"Affectus remotio" Draconia whispered, gritting her teeth and clenching her wand. Waiting, desperately, for something to happen, for something to change. The stack of books around her growing taller by the hour, with titles such as "Basic Hexes for the Busy and Vexed", and "A Compendium of Common Curses and Their Counter-Actions". She had been at it for hours, late into the night, casting counter-curse after counter-curse on herself. Feeling nothing change but her level of anguish. She hadn't showered or left the library in two days. Her hair was greasy, and the bags under her eyes were heavy. "Stupid Snape. Stupid potions. Stupid magic. Stupid Potter!" Draconia shouted, knocking over one of her stacks of dusty tomes. "Shh." Instructed a passing ghost, much to her irritation. "Stupid ghost." she muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. She looked a mess, and smelled even worse. Luckily it was several hours past midnight, and the library was completely empty. She had special permission to be out of bed this late of course, from Snape. "Good luck with your research Miss Malfoid, however, I don't suspect you will find the answers you seek in the library." What did he mean by that? Something about the way he said it bothered her. What does it mean? She looked down at her notes, full of hastily scratched spells and their counter curses, references to books that referenced other books, old anecdotes, and rumors of love hexes. She pulled her hair again, and slammed her fist on the table. If Snape knew what was wrong with her, why wouldn't he tell her? Is this a test of some sort? As she thought, she absent-mindedly sketched a lightning bolt in her notes. Suddenly, she knew. Of course. It was unthinkable, but it was the only explanation. Potter used the imperius curse on her. One of the three unforgivable curses, used to control people like a puppet. Probably when she was sleeping, he snuck in and cast it on her, with a subtle enough command that it would go unnoticed. Of course! A spell that dark and that powerful wouldn't be released by simple counter-curses found in the student library. Draconia was more relieved than angry. Finally, an explanation. Now she just needed to find Potter, get him to release the curse, and tell her father. Finally, something to get that half-blooded creep expelled. She took out her silver hairbrush, ran it through her platinum hair, and sighed, ready to return to her dorm and get some much needed sleep. After returning the books to their proper home, she exited the library quietly, smiling to herself. "I'm probably the first witch in history to be relieved to discover she's under the control of the imperius curse", she mused. The castle was unnerving at night, but it was never quiet. The soft roar of the torches in the corridor, the sleepless ghosts floating around, the soft snoring of the living paintings. Though she was apprehensive, at least she wasn't alone. Alone. The word echoed in her head. She heard footsteps around the corner in front of her. They were hurried, but light. Someone trying not to be caught. Before she could think, Draconia dove into an alcove nearby, hiding next to a suit of armor who turned to look at her, seemingly confused. She held up a finger to her mouth to quiet the armor, to which it simply shrugged and returned to it's resting position. Draconia peeped around the corner and saw a Gryffindor robe and untidy black hair speed by. Harry?! What in Merlin's beard is he doing here? Is he... looking for her? He must be. She gritted her teeth in anger. That creep is up to no good. Probably sneaking around looking for more ways to torment her. Though she was exhausted beyond measure, and yearned for her bed, she decided to follow him. Harry was going somewhere she had never been before, ducking through hallways and secret doorways. Behind paintings and through dark corridors. Never once did he turn and notice her. How did this oblivious fool manage to cast such a high-level dark curse on her? Finally, after squeezing into a dark and dusty room, Harry stopped. Draconia ducked down, peeking around a dusty sheet hanging over an abandoned globe to look at him from behind. He was just standing there, staring at himself in a mirror. What? She continued watching him for minutes, waiting for him to do something, but he just... stood there. Staring at himself. Draconia couldn't hold it in anymore, and she started laughing. Harry whipped his head around, wand in hand. "Malfoid?! What are you doing here? Did you follow me?" "Honestly Potter, sneaking off to stare at yourself in the mirror? Such vanity!" "I wasn't... that's not..." Harry stammered, looking away from her shyly. "That's pathetic, even for you." Draconia giggled, her hair falling forward as she clutched her stomach. "It's no ordinary mirror, Malfoid," Harry shot back, "It... well... come take a look." "Sure", she laughed, approaching him. "And what exactly am I supposed to be seeing?" "What do you mean? Just look in the mirror." "I am, I don't see anything unusual." "It's supposed to show you your heart's greatest desire. It's called the Mirror of Erised. Dumbledore told me about it." Harry said, his face turning red. "Well it seems your mirror is broken, Potter." Draconia giggled, "Because I only see you and me."

A non-comprehensive list of Malfoid fics on X, in relatively correct order. (feel free to put any others in the comments): Early Years: x.com/NWBroJaneway/status/21… archiveofourown.org/works/93… Struggling with feelings: x.com/moonlightbro/status/21… x.com/moonlightbro/status/21… x.com/Devon_Eriksen_/status/… Triwizard Tournament: wattpad.com/story/416982533-… Hogsmead Village: x.com/Florida_Boi1/status/21… Dare to ask Malfoy: x.com/Devon_Eriksen_/status/… x.com/spookyh8r/status/21055… Yule Ball: x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… Umbridge Interrogation: x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… Felix Felicis: x.com/Aloofcannon/status/210… Sectumsempra: x.com/zer0chroma/status/2105… (absolute gem) archiveofourown.org/works/93… x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… On the Run: x.com/TheChroNikler/status/2… x.com/TheChroNikler/status/2… Room of Requirement: x.com/VladVoice/status/21060… Death of Dumbledore: x.com/HariSel57511397/status… (absolute gem) x.com/HariSel57511397/status… x.com/SunshineSchmdt2/status… Final Stand: x.com/ZeldaZealot/status/210… x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… archiveofourown.org/works/93… x.com/S_16135/status/2105790… x.com/S_16135/status/2105952… x.com/S_16135/status/2106075… x.com/S_16135/status/2106489… x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… Marriage and Family: x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… x.com/FunnyNameForMe1/status… Multi-Scene Works: x.com/Florida_Boi1/status/21… x.com/VladVoice/status/21057… wattpad.com/story/416789252-… Honorable Mention Illustrated Scene: x.com/theexileddraco/status/… Authors: @HariSel57511397 @Critical_Scribe @VladVoice @spookyh8r @Devon_Eriksen_ @moonlightbro @Florida_Boi1 @S_16135 @SunshineSchmdt2 @ZeldaZealot @nightowl_trades @NWBroJaneway @zer0chroma @theexileddraco @Aloofcannon @TheChroNikler @FunnyNameForMe1 #Malfoid #HarryPotterAU #Malfoy

A non-comprehensive list of Malfoid fics on X, in relatively correct order. (feel free to put any others in the comments): Early Years: x.com/NWBroJaneway/status/21… archiveofourown.org/works/93… Struggling with feelings: x.com/moonlightbro/status/21… x.com/moonlightbro/status/21… x.com/Devon_Eriksen_/status/… Triwizard Tournament: wattpad.com/story/416982533-… Hogsmead Village: x.com/Florida_Boi1/status/21… Dare to ask Malfoy: x.com/Devon_Eriksen_/status/… x.com/spookyh8r/status/21055… Yule Ball: x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… Umbridge Interrogation: x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… Felix Felicis: x.com/Aloofcannon/status/210… Sectumsempra: x.com/zer0chroma/status/2105… (absolute gem) archiveofourown.org/works/93… x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… On the Run: x.com/TheChroNikler/status/2… x.com/TheChroNikler/status/2… Room of Requirement: x.com/VladVoice/status/21060… Death of Dumbledore: x.com/HariSel57511397/status… (absolute gem) x.com/HariSel57511397/status… x.com/SunshineSchmdt2/status… Final Stand: x.com/ZeldaZealot/status/210… x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… archiveofourown.org/works/93… x.com/S_16135/status/2105790… x.com/S_16135/status/2105952… x.com/S_16135/status/2106075… x.com/S_16135/status/2106489… x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… Marriage and Family: x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… x.com/Critical_Scribe/status… x.com/FunnyNameForMe1/status… Multi-Scene Works: x.com/Florida_Boi1/status/21… x.com/VladVoice/status/21057… wattpad.com/story/416789252-… Honorable Mention Illustrated Scene: x.com/theexileddraco/status/… Authors: @HariSel57511397 @Critical_Scribe @VladVoice @spookyh8r @Devon_Eriksen_ @moonlightbro @Florida_Boi1 @S_16135 @SunshineSchmdt2 @ZeldaZealot @nightowl_trades @NWBroJaneway @zer0chroma @theexileddraco @Aloofcannon @TheChroNikler @FunnyNameForMe1 #Malfoid #HarryPotterAU #Malfoy

[Part 3: The Wizard, the Witch, and the Warg] Lupin swept the two out of the room unceremoniously, left standing with only their bags and each other for company. Harry glanced to Malfoy, still dabbing at the remainder of her ruined makeup, before holding out a hand. She looked at it for a moment, then laughed. "Feeling brave today are we, Potter?" "My handkerchief." Harry said, flatly. "I'd like it back- clean, preferably." Malfoy pouted, looking almost hurt by the request, but acquiesced. Placing the square in Harry's hand, she drew her wand and with a motion- the black and pink smudging vanished. "There. Happy?" Harry pursed his lips as he took it, stashing it back into the breast of his robes. "So~" Malfoy started, smirking slightly, "where are you going to take me?" Harry flinched, remembering Lupin's command. "He told me to watch you, not take you out on a date." "If we're going to be stuck together you might as well entertain me." "I never agreed to this!" Harry raised his voice unconsciously, and Malfoy rolled her eyes. "Fine then, follow along, Potter." She said, starting down the hall. Lupin's words echoed in Harry's mind again and, sighing, he chased after the girl. Turning slightly, she smirked and began to run, forcing Harry to follow suit. The two darted through the halls of Hogwarts, thankfully deserted due to the afternoon's classes being in full swing. They passed by Flitwitck's classroom- a lesson on charms in progress, drawing the eye of the students inside. Poking his head out as Harry passed, the old Professor shouted- "No running in the halls Mister Potter!" All Harry could do was shout back his apology in his sprint. Malfoy didn't slow down as they neared one of the communal rooms- darting inside as Harry rounded the corner. Exhaling, short of breath, he walked to the archway and looked in, seeing that Malfoy had already sat herself down on a sofa. "Oh lovely," she started, smiling mischievously at Harry. "you're just in time." Still catching his breath, Harry looked down at her as he entered. "Well at least you've gotten better at running." "It helps when you're not terrified." She grinned. "I thought you were never scared." Harry responded, sitting across from her. "Or was that just a performance, back in the forest?" "I had an excuse-" she started, pouting slightly. "It's not every day you see a man eating a unicorn." Harry's laugh surprised the both of them and in a moment, both were softly chuckling. After a minute, they'd relaxed and he watched her sink further into the sofa. "The other students will be getting out of class soon, shall we go somewhere else?" Harry cocked a brow. "Where?" He asked, doubting the girl's motives. "I was thinking Hogsmeade. Or does The Boy Who Lived enjoy the attention of others so much that he'd rather stay here?" Harry grimaced. "I can't, I don't have permission to leave the premises." She scoffed. "THE Harry Potter is banned from Hogsmeade? How on Earth did you accomplish that?" A playful smile softened the accusation a bit. "My Uncle never gave permission, though, I wasn't exactly there to ask." Malfoy put a finger to her cheek, as though seriously pondering his words. "To be beholden so to Muggles. Quite the chore, isn't it? Or do they simply resent you so?" Harry looked away. "We don't choose our family." As though on queue, the halls outside began to echo with the din of the student body. Not giving Malfoy time to respond, and hoping that she wouldn't, Harry stood back up. "Come on. If you want a private spot, I know a spot. She looked at him without rising. "Come on." Harry insisted, and she raised a hand. He cocked his head, and she rolled her eyes. "Come now Potter, you're asking a lady to accompany you. Have you no manners?" Harry sighed, placing his hand under hers and with all the grace in the world the girl rose to her feet. "So? Where shall we go?" Harry and Malfoy slithered out from the common room into the hall, students only just barely beginning to vacate classrooms. Hand in hand, they jogged to centre staircase- Dracaena giggling in delight the entire way. She could feel the embarrassment radiate from Harry's fingertips and was loving every moment of it. Down the stairs, a turn left and then a right- they found themselves at an exit leading to the gardens. Pressing through, harry nodded to a small gate and together they passed through the egress, out into the rolling fields of the Scottish Highlands. They ran- Harry first and Malfoy not far behind- towards the forest a hundred or so paces out from the castle. Reaching the trailhead, Harry turned: "Here, this way." They walked through the swaying trees, sunlight filtering through the lush green leaves and insects in their ears. Harry didn't need to look when he heard Malfoy grunt in displeasure, he only hoped they'd make it through before she grew too annoyed. And soon, after a minute of walking, the trail opened to a small meadow. At its centre stood a large willow tree, its leaves thick like curtains and reaching to the grass. Moss coated the roots and trunk, soft and thick like cushions. Harry turned back to Malfoy. "There, we're here." The young woman had a look of mild bemusement; "A lover's tree, really? I didn't know you thought that way about me, Potter." Harry massaged his forehead in frustration. "You said you wanted somewhere private, right? Just- sit and enjoy the view or something." She rolled her eyes again, bumping against Harry as she passed before promptly plopping herself down on one side of the trunk. For all his density, Harry thought it prudent to pick the opposite. They sat in silence for a spell, five minutes passed, then ten, and all the while Harry's disquiet mind tried to work through all that had transpired. The Boggart- why was it him? He tried reaching for answers: Perhaps a coincidence? No, Dracaena didn't seem like the kind of girl to be afraid of the undead. Maybe a illusion or trick? But how would she even accomplish that? Harry searched and searched, furious with his own inability to find a good answer. Terrified that the truth might be something far more disturbing. He didn't notice the girl calling out for him until her nail had driven itself half-way through his cheek. He recoiled with a yelp. "-Hey!" "Oh now you notice." Harry glanced at Malfoy to see that the girl had sat herself beside him, shoulders against his. "I've been trying to talk for five minutes, you know. Honestly, you're rude even for a half-blood." Harry scowled. "Sorry princess, I've got a lot to think about these days." She looked away, an inscrutable expression on her face. "...I was scared." She said, eyes fixated on the ground. "Seeing that... thing, it brought me back there. Back under the school." Harry inhaled sharply. The Chamber of Secrets! Of course! Relief washed over him, only to be replaced by confusion a moment later. "Why wasn't it the Basilisk then?" Malfoy pulled her knees up, wrapping her arms around them and in a quiet voice she said: "The Basilisk isn't what almost died there." That small knot in his stomach that had lingered since class unravelled, blooming into emotions he couldn't describe. "It was inspiring, you know. To see someone slay such a beast." Harry suddenly felt that terrible scar on his arm start to ache. "And it's terrifying to think that person might have died." Harry turned away slightly. "I... Didn't realize you thought that way." As he spoke, he felt a weight rest itself on his left shoulder. Strands of platinum-blonde hair spread like streaks of sunlight against the black of his robe. Another minute passed in silence, Harry drinking in the view. Round eyes, glanced up at him for a moment, before returning their gaze to the treeline. "Do you remember what I said on the train?" Harry thought back to that argument. The petty bickering, Crabb and Goyle egging the two on, Malfoy mentioning his parents- "You said Sirius Black was responsible for the death of my parents and mocked me for it." Harry's words felt sharp, and must have stung as he felt the girl flinch. "I'm sorry..." The words, small and meek- impossibly so from the bratty girl who spoke them, stunned Harry into silence. He stared down at her face, turned ever so slightly away so as to be obscured by her hair, searching desperately for any hint of sarcasm, any evidence of a trick. What disturbed him most was that he could find none. An uncomfortable silence descended on the forest, with only the rustling of leaves to break it. Harry leaned his head back against the tree, the back of his skull resting on the verdant moss. This day had grown impossibly strange indeed. Even stranger still, when Dracaena spoke up again: "Potter... Can I tell you something?" Harry didn't have the strength to refuse her. "Yeah." "My mother. Her name is Narcissa." Harry felt that knot twist itself back together in his gut. "What about it?" "Her maiden name... is Narcissa Black." That knot became a stone, and Harry had to fight to keep himself from doubling over. He fought for control against the looming dread, wave upon wave of malignant thoughts crashing against his heart as she finished: "Sirius Black is my uncle." Harry went white as a ghost; knuckles like porcelain as he gripped his robes, fighting for some semblance of control, to keep himself from lashing out. Barely containing himself, he managed to choke out a question. "Is that supposed to be a joke?" He felt the girl shake her head, uncertain, unsteady; as though she could feel the barely contained fury that seethed just beneath. "How long have you known?" He felt the girl's jaw quiver against his arm. "I wrote to mam- to my mother, when we arrived and she told me to stay away. Said that he was dangerous." Those words, those tiniest of threads were just enough to bind his rage and Harry exhaled deeply, relaxing his grip. It was just enough to calm his nerves. Just enough that he could pretend it was just childish harassment. Just enough, he told himself mentally, again and again until the silence became unbearable and he turned to see Dracaena had begun rummaging through her bag, searching for something. After a moment, she withdrew a small paper bag bound with twine. Unwrapping it, she revealed a handful of biscuits and glanced up towards Harry. "I'm sorry, I've grown peckish. Would you like one?" Harry swallowed hard. The sun now crested the treeline, rays of amber and gold filtered through the foliage. The mid-October air had a certain sort of nip to it as the sky transitioned from soothing blues to that dazzling pastiche of orange and scarlet. Harry took a cookie, soft and sweet, chewing slowly as they watched the sun descend below the trees. Dark chocolate melted on his tongue, its bitter sting mellowed by richness of butter and molasses. For a moment, Harry let himself forget. Forget the years of bickering, forget the petty insults and all the times she'd struck at his heart. Forget, that she was the niece of the man who helped murder his parents. It was the rustle of underbrush that snapped him back to reality. Black fur outlined by scarlet and gold, an enormous wolf staring at them from just within the treeline. A Grimm, just as Professor Trelawney had described them. Tall, dark, a spectre of death. He reached for his wand, slowly, carefully, never taking his eyes off the beast as Dracaena's hand clung to his robe. Seconds felt like hours as the two teenagers stared the beast down as it in turn watched, studying them. Harry raised his wand, pointing it at the lupine, wishing it would leave of its own accord before forcing a fight and- after a minute that felt like eternity- the Grimm slowly turned, bounding back into the woods. The two exhaled, shadows soon enveloping them beneath the canopy. Dwindling light gave way to a creeping frost as their breath turned white in the twilight air. "We need to go back now." Malfoy said, an uncertain whine to her voice. "We'll tell the professors when we get back." Harry said, Malfoy nodding her agreement. As they stood, the girl sneezed, shivering in the gloom and Harry, despite himself, decided to return her favour. "Here-" he said, handing her his scarf. "You can give it back when we've returned." She clutched the fabric for a moment, then seemed to remember herself and smirked. "Your dirty scarf? Really, Potter?" Harry rolled his eyes, ignoring the girl's faux snark. "Then you can give it back to me after washing it. It's just-" Harry rubbed the back of his neck, looking for an excuse. "- Professor Lupin would scold me if you caught a cold over this." Dracaena laughed, light and melodic, the way she did every time she managed to get under his skin; only this time, it helped settle the boy's nerves. "Fine, fine." She said, wrapping the crimson and gold fabric about her neck and raising her hand for Harry to clasp it. "Shall you guide me back, oh dashing Gryffindor?" It was Harry's turn to roll his eyes. Their return was uneventful, minutes past eight. The torches lit, dim firelight illuminated the halls as they walked to their respective houses. At the juncture, they paused, turning to one another. "I suppose I'll see you again tomorrow." Harry said, his voice softer than he expected and the girl smiled. "Yes, you can be sure of that much. Oh, and today? It didn't happen. I'm sure that you can be trusted not to mention it to anyone." Harry snorted. "Sure, whatever. Have a good night." He said, turning to walk to his dorms before pausing. A passing thought. "Wait... You know the cleaning cha-" he turned to address Malfoy, only to see her bounding up the stairs, waving his scarf like a trophy. At the bend she turned, looked at him and stuck her tongue out before grinning and continuing the climb. Harry was truly exhausted. #malfoid

(I haven't seen anyone do the train petrifying scene yet, so I decided to throw my hat in the ring) youtube.com/watch?v=bkNmpZLX… Dracia Malfoy wanted to cry. The words of Pansy and Blaise flowed around her like she was a rock in a stream. Not even the rumble of the train tracks broke her mind out of its stupor. Her piercing green eyes were glassy with unshed water. Dracia already had so many thoughts crashing through her head, and now this? She had seen Harry in his invisibility cloak rustle the luggage above her. Oh, how that had twisted her heart. In truth, Dracia had wished that stupid, charming, brave, confounding boy had visited her on this trip. For most of the train ride, her butt had practically hovered over her seat. Her legs were primed to stand up. Malfoy wanted to barge into the Gryffindor cabin and extract what happened at the Ministry of Magic. Her Father was captured, yet Potter had lost Sirius. Dracia wanted to go with every fiber of her being. Even a single call of her name would have her sprint down the halls towards him. Even so, she needed to hear *him* call to her. Dracia knew Harry was brave enough to venture into the Slytherin cabin and tell off any of these fools that tried to stop him. He was so brave for everyone else, why couldn’t he be brave for her? Just this once? Dracia could not have tolerated going to him, only to have the Weasley boy and the oh-so-perfect Granger girl mock her like they did during their first year. She showed vulnerability once, never again. Now pure black had drowned those happy fantasies of him coming to her. Harry suspected her of something foul. Instead of just talking to Dracia, Potter instead attempted this subterfuge. She was so stupid for thinking he would do anything different. The train crested to a stop at the Hogwarts station. The other students grabbed their belongings and began to disembark. Dracia remained firmly attached to her seat. “Go on, I’ll catch up,” Dracia mumbled. Instead of doing as she bid, Pansy and Blaise instead looked at each other with concerned expressions. “I said, go!” Dracia hissed with the venom of her House’s animal. The two quickly beat a hasty retreat, grabbing their belongings. Only when the cabin was “empty” did she get up. Dracia closed the door, pulling down the divider with her hand. The rest of them she closed with a flick of her hand. Dracia took a shuddering breath. Her hand flashed to her side and retrieved her wand. Pointing above her seat she spat out the curse, “Petrificus totalus!” Her aim was true. A thump came from the ground as the unseen form of Harry hit the floor. Dracia’s eyes widened. She inwardly cursed herself. Dracia rushed over to the source of the sound and ripped off the cloak. Her eyes rapidly scanned his body for any sign of injury Dracia's mind relaxed slightly at seeing he hadn’t been hurt by the fall. Dracia straightened back up and looked down at Harry. His eyes tracked to hers. Her heart twisted further when she saw fear in those beautiful green eyes. Her own felt like a damn ready to burst. “It’s rude to eavesdrop, Potter,” Dracia said, her voice barely a whisper. She wanted to put anger into her words, but she couldn’t. Each syllable she uttered threatened to make her cry. She wouldn’t do that, not in front of him. Dracia took the cloak and neatly folded it on a nearby table. Her voice choked before she could speak again. “You wanted to hear my words so bad you went through all this trouble,” she shook her head rapidly, “You never had to work hard to get anything out of me, Harry. Never.” Dracia sniffled. She looked down and away from him. If she met his eyes, it would only make it worse. “What made you think now was any different? The only difference was how hard I had to work to get anything but contempt from you… I only got a dance with you because of a bet.” By Salazar she hated how pathetic her voice sounded. Dracia’s lips twisted into a scowl, “Well, you got to hear me now. I hope you’re happy.” She stomped over to the cabin exit, throwing open the door halfway. She stood at the doorway and pointed her wand at the prone body of Harry, “Don’t follow me,” Dracia ordered with as much force her shaky voice could muster. “Finite Incantatem,” she fired off the anti-curse. Dracia didn’t wait to see the effects. She was already sprinting out of the train. “Dracia!” she heard the barely-audible, muffled call from Harry. She closed her eyes and pumped her legs as fast as she could. Tears cascaded down her cheeks onto the stones below. #malfoid

You can just post a picture of Malfoid and get a bunch of likes.

Snape had to drag Dracaena by the arm. She barely registered her surroundings even as the Death Eaters set fire to Hagrid's Hut. He had seen her. That seemed the final twist of the knife. Harry had seen her lead the Death Eaters to Dumbledore. Even though Snape was the one to do it, it didn't matter. She was the one responsible. After all her mistakes and bad decisions, fate had to play that one last cruel joke. But of course, it was all over now. It had been for a long time. “Stupefy!” A jet of red light soared past their heads; Snape shouted, “Run, Dracaena!” and turned. He tried to push her forward, but she remained locked in place between them. Snape snarled and gave it up, backing away. Twenty yards apart, he and Harry looked at each other with Dracaena between them before raising their wands simultaneously. Dracaena was frozen. She was acutely aware of the other two Death Eaters ahead, reveling near the firelight. They wouldn't understand. Only she was part of Lord Voldemort's inner circle, knew his real plans. But there wasn't anything to lose now either. It was over. Had been for a long time. The last memory that passed through her head was how it felt to choke on her own blood. "Expelliarmus!" "Crucio!" The sudden betrayal almost caught Snape off guard. Almost. Snape expertly parried her spell first, but with only a moment to block the second, he could only deflect it away. The Crucio hit Dracaena in the chest, sending her flying back over near Harry. Excruciating pain, like hot knives sinking in her skin, ran through her entire body. It was familiar, at least. "You dim-witted girl!" Snape shouted. "That you choose now of all times?" Dracaena struggled to lift her head. She thought she heard something in the register of Snape's voice, but she was in too much pain to read the intent. The other two Death Eaters came to Snape's side, leering. Harry was hesitating, obviously because it was now a three-on-one. He kept glancing her way. Dracaena avoided his gaze. He wouldn't need to worry about a surprise attack from her direction. The two Death Eaters raised their wands. “No!” shouted Snape’s voice. “Have you forgotten our orders? Potter belongs to the Dark Lord — we are to leave him! Go! Go!” The two Death Eaters seemed unconvinced, with one pointing his wand to Dracaena. "Our orders were to kill her anyway. Doesn't make a difference if it's a little sooner then planned." Those words crushed the last hope in her chest. Deep down, she knew Voldemort's promise was too good to be true. She had been holding onto that sliver of thread for so long now, only for it to slip through her fingers anyway. Dracaena didn't feel anything at the end though. It didn't matter now. It had been over for a long time. "Avada Kedavra!" Two things happened at once. Snape wrested the Death Eater's arm just at the moment he cast the spell. The green bolt of energy loosed through the air. Dracaena was content with death, happy for the killing curse to take away her pain. Then, in a blink of an eye, Harry was suddenly over top of her. The green lightning narrowly missed his head and struck the hill behind with a sharp crack. Dracaena didn't have time to understand what happened as Harry threw himself down, his eyes desperately checking to see if she was still breathing. "P-Potter." The moment passed in an instant as Harry got up again. Both the Death Eaters and Snape seemed shocked as Harry stood between them and Dracaena. "Voldemort will have your heads!" Snape suddenly roared, pushing the Death Eaters back before anything else could happen. "You nearly killed the boy! Go! Go and beg for mercy if you have any sense of what you've just done!" The two Death Eaters cowered now, turning away and running like it was for their lives--which they likely were. Harry glanced back one last time to check if she was okay. Dracaena saw everything in his expression, pain, rage, grief, but buried under all that, it was still there, that something she thought had been dead for a long time. Dracaena's eyes hurt. She had been trying to hold it together for so long, but she couldn't help herself as a different kind of tears spilled out. Strangely, the pain was nothing now as she cried. Harry turned back to Snape. For a brief moment, the man's mouth twitched with a strange smile. Harry raised his wand to Severus. "Sectumsempra!"

"A love potion." Snape repeated flatly. "I didn't say the word love," replied back Draconia, "But yes, something of that nature." Snape sighed, but continued writing, not bothering to look up at her. "What symptoms are you experiencing?" "A quickening heart rate. Shakiness around the... suspect. Unusual emotional responses in the presence of the suspect. Intrusive thoughts of the suspect. Romantic ideation." Draconia's face blushed as she said the words aloud. "And who might the 'suspect' be?" "I don't see how that's relevan-" "Miss Malfoid, this is a very serious accusation. It is my responsibility as a professor to inquire fully. Who is it?" Snape finally set his papers aside, looking up at her from his desk. Draconia twiddled her wand in her fingertips, refusing to even look in his direction. "...Potter.", she said, pushing a lock of silver hair behind her ear. "Potter." Snape repeated. "T-that's what I said, isn't it?" "Potter can hardly brew a sleeping draught much less a-" "Then Granger brewed it! Or he stole it! I don't know! Can you just test me? Or something?" Snape stood up, seemingly annoyed by the whole ordeal. He turned, reaching into his cabinet of restricted potions, rustling through them, looking for something. "And why, pray tell, would Potter do this to you?" Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn't considered that. Why would he? Unless he... She shook her head, as if the thought could be shaken out of her. "To humiliate me, obviously. I bet he's having a grand laugh right now at my expense. Stupid Potter." She clenched her fists, indignant. Snape turned and produced a small potion of silver liquid. "Drink this. It will cure you of whatever may, or may not be ailing you." She swiped it from him and held it up to her lips, but paused. Why did she pause? Drinking this would cure her of the love potion, it would make these inconvenient feelings go away. So then why isn't she drinking it? She clenched her fists, and chugged the potion before she could second guess herself again. She stood there, eyes closed and cheeks pink, waiting for something to change. "How long until it starts to wor-" "Instantly." She stood there for several more seconds, holding her breath, until Harry appeared in her mind again, and her pulse quickened. Her eye twitched, "Well clearly this has been a huge waste of time." "Obviously." Snape said flatly, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.