Chapter Text
The Elder Wand was safely locked away in Dumbledore’s tomb, the Resurrection Stone was lost to the Forbidden Forest, and the Invisibility cloak was safe. Harry stood in the courtyard and willed himself to just breathe. The war was finally over.
He watched as Flitwick hurried about, directing students, parents, and professors alike in the immediate cleanup. The new headmistress, he knew, was inside directing a much more delicate matter. Burial of the dead. Harry let his mind go blank, as he kicked at a few rocks. He could feel himself shutting down at the very thought it all.
He turned his back to the castle and stared down the bridge leading away from Hogwarts, the images of Malfoy and his mother turning and running in fear replayed in his memory. He couldn’t shake the images of Malfoy from his mind. The look on Malfoy’s face that day at the mansion. Harry knew the instant their eyes met, that Draco had recognized him despite Hermione’s stinging jinx. And yet, Malfoy had lied for him.
Harry remembered the look on Malfoy’s face when the Room of Requirement was consumed with fiendfyre. Harry couldn’t help but remember the feeling of Malfoy holding onto him for dear life, he couldn’t help but replay the sound of the other man’s cries and whimpers when he watched his friend fall into the fire. Harry hadn’t liked Crabbe, but he didn’t wish death on him or Malfoy for that matter.
Then he remembered Narcissa’s voice, gentle and quiet in his ear. He had died, he was at peace but then he returned, he remembered hearing his mother’s voice whispering ‘Not yet.’ as he woke on the forest floor. Unsure of just how much time had lapsed he stayed still, daring to not breath or move. Then Narcissa was there. She smelled of honey and tea, and she begged to know of her son’s fate. Harry couldn’t help but think of his own mother. And when Narcissa declared him dead, Harry couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Narcissa, he knew all she had ever cared about was her son. They were victims of this terrible war too.
The walk back to the castle was slow and agonizing. Harry begged whatever greater entity there was beyond all of this, that Hagrid didn’t notice him breathing. Bellatrix was jeering the whole way to the castle and Harry could only think to himself; The first war had ended due the act of a mother’s love, and that this war would end in kind. He owed both Malfoy and Narcissa his life.
Harry let his mind wander through those particular thoughts as he stared down the bridge, he thought the next step was pretty clear. He began to walk past the rubble, past his fellow students, past the survivors, past the death and devastation and just as he made it past the castle bounds out on the bridge he heard his name called out by a familiar voice.
“‘Arry, where are you going?” When Harry turned around he saw Hagrid, bloodied and looking worse for wear but alive all the same.
Harry couldn’t find the words, his voice wouldn’t obey him so he just smiled gently. When Hagrid made to walk towards him, Harry let the pull of apparition take over. And with a loud and definitive crack he was gone.
Harry, not one to typically think things through to begin with, had realized once he stumbled through the pull of apparition that he hadn’t actually clearly pictured his destination. It was disorienting at first but as he regained his composure he recognized instantly where he had apparated to; Malfoy Manor. He shrugged, figuring it was only appropriate considering his train of thought before Hagrid had called out to him.
Harry stood for a moment in front of the grand black double doors and considered whether he should knock or just walk right in. Finally deciding, he reached up and pushed the doors open.
The mansion, he supposed, could’ve once been beautiful but all he could feel now was the dull pulse of dark magic. He felt sick as he stepped into the grand marble sitting room. He knew that if he tried to reason with himself right now, he’d end up turning heel and going back to Hogwarts. To his friends and family. So instead he swallowed his fear, pushed all thoughts from his mind and continued inward.
The sound of a spell cracking across the air followed by a loud crash had him drawing his wand and beginning to speak the incantation of his own spell, whipping around until he found whatever target he was looking for, when he noticed no one was there he listened for the source of the noise.
“How dare you!” It was Narcissa’s voice, clear and strong. “We have lived in fear of you and your terrible decisions for too long. How dare you blame him!” Another crack of a spell, another crash.
“Mother…” Malfoy’s voice was small and tired. “Please, let’s just leave.”
Harry stood in front of the door to what he assumed was another room just as grand as the one he was in, the voices sounding clearly through the ornate door, so he just stood and listened. He could only assume it was Lucius on the receiving end of Narcissa’s ire.
“Narcissa…” It was Lucius indeed though his confidant drawl was now a wavering plea. He sounded weak. Harry felt sympathy towards Narcissa and Malfoy, but to him Lucius was no better than Voldemort himself.
Narcissa’s voice cut through Harry’s thoughts. “Don’t. We are done here.” Harry could only imagine how fierce Narcissa looked.
Before Harry could form another thought, the door in front him flew open and time stopped. Narcissa had fire in her eyes but that was slowly dimming, fear was creeping in. Malfoy was the first to move, putting himself between Harry and his mother.
“Potter.” Malfoy’s voice didn’t quite have the sting it used to.
Before Harry could respond, he registered movement behind the two of them. Lucius had his wand pointed at Harry so Harry responded in kind, pushing past Narcissa and Malfoy. He hadn’t even spoken but the spell had already left the tip of his wand and threw Lucius backwards into the wall.
Harry casted a binding spell as he walked up to Lucius, grabbing and snapping in half the wand the man had pointed at him just moments ago.
Then Harry turned back to Narcissa and Malfoy, both who had looks of pure fear on their faces. Surely, they thought they were next to face Harry’s revenge. Harry felt a small pang somewhere in his heart at that. He softened his expression as best he could. He hadn’t actually thought about what he would say to either of them.
“I know somewhere safe.” Harry spoke up. “Let’s go.” Before either Narcissa or Malfoy could respond, Harry had cleared the space between them, grabbed their hands and apparated away, his destination clear in his mind.
The three of them stood in front of Grimmauld Place. Harry was running on pure adrenaline now, he waved his wand, throwing open the door. He then quickly pushed Narcissa and Malfoy in, and hastily dragged them to a sitting room off to the side. Slamming the door shut just as the painful howl resounded through the hallway.
“Sorry, nasty enchantment meant to scare unwanted visitors away.” Harry offered as an explanation, though he was sure it hadn’t made much sense. “Kreacher” Harry called out. He was answered with a crack, and in front him stood the house elf.
“What is Master wanting?” Kreacher croaked out.
“Tea, and some food if it can be managed.” Harry responded. Kreacher left as he had returned and Harry turned his attention back to the disoriented mother and son.
“Mr. Potter….” Narcissa started.
“Potter! What are you playing at?” Malfoy snapped and again placed himself between Harry and his mother. Despite Malfoy’s own wand being in Harry’s hand, he was ready to fiercely protect his mother no matter the situation. Harry couldn’t help the small smile that played at the corners of his mouth.
“Calm down Malfoy.” Harry bit back. The familiarity of speaking with Malfoy like this eased some of the tension in his body. Harry turned his attention to Narcissa and spoke. “I needed to thank you. Without you, either of you actually, I’d be dead.” Harry started to fidget, only just realizing how ridiculous this was and how little he had thought this through.
“Mr. Potter, it is us who are indebted to you.” Narcissa spoke gently. She gripped her son’s arms and squeezed, willing him to calm down.
Harry shook his head. “If Malfoy hadn’t covered for me at the mansion and you for me in the forest….” Harry trailed off, trying to find the right words. “Voldemort would have won.” Narcissa blanched at hearing the name.
“But you are the one who defeated him.” Narcissa sounded as if she were on the verge of collapsing.
“Only because of you and Mal…” There was a crack, and Kreacher appeared in the middle of the room with a tea tray and some sandwiches, he laid everything out nicely on the table and left.
“We must leave, I cannot think the rest of the Wizarding World will be as kind to us as you.” Narcissa spoke after a long moment. “There is no doubt the ministry will see us put in Azkaban.”
“They won’t.” Harry said firmly. His conviction shook Narcissa and Malfoy. “Lucius will pay for his crimes but the world will know what you and Malfoy did for me and I won’t let you become victims again.” Harry felt something bubble up inside him. “I didn’t….” he stumbled over the word “I didn’t die so that things could stay the same. I died for the hope that things could be better.”
“Die?” Malfoy asked. He looked from his mother to Harry. Narcissa looked just as confused.
“I died in the forest. A piece of Voldemort was in me. I had to die to end it all, but then I came back.” Harry shrugged as if such a statement was normal. “Dumbledore and Snape, both knew all along. They practically organized it all. It was necessary.”
“But you weren’t dead.” Narcissa replied.
“I was. I met with Dumbledore. He told me I had a choice and I chose to come back.” Harry fiddled with his hands and stared down at his feet. He hadn’t even explained this to Ron or Hermione yet. He wasn’t sure he had even wanted to tell anyone at all. He couldn’t help as the words tumbled from his mouth.
“Snape was in on it too?” Malfoy sputtered, Harry couldn’t stop the laugh. It was just like Malfoy to brush past the part about Harry dying and be more concerned about something else entirely.
“He loved my mother and was there that night Voldemort killed my parent’s. He cried over her. He swore to her that he would protect me simply because I was her son. Though he never showed me any kindness, he betrayed Voldemort simply out of the love he had for my mother.” Harry felt odd saying it, he could see the memories Snape gave him as he lay dying in the boat shed. They were memories that would stay with him forever and he knew it.
“I made Severus take an unbreakable vow to protect Draco no matter what.” Narcissa spoke gently.
“Dumbledore knew it was Voldemort’s plan to have Malfoy kill him, so he and Snape worked it out ahead of time. That night on the astronomy tower…” Harry looked Malfoy directly in the eye. “They planned it, Dumbldore trusted Snape to do what needed done.” Harry could feel his throat close.
“You were there?” Malfoy asked. Harry only nodded and returned his gaze to his shoes.
“Snape gave me his memories just before he died. Voldemort had Nagini kill him.” Harry felt like he was whispering but knew they had both heard him.
“Severus.” Narcissa turned and sat down on one of the plush couches. She was crying. Harry and Malfoy hadn’t moved.
Malfoy cleared his throat. “Thank you” he started. “Potter.” Then he extended his hand and Harry took it and shook it.
Harry nodded and when they broke contact he held out the wand in his hand to Malfoy. “You should have this back.” He said gently. “It served me well and it defeated Voldemort but it belongs to you and I want you to have it back.” Harry could feel the wand respond in kind, he hoped Malfoy would take it back. Harry wasn’t sure how he knew, but he was sure the wand was eager to return to its master.
Malfoy reached out gently and grabbed his wand, his fingers brushing the palm of Harry’s hand. But then the contact was gone again and Harry withdrew his hand. He watched as Malfoy tested the weight and feel of the wand in his hand.
“Lumos.” Malfoy whispered, just as quickly the tip of the wand lit with a beautiful glow. “Nox.” Malfoy tucked the wand away into the breast of his suit. “Thank you Potter.”
“Harry.”
“What?” Malfoy looked up in confusion.
“Call me Harry.”
Malfoy cleared his throat and shuffled a bit. “Thank you Harry.” Malfoy spoke almost as if it were a question.
“Thank you Draco.” Harry responded gently. “Please stay, I’ll make sure you both are protected.” Harry wasn’t sure what compelled him to say such a thing.
“We are not in need of your protection Potter.” Malfoy spat. Harry couldn’t bring himself to be offended. He knew Draco better than what he really had ever admitted to himself or to others. The great Malfoy pride wasn’t damaged. Harry was happy to know that at least some part of the boy he had met all those years ago when he first visited Diagon Alley, had remained after this terrible war.
“Draco.” Narcissa scolded her son gently. “I’m sorry Mr. Potter, but we cannot. You are undoubtedly the only one who will look upon us in kindness.” Narcissa stood and grabbed her son’s hand. “Please do make sure Lucius receives just as he deserves.” And with a crack they were gone.
Harry collapsed on the couch, his heart hurt. And the weight of everything was beginning to take its toll. So he laid down and let sleep consume him, not evening bothering to find a bed. Harry dreamt of forest floors and starry skies.