Potter's Shadow (Draco Malfoy)

Chapter 77

They were coming. We all stumbled out into the courtyard as the death eaters walked their way along the bridge. I could make out Hagrid enchained in their grasps. 

"Who is that Hagrid's carrying? Neville, who is it?" Ginny asked. Her father wrapping an arm around his daughter. 

Draco and I lingered near the back, trying to remain undetected by his family. 

"Harry Potter is dead!" Voldemort's declaration rang out clear across the courtyard.

Alone. I don't want to be alone. I spun into Draco, trying to block out Ginny's screams. Crushed, my heart couldn't take another beating. Couldn't take another person leaving me. I was being pushed under a never ending tidal wave of grief, rocking me backwards and forwards. 

"Silence," Voldemort declared. "Stupid girl. Harry Potter is dead. From this day forth, you put your faith in me." 

A moment of silence rippled once more before Voldemort's voice broke out again, "Harry Potter is dead!" The Death Eaters laughs danced across my broken soul. "And now is the time to declare yourself. Come forward and join us. Or die." 

I turned out to watch everyone stand still as statues. Not one person moved an inch. I felt Blaise place his hand on my waist from behind me and squeeze in reassurance. Draco unwrapped me and just grabbed my hand tight. 

"Draco!" Lucius' voice hissed across the courtyard. "Draco."

I looked up at Draco, noting the confliction on his face. He wouldn't, I squeezed his hand in return and awaited a squeeze back but nothing. He stayed silent not a single response or movement possessed him. 

"Draco," Narcissa called him this time. "Come."

Draco's hand removed itself from mine, pulling against my timid resistance. "Please," the words left my mouth in a whisper, causing Draco to finally turn and look at me. "Please don't choose that." 

"I have to go," Draco argued in a whisper, attempting to pull against my hand again. 

"Don't leave. For Gem," I pulled my last hope out the bag. He couldn't choose evil, not again. Gem needed a good example. 

Draco shook his head and removed his hand from mine, "I'm doing this for Gem." Draco turned to look at Blaise, who's arm was still resting on my waist, almost like he was ready to pull me instantly in to a hug that I needed. "Look after her for me." 

Then he was gone. Weaving his way through the crowd and straight to his parents, only to be stopped briefly by Voldemort pulling him into an uncomfortable hug. 

"Ah. Well done, Draco," Voldemort praised him. As if walking away from your baby's mother should be rewarded. I suppose considering I wasn't pureblood to the death eaters it was praise worthy. 

Draco didn't even acknowledge his father, just letting his mother embrace him as they walked away peeling back through the crowd and out of eyesight. 

My eyes snatched back to our own lines as lopsided footsteps echoed through the courtyard. 

"Oh, well, I must say I'd hoped for better." Voldemort took in Neville stumbled his way forwards, while Voldemort's own ranks laughed.  "And who might you be, young man?"

"Neville Longbottom."

Voldemort triumphed in his followers laugh, "Well, Neville, I'm sure we can find a place for you in our ranks." 

"I'd like to say something," Neville burst out. Although I wanted to fold in on myself, I found myself standing straighter. 

Voldemort's annoyance brought a smile to my face. "Well, Neville, I'm sure we'd all be fascinated to hear what you have to say."