Opposite Ends (Draco Malfoy)

81

It were now just Evangeline and Harry, getting mentally ready to walk into death's welcoming arms. But how could someone so young be ready for such a thing?

"You think it'll hurt?" Piped Harry as the twins lied dreadfully on the floor of the office that was once Dumbledore's.

"What?" Eva sat up, "Dying?"

"Yeah."

"Well, that depends on how you die, Harry."

"The Killing Curse, Eva."

"I don't know. I mean...it looks quick, doesn't it?"

Harry hesitated before speaking, "I messed up big time, Evangeline."

She said nothing; she just looked at him, letting him know that she was listening.

"Dumbledore knew you weren't dead. I lied to you. I was being stupid." He explained, "I didn't want you at Hogwarts because of the danger that came with it, but I was...incredibly inconsiderate. I found a home at Hogwarts, a family. You deserved that too, and I didn't let you have that. Dumbledore agreed to keep you at the Dursley's for your safety."

"Sounds like Dumbledore is a load of shit. How thoughtful of him, really, to hand over such a dangerous task to the kids who have already been marked for slaughter."

Harry felt dumbfounded. And even more betrayed by Dumbledore. "I'm sorry, Eva."

"It's fine."

"It's not."

"It doesn't matter. Okay, Harry?"

He said nothing. They sat in silence for a bit as a couple tears fell down her face.

She tried to casually wipe her face, "There's things we have to do. It can't matter."

They, again, sat in a brief silence, before Harry broke it, "Eva?"

"What is it?"

"It doesn't matter, but I just want to know. You and Malfoy...?"

"We're nothing now. We were more than friends though. I thought he'd be on my side."

Harry thought about telling Evangeline that he had told her what kind of person he was, but now wasn't a good time. "I'm sorry." Was what he felt were the best words to muster up.

She shook her head, "No, it's fine. I should've expected it." The room went quiet again for a bit, aside from the explosion they heard outside. "When we go to the forest...to meet You-Know-Who, you have to let me get in front of you when he shoots the killing curse at you. He won't intentionally kill me."

"Why did you tell him that you were a Horcrux and not me?"

"Because I knew what needed to happen in the end. And you're...more skilled with this magic world than I am. You had Hermione and Ron. I wasn't worried about you. I knew you were going to be able to do what was needed."