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A few months earlier

Draco and Hermione had been in a relationship for almost two years now.

After they had gone past the differences between each other they gave it a chance and started dating – secretly. Draco was aware that if their friends or family knew all would disagree and try to break them apart. Only one person knew about them and it was by an accident.

One time while Hermione was going to the Room of Requirement, Theo saw her. He knew that Malfoy was there, put two and two together and the result was clear. They had agreed not to modify his memories about the happening because the boys were friends since kids and the blond trusted him. Theodore Nott promised that no one will find out because of him, willingly. And he kept it until the very end.

It was their seventh year. His girlfriend knew that he was forced to take the Dark Mark and become a Death Eater after his father was sent to Azkaban because of the Order’s actions at the Ministry in year six. He wore his mark under a charm so the others won’t be able to see it. Even with their opposite parts in the war that was currently going on they stayed together.

This school year had begun like every other one but not for long. After Harry’s discovery about the Horcruxes, the trio had to go, find and destroy them. After Draco became part of Voldemort’s army and had access to information, he tried helping the Order with what he could by giving the information to Hermione. After that she would pass the information to Moody, Professor McGonagall, or Remus. Then they would work on it.

“Granger, don’t go” please was in his voice.

“Draco,” she warned.

“What? What do you want? You want me to stay here, while you are Merlin knows where, exposed to danger with those blokes” he took a step towards her. Now, they were inches apart.

“You know perfectly well that I can take care of myself. Plus, they are my closest friends. They won’t leave anyone hurt me” she said, trying to reassure him.

Draco knew. Of course but still. Everything can happen to her and he won’t even be there to try to help her. Appearing thoughtful she might have taken this as a sign to continue.

“I have to go with them. They need me-“

“I need you, Hermione” he cut the witch off and spoke, his gaze pointed to her eyes.

She took a step, the final one and closed the space between them. Putting her arms around his neck she kissed him. It was one of those needed kisses. Malfoy moved his hands to her waist and pulled her closer to him; their bodies were pressed together, fitting like two puzzle pieces – perfect. Lips were moving against each other.  A minute passed, they pulled away, and bodies still pressed together and looked at the other’s eyes.

“I love you, Draco” she forced a small smile on her face.

“I love you, Granger. Always.” His gaze fell.

She moved and he released her. Walking out of reach, Hermione went to her beaded bag and pulled two what seems like journals and handed one to him he took it, and then glanced from it up to face her. Questions were written on his face, eyebrows furrowed together, lips put into a thin line.

“These are charmed journals which I made myself. They work pretty simple: you write something on yours and then it appears in mine. When I see it, the ink disappears from the paper and it’s visible only for us both to see. If a response is needed I write it, appears on yours and that’s how we are going to communicate from distance.” The explanation was simple. It answered almost every of the questions.

“Yes. I'm going. I promise, I would come back to you,” voice low, meant only for him, even if it wasn’t needed. It was only the two of them. A tear rolled down her cheek. He brushed it away with his thumb and kissed her forehead.

“When are the three of you leaving?”

“Tomorrow, early in the morning. Before breakfast we should be at our first location.”

“Okay then. Let’s go to sleep it’s getting late and you should be up early.”

They changed and went to bed.

“Hermione” he waited for her to look at him. “Wake me up before you go.”

She nodded and mouthed okay. They went to sleep, her back pressed to his chest, hands wrapped around her middle.

The morning came. The sun was just starting to peek from behind the hill and fill Hermione’s room when he felt her getting up. He sat the same instant, darkness before his eyes because of the abrupt movement.

Her head turned around towards him. They got up and put their clothes on. He in the school uniform, she in muggle jeans, pink blouse, a sweatshirt and trainers.

“I'm supposed to be in the common room in fifteen in order to meet with the boys” her announcement hurt. They had fifteen more minutes. That wasn’t enough, nothing was. He wanted to stay with her there and freeze the time forever.

“You can stay here and go nowhere.” He tried.

“Draco…” she spoke in a soft voice.

“I know. I know… I-I had to try” they close the space between them. He pulled her in his embrace. With a finger under the chin, he tilted her head up and kissed her gently. She was sobbing.

“I’ll miss you, Malfoy” a quite laugh escaped her lips.

“We will see each other again. Remember? You said it yourself. We also have the journals.” His eyes began watering and that gave him away. Tears started running uncontrollably down her cheeks. She hugged him tighter, pulling at his robes.

“Listen,” after he had the attention which he needed Draco continued. “When you are back we are going somewhere far away from here, from this war. I don’t care if you don’t want to we will go. There – there we’ll be safe. I promise you. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“I love you.” -  Three words full of meaning. Three words he wasn’t able to say to anyone else. Three words that he truly and fully meant. Even though he has been with many girls, they didn’t mean this much to him.

“I love you, too.” Draco was sure she meant them, too. This girl, no, no – woman was so strong and independent, and smart, and beautiful and she was all his just as he was all hers. As long as she would want him, he was hers.

The fifteen minutes had passed.

She brushed her tears away, straightened her posture and spoke into the crook of his neck. “Time’s up. I have to go.” Her face was now blank. He removed himself from her and nodded. Her Occlumency walls were in place. He would need his as well. She kissed him goodbye. Just the same way he had slipped in, the blond made himself invisible and walked next to her.

When they were in the common room the sun had risen fully. It was still far too early for anyone else to be awake. Malfoy stayed beside Granger the whole time as they stood in the room. Weasley and Potter greeted her.

“Ready?” the bags under his eyes were enormous. The dark haired wizard gave the impression of somebody who hadn't slept in days and maybe he hadn't.

She and the Weasel nodded. They started walking to the portrait’s way, walked out and at some point Draco separated from them. He noticed the slight shift in her. She turned her gaze back for a moment then continued. Standing in front of a window for small amount of time the wizard saw them in the yard, they apparated away to the location.

He stayed at Hogwarts.

Making his way to the dungeons and back to the dorm shared with Theo he found the boy sleeping. When he lay on the bed Nott woke up. His eyes scanned Malfoy. He noticed that his friend did not seem well, so the other wizard spoke.

“She’s gone, isn’t she?”

“Yeah…”

Thankfully Theo left it at this. He knew when to stop pushing.

A month went. They were reaching for the other often via the charmed journals. She updated him on the hunt. At this point the ring, the diary and the locket were destroyed. Potter knew there were more, he felt each of them. Due to a research of hers, they knew to search for items related to three of the founders and because of Tom’s closeness with his snake they assumed that Nagini was one, too. Because of the time he had spent in the Room of Requirement during sixth year fixing the vanishing cabinet, Draco found a lot of things in there – one of them was the lost diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw. He asked her how to destroy it. Fiendfyre, basilisk fang or the sword of Gryffindor. The curly witch had told him that the sword had disappeared at the moment. The Fiendfyre was almost impossible to control; it required a very strong wizard to cast it, which they were at a lock for. The basilisk fangs can be found in the chamber of secret, they were maybe the easiest one to find. But… there was one problem – to reach the chamber you should be able to speak Parseltongue, which Draco could not do. She told him that she would ask Potter the next day, what he had said in second year to open it and then write it down for him.

Once her note was received, he went to the room early the next morning. Walking around the shelves of nothingness, looking for the concrete item, he saw a jewelry box on a table, opened it and found the diadem in it. Then as instructed he went to the girl’s toilets. She had informed him about the way to the chamber. When he was down he spoke the words required to enter, the door opened.

Stepping through he witnessed the sight of now the rotten basilisk and its remaining bones. Getting a hold of several fangs he put all of them except one in a pocket, placed the diadem on the ground and knelt next to it. Holding the fang above it his hands began shaking. There were dark, deep voices of someone far too familiar to the Malfoy heir even if the voices were younger than the one Voldemort had now it was recognizable. Hisses filled the air. An image of Hermione on the ground, surrounded with blood, her skin pale, unmoving come into view. The man’s heart sank deep in his chest. The voices laughed. At him?

“And all is for that unworthy, Mudblood whore?” the words were spat out slowly.

“Don’t call her that, she's not!”

“Shhhh! You are not permitted to speak! You are one big disappointment. To be honest I expected more of you, Draco. But I should have seen this. You are just like your fa-“

Malfoy got himself together, an answer came. “I'm nothing like my father!” he screamed at the voice, angry. Gathering his strength he stabbed the diadem. Black smoke streamed from the Horcrux. The image was gone, the voices vanished. It was quiet again, finally.

The uniform was dirty. Walking fast, almost running he returned to the dorm, avoiding everyone on his way back. Once there, he took a shower then changed in clear clothes. Theo had left for breakfast.

Taking the journal out he wrote to his girlfriend informing her of the doing.

Breakfast had passed before twenty-six minutes. Already late for class he walked to Charms. Taking his place next to Nott, the professor cleared his throat.

He didn’t care to make an excuse and just stood there watching him, Theo nudged him.

“Okay. Okay” whispered he, eyebrows rising in irritation and rolling his eyes at the other wizard.

“I'm sorry, professor Flitwick. I overslept.” His voice flat. The older man watched him carefully. Then nodded.

“Fifteen points from Slytherin for not being on time.”

What happened, mouthed his classmate.

“We may speak after class or later, if I'm allowed to say.”

Draco shifted in his seat, making himself comfortable. Staying like this, unmoving, not paying attention to anything until the end of Flitwick’s class, he stood the moment the teacher announced that the students were free to go. 

Storming out of the classroom and heading to the dungeons, Theo followed him from behind.

“Mate, what is it?”

“First I have to see if I can tell you. Second even if I can is for in the dorms,” the blond told him, continuing on his way. After that Nott fell silent.

Once they were in, Draco pulled the journal and asked Granger if he can tell Theo anything and if yes, how much. He watched his friend’s face scrunch in confusion. Answer came almost immediately – ‘Yes. But be sterile, not too much. We can’t risk it.’ Closing the journal and putting it aside he turned to Theo.

“So… here is the answer. There are some objects called Horcruxes. They contain part of the soul of the person who created them. Usually there should not be more than one but the Dark Lord managed to make several. Potter thinks that they are seven in total and for now four are destroyed.” Voce flat, like every time he was explaining something.

“Why were you late?”

“I destroyed one.” The statement shocked Theo. His eyes widened, mouth fell agape, then back up close.

“W-what? How-how did you accomplish that” he spoke fast.

“Remember my task from last year, right after I took the mark?” the boy nodded. He continued. “I spent a lot of time in the Room of Requirement; Granger mentioned that part of the Horcruxes were related to the founders. Well I may have accidently found one then and now I went back for it and destroyed it.”

“Isn’t the Dark Lord going to understand?”

“Honestly… I don’t know. I think if he does, he will assume that is one of them three since they are on a hunt.”

He moved closer and grabbed Theo’s shirt collar. “Dare say to anyone.” The blonde one warned, spitting venom with words. Anger was in the boy’s voice, eyes cold like ice, dark grey almost black, pupils almost undistinguishable – this dark were the boy’s eyes.

Theo grabbed his arms and removed them from his shirt.

He put his hand up, while he drew back away. “Calm down, I won’t, no one will understand… not from me at least.”

It was time for the next class. They walked together, on their way McGonagall told Malfoy to go to the headmaster’s office. The boys separated. She escorted him, told the password to the entry and he stepped in.

“Mr. Malfoy. Take a seat!” Snape’s voice was low.

Draco moved towards the armchairs in front of the desk slowly and sat down. He didn’t speak. He waited for Snape to speak.

“You are required at your home Mr. Malfoy.” The boy froze, eyes flickered for a moment. He leaned further in the armchair. “You are free to go now.”

Without a word he stood and left. Malfoy ran to the dorm, wrote a note to Theo, got his journal and left.

Narcissa was waiting for him outside Hogwarts.

“Mother” he said with a single nod, greeting her.

“We will talk later.”

Apparating they stood in the gardens of Malfoy Manor. His mother started walking, following her steps they were inside. The sight didn’t really shocked Draco; after all he had expected it. Voldemort and the Death Eaters were sitting on the table in the drawing room, the half-blood sat where his father did before, the others were surrounding him and Nagini was near his bare feet – waiting for orders.

...

“Hello, Mr. Malfoy. I see you’re already here” unmoving, said he. “I'm not in necessity for you now. You may go to your room; if and when I do need you I’ll summon you.”

Not needing another sentence, he nodded and left.

I'm at the manor right now, we won’t be able to communicate much otherwise we are risking on being caught. After a few seconds the ink faded away, the message was delivered and received.

A minute passed.

It’s okay. If you have something important to tell me, I’ll be waiting. If I do, too, I’ll send it to you. I love you, Draco.

  I love you, Granger.

The day was spent in the room, pacing back and forth, asking himself questions he didn’t have the answer to, worrying about her. It was close to dinner when Draco decided to go out from the ‘comfort’ of his room. Once out from the door, hearing voices he froze at the spot – his aunt, perhaps and a male voice he didn’t recognize. They were talking about… about Helga Hufflepuff’s cup. Horcrux.

“You sure, that it is save in there?” it was the male one.

Tones were hushed, low, person would barely gather them but it was quiet in the halls, if one listened cautiously and was careful not to make noise it was possible. A surprise – a big one – was that the adults hadn't put any charm around them to isolate themselves.

“Of course it’s save. He, himself made me put it there. After all it’s my vault, there are so many security charms and spells and curses on it. No one can access it rather than me.” Bellatrix.

So there is a Horcrux in her Gringotts vault. Of course he should have thought about it so much earlier. She was one of his most trusted, Voldemort would give her a piece of his soul for her to keep and it actually makes sense. He should tell this to Granger. If they destroy this one, there would be two more. Draco had a suspicion about the snake, the Dark Lord went nowhere without her, always by his side. This should be written to her. Before he could return inside the room Bellatrix approached him.

“Hello, Draco. Come for dinner.” If she had any suspicions, she didn’t gave any hint.

Dinner passed normally, as normal as it was possible to be.

Back in the room he pulled the journal out of the drawer, summoned quill and ink and started writing.

Granger, be careful now. There is a Horcrux in the Lestrange’s vault. The cup. You all should get it and get rid of it.

 Steps were approaching. The journal was closed and left under the pillow. There was knock on the door, then someone entered. “Yes, mother.”

Narcissa in night wear, hair pulled in a low bun – just before sleep. “I came to say goodnight.” He got up and stood, with one stride he was next to her. Draco kissed his mother on the check and wished her goodnight then she went back to her wing of the manor.

Hermione had seen the message.

A week passed with no word from her.

One afternoon after a session of Occlumency lessons and training with his aunt, he saw that she had written him.

It’s done. It’s destroyed.

 Joy filled him, momentarily all the pain in his head and body in general was gone. She was alive, the cup was gone it was going so good. Far too good. Knowing his luck something was going to fuck up. They had to watch behind their backs, especially her – a muggle-born in this war of social status and blood purity and yet she wasn’t scared, she went right into its core.

How did you do that?  

The notes had to be kept short, for safety.

Polyjuice potion, one little Imperio curse and a blind dragon.

  Are you hurt?

  No, you?  

I'm fine. Miss you hope to see you soon.

  Miss you as well.

 Every day was like the previous one – training, small conversation with his mother, sometimes thankfully a note and that was it mostly. Sleep didn’t come easy at all, potion didn’t help either nor his aunt’s cruel teaching. Some days new prisoners were being brought to be tortured, kept in the dungeon or killed or all of the three. Other days they brought muggles – to practice on them – the Cruciatus curse, the killing curse, hexes and other spells, testing potions on them. No matter what they did on them, they all ended dead.

This day when he was free to go to his room he found a surprise in there – Bellatrix standing in the middle of the room holding something… the journal. Fuck the journal was in her hands. What the hell was she doing up here before him, they had finished no longer than five minutes and when he left she was still down. He froze. Panic rushed through him. Draco had forgotten to put it somewhere save the morning. He just stood there, waiting for her to begin.

Unless Hermione had written something in his absence, there was no way for someone to understand. He knew it. He knew something was going to get fucked, it couldn’t be this good. It never could.

Judging on the look in her eyes, she knew. This was… disaster, a direct ticket to her death. He should inform her. Now, there was no possibility of it.

“Since when?” She stated walking towards.

“It was – just to fool her, so I can get information from her. There were never feelings. That disgusting Mudblood. ”

“Don’t lie to me, boy! I knew you were hiding something from me the day we started the Occlumency sessions. You were advanced, your walls were strong, the illusions you created were almost flawless but there is one problem. I’ve been doing this for years before you were born” she turned the opposite direction “What would your father say, Draco? His only son. A traitor, falling for the Mudblood, not anyone – Potter’s Golden Girl” The woman laughed. He was speechless, didn’t know what to do, how to move, how to breath, how to blink, his heart on the other hand was going to pop out of its ribcage. Malfoy was just standing there unmoving.

“What should I do with you? I can’t kill you for obvious reason; my sister will go insane but… I can show this” she turned around facing him again, the hand which was holding the journal rose, putting the attention on it “to the Dark Lord, he would be pleased to find out about you childish affair with her.” Scrunching the sleeve of her shirt up she exposed the Dark Mark, trailing her fingers on it, she summoned it. He appeared next to her.

“My Lord,” she said handing him the now revealed journal, everything was visible, written in black ink. Voldemort skimmed it; his eyes finding interesting some parts where he paid more attention.

“I want the three idiots brought to me as fast as possible!” voice now high, enraged. “And for this one right here” his gaze fell on the blonde “to the cages down in the dungeons. Do not harm him, not yet. I’ll deal with him later.”

Draco’s mind was blank. Two Death Eaters emerged from nothing and took him down.

They left him there alone; no one came to ask a single question. Days passed, turned into week, then two with no word from anyone, no connection with the world outside the cell. The only thing that Draco hoped was for Granger to not be captured or for someone to somehow find out about Theo’s knowledge. It would be unfair for the other wizard to be tortured on his behalf. And for Granger… for Granger, well she would be tortured close to death and then for sure killed, in the best.

After weeks in there the door’s hinges crook, a small flicker of light came into sight then two bodies were thrown in. The light vanished, door closed he stood up to check on the bodies. Praying for them to not be Potter or Weasley or worse Granger, it was obvious – nobody heard his prayers – scar head and Weaslebe lay there on the floor where they were thrown stunned. Granger should be up, she was with them everywhere. Those idiots. Not even a scream was heard for now. Maybe they waited for her to regain consciousness. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. Now that they have been captured, there was almost no way of getting out of this chaos.

The boys started moving; Draco stepped towards them and helped them to stand up. Questions were filling his mind, he had to know.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Malfoy?” the brunette scratched his head in confusion, the other just stood there, still hadn't done anything.

“Nice to meet you again, too” sarcasm filled his voice “I was going to ask you the exact same question. How the hell you three got yourselves captured?” the others straightened. No one answered. He raised an eyebrow, challenging them.

“Where is Hermione?”

“How am I supposed to know? You were with her for the past months, Weasley!”

“If she's not here she must be-“ stated Potter.

“-up. Bellatrix asked her about the sword, she was going to ‘ask her a few questions’ then they sent us here” finished Weasley.

“How were you captured” insisted the blond. The boys looked at each other confused, and then back at him.

“Fine. I fucked up – bad, really bad. Now, your turn.”

“Why should we trust you?” At this point Draco was seriously irritated.

“If and hopefully when you blokes get out of here with Granger, ask her if she protests tell her that is okay to inform you. I can’t let you both know without her consent.” They nodded.

“We have just apparated and she was putting the ward up, while we were making the camp. Snatchers arrived because of the taboo. We started running but they caught us and brought us here. We had the sword of Gryffindor, your aunt thought that it was in her vault but apparently it wasn’t. She found it in her beaded bag so she assumed that Hermione stole it. That’s why she’s hopefully up.” Potter explained. Those were fools if they thought that it would be better for her to be up with all the Death Eaters.

“You are a fool if you think it is better that she’s up there with those freaks, rather than here with us.” There was no need to keep it to himself. Suddenly there were a screams, hers. His heart dropped, knees like jelly, he almost fell. With back pressed to the wall , Draco straightened his posture. The three of them were silent, just stood there listened as her screams and begs continued. They weren’t able to do anything from there. He was so close to her yet so far away. Only if he could reach her…

The door opened. Dolohov, Yaxley and Greyback stepped through each one took hold of one of them and dragged them out and up towards the drawing room. The screams had died. He was horrified by the things he may find there. The sight was awful. She was lying on the floor, head facing her left and eyes gleaming with tears, blood was dripping down her arm, and his aunt was kneeling next to her with a knife in hand. Something was carved onto her forearm. The word Mudblood  was written, the skin around it was an angry shade of red. The only indicator that she was indeed still alive was the slight movement of her fingers.

His father and mother were standing near the fireplace, only Narcissa was watching him. The Dark Lord was standing beside them. Other Death Eaters were in the room, no attention was payed to them. Greyback and Dolohov held Potter and Weasley, Yaxley released him.

Bellatrix stood and came closer to Malfoy. “Since your precious girlfriend” a gasp erupted from the Weasel “won’t talk, will you help me with her, Draco?” A cruel smile played on the woman’s face. Not able to move he felt her arm take his and she dragged him towards Hermione.

 There was a pop. Dobby? The house elf arrived on the scene with a snap of its fingers Bellatrix’s wand flew into his. Everyone froze. Potter and Weasley wrenched free and to him and her, as fast as it could happen the elf was next to them and apparated them all, Bellatrix threw the knife on them.

When they arrived at a beach Harry was holding Dobby, apparently the knife had struck someone. In minutes the elf was gone. The scar headed boy stood carrying the elf. He, Ronald and Hermione stayed there.

“Take her in the save house. When they see that she is with you they’re not gonna say anything. Ron you come with me. We should burry him properly, he deserves it.” They nodded.

Draco took Granger’s body and started walking toward the house. Once he stepped in, he found the oldest of the Weasley brothers and his wife in the kitchen. What was he supposed to say. They looked at him in disbelief, he assumed that they have seen the scene outside judging on the fact that the couple was looking outside the window.

“Upstairs. The second room on left.” Said Fleur. He nodded.

When they reached the room, he placed her on the bed and took place on the armchair next to it holding her hand waiting for her to wake up.

She slept for hours. No one visited the room, they knew better than to walk in. The conversations could wait. Hermione’s eyes opened and she murmured something to him.

“Where are we?”

“At a save house, which belongs to the Weasleys.”

“Come to me.” And he did. Slipping under the covers, her back facing his chest, he wrapped a protective arm around her middle, not holding her tightly so not to hurt her, they fell asleep. He felt like he was able to sleep for the first time since moths.

Day passed, they were still asleep.

She woke up in the middle of the day. Draco felt her shifting and was awake in seconds.

“We should talk with them.” Her voice was weak.

Draco laughed. “Talk to them… you just woke up. You are not any state for this mental pressure.”

“If not now, later. I won’t be ready then either.”

“Okay as you wish.” He gave in. They stood up and changed in other not filthy, more comfortable clothes, stepping out of her room the couple went downstairs. Ronald, Harry, Fleur and Bill were all in the living room, talking.

“You both are awake.” An unnecessary statement.

“Obviously” Draco rolled his eyes and sat on the couch. She sat next to him, knees touching.

“Nor the time nor the place for your attitude, Malfoy” hissed the Weasel. “Shut up, Ron” Potter as a backup – strange.

“All of you, quiet! Here is the plan,” the older Weasley started “you four go back to Britain at the Burrow. Then from there you’ll find a way to go in Hogwarts through Aberforth. The Death Eater’s in the school would be ready to report your attendance there, Harry. You will have the order behind your back for reinforcement. Finally you are going to kill him and I do not want any objections to this. Understood?” He looked at them all.

Potter nodded first, Weasley followed, then Hermione, and last he.

“When?” Granger asked.

“Tonight, at eight. You and Draco are Apparating with me, Ron and Harry with Bill.” Fleur’s voice. The day passed, the teenagers retired to their chambers.

Eight sharp everybody was down. He and his girlfriend took the French’s hands and vanished into thin air.

They were outside the Burrow. The other ones came after seconds, landing next to them. With the couple in the front they walked in. Hermione and Draco hand in hand, much to Weasley’s displease, before the boys. Judging on the Chosen One’s expression he didn’t mind. The faces on everyone in there were priceless. No one had ever imagined that a Malfoy would turn against the Dark Lord and not for just someone but for the muggle-born witch, ‘The Golden Girl’ Hermione Granger. When they stepped in all eyes were on their hands. Some jaws dropped then closed, confusion displayed on all of their faces.

“Explanation, please?” George Weasley.

“It’s hard to explain, George maybe another time.” And probably this was all that every one of them will get, maybe aside from Ginevra. There was silence, no one dared to speak. Arthur spoke after a few awkward minutes of stillness.

“Dinner is ready, children. Go and suit yourselves.” With that, they all stood and took place on the table. The dinner was muted. After finishing their meals they were free to go to the rooms.

The next morning was the morning when they had to go to Dumbledore’s brother. They woke up early; Bill had given them the exact coordinates of his house and they apparated. The old man was waiting for them but seemed surprised when the blond head became visible, of course.

Potter and Aberforth engaged in conversation, the man walked towards a portrait of a young woman, with a few words to her, she disappeared. Twelve minutes slipped away, she returned and the frame opened. From it stepped Neville Longbottom, bruises colored his face. He started talking something about the Carrow’s charge in the school; about them making students torture other students and etcetera. He led them in the tunnel he had come, apparently the only one which wasn’t blocked by Umbridge. They stepped out and students greeted the others and again surprise and this time discussed faces. Hermione explained that he is there to help, not to harm, they kind of calmed but were suspicious.

Not much later after their arrival Harry exposed himself in the Great Hall in front of every student and professor. The Slytherins were locked in the cells. All of the advanced students took participation in warding the castle. Protection spells were flying everywhere, the medical wing was preparing. Close to chaos was forming within the walls of the safe before school.

Outside the windows was clear that Voldemort was here, the only things separating him from them were the wards which will be ruined soon or later. The army took on its task and spells erupted from wands crashing on the invisible wall. Granger… where was Granger? He started running through the long halls in hope to find her before it was too late. He knew where Potter was – down waiting for them to enter with part of the Order. Weasley was with his family. She was… he stepped in the medical wing and found her there near madam Pomfrey.

 “Granger” she came closer to him, hugging him “No matter what happens today remember I love you, I always had.”

Tears started forming in her beautiful brown eyes; she refused to let them fall. “Draco don’t you dare! Nothing will happen, we will be fine. But if something do happen, I love you, too. I wish we weren’t in circumstances like those.” A forced smile captured the corner of her lips, the tear rolled down and he brushed it away. All glances were on them but there was no one to care. She stood on her toes; he leaned down so she can reach for a stolen kiss. Their lips were dancing against each other – need and desire in the kiss.

A loud sound of what felt like breaking glass filled the air – the wards had been crashed. The Death Eaters were on their paths in. Chaos rose in the castle; whispers, shouts, steps and shifting positions was all they were able to hear now.

“We have to find Harry. He is the one in importance in this battle.” Draco nodded, taking her hand in his. They ran down the stairs to the main entrance where Harry was supposed to be.

McGonagall stood there with Slughorn and Molly.

“Where is Harry?” Worry shown on the adult’s faces after her question.

“How-what do you mean where is Harry?” It was McGonagall who spoke.

Molly filled. “He said that he is going to be with Malfoy and you.” She was close to falling; he took an elbow in grip and steadied her. She was murmuring something ‘Snape’, ‘Snape’.

“What about Snape?”

“He went to him, he said that he had to get someth-“

The Death Eaters were almost near them firing spells at them. Students, professors and Order members spilled from the gate ready to fight. Protecting shields were up. Some were already on the ground – injured, others were trying to get them back to safety and fell besides the already injured. One of the Patil twins lay on the ground, blood spilling from her mouth.

“We are going to Potter, Granger.”

He apparated with her to the Astronomy tower. The sight was terrifying: Severus was dead, Harry nowhere to be found. Voldemort was nowhere as well, as much as they saw on the battle field some of his most loyal followers weren’t there either.

“The Forbidden Forest.” She gasped. Harry must be in the Forbidden Forest with Riddle.

“What the fuck is he doing there?” He shouted.

“While I was with Poppy she mentioned that in first year after the Basilisk stuff on the diagnosing spell Harry’s magical signature wasn’t like the normal ones. There were two spheres, barely touching; she thought that it might be a side effect of the Killing curse. But it was actually other soul. I came to the conclusion that it was Voldemort’s. The night he had killed his parents, he created an unintentional Horcrux which is Harry. I didn’t tell him, I was going to but he disappeared, this is what he was searching; why he was hearing the others. And now he’s there in the forest to die.” The words came out fast from her mouth.

“He is there for what? Is he insane?” That idiot. “This fucking war is depending on him.”

“He knows it. That’s the reason he's there. He think that this way Riddle is going to die with Him.”

No noise was heard. It was deadly quiet. When he glanced outside, Voldemort and his missing army had made an appearance. Hagrid was holding a body – Harry’s lifeless body. Voldemort laughed coldly. They apparated back, next to McGonagall.

“Harry Potter is dead!” His voice was full with pride.

“Nooo! NOOOOO!” Ginny’s screams echoed in the air. She tried to pull away from her father but he gripped her tighter not letting her move, gliding his hand on top of her head, trying to calm her down.

Hermione sank to her knees, refusing to acknowledge the now fact.

“Harry Potter is dead!” Cheerful laughs erupted from the army behind Tom, when he repeated the sentence. “From this day forward you put your faith in me!”

All the glances of the remaining on field people narrowed, some of them contained tears. Desperate.

“Look who’s here! Our handsome Malfoy boy and his Mudblood whore.” He curled his lip in distaste. The attention was now on them.

“I love you” she murmured only for him to hear. He responded.

“Step forward, you both!”

Again with fingers tangled together they stepped forward, closer and closer to him. He stood there for her. An unverbal, wandless legilimens crashed her mind. She fell onto her knees. Draco went down with her. The spell released her; red lights were flying from his wand now. She fell, screaming in agony, he tried to move but wasn’t able – petrified. He just stood there unable to help her or do anything at all, again.  The Death Eaters were cheering. The Order stood there watching, unable to process what to do. Harry’s death had crushed them.

“Look at you. You have fallen so low, dear boy. There was so much potential in you. Pity that you turn out so soft.” With that she lay still on the ground, fingers twitching.

He took her from Draco and placed her in the center, she was fighting.

“Always fighting, don’t you understand, you are here to die!”

“No, no, no. Take me, take me instead. Kill me not her!” He pleaded.

“Oh, don’t you worry I’ll take my time with you as well, young Mr. Malfoy.”

His mother stood in the crowd; tears were streaming down her cheeks. She didn’t taunt to speak, thankfully otherwise she will be killed as well.

Hermione and Draco were aware that after they were called out of being together and the war was lost it would be a dead end. And here it was. He took her to stand on knees and held her by the neck.

“I'm so, so sorry, Granger.” These were the only words he could make out.

“It’s okay. Don’t be sorry!” Forgiving like always. She wouldn’t have been there if that day in the manor if he had hidden the journal but no he forgot about it and here she was. Tears were forming in his eyes. “Goodbye, Draco” she smiled weakly.

“Goodbye. I love you, Hermione!” the tears rolled down.

“I lo-“ the words died on her lips, body falling lifeless on the ground, no other sound came from her. Only Voldemort’s Avada Kedavra.  The spell which kept him at his spot vanished. He clutched the spot on his chest where his heart once was. Now there was hollow, it was ripped it out the moment she fell down unmoving. He rose to feet walking towards Hermione, when he reached her he fell to his knees, mind blank. The only thing he fell was emptiness. A sob tore from his throat, then another and another…

“Take him to the cages under the school and wait there with him!”

Now he was under the school. Trying to place his Occlumency walls in place, begging for the pain to stop, he wanted to dive into the numbness Occlumency provided. His mind and body felt exhausted, not able to fight anymore. He simply wanted to die, prayed for it to be sooner.

Noise stuffed the former silence. The cells were filling with prisoners.

Theo was thrown in the cell with Draco.

“The fuck are you doing here?”

“I gave myself in.” He's insane.

“You are insane. I’ll tell him that you are innocent.”

“Late, mate. I let him go through my mind.” His best friend stated like it was nothing.

“Are you mad? Why the hell would you do that?” He was screaming now – not able to keep it in. “I don’t want your death to be on my back as well.” Voice broken.

“If you and she die in the same day, I won’t have anything else to live for, Draco. These are my choices and choose to die today or tomorrow with you. I don’t want to live in a world where this excuse for a lord is running our world. I prefer death, you do, too now. I know you, your eyes give you away, and we would face it together.” Malfoy was speechless.

The door opened, Tom entered.

“I'm not in any mood for you, Nott. Avada Kedavra!”

His friend was gone. Another loss, his soul was torn already but this – this was a bonus to the throbbing pain in Draco’s chest.

“And for you, I have a surprise.” Lucius stepped in. His father, to be honest he has expected it. He looked in his son’s eyes, the man was crazy. The time Lucius had spent in Azkaban didn’t go well on him. Robes were torn at places, stained with the blood from the people killed by him, hair – falling free on his face. The glare was enough to kill someone.

“My own son, chasing a Mudblood. A Malfoy. You’re an excuse for an heir.”

Another man came into the room and took Draco by the arm, wrenching him upright. They started walking out of the cells and up in the open. Some people – Death Eaters – were still on the field. The man placed him in the center of it, the others watching, enjoying. His mother was there, too. She just stood, unable to process how to help her only son. She hold his gaze, eyes were begging her to do nothing and get herself killed. His father was behind him, Draco on knees, with wand pressed to head he waited.

“Kill him!” Narcissa almost fell. She straightened, eyes never leaving his gaze. He nodded goodbye, she nodded back.

Two words came out in the atmosphere and Draco Malfoy was gone.

Tears were rolling down the mother’s face, low sobs escaping her throat. Something it the women stirred. Witnessing her son dying by her husband’s hand was the last drop. There was nothing more to hold her back. They were allowed to retire for the day. She and Lucius went back to the bloody manor, where all began.

The minute they were in their wing she cast a Muffliato and without any hesitation she killed her husband.

She had to kill the snake first according to the journals. What was it she needed? Fiendfyre, basilisk fang or the Sword of Gryffindor.  She visited her son’s room and found one in there hidden in the wardrobe. The actions need to be taken fast otherwise the Order will be gone soon.

The next day in the drawing room she stood before him and aimed for the piton with the fang. The fang struck the snake and it was dead. She patronized the remaining public and now he was on her mercy. He watched in disbelief.

“Narcissa we both know that you are not capable of killing a person.” His laugh satisfied.

“I may haven’t been before… but not anymore. You- you made my husband kill my child, I witnessed my child’s death and so many others just because your ruined beliefs.” Before he had a chance to react, green light sprout from the tip of her wand, striking him in the chest. The Dark Lord fell dead.

Cancelling the spell on the others she spoke “Now, you all will obey to me!” Her voice was cold, not wavering once. They nodded in awe.

She left the manor and left for Hogwarts but first she locked them in the manor, ordering the blood wards to not let anyone in neither out except her.

When Mrs. Malfoy was outside the bodies of the fallen still laid there. Her son next to Miss Granger, a tear rolled and she continued. She will mourn Draco later, now it was not the time. She went in the cells. People stood afraid.

“You are all free!”

Confusion. “You are to start the life outside again. The Dark Lord has fallen. I will help you financially and with whatever else I can.”

The Weasley girl came closer. “What do you mean? Stop fooling with us.”

“He is dead Miss Weasley!”

All of their eyes widened “H-how did you… manage that Mrs. Malfoy?”

“I killed him Mr. Longbottom. The rest of them are locked in the manor waiting for all of you to get out of here and rebuild the ministry and put them in Azkaban.”

She freed them.

Present

Some of the trials were still going on. The world looked like before. Finally everything was normal, or at least as normal as it can be. The lost of their loved once was heavy and some day, some time it will ease but today - today is not that day. This day was to honor them.

It was the anniversary of the Battle at Hogwarts. The survivors, the heroes were at the cemetery made in chest of the fallen, to honor them. People were coming and going, leaving flowers on the graves.

Hermione and Draco’s graves were one next to the other not that it mattered but it was symbolic. After some of the Order members’ confessions about his deeds and help in the war he was buried with them – taken like an equal.

Narcissa stood there and left flowers to each of their grave. Her murmur was quiet “I wish I had the chance to know you the way my son knew you, Miss Granger.” And “I miss you, Draco!” She was there for five more minutes and left with tears in her eyes.

---The End