y / n m a l f o y
We were sneaking around Hogsmeade, trying to get to the castle when a bunch of death eaters saw us. Warrily, we shifted around behind some boxes, trying to stay hidden. Harry locks his hand in mine, running circles with his thumb as a sign of reassurance.
When we eventually make a break for it, a voice calls out. "Potter! In here!" I was a bit hesitant, but Harry pulls me in to the dark narrow corridor, entering a dingey looking room. There stands an old man, with long grey hair and long grey beard. Reminds me a bit of Professor Dumbledore, they kind of look similar.
"Bloody fools, what are you thinking coming here? Have you any idea how dangerous it is?" The man asks in a high tone, and Harry studies his features carefully, before he says, "You're Aberforth, Dumbledore's brother. It's you who I've been seeing in here. You're the one who sent Dobby."
So that's why he looks similar to the old Headmaster.
"Where have you left him?" He asks Harry, his back facing him, and his eyes looking out of the small window. Harry replies gloomily, "He's dead." Hearing that brings back the sad realization that Dobby is now gone forever. Feeling the pain in my heart, i scrunch my nose, trying to hold back tears.
"Sorry to hear it. I liked that elf."
"Who gave that to you?" Harry asks, pointing to an odd looking mirror. It's familiar though, i've definitely seen it somewhere. Aberforth rummages through his cabinets, and plops some snacks on the table, which Hermione and Ron quickly munch on. He replies to Harry's question, "The mirror? Mundungus Fletcher, about a year ago."
"Dung had no right selling that to you. It belongs to—"
"Sirius. Albus told me," The Dumbledore man cuts Harry off, as he walks over closer to me and my boyfriend who are standing side by side, hands still locked from earlier.
"He also told me you'd likely be hacked off if you ever found that I had it. But, ask yourself; Where would you be if I didn't?" Aberforth continues.
"Do you have any others much? From the Order?"
"The Order has finished. You-Know-Who has won, anyone who says otherwise
is killing themselves," Aberforth replies, and i feel my hand moving away from Harry's as my jaw clenches.
I grit my teeth in fury and shake my head, "No, he hasn't. Harry's still here." I can feel Harry's eyes burning on me, but still, i keep eye contact with my late headmaster's brother.
He turns his head to look at me, and says, "Ah.. You're Lucius' girl, aren't you? As much as i adore your bravery, it's not going to cut it. It's useless. You're going to get yourself killed."
"I believe in Harry. I believe that he's the chosen one, and he will kill Voldemort," I reply sternly, but Aberforth Dumbledore laughs at my face.
He shakes his head and states, "Listen, young one. It would be much easier and risk free for you if you joined your family and You-Know-Who. You've got money, you're a pure blood, sacred 28 even. Shouldn't be a problem for you, living in a time like this."
But before i could say anything, he continues, "But yet, you chose him. Tell me, did you even think for a second about your mum and brother's feelings? Or their well being?"
I feel like he's implying that i don't give a fuck about my parents and Draco. But believe it or not, i do. And my family has always been a sensitive subject to me. I don't like anyone, especially a stranger, no matter if he's Dumbledore's brother act like they know everything about the relationship i have with my family, and think that i don't care about them.
"I'm simply doing the right thing. My sole purpose is to help Harry defeat Voldemort, not putting my family in danger," I reply, still with gritted teeth. Harry then takes my hand again, and pulls me aside to stand behind him. "We need to get into Hogwarts, tonight. Dumbledore gave us a job to do," He says.
"Did he now...Nice job? Easy?" Aberforth walks back closer near the table to pour himself a drink.
Without realizing, i follow behind him, finding a place to stand beside Ron and Hermione. He smiles and hands me over a piece of treat. I'm not entirely sure what it is, but i'm starving to death so might as well eat something.
"We've been hunting Horcruxes. We think the last one's inside the castle. But we'll need your help getting in," Harry explains. But Aberforth Dumbledore gives him a mini lecture instead, "Which job my brother has given you, it's a suicide mission. Do yourself a favor, boy. Go home! Live a little longer. You've got yourself a nice girl, here. Enjoy your time with her!"
"How is he supposed to live longer when Voldemort's trying to kill—" I speak up, but Hermione interrupts by nudging my shoulder, and i stay quiet.
"Dumbledore trusted me to see this through," Harry says, and Aberforth replies, "What makes you think you can trust him? What makes you think you can believe anything my brother told you? And in all the time you knew him.. Did he ever mention my name?" He then stops and points to the portrait on the wall of a girl, "Did he ever mentioned hers?"
"Why should he—"
"Keep secrets? You tell me."
"I trusted him," Harry says in a low tone.
"That's the boy's answer. A boy goes chasing Horcruxes is on the word of a man who wouldn't even tell him where to start."
"You're lying! Not just to me, it doesn't matter," Aberforth walks closer to Harry, telling him face to face without breaking eye contact. "To yourself as well. That's what a fool does. You don't strike me as a fool, Harry Potter! So, I ask you again, there must be a reason."
"I'm not interested in what happened between you and your brother," Harry replies, looking up at the man. "I don't care that you've given up. I trusted the man I knew. We need to get into the castle tonight."
Harry's words must've moved him, they must've did something. Because he then walks to the portrait and says, "You know what to do." Looking at the beautiful girl walking away, i ask Aberforth, "Where have you sent her?"
"You'll see. Soon enough."
"That's your sister, Ariana. Isn't it? She died very young, didn't she?'
"My brother sacrificed many things, Mr. Potter. On his journey to find power. Including Ariana. And she was devoted to him. He gave her everything. But time."
I feel my heart wrench a bit hearing that. Kind of reminding me of something..
Sacrifices, devotion.. Draco. I don't even know if that boy is alive. My eyebrows furrow as i look down to my feet, my eyes now glimmering with tears. Questions start forming in my head like: Is my brother alive? My parents? Are they alright, or are their lives threatened because of me?
"What's on your mind, Miss Malfoy?" Aberforth asks, and i feel myself flinching. I shoot my head up, giving the man a questioning look. He continues, "I can see that you're a bit uneasy just now, right after i told you about Ariana. Does it sound similar to what you've experienced? Does it remind you of your own brother?"
I stay silent as i look away from him. I don't know exactly where to look, but i just don't want to tear up while having a direct eye contact with someone.
"Thank you, Mr. Dumbledore," Hermione thanks the man as he disappears off somewhere. Harry and Ron give her questioning looks. "He did save our lives twice! Kept an eye on us on that mirror. That doesn't seem like someone who's given up!"
"She's coming back. What's that with her?"
Suddenly, the portrait swings open, revealing a tunnel, and a friend. "Neville!" I squeal, running up to my fellow Gryffindor to hug him. Maybe we aren't the closest, but seeing your friend alive in a time like this is surely a relief. "Y/n," He greets me back.
"How you look..." Harry starts, and only then do i notice the wounds and blood on his face. "Like hell, I reckon. But this is nothing. Seamus is worse. Hey, Ab! We've got a couple more coming through."
"Don't remember this on the Marauder's Map," Ron says as we walk through the tunnel, with Neville's wand as the only source of light. Neville then explains, "That's because it never existed till now. The seven secret passages were sealed off, before the start of the year. This is the only way in or out, now. The grounds are crawled with Death Eaters and Dementors."
"How about Snape as Headmaster?" Hermione asks, to be honest the question that i've been wondering myself. Neville replies, mentioning an unfamiliar name, "Hardly ever seen. It's the Carrows who's watching out for."
"Carrows?" Harry asks curiously.
"Yeah. Brother and sister. Incharge of discipline. They like punishment, the Carrows."
"They did that to you? Why?"
"Today's Dark Arts lesson was practicing the Cruciatus curse. On first years."
"No way!" I gasp, feeling my jaw drop. "That's illegal! And so wrong!" My heart aches to hear how horrible things are now. Cruciatus curse on first years? That's just outrageous!
"I know, Y/n. So I refused. Hogwarts has changed," Neville replies, as we continue our walk through the small tunnel, approaching the end now.
It hurts to hear that your home, the place you grow up in, the place you study in, sleep in, find friends, and even find love in.. Has turned into a dark and evil place.
"Hey, you lots! It's for your surprise," Neville exclaims,
We walk in to a hall like room, a lot smaller than the great hall though. The room's packed with students and their sleeping beds everywhere. Students from every house are here.. Well, maybe except the Slytherins. For example i see Cho, Dean, Seamus, Lavender, Parvati, Padma, and many others.
"No more about Aberforth's cook's gonna help. We'll be surprised if it's just digested," I hear Seamus' voice complaining, which makes me let out a chuckle.
"Blimey!" He grins and stands up when Neville moves aside, revealing Ron, Hermione, Harry and i, and everyone eventually stands, staring in amazement, clapping and cheering.
"Harry!"
"Get the word out to Remus and the others, that Harry and Y/n are back," Neville instructs, and a boy runs up to the radio, and says through the line,
"Do you read? We've a new weather report. Lightning has struck. I repeat: Lightning has struck. Strangely, with some bubbles as well."
I smile, hearing the code names for Harry and i. Lightning and Bubbles. That stupid nickname Harry gave me.
"Y/n!" Luna comes up to hug me, and i hug back both of my friends. "Always the tough one," Dean greets me with a smirk, before going in for a hug. "Mr. Thomas," I muffle into his shoulder, greeting him back. It's such a relief to be with these people again.
I try to look around to find Blaise, but it should be obvious that a Slytherin's not hanging around here.
"What's the fun, Harry?"
"There's something we need to find. There's something hidden here, in the castle. And it may help us to defeat You-Know-Who," Harry explains, and of course, questions emerge, "Alright, what is it?" Neville asks.
"We don't know," I reply, shaking my head. "Where is it?" Neville asks again, and this time Harry replies, "We don't know that either."
"I realize that's not much to go on."
"That's nothing to go on."
"I think it has something to do with Ravenclaw. It'll be small, easily concealed. Anyone, any ideas?" Harry explains and asks, and Luna being the bright witch she is, answers, "Well, there's Rowena Ravenclaw's lost diadem."
"Oh, bloody hell! Here we go!" Ron whispers behind me, and i shush him, "Ronald, let the girl speak."
"Lost diadem of Ravenclaw? Hasn't anyone heard of it? It's quite famous," Luna says, and then Cho chimes in, "Yes. But, Luna, it's lost. For centuries. There's no person alive today who's seen it."
"Excuse me, can someone tell me what bloody diadem is?" My ginger best friend asks, and i turn back to him, replying, "My dearest Ronald.. It's like a crown, a pretty little tiara."
We hear footsteps coming, and Ginny appears. Her face didn't light up when she sees us, unlike how the others did. "What is it, Ginny?" Neville asks when he notices her uncomfortableness. Dean comes up to his girlfriend, and assuringly slings an arm around her.
"Snape knows... he knows that Harry and Y/n was spotted in Hogsmeade," Ginny tells the group. I ask Ginny instinctively with my eyebrows furrowed, "Why do i matter?"
"He's after you too, Y/n, Voldemort. For your betrayal," Ginny replies, and i feel myself gulping, but i try to stay as calm as possible. For Merlin's sake, Y/n, you're a Gryffindor, be brave.
"And the Malfoys are just letting that happen?" Harry asks rather angrily, and Ginny shakes her head, "There's nothing they could do, Harry."
But then i remember something.. Something Snape did. Something he did for me and Draco. I mutter, but audible enough for everyone to hear, "Wait.. Snape made an unbreakable vow to protect me, remember? I'll be okay, he's not going to hand me in. It's you we have to worry about, Harry."
"But the task is over, Y/n," Ron speaks up, and i turn my head back to him. He continues, "Yours and Draco's task to mend the vanishing cabinet. And like we know, the vow was to protect you and Draco during the task. It didn't say anything about after that."
"Ron's right. Therefore it might not apply anymore," Hermione chimes in. I watch as Harry shakes his head, and i can see the visible fear and worry on his face. He puts his hands on both of my shoulders and says, "You're staying here."
"Like hell i am," I scowl at Harry, but he replies in a more calmer tone, "It's safer here for you."
"Look, if this is our last night together before at least one us dies, we have to stick together. Besides, he's targeting you more than me," I try to convince Harry, and his expression softens.
After a few more begging, Harry soon agrees that i should come with him to destroy the horcrux. We then disguise ourselves as normal students and proceed to the great hall together. The teachers stand up front with Snape as Headmaster. The hall is now dim-lit, dark, and gives off a dingey vibe. Like everything Snape goes near. There aren't any tables, and the hall just feels emptier in general. Quite the difference from how it was when i just walked in here for the first time and my eleven year old self watched everything in awe.
Eleven year old Y/n would be disappointed seeing Hogwarts' condition now. She would be scared.
"Many of you are surely wondering, why I have summoned you at this hour. It's come to my attention, that earlier this evening... Harry Potter and Y/n Malfoy were sighted in Hogsmeade." He starts.
Harry and i look at each other, as we locked hands.
"Now, should anyone student or staff attempt to aid Mr. Potter and Miss Malfoy, they will be punished in a manner consistent with the severity of their transcription, further more. Any person found have knowledge of these events who fails to come forward will be treated as equally guilty. Another If anyone in here has any knowledge of
Mr. Potter's and Miss Malfoy's movements this evening. I invite them to step forward. Now!"
Harry steps forward, and i follow behind him as gasps emmerge from the hall. "It seems, despite your exhaustive defensive strategies, you still have a security problem, Headmaster."
The order then walk through the big doors of the hall, and luckily i find everyone that i was hoping to find— Alive. Everyone.
"I'm afraid it's quite extensive," Harry continues, "How dare you stand where he stood? Tell them how it happened that night. Tell them how you looked him in the eye, a man who trusted you, and killed him." I chime in, exclaiming shakily, "We both saw you. We both saw you kill him. Tell them!"
Snape then pulls out his wand, pointing it at us but then Professor Mcgonagall stands in front of us, and starts firing spells at Snape. He doesn't fight back though, he only blocks them.
"COWARD!" She yells when he makes his grand escape.
Not long after, we hear Voldemort's voice;
"I know that many of you will want to fight. Some of you might even think to fight is wise. But this is folly. Give me Harry Potter. Do this and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded. And if Y/n Malfoy is listening.. Give me your lover, Harry Potter, and you shall be forgiven. Give me Harry Potter and you shall live. You have one hour."
"What're you waiting for?" The annoying yet familiar voice of a certain Slytherin yells, "Someone grab him!" Of course it's Pansy Parkinson.
I stand in front of Harry to cover and protect him. Shaking my head at the Parkinson girl, i say, "Over my dead body."
"Students out of bed! Students in the corridor!" Mr. Filch runs in, and Professor Mcgonagall shouts at him, "They're supposed to be out of bed, you blithering idiot!"
"Sorry ma'am."
"As it happens, Mr. Filch.. Your arrival is most opportune. If you would, I wouldd like you please, to lead Miss Parkinson
and the rest of Slytherin house, from the hall," Mcgonagall instructs, "Exactly where is it I'll be leading 'em to, ma'am?"
"The dungeons would do."
Remembering my Slytherin friend, i chime in and look at Professor Mcgonagall, i say, loud enough for the hall to hear, "With the exception of Blaise Zabini."
I'm not letting one of my best friends that i haven't seen for ages go to the dungeouns like that before even greeting me.
"With the exception of Blaise Zabini," Professor Mcgonagall repeats, instructing Filch.
A tall dark skinned boy then runs away from the crowd as the rest of the Slytherins walk away. He hugs me, "Y/n!"
I greet my friend back, feeling so relieved and happy to see him, "Blaise!"
"I missed you! I'm so glad to see you're okay!" Blaise says as we break the hug, and i smile brightly at him, "Likewise!" Then, i ask Blaise, "Are Theo and Draco here?" He shakes his head. Giving me a doubtful look, he says, "I haven't seen them all year."
"They didn't come back?" I ask Blaise again, with my eyebrows furrowed, beginning to feel worried. But before we could carry on our conversation, Harry calls out to me, "Y/n." I turn to see him and Professor Mcgonagall, who looks like she wishes to say something to me.
"Go on, do what you've got to do. I'll look for Draco and Theo. Stay safe, good luck," Blaise says, smiling before he runs away, out of the great hall.
"I presume you have a reason for returning, Potter, Malfoy. What is it you need?" Our teacher asks, and my boyfriend replies, "Time, Professor. As much as you can get us."
"Do what you have to do. I'll secure the castle," The Professor assures. I nod and smile at her, before we begin to walk away. But then she calls out to us again,
Potter, Malfoy!" We turn back, finding her smiling, "It's good to see you. Both of you."
"It's good to see you too, Professor." Harry replies.
Yet, my heart feels warm hearing her say that. So out of instinct, i run to her, and wrap my arms around her, hugging my transfiguration teacher. Who, aside from Professor Lupin himself, has been my favourite teacher all through out Hogwarts. Despite the stressful situation, she hugs back and i can even hear her chuckling.
"Professor, i'm naming my child after you, if you don't mind," I smile at Mcgongall as we break the hug. She grins widely, and says, "I'm very honoured, Y/n." Harry then chimes in, "Adds one more to the list."
The Professor chuckles, before instruncting us to hurry along. Harry and i run out of the great hall hand in hand together, passing a lot of panicking students. "So Ravenclaw tower now?" I ask Harry and he nods, pulling me to run a bit faster, "Let's go."
"Harry, Y/n!" A familiar voice calls out. We turn back to find Hermione and Ron behind us, running to catch up.
"Hermione and I were thinking, it doesn't matter if we find the Horcrux," Ron says, and Harry asks him, "What do you mean?"
"Unless we can destroy it. So, we were thinking—"
"Well, Ron was thinking, it was Ron's idea. It was completely brilliant," Hermione cuts Ron off, and he carries on, "You destroyed Tom Riddle's diary with a Basilisk fang, right? Well, me and Hermione did remind where we might find one."
"You bloody genius, Ron!" I compliment my best friend, grinning.
"Okay. Okay, but take this. That way, you can find me when you get back," Harry hands them the marauders map, before pulling me again to rush to the Ravenclaw tower.
"Where're you going?"
"Ravenclaw common room. Gotta start somewhere."
a/n: why do yall think y/n's gonna die i didn't say that
anywhoooo
this aged well didn't it
thank you so much everyone. i know that you probably think it's bullshit and literally everyone says this but i'm so so so grateful. thank you for reading and supporting paper and ink. i cant express how happy i am to see this book grow. happy 55k reads. thank you and love you always <3