Alternate Universe - brothers Draco & Harry

Chapter 62 - the Inevitable Change

The battlefield was tense, a thick fog of anticipation hanging over both sides as Tom Riddle, now Tom Gaunt, called Hercules Malfoy to the front. The gathered Death Eaters and rebels watched in silence, the weight of the moment settling heavily upon them. Tom's eyes gleamed with a dangerous mix of confidence and excitement as Hercules stepped forward, his back straight, his expression calm. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy stood among the crowd, their faces pale with confusion and fear. Narcissa's heart raced, her eyes fixed on her son, her maternal instinct screaming that something was terribly wrong. Hercules turned to face his parents, offering them a small smile and a nod. It was a smile that broke Narcissa's heart. She rushed forward, screaming, "No! Hercules, no!" But he raised a hand to stop her.

"Trust me... Mother..." he said softly, his voice steady despite the chaos around him. 

Lucius, his eyes wide and full of tears he'd never shed, grabbed Narcissa's arm, pulling her back as she sobbed uncontrollably, begging Tom Gaunt to rethink. "Please, my Lord—I mean... Tom," Lucius pleaded. "He is our son! Don't do this! You promised never to hurt him."

Tom turned to them with an indifferent gaze. "Sacrifices must be made, Lucius," he said simply. "For the greater good. Nothing good in life comes without trust and sacrifice."

Hercules moved to the front of the gathering, his eyes never leaving his family. He knelt before the Dark Lord, and a wave of horror washed over the crowd. Draco Malfoy, running to kneel beside his brother, his heart hammering in his chest, stared at Hercules in disbelief.

"Hercules," Draco whispered, his voice shaking. "Why are you doing this?"

Hercules turned to his brother, taking his hand in his. His grip was strong, reassuring, even as Draco's hand trembled. "Do you trust me?" Hercules asked.

Draco, lips trembling, nodded. "Yes."

Hercules squeezed his brother's hand tighter. "Would you choose me over anyone else?"

Draco hesitated for a brief moment, his gaze flickering to Saskia, standing in the crowd with wide, fearful eyes. He turned back to Hercules, his heart pounding. "In a heartbeat."

A faint smile touched Hercules's lips. "Then trust me now, my dearest brother. I promised you I would never leave you. I will not break that promise."

Draco's eyes filled with tears as he nodded again, swallowing hard. Hercules gave one final squeeze before letting go of his brother's hand and standing, facing Tom once more. Draco, his lip quivering, stood and stepped back, his heart breaking, but trusting in his brother's words.

Narcissa was shaking violently, Lucius biting his tongue so hard blood dripped down his chin. Their son was about to sacrifice himself, and they were powerless to stop it. In the distance, Bill and Charlie Weasley, their wands raised, shouted across the battlefield.

"This is who he is!" Bill bellowed. "A man who would sacrifice young lives for his own gain!"

Tom, unbothered by the words, looked over at his followers with a serene expression. "Place your trust in me now just like before. I have promised to not hurt a single witch or wizard, so believe that. Believe me. Sacrifices must be made for the greater good," he repeated, his voice commanding attention. "And now, it is time for Draco Malfoy to make his sacrifice as well. No good brother allows one to lay his life down alone."

Draco's eyes widened in shock, his heart freezing in his chest. He looked at Hercules, panic flooding his veins. "No..." he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I won't do it... I won't hurt him."

Tom smiled, a cold and calculated smile. "Draco," he said softly, "kill your brother."

Narcissa screamed again, but Lucius held her back, tears brimming in his eyes. Saskia, standing among the crowd, squeezed Aurelia's hand, her face wet with tears as she watched the scene unfold in horror. Sabrina Goldstein, her usually emotionless eyes now hollow with heartbreak, stood frozen, her gaze locked on Hercules.