DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.

CHAPTER 3: Wonder and Sacrifices

He betrays her in the end. When the Order raids Malfoy Manor and sets fire to the beautiful river, he does not stay and fight by her side. But he knows what Aunt Bellatrix will do, so he takes the painfully familiar steps to Granger's cell and slams the door behind him.

She is standing anxiously, her eyes wide and her hands steady. He cannot stop himself from kissing her.

"Aunt Bellatrix is going to come down here to finish you off," he explains between kisses and unclasping the chains. "The Manor is lost, but she isn't going to let you go. There's nothing else you can give her, so she will finally kill you."

"What about you?"

"I'm leaving with my father."

He hates the hurt look in her eyes.

"They're trapping you, Draco!" She says fiercely. "You don't want to do this. You don't believe in Voldemort's teachings and you're certainly not a killer. You're freeing me. Come with me."

"I can't, love. I'm sorry." That is the only thing she could never understand, the importance of family. No matter how evil or wrong, those people raised him. And they have ways of finding him. If he runs away with her, he will put her danger. And he can't do that. Ever.

"Then I'm staying with you."

He makes a snap decision and takes her hand. "No."

He looks at her. Her eyes are golden and her hair is dusty. Time. She is time. His time, their time. Time they could have had and time they never wanted. Lost and found. Changing.

He takes out a small vial, a clear topaz with a slip of paper inside. There is writing on the paper. The vial is wrapped in cloth.

"I love you." He states the words like a fact and kisses her lips like a promise.

Then he pushes the vial in her hands and snatches the cloth away.

He sees the realization in her eyes, her mouth open in shock and disbelief. The portkey takes her miles away, to a small alley behind a church. She sinks to her knees and throws the vial against the wall.

~0OO0~

In Malfoy Manor, Draco walks and takes his mother's hand. Together, they run from Remus Lupin's Stupefy and disappear, ready to continue the Dark Lord's legacy.

~0OO0~

Hermione Granger picks up the slip of paper that lies among the broken glass. She reads the words written in his careful calligraphy and listens to her heart break.

Why is a raven like a writing-desk?

The sequel to this story is called Crushed Yet Unbroken. If you like this, you may like it as well.

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Hugs and butterfly kisses,

DreamALittleBigger