Cruel

For the people that have died

And the tears that the world cried.

For the thousands trapped inside

Feeling only alone and afraid.

For the hope to carry on,

And the courage to be strong.

For the people who were wrong

In doing the things they did.

Well I sing this song for the broken hearted.

For all who lost someone that they loved.

All the wars were lost before they started.

And nothing ever comes from the spilling of blood.

For the heroes that have fought

With their lives to be the cost.

For the point that has been lost

In the sea of humanity.

For a nation and its dream

Of a people who are free

In a place of unity

That's now not what it seemed.

I sing this song for the broken hearted.

For all who lost someone that they loved.

All the wars were lost before they started.

And nothing ever comes from the spilling of blood.

Girls that died

And the mothers that cried

For the hurt and pain

And the god of fame

For the seconds I've lost

And the wars we've all won

All the victory cries

Have all let our sons down

As we fall to our knees and cry out in despair

To the god we ignored even though he was there

For the feeling that empty is all we will be

And the millions of people that are too blind to see

That nothing is gained by the spilling of blood

As we weep for ourselves and what we have become.

I sing this song for the broken hearted.

For all who lost someone that they loved.

All the wars were lost before they started.

And nothing ever comes from the spilling of blood.

--9/11 by Michael Sherry

"First comes smiles, then lies. Last is gunfire."

--Roland Deschain, of Gilead. Dark Tower V: Wolves of Calla. Stephan King.

The war had reached everywhere. Though it was summer, the days felt darker than ever. The nights would likely have been pitch black, except then the skies were lit with a brilliant green. Not that anything had changed, really, beyond the war. When Harry stepped outside to go to work with Draco, the sky was still bright blue. The grass was as green as ever, and the drivers on the streets were still the same a- Well, yes, everything was the same there. But now there was fear and death.

Lives were lost on both sides, harder now. Each side was getting stronger as well. Voldemort, in fact, was stronger than he'd ever been. Rumor went that avada kedavra couldn't even touch him. Those that were still found alive had either managed to escape and come to Dumbledore (due to warnings) or were purposely released by the Death Eaters. The later were now in St Mungo's. People were trapped in cells and chained, tortured then released with little mind left to function with.

It wasn't long before the two of them were confined to Black Manor, where Draco finally reunited with his mother, though it was a sad reunion. Draco finally heard his father's last words and had to wonder why such a change had to come last minute. Not long after, word had it that the Dursleys were killed, as well as several other families in the neighborhood. Those that lived, probably meant to live, were terrified, not wanting to leave their houses. It all meant the same to Harry: "Seek me out. Seek me out so I may destroy you."

It seemed like they were forcing themselves awake every morning, having to face the ever darkening reality. And every night Draco and Harry went to bed the same: drowning themselves in each other, escaping reality enough to busy their minds through the night. It was not the way things should have been, they knew. The act had begun to lack the love and peace that once filled them and was instead filled with angry torment; nothing but energy struggling to find an escape. They both hated it, saw they hated it; they both needed it, saw they both needed it; and they both cried each morning of it.

It was one particular morning that the tears did not come. One that would bear a hard lesson for them to learn. Harry awoke alone.

He wasn't really sure what had waken him. It may have been a shift in the bed, a draft that had come under the covers, or perhaps the lack of a warm body when he rolled over to touch it. Either way, he'd soon realized his partner was missing and was fully awake in a desperate search for Draco. Bolting down the stairs he ran into Hermione, who pointed him toward the basement, saying he looked rather ill. Somehow Harry managed to run faster then and keep himself from falling as he went past everyone into the kitchens.

"Draco!" he said, nearly pouncing his fiancé. "Are you alright? Hermione said you looked ill..."

Draco managed a weak smile. "Just a little queasy waking up, that's all." He kissed Harry gently and brushed a lock of hair from his face. "Came here to find something light to eat."

Harry sighed and nodded. "Alright. You sure you're okay?"

"Of course." He smiled, this time with a little more strength. "But I'll get checked out, if you want."

The black-haired man took the smaller into his arms, holding him gently. "Please do. In these times, after all..."

He nodded grimly. "Yes... in these times..."

"Everything alright?"

Harry turned to see Hermione standing in the doorway. "Huh? Oh, I guess."

"Just feeling a little under the weather."

She sighed. "Aren't we all? Meeting's starting, guys. Let's get going."

Draco nodded and started forward when he saw Harry hesitate. "Coming love?"

He shook his head. "Not this time. You're planning now, and I can't know what's going on. Let them know that. As long as I'm a link, I'll make us vulnerable."

"Alright." He hesitated a bit then followed Hermione out, letting Harry stand there alone, staring at an empty kitchen.

"We're taking in more day by day," Snape said. "There's not enough room anymore."

"Just means we'll have to bunk up," Remus suggested. "Two couples or five people to a room. I've already made a listing..." He handed them out for everyone to look at.

"What are we going to do when school starts up again?" McGonagall interjected.

"The refugees will stay here. Those who are willing to take action will have to as well. We're not ready to shut down the school yet, as most parents will feel their children safer at Hogwarts." Dumbledore leaned back, rubbing a temple. He seemed older these days, if that were possible, the twinkle in his eye gone and his humorous remarks tamed by the dregs of war.

"I'm not sharing a room with that ferret!" Ron shouted, suddenly.

Draco narrowed his eyes. "I'm not exactly looking forward to having my private time intruded on by you, either."

Hermione groaned. "I thought you two were on good terms."

"I am," Ron huffed, "But we're a room away and we can still hear those two rabbits goin' at it!"

"He has a point..."

Draco looked confused. "I'd like to take credit for that, but... Harry's usually quiet, and I have been lately too.

Hermione thought about it. "I suppose you're right. It is awfully clear from a room away..."

Ron pulled out their old map and looked it over. "Who's between us?" He squinted at the sloppy handwriting then glanced at the two blushing girls across from them. "You?"

"I believe we have more pressing matters to attend to." Snape turned to Draco. "Tell Mr. Potter we will be working on his lessons harder, until he will be able to join our meetings. He is not to call the Dark Lord by his name until that time, in case it produces a response."

Hermione shuddered. "Do you have to call him that?"

"The Dark Lord or Mr. Potter?"

"Voldemort..."

"Force of habit," he said dryly. "And one I plan to keep a while longer."

"I hate to say this," Pansy started in, "But if he's after Harry, shouldn't we give him what he wants?"

Draco stood, glaring at her. "Absolutely not! Have you gone mad? We may as well be saying 'here, kill the muggles and mudbloods. We give up our world to you.'"

"Down, boy. Sit. Stay." River watched, satisfied, as Draco did so. "She means use him as bait. He's scared of Dumbledore, and probably has a good deal of fear about Harry. Otherwise, I don't think he'd be so obsessed."

"If we screw up we're sending Harry to his death."

"It's a gamble, yes, but it may be the only alternative."

Snape nodded. "In which case, we need to formulate a plan here and now, then pretend we haven't one yet. Allow Mr. Potter to come to the meetings, and feed him false information. Should Voldemort be watching he will likely see me convince Potter to the meetings, as well as giving more information than I normally would. It will keep my cover, and fool the Dark Lord."

"And tear Harry apart." Draco looked like he would start crying any moment.

Dumbledore put a hand on the boy's. "Harry is a good deal stronger than that, and will likely see our reasoning. Have more faith in him."

"You had faith in him," Draco said quietly. "Faith in his strength. And he tried to throw himself off the highest tower."

"Only the most convenient one," Snape said.

Narcissa stood and took her son by the arm. "Continue, all of you. I need a word with my son."

They nodded to her and she pulled Draco aside. "Draco, I know that Harry is your lover, and to be the father of your child, but you must put those feelings aside. I'm sure they will do nothing to endanger him. He is the savior of their precious wizarding world, you know. Remember that. It's hard for you in this time, but try and keep control. Part of you is still a Malfoy, after all."

"And how I hate it," Draco muttered. It was then he realized how funny she'd sounded. "Wait, what time? What do you mean 'father of my child'?"

She just gave a secretive smile and nudged him toward the table. "A mother gets to be able to tell these things."

They sat at the table and Dumbledore nodded acknowledgement to them before turning back to Snape.

"--otherwise we will be jeopardizing our chances." Snape looked at Draco, who looked preoccupied. "If you have other things on your mind, perhaps you should excuse yourself from the meeting. I will come by your room and fill you in later."

Draco nodded and stood once more. "Alright." He walked out, still quietly thinking, and went to look for Harry.

Snape turned to Narcissa once Draco was out of the room. "I'm afraid we have a different plan, and we must rely on their natures from this point on." He looked around at the group. "Remember, after this meeting is over, everything at subsequent meetings shall be lies. If nothing else, just follow my lead. Narcissa, I shall talk to you later."

She nodded and there seemed to be a silent dismissal. They all left the table and made for different areas of the manor. River and Pansy retreated to their room to gather their things, as did Ron and Hermione. Dumbledore approached Mrs. Weasley and drew her away from the refugees into a back room.

"We have decided on a plan."

She nodded. "Alright."

"Listen closely, because I don't know if I will have the chance to tell you again."

"Pregnant..." Harry fell back onto their bed, still trying to grasp the news.

Draco nodded. "It's what mother suspects. If I weren't male, I may have suspected it already. Wouldn't have been too surprising with how we've been lately."

The larger man squeezed his eyes shut then opened them again, staring unblinking at the ceiling. "I didn't think this was possible."

"I didn't either." He sat on the bed, next to his sprawled lover, and kissed the other man lightly. "But now that I think about it, she may be right. It may have something to do with being wizards, or maybe it's just us. I'll set up an appointment to get it checked out, but so far..."

Harry sat up and took the smaller man into his arms, holding him close. "You're out, then. I won't let you go."

Draco narrowed his eyes, pulling away slightly to look into the eyes of his fiancé. "What? What do you mean?"

Harry caressed his cheek, looking into those stormy eyes. "I have to fight now, Draco. I didn't think I could do it before, but now I don't have a choice. I have to protect you both."

"Harry... You didn't think we would... make it?"

He shook his head. "It wasn't that, but I was scared. I was willing to put it off as long as I could. But now... I have to have hope. I have to find the courage I used to have. Remember why I fought Voldemort before, and remember why I could defeat him." He held Draco tighter, fighting back tears. "I'm nt letting anything happen to you, Draco; to either of us. We have to pull through this... and I forgot that," he ended in a whisper.

"Harry... What am I to you?"

Harry kissed his forehead, "my friend," his cheek, "my lover," his lips, "my fiancé," and his neck, "and my shining hope."

Draco smiled a little. "I'm shining?"

Harry nodded then pulled Draco's shirt aside to kiss his chest. "Brighter than the stars, my love. You're my Shining."

Draco chuckled. "Never thought you could use that word such a way."

"Anything's possible with us."

"Narcissa, yes, you were wrong. So was I. But now's not the time for the past. We have our futures to worry about."

She nodded, wiping away tears. "I know... But there must be some other way. He's with child..."

"And if all goes well the entire family will still be alive, and the Black line will carry on." He sighed. "There isn't much else we can do, and if we're to fool the Dark Lord..."

"Yes, you're right." She looked at an old picture of the three of them, back when Draco was just born. They were all so solemn, and no one, not even her, could ignore the lack of emotion between them. It was then that she noticed Lucius glance over at her other self, a brow raised in interest as he looked her over, seemingly interested, before turning back to the front. It seemed to send a shock through her: something she had never seen before, though she'd looked at the picture at least a hundred times since the birth of her son. It felt as though the barriers around her soul shattered, breaking her down, and she collapsed into tears.

Snape caught her and began trying to help her into a seat when she clung onto him, releasing over a dozen years of pain, guilt, and regrets. Even after all he'd been through he never felt more lost than at this very moment. He'd always known what to do. Sure, it wasn't what others would have recommended, but he always knew it had to be done. Looking back on his life, he realized just how wrong that was. His knowledges seemed to contradict themselves, somewhere between joining the Dark Lord and betraying him.

So, instead of doing what he knew he must, he decided he would do something he knew he never would. He held Narcissa Black in his arms and allowed himself to shed a few tears, because he knew it was what he needed, as much as she did, and maybe even more.

Draco couldn't remember the last time they made love so sweet and gentle, though he suspected Harry had been much afraid of harming the child. He lay there, catching his breath, with Harry doing the same on top of him, not letting himself rest quite yet.

Harry looked his lover over quietly, then reached up and brushed the scar of the Dark Mark which glared at him from Draco's forearm. Softly he laid his own scars against his lover's, feeling them brush against each other. There were so many scars they both more, and of course, not all physical.

He remembered his first, and how he'd gotten it. Betrayal, deceit, and trust. Power was strength, but the thirst for it was a weakness. One he would have to try and exploit.

There was a knock at the door and both of them made a grab for cover. Harry cursed to himself. Why hadn't he remembered to charm the door?

Snape walked in looking rather tired, grabbed a handful of Draco's clothes, and tossed them onto the bed. "I need to speak with you. I have some things to discuss with you as well, Potter, once I'm finished with Mr. Malfoy."

"Black!" the two shouted together.

"Black," Snape said, obviously not caring. "My pardon." And with that he walked out.

Draco sighed and began getting dressed. "Here we go..."

Harry laid back on the bed and muttered. "He has some timing. Say, did he seem a little odd just now?"

Draco went over to a mirror and began straightening his hair. "How do you mean?"

"I don't know... Less harsh, I guess."

"I guess, but then, it must be hard on him, you know?"

"How do you mean?"

He pulled a lock of hair out of his face then sighed. "Just won't stay. Anyway, all through the war he has to keep up the same appearance, you know? It must really wear him down. He's probably just tired."

"I guess you're right." He sat up, drawing the covers to his waist. "I guess I'll see you when you get back."

A nod. "Yup. Sure thing."

And once again Harry Potter was left alone. It seemed to be happening far too often lately.

"Remember, should you be unsure--"

"Follow your lead. Yeah, I know."

"Good. Along, then."

Draco opened the door, forcing a smile to come forward. "Harry, miss me?"

Harry smiled. "Damn straight."

"Language, Potter."

He waved it off. "Right. So, what's going on?"

"We've decided it would be best that you join in on the meetings." Snape closed the door behind him and motioned for them both to sit down. "As I explained to Mr.... Black, it won't do us any good having the Dark Lord not know our plans if you do not know them yourself. If we do well enough he won't have a chance anyway."

Harry suddenly noticed an odd spark in Snape's eyes that he recognized: Occlumency. He was hiding something. Draco, too, was acting strangely. It then occurred to him that there shouldn't have been a reason to pull Draco aside to speak to him if the only thing they were going to do was suggest that he come to the meetings.

"You guys have a plan yet?"

Snape shook his head. "Not as of yet. It's one of the reasons we will need you there. As much as we can do, we must have your input."

Harry eyed him suspiciously and nodded. "Fine. I'll come."

"Very good. I'll leave you two to your business. Our next meeting is tomorrow at ten." He walked out and once more shut the door behind him before leaning against the wall. It was all getting to be too much. Just a little longer, he assured himself. He cringed as his arm began to burn. He must be late.

Around them the world continued to suffer. Lives were lost on both sides, so much more than ever. Armies were diminished, and Voldemort's pact with werewolves and giants had its toll. Cities fell unto ruin. The werewolf army seemed to grow with each passing attack. Harry was sure they felt they were doing it for their own good. They'd managed a few wolves on their side, of course, and many of those fell in battle as well. Morale was low, and leaving the house seemed more depressing than staying.

It was likely that everyone on both sides was fighting for the same thing: a right to live in happiness. The purebloods and the creatures Voldemort had recruited were all looking at their own ideals, selfish notions in some cases. Voldemort promised it to them. Others were fighting against all of it, trying to escape imprisonment or death. Freedom... the right to live and love... And yet it seemed to get them nowhere. The Dark Lord had not yet fallen, and Harry could not be found by Death Eaters. A stand-still, drowned in blood.

Perhaps much was the fault of the Ministry, perhaps not. None cared after so long and just wanted it all to be over. And some joined sides only for that.

The hardest thing for Harry was when they came to the battlefield from time to time. He knew that behind those masks were friends, enemies... people he went to school with. He could even wager that some he knew very well, at one time. How many were there because their parents told them to be? How many would be gone from school when it started up again?

But there was little time for these thoughts. He was late to the meeting.

He rushed in, catching his breath. "I'm sorry I'm late, everyone! I..." He looked around at a dozen grim faces. Not so long ago there were false smiles and half-hearted jokes as they all tried to carry on. Now that didn't even exist. "What's going on?"

"Harry," Mrs. Weasley started. "You know how much I love you, right?"

He began to edge back toward the door. "Y- yes... why?"

Draco stood. "Harry, we wouldn't do anything to harm you. We're begging you to trust us. Please, Harry..."

Harry swallowed hard. "What for? What's going on, Draco?"

"Draco, please sit down." Draco sat, and Snape motioned to a chair. "Sit, Harry, please."

He sat, but he half wished he was running. "Now will someone tell me what's going on?"

"You're going to be bait, Harry." River was blunt as always, and it made everyone cringe. "We need Voldemort to think that we're giving you up to him."

Harry narrowed his eyes on Snape. "This was your idea, wasn't it?!" He jumped from his seat, backing away once more.

"No, it was mine," River said firmly, looking Harry in the eyes. "But you're going to have to trust us, but we know it's going to be hard for you two."

Harry swallowed hard. "Okay, so what's the plan?"

Dumbledore sighed heavily. "I'm afraid we haven't gotten far in this. We have decided the best way to lure Voldemort out would be to have him think we're giving you up to him. We would make the arrangements and set up a meeting place. However, where to go from there is another matter."

"It would be best not to arm you, however that also may not be the best course of action." Snape turned to Harry. "Perhaps keep your wand hidden, and on some cue we would initiate an attack."

"Two wands, I think," Harry said hesitantly. "Make it look like you fooled me. I could come forward and pull out my wand, and someone could summon it. Looks like I don't know I'm going to be given up. When he comes for me..."

"We attack." River nodded. "Brilliant, Harry."

"Do we know what can harm him yet?"

"We're still working on that, but we think we may have something. I'm afraid the information, however..."

He nodded. "Yeah. I know."

Draco just kept watching the table, trying to think of what to do. Should he tell Harry the real plan, or...?

"Draco!"

He jumped out of his thoughts and looked at Snape. "Yes sir?"

"Please pay attention. If you care about Harry then this must be flawless." His eyes were sharp, piercing into him. This part of the meeting, he knew, was no lie. It was a warning. He turned back to the group. "I will be meeting with Voldemort in a month. But I do not think we should negotiate with him then. I will tell him about our meetings, if he does not know already, and let him know what our latest discussion is. In another month's time I will have you all at my mercy, and soon after you'll want to give Harry up to him for an exchange. We will decide on the topic of negotiations later. Once school starts we'll have most at the school or at least have cleared out an area for battle, just in case something goes wrong."

"How will things go wrong?" Harry asked, eying Snape once more.

"If Voldemort is as unpredictable as you..."

There seemed to be a silent meaning that went around the table, though many were thinking different things. Hopefully Voldemort would be as predictable as Harry. They depended on it. But then, in all of nature there must be a random element; something that has a possibility of throwing all plans off track just because it decided to. Science merely calls it a variable. They called it Draco.

Harry walked in and threw a copy of the Daily Prophet to the ground. "I'm sick of this. All of it. Screw 'when school starts,' I want to get this going now."

"No!"

Harry narrowed his eyes at Draco. "No?"

Draco ignored the looks he was getting from Ron and Hermione. "I mean, not now. Not yet. Harry, it's just a while longer..."

Harry shook his head. "Have you seen what's going on out there? I can't keep this up."

Draco's eyes were pleading, making Harry suspicious of their plan once more. "Harry, please don't. You can't..."

Hermione went over to Draco, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Draco, that's enough. There are things Harry must do."

"Like being a sacrifice? Like having friends like you who are willing to just give him up to the Dark Lord?" He shook his head. "I'm not letting you do that to him!"

Harry narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

Ron stood quickly, waving his hands. "He's just losing it... Dangerous mission, you know. Don't worry, mate. We got your back."

"We have to talk," Harry said, taking Draco and carrying him into the hall and setting him down. "Now, what's going on?"

Draco looked ready to cry, though the surprise of being carried had lightened his mood slightly. "They're not just planning on using you as bait. They're really going to give you up to Voldemort. You can't let them do that."

Ron and Hermione came running out of the room, but Harry blocked them from coming any nearer. "Not this time." He turned back to Draco, scowling. "Why did you keep this from me?"

"I didn't have a choice." Now Draco was crying, and trying his best to keep his head. He looked to the barrier where Ron and Hermione had left, probably to find another to get to them. "They said it would be for an exchange of prisoners, and then they would go get you later. They said you could handle yourself. But I don't want you to! Come on, Harry, let's leave here. Let's find some place we'll be safe."

Harry shook his head. "I can't do that. If they think it'll work..."

"What if it doesn't?!"

He thought a while longer then started down the hall. "Actually, I will leave. But you're not coming with me. I'm going to tell them to go through with it tonight, but I'll keep a few precautions. Knowing they won't be behind me on this... Either way, you're not going."

Draco chased after him. "Harry! Stop! This is insane!"

Hermione tried to catch her breath between sentences, but found it was more difficult than she thought. Snape narrowed his eyes and tapped a mirror, which showed him where Draco and Harry were going. Ron was sitting there, wondering if they were doing the right thing.

"Relax, both of you," the elder said. "Keep an eye out. I want to know immediately when he leaves the manor."

Harry came through the door then, anger burning in his eyes. "I'm tired of games, Snape. I've heard this stupid plan of yours. It wasn't that you didn't want Voldemort to know, you didn't want me to know."

Snape carefully walked over to him. "Harry, there's been a misunderstanding."

"Don't call me that. I know what you're trying to do." He pulled his wand out and pointed it at Hermione and Ron. "Out. Both of you. Go tend to Draco, he's bound in our room. Make sure he doesn't follow me." As soon as the two were out of the room, he turned back on Snape. "Now, you're going to contact your Lord, and tell him we're going to meet. I want a personal meeting. Just you, me, and the Dark Lord himself. I'll give myself to him, since that's what you're all so eager for."

Snape turned with a snarl, going for the fireplace. Unpredictable indeed.

"And the shooting will happen so fast and be over so quick you'll wonder what all the planning and palaver was for, when in the end it always comes down to the same five minutes worth of blood, pain, and stupidity."

-- Roland Deschain, of Gilead. Dark Tower V: Wolves of Calla. Stephan King.