The Dark Side (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Chapter 29: Gone

          We had returned to Hogwarts, but I was unsure of my father's plans. I hoped he would just leave them alone, but I knew they wouldn't be that fortunate. The group of Death Eaters had just reached the courtyard. Hagrid was carrying Harry's body, still sobbing. Neville Longbottom stood alone, defiantly. Others made their way to the demolished courtyard, and I recognized Ginny Weasley, and what had to have been her father.
          "Harry Potter is dead!" Ginny burst from her father's arms and charged at my father. "Stupid girl, Harry Potter is dead. From this day forth, you put your faith in me," I scanned the crowd of Professors and students to pick out the platinum blonde hair that belonged to Draco. He turned back to us and laughed. "Harry Potter is dead! And now is the time to declare yourself. Come forward and join us... or die," no one moved or spoke. I had just spotted Draco, but so had my father.
          "Draco," it was Lucius. "Draco," I saw him look around the crowd and I shook my head weakly as he met my gaze. Don't come back. Don't come back, please! As much as I wanted to see him, no good would come out of it if he returned. His mother was calling to him now. He looked hesitant but then walked forward. My heart sank.
          "Well done Draco. Well done," my father gave him a very awkward hug, and he walked to his parents. He glanced at me and gave me an apologetic look. I nodded in understanding. If he hadn't, my father would have killed him. Neville limped forward with a mangy old hat in his hands. "Well I must say I had hoped for better," the group laughed. "And who might you be, young man?"
          "Neville Longbottom," they laughed again, knowing what horrible fate his parents had met.
          "Well, I'm sure Neville, we can find a place for you in our ranks."
          "I'd like to say something."
          "Well, Neville I'm sure we would all be fascinated to hear what you have to say."
          "It doesn't matter that Harry's gone. People die every day. Friends, family. Yes, we lost Harry tonight. He's with us, in here," he motioned to his heart. "Sirius, Remus, Tonks," I shivered. "All of them. They didn't die in vain. But you will!" my father laughed. "Because you're wrong! Harry Potter's heart did beat for us! For all of us!" He threw the hat aside to reveal a sword. Not just any sword. It was the Sword of Godric Gryffindor. I heard a thud behind me and I turned around. Harry had fallen from Hagrid's grip and stood up. I, along with everyone else, gasped.
          "Kafrindo!" a flame flew from his wand and almost hit Nagini. My father had blocked it. Harry ran into the passageway beside the courtyard and my father sent spells of all kinds toward him, missing every time. The Death Eaters erupted in smoke to search for him, but my father went the opposite way. All the students were going back into the castle, and we were pursuing them. My father had Disapparated. I saw Narcissa, Lucius and Draco walk the other way. I pushed through to catch up with them.
          "Where are you going?"
          "Away. Draco isn't safe here," her eyes were reddening.
          "Come with us," said Draco. His eyes were pleading.
          "I can't. If he finds out I ran, he'll kill me for sure. Good luck. I won't tell him where you've gone," I held Draco's hand one last time, and ran back to join the group of Death Eaters. I stayed in the middle of the group so I wouldn't have to attack anyone. Students were running and screaming, and spells, hexes, and curses flew across the room. I dodged a ball of fire as it flew inches away from my left side. I ducked as what seemed to be an Imperius Curse flew above my head, hitting a sixth year Ravenclaw in front of me. I gasped and jumped out of the way as his body hit the floor. A lump in my throat came as I held back tears. Suddenly, my Mark burned, not for very long, but it was still painful. I ripped back my sleeve to see the mark turn a very deep black, then it faded to a reddish-pink. I had seen my mother's old scar when my father wasn't in power, and it looked very similar. Did that mean he had fallen? Was he gone? Was the prophecy really true? I saw other Death Eaters around me experiencing the same thing.
          "Retreat!" someone shouted. I think we had all gathered the same thing—The Dark Lord had fallen—for good. We ran for the door, trying not to be the last ones out. I didn't turn back, Draco was safe and that was all I cared about. Once we got out of the door, many Apparated or turned to smoke, fleeing from the scene. I closed my eyes, imagined Malfoy Manor, and Disapparated. I appeared just outside their door and threw them open. I ran upstairs to Draco's room. I knocked first.
          "Come in," his voice sounded like he had just been crying. The door creaked as I opened it. He looked up and threw himself into my arms. We didn't speak for some time, we simply appreciated we had both made it out alive.
          "I'm so sorry I couldn't come with you," I finally broke the silence.
          "I understand. What happened?"
          "I think... I think Potter killed him... He's gone," I pushed my left sleeve up, revealing what was left of the tattoo. It was a pale scar on my skin. He hugged me again.
          "We can finally be normal now," he said in one breath.
          "We still have to go through the Ministry...We've done awful things Draco."
          "We're still kids, they can't do anything. Not right now anyway. They're still cleaning up the mess we left behind," his eyes went wide.
          "Do you think they'll send us to Azkaban?" I asked quietly.
          "I don't know. My parents will, for sure," I hugged him.
          "We'll get through this like we always have. Together."