Chapter Text
Draco had watched as Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived—his rival —died. He watched, petrified in horror, as Potter had fallen with a thud, blood seeping underneath him, unmoving. It had not been a death in glorified battle but a hopeless surrender that had left Draco feeling a sense of cold dread seeped into his very bones. If there was one thing that he knew, it was that Potter was not one for dying so easily. Until he did.
However, Draco had also watched as Harry had gotten up again, in the middle of Voldemort’s chaotic entrance into Hogwarts. He had felt nothing but relieved for a reason he could not fully understand. The tides had turned, and Potter had returned. Looking at the chaos around him, Draco realized the choice he had taken was a mistake. He would gain no glory from staying with Voldemort. He would gain no happiness from simply watching in the shadows.
In fact, he was tired of watching. It had been all he did for years.
Draco had watched his parents, absorbing all of their prejudiced and flawed views. Watched as he began to transform into a prideful being, shaping himself into becoming the perfect pureblood expected from the Malfoy family. Watched Potter as he brought out his insecurities and ability for cruelty. He watched as his family’s allegiance to Voldemort was turning him onto a dark path. And he watched again as Potter died and returned, bringing a feeling he couldn’t fully understand.
But he had waited long enough. It was time to act.
Draco ran into battle, joining Dumbledore’s army to fight off the Death Eaters. He saw his fellow classmates nod slightly in acknowledgment before focusing their attacks back on the Death Eaters. In the center of it all, was Potter and Voldemort, the finale for them both.
In the corner of his eye, Draco noticed a flash of green from Bellatrix, aimed not at him, but rather from behind Potter’s back. His eyes widened because no, they couldn’t— ran, ran, ran, and then…darkness.
Draco! You—I don’t understand. Why? You aren’t…you…
Draco Malfoy had been Harry Potter’s rival since day one. Draco Malfoy had been full of pride and prejudice, taking it out on the people around him. Draco Malfoy had taken to the dark side to fulfill his parent’s legacy. Draco Malfoy died at the age of seventeen, sacrificing himself after realizing the truth.
Draco Malfoy had died full of regrets.
And then he woke up again.