Piece of Your Heart ✔️

Chapter 7

*flashback*

"Potter!"

Harry almost couldn't believe that Draco had thrown him a wand to use in the final battle against Voldemort. First his mother had not given him up, and now Draco himself was fighting alongside him.

With one last Expeliarmus, Voldemort was no more. This was the second memory Harry had shared through the use of the pensieve, the first being when Draco refused to identify him.

Out of all of the trials Harry had to attend after the war, this one had meant the most to him. He wanted to be sure Draco and his mother had been treated fairly. He knew it would be hard to give them a pardon, but he was Harry bloody Potter and he could do what he wanted to.

Harry didn't care how long it took them to switch sides. All that mattered was that at the end they decided to fight for what was right. Without both of them, Harry felt the war very well could've been lost.

He then showed memories of Draco helping him and Neville transporting those who had passed to the Great Hall so they could be properly identified and laid to rest.

Harry saw Malfoy in a new light that day, standing amongst the rubble that used to be Hogwarts, and that was when he officially became Draco.

"Potter... Harry."

Harry had looked up, startled at how foreign the name sounded on his lips.

"I don't know whether to say thank you or I'm sorry."

"You don't-"

Draco held up a hand.

"I do. I was unfair to you all of these years, and I hope some day you can forgive me. I know that what small amount of good I did the past 2 years will never make up for the 5 of hatred and anger.

This is my promise to you. I will spend every day of the rest of my life working for the betterment of the wizarding world. No matter what sentence I receive, I will serve it. I don't expect what little I did today to count for much, but that's not why I did it.

Please don't think I gave you my wand as a last ditch effort at self-preservation. If that were to be the case I would have escaped with my father like the coward he is. I see that now.

This was my choice and my choice alone to make. I hope that my actions were able to save a few more students than I could've otherwise. That's what matters to me. Thank you for hearing me out Harry."

Draco turned to walk away but was stopped by a hand resting on his shoulder. He stilled, not knowing what to expect.

"I'm Potter. Harry Potter."

The smile that appeared on Draco's face was the equivalent of the sun coming out after months of darkness. Harry extended his hand out to the older boy, altering the phrase that had kept him up at night for years.

"And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

Harry laughed and the two boys finally shook hands.

"Think my name's funny do you?"

Harry bumped his shoulder into Draco's playfully and the two walked back to the Great Hall, together.

"I'm sorry too-"

"Another time Harry. We have more pressing matters to attend to."

Harry liked the promise of a future with Draco somehow in it. He had spent so many years analyzing and watching the boy, the thought of a life without him made Harry uncomfortable. No, Draco was forever going to be a constant in his life. He would make sure of it.

"This is proof", thought Harry, "that we can all rise from the ashes and start anew."

Harry knew it wouldn't be easy, but he made a promise to himself too. He would not let Draco fall back to his old ways. When push came to shove on multiple occasions, Draco always bent in the right way. A watched pot never boils, and Draco just needed time to find himself.

It wasn't until afterwards when he was sitting in McGonagall's office did Harry find out it was Draco who had come completely clean and given everyone the heads up on the school invasion.

He had watched his former enemy come undone through McGonagall's memories. This just further proved that everyone had the heart of the Gryffindor lion deep inside of them. Draco was so genuine, so determined to prove that was worth something.

Harry was filled with pride in seeing the determination in Draco's eyes. His heart however had quickly shattered when Draco said he was prepared to give his life for Harry.

"I know you two have had your differences, but Mr. Malfoy is a lot like you."

"I know professor. We're friends now. Something that should've happened a long time ago."

She smiled kindly at Harry.

"Take care of each other. I think you're both what the other person needs. Two opposite sides of the coin, coming together as one."

"We will professor. I promise. I won't let anything happen to him."

"And he you. Now, go get a shower and some rest Mr. Potter. I know you're exhausted. Have a biscuit before you go."

Harry laughed and gladly took one. McGonagall walked him to the door, and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Thank you Harry."

His heart warmed at the sentiment.

"No, thank you professor. You believed in me since day 1 and you were a very strong maternal figure to me. I will never forget that as long as I live. Oh, and Dumbledore sends his regards."

She inhaled sharply.

"There was more to the Deathly Hallows story than we really knew."

"And he greeted death like an old friend.", she whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek.

Harry looked up to the portrait of Dumbledore, eyes twinkling. He gave him a small nod, and off Harry went to his new life.