Changing Draco Malfoy

Severus Snape Chapter 35

~Iris~

I still remained on the floor, breathing deeply. I couldn't believe what had just occurred. Nagini flashed in my mind over and over as my father made it known that she needed to be protected. She's a horcrux.

I heard feet shuffling and felt my body being picked up by familiar arms, "Iris! Are you okay? You came back for me? You could've been hurt! Don't you ever leave me again!" His voice trembled. From behind, I noticed Blaise and Goyle rush down the corridor.

I turned to face him with a blank face. I was so conflicted about his recent actions. His own face was stained with black soot, but his falling tears made a small path of white flesh on his cheeks. I finally reacted; I pulled him so close and kept both arms around him securely. Tears began to soak my face as I silently cried. I had missed him terribly and was just relieved that he was not harmed.

I had left him behind, so could I really judge him so harshly for acting out?

Everything had been forgiven.

"It's the snake, she's the last horcrux," Harry's solemn words made me snap back to reality. Draco looked at me with confusion, yet I strode over to my friends anyway. "Look into his mind! Find where he is Harry, then we can find the snake. You can end this," Ron's voice was fierce. As I came closer, Hermione pulled me into her and gave me a short hug. Once we pulled away, I saw that Harry still remained on the floor, trying to catch his breath.

A cut came down between his eyebrows, and exhaustion seemed to seep through his pores. I felt the hostility from my father through our connection, and understood what Harry was feeling. My father would protect Nagini with all his might. This will not be easy.

I realized I also felt sympathy for Nagini. I was aware of her terrible, sad past. Her blood curse that made her transform into that snake for good. She was a girl once. Unfortunately, my father latched a piece of his soul onto hers. Why were things so messed up and terrible?

Ron and Hermione turned to see that Draco was standing awkwardly behind me. I really hoped we'd move forward and forget what happened. Draco didn't want to kill Harry, but just get his wand back. Lord Voldemort is the main enemy we need to keep our focus on.

Harry began to contort his body abnormally as he began to dig within my father's mind. His squirming body and flailing limbs were horrible to watch. Sweat began to pour off of him while he kept his teeth clenched. I wanted to see what he was viewing, but my father would instantly know if I was in his head.

A few moments had passed and Harry was back. "I know where he is," his breath wavered. "Draco, get the rest of the Slytherins down in the dungeons out of here," I demanded. "But, I don't want to leave you again," Draco's eyes were wide. "Please, I'll find you after. There isn't much time," I pleaded. My friends already left for a head's start. "I love you," Draco spoke with a new calmness. I closed the remaining space between us as I held his cheeks in my hands.

We kissed passionately with tears running down both of our faces. His hands snaked around me to get me even closer. Chills fell down my spine. My hands found their way to his soot-covered hair and tangled within them. My lips began to swell from our locked lips. It took all my strength, but I pulled away, "I love you too."

We ran away in different directions, which made my heart feel heavy. It didn't take long for me to locate the Golden Trio.

Screams bounced off all the walls and injured witches and wizards littered the ground. I kept my eyes trained ahead, not wanting to acknowledge all the death around me. I kept my wand out, ready to attack anyone who dared challenge me. We finally made it out into the courtyard, but war was still raging on. Fire had been ablaze all over, and dark clouds rumbled overhead. Massive giants held rock clubs, which they kept swinging at any living thing that passed by.