The Depth of Deception // H. Potter

xii. the battle of hogwarts: part one

"It's time." Lucius spoke, getting ready to leave the Malfoy Manor and head to Hogwarts. Amara looked at her brother, seeing his tired expression made her both miserable and angry. All of this was because of Voldemort.

As they arrived at Hogwarts, a terrible ringing could be heard in everyone's ears. Amara knew it to be Voldemort.

"I know that many of you will want to fight. Some of you may even think that to fight is wise. But this is folly. Give me Harry Potter. Do this and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Harry Potter and. you will be rewarded. You have one hour." 

The ringing had stopped, as did Voldemort's voice, but the determination in Amara's chest did not stop.

Amara Malfoy knew what she had to do, and she knew she'd only have one hour.

~X~

Amara had snuck into Hogwarts, just before the shield had been finished. Not even Voldemort knew where Amara was. She knew this was risky, but she had to do what needed to be done. And that was to save Harry to the best of her ability.

As students ran through the hallways and corridors of the castle, she struggled to find Harry. She looked in every common room, every hall, even the room of requirement, but to no avail. Harry Potter was nowhere to be found.

She heard loud cracks echo through the castle, as she saw the shield begin to fall. She knew that Voldemort had penetrated the shield. She was out of time.

Defeated, Amara fell on the steps. She sobbed and mentally cursed herself for being too late. She should have fought harder, looked faster, but it was all for nothing.

"Amara?" A voice sounded from behind her, making her lift her head up slowly. It couldn't have been him. Amara turned around and there he was.

She trembled, knowing the severe repercussions that her actions would hold. Though her feet were moving quickly beneath her, she had never felt more weightless. She felt as if she were floating as she ran closer and closer to him. But the deception ran deeply in her veins, she had betrayed him yet he knew nothing of it.

Within his eyes, she saw her inner truth. The person she had once sworn to destroy, standing not two feet in front of her. Could she really go through with it? After everything? After all these years of longing and watching...could she really have the capability of doing this?

The girl who loved so deeply and fought so valiantly had let her heart lead the way. Her heart beating in her chest told her everything she needed to know. Her heart beat for him and only him.

"Harry!" Amara shouted and ran towards him. She hugged him as if she hadn't seen him in decades. Harry held onto her for dear life.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked her, but she shook her head. He had a bounty on his head and he was asking her if she was okay?

"My God, Harry, You can be really thick sometimes," Amara laughed, "but I love you anyway." Harry smiled and then turned away.

"Wait!" Amara stopped him, as he stood before her. There was something she needed to tell him. She needed him to know the truth, just in case something happened. He deserved to know.

"What is it?" Harry asked, looking at Amara as if she were hurt. She shook her head and took deep breaths.

"Harry, I'm not who you think I am." 

"What do you mean?" Harry was confused, but he was also running out of time and fast. He had to get to the next horcrux and quickly.

"I mean, I haven't been totally honest with you about my circumstances." Amara spat out, her words slurring together. She was so nervous, but decided he deserved to know the truth.

"Amara, now is not really a good time-" Harry spoke gently, but urgently. Amara cut him off.

"Harry, I'm a death eater." Amara quickly spat out. She couldn't bring herself to look him in the face. There was a prolonged silence. Harry could only stare at the girl before him in shock.

"Harry?" Amara shook him, "Harry, please say something." Amara begged, as tears spilled from her eyes.

"How long?" Harry asked, as he looked at the floor.

"Two years." Amara answered in a whisper, watching as his eyes met hers.

"You mean...you were working with him this whole time?" Harry shouted, his hand rubbing his head in both shock and anger. How could he have been so blind? She didn't really love him at all. She was just using him for Voldemort. The person who killed his parents seventeen years ago. How could she?

"Harry, he would have killed me if I didn't. You know my family, I had no choice..." Amara began to sob, trying to explain herself but Harry wasn't even angry anymore. He just looked saddened.

"You always have a choice, Amara!"

"I fought..." Amara spoke, her eyes tearing up, "I fought for you. Because you were my task. But when I spent all that time with you I knew that what I felt...and what you felt was real. That was genuine, Harry. I really do love you." Amara cried, and she sank to the floor. All of her guilt was showing now. All she could do was hope he still loved her enough to forgive her.

"How can I trust you?" Harry asked, "How can I trust you to not betray me and take me to him?" Harry looked distraught. His one true love had been a lie.

"Because I love you." Amara spoke, putting her hand to his face. Harry didn't move at first, but touched her hand just enough to move it from his face.

"I'm sorry, Amara." Harry spoke, turning his back to her.

"What do I need to do, huh? How do I make it up to you?" Amara shouted, tears still spilling from her eyes. Harry couldn't see her like this, not even after everything she did. But, only one thing came to mind.

"You can help me kill him."