When two worlds collide.

Beginnings.

"We need to get you to the hospital wing, sir to Madam Pomfrey.." I look at Dumbledore.

"No...Severus, Severus is who I need. Wake him. Tell him what happened. Speak to no one else. Severus, Harry. Hide yourself below, Alex. Don't speak or be seen by anybody without my permission. Whatever happens, it's imperative you stay below. Alex, do as I say. Trust me. Trust me.." He pushes me away.I run behind a screen. "Good evening, Draco. What brings you here on this fine spring evening?"

"Who else is here? I heard you talking!" Draco snaps, holding his wand out towards Dumbledore.

Don't do it. Don't do it.

"I often talk aloud to myself. I find it extraordinarily useful. Have you always been to yourself, Draco? Draco, you are no assassin.." He frowns.

"How do you know what I am? I've done things that would shock you!" Draco gasps.

"Oh, like cursing Katie Bell and hoping that in return she would bear a cursed necklace to me? Like replacing a bottle of mead with one lace with poison. Forgive me, Draco, I cannot help feel these actions are so weak that your...heart can't really have been in."

"He trusts me. I was chosen!" Draco gasps.

"I shall make it easy for you." Dumbledore pulls his wand out but Draco disarms him. "Expelliarmus!!"

"Very good. Very good. You're not alone. There are others. How?"

"The Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement. I've been mending it." Draco states, a hint of pride in his voice.

"Let me guess, it has a sister."

"A twin. In Borgin and Burkes. They form a passage."

"Ingenious. Draco, years ago, I knew a boy who made all the wrong choices. Please let me help you.." Dumbledore holds his hand out towards Draco.

"I don't want your help. Don't you understand? I have to do this. I have to kill you.." He growls. "Or he's gonna kill me.." He whimpers.

"Well, look what we have here. Well done, Draco." Riley whispers in his ear.

"Good evening, Riley. I think introductions are in order, don't you?"

"Love to, Albus, but I'm afraid we're on a bit of tight schedule. Do it!." She yells.

Fuck.

"He doesn't have the stomach. Just like his father. Let me finish him in my own way!" Greyback growls.

"No, the Dark Lord was clear the boy has to do it. This is your moment, Draco. Do it! Go on, Draco, now!!" Riley snaps.

"No.." Snape walks in.

"Severus. Please.." Dumbledore pleads.

"Avada Kedavra!" Snape points his wand at Dumbledore.

I cover my mouth to stop my gasp.

"Yeah!" Bellatrix cheers.

. . .

"Hagrid, hello?" Bellatrix yells as they rush to his cottage.

"Snape! he trusted you!" I yell.

"Go on.." He mumbles.

"Incarcerous! Fight back, you coward! Fight back!" I yell out of anger.

Bellatrix blasts me with a spell.

"No, he belongs to the Dark Lord!" Snape warns.

"Sectumsempra!" I try to blast Snape but he blocks me and walks towards me.

"You dare use my own spells against me, Barnes!" He spits.

What?

"Yes, I'm the Half-Blood Prince!"

. . .

"Alex, In light of what has happened. If you should have the need to talk to someone...You should know... Professor Dumbledore...You meant a great deal to him.." McGonogall rubs my back comfortingly.

"Do you think he would have done it? Draco." George looks at me.

"No. No, he was lowering his wand. In the end, it was Snape. It was always Snape. I did nothing..." I whisper.

An owl flies in and drops a letter, Hermione opens it and reads it.

"'To the Dark Lord: I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more. R.A.B.' R.A.B.?"

"Don't know. But whoever they are, they have the real Horcrux. It means it was all a waste. All of it.." I scoff.
"I'm not coming back, Hermione. I got to finish whatever Dumbledore started. And I don't know where that'll leave me, but I'll let you and the others know where I am...when I can.."

"I've always admired your courage, Lexa. But sometimes, you can be really thick. You don't really think you're going to be able to find all those Horcruxes by yourself, do you? You need us, Alex."

I sigh, turning to look over the view from the astronomy tower.

"I never realised how beautiful this place was.."

. . .