Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had sold their house. Now that Harry was practically of age in the Wizarding World, his seventeenth birthday close at hand, their house was no longer considered a safe haven.

Vernon and Harry’s cousin, Dudley, packed up the leftover things in the house into their little Toyota and micro trailer. Harry looked on through the window, seeing the dark clouds set in over the summer day.

Harry’s room was as empty as when he first moved in six years ago after spending eleven years in the cupboard under the stairs. All his posters, pictures, clothes, and other wizarding items had all been packed into his Hogwarts trunk that had an undetectable extension charm, so it was easy for everything to fit.

When Harry came down the stairs for the last time with Hedwig, his Aunt Petunia stood in the living room alone. She looked tearful, probably reflecting on the memories the house had. “I’ve lived in this house for twenty years,” Petunia said. “And now in a single night, I’m expected to leave.”

“They’ll torture you,” Harry warned. “If they think for a moment that you know where I’m going, they’ll stop at nothing.”

Petunia looked at her nephew. Harry had certainly grown into his features. He looked so much like James that it almost scared her. She may have hated James for stealing her sister away, but she never wished death upon him. “Do you think I don’t know what they’re capable of?”

“You didn’t just lose a mother that night in Godric’s Hollow, you know?” Petunia reminded solemnly. “I lost a sister.” Her eyes welled with tears, remembering seeing the letter Dumbledore left to her and her husband on a swaddled Harry. It was secretly gut-wrenching to hear her sister had passed away, murdered in cold blood, trying to protect her child. Petunia raised the boy as her own, but she'd never bear the thought Harry would have the same magical issues they did, fighting a hidden war in plain sight.

Uncle Vernon had started the car outside and his aunt wiped away her tears and left the room to join her family with no goodbye. Harry came outside, standing on the front porch. Dudley was the only one to say his goodbyes, telling Harry as an apology for the last sixteen years, “I don’t think you’re a waste of space.”

Harry nodded, sending him off with a "See ya Big D" before returning inside for shelter for the last few hours of safety. 

~~~~~

At Malfoy Manor, the Death Eaters numbered by the hundreds. Draco’s father, Lucius, had escaped Azkaban with several more of the imprisoned Death Eaters. Voldemort had called an emergency meeting. Since Harry’s birthday approached quickly, it wasn’t hard to figure out he was going to be moved to an Order member's safe house.

After this past year, Voldemort figured that the base would be the Weasleys because of what happened over the 1996 winter holidays and the Death Eaters would set a trap in their path. This would make it easy to swarm the Order members protecting Harry, overwhelming them with no chance of survival, leading Harry straight to Voldemort’s hands and instant death.

Severus Snape, entering the meeting late with a signature swish of his black cloak, confirmed the Dark Lord’s theory saying the move was going to be as soon as possible. Mr. Yaxley claimed they were going to wait until Harry’s birthday, but Voldemort had gained more trust in Snape since Dumbledore’s death. Snape denied Yaxley’s claim, given the aurors no longer have protection over Harry as the Death Eaters infiltrated the Ministry of Magic. When Harry is safely moved to the new safe house, there would be no way to attack him.

Bellatrix was quick to raise a hand, “My Lord, I’d like to volunteer myself for this task. I want to kill the boy.”

Ignoring Bellatrix’s self-nomination, Voldemort twitched at the whispering from the other side of the table. He yelled out to the other end of the table, “Wormtail! Have I not told you about keeping our guest quiet?”

“Yes, my Lord,” Peter Pettigrew quivered. “Right away, my Lord.”

Next to Pettigrew, levitating in the air was one of the Hogwarts professors. Miss Charity Burbage was the Muggle Studies professor for Hogwarts and had been teaching the subject for many years after the First Wizarding War ended. Draco was interested in taking the Muggle Studies elective course but Narcissa and especially Lucius prohibited it. Professor Burbage was taken hostage after the Carrows had taken over Hogwarts as Deputy Headmasters. Burbage was tortured to insanity and her face was battered and scarred.

“As inspiring as I find your bloodlust, Bellatrix,” Voldemort turned to his most loyal soldier. “I must be the one to kill Harry Potter.”

Draco hung his head in his seat. After the Death Eaters’ numbers rose inside his house and the Ministry, it was far too risky to send a letter to Harry or his friends. He couldn’t do anything. He hid all his muggle fiction and destroyed all the past letters he attempted to write. Libra was set free until further notice, meaning that Draco would probably never see her again.

Draco was expected at every meeting since he completed his tasks. His father was proud of him for bringing the Death Eaters into the castle. However, Lucius had never been more disappointed in his son when it came to Dumbledore’s death. He kept it secret from Voldemort, but he was furious when he found out his son didn’t follow through. Narcissa explained that an Unbreakable Vow was in place as a precaution, but Lucius didn't care for the safety netting. Not a single curse or spell besides the disarming charm was used and Lucius knew he had raised Draco better than to cower at such an important task.

Bellatrix cowered into her seat beside her sister. “But, I face an unfortunate complication," The snake-man continued. “That my wand and Potter’s share the same core. They are, in some ways, twins. We can wound, but not fatally harm one another.”

The Dark Lord rose from the head chair, “If I am to kill him, I must do it with another’s wand.” He strolled around to Draco’s side of the table. “Come, surely one of you would like the honor?” Voldemort stops behind Draco and he can feel the cold chill down his spine. 

Draco’s wand core was rare unicorn hair, meaning it was extremely loyal to its owner's values, particularly the light side. It would be both great and terrible if Voldemort chose his wand. Voldemort needed a wand to kill Harry, so his core would not allow the Dark Lord to use it. Draco didn’t want to risk of being a target for punishment if said wand refused to respond well to his commands.

Luckily, the Malfoy heir wasn’t the target. “What about you, Lucius?” Now that Lucius had returned, he was to face ridicule from their leader. Taking away a wizard’s wand was just that, leaving them powerless in the face of danger. Draco’s father turned his head back slowly to the Lord looking down on him like a peasant.

“My Lord?” Lucius squabbled out.

“My Lord?” Voldemort mocked. He extended a grey hand, demanding, “I require your wand.” Lucius’ nose scrunched in anger. Narcissa placed a hand on her husband’s leg as a way to calm him. She looked to Lucius to say everything would be alright. Lucius grabbed his snake-headed cane and drew his wand from it, handing it delicately to the Dark Lord.

He grabbed a hold of it, sensing the qualities of the wand, “Do I detect elm?”

“Yes, my Lord,” Lucius replied. Voldemort used both hands to feel the wand, only to snap off the snake’s head, finding it extremely tacky. Lucius flinched at the sound.

“And the core?”

“Dragon,” Lucius whispered before clearing his throat. “Dragon heartstring, my Lord.”

“Dragon heartstring?” Voldemort confirmed. Lucius nodded. Voldemort tossed the snake’s head onto the table before giving the new wand a test. He brought Charity Burbage forward to the table, introducing her to the Death Eater brigade. The group laughed under their breaths. Snape and Draco looked on in horror, unsure of what the nose-less bastard would do but knew it was not going to be good.

“It is Miss Burbage’s belief that muggles are not so different from us,” Voldemort elucidated. “She would, given her way, have us mate with them.” Sounds of disgust and other similar sentiments made their way around the table. “To her, the mixture of magical and muggle blood is not an abomination, but something to be encouraged.”

“S-S-Severus!” Burbage tried to call out. “Severus, please! We’re friends!” The grey man gazed at Snape. Snape did nothing but stare blankly at the Muggle Studies professor. Surely they were friends, but Snape couldn’t do anything to break the Lord’s trust. Voldemort broke the levitation charm with the killing curse, slamming the professor onto the table, and startling Draco.

Draco gulped, trying to keep whatever bile was in his throat from rising. His poker face kept slipping into an almost-frown. The blond could see her tears dripping from her eyes. “Nagini, dinner,” Voldemort welcomed his snake to the table. Draco couldn’t bear to watch the snake eat the professor whole. The sounds alone of Nagini’s gulping were enough to excuse himself from the table to vomit.

~~~~~

Harry sat up in his bedroom on his bare mattress, a broken shard of glass in his hand. He could see his reflection just like any other mirror. Although, at another angle, he’d see an older man. He didn’t know who that man was, but that didn’t matter. 

Harry packed a separate bag with everything he’d need for Horcrux hunting. With Hermione volunteering herself to come along, she’d certainly have everything, however, he stuffed his wand and the locket inside ready for action. The rest of his belongings would be sent to the Weasleys and kept there for safekeeping.

The brunet carried his things downstairs, setting them down in the living room. Feeling curious, he went over to the little cupboard under the stairs. That’d been his room for eleven years. He was stuck inside with the spiders, wood dust, and cramped space for so long. Inside on the shelves were all his old figures he’d play with, like his knight on a horse and metal samurai. 

Along with those items was a paper crane. He had no idea why he’d kept Draco’s paper crane back from third year given what was inside it, somehow it felt special to him. Harry opened the paper crane, revealing the moving picture inside. The Malfoy had drawn Harry in the Hufflepuff vs Gryffindor match getting shot with lightning, making his hair spike up with static charge. It was stupid back then, but now it was something funny to look back on. It was the only picture Harry had of himself in drawing form.

Behind Harry was a sudden thump. He pulled the light string off, turned around, and went to the door. He held his wand for safety as he opened it. At the door, Harry instantly smiled seeing Hagrid and Ron burst in for a hug. In came Hermione for one too. Before he knew it, the entire Order and almost every male member of the Weasley family came in, along with Fleur Delacour, now Bill Weasley’s fiancée and former Triwizard Champion for the Beauxbatons, and Mundungus Fletcher. Alastor Moody dropped a large sack in the middle of the living room and dining room, allowing everyone to congregate inside.

Moody was extremely tense and urgent to get Harry and everyone out before the possibility of Death Eaters at the door rose even further. “Potter, you’re underage, which means you’ve still got the Trace on you.”

“What’s the Trace?” Harry inquired.

“If you sneeze, the Ministry will know who wipes your nose,” Moody answered. “Point is, we have to use those means of transport that the Trace can’t detect: Brooms, Thestrals, and the like. We’ll go in pairs. That way if anyone’s out there waiting for us, and I reckon there will be, they won’t know which Harry Potter is the real one,” Moody finished. 

Harry’s eyes widened, “The real one?” 

“I believe you’re familiar with this particular brew,” Moody assured, holding up a flask of Polyjuice potion. 

Finally understanding the plan, Harry shook his head, looking around at everyone surrounding him. “No,” Harry stated. “No! Absolutely not!”

“I told you he’d take it well,” Hermione interjected.

“No, if you think I’m gonna let everyone risk their lives for me, I-” Harry sputtered.

“Haven’t done that before, have we?” Ron asked, sarcastically.

“No! No, this is different!” Harry claimed. “I mean, taking that? Becoming me? No!”

Fred and George joked around claiming they might just end up as Harry forever, but that didn’t diffuse the situation. Moody explained that everyone agreed to do this, that they were willing to die on Harry’s behalf, but Harry wouldn’t stand for it. They couldn't waste any more time so Hermione ripped out a chunk of her friend’s hair on Moody’s order, mixing the Polyjuice potion so everyone would be able to turn into the Boy Who Lived. With Moody’s warning of the foul taste, each person took a sip and passed the flask around. Every single person shrunk or grew and their face contorted until everyone was identical to Harry.

“Wow, we’re identical!” The twins exclaimed, even though they were already replicas of one another. The sack that Moody brought in was emptied. Red t-shirts, jeans, blue zip-up jumpers, and rounded glasses were passed around.

Everyone paired up. Remus with one of the twins, Bill with Fleur, and most importantly Harry with Hagrid. Moody rushed everyone out of the house, each pair on brooms or a thestral and Harry in Hagrid’s motorbike. Hedwig was set free, Harry’s belongings vanished to the Burrow, and on Moody’s count of three: the Order and the Seven Potters were off to the races, making way for the Burrow.

Traveling over Muggle London was beautiful seeing all the streetlights and buildings below, but the streetlights soon came to an end over the suburban areas. The aurors and their Potters went through a humongous dark cloud, only to be met with the Death Eaters’ trap, swarming by the thousands.

Spells were cast left and right, attempting harm to the Order. Harry wished to help them, but with strict orders, he and Hagrid were required to push on. Death Eaters chased the pair through Muggle London, ultimately failing to capture Harry. Harry flew the motorbike after Hagrid was hit with a stunning spell. Hedwig also tried to keep Harry safe from another spell, ultimately costing her life. 

Draco flew high on his broom in the swarm. He blended in with his dark robe and mask easily among the entire Death Eater brigade. He aimed his wand close to the Order members, ultimately looking to go after other Death Eaters so they wouldn’t be able to hurt Harry. He managed to hit a good few off their brooms, helping Harry’s team.

Harry struggled to fly the motorbike at the sense of Voldemort close. His black smoke trail met beside the pair. Despite his pain, Harry raised his wand, casting Expelliarmus towards the killing spell, holding out until Lucius’ wand broke, unable to take the spells’ hold.

When Hagrid gained consciousness again, the pair dashed to the Burrow, losing power and crashing into the marshlands safely before everyone else. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny came out to greet the pair before everyone else showed up one by one. Remus came next, carrying George on his shoulder with his ear blown out. After George settled on the couch, Remus interrogated Harry to make sure he wasn’t an imposter, and Harry passed his test. Remus went outside, finding Kingsley and Hermione. Bill and Fleur arrived on their thestral, followed by Tonks and Ron. The last to arrive was Mr. Weasley and Fred. The twins reunited, George making everything better with pathetic ear humor and Bill announced Moody was killed on the way to the Burrow.

After Molly’s hospitality, everyone rushed to bed exhausted. Harry’s brain wouldn’t shut off, plaguing him with memories of the Ministry, Tom Riddle’s voice about the Horcruxes, everything all conjoined into one vision before waking him from his sleep. Harry left his bed and grabbed his Horcrux hunting bag, silently leaving the house to start on his mission. 

Ron caught up to Harry, his friend didn’t want anyone else dying for him so he was leaving. Ron didn’t want Harry to go alone, especially not without Hermione. The Trace was still on Harry, and Bill and Fleur were about to be married, but the Chosen One was too determined to start finding the Horcruxes and destroying Voldemort because Wizarding Britain depended on it. The redhead convinced him to wait it out until Harry’s birthday and the Wedding, that way Harry would have a full range of magic with the Trace would be gone and the trio would be able to relax for a few more days.

Chapter Text

BEGINNING THE HUNT FOR THE LOCKET

Following the ambush, the days filled with anticipation.

The Weasleys set up large tents in the yards as Bill and Fleur were having an at-home wedding. On the day of the wedding, the new Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, came to the Burrow, presenting the three Gryffindors with a message from Dumbledore.

Left in his will, Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore presented gifts for each person.

Hermione was presented with the Tales of Beedle the Bard, a collection of famous Wizarding stories mostly known for small witches and wizards. The deceased believed it would increase her wizarding knowledge and help the trio on their journey.

Ron was gifted Dumbledore’s self-made deluminator, an object able to give and take light from lamps and other small electrical sources.

Finally, Harry was given his first-ever caught golden snitch. Hermione couldn't understand why the small gift was given back to him. Sure, it held sentimental value... Harry also received a second gift. The problem was that the Sword of Gryffindor was nowhere to be found. It had been missing from Dumbledore's office when Harry visited it after the Battle of the Astronomy Tower.

Each Gryffindor accepted their gifts and Scrimgeour took his leave, wishing happy blessings to Bill and Fleur. The friends put on their best outfits and the wedding commenced a couple of hours later.

That night, the wedding party was in full swing.

Bill and Fleur were dancing front and center. The drinks and sweets were delicious. Fleur’s parents and her old Headmistress of Beauxbatons, Madam Maxime, came all the way from France. An old friend from Durmstrang, Viktor Krum, came to visit as well to pay congratulations to the other Triwizard Competitor and her new husband. Arthur and Molly danced alongside their son and daughter-in-law. Luna and her father, Xenophilius, came in support as well. Harry stuck to the outskirts of the tent, still uptight after the escape from Privet Drive, but managed to get a word in with some of the guests.

Harry chatted with the co-author of Dumbledore’s obituary in the Daily Prophet, Elphias, and Ron’s Aunt Muriel. The brunet never knew until reading the obituary that Dumbledore even had a brother, Aberforth. Rita Skeeter, when writing it, also got some of her information from another one of Dumbledore’s closest friends, Bathilda Bagshot, before she betrayed him. When Harry didn’t know this or that Dumbledore lived in Godric’s Hollow, the adults wondered if the boy even knew Dumbledore at all.

From out of nowhere, Kingsley’s lynx patronus burst through the tent. The new Minister was dead. Death Eaters were on their way.

Everyone started to panic. Molly and Arthur rushed the guests to safety as black smoke crashed the party. The Death Eaters had arrived! Hermione instantly found Ron and Harry rushed to the group. She apparated them out of the reception tent. When they disapparated, the trio found themselves in the middle of Muggle London, almost run over by a double-decker bus. Hermione led them through the massive foot traffic on Shaftsbury Avenue, stopping in a dark alleyway to change into something less noticeable from their formal partywear. Inside Hermione’s small bag were clothes for men, unable to see the rest of her arm because of an undetectable extension charm as she dug through it.

In the meantime, the group stopped in a small cafe to recollect their thoughts. The trio couldn’t return to the wedding because the Death Eaters were after Harry. Since Voldemort had taken over the Ministry, nowhere was safe. Everyone was now forced into hiding. Harry had left his stuff at the Burrow, but thanks to Hermione’s ingenious thinking, she had already grabbed it all.

Two men had walked into the shop, Rowle and Dolohov. They were Snatchers on that noseless, bald man's side. Harry saw them draw their wands and immediately warned the other two friends. A duel broke out until Hermione stunned them and forced the Muggle attendant to leave. Hermione wiped the Snatchers’ memories and took their wands for safety, before moving on once again.

On the run, Hermione completely forgot that the trio and Ginny weren’t able to celebrate Harry’s seventeenth birthday. Harry was too busy with the second attack on the Burrow and the fact that they had just been almost killed to think about it. The first place they went from there was Grimmauld Place, the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix and Sirius’ family home, for a good night’s rest.

The next morning, Harry woke with an early start. He snooped around the decrepit house. In Sirius’ old bedroom, he found an old book by Bathilda Bagshot, the lady who was mentioned by Elphias and Aunt Muriel. Each room in the house was a pigsty, abandoned. Searching further in the house was another room. The door read, “Regulus Arcturus Black.”

“R.A.B.” Ron recognized, appearing behind Harry.

Back in the kitchen, Harry read over the message Regulus left in the fake locket. “R.A.B. is Sirius’ brother?” Ron confirmed.

Yes,” Hermione said. The friends looked around at one another. “The question is: did he actually destroy the real Horcrux?”

After Hermione asked that, clattering in the cabinets occurred. Someone was there in the house with them! The group rose from their seats at the table and drew their wands. Harry went first, seeing as it was his house now since Sirius left it to him. They stared at the small closet in the wall and Harry opened it. Inside was Kreacher and Harry dragged the Black Family house-elf by his shoulder out of it.

“You’ve been spying on us, have you?” Harry scolded the grouchy elf.

“Kreacher has been watching,” he says truthfully.

“Maybe he knows where the real locket is,” Hermione suggested. 

Harry grabbed the fake locket and showed it to Kreacher. “Have you ever seen this before?” Kreacher cowered behind the cooktop. “Kreacher…”

“I-I-It’s Master Regulus’ locket,” Kreacher replied.

“But there were two, weren’t there?” Harry prodded. “Where’s the other one?”

Kreacher whimpers. “Kreacher doesn’t know where the other locket is.”

“Yes,” Hermione understood. “But did you ever see it? Was it in this house?”

“Filthy Mudblood! Death Eaters are coming- ” Kreacher screamed at Hermione. Ron grabbed a ladle, ready to smack Kreacher with it, but Hermione stopped it. It was paramount to still support the S.P.E.W. despite how this elf treated her harshly. “Ron!”

“Blood-traitor Weasley!”

“Answer her!” Harry demanded, holding the locket in front of Kreacher.

“Yes,” Kreacher answered. “It was here… In this house… A most evil object.”

“How do you mean?” Harry inquired, backing Kreacher into a corner.

“Before Master Regulus died, he ordered Kreacher to destroy it. But no matter how hard Kreacher tried, he could not do it,” Kreacher described.

“Well, where is it now? Did someone take it?”

“He came in the night. He took many things, including the locket.”

“Who did? Who was it, Kreacher?”

“Mundungus.” Kreacher proclaimed. “Mundungus Fletcher.”

The man had become a Potter that night of the ambush and never returned. Should've known he was sketchy after Moody told him to keep close. “Find him!” Harry ordered. Kreacher disapparated to find the man.

~~~~~

On the Hogwarts Express, the Death Eaters crossed with the train to find Harry in hopes he’d gone back to school. He wasn’t, and Neville made sure to tell them that.

One of the Death Eaters from the meeting before the ambush, Pius, became the new Minister for Magic under Voldemort’s rule.

Draco didn’t wish to return to Hogwarts after being a disgrace to the school, bringing in the Death Eaters in the first place. Narcissa pushed him to return to at least pass his N.E.W.T.s and stay out of the affairs in the meantime. After this war was over, he would certainly need to pass his N.E.W.T.s in hopes that he’d even be able to secure a job with Death Eater status.

The school Draco had grown to love had turned into a terrible nightmare.

Draco was certainly a coward for not standing up to the Carrow twins against such torturous punishments. He pleaded with his godfather, the new Headmaster, to stop the madness, but Snape wouldn’t budge.

Harry’s Gryffindor friends received the brunt of the trauma, asking them to perform the Cruciatus curse on the new first years. Neville refused profusely, especially after what Bellatrix had done to his parents, sending them insane to St. Mungo's hospital for life. Instead, Neville and the others were hit with the curse as punishment and faced extreme detentions.

Draco couldn’t look the Gryffindors in the eye after that.

When no one was looking, Draco would be sure to patch up the little ones who’d taken a fair beating. He’d talk with the first and second years, helping with their Potions work as he was back to being the best in the school. Draco would make sure no student was left behind and chose himself to secretly be their protector. It was his new mission since he started to be good again. Little by little, he'd get better.

All the professors of Hogwarts were in a terrible position, a “damned if they do and damned if they don’t” situation. They couldn’t fight for the students against the new rules in place, set by Snape and the Carrow Twins. They couldn’t fight against the Carrows for fear of losing their jobs or being tortured themselves.

In the hidden back room of the Room of Requirement, the students of Dumbledore’s Army and many others changed the space into a safe sanctuary after the Death Eaters closed off all seven secret passageways. Only the mystery one to the Hog’s Head was still available, and Aberforth Dumbledore would pass food, drink, and supplies to the students.

Luna was perfect at her healing charms; Padma kept the students busy with puzzles and fun games during the off-times. The Hufflepuffs were great at keeping the calmness of the group with meditation, herbal scents, and animal therapy. The Gryffindors were the leaders, making the decisions and rules so long as everyone else agreed to them. 

Unlike the other three houses, Slytherins kept to themselves, most of them trying to stay out of the Carrows’ hair so they wouldn’t tattle to their parents. The Slytherins stayed away from the rest of the houses for fear of torment. Draco found himself learning the art of drawing and reading his secret literature amongst the chaos. It was the only time he seemed to find peace besides spending small amounts of time with Pansy and Blaise.

It was hard spending time with his friends when he was keeping secrets from them all the time. The blond wanted to tell them that he was the cause of all this, that he didn't want it to happen. He wanted to tell them he was struggling in so many different ways that he might lose it, not that they couldn't really figure it out already... They'd already asked him why he disappeared after the Headmaster's death, why there was the Dark Mark left behind, and why he chose to come back now? Draco had an answer to all of those questions, but he just didn't have the guts to tell.

In the midst of it all, Draco hoped the Chosen One was okay. Harry remained on the Slytherin Prince's mind throughout it all. It was one of the few things that kept his mind calm, for the most part. Harry was a brave and courageous soul, but a very dim one at that sometimes. Draco didn’t know what Harry was up to or where he was, but sooner or later they would meet again. Draco thought over his actions and contemplated many ideas of how to make things better without the risk of being caught. It was all he could do to pass the time.

Maybe after Harry defeated You-Know-Who, things would be better. He'd finally tell Pansy and Blaise everything, he'd have a clear conscience. Everything would then be alright.

Chapter Text

INFILTRATING THE MINISTRY

Back in Grimmauld Place, Harry sat on the couch playing with his snitch. The snitch buzzed about as Ron and Hermione played Beethoven’s “Fur Elise” on the piano. Harry stared into space with deep thought.

Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter had known each other for seven years.

First impressions are a large deal for any relationship, but the circumstances in their first situation weren’t optimal. Both were surrounded by other people, and pressures from others were strong. Draco had an aristocratic upbringing, and if anything of last year was any indication of forced ideas and doings, then the Malfoy heir forced himself to sound cool - in a terrible way. They were both eleven and didn’t know any better. 

The blond boy had teased him more than anyone else. If that was for rejecting his friendship and jealousy, Draco had a fair right to it. Harry believed it just wasn’t handled properly. Draco handled his jealousy like a toddler who had a crush. But because Harry was a boy, he didn’t pull on his pigtails. Guys are sometimes more aggressive, so he teased and fought with him instead.

Now, of course, the Slytherin had matured and respected the Gryffindor for the most part over the past year. Draco had been forced by his family and was under strong pressure from Voldemort. He must’ve been so scared… The Chosen One admired Draco for pushing through. Having the Dark Lord breathing down your neck would be stressful, and the dangers of his presence would never seem to end. Draco was as valiant as any Gryffindor would be, and Harry was proud. He was proud of how he changed, not that he liked the outcome of certain things, but it was progress. 

In the library, that night when the Slytherin gave Harry the Wuthering Heights novel, there wasn’t a stiff atmosphere like Harry was used to around the tall blond. It felt magnetic, like Harry was being drawn toward the Malfoy heir. The brunet felt like he couldn’t stop beaming, seeing this new Draco unfold before his verdant eyes. It was magical, and then Draco came within inches of Harry, bending down to almost kiss the shorter lad before abruptly walking away. Harry had almost given in with no hesitation. He felt like he’d been wanting it the whole time, which was odd for someone who didn’t quite fancy the man.

In the Room of Requirement, Harry must’ve been scared as Draco placed the kiss on Harry because he couldn’t think how he would ever kiss his “enemy.” At the first touch, Harry melted and wanted to clutch onto Draco like never before. The pair had pretty much dug their fingers into each other’s waist and sucked the air out of one another before Draco separated. It changed everything, and Harry realized his hate had been for nothing. His hate wasn’t really hate, it was just the major annoyance of a childish idiot who wanted attention from Harry. Only Harry… 

Hermione was teaching Ron how to better play Beethoven. It was sweet to finally see their relationship slowly blossom. He’d seen how Ron stared at Hermione during Bill and Fleur’s wedding. It was nothing less than a pining man so deep in love that he’d do just about anything. As Ron continued to play it off-key, Hermione turned to Harry, who continued staring at the floating snitch.

“They have flesh memories,” Hermione spoke. “When Scrimgeour first gave it to you, I thought it might open at your touch. That Dumbledore had hidden something inside it. You know how… cryptic he can be.”

Behind the trio, a loud bang hit a wall. When the banging continued, the group rushed to the scene. In the kitchen, two house elves had brought in Mundungus Fletcher, trying to keep him “tied up.”

“Get off!” Mundungus muffled.

“Harry Potter!” The elf around his legs cried. “So long it’s been!”

The elf certainly sounded familiar, and Harry was right to recognize it. Dobby the Freed House Elf clung to Mundungus, happy to see the boy all grown up. Harry smiled at the scene of Mundungus trying to walk around Grimmauld’s kitchen with Kreacher’s hands over his mouth, eyes, and nose before all of them fell over.

“As requested, Kreacher has returned with the thief…” Kreacher announced. Mundungus raised his wand, and Hermione was quick to disarm him. “... Mundungus Fletcher.”

“What-cha playin’ at? Settin’ a pair of bleedin’ house elves after me?” Mundungus spit.

“Dobby was only trying to help!” Dobby explained. “Dobby saw Kreacher in Diagon Alley, which Dobby thought was curious. And then, Dobby heard Kreacher say Harry Potter’s name.”

“I just-” Kreacher tried to speak.

“And then, Dobby saw Kreacher talking to the thief, Mundungus-”

“I’m no thief!” Mundungus claimed. “You foul little- git.” The house elves walked across the long table, getting closer to the bald man. “I’m a purveyor of rare and wondrous objects.”

“You’re a thief, ‘Dung, everyone knows it!” Ron interrupted.

“Master Weasley! It’s so good to see you again.” Dobby grabbed Ron’s hand and shook it with great sentiment.

“Wicked trainers,” The ginger complimented on Dobby’s shoes.

“Listen! I panicked that night, all right?” Mundungus cried. “Could I help it if Mad-Eye fell off his broom?”

“You…” Kreacher pointed.

“Tell the truth!” Hermione ordered. 

“When you turned this place over-” Harry interjected. “Don’t deny it! -You found a locket, am I right?”

“Why? Was it valuable?” Mundungus asked. Kreacher poked at the short man some more.

“You still got it?” Hermione inquired.

“No, he’s worried he didn’t get enough money for it,” Ron answered.

“Bleedin’ give it away, didn’t I?” Mundungus said. He sighed before telling the story. “There I was, flogging me wares in Diagon Alley, when some Ministry hag comes up and asks to see me license. Says she’s a mind to lock me up, and would’ve done it too if she hadn’t taken a fancy to that locket.”

“Who was she? The witch,” Harry interrogated. “Do you know?”

“No, I-” Mundungus stopped, looking to the floor of fallen newspapers. “Well, she’s there! Look!” He pointed to a woman with a bright pink outfit and curly brown hair at the Ministry. The trio knew instantly it was their old Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and Headmistress of a few long months. “Bleedin’ bow and all!”

Knowing that Dolores Umbridge had taken the locket, the Golden Trio packed their bags and headed for the Ministry of Magic. Hermione stunned the witch and wizards they’d Polyjuice into, and they retrieved their clothing and other items. Harry turned into Albert Runcorn, and Ron turned into Reginald Cattermole and took the toilet system into the Ministry; Hermione turned into Umbridge’s assistant, Mafilda Hopkirk. 

Ron was left to find Cattermole’s wife. The other two Gryffindors ran into Umbridge on the way to find her, leaving Hermione to be stuck with Umbridge and taken to the Courts. Harry searched the floor of the Muggle-born Registration Commission for Umbridge’s office to search for the locket. To sneak in, Harry set loose multiplying fart bombs from the Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes as a distraction. Inside the pink office was no green necklace, but several files on the Order members, Albus Dumbledore, and the three Gryffindors.

Ron and Harry bumped into one another in the elevator again, going to the lowest floor to find Umbridge and Hermione. Walking into the chamber, Harry immediately felt the presence of the locket. He could hear the classic chittering of the Horcruxes. Umbridge had started the official trial of Cattermole’s wife, Mary, being sentenced for “stealing” a wand as a muggle-born witch.

On Umbridge’s neck sat the locket, more yellow-y compared to the replica with a large S. The “S” must’ve stood for Slytherin, as the Gaunt Family that Riddle was related to was a descendant of Salazar Slytherin. Harry shoved Ron next to Mary, staying in character. Umbridge told Mary she was lying about getting her wand at Ollivander’s when she was eleven. Ron tried his best to defend the woman as Harry circled, watching the necklace.

Umbridge saw Harry draw his wand, questioning him. “What on earth are you doing, Albert?” Hermione took a deep breath, knowing what was about to go down.

Harry replied, calling back to when the centaurs took Umbridge into the forests, “You’re lying, Dolores. And one mustn’t tell lies.” 

The Gryffindor hit his old professor with a Stupefy, and Hermione stole the locket from her stunned body. The people in the Wizengamot tried to fight back, but Ron stunned them as well, freeing Mary from torment. Dementors swooped in from the ceiling, following the group to the elevators. Harry, now back to his original self, cast the patronus charm to get away from the dementors. Hermione turned back inside the elevator, leaving Ron the only one to change back. Ron attempted to leave Mary behind, only to get kissed by Mary and be caught by the real Reginald Cattermole before fleeing the Ministry.

Aurors and other members of the Ministry went after the trio. Yaxley threw spells at them, trying to take the boy for Voldemort. The group barely managed to escape, all the fireplaces being locked down. Hermione attempted to apparate the trio out, but Yaxley grabbed onto Hermione, so she apparated to a forest to leave the man behind. The Gryffindors disapparated, down on the forest floor. Harry searched and found the locket that had been dropped by Hermione when landing.

Ron seized up, completely wounded on his left arm. “Harry! Harry, quick! In my bag, there’s a bottle labeled ‘Essence of Dittany!’” Hermione frantically requested, calming down the redhead as best as she could.

The raven-haired man searched the bag as fast as he could, but it wasn’t fast enough. “Quickly!” Hermione shouted. Harry charmed an Accio, and up came the vial of Dittany, and he rushed over to Hermione’s aid. 

Harry stopped at the look of his friend’s carved arm. Hermione disregarded her friend’s notice, only wanting the remedy. “Unstopper it! - I know... - just do it!” Harry used the dropper to place the Dittany over his wounds, Hermione helping him out. Ron grunted and groaned at the sting of the herbal juices, but Hermione assured Ron he’d be okay.

“What happened? I thought we meant to go back to Grimmauld Place?” Harry thought. 

“We were! We were!” Hermione tried to calm the ginger. “It’s alright, one more. One more. We were there! We were there, but Yaxley had a hold of me, and I… I knew once he’d seen where we were, we couldn’t stay… so I brought us here… but Ron got splinched!”

With more and more Dittany, Ron’s wounds healed pretty quickly. He was still spasming and gasping for air, but he was going to be okay. The pair gazed upon their distressed friend in concern, trying to comfort him. When Ron seemed alright, Hermione went away for a little bit to place a protection and concealment charm around the small place in the forest, “Protego Totalum. Salvio Hexia. Repello Muggletum. Muffliato.”

Inside Hermione’s bag was a small tent. When set up it had the extension charm on the inside to to seem more homey. Heating lamps were placed along with warming charms, Ron turned on the radio as he started doing since everyone went into hiding. They needed some rest; a long journey was ahead of them.

Chapter Text

CAMP TO CAMP

The following morning, the Golden Trio knew they had to destroy the Horcrux. They had it in their possession, one down and more to go. The Slytherin Locket made little hissing noises like a snake would. Harry could feel its power, and he’d stop at nothing until part of Voldemort’s soul was out of it.

The Gryffindors used all kinds of spells in hopes of breaking it open, nothing worked, bouncing the Locket from place to place in the fallen leaves.

“Dissendium!”

“Incendio.”

“Expulso! Diffindo! Reducto!”  

The necklace still chittered away, looking no different than when it was first founded. Harry panted, frustrated with the Locket. Ron watched on, his friend going mad. Harry picked up the Locket and placed it around his neck, confusing Hermione. “What’re you doing?”

“We have to keep it safe until we find out how we can destroy it,” Harry replied.

“Seems strange, mate. Dumbledore sends you off to find all these Horcruxes, but doesn’t tell you how to destroy them,” Ron noticed. “Doesn’t that bother you?”

The Chosen One looks at the pair, sighing as he goes back to the tent. Ron listens to the radio inside. Harry can hear the names of Dean Thomas and Nymphadora Tonks being called out. They were probably traveling together, and no one had seen them since. Harry feels the power of the Locket begin to take over, the sound of the Horcrux inside getting louder. Harry hears He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named whisper to him, “You know the spell, Harry.” 

The Slytherin Horcrux twitches, and Harry gets a vision of Voldemort torturing Gregorovitch and Ollivander, the most famous wandmakers. The Dark Lord killed Gregorovitch in the vision, and Harry is visibly shaking in fear. Hermione comes over with the herbs she found within the safe grounds. “I thought it stopped, your visions?” The bushy-haired woman said. Harry took large breaths to soothe himself. “You can’t keep letting him in, Harry.”

“You-Know-Who has found Gregorovitch,” Harry remembered.

“The wandmaker?”

“He wants something. Something Gregorovitch used to have, but I don’t know what,” Harry explained. “He wants it desperately. I mean, it’s as if his life depended on it.” The radio crackles loudly in static, startling Harry from his thoughts. The brunet is tempted to barge in there, but Hermione stops him, knowing it brings Ron comfort in the boredom they all share.

“How long before he can travel?” Harry impatiently asks.

Hermione shakes her head in silence. Harry throws his head back in disappointment. “I’m doing everything I can-” Hermione states, frustrated.

“Well, you’re not doing enough!” Harry shouts back.

Her friend goes to walk off, but Hermione halts him, requesting him to take off the Locket, clearly causing Harry to act out. He roughly removes it, a wash-over effect occurring. “Better?”

“Loads,” Harry says. 

Hermione side-smiles, “We’ll take it in turns, okay?”

Harry nods.

~~~~~

Back at Hogwarts, things weren’t turning around anytime soon. As a muggle-born, Dean Thomas was captured by Death Eaters, and a few others of the Order went underground to keep safe from Death Eater torture. Most of the school was half-blood, of course, but that didn’t stop punishment from being passed on like a disease.

The Slytherins wasted away time in the dungeons between classes. Blaise and Pansy were struggling through their relationship but managed to stick together. Millicent and many of the girls took on motherly roles for the younger Slytherins. Daphne Greengrass had to help comfort her younger sister, Astoria, after she was bullied by one of the Ravenclaw boys for simply being a Slytherin.

Draco took refuge in the old Room of Requirement, not in the hideout everyone had. It had certainly gotten larger as many of the Great Hall tables and other classroom supplies were stored there. Draco sometimes played the old piano in there, playing old French lullabies his mother would sing to him when he was very little. Draco would explore in there too. He found old treasure maps and jewelry that only the finest witches and wizards would wear. Draco found musical instruments and old letters. Chairs and tables were in large piles reaching the ceiling. The vanishing cabinet was still open, empty inside, only reminding him of the horror that was last year. The pixie infestation was not a great situation either.

Draco made himself a little nook inside the Room of Requirement. There was a deteriorating leather armchair and a small black and grey rug in a mandala pattern. Creating a border, there was a small bookshelf with his books and supplies. On the other side was a small desk with a candle lit, and under it were a few old pillows and a patched quilt. 

Draco was sitting in his armchair, thinking. In this armchair, he sat with his legs crossed with a board in his lap. He tapped his feathered quill against his chin, thinking of what to write to Harry. He was staring at the words “Dear Potter,” for about twenty minutes, driving himself insane. He wanted to explain himself and apologize to Harry, but he couldn’t do it in person. Not with the Second War just beginning, but it weighed terribly on his mind. 

He had to clear his conscience in case he or Harry didn’t make it out alive.

~~~~~

The fall chill was something Harry would think he’d be used to after being in such northern countries his whole life, but he was not. He sat inside the tent looking over the Marauder’s map. Draco was making his way to the Room of Requirement again, disappearing off the map. Harry wondered what he was doing in there?

Hermione sat guard outside with a small fire. A small crack of a tree branch echoed throughout the woods. She grabbed her wand, making her way towards the noises. Ron listened to the radio, waking Harry who’d fallen asleep with the Marauder’s map. Severus Snape had hit the radio as the new Headmaster, placing new rules under leadership, reflecting Voldemort. Harry looks at the Map, watching the man pace in Dumbledore’s old office.

Outside, Hermione finds men walking through the forest. Two men are holding dead bodies, with another as the leader. He stops, “What’s that?” Hermione stays frozen on her side of the enchantments, holding her breath. “What’s that smell?” The leader asks. When he’s met with silence, the men continue, and Hermione can finally let go of her breath.

“Snatchers,” Harry says, surprising the girl. “Good to know your enchantments work.”

“He could smell it, my perfume,” the brunette clarifies.

Harry and Hermione were quick to get moving, knowing Voldemort's supporters were in the woods. Ron couldn’t apparate, so they’d move on foot.

It was an extremely long journey over the next few months. The trio traveled through wide open green fields, Ron listening to all the people who had died that day. Snatchers and Death Eaters flew overhead, forcing the group to hide in an abandoned barn house. The trio walked through decrepit trailer parks, all empty. They traveled along the seaside under bridges and around factories.

Ron and Hermione sat outside the tent, looking at Harry, who seemed off in his own little world. The intelligent one could tell the Horcrux was not suiting him too well, or anyone in the group. The Boy Who Lived always looked like he was constantly put off by the world. Hermione knew that something else was troubling him, and it wasn’t You-Know-Who. “Looks like he’s getting worse every day…”

The trio didn’t stay in one place for very long. A day or two at most seemed to be the right number. Harry’s hair was growing too fast for his liking, having been that way since he first started showing magic signs. Hermione was trimming it when she realized something important. “Oh my God!” the woman cried.

“What?” the raven-haired man asked, immediately checking to see if Hermione had gone wrong on his cut.

“I’ll tell you in a minute!” Hermione rushed to her books out on the tent table.

“Maybe you could tell me now?” Harry rushed over to her side, impatiently.

“The Sword of Gryffindor! It’s goblin-made,” Hermione started.

“Brilliant?” Harry exclaimed, not knowing where Hermione was getting at.

“No, you don’t understand,” the pseudo-Ravenclaw said. “Dirt and rust have no effect on the blade! It only takes in what makes it stronger!”

“Okay…” Harry raised a brow. Harry wasn't a Ravenclaw, get to the point Hermione...

“Harry, you’ve already destroyed one Horcrux, right? Tom Riddle’s diary in the Chamber of Secrets,” Hermione recalled.

“With a basilisk fang,” The Chosen One reminded. “If you tell me you’ve got one of those in that bloody beaded bag of yours…”

“Don’t you see?” Hermione tried. “ In the Chamber of Secrets, you stabbed the basilisk with the Sword of Gryffindor! Its blade is impregnated with basilisk venom!”

“It only takes in that which makes it stronger!” Harry repeated, realizing Hermione’s discovery. 

“Exactly! Which is why-”

“It can destroy Horcruxes!” Harry finished for her.

“That’s why Dumbledore left it to you in his will,” Hermione remembered.

“You are brilliant, Hermione, truly!” Harry exclaimed.

“Actually, I’m highly logical, which allows me to look past extraneous detail and perceive clearly that which others have overlooked,” Hermione downplayed her discovery.

“Yeah,” Harry said, his happiness draining from his voice. “There’s only one problem, of course.”

Suddenly, the lights of the tent go out; Ron uses Dumbledore’s deluminator to grab the pair’s attention. The redhead walks over, stating the obvious, “The sword was stolen.” He then sets back the lamplight. “Yeah, I’m still here,” Ron replies, anger written all over his face. “But you two carry on. Don’t let me spoil all the fun.”

Harry closes the book Hermione had open and straddles the bench seat to face Ron. “What’s wrong?”

“Wrong? Nothing’s wrong,” Ron scoffs. “Not according to you anyway.”

“Look, if you’ve got something to say, don’t be shy,” The man encourages, not wanting the drama. “Spit it out.”

“Alright, I’ll spit it out,” Ron scowls. “But don’t expect me to be grateful just because there’s another damn thing we’ve gotta find!”

“I thought you knew what you signed up for,” Harry said.

“Yeah,” His friend replies, venom in his words. “I thought I did too.”

“Well, then I’m sorry, but I don’t quite understand,” Harry raised his voice, coming down to Ron’s level. “What part of this isn’t living up to your expectations? D-Did you think we were going to be staying at a five-star hotel? Finding a Horcrux every day? Thought you’d be back with your mum by Christmas?”

“I just thought, after all this time, we would’ve achieved something! I thought you knew what you were doing,” Ron shouted. Hermione got up from the table, coming to Ron’s side and calming him down. It must’ve been the Horcrux. “I thought Dumbledore would’ve told you something worthwhile! I thought you had a plan!”

“I told you everything Dumbledore told me!” Harry yelled. “And in case you haven’t noticed, we found a Horcrux already!”

“Yeah,” Ron agreed. “And we’re as close to getting rid of it as we are to finding the rest of them, aren’t we?” Ron’s voice broke, struggling to hold back his true emotions. 

Hermione intervened, “Ron. Please take-” She went to reach for the Locket, and Ron shoved her hands away. “Please take the Horcrux off. You wouldn’t be saying any of this if it wasn’t for you wearing it all day,” Hermione pleaded, her voice cracking.

“Want to know why I listen to that radio every day, do ya?” The ginger asks. “To make sure I don’t hear Ginny’s name, or Fred, or George, or Mum-”

“You think I’m not listening too?” Harry argues. “You think I don’t know how it feels?!”

“No, you don’t know how it feels!” Ron screams. “Your parents are dead! You have no family!” That crossed the line, and everyone in the room knew it. Harry went after Ron, attempting to start a physical fight with his best friend. They had never laid a harsh hand on one another before, and Hermione shrieked at the boys to stop. Harry shoved Ron away, telling him to go if he wanted to leave so badly. 

Ron went to leave, leaving the Slytherin Horcrux behind. The Gryffindor grabbed his pack, and Hermione began to cry seeing Ron go. She tried convincing him to stay, but the jealousy of seeing Harry and Hermione together after the Snatcher sighting was enough for the redhead to stay away. Ron stormed out, not knowing where he was going, but he wanted space. the brunette ran after him, crying, and Harry stayed inside to collect his thoughts.

The, now, pair of them moved again to the English mountainside and into the forests. She tied small pieces of fabric to the trees, leading Ron towards them in case he changed his mind. The pair could apparate easily now, but they still had no clue where they were going or what they were doing... 

Chapter Text

DETESTABLY YOURS

Harry and Hermione weren’t doing well coping with Ron leaving the Horcrux hunt. Without Ron, part of the journey felt empty in a way. Like you know, something is missing, and there’s no way to fix it.

Hermione took over Ron’s place of listening to the radio, listening for any familiar name on the death count.

Now, it was night again.

Harry and Hermione sat on opposite sides of the tent. Harry looked dull in his chair, staring off into space once again. His head hung like an unused door knocker. Hermione was curled up on the stairs with her knees curled to her chest, reading the Tales of Beedle the Bard. The radio changed from news to a song, breaking up the sad atmosphere. It was “O’ Children” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. 

Harry got an idea to pass the time. He rose from his chair, making his way to Hermione. Despite all the sadness and chaos, the friends needed a moment of peace, and this was just that. Harry extended a hand to Hermione, and thankfully she took it. Hermione set down the book and Harry led her to the open space in the middle of the magical tent before swaying their arms back in forth in hopes of getting rid of her lasting frown and dancing to the music.

“Have you left a seat for me? 

Is that such a stretch of imagination? 

Hey, little train, wait for me! 

I was held in chains, but now I’m free. 

I’m hanging in there, don’t you see? 

In this process of elimination. 

Hey, little train, we’re jumping on! 

The train that goes to the kingdom…”

Harry and Hermione twirled each other in circles. The pair smiled at each other for the first time in a while. They were having fun together, swaying to the music, laughing even at the man's goofy antics. They put one another’s head on the other’s shoulder and swayed silently. This was peace, a way to forget for just a moment that they were in the middle of a war. It was a way to look back on old memories, to rejoice the past, and look toward a better future. Maybe Ron would come back, they’d find the Sword of Gryffindor and destroy the Horcruxes. Ron and Hermione would find happiness, and maybe he and Malfoy would too after putting aside their differences. 

They’ll all live happily ever after and forget the misery.

Hermione let go first once the song was over. When they let go of one another and their happy demeanors faded. Peace was over; it was back to business. The winter months were here, and Christmas was a day away. They had to keep moving to stay safe from any lurking Snatchers.

Harry found out that Hermione was right, that snitches do have flesh memories. Only Harry didn’t catch the snitch with his hands; he almost swallowed it. On the snitch wrote, “I open at the close.” Hermione had no idea what it meant, but she found something of her own. In the Tales of Beedle the Bard, Hermione saw a symbol within the book that was not a rune she recognized. Harry remembered that Luna’s dad wore it on a necklace to Bill and Fleur’s wedding, but Hermione was confused as to why it was drawn into a children’s book.

Harry decided to go to Godric’s Hollow in the meantime. It was where everything started, where Harry was born, his parents died, and Dumbledore’s family lived. Hermione didn’t fancy the idea, thinking Voldemort would expect him because of the family sentiment. But Harry was quick on that as it meant something to the Dark Lord too. It was where he'd lost to Baby Harry all those years ago.

Possibly a Horcrux would be found or the Sword of Gryffindor would be erected from its hiding place in the home named after its creator. Hermione reluctantly agreed, and they packed up their camp.

~~~~~

Draco found it best to leave his letter alone in the Room of Requirement for a week and give it some thought. He played wizard's chess with Blaise, and it was his first time in forever losing to his opponent. Pansy tried to keep things cheerful in the dull common room by spilling the Hogwarts gossip to him and the girls, and reading her saucy novels aloud for comedic embarrassment. Crabbe and Goyle were goofy as always. When the Slytherin finally came back to his hiding spot, his writer’s block coming to an end, he was ready to pen his thoughts down properly.

He lit the candles on the desk and got comfy in his armchair. The blond grabbed his board and some spare parchment, placing the old quilt over himself to stay warm during the freezing weather. He grabbed his ink jar and his feather quill and got started.

“Dear Potter,” He began, tapping his quill on his pointed chin. “I intended to write this as a way to clear my conscience, but after some intense thoughts, I think now it has a greater purpose than that. I have no idea where you are or what you're doing, but I hope you’re safe and sound, if and when you get this. 

“Hogwarts has been a complete nightmare since you left. I think our classmates have begun to lose hope since The Chosen One and his friends aren’t here anymore. Slytherin House has been targeted a lot with bullying from the other three, but we’ve changed a pretty good bit. At least most of us, especially the younger years. They’ve been pretty frightened, those adorable ones. I’ve been doing my best to secretly protect them from the nasty Carrow Twins and help them focus on their studies.

"As I told you I would, I’m King of Potions once again! Just wanted to show off my triumph; sorry, not the point...

“Longbottom, Finnigan, and Lovegood have seemed to put themselves in charge of a resistance of sorts. They’ve gathered in another form of the Room of Requirement, with the portrait of a young woman being a secret passage from the Hog’s Head. It’s been the only place some of us have been able to eat some food. It’s decent, but we’re starting to get sick of it, I’m afraid. All your friends have been hoping for your return, I know I certainly have. Which leads me to the real reason for this letter:

“I am truly sorry for what misery I’ve put you, Weasley, and Granger, through in the past seven years. I don’t wish to blame my aristocratic family for my actions, but I can’t say it didn’t influence me. I simply wanted to be the cool one, to fit in, and be friends with you. It was all I ever wanted from when I first heard about you, and that we were going to be in school together several years ago. I could’ve gone about it differently, but I’ve lost a chance at your friendship, and I’ve come to terms with that. 

“I’m deeply sorry to Weasley. I shouldn't have made fun of him for being less fortunate. I shouldn't have made fun of him for his red hair or made up the ‘Weasley is our King’ song back in fifth year. And I shouldn't have called him or his family ‘blood-traitors.’ I am deeply ashamed of it. And I’m certainly most sorry for poisoning him last year.

“To Granger, I’m mostly sorry for calling her all sorts of names relating to ‘mudblood.' That slur has been stripped from my vocabulary, and I shall never use it again. Despite being muggle-born, she is one of the smartest people I know. I admit I low-key cheated off her notes in some classes because I wasn’t paying attention. My actions were wrong, and I do not believe wizards and muggles are different than us anymore.

“To you Potter… I have the most regret. I’m sorry that I made fun of you for a lot of things. I should not have made fun of your parents, godfather, your glasses, fear of the dementors, being friends with Weasley and Granger, any of it. I’m extremely sorry for all the all-out hell I put you through last year. I  was a complete shitebag and a coward. I couldn’t didn't want to confide in you or anyone else about my plans. It was too dangerous for you and anyone else. I didn’t want any of this, not my mark nor my task, as you surely saw by my scars. I didn’t mean to curse Katie Bell or poison Weasley. 

“Most of all, I’m sorry for toying with your feelings. I do not regret giving you my book, but I shouldn’t have tried to kiss you in the library, and I certainly should not have kissed you in the Room of Requirement. I promise that I did enjoy that magical kiss and the passion you portrayed, nevertheless, I knew it wasn’t possibly meant to be. How could someone as great as the Boy Who Lived, possibly love… ”

Draco paused. No, he couldn’t write that Potter could love him! He crossed out the word before continuing. “ Love befriend someone who is a coward, bully, and Death Eater?

“Anyways, I’m sorry for everything I’ve done, and I’d like to personally start anew if and when you return. Hogwarts needs you, Potter. The whole of Wizarding Britain needs you. I need you… Please stay safe.

“Detestably Yours,

"Draco Malfoy

“PS: Happy Christmas.” Draco finished. 

The Slytherin man set down his blackened quill and took a breather. He then found an envelope and placed the folded pages neatly inside. He found an old wax stamp and melted orange wax before stamping the seal shut. Draco kissed the letter, not addressing it to anyone. He swallowed his pride and put a disillusionment charm over himself as he made his way to the closed-off owlery. He instructed one of the owls to find Harry with the smell of an orange treacle tart. He placed a protection charm on the owl until it was able to get out of range and into the free space. He hoped it would be able to reach the Chosen One soon.

~~~~~

Back in Godric’s Hollow, Hermione and Harry traveled the neighborhood on foot, snow clumping underneath their shoes. Hermione believed a Polyjuice potion would protect them from anyone lurking for the pair, but Harry didn’t believe it to be necessary. With the bell of the church, it dawned on Hermione that it was Christmas Eve. Next to the church was a cemetery, and Harry had a feeling his parents would be there. The pair went through the stone arch entry in search of the couple. Hermione found a grave with the same symbol from her book. The grave marked was “Ignotus Peverell.”

Across the cemetery and away from the bushy-haired woman, Harry had found his parents’ conjoined grave. He stood with his head hung low, reading the message carved into the stone. In remembrance, Hermione kneeled on the cold sheet beside her friend and charmed a wreath of white roses. Harry teared up, which added to the sniffles he already had from the cold weather.

“Happy Christmas, Hermione.”

“Happy Christmas, Harry,” Hermione answered, resting her head on his shoulder.

Outside the cemetery, peeking from behind the iron gates, Hermione peered over to a figure watching them. Harry seemed to know the person, an elderly woman. The two followed her, passing the destroyed home of his parents from sixteen years ago. The woman came up to the pair, seemingly mute. Harry recognized her as Bathilda Bagshot.

Inside her home, it was dark and gloomy as if no one had actually lived there for about a decade or two. Bathilda answered none of Harry’s questions about the Sword of Gryffindor or her relation to Albus Dumbledore, following her path to the upstairs level. Hermione encouraged him not to follow the haggard woman, but Harry did the opposite. Upstairs was dark and destroyed, worse than the downstairs. 

Bathilda got Harry alone in one of the rooms. It smelled rancid like rotting flesh. The brunet could hear the buzzing flies. Bathilda glanced at Harry's neck with the Slytherin Locket around it and started speaking in parseltongue. The sudden hissing immediately alerted Harry that he and Hermione were in danger. The woman melted away, revealing a giant python and hints of the massive signs of blood and death on the ceiling, which explained the horrid smell. 

Hermione yelled Harry’s name in warning as the Chosen One guarded himself with a wooden chair. The snake snapped at Harry multiple times, breaking into another part of the house. The room was a nursery, clean and lively. The snake snapped again, coiling itself around Harry. As he began to feel numb from the tight squeeze, Harry slammed a brick into the snake and was able to escape. The snake launched at Hermione, but her spell blocked it and knocked the reptile down to the lower level.

Harry had lost his wand by the edge where the snake had fallen. Before the pair could retrieve it, the snake lunged again. Hermione shouted a “Confringo! ” before grabbing her friend’s wand and disapparating them. The pair was in the middle of the winter woods again. The forest was bare, and the snow had lain on thick. The know-it-all kept guard, reading her book in a blanket by a small fire she made to keep warm. Harry came outside from the reset tent, shivering.

“Are you feeling better?” Hermione asks at the sound of Harry’s sigh.

“You’ve outdone yourself this time, Hermione,” the Gryffindor man congratulated. 

“The Forest of Dean,” Hermione said. “I came here once with Mum and Dad years ago. It’s just how I remember it. The trees, the river, everything, like nothing’s changed.”

Harry snuggled himself against a neighboring tree, sitting by the dying flame of the fire. Hermione went on with how everything had changed, her parents wouldn’t be able to recognize it. She suggested they stay there in safety and grow old, but he missed the people back at Hogwarts, Ron, and, surprisingly, Draco. He missed that git for sure.

As he was thinking about it, Hermione sparked the question, “Do you miss him? I’m not talking about Ron… I’m talking about Draco.” Harry said nothing, but Hermione knew what he was thinking. Of course, he missed that sod of a Slytherin. He seemed to be a whole new person, and he mucked all up with that Sectumsempra curse. “I see it, Harry. You’re my best friend.”

“I miss him a little more every day, both of them,” Harry admitted with a rosy patch in his cheeks not from the cold. Hermione sighed; she felt for Harry. She missed Ron like Harry missed Draco. “Want to know something, Hermione?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m not ready to tell Ron this just yet, but I- Malfoy and I- we kissed each other… in the Room of Requirement… last year,” Harry confessed. Hermione’s brown eyes widened. “Yeah… I have to admit it was a thousand times better than Cho, and I really liked the kiss. We could’ve had something, but Draco said it was only a distraction from his plans, and then I lashed out at him using that stupid curse!”

“Harry,” Hermione comforted. “You and Draco have had something between you for a long time. There’s a very thin line between love and hate, and I’ve noticed that the first five years were on the hatred side, and now it’s dwindled to the other. Your fixation on him last year was so interesting, and I almost thought you were possessed when you wanted to cancel one Quidditch game to follow him. Now, I see that you had secretly cared for him all along, and I want you to know that I will be here to support. Okay?”

“Yeah… Thanks, 'Mione,” Harry sniffled from the cold.

Not trying to kill the mood, Hermione hid Harry’s wand when he asked for it. It had been snapped in half. The Confringo charm didn’t work and rebounded. Hermione tried to mend the wand, but no wand could ever be fixed. Harry knew nothing could be done about it, so he told Hermione to leave him on watch and to get warm, leaving her wand and the necklace with him.

After she left, a small crack in the branches was heard. Harry looked above him to see a great-horned owl. Inside its beak was something, and the raven-haired man went towards it. When the owl didn’t fly away, he assumed it was domesticated. Harry cast a spell to make sure the envelope didn’t have any curses on it before taking it, and the owl flew off.

Harry sat back in his spot with the blanket over himself and rekindled the fire with a small Incendio. The Gryffindor removed the parchment from inside, smelling the fresh parchment. He automatically knew who wrote it based on the familiar Amortentia smell and he eagerly unfolded the notes. 

Draco had sent a long letter of apology to Harry, writing his deepest regrets. The Boy Who Lived couldn’t sense anything that would state the letter was a falsehood. Draco meant his apology, and Harry was eager to start anew as well. He smiled, placing the letter into his jeans pocket, happy everything would be okay so long as they made it out of this.

"'Mione! That git wrote to us!" Harry called excited running to the tent.

Chapter Text

RETURN OF A FRIEND, DESTROYER OF A HORCRUX

Harry sat outside in the cold, the large blanket wrapped around him. The frostbite had nipped his nose, and he was staring out into the empty Forest of Dean. Curious, he looked back at the mirror shard he had. In the mirror, he saw light through glass windows, but no elder man as he usually saw. He left the shard back in his jacket and rewrapped himself in the blanket.

Out in front of him, a few kilometers away, a ball of blue light shone. Harry’s eyes widen, seeing the blue light whisk itself into a corporeal doe patronus. The patronus matched his mother’s, and Harry knew this was something important. He leaped up from his spot and looked back at the tent where Hermione was, most likely, sleeping. He grabbed her wand and followed the patronus.

The patronus led him among a small river’s edge. When the doe stopped, it was above a small pond and faded a bit. A small hue glowed above the middle of the pond, and Harry slowly made his way across the frozen surface to the spot. The ball floated downward into the pond, and Harry wiped away the snow on top, revealing the Sword of Gryffindor below.

Instantly, Harry used Diffindo, cracking the ice so he’d be able to grab the Sword. This was a bad idea; the possibility of frostbite and hypothermia skyrocketed, but the mission was on the line. Harry needed it to get rid of the necklace. 

Harry stripped himself of his jacket, wool sweater, long-sleeved shirt, jeans, socks, and shoes, leaving on his boxers and the Horcrux. He placed a small warming charm on himself, but it didn’t do much in the winter weather. He walked back across to the break in the ice before taking a deep breath and slowly emerging into the ice bath.

The small pond was deep and obscure, but Harry could see the blur of the Sword with a little bit of light from the hole above. It was tough to swim, but the man made it to the bottom and reached for the sword. His fingers only grazed the blade, and he was yanked back into a chokehold by the Slytherin Locket, as if it knew what would soon become of it.

Harry struggled under the water, failing to breathe by being choked and taking in the liquid. He flailed his arms and tried to get to the surface, but the Locket seemed to be keeping Harry under the water at the same time, being dragged away from the air hole. Harry banged on the ice from underneath with his feet and fists, trying to save himself. It seemed like no use, he was drowning, turning to ice, and getting closer to death by the minute. Only a miracle would save him and the ruby-jeweled weapon from under the frozen layer.

From above, a figure walked over the ice, seeing the hidden issue. The figure jumped in and pulled Harry out with all his strength, dragging Harry across the snowy ice. Harry gasped for air, heaving water out of his throat with raunchy coughs. He urgently searched for his glasses to cure his current blindness. He calls out to the figure, “Hermione?”

“Are you mental?” A male voice corrects. It was Ron.

“It was you?” Harry asked, relieved he had come back.

“Well, yeah,” the redhead said. “A bit obvious, I think.”

Harry hurriedly put back on his clothing. His friend didn’t need to see him almost naked and frostbitten. “And it was you who cast the doe as well, did you?”

“No, I thought that was you,” Ron replied. "Also, you saw my patronus last year, it's a terrier."

“Oh, yeah. Mine's a stag,” Harry reminded.

“Right. Yeah, antlers,” Ron remembered.

Ron took the necklace and Sword in hand. It was time to destroy the Horcrux. Ron placed the Locket on a rock, and Harry let him have at it. His friend hesitated, knowing it had more power over himself than the other two. Harry tried to reason with him, but Ron didn’t budge until Harry asked why he even came back. The ginger didn’t answer. The Slytherin object chittered away. Harry counted to three, speaking parseltongue to open the Locket. Ron raised the weapon high, ready to strike. The Locket opened. A burst of black, inkish smoke emerged and threw the men back. 

Loud whistling and screaming could be heard. Harry could hear the voice of Voldemort, but it was after Ron. Harry couldn’t see anything, but he could hear the voices of himself and Hermione. Ron was presented with the fear in his heart that Hermione preferred his best friend over himself. Hating what was presented, the Gryffindor gathered his courage and slashed through the misty figure and smashed the blade against the Locket, eliminating the Horcrux of Voldemort’s soul.

By morning, the friends returned to the tent with Hermione. Harry shouted for Hermione’s name, waking her from slumber.

“Is everything alright?” She wondered aloud.

“It’s fine!” Harry said, nonchalantly. “Actually, you know, it’s more than fine!” the Chosen One pointed behind him, a shy Ron bashfully smiling. Harry smiled as well, but Hermione did not share the sentiment.

“Hey,” was all Ron managed to get out.

Hermione moved towards him quickly, angry. She stripped his pack from his shoulders, smashing it into his sides, and throwing leaves at him as well. “You! Complete! Arse, Ronald Weasley! You show up here, after weeks, and all you say is ‘Hey?’” She curses.

Ron was confused, thinking she’d be happy. Hermione demanded her wand, and both boys were frightened of what she’d do next. Harry claimed he didn’t have it, making Hermione even more mad.

It wasn’t his fault they didn’t want to be hexed.

The brunette turned back to Ron, seeing the destroyed necklace and the Sword of Gryffindor. “You destroyed it?” Hermione saw. “And how come you just happen to have the Sword of Gryffindor?”

“It’s a long story,” Harry vouched.

“Don’t think this changes anything,” the Gryffindor woman spits.

“Oh, of course not,” the ginger shouts. “I only just destroyed a bloody Horcrux. Why would that change anything?!” Hermione faced Ron again. “Look, I wanted to come back as soon as I left. I just didn’t know how to find you.”

“Yeah, how did you find us?” Harry asks, curious.

“With this,” Ron pulls out the deluminator. “It doesn’t just turn off lights. I don’t know how it works, but Christmas morning I was sleeping in this little pub, keeping away from some Snatchers, and I heard it.”

“It?” Harry searched.

“A voice,” Ron clarified. “Your voice, Hermione, coming out of it.”

“And what exactly did I say, may I ask?” Hermione crossed her arms.

Ron answered, “My name. Just my name. Like a whisper… So I took it, clicked it, and this tiny ball of light appeared, and I knew. And sure enough, it floated toward me, the ball of light went right to my chest straight through me, right here.” Ron pointed to his heart. “And I knew it was gonna take me where I needed to go, so I disapparated and came to this hillside. It was dark and I had no idea where I was. I just hoped one of you would show yourself. And you did.” 

Ron looked at Harry. Hermione’s expression softened at Ron’s journey back to them. Harry could see in Ron’s eyes, there was nothing but devotion and love towards Hermione. They certainly deserved one another, but Hermione wasn’t ready to forgive Ron just yet.

The two men caught up inside the tent, warming up their frozen skin. Ron realized that his journey away was probably why Dumbledore had left the deluminator to Ron, because he knew that Hermione would lead him back. Creepy that Dumbledore knew about Ron’s secret feelings for her…

Wait, didn’t he say Hermione’s name in the Hospital Wing with Dumbledore there? That explains it.

Also, Ron realized Harry had a broken wand, giving him a blackthorn wand he got from a Snatcher. Harry tested it out on one of the candles, almost blowing its raging fire through the tent’s ceiling. Hermione came in, seeing what the fuss was about, the pair obviously said it was nothing.

Explaining what to do next, Hermione was curious about the symbol she kept seeing, asking to see Luna’s father, Xenophilius. Inside the Tales of Beedle the Bard was a letter from Dumbledore, signed with an unknown symbol. Hermione recognized it from the Peverell man’s grave, and Harry recognized it from the vision he had about Gregorovitch. 

They weren’t getting closer to finding another Horcrux, so it was a good idea to figure out what the symbol meant, as it was important if it kept popping up everywhere. Ron jokingly asked to take a vote, siding with Hermione to make it automatically seem they were going to the Lovegood family home. 

It was good to have their best friend back, comedic humor and all.

Chapter Text

FACE TO FACE

The Golden Trio was finally back together, traveling to the Lovegood’s small cottage in the middle of an open field in the countryside. The cottage was darker than the outgoing and cheery personality Luna portrayed. Xenophilius answered the door, not recognizing any of their faces, even though they had all attended the wedding a few months ago. Reluctantly, he allowed the group to make themselves at home, preparing some hot tea for them.

The atmosphere in the small space was certainly tense. Xenophilius claimed Luna would be home soon, but there was no sign of it. All took a sip of their tea, not eager to talk to one another. Luna’s father spoke up, asking what he’d be able to help with. Harry motioned to the symbol on his necklace.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione learned it was the symbol of “The Deathly Hallows.” Xenophilius brought up “The Tale of the Three Brothers” from the Tales of Beedle the Bard, prompting Hermione to open up to that story and read it aloud. 

Three Brothers, thought to be the Peverells: Antioch, Cadmus, and Ignotus, were travelling when they came up to a dangerous river too difficult to pass. When the Brothers built a bridge to pass, they were met with a hooded figure: Death. He was mad to see they had cheated death, however, he reluctantly congratulated the Brothers and awarded them each a prize. 

The oldest asked for the most powerful wand in existence, creating the Elder Wand. The second wished further, humiliating Death, wanting to recall loved ones from the grave. The second brother was granted the Resurrection Stone. The third brother was more humble than the rest, only wanting something to hide from his enemies. Death cut part of his cloak, giving the brother the Invisibility Cloak.

The brothers traveled away from the place unharmed, but it wasn’t until later that they’d face Death again. The first brother killed an old nemesis and drunkenly bragged about his power. In the middle of his sleep, another wizard stole the wand and killed the oldest. 

The second brother used the stone and brought back his beloved fiancée before her tragic death, but she didn’t belong and faded once again. The brother, being heartbroken once again, hung himself. 

The third brother waited several years before greeting Death once again in old age, equally, after passing the Invisibility Cloak down his family line.

Xenophilius confirmed the story, drawing out the symbol of the Hallows with each shape being one of the three items from the story. The line in the center was the Elder Wand, the Circle on the bottom half of the line was the Resurrection Stone, and the Triangle around the other marks was the Invisibility Cloak. 

With all three in one’s possession, one would become the Master of Death. After explaining it better for Harry’s understanding, Mr. Lovegood seemed to change into a panicked and stuttering state. Xenophilius left for more tea, but the Gryffindors packed up their bags, ready to head out.

The trio went to say goodbye, but Luna's father refused to let the Gryffindors leave. His words became jumbled gibberish, and he blocked the doors. Everyone suddenly had an inkling they were in danger. Xenophilius choked out that the Death Eaters had stolen Luna and the only way to get her back was by handing over Harry to the Dark Lord. The Death Eaters were now on their way, Xenophilus saying “Voldemort” with a taboo placed on his name.

Death Eaters smashed through the house, and the trio army-crawled out of the house. The older man tried to stop the Death Eaters, but it was no use. Harry crawled to Hermione and Ron, and together they disapparated from the Lovegoods into another forest. 

Ron was angry. Now, there was no one they could trust. Ron went to set up the enchantments, only to be met with Snatchers. A man named Scabior, Fenrir Greyback, and four other men surrounded them. Scabior recognized Hermione, and Harry recognized the werewolf. They were in deep shit.

The group took off running into the forest to lose the group of men, but the Snatchers were just as quick. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had never run so fast in their lives. Their hearts were beating in their ears, and their feet were taking them as far as they could. They didn’t look back, they couldn’t. 

The Snatchers began to throw curses. Harry tripped and rolled down the hill, but he managed to get back up safely. Ron got trapped in iron chains, Harry was chased through a tunnel of branches, and Hermione cast a spell backward to stall the Snatchers. 

Hermione suddenly realized they’d been led right into a trap as she saw Death Eaters in front of her, and she threw a stinging hex at Harry’s face. After being struck, the Gryffindor had another vision. Voldemort went to a man by the name of Grindelwald, and he told him that the Elder Wand rested with Dumbledore in his grave. Voldemort was going after it! Harry woke from his small sleep, and instantly told Hermione that You-Know-Who was after it, that the Hallows do indeed exist!

The Snatchers grabbed Hermione by her hair and pulled her away from Harry. Ron shouted at the Snatchers to let her go. For his request, Fenrir punched Ron in the stomach, leading Hermione to scream back. Scabior ensured that worse would come to them if they kept making a fuss. Scabior looked to Harry, asking for his name. “Dudley, Vernon Dudley,” He replied.

Hermione was next, “Penelope Clearwater, half-blood.” Scabior took great interest in Hermione, getting up close and personal. Hermione closed her eyes, leaning away from his disgusting touches and smelling. Taking his interest away, another Snatcher claimed that no "Vernon Dudley" was on their list, so Harry was obviously lying. 

Scabior checked under Harry’s hair, looking for the lightning bolt scar. Harry couldn’t tell if the stinging jinx hid it from view, but Scabior had changed the plan. The Snatchers weren’t taking them to the Ministry. The Snatchers and their captures were going to Death Eater headquarters, Malfoy Manor.

~~~~~

Over the Easter holiday week, Draco was kept in his room. Lucius forbade Draco from returning after the break, not being able to complete his N.E.W.T.s. It was too dangerous for the Malfoys to be out in public and with the brink of the war on the horizon. Draco needed to be at home preparing.

Draco paced around his bedroom, looking out the window. He wanted his freedom, but he was locked up. Something in Draco snapped, and he swiped his hands across his desk, letting the ink pots spill and parchments fall to the floor. He tore his posters off the walls and he knocked his books off their shelves. 

Why was he born into this family? Why was he forced into this? Why couldn’t he be at Hogwarts with his friends? Why couldn’t he just be happy? Nothing had made him happier than spending time with Harry in the library and the Room of Requirement. Nothing. For all he knew, Harry was dead and the letter he sent was lost in the middle of nowhere. He could've been hanging out with Pansy and the god-awful gossip, or Blaise could ask him to play wizard's chess again.

Draco smashed his fists on his bed and began to cry. He’d been locked up for weeks by now, and nothing was getting any better. When done with his childish tantrum, he lay on his bed in sorrow with his eyes closed, reflecting. 

Off the side of his bed, his Wuthering Heights novel had fallen open, the pages now wrinkled. When Draco went to retrieve the book, it opened to the page reading, “I’ll not lie there by myself: they may bury me twelve feet deep, and throw the church down over me, but I won’t rest until you are with me. I never will! ”

Draco smiled at one of the confessions of love within the story. Draco flattened out the pages to return the book to some sense of normalcy. That quote meant everything to the blond man. He wasn’t going to rest until Harry was with him and the Second Wizarding War was over. 

Outside his door, footsteps clomped. Draco snuck to his door as quickly as he could, trying not to be loud in his dress shoes. He pressed his ear to the door, trying to listen; he couldn’t hear anything until the door began to jiggle. The Slytherin rushed back, and the click of the lock was heard. In stepped Narcissa, who was panting. “They found him, Draco. They think they found Harry Potter!” She whispered.

Draco felt his cold body rise in heat. His face flushed, and the edges of his lips curved. “They found him?” Draco asked.

“He’s being brought here, and we must get downstairs quickly,” Narcissa replied. “I think we have him, but I wouldn’t rest yet, Sweetheart. Your aunt is greeting them at the gates.”

“Oh shit,” Draco gasped, grabbing his wand from his dresser and following his mother.

~~~~~

At the front gates of Malfoy Manor, the Snatchers disapparated. Bellatrix and her wicked appearance planted herself at the gates, looking like a muggle version of a witch. Scabior went first, showing her that Harry had no scar to be seen. She furrowed her thin brows and ordered the Snatchers to get Draco.

In the large, empty living room, Bellatrix threw Harry to the floor in front of her nephew. Draco flinched seeing Harry being treated so horribly. Bellatrix yanked Harry by his hair, showing him to Draco. The brunet grunted in pain, panting heavily. Harry almost sounded like he couldn’t breathe. Draco looked on, quietly. He couldn’t say anything; he swore to himself to protect the man.

“Well?” Bellatrix quipped.

“I-I can’t be sure,” Draco stuttered. Lucius refused to accept his answer, grabbing his son by the scruff of his neck and squeezing harshly. Draco choked up, not looking at his father.

“Draco, look closely, son,” Lucius ordered. “If we are the ones to hand Potter over to the Dark Lord, everything would be forgiven. All would be as it was, you understand?”

Draco nodded, wanting it all back. But it wouldn’t be as it was, Harry would be dead, and it would be his fault. He’d never forgive himself.

“Now, we won’t be forgetting who actually caught him, I hope, Mr. Malfoy,” Scabior corrected.

Draco’s father started shaking. “You dare talk to me like that in my own house!” Lucius yelled, practically in Draco’s ear. The Malfoy heir closed his eyes in fear. He never got used to his father’s screams. Narcissa called to Lucius, calming him down. She dragged her husband back, letting Bellatrix take over.

Bellatrix took her nephew’s hand, guiding him to the Boy Who Lived. “Come closer, Draco. Don’t be shy, Sweetie,” Bellatrix cooed. “Now, if this isn’t who we think it is, Draco, and we call him, he’ll kill us all. We need to be absolutely sure!”

Harry stared into Draco’s mercury eyes. In the light, they looked almost aquamarine blue. They were gorgeous. Harry felt his heart leap, seeing Draco once again. He wanted to tell him that he had read his letter, that he forgave him for everything. After everything he’d done to Draco, though, he wasn’t so sure that Draco wouldn’t rat him and his friends out.

“Is that Potter?” Bellatrix demanded as Draco kneeled to Harry’s level.

“I can’t be sure,” Draco repeated. Draco had gone to school with Harry and his friends for six years, known them for seven. Why would Draco lie? He had a reason not to.

When Bellatrix didn’t receive an acceptable answer, she went after the other two Gryffindors. She took to Hermione, accusing her of using the stinging jinx on Harry. Draco looked to Harry once more, mouthing “I got you” before returning to standing after Narcissa touched his shoulder.

Seeing the Sword of Gryffindor in one of the Snatcher’s hands, Bellatrix immediately went wild. She swung many Incarcerous spells at them, taking the Sword. The ropes choked out the Snatchers and Greyback, dragging them by their necks in torture. She raged at them to leave. Lucius and Narcissa guarded Draco behind them, keeping him from her outburst.

Bellatrix ordered her sister to place the boys downstairs, and she took the young woman of the group for herself. Peter Pettigrew took the boys to the cellar, meeting up with Ollivander, Luna, and Dean. Ron panicked, not wanting to leave Hermione up there with the lunatic.

Bellatrix straddled Hermione, whispering, asking how she got the Sword from her vault. When the Gryffindor stated she didn’t steal it, sobbing in fear, Bellatrix took a small blade and carved it into her arm. Hermione’s screams echoed across the room, freaking out Draco, Harry, Ron, and everyone. Draco never understood how his Aunt could be such a cruel woman. Ron tried to man-handle the iron bars and escape, all the adrenaline pumping inside. It was no use.

Bellatrix only laughed at Hermione’s pain. Draco was so frozen in horror that he couldn’t do anything. Hermione pleaded for Bellatrix to stop, but it only egged her on. Draco could hear Ron’s screams for Hermione from the cellar. They were nothing but torturous.

Pettigrew came back for the goblin also there in the cellar to check if the Sword was real. Out of nowhere, Dobby apparated into the cellar. Dobby looked around, happy to see Harry once again and ready to rescue the crew. Dobby took Ollivander, Luna, and Dean to Shell Cottage: Bill’s home since he moved out. Dobby ordered the pair left over to meet him at the top of the stairs in ten seconds, so Ron and Harry rushed out with the help of Dobby, stunning Peter Pettigrew.

Harry and Ron snuck back to the top of the stairs. Hermione lay flat on the hardwood floor, bleeding from her arm. Draco could just make out the word “mudblood.” He could see Harry and Ron on the other side as his aunt tortured the goblin, slashing her knife across his face. 

Draco saw his former house elf and motioned to Dobby. Dobby eventually saw Draco’s signal and hesitantly smiled. The blond directed him to the top of the chandelier and told him to wait for his signal.

Bellatrix made her way back to Hermione. Ron rushed to her aid, shouting “Expelliarmus!” Bellatrix’s wand was shot right into Harry’s hand. Lucius went to defend his sister-in-law, but Draco shot first along with Harry. 

“Stupefy!”

Unknowing that Draco also spelled the shot at his father, Harry, and Ron began to duel with Draco and Narcissa. Calling off the fight, Bellatrix held Hermione upright by her hair at knifepoint. The pair were forced to drop their wands, and Draco picked them up. The stinging hex wore off Harry and Bellatrix asked someone to call the Dark Lord. Narcissa, Lucius, and Harry looked at Draco, but he wouldn’t call He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Lucius did it in his place, but not before Draco shouted, “Dobby now!”

Above them all, the small elf twisted the chandelier off its screws and dropped the lighting fixture on top of Bellatrix. Frightened, the Death Eater let Hermione go, the woman running straight into Ron’s arms. Lucius went to go after the trio and the goblin, but Draco cast a spell at him.

“How dare you, Draco?!” Bellatrix shouted. Draco panicked as Bellatrix looked to cast a wandless curse at Draco, but Harry protected him. “How dare you defy your family using that stupid elf?!”

“Harry, catch!” Draco threw the wands to the group. Harry caught the wands but waited for Draco. 

“Draco, come with us!” Harry requested. 

Draco yelled at the group to leave, “Go, Potter! Now!”

“We’re not leaving without you!”

“Harry, we have to leave!” Hermione insisted.

“Dobby, Potter, go!”

Bellatrix shoved Draco to the ground, and Narcissa defended him, “Don’t touch my son, Bella!” Bellatrix didn’t care, too filled with bloodlust. Bellatrix took one last jab, throwing her knife towards the group beginning to apparate away. After it was thrown, Narcissa stunned her sister.

~~~~~

The group landed on a wet beach outside of Shell Cottage.

Dobby had been hit with Bellatrix’s knife with one last hit. Dobby died in Harry’s arms, surrounded by Hermione, Ron, and Luna, who had run from the Cottage to see if they’d arrived.

Harry and the group buried Dobby in the sand along with everyone's one spare pair of socks. Each person said a few words, even if they didn’t know Dobby very well.

On a large, smoothed stone, Harry charmed the words, “Here Lies Dobby: A Free Elf.” They sat in the newly rising sun, mourning the loss of their friend and rescuer.

~~~~~

Back at Malfoy Manor, Lucius scolded his heir, “Your mother had to erase Bellatrix’s memory! If the Dark Lord finds out, we all will die! Do you realize what you’ve just done, Draco?!”

Narcissa butted in, “Stop it Lucius! Leave him alone.”

“I don’t care. Have it your way, Lucius! ” Draco snarled, using his father’s given name for the first time. “I’m going back to Hogwarts! I’m going to protect Potter if it’s the last thing I do!”

“Don’t you dare defy me, boy! ” Lucius yelled.

Draco breathed in a sigh. Knowing it was against his better judgment, Draco had his father Stupefy -ied against the walls once again, at least to just shut his bloody mouth. “Just try and stop me!” Narcissa pleaded for him to stay, but her son wouldn’t listen. Draco had had enough of the darkness and manipulation and apparated with his mother’s wand, leaving his family in their house alone.

End of Deathly Hallows Part 1

Chapter Text

BACK TO HOGWARTS

At Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy stood in line with all the students coming into the Castle, a Slytherin robe over his black suit. They were like soldiers in their robes. Four groups, each organized by house, were guarded on the grounds by professors and Death Eaters. Dementors floated above the school like devilish guardians. The sky was cloudy, and the air was cool for a spring day.

The Slytherin Prince was going to save Harry, no matter what it took.

Draco went to the Slytherin common room and whispered the password. He snuck inside, and on the leather couches in front of the green fire were Blaise and Pansy. Pansy teared up as she and her boyfriend went to hug their best friend. Draco hugged them close before Pansy jabbed his side with a punch.

“Where the fuck have you been?!” Pansy scolded.

“Long story short, I should’ve told you guys everything a while ago,” Draco sighed, holding his ribs. Damn Pansy was a good punch...

"No shit, Sherlock!" Pansy shrieked.

"Shhhhh!" Draco hushed. "And who is this 'Sherlock?" You know I'm Draco."

"Fictional detective the muggles like, I don't know," Pansy shrugged. "Anyways, back to business. What's been going on with you, Dragon?!"

“I’m secretly a Death Eater,” Draco slowly said. Pansy gasped and went to say something, but Blaise held up a hand to let the blond speak his peace. “I’m not going to hurt anyone. In fact, I’m back here to help. Potter is going to be on his way here soon, and You-Know-Who’s army will be here any day now. I’m not sure what will happen, but I want you all to know that you're my best friends, and I need you to have my back in all this, secretly. I’m going to keep Potter away from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named for as long as I can, while you help the Slytherins out when the time comes.”

“I was listening to that whole lot, but are you sure this thing with Potter is good?” Pansy inquires. “What about your parents? Also, Potter? Really? Again?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out,” Draco said. “Also, as a last thing to get off my chest before we possibly die… I’m -um- in love with Potter.”

Blaise raised his eyebrows in confusion, and Pansy squealed joyously, “I knew it! I fucking knew it! Come here, you fruitcake!” Pansy goes in for another hug, and Blaise joins in too. Blaise didn’t understand Draco’s infatuation with the Boy Who Lived, but if it made him happy, who was he to stand in the way?

"Don't scare me again with your disappearance bullshit Dragon, I'm sick of it!" Pansy said, dragging her boyfriend to the common room couch.

"It wasn't my fault!" Draco whined, walking over to join them.

"Your douchebag of a father needs to get a grip," Blaise commented.

"I stupefy-ied his arse into one of the walls when Potter 'infiltrated' my house," Draco replied.

"Potter? Infiltrated your house?" Blaise asked.

"Snatchers caught them, brought them to Bellatrix. She tortured the absolute shit out of Granger," Draco retold. "It was horrific, and I'm never going to associate with that ruthless woman ever again. She fucking held Potter and that Know-It-All to knifepoint!"

"Geez!" Blaise held a hand over his mouth. "Family drama already between boyfriends, huh?"

"My family is so fucked up," Draco combed his fingers through his tousled hair. "Also, not boyfriends... yet."

"No shit!" Pansy repeated in response to the first part. "Wouldn't touch your chaotic aunt with a ten-meter pole." Some time passed in silence, and the group held close. 

"So Potter?" Pansy brought up. 

"Yeah..." Draco blushed.

"Does he know?" Blaise asked.

"I think so... I mean- we kissed and we've had civil talks, only a letter was sent since the..." Draco held his chest, feeling the scars underneath the white fabric, "incident..."

"You kissed! When?" Pansy yelped.

"A week or so before the incident," the Slytherin confirmed.

Pansy chuckled. She climbed over Blaise to hug her best friend. Draco embraced Pansy and felt warm. Blaise swooped in with extra cuddles, and the Slytherin trio enjoyed their last few moments of peace. The war was inevitable, and it was coming fast. Enjoying these last few moments was important, and the blond wouldn't trade it for the world.

~~~~~

Meanwhile, Shell Cottage was light like summer. The air was crisp by the seaside as Harry sat with Dobby at his grave, staring into the mirror shard. Luna came up to visit the grave, getting Harry out of his funk. They both returned to the cottage, and Harry knew that if Bellatrix went that crazy because someone stole the Sword of Gryffindor from her vault, then a Horcrux must be inside it too.

He had to talk with the goblin, Griphook.

Bill Weasley allowed the trio into Griphook’s new room with slight hesitation. “How are you?” Harry struck up a conversation.

“Alive,” Griphook replied solemnly. Bellatrix had done a number on him when he and Ron were down in the cellar of the Malfoys, a raging scar across his left cheek.

The goblin explained that Snape had placed a fake sword identical to the Gryffindor relic inside Bellatrix’s vault. Implying something else was in there, Harry knew Voldemort hid a Horcrux for safety inside the witch's vault. Harry offered gold to Griphook to convince him to help, but he wanted the Sword instead.

Reluctantly, it was a deal.

Harry got lost in his thoughts again. Draco had put himself in harm’s way to protect the group. He didn’t even bother to come with them. He could help them find the Horcrux since he would probably know if something were in his aunt's vault, but why did he choose to stay in that stuffed estate?

“There was nothing we could do, Harry,” Hermione said when Harry told her as much.

“I don’t care, we never should have left without him,” Harry burst. "Why would he leave himself unprotected?"

“Dobby willingly sacrificed himself to apparate us out. Draco willingly sacrificed himself so he could stay. There’s a difference,” Hermione stated. "Dobby is a hero who didn't have to do what he did. He wouldn't have died if Draco hadn't involved him in the escape."

How could Hermione say that? The raven-haired man respected S.P.E.W's values as much as she did, but he loved Draco. He knew the Slytherin could be a coward, but if anything Malfoy did in that house proved something, he was brave enough to stand up to his family and ask a house-elf for assistance without harsh treatment.

Harry rolled his eyes, wanting to talk with Ollivander. He now had several wands with him: a few Death Eaters’, Bellatrix’s, and Draco’s wands. When throwing the wands back, Draco must've thrown his wand to Harry, and Draco must’ve used another wand to keep the spells from hitting the group when escaping. He needed to know if the new wands were safe to use if they were going into Gringotts with unfamiliar weapons.

“Mr. Ollivander,” Harry greeted softly to the weak man. “I need to ask you a few questions.”

“Anything, my boy, anything,” Ollivander offered.

Harry came closer and sat on the bed next to him. “Would you mind identifying these wands for us? We need to know if they’re safe to use.”

First was Bellatrix’s wand. It was made of walnut wood with a dragon heartstring core. It was twelve and three-quarters inches and unyielding, meaning it didn’t take too well to other people using it much. The curved handle made it great for use around corners. Ollivander handed it back, his hand shaking as he claimed to “be careful” when using it.

“And this?” Harry asked as he handed over Draco’s wand.

Ollivander felt around the thin black and brown wand, “Hawthorn. Unicorn Hair. Ten inches, reasonably pliant.” Ollivander held the wand up to his ear as if the wand could say anything to the man, “This was the wand of Draco Malfoy.”

“Was? Is it not still?” Harry puzzled.

“Perhaps not,” Ollivander said. “If you won it from him, that is. Unicorn-haired wands do not usually allow for wizards to use their wand for dark magic; I sense its allegiance has changed.” Harry takes back the wand, and the wandmaker continues. “This wand trusts you, Mr. Potter. There seems to be a very strong bond between you and its owner if it allows for such a change, given that it does belong to the Malfoy son.”

Harry nods, still confused. “You talk about wands as if they have feelings… can think?”

“The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter,” Ollivander remembers from the first time he told Harry that same phrase back in Diagon Alley seven years ago. “That much has always been clear to those of us who have studied wand lore. If the Malfoy heir’s wand had chosen to remain with you, then it is for a reason.”

Harry also asked about the Deathly Hallows. Ollivander believed it only to be a fairy tale until recently. Voldemort had also tortured the wandmaker for where to find the Elder Wand, and Ollivander was forced to give up its rumored location. Ollivander claimed Voldemort probably wouldn’t find it, but Harry confirmed that he’d already found it. The doom on the wandmaker’s face knew that they were done with the conversation, and the trio took their leave. Ollivander made sure to speak of his final warnings that Harry may not survive if Voldemort did have the Elder Wand. Harry assured them they’d be alright.

Ron and Hermione took the Polyjuice potion pre-brewed and added hairs to their respective draughts. Hermione became Bellatrix and Ron became another Death Eater. Harry and Griphook would hide under his Invisibility Cloak and they would Imperio the Head Goblin or guards waiting to take them to the Lestrange Family vault. The quartet apparated there and snuck in as best as they could, Hermione was almost too nice to be Bellatrix.

The Head Goblin took the group the the vault, and the Thief’s Downfall water spout washed away the Polyjuice ahead of schedule. Ron used the Imperius curse on the Head Goblin, and they made their way to the Lestrange vault. With the help of ringing bells, the group passed by the Ukrainian Ironbelly that guarded them. 

The Head Goblin opened the vault, and Harry could instantly feel the energy of the Horcrux. Hermione tried Accio, but it was no use. Lumos helped guide everyone towards the back. Hermione knocked over a ring-type object and Ron several goblets and plates, causing a massive Gemino curse to take effect. Harry used this to his advantage, taking the Cup of Hufflepuff marked by badgers into his grasp. The deal was done, and the Sword belonged to Griphook now, and the friends were left to fend for themselves amongst the hoard of valuables.

The treasures of the vault thankfully kept the door open, but Griphook sold out the Gryffindors to Gringotts defenders. Spells were shot at the group, and Hermione had only one crazy idea to get them out. Hermione mounted the back of the dragon guarding the vaults. Following Hermione’s lead, the other two jumped on and stayed within the spines of the Ukrainian Ironbelly for safety. 

With a Relashio, the dragon took to flying up through the caverns to the top of the Wizarding bank. The dragon burst through the floors, destroying the center walkway and injuring several guards and goblins, smashing the crystal chandelier and the glass dome. The Ukrainian Ironbelly flew over London to the Scottish countryside.

Word got to Voldemort and his followers that Harry had intruded on Gringotts and Bellatrix’s vault. The Cup of Hufflepuff was gone, and any wizards, witches, and goblins that remained alive were slaughtered by Voldemort and Nagini. The scaly man walked in their blood unfazed. The Malfoy matriarch and her husband, plus Bellatrix, watched the Dark Lord have his tantrum. He then told them to slowly make their way to Hogwarts. Harry was going there in search of another Horcrux.

Harry panted, swimming back to shore with his friends after having jumped off the Ironbelly. Hermione scolded her friend for letting Voldemort back into his head, but Harry gathered new information. You-Know-Who was scared that Harry knew about the Horcruxes, and there was another one at Hogwarts relating to Rowena Ravenclaw. It was curious how Voldemort managed to get a Horcrux in every Hogwarts Founders’ item except Godric Gryffindor's.

The Golden Trio put on dry clothes from Hermione’s small pack and dropped replenished Dittany over their wounds. The brunette didn’t plan to simply just rush off to Hogwarts and destroy the Ravenclaw horcrux, but Harry reminded Hermione that none of their plans had ever worked. 

They all needed to get to Hogwarts as soon as possible before Voldemort and everyone else did. Harry needed to see Draco once again before facing the Dark Lord and have a real conversation before he might die. It was all too important to just sit around. 

The group apparated to Hogsmeade to try and get into Honeydukes, but that didn’t seem to work as alarms set off as soon as the group of friends stepped foot into the village. The Gryffindors were saved from the Snatchers by an older man, dragging them into the Hog’s Head. The trio heads down the stairs, and Ron and Hermione stop thinking they saw Dumbledore, which is impossible because he’s dead.

On the fireplace wall, a young woman watches over them closely. Next to her is a full mirror with a shard removed. In the mirror is Harry, who’s facing away from the mirror behind her. In the shard is Hermione’s hair when she turns around to look at him. Harry looks at the mirror, seeing the shard in the exact shape of the missing piece in the broken mirror.

The older man burst from behind one of the walls, “You bloody fools! What were you thinking about coming here?! Have you any idea how dangerous it is here?!”

“You’re Aberforth, Dumbledore’s brother!” Harry recognized the resemblance. “It’s you I’ve been seeing in this mirror! You’re the one who sent Dobby!”

“Where have you left him?” Aberforth wondered.

“He’s dead, Sir,” Harry frowned.

“Sorry to hear it. I liked that elf,” Aberforth admitted. The Mirror was given to him by Mundungus Fletcher, who stole it from Grimmauld Place. It was originally Sirius’, but Dumbledore knew that Aberforth would need it. Without it, the trio might’ve been in a bigger predicament. Aberforth presented butterbeer and sandwiches for the group, probably a good thing to fuel up before the upcoming war.

Aberforth spouted that since the Order’s done for, Voldemort had won the Second Wizarding War now. The old man wouldn’t believe anyone who told him otherwise, but the Chosen One refused to believe the enemy had won, not yet. Harry told Aberforth that they needed to get into Hogwarts to finish Dumbledore’s mission. The Dumbledore brother denied. Aberforth tried to encourage Harry to stop the mission as it would only lead to his death. If the Headmaster was truly so secretive, then why did Harry trust Dumbledore blindly? With Harry’s determination, the bearded man eventually tells the lady in the portrait, the Dumbledore sister: Ariana, to go grab someone from the other side to get the trio into Hogwarts.

With Ariana on the way back, a man walked with her. The portrait opened, and it revealed Neville Longbottom. He’d certainly grown into his features, and the trio was happy to see the Gryffindor. Immediately, they all noticed his banged-up looks, but he told them off. He led the group through the dark tunnels back to Hogwarts, explaining it was the only passageway in and out now with Snape and the Carrows running the school. On the other side of the passage was the other portrait door. Neville turned out the lights and had the Gryffindors stand back so he could give a message of revelation to the Resistance waiting inside.

“Hey! Listen up you lot!” Neville shouted. “I’ve brought you a surprise!”

All eyes turned to Neville. Seamus sitting on a box below was less than impressed, “Not more of Aberforth’s cooking, I hope. Be a surprise if we can even digest it.”

Neville stepped aside to reveal Harry, Ron, and Hermione, and everyone began to cheer, seeing the Saviour back on their home turf. Everyone rushed to see Harry and gave him loads of greeting hugs. Dean and Luna were already safe in the group, and Neville told Colin Creevy to get the word out to everyone that Harry was back.

“River, D.A. calling. Do you read?” Colin called into the radio. “We have a new weather report. Lightning has struck! I repeat, Lightning has struck!”

The crowd settled into quiet, waiting for Harry to strike up a plan. Nothing came from his mouth. With hesitation, the Boy Who Lived invited everyone in on the Horcrux plan. “There’s something we need to find. Something hidden here in the Castle, and it may help us defeat You-Know-Who.”

“Right, what is it?” Neville questioned.

“We don’t know…”

“Where is it?”

“We don’t know either,” Harry sadly said. God damn, why did you have to start by sounding lame Harry, geez! He thought to himself. “I realize that that’s not much to go on.”

“That’s nothing to go on!” Seamus cried.

“I think it has something to do with Ravenclaw,” Harry informed. “Um- it’ll be small, easily concealed… Anyone any ideas?”

The crowd searched around for any ideas. Padma, Luna, and Cho looked at one another, and Luna suddenly had an idea. “Well, there’s Rowena Ravenclaw’s lost diadem,” Luna tried. “Lost diadem of Ravenclaw, hasn’t anyone heard of it? It’s quite famous.”

Ron and the others shook their heads, but Harry knew Luna could be on to something. Cho ruled it out, “Yes, but Luna… It’s been lost for centuries now. There’s not a person alive who’s seen it.”

“Can someone explain what the hell a bloody diadem is?” Ron interrupted.

“It’s sort of a crown,” Padma Patil said. “You know, like a tiara.” 

A sudden loud rumble came through the Room of Requirement. Running in was Ginny Weasley with urgent news. She paused to see her brother and Harry back, “Harry! Ron!” She stood silently, taking in the fact that her brother was back and alive after months.

“What is it, Ginny?” Neville requested.

“Snape knows! Snape knows that Harry was spotted in Hogsmeade! He requests a school-wide meeting in the Great Hall. We have to hurry,” Ginny said, urgently.

The crowd began to worry about punishment. Neville calmed them down and had everyone gather in Hogwarts robes and head in an orderly fashion to the Great Hall. Harry was given a spare to blend in with the larger crowd. Ron and Hermione went to meet with the Order. Now, he was ready to face Snape again a year since Dumbledore's death.

Chapter Text

BEGINNINGS OF BATTLE

On the other side of the school, the Slytherins were met with a first-year. "Headmaster Snape's askin' for us in the Great Hall! We need to be in our robes, now!" 

As Draco heard this news, he stood up from the common room couch and looked to his friends with a worried expression. Pansy and Blaise looked back at the blond and knew it was time to set the plans in motion. Draco, Daphne Greengrass, and Millicent Bulstrode gathered the Slytherins into an orderly fashion.

"All Slytherins in your robes! Get in your lines by Year, youngest in front, and single file!" Millicent shouted.

As the students ran to their dorms to get dressed and rushed to get in their lines, they whispered among themselves. Draco distinctly heard Harry’s name out of someone’s mouth. “He’s been spotted in Hogsmeade?”

“Yeah, one of the twins mentioned the Snatchers called it in,” a student said.

His Harry had come back to rescue them.

Other older Slytherins only laughed at the Chosen One’s return. They wondered why the hell he chose now, out of any time, to return. Draco hushed the groups, ordering all the Slytherins to follow Snape’s orders. The house couldn’t take any more punishment from the professors.

Draco placed his robes over his suit and got everyone in line. “Alright everyone! Single file and silent! Let’s move!” Draco shouted to the Slytherin students and led them down to the Great Hall.

~~~~~

The New Headmaster: Snape glided with his long black cloak through the middle of the hall between the four houses of students to the front. Alecto and Amycus watched over the students like hawks from behind, the professors forming a triangle. Professor McGonagall and Professor Slughorn watched from the sides, hiding among the students, hoping they wouldn’t have to give unnecessary punishment to any child who stepped out of line.

“Many of you are surely wondering why I have summoned you at this hour,” Snape drawled. “It’s come to my attention, that earlier this evening… Harry Potter was sighted in Hogsmeade.” The crowds whispered amongst themselves. Draco and Harry in their respective groups stayed silent. “Now…should anyone… student or staff, attempt to aid Mr. Potter… they will be punished in a manner consistent with the severity of their transgression. Furthermore… any person found to have knowledge of these events… who fails to come forward… will be treated as… equally guilty.”

The Great Hall remained silent. “Now then…” Snape stepped towards the students. “If anyone here…has any knowledge of Mr. Potter’s movements this evening…I invite them to step forward… now!”

The new Headmaster looked out amongst the students, all of them staring forward or looking towards their feet. None of the resistance members came forth at any point. But someone did step forward to the center of the students, and the students all gasped.

Harry stepped up, confronting Snape. 

All the children and adults in the Hall turned toward the Saviour. Draco smiled, seeing the Boy Who Lived in his glory. “It seems that despite your exhaustive defensive strategies… You still have a bit of a security problem, Headmaster,” Harry snarled. Behind him, all the members of the Order of the Phoenix filed in with their wands ready. “And I’m afraid it’s quite extensive.”

Harry scrunched his nose at his former professor, “How dare you stand where he stood? Tell them how it happened that night! Tell them how you looked him in the eye, a man who trusted you, and killed him! Tell them!”

The greasy man raised his wand to the boy centered in the Hall, but not before Professor McGonagall stepped in to defend him. The Hogwarts students raced to the sides of the Great Hall to not get hit in the crossfire. The Carrows behind Snape raised their wands, and Harry and the Order did too behind McGonagall. 

The elder woman shot the first spell, and Snape deflected it. This continued, and Snape sent the spells behind him to the Carrows, taking their wands before leaping out of the Great Hall's glass window. McGonagall called after him, “Coward!” before relighting the Halls, and the students cheered.

Harry instantly felt weak and fell to the floor. McGonagall, Hermione, and Ron rushed to his aid. Draco rushed behind them all to see what had happened. Harry looked like he was in a somewhat trance. 

Voldemort’s voice had returned, casting itself to the entire student body. Draco looked above him to where he heard the voice. He felt faint, like he had a harsh headache brewing. The weather in the Great Hall turned thundery, and the lights massively dimmed. A little girl began to scream, frightening the Hall. From another part of the Hall, another girl began to scream, and then came the scaly voice of the Dark Lord.

“I know many of you will want to fight. Some of you may even think that to fight is wise. But this is folly,” Voldemort chanted. The students covered their ears, even the Slytherins. All the students circled the Boy Who Lived. Draco got closer to the middle, trying to see Harry from the shadows. “Give me Harry Potter. Do this and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Harry Potter…and you shall be rewarded. You have one hour,” Voldemort promised.

The students finally felt like they could breathe after He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’s speech ended, clutching their chests. “What are you waiting for?” One of Pansy's friends, Millicent Bulstrode, shouted in the silence. “Someone grab him!” Draco could see Pansy scowl at the girl. Blaise held his girlfriend's hand. The Order gathered around Harry in protection, and Draco moved toward them as well in secret. Other members of the Hogwarts resistance gathered too. 

From the entrance, Mr. Filch came running in, crying out about the students being out of bed. Of course, McGonagall told him off but told him to take Millicent and the rest of Slytherin from the Hall to the Dungeons, secretly not wanting the students to see many of their parents killed in the battle.

The other house students cheered, and Filch led the Slytherins to the Dungeon. Pansy and Blaise found Draco in the moving crowd. "What should we do, Dragon?"

Draco replied, "Follow Filch and the Slytherins to the Dungeons. I'll come to find you guys soon and break you out. Stay safe."

"Godric Speed, Malfoy," Blaise wished. Pansy would stay behind with the older Greengrass sister, Daphne, and Millicent to get all the Slytherins out of the Castle. When the Slytherin would break his friends out, he, Blaise, and Goyle would follow Harry to get his wand and help win the battle.

Harry asked the now-Headmistress to help secure the Castle when searching for the Ravenclaw Horcrux. She granted him as much time as possible, gathering the adult witches and wizards from the Order and the remaining professors. Students younger than the fifth years were evacuated, and the Hogwarts portraits packed up knowing they would be in the middle of a battle. 

Harry started for the Ravenclaw common room. Ron and Hermione thought to grab a few basilisk fangs and destroy Helga Hufflepuff’s Cup in the Chamber of Secrets. Harry gave them the Marauder’s map to find him when finished, and he left with Luna Lovegood on his tail. 

Neville and Seamus were sent away with permission from their professors to blow up the Hogwarts back-entrance bridge to keep anyone else from getting into the grounds. 

With Peritotum Locomotor, McGonagall gathered the Hogwarts Stone Guard to be sent to the front-entrance bridge before the eventual sealed shield.

Around the Grounds, Professors Flitwick and Slughorn, Madam Pomfrey, Mrs. Weasley, Remus, Kingsley, and other wizards cast spells to create the largest shield charm in the history of Hogwarts. They chanted several times, “Protego Maxima. Fianto Duri. and Repello Inimicum.” This sent away the dementors and would be able to keep most spells from advancing.

~~~~~

The Chosen One continued to the Ravenclaw Common Room, but Luna realized her friend was just being led to a dead end. Harry wouldn’t listen to the blonde until she raised her voice, saying that they’d have to talk to someone dead if no one alive had seen the Diadem. The two of them went to Ravenclaw Tower together, searching for the Grey Lady, the ghost of Ravenclaw House. She was Ravenclaw’s daughter, Helena, killed thousands of years ago, but she was still young and pale.

Helena knew of Tom Riddle and the lies he told. She claimed young Riddle had told her that he was going to get rid of her mother’s Diadem, but instead of following his words, he infested it with Dark magic. It made Helena furious, sensing him inside Harry and reminding her of the past. Promising he’d keep his word, Harry was given the riddled location of the Ravenclaw Diadem.

“It’s here… in the Castle, in the place where everything is hidden.”

Harry was going to the Room of Requirement again.

~~~~~

On the outskirts of the Dark Forest, thousands of Death Eaters lined up to burst through the shield surrounding Hogwarts. They all raised their wands, shooting spells towards the school like historic Muggle archers, only for them to be deflected. Kingsley and Remus asked Dean and Professor McGonagall for more help on their side of the school, seeing the damage being done to the shield. The Quidditch field was set on fire, and the parts of the Grounds before the shield were wrecked.

Neville was at the Hogwarts back-bridge awaiting any trespassers. Scabior and the multitude of Snatchers ran towards the entrance. Many who made it before him were slaughtered as they ran through the shield, causing them to hold back. Neville taunted them since they weren’t able to get through, buying time.

Ron and Hermione went down into the Chamber of Secrets. Ron used Parseltongue he had heard Harry murmur in his sleep, to open the Chamber. He pulled a loose fang from the carcass of the dead basilisk from their second year. Hermione grabbed Hufflepuff’s cup from her bag, and Ron handed the fang to her. The bushy-haired woman felt she wouldn’t be able to destroy it. With Ron’s encouragement, Hermione found her Gryffindor strength and plunged the fang into the Horcrux. 

Voldemort could feel a part of his soul being torn from his body. Harry felt his pain, stopping his rush through the corridors towards the Room of Requirement. 

Around the pair in the Slytherin Chamber, water rose in the form of a snake before drenching them. They had destroyed the Horcrux, now they needed to help everyone get out in the meantime before getting back to Harry. “Wait! We have to get the house-elves out, Hermione! We're not gonna ask them to fight, and we certainly don't want anymore Dobbies, do we?” Ron said. Full of adrenaline and passion for Ron, she kissed him for the first time, cementing their feelings for one another.

In pain, Voldemort cries as he unleashes a powerful spell, breaking through the shield around Hogwarts. The adults and students who stayed around Hogwarts knew it was the beginning of the end as they saw the shield shatter into falling, melting pieces. Ginny looked out onto the Hogwarts grounds through the openings in the architecture. She ran immediately to the Headmistress to alert her.

It was time. The Battle of Hogwarts had begun.

Chapter Text

RESCUE FROM THE FIENDFYRE AND A DEATH AT THE BOATHOUSE

The powerful shield was now shattered, so the Snatchers attempted their way to the bridge. Scabior stepped slowly, one foot in front of the other, until he’d hit where the shield was previously. Since it was no longer there, the Snatchers were still alive. Knowing there was no longer a barrier, they let out a strong battle cry and began chasing after Neville. Neville ran like hell and made his way back to the castle, setting off Seamus’ pyrotechnics to blow the bridge up to escape the Snatchers' wrath. 

The Snatchers threw strong hexes at Neville, but the man blocked them as best as he could. As he reached towards the castle's end, the bridge collapsed. He threw his wand to Ginny, Seamus, and Dean on the other side, not sure if he’d make it. The group at the bridge’s edge held their breaths, thinking they might have just lost a friend. Ginny tiptoed to the edge to see if there was a life still hanging, and luckily, a hand creeping over the edge told them he'd survived. 

“That went well,” Neville rasped, clawing at the wood to stay upright.

Everyone helped Neville up, and they retreated to the castle to join the main fights.

~~~~~

Towards the front of the gigantic school, Death Eaters, giants, dementors, and other creatures Voldemort had gathered for his regime entered the grounds of Hogwarts. Professor Flitwick stood with the Stone Guard, watching on the rampage the enemy force was coming in at. Afraid of the results if he stayed, Flitwick carried his small legs as fast as they could through the Stone lines. The statues began defending by swinging their spiked maces and thrusting their shields. Many were blatantly destroyed by the giants. 

McGonagall rushed all her remaining students inside for safety. 

Death Eaters went after Remus, Arthur, and Kingsley in one of the towers. 

Death Eaters crashed through the stairways, and students screamed. 

Harry rushed to the Room of Requirement, his heart racing. He had to get to the Diadem as soon as wizardly possible. Their lives all depended on it.

Inside the Dungeons, Filch began to leave the students locked inside an actual barred dungeon of the school. Draco followed through with his promise to Pansy and Blaise with a Bombarda. The locked gates were smashed to bits and the students were set free, running frantically. Pansy called to her best friend and boyfriend, "What now?" 

"Go with the Slytherins. protect yourself, Pans- I gotta meet Potter to get my wand, and then I'm going to remain and fight," Draco explained hurriedly. "Blaise, would you mind stealing Goyle for me as protection?"

"You better bring my boyfriend back to me or I swear on Potter's life that I will Crucio your arse, Dragon!" Pansy threatened.

"Aye Aye," Draco saluted. "Stay out of trouble!"

"No promises!" Pansy called as she rallied Daphne, Astoria, and all the Slytherins out of the Castle's basement.

Blaise dragged Goyle to Draco by his collar, and the trio of Slytherin men made their way to the Room of Requirement. Draco had heard Harry talking aloud with Lovegood on his way to the Dungeons. Goyle was huffing on his way, galloping behind his cohorts with large intakes of air to keep up. Blaise was speed walking to keep up with Draco's long-legged pace. The three men stormed the castle, and many Death Eaters tried to throw spells at Blaise. The walls crumbled left and right, but they'd make it to the seventh floor.

Among the halls, wooden beams crashed as Harry made his way to the Room of Requirement. He stopped at its doorway for a mere moment, thinking of what he wanted most. He wanted the Diadem, but also Draco. He needed to see Draco's angelic face again. The great black doors opened up, and he walked inside, searching for the tiara. Draco and his friends lurked from behind the opposite wall and snuck in behind the Saviour unbeknownst to him.

The Room of Requirement was just how it was left for the most part. The towers of furniture were just stacked taller, and the clutter had significantly grown in the past year. As Harry made his way through the maze, he saw an empty nook. There was a ripped leather armchair with a bookshelf filled and a desk with supplies. A pillow and an old quilt were lying on the rug. It was like someone lived there. Crumpled parchment lay everywhere, and a low-ink pot was left open.

Draco and the Slytherin guys made their way through the maze of towers, Gregory and Blaise split off to find Harry. As Draco traveled through the mess, he crossed paths with an old mirror. On the vintage mirror, the writing read, “Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi.” Draco got closer to the reflection and saw himself as he was now, but next to him was Harry. Draco looked behind him, but no one was there. They both looked exactly like how they did when they were last in the Room of Requirement; the brunet was smiling at him. Draco smiled back but returned to his mission to find him.

Next to the small nook, Harry could hear chittering voices. His head turned in multiple directions to find the voices. The voices were just like back in Gringotts and around the Slytherin Locket. On a large, rounded table, a huge box was hidden under a thick fisherman's rope. Harry delicately opened the chest, and inside was the eagle sapphire diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw. Harry went to touch it, and he heard another voice.

“Well, Well…” The blond startled Harry. Harry turned to the man and wished to break a smile, but Draco's allies were in tow behind him, and Harry had to refrain. “What brings you here, Potter?” Draco had his mother's wand pointed at Harry along with Goyle and Blaise, who had recollected with the Slytherin Prince.

“I could ask you the same,” Harry said wearily. Draco must've just had the want up for show... or at least that's what Harry thought, hopefully.

“You have something of mine,” Draco replied. It was more serious than intended, so his crony beside his friend wouldn’t suspect anything. “I’d like it back.”

“What’s wrong with the one you have?” The Gryffindor asked pointedly.

“It’s my mother’s. It’s powerful, but it’s not the same,” Draco explained, a softness in his voice. “It doesn’t quite understand me… Know what I mean?”

“Why did you help us escape from Malfoy Manor? Why didn’t you tell her? Bellatrix?” Harry inquired. “You’ve known me for seven years, and you didn’t say anything…” 

Goyle and Blaise looked at Draco and back at one another, not understanding what Harry was talking about. Of course, Blaise knew what Harry was raving on, but Draco hadn’t told Gregory about helping Harry. "Draco, what's this looney goin' on about?" Goyle protested.

Draco’s determined face slipped into one of realization. “You said you hated me, but your letter says otherwise,” Harry continued. “I don’t feel your hatred anymore, Draco.”

“Come on, Draco. Don’t be a prat,” Goyle whispered to him, having had enough of the lovers’ quarrel. “Do him!” 

The Slytherin purposefully stalled, “Potter I-” Harry went to draw his wand, but Hermione randomly rushed in between the group and disarmed Draco, taking Narcissa’s wand. Draco, not wanting to get hit by Hermione’s accurate hexes, dodged. Goyle threw an Avada Kedavra at Harry, and Draco immediately went after Goyle.

“Goyle, Don't Kill him!” Draco scolded. Then he whispered under his breath, chasing after the idiot, “You hit my future boyfriend, I'll kill you!”

“That’s my girlfriend you numpties!” Ron cried, going after the Slytherin. Before Draco could yell at Gregory to stop, the idiot man threw an uncontrollable fiendfyre spell on one of the towers, setting the Room ablaze. He sent Ron screaming back to the Gryffindor pair with a snake of flames after him. Ron took Hermione running, saving her from the fire.

Blaise went wide-eyed. “Boyfriend?” Blaise asked, somehow hearing part of Draco’s message to the other Slytherin. “Mate, you ain’t even dating yet. Now c’mon! We have to get out of here!”

“I know!” Draco cried back with a huff, racing around the flames. “I’m sorry, Blaise! Aguamenti! ” The tiger and dragon in the inferno came after them, the water spell was ineffective. Behind was the only way to escape the flames, up the furniture stack. The trio of Slytherins reluctantly climbed as high as they could, trying to escape, but Goyle ended up falling to his death.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione stumbled upon a pile of extra Quidditch brooms and flew over the massive flames towards the entrance. The Slytherin pair made it to the top of the pile, standing on a small table. The weight of theirs collapsed on one of the sides, causing them to slip. They hung from the edge of the table and Harry knew Draco was about to fall to his death, he couldn’t let that happen.

“Potter!” Draco shouted. "Potter! Help!"

“We can’t leave them!” Harry shouted to the pair, hearing the Slytherin’s plea.

“He’s joking, right?” Ron rhetorically asked Hermione. She said nothing.

Harry turned around, trying to grab Draco, but missed. Ron shouted, “If we die for them, Harry, I’m gonna kill you!”

Harry and Ron swooped by again, successfully grabbing each of their persons. Draco gripped Harry’s waist so tightly that it began to sting. The blond's nails dug into the fabric of the Chosen One's jacket. Draco nuzzled his face into Harry’s shoulders, reveling in the husky smell of his person. He finally felt safe, and he vowed to himself for no more of old Draco. Hermione spelled an opening in the crossfire, and the group crashed outside the entrance.

Harry lay against the wall in a hasty panic, his adrenaline was losing power drastically. Draco saw Blaise run assumingly to find Pansy, and rubbed Harry’s back to soothe him a bit. Ron stabbed the Diadem with a basilisk fang, kicking it into the flames, taking down another Horcrux. Harry’s chest burned with the stab of the tiara. Sweat dripped from his forehead in terror, and the brunet's mouth was gaping wide open. The man had another vision and he determined that the snake was the final Horcrux.

“Look inside, Harry. Find him and we find the snake,” Ron requested.

“He’s all beaten! Can’t you let him just sit for a minute?” Draco asked impatiently.

“Who are you to tell us that, Malfoy?” Ron inquired. "After all the shite you and your gang just put us through?"

“Stop it, Ronald,” Hermione hassled.

“I’m trying to help your friend calm the fuck down after he seemed like he just got his bloody soul sucked out,” Draco furrowed his brows. “Listen, this isn’t the right time nor the place, but this war has given me a new perspective and I’m sorry that I was such an arsehole to you lot! The formalities can be given later if we even make it out alive, but I’m passionate about Harry and I want to be better, so if you give me the chance, I’d like to make things right, okay?”

Ron rolled his eyes but nodded toward the prick. Harry’s head twitched as if he was getting possessed. He caught a glimpse of the boathouse from fourth year when they last took the boats to the middle of the Black Lake for the Second task. Harry’s breaths picked up and the Slytherin held Harry’s face in panic. “Harry, can you hear me?” Draco asked. “Harry!” 

Nagini was coiled up on the walkway, her tongue flicking out in a light rattle. Draco’s father was there, telling Voldemort to seek Harry out instead of having others bring him to the man. Voldemort then requested Lucius to bring him Snape, and Harry snapped out of his trance.

“What was that?” Draco asked Harry’s friends.

“Harry can see into Voldemort’s mind like he can see into Harry’s,” Hermione explained. “It’s both helped and hindered our mission.” Draco looked at Harry, his breathing slowing down.

“I-I know where he is,” Harry gasped out. “T-The boathouse.”

~~~~~

Around them all, hell rained upon Hogwarts. Death Eaters had crashed through the roofs of the towers. Giants smashed the structural walls. Acromantulas and dementors crawled along the grounds, tearing heads off and sucking the souls from ever inch they crossed. Many were dying at the expense of this battle, and the Boy Who Lived was determined to stop it. The Gryffindors left for the Boathouse, and Draco stayed behind to help fend off the enemies. Draco was given his wand back and promised Harry they’d talk later with a squeeze of his hand before rushing off. 

Harry and the crew ran down the steps of Hogwarts, hexing the Snatchers. Hermione ran around the corner entrance, almost being jinxed if it weren’t for Harry holding her back. The Golden Trio ran through the front courtyard, escaping hits from giants and bites from the acromantulas. They saw Lavender Brown mauled by Greyback so Hermione blasted a curse in his direction to save the girl, and Aberforth, Kingsley, and a few Dumbledore’s Army members protected everyone from dementors with their powerful multi-patronus charm. 

Harry, Ron, and Hermione raced to the boathouse. They couldn’t go inside as Voldemort had cornered Snape. “... but the wand resists me,” Harry hears past the glass windows.

“There is no wand more powerful,” Snape assures. “Ollivander himself has said it. Tonight, when the Boy comes, it will not fail you. I am sure of it. It answers to you…and you only.” 

From the outside, Harry could not see much through the cloudy glass as if he were without his own glasses. All he could make out were the blurs of their black cloaks. The Gryffindor was shaken, fearful of what the Dark Lord would do next. Hermione and Ron crept closer to Harry behind the barrel shack of ropes stored there.

“Does it?” Voldemort whispers.

“My Lord?” Snape questions. 

Voldemort scoffs, repeating his question. He explains to Snape that the Elder Wand doesn’t answer to him properly. Snape killed Dumbledore, therefore the wand may only answer to Snape. He explained that he wouldn’t be able to wield the Wand’s power until Snape died. When Harry realized what came next, he was stuck. He couldn’t go in for fear Voldemort would kill him before he could kill the snake.

“My Lord-” Snape’s words were cut short. He fell against the windows that the group was hiding against. Harry shuddered a breath, and Hermione held her hands over her mouth. Voldemort announced to Nagini to feast on the old Potions Master, and thuds against the walls were heard. The python snapped her wide jaws at him, killing him slowly and painfully. 

Seeing Voldemort leave with Nagini, Harry rushed to Snape’s aid. The man dropped the wand, using his sullen hands to hold the Headmaster’s head up and stop the bleeding. Snape held his gaze on Harry’s green eyes, crying. The old potions master urged Harry to take them, and Harry rushed to collect Snape’s tears, gathering his memories. “You have your mother’s eyes,” was the last thing Snape said before he shut his eyes, out of breath.

A shimmer across the water sparked Harry’s interest, but not before a sting rang throughout his body as he stood. He grasped the wooden structure for balance, and then came the eerie voice once again. “You have fought valiantly… but in vain. I do not wish this. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a terrible waste.”

Hermione covered her ears. Draco, back in the Castle, could see the children cowering in the corners, doing the same. He closed his eyes, his grip tightening on his wand. “I therefore command my forces to retreat. In their absence, dispose of your dead with dignity. Harry Potter, I now speak directly to you. On this night, you have allowed your friends to die for you, rather than face me yourself.” 

Harry looked up towards the burning school. Everything was in distress and it was all his fault. “There is no greater dishonor. Join me in the Forbidden Forest and confront your fate. If you do not do this: I shall kill every last man, woman, and child who tries to conceal you from me,” Voldemort says.

His scar burns harmfully, warning him of his fate. Ron’s head felt squeezed into a migraine. Draco opened his eyes and immediately went searching for Harry as he wasn’t the type to let any of this go. Hermione knew that Harry gave up no chance to sacrifice himself for the school and others.

The group returned to the school, going through the barely attached Great Hall doors. Madam Pomfrey was attending to the wounded and countless dead. Ron went first and saw his family gathered, crying. Hundreds of students sat in groups, including Draco, hugging and consoling some of the younger students who didn't make it to the evacuation. Harry stood back, watching the terrible fates of families being broken unfold before him.

The Weasley family was devastated at the loss of one of the twins. Fred Weasley had been killed by a Death Eater, fighting alongside his brother, laughing. Ron knelt beside Fred and hugged his dead body, sobbing. Arthur was trying to stay strong, trying to hold back his emotions. Molly was mourning as well, but comforted Ron by stroking his hair.

Padma Patil and Professor Trelawney covered the corpse of Lavender Brown. Next to Fred were Remus and Tonks, also dead. McGonagall glanced over at Harry, a look understanding his new loss. Harry couldn’t take the misery within the room he caused and ran out. Draco followed behind him swiftly, eager to find out what comes next.

Chapter Text

CLARITY AND CONSOLING BEFORE SACRIFICE

The Slytherin Prince followed after the man, calling after him. “You can’t go! Not now, Potter! Please! You'll die!”

Harry turned to Draco, his head hung, and his glasses got closer to the end of his nose rather than the beginning. “Your Godfather-” Harry started, holding up the thumb-stoppered vial. “He gave me his tears. Memories.”

Draco covered his mouth, knowing what Harry implied. His godfather was dead.

Draco started to reach out to the brunet man, wanting a hug to deal with the news. As Draco retracted his arms back in hesitation, thinking the man opposite of him wouldn't want to, Harry grabbed the blond's hands and pulled him in for a hug. Draco felt the Gryffindor’s arms around his back, the rough hands grabbing at his blazer and back tightly. He softened and put his arms around Harry, nuzzling his nose into Harry’s neck and shoulders. The Slytherin could smell the musky scent of the sweat and feel the grainy dirt on the jacket. It was warm in Harry’s embrace, and Draco felt his emotions ready to burst.

“Potter I-” Draco mumbled. Harry separated a little bit to hear the Slytherin better. “Harry... I’m sorry for everything. I’m sorry to Weasley and Granger, but most of all you. I’ve made your life a living hell for the past six years of being here, and I’ve realized that you did nothing to deserve it! I was so jealous of your friendship with them, and I acted out terribly. My father had influence, yes, but I should’ve known better and-”

The Gryffindor held a finger to Draco’s lips. They were as soft as he remembered when he first felt them. Draco shushed and listened, his silver eyes gazing softly back into Harry’s green. 

“I read your letter, Draco. I forgive you, but that’s not to say I won’t forget what happened.” Harry replied, caressing his cheek. His thumb traced over the small scar across the Slytherin's cheek from his Sectumsempra spell last year. “But I also must apologize for my bad behavior, especially this past year. I shouldn’t have stalked you or accused you of wrongdoing because you were forced to do terrible things these past, now, two years. The worst thing that I’m sorry for is throwing that horrible spell at you. I got rid of the book I learned from it immediately after that. I couldn’t bear your suffering, and I was too much of a coward to face you after what happened. I’m sorry, Draco, for everything.”

The pair hugged each other once again, holding each other close. Draco ran his fingers through Harry’s longer locks at the nape of his neck. Draco pulled back and stared into Harry’s eyes. The man glanced at Harry's rosy lips, gazing back at his eyes and at his lips again. He was almost desperate for another kiss, but it wasn't the time. Everyone was still in danger.

“Let’s go clear my godfather’s conscience,” Draco said instead. 

Harry took Draco by the hand to the Headmaster’s office. In a secret closet of sorts, the brunet remembered the Pensieve from last year when he and Dumbledore looked at Professor Slughorn and Tom Riddle's memories. Harry found it and the mercury doors swung wide open. The bowl was placed in the middle of the room, and he uncorked the vial, letting the tears flow into the bowl. Draco and Harry looked at one another before dipping their heads into the memories.

*****

In the memory, there were two girls, a blonde and a ginger. The red-haired girl with freckles held a daisy sprout out to the other, growing in her hand. The blonde swatted at the girl, knocking away the flower. “Freak!” She yelled. Scared, the ginger girl ran away toward the top of the hill where a humongous willow tree grew. The other girl chased after her, “Come here! I’m gonna tell Mummy! You’re a freak! You’re a freak, Lily!”

From the large hole in the tree trunk, a boy with longish black hair appeared. The blonde girl saw him and raced off with a frightened expression. The boy picked up a small two-leafed plant and let it fly over to the redhead. She took it and smiled at the boy, recognizing she wasn’t the only one with magic.

Those three were Harry’s aunt Petunia, his mother, and Snape as children.

Later in that same memory, the two new friends lay beneath a willow tree, talking. “She’s jealous because she’s ordinary, and you’re special,” Young Snape told Lily.

“That’s mean, Severus,” Young Lily says. The children lay in the fading sun, watching the leaves be blown away in the wind. Harry could hear his mother’s childish giggles before the memory blended into another one.

<><><><><>

This new memory was at Hogwarts.

His mother was sitting on the stool just as Harry did on his first day. She sorted into Gryffindor, where she happily skipped over to the respective house table. There, she first met Harry’s father, James. His godfather, Sirius, and Remus were sitting next to them.

Snape was sorted into Slytherin house, but the pair seemed to remain good friends. 

The memories kept changing.

A young James and Sirius run through the pair of friends, accidentally knocking over Snape and Lily’s books.

Harry and Draco could hear an older Snape’s voice, along with Harry’s, in the background of the memory.

“Just like your father. Lazy. Arrogant… Don’t you say a word against my father!”  

<><><><><>

The next memory blended into Harry’s parents kissing and dancing happily in Godric’s Hollow, like in the picture he had of them from Hagrid after his first year.

Professor Trelawney’s voice could be heard too. It was the prophecy Harry walked in on her predicting in his third year after returning the crystal ball Hermione had knocked over. “Blood shall be spilt… and servant and Master shall be reunited once more…” Voldemort then said Snape’s name and he seemed to be flowing through him in a blinding white light. “No. Don’t kill me.” Snape pleaded.

Harry and Draco were met with a memory of Snape and Dumbledore.

Dumbledore and Snape were talking about the prophecy, standing on a dark hill on the school grounds it seemed. Dumbledore mentioned the prophecy wasn’t about a woman - Lily, but a child born at the end of July - Harry. Snape begs for the Headmaster to hide the Potters because Voldemort thinks the child from the prophecy is Harry and not Neville Longbottom, who happened to also be born on the same day Harry was.

Dumbledore asked for payment for doing so, and Snape said he’d do anything for him in return.

<><><><><>

On that fateful Halloween Night, 1981, Lily Potter was speaking to her baby son in his cot. The brunet listened carefully to his mother’s loving words of protection, seeing the mass destruction of the house and his baby face crying. The new memory glitched and Voldemort, hiding in a ragged, black cloak, shouted the killing curse, and Draco could hear the painful, blood-curdling screams of Harry’s mother.

A new vision came through of Snape yelling at Dumbledore in the Headmaster's office for promising to keep the Potter Family safe and he didn't. Dumbledore refused to take accountability and refuted it to their secret keeper, Peter Pettigrew. The old rat, responsible for not only Harry's parents' deaths but also his godfather's false imprisonment.

Snape’s expression was filled with guilt and grief. The greasy man didn’t look to trust Dumbledore very much after that moment. Dumbledore claimed Harry survived, but Snape reminded the elder that with the Dark Lord gone, he wouldn’t need any more protection. The professor reminded Snape in return that Voldemort could come back, and the boy would, once again, be in terrible danger.

With Harry’s recognizable features, Snape was able to recognize the boy easily as Lily’s. He had his mother's eyes after all.

<><><><><>

The Godric's Hollow memory continued. Snape arrived outside the house after his parents’ murders. He swiftly walked past James’ dead body, his bright eyes still open and he was still in his night robes. The voice of Harry and Snape rang in the background, “My father was a great man! Your father was a swine! ”

Fifth-year Harry was thrown into the chair Draco had seen in the Potions classroom when he had interrupted that night. It was never about Remedial Potions… his godfather had been teaching private Occlumency lessons.

There was another memory of Dumbledore knowing about Draco planning to murder him. The elder knew the Slytherin boy wouldn’t be able to kill him, so he had set Snape up in his place to gain trust from Voldemort. Draco was going to be safe, but Harry realized the old potions master never wanted to kill the Headmaster in the first place.

<><><><><>

The few final memories left a lasting impression on the Boy Who Lived. 

Snape entered the Potter house and came into the nursery at Godric’s Hollow. Snape caught sight of Lily's lifeless body and collapsed with a mournful expression. Lily lay beside her son's cot, her green eyes staring blankly into nothingness. The bedroom lamp was broken, childish paintings were shattered, and baby letter-blocks were thrown everywhere.

Through the memories of Snape, Harry saw that the old potions master had grown to care for him, seeing much of his mother’s kindness and intelligence in him. Snape released his patronus to Dumbledore and it was the same as his mother’s. Harry's eyes widened in the Pensieve, remembering he’d seen the same blue doe in the Forest of Dean as he went to then find the Sword of Gryffindor.

Inside the bedroom, Snape cradled Lily’s body in his arms, violently sobbing; baby Harry’s cries poked through in the background.

Snape was always in love with Harry’s mother.

Harry listened to Dumbledore's speech as he explained to the greasy man that the Gryffindor secretly held a part of Voldemort’s soul inside himself. After He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named murdered Lily, part of his soul latched to her son by accident, giving him both the scar and some of his powers. It was how Harry could speak Parseltongue, see Voldemort’s thoughts, and hear the Horcruxes. 

Harry pieced together that he was a Horcrux. At one point or another, Harry was going to die and now that the Second Wizarding War was upon them, this was the right moment: when Voldemort is most vulnerable. Voldemort was almost there with one more Horcrux left, the snake. Then, the Dark Lord would have to kill him.

*****

The pair of men saw the memories fade, meaning it was time to go. Harry and Draco lifted their heads from the Pensieve water and looked at one another in fear, seeing what clarity Snape’s memories provided, both to their history and to the mission of defeating Voldemort. Draco pinched his nose, processing the information as they both sat down on the stairs next to the large Headmaster's desk.

“So wait… hold up!" Draco started. "My godfather and your mother were best friends since childhood? He loved her, but she never loved him back. When You-Know-Who came to your house, he killed both your parents and you have a part of him inside you. Dumbledore knew this and you faced him several times, and he wasn’t at all worried that you could've died? I know Snape killed Dumbledore because my family asked him to help me as part of an Unbreakable Vow, but he was already going to do it because he was asked to by Dumbledore to gain You-Know-Who’s trust?” Draco took a deep breath to clear his mind. “What the actual fuck Severus?!”

“It was never Snape,” the brunet said silently when he sat down next to the blond, rubbing his eyes underneath his rounded glasses.

“What?” Draco asked, barely picking up what Harry vocalized.

“I always blamed Snape and you for everything; for all the problems,” Harry reminisced. “You were both trying to keep me safe from that bastard of a man for different reasons. I knew I couldn't just keep "being lucky" and staying alive. But, it wasn’t because I was lucky, you heard Dumbledore's words: I was a 'damn pig for slaughter!' It was Dumbledore all along!”

Draco put an arm around Harry, seeing the Gryffindor begin to break down. “We were nothing but pawns in Dumbledore’s game! I was being saved for the end, ready to become something greater, only for the queen to knock me dead! I’m nothing… just a child sent to do an adult’s bidding,” Harry cried.

“We’re just barely adults,” Draco agreed, rubbing his thumb against Harry's shoulder. “You were sent to defeat You-Know-Who at the age of what- fifteen?-”

“Eleven,” Harry corrected. “It was the first time I saw You-Know-Who after he came back.”

“Eleven… and I was forced into Death Eater affairs at sixteen years old. We had pretty disastrous childhoods, to say the least,” Draco compared with a minor chuckle.

Harry nodded, not finding the previous statement funny. He rose from the steps, “I’m going to find Ron and Hermione.”

“Then what?” Draco asked.

“I don’t know, but-”

Harry knew what he had to do.

~~~~~

Harry and Draco walk through the empty halls and main stairways hand in hand. On one of the steps of the main stairways, Hermione and Ron are cuddled together. Sensing something, Hermione turns around. Draco instantly lets go of the Saviour's hand.

“Where’ve you been?” Hermione mothers, not caring that the men were just holding hands.

“We thought you went to the Forest,” Ron worried.

“I’m going there now,” Harry said, indifferently.

“What? Harry!” Draco sputtered. "You can't-"

“Are you mad? No!” Ron ordered. “You can’t give yourself up to him!”

The brunet stops at the edge of the landing, turning towards his friends and Draco. “What is it, Harry?” Hermione asks. “What is it you know?”

“There’s a reason I can hear them,” Harry answers. “The Horcruxes. I think I’ve known for a while… and I think you have too.”

The brunette shook her head, tears in her eyes. She clearly understood. “I’ll go with you-”

“No! Kill the snake,” Harry requested. “Kill the snake and then it’s just him! I don’t need anyone else dying for me tonight.” Hermione rushed to hug Harry, Ron right behind him. “Keep each other safe, look after Draco and the Weasleys for me.”

Ron looked at his best friend like he was nuts, but with Harry's sudden stern look, Ron nodded. They separated and Draco balled his fists up. He couldn’t deal with Harry’s words, willing to give himself up, willing to die. Harry began walking down the stairs again and Draco gripped the Gryffindor's wrist, begging him not to go, “Please Harry! Please don’t go! You don’t have to do this, please!”

“It’s the only way, Draco,” Harry sighed.

“I don’t want to lose you,” the Slytherin sobbed. "Not when I just got you back."

“I don’t have a choice, Draco!” Harry shouted. Ron and Hermione looked over the pair, gazing at the two previous-enemies. “I can’t lose anyone else! I lost too many people today, and I will not lose another! I lost Remus, and Tonks, Ron lost his brother, and there are friends and others who've died! I can’t put more people on the rising death toll on my shoulders!”

“But,” Draco stopped. He couldn’t hold in his feelings anymore for his former rival. “But, I-I Love You.”

Harry couldn’t believe his ears, hearing Draco say that. The blond was probably just saying that because he was about to off himself to Voldemort. He teared up, “You can’t mean that. You’re just saying that because I’m leaving. How could you possibly-”

“I Love You, Harry Potter. I always have; it just took me seven long years to see it,” Draco confirmed, his dust-ridden cheeks turning a peachy tone.

“I- I Love You too…” Harry reciprocated. He knew he always felt something for the Malfoy heir too. His obsession with him the following year was not normal, and now he knew why. He liked Draco, seeing his new side last year. Now, seeing the Slytherin sacrifice himself for him, he loved the man. Draco threw himself at Harry, embracing the Boy Who Lived tightly as it was the last time he would have the chance to do so.

“I’m so sorry for everything… so sorry,” Draco whimpered into Harry’s ear.

“I know you are,” Harry rubbed his back. “I have to go now. Please watch over everyone for me. Don't be afraid to move on and find someone who makes you happy.”

Harry left without another word. Ron and Hermione joined Draco at the bottom of the next stair landing. The Gryffindor woman side-hugged Draco in acceptance and Ron nodded towards the Slytherin. If their best friend now cared so much for the blond git, then he must’ve done something incredible to fix their past quarrels. The trio looked on with glassy eyes, seeing their friend, empty-handed, going to the Forbidden Forest, accepting his tragic fate.

Chapter Text

THE FINAL HORCRUXES

Harry strolled back through the Great Hall, seeing all the students, staff, and Order members huddled in small groups for safety. Many were mourning losses; Dennis Creevy had lost his older brother unexpectedly. The brunet walked through the empty front courtyard, many of Hogwarts' foundations had crumbled thanks to the giants wrecking it. It was probably the following day now, given how dark the midnight sky was. For such bad days, the sky was clear, and the stars and constellations were visible. He could see the Draco constellation, a dragon's tail, between the Ursas Major and Minor. The Sirius dog constellation was up there too.

The pace through the Forbidden Forest was quiet and surprisingly peaceful. The dead pine needles blanketed the floor. New pinecones were growing back for the new year of growth. Harry remembered learning about Buckbeak, nifflers, thestrals, and all the magical creatures with Hagrid and Professor Grubbly-Plank at the beginning of this forest. Here too, he had his first detention with Draco, seeking out a unicorn that had been killed. It was the first time Harry had come close to Voldemort in ten years.

Harry felt close to Voldemort and stopped in his tracks. He glanced around, making sure he was safe. Harry pulled his golden snitch from Dumbledore from his jacket pocket. “I Open at the Close,” it reads in cursive.

“I’m ready to die,” Harry convinced himself. 

He raised the closed snitch to his lips, remembering Hermione's note of them having flesh memories. The snitch then opened as the brunette predicted. Dumbledore had left something inside for him, a small black stone shaped like a diamond. On it was the Deathly Hallows symbol, Xenophilius Lovegood explained. 

Harry had been given the Resurrection Stone. He took it in hand, rolled the stone, and closed his eyes.

When Harry opened his eyes, the empty forest suddenly had four adults standing in front of him. His father, James, his mother, Lily, Sirius, and Remus all stood before him, all dark grey figures. Harry’s mother reached out to him, and he raced to feel her touch, only for his hand to fall through hers. 

“You’ve been so brave, Sweetheart,” Lily says with a small smile.

“Why are you here?” Harry asked the group. “All of you?”

“We never left,” Lily replied.

Harry nodded at Lily’s response before turning to his godfather. “Does it- Does it hurt? Dying?”

“Quicker than falling asleep,” Sirius assured him.

“You’re nearly there, son,” James interjected. His father had Harry's same round glasses and naturally unruly jet-black hair, but it was simply more curly, though.

“I’m sorry,” the boy said. “I never wanted any of you to die for me.” Harry turned to Remus, “And Remus, your son-”

“His godfather and others will tell him what his mother and father died for,” Remus comforted. “One day, he’ll understand.”

Harry looked around at his family, his mother most of all. He could see he had his mother’s eyes, but looked so much like his father it was uncanny. “You’ll stay with me?” Harry inquired.

“Until the end,” James grinned. 

“And he won’t be able to see you?” Harry confirmed. 

Sirius shook his head. “We’re here, you see.” Sirius pointed to Harry’s heart, telling him his family would always be with him closely.

“Stay close to me,” Harry requests.

“Always…” Lily soothes her son. Harry nods again, and his family fades around him. He drops the Stone, knowing no one would ever find it there in the mess of pine. And he makes his way further into the Forbidden Forest.

Voldemort sees a dark figure in the trees. Harry had come to sacrifice himself for everyone just as planned. Hagrid, tied up behind the group of Death Eaters, shouted at Harry, criticizing him for being in the forest. The Snatchers quickly shut him up, and Harry came forth, standing front and center of the army.

Harry breathed slowly, slowly swallowing his saliva. He was ready; he was ready to face Death. 

“Harry Potter,” Voldemort addressed. “The Boy Who Lived… Come to die.” 

The sound of Nagini’s horcrux rang in his ears, and the Dark Lord stood ready with the Elder Wand in hand. Harry closed his eyes. I Love You, Draco, he thought, and the ringing ceased. 

“Avada Kedavra!”

The brunet woke to a white light. He was at an empty King’s Cross station, normally where he'd go to find the Hogwarts Express. Instead of it being full of all the trains and passengers, there was only a single bench. Harry could barely make out a mumbling voice coming from underneath the glistening bench, there was the part of Voldemort’s soul that had just been killed.

Albus Dumbledore came to him in his classic light grey robes, almost like an angel. Dumbledore said his praises to the man and the two walked along the platform. As the pair walked further in the station, another bench was found and the pair sat. Harry questioned whether he should head back. The previous Headmaster claimed he could, but only if he wanted to. Confused, Harry didn’t realize there was a choice in this matter.

The younger Gryffindor questioned further, asking about Voldemort, the Elder Wand, and Nagini.

Dumbledore assured help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who deserve it, rephrasing his original statement from years ago.

"You saw Draco suffering all of sixth year and you never did anything!" Harry accused. "I have been suffering for years at both yours and Voldemort's expense! Hermione was bullied for years being muggle-born... We deserved help from the staff, especially you, yet you did almost nothing! Nothing! I was grieving Sirius' death and you didn't help me! You raised me to do your bidding since I was eleven years old, a fucking child, and I've had enough!"

Dumbledore's expression turned into a tight-lined smile. He comforted Harry, understanding his outburst. He said nothing only explaining that everything happened for a reason. Everything around the Chosen One was real, even when it was this exact moment just happening inside his head.

Harry decided he'd return to the living world and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named woke up across from him. Voldemort had been knocked unconscious by killing the Horcrux inside the Gryffindor. Harry lay still on the pine needles, pretending he was dead in the Dark Lord’s presence. To make sure he was dead, Voldemort performed the Cruciatus curse on Harry. Harry felt ready for the pain, but it never came.

For final measures, Voldemort ordered Narcissa Malfoy to check on Harry. Narcissa knew Harry wasn’t dead, she always knew there was some connection between the boy and the Dark Lord. She protected Harry from the Cruciartus curse as her son would never be happy to see his love in so much pain. 

She knelt over Harry with one priority, if Harry answered, she’d lie to Voldemort’s face. She leaned down to “hear” Harry’s heartbeat. “Is he alive? Draco? Is he alive?” She whispered. Harry slowly nodded his head, just enough for her to see his answer without arousing suspicion. Pleased with the response, almost wanting to cry in relief, she stood up and faced the crowd with an indifferent expression. 

“Dead.”

Hagrid burst into screams, rocking the ropes holding him in place, but the Snatchers held him tight. Voldemort cackled, asking Hagrid to carry the boy back to Hogwarts to make their final stand. The Death Eater army followed their Lord in tow and marched their way to the Castle.

~~~~~

Back at the ominous castle, everything had been silent. The students and families still alive mourned the dead and Madam Pomfrey and Professor Slughorn helped heal the injured. Draco stuck close to them, learning their craft. Hermione and Ron kept watch on Draco like Harry requested, not that there was much to watch. Draco didn’t cause any trouble. Pansy and Blaise cuddled close to Draco as well, trying to keep out of the other students ways for fear of harm.

Neville walked the ruins, finding a dusty old hat. On the horizon, the army approached and he called out Professor McGonagall and the rest of the lot to come quickly in case of a fight.

Hagrid carried Harry in his arms across the entrance bridge. The friendly half-giant had delivered Harry to the Dursleys’ front doorstep when he was just over a year old. The baby was so tiny and sweet in his arms, barely cried at all due to being fast asleep. Now, he had watched the boy grow into a strong man who looked out for others, enjoyed extracurricular activities, and participated in some of the greatest feats of all time. Instead of seeing him grow to graduate from Hogwarts, Hagrid stood in chains walking back to the castle with Harry dead in his arms.

Draco, Hermione, Ron, and the Weasley family were front and center of the Hogwarts students entering the courtyard. “Who’s that Hagrid’s carrying? Longbottom, who is it?” Draco asked.

“Harry Potter… is Dead!” Voldemort proclaimed.

“No! No!” Draco shouted, McGonagall and Pansy, holding the boy back from seeing him. The Hogwarts crowd’s face turned to frowns and cries. Their saviour was gone.

“Silence!” The noseless man demanded. “Harry Potter is dead. From this day forth, you put your faith in me.” Voldemort turned to his army, shouting happily, “Harry Potter is dead!” The crowd cackled in laughter. “And now it is time to declare yourself! Come join us, or die.”

No one moved, not even Draco. No one moved, they stayed for Harry. They stayed for the dead. Lucius called out to his son, wishing for him to join back with his family. Everyone turned to the bright blond man, seeing his next move. Draco didn’t dare budge for his father. He called again more desperately, but still nothing.

Narcissa tried instead, a much more softer tone, “Draco… come.” Draco gulped. Harry was dead, and most of the school knew his family was rotten. There would be no point in staying. He wouldn’t for his father, but for his mother he sulked over to the other side. Hermione and Pansy tried to grab his hand and hold him back, but their strength was worn and couldn’t hold him.

Harry could hear Draco’s name in his “sleep.” He could hear the footsteps of his dress shoes on the rocks, coming closer. Draco had left the light side because the person who kept him there was “gone.” Narcissa comforted her son, holding him close. Lucius tried to touch a hand to his son’s shoulders but Draco wouldn’t let him.

After seeing Draco leave, a man who fought for the light amongst the dark, Neville found a new sense of courage. He limped forward ready to make his statement loud and clear. Voldemort was surprised, seeing the boy come forth. “I must say I hoped for better. And you are?” Voldemort said.

“Neville Longbottom, my Lord,” Bellatrix replied. The crowd chuckled at his last name.

“I’d like to say somethin’!” Neville hushed the crowds. “... It doesn’t matter that Harry’s gone.”

“Stand down Neville!” Seamus ordered his friend.

“People die every day!” Neville argued. “Friends, Family. Yeah. We lost Harry tonight. But he’s still with us, in here!” Neville pointed to his chest. “So’s Fred… and Remus, Tonks, all of them. They didn’t die in vain!” Neville turned to Voldemort, “But you will! ‘Cause you’re wrong! Harry’s heart did beat for us, for all of us! I’ll join you when hell freezes over! Dumbledore’s Army!”

Neville drew the Sword of Gryffindor from the dirty hat and Harry knew the fight was going to break out. He rolled out of Hagrid’s arms in pleasant surprise to everyone. Draco turned around to see what the commotion was all about. The Slytherin's eyes lit up as he saw Harry rush to stand up. That's when he changed sides in front of everyone, officially, for good. 

The platinum blond ran to Harry as fast as he could. “Potter!” He alerted, throwing the Chosen One his wand.

Harry caught Draco’s wand, casting “Confringo!” at Nagini. It didn’t work, unfortunately, but the final battle had begun. The Hogwarts crowd smiled happily and the groups moved to safety in the Great Hall. Narcissa nodded to Draco, letting him stay with Harry. The Malfoy parents left, leaving the Death Eater army.

Harry ran for safety among the ruins of the border walls of the courtyard, Voldemort casting spell after curse to kill him. The Death Eater army tried to escape, but Draco borrowed Hermione’s wand and was able to stop a good few from disapparating away with a long-distance stunning spell. Harry made it to the Great Hall, telling Draco, Hermione, and Ron the plan. They’d try to stop the snake and Harry would take care of the noseless bastard.

The Death Eater Army members that stayed stormed the Castle with Voldemort, Voldemort disapparating to somewhere unknown inside. Harry followed him through the dust clouds and debris. 

On the main staircase, the pair dueled valiantly. Nagini was left alone on the stairs after her master and his enemy moved further into the school. Hermione threw rocks at her as a distraction, waiting for Ron to get the best time to stab her with a basilisk fang. It doesn’t work and Ron loses the last fang due to the snake attacking him.

Voldemort and Harry wound up in one of the towers and he used Incarcerous to hold his enemy. He strangled Harry up in leather bounds, each around his legs, wrists, chest, and neck. Harry gulped, trying to breathe.

~~~~~

In the Great Hall, Bellatrix and the Weasleys were going at each other in a duel. Ginny as a sixth year was pretty strong in her craft, but not enough against Bellatrix Lestrange. The evil woman threw the killing curse, just barely missing the younger girl. Molly Weasley had enough of her ruining her family’s life and took to duel her, herself.

“Not my daughter, you Bitch!” She snarls. 

Bellatrix only laughs. 

In retaliation, Molly throws a spell, surprising the Death Eater. Scared, Molly backs up and almost loses her balance as Bellatrix casts curses at her. Molly manages to block them all, gaining back her ground before casting her own strong spells at the witch. When Molly freezes Bellatrix, she goes to deliver the final spell, but Neville gets to it first, bursting Bellatrix to pieces. 

“That’s for my parents!” Neville shouts proudly. Mrs. Weasley nods at the boy, and Neville smiles before returning to his own issues at hand.

~~~~~

Up in the towers, Harry is held hostage. 

Voldemort smacks Harry across the face, knocking him to the ground. Before Harry can even get an arm up to return to the standing position, the Dark Lord kicks the younger man. The brunet army crawls to escape, but it’s not fast enough for his enemy. The snake-like man grabs Harry by the throat and throws him against the ground in another direction.

“You were right…” Harry chokes on his words, crawling to safety. Harry grunts with another smack to his face. “... when you told Professor Snape the Wand was failing you.” Harry manages to get to his feet, “It will always fail you.” 

Harry was knocked out to the destroyed balcony’s edge.

“I killed Snape,” Voldemort argued.

“But what if the Wand never belonged to Snape?” The Gryffindor theorized. “What if its allegiance was always to someone else? Come on, Tom. Let’s finish this the way we started…” Harry wrapped his arms around Voldemort’s neck before falling off the balcony, “... together!”

Both fell toward the caverns, shouting and screaming with each person trying to hurt the other. Heads were clawed into and squeezed. Heads were twisted to the point of feared breakage. Voldemort flew to not make it to the caverns, purposefully knocking Harry into each brick building they’d pass by in the hope of getting rid of the man holding on to him. 

When the pair had enough, they’d fallen back into the front courtyard, losing their respective wands. Both dragged themselves to their weapons; Voldemort, the Elder Wand, and Harry just barely reaching Draco’s wand. The pair stood man to man just like in the Riddle Family Graveyard three years ago after Harry and Cedric grabbed a hold of the bewitched Triwizard Tournament trophy.

Voldemort cast the infamous, “Avada Kedavra!”

Harry cast his classic, “Expelliarmus!” 

Students from inside came to watch the clash of green and red spells.

Inside, Ron and Hermione were getting chased by Nagini and Draco was fending off more of the Death Eaters that remained with the help of Luna, Ginny, Pansy, Blaise, and the Weasleys. Each respective battle commenced, with the enemy pair seeming to be the victor. But each losing group seemed to pull out their last stop mark, winning their battle. Nagini was slain with a battle cry, Neville running the silver blade of the Sword of Gryffindor through her neck, and the dark energy of her Horcrux burst.

With Voldemort wounded by the last Horcrux dying, Harry took his final shot at the Dark Lord. His disarming charm won over the killing curse, rebounding the Elder Wand to Harry and the infamous Lord Voldemort laying dead before all of Hogwarts’ students, staff, and the Order of the Phoenix. 

Harry Potter,

the Chosen One,

The Man Who Lived,

and Saviour of the Wizarding World, had beaten Voldemort for good.

Chapter Text

RESTORATION & ALL WAS WELL

The dark clouds that blanketed the Hogwarts grounds finally parted, and the sun rose high. The students all around seemed just a small bit happier. Neville and Luna rested their heads on each other’s shoulders. The teachers were chatting with one another. Aberforth, Dean, and Seamus were all sharing cups of coffee and snacks. Cho Chang and the Patil twins were relaxing in a small group. Pansy, Blaise, and the Greengrass girls were huddled together. Ginny was resting with her family, and other classmates were talking.

Harry walked through the Great Hall, reminiscing about the architecture that had fallen due to the Battle of Hogwarts. He had blood caked on his face, his glasses were broken, and he smelled worse than a dragon’s breath. However, he felt immensely better than he had in the past several years. His scar wasn't giving him a raging headache as it usually did. Harry came face to face with Hagrid and the pair instantly hugged. The friendly half-giant professor was graciously happy to see the boy alive and grown up. The two didn’t even exchange words when they separated, but no words needed to be conveyed.

At the entrance of the Great Hall, Mr. Filch picked at the fallen rocks and brickwork, sweeping the dust and dirt angrily. Ron and Hermione followed into the Great Hall from the staircases, holding hands. Harry only beamed in pride as Hermione glanced at the pair’s hands together, blushing. His two friends finally figured out their feelings, and that was a fantastic revelation to come out of this war.

Harry searched around for Draco, looking for his signature platinum blond hair. He found the man, his hair more ruffled than ever, striking up a conversation with Neville and Luna. Oddly enough, the group wasn’t fighting. From what Harry could hear, Luna was babbling on about the wrackspurts' luck watching over them. Neville and Draco had confused looks on their faces, but indulged Luna's quirkiness. Draco turned away from the group for a moment, catching his beloved’s smile, and carried on with the conversation. Harry walked with his best friends, making their way to the front bridge for peace and quiet.

Harry stood out on the edge, looking down and out at the deep caverns far below them. The fresh spring breeze cleared the air. The atmosphere seemed to no longer reek of death and misery.

“Why didn’t it work for him?” Hermione asked. “The Elder Wand?”

“It answered to somebody else,” Harry explained. “When Voldemort killed Snape, he thought the Wand would become his. The thing is, the wand never belonged to Snape. It was Draco who disarmed Dumbledore that night at the Astronomy Tower. From that moment on, the wand answered to him…”

“So that means…” Ron started.

“Draco’s its master,” Harry stated. “I had the Invisibility cloak passed down from the Peverells to my father and then to me. Then, the snitch held the Resurrection Stone. Both were passed on to me by Dumbledore. Combined, Draco and I... we’re the Master of Death. Curious, isn’t it?”

“What should we do with it? Surely Draco’s gonna want his wand back from ya, Harry,” Ron chuckled. “If not, he’s got the most powerful wand in the world!”

“If Hermione still has my old wand, I’ll repair it with Draco’s permission of the Elder Wand. Then, we should return it to Dumbledore’s grave. No one will ever be able to use it for harmful things ever again,” Harry told the group. “Until then, we should help repair the castle's damage… and then we could go out to celebrate.”

“Sounds like a plan, Harry,” the brunette agreed, looking to her new boyfriend. “Hogsmeade and butterbeers?”

“Spiked butterbeers,” Ron smirked.

The trio came together into a large hug, reminiscing about their childhood memories at Hogwarts. Reflecting made everything feel whole again. There were both good memories, like when the Gryffindors met for the first time or Harry getting onto the Quidditch team thanks to Draco stealing the remembrall, and the bad ones, like everyone who’s passed on over the years or the torture the trio had to endure. 

Both the good and bad memories would stay because they contribute to how each person grows up to be, and that's important.

~~~~~

Harry and his friends returned to the Great Hall, and McGonagall greeted them with a grand hug. “Fifty points to Gryffindor, each,” She teared up. “For your bravery, courage, and standing up to the face of evil when no one else would. I’m so proud of you all.”

“Headmistress…” Harry tried to reason with her about the unnecessary points. 

The sentimental woman smiled before turning to everyone in the Great Hall. “Students and Staff of Hogwarts, your attention please!”

All the students and teachers in the Hall turned to their new leader, ready for action. “As your new Headmistress, I’d like to say that I’m very proud of all of you for fighting valiantly in this great battle. None of you should’ve had to risk your lives today, but here all of you stand. We come from all different walks of life here at Hogwarts. With Slytherin’s determination… Gryffindor’s bravery and courage… Ravenclaw’s creativity and wit… and Hufflepuff’s loyalty and work ethic, we’ve come together as a unit to make the impossible possible.” 

Students around the room held hands, looking at one another with grins all over. 

“We’ve lost so many today, but we can safely say that no more harm shall come to this refuge. And those who’ve made great sacrifices were loved and will be cherished in our hearts until the end of time. We shall take this day not to mourn, but to celebrate a great victory in not only Hogwarts History but also in Wizarding History,” McGonagall commemorated.

“Here, Here!” Draco and Harry’s friends cheered first. Several others then joined in to celebrate. Students and staff raised their wands, hands, and mugs of drinks in observance, and many began to clap at the speech. 

Harry, in the center of it all, looked on at all of those in support and began to tear up. Everyone had done so much for him, even if they didn’t know him that well. He felt so loved and extremely lucky to have so many people protect him and his loved ones.

“With that, I ask you all to help mend these fantastic grounds. Let us go out around the school and raise our wands to bring back the Hogwarts we all know and love!” McGonagall announced.

The members in the Hall spread out faster than the wind gusting the leaves away. With the help of McGonagall, Flitwick, and several kinds of repair and mending charms, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry became whole once again. 

Additions to the Castle were made as well. 

A Hall of Memories was made in honor of all those who passed during the Second Wizarding War. On each wall was a portrait of each person who died, student or not. The Man Who Lived made sure that Sirius and Dobby made it to portrait status.

Inter-house unity was made possible by having larger dorms that were all interconnected in some way, so students of the four houses were able to interact. The point system was still kept, but was only used sparingly to not create toxic competition. New Slytherins still had some difficulty being included, but there had never been more acceptance among Hogwarts students.

The Second Floor girls’ bathroom was charmed to be hidden from the Hogwarts students for safety, so the Chamber of Secrets could never be opened again. Unfortunately, Moaning Myrtle was forced out of her toilet. Yet, she was welcomed as Elizabeth, a new Ravenclaw ghost, along with many others who had died in the Second Wizarding War. Fred Weasley and Peeves the Poltergeist caused more havoc together than any other Hogwarts ghost.

After the Castle was finished, Hermione used the socks given to Harry by Dobby’s will to free all the Hogwarts kitchen elves. Most of the elves wished to stay, so long as they were treated fairly well and paid enough. She reconnected with her parents and told them mostly everything, but left out the parts that would scare them the most. She finished all her N.E.W.T.s with Outstandings and was offered a position in the Ministry, promoting her S.P.E.W. ideas before advancing into Muggle-born welfare. Eventually, Kingsley helped her reach the position of "Ministress of Magic."

Ron and his Family went back to the Burrow afterward. Ron decided not to come back for his final year at Hogwarts, much to his girlfriend's disappointment. He didn’t finish his N.E.W.T.s and went to help George run the Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley. The pair would expand the business beyond the Alley and promote the shop around Wizarding England with the wish to go international one day. Ron and Hermione would go on to move out of the Burrow and marry before having two children, Rose and Hugo Granger-Weasley.

Percy came to his senses and accepted his family again, making sure to fix his mistakes in the corrupted Ministry. George went on to marry his past Quidditch teammate, Angelina Johnson. They would have two children, one named in Fred’s honor. George would visit Hogwarts once a month to visit Freddy after he learned from Harry and Hermione that he was an honored Hogwarts ghost. Bill and Fleur had three children, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were the happiest of all grandparents. Ginny went on to play professional Quidditch for her favorite team: the Holyhead Harpies, as a chaser and backup seeker. Her family made sure to come to every game until she decided that she would become a Quidditch correspondent for the Daily Prophet.

Neville Longbottom became the future Herbology professor at Hogwarts. Under Professor Sprout’s aid, he was able to make the class more lively and interactive. He went on to marry Luna Lovegood. She became a magical adventurer with a proclivity for Magizoology. She still wrote articles for the Quibbler, of course, and her friends would always make sure to buy a copy, even if they didn’t understand some of the "nonsense" details…

As for Harry and Draco? It was complicated. Sort of. 

As the sun set on May 2nd, 1998, the two men walked up to the Astronomy tower. The pair rested their arms on the iron railings and took deep breaths, smelling the fresh pollen. The pair were silent, awkwardly silent. Each person didn’t know what to say to the other, they didn’t know what their relationship was at that point. It was a repeat of sixth year; they were cordial with each other, but now they both knew they had romantic feelings for the other.

Draco and Harry looked at one another before staring back at the Hogwarts grounds. They did this a few more times before the blond couldn’t handle it anymore. “I-I-um…” Draco stuttered, backing off from the ledge, holding his head in his hands.

“What is it, Draco?” Harry asked.

“Look, Potter. T-This is very hard for me,” Draco said. “I’ve never been able to express my feelings well, and I don’t wish to be such a coward like I’ve been in the past. I just- I’ve ruined so much between us, and I’m afraid that’ll make things worse. I know I already apologized back in the Headmaster’s office and through the letter, and we’ve told each other that we loved each other, but I understand if things are still not right and you don’t want anything to do with me after the whole ‘legal things’ are taken care of…”

Draco trailed off. His normally pale and scarred cheeks were rosy. Draco was twiddling his fingers and pacing the tower. Harry couldn’t help but stare at the man he’d known for so long. The Slytherin Prince was normally the confident one, walking with his head high and his arms swaying with swagger. Now, the man had changed; Draco had come shy and reserved. Harry admitted that he liked both versions of the Slytherin. He’d have to get used to the newer version, though; that would be alright. 

He walked over to the tall blondie and held his hands. Draco quit his babbling and gazed down at the brunet with a gasp. Harry intertwined their fingers and looked down at his feet in embarrassment.

“You do know I’m nervous too, right?” Harry muttered, just loud enough for Draco to catch. “We have such a complicated past, and I’ve done some equally horrible things to you that I know you’ll never forgive me for… I’ve also never felt so strongly about a guy before. Like… I know that we’ve always had something between us since we first met, that special something is there, and I think it culminated last year.” 

The brunet continued, “Seeing you read a muggle book, and be nice to me and my friends for once, and witnessing you commit to our side of the war, made me see that you had changed a good lot from being such a git in our early days. Yet, I had originally thought those actions were only temporary. However, seeing you this year sacrifice yourself for me when you had no reason to do so, really stuck with me, Draco.”

Draco only smiled, with little dimples in his cheeks, and he squeezed Harry’s hands. “We were stuck on opposite sides for such a long time, held back by reasons of the past. Now, it’s time to make our own futures, together, if you’d like… What I’m trying to say, Draco, is that I know life is going to be rough for the next few years, but I am detestably and unequivocally yours if you’ll have me,” Harry squeezed Draco’s hands, looking into his bright grey eyes, seeing blurs through his joyous tears.

Draco squealed an un-Malfoy-like sound and hugged Harry. Being the taller one, Draco lifted Harry off the ground a bit and spun him. “Yes! Yes, Potter!” 

Harry nuzzled into Draco’s chest, smelling his signature scents of leather and parchment. Compared to others, the blond’s hug did feel like home. When they stopped, Draco set Harry down, only to chuckle at Harry’s lopsided glasses. Draco fixed them with a tease and caressed Harry’s stubbled cheeks.

“I like this. Not gonna lie, Potter,” Draco teased, dragging a finger along Harry’s jaw.

“You do?” Harry asked, running his own hand over the stubble.

“Yeah, really suits you. It shows you’ve grown into your looks,” Draco compliments.

“I think I’ll shave it to get rid of all the dirt and everything from today, but I’ll keep that in mind for you,” Harry winked. 

Draco grinned, and Harry pulled up Draco’s sleeve, revealing the faded Dark Mark. Across Draco’s mark were raging red scratches, like an animal mauled at his arm. Some were mostly faded, some looked fresher than others. Harry ran his thumb against the raised skin and frowned. Harry went to lean and kiss the blond's wrist, but he got interrupted.

“I’m thinking of getting a tattoo over it. Flowers or an animal that is not a snake,” Draco thought aloud. “I think my father will be pissed, but he’ll probably be more surprised to find out his only son is homosexual and there will most likely not be an heir to the Malfoy name.”

Harry laughs. “That’s for sure,” he agreed. “I like seeing your smile, not that old smirk you had.”

“Well, don’t get too used to it, Potter,” Draco repeated his past self.

“Do you, um- Do you wanna go to Hogsmeade to celebrate?” Harry offers.

“That- That’s a great idea,” Draco nodded. “Haven’t had a butterbeer spiked with fire whiskey before.”

“Ron mentioned that, too, actually. Just because we turned ‘of age’ doesn’t mean we test the limits right away,” Harry shook his head.

“Potter, we all almost just died,” Draco bickered. “Let’s live tonight! Let’s get drunk!”

“Let’s bring Ron and Hermione. We’ll make it a double-first date and you can do your in-depth apologies,” Harry said.

“Sounds like a plan, Potter.” 

The two men went down the stairs of the Astronomy tower to catch up with everyone in the castle, finding their way to Ron and Hermione. Talking of the celebration, Hermione agreed to meet with the new couple at Hogsmeade later that evening with her new boyfriend.

Everyone made sure to clean up with Scourgifys and new outfits, and the group went out to the Three Broomsticks for drinks and dinner. That night was the only night that Professor McGonagall and the residents of Hogsmeade allowed the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes fireworks to be allowed on the grounds of Hogwarts, much to the students' delight. 

Things around Hogwarts, besides the obvious, were seemingly back to normal. Everyone in Hogsmeade and Hogwarts raised their wands and glasses to those who left them too soon and watched the exploding fireworks that burst their eardrums. Hermione, Ron, Pansy, Blaise, Draco, and Harry all clinked their glasses in celebration for the war being over. The Slytherins and Gryffindors enjoyed each other's company and got to know each other much better. When the other two couples decided to call it quits for the evening, Draco and Harry were left in the pub, mostly alone.

There was a comfortable silence between the two, and Draco worked up the courage to plant a kiss on his new boyfriend, sharing their first kiss as a couple. Their first genuine kiss had no alternate motives or anything, just romance. Their lips meshed perfectly together, and their fingers tangled in each other’s hair softly. Smooth touches were made to shoulders, chest, and waist, too, almost like they had been together for a long time.

Hermione and Ron gaze at their friend and his new partner from the Three Broomsticks' door, happy the brunet was able to find peace after seven to eight long years of suffering. Ron was still having some worried feelings about it, but if Hermione could move past Malfoy’s behavioral issues, then why couldn’t Ron do the same? It was a mostly happy night, and that was all that mattered. 

Before things reached too far for the public's view, Harry and his boyfriend raced to the newly renovated Hogwarts dorms. Both were just sober enough to think straight and close the door behind them before tackling each other with kisses on the bed. Neither man remembered if it was Draco's or Harry's before they woke up the following morning. The pair couldn't keep their hands off one another and hastily stripped themselves bare. Draco straddled Harry, snogging him senseless before pressing him into the mattress with laughter.

Their first time together was fumbling and emotionally vulnerable. Harry dropped his glasses on Draco, hitting the Slytherin in the face by accident. Draco couldn't see great in the dark, so he wrestled to get his shirt off like he would that one edge of the blanket. Harry's heart squeezed seeing the sectumsempra scars littered across the blond's chest and face. Draco allowed his boyfriend to kiss his scars and pain away, allowing them to fall into a soft rhythm together. They’d never been with anyone else before, so it was extremely awkward and weird too, but to both of them, it felt only right. They’d known each other for years at that point; so really, there was no worry about moving too fast.

~~~~~

After the celebratory night, Headmistress McGonagall sent the rest of the remaining students home to their families for safety assurance. Parents, especially those who were Muggle, weren’t happy in the slightest and planned not to have their students return the following year. Unfortunately, that was to be expected. Aurors also came to take any Death Eaters, who weren’t able to escape, into custody. 

Draco and his family were put on trial after Draco’s eighteenth birthday in June. 

Harry vouched for both Draco and Narcissa. Given Draco was underage at the time of receiving the Dark Mark, he wasn’t forced to an Azkaban sentence. Draco was only on Ministry watch for a year and was allowed to attend his extra year at Hogwarts to complete his N.E.W.T.s. Narcissa saved Harry’s life, so she was sentenced to two years of Ministry watch since she still actively participated in Voldemort's plans, and had magic probation. Lucius Malfoy had the worst punishment and accepted his fate of spending a life sentence in Azkaban with no access to magic of any kind.

During their extra year at Hogwarts, many of the previous seventh-year students returned for the N.E.W.T.s, so that they were able to secure jobs in the future. Since Ron chose to help George with the shop, it felt like a major part of the Golden Trio was missing. On the other hand, Ron did take time off every once in a while to visit his girlfriend and best friend. Harry passed most of his N.E.W.T.s, only struggling in Divination. He excelled in Defense Against the Dark Arts with an Outstanding. It reminded him of his fifth year, when he had the most fun teaching his fellow students defensive spells in place of Dolores Umbridge.

Suddenly, Harry knew where he wanted his career to go. 

Everyone in the Wizarding World expected the Chosen One to go into the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and become an Auror, but Harry didn’t want any more life-threatening scenarios. He wanted to be able to come home to his future children safely and not have to worry about missing important events from being on missions. McGonagall allowed Harry to have a year of assistant professor training before being allowed to become Hogwarts’ youngest professor at age 20, one year younger than Snape. Since Voldemort was gone, the curse on the position was eliminated, and Harry was able to spend many happy years in his position.

As for Draco, he was on a similar path to Harry. Draco had always wanted to be a potioneer similar to Harry’s grandfather, Fleamont, who created the Wizarding World's best hair product: Sleekeazy's. He didn’t think it was the right place for him, though. He dreamed of opening a healing business of homemade potions in Diagon Alley, but he wasn’t sure his business would sell, given the owner’s background of Ex-Death Eater status. However, Professor Slughorn offered to take Draco under his wing and assist the man in becoming Hogwarts’ next Potions Master once the old man retired. 

The Room of Requirement had burned to the ground, but as Draco reflected on his memories in the restored Room, Draco found two books. He found an Advanced Potions textbook with notes written by “The Half-Blood Prince” and his old Wuthering Heights book. The pages of the books were lightly charred, but just enough so that the knowledge could still be read. Harry told Draco the potions textbook was his godfather’s and that he was sure he would’ve wanted him to have it. Draco kept both books proudly on his shelves in the classroom, away from the exploding cauldrons he dealt with on the daily.

In their personal lives, Harry helped Andromeda Tonks raise Teddy Lupin. Andromeda was Teddy’s grandmother and Draco’s aunt. Harry was surprised to see the baby boy have such bright blue hair, but given Nymphadora’s qualities, surely they passed on. He was most certainly a handful, but it gave Harry insight into the fact that he wanted a family, a family with Draco. The first time Harry saw Draco carry the baby boy in his arms delicately and sing him lullabies to sleep, Harry knew instantly he wanted to marry Draco.

A few months later, Harry proposed to Draco. Molly was so proud of the boy and offered to host the wedding like she did for Bill and Fleur. Draco wanted a private affair with his fiancé, but offered to have the reception at the Burrow so she wouldn’t be disappointed. Molly accepted that, and Narcissa agreed to pay for it all. Ron and Hermione were Harry’s best people, while Pansy and Blaise were Draco’s.

Years after that, Teddy was shipped off to the Hogwarts Express for his first year of school. Teddy’s hair kept changing colors frantically, but Harry promised that Teddy would do amazing. He didn’t care what house he was put into, so long as he was happy. Inside his jacket, Harry placed a couple of items, reminding Teddy that his parents were with him there and that they loved him very much. Harry struggled to hold back tears when his godson waved at him through the window as the train began to depart. Draco calmed Harry as best as he could; little did he know, he’d be doing the same thing several years later when each of their own children would be going off to Hogwarts too.

James Sirius and Scorpius Hyperion were the two sons of the Potter Men. Both were made by surrogate through a friend of the couple’s. Luna offered for Scorpius and Pansy offered for James; both turned out mostly healthy, only James being extra headstrong, and Pansy took longer to recover. Blaise had a fake scowl on his face for about a month after James' birth, driving the couple to chuckle uncontrollably.

James was the ever-playful prankster like his twin Uncles, and Scorpius was reserved and studious like his Aunt Hermione. James was a class clown, forgot his homework, and starred in Quidditch like his Father and Grandfather James. Scorpius enjoyed Muggle literature and could almost easily manipulate his fathers to get anything he wanted, within reason, just like Draco. The boys got along well, getting into Gryffindor and Slytherin, respectively. Teddy and all the older Weasley grandchildren made sure to look after the boys in school when they weren’t in any of their fathers’ classes.

Harry’s lightning bolt scar hadn’t bothered him in almost nineteen years after the Battle of Hogwarts. Draco's dark mark had faded and was covered with a Muggle tattoo, not even a thought in his mind anymore. He and Draco were once enemies, but the war had changed them.

They were detestably each other’s, with Teddy, two children, and all their friends surrounding them in one large and happy family.

All was well.

Next Page -->

Chapter Text

Hope y'all Enjoyed!

All Edits to the Story are Finalized as of May 12th, 2025.

Go Give Some Love to @scaredlett on TikTok & YouTube!

Playlist/Songs from/for Detestably Yours:

Skyfall - Adele

Do I Wanna Know - The Arctic Monkeys

Blood//Water - Grandson

Toxic - Britney Spears (Slowed Version)

Back to Black - Amy Winehouse

Love Me Again - John Newman

All I Want - Kodaline

Experience - Ludovico Einaudi

You Broke Me First - Tate McRae

Arcade - Duncan Laurence

High Enough - K. Flay (RAC Remix)

Diamonds - Rihanna (Blazin' 2014 Edit)

Why Do You Only Call Me When You're High - The Arctic Monkeys

Impossible - James Arthur

Set Fire to the Rain - Adele

Dark Paradise - Lana Del Rey

Possibility - Lykke Li (Slowed Version)

Take Me to Church - Hozier

As the World Caves In - Matt Maltese

So Cold - Benjamin Ian Cocks

O Children - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Criminal - Britney Spears

Sacrifice - Black Atlass (ft. Jessie Reyez)

Lily's Theme - John Williams

I Hate Myself for Lovin' You - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Lay All Your Love On Me - Abba (Slowed Version)

Ride X My Blood Remix - Lana Del Rey & Ellie Goulding

True Love - P!nk

Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen

Don't Blame Me - Taylor Swift

No Running From Me - Toulouse

Crazy in Love - Beyonce (2014 Remix/Slowed Audio Only)

Style - Taylor Swift

Love & War - Yellowclaw (ft. Yade Lauren)

Darkside - Neoni

Mischief Managed!