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For the Want of a Nail	By : thewickednix Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 4934 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. This is made for fun, not profit.

Chapter List
- 26
- 27
- 28
Chapter 27. Castles of Sand

The black morning dawns. But there is no rain to match the dread and destruction that comes with this day. Only the sun that shines in through the curtains, the rays landing on the dusty floor. I turn my head to look at the boy sleeping beside me. Black locks fill out the pillow under his head, his deep breaths puffing against my shoulder. He is excruciatingly beautiful, in his last moments more so than ever.
I rise and move to the bathroom to take a shower. Under the gushing water I feel a chuckle leave my lips. It is ridiculous really, how we find time to wash ourselves even in the midst of Harmageddon.
Soft footsteps tap against the floor. The shower curtains are drawn aside and Harry steps in beneath the shower. He doesn't say a word or even look me in the eye, but presses himself firmly against my chest, head safely in the crook of my neck. I sigh and wrap my arms around him, holding onto him like my life depends on it.
His does.

We stand like this for I don't know how long. Savouring these last hours. How many times has he not been on death row? How many times has he not been an inch from destruction?
But this time it is different. There is no chance to escape. This end is absolute.
"We need to get dressed." I whisper into his ear, and he shudders softly against me, as if he is waking up. Bright green eyes, glittering with unshed tears look up at me. He smiles softly, letting go of me and disappearing out through the door. I watch him go, slowly moving my arm to close the shower.
When he dies, it will be the end of me. When he leaves, my heart will go with him.

___________________________________________________________________

Mrs Weasley is the only one in the kitchen this early. Her eyes threaten to spill over with tears as soon as Harry enters the room, but luckily she seems able to restrain herself.
"Harry," she croaks, her voice betraying her anguish. "Would you like some breakfast, dear?" The woman seems determined to honour Harry's silent wish to be treated 'normally'. Even today. Even this morning.
"Just some toast, thank you." Harry mumbles, and I almost jump at the sound of his voice. It seems as if he is dead already, and I am hearing his voice from beyond the grave.
"Of course." Mrs Weasley smiles sadly, loudly swallowing the tears still in her eyes. She hurries to turn her back and starts preparing the breakfast. Harry takes a seat at the table, and I sit down beside him. The room is eerily quiet, except for Mrs Weasley who seems to have her mind set on making as much noise as possible with her pots and pans. Harry doesn't seem to mind, he just keeps staring into emptiness. He manages two minutes without crying before I notice his lower lip starting to tremble. A tentative hand seeks my hand over the table, his shaking fingers grabbing mine. A single tear falls down his cheek, and I curl my hand over his. Then those green eyes are looking up at me again, so grateful and terrified that I want to kill him right now just to stop him from looking like that.
"Here is your bread, dear."
Mrs Weasley puts the plate in front of Harry on the table, along with a steaming cup of tea. She doesn't even raise an eyebrow at our joined hands. Maybe she just didn't noticed, she seems determined to look anywhere but at us. Of course. She doesn't want Harry to die. But she wants peace, just like everyone else. She doesn't really feel sad. Just guilty.

___________________________________________________________________

I have never seen an Order meeting this quiet. Not even Dumbledore dares to say a word out of place. We go over the plan again. Yes, everyone has looked at the map I drew of the Manor. Yes, everyone knows what they are supposed to do.
No, no one is ready.
Harry sits silently beside me. He has been informed of what he is supposed to do. He knows who will accompany and protect him, he knows where he is supposed to face the Dark Lord.
And while everyone else plan further, Harry needs not. The arrangement for his deeds ends there.
Everyone is resolved to avoid the topic around Harry's confrontation with Voldemort. Every other detail is worked through five times so that everyone is absolutely certain that they know what will happen. But no one seems brave enough to take up the topic of the Dark Lord's destruction. No one has the heart to speak to this brave boy beside me about his death. No one is capable of enduring any more of his tears.
"Harry? You know what to do, right?"
I feel the urge to snort out loud at the Headmaster. Of course Harry knows what to do. His only task now is to stay alive, until...
But he nods bravely, eyes firmly fixed on the edge of the table. "Yeah. I know."

___________________________________________________________________

There is no time for goodbyes. Before I have time to realise what is happening, I am stepping into the fire place, Moody, Tonks, Kingsley and two Aurors named Williams and Savage behind me.
I cast one last look into Harry's face before I am devoured by the green flames.

I turn to the Aurors as we've all arrived into the Malfoy Manor drawing room. "They will be in the dungeons. I will go in first, and you will follow at my sign. Let's be quick, the others will be here in half an hour."
"Yes, yes, we know." Moody mutters, presumably pissed that he has to take orders from a Malfoy when it come to his own area of speciality.
We walk as silently as possible down the stairs and through the main hall. It has started raining, the drops running down the great windows to the orchard. Creeping down the stairway to the dungeons, I can hear the noise of the Death Eaters gathered below us. Stepping into the dimly lit corridor, Kingsley, Moody, Savage, Williams and my cousin all stand back, pressed against the wall as I move towards the door. I grab my wand firmly in my hand.
Each and every Death Eater quiets down as I enter. There are about fifteen of them, and none look too pleased. Least of all Father. Only the Dark Lord, sitting at the end of that long table, greets me with appreciation.
"Draco," he exclaims, gesturing towards a chair next to him, where another Death Eater, Macnair, is already sitting. "You have returned as expected! Why not have a seat here next to me?" The Lord casts a glance in Macnair's way, who immediately rises from his seat to make room for me.
I only sneer, remaining standing by the door. "I don't think I will."
"What?" Voldemort furrows his brow, a frown forming around his mouth. "You dare to refuse my wish?"
I grin. "Afraid so," And I raise my wand, aiming at the Death Eater closest to me, Jugson. "Expulso!"
As Jugson is blown away, a second of complete silence follows. The all hell breaks loose. The Aurors are at my back at about the same time when the curses start flying. I hear Savage getting hit by a Crucio, but at the same time Kingsley and Moody are able to bring down two more Death Eaters. A Killing Curse flies Tonks' way, but she is able to sidestep it and answers it with a Immobiulus Charm, neutralizing another Death Eater; my aunts brother-in-law, Rabastan.
Alecto Carrow throws a Crucio my way, and is shocked when the curse hits and I don't fall to the floor screaming. I sneer scornfully at the fool and flick my wand, bringing him down with a Blasting Curse.
Some of the Death Eaters have by now escaped out through the door. I see a flash of blond hair vanishing into the dark corridor, and I follow.
"Moody! It's time!" I shout, my back already turned on him. He follows suit after throwing a last Immobilus Charm at Macnair.
When we arrive in the main hall it is filled with Death Eaters and the newly arrived other Aurors. Through the cloud of spells and curses I pursue Lucius. Moody runs towards the stairs, where I see Harry descending with Lupin as his guard. I want to do the same, run over and do anything to keep Harry safe, but for the moment I am not yet needed. Besides, right now I have another thing to take care of.
Lucius seems to realise his inability to run from me, and he turns around to confront me, thinking he might be safer surrounded by all the other Death Eaters, Bellatrix and her husband not far away. I fight the urge to chuckle; he doesn't even begin to understand how much trouble he is in.
"What has gotten you here?" Father hisses, sneering at me with disgust. "You are a Malfoy! Malfoys stay with the family!"
I snort, lifting an eyebrow as I drawl: "Maybe you should take your own advice and for once not choose the Dark Lord over your own son."
Lucius just laughs. "I never expected you to be such a fool, Draco." he spits. My gut feels heavy. I never expected to get anything but a refusing answer, but I can't deny that it stings.
"Loyalty and blood is all that matters." Father huffs again, curling his lip in distaste. "You never could understand that. I always knew there was something wrong with you. You were never a real Malfoy."

___________________________________________________________________

Around me is nothing but destruction. With Moody and Remus guarding me I feel relatively safe, but outside of the shield they produce reigns chaos. I have a hard time gathering what is happening; all around me people are screaming, casting curses. The glass doors into the garden are crashed, the rain from outside falling in. Black Death Eater robes flash everywhere around me, the air is filled with screams. But as I am led through the main hall, there is only one voice I listen after.
Then I hear familiar voice that sends shivers up my spine.
"I always knew there was something wrong with you. You were never a real Malfoy."
I turn to the right and indeed, there I see Lucius and Draco. Father and son, wands pointed at each other. On Lucius' face there is an expression of utter disgust.
Draco snorts. "Too bad for you that you didn't do anything about it before. Now it's too late."
"You really believe that you can win this battle, son?" Lucius huffs, looking around in the hall. "With that old fool Dumbledore not even here? Who is going to save you? Potter?"
My heart contracts in my chest, and Draco narrows his eyes. "It is you who needs saving." And he swings his wand. "Confringo!"
The Blasting Curse misses Lucius by an inch, and while he avoids the spell he turns towards the Aurors and me. A malicious leer spreads on Lucius face as his eyes lock on my face. "Bella! Rodolphus! Take Potter!" he shouts, before turning back towards his son.
An expression of shock and desperation appears on Draco's face as he hears those words, and his eyes turn briefly towards me. Run! is the clear message, but it's too late. Two Death Eaters are already approaching us.
"Potter!" Bellatrix coos, madness glazing her eyes as she walks closer, eyes fixed on me. "So glad you could make it!"
"Not so fast, Bellatrix!" Moody roars, sending a curse at the witch. She steps aside lightly, chuckling as the spell misses its target. As she raises her wand at Moody, Rodolphus casts a curse at Remus. The adrenalin pumps furiously in my veins as both of my guardians are pulled further and further away from me, trying to fight off the Lestranges. I grab my wand furiously, trying to keep my back towards the wall.
"Can't you do any better than that?!" I hear Lucius roar at Bellatrix and Rodolphus, as he furiously tries to hit his son with curses. I cannot but wonder how one could possibly fight their own family for life and death. The thought has just run through my head as Draco swings his wand yet again.
"Sectumsempra!"
This time Lucius is distracted, and the spell doesn't miss it's target. While the light flashes, a horrible memory surges through my brain. The black cloak is ripped open and blond strands of hair are drenched in blood, but this time it's not Draco.
Draco stops, staring at his father lying there on the ground. Remus breaks him out of his trance.
"Draco! Take Harry!"
He seems to become aware of his surroundings yet again, and in a frenzy his eyes search for me. When they find me, he surges to my side and pulls me out through the trashed door into the garden.
"Are you alright?" He asks, looking over his shoulder into the house, keeping an eye on how Remus and Moody are doing. I cannot control myself, but through my arms around his neck and press my lips firmly against his. I try to savour what most likely will be our last kiss, but Draco breaks it off soon. He tears away my shaking hands, swallowing deeply. In that second we hear Bellatrix's cry:
"Yaxley! Rowle! Go get Potter!"
They have all moved outside now. I watch two other Death Eaters approach from further away, and Draco's body tenses beside me. He stands in front of me, and I watch him crouch into a defensive position.
"Lupin!" he shouts, "Protect Harry! I'll take care of them!"
Remus casts a last spell Rodolphus way before he turns around and hurries our way. Draco steps aside from me only when Remus has reached us. He looks at me one last time, before he breathes in deeply.
"Take care of him." he mutters to Remus, who nods silently. Then Draco hurries off to meet the three approaching Death Eaters. They all look doubtful at how they are going to take on a vampire, but still seem to have trust in their numbers. Approaching in a half circle, they all hold on to their wands tightly. Remus pulls me with him even further away, closer to the orchard, but even from a far distance I cannot bear to look away.
Draco raises his wand. "Everte Statum!" he shouts, sending Yaxley flying a couple of yards away, landing in the wet grass. Rodolphus and Rowle look quite shaken as they gaze after their fallen companion, but they keep moving forward. Draco sneers viciously, revealing his bared fangs and crouching, ready for an attack.
Rowle sends a Crucio his way, but Draco steps aside from it easily. He keeps moving, running in a half circle to the left and taking on an unprepared Rodolphus from the side. A muffled cry escapes the Death Eater, but is cut short as Draco's hands close around his throat. The blood seems to be everywhere and Bellatrix's vail sounds through the air. I am just about to look away from the disgusting sight when I hear something even more discouraging.
"So, Harry," a cold voice calls over the yard. I turn towards the house, from where Voldemort, followed by two masked Death Eaters, has just exited. "Dumbledore thinks he can defeat me by sending his little hero and vampire after me?"
Voldemort approaches me swiftly, seemingly gliding over the yard. His two henchmen take off to the left, towards Draco. The rain increases, and thunder strikes somewhere far away. A shudder runs through me as the snake-like man casts a glance in Draco's direction, his face turning into a gleeful sneer. "I must admit that the vampire's work is quite efficient, but it will hardly have an effect on the outcome of this."
I hear another scream from Draco's direction, presumably Rowle's, but I dare not look away from Voldemort. I fight to not look as afraid as I am. "Are you sure about that, Tom?" I ask mockingly, raising an eyebrow. "The number of your little Dirt Eaters seems to be shrinking rapidly, much thanks to Draco."
No doubt shows on Voldemort's face, but he turns to gaze towards where Draco and the two Death Eaters are. Crucios and Avada Kedavras are cast, and the Death Eaters are dumbstruck when Draco shows no reaction. I watch him make a lunge for one of them before I turn to Voldemort again. Voldemort narrows his eyes at the sight, but is still perfectly calm when he looks back at me. His mouth turns into what supposedly is a smile.
"I think we should end this farce now, before I end up losing both Macnair and Travers because of Dumbledore's stupid little pet."
Remus steps in front of me out of habit, and I wish I wouldn't have to ask him to step aside. I swallow and take in a deep breath. "Remus," is all I have to say. He turns around, looking at me with sympathy and anguish. But he knows and I know what must be done. He steps aside, concentrating on keeping any other Death Eater away from me. By now most of the battle has moved outside; the Death Eaters have come to protect their master, the Aurors to protect me for as long as I am to be protected.
I take a deep breath, trying to find a way to stand firmly on the soggy ground. Voldemort leers mockingly at my pathetic attempt to duel with him, and I have a hard time concentrating on anything beside the constant ringing in my ears. The overdose of adrenalin is making my head spin.
"Any last words, Harry?" Voldemort asks, his white fingers firmly curled around his wand.

I shudder. Yeah. There is much I would like to say. Much I will never get to say. But it's too late for that now. I hear a blast of curses and gaze over to Draco, where both Macnair and Travers now lie immobile on the ground. Draco stares at me, his eyes pleading me to run one last time. But he doesn't realise that his silent pledge is the one thing that keeps me standing here. If I do this, he won't have to fight ever again. If I do this, Draco will be free.
I turn towards Voldemort, breathing deeply one last time. "Goodbye, Tom."
As Voldemort raises his wand, I embrace my death.

___________________________________________________________________

I watch in desperation as Harry approaches the Dark Lord. I fight between the will to run after him, and the will to just bury my head in the sand to stop me from watching. But somehow I cannot seem to do either. I can only stare as the raven-haired, gangly boy takes one step after another, slowly approaching that vile, dreadful madman.
Is there really nothing I can do? How can a spell not have a counter-spell? If he could just step aside, when the curse hits... if only he had the speed I have.
I hear screams and shout from around me, spells cast and hitting or missing their targets. I watch with tremor as the Dark Lord says something, then raises his wand with a cruel smile on his face.
I need to move, I need to do something, anything so I won't have to watch this. Still, somehow, I cannot seem to react. Because I am too busy watching that beautiful, stupid, stupid boy moving away from me, raising his wand, smiling at death. I am too busy watching those happy days, our last months, repeated before me. Mine and Harry's life, playing before my eyes.
As if I were the one to die.
And then I realise. Harry doesn't have the speed. But I do.

It's too far. I can't make it.
I have to make it. I lunge for him just as I hear those dreaded words.
"Avada Kedavra!"
As I run I watch from the corner of my eye as the green light approaches Harry, at the same time as he takes a deep breath.
"Contandem Recolo!"
I am almost by Harry as the deafening boom is heard. But not close enough. The two trails of light have met and have now lunged back towards their casters. I won't make it. With all I have left, I trow myself into the air.
I realise I have saved him just as the curse hits me.
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For the Want of a Nail