Alternate Universe - brothers Draco & Harry

Chapter 58 - the Choice

The courtyard was heavy with a mournful silence as students moved about in somber clusters, their faces etched with grief and confusion. The once-vibrant grounds of Hogwarts now felt like a solemn, muted tapestry of loss. Hercules sat alone on a stone bench, the cold, hard surface beneath him mirroring the chill in his heart. His gaze was fixed on the central fountain, its waters sparkling despite the dark clouds that loomed overhead—a stark contrast to the gloom that had settled over the school.

The recent events weighed heavily on him. The deaths of Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick, in addition to Headmaster Dumbledore's tragic fall, had left the school in disarray. Classes and exams had been canceled, and the students were left to grapple with their sorrow as Severus Snape, now the new headmaster, attempted to restore some semblance of order. But the atmosphere was heavy with the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

Hercules' mind drifted back to the tower. In his memory, the scene replayed with painful clarity...

~START OF MEMORY~

The cold stone of the tower had felt unforgiving beneath the boy's feet as he stood before Dumbledore. Tears had streamed down his face, his voice cracking with desperation. "I'm not Harry," he had repeated, pleading with the headmaster to stop calling him that. "You have the wrong boy."

Dumbledore, his eyes reflecting a profound sadness, had replied calmly, "No, Harry. The scar on your forehead is proof. You survived the killing curse, a part of Voldemort's soul is now within you. You have become his Horcrux."

He had looked away, his heart pounding. Hercules had read about Horcruxes in his dark magic studies but had never imagined they could involve a living person. "Why me?" he had asked, his voice trembling with fear and confusion. Dumbledore had answered softly, "One cannot choose his destiny. You are Harry Potter, destined to end Voldemort's life."

With a tearful resolve, the boy had lifted his sleeve to reveal the dark mark burned into his skin. His eyes had shone with a silver intensity as he asked, "Headmaster... What will you do to save me from the Dark Lord?"

Dumbledore's breath had caught in his throat as he saw the mark. "Why, Harry? Why did you accept it?" he had asked, horrified. "The Dark Mark. You chose to follow him. Why?"

"Because," the boy's voice had been but a whisper, "I've finally chosen my own destiny."

Then, with a final, shuddering breath, Hercules lifted his wand...

~END OF MEMORY~

The memory faded as a presence interrupted Hercules' reverie. He turned to see Aurelia sitting beside him on the bench, her eyes reflecting the same sorrow that filled the courtyard. She had clearly been searching for him, her face etched with concern, her eyes red from previously shed tears.

"Where have you been?" Aurelia asked worried. "I looked everywhere for you."

Hercules quickly masked his emotions, giving her a calm, collected response. "I was with Draco, keeping away from everything to avoid drawing attention," he lied. "We didn't want the Death Eaters to see us or some student assuming that we're with them."

Aurelia nodded, her gaze returning to the fountain. "How are you holding up?" she asked.

"Okay."

"I see..." Aurelia's eyes lingered on the fountain, her expression troubled. "I guess I'm not doing so well," she admitted quietly. After a moment of silence, the girl placed her hand on his, both of them resting on the cold stone of the bench.