Work Text:
The tendrils of vines slithered along through the undergrowth, each leaf unfurling so quickly all Harry had to do was blink his eyes before the leaves of one particular patch had bloomed, each sprouting a luminescent flower.
The glowing blue petals danced in the warm breeze, the pungent smell of summertime cutting through the dark odor of night.
Harry gazed in wonder at the delicate blooms, the tips of each flower pulsing with warmth.
A hand laced its way through his own and he squeezed it, the long, pale fingers trailing delicately along his palm.
Harry let out a sigh, and leaned into the blond boy next to him, relishing the warmth that radiated from his touch, spreading through his rigid body like wax.
Draco cupped his chin, searching the gryffindors face for hesitation. Ensuring the boy he cared for was ready for the perilous night that lay before them.
Harry met Draco’s eyes, gray clashing with green, as the two boys searched for the fear they each possessed in the eyes of the other.
And though they both found the hidden terror, encased in their souls, the two boys leaned forward, eyes locked, and kissed. While Harry was insistent and powerful, Draco was calm, and at ease. The slow, and deliberate pace of his mouth intertwined seamlessly with the frenzied need of Harry’s lips.
As the lovers broke away, both shaking with fear, they laced their fingers together. Pale skin against tanned, long twined with short, cold holding warm.
Draco looked at Harry one last time, before leading the way into the Forbidden forest, following the glowing blue flowers into the night.
As the two headed deeper into the foliage, the dark trees seemed to move closer together, their tall limbs intertwining to block out the moon. A small tremor shivered its way up Harry’s spine, as the din of war faded, screams of pain muffled by the suffocating darkness that seemed to seep its way into his brain.
Draco reached into his robes, grasping a small, delicate black rock.
He handed it over to Harry, tilting his head to gesture that he should be the one to activate it.
Harry shook his head.
“It cannot be just me,” He rasped, voice clawing its way out of his throat. “We must do it together.”
Draco stared at him for a moment, weighing his options, before dipping his head in acceptance, placing his hand over Harry’s to flip the delicate rock once, twice, three times over.
Immediately, a hush encased the forest, all sounds diminished to a dull whisper as the rock began to rise, shining a brilliant white.
Hazy gray shapes began to emerge from the rock, the wisps of magic drifting towards each of their hearts, solidifying the humanoid shapes before them.
A choked gasp ripped its way from Draco’s throat as he met the wispy hazel eyes of his long dead mother, standing semi-solid before him.
Harry squeezed his hand as another shape took form, the untamed shaggy black hair of Sirius Black the first to emerge from the blinding light.
More shapes appeared, each slowly forming as tendrils of light from the still floating rock wormed its way into their hearts.
The shining eyes of Lily Potter met her son’s wide pupils, the twin shades of green studying one another.
Severus Snape was next, stepping out of the light with an annoyed huff. He was the first to speak, wasting no time reprimanding the two students for waking him from his well-earned rest.
“Really boys?” He sneered. “I didn’t need you two incompetent gits dragging me back to the world of the living! I just left this god-damned place!” He crossed his arms contemptuously, but the glint of his eyes showed warmth. James was next to appear, nudging his old friend in the shoulder.
“Don’t mind old Snivilous.” He teased, rolling his eyes knowingly. “He’s always been a grump! Never did like to be interrupted during his very important morning routine!”
Sirius snickered.
Severus let out a sigh, putting his face in his hands, as if frustrated with the maturity of his friend.
Lupin stepped up to them both. “Now, now, boys, you will have plenty of time for your flirting later.” He tutted, earning an embarrassed eye roll from his comrades.
Draco and Harry laughed, the sound echoing through the forbidden forest. It was odd to laugh at such a time, but the two of them did so anyway, enjoying the temporary lightness of their hearts.
Dumbledore was the last to emerge, stepping importantly out from the light, lifting his robes in a civil manner, and earning a chuckle from the crowd of the dead.
Sirius snorted.
“Running late as always professor?” He snarked, eyes squinting good-naturedly at his old friend, “or would you prefer to refer to yourself as fashionably tardy?” He dropped his voice mockingly, taking on the drawling tone of the Headmaster.
Dumbledore only smiled at him, eyes twinkling behind his favored spectacles.
“You, of all people, should be quite familiar with that, Sirius, as I happen to recall your attendance during your school years as rather.. spotty.”
Draco, who was standing next to his mother, let out a cough, reminding the quarreling wizards he was there.
Dumbledore gazed warmly at him.
“Ah, dear Draco, found your match at last?” He teased, winking knowingly at the blushing boy.
Snape rolled his eyes.
“You say that as if it’s a surprise Dumbledore! It’s not as if the two of them could focus on anything but each other all year!” He scoffed, shaking his head in frustration. “Couldn’t make a damn healing potion, they were too busy fawning over each other!”
A soft voice drifted from behind them.
“Indeed. My boy has found the love I was unable to give him.” Draco’s mother said sadly, laying a wispy hand on Draco’s shoulder. He leaned into her, jibing her a reassuring kiss on the cheek.
James only nodded in agreement, eyes shining with happiness. Then his face clouded over.
“And you will need each other to face what is to come.”
The joyful mood in the forest immediately disappeared, replaced with a solem air of acceptance.
Dumbledore stepped forward.
“Harry, you have succeeded in finding the resurrection stone.” He gazed down at his student, pride shining in his eyes.
“You have come so far, my boy. You need only go a little farther.” His voice choked with emotion so he stepped back, letting Harry’s father take his place.
“Harry, you have destroyed all but one of the horcruxes.” James spoke gently, placing a light hand on Harry’s shoulder.
“You are the only one remaining. Nevill has already destroyed Nagini.” His eyes glistened with emotion. “You will join us at last.”
And though Harry gave a watery smile, and leaned into his touch, Draco backed away, mouth slack with shock.
The blood drained from his face, his gray eyes widening in horror.
He spun around to look at Harry.
“What do they mean, join us at last?” He whispered, moving closer. “Harry, what are you talking about? We’re getting out of this together! We’re going now to kill Voldemort! He’s mortal!”
He stared at his love, eyes searching frantically, digging for any little sign he might be joking. But Harry only stared back at him, meeting his eyes guiltily.
“Draco…” he whispered, tears streaming down his face now. “ I’m sorry.”
Draco let out a choked sob, dropping to his knees.
“Harry - you- you promised.” The hurt in his eyes was so sharp it stole Harry's Breath
away. He clawed at Harry’s robes.
The onlookers looked sadly down at him, some with tears in their own eyes, watching the broken boy sob in the ground.
“You promised.” Draco repeated, looking up at the boy he loved. “You said - you said we could kill him. Y-you said - we- we would be together. Y- you said-” he broke off, clutching at his chest.
Harry dropped to his knees, reaching out to him.
“I’m sorry. Draco I'm so sorry” he wrapped his arms around the Slytherin, the taste of salt staining his tongue.
Draco whimpered. It was the first time Harry had ever seen him cry.
“Draco. It’s ME! I'm the last horcrux!” His voice shook with emotion, but he grabbed Draco’s chin, forcing the boy to look him in the eye.
“Draco, look at me. You need to promise me one thing. You need to swear that you will kill Voldemort.” Harry’s voice was rough, and unforgiving.
Draco let out another uncharacteristic whimper, eyes red with tears, and he looked away.
Harry grabbed his chin again.
“ Draco, I need you to promise!” He said forcefully. “My death CANNOT be for nothing. You need to kill him. You need to destroy him!” Harry spat, His voice harsh and brittle.
“You need to Make. Him. PAY.”
On the last word he leaned forward, kissing Draco with such passion, the Slytherin let out a startled cry, before melting into it, savoring the sweet taste of The Boy Who Lived.
Harry pulled away.
“Please Draco. Don’t let me die in vain!” He gazed intently at the boy in his arms, willing him to agree.
Draco gazed at him, before nodding. He stood up so fast Harry was knocked over. Gone was the broken boy who had cowered, replaced instead with a determined, headstrong Slytherin who would kill the Dark Lord if it’s the last thing he did.
He didn’t dry his tears. They were a part of him now, just as much as the mark he bore on his skin. A scar, maybe, but also a trophy. A trophy of the pain. A trophy of the horrors he had been part of. A trophy of the past. And a promise of the future.
“I won't,” Draco snarled. He curled his hands into fists, and the crows of the dead gazed at him appraisingly.
Severus stepped forward.
“You are strong, Draco.” He said, his eyes shining with pride for the young student. “You have so much potential in this world, do not let it go to waste.”
And with that, he stepped back into the light, followed by each of the glowing dead, until only one was left.
James stepped forward and hugged Harry with all his strength.
“You really are the Golden Boy.” He whispered, tears threatening to carve their way down his cheeks.
“Be brave, Harry. I will see you soon.” And then, he too was gone, the resurrection stone glowing brightly for a second, before dropping into the palm of Harry’s hand. He gave it to Draco, but the pale boy only shook his head, turning to the forest.
He wound his arm and threw it as far as he could.
When Harry looked at him in shock, he simply shrugged, eyes hard as steel.
“I do not need the past.” He spat. “You have always been with me, I do not doubt you will stand by my side for the rest of my life. I do not need a petty stone for that. I do not need to become the master of death to know you are standing beside me, through all the twists and turns of my life.”
He turned to Harry, kissing him one last time, before clasping his hand.
Draco met his lover's eyes one last time, the green clashing spectacularly with the silver.
“Ready?” He cocked his head.
Harry let out a breath.
“Ready.”
And together, hand in hand, the two unlikely lovers followed the glowing flowers into the night.