•|Blood potion|• HP

Chapter 30: The Companion

Song of this chapter: Hands by Iday
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Draco had given up the moment he saw the phoenix. All of them had finally gathered in front of the forbidden room in the ministry.

Even pink had abandoned itself. There was no more war. Death's thirst was slightly quenched by the proximity of its prey. It only drags Harry further and further into its cold depths.

Just like when Ginny let herself into Harry's arms.

The room pulsed with the rhythm of Draco's breathing. The golden spot under his skin was looking for freedom. His eyes were half open.
When was the last time he slept? Two days ago...? Three days ago...? He couldn't remember.

He just wanted to sleep and then everything would be over. He wanted to stop Harry from moving forward by closing his eyes. Draco didn't want to lose his new life. Draco couldn't lose his new life.

Between his stares, he noticed Ron.
He was probably looking for a suitable time to talk.

"Tell me." Draco nodded.

"It's hard to be the only one who knows..." Ron admitted.

He wasn't a person who would give up from fear of entering. He probably never knew if it was the right thing to say to Draco. Maybe Draco was in less pain without knowing.

"Dumbledore told us there's no need for the death phoenix anymore after Harry's death." Ron said.

The weather just got a little warmer.
Maybe it was only for Draco.

No one dared to look at Harry's reaction. Even if Draco wanted to, he couldn't. The pink aura was hiding Harry in the corner of his vision.

"The Death Phoenix must return with Harry... to the room..." Ron continued.

Draco lowered his head.
Does that mean there was no hope for Ginny's return?

Ginny was the one everyone wished to have back, even if there was never Ginny and it was the pleasant cold of death this whole time.
He slightly smiled.

"The death phoenix always belonged to another owner after the lord of death died." Ron said.

"Ya know, like Grindelwald... Ariana was Grindelwald's death phoenix. After Grindelwald went into that room, Fawkes stayed with Albus forever. Fawkes was Ariana. And she stayed with him until Dumbledore died." He shrugged.

Ron waited for Draco to digest the new information. Apparently, Draco didn't care.

Ron took a deep breath.
Maybe to gather his courage for a moment.

"Ginny knew that she is the last death phoenix. She knew that it was her last mission and she had to go back. That's why she..."

Ron gestured at Draco's neck.
It was exactly the spot where Ginny's golden charm rested. Ron's hands weren't shaking.
And he was proud of it.

"She cast that spell on you. You were supposed to be the future companion of the death phoenix. Your phoenix wants to go back to where it belongs. And she must take you with her."

The golden spot gave Draco a dangerous heat. He ignored it and for a moment he tried to understand what was going on in Hermione and Ron's heads. Of course, he quickly changed his mind. He preferred to spend his last breaths in absurdity.

This wasn't unexpected for Draco.
Maybe he knew all along.

"I know." he said softly.

No one answered.
Draco probably said this in his mind.

He noticed Ron's open arms.
He deliberated his options.
He didn't think there was a problem.
He hugged Ron.
Ron had a safe hug.
Ginny always said the same thing.