Mine

[48]

I followed along as everyone piled out of the Great Hall and into the front of the castle, noticing that the sun had begun to rise. Voldemort was returning with his large pack of followers. He had Hagrid with him, following solemnly a few steps behind with something in his arms – no, someone.

"No." I whispered as realization hit me, my hand reaching down to tightly clasp at Draco's hand.

"Harry Potter is dead!" Voldemort exclaimed gleefully. Gasps of horror sounded from our side of the standoff; everyone's eyes trained on the body in Hagrid's arms.

"No!" Ginny shouted, rushing forward. My heart ached for her, but I could do nothing but watch as her father lurched forward and grabbed his daughter into his arms.

"Silence! Stupid girl. Harry Potter is dead, from this day forth you put your faith in me. Harry Potter is dead!" Voldemort shouted out, eliciting a chorus of eerie laughter from his loyal Death eaters.

"Now is the time to declare yourself. Come forward and join us...or die." Voldemort announced, his eyes scanning over the lot of us.

"Draco," I heard someone call from the crowd behind Voldemort. My heart began beating painfully in my chest as I saw Lucius Malfoy beckoning his son forward as he repeated, "Draco."

I looked fearfully at Draco, my grip on his hand tightening. He glanced at me, visibly gulping, before glancing again in the direction of his parents.

"Draco, come." Narcissa said, her voice quiet yet calm.

I wanted to tell Draco no, that he was going to stay right here with me, with all of us, but then I noticed Voldemort's beady eyes focused on Draco, and I knew that Draco couldn't stay here. Doing so could be a death sentence for himself and his parents.

"Go." I whispered to him, giving his hand a squeeze before I slipped my hand away. He looked at me with panicked eyes, but then he solemnly nodded and made his way towards Voldemort.

My throat constricted, my eyes filling with tears for the umpteenth time tonight, as Draco was awkwardly embraced by Voldemort. As I watched his back retreating into the arms of his mother, it felt as if a piece of my own heart was being ripped away. The worst part was no one around us would know the truth. No one would care if Draco Malfoy went to join the side of the Death eaters because they all knew that he was one. No one knew that he had not fought with the Death eaters tonight. They would all think that him going over there was his choice. But it wasn't.

I felt my right hand being clasped and turned my head to see my brother, him giving my hand a squeeze. Even though he was in horrific pain and the person he loved was no longer alive, he was still there for me. I felt another hand on my left shoulder, hearing my father whisper in my ear, "It's going to be okay."

Blaise stepped down to the spot beside me where Draco had stood only moments ago, giving me a grim nod. I was overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by watching Draco leave my side, even if it was what he had to do. But also overwhelmed by the love and support that surrounded me from the people who knew the truth.

I forced myself to push the sound of my beating heart out of my ears so that I could focus on what was going on before me. Neville was standing before Voldemort, making some sort of speech that I had missed the majority of. The one thing that did register in my ears was the list of names of those who had died tonight. I closed my eyes momentarily as I took in a slow, deep breath. I had known, and seen with my own eyes, about Lupin and Tonks. I had not known that it was Fred that the Weasleys were mourning. The boy who always had a smile on his face and was quick with a joke to ease any situation.

The sounds of gasps surrounding me caused me to snap my eyes open once again, seeing Neville pulling the sword of Gryffindor out of what looked to be a bag. Suddenly, Harry was rolling out of Hagrid's arms and onto his feet.