Optionless with Draco Malfoy

45. The Battle of Hogwarts

Draco

After the Fiendfyre situation, I scrambled out of the seventh floor to find Juliette. If Potter, Weasley, and Granger are at Hogwarts, so is she. I had this feeling that I just have to find her.

As I made my way down the corridor, I nearly walked into a wall four times. Everything was blurry and it was like the world was literally spinning. I figured that my bad coordination was because of how much smoke I had inhaled. 

I felt my pockets for my mother's wand, then pulled it out, just in case someone tried to attack Goyle and I. 

"Goyle... try to find other Slytherins, I guess. I need to find Juliette. I'll look for you after," I told him. He nodded his head and ran off towards the dungeons. 

As I wandered around Hogwarts, I passed the Great Hall. There were Death Eaters flooded in the halls of Hogwarts, dueling several professors and students whom I knew, but there was no sign of Juliette.

I jogged out of the Great Hall and headed towards the courtyard. I continued my search for Juliette, but so far there was no sign of her.

Dammit, where is she?

Spells flew everywhere in all sorts of directions. Giants and trolls were smashing the first thing that they could see. I dodged several of the spells which came in my direction. Near the far left corner of the courtyard, I found Juliette battling a Snatcher. I ran towards her, casting protection spells around me.

"Stupefy," I waved my wand and shot the spell at the Snatcher who she was battling. He blasted into the wall behind.

Juliette turned around and grinned at me, and ran up to hug me. I hugged her back tightly, wishing that I didn't have to let go.

I pulled her behind a wall, where we were temporarily protected from being shot curses at.

"Draco, where have you been? Where are the others? Are you okay?" She grabbed my face gently while she continuously asked questions.

"Room of Requirement. Crabbe set a Fiendfyre. The whole room was in flames, we barely made it out... but Crabbe, he-" my voice broke off. It was beginning to sink in that he was dead. I felt a bit guilty for his death. If I hadn't told him to come along, maybe he wouldn't have died. 

Juliette stared at me worriedly. "Crabbe's dead," I stated sadly. "I'm the reason to why he's dead. If I wasn't such a coward, I would have gone to the Room of Requirement alone. He's dead and its all my fault." Juliette wrapped her arms around my neck.

In my ear, she whispered, "It's not your fault, Draco. It's a war, isn't it? Not everyone can be saved. He created the Fiendfyre. He should've been able to control it."

I buried my face in her neck. I tried to push away the thought of Crabbe, "Potter and them. They're fine. They came back for Goyle and me when we were trapped. They're alive."

She pulled back and gave me a small smile, "I'm happy to hear. So, maybe this rivalry between you and Harry can finally be over?"

I scoffed, "Maybe, if we make it out alive today."

She shook her head and hit my arm lightly, "You little prick. Come on, can't you be a tad optimistic? Look I have to go find Harry and the others. Stay close and battle it out, OK? Don't die. Please." She quickly kissed me and turned to leave.

"I last saw them near the Room of Requirement," I grabbed her hand before she would run any further. "Wait! What side do I fight for, Juliette?" I felt like a child for asking.

She took a moment to think about what I was saying. "Whatever you feel is right, Draco," she gave me a look of hope, and then I let her go as she ran off into the crowd of people.