Death and Destiny

"Return this man to Huma's breast

Beyond the wild impartial skies,

Grant to him a warrior's rest

And set the last spark from his eyes

Free from the smothering clouds of wars,

Upon the torches of the stars

Let the last surge of his breath

Take refuge in the cradling air

Above the dreams of ravens, where

Only the hawk remembers death

Then let his shade to Huma rise

Beyond the wild impartial skies"

- Knight's Prayer for the Dead in DragonLanceTM

If anyone could have seen above the clouds, they would have spotted a few figures peering down at them. Figures so beautiful that few could comprehend. It is clear that each to his or her own. A house elf would only find another attractive while a giant would find his or her own kind pleasant to the eye. Somehow, this race appeared special and attract anyone, charmed everyone. It was clear to see why with features both handsome and beautiful at the same time. Their hair was velvety to both sight and touch while their eyes twinkled with age and youth at the same time. Their fair skin was smooth and they seemed above all with an aura of sereneness surrounding them. They were above all. Yet no one on Earth was looking up at the clouds. They were too busy at war, fighting in their own world hidden from any ordinary mortal... or Muggles for that fact.

A tall handsome one with dark brown hair sighed wearily, his green eyes flickering from one limp body to another. He had seen this scene one too many times. Blood was everywhere, random bodies scattered across the paths of spells and everything else dangerous. There was Bloody Sunday, Holocaust, and of course, the two infamous World Wars. Running his fingers through his hair, he sighed again and walked over to his female friend. Her long silvery hair was swept back neatly away from her face, her golden eyes a little tired. She heard him, looked up and smiled.

"You enjoying yourself, Death?"

"Not really. Utterly depressing if anything. And you cannot deny any share in this, Destiny."

"And I don't plan to," Destiny laughed. Death smiled at her and sat down next to her while they watched the murderous scene far below them. Then Death realized that Destiny was focusing her attention on someone in he rampage. Following her gaze, he smiled knowingly at the young man in the crowd. He had just hexed someone and pushed the writhing body to the ground before running off again to fight. Destiny knew what was going through her friend's head and she turned to look at him. "He is to be with us soon. And if he doesn't, I'll personally see that he is brought to me."

* *

Draco cursed and sent out another spell and summoned his broomstick. His blonde hair hung onto his wet face, streaked with sweat and dirt. Jumping onto it, he flew above, allowing the wind to blow him dry. Then he raced forward and struck a large dragon flying overhead them along with Blaise. They grinned knowingly at one another. Draco then flew under the belly of the black dragon while his friend flew above. The dragon flew into a rage with the younger one taunting him and lurched forward furiously, breathing out fire. Blaise expertly dodged but did not move much from his spot, still watching Draco under the belly of the beast. Without a second to lose, Draco aimed for the softest possible part of the dragon's thick hide; the skin between the arm and belly, and shoot out sparks with a simple spell.

The dragon roared and flew forward, causing the rider to fall off. Blaise struck the falling rider, killing him and flew off, leaving his friend behind. Destiny and Death followed Draco's actions, watching him dodge the fire blasts from the dragon each time and finally performing the Wronski Feint, a famous Quidditch move. The dragon was off target but Draco was where he wanted to be: under the belly again. He called for a sword and penetrated it deep in the soft spot. The dragon cried out in pain and fell towards the water below. He sighed a breath of relief and rode off.

* *

In one last feeble attempt to make its death worth, the dragon lashed its tail violently up towards him, expertly flicking Draco off the broomstick. The dragon did not want to perish alone. Destiny looked at Death with a raised brow. Death only smiled back at her. "It's not his time yet. Watch."

* *

Draco was in shock and could not think of a single spell to cast. No one paid attention to him for there were far too many bodies falling from the sky at the same time. Broomsticks or soft landings were summoned immediately but he just fell. He closed his eyes desperately when a Hippogriff swooped down and lifted off again, picking him up just before he hit the dark waters. Draco held on tightly to the Hippogriff until they reached the ground.

"You may decide where he goes in life and after death but I control when and how he dies with Fate. It's not his time yet," Death said. Destiny smiled softly and turned her attention back to the young wizard. He was almost as handsome as any one of them, yet there was a certain strength in him that was lacking in them. She could see it in his eyes as he fought off the army passionately. Then she sighed.

"I still recall the hurt in those eyes when he finally turned away from Voldemort and his family. I felt the pain he felt when he turned away the Death Eaters; the tears he cried when he missed those he was most comfortable with... but yet he turned away from them. I don't blame him. Voldemort is a bloody idiot. What's the use of bringing death upon the wizards and witches just to want to conquer both the magical world and the Muggle world?"

"You no longer control Voldemort, do you?" Death asked. Destiny shook her head.

"I control the living. He's neither living nor dead... He's there and not there at the same time. He controls his own path and life. I have no say. And it was Draco who had to betray him... betray those closest to him. It was what he was put to do and had to do. I really hate doing this to him. But how will he die then?"

Death looked at Destiny then turned back to the bloody scene below, replying with an almost sad tone, "He'll die by the hand that made him what he was."

* *

By nightfall, the troops had fallen back, seeking refuge in the comfort of Hogwarts. Since the battle had started, those opposing Voldemort were murdered brutally in their wake and sleep. Home were no longer safe. Yet Voldemort, despite his power, stayed away from the enchanted walls of Hogwarts. Schools of Magic were the only safe place for anyone now. Draco stared out of the window from the Gryffindor Common Room when a shadow cast across him. Looking up, he saw Blaise looking at him. They were two of the ten Slyterins who had turned away and betrayed the Dark Lord and their families.

"What you thinking about?" Blaise asked, sitting down.

"Nothing much," Draco lied. Blaise laughed. "You're a horrid liar, Draco Malfoy. Come on, tell me."

Draco swallowed his saliva and looked at his friend before sighing. "This war sucks, big time. I mean, what the hell does Voldemort think he's doing? So many innocent lives. And I'm stuck in this place with people I least want to be associated with. Did I mention that I'm a fantastic son? Leaving my parents and betraying their trust in me... They had it planned out for me. I destroyed their plans and I should feel terrible about it yet I'm seen as some hero over here. These people are bloody screwed in the minds."

"Which is why we fit in so nicely," Blaise grinned. Draco couldn't help grinning back. In the background, he could see Sirius Black playing babysitter to a few little children rather unsuccessfully. The children were screaming with laughter and obviously disturbing other people. Then Draco looked down to the compound. The Whooping Willow was swaying in the wind. It looked so inviting so Draco stood up.

"I'm going down for a while. If anything happens to me, I'll send up sparks."

* *

Destiny shook her head as she watched the expression on Death's face. "And so it ends here?"

Death frowned a little as he watched her face fall. "Am I hearing correctly? Do you feel pity for that mortal boy? But when he dies, he'll become more than mortal. He joins us, does he not? And it is the word of the God that peace will be restore soon after. Is that not what we seek?"

Destiny sighed and nodded slowly. They watched as Draco walked calmly in the compound. His chin was held high and his gaze to the front did not waver. Then he turned around a tree, leaned lazily on the trunk and sighed. Then Death pointed out another figure in the shadows to Destiny. She took a deep breath and shook her head, closing her eyes in slight pain. She knew it was he. He was the one who made Draco.

* *

The dark figure stopped lurking around the stood up straight, heading for the young wizard. Draco looked up at the sound of the steps, his hands on his wand. Then they dropped to a side as his eyes widened at the sight of the adult.

"Father!" But his greeting was cut short for Lucius Malfoy struck a sharp dagger into his son's abdomen.

"Goodbye, Draco."

Draco's piercing gaze gave way to one filled with confusion and hurt. As he slumped to the ground, holding the wound, Lucius fell to his knees and supported his only son.

"But why?" Draco asked as he looked to his father. Lucius' eyes were filled with horror and pain as reality sunk heavily into his heart. He had killed his precious son. Blood was slowly leaving Draco's lips, making him paler than ever. Then Draco closed his eyes and whispered, "Voldemort. He sent you to take my life."

"I never wanted things to turn out this way, believe me... I..." Lucius choked. Tears were running down his high cheekbones and falling off the side of his sharp chin. Draco smiled nevertheless, opening his eyes to look at his father once more. "You have grown, Draco. You are stronger than I could ever have been. I'm proud of you. You might not believe me but I am proud of you."

"I know. Leave. You have to leave while there is no one. But do me a favor. Sent red sparks just before you leave, no sooner. Or they might find you," Draco said and closed his eyes. The wound was hurting more than he thought it would. Suddenly, the pain faded away. When Draco opened his eyes, he saw a beautiful figure in front of him. She held out her hand.

"Come to me."

"Why should I?" asked Draco. Then he saw a handsome figure supporting himself with one arm on the tree where he was under. The man (or so he seemed like one to Draco) was looking down on Lucius who was cradling a lifeless body. Draco bit his lower lip. "I'm dead, am I not?"

"Yes, you are. Come with me, young man."

"Why should I?" Draco asked again, his tone of voice more gentle than the first. He was walking towards her while Death looked on. Then Death asked, "Who do you serve, Draco Malfoy?"

Without hesitation, Draco answered, " I serve only myself and my destiny."

"Why else would I be here, my child?" Destiny replied to that. Draco then smirked, took her outstretched hand and faded into the shadows along with Death just as red sparks flashed into the sky.