Hands that heal

Harry Pov

Anger consumed Harry in a way that made him feel dirty, hot, and heavy. Ever since Sirius died, he could feel little but anger. All fantasies of this war one day being over and him living a regular life as a teenager with adults to deal with the big stuff died with Sirius. He desperately wanted a distraction. Any distraction. Draco Malfoy was it.

 Draco had always been Harry’s go to distraction, watching Draco’s face flush with anger as they bantered had always given Harry a sick sense of joy. It was a place to put his anger. He was already lectured about unhealthy obsessions by Ron and Hermione before the school year started but he knew Draco was up to something. And he was going to find out what even if only for the distraction.

When Harry sneaked onto the Slytherins carriage on the train he found Draco alone gazing out onto Hogwarts grounds with a distant stare. Harry tried to be quiet as he waited for Draco to do something after all his friends left.

“You can come out from the invisibility cloak now Potter, I know you are there. You are a loud mouth breather”

Harry halted his breaths in surprise and tried to still his breathing.

“I am not going to hex you; I would frankly like to talk to you. I am sure you have questions for me”

Harry was sceptical but Draco didn’t have his usual venom in his voice. Harry flung the cloak off of himself and sat in the seat across form Draco looking to him. Draco had yet to move his eyes from the window still staring into Hogwarts grounds.

“You may ask your questions Potter”

“You have the dark mark don’t you!”

“Yes, I do”

Harry was startled by Draco’s admission. He had expected avoidance and anger. He expected Draco and him to fall into their usual bickering, he needed them too, but Draco hadn’t so much as flinched.

“So you admit you are a death eater! And you think I won’t stop you? Whatever you are planning Malfoy I will stop you”

Draco sighed still not looking at Harry. He didn’t seem even the slightest bit annoyed which infuriated Harry. This was not the satisfying passion he usually saw from Draco.

“There will be no need for that Potter. I have no intention of carrying out the mission that has been tasked to me. You may keep an eye on me all you like but I assure you I am quite done doing my father’s bidding. I intend to try and spend this year doing what I want, dammed the consequences”

Harry leaned back confused. What is it that Draco would want to do. Harry had always though Draco was already doing what he wanted to do.

“You mean you don’t want to be a death eater? I thought it was an honour for people like you”

Although Draco was not making eye contact Harry could see him roll his eyes

“People like me? You don’t know what kind of person I am Potter you never have. As soon as Weasley told you what a Malfoy was you made assumptions as to the kind of person I was. And for a while it was best If I let you and everyone believe I was exactly that. And maybe I was. I behaved as was expected of me, but I never wanted to be like that. I have spent the last summer with he who must not be named having tea in my living room, torturing those he deemed lesser over my dining table. Bowing my head in fear. And I am tired. I will do what I can to help you. So one day you may rejoice that people like me no longer exist”

As he finished his sentence Draco got up sparing a second’s glance to Harry’s eyes. Within those silver-grey orbs Harry saw honesty and something sad he could not put his finger on.

Harry made it to the dining hall late and was pestered by Ron and Hermione to tell them what happened. Once he promised he would they let him eat in peace. When they were alone, he was met with as much surprise as he felt. Draco was a death eater but planned to help Harry. Of course they believed it a trap, it had to be but something in Draco’s eyes gave Harry a sense of hope he wasn’t expecting.

Draco Pov

Draco was relieved. He felt guilty about it at first, but he didn’t anymore. He was relieved. When Harry had comeback form the final task in the tournament clutching the lifeless body of Cedric Digory Draco felt relived. Not just because Harry wasn’t the one that was dead but because of what that meant. Voldemort was back. And Draco was relieved. Not because his father was right, not because he wanted to be a death eater but because it was the final straw. Because Draco felt that had life continued as it was Draco would never have been pushed to the point he was at now. Because he would have continued as he was, lying to himself and those around him to please his father. But now things were changing they had to change. His previous responsibilities were now pointless in the face of an oncoming war. The fear and sadness he had felt every day of his life were no better than this new fear he had. At least now he had plans.

When Harry snuck onto the train carriage Draco smelt him a mile away. The familiar warmth filling Draco’s chest as he inhaled the fire smoke and broom polish scent, he obsessively knew was Harry Potter. He wasn’t planning on his year staring before he had even stepped onto Hogwarts grounds, but he supposed Harry’s impatience was a quality Draco had always found quite endearing. He gazed out onto the grounds taking in as much of the sight as he could. Harry had taken his confession with less aggression than Draco expected. He let himself steal a glance of Harry’s eyes taking in the bright green colour he had memorised the moment he had seen them. The sight of them only made Draco surer of his plans.

His plan was to die. And he had never been more relieved. He was going to spend the next year doing everything he had told himself he never could do. And when the year was over, and he had finished doing everything he could to make a difference and maybe save Harry Potter. He was going to die. And that was such a freeing feeling.

--

Harry Pov

Draco approached Hermione one afternoon when her and Harry were walking the grounds. No sneer crossed his face but rather a soft hopeful expression as he struggled to catch up to them seemingly out of breath from his short run.

“Granger! I was hoping to catch you. I have something for you. A gift. It may be a poor apology for the way I have treated you over the years, but I intend to give it to you all the same. It is a copy of pride a prejudice, I noticed the copy you have is falling apart at the binding last year. I enchanted this one to never fall apart no matter how many times you read it”

Hermione eyed the book with great suspicion as Draco held out a beautiful blue fabric bound copy of Hermione’s favourite book.

“It isn’t cursed I assure you. I haven’t even read this copy. It is a favourite of mine as well”

“You have read pride and prejudice? It is a muggle book”

Draco nodded holding the book out again for Hermione to take which she finally did. This seemed to calm Draco immensely who’s shoulders relaxed.

“I have read many muggle books, I disguise them as books written by wizards of course, my father would give me a right beating if he knew I read such things, but he isn’t here”

Hermione nodded turning the book over in her hands.

“And you like pride and prejudice?”

“As I am sure you are aware many wizarding traditions are not so far from older muggle ones. In many ways much of wizarding society is behind muggles. I enjoy how similar courting in Jane Austen novels is to courting amongst higher class wizard families now. I also have a soft spot for dark haired mysterious romance interests, Wickham excluded of course”

And at this Hermione laughed, an honest to God laugh. Harry looked at her like she had grown another head. Draco Malfoy was not someone you laughed with, never.

“What are you playing at Draco?”

“Apologies Potter, I have no gift for you as apology for my behaviour to you. But I intend to help you in your fight against he who must not be named. I believe that is of better use to you than a book”

Harry clenched his fists

“If you think a book will fix what you have done to Hermione over the years you are mistaken!”

Hermione reached out and grabbed Harry’s shoulder and he allowed her to move him back a pace from where he had been encroaching further towards Draco.

“I can speak for myself Harry. Thank you for the book, Draco it is a surprisingly thoughtful gift. If you truly mean what you say I am glad. I would love to talk books with you some day. But I believe you will need to do more to earn our trust Draco”

“I am aware Granger. I do not need your trust, nor your forgiveness I have not earned it. But I will express my shame for my past. And when I have something to offer to help you, I hope you will accept it”

Draco gave an apparent half bow at Hermione before leaving. Harry stood stock still in shock for a few minutes unable to articulate how confused he was. How was giving Hermione a book part of his dark plan? What kind of game was Draco playing.

--

Draco chased Harry down in the hall pulling him onto a staircase just as it began to move effectively trapping them.

“What do you want Draco?”

“I have information. Something you should know. Something I think can help you”

“And why should I trust you Draco? I don’t trust you. Andy information you give me could be a lie. Just because you have stopped your usual prat-ish behaviour doesn’t mean I trust you Draco”

Draco rolled his head back in exasperation sighing.

“That is fair, but I don’t really have time to get you to trust me, Harry. What can I do to speed up the process? Make you trust me at least enough to trust my information”

Harry pondered this for a moment. He didn’t think there would be an act or promise that Draco could make that would make Harry trust him. He needed some way to ensure Draco wasn’t lying. Then Harry thought of a great Idea.

“Veratisyrum. We made some in Slughorns class recently I still have some. If you take that I know you can’t lie. If I can ask you questions whilst you are under the influence of a truth potion, then and only then will I trust you”

  Harry smirked thinking he had backed Draco into a corner, but Draco didn’t protest. He seemed resigned to his fate.
“Very well but I want someone with us”

“Hermione and Ron will be there”

“No, not Ron you can bring Hermione but not Ron, he hates me most of the three of you because of our parent’s feud. He would only waste time asking pointless questions. And I get to bring someone I trust”

Harry scowled. He admitted to himself that Ron probably would be a distraction.

“I won’t have you bring some Slytherin with you”

Draco shook his head quickly and waved a hand dismissively.

“Of course not I don’t trust them either. No. Nevil Longbottom. Bring him, despite some cruelties on my part Longbottom has never hated me I trust him to remain impartial and change the topic if I am in danger”

Harry was surprised. He never knew Draco trusted Nevil, but he couldn’t fault his judge of character. A time and a place were decided, and Harry anxiously awaited his opportunity to have his questions answered.

--

(This part includes some description of child abuse it is alluded to thought skip between ** if you wish to skip the actual description of what is done)

Draco sat on a chair across from Harry in a classroom that would be empty for some time. They knew the serum would wear off eventually and Harry had discussed with Hermione repeatedly what questions they should be sure to ask. Nevil was surprised to be asked to be there, but he seemed glad to be involved itching for another chance to be helpful after being a part of Dumbledore’s Army the year before. Draco drank the serum without hesitation and relaxed back into his seat.

“Do you mean me or anyone of my friends harm?”

“No”

Harry paused. Such a simple answer he was expecting much more for a question that had so much weight to it.

“You are going to have to be more specific if you want details Potter”

Harry nodded leaning forward in his chair as if Draco’s words were a challenge he had to meet.

“Why did you take the dark mark if you do not intend to do what Voldemort asks”

“Because I was scared. Because my mother was there, and I would gladly die to keep her from harm’s way. Because my father has threatened to leave me alone in a room with Fedrick Greyback since the end of second year and that man looks at me in a way that no adult man should look at a boy my age”

Harry gulped. He knew who Greyback was. He was the werewolf that turned Lupin, and he was known to have a preference for young boys.

“If you are so afraid of Voldemort, why are you offering to help me now?”

“Because I don’t want to do what he has asked me to do. Because I can no longer justify following in my fathers’ footprints to keep myself safe. Because I do not agree with what they are doing. Because I am at Hogwarts which means, for now, I am safe and for the months I am here I can use it to un-do some of the damage I have done over the years and maybe help you whilst I have time”

“And what is it that they have asked you to do?”

Draco opened his mouth to answer but then shook violently and winced.

“Harry he must be under a secrets curse, he can’t tell you without hurting himself”

Neville said moving to pat Draco’s back as he coughed

“Was it for me? Did they ask you to kill me?”

Draco shook his head

“Kill someone else?”

Draco nodded and as soon as he did blood came up from his coughing mouth stark against his paling completion.

“Harry stop asking him about it! you could kill him!”

Nevil shouted using a handkerchief to wipe Draco’s mouth. Hermione’s hand rested on Harry’s shoulder, and he stopped.

“Sorry”

“It is alright, I would tell you if I could”

Draco said still wiping blood and spit from his mouth

“Do you still believe in your fathers’ teachings? About pureblood values, about your place above the rest of us?”

Draco shook his head sniffled and returned to his previous relaxed posture on the chair.

“Never truly did. Even when I was little, I was curious about the muggle world, I didn’t understand why my father hated it so much. My mother would sneak muggle stories into the house and make me swear not to tell my father. I wanted to believe it to believe in my father. I was home-schooled, I never spoke to children my own age but as soon as I arrived at Hogwarts, I saw students of all kinds and I didn’t see the depraved, stupid people my father described. I knew then that he was without a doubt wrong”

“Then why behave as you did? Why bully students? Why call Hermione slurs?”

“Jealousy mostly, fear and hurt even. When we first met you had no idea who I was and I had no idea who you were, and in that moment, you treated me as an equal and that was exhilarating. But then when I extended my hand to you at Hogwarts you rejected me. I realised in the few hours we had been parted someone had told you what the name Malfoy means, and you had become yet another person who would treat me by name first. It made me angry. You had hurt my feelings and I repaid in kind. I was childish I admit but being cruel to you or those around you was the fastest way to get your attention. And if I couldn’t get you to look at me any other way then so be it.  Before I knew it, I was doing it just because it was routine. And because the worse I was to you the kinder my father was to me ”

Harry nodded looking to Hermione her gaze focused on Draco. And she asked the next question.

“What do you mean by that Draco. What exactly would your father do to you?”

“I don’t think you want to know Hermione”

Harry snapped his attention back to Draco angerly.

“That wasn’t answer Draco”

“No but it was the truth”

“You promised me you would answer our questions”

Draco sighed again looking more reigned than angry.

“Fine. You asked for it. My father is a cruel man you have met him, Potter. Don’t think for a second he is kinder to me than he was to anyone else. My father has expectations of me, and I am to live up to them or face his wrath. My mother is fortunately spared from his temper because of their marriage but I am not so lucky”

Harry furrowed his brows and Hermione answered his unasked question

“Magical marriage certificates can have a magical prenup of sorts. Many include clauses like the inability for one spouse to hurt another or some more barbaric ones force them to bear promised heirs”

Draco nodded in confirmation.

“What kind of things would incite your father’s wrath Draco?”

“Hmm a complicated question really. It varied, if I was seen as too nice to someone I should not have been, associated with those my father thought unsavoury, if my manners were poor, if I did not speak up, stand tall, look him in the eye. Those were the usual things, of course there were more extreme moments”

Draco appeared to bite his lip as if forcing himself to stop, fighting the serum for the first time of the night.

“Give me examples of these extreme moments”

Harry probed. Part of him almost felt guilty pushing further than Draco clearly wanted but his curiosity outweighed the guilt.

*“When I came home from third year and Hermione had again scored higher than me in 3 of our classes my father screamed at me for hours whist he struck me with his cane, then he spelled me to float at our ceiling for the evening so I could watch him eat dinner without me. In second year he found out that it was me who had sent Dobby to stop you from coming to school, because I knew he had plans. He locked me in the dungeon for 5 days until mother came home from Paris and nursed be back to health”*

“You sent dobby!?”

“Yes. You see now why I didn’t try to intervene with my father’s plans again. Until now”

Harry was reeling from these revelations. This was a lot to take in. More than Harry was ready for. He rubbed his eyes under his glasses trying to gain composure.

“Draco you say you want to help, but you can’t tell me what their plan is. How exactly do you intend to help?”

“I know what he is planning, and I won’t be helping. I do know things, I have listened over the years, and I am sure with some research I can connect the dots. I know that He is looking for something, he is biding time whilst he gathers things, whatever it is he is looking for Dumbledore knows what it is and that scares him. I also know whatever it is, part of it is here at Hogwarts or at least it once was”

Neville nodded along in rapture to Draco’s words Hermione too seemingly pondering the information already. But Harry was disappointed.

“It sounds to me like you know very little”

Draco tilted his head in agreement.

“This is true”

Harry sighed. He had asked all the question he had intended to. Now he found himself in the uncomfortable position of having no logical choice but to accept that Draco was an ally.

--

Draco pov

The truth Serum session had honestly gone better than Draco could have planned. He had carefully planed truthful answers that avoided his feelings about Harry to ensure his secret didn’t slip. He wasn’t expecting to be asked about his father and had shared more than he was comfortable with, but it was a small price to pay if it helped in any way to gain their trust.

It was Granger who approached him first. He worried she was doing so out of some misguided guilt that his punishments had been because of her grades but she elegantly avoided the topic. Instead she spoke to him openly about the muggle books she had liked and the kinds of romances she favoured. Draco repaid in kind. He spoke of how he adored some of the same books as her, confessed he had a weak spot for romantic dark haired men with saviour complexes. Hermione then fervently compared his and her taste in men which was a welcome surprise despite them having extremely clashing tastes and could agree on very few men in common.

Draco was actually making a friend. It was nice. He wanted to try again. He approached Luna first as she was less intimidating as he had never actually been that rude to her in the past. Luna had just taken him into stride as if they had always been friends. Neville on the other had was more complicated. Draco had actually had a crush on Neville before, but it was always overshadowed by Harry. He realised he had a type of course. Neville was scared at first and Draco hated that he was feared. People around Draco had used fear to control him all his life he didn’t want to be like that. It took brutal honesty to get Neville to be his friend.

“You had a crush on me!”

“A little one, just a little one ok. You are a good dancer, I like dancing. And in between fourth and fifth year you grew allot and came back a whole new man. I am only telling you this because you deserve some kind of dirt on me, but you can’t bully me too hard please”

Neville’s whole face was red, but he seemed supremely amused

“So you are telling me that you once thought I was cute but now want to be my friend?”

Draco shrugged in affirmative.

“Your crush on Potter to strong then?”

Draco gawked

“I want to be your friend, but you will have to wait at least a week before you start teasing me about my pathetic crushes”

Of course Neville knew. He may be a Gryffindor, but people underestimated him, and this gave Neville the perfect opportunity to go unnoticed and observe those around him. And apparently, he was good at it. Neville was a great friend though. More physically affectionate than Draco had ever experienced. Draco was sure Neville in 2 weeks had given him more hugs than Draco had received in his whole life.

Befriending Harry and Ron was harder. But Draco expected that. He wasn’t sure he would even be able to do it but he wanted to try all the same. He had bulled Harry for years just to have his attention so being rejected by him when trying to befriend him really didn’t hurt any less than being hated by him.

--

Harry Pov

Draco continued his apparent change in behaviour with more commitment than a simple ruse would surely need. He hexed bullies from any house his own included, he gave Hermione compliments when she did well in class which was often, he no longer spent time with Crabbe and Goyle but rather spent his time with Luna Lovegood and Nevil Longbottom.

 When Harry asked them what on earth, they were doing they both told him Draco had apologised for his childish behaviour in earlier years and wished to be friends. They both vouched for him as a good friend to have. Harry could see it. Luna smiled at Draco in her airy way and Draco listened in rapture to her rants never once rolling her eyes at her wild ideas, Draco was nicer to Luna than Harry was frankly. And Neville well he and Draco got along too well it unnerved Harry. Neville and Draco studied in the library together allot and Draco seemed a great help to Neville’s confidence in his spell work, apparently, he was a kind and patient teacher that rivalled even Harry’s teaching during Dumbledore’s army. But Harry and Ron were still very sceptical.

Harry did as he had intended to before he arrived at Hogwarts. He observed Draco Malfoy. Hermione called it stalking. Harry kept track of him using the marauders  map just waiting for a moment when Draco would do something suspicious so Harry could follow him. Draco consumed his thoughts he was always wondering what he was doing, who he was with desperately trying to understand what he was thinking. His obsession irritated his friends, but he couldn’t help himself.

Draco disappeared early from the dining hall one night. Whilst not unusual for his recent behaviour Harry noticed Draco ate very little recently what was unusual was that he did not go back to his dorm. Instead Harry watched his feet on the map head to the girl’s bathroom specifically Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom. A perfect place to be undisturbed. Harry dashed up to the bathroom to see what Draco was doing. What he found was not his rival brewing some evil potion or practicing dark spells. No Draco was hunched over the basin shoulders shaking wet gasps leaving his lips as he sobbed. Draco Malfoy was sobbing.

Harry approached the scene in a daze his adrenaline dissipating in a strange guilt filled disappointment. Miss Weasley’s words from a meeting with the order flashed though his mind ‘HE IS JUST A BOY’ she had shouted. Harry at the time was angry that he wasn’t being included but he was also afraid. Part of him wanted nothing more than to shrink into her arms and ask her to take care of it all, as adults should. Before him Harry felt those words ring true. Draco like Harry was just a boy. A boy like Harry who had been born into his role in this war. Harry born to be a hero no matter how scared he really was, Draco born to be the villain in someone else’s story before he was old enough to understand what he was fighting for.

Draco suddenly choked on his sobs as their eyes met in the refection of the mirror. As Draco snapped his head around Harry caught a glimpse of Draco’s arm his sleeve rolled up for the first time Harry had seen that year. Harry expected to be shocked by finally seeing the dark mark there in person. What shocked him more was the blood. Before Harry could think his action though he stepped forward and grabbed Draco’s arm ignoring the boys attempts to move away.

“Let go of me Potter”

“No”

Harry pulled the arm closer inspecting it. Lacerations littered the arm obscuring the mark underneath, some were deep others appeared half healed. Harry realised Draco was trying to cover the mark with scars almost trying to cut it off. But the cuts were dangerous one wrong move and Draco could have been bleeding out on this bathroom floor. Harry moved his gaze from the arm to Draco who was looking down at him eyes wild and frightened waiting for Harry to do something.

“You could have killed yourself Draco”

“I know how to preform a laceration spell Potter, if I want to kill myself, I will not go hacking at one arm like that I can be much more precise”

Harry scowled. He squeezed Draco’s wrist and preformed a cleaning spell to remove the blood.

“Some of these are deep Draco”

“They have to be, you can’t just cut off the Dark Mark believe me I have tried. But if you go deep enough, they scar for a little while, then at least the mark is covered somewhat. I don’t like it looking back at me”

Harry wasn’t good at healing spells, not like Hermione was. He did know a bandage spell which he used to cover the wounds and hopefully staunch the bleeding.

“Don’t do that again. You absolute ass”

“Why do you care Potter?”

Harry felt familiar ager seep into his bones, Draco was incredibly good at getting Harry to feel strong emotions which frustrated Harry to no end, but it was not Draco he was mad at.

“I care because I am sick and tired of you and I fighting other people’s battles! Because we are children! This whole time we have been fighting each other it is because we are the same”

“We are not the same Potter”

“Aren’t we? You were the one who pointed it out. As soon as we arrived at Hogwarts people knew exactly who we were, I was Harry Potter the boy who was going to save the world and you were Draco Malfoy the boy who was going to try and destroy it. I rejected your friendship because I never gave you a change to be anything else”

Harry was still holding Draco’s wrist and he used it to pull Draco slightly closer staring into Draco’s  eyes

“I really did want to be your friend that day”

“I know. I am sorry if I could go back, I would change it, but I can’t. So how about we try now”

Harry moved his hand from Draco’s wrist to his hand and shook it. Draco started for a moment and did nothing. Harry worried he had gone to far Draco might not want to be his friend anymore. Then Draco squeezed his had and returned the handshake.

It had taken too long but Harry found himself that evening friends with Draco Malfoy.

--

Draco Pov

Draco had gone to visit Dobby before supper. The house elf greeted him with much joy before his face suddenly darkened.

“Dobby is concerned. Young master Malfoy looks thin”

Draco smiled down at him. Dobby had been his friend since he was a small child, he practically raised him. Dobby had always thought Draco was on the too thin side which he occasionally was when anxious. He supposed he was right now, but he didn’t feel the need to care.  

“I am alright Dobby”

Draco was led to stand by a fire and pulled down to his knees to be face level with Dobby.

“Dobby can sense it. You have the mark. The magic is strong it leaves a darkness over you”

Draco felt his eyes widen and a shiver over his shoulders. The thought of the mark being so noticeable to Dobby made him feel sick. He hated that that kind of darkness hung over him.

“You knew it would happen Dobby. But do not worry I won’t do anything bad”

“Dooby isn’t worried you will do something bad young master; Dobby is worried something bad will be done to you again”

Draco felt his eyes sting and he forced a smile to his face

“That isn’t your job Dobby”

“It isn’t a job young master Malfoy it is just a feeling Dobby has. I am sorry I didn’t get you away from the bad master too”

Draco bit his lips forcing himself not to cry. He adjusted the poorly knit hat Dobby wore and forced another smile. He left without another word.

Draco spent his supper unable to eat his mind drifting to the mark on his arm, how dirty it made him feel to know Dobby could sense it there. He couldn’t stand it and found himself in the fifth-floor bathroom deftly using a charm to block Myrtle’s toilet before rolling up his sleeve.

When Harry’s green eyes met his in the mirror he felt as if ice water had been splashed on him. But Harry didn’t belittle him. No he took Draco’s arm with a tenderness that made Draco want to cry again. He had never thought Harry would be standing before him attempting to heal him yet here he was. Draco watched Harry’s clumsy wand work in rapture.

When Draco was 11 his father told him that one day Draco would face the famous boy who lived in a battle to the death and Draco must prepare. When Draco was 12, he met the boy who lived in a dress shop and from the moment he met those green eyes he knew he wanted them to never leave him. When he found out those green eyes belonged to the boy who lived he realised he would ever be able to live up to his father’s plan and kill him. When he was 14 and Harry glared at him those green eyes boring into him with such passionate fury Draco realised that when the time comes, he wouldn’t be so mad if Harry did kill him, because what a pleasant last sight those eyes would be.

And now Draco was 16 and he found himself watching those green eyes though stands of unruly dark hair and Harry attempted to heal him. When Harry took his hand as Draco had wished he had all those years ago Draco felt as if he was rewriting his destiny. Could the very hands he thought would kill him be the ones to save him.

--

Harry pov

Ron was not acclimatising as quickly to Draco befriending all his friends. Harry wondered had his parents been alive if his family’s feud with the Malfoys would have further distanced him and Draco the way Ron’s family did. Draco stubbornly ignored Ron’s distaste for him though.

“Oh Potter, Weasley”

Draco called as he approached the two in the hall Hermione and Nevil following.

“Hermione Nevil and I are going to work on the History paper in the library if you would like to join us. Between Hermione and I we have all the knowledge needed and are happy for you to ask questions to write your papers”

Harry paused. He did need help with that paper he really hated History. Ron scowled next to him.

“I don’t want you help Malfoy. I don’t care that you are suddenly being all nice you are still a Malfoy, I knew what you were as soon as your stupid white, blonde head approached”

Nevil stepped forward as if to defend Draco, but Draco placed his hand on Neville’s shoulder in a placating gesture.

“Potter what about you, it is just homework”

Harry conceded at this, it was just homework. And Malfoy really had been good lately. Harry would never have admitted it in the past, but he always thought he and Draco would be good friends under different circumstances. Now they kind of were. They actually had allot in common. Draco also had a wicked sense of humour that made bantering with him so entertaining over the years.

Much to Ronald’s dismay Harry followed the rest to get help on his paper. Neville was right Draco was very patient with him and although he stubbornly refused to write any of the paper for Harry, he did give him all the information he needed.

Harry was snorting an honest to God a genuine snort came out his nose. Draco was funny he joked around with Neville in a way Harry never thought he would see when Draco’s eyes met his laughter just dying out, he smiled back at Harry.

“Oh admit it Harry you like my company”

Harry scoffed

“Woah, down boy, don’t take off on the broom so fast. I am just deciding not to hate you first”

Neville laughed at Harry gazing between the two from across the table.

“You couldn’t handle him as a friend Harry trust me he is a lot to handle”

“Are you calling me dramatic Longbottom?”

Draco asked voice raising in mock offence

“No never, Draco Malfoy dramatic? Of course not you are the plainest most down to earth person I know”

Neville said smiling. He only managed to keep composure for a few seconds before they all erupted into fits of giggles causing the librarian to loudly shush them. As they were carefully rolling up their scrolls after finalising their papers Draco looked to Hermione for advice.

“Have you ever coloured your hair the muggle way?”

Hermione rose a brow

“No I haven’t but I have seen my mother do it plenty of times. Why do you ask?”

“Well if I colour my hair with magic, I am sure Snape or someone else would just spell it back in an instant but if I did it the muggle way it would be harder for them to undo”

Hermione nodded in agreement still looking somewhat confused.

“Are you going to colour your hair Draco?”

Neville asked

“I think so, it might be time for a change”

Harry scrunched his brows

“I like your hair”

He said looking up to Draco’s soft white, blonde locks. It was the truth Draco’s hair had always been something Harry thought was quite beautiful, especially now he no longer slicked it back with mountains on gel. It had a slight wave to it that left his hair softly cascading down the side of Draco’s head where his hair was longest. Harry looked at Draco’s face to see his face rapidly turning a lovely shade of pink.

“Thank you, Potter. I think I might change it all the same”

Draco said quickly ducking his head and scurrying off. Neville snorted a laugh as he watched Draco leave.

“You make him blush like that again Harry he just might combust”

Neville said slapping Harrys back as he passed. Harry frowned in confusion. It was barely a complement. Why did Draco react so violently. And why did Harry like it so much.

--

Draco did colour his hair. A few days later Draco walked into the dining hall with Hermione and Luna and his hair was a vibrant pink. He walked right up to the Gryffindor table and sat Hermione on his right Luna on his left. Luna had a lovely strand of pink added to her hair that matched Draco. Harry wondered if they used her hair to test the dye because it was such a similar colour to Draco’s or if they used the left over on her. Ron looked up from his mountain of food to Draco and burst out laughing.

“Oh my god Malfoy! Your hair! Wow you really committed to that”

Draco ran his hand though his hair and Harry noted his hands were lightly stained pink.

“My name is Draco. Please stop calling me Malfoy”

Ron snaped his mouth shut and hummed.

“You certainly don’t look like a Malfoy anymore. And I guess you haven’t been acting like one either.  Well then Draco, you may call me Ron”

From across the table Ron outstretched his hand offering it to Draco to take. Harry was remined of when he rejected Draco’s hand in first year. Things come full circle he thought and the two shook hands. This looked like it was the beginning of quite an interesting friendship.

--

Draco pov

He wasn’t sure if he actually wanted to colour his hair. He had always liked his hair; his mother had told him it made him look like an angel when he was little. He never grew it out like his father to fearful that it would make him look even more feminine. Not that that was really a bad thing, but he didn’t want people to treat him differently. Hermione had acquired muggle hair dye and he found himself in moaning myrtles bathroom for a much more pleasant reason than the last time. He sat on a conjured stool in front of the mirror as Hermione and Luna raked bright pink goop into his hair. 

“I think this pink will be a lovely colour Draco! With your pale long face you will look like a baby radish!”

Luna said brightly. Draco didn’t much like the sound of looking like a radish.

“You will look fine Draco. You asked to no longer look like a Malfoy, and I think pink was an inspired choice”

Hermione said and he encouragingly made eye contact with him in the mirror. He was right. He wanted to look less like a Malfoy. And he liked pink. Hermione ensured if he hated it that she knew of a magical way to undo it that Snape wouldn’t think of right away.

When all was said and done Draco didn’t hate the vibrant pink hair. The left-over hair dye went into Luna’s hair and Draco’s hands were stained pink as well as the cuffs of his sleeves which he had refused to roll up. The girls did not need to see that. He looked into the mirror ruffling the newly pink mop of hair on his head scrutinising his new appearance. If only it were really this simple to stop being a Malfoy.

--

Snape did not approve of his change in appearance and as predicted imminently attempted to charm it back.

“What spell did you use to change your hair Malfoy it is abhorrent. I can’t have you walking around in Slytherin robes looking like that”

“There is nothing in the rule book that prevents students from having coloured hair professor”

Snape grabbed Draco’s shoulder and leaned into his personal space

“What would your father do if he heard about this?”

“I don’t know? What would he do? Kill me? Oh no I am so scared”

Draco said sarcastically eye roll and all. Snape gave an exasperated sigh it was obvious after spending a summer with Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange in his home Draco was no longer so easily intimidated.
“You are setting yourself on a dangerous path Draco”

“I am aware Severus but if I am allowed to be bound in a magical contract with a dark wizard, I think I should be allowed to colour my hair. Don’t you”

Severus leaned back and out of Draco’s personal space. Draco distantly felt bad. He knew ultimately Snape was trying to protect him, but it had come little to late. When He was younger, he had asked Snape to help him leave his father. Snape had told him that it made him stronger. Draco didn’t want to be stronger. He wanted to be safe.

--

Harry Pov

Hermione, Ron and Harry were having their usual butter beer in Hogsmeade when Ron was affronted by the sight of his sister snogging someone in the corner of the café, Harry was so amused by Ron’s disgusted face he didn’t even notice Draco approach.

“Not pleased in you sisters’ choice of boyfriend are you, Ronald?”

Draco teased as he came to stand by the table. Harry moved aside nodding for Draco to join them. Draco had quite seamlessly joined their group, he kept up with Hermione in smarts, gave Ron gentle teases and banted with sass Harry found hilarious and enjoyed sassing back with.

“I hate him, what is he doing with my sister anyway?”

“Don’t be so rude to your sister. She is a lovely, attractive young woman”

Ron gagged and looked at Draco angrily

“That is my sister you are talking about!”

Draco laughed rolling his eyes

“Don’t get your briefs in a twist Ron, your sister is quite safe from me I assure you”

Hermione laughed into her palm as and Draco smiled at her with a knowing look. Harry turned to face Draco curiously.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Ron growled

“Ron, I am gayer than a pixie drunk on giggle water”

Draco said face serious an emotionless for a moment before splitting into a wild grin as he swiped his pink hair from his face. Harry let his eyes widen as he took in the boy next to him. Draco was gay. Of course he was. Harry thought back to the last few years, Draco never dated, he took friends to the Yue ball, never in the 5 years they had been in school together had there even been a rumour that Draco even had a crush on a girl. Harry liked this information more than he cared to admit.

Harry didn’t like Draco, did he? They were only recently friends for Merlin sakes.

--

When Ron laid down to sleep that night and asked what Harry thought Dean sees in Ginny, he found himself struggling to answer.

“I am not sure Ron. I don’t think Ginny is really my type you know?”

“What do you think Is your type then, Cho? What did you like about her?”

Harry thought back to Cho, he didn’t really know her that well either if he was being honest, but she was beautiful and she left his mind hazy in a good way.

“Cho is beautiful, I suppose that is the first thing you notice when you like someone. It is shallow I guess but it is true, you see a pretty girl, or a handsome bloke and you think man don’t they look nice”

Ron hummed

“I didn’t know you actually liked blokes Harry”

“I guess I do. I like girls too of course. But sometimes it isn’t just girls. Is that alright?”

Run turned to face Harry

“Of course it is Harry. I am just glad it is not my sister. So what do you like then in girls or boys? What do you think Dean sees in Ginny?”

“Pretty people have nice skin. I guess she has nice skin?”

“Nice skin?”

“Yeah, nice skin, you know, it looks… soft”

“Hermione has nice skin. Doesn’t she you know as skin goes”

“I don’t know Ron I don’t think I have ever thought about it. Draco has nice skin, it is pale, but it looks…”

“Soft?”

“Yeah”

--

Ron deciding to like Draco was not as fun as Harry hoped.

 Ron and Draco played chess Ron glad to finally have a challenge. They talked about things Harry and Hermione didn’t understand because they were not raised wizards. This was all fine, but it was the teasing that was going to kill Harry. Since Ron no longer saw Draco as a threat, he decided it was high time to tease Harry and Draco about their previous ‘obsessions’ with each other.

Harry was in potions class stirring his stupid love potion when Slug Horn strode up to Draco a large grin on his face as he slapped Draco’s back to congratulate Draco on the perfect potion. He beamed at Draco and loudly asked him what it was he smelt in his potion. Harry listened in rapture curious what or who Draco might love.

“I smell… treacle and hints of broom polish and the warm smell of a wood fire”

Harry furrowed his brows confused. He couldn’t think of many people who would smell like that. Lots of people smell like fireplaces at Hogwarts and the treacle was common also, Hogwarts has great treacle tarts they were his favourite actually, the broom polish was more curious though, not many people flew regularly only really those on the quidditch team like himself. Harry paused. It couldn’t be could it. Did Draco’s potion smell like Harry?

Ron’s snort from besides him made Harry ready to shrink. Ron had connected the same dots Harry had.

“Should I ask him what brand of broom polish he smells? Check if it matches yours? Does your potion smell like hair gel?”

Ron said elbowing Harry in the side. His potion did not smell like hair gel. It did smell like green apples and cool morning dew and ever so faintly metallic a sent Harry realised was blood, something he was mad he could easily now associate with Draco. He would have to try harder to support Draco so the next time he smelt that potion the metallic scent would be gone. Harry didn’t tell Ron this though he just squinted his eyes in irritation.

“Come on! Oh what about broom polish? Draco plays quidditch too. Maybe if you match broom polish you could polish each other brooms if you get what I mean”

Ron giggled. Harry shoved Ron from the side towards Hermione who then used her potions book to smack Ron’s head.

“Gross Ronald. You are disgusting”

Ron only laughed. Draco turned from his place fortunately 2 rows in front of the group and rose his eyebrows at Harry as if to ask what was so funny. Harry only shrugged.

---

Harry confessed his lack of progress with Slughorn to Draco after he failed to get him taking after the first dinner with him. Who better to ask about subtle manipulation than a Slytherin.

“Dumbledore asked you to get information from Slughorn about Riddle but didn’t give you details on what exactly you needed to know”

Harry shook his head.

“Let me get my facts straight, Last year you were learning legitimacy something I am still furious about because I am great at legitimacy and could have helped you sooner. This year you are attempting to learn more about Riddle in his youth. I know that HE is looking for something or trying to protect it. It is logical to assume that during his time at Hogwarts he stashed something here that he doesn’t want found”

Harry nodded along. Draco had to be right. There was something at Hogwarts Voldemort needed to stay hidden. And Harry was connected to Voldemort in some way the Draco was trying to figure out whilst Harry focused on Slughorn.

“You have to wait for the right opportunity with Slughorn, he wants to collect you, he likes the fantasy that he is making relationships with his students, that you like him. Let him believe that you see him as some kind of potions god”

This kind of spy work was absolutely not Harry’s forte. He was good at stalking people maybe concerningly so. But getting people to like him not so much.

“How are you even that good at potions anyway. You were never that good in the past”

Harry wanted to argue but Draco was very right. Harry decided to confess and showed Draco his potions book.

“Property of the Half-blood prince”

“Yeah, I don’t know who it was but…”

“Snape”

Draco said as if it was obvious

“What?”

“This belonged to Snape, he is the half blood prince. Snape is a half blood his father was a muggle. It was so surprising he was a Slytherin despite the house’s reputation as blood purists that they called him the half blood prince. Like how they call me the prince of Slytherin”

Harry was gobsmacked. He had no idea Snape was a half blood. How did a half blood join a blood purist cult. Did this mean he really was a double agent, or did he hate his heritage and hide his father’s muggle status from the world.

“Harry Snape is my godfather; I know he hasn’t been kind to you over the years, but he had his reasons. Foolish one’s mind you…”

“My father bullied him; I accidentally saw in our legitimacy lessons last year”

Draco frowned Harry thought he might get a scolding for his poor legitimacy etiquette, but Draco seemed to change his mind.

“Yes. Snape isn’t the forgiving sort. But he did like your mother. And despite pretences he has actually worked hard to keep you out of harms way these past few years. His attachment to you is the only reason he is letting me get away with my change of attitude as of late. Because he and I ultimately share the same goal”

“To help me?”

Draco nodded. He handed the book back to Harry. So not only was his arch nemesis of 5 years trying to save him but so was the brash teacher who had tormented him. What was Harry’s life coming to.

“Keep using the book. Slughorn will lose interest if your potion skill drops. But don’t use any of the spells in the margins, Snape isn’t evil, but he isn’t gentle either some of those spells are dangerous”

Harry nodded repeatedly thinking back to the spells he had seen in the margins of the book. Made up by an angry teen Snape. Definitely too dangerous to use.

--

Ron was terrified of his upcoming  quidditch match. Harry had never seen him this nervous not even when they were facing a three headed dog in first year. He wished he could just give him his luck potion and be free of the nerves. He confessed the feeling to Draco who quickly gave him a devious plan.

“Why don’t you?”

“Because that would be cheating”

“Then half cheat”

“Half cheat?”

“Let Ron believe you gave him the luck potion. He is a good player he just lacks confidence. If he believes he has luck on his side the nerves will go”

Draco said offhandedly still reading the book Hermione had given him a few days ago. Harry had never been more glad for Draco’s conniving side than now. Ron was amazing in the game once he had confidence, he was unstoppable. They Celebration after was amazing and Harry took credit for Draco’s plan when Hermione scolded him for cheating. When Hermione ran off away from Lavender and Ron kissing Harry didn’t care he was leaving the party. He found Hermione sitting under twittering charmed birds a spell Draco had recently taught her. She was sniffling and crying and Harry uncomfortably sat next to her.

“How does it feel Harry when you look at Draco? Why don’t you go after him?”

“Oh um…”

“I know. I see the way you look at him. You’re my best friend”

Harry couldn’t respond before Lavenders shrill giggling was herd interrupting their moment as she dragged Ron along with her. Harry said nothing as Hermione sent the birds after Ron letting his expression convey his disappointment to Ron. Hermione cried on his shoulder.

“It feels like this”

For a few moments Harry thought that would be the end of the conversation.

“You could go after him Harry. Draco isn’t in a relationship, and he doesn’t look though you the way Ron looks though me sometimes”

“It is complicated Hermione. He is on our side now but… we have history, and I don’t really know how I feel”

“Your history is you both being obsessed with each other and doing anything to get the others attention”

Harry couldn’t argue there. Hermione always saw thigs more clearly than Harry could.

“I am scared I won’t be able to save him Hermione. And that it will hurt more when I lose him”

It was the truth. Ever since Harry had wiped the blood from Draco’s arm Harry got a dreadful feeling that Draco didn’t care for his own life very much. Harry had lost so many people. He was constantly terrified he would lose more.

“You feel something for him Harry. Trust me even though now might not fell like the right time you should do something. Wouldn’t you rather have a little time of something wonderful than years of nothing?”

--

Draco asked Harry to come with him to search the room of requirement for whatever it is Tom Riddle may have left behind for safe keeping. The room was no longer outfitted with things to train students defence against the dark arts. The room appeared to be a massive lost and found. It was filled with all manner of items that spanned the ages.

Harry realised that the room must also provide a place for students to hide things should they wish to, and it appears over the years many items have been discarded. Draco walked amongst the items telling Harry he would be able to sense dark magic if he found it and that if Harry concentrated, he would feel it to. Draco checked under sheets and in cupboards hoping to sense anything. Harry separated from Draco for a moment but was worried he might get lost in the labyrinth of things and tried to make his way back to Draco.

 When he found him again, he couldn’t help but observe him.

Draco’s hair had been returned back to blonde with the help of some magic. Harry convinced him that he didn’t look like his father because he didn’t have it long. Harry had grown to like the pink, but this was much better. The white, blonde hair was more elegant, and Draco was elegant. He was in all black and Harry found his gaze drifting along his long legs and up his elegant neck as Draco peered around the items in the room. Draco truly was beautiful, Harry distantly felt he might have always thought this.

When Draco unveiled a familiar golden frame Harry couldn’t help but smile to himself. The mirror or Erised, Dumbledore said it was relocated but it appears he just threw it away in Hogwarts own junk draw. Draco stood in front of it for a moment looking at himself and Harry wondered what it was Draco saw.

“The mirror of Erised I presume. I wondered if you were here. I had hoped if I found you that you might show me what I need to save Potter, but I suppose that is only what I need to obtain my desire not what my desire is”

So Draco knew what the mirror was then Harry thought. He knew then of its dangers. Yet Draco stared longer.

“You truly are a cruel item aren’t you. Showing people what they desperately want even if they can never have it. I suppose I knew what I would see when I stood here yet I find myself more defeated than I expected when confronted with it. Such an impossibility yet I want it all the same”

 Harry shuffled closer hoping to hear what Draco was saying clearer. Draco’s voice had gone soft and Harry thought Draco might be crying. Harry overstepped, he caught himself in the mirror and released Draco had to have seen him. There was no longer a point to hiding so Harry stood calmy behind Draco looking at himself in the mirror besides Draco. Harry caught a glimpse of his parents in the mirror but tried to ignore them. Draco more curiously didn’t react to Harry at all. He merely kept looking in the mirror a moment longer tears silently gathering in his eyes but yet to fall. It took Harry a moment to realise what must be happening.

“You see me don’t you?”

Draco snapped his head around quickly startled by Harry talking. He looked between Harry and the mirror a few times. The tears that had been gathering in his eyes fell down his cheeks and gathered at the bottom of his chin.

“It is stupid isn’t it. I have treated you with distain for 5 years in a pitiful attempt to pretend that your hatred of me didn’t kill me a little bit every time I saw it in your eyes. That my infatuation didn’t start with that wild haired boy in the robe store”

Draco blinked more tears away furiously wiping at them with his long fingers

“I told myself that my emotions didn’t exist without a witness. I wasn’t dying inside if no one saw, I wasn’t scared if no one saw it and I wasn’t in love if I hid it with hate”

Harry approached Draco carefully.

“Since first year then?”

Draco nodded.

“And I thought I had been suffering realising you were the most beautiful thing I have seen these past few months. But all those years you felt like this”

Draco’s watering eyes widened as Harry continued to inch closer. Harry moved forward and leaned into a kiss. Draco’s skin really was soft, and Harry wondered why it was that his first kisses with people happened when they were crying. Draco inhaled into the kiss and let Harry kiss him again and again. Draco’s hands raked through Harry’s curls messing them further, but Harry supposed he couldn’t really mess them up if they were never styled to begin with. Draco parted from the kiss face inches from Harry’s.

“I can’t say I expected that, but you have always managed to surprise me Harry”

“What can I say I enjoy watching you get flustered”

Draco smiled a huge grin spread across his face his perfect pearly white teeth on display, when Draco smiled the point in the centre of Draco’s lips left his smile looking ever so slightly like a heart and Harry had to forcefully stop himself from engulfing the smile with his lips.

--

Draco Pov

Draco had figured out that the most likely place Tom Riddle put some thing in Hogwarts was the room of requirement. Draco thought it bitter irony that the place he was meant to be using to start his nefarious plot to help Voldemort was now the place that may very well help Draco kill him.

He asked Harry to accompany him, he knew it was selfish and maybe even a little foolish, but he wanted to spend every moment with Harry that he could. He had spent so long living off the little exhilaration taunting Harry had provided him that being friends with him left him drunk on Harry’s smiles. He found himself thinking of places he could go with Harry or even with his other friends’ things he wanted to do. Before he bitterly realised, he could do none of those things because he wouldn’t live long enough.

He told himself that this was ok. This was the plan. It was safer this way. Fighting to protect his own life is what got him into this mess. Giving in was the only way out of it. for once he was fighting for someone else’s life. He was still a little selfish he knew it was in some way cruel to make friends and let them get attached to him, but he reminded himself that he had been their enemy for longer than he had been their friend. And for them that would be the majority of their memories of him.

When he found the mirror of Erised he recognised the inscription right away. His mother had told him about it when there were rumours of it at the school in first year. He didn’t see it then but now he was glad he didn’t. Before him he saw himself wearing a smile he had never worn before with Harry standing next to him happy. Harry placed and arm on his shoulder and smiled. A gold band gleamed on Harry’s hand and Draco realised blearily that in his reflection he too was wearing a ring. He stared down at his bare finger away from the mirror. He had expected his reflection to show him Harry but to be confronted with such a peaceful future hurt. Not just because he felt it was an impossibility but because of how much he wanted it. Because of he thought for a moment he could have it then maybe he wouldn’t want to die and that thought scared him. Living scared him far more than death.

When he looked back in the mirror Harry still standing behind him, he thought nothing of it until Harry spoke. For a moment he panicked. He had hoped to keep this a secret a while longer. Keep Harry close for a little while. But he promised himself he wouldn’t lie anymore. So he confessed. He confessed that he had desired Harry from the moment he saw him. That he was empty and hollow inside. He was ready to be left behind and yet Harry did the opposite. The subject of his dreams became a reality, and he was in the arms of the boy who lived. And for a moment he thought maybe just maybe he wanted to be a boy who lived too.

--

Harry Pov

Harry wasn’t sure how to tell his friends of this development in his and Draco’s relationship but when he decided to just go for it and grabbed Draco’s hand whilst walking the next day Ron just beamed at them and patted their backs

“You two finally sucking face?”

“Only you would put it so vulgarly Ronald”

Draco grumbled

“Sorry, what would you like me to say? Have you two finally decided that the sexual tension your banter has caused over the years should be resolved or was Draco’s hand simply too heavy for him to carry alone?”

Lavender gasped apparently only now keying into the meaning of the conversation and she squealed

“Oh Won Won! Your friends are dating! How adorable they are the Slytherin prince and the Gryffindor prince! A forbidden romance defeating the odds! We could double date!”

“No”

Harry and Draco said in unison causing Lavender to deflate in disappointment. Harry was just glad Ron wasn’t upset. He really couldn’t judge with his current attempts at romance. Others had reacted similarly well. Nevil hugged Draco and told Harry to be nice ‘or else’. Luna hadn’t reacted at all until Harry brought it up and she confessed that she thought they were already together but trying to keep it a secret. Hermione congratulated them but complained that she now couldn’t go with either of them to Slughorns stupid dinner.

Harry had honestly forgotten about the dinner, but he had to go if he wanted to continue to get information about Tom riddle from him. The dinner was surprisingly well catered and decorated for something so small when Draco arrived Harry couldn’t help but grin like a loon. Draco looked lovely, he was wearing a pair of neat black slacks and a pale blue silky shirt that reminded Harry of the uniforms form Beauxbatons. Draco insisted they dance when the opportunity presented itself and although Harry was still a terrible dancer this didn’t deter Draco in the slightest.

“You know I thought about asking you to dance throughout most of the Yue ball. You were dancing terribly but I still wanted to dance with you”

“You were incredible, every time I looked over at you dancing, I was so frustrated because you looked beautiful gliding across the room with such ease”

Draco chuckled squeezing Harry’s shoulder. Harry rubbed circles into Draco’s silky shirt where his hand was on his waist. He let himself be pulled in closer as the song changed to a slower one. He rested his head on Draco’s shoulder allowing Draco to take advantage of his slight height advantage. Whenever it was brought up in a teasing manner Harry threatened to lift Draco up as he had done once before. Draco may be taller, but Harry was stronger, and Draco was concerningly light despite Harry’s continued attempt to get Draco to eat more often.

“I am quite glad you didn’t die in that stupid tournament I still can’t believe you survived”

“Me either, you would have died in the first task”

“No I am far too attractive to die”

Harry snorted but in this moment he couldn’t agree more. When they stopped dancing Harry found poor Hermione avoiding her date. Draco offered her a dance which she gladly accepted and as soon as Harry found himself alone Snape gave him a message from Dumbledore that he would be away. It appeared Snape was not only after Harry as he practically dragged Draco form the dance floor and outside. Harry following discreetly. Stalking Draco over the years had actually given him a useful skill.

“What do you think you are doing Draco!”

“Dancing, or at least I was”

“Don’t sass me Draco! What are you doing with Potter!”

Harry could feel Draco’s eye roll from when he was standing some ways away

“I am doing what you tell Dumbledore you are doing. I am protecting Harry, something you have done a poor job of over the years. You told me you would support me in this.”

Snape growled

“You were tasked with something else from the Dark lord. He grows impatient for results. What exactly do you plan on doing when the year is up, and you have not done as he asked? You can’t protect Potter if you are dead”

“I don’t have to tell you my plans Severus. What’s it to you?”

“I told your mother I would protect you! I know you are scared Draco. You hide it well behind your new attitude and your new friends, but I can see you are still scared. Let me assist you Draco”

“No. I will not help HIM. I don’t care what your plans are anymore Severus I have my own plans and I will see them through I won’t be a part of it anymore”

Snape shoved Draco into the wall harshly growing irritated

Harry chose this as his que to move forward

“I would prefer if you didn’t go around shoving my date professor”

Snape sneered at Harry approaching swiftly

“When he dies Potter, his blood will be on your hands”

He whispered swooshing past.

Harry couldn’t help but wonder if Snape was right. Harry could barely keep himself out of harm’s way how was he meant to do that for Draco as well.

--

The holidays approached faster than Harry expected. Draco insisted he was fine to stay at Hogwarts despite Ron inviting him to spend Christmas with them. Draco seemed to be making progress on whatever he was doing to help Harry and he tasked Harry with getting information form Mr Weasley about Dumbledores sudden trip. Harry also wanted to ask what he could do about Draco, not that he told him about that. They spoke privately in the shed.

“If Dumbledore is away that is news to the ministry but perhaps that is the way he wants it. As for Draco Malfoy that is more complicated. If he has indeed taken the dark mark as you say he has then it will be harder to protect him. Even though Draco is clearly not a willing participant he is now tied to the dark arts. That mark means Draco could be summoned by Voldemort’s side at any time weather he likes it or not. I don’t have a way to remove the mark for you. But I will do more research maybe I can find a way to remove it or block it’s hold. Otherwise when Draco fails his task at the end of the year, I am not sure how we can protect him”

Harry nodded glumly. He expected as much but he had hoped somewhere distantly that he was wrong that adults still knew better than him and that if he asked for help, he would be given solutions. But it appears he was already too old for that.

 The ensuing attack and fire left Harry feeling more hopeless and tired than he ever had. When he arrived back at Hogwarts he fell into Draco’s arms and lavished him with affection that he received in kind. He decided enough was enough and drank the luck potion in attempts to get the needed information form Slughorn.

When he told Draco about the horcrux he seemed more burdened by the information than Dumbledore was although Harry felt that Dumbledore probably already knew about it and was only confirming his suspicions. Draco just as quickly connected the dots to the diary as a horcrux.

“Harry can you still get down into the chamber of secrets?”

“I suppose so why?”

“Because a basilisk fang can destroy a horcrux. If there are 7 of them, Dumbledore has the ring and the new one he has found, plus the diary that means there are four left. I assume that is what he has hidden at the school, and I think I may be on to what it might be. We will need the fang to destroy it”

Harry nodded of course. Draco had been looking for a possession of Voldemort’s in the room of requirement all year. Now he knew it was an item containing a piece of his soul he felt Draco was risking more than he had anticipated. But Draco didn’t seem afraid. He seemed determined.

--

Draco pov

Draco had been discussing the defence against the dark arts lessons that Harry had taught with Neville when the subject came up.

“What is your Patronus Draco?”

Neville had asked innocently. Draco shrugged attempting to seem nonchalant.

“You’re a very talent wizard Draco I can’t believe you are unable to cast one”

Neville had said. Luna who had been making a flower bracelet on Neville’s wrist nodded in earnest agreement. It was at this moment that Harry approached.
“What are you all talking about?”

“I was just asking Draco what his Patronus was. Yours is a stag right Harry?”

Harry nodded in conformation to Neville and they both gazed to Draco in attempts to prompt a response. Draco gulped.

“Although I understand the theory and needed power of casting a Patronus I lack the necessary trigger to summon one”

Harry tilted his head to the side clearly not understanding his meaning but Luna was far to quick witted.

“You mean you don’t have a memory Happy enough to coendure one?”

Draco could feel everyone’s eyes bore into him. He kept his gaze down to where Luna was now making a flower bracelet on his own wrist. He saw Harry’s feet come into his peripheral as he sat next to him.

“You know I struggled to find the right memory. I had kept thinking of times when I thought I was truly happy, times at Hogwarts with my friends. They were good memories, but you are right in thinking that a Patronus needs an exceptionally good one. Eventually I thought of one less concrete, more of a feeling really, my parents their love. Maybe you just need to find the feeling”

Draco allowed himself to look into Harrys eyes. He wondered if perhaps that feeling would be enough.

--

Harry had told him about the Horcruxes, and Draco finally had a concrete lead to go on. Tom riddle had made a horcrux when he was at Hogwarts and used a hidden item at the school to bind it to. Something that would be hard to find. But Riddle had a flair for the dramatic. Whatever it was he had bound his soul to had to be something that would entice him. Draco snuck forbidden books form the library and delved deeper into dark magic than he thought even his father may have in the past. He kept the Basilisk fang in his pocket as reassurance that as soon as he could, he would destroy a part of Voldemort’s soul.

In his research he studied all he could about horcruxes and the effects they had on items traces the left behind. He sprawled himself out on a desk in the room of requirement flicking from notes to notes. He was reading a passage about how pets had been used for horcruxes in some cases and jotted down that perhaps Nagini was one. Living creatures as horcruxes were different, the traces left behind was a kind of soul connection, sharing emotions and mannerism’s Draco supposed that is why Voldemort could be so snake like.

 When his eyes passed over the note where he had written out what Harry’s prophecy had said he paused. He read the prophecy again and again. He slammed open a journal where Harry had detailed to him the connection, he and Voldemort shared that lead to him needing legitimacy. Draco felt sick. All the pieces fell into place. Harry’s connection to Voldemort. The reason for Voldemort’s sudden defeat, the way Harry moved his head sometimes when Voldemort was being discussed. Harry was a horcrux he had a piece of Voldemort’s soul attached to him. ‘Neither can live whist the other survives’. Harry Potter the child destined to defeat Voldemort the person Draco was trying to save, the reason Draco thought he might want to live again, had to die for Voldemort to die. Draco thew up. He was dizzy. He had to get out of this dammed room.

--

Harry Pov

Draco disappeared into the room of requirement for hours on end even Harry struggled to get time with the boy. He researched heavily and pestered ghosts about Tom riddle. Harry thought he was losing Draco. Nothing seemed to break Draco from his concentration, he desperately searched for the item only nodding in thanks when Harry had given him the basilisk fang. Harry couldn’t stand it anymore. Draco barely ate, barley slept the end of the year rapidly approached and Draco was fizzling out before the eyes of the new friends he had made. Harry snapped when he saw Draco rush out from the room of requirement where Harry was going to find him and into the girl’s bathroom on the fifth floor looking ready to faint.

He found Draco leaning over the sink hyperventilating tears streaming down his face. Harry thought he would find Draco bloody again, but Draco’s sleeve stayed rolled down as he sobbed. Harry approached carefully.

“Draco, what happened?”

Draco turned to face him jaw clanged teeth bared as more tears streamed down his face. Draco’s hands covered his face as he slipped down onto the floor hyperventilating worse than before. Harry knelt down next to him pulling Draco into a hug.

“I can’t”

Draco huffed out

“You can’t what Draco? It is ok just breathe”

“I can’t… Harry, I can’t save you”

Draco cried harder and Harry felt his heart almost shatter.

“It is ok Draco; I am not your responsibility you don’t have to save me”

Draco gulped in breaths shaking his head.

“You don’t understand. I was supposed to help you! It was all for nothing! Why!”

Harry didn’t know what was happening, but he did know Draco needed to breathe.

“It is alright Draco just breathe ok please. In and out”

“Harry I figured it out. I figured it all out”

“What did you figure out Draco?”

“Why you survived the killing curse, why your mind is connected to Voldemort’s, why he was so weakened after trying to kill you”

Harry rubbed Draco’s arms and he gasped breaths keeling pams down on the cold tiles shaking arms barely keeping him up. Draco tilted his head up and gazed into Harry’s eyes a look of horror seen though his tears.

“Harry you are a horcrux. An eighth Horcrux. That’s why you survived. He accidentally split his soul. The prophecy from the ministry, neither can live whilst the other survives”

Harry felt his blood run cold. But that would mean.

“I have to die for Voldemort to die”

Draco gasped a new wave of tears wracking his body. Harry felt disconnected. He had to die. Draco was trying to save him and found out that he had to die. Harry sat on the floor holding the hyperventilating Draco wondering, who would he let kill him.

--

Harry didn’t tell his friends about Draco’s revelation. He and Draco didn’t talk about it either. But when Harry saw Draco look at him with pain in his eyes, he would stop the thoughts with a kiss or a stroke of those lovely blonde locks.

Dumbledore invited Harry to collect the Horcrux he had found, and Harry intended to tell him he knew he was a horcrux, but he found he was unable to do it. He saw Dumbledore in such a weakened state he couldn’t bare to bring it up. Harry was curious about why he had waited so long though.

“Well Harry Until Draco’s recent change of heart I had believed he would be sent to kill me this year. Today in fact. I suspected he would never be able to do it, but I knew someone would be sent to finish the job. I decided to get my affairs in order first, make sure you knew what to do to stop Tom, give you a fighting chance. Then I would go collect this horcrux in case it killed me first.”

“So you were completing your bucket list?”

Harry joked.

“It is not uncommon for people to change behaviour when they know they are going to die. I chose to try and protect you before I died, just as your mother and father had. Now I am glad to say I do not believe I will die quite yet”

Harry nodded. He wondered what he would do now he knew he needed to die. His mind wandered to Draco. His change in behaviour. Then Harry felt himself make a dreadful connection. Draco never discussed his plans now the year was ending, he refused to tell anyone where he planned to go because he absolutely could not go home. Draco was behaving impulsively, doing things he had said he always wanted to do and said repeatedly he didn’t care about the consequences.

“What exactly did Draco do sir?”

“At the start of this year Draco came bursting though those doors and told me I was a selfish idiot. He said I was not allowed to die, and I had to clean up my own messes and stop letting children fight my battles”

Harry smiled that sounded like Draco. Only Draco could offer to save someone’s life and insult them in one breath.

 Harry felt a sudden volent pain form his scar and hissed. Images flashed before his mind of objects he didn’t recognise, and he doubled over in pain. When the pain passed Dumbledore was standing over him curious. Harry wasn’t sure how he knew but.

“I think a horcrux was just destroyed. I could feel him. Voldemort, I mean. He felt it”

“It appears young mister Malfoy has achieved his goal before the end of the year after all. He really is quite resourceful when he has the right motivation. And what better motivation then love”

Harry realised with dread what this might mean. Draco had destroyed a horcrux. But if Draco had done that with no plan to protect himself…
“Sorry”

Harry said rushing from the door that second. He made it to his room in record time Ron asking him what he was doing. Harry ignored him desperately grabbing the marauders map and rushing back out the door. Draco’s feet could be seen standing on the wrong side of the railing on the observation tower.

Harry whipped up the stairs seeing Draco the moment he climbed them. He approached Draco slowly, afraid if he started him, he might fall. Draco stood at the ledge hands uncomfortably lax holding onto the railing behind him.

“Don’t please”

Draco whipped his head around to face Harry his eyes wide but void of the tears Harry had expected to see.

“Harry…”

“Come away from the ledge Draco. Please. Didn’t you say you were too pretty to die? It would be such a waste; I haven’t even seen you naked yet”

Draco scoffed.

“I apologise, I will come over the railing right away so you can deflower me before I die. I promise to take your libido into consideration next time I plan to kill myself”

Draco sneered .

“Just come back over the railing and we can talk about this”

“I am not going to do that Harry. You best leave. If people see you up here, they might think you pushed me, and wouldn’t that be an unfortunate rumour to taint your name”

“This was your plan from the start of the year wasn’t it Draco? You were so honest with us and yourself because you didn’t fear the consequences anymore because you planned to die before you went home”

Draco nodded

“You weren’t supposed to care Harry. You were supposed to hate me like always. But everything changed and I don’t know what to do anymore. I won’t let them use me against you. And I won’t stand by and watch you die to save everyone else. I would let the world burn if it meant I could keep you safe. But I know you won’t do that ”

“We can do this Draco, you won’t be used against me, and I won’t die you just have to trust me”

“Trying to save me would only endanger you.”

“You promised me you were going to help me. I may not have believed you at first but look at us now! You have helped me Draco! You’re my… I care about you Draco”

Harry slowly began to approach Draco inching himself closer to him trying to keep his movements un-noticed by Draco.

“No you don’t Harry. You pity me. You like the idea of saving me, but you don’t care for me Harry not like…”

“Not like you care for me? Do you think what has happed between us over the last few months has meant nothing Draco? I don’t go around snogging just anybody you know. These past few months I have had the privilege of getting to know the real you. And I think… I love him”

Draco clenched his teeth and began to cry now. Harry was finally close enough and he swiftly moved forward encircling Draco in his arms holing him tight to ensure he couldn’t slip.

“I love you; I do love you”

Harry whispered again and again into Draco’s ear. Draco relaxed and allowed himself to be guided over the right side of the railing carefully on shaking legs. Harry held him and they  both sobbed in earnest. Harry now noticed a shining crown on the floor of the tower crushed in pieces a basilisk fang next to it.

“You destroyed a horcrux”

“Ravenclaws lost diadem. It was in the room of requirement”

Harry pushed his face into the crook of Draco’s neck pulling Draco’s back closer into Harry’s front. He only moved when he heard someone come up the stairs.

“Potter what happened here is Malfoy alright?”

Snape asked moving closer to inspect them. He saw the diadem on the ground and gasped.

“Is that?”

“It was a horcrux. Draco destroyed it. He planned to throw himself of the tower after”

Snape reached out to Draco and touched his cheek with a tenderness Harry never thought he would see form Snape.

“Severus. Harry is a horcrux. You told me you were playing both sides to protect the part of Lily that still lived in Harry. You have to do it now. We have to find a way to separate Harry from Voldemort without killing him!”

Severus’s eyes widened as he looked to Harry who nodded in confirmation. He gazed into Harrys eyes intently and Harry remembered how many times he had been told he had his mother’s eyes.

“I have failed you both haven’t I. And I have done your mother a disservice Potter. Lily was a good human, and I allowed my grief to cloud my judgment. I am sorry. But I will find a way to rid you of the horcrux and keep you safe. I swear on it”

Harry nodded. He let Snape pry Draco from his hands and carry the boy not to the infirmary but down to a couch in Snapes office. Snape led Harry to a pensive where he placed a memory inside wordlessly asking Harry to look. Harry saw Snape and his mother as childhood friends, he saw Snape love his mother and felt his grief when she was killed. When he pulled himself form the pensive, he was crying and so was Snape. Harry surprised himself when he hugged Snape who only partially returned it.

 Snape used his fireplace to talk to more order members than Harry had ever met and when Arthur Weasley popped his head though the fire Harry was glad to see someone he really knew.

“Harry my boy! I am glad you are alright. I have some news for you regarding the dark mark. When Severus told me what Draco had done to the diadem it got me thinking. If the basilisk fang can destroy such a dark piece of magic, then why not the mark as well. Basilisk venom is potent, but I know Severus can cure it. It also burns the skin. It would leave a bad scar but…”

“I could burn the mark off with the venom”

Draco says from his position on the sofa. Harry looks back at him concerned but already aware he won’t be convincing the boy otherwise.

“My mother Weasley did you manage to get a hold of her?”

“I did, she had been receiving your coded messages. She is very relieved you are well after your last letter, and she has already fled to France”

Draco slumped relieved.

“I will get the venom. Thank you Weasley”

Harry frowned as he watched Snape leave the room. He knew Draco has not planned to survive the year but the thought of Draco going so far as to find a way to contact his mother, make sure she was safe and give her a suicide note of sorts broke Harry’s heart.

The fire died out and Harry moved to sit on the couch with Draco. Severus came back with a bottle of a vile looking black liquid and a pearlescent one. The shimmery liquid was the venom and he assured Harry multiple times that he could stop Draco form having a reaction. Harry squeezed Draco’s free hand tightly as Snape poured the liquid onto Draco’s arm burning over the Dark Mark.  what surprised Harry was when Severus then poured the liquid over his own mark severing his connection to Voldemort in one fell swoop. He then forced the vile black liquid into Draco’s mouth and downed the rest himself. The burns were terrible and red but neither seemed upset by them relieved to be free of the branding. For now Draco was safe.

--

Draco and Snape went back to Grimmauld Place with Harry 2 days later when the school year ended. An emergency meeting was held with the order and for once Harry was allowed to sit in. Draco and his other friends as well, even Neville was there. They explained all about the horcruxes and what needed to be done. Harry told them about the vision he had when Draco destroyed the horcrux. He wanted to use his connection to Voldemort against him.

 They waited until Harry was ready to destroy the Horcrux he and Dumbledore had found and with that vision Harry knew where the rest of them were. They wasted no time sending members of the order out to collect and destroy them. Hermione, Ron, and Neville sent to Gringotts for one, leaving Harry and Draco behind to secretly deal with Harry’s hidden horcrux. If they could destroy all of them before Voldemort knew what was happening, they would be able to surprise him. There was only one problem left. Harry.

“You can’t kill him I don’t care what you say I will kill you if you even try”

Draco snapped at Snape before he could even discuss his idea.

“I am not going to kill him Draco. Well not for long”

“Not for long!”

“Calm down Draco I think I understand Severus’ meaning”

Lupin said eyeing Snape

“You think If Harry dies even for a moment the piece of Voldemort’s soul that is attached will not be strong enough to come back with him”

“Precisely”

“I will use the killing curse. It attacks the soul; Harry survived the first time because his mother had sent her soul to protect him and when attempting to destroy it Voldemort split is soul and attached it to Harry. If I use it again Harry’s soul would not be the target and Voldemort’s soul should be left behind”

“And if you are wrong you will have Killed him!”

Draco screamed. Harry grabbed Draco’s hand in what he hoped was a comforting gesture.

“I promise Draco if I have any say in the matter, I will come right back to you. But this has to be done it is the only way we can be free of him”

Draco’s eyes were wet, but he nodded. Snape let him have some time to collect himself. He offered to wait until Granger and Weasley where back Harry had already said goodbye when they left on their own dangerous mission. They didn’t need to worry more. He said he was ready and sat on the red lounge chair in the living room deciding this was alright spot to die. He gave Draco a final kiss before nodding to Snape that he should just get it over with. Draco was actively being held back my Lupin who was also crying. Harry hoped their tears wouldn’t be in vain. Even if he didn’t come back, he was taking part of Voldemort down with him.

Harry wished he remembered more of when he was dead. But he only remembers fragments. He remembers a white train station, a crumbled body that he thinks was Voldemort’s and remembers Sirius was there. He does remember waking up. Draco was sobbing into his chest as Snape and Lupin looked on grim faces of worry. When his eyes met Snapes the relief from the room was palpable. Draco had climbed on top of Harry and held him for the next hour Harry glad for the rest. One by one members form the order came back with the horcruxes ready to destroy them.

By the time Hermione Neville and Ron returned Draco had passed out form a combination of crying so much and not eating for the past day to stressed. He let Neville regal an exciting story of flying on a dragon out of the bank when the final member of the order returned. Dumbledore stood before them all and gave a rousing speech Harry didn’t care to memorise as he prepared them for a fight. They were to destroy the horcruxes all at once then head right to Malfoy manor whilst Voldemort was still weak. Aurous were preparing to surround the manor and trap all the dark wizards inside. It could be a blood bath. Harry was glad he would not be in attendance. As much as he wished to fight, he knew he was still a child, and he did not have to fight this battle.

When Draco awoke the young members of the order were wordily awaiting news form the battle. Fred a George were attempting to lighten the mood with jokes Hermione and Ron were cuddled on an armchair together and Nevil was rushing over with a cup of tea for Draco.

“It is almost over isn’t it”

Draco asked Harry.

“I think it is”

Just as Harry said this the floo whooshed and everyone in the room stood wands drawn. Out from the fire came Molly Weasley.

“Stand down children it is only me”

“Password”

George asked

“Vatican cameos”

She was engulfed in a hug as her many children surrounded her.

“No fatalities on our side. It is a miracle. A few injuries but nothing life threating”

She said out form the pile of children and Harry relaxed. He hadn’t lost anyone else.

“Fatalities form their side?”

Draco asked. His unspoken question about his father hanging test in the air.

“Voldemort was killed, so was Lestrange and her husband and your father too I am afraid Draco. I am sorry”

“Don’t be. I am honestly relieved. Apologies if that is not appropriate”

Harry hugged Draco’s side and as soon as he touched him Draco began to cry.

“I am so relieved. It is over, it is really over. I am free of all of them”

Draco said blubbering. Harry began to cry too his tears falling harder as a crying Hermione then Ron joined them.

“It is over”

--

Draco Pov

Draco was living his worst nightmare. Harry Potter was dead. He laid still on the velvet couch before him where Snape stood a towing dark figure wand outstretched. As soon as Lupins hands softened their grasp Draco dashed to Harry. He gripped Harry’s shirt and waited for the boy to awake. As each moment passed Draco began to panic. Harry was so still. If he died here this would all have been for  nothing. Draco had wanted to throw himself from the tower to avoid feeling this pain. He had spent so long avoiding all his emotion that he didn’t deal with any of them well. He was quick to cry happy or sad, he had a short temper and would smile at the smallest joke form Harry. But that was useless is there was no Harry to smile at.

Harry’s eyes blinked open slowly that familiar green peaking from between dark lashes. Draco was flooded with such relief that he could do nothing but sob. He gripped Harry tighter and sobbed into his chest. He could feel Harry tiredly run his fingers though Draco’s hair. He let himself feel guilt that Harry was comforting him when he was the one that had just died. Draco internally decided that he was going to monitor Harry’s health like a loon for the rest of their lives to ensure Harry out lived him. He was never going though that again.

When Draco awoke he was handed a sugary cup of tea from Neville to ‘calm the nerves’ as they awaited news form the battle. It all felt somewhat anticlimactic to Draco. He had spent so long fearing some long war with death at every corner that a distant battle seemed like a fantasy. But Voldemort didn’t go out in a blood bath but rather be snapped out of existence in a single night.

His father was dead. He news washed over him for a moment unable to sink in. He was dead. Draco had planned on Voldemort dying that was the goal but his father he had not planned on. He expected to be dealing with that man for years to come. Trails and court rooms as he detailed years of torment at the hands of a man who he was meant to have been safe with. But that was gone. Lucious was gone, Voldemort was gone. And now he was free. Did that make Draco a bad person? To be relieved his father was dead. He was. Draco was free. He couldn’t help but think of what Dobby had said. How he wished Draco was free of the bad master also. Harry rested his hand on Draco’s shoulder and for the second time that night Draco cried with relief. They all cried with relief. It was over. And now their futures could begin.

--

Harry pov

Their final year at Hogwarts was Harry’s favourite year by far. There were no Dark wizards trying to kill him. His friends and him spent time laughing, studying, and planning for long futures they were amazed to even have. Harry and Draco unwillingly became the face of the post war celebrations as magazines, tabloids and Hogwarts gossip excitedly discussed their romance as some shining example of forgiveness after the battles were over. One time Draco had accidentally put Harry’s red lined robe on instead of his own and students talked about to for weeks, girls with boyfriends from other houses would beg then to give them their robs as a romantic gesture.

The surviving death eaters went on trial and Snape and Draco both gave testimonies that left them all in Azkaban. Harry spent Christmas eve day with Narcissa who had re-taken the name Black and Draco in their town house in Paris. Draco then spent Christmas morning with Harry and the Weasleys. Draco actually cried when he received his very own Weasley sweater which Harry thought was adorable. 

On their last day of school Harry and Draco stood overlooking Hogwarts during sunrise for what would probably be their last time.

“So Draco, you were a bully, an enemy, a friend a student at Hogwarts, what are you going to be next?”

“Yours”