𝐄𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭

The moon was up and the whole gryffindor dormitory was asleep. Getting out of bed Neville stealthily walked towards the makeshift bed on the floor Ron was asleep on . Shaking his shoulders , he whispered, "Ron , Get up . We have to go. It's already midnight"

Ron's eyes opened to slits as he said groggily, "What?"

" Astronomy tower , remember ?"

The slit eyes slowly started to close again when Neville reluctantly said with a very low whisper , scared of anyone else hearing, " Pansy ! Remember what she said today ?"

As soon as Ron heard Pansy, he was up with wide awake eyes. Getting up and pulling a startled Neville outside. Without looking back he said ," Why are you walking so slow ? Hurry ! What if we are late ?!"

Neville : ….....…

' Who was it sleeping like a dead man just now? Can you tell ?'

But these words weren't uttered and kept inside Neville's overly kind and considerate heart, like they always did .

Walking side by side , they soon reached the astronomy tower . Alit by moonlight , the space was empty and without the signs of anyone coming or going. Confused , Ron said, " Where are they ? How come anyone isn't here yet ?"

Looking around for sometime and finding none, Neville softly suggested, " Why don't we look around? "

With that , they started to suspiciously look around, searching every nook and corner . Neville, having searched around the entire upper deck , shifted his sight to the small space covered in darkness below the wooden deck under his feet . When Ron informed, walking out, " I'll check the stairs if someone's there."

With a hesitant gaze he looked around in the darkness , wanting to find any clue visually than personally going down. But not a single thing prevailed there other than darkness . Finding no other option he cautiously slipped down.

Setting himself in the darkness , he moved forward in the blackness. It was then that a swift wind passed by him.

Wind ? This is an enclosed space , there should be no wind .

He tremblingly moved to turn around but froze when he felt a cold breath on his back. His mouth opened to scream. But before he could , his body was forcibly pushed down and a spell hit him. He very clearly felt the sting on his nape as his limbs spread apart like a stick figure and bound in place. It was a body-binding spell.

His body shook in the fear of unknown danger as he felt the now unconcealed steps of someone walking around him to stand close to his face. He wanted to close his eyes but even they were completely frozen. He could only watch as a pair of hazel-green eyes glowed, slowly coming closer to him.

The terror was too great and overwhelming for a soft marshmallow like Neville as his wide eyes rolled back and he promptly fainted with fright.

Some time went by and when Neville opened his eyes again, the first thing he felt was the soft cloth his head was buried in and the firm softness under his head.

Groggily sitting up, he innocently rubbed his eyes and yawned as a soothing voice said in the background , " Still sleepy? Why don't you sleep more ? I will wake you up" before gently drawing him back down again.

With the reassurance , Neville again buried his head against the soft cloth and began to drift away. As he was about to fall asleep again, the same voice whispered again with a giggle, " Were you tired all day?"

Neville felt responsible to answer this question , afterall the person was so nice to him . Thus, said incoherently , " Mmmm, very tired, want ….to…sleeeep~~ "

A suppressed laugh sounded above him and Neville thought that it was similar to someone he knew.

His brows scrunched as he thought . Who? Who? It was on the tip of his tongue when the image of bronze skin and evil mischievous eyes flashed in his head.

Neville opened his eyes with a gasp . The eyes. The same eyes were looking down at him. The same evil eyes.

" AHHH !!! " , a shout echoes in the empty space.

Neville crawled back as a frowning Blaise pressed his ears and angrily shouted, "Hey!! Plum face ! Can't you speak lower ? My ears are sensitive, ya know ?"

No ! Neville didn't know ! What was his worst nightmare personified doing here ?!

His hands frantically reached for his pockets for his wand but returned empty. His eyes wildly looked around and finally landed on the seductive smirk sporting an equally seductive face of an ever seductive person. And coincidentally the same person had his wand .

" Give it back !"

" What ? What are you talking about ?" , Blaise said as his face controted into childlike innocence.

" My wand ! Give it back !" Neville said , pointing towards the wand in his hand.

" Oh this ? I just found it fallen on the floor. Finders owners . Isn't it ? " He said, raising it up in clear view while smiling like a pure unsullied angel.

" But it's mine !" , The defiance and sulk in Neville's voice was heard loudly.

" And I don't know that . You could be lying" the wand in Blaise's hand twirled around his fingers as he leisurely walked closer.

" How could you ?! I am not lying ! You are the one who's lying ! You - " When he registered his words the lips halted and horror on Neville's soft squishy face was clear. The numerous pranks and taunts reminded him that he was standing before his bully.

" Oh ?! Go on ! Why did you stop ?" The amused but sinister gleam in Blaise's eyes as he came nearer was immediately seen. Neville took scared steps back.

" I-I … just give it back ! " Stopping for a second before uttering, " Please "

Neville didn't know what happened but he saw Blaise's eyes soften. The eyes scanned his face slowly before the wand was in his palm again.

Blaise looked at the soft face. The eyes looking at him were terrified and flew wide. Something in them had Blaise softening, relaxing. It had him backing down.

The stiff silence between them was broken when the sound of numerous footsteps was heard , gradually nearing.

Stepping up , Pansy, Hermione, Theo and Ron revealed. Soon all of them were sitting down on the floor. Pansy spoke first, " Do we all absolutely agree on the coalition?"

All the heads firmly nodded. No hesitance was seen. Neville, even if he was scared of Blaise and Pansy, still wanted to do this. He will not just sit down and watch them. He wasn't so cowardly.

" Good. Now, I'll be direct. Make a magically binding contract . Right here. Right now "

" WHAT ?!" Sputtered Ron. Shock and confusion clear on his face.

" Don't worry, it won't be anything outrageous. I just need direct unbreakable insurance. What if you betray Draco? I wish to take no chances. This is a matter for life and death for not only me but also Draco, Blaise and Theo. One small mistake can kill us all"

The look on pansy was similar to someone who had faced too much pain and grief. It looked oddly pitiful on her tender and young face.

Everyone was silent . Their gazes trained on Pansy's face. Blaise was the first to say, " Okay " . His tone nonchalant as if saying yes to a drinking party and not a binding contract.

" How can you agree so easily ?" Neville asked in wonder.

Looking sideways, Blaise spoke word by word, "Draco is risking his life for us in every way possible. Even right now, he is in constant danger of being killed by death eaters if anyone found what he did. The least I can do is swear my lifelong loyalty to him "

Theo followed as well," I agree. And you all should as well. After all, the same goes with Potter, doesn't it ?" His intelligent and sharp eyes conveyed a snake's stealth and fox's crafty thoughts.

The solemnity on the faces grew. Gradually more voices rose. First Theo, Ron then Hermione and , surprisingly, Neville who was very firm in his decision.

Six wands slowly raised up, their tips touching one another. As pansy spoke with clear and sonorous pronounciation , " Do you , the ones present here, make an undying oath on your magic to be loyal and never betray our guides and benefactors, Harry James Potter and Draco Lucius Malfoy, as well as each other for today, tomorrow and forever henceforth? "

Several "I do" rang out as the tips alight one by one. When all the six wand tips were glowing, Pansy concluded, " With all of our agreements , I make this magically binding contract valid . If any were to break it, the price will be what you swore on "

A bright light shone and tendrils of magic wrapped around the six wrists holding the six wands up.

All of them looked as plain bands were inked on each of their wrists. It was the proof that the contract was successful and valid. The bands gleamed mellowly before disappearing as if they were never there.

It was done. Suddenly all of them felt a very familiar and intimate feeling in their hearts. It felt like meeting a long lost friend or one's family after a long time. The familiarity between them not only amazed them but also assured them. Maybe it was because of the contract . Or maybe it was because of the surety that they can unhesitatingly trust eachother. A leisure and happy aura filled their small bubble as conversations and apologies were made.

Harry woke up before the first ray of the sun. The sensation of a warm body in his arms made a happy smile light his face. Draco's eyes were tightly closed. The curly blond tresses formed tiny shadows beneath his eyes. The breaths were slow and deep.

The slender arms were around him, hugging him like a koala clung to its tree.Harry's warm eyes soon darkened and became hot. His boiling blood from last night still didn't completely cool down. It didn't take much to set it bubbling again. In fact, the sight of Draco's face and memories from yesterday were enough.

Draco's knee lightly brushed on a certain hard wood and Harry drew a sharp breath in. The wood grew even taller , such a top quality and rapidly growing wood it was ! Surely, the durability will be unrealistically long and the sap would be sticky and nourishing ! Draco would definitely enjoy it to tears while panting and moaning in delight !

[T/N :- Did you understand what i said in the above para ? How many double-meanings/inneudos can you find?]

Green eyes darkened further . Harry barely stopped himself for the sake of not scaring the prey away and picked himself up and about. Soon, Draco had his previous clothes on. No evidence should be left on the site of crime so that even the victim won't know that a crime happened , so that especially the victim didn't know that the crime happened.

Ahhh ! Such a clever criminal he was ! Now , he knew why the hat wanted to put him in Slytherin.

So when Draco woke up , he found himself in a red and gold room with Potter sitting in the chair across, staring at his face.

" Potter ?" Came a sleepy and hoarse whisper.

" Awake ? " Harry said, making his way towards the bed to gently sit Draco up.

" Come on. It's already morning, we have classes " he said while handing Draco a glass of water.

Drinking several sips, Draco was finally awake.

"What am I doing here ?"

" You fainted so I brought you here"

' Bloody Potter and his Mr. Righteous Hero halo ! Hmph ! I swear his overflowing kindness is going to come back to bite him in the arse one day. But still, he helped me. At least I should thank him.'

"Oh…. Thank you then."

Draco didn't even know what he was thanking Harry for. That pervert stalked him to molest him and dared to claim innocence ! And Let's not forget that he almost had a horror encounter with Golden boy Jr. aka literally a fully loaded, heavy metal machine gun ready to fire !

eethu* ! May mother magic punish this liar with a hundred lightning bolts ! Such shamelessness will make his ancestors sit up in their graves !!!

[ eethu* - the noise made when spitting ]

The ignorant victim did not know that what made him feel so sticky wasn't even his own sweat but someone's saliva.

It was then that he remembered that he hadn't seen Luar since the ritual. Wanting to speak, he rubbed his neck brooch but instead of Luar's voice, a small note came out.

After reading it, a confused expression settled on Draco's face as he wondered. Where did Liar go? What did he mean by latching on to the powerhouse beside him?

From behind him, Harry was curiously reading as a look of realisation flashed in his face. Seeing the recognition, Draco asked, " You're aware about papa, aren't you?"

An inquiring eyebrow rose and Draco continued, " Luar Malfoy, the soul you saw in the cave when you saved me ?"

" Ah. I had a brief meet with Master Luar that day in the cave. Actually, when I saved you, it was with the help of my master. If I were to be honest, Master Luar seemed to be uncomfortable around master. He seemed to be wary but still expectant. And soon after your condition stabilized, he left saying that he will be back and Master stealthily followed him. I felt that they must have a shared past but I am not completely sure"

Some time went by while Draco lingered in his head, thinking, before saying again.

" Oh… when did you get a master ?" Draco asked, surprised and bewildered.

Now that he mentioned it, Draco does remember a third presence other than Harry and Luar that time in the cave. He was partially conscious that time. The presence also was the one who saved him at the last bend of the ritual.

' Alas, I owe all of them too much. I don't even know if I will ever be able to even repay it all ' Draco thought while looking at Harry.

' But what can I do ? Let's just leave it to fate '

" How did you meet your ancient ancestor?" Harry answered his question with another question.

Draco speculated if he should tell Harry or not. Then thought , Fuck it ! He already made a mutual blood pact with Harry. He can't do anything to harm Draco.

So he said, " I will tell you if you answer me as well " After all, mutual and symbiotic gain was their policy.

" Very well "

" The night of the red moon two months back was when I snuck in the restricted library. I, initially, had no intention other than finding a cure for the dark mark there. But somehow activated an centuries old array there and bumped to papa. It was my good graces that he was a Malfoy and a healer otherwise traveling through the array would have possibly killed me. After that I somehow convinced him to leave with me "

The focused concentration on Harry's face melted into astonishment.

" Interesting. It was the same night that I met Eloise. I was out that night as well, particularly in the room of requirements. Master was the one who appeared before me. That night I accepted his mentorship and bond as a student "

" Something almost seems suspicious, doesn't it ?" Draco asked registering the information income.

The coincidence was far too great and seemed more likely to be someone's doing.

" The night of the red moon…." Draco whispered to himself the look of intense inner probing and wondering clear on his face.

" Let's leave this for the future. We have more urgent matters to handle" Harry said with soft gentle words to effectively break his concentration. He did not want Draco to over exert himself again. And Harry was going to make sure of that himself.

" Hmmm…. You are right " Draco said. The agreement in his voice was conveyed through. A clear innocent look in his eyes as if the first snow of year. Unsullied, untainted.

Harry sighed. How is he going to survive not touching him? His existence is like an aphrodisiac made especially for Harry.

The silence made thoughts about the assassination swirled in Draco's head as his eyes lowered with despair and unwillingness. With a hesitant voice, Draco softly questioned, " What about the future?"

" What about it ?" Came back a confused answer.

" What should we do about the assassination ?"

" Don't worry about it. You won't have to do anything. Just be as you always are and act as you always do "

" We shouldn't kill the Headmaster. If he dies then the moral of everyone will be affected. So...so… you should tell him ! "

Harry finally understood what Draco meant. He didn't want to carry out the assassination but he also didn't want to look weak so he went around in circles around the topic.

A hand slowly crept towards Draco, resting on his face. A pair of glassy silver-blue eyes looked up, confused and frowning.

" Don't worry. I am here "

These words seemed comical and superficial and only for saying and not actual action. But when Harry said them, he meant to follow them through.

Draco gazed in the emerald eyes. Harry was so close. The temperature from his hand was so hot , as if boiling lava. And drowned and burned entirely.

The following days went by slowly. Everyone acted as usual. The day came nearer and the fear in Draco's heart increased as well.

When it was finally the day, Draco woke up with a grim appearance. Every thought in his head was about the impending task. The morning passed and he did not see Harry at all as he finally felt his own nativity at trusting him at such a level . All of his snakes were hyper aware and alert, doing their ordered job flawlessly. The palpitations in his heart were fluttering as every second passed.

Now, standing before the cabinet, Draco felt calm. He realised that no matter how anxious he was, this was inevitable.

With a steady hand he opened the door. A shriek laughter rang out as Bellatrix came out. The joy on her face was maniacally merry.

As soon as Draco caught the sight of her, he turned around with a swish and made his way towards the tower. He still had a task to complete.

Entering the astronomy tower, Draco saw the sight of an old hunching man with their back facing him. Probably hearing his footsteps, the old figure turned around and revealed a bespectacled saintly face.

Dumbledore gazed at him with kind eyes before saying, " Good evening, Draco. What brings you here on this fine evening?" His voice was still calm, still steady even if it seemed a little frail.

With his ready wand pointing at the elder, Draco asked with suspicion, " Who else is here ? I have heard you talking. "

His voice quivering, partly due fear for the future and partly due to guilt. But he didn't stop because he knew that there were demons just behind him, lurking in his shadow.

" Oh. I have been talking aloud to myself. I find it … exceptionally useful "; The voice answering was airy and unbothered by the intensity of the situation.

A silence sang before the wise grunt of an old king rang out. " Draco , You are no assassin "

His tone and eyes firm as if stating an irrefutable fact. Draco was enraged and irritated by his words. How can this man be so trusting ? How does he try to see the good in people even while staring at his own death ? Does he not fear the future ? Does he not dread pain ?

The surety in these words made an instant answer flow from Draco, " How do you know ?! I have done things that would shock you ! "

The sneer on his face and tension radiated by his whole body made it difficult to tell if it was fear, anger, unwillingness or guilt flooding his heart.

" Like cursing Katie Bell and hoping she delivered the cursed necklace to me or like producing a bottle of mead as one laced with poison . Forgive me Draco but I cannot help but feel that these actions are so weak that you can't actually wish for it " His demeanor was still calm as Dumbledore said it.

" You.. you don't understand ! I…I told him !! I told him !! But ...he...I don't know….." Draco seemed agonised, tortured with the sneer and frown marring his pale face. The reluctance was clear in his pained eyes. He was unwilling but had no other option. The chains of fate were binding him. Now his only hope was the green-eyed allied acquaintance yet unknown stranger. But Draco was rapidly losing much faith in this rescue.

The elderly resigned entirely said, " Then I shall make it easy for you -"

But before he could do anything, the quick flick of wand and sound of spelling sounded, " Expelliarmus!! "

Dumbledore's raised wand flew out of his hand to collide with the nearby wall, making a crisp sound.

" Very good . Very good"

Series of footsteps rang in the distance to indicate the incoming company.

" You are not alone . There are others" Dumbledore said with a very slight hint of surprise. His words were fast and precise in an attempt to extract as much information as possible before the death eaters arrive .

" How ?" He asked , wanting to know what can breach the secure and unbreakable wall he has built around Hogwarts.

" The vanishing cabinet in the room of requirements. I've been mending it" Draco uttered with huffed breaths in an attempt to cool his racing heart.

" Let me guess . It has a sister , a twin , doesn't it ?"

" Borgin and Burkes . I formed a passage "

" You're a genius. Draco, once I knew a boy....who made all the wrong choices. Please , let me help you -"

" I don't need your help! Don't you understand ! I told him ! I told him already ! I tried !! But he isn't even here ! He did nothing !!! So...so I have to do this ! I have to kill you"

The words spilled from Draco's suffocating chest before a choking , silent whisper was heard ," Or he is gonna kill me "

The continuous footsteps were drawing closer and closer and soon the black and grey dress adorning a woman with jet black curls was seen . The lady was a sight of wonder , of dread, of grief . The maddened gleam in her eyes made her look dead even if she was alive. In the dim light of dark clouds, she seemed like the beloved mistress of death and pain herself.

The blood red lips moved to leisurely utter," Ahh. Look what we have here " The sound of her voice made chills pass through one's spine. It was apparent that the sight of Headmaster Dumbledore weak and at the door of death pleased her sick heart immensely.

The small heeled boots tapped and the deadly enchantress stepped closer to Draco, whispering in his ear like a snake's hiss, " Well done, Draco " The bloodied lips moved to disgustingly place themselves in the abnormally pale cheeks.

All the while, her eyes were trained on the Headmaster who uttered with mock cheer, " Good evening , Bellatrix. I think introductions are in order don't you ? "

Walking around in the space, she replied," love to, Albus. But I fear , we are in a bit of tight schedule "

Her poisonous glare turned to Draco as she said with a similarly poisonous tongue," Do it ! "

" He doesn't have the stomach, just like his father. I'll finish it my own way " ; came another gruff animalistic sound as the speaker consequently stepped forward . It's attributes of being rugged and savage were evident at the first hear and the first look of the owner.

" No! The dark lord was clear that the boy is to do it " ; Bellatrix exclaimed ,halting Greywolf . At the same time , the dark figure of a youth silently watching the scene moved. His emerald eyes shone with anger and revenge, promising the gift of pain he was to deliver onto the minions of that damned lord. He moved towards the pale young man, raising his wand and planning to strike, when the movement at the corner of his eyes stopped him.

A tall slim man stepped in the dark, his eyes directly staring into the haunting emerald ones. The grim face slowly slowly shook from side to side , indicating to stop.

Harry kept the eye-contact while slowly lowering his wand. His eyes were indifferent on the surface but were hiding a sharp edge in themselves at the unwanted hindering . Not wanting to alert the ones above , he kept silent and waited for an opportunity. Just because he stopped for the time being doesn't mean he won't do it.

The eye-contact was shortly cut off by the voices above drawing their attention. " This is your moment, Draco . Do it " Bellatrix encouraged as if a demon luring it's wished sacrifice closer.

" Go on ,Draco . Do it . NOW !" The lure now turned into a threat and the pale shivering hand of a helpless boy tightened around his wand.

But before the quivering lips could utter anything, a fourth voice sounded.

" No " Snape said as he calmly stepped inside the room. All the faces in the room moved to him. Some of them were relieved, so surprised and some calmly waiting for his next action.

Dumbledore, in a pleading voice , said, "Severus ..........…..Please "

As soon as the words uttered, a loud " Avada Kedavra" echoed in the voice of Severus Snape as twin tails on green light shone from two different wands flowing towards the same man.

An electric shriek rang out as ,instead of one, two bodies were thrown off the tower. And a hurried , "Draco !!!" was shouted by the female voice.

Below the scene, Harry sighed with relief as he lowered his wand. The wand tip was still heated and glowing orange like melting iron. Even if the relief was clear in his eyes, the vengeance was as well. The eyes as sharp as a two-sided sword gazed at the quickly retreating figures as one of them cast the grey clouds to shape into a skull and the slim tall man with wide eyes and a confused face. The confusion and guilt was seen on his wan face . Maybe for the requested killing of his mentor. Or maybe for the death of a tragic and helpless innocent, a student, a child. A young man whose only fault was that he was born to his own mother and father.

Underneath the tower two bodies thumped down, the flesh disfiguring and blood slowly colouring the ground as people gathered around. The figure of Theo,who was originally guarding the hallways , ran out towards the smaller body. His eyes shining disbelief and confusion before turning to mourn . A strangled cry rang out from him as if from a cub who lost one of his own pack.

Harry who was standing on the top of the astronomy tower looked down the last time to make sure that what he wanted was actually done.

Goodbye Headmaster . Goodbye Draco. Till the next time I see you.