The Vampire Malfoy

Chapter Twelve

Fields of Gold

You'll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold -Sting

***

Harry lay on the infirmary bed, pale and motionless. Hermione was curled at the foot of his bed. She had cried for hours, and finally, exhausted, had submitted to sleep.

Ron and Draco sat on opposite sides of the bed. They were silent as Madame Pomfrey checked Harry, looking grim.

As soon as she left, Ron scowled.

"Stop it, Malfoy," he hissed.

Draco looked up at him. "What?"

"Stop looking at my neck." Ron said, glaring at the Slytherin boy. "I don't care how hungry you are, I am not going to be your snack."

Draco just looked at him.

"Do you always make jokes at times like this?"

Ron shrugged. "It's the only way I know. I'd go mad otherwise."

"Well, it's annoying," Draco snapped, turning his attention back to Harry.

"Oh, bite me, Malfoy," Ron retorted, folding his arms across his chest and glaring.

Draco raised an eyebrow at Ron, who hastily realised what he'd just said.

Ron glared, then fell silent.

"Is he going to die?"

Draco looked up sharply. "No! I mean, maybe. Probably. But he can't. I won't let him."

"You can't prevent it, Draco."

Hermione had sat up, and was watching them both.

"He's dying. We all know that. I know you do. You can feel it in your heart."

She watched, her stomach twisting, as both boys nodded in agreement.

Ron paused. Then turned to Draco, "Couldn't you... you know. Make him like you?"

Draco looked horrified.

"Do you know what it's like? Do you think it's fun to be like this? That I chose it? I came into this with my eyes shut. I couldn't hurt Harry like that."

Ron looked surprised.

"You really do care about him, don't you?"

Draco nodded. "Harry's my only friend. He's the only one who ever gave me a chance. He makes me feel... alive."

Harry's eyes flickered, and he groaned. The three students were at his side in a flash.

"Harry?" Hermione asked, tearfully.

He blinked, trying to focus on her face. Gently, she slid his glasses on and he smiled up at her.

"Hermione."

She bent down and kissed him gently. A solitary tear slid down her cheek and onto his.

"I love you," she whispered in his ear.

Harry blinked back a tear, swallowing hard. "I love you. I always have. And I always will."

Hermione stifled a sob, turning away so he wouldn't see her tears.

Ron leant down, and grasped Harry's hand.

"It's going to be okay."

Harry smiled. "Take care of her. I need to know she'll be okay."

He gripped Ron's hand painfully.

"You were my first friend. And you're my best friend. I couldn't have survived without you."

Ron bit his lip, then gingerly hugged Harry.

"I love you, mate."

Harry nodded. "I know. Me too."

His eyes strayed to Hermione, who was sobbing quietly in the corner.

"Will you take her away for a moment?" he asked.

Ron complied without argument, and Harry looked up at Draco.

"Hi," he said, lightly.

"I'm so sorry," Draco whispered.

"What for?"

"This is my fault. You saved me and now you'll..."

"Die," Harry laughed suddenly. "God, do you know how long I've been waiting for this moment? I've been waiting to die since I found out who I really was. It's what I was born to do. To save people. And then to die. I've done what was expected of me. It's over now. It's all over."

He reached out and clutched Draco's hand.

"I'm not afraid to die."

Draco leaned down and kissed him lightly on the forehead. "Neither am I," he whispered.

Their eyes met in perfect understanding.

Harry drew in his breath sharply, and looked up at Draco solemnly.

"It won't be long now."

***

They kept vigil over his bed all afternoon and into the night.

Finally, Madame Pomfrey shook her head sadly.

Hermione began to sob hysterically. Ron paled and clutched her to him, tears rolling down his cheeks.

The Boy Who Lived was now The Boy Who Died.

***

Draco strode down the corridor. He needed to get away. He needed to stop thinking.

"Malfoy!"

He spun around. Ron Weasley was hurrying towards him.

"Shouldn't you be with Granger?" he asked snidely. "Now that Harry's gone, you've finally got a chance with her."

Ron looked as if Draco had physically wounded him.

"How can you say that?" he asked. "How can you say something so cruel? Was it all just an act? I saw you with him! You seemed to genuinely care. And yet you say something so...cruel!"

Draco looked at his shoes. "Sorry," he muttered. "I'm just...I don't know how to deal with this."

Ron nodded in understanding. "My mum always says that death affects everyone in different ways. Hermione cried herself to sleep. And I need to be doing something. I can't sit and think about it. So I thought I'd come and find you..."

Draco smiled. "Thanks, Weasley. I'm beginning to think that you're not as bad as I thought you were."

Ron almost laughed. "Likewise."

Draco turned to go. "I'm going for a walk."

Ron looked at his wristwatch. "It's almost morning," he said. "The sun will be up soon."

Draco smiled sadly. "I know."

***

He walked out onto the Quidditch pitch, clutching Harry's Firebolt in his hand.

Then he flew. He flew like he'd never flown before.

He flew like Harry.

Then, as the sky began to lighten, he landed.

He stood in the middle of the pitch, gazing around the place he had loved the most. The place where he had finally found a friend.

He sat down, closing his eyes.

And waited for the dawn.

In the memory you'll find me

Eyes burning up

The darkness holding me tightly

Until the sun rises up -Forgotten, Linkin Park