Battle of Cacophony
The fall of Hogwarts’ defenses shattered Draco’s world. The thought of fighting on the wrong side gnaws at him, prompting the question if the time to change is too late.
Anger surges through Draco as he hears about McGonagall’s order of sending the entire Slytherin house to the dungeons—a harmful judgment for a few misguided souls that never represented the house as a whole. With frustration and determination, he apparates into the dungeons, orchestrating a distraction that frees his fellow Slytherins. As Draco flees to search for Harry, Crabbe and Goyle swiftly follow behind.
Tension fills the air as Draco and his companions confront Harry. “You didn’t tell her,” Harry voices, “Bellatrix.” And for a moment, Draco’s pale expression reveals a flicker of concern. Lowering his wand, Draco prepares a response when Granger disarms him and the duo attacks.
The three flee, Weasley pursuing with revenge after Goyle’s attempt at sending Granger a killing curse. Stupidity arises when Crabbe sets the place on fire, losing his control of the fiendfyre that recklessly spreads. With fear, Draco climbs, uncertain whether Harry will come to his rescue.
Clinging onto Harry’s waist, Draco chokes with relief, “You came back.”
“Always,” Harry replies, a self-assured smile appearing across his lips. When they escape the approaching flames, Draco observes Harry in awe as he destroys the lost diadem.
“I’ll go help the others,” Draco says after the horcrux is destroyed, whispering the parting words, “Good luck, Harry.”
Draco vanishes from Harry’s sights, lending his aid to the other side. In an instant, the battlefield falls silent, and a bewildered Draco observes the scene of everyone painfully clutching their ears. No one bothers to inform him of what that meant; instead, he searches for Harry. After a while, he spots him concluding a conversation with his best friends.
“Harry,” he gasps, breathless.
He responds, “Draco.”
“I’m sorry for hiding the truth from you,” Draco confesses, on the verge of tears. “I was afraid of your reaction to seeing me marked, I didn’t want this. I-I was being a coward.”
“It’s alright, love. I forgive you,” Harry reassures, trailing off as if he is contemplating his next words. “But I must go now. To the Forbidden Forest.”
“What? What’s out there? Why are you-”
Harry frowns, “I have to go. Alone. Don’t worry about me, take care of yourself. I love you, Draco Malfoy.”
“What? I—I love you too, Harry Potter.” Draco doesn’t understand what Harry is talking about. Their foreheads touch briefly. Before Harry departs, he steals a tender kiss from Draco, their lips tasting of salt from their tears.
…
The first light of day dawns over Hogwarts, casting its glow onto the two opposing sides.
“Harry Potter…is dead!” Voldemort's thunderous announcement rings across the battlefield. Among the cacophony of mixed reactions of Harry’s death, Draco stays hidden behind others, his hand clutching his chest out of grief. It dawns on him that their conversation was a true farewell, he was telling Draco that he was sacrificing himself. After all, Harry was one of the last remaining horcruxes. His suspicions were correct, though he constantly denied each thought that Harry would die.
“Draco,” his father pleads. Draco hesitates, he’s unsure himself—perhaps, waiting for someone to tell him not to go. However, no one does.
“Draco…” his mother’s voice breaks through, “come.”
At the sound of his mother’s voice, he steps down reluctantly, making yet another choice against his beliefs. With his only source of light gone, all that remains is his family—and if one thing is for certain, the Malfoys will always have each other. Voldemort awkwardly hugs Draco, causing discomfort as his gaze lingers towards Harry’s lifeless body.
Longbottom speaks, his words becoming background noise as Draco is consumed by his memories of his time with Harry. Without thinking, Draco tightens his grip on his wand that Harry had returned to him before departing.
Draco’s thoughts shatter when Harry shoves himself off Hagrid’s arms.
“Harry!” Draco cries, tossing his wand to Harry. As Harry defends himself from Voldemort, Draco requests his mother’s wand and dashes into the castle. He’s unsure of his parents’ fate, but he has faith in their resilience to death. Despite his worries, he casts a stunning spell at an approaching Death Eater. He saves Granger and Weasley, giving them time to attempt to destroy the last deadly horcrux, Nagini. However, the spell rebounds onto him as he forgets the wand’s specialities. His head collides with rubble, rendering himself unconscious.
Upon regaining consciousness, Draco finds himself in the Great Hall with his parents. Uncertainty emerges in their eyes, asking if they belong here. Nonetheless he squeezes them both into a hug, grateful they still have each other. He soon realizes that the battle is over and instantly scans the hall.
Harry walks through the overjoyed crowd, smiling to himself. As he examines the room, his eyes catch the platinum blond hair. Nothing could restrain Draco from immediately rushing to embrace the wizarding world’s savior. Their lips meet passionately, finally revealing to the world of their love.