EPILOGUE:
There was a loud murmur as the Order settled back into their seats after receiving their Medals of Outstanding Service from the Ministry. Once quiet ensued Julian Smigeon cleared his throat and held aloft another medal, a higher honor.
“For bravery above and beyond the call of duty, the Medal of Valor goes to the following. When your name is called, please come forward.” He cleared his throat again as the huge gathering of wizards turned their attention from their drinks and desserts once more. “Sara Potter.”
Harry and Sara grinned at each other with delight at the use of her new name and he squeezed her hand as she left her seat.
“Sara, this medal is given for your ingenuity, resourcefulness, and also for endangering your own life to save another when all threat to you had been vanquished. It is said that without your unique abilities and your brilliance in planning, the attack on the Dark Lord would have failed and Draco Malfoy would have succumbed to his injuries. I award you the Medal of Valor.” He removed the Medal of Outstanding Service and replaced it with a new one.
“Thank you, Minister.” Sara said and gave him a humble smile.
“No, thank you, my dear. And congratulations on your wedding. You looked stunning if I may say so.”
Sara blushed, nodded her thanks, and returned to her seat feeling suddenly shy.
“Dobby the House Elf.”
Dobby approached the podium, visibly nervous, with his ears flat and his big eyes shooting around the room. He went down on his knees at the Smidgeon’s feet and looked at the floor.
“Stand up, Dobby.”
Dobby stood as he was told.
Smidgeon got down on his knees. “Dobby, this medal is given for the simple fact that you took it upon yourself, a free servant, to mount an army and attack a foe even I would hesitate to face. No one asked you to, no one ordered you to engage in a battle with wizards. I have never seen such integrity in a house elf and I doubt anyone else has, either. It is said that without you and your army, the battle against the Dark Lord was already lost. You are a role model for elves everywhere, Dobby, and an asset to Hogwarts. I award you the Medal of Valor.”
“Thank you, Sir!” Dobby squealed, “Dobby loves living at Hogwarts!”
Dumbledore spoke from his seat. “And let it be known, Dobby, that you may remain there as long as you wish.”
Dobby returned to his seat and showed his medal to Winky.
“And now,” Smigeon spoke with importance, “for unfathomable courage, self-sacrifice, and something quite beyond valor, I award the Minister’s Medal of Heroism to... I have to admit, I’m a bit nervous about this, as well- deserved as it is. The Vampire Nikolae.”
Nikolae, having found new hairs for his polyjuice which he claimed provided a resemblance close to his own, proceeded to the podium. The Minister’s voice had grown shaky with the fear Nikolae’s presence prompted in mortals and he shrunk away.
“Please.” Nikolae said with his calm, soothing voice and his gentle manner. “I will not harm you.” He put out his hand and Smigeon shook it with frightened hesitance.
“Forgive me, sir.” Smigeon said, regaining his composure, “Your actions do not warrant such a reception.” He cleared his throat. “This medal is given for your selfless acts, your willingness to compromise yourself for the sake of others and your service to a race that has nothing to do with your own. You did not have to do what you did, but you allowed yourself to be harmed, suffered great pain, and from what I understand, may have laid there in agony for days without help. You turned a threat to the advantage of the Order, a threat that would have been the end of them without doubt. And I hear you even wore a dress for the occasion.” Smigeon smiled and there was a rupture of laughter through the crowd. “Nikolae, in the name of wizards everywhere, I award you the highest honor we can give you.” Smigeon stepped forward without fear and placed the medal around the vampire’s neck. “And tell your friends in Romania that they are welcome here anytime. I have some medals for them as well if they’d care to visit.”
“I will relay the invitation. I thank you, Minister, the honor is mine.” Nikolae bowed in the old fashion and returned to his seat amidst thunderous applause.
“And finally, I have to say this was an even bigger surprise to me than the vampire.” He smiled and continued. “I guess it goes to show that we should never judge only by resemblance to what we have known. It also shows that we may find our greatest allies in the most unlikely of places.” Smigeon cleared his throat and announced the name with loud, clear resonance. “Draco Malfoy.”
Draco appeared shocked to have heard his name. The crowd gasped and whispers erupted like steam escaping. Malfoy looked confused as he was pushed to his feet by those around him, ejected into the aisle. Slowly he made his way to the podium.
“Don’t be so surprised, Mr. Malfoy. You deserve this honor more than anyone here. You were held in the Dark Lord’s lair for nearly a year, tortured, threatened, killed and revived. You were forced by him to commit acts of evil you would never consider. A muggle hospital full of children was slaughtered when you failed to kill a beloved friend.”
Draco’s eyes closed with the pain of remembrance.
“Yet you returned to him as a double agent, you endured it all again, the suffering, the torture. Your scull was broken by force.”
“Twice, actually.”
“All to lure Lord Voldemort into battle with the Order of the Phoenix. Your selfless act surpasses even that of the vampire’s Draco. Why? Because he knew he would live. You expected no such luck. It has been told to me by several wizards that you did not expect to come back alive. I have to say, that would have been my guess as well. However, when you were brought to the ensuing battle, you fought against your captors and played a key role in the destruction of Voldemort.”
“Well...”
“However, your story does not end there. As a traitor, you were abducted by Death Eaters and barely survived. I’m rather glad you did because it is my deepest honor to pronounce you a Wizard 1st Class by full urging of the Order of Merlin and to award you the Minister’s Medal of Heroism. Draco Malfoy, you have surpassed the legacy of your family name to become a hero in the eyes of every wizard who hears that name from this day forth.” Smigeon placed the medal around Draco’s neck to the sounds of applause as all present stood in ovation.
Draco, overcome by the minister’s words, didn’t know what to do, but felt he should say something. “Um... party at Potter’s house following the ceremony. Thank you.”
* * *
“Well,” Harry admitted as the party raged around them, “We did have plenty of Swill left.”
“Well save some for when Hermione and I get married!” Ron grinned.
“Next June!” Hermione chimed in. “Only no battles!”
“What are your plans, Malfoy?” Harry wondered.
“You asked me once what I would do if I was free to do as I pleased, Potter. My answer is still the same. I’ll be leaving in the morning. Thought I’d wander around Europe, maybe check out Romania while I’m at it.” Christina stiffened by his side. Draco took her hand and squeezed it. “I think I’ll take Chris to get a drink.”
“Well, don’t leave without saying goodbye!” Sara shouted as they turned away.
As soon as they were far enough from the others, Draco turned to Christina and took her hands in his.
“You’re leaving.”
“Yes.”
“When were you going to tell me? I’ll miss you, Draco. You don’t know how it felt when you were in danger. I thought I’d never see you again and it was a horrible thought.”
“I want you to come with me.”
“Are you serious?” She smiled, but couldn’t believe he would extend such an offer. “I can make all the arrangements for you.” She said, considering why he might want her along. “Make sure you’re reservations are made and all that.”
“No no. Christina. I want you to come with me. Not as my personal assistant. As my friend. As my...” He found he was nervous and at a loss for words. He touched her face and brushed his fingers through her hair. “We can stay at my house tonight. In the morning we’ll take the train to France and... I have so much to tell you.”
“Just tell me this isn’t a joke, Draco. That’s all I want to hear.”
“Then you don’t want to hear that I love you?”
“You... Draco, I feel the same way! But how could you love someone like me? You’re rich, you could have anyone!”
“But I want you. And if you like me at all you’ll take pity on me right now. All this sappy stuff is making me feel like an idiot and Potter is going to laugh like crazy...”
“Shut up, Draco. Just kiss me.”
“That part I’m good at.” He smiled and did as she asked.
* * *
* “You are beautiful, my friend.” Is borrowed from the movie adaptation of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire as spoken by her character, Armand.