You've Got to Live!

+When Harry returned to his castle after spending quality time with Hermione, he found Draco waiting for him, visibly upset.

"How was your evening?" he asked his blonde friend, who looked up when he entered. He was very pale.

"Very enjoyable. We talked entirely about the traitor. Ginny thinks it's me."

"Ouch."

Draco stood up and paced nervously, looking on the verge of tears. Harry suddenly felt guilty. He and Hermione had enjoyed a lot. They had a long conversation, catching up with each other's lives and talking about their son. Both of them had almost forgotten about the looming danger during that time. He felt sorry that things had not gone well between Draco and Ginny. He watched aghast as a tear made its way down Draco's face. A thing as rare as a bathing suit in the North Pole. Draco was the second most controlled person he had ever known, the first being Severus Snape. He suddenly felt the desire to slap Ginny for putting him through this. His anger increased as Draco cried out in a broken voice, "I don't believe this. After all these years, after all we have faced together, she still doesn't trust me!"

"What did she say?" Harry asked quietly, his fists clenched to control himself.

"Oh, nothing directly. But all her actions practically screamed 'I think you're the traitor' and she wants to cancel the marriage," Draco sounded lost. Harry could literally hear his friend's heart shattering.

"What?" Harry asked slowly, not wanting to believe his ears. Draco flopped down on the couch and put his face in his hands, unable to repeat the damning words. A few minutes of absolute silence elapsed before Draco spoke again.

"I knew something like this was bound to happen. I told you that I would be the most likely person to shoulder the blame. But I didn't expect the love of my life to distrust me," he said hoarsely.

Harry's fists tightened so much that his fingers dug into his palms. Blood dripped on the carpet, staining it. It took him all his will to control his anger for the moment. He knew that he would have to talk to Ginny, but for now, Draco was the one who needed to be comforted. He knew that he couldn't leave his friend in his present state of mind. He wished Hermione were with him. She always knew what to do in situations like this. Since she was not available, he knew that it was up to him. Harry sat down next to the former Slytherin and put his arm around his friend's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Draco. I'll talk to her. I don't think that she really believes you to be the traitor. She was probably just shocked and since you were the one next to her, she took it out on you," he said wisely, trying to sound calm. He had to soothe Draco and make him rest. He did his best to sound reasonable and logical, and not to show his anger at Ginny for reducing such a self-controlled person to a hysterical state.

"No, Harry. She hates me. I saw it in her eyes," Draco's voice was broken.

"Nonsense, Draco. She can't hate you. She loves you too much. She was just being irrational. It was her father who was harmed; she is bound to overreact."

"I hope you're right."

"So do I, my friend, so do I," said Harry, desperately wishing it to be true. He knew that Draco loved Ginny with all his heart, and until a few hours earlier, he would have sworn that she loved him as much in return, but he was not so sure now.

He poured out a big goblet of firewhiskey for Draco. He surreptitiously put in a dreamless sleep potion in it and waited until his now friend and former rival fell asleep. He was amazed at how vulnerable Draco looked with his red rimmed eyes and his paler than usual skin. He wondered if he had looked the same not so long ago. He made a mental note to find out from Hermione.

He asked Dobby to transfer Draco to his room and went off to the hospital to find Ginny. He found her and Molly Weasley by Mr. Weasley's bedside, who was looking a lot better than before.

Mrs. Weasley looked up as he entered.

"Hello, Harry. Nice to see you," she said.

"Hello Mrs. Weasley. Hey, Ginny. How's he?"

"Much better, Harry dear."

"I'm glad to hear that, Mrs. Weasley."

Harry turned to Ginny. She was looking upset as well, though not as bad as Draco. He walked over to her.

"Can I talk to you for a minute outside, Ginny?" he whispered.

She nodded and called out to her mother, "Mum, I'm going out with Harry for a cup of coffee. I'll be in the cafeteria downstairs. Call me if you need me, ok?"

"Sure, honey. No need to hurry. Take your time."

"Bye, Mrs. Weasley. Nice to see you."

"You, too, Harry."

Harry and Ginny walked out together. He opened his mouth to speak but Ginny cut him off.

"Not here. Let's go and find a private booth in the cafeteria."

"All right."

Soon enough, they were seated with coffee in front of them. Ginny spoke up as soon as the waiter left.

"What's it?"

"What did you say to Draco?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie, Gin. You've made him very upset."

"You came here to talk to me about him?"

"Yeah."

"He's a great actor."

"No. He is a controlled person. Today is the second time I've ever seen him cry. He cannot pretend to do that."

"He was crying?"

Harry nodded grimly.

"What did you say to him?"

"I just said that maybe we should cancel our wedding."

"Why, Ginny?"

"What do you mean, why? Isn't it obvious?"

"What is obvious?"

"Don't act stupid, Harry. You know what I'm talking about."

Harry stared at her. He could see the doubt in her eyes."

"So, you think that Draco leads the Pureblood Alliance?"

"It's probable, isn't it? Most of my brothers think that."

"Most?"

"For some reason, Ron seems to think that it isn't him, but we all know how correct Ron's judgement usually is."

"You're wrong, Ginny. It is not Draco."

"But..."

"Ginny, do you really believe that Draco can do such a thing?"

Ginny stared at her coffee, which had grown cold, for some time. Harry didn't break the silence. When she finally looked up, she had tears in her eyes.

"No. I don't really believe it. I don't want to believe it. I don't want him to be the one. I want him to be innocent!"

"He is."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Ginny, he was with me at the time your father was attacked."

The youngest Weasley stared at him in shock. The tears fell.

"Holy Merlin! What have I done? I was so cold to him today...I didn't accuse him, but I treated him so badly...he must have thought...oh no..."

"You have hurt him, Gin."

"I know. I must apologise...how will I ever face him...I'm so sorry...I shouldn't have listened to him..."

"To whom?"

"Neville, of course. He was positive that it is Draco. And all my brothers except Ron think so, too. You must tell them that my Draco is innocent, Harry!"

"I will."

"Do you know who it is?"

"I have a good idea."

"But it's not Draco?"

"No."

"Take me to him, Harry. I'll never forgive myself for doing this to him. How could I even think such a thing?"

"You all have been through a lot recently. Things like these tend to cloud your judgement."

"Can we stop at the mall for a minute? I want to get him an apology gift."

"Sure."

Half an hour later, Harry seated Ginny in the drawing room and went to fetch Draco, who was still asleep.

"Wake up, sleepyhead," he said.

Draco groaned and raised his head.

"Go away."

"Come on, lazybones. There's someone to meet you."

"Leave me alone."

"Shall I ask Ginny to leave, then?"

That woke him up. Draco sat up bolt upright.

"Ginny's here?"

"She came to apologise."

"You're kidding."

"Go and see for yourself, then."

Draco tore down the stairs. He stopped dead when he saw Ginny waiting for him. She stood up on seeing him.

"I'm sorry, Draco," she said softly. She quietly held out a little package.

"What is that?" he asked.

"An apology gift," she said, her eyes downcast.

Draco took the gift and opened it. He gasped.

"Thanks, Gin," he said, his eyes round in wonder.

"Did you like it?" she asked shyly, looking up.

"Like it?" Draco started laughing, "I LOVE it!"

He held up the little glass ball, which had little figurines of himself and Ginny dancing in it. They were dressed in wedding outfits and multi coloured confetti was falling around the figures.

"Does this mean that I am forgiven?"

"Well...maybe."

"I'm so sorry, Draco. Tell me what to do to make it up to you."

"Come here, Gin."

She moved closer to him. He kissed her.

"I'm glad that you two made up," said Harry, biting into the delicious strawberry truffle that Winky had made.

"Me too," said Draco.

"Me three," said Ginny.

They all laughed.

"Won't your mother be worried about you?" Draco asked Ginny suddenly.

"Oh no! I forgot!"

"Don't worry. I already informed Mrs. Weasley," Harry said, "I knew that you two would need some time alone, and I thought it might be better if we dined together as well."

"Thanks, Harry. You think of everything, don't you?" said Ginny gratefully.

"Going back to our old crush, are we?" teased Draco.

"Ah, good old days!" said Ginny dreamily.

"You're welcome to it anytime, Gin," Harry chuckled.

"Hey, Potter," Draco put up a finger, "I won't stand for any competition. Especially from you."

"You're too late, Malfoy. Your girl cannot resist my undeniable charms."

"You'd better keep yourself under control, Potter, or I just might inform your wife."

"Oh, I'm soooo scared! Look at me! I'm shivering in my robes!"

"Very funny, Potter."

"Glad to oblige, Malfoy."

Ginny was laughing so hard that tears were pouring down her face. She managed to gasp, "Shut it, you two! I'll choke!"

Harry and Draco joined in the laughter. It felt good to have things back to normal again.

"Harry, when will you arrest the culprit?" Ginny asked.

"When I have enough proof."

"You'll never have that, trust me," Draco said.

"Why?" Harry asked.

"The Pureblood Alliance covers its tracks perfectly, Harry."

"They might do that, Draco, but they left their magical signatures behind. We have the names of all but one."

"The leader," whispered Ginny.

"Yes," Harry said, "but I think the others will tell us who their leader is."

"I doubt it," said Draco, "it is quite likely that they won't. Do you remember how Voldemort kept his minions from betraying him, Harry?"

Harry nodded slowly.

"I think they're using the same, or at least, a similar technique."

"You may be correct, Draco."

"I think I am. How many have the Aurors arrested so far?"

"None. They all seem to have disappeared. I'm seriously thinking of borrowing Moody's eye and looking for them."

"That would be a good idea."

Just then, an owl flew in.

"Think of the devil..." began Draco, but the look on Harry's face as he read the letter silenced him.

"I was right," Harry whispered as he sank down on the couch.

"Right about what?"

"The leader."

"Who is it?"

"Neville."

Draco and Ginny gaped at him.

"Longbottom?" murmured Draco, "are you sure?"

Harry nodded.

"I told them to match the signature with the civilians. Neville's matched."

"I don't believe it. How could it be Neville?" said Ginny, wringing her hands.

The room fell silent. Harry stood up and threw some powder into the flames.

"Yes?" Moody's head appeared in the fire.

"It's Neville Longbottom. Send in Aurors to arrest him immediately."

"Are you sure, Minister?"

"Positive."

"Very well."

After extensive searching for three hours, the Aurors had found nothing. Neville seemed to have disappeared along with the other members of the Alliance. Harry called for another meeting of the Inners.

"We must find Longbottom. The others are bound to be with him," said Snape.

"And what do you think we have been trying to do?" growled Moody.

"Alastor, please calm down," said Dumbledore.

"Have all the likely places been checked?" asked Lupin.

"All, except...oh hell! Harry, we have to get there immediately!" Hermione cried.

"Where?"

"How did you..."

"What the..."

"Which place..."

"QUIET!" Harry shouted. He alone (and maybe Dumbledore) had understood Hermione's words.

"We are going to the Ministry. I think that they are there at present, but if we don't hurry, they will flee the country. Alastor, alert the Aurors. Remus, get the Order. Weasleys, alert the Ministry. Evacuate. Draco, Ron, Hermione, come with me. Hogwarts people, guard the forest. They might try to go there. The rest of you, cover us."

"Wise, Harry," said Dumbledore.

"Thank you, Albus. The game is afoot. Let's go!"

Soon enough, they were all at the Ministry, Harry in the lead. Only Ron, Hermione and Draco walked with him; the rest were following much behind. Harry led them straight to the Department of Mysteries.

They stepped into an empty room.

"Neville, we know that you're here. You can show yourself now. The game is up," Harry shouted.

Silence.

"Come out, Neville. And tell your minions to show themselves as well."

Silence.

"It's no use, hiding. We have enough evidence against you. Come of your own accord. Don't make me attack you."

Silence.

"Very well. If that's you wish, so be it," said Harry and launched into a very soft uttering of a long, complicated spell in Latin with upraised hands. Bright white light shot out from his palms and the whole room glowed. Ron, Hermione and Draco covered their eyes with their arms to shield themselves from the blinding light. Loud cries were heard as the member of the Pureblood Alliance appeared out of thin air, rubbing their eyes.

"What have you done to our eyes?" screamed one of them.

"I warned you, didn't I?" said Harry calmly.

"Very clever, Harry. I expected nothing less from you," said Neville. He looked like a different person altogether; there was a fanatical glint in his eyes and his face was distorted into a peculiarly malicious expression, very much unlike his normal genial look.

"Why are you doing this, Neville?" Harry asked.

"Don't you know, you half-blood? Haven't you seen the indignities suffered by us pure-bloods because of half-bloods like you and Mudbloods like Hermione? We are the superior ones and we ought to be the ones in power, not you."

"If that is so, Longbottom, then why did you attack Mr. Weasley? He is as pure-blooded as you can be," Draco quipped.

"He is a Muggle-loving fool, you blood traitor. I would have expected better from you, Malfoy. Your family was one of the noble ones."

"Bigoted ones, you mean," said Draco.

"Give yourself up, Neville. It's over," said Hermione quietly.

"It's far from over, Hermione, trust me. Avada Kedavra!"

Hermione did not have the time to dodge the curse. She shut her eyes and waited for death. Which never came.

Harry saw the jet of green light move towards Hermione as if in slow motion. His brain worked furiously. He could push her away, but then the curse would hit Ron, who was standing right behind her. If he deflected the curse the other way, Draco might be hit. There was only one thing left for him to do. Quick as lightning, he stepped in front of Hermione. He heard Ron and Draco shout "No!" and Hermione gasp as she opened her eyes to find him in front of her to take the curse. He muttered, "Reflectus Protego!"

A shimmering shield of golden light appeared right in front of him. The Killing Curse hit the shield so hard that Harry nearly stumbled. The curse rebounded on its originator, who was too shocked to move. Neville Longbottom died from the Killing Curse shot forth by his own wand.

Hermione threw her arms around her husband and cried, "Don't you dare do that again!"

"You gave us a fright, Harry," said Draco.

"He's right, mate. You had us in a right state," muttered Ron.

"We still have work to do, friends," said Harry, smiling, "let's arrest these fellows."

"No need for that, Minister. We are here for that," growled Moody. There was a pack of Aurors behind him.

"Good," was the only thing Harry said.

When the villains had all been deported to Azkaban, Moody thumped Harry on the back.

"Yes, Alastor?"

"Never thought I'd say this, but well done, Minister."

"I'm not that bad, am I, Alastor?"

"Oh no, you're not bad at all. It's just that I've not seen a competent Minister in ages."

"I'll take that as a compliment, then."

"It was meant to be, my boy, it was meant to be. And by the way, Remus asked you to visit him as soon as possible, and so did Dumbledore."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

Harry smiled at the old man and Apparated to Remus' office.

"Hello, Remus."

"Hello, Harry. Nice to see you."

"I was told you'd called me."

"I had. I wanted to tell you something."

"Yes?" Harry sank into a comfortable chair.

"Maybe you should rest now, you've had a busy day. I'll tell you tomorrow," said Remus, concerned.

"No, no. I'm fine. Is it about the Werewolf Protection Act? Have you finished drafting it?"

"Yes. I have shown the draft to the Werewolf Association, and they approve of it. It's up to you now."

"Have you shown it to the Council?"

"Passed by a majority of 60%."

"Wonderful. Where do I sign?"

Remus flashed him a smile and extended a file. Harry signed it and smiled back.

"Thank you, Harry."

"Welcome to my Council, Minister."

"Harry?"

"I've been wanting to do that ever since I became the Minister. I want you by my side, Remus. You are the only parent figure I have left."

"You have Arthur and Molly."

"They have too many of their own. And they have never understood me like you have. You have been a good father to me since Sirius..."

Remus enveloped Harry in a tight hug.

Harry, Ron and Hermione sat in Dumbledore's office, sipping tea.

"That was a good job you did today, Harry. I wish all the Ministers were as competent as that," said Dumbledore.

"Dad was good enough," said Ron.

"True," said Harry.

"But Arthur never had to face such a situation. You did all the fighting, my boy."

Ron nodded. Hermione put a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Why did you call me here, Albus?"

"To congratulate you, of course."

"Thank you, then. I should get going, or Percy will have my head."

"Bye, then, Harry. See you again soon."

"Hope so, Albus. Take care, Ron, Hermione. Bye."

There were a few moments of silence after Harry left.

"He's a great wizard," said Dumbledore softly.

"Yes sir," agreed Ron and Hermione.

~Fin~