Part Twenty One
The Christmas party was in full boom. Harry and Hermione had gone together as friends though Cormac had been giving her goo-goo eyes all night. You had invited Luna. The two of you ate happily and talked most of the night. The doors were shoved open and Filch dragged in Draco.
"Take your hands off me, filthy squibb." You cringed slightly at the insult.
"Professor Slughorn, sir. I've just discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor." Draco struggled in his grip.
"He claims to have been invited to your party." Draco made eye contact with you.
"Ok! Ok, I was date crashing. Happy?" Snape walked over.
"I'll escort him out." Filch let go of Draco.
"Certainly Professor." Slughorn clapped as Snape led him out.
"All right, everyone, carry on, carry on."
~~~~~
You had been invited to the Weasley's house for Christmas again this year. Especially since Remus would be there. So, you took the train back to London with the others. It was currently just Harry, Ron, and you in the cart.
"The unbreakable vow. You're sure that's what Snape said?
"Positive, why?"
"It's just you can't break an unbreakable vow."
"I...I worked that thing out myself, funny enough." Harry suppressed a laugh.
"Can't understand - Oh, bloody hell." He looked over and Lavender was at the car window. he fogged up the glass and drew a heart with their two initials in it.
"I'll miss you." Then she left.
"Lovely."
"All she wants to do is snogg me. My lips are getting chapped, look!" Ron leaned towards Harry.
"I'll take your word for it." They sat in silence for a moment when Hermione walked by. She stopped but then saw the fog message and walked away.
" So what happens to you? What happens if you break an unbreakable vow?"
"You die." The rest of the train ride was had in silence. But once you all got to the Weasley house your mood perked up. You saw Remus and gave him a large hug. Tonks was with him. He'd told you that she stayed with him during the full moons so he wasn't alone.
"So Voldemort has chosen Draco Malfoy for a mission." Remus leaned forward in his seat.
"I know it sounds mad."
"Has it occurred to you, Harry, that Snape was simply pretending to offer Draco help, so he could find out what he was after?"
"Or that he's actually helping him. He's just like us, maybe he's just trying to keep him safe." Your words fell of deaf ears.
"That's not what it sounded like."
"Perhaps Harry's right, Remus. I mean to make an unbreakable vow..."
"It comes down to whether or not you trust Dumbledore's judgement. Dumbledore trusts Snape, therefore I do."
"Dumbledore can make mistakes, he said so himself."
"You're blinded by hatred!"
"I'm not."
"Yes you are."
"People are disappearing, Harry, daily. We can only place our trust in a handful of people. If we start fighting amongst ourselves we are doomed." Tonks stood and left with Remus. He didn't seem to be doing well, it was close to the full moon. They decided it was best to go home and rest. You stood at the door with them saying goodbye. You hugged Remus and took a step back.
"It was delicious, Molly, really."
"Are you sure you won't stay?"
"No, we should go. The first night of the cycle is always the worst." He seemed to stare out into the field aimlessly, but you had a bad feeling in your gut that it wasn't for no reason.
"Remus?" You put a hand on his arm.
"Moony?" He continued to stare. Then you saw it. The black smoke. The same kind that was there at the ministry. These were death eaters. A ball of fire magic came down and circled the house. Bellatrix appeared in the yard and ran through a gap in the fire into the field. Harry pushed through all of you and ran after her. Remus and Tonks tried to stop him but got stopped by the flames. They both had to use their magic to keep it from lashing out. Ginny ran out through her parents and through the flames as well. Her parents yelled for her to come back but to no avail. When Remus and Tonks got control of the flame they followed.
"Stay here little moon." You wanted to protest but Molly grabbed your arm. It seemed forever they fought in the field until the black smoke flew through the house and it all went up in flames. Everyone had come out before but it still hurt. You could see the pain in Molly's eyes as her home burned to the ground.
~~~~~
School flowed on. Lessons and the such. Then Ron ended up in the hospital. A poisoned bottle it seemed. but he was ok after a stint in the medical wing. What he didn't seem to understand was how he broke up with Lavender. Hermione had told you what happened and begged you not to say anything to him, so you hadn't. during lunch you saw a bit of snow at the Gryffindor table. Upon closer look it was Ron. You chuckled and looked over at the entrance to see Draco come in. You saw him quickly leave and stood up. Harry ran after him and you followed. They were farther ahead of you that you'd have liked. But when you heard spells being shot off in the bathroom you ran as fast as you could.
"SECTUM SEMPRA!" You saw Draco fall back and saw blood start to flow from his body in multiple spots. You ran forward and fell to the ground next to him. You held his hand in yours.
"Draco!" Snape swooped in and took in the scene. He knelt by Draco and started casting.
"Vulnera cemento." He repeated the spell until all of his blood had seeped back into his body. Tears fell from your eyes as Madam Pomphrey ran in with some other attendants. Snape pulled you back so they could get him to the medical wing. Snape had a firm hand on your shoulder as a form of comfort. You visited after a while. Held his hand and talked to him. Once the infirmary was empty he turned to you.
"I Have no choice. I have to do it." His grip tightened in yours.
"I know, Draco, I know. I'll be here for you."
Draco told you what he needed to do. and what would happen if he didn't but you had gathered on your own what all Snape had promised to do. He had promised to protect Draco, but to also do the task for him. You knew Dumbledore probably knew what was going to happen and you hoped he'd never allow a student to do such a thing. That's what he'd trusted Snape to do. Kill him. Once Draco had healed fully you knew it was time. You held his hands and looked in his eyes.
"It's ok. You'll be ok. Just trust Snape. Trust yourself. You can't do it, and that's ok. you don't need to worry about it. Being unable to kill someone doesn't make you weak. It makes you strong. You are so strong, Draco. I'll see you after, and I'll write you."
"Promise?" You smiled.
"Promise."
Some promises can't be kept. You didn't see Draco after Dumbledore was killed nor did you ever send a letter. You couldn't put him in danger like that. He knew it too.
2.4.23