The Chosen Two (Harry Potter X Reader) Years 1-7

Chapter 9

Malfoy looks into Dumbledore's eyes, then to the sky, at the gathering clouds, twisting darkly, then glances to the stairwell. Dumbledore notices. "You're not alone. Are you. There are others. How?"

A sneering smile plays over Malfoy's lips. "The Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement."

"That cabinet has been broken for years."

"I've been mending it."

"Ingenious. Let me guess. It has a sister. A twin."

"In Borgin & Burkes. They form --"

"A passage, yes. Very good." his eyes shifting "I once knew a boy years ago who made all the wrong choices. Let me help you, Draco."

"I don't want your help! Don't you see! I have to do it! I have to!" Draco's voice drops down to a whisper as we watch everything unfold. "I've got to kill you or he'll kill me."

"Say that again, Draco. But aloud this time."

Draco looks deep into Dumbledore's eyes. His hand trembles. Transfixed, Harry watches from the shadows. Slowly, Malfoy begins to lower his wand... when footsteps echo. The door flies open: Bellatrix, Greyback and the others.

We hear a voice sound through out the room. "Well now, look what we have here. Dumbledore. Wandless and alone. Cornered in his own castle. Well done, Draco."

Harry peers up, eyes flashing angrily at the sound of Bellatrix's voice. He draws his wand slowly and I grab onto his hand. "Good evening, Bellatrix. I think introductions are in order."

"Love to, Albus." Bellatrix says But I'm afraid we're on a bit of a tight schedule." She turns to Malfoy "Do it." Malfoy's wand rises once again.

Harry raises his own, aiming through the grid, poised. Just then, a shadow splinters through the columns to our right. We look to find Snape, quiet as a ghost, peering upward. Carefully, Snape draws his wand, then turns to Harry, a finger to his lips: "Shhh." he shush us very quietly. Then he is drifting upward. Silent. A ghost again.

"He doesn't have the stomach. Like his father. Let me finish him. In my own way." greyback says.

"No! The Dark Lord was clear. The boy's to do it. Go on, Draco. Now!" Once again Draco raises his wand, his hand trembling.

Harry's own arm is stiff, sure. The vein in his hand pulsates and I grab it and gently pull his arm down. "No." Dumbledore says quietly. Harry watches Snape come into view "Severus..."

"Well, look who's here. Hogwarts own Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Come to see the slaughter"

"Severus... please." Dumble dore please and I can't help but to let some tears escape.

"I gave my word." Severus says. "I made a vow..." I look to Harry who's eyes dart back and forth frantically, trying to make sense of the scene playing out above. Snape's arm rises. "Avada Kedavra!" A jet of green light hits Dumbledore squarely in the chest.

I have to stifle a gasp. For a second he hangs, suspended upon the ramparts, and then... the night swallows him.

Harry screams in rage. Bellatrix raises her wand to the sky and a deafening blast shakes the castle, masking Harry's cry. The clouds explode with grim light, mutating into a skull. As the Death Eaters flee, Snape's arm drops limply to his side. "You can no longer stay here." Snape says to draco as I cry silently Harry holding me in his arms.

Draco, stunned, stares at the empty place where Dumbledore stood only seconds before. Snape takes him by the scruff of the neck, forces him through the door, then follows. Harry scrambles up the stairs and lurches to the ramparts with me by his side, bathed in the green light from above. We peer down. Agony wrecks Harry's face and he has to steady himself. He looks up into the leering skull above. Rage fills his eyes and I know that whoever I say or do, I cannot stop what he is about to do.