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The Tower
I can’t move. I am hidden under my invisibility cloak, watching Dumbledore make his way slowly up the stairs to the top of The Astronomy Tower, and I can do nothing to interfere.
He reaches the top, his breath coming in heavy pants, and he stops for a moment. As the lightning flashes, I see his profile lit up, then the thunder crashes almost at once, and the light fades again.
Almost at once my mind goes back to the one of the last afternoons I spent with Draco – when he gave my the nick name “Adorable Annoyance” and I explained to him about thunder and lightning – and I realised the storm was coming closer.
Another flash of lightning, and then an almost instantaneous crash of thunder. It might be nearly overhead by now – the phrase “the oncoming storm” has never seemed so apt, both metaphorically and literally.
Dumbledore stares out over the grounds, then he turns as someone walks out on to the observation platform. Someone I hadn’t seen pass me.
Someone I know better than I know myself.
“Expelliarmus!” The spell bursts out of Draco’s wand, and Dumbledore’s wand goes spinning off into the darkness before I even fully realise my boyfriend has cast it. But Dumbledore barely reacts, as if he was expecting this.
“Mister Malfoy” Dumbledore’s voice is calm, as if he is greeting an old friend in Diagon Alley “You don’t have to do this” I hold my breath, already knowing what will come next.
“You don’t understand” He says, his voice wavering “You don’t…… you don’t know what power He has”
“Tom isn’t here now, Draco” Dumbledore continues in the same calm tone “But I am, and I can help you”
“You can’t” Draco shakes his head “You can’t help me…….” He pauses “Only one……” He trails off, shaking his head again, then says in a voice that nearly breaks my heart “There’s no one who can help me”
“Help is always available at Hogwarts for those who ask for it, Draco” Dumbledore’s tone is still calm and understanding “But if you feel you must do what Tom has asked of you, then I will not stand in your way” He turns to stare out of the grounds.
“Face me!” Draco says in a near whisper, then he clears his throat “Face me, old man. I won’t curse you in the back!” Dumbledore doesn’t respond for a moment, then he turns and gazes at the boy opposite him.
“Will this make it easier?” He asks “Will facing you make it easier for you to murder me?” Draco stares at him, then he raises his wand.
“I…….” He starts, then he closes his eyes, and I see the familiar look on his face. The expression that means he has made up his mind. The expression that says Dumbledore will not die today.
I close my eyes in relief, and a smile comes to my lips. My boyfriend. My hero. My little drag…..
“AVADA KEDAVRA!” The words come out of nowhere, and my eyes flash open.
Draco is staring at his godfather in horror. A look that, I am sure, is mirrored on my face.
Severus Snape is stood, wand still raised and pointing at the Headmaster. As I watch, Dumbledore falls backwards….. he falls into shadow. He falls forever.
Draco stares at the place where Dumbledore was stood, a look of horror and disbelief on his face, then – as Snape yells “Draco. Come!” – he turns and slowly follows his godfather from the platform.
And all I want is to run after him. To tell him that I know what he did, and what he didn’t do. To tell him that I know he stopped himself, that he resisted the darkness.
To tell him that I still love him, and that I will love him forever.
But even though Dumbledore’s spell is gone, I am still frozen, unable to follow Draco as he and Snape leave.
All I can do is watch him go, and wonder if we will ever see each other again.