Harry Potter and the Darker Path

Chapter 15: The Path of No Return

The cool night air hit Harry and Draco as they sprinted through the woods outside Malfoy Manor, the distant sound of curses and shouts still ringing in their ears. Their escape had been desperate, but it was far from over. They knew the Death Eaters would pursue them, and soon Voldemort would come after Harry himself. Every second was borrowed time. 

“Where are we going?” Draco panted, his breath labored from the sprint. 

“Somewhere safe,” Harry replied, though in truth, he had no concrete plan. His only thought was to get as far away from Voldemort as possible. He didn’t know if there was any safe place left in the wizarding world, but he wasn’t about to let Draco—or himself—get caught.  

Draco was silent for a moment before he spoke again, his voice filled with a mixture of disbelief and fear. “You just defied Voldemort. You know he’s not going to stop until he finds us.”  

Harry glanced at him, his green eyes serious. “I know. But I’m not going to let him control my life. Or yours.” 

Draco didn’t respond immediately, but Harry could see the fear etched into his face. He was the son of a powerful Death Eater, and turning against Voldemort wasn’t just dangerous—it was a death sentence. But something had changed in Draco. The weight of that choice had begun to settle on him, and Harry could see the internal battle raging within his mind. 

“I didn’t ask for any of this,” Draco muttered, shaking his head. “I never wanted to be a Death Eater.” 

Harry slowed, coming to a stop in the middle of the dark forest. He turned to Draco, his expression filled with sympathy. “Neither did I,” he admitted softly. “But now we’re both in it.” 

The two stood there for a moment, the sounds of the forest surrounding them. The reality of their situation was grim, but there was no turning back now. They had chosen a path that would put them on the opposite side of a war—one where Voldemort would stop at nothing to kill them both. 

Allies in the Shadows 

As they pressed onward, Harry’s mind raced with possible escape routes and safe havens. He had learned a lot in his years at Hogwarts—how to use his cunning, how to stay hidden, and how to outsmart opponents. But Voldemort was no ordinary opponent. He would hunt them relentlessly, and if they were to survive, they needed help. 

“Where are we really going?” Draco asked again, his voice more measured now. “We can’t just run forever.” 

Harry considered their options. “There’s someone I can contact—someone who can help us.” 

Draco raised an eyebrow. “Who?” 

“Snape.” 

Draco blinked, taken aback. “Snape? Are you sure about that? He’s… loyal to the Dark Lord.” 

Harry shook his head, his gut telling him otherwise. “No, he’s not. He’s been playing a double game for years. Dumbledore trusted him, and I do too.” 

Draco’s skepticism was evident, but he didn’t argue. He had spent his entire life under the influence of people like his father, surrounded by manipulation and lies. Trust didn’t come easily to him. But right now, Harry was the only person he could rely on, and if Harry thought Snape could help them, then that was their best shot.