Redamancy || Draco Malfoy

DH // 39

We had all expected war, but expecting and being ready for it were two very different things.

As I watched hexes being throw around me, and heard the shouting, I saw so much death. On both sides. It should never had come to this.

"Aria!" Daphne screamed, as she threw a hex towards an incoming Death Eater. "Mullinger!"

I turned to see Warren holding off four Death Eaters. I quickly went to his aid, stunning two of the unsuspecting opponents.

He threw me a hasty thanks, before he ran off to help a Hufflepuff, who was battling with two Death Eaters.

I got caught up in the battle as well, moving from location to location to help friends, family, and strangers alike.

My eyes fell upon many fallen bodies on the ground. My stomach lurched as my gaze met the lifeless body of Kyle Ambrose. A Death Eater was standing above him, wand pointed at him.

"Expulso!" I yelled, without much thought.

The Death Eater exploded before my eyes.

I had no remorse. I glanced down at the body of Kyle, feeling tears prick at my eyes.

I quickly turned away.

♔  T H I R D  P E R S O N ' S  P O V  ♔

Draco Malfoy scrambled to his feet, fleeing the first chance he got.

Harry Potter had just saved him.

He was grateful, more than he'd ever admit, but it was his denial and worry for his friends that drove him to run. He didn't even offer Harry a backwards glance.

"Draco?"

He turned to see Pansy. He shot her a small smile, "Hi."

There was a short moment of silence, before the both of them started talking.

Pansy with, "Last I checked, Aria was helping the casualties near the Great Hall—"

While Draco started, "Pansy, Goyle is dead—"

The both of them stopped.

Pansy wanted to burst out laughing, saying, "Look at us. We're in the midst of fighting a war and we're having awkward talk."

But how could she?

Goyle was dead. A classmate. A housemate. Family. This war was taking too much. Pansy didn't know if she had anything left to give.

Draco shot her a sad smile.

"The Great Hall?" He repeated, just to clarify.

Pansy nodded, "She's there with one of her brothers."

Draco nodded his thanks, before he ran off.

He didn't reach the Great Hall. He passed one of the classrooms, to see Aria Weasley furiously hexing two Death Eaters.

Draco's eyes widened as Aria stunned one of her opponents, and in her moment of victory, the other Death Eater threw a disarming hex at her.

He was young, maybe a year older than Draco, and he was afraid. Draco didn't hesitate.

"Deprimo." He ground out, watching as a hole in the ground appeared, the Death Eater falling.

Aria turned, eyes wide.

The look on her face alone tugged at Draco's heartstrings. She stood there, still. Why wasn't she coming over? Draco was impatient to hold her in his arms once again.

Then she was running over, eyes welling up.

"You're an idiot." She sniffled, wrapping her arms around Draco.

And he was. He didn't write, didn't say anything. Aria would never tell him, but that made her afraid and lonely.

Draco only smiled, happy to have her back.

"Come on, let's go help the rest." Aria told him urgently, dragging him off.

Draco's smile fell, knowing that no one would ever look at him the same. No one would want his help.

But he let Aria drag him off, because could he ever say no to her?