"The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman or child, will be slaughtered, as will every member of their family. Come out of the castle, now, kneel before me, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live, and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together."

It was over. Draco clutched onto Rosie with everything he had as they slowly followed the droves out of the castle and into the forecourt.

"NO!"

Rosie trembled beneath him as Hagrid came into view, carrying Potter's body.

"No!"

"No!"

"Harry! HARRY!"

The despair in everyone's shouts was awful. Draco had never dared hope that Potter would actually vanquish Voldemort, but being faced with this - this was worse than he could ever imagine.

Draco and Rosie held each other tight as they stood and watched Voldemort lead the Death Eaters to the castle. Hagrid was sobbing over Potter's lifeless body, clutched in his arms.

"It is over!" Voldemort cried, as they came to a halt. "Set him down, Hagrid, at my feet, where he belongs!"

Draco felt a wave of nausea as Hagrid laid Potter down in front of Voldemort.

"You see? Harry Potter is dead! Do you understand now, deluded ones? He was nothing, ever, but a boy who relied on others to sacrifice themselves for him!"

Voldemort looked gleefully at the distraught faces of the survivors as the Death Eaters cackled behind him. Draco froze when he saw his mother and father at the front. They were looking at him, trying desperately to get his attention.

"Draco!" His father hissed, beckoning him over. "Draco!"

Draco swallowed, not moving but holding Rosie tightly to him. He could feel Rosie's eyes looking at him questioningly.

"Draco!" His mother hissed this time. Draco flinched but still did not move.

"What is this?" Voldemort spoke, noticing the furore. His red eyes landed on Draco. Draco did not dare meet them. "Ah, Draco, my boy!"

Rosie tensed. He could feel her heart hammering beneath her chest. He did not want to let her go, but he knew the time was here.

"Draco, Draco, Draco," Voldemort continued. It made Draco sick to hear him speak his name. "Come back to us, Draco. Come back to us now and all will be forgiven."

Rosie stirred beneath him, but he still would not let her go.

"Come back to us now, Draco and you and your parents lives will be spared." He felt Rosie loosen her grip. Voldemort's grin grew wider. "Come back to us now, Draco, and that Mudblood that you cling to so desperately will get to see another day."

Draco dropped his arms in an instant.

His eyes met Rosie's and, as they passed sorrowful looks, she gave him the slightest of nods. His eyes lingered on her a moment longer, making sure to take in every last inch of her.

And then, with the heaviest of hearts, he turned around and walked away from her.

"Well done, Draco. Well done,"

Draco blanched as he felt cold arms embrace him. He had to will himself not to flinch in disgust.

He joined his parents the second Voldemort released him. His mothers face was a picture of relief as she put her arms around him. He couldn't join her in her solace.

He dared to steal a glance over at Rosie. She looked back at him mournfully as the Lovegood girl put her arms around her. He was glad, he hoped they would look after her. She was broken after what they'd been through in the past twenty four hours. They all were.

Then all of a sudden, Longbottom came charging at Voldemort. It didn't take Voldemort any effort to send him sprawling to the ground.

"Who is this? Who has volunteered to demonstrate what happens to those who continue to fight when the battle is lost?"

"It is Neville Longbottom, my Lord!" His aunt screeched. "The boy who has been giving the Carrows so much trouble! The son of the Aurors, remember?"

"Ah, yes, I remember,"

Longbottom struggled back up to his feet, he was unarmed and unprotected. Draco was too terrified to watch.

"But you are a pure-blood, aren't you, my brave boy?"

"So what if I am?"

"You show spirit, and bravery, and you come of noble stock. You will make a very valuable Death Eater. We need your kind, Neville Longbottom."

"I'll join you when hell freezes over."

Draco closed his eyes. The idiot!

"Very well," Voldemort's voice had become dangerously silky soft. "If that is your choice, Longbottom, we revert to the original plan. On your head, be it."

Voldemort flicked his wand and Draco saw the Sorting Hat fly out of Hogwarts and into Voldemort's hand.

"There will be no more Sorting at Hogwarts School. There will be no more houses. The emblem, shield and colours of my noble ancestor, Salazar Slytherin, will suffice for everyone, won't they, Neville Longbottom?"

He pointed his wand at Longbottom, who grew rigid and still, then forced the Hat on to Longbottom's head, so that it slipped down below his eyes.

"Neville here is now going to demonstrate what happens to anyone foolish enough to continue to oppose me," Voldemort said, with a flick of his wand.

And to Draco's horror, the hat burst into flames.

The air filled with horrified screams and Draco was too afraid to look at Rosie, he couldn't bear to see the terror that he was sure would be on her face.

And then suddenly, like a miracle, Longbottom managed to break free of the Hat, pulled out a sword and chopped off Nagini's head.

Draco stood, opened mouth, as chaos reigned all around. People started running in all directions as giants came clashing amongst them and centaurs charged. Draco felt someone tugging his arm and it took him a moment to realise it was his mother.

"Come on, Draco. Come quick."

Dazed, Draco allowed her to pull him away through the crowds, his father leading the way. They carried on walking until they reached the edge of the castles enchantments. Draco suddenly realised what his parents were doing and he looked back at the chaos in panic.

"Rosie! I can't leave her-"

His father grabbed his arm and hissed in his ear. "Draco, he will kill us all - including her!"

Resignedly, Draco allowed his mother to take his arm as he looked sadly back at the castle.

And then they Disapparated.

***

Rosie

I couldn't work out what was happening. One minute Neville's head was on fire, the next he had beheaded that great big ugly snake and everyone was screaming, running around in every direction.

"Come on!" Urged Luna, trying to get me into the castle. I tried to look to where Draco was but he must have been swallowed up amongst the chaos.

Everyone was charging into the castle. Luna and I were buffeted aside by the sheer mass of the stampede. We managed to edge our way in slowly, and saw the battle continuing inside the Great Hall.

"Get down here," Luna said, ducking behind a stone pillar just inside the doorway. We both crouched, watching as Voldemort duelled with McGonagall, Slughorn and Kingsley all at once. My heart was hammering. I couldn't face this fighting anymore. Luna squeezed her arm around me as I closed my eyes.

Voldemort screamed. I opened my eyes to see him furiously pointing his wand at Mrs Weasley.

"Protego!"

But the voice didn't come from Voldemort. He was staring around, confused as I was.

And then, out of nowhere, Harry appeared.

"Harry!" "HE'S ALIVE!"

My heart soared. I couldn't believe it. Harry was alive! A new hope filled me with promise.

And then they started duelling. My heart was in my mouth. I prayed and prayed for Harry. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. He looked so confident, so brave, so alive.

I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I watched as they circled one another, and eventually, they both lifted their wands.

"Avada Kedavra!"

"Expelliarmus!"

There was a bang like a cannon-blast as the two spells collided. Voldemort's wand flew high into the air and back down towards Harry, who caught it in his hand as Voldemort fell backwards, arms splayed, the slit pupils of the scarlet eyes rolling upwards.

Voldemort was dead.

I stared, scarcely able to believe it. And then the room erupted into screams and cheers as Ron and Hermione ran to Harry and hugged him.

He was dead. He was dead. I stood up, my breath heavy with joy and utter relief.

Draco. There was nothing standing in our way now. I had to find him. Turning on the spot, I ran towards the exit, my heart pounding with love for him. I needed to see him, needed to be with him.

As I got to the door, I could see the Death Eaters starting to turn and run away. I knew he must be among them somewhere. I ran towards them. Adrenalin making my legs run faster. Draco, where are you Draco? I thought frantically, scanning the black cloaked crowd.

"Avada Kedavra!"

I didn't see who said the words, I just heard them.

I did, however, see the world turn on its axis as I was blasted into the air. I saw the moment when Draco smiled at me for the first time. I saw him striding towards me at the Christmas party. You're beautiful. I saw him laughing as I playfully tickled his stomach in the Room of Requirement. I saw him handing me his ring. You've got me, Rosie. Always. I saw his silver grey eyes twinkle as I stood in Slytherin robes. Welcome back, Slytherin.

I love you, Rosie. His silver grey eyes were the last thing I saw.

And then there was nothing.

***