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missdawnandherdusk · 6 months

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All Good Things to Those Who Wait

Draco x Hufflepuff!Reader

There goes the last great American dynasty

Who knows if she never showed up, what could have been

There goes the maddest woman this town has ever seen

She had a marvelous time ruinin' everything

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4

Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8

Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12

The Chapter That Never Happened Chapter 13

Chapter 14 Chapter 15

Summary: tying up some loose ends :)

A/n: *emerges from the void*

Everything has an ending. The best stories, and the worst ones. Looking back at my story, there was no better ending I could have asked the stars for. I lost people I loved but I also stood for what I believed in and led an army to victory. No one would forget what had happened in those days. The days of the Great War.

But what is life without tying up a few loose ends. You’ve come with me this far on this journey, and now as I look back, perhaps there are some things that you’d like to know. Some conversations you’d like to hear. Some people you’d like to meet or see again. So, here are those loose ends, tied together.

**********************************

I stepped onto the porch of my childhood home. It was in the efforts to try and find my mother, and try to find some peace and meaning after the past years. Draco came with me, at my side.

“She’s not here,” I sighed, knowing before we even stepped foot in the house that my mother wasn’t waiting for me. “And somehow that hurt’s more,”

“She’ll come in her own time love,” Draco soothed. Maybe he was right, or maybe I’d always be searching for her in the stars like I looked for my father.

Draco and I sat on the porch that night, watching the sun set and the fireflies come to life in the meadow that blanketed around us.

“You cast a patronus,” Draco said as I laid my head on his shoulder, watching the wildflowers dance in the wind.

“I know,” A smile touched my lips.

“It was a dragon,”

“Yeah,” I took his hand into mine, thinking back to the first night Draco cast his own patronus with my father’s wand. How things had changed since then. “My mother always told me that one day I’d find my patronus and it would watch over me like my father,”

He pressed a kiss to the top of my head.

“I don’t think you need anyones protection,” The humor in his voice gave way to the smile that I couldn’t see.

“It’s still nice to have someone beside me—to fight alongside me,”

He was quiet a moment before airing his doubts. “Do you think that maybe…” I knew where he was going with the thought, because it had been chipping at the back of my mind.

“Because they’re so different we’re not meant to be together?” I mused, finishing his worried thought.

“Yeah,” He sighed.

“No,” I sat up, facing him. “I think they’re just right for us. I’ve thought about it—more than I should. But in reality… if we think about it, your lion,”

“Aslan,” Draco’s fingers brushed over my locket. A smile crept to my lips and I nodded.

“And the first task,”

“The what?” I had caught him off guard, a beautiful sight to behold.

“Our fourth year, that first task of the tournament.” Realization struck him.

“Our patronus’ show the start of us—when we really first started to trust each other.” I took his hand back into mine. “They’re not so different after all,”

He laughed without fear and kissed me softly, before pulling me closer. “The start of us,” Draco mused, and maybe he could see them like I could: a younger me standing there, skeptically looking at a younger Draco. Before the war, before the long nights, secret kiss, tears, laughter, love and loss. Two kids who took a chance.

When the sun cleared the horizon and its final rays fading, Draco and I headed inside—to the empty house that still promised to protect me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There was a knock on the door. In the week that we had been here, no one had disturbed out haven. No one knew we were here.

Draco looked up from his book. I dislodged myself from the couch and his arms, and went to answer the door, on guard. I stared at the one standing before me, not knowing how to quite process it.

“Hi, mum,” I whispered.

“Hello,”

Time stilled around us. Everything came rushing to the surface only to be stopped by my unparted lips. One thought escaped.

“I did it,” my voice was barely audible.

“I’m so proud of you,”

Tears stung my eyes. After all was said and done relief flooded through me more than anger did. Perhaps it was the peace that blanketed the Wizarding world that calmed my hurt.

“Mum,” My voice broke into tears. Amity wrapped around us as—after years—I got a hug from my mother.

“I’m so sorry, honey,” She whispered, stroking my hair. “I’m so sorry,”

I nodded into her shoulder, letting all of my bottled-up tears come out. All of the stresses from war and the nightmares that plagued me at night—my mother was still there to hold me tight. It didn’t matter that I was still hurting from wounds she inflicted, to know she was there, willing to hold me tight, and call me hers was enough.

“Y/n, are you—” Draco came out and paused. I pulled away from my mother and looked at him. He gave me a soft smile and nodded, heading back into the house.

“Is he upset with me?” My mother asked. I laughed hopelessly.

“I don’t know,” I said, wiping away my tears.

“Are you?” She asked.

“I don’t know,” My voice softened. “There’s so much right now… so much to sort through…”

“There is.” She didn’t deny it, and maybe it was comforting that someone outside of my peers acknowledged that I had been through a lot, and in turn that had caused a lot of heavy burdens on my heart and soul.

My gaze drifted back to hers.

“Do you wanna come in?” I asked.

She shook her head. “That’s not what you want, nor need,” Reaching our she placed per hand on my arm, soothing me before I could argue. “I’ll be around if you need me, but until then, the house is for you—it always has been. Build a life,” She smiled and looked through the window—probably at where Draco was inevitably spying on us. “You’ve found a good one,”

A smile touched my lips.

“Thanks mum,”

My mother inhaled sharply and nodded. “I’ll be off then,” Turning to go down the porch stairs, she paused. “He would be so proud of you,”

Tears burned my eyes again, as I wrapped my arms around her, needing her to hold me just once more before I could let her go. Because in her arms was also the love of my father that was taken from me too soon by this war. A war that I saw an end to. And maybe in that moment, the war within me ended too. I wasn’t the daughter of a Death Eater and a member of the Order of the Phoenix. I was the daughter of Walt and Elizabeth. And that was enough

“Goodbye my love,” My mother said softly. “I’ll always be around.”

“Bye mum,” I smiled as she wiped away my tears. “I love you,”

“I love you too sweetheart,”

I waved goodbye, and with a spell, she was gone. I turned to go inside. The door clicked softly behind me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Professor McGonagall?” My brows pulled together. “Not to be rude, but what are you doing here?”

“This is a summons for you,” She held out a parchment, the usual stern look on her face was replaced with pity.

I took the parchment and opened it, scanning the delicate print. My heart sank.

“This is… this—“ I gaped.

“I’m afraid so,” McGonagall sighed. “There was nothing I could do,”

“Draco?” I called into the house. He was beside me in a moment. I handed him the parchment. “This is serious?” She nodded again.

“I’m sorry my dear,”

“A court summons? They’re putting her in trial!?” Draco demanded.

“Kingsley is very set on it. And he is the new Minister,”

“I saved the school! I helped defeat the Dark Lord! I—really!?” Tears pricked my eyes.

“There’s got to be some mistake,” Draco insisted. “She’s not a Death Eater, she doesn’t even have the mark!”

“I’m sure that the ministry will see that, but I’m afraid that I cannot do anything about the summons,”

I scrubbed my face and sighed. “Thank you Professor. Can I invite you in for some tea?”

“That’s very kind dear, but I’m afraid I must be on my way,” She bowed slightly then disaperated from the porch.

I stood there a while, lost in my thoughts. Draco gave me a gentle squeeze and kissed the crown of my head before disappearing inside. My feet took me off the wood of the porch and into the softness of the grass. I sank to the ground beside a fence post. The sun began to set. My eyes watched the horizon. Millions of thoughts swirled around my mind with no discernible direction.

Was there even a case for me to be innocent? Is this what everything I had worked for come to? To be seen as a criminal for holding a crumbling cause together?

____________________

“Where is she?” Abby asked, helping Pansy through the fireplace.

“Out front, watching the sunset,” Draco sighed, opening the front door. “She’s been out there a while,”

“Can’t imagine why,” Pansy muttered. “They’re seriously putting her on trial?”

“Yep,” Draco sighed. “All this time I thought I’d be the one, and yet…”

“I’ll go talk to her,” Abby kissed Pansy’s cheek. “You guys get to work,”

“Thank you, both,” Relief flooded Draco’s voice.

Abby snagged an old afghan off the back of the armchair and went out through the small meadow. She draped the blanket around your shoulders and sat beside you in the grass. You laid your head on her shoulder. She could see the dried tear tracks on your cheeks.

“How—how could they do this?” Your weak voice held deep betrayal.

“I don’t know,” Abby answered honestly, taking your hand into hers. “But we’re not going to let them get away with it.”

“I don’t—I can’t defend myself in court—I,” You dissolved into tears. “Haven’t I done enough?”

“More than enough,” Abby affirmed. “Don’t worry, we’re gonna work it out—you’ll see,”

“How?” You asked.

“Well, you’ve gathered quite a few allies who owe you once or twice,” Abby pointed out. “And others who just love you anyway. Draco and Pansy are working on it now,”

“Wha—what?”

“We’re gonna build your case,” Abby promised. “And get you acquitted.”

“They’re…” A sad laugh left your lips. You laid back on the grass. Abby knew you were searching for the first stars in twilight.

“Don’t worry about a thing,” Abby smiled at you. “Just rest,”

The days past and my trial date approached like a storm on the horizon—but whether it was just rain or a hurricane, I couldn’t tell. Draco assured me that it would all be okay—he tried to tell me about everything done to build my case, but I wasn’t interested. Grateful, thoroughly, but I knew that if I learned anything about it, I would pick it up myself and try to fix it and my weary heart couldn’t handle that and keep beating like it was supposed to.

So, I dressed smartly and took Draco’s hand before we took the Floo to the Ministry. I kept my head low, and tears at bay.

Though Draco, Abby and Pansy accompanied me into the court room, I had to sit alone for the trial. The distance was drowning. I sat in the hard wooden chair, facing malice and prejudices. Kingsley looked almost predatory, as if he could pin the entire war on my shoulders, casting the blame on me.

I flinched as the charges were read against me. The list of dead was longer than I thought. I didn’t dwell on the days of the Battle of Hogwarts, nor the events that occurred. They haunted me in my dreams, make no mistake, but what was real and what was a nightmare I lost the ability to discern.

Was that much blood really on my hands?

My faith in myself began to waver. Maybe I did deserve to be locked up. A few years in Azkaban with dementors sucking my life force might make me forget what I had done.

Surprise flickered on my face as I saw Remus Lupin stand to my defense as an attorney. It was the first time that I had actually taken note of who was in the room. There had to be at least thirty people all gathered behind Draco and Pansy that I could see—more filed out the door in the back. All faces of those I loved, I had fought beside, I had grown up with.

The static in my ears tuned in and out of Lupin and Kingsley conversing. It wasn’t until their voices raised to shouting that the static was drowned out. My eyes flickered up from he thread in my hands.

“She cast unforgivables! She killed! She’s dangerous!”

“Death Eaters who were threatening our lives! The lives of wizard kind everywhere! She stopped a genocide!” Remus shouted back, obviously frustrated. “She showed remarkable strength and courage in a time of great darkness, and you will not diminish that.”

“They are unforgivables! We have laws for a reason!”

“If I may,” McGonagall stood and the entire room quieted. “That list of names that you read was a long list of Death Eaters who have either escaped from Azkaban, or are known Death Eaters and have killed before. Miss Y/n had very hard decisions to make. The ministry found itself incompetent for lack of a better word. She, along with her friends, engineered an army to face the Dark Lord. Over the years what she went through has turned her into who she is today. She fought along side the other heroes who stand before you. She will be counted among them. You would not punish an Auror for the same thing and you will not punish her.”

“But—” Kingsley was red in the face.

“If you put her in jail, you put the rest of the rebellion too,” The voice that piped up from the crowd surprised me. It was Harry. He stood and all eyes went to him. “Without her, I never would have been able to defeat Voldemort. Dozens more would be dead. You send her to Azkaban… then you’ll send me too,” A hushed gasp filled the room. A small one escaped my own lips.

“Mr. Potter,” Kingsley tried to regain control of the room.

“And me,” Abby spoke up.

“And me,” Neville stood.

Soon everyone around me was standing on my behalf. Pansy, Luna, Ginny, all of the Weasleys actually, Ernie, Hannah, Emme, Blaise, Draco, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Fleur, Tonks, Remus, McGonagall, Moody, Sprout, Flitwick, and others I couldn’t see in the vast room. Kingsley faltered at the large defense behind me.

“You send her then you send each one of us,” Harry spoke clearly. “I’m your stupid chosen one, even if she did something wrong, don’t I have clearance to pardon her or something?”

A smile crossed my face. Intense silence stretched on consuming time and space until it was suffocating me.

“Very well,” Kingsley sank back into his chair. “Y/n you have been cleared of all charges and sentencing. You are free to go,”

Relief flooded through me as the room erupted in cheers. I met Draco’s eyes and he was smiling with pride. I collapsed back into that wooden chair in tears. There was a swarm of people around me, all making sure that I was alright, but they all parted for Draco to reach me.

“Love?” He asked softly, kneeling before me. “I’m here,” He pulled me into his arms and we shared the embrace of lovers. As I exhaled, the weight of the world fell to the floor.

I was free.

I was acquitted.

Now, I just had to find my innocence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Draco?” It was a crisp autumn morning. He looked up from the newspaper. “I’ve been thinking,”

He smiled and set down the paper, giving me his full attention. I almost wished he didn’t.

“I… I know it’s been a long road here… and since we’ve met it’s kinda been hell.” A sad laugh left my lips. “There’s a whole world out there Draco,” My eyes flickered to the willow growing outside the kitchen window.

“Yeah?” He prompted softly.

“Don’t you want to go see it? Be young and reckless and not have to feel like—like you’re running an entire school?” I gestured.

“I do,” He confessed softly. “We are still young Y/n, we have a long life ahead of us,”

“…You still want it with me?” I felt as if the oxygen was being vacuumed from my lungs. “We were just kids when we met Draco. We went through a war together—and now it’s over. The war. You don’t have to stay here,” This house was just as haunted as I was.

“What—where is this coming from?” Draco stood, rounding the small breakfast table. “I want to be with you. I want to share my life with you,” He took my hands into his. “So, let’s go travel the world together—learn who we are outside of the war.”

Hope sparked in my chest. “Really?”

He laughed softly. “Oh my darling, you are one of my best friends, I’ll go anywhere with you,” His words lured me to melt into his warm embrace. We sat on the kitchen floor. He stroked my hair softly.

“Just for a while,” I mumbled. “There’s so much we haven’t seen,”

“I know,” The smile was evident in his voice. “And it’s going to be incredible—and we’re going to learn how to heal along the way,” I nodded into his shoulder.

“I was thinking about maybe even living muggle for a little bit,” The confession was a weight from my shoulders. “I need space.”

“Okay,” His soft agreeable caught me off guard. “I think it would be good for both of us actually. And maybe even fun,”

I laughed softly as tears formed in my eyes. Leaning against him I watched the morning sun move across the wooden floor.

“I love you,” I whispered softly. “And if you… if I’m not…”

“Hush,” it was a soft reprimand. “I think you’re right. We need time away from it all. To find who we are away from it all,”

I nodded and rested my head on his shoulder.

“We’ll come back,” I promised.

“I know we will,” Draco smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Knowing you, you’ll want to come back and help build a better system,”

My cheeks flushed red. I hadn’t told anyone about my ideas to make Hogwarts better—to make the Ministry better, hell to even make Azkaban better. It was time for things to change. I smiled to myself. Maybe I was more rebellious than I thought.

And yet, Draco knew—he knew all the little plans in my head that were hidden just for me. Being known felt like belonging—and I belonged with him.

**********************************

Traveling with Draco would always be saved in my memories until I died, and when it started to slip, it would be saved into a pensieve. I wouldn’t forget.

We bought a muggle car and drove it until it felt right to stop. It wasn’t the famous places where we found ourselves, rather it was the forgotten places where we felt most at home. Where I could stand on a cliff edge and just scream and laugh and no one was around to hear me. Where Draco and I would sit at the edge of a river and send down leaves that held our biggest regrets, our losses, and our fears, learning to let go. Where we would sit in cafes and draw what we saw around us and enjoy pastries and tea. Where we could dance in the middle of a crowded room with other couples who didn’t know us from Adam.

But that is a story for another time.

For now, I’m sure you have a burning question that you’ve been waiting for me to answer.

And yes.

Draco did take me to go and see Phantom of the Opera in Paris like he promised.

Oh, and we got married.

But, again, that is a story for another time.

There is one last person I want you to meet before I close.

**********************************

My heart caught in my throat.

“Draco?” I squeaked out, leaning against the bathroom counter. “Draco!”

“What? Are you alright? What’s wrong?” He was frantic, looking for danger.

“I’m… pregnant,” I whispered, looking at him in wonder. “Draco… I’m—“

“Holy harpies,”

Realization flickered across his face as it rose into an elated expression of joy. A victorious laugh as he scooped me up and twirled me around our lavish bathroom, in our muggle flat in the suburbs of London. His joy was contagious as I giggled in his arms, holding onto him. He set me down, stroking my face softly. Then he pressed a kiss to my forehead.

Draco must have seen some fear linger in my stare. Some uncertainty that was well justified.

“The war is over,” Draco reassured drawing me back into his arms. “They’ll be safe. We’ll make sure of it,”

I nodded, curling my fingers into his sweater, my smile returning.

“I’m gonna be a mum,” I laughed.

“And you’re going to be absolutely brilliant.” He pressed a kiss to my lips. “Absolutely brilliant.”

“And you’re gonna be a great dad,” Tears pricked my eyes. “God, I don’t know the first thing about being a parent,” A nervous giggle left my lips.

“We’ll learn and figure it out,” He stroked my cheek softly, stealing another kiss.

A thousand parenting books, a baby shower, and a few doctors appointments later, Draco and I were curled up on the couch in our flat as the fire crackled in the hearth.

We had yet to settle on a name—to be fair we narrowed it down a lot, but with every new suggestion came a new round of anxiety that it wouldn’t be just right. It left me up at all hours thinking of it; so much so that Draco had to find a pregnancy safe sleeping potion so I could get proper rest.

“Elizabeth?” Draco mused, after my mother. I pursed my lips. It had been a suggestion that circled around.

“I’d like it as a middle name,” I decided, the thought had been mulling over in my mind.

“Okay done,” He smiled, reaching over to stroke my stomach before resuming his massage of my sore feet.

“Still need a first name.” I pondered, leaning my head against the back of the couch. “Narcissa?”

Draco snorted. “I’m not calling our daughter by my mothers name,”

My heart fluttered when he said our daughter.

“Well we need something,”

“How about Lucy?” That was a new suggestion: one not voiced by either of us.

“If that’s some way to get me to name her after your father I swear to Merlin—“

Draco burst out laughing shaking his head.

“Godric, no. Ugh,” he chuckled. “No, love, Lucy as in the first one to find Narnia. Ya know, that book you read to me all those years ago. The current theme of our nursery?”

“Oh,” my eyes widened at the thought, my heart softening. “Lucy,” I looked down, caressing my stomach when I felt something odd. Frowning I pressed my palm over the area. Draco caught my confusion and grew very concerned.

“What? Is she alright? What wrong?”

“Nothing,” I grinned. “She’s kicking—I think she likes her name,” I reached out for his hand and placed it in the same spot where mine resided as I felt her kick again.

“Hello little Lucy,” Draco whispered softly. “I can’t wait to meet you,”

Tears pricked my eyes as I watched him talk to her softly. And like every night, Draco got up and made me my tea that had Sleeping Draught in it—which he brewed specifically for me. It reminded me of our school days when he would spend class time brewing me anti-anxiety potions. It warmed my heart that his habit didn’t wane even with the years past.

That night my eyes fluttered open. I woke in the night, barely awake and ready to fall asleep again when I heard a soft voice. At first I thought Draco was trying to speak to me but I quickly realized that he was talking to someone else.

“You’re going to be one of the greatest wizards to ever walk the earth,” he murmured softly. “You’ll be kind and smart like your mother. You’re going to love her so much. We already love you so much.”

I let my eyes drift closed as a smile touched my lips. I resisted the urge to reach out and take Draco’s hand, in fear that he might become bashful about the situation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A small bundle of warmth rested on my chest, peacefully sleeping. My hand rose and cradled the small thing, tears pricking my eyes. My other hand was still clinging to Draco’s.

Lucy Elizabeth Malfoy.

There were tears in Draco’s eyes as he reached out and with the softest touch caressed her tiny head.

“She’s beautiful,” he murmured. “You did so well,”

Exhausted, I let my eyes close, knowing that all was right with the world. Lucy would grow up in a world free from the threat of Voldemort and Draco would be by my side to protect her. We had already bled and fought and now we would make this new world we fought for, right for her.

A new legacy.

A new hope.

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missdawnandherdusk · 2 years

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i have been summon from the forest of lost memories and faded dreams

WELL DONT WORRY CUZ I JUST FOUND IT OMG OMFGGGGGGGGGGG !!!!! ITs Dandelion Series by @missdawnandherdusk I didnt have to look to far down (thank god) anyway thanks for humoring me Sweets!

Glad you found it!

#i’m not dead #look at that #how do you guys feel about the Mandalorian #bc ya girl has some fics #just testing the waters #if someone reads these it’s up to you to say something #because I love din Djarin with my entire heart

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missdawnandherdusk · 2 years

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august

Harry X Draco

Summary: Request: @hopelessbutterfly maybe all his friends go to his house at night, bringing him to a secret location away from privet drive to celebrate his birthday? like maybe they go to a secret fairy garden or something, idk.

A/n: *gasps* Drarry, I know. Anyway, it is the prats birthday, and I do enjoy drarry as much as the next so I thought I’d have my hand at it, and tbh, I enjoyed writing it. Not saying that I’ll only write drarry, but now and again… perhaps.

Happy Birthday Potter

Harry never thought that he’d be standing on the porch of Privet Drive ever again. Before the war, before the Dursley’s fled, it was all he had known. A place to run from and a place that held him down when he couldn’t be where he longed to be. Harry was twenty-one today. It had been four years since the war—four years since he stood on these steps.

The old house had been completely abandoned since then. Mold and algae raced up the stucco sides, obscured by weeds and overgrown flowers. His aunt spent many weekends keeping the front garden in tip top shape, something to be seen in Home and Gardens magazine. Now, it was rubbish—forgotten and grown over.

Much like Harry felt.

Keep reading

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missdawnandherdusk · 2 years

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Hello my lovely beautiful human send this to 6 ppl to let then know that you love every part of them and everything they do. They're just so friggin perfect and it's both amazing and annoying!

I already sent it to 6 ppl, but I love you <3

just stab me in the heart, why don’t you? put me in a hot pan and call me butter bc i melted.

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missdawnandherdusk · 2 years

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I love the theme <33

thank you i do my own photography and i like green

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missdawnandherdusk · 2 years

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HONEY

i have tissues if you need them

I've been reading everything of @missdawnandherdusk 's that I haven't yet and let me tell you, I CRIED

Like not just 'boo hoo' crying, but full on sobbing.

I also smiled like a lovesick fool, but that's just cause it's all so sweet and she's such a good writer

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missdawnandherdusk · 2 years

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BEAUTIFUL PERSON AWARD! Once you are given this award you're supposed to paste it in the asks of eight people who deserve it. If you break the chain nothing happens, but it's sweet to know someone thinks you're beautiful inside and out !! <3

We've never talked before, but I love your writing <33

no u.

((and thank you for loving my writing and talk to me any time :)))

#ask me some stuff #ask me and i'll tell you #inbox me #draco malfoy #harry potter #slytherin #draco x reader #draco x y/n #draco malfoy x reader #ravenclaw #draco malfoy x #draco malfoy x y/n #draco malfoy x oc

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missdawnandherdusk · 2 years

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No More

Draco X Hufflepuff!Reader

Just because everything's changing

Doesn't mean it's never been this way before

All you can do is try to know who your friends are

As you head off to the war

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4

Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8

Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12

The Chapter That Never Happened Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Summary: The end has come and the Battle of Hogwarts is nigh.

A/n: I never thought I’d see the day, but here it is, the last and final chapter to my hufflepuff series. I can’t thank you all enough for reading along with me, enjoying it. This has been one heck of a project and quite some time into the making. And rest assured, there will be an epilogue. I love you all so much.

“Does she pose a threat Severus?” The Dark Lord asked him later, standing on an outcrop watching Hogwarts in the distance. The time would be soon that the school would be his and Harry Potter would be dead. “Should she be eliminated, or do you believe that she still has potential?”

“She is no threat to you my Lord,” Severus assured almost nonchalantly. “She is rather a key role it seems. She understands her place among your ranks, and doesn’t dare outstep that,”

“Yes,” Voldemort still didn’t seem completely convinced. “I just wonder why Bellatrix loathes her so,”

“Bellatrix is greener than a jade,” Severus scoffed. “Miss Y/n has earned her place and leads with a vigor, whereas Bellatrix only gives loyalty, Y/n knows how to gain it as well,”

“So you believe that Y/n has those loyal to her more so than they are to me?” The Dark Lord peered back at Snape.

“I believe that those loyal to her, are to be loyal to you. They trust her judgement, and she is yours, therefore they are also yours.” Snape corrected. “It is a game of chess my Lord, and she is a pawn, with the protection of other pawns. She and her pawns defend you,”

“But she is such an independent thinker,” Voldemort scoffed. “How do I know that she is loyal to me?”

“Let her loved ones live, and she has no reason to oppose you. Potter nearly killed the young Malfoy and the hatred for him within her heart is steadfast.” Snape brought up.

“Yes...” The Dark Lord pondered. “She tortures with the skill of her mother,” A smile curled on his lips. “You are right, there is more to be done with her yet, and she requires so little,” He paused. “Be sure that the Malfoys are protected.”

Both felt the coil of dark magic wrap around them—Severus’ arm and what was left of the Dark Lord’s soul. He had been summoned. They had Potter.

They apparated on the spot, following the call of the Dark Mark.

“Where is he!?” The Dark Lord demanded. “I told you not to summon me unless you had him!” His anger was tangible as it filled the drawing room of the Manor. Severus remained silent and composed.

“I did, my Lord!” Bellatrix cried. “It had to have been that little harlot that let them escape!”

“You lie!” Voldemort spat seeing into the mind of the witch. “You remember her being here when they escaped!” He fumed, turning to Narcissa. “You, come. Tell me what really happened,”

Narcissa stepped forward, calm and poise, knowing the Dark Lord did not want her words, but rather her thoughts. She made no attempt to speak, nor did she flinch when she felt the Dark Lord’s presence in her mind, learning of what had occurred not minutes ago.

“I see,” Voldemort became eerily serene.

“My Lord, please, you have to understand!” Bellatrix fell to her knees at his feet. He simply ignored her.

“Severus, deal with this. Kill the Snatchers. I have work to do,” The Dark Lord didn’t say another word.

The current headmaster of Hogwarts, nodded, saying nothing, yet a small smile quirked at his lips at the thought of Bellatrix at his mercy for this massive failure. Without hesitating, two Snatchers fell dead onto the marble floor. Greyback tried to remain poise, but fear hid in his eyes. Bellatrix and Greyback fled until Severus and Narcissa were alone.

“That was very close to being fatal,” Severus warned. “How could they have been so foolish!”

“Y/n and Draco had nothing to do with it! They were just here!” Narcissa defended.

“They shouldn’t be here at all! Y/n has peaked the Dark Lord’s interest. More so than before. He worries about her and her loyalty and one false move...”

Narcissa nodded gravely. “I understand. For now, there is nothing I can do,”

_________________________

_______________________

I stood on the front steps of my mother’s house. A house that used to belong to me.

Draco looked at me, dazed and still bleeding from where the chandelier had shattered and grazed his pale skin. I must have held the same wounds because Draco reached up and murmured a soft healing spell, running his thumb over a mending slice on my cheek. I watched as his own injuries stitched together, as I knew mine did as well.

Carefully, as if I were made of the glass that shattered, Draco leaned down and pressed his lips to mine in a soft, but necessary kiss that reassured us both that the other was okay and alive. The kiss also aided in the calming of my anxiety at the thought of what I had to do next. Still wrapped up in his arms, inches from him, I turned back to the house, as the front door stared me down.

Draco sensed my hesitancy and released me with gentle and slow movements, before knocking on the front door that threatened to swallow me whole. Timidly I peered over his shoulder, grateful for his strength when I felt like falling apart.

Though he knocked on the door, only silence greeted us. Draco glanced back at me before he knocked again. Still there was no answer. Confused, I pushed past him and knocked myself, before trying the door handle. Because the house knew me, it opened.

“Mother?” I called timidly. “Mum? Are you here?” Quietness.

Draco closed the door behind me, making sure to lock it as I slowly walked through the halls that held the ghosts of my past, searching for someone who was no longer in the house.

“It’s empty,” I peered over the railing of the second floor at Draco. “Where would she be?”

“It doesn’t look like anyone’s been here, at least a few weeks,” Draco collected dust on his finger by running it over the stair railing.

“Do... do you think...?” I descended the stairs, my voice shaking.

“I don’t,” Draco comforted, drawing me into his arms. “We would have heard. Bellatrix would have love to goad that over you,” Though the thought was twisted, it did comfort me.

I took in the lonely house around me, covered in dust. Nothing had changed. It was a museum of who I was, all staring at me, threatening to crush me at any moment.

“I don’t like it here,” I cowered into his arms, wrapping my arms around myself. “It feels... wrong. Like I shouldn’t be here,”

“Until the situation back at the Manor gets sorted through we need to stay here, and stay safe.” Draco instructed. “The Dark Lord won’t be happy about what happened.”

“But we didn’t have anything to do with what went wrong,” I insisted.

“And I’m confident that my mother will sort that through. Greyback has no regard for Bellatrix either, so he’ll also confirm what occurred.” Draco rubbed my back softly. “All we have to do is wait,”

“I suppose,” I murmured softly, looking at the photos on the wall. My life in mere moments captured. Parts of my life that had no impact on the world around me. My mother knew nothing of the life I served now.

Not wanting to dwell, I began to work. Cleaning, lighting a fire in the hearth, taking inventory of the kitchen, finding blankets and spare clothes. The work kept me busy as the sun set. It wasn’t until Draco grabbed a hold of my wrist to keep me from scrubbing at an already spotless countertop. He gave me a knowing look. Tears pricked my eyes. I didn’t know what else to do.

“How far does the protection around this house extend?” He asked softly.

“To the fence posts.” I couldn’t think clearly enough to follow his question. “Why?”

“Because you can’t stay in this house and frankly, I don’t want to,” Draco said, leaning against the counter.

“I’m fine,” I folded the rag in my hands. “It’s fine,”

“Love,”

“Don’t.” I bit out. “Just don’t.”

“Y/n,” His voice was more persistent.

“No,” I shook my head. “I don’t want to hear it. I... I really don’t.” I gripped the counter tightly, squeezing my eyes shut. “He has to ruin everything!” I shouted. “Every damn thing! And I try and try and good God I try! But he always shows up and ruin everything!” Tears welled up in my eyes. “I don’t want to be here! I never wanted to come back!” My voice broke. “Stupid damn Potter!” I pulled my hands from the counter and watched embers go out in palm prints where my hands hand been. I balled my hands into fists.

“Yeah,” Draco said softly, the defeat in his voice mirroring what I felt.

I leaned against the counter with him. I wondered if he felt angry as well. I wondered how he hid it so well. My thoughts went to that first summer we met when I stumbled upon his destroyed room. I sat beside him that day, knowing all I could do was be there for him. Maybe he was just trying to be here for me.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, hiding my face in his shoulder. “I’m sorry,”

“Me too,” He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Come on,” He took my hand. “Let’s go,”

I was too tired to argue with him, and I trusted him, and hell, I was tired of being in charge and making decisions. So, I let Draco take care for me, even for the moment. He could worry about everything that made my head hurt.

He took me outside, blankets cradled in his arms, and in mine. There was a makeshift tent and small fire going.

“It’s not perfect but,” Draco gave a sheepish smile and for just a moment nothing else mattered. A weight was lifted from my shoulders. This was innocent, and simple, and sweet, I might have started crying.

“Oh, Merlin, Y/n, I’m sorry—” Draco stammered.

My tears mixed with laughter as I shook my head, wiping away my tears.

“No, this is... this is...” I laughed softly. “This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me,” I started to cry again.

“Oh, well,” Draco blushed a deep scarlet as I hugged him. “You’re welcome?” His arms rested around me. “I’m still not sure what I did,”

“I... I’m not quite sure why I...” I sat down by the fire under the cover of the tent. “It’s just simple, and incredibly sweet and in the middle of everything, it caught me off guard,” I chuckled and laid my head on his shoulder as he sat down beside me.

“Well, I’m glad I can still surprise you,” Draco wrapped an arm around me.

“It’s the little things,” I mused.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” He chuckled, pulling me closer. “Are your hands alright?” He was referring to the counter.

“Yeah,” I sighed.

I loved that he was worried, but it reminded me of the anger I just escaped. I extended my hand toward the small campfire and letting the anger surge through me in a controlled manner, I watched the flames grow. The more anger I pushed out, the more energy the fire had. Soon I was left with little anger and shadows of memories.

My eyes drifted closed, utterly exhausted, and I slept. Too exhausted to dream but too fitful to rest fully. The dawn came.

Draco was asleep when I woke. He breathed softly in the morning light, the first grasps of spring flowering around him. For the first time since we had met, or even been together did I notice how much he had grown. He had lost a lot of his childlike features leaving sharp defined features in his wake. An oddly beautiful mix of softness and edges. I hummed softly and stroked his hair, lying beside him, not expecting much.

He shifted, grumbling about the early hours, taking me into his arms—a force of habit that I loved. Yet, I was restless. I sat up, watching the golden sun wash over the valley. Over him. It didn’t seem real, knowing what was brooding all around us.

Draco sat up beside me, pulling me into his embrace. We watched the sun rise.

~~~~~~~~

Hogwarts deemed to be a shadow of her true self, though I had never felt more myself. I walked her halls confident and waiting. People watched me as I carried on with Draco, with Abby, with Pansy. Each student looked to me, waiting for an order, a signal, a call. I could only give them a soft smile and no answers.

The Room had given us the route to Hogsmeade, something Neville had found, and in front of the passage, a beautiful painting of Ariana Dumbledore. I could feel her watch me as my time spent in the Room grew. One night, it was her and I alone and she spoke to me.

“You believe that you can win,” She stated simply.

“I hope so,” I answered truthfully. “So much would be lost.”

“Your reputation?”

I gaped at her. “Innocent lives!” Glaring out a window, I reigned in my anger. “My reputation be damned. Good would be lost. The truth... So many people would die, not even just wizard kind, but muggles... I can’t bear to think,”

She nodded in approval, as if I had passed some sort of test.

“You carry a dangerous magic inside of you,” She warned, and my eyes flashed to hers.

“What do you mean?”

“After... I refused to use magic, but there was still magic within me. Having nowhere to go it turned inward and it drove me mad. It would expel out of me, and I had no control of it. I hurt—I killed those I loved those who looked after me.” Her eyes glazed over with the memories.

“I... I use my magic,” I argued.

“You limit your magic,”

I thought to my conversation with Snape. I controlled my emotions too much. And perhaps that controlled my magic as well.

“What am I supposed to do?” I asked, hopeless. “I can feel it... inside of me. The anger... the power. That magic scares me,”

“It is okay to be afraid, it is not okay to be ruled by fear.” Her voice softened. “There is a war coming, and you will have a choice soon. A battle will commence and if you do not use your magic, it will destroy you and everyone you love,”

“I—I don’t understand,”

“You will,” Ariana encouraged. “Remember, you are your mother’s daughter as much as you are your father’s. It will take all of you to win this war,”

“My mother...” Grimacing I shook the thought.

I fled from the room and sought out Draco. He was laughing, joking with a few Slytherins in their common room. I tried not to look shaken, but Draco read me too well. He rose, saying goodbyes, trying to keep his tone calm before he took my hand and led me upstairs.

Behind the locked door of his room, I sat on his bed and told him about the conversation that I had with Ariana. About the choice that I would have to face soon. My voice trembled and my hands shook. I was scared.

“I don’t want to be my mother,” I cried.

“Y/n, love,” Draco knelt before me, taking my hands in his. “You don’t have to be your mother. It’s different than the magic that’s within both of us,” He reached up and stroked my cheek, wiping away tears. “We both have dark magic within us, after all we’ve been through, it’s merely an outcome. But that doesn’t make you evil—it doesn’t make you immoral,” He thought a moment then continued. “You are in a unique position. Ariana is right that your parents are vastly different, but you choose who you are—no matter the type of magic you use,”

I nodded and sank to the ground with him, crying softly. Draco held me and stroked my hair softly, humming.

The portrait and I from then on were civil. I was still uneasy whenever I was around her, but she’d give me a soft motherly look and perhaps I wasn’t as bothered. She just reminded me that I may have a date worse than death coming for me

“Hello Ariana,” I glanced to the painting as she waved at me, a sleeping first year in my lap. “News from your brother?”

“You need to come quickly,” She urged. “Gather the others.” Anxiety fluttered in my chest.

“It’s tonight,” I realized.

“I’m afraid so,” She nodded. “Now please you must hurry,”

I roused the sleeping witch in my lap and rushed over to Draco. After telling him what Ariana had told me, we both got to work. I went with Ariana and Draco went to gather everyone that he could for the oncoming battle. With one last embrace, one last declaration of love, and one last kiss, we parted ways.

“It’s Harry,” Ariana informed me as we walked along the tunnel of her portrait.

“I know,” I could see the end of the tunnel and the light coming from the other end.

Then there were no more steps to take. The portrait door swung open, and Harry and I met face to face, not daring to say a word.

“Welcome to hell,” I smiled genuinely, knowing that after the next few days everything would be over for better or for worse. “You ready?”

“Y/n?” Harry sputtered. “But how? You’re... and what?” He scrambled for the correct answer and found none.

“I’ll explain, but right now, we have work to do. Thank you Aberforth. There will be a few others coming. They will Apparate right into the bar and they’ll need access to the school. They’re allies.”

“I’ll see to it,” The old man nodded.

“Thank you,” I smiled, ushering the other three into the tunnel, giving Hermione a quick hug.

“How long’s this been here?” Ron asked as we set off. “It isn’t on the Marauder’s Map, is it Harry? I thought there were only seven passages in and out of school?”

“They sealed off all of those before the start of the year,” I informed them. “There’s no chance of getting through any of them now, not with the curses over the entrances and Death Eaters and dementors waiting at the exits.” I started to walk backward so that I could address them while I spoke and try to convince myself that they were not a dream.

“But what have you been doing? People have been saying you’ve just been on the run, but I know you’ve been up to something.” I raised an eyebrow at him.

“You’re right,” said Harry, with a slight smile. “But tell us about Hogwarts, Y/n, we haven’t heard anything.”

“It’s been .... Well, it’s not really like Hogwarts anymore,” My smile faded. “I’ve tried my best, but...” I blinked back tears and took a deep breath and began my tale.

Snape became the Headmaster of Hogwarts over the summer after the Death Eaters had taken hold of the government. The Carrows came onto staff and began to teach Dark Magic and heavy anti-muggle lessons, as well as being the head of discipline and not restraining themselves from using inhumane spells on the kids.

“What!?” Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s united voices echoed up and down the passage.

“Yeah,” I sighed. “I’ve tried my best... I’ve gotten pretty good at healing spells and Pansy and Draco helped with how to withstand the Cruciatus Curse mentally... but it still hasn’t been good.”

“Pansy and Draco?” Ron demanded, taken back.

“Yeah, most... most Slytherins deal with that abuse at home from their parents, and they know how to ease the pain. In fact, without my Slytherins I wouldn’t have been able to protect the kids I have... the only people I can’t protect are the ones whose friends and relatives on the outside standing up. They get taken hostage. Luna... Neville’s grandmother...”

“Neville’s gran?” Hermione’s voice was coated with concern.

I laughed. “From what he told me, they bit off more than they could chew with her. Death Eaters have a habit of underestimating those who don’t strut or appear strong,” A smirk settled on my lips. “Who suspects an ickle little Hufflepuff?”

The three shook their heads in disbelief and I thought I saw the briefest smile on Harry’s lips.

“One day they’ll learn,” I chuckled.

“It’ll be too late by then,” Harry grinned. “I’ve gotta say, I didn’t think...”

“Oh that’s not all of it,” I beamed. “Wait until you see the Room of Requirement, she’s really outdone herself. Completely safe from all professors.”

“You’re using the Room?” Harry asked.

I nodded. “Over the summer I began to coordinate with Abby and the other pureblood kids, getting them to understand what would happen at Hogwarts this year to prepare them. And about a week of school and Abby takes me to the room and most of the student body is there all waiting for me to do something since you three were MIA,”

“We’re really sorry about that,” Hermione tried. “We had no idea.”

“It’s alright,” I gave a forgiving smile. “I’ve got my four house leaders on my council, and Draco and Ginny of course.”

“You have a council?” Ron was confused.

“Neville, Abby, Luna, and Pansy.” I confirmed. “Did you expect me to be able to run the entire school underground without help?”

“Well... no,”

We rounded the last corner, and I could see the flight of stairs that would lead to the door where I would see Draco again.

“You’ll see. We’re here.” I grinned and pushed the door open. “They’re all waiting for you,”

I stepped out of the way and took my place beside Draco and watched as hundreds of smiles lit up the room with the sight of Harry walking through the passage door.

The next moment, he, Ron, and Hermione were engulfed, hugged, pounded on the back, their hair ruffled, their hands shaken, by what seemed to be the entire school.

“Alright, alright, calm down!” I laughed, climbing up onto the makeshift stage that had appeared. “Now, those of you who are of age, you know what is coming, but first and foremost, take care of the younger years and get them to safety before you come back and fight.” I paused and beamed.

There was a smattering of applause and a few whoops, they were all buzzing with eagerness.

“Neville has coordinated you all in teams that play with your strengths. You trust your team. We are no longer just houses, we’re a family and we’re going to fight for our home—”

Just then Harry cried out in pain and his hand went to his scar, doubling over in pain. Draco was by his side helping him stand, drawing his wand and casting a protection charm that I knew well as Ron watched in bewilderment. I was a bit taken back myself.

“Are you all right, Harry?” Neville spoke up. “Want to sit down?”

“Someone get him water!” I heard Pansy call and soon a cup of water appeared in her hands, offering it to Harry, who was now disoriented at the Slytherins who came to his aid.

“No,” Harry gasped out. “But we need to get going,” he said, and I watched as something passed between he Ron and Hermione that I suspected had something to do with their absence in the past year.

“Y/n, what’s the plan?” Draco looked to me.

“Plan, right,” I recovered, Harry’s eyes locked on mine. “Harry, Ron, and Hermione are on a mission, I’m assuming from Dumbledore to do something to stop the Dark Lord.” Harry nodded. “We help them however we can, even if that means staying out of their way.” My gaze returned to the hundreds of faces staring at me. “What we’ve been training for all year... that day is soon, even if it’s not today.”

I watched hopeful faces turn glum. I took a deep breath in.

“I know,” I took Draco’s hand in mine. “But Harry has to do what he needs to do. If the attention is on him, we have more of a chance to be a threat,” I glanced to Harry and winked.

Smiles began to return as the tunnel door opened beside us, the other third of my council appearing from the passageway. As well as two other red heads that I was fond of. Luna, Ginny, Fred and George all came through the door, determined and beaming.

“Luna—Ginny,” said Harry distractedly, and Ginny’s gaze darted to me. I nodded and smiled. She could do this. “what are you doing here? How did you—?”

“I sent for them,” Neville said, holding up the fake Galleon that we had been using to call meetings. “I promised her and Ginny that if you turned up I’d let them know. We all thought that if you came back, it would mean revolution. That we were going to overthrow Snape and the Carrows.”

“Of course that’s what it means,” said Luna brightly. “Isn’t it Y/n? We’re going to fight them out of Hogwarts?”

“Listen,” said Harry with a rising sense of panic, “I’m sorry, but that’s not what we came back for. There’s something we’ve got to do, and then—”

“You’re going to leave us in this mess?” demanded a voice from the crowd.

“No they’re not,” I spoke firmly, quieting the room. All eyes were on me. I took a cleansing breath. “Whether Harry is beside us or not, we are going to fight for our home. This year has proved that enough,”

“We’re not going to abandon you,” Harry spoke up, taking a place beside me. I had half an urge to shove him off the stage. I saw Draco’s had twitch and I knew he had the same feeling.

“So what’s the plan, Harry?” said George.

“There isn’t one,” I could tell that Harry was uncomfortable in front of all of these people and put on the spot. For someone with a quick temper he wasn’t the best at thinking on his feet.

“Just going to make it up as we go along, are we? My favorite kind,” said Fred.

“Fred, George,” I scolded. “Enough. There is a plan, but Harry’s plan is separate from the one that we have, but they work in tandem.” I turned to Harry. “I just need to know what you need,”

“They can help.” Ron tugged Harry back, talking to him on the side. Two groups had formed. My Council and the Golden Trio. Ron dropped his voice and said, so that I could barely hear “We don’t know where it is. We’ve got to find it fast. We don’t have to tell them it’s a Horcrux.”

Draco’s hand grabbed mine in panic. There was something in his eyes that I didn’t like. Whatever business Harry was here for Draco knew about it and it couldn’t be good. I filed away my questions to ask him later about.

Harry looked from Ron to Hermione, who murmured, “I think Ron’s right. We don’t even know what we’re looking for, we need them.” And when Harry looked unconvinced, “You don’t have to do everything alone, Harry.”

I watched as Harry went from pained confusion to resolve. “All right,” he said quietly to the other two.

“Okay,” Harry turned to me, still speaking in a lower volume, lost on the crowds ears at the expense of Fred and George, who had been cracking jokes for the benefit of those nearest.

“There’s something we need to find,” Harry said. “Something—something that’ll help us overthrow You-Know-Who. It’s here at Hogwarts, but we don’t know where. It might have belonged to Ravenclaw. Has anyone heard of an object like that? Has anyone come across something with her eagle on it, for instance?”

“The lost diadem,” Luna spoke up. “I told you about it Harry, remember?”

“Yeah, but the lost diadem,” Abby pointed out, “is lost, Luna. That’s sort of the point.”

“When was it lost?” asked Harry.

“Centuries ago, they say,” Pansy informed in, and I watched as Harry’s face fell. “Professor Flitwick says the diadem vanished with Ravenclaw herself. People have looked, but no one’s ever found a trace of it,” The entire group was shocked at Pansy’s possession of information. “What?” She demanded, sulking. “I pay attention in class,”

My council broke out into easy laughter as Abby pressed a kiss to Pansy’s temple to ease her brooding mood.

“Sorry, but what is a diadem?” asked Ron.

“It’s a kind of crown,” Draco spoke up. “Ravenclaw’s was supposed to have magical properties, enhance the wisdom of the wearer.” We had learned that a few summers ago when looking for a way to get Death Eaters into Hogwarts.

“And none of you have ever seen anything that looks like it?”

We all shook our heads. Harry looked at Ron and Hermione and his own disappointment was mirrored back at him. An object that had been lost this long, and apparently without trace, did not seem like a good candidate for the Horcrux hidden in the castle

“If you’d like to see what the diadem’s supposed to look like, I could take you up to our common room and show you, Harry. Ravenclaw’s wearing it in her statue.” Luna suggested.

Harry winced in pain again and I saw Draco clench his left hand. Voldemort was on the move. We had to act quickly. I shared a look with Harry and nodded.

“It’s not much of a lead, but I’m going to go look at this statue, at least find out what the diadem looks like. Wait for me here and keep, you know—the other ones—safe.” Harry spoke up.

“Okay, Luna, take Harry. We’ll figure out what to do from here,”

A door appeared along one of the walls of the Room facing the side of the castle where the Ravenclaw dorms resided. I smiled at the old room and thanked her silently.

“Be careful, Harry, they’re always patrolling the corridors at night.” Pansy warned.

“No problem,” Harry said, still not completely settled with helpful Slytherins. “See you in a bit.”

He and Luna hurried through the door and up the staircase, before disappearing out of sight. The door closed, and sealed, fading back into the wall not to be used again. I faced the crowd of students waiting for an explanation.

“As I said, Harry is on a mission form Dumbledore. He and Luna went to hopefully follow a lead with the mission. I don’t know any more than that other than what I’ve told you and that we’re looking for the Ravenclaw Diadem.” A hushed murmur broke out among the crowd.

It was then that Draco gasped in pain, clutching his left forearm and trying to play off the pain that I knew was overwhelming. I rushed to him.

“Draco? What is it?” I comforted him softly. “Harry’s been found,”

“The Carrows,” I hissed, anger growing within me. “They’re going to pay for this. All of this,” I vowed.

“We can’t really do anything from in here,” Abby pointed out.

“I’ll go,” I shed my cloak.

“Like hell you will,” Draco shouted.

“Draco I can fly out there and not be detected. And you know that.” I hissed, seeing the worry and fear in his eyes. “I’ll be okay,” I reached up and kissed him softly. “And I will come back to you,” Tears stung my eyes at this goodbye. I never realized how hard it would be.

“I’ll never forgive you if you don’t come back,” He murmured. “Please come back,”

“I will, I swear it,”

“What he said,” Abby interjected. “Come back,” It was a demand.

My eyes darted around the room to all of the students who looked to me in expectation. One more moment and I would have let my doubts win. So instead, I took off with a running start to the nearest window and dove out of it, feeling myself grow into my alter ego of feathers and freedom, rounding the castle until I heard a commotion.

Diving through a grand archway of the old castle and into an expansive hallway, I watched as Snape and McGonagall dueled for even a moment. I had no idea who to hope to win. When the other Head of Houses appeared, Snape fled.

“Coward!” McGonagall called.

The four ducked into a nearby classroom, and I caught sight of shoes appearing out of nowhere and I knew Harry and Luna were safe under Harry’s cloak. I swooped into the classroom amidst their conversation and landed on two feet with a soft thud. Three people knew what I was, and they were not surprised, though perhaps not expecting to see me. Harry, Flitwick, and Slughorn were taken back and stammering for the words.

“You—you’re... what?” Harry sputtered, and I grinned.

“Did you think that your father and his friends were the only one with the idea?” I teased, before sobering. “McGonagall, what are we doing? We’re ready, we just need to know where to be,”

“We need to defend the school,” Harry chimed in. “The Dark Lord is coming, and we need to do something,”

“We have protocols for that,” Flitwick assured him.

“We’ll do all that we can love,” Sprout encouraged. “For now,” She turned to me. “Are you sure you ready?” The smile on her face showed her pride in me. I nodded.

“The Great Hall,” McGonagall said. “You have twenty minutes, Y/n.”

“We’ll be there,” I promised then met Harry’s eyes. “Good luck,” I offered.

“You too,”

“Luna, head to the Great Hall from here, help get things ready there. I’ll fly back and gather everyone and bring them.” I glanced to the open sky.

“Yes, of course,” She nodded.

Then I was gone, flying into the last night under the rule of the Dark Lord. I circled the school a few times, trying to find the best advantages that we had to defend. I took a few notes before spotting Draco in a nearby window, his eyes fixed on me. He had been waiting for me to come back. I dove down to him, crashing into his arms. Draco held me tightly, then he helped me to my feet.

“Alright!” I called. “Everyone to the Great Hall! You will meet your Head of Houses there and the rest of the students! Younger years will evacuate! Those of you who are of age... we’re fighting!” I paused and looked at all of the hopeful faces waiting for the cheers to die down. I choked up a bit. “I’m so proud of all of you. There’s no one I’d rather fight for my home beside. No matter what happens tonight, you will all be heroes and Hogwarts will always be your home,”

For a moment, every wand was raised, a lighting charm on them all. My tears fell softly. Draco took my hand and stood beside me. Abby took my other hand, Pansy at her side. Neville stood beside Draco, and Ginny beside Pansy.

“For Hogwarts,” Ginny said.

“For freedom,” Pansy said.

“For love,” Abby said.

“For family,” I said.

“For redemption,” Draco said.

“For home,” Neville finished.

I smiled, knowing that no matter if I lived or died tonight, I would die for my family, fighting for my home, with the people I loved. It gave me great courage.

“Now go!” I shouted. “We’ll meet you there,”

The students disbanded, flooding the halls. I watched as Abby and Pansy seemed to be saying goodbye. I turned to Draco, who looked as if he were dreading this conversation as much as I was. He reached out and cupped my face, stroking my cheek softly.

“He isn’t safe,” Draco murmured softly.

“But he is good,” I choked out. “And he is king,” I gripped Draco’s hand in mine and pressed a kiss to his palm. “Thank you, for everything,” Tears stung my eyes.

“I love you,”

“I love you too,”

The crowd was thinning unaware of our gently goodbyes. Only a little knot of people remained in the Room, and Harry joined us as the rest of the Order filed in from behind the portrait. Mrs. Weasley started to protest when she saw Ginny among us. Around them stood Lupin, Fred, George, Bill and Fleur.

“You're underage!” Mrs. Weasley shouted at her daughter as Harry approached. “I won't permit it! The boys, yes, but you, you've got to go home!”

“I won't!” Ginny's hair flew as she pulled her arm out of her mother's grip. “I'm the Head of Gryffindor!” Ginny protested.

“You’re a child!”

“Mrs. Weasley,” I interjected, stepping between the two.

“You!” She spat at me. “You’re—”

I felt my council, including Ginny, flank me.

“Right now, I’m in authority here.” I spoke clearly and calmly. “I have a treaty with the Order. And I know your daughter. I will not sideline her when she has taken her rightful place among my council against the Dark Lord,”

“How can you say against the Dark Lord when you have Slytherins standing beside you!” Mrs. Weasley protested, to my shock, but I remained calm.

“You judge who you do not know,” My voice was as hard as steel. “There are no greater than these who stand beside me who wish to see the end of the Dark Lord,”

“Molly,” Arthur rested a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “She is right. We have a treaty with her and her council. She has lead on this,”

“She’s a child!” Mrs. Weasley cried. “We’re putting our faith in a child!”

“You believe in me!” Harry spoke out. “I’m younger than she is, and you believe in me and trust me! Why can’t you trust her?”

I gaped at Harry. We all did.

“Well—I... she’s—” Molly stammered.

“She’s Walt’s daughter,” Lupin interjected. “I trust her with my life,” I gave him a smile.

“Let her fight with her family, for her family,” My voice remained soft, and I shared a look with Ginny. “Give her a chance to make you proud, like any child wants to do for their parents.”

“Very well,” Mrs. Weasley sighed.

I sagged in relief then we all headed to the Great Hall.

The enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall was dark and scattered with stars, and below it the four long House tables were lined with disheveled students, some in traveling cloaks, others in dressing gowns. Here and there shone the pearly white figures of the school ghosts. Every eye, living and dead was fixed upon Professor McGonagall, who was speaking from the raised platform at the top of the Hall. Behind her stood the remaining teaches, including the palomino centaur, Firenze, the members of the Order of the Phoenix who had arrived to fight, and my Council.

“...evacuation will be overseen by Mr. Filch and Madame Pomfrey. Prefects, when I give the word, you will organize your House and take your charges in orderly fashion to the evacuation point.”

Ernie Macmillan stood up at the Hufflepuff table and shouted; “And what if we want to stay and fight?”

There was a smattering of applause and I beamed, proud of my house and my friends. “If you are of age, you may stay.” said Professor McGonagall.

“We have already placed protection around the castle," Professor McGonagall was saying, "but it is unlikely to hold for very long unless we reinforce it. I must ask you, therefore, to move quickly and calmly, and do as your prefects—”

But her final words were drowned as a different voice echoed throughout the Hall. It was high, cold, and clear. There was no telling from where it came. It seemed to issue from the walls themselves. Like the monster it had once commanded, it might have lain dormant there for centuries.

“I know that you are preparing to fight.” There were screams amongst the students, some of whom clutched each other, looking around in terror for the source of the sound. I took Draco’s hand in mine, knowing that voice anywhere. “Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood.”

There was silence in the Hall now, the kind of silence that presses against the eardrums, that seems too huge to be contained by walls.

“Give me Harry Potter,” said Voldemort's voice, “and they shall not be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter and you will be rewarded. You have until midnight.”

The silence swallowed them all again. Every head turned, every eye in the place seemed to have found Harry, to hold him forever in the glare of thousands of invisible beams. Harry’s eyes trained on mine, waiting for something.

“Slytherins and Ravenclaws, follow Mr. Filch and Professor Flitwick out please!” McGonagall ignored the warning though there was some muttering around the crowd.

“Oh stars... he might do it,” I realized what Harry’s look at me was for. “He’s gonna give himself up,”

“How do you know that?” Draco asked.

“Wouldn’t you?” I met gentle grey eyes. “To save even one of their lives?”

“Merlin,” Draco cursed. “Gryffindors and their bravery,”

I smiled a bit as the rest of the underage students left the Great Hall and into the safety of an evacuation. It put my mind a bit more at ease, but the sense of dread and excitement in my chest couldn’t help but to grow.

“Have you seen Ron and Hermione?” Harry rushed up and asked me.

“They said something about a bathroom, but they didn’t say what for,” Neville spoke up. Harry frowned at the information.

My eyes stayed trained on the remaining students—my students. The ones that I trained and spent the year with, in dread and in hope. It seemed surreal, the idea that it was about to truly begin. Years of waiting and it was staring right back at me.

Kingsley stepped forward to address those that remained, and my eyes flashed to him as he began to give order.

“Excuse me,” I took a step forward. “But these are my kids, not yours,”

“Ah yes, the traitor,” Kingsley looked down at me condescendingly.

“You wouldn’t know what loyalty was if it hit you in the face,” I snapped. “Now I do believe that I have an agreement with your lot that these students and whoever wishes to be, are under my command and the command of my council,”

“You ignorant child,” Kingsley drew his wand against me.

“I’m getting really tired of being called a child,” I snarled, twirling my wand in my hand, knowing that my friends were beside me, with their own wands drawn. “Without me you’ve got no hope against these Death Eaters. Now if you’d like to waste our last half hour arguing over what I can and can’t do, be my guest, but I have a war to win,”

Applause broke out among the students at the tables, and I even say a few professors and members of the Order clapping as well.

“Kingsley, she’s correct. We need her and we made the treaty,” McGonagall stepped to my defense.

“Fine, leave the fate of the free world to a traitorous child,”

I gritted my teeth and rolled my eyes, stepping forward on the raised platform to the hundreds of faces looking for their next step.

“Okay, we’ve got half an hour.” I began, speaking clearly and loudly. “You all are smart. For those of you who are good at complicated spell work will go to the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Astronomy towers as we’ve discussed. You know your strengths—use them.

“For those of you who are good at close combat, I need you on the ground. We want to keep the Death Eaters where we want them, and they’ll be coming for us. Keep them in the courtyards and common areas. Do not corner yourself. This school is your home, use that information.

“We still need a perimeter secured. For all my quidditch kids, find your broom and use it. Make sure nothing gets past the walls and if they do, you turn them around or take them down.” They held onto my every word. I turned to the twins. “I need you two to cause some mischief. I need the secret entrances into Hogwarts blocked, defended or destroyed,”

“Aye, aye captain,” They saluted.

“Members of the Order will be with you if one of us is not. Trust them like you would trust me. They want to save what you do as well.” My eyes met Draco’s and he nodded. I covered everything that we had planned for months. He took a step forward and spoke.

“And for those of you who know you have to go out there and face your parents, as I will and so will Pansy, remember, family doesn’t end in blood. Look around you. This is your family. This is what you’re fighting for. We love you and we’re here for you, no matter the outcome,”

I intertwined my fingers with his and offered a soft smile.

"Alright, begin to divide into groups and find a leader or become one!” I called.

Chaos broke out slightly as goodbyes were said and friends went together to move to where they were needed. Somehow Fred and George had found the school’s stash of brooms already and were handing them out to whoever requested one. I saw Ginny and Cho lead the group of quidditch kids. Pansy and Abby were coordinating the wizards who were heading to the towers. Neville, Luna, Draco, and I all started to organize the ground attacks.

I caught sight of Harry who was standing there, seeming as if he didn’t know what to do next. “Harry,” I hissed. “Aren't you supposed to be looking for something?”

“What? Oh,” said Harry, “Oh yeah!”

“Then go! I’ve got this covered,”

“Right—yeah—” He glanced back at me one last time. “Good luck, Y/n. I believe in you,”

“I believe in you too, Potter,” I turned back to Draco and my crew. It was a few moments and some strategy when Harry burst back in and called for me. I frowned.

“You’ve been in the Room of Requirement all year,” He panted out.

“Yeah?” I pulled Draco aside with me, after giving Ginny and Neville a nod of encouragement. “What about her?”

“Her? Okay, yeah, so you’ve got a bond with it?” Harry asked. “It does what you want?”

“Normally yes,” his idea dawned on me. “You want to get into the room of lost things,” Draco and I had spent most of sixth year in that room, repairing a wardrobe.

“Yes, and it’ll listen to you better than it will me,” He paused, “I need your help,”

“Uh—Okay,” I gaped. “Draco and I will come and help,”

We ran through the halls, meeting up with Ron and Hermione who looked smitten with another, Ron carrying an armful of long fangs. We approached the hall where the Room resided, and I could already hear the beginnings of the battles begin.

“We should be out there,” I muttered. “This isn’t right,”

“We’ll get there,” Draco soothed. “We’re needed here,”

I rested my hand against the empty wall and closed my eyes.

I need the room of lost things, please. I thought softly. I need you to help me save my family again.

A door appeared under my fingertips and opened easily. Draco beamed at me and the three others gazed at me in shock before recovering. We all entered the room, surrounded by masses of lost things and junk. A chill ran over my skin at my last memory of this room. Draco felt it too as he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“Go,” He encouraged.

I understood and took a running start, morphing into Pinnae, flying high over the towers of lost things, my keen senses searching for the lost diadem.

“She’s an Animagus!?” I heard Hermione shrill from down below, followed by Draco’s laughter.

I trailed Harry, knowing that he would have the best idea of where to go. I scanned the brooms, and books, and antiques, and tables, and busts until something sparkled and caught my attention.

I dropped to the ground and called for Harry. He came running. I went off to find Draco when a new voice caught my attention.

“Stop right there,”

I froze at the new voice and turned, my heart dropping.

“Blaise,” I spoke calmly. “What are you—”

“Shut it,” He snapped his wand raised at me, his eyes were milk white—the Imperius curse. I held my hands up in surrender.

“Blaise, think about what you’re doing. What would Greg think? He’s out there fighting right now,”

“I don’t care what he thinks,” Blaise snarled; I knew that was far from the truth.

“Your games are up, Y/n,” Ernie stepped into view, his eyes whited out as well. “The Dark Lord will end you and Potter.”

“Blaise!” Draco roared; wand raised.

“Wait! Stop!” I shouted. “Don’t hurt them! They’re imperiused!” Draco stopped dead in his tracks.

“There he is,” Blaise turned. “Pathetic little Malfoy. Ready to die just like your dad?”

Hermione threw a Full Body Bind curse that missed Ernie just barely. He turned and cast a spell that sent one of the towers of things toppling down. Draco very quickly cast a spell to stop the rubbish from burying Ron and Hermione. Blaise and Draco circled another, stalking each other, wands raised and ready.

“Ernie, look at me,” I called. “This isn’t you,”

“How would you know!?” He shouted, tears in his eyes. “You don’t know who I am! No one does! I am going to kill you, and no one will forget who I am again!”

“I haven’t forgotten you Ernie,” I choked up. “You don’t have to do this,”

“They’re in my head,” He gasped out. “They want me to kill you,”

My mind raced ahead. How had they learned of my loyalty? As far as I knew, they knew I was loyal to their cause, not to the Order and certainly not to Harry. The word must have slipped. I cursed and took a deep breath, knowing this was about to get a whole lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I thought I had more time.

“They can get in line then!” I shouted, dodging hexes and jinxes that flew form his wand. “Ernie, you don’t want to kill me! You’re a brother to me! You’re the most loyal Hufflepuff I’ve ever met,”

“Hufflepuff?” He faulted in step, and I was able to get a Full-Body-Bind curse around him. It was enough for him to wrestle with his thoughts. His eyes became clear again.

“Oh, thank the stars,” I breathed out, releasing the bind. “Go! Get out of here!” I urged Ernie left the room out into the fray.

I went over to where Draco and Blaise were dueling, Draco having the upper hand but only slightly.

“There’s the bitch who ruined everything,” Blaise sneered. “You couldn’t just leave him alone!? Everything and everyone had its place here until you came along!” Blaise cast a spell at me and though I dove out of the way, the fire singed my arm and lit the mountain of books behind me and was spreading rapidly.

“Y/n! That’s Fiend Fire! We need to leave!” Hermione shouted. I had forgotten she was here. I scrambled up and looked to Draco whose eyes hadn’t left Blaise’s.

“Draco you’ve got to snap him out of it!” I shouted, shying away from the vicious flames that made my burned arm scream in agony.

“How!?”

“He’s one of your best friends! Remind him of that! Remind him who he is!” I threw a water spell at the fire, but it was no use. The Room was burning down and fast.

“Get out of here!” Draco called.

“Not without you and not without him!” I argued. “I’m sorry about this Blaise,” I muttered then threw a Stunning spell at him and watched as he crumpled to the ground. “Grab him and let’s go!”

Draco hoisted Blaise onto his shoulder and we both made a break for the exit, except we didn’t know which way it was. I began to morph into Pinnae to get a better view, but I screamed in pain as the burn on my arm prevented my transformation.

“Y/n!?” Draco’s fear and concern coated his voice.

“I’m fine,” I panted. “I... I can’t change into Pinnae. My arm is too burned.”

“I found them!”

My gaze snapped up as I saw Ron riding a broom above us. Relief flooded my chest. Harry came into view shortly after. I had to squint through the smoke and the heat. He dropped something at my feet. A broom.

“Y/n, hop on, Draco, get him to safety,” Harry ordered. I held no argument as we began to soar over the vengeful flames and toward a blue light at the end of the hall. Freedom.

Harry dove down to the door, swerving so that he didn’t hit the opposite wall, and I watched as Draco followed close after before the door to the room slammed shut and disappeared, bursting into flames.

“Please tell me you got it,” I panted, hopping off of his broom.

“You’re welcome,” he muttered. “And yes, I got it,” he grinned.

“Y/n!” Draco called and I turned going over to him. “Are you okay?”

“My arm got burned but that’s all,” I flexed my hand. Gently Draco cradled my arm and cast a healing spell before raising my hand to his lips and pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles, causing me to smile. The spell didn’t completely undo the damage, but it made the pain bearable, like a sunburn. I still didn’t want to risk trying to morph into Pinnae.

“We need to get out there,” I looked to Harry. “Destroy that thing now,”

Blaise groaned from the floor. Draco and I drew our wands and waited. Blaise looked up at us with dark amber eyes. The spell had been broken.

“Fucking hell,” he muttered struggling to stand. “Could that have gone any worse?” He asked mostly himself, but I shared his sentiments. My eyes darted to the wall where the Room had one been. The brick was quiet.

“She’s gone,” I whispered gravely.

“We need to keep moving,” Draco coached. “This is far from over,” his eyes met Harry’s. “What else do you need?”

I could see Harry warming up to the idea of working with Draco.

“We got this, follow her,” Harry smiled slightly at me. It was an olive branch.

“Don’t give yourself up,” I ordered sternly. “You fight until you can’t anymore, you hear me?” I stalked over to Harry. “We need you alive, you absolute arsehole,”

“Thanks,” A smile cracked at his lips. “I’ll see what I can do,”

“Blaise are you good to fight?” My mind started running back to the fight before us.

“Yeah, time to show these sons of bitches who they messed with,” a familiar wicked grin crossed his lips.

“Good. Go with Ernie and fill in wherever you find weak spots. Keep them out of the castle,” I ordered.

The castle shook with an explosion that wasn’t far off, dust scattered from the ceiling. Draco looked as if he were about to tackle me and I realized he was going to, just as he had to protect me from the falling chandelier. I wanted to smack him for being so reckless and protective.

“You ready?” I asked softly. We were the only two left in the hall.

“Let’s end this,” He nodded and grabbed my hand, and we took off down the hall.

“Wait,” I pulled him back to a fallen Death Eater. “Maybe we can confuse them...” I knelt down tugging at the signature dark cloak.

“Y/n, then well have our side shooting at you,” Draco pulled me up. “There’s no way in Hades. Come on,”

“But,”

“Y/n!” He shouted. “No. I’m—you’re—” He looked absolutely panicked.

“Okay,” I nodded and gave a small smile. “You worry too much,” I poked fun.

“No—no—no!” Someone was shouting close. “No! Fred, no!”

I took off running in the direction of the cries. I prayed to every name I knew that it would be okay. Draco’s voice got lost behind me as I kept running, tears threatening to well up. I stumbled to a stop, watching Percy sob over a body. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood frozen. My breath caught in my throat.

“No,” I breathed out, throwing myself down beside the Weasley. With tears cascading down my cheeks I began casting spells. Every healing spell that I knew—again and again. Soon it was so strong that I dropped my wand as the magic wove between my fingers. Grass and flowers grew around me, breaking through the castle’s stone, but those mischievous eyes refused to spark.

My eyes met Harry’s in utter disbelief. Even the golden trio and Percy seemed to be healed and glowing. But it wasn’t enough to bring Fred back.

A hole blasted through the wall and dangerous spells came shooting at us. Fire surged out from the missed curses and spells. I reached within myself and reached my hand out pulling the fire out like a sheet, giving us cover for even a moment.

Shaking I stood.

How many more would die? Bellatrix’s voice echoed in my head.

There is a war coming, and you will have a choice soon. A battle will commence and if you do not use your magic, it will destroy you and everyone you love, Ariana warned.

“No more,” I vowed. “No more,”

Large monstrous spiders poured in from the hole in the wall. I roared and the fire swelled, burning each and every one of them. Dead carcasses scattered around.

“Go,” I growled. “I’ve got a few scores to settle,” Snape had said that I reigned in my emotions too much. Ariana said I didn’t use all of my magic. No more.

Scooping up my wand, I ducked out of the hole that the spiders came through and dove into the fray of the fight. Spells were flying all around. It didn’t scare me in the slightest. Mask after mask I searched for them. I hunted them down. Unlike those from the Order or the other students, I didn’t have any restraint about Unforgivables. Green flashes left my wand one after another, bodies fell in agony or death.

_______________________

___________________

Severus stood in the presence of the Dark Lord. He knew something was wrong, the Dark Lord muttered and paced around the Shrieking Shack. Nagini was hissing as she curled around the Dark Lord’s feet.

“...my Lord, their resistance is crumbling—” Snape began.

“But is it?” The Dark Lord mused. “It seems that the students of Hogwarts are fighting,”

“They are,” Snape affirmed.

“Those same students that are loyal to our dear Y/n,” The Dark Lords red eyes peered around, finding Severus uneasy.

“She is of no use to us, and she never has been. Let me find the boy. Let me bring you Potter. I know I can find him, my Lord. Please." Snape strode past the gap. “He might be killed accidentally by someone other than yourself—”

“My instructions to the Death Eaters have been perfectly clear, but it seems that you, Severus have lied to me,” The Dark Lord chuckled. “Though I can only imagine why... perhaps you wish to save her like you could not save your Lily. It was a shame that I had to kill the girl, and now, I’ll have to kill Y/n too it seems. So, it was all for naught,”

“My Lord knows I seek only to serve him. But—let me go and find the boy, my Lord. Let me bring him to you. I know I can—”

"Enough! You have proved your loyalty false.” said Voldemort. “But no mind right now. My concern at the moment, Severus, is what will happen when I finally meet the boy!”

“My Lord, there can be no question, surely—?”

“—but there is a question, Severus. There is." Voldemort halted, he slid the Elder Wand through his white fingers, staring at Snape. “Why did both the wands I have used fail when directed at Harry Potter?”

“I—I cannot answer that, my Lord.”

“Can't you? My wand of yew did everything of which I asked it, Severus, except to kill Harry Potter. Twice it failed. Ollivander told me under torture of the twin cores, told me to take another's wand. I did so, but Lucius's wand shattered upon meeting Potter's.”

“I–I have no explanation, my Lord."

Snape was not looking at Voldemort now. His dark eyes were still fixed upon the coiling serpent in its protective sphere.

“I sought a third wand, Severus. the Elder Wand, the Wand of Destiny, the Deathstick. I took it from its previous master. I took it from the grave of Albus Dumbledore."

And now Snape looked at Voldemort, and Snape's face was like a death mask. it was marble white and so still that when he spoke, it was a shock to see that anyone lived behind the blank eyes.

"My Lord—let me go to the boy—"

“All this long night when I am on the brink of victory, I have sat here," said Voldemort, his voice barely louder than a whisper, "wondering, wondering, why the Elder Wand refuses to be what it ought to be, refuses to perform as legend says it must perform for its rightful owner...and I think I have the answer." Snape did not speak.

"Perhaps you already know it? You are a clever man, after all, Severus. You have been a good and faithful servant... until this loathsome little girl came along, and now I do not regret what must happen."

“My Lord—”

“The Elder Wand cannot serve me properly, Severus, because I am not its true master. The Elder Wand belongs to the wizard who killed its last owner. You killed Albus Dumbledore. While you live, Severus, the Elder Wand cannot truly be mine.”

“My Lord!" Severus protested, raising his wand.

“It cannot be any other way," said Voldemort. "I must master the wand, Severus. Master the wand, and I master Potter at last. And I crush the rebellion once and for all,”

Voldemort swiped the air with the Elder Wand. It did nothing to Severus, who for a split second seemed to think he had been reprieved: but then Voldemort's intention became clear. The snake's cage was rolling through the air, and before Snape could do anything more than yell, it had encased him, head and shoulders, and Voldemort spoke in Parseltongue.

"Kill."

There was a terrible scream. Snape's face losing the little color it had left; it whitened as his black eyes widened, as the snake's fangs pierced his neck, as he failed to push the enchanted cage off himself, as his knees gave way and he fell to the floor.

“I can no longer regret it,” said Voldemort coldly.

He turned away; there was no sadness in him, no remorse. It was time to leave this shack and take charge, with a wand that would now do his full bidding. He pointed it at the starry cage holding the snake, which drifted upward, off Snape, who fell sideways onto the floor, blood gushing from the wounds in his neck. Voldemort swept from the room without a backward glance, and the great serpent floated after him in its huge protective sphere.

____________________

_________________________

I felt a cold chill run up my spine. The shattered stain-glass windows framed a nightmare. Barely visible in the dark, their only give away was the hopelessness that coated the air.

“EXPECTO PATRONUM!” I shouted loudly, and soon I heard others cast the same spell. I paused, just a moment as I watched a large beautifully silver dragon curl from my wand, devouring dementor after dementor.

“Draco,” I whispered softly.

A spell flew over my shoulder, and I jumped, regaining my focus as I cast an Unforgivable in the direction the spell came from. Alecto Carrow fell dead.

“NO!” I heard the screech from across the Great Hall. Amycus. I smile curled on my lips.

My Patronus, still lingering, defending against dementors who may reappear gave me his attention. Raising my chin in permission I watched as the great beast swooped down and coiled around Amycus, trapping her, making her fall. I stalked over to her. She trembled before me.

“You hurt my family,” I raised my wand. “You underestimated me. Your mistake.”

The Carrow twins were dead.

“You have fought valiantly.” The voice that haunted my nightmares rang over Hogwarts. “Lord Voldemort knows how to value bravery. Yet you have sustained heavy losses. If you continue to resist me, you will all die, one by one. I do not wish this to happen. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a loss and a waste.

“Lord Voldemort is merciful. I command my forces to retreat immediately. You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured.

“I speak now, Harry Potter, directly to you. You have permitted your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait for one hour in the Forbidden Forest. If, at the end of that hour, you have not come to me, have not given yourself up, then battle recommences. This time, I shall enter the fray myself, Harry Potter, and I shall find you, and I shall punish every last man, woman, and child who has tried to conceal you from me. One hour.”

The dust settled around me. Death Eaters disapperated away. One by one I watched them leave, having half a mind to follow them. Just as I was about to take off, someone grabbed my shoulder. I jerked away, throwing a hex at whoever touched me.

Draco was on the ground, looking concerned at me. His lips moved, but I couldn’t hear him. I couldn’t hear anything. Panic welled inside of me. I snapped my fingers, and the click rang clear. So, I wasn’t deaf.

Maybe I needed to calm down. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I heard the wind escape my lips in soft pants. The world focused in around me.

“Y/n?” I could hear Draco now. He sounded really worried—more than his usual amount of worry.

“You’re alive,” I marveled. “Great stars you’re alive,” I tackled him in a hug, knocking him down again. He laughed and caught me.

“Careful dear,” Draco winced.

“Sorry,” I propped myself up and splayed my hand on his chest. It might not have been enough magic for... to bring back the dead, but I could heal a few cracked ribs and scrapes. I could feel it swimming all around me—magic that surged like energy holding every living thing together at the seams.

“How—”

“Fred’s gone,” I sat back, looking down, ashamed. “I couldn’t heal him.”

Draco took a deep breath in and pulled me close. “I’m so sorry,” He murmured.

I nodded, then my mind began to run again. “We have things to do. An hour. We need to see who’s still standing heal as many as we can and... and gather the rest.”

McGonagall was among the injured, as well as many other faces that I loved and had watched grow over the years. I sagged in relief when I saw Abby dapping at a wound on Pansy’s lip. Pansy cracked a large smile when she saw me, causing Abby to turn. Her hug grounded me more than anyone else’s. More than Draco’s, even.

Like I had something to prove, I went from person to person, healing them. Draco stayed by my side, and we worked as a team. Just as before, my wand became more of a hinderance. I tucked it away and wove the healing magic with my hands, not answering questions or to the wondrous gasps that I heard. I wasn’t afraid of this magic.

I froze when I saw the line of dead. There were more than I thought there would be. The Death Eaters I could hardly mourn—only take responsibility for. But my friends... my kids. Fred... Lavender Brown... little Colin Creevey. Tears pricked my eyes.

“Come on love,” Draco urged. “Time is nearly up.”

“Has anyone seen Harry?” I uttered. A panicked looked settled in Draco’s eyes.

“Potter!?” Draco bellowed. Everyone took notice and a murmur broke out among the Hall. Calls for Harry rang out as panic swelled. He was nowhere to be found. My eyes met Abby’s. This was bad. This was very bad.

“I’ll—I’m gonna...” I grabbed Draco’s hand. “I gotta fly.”

He pursed his lips and nodded. He pulled me close and pressed a kiss to my temple before letting me go.

“Be safe,”

I ducked out of the Hall and took off to the nearest window. I felt my body grow smaller and lighter as my arms morphed into wings. The cool air greeted me as I flew through stormy clouds. My eyes searched the grounds, the damage, the wreckage. There was no sign of Potter. I didn’t dare go near the woods—dementors swirled and guarded it. They gave me a good idea of where Harry was. I circled around and flew back to the window I had left, running back into the Hall. Draco caught me, questions in his eye and concern written on his face.

“The Forbidden Forest,” I panted out. “Dementors are swirling there... it’s gotta be where Harry is,”

“Okay, okay.” Draco rubbed my shoulders. “Go get some water and rest,” Just as I was, the same cold voice echoed over the grounds of Hogwarts.

"Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone.

"The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you, and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman, or child, will be slaughtered, as will every member of their family. Come out of the castle now, kneel before me, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together.”

I sank to the floor.

“Dead?” I whispered. “No!” I stood. “After everything!? No!”

“Y/n,” Draco grabbed me. “Calm down,”

“Calm down!?” I shrieked. “Harry’s dead! He’s...”

“Then we finish this,” he said determined. “We will finish this.”

“Y/n!” Neville came rushing over, out of breath. “Y/n! Look, Harry—Harry told me that—we have—there’s a snake—”

“Nagini,” Draco hissed.

“We have to kill it,” Neville nodded, finally catching his breath. “He said if anything happened—”

Ginny, Pansy, Abby, and Luna came around as well, listening to what Neville said. They all looked to me for a confirmation, and I wished they hadn’t. I was at my wits end.

“Okay, that’s a plan,” Draco approved. “We kill Nagini. The Dark Lord is going to try to make a show of—we need to use that.” He took a breath. “Neville, Harry asked you to kill the snake, so we’ll make sure that you can,”

“Me?” He looked a bit pale.

“Yes you,” Draco managed a smile.

The room around us quieted down. Everyone was looking to me again. Draco helped me up onto a table so that I could address everyone. He kept hold of my hand the entire while.

“Harry... I don’t know what to say about Harry, there’s...” I shook my head. “It could be a lie, but I fear it might not be. In any case, Harry left Neville with a mission. We need to kill Nagini—the Dark Lord’s snake. I don’t know why... but whatever it comes down to...” Solemn faces all stared at me. “This ends tonight. We’ll meet them outside the school, at the front courtyard.”

Again, they raised their hands, hundreds of lighting charms went up around the room, casting a soft glow. Order members and Hogwarts students alike. I nodded and stepped down.

We all waited in anticipation on the front steps of the school. Draco’s firm grip on my hand kept me from surveying as Pinnae. Instead, we stood together, enjoying a few quiet moments together. My outlook on making it out alive was dwindling into nothing. I just prayed that Draco would make it out. There had to be something I could do to ensure it. I’d use my last breath to ensure it.

Finally, the Death Eaters could be seen on the horizon. We all stood guard, wands at the ready. The Order and my council flanked the front. Draco clung to my hand.

“I love you,” I whispered.

“I love you too,”

I met his eyes one last time, those soft grey eyes.

“Stop.” That cold voice came with a form this time.

The Death Eaters came to a halt before us, fanning out to match our stance. My stomach sank as I saw the limp body in Hagrid’s arms.

Harry was dead.

“NO!” The scream was the more terrible because I had never expected or dreamed that Professor McGonagall could make such a sound.

Bellatrix’s laugh shrilled across the courtyard. I tightened my grip on my wand. Bellatrix would die tonight.

Voldemort stood before us, in front of Hagrid stroking Nagini's head with a single white finger. He closed his eyes again.

“No!”

“Harry! HARRY!”

Ron's, Hermione's, and Ginny's voices were worse than McGonagall's. There was nothing I could do. I was helpless. Harry Potter was dead, and Voldemort was alive still. It chilled me to my core. I wanted to curl up and cry. Draco’s hand in mine kept me from doing that.

Yet, all around me, the resistance began screaming and yelling abuse at the Death Eaters. Taunts and jeers. I almost laughed before joining them. We might be going down, but we were going down fighting.

“SILENCE!” cried Voldemort, and there was a bang and a flash of bright light, and silence was forced upon them all—a spell. “It is over! Set him down, Hagrid, at my feet, where he belongs!” Hagrid laid Harry onto the grass. “You, see?” said Voldemort, striding backward and forward right beside the place where Harry lay. “Harry Potter is dead! Do you understand now, deluded ones? He was nothing, ever, but a boy who relied on others to sacrifice themselves for him!”

My eyes searched the crowd of Death Eaters and settled onto familiar blue ones. Narcissa. Her gaze locked onto mine. She simply smiled and shook her head. Something fluttered within me. Perhaps it was hope.

I barely noticed the skirmish going on until I had seen it. Neville had broken free of the crowd and charged at Voldemort: I watched in terror as he hit the ground. Disarmed, Voldemort throwing the challenger's wand aside and laughing. Draco pulled me back and I hardly realized I had begun to launch myself forward. Abby’s arm held my shoulder, and Pansy took my forearm.

“And who is this?” he said in his soft snake's hiss. "Who has volunteered to demonstrate what happens to those who continue to fight when the battle is lost?”

Bellatrix gave a delighted laugh. “It is Neville Longbottom, my Lord! The boy who has been giving the Carrows so much trouble! The son of the Aurors, remember?”

“Ah, yes, I remember,” said Voldemort, looking down at Neville, who was struggling back to his feet, unarmed and unprotected, standing in the no-man's-land between the survivors and the Death Eaters. “But you are a pureblood, aren't you, my brave boy?” Voldemort asked Neville, who stood facing him, his empty hands curled in fists.

"So, what if I am?" said Neville loudly.

“You show spirit and bravery, and you come of noble stock. You will make a very valuable Death Eater. We need your kind, Neville Longbottom.”

“I'll join you when hell freezes over,” said Neville. "For Harry!" he shouted, and there was an answering cheer from the crowd, whom Voldemort's Silencing Charms seemed unable to hold.

“Very well,” Voldemort’s silky voice held more danger than the most powerful curse. “If that is your choice, Longbottom, we revert to the original plan. On your head,” he looked directly at me as he spoke, “be it.”

I winced, willing myself to watch as Voldemort raised his wand. But Neville kept breathing. Instead, behind us one of the castle’s window’s shattered and something that looked like a misshapen bird flew through the half-light and landed in Voldemort's hand.

The Sorting Hat.

“There will be no more Sorting at Hogwarts School,” Voldemort’s voice rang clear. “There will be no more Houses. The emblem, shield and colors of my noble ancestor, Salazar Slytherin, will suffice everyone. Won't they, Neville Longbottom?”

He pointed his wand at Neville, who grew rigid and still, then forced the hat onto Neville's head, so that it slipped down below his eyes. I watched with bated breath. I couldn’t lose Neville too.

“Neville here is now going to demonstrate what happens to anyone foolish enough to continue to oppose me,” And with a flick of his wand, Voldemort caused the Sorting Hat to burst into flames. Neville was a flame, rooted to the spot, unable to move. A scream left my lips, and if it weren’t for the three holding me back, I would have charged forward.

A large giant came lumbering toward the castle walls, screaming for Hagrid, only to be met with Voldemort’s giants. Their foot falls were like mini earthquakes. I braced against Draco, watching in amazement.

Yet, I watched as Neville broke free of the Body-Bind Curse upon him; the flaming hat fell off him and he drew from its depths something silver, with a glittering, rubied handle. I knew that sword.

The sword of Gryffindor.

The slash of the silver blade could not be heard over the roar of the oncoming crowd or the sounds of the clashing giants or of the stampeding centaurs, and yet, it seemed to draw every eye.

With a single stroke Neville sliced off the great snake's head, which spun high into the air, gleaming in the light flooding from the entrance hall, and Voldemort's mouth was open in a scream of fury that nobody could hear, and the snake's body thudded to the ground at his feet. I shouted in victory, glee filling my heart.

The battle had begun again, and chaos grew with each passing moment. A flurry of spells flew all around and I broke free of Draco, throwing myself into the fray at last.

“HARRY!” Hagrid shouted and I barely made sense of his words. Harry Potter was dead. “HARRY - WHERE'S HARRY?”

Ducking away from the giants, I managed to take out a few Death Eaters before coming face to face with a centaur. He raised his sword. I raised my wand.

“The cursed witch,” The centaur sneered. “Born under the Dark Mark. You had so much potential,”

I poised, ready to attack, though how to fight against a sword, I had little clue. The centaur began to swing, and I rolled out of the way, trying to think of the right spell.

Neville rushed in front of me, sword still in hand and he parried the centaur’s attack.

“Go!” He shouted. “I’ve got this!”

I panted heavily and stumbled backward. Then I saw her.

Bellatrix.

I took off running. Seamus Finnigan and Hannah Abbott followed my lead as we dashed into the Great Hall, where they joined the fight already flourishing inside it. I saw Charlie Weasley overtaking Horace Slughorn, who was still wearing his emerald pajamas. There were faces around me that I vaguely recognized—families and friends of every Hogwarts student who had remained to fight along with the shopkeeps and homeowners of Hogsmeade.

House-elves of Hogwarts swarmed into the entrance hall, screaming, and waving carving knives and cleaver, and at their head, the locket of Regulus Black bouncing on his chest, was Kreacher, his bullfrog's voice audible even above this din: “Fight! Fight! Fight for my Master, defender of house-elves! Fight the Dark Lord, in the name of brave Regulus! Fight!”

They were hacking and stabbing at the ankles and shim of Death Eaters their tiny faces alive with malice, and everywhere I looked Death Eaters were folding under sheer weight of numbers, overcome by spells, dragging arrows from wounds, stabbed in the leg by elves, or else simply attempting to escape, but swallowed by the oncoming horde. The from before hope fluttered in my chest.

But it wasn’t over yet.

Bellatrix was still fighting too, fifty yards away from Voldemort, and like her master she dueled three at once: Hermione, Ginny, and Luna, all battling their hardest, but Bellatrix was equal to them. Yet, when she saw me, she paused. So did the others.

“Y/n,” Ginny warned.

“I’ve got this,” I nodded. “She’s mine,” I stared down Bellatrix, wand in hand, determined. The other three backed down and Bellatrix shrilled a laugh, before becoming solemn.

“You know I miss the girl you once were!” Bellatrix started throwing curse after curse at me without ceasing.

“You should!” I shouted back, casting my own killing spells at her. “She was easier to kill!”

But still easy to distract. My eyes caught scared grey ones for only a moment. Draco. He wasn’t dead, and my heart was relieved. I lost my footing and fell, Bellatrix’s spell, a flash of green over me, missing me by inches.

“BELLATRIX!” I knew that voice anywhere. “NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!”

“Mum?” I gasped, finding my bearings.

I watched with terror and elation as my mother’s wand slashed and twisted, and Bellatrix’s smile faltered and became a snarl. Jets of light flew from both wands, the floor around the witches' feet became hot and cracked; both women were fighting to kill.

Scrambling to my feet I took my place beside my mother. She gave me one glance and grinned.

“Where do you think you get it from?” She laughed, as we both cornered Bellatrix against the crumbling castle wall.

“What will happen to your dear Y/n? When I’ve killed you, Elizabeth?” Bellatrix taunted.

“You will never touch her again!” My mother screamed, a full body bind curse marking its target.

“AVADA KEDAVRA!”

My curse soared beneath Bellatrix's constricted arm and hit her squarely in the chest, directly over her heart. Bellatrix's gloating smile froze, her eyes seemed to bulge: For the tiniest space of time, she knew what had happened, and then she toppled, and the watching crowd roared, and Voldemort screamed.

Whipping around I saw the rage that Voldemort exuberated had caused the three professors that he was dueling to be knocked off of their feet as red eyes bore into mine.

“I should have killed you when I had the chance. The both of you,” His voice dripped acid as he raised his wand. I watched as my mother took a step in front of me.

“Protego!” My eyes snapped to the green-eyed boy who threw off his Invisibility Cloak, casting a Shielding Charm that expanded in the middle of the Hall, creating a barrier between us all, and Harry and Voldemort.

The yells of shock, the cheers, the screams on every side of: “Harry!” “HE'S ALIVE!” were stifled at once. The crowd was afraid, and silence fell abruptly and completely as Voldemort and Harry looked at each other, and began, at the same moment, to circle each other.

“He’s alive,” I gasped.

“I don't want anyone else to help,” Harry said loudly, and in the total silence his voice carried like a trumpet call. “It's got to be like this. It's got to be me.”

My mother offered a hand to help me up and I stood, gaping at the two in the dome of a golden shield. A hand grabbed mine and I jumped until I saw Draco at my side. I wanted to collapse in that moment. He seemed fatally unharmed in that moment, only minor injuries.

I started taking inventory of who was left. There were few Death Eaters who stayed, but those I loved were standing. My council, some of the Order that I could see. I lost sight of my mother in the fray and searched around for her.

“The true master of the Elder Wand was Draco Malfoy.”

I had tuned out a lot of the conversation that occurred between Voldemort and Harry, but that caught my attention. My mouth dried out as a new wave of anxiety and adrenaline roared through me. I tightened my grip on Draco’s hand, not knowing what this meant for us.

Blank shock showed in Voldemort’s face for a moment, but then it was gone.

“But what does it matter?” he said softly. “Even if you are right, Potter, it makes no difference to you and me. You no longer have the phoenix wand: We duel on skill alone . . . and after I have killed you, I can attend to Draco Malfoy . . .”

“But you’re too late,” said Harry. “You’ve missed your chance. I got there first. I overpowered Draco weeks ago. I took his wand from him.”

“No,” I whispered. “It’s not...” Draco hushed me softly, knowing the secret that I did.

“So, it all comes down to this, doesn’t it?” whispered Harry. “Does the wand in your hand know its last master was Disarmed? Because if it does . . . I am the true master of the Elder Wand.”

A red glow burst suddenly across the enchanted sky above them as an edge of dazzling sun appeared over the sill of the nearest window. The light hit both of their faces at the same time, so that Voldemort’s was suddenly a flaming blur. Harry heard the high voice shriek as he too yelled his best hope to the heavens, pointing Draco’s former wand:

“Avada Kedavra!”

“Expelliarmus!”

The bang was like a cannon blast, and the golden flames that erupted between them, at the dead center of the circle they had been treading, marked the point where the spells collided.

Voldemort’s spell held no power against Harry’s as the Elder Wand was dislodged from the Dark Lord’s hand and spun in the air. It was a split moment that everyone watched. A moment where the Elder Wand soared toward Draco and me. And in a second of faith, I reached out, the wand landing in my hand.

All eyes turned at the sound of a heavy thud.

Voldemort had fallen backward, arms splayed, the slit pupils of the scarlet eyes rolling upward. Tom Riddle hit the floor with a mundane finality, his body feeble and shrunken, the white hands empty, the snakelike face vacant and unknowing.

Voldemort was dead, killed by his own rebounding curse.

Silence fell, and still Voldemort did not move. Then I let out a cheer, screaming with what I had left in me. The entire Hall joined, cheering, and screaming, and roaring. Draco swept me off my feet and kissed me roughly. And I didn’t care. I clung to him reveling in the kiss.

We were alive and it was finally over.

The sun rose steadily over Hogwarts, and the Great Hall blazed with life and light. All around was a mix of joy and mourning, celebration, and grief. Hundreds of people came around, hugging, smiling, crying. Draco held tight to me.

“I... I need to find Harry,” I murmured. “I need to tell him about the wand,”

Draco nodded, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Come back,”

“I will,” I smiled. “I made it this far,”

He laughed and let me go. I ducked away from the crowd and morphed into Pinnae. I flew over the battle ground, grateful that the war was over. I heard the voice I wanted followed it flying up to Dumbledore’s study and perching on the window before morphing back.

“Bloody hell,” Ron gasped. “Warn someone before you do that,”

I smiled and hopped off the sill. The professors in the portraits didn’t seem to know how to regard me. They all reserved their judgement. I stood before Dumbledore who gave me a kind smile.

“You know, don’t you?” I looked at the portrait of the late headmaster.

“I do,” He nodded. “But what you do with that information is up to you,”

“What? You mean I could not tell him?” I mused.

“Tell me what?” Harry demanded.

I held out my hand for him to shake, a peace offering. He shook it, confusion etched on his brow. “It was brave and stupid.” I grinned. “But I’m glad you did it,”

“Thank you?” A smile played at his lips as he blushed, bashful. “What is he talking about?”

“I heard your little speech... but did get one thing wrong,” I noted.

“Oh, bloody hell,” He laughed, and I joined in.

“The Elder Wand belonged to me, not Draco. And it still does.” I nodded to the wand in his hand.

“But I don’t understand,” Harry frowned. “Draco disarmed Dumbledore,”

“Yes,” I confirmed. “But as you said, wand lore is finicky. My father’s wand had loyalty to both Draco and I, a debt between us. The Elder Wand broke that debt. When you took Draco’s wand and he assumed my father’s as his true wand, the Elder Wand fell to me,”

Harry frowned and offered me the wand.

“Merlin, I don’t want it,” I chuckled.

“You don’t?”

“Well, I’m rather happy with mine, and I think I’ve just got the knack of doing wandless magic. And that wand is more trouble than it’s worth—I’ve heard the tales,”

He nodded, rounded by Hermione and Ron.

“Do whatever you think is best with that... and don’t let anyone know...” Harry nodded in agreeance. “

Yeah, yeah, I’ll... yeah,” He laughed.

“I’ve got to go—get back to Draco,”

“Right,”

I saluted them and then took off through the window, free falling before morphing into Pinnae and making my way back to the Great Hall. Draco found me and wrapped me in a hug. My friends surrounded me. I started crying for no matter other than exhaustion and relief.

It was finally over. Maybe not quite.

“Mum, where��s my mum,” I sniffled. “She was here,” Wiping away my tears I looked around frantically.

“She disapperated with the others,” Abby said softly, sitting beside me. “I’m sorry,”

I nodded and rested my head on Draco’s shoulder. My eyes drooped closed. I heard him chuckle and shift, pulling me into his laps.

“You can rest now,” He whispered, tears falling. “We did it. It’s over Y/n,”

“We did it,” I murmured. “Yay us,”

“Yay us,” He chuckled.

I felt myself get pulled under in exhaustion. My eyes were too heavy to open again. But for the first time in years, I slept without fear of tomorrow.

........

When a pawn reaches the opposite side of the board, it promotes. This means that the owner of the pawn can replace it with a queen.

epilogue

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