It's Better This Way

It's Better This Way

"This one, right here," the Auror tells me.

"Thank you," I say, walking up to the cell.

I see a boy there, holding his head in his hands. His blonde hair is dirty and his clothes are ripped.

"Mal... Draco," I say.

He looks up, his eyes weak and tired looking. "Gr... Hermione?"

I look at him through the Azkaban cell's bars. "You... you saved my life, didn't you? Mine and Ron's."

"It doesn't matter," he says, his eyes quickly looking back down.

"I need to know," I say. "Please, just tell me."

He sighs. "Yes, I saved yours and that stupid Weasley's lives. Are you happy now?"

"Draco, why are you doing this to yourself?" I ask.

"What?" he asks, his eyes boring into mine.

"Why won't you tell them you're innocent?" I ask. "Tell them that you saved my life. They'll let you free."

"Sure," Draco says sarcastically. "They'll just let a Death Eater out like that because he helped out one or two people."

I sigh. "Draco, you shouldn't be in here. It's not right. Just tell them the truth. Tell them what happened."

"Why bother?" He asks. "Nothing will change."

I'm panicking. "Draco, please. Just tell them. You know as well as I do that your execution is scheduled in less than a month. Please, Draco. Don't do this to yourself."

That look of anger leaves his face. It's just sadness, now. "Hermione, what good will come of it?" he asks. "I'll constantly be watched. Everyone will suspect me of something. I'll never be able to get a job or a home. It's too late, Hermione. It's better this way."

"Very well," I say. I pull out my wand and give it a flick. The cell door opens with ease. "If you won't live as an innocent person, perhaps you can live as a guilty person."

"What are you saying?" he asks.

"Go, Draco," I say. "You're right. There's nothing here for you. No one will believe your innocence. But, I can't just let you be killed. Go. Escape. Please, Draco."

"No," I hear him say. "I can't. I won't."

"Draco, please," I plead. "Go. I'm begging you. Don't let them kill you."

Draco stands up. He walks up to me. I look up, peering into his eyes. "I'll never forget this, Hermione."

Then, before I can say anything else, he's gone.

I lean against the wall and sigh. What will happen now? I've just aided the escape of a criminal. A convict. A murderer, too, perhaps. I know I could be charged with something, if anyone found out. Harry and Ron would never forgive me, if they found out.

And yet, I can't help but think that it's worth it. Draco didn't deserve death any more than anyone else. I couldn't just stand by and watch him be killed. He's free now. Nothing's holding him back. He can be who he wants to be now, rather than one of Voldemort's pawns or an Azkaban prisoner. He's safe now.

It's better this way.