We Are Angels

Chapter Six

"Your worst fear," explained Snape easily, appearing in the darkest corner of the room, holding a bow in his hands.

Draco tilted Hermione's head up to face him, her eyes closed, a track of clean lines going down her cheek, and a half-smile resident on her lips. "I can't save the dead." He stood up coldly, his form calm, but wings twittering a mile a minute.

"Bastard," growled Harry advancing toward Snape.

Quietly Draco said, "Leave him Potter."

Harry wavered uncertainly before backing away from Snape, a scowl warping his face. "Bastard," he hissed before stooping over Hermione and gathering her limp body in his arms.

Waving a hand casually Snape slammed the door dramatically behind Harry. "It was for the best you know. Another Angel of Death can be called. One who is not so dangerous to the balance."

"Screw your precious balance," said Draco despondently, his limp body turned away from Snape. In a flash though he had him pinned against the wall by the neck, throttling him as he breathed, "She saved me, gave me her life so I could live. She made me the Angel of Life, cursed me but now I quit."

Draco pulled away, Snape fell on to his feet, rubbing his throat, and rasping, "You can't quit."

"All I have to do is counteract the life in me." Draco walked out of the room, drawing a silver blade from his pocket.

***

Ginny watched from the wings of the hospital as Harry and Ron held a hurried conversation. Choosing her moment she walked in to hear Harry finish a sentence, "gone...Hermione's dead."

Eyes wide Ginny whimpered, "No, no no, no, no. She can't. No. Death can't die."

Ron's face wrinkled. "She wasn't dead." He held up a fragile chain with a charm dangling off.

Hands over her mouth, tears falling in hurtles Ginny began backing away. "She can't be. My best friend. No." Running from the truth Ginny slammed around the corner of the tent out into the rain pounding.

***

The dagger was stained with blood, but it wasn't Draco. Angry and hurt he left Snape to try and stop him. The school doors opened before he reached them. Part of him was aware that this was probably the last time he's get to use his powers, no more pesky glitter under his nails. Rain parted for him to let him through.

He didn't know whom until he saw her tumble out of the triage. She knew about Hermione, his Hermione, his death. Stealthily he followed her as she darted toward the eves of the school. Following her Draco drove the tiny dagger into Ginny Weasley's back.

She was dead and he wasn't life anymore.

***

Draco emerged on to the grounds at the left of Harry Potter, his eyes soberly downcast under the weak winter sun, his coat half-heartedly flapping in the breeze.

All her could see were miles of shiny black shoes, the blood scraped off. A hand snatched at him as he followed the hero. "Why did you do it?"

Draco looked up at Snape's face, the glowering eyes infused with hatred. "So the balance wouldn't be anymore and you could face your worst fear."

"Fool. The world will be thrown into chaos," Snape threw Draco away.

Looking back over his shoulder Draco said softly, "There will always be replacements. Ones who aren't so dangerous."

Draco walked faster to catch up with Potter and Weasley, somewhere slow music was being pumped for the heroine of the story as her casket made its levitated way out into the midst of the crowd, closely followed by Ginny Weasley's empty one. Missing in action.

***

Defiantly the Angel of Destiny looked down at her funeral. Purple carves whipping in the winds she parted the clouds in the sky so her view would be better.

Snape rose next to her, his head bowed respectfully of both her presence and her death. "You were called?"

"Yes," she replied distractedly. "Why me?"

"Because you lived and could not fear life, and died so you could not fear death. But any more answers I do not have."

She bobbed her head in understanding, adjusting her pastel wings to angle her view better. "I've got the answers."

"Oh?"

Ginny nodded her head again. "Its time to make new destinies."

***

Yellow roses from Potter.

Red roses from Weasley.

Last in line Draco looked at her casket, scattered with the silly flowers all the world thought she needed. Chuckling to himself Draco tossed two coins on her coffin, knowing she would need money for the boatman.