Silent Nights

Title: Silent Nights
Genre: Angst, Romance, Drama, Slash
Pairing: Harry/Draco, Ron/Hermione
Warning: Disregards DH
Summary: Draco makes a choice and risks everything and in the end loses everything. He tries to make a fresh start with his life but is faced with obstacles.
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowlings. Just borrowing them for this story.
No copyright or trademark infringement is intended. No money is being made, this was simply written for fun.

Note: So here is the deal. I have written several stories over the years and they are currently all sitting on my computer. The stories are pretty much done, except for a few holes here and there and some major editing that is required. I am a little shy and was nervous about posting. So if I receive enough reviews, I may continue. Thanks and I hope you enjoy this story.

Silent Nights

Prologue

Ron slowly paced within his cell before slumping defeated against the cool damp stones causing a slight shiver throughout his already aching body. He brought a trembling hand up to his throbbing head, trying to ease the pain by slowly rubbing small circles over his temples. Dropping his arms to his side, he then leaned his head back against the cell wall and gave a weary sigh.

How long had he been here? Days? Weeks? It seemed like endless ages ago when he, Hermione and Harry were in an old, small magical community just outside of Diagon Alley to acquire a book that was vital for their research in acquiring the final Horcrux, only to stumble head first into a Deatheater trap. He had not seen his friends since and was desperately worried about their welfare.

He winced as he ran his tongue over his chapped and torn lips from when he had bit down on them from being repeatedly placed under the cruciatus curse.

“Bloody Ferret!” Ron mumbled. He began to recall the ordeal he had endured the previous night when two Deatheaters entered his cell. One of them being Lucius Malfoy. The other Ron had never seen before. Trailing behind the two Deatheater was his school rival and a very smug Draco Malfoy.

Malfoy Jr. had repeatedly placed Ron under the cruciatus curse for what seemed for hours as his father stood by watching his son proudly.

Ron could still hear Malfoy’s taunts and manic laughter as he continued to torture Ron. Finally when it was done, Draco stepped over his tired and broken body, ran his fingers through Ron’s damp hair and tugged harshly bringing Ron’s ear closer to his mouth. He whispered into Ron’s ear, but just loud enough for his father to hear, “This is nothing compared to what I have planned for the mudblood,” before dropping his head hard onto the concrete floor.

Malfoy then left with Lucius and the Deatheater, leaving behind a dazed, yet seething Ron. But soon the stillness of the dungeons was shattered as Hermione’s screams echoed deep within the dank hollowed halls. It was the worst moment of Ron’s life. Tears had begun to stream down his face, the feeling of uselessness washed over him as he laid in a bloody heap, forced to listen to Hermione’s pained screams.

Ron began to repeatedly thump his head back against the cold uneven stonewall of his cell, willing the undesired memories to go away.

He was startled from his thoughts when he heard the clicking sounds of his cell door unlocking and the rusty hinge of the door squeaking in protest as it was slowly pushed open. Ron felt his hand bunch into fists as a familiar platinum blonde head peeked through his cell door, and then moved to step inside.

Ron was growling, his hands trembling, not in pain, but from pure intense anger. He was about to pounce, when Draco drew up his wand pointing it straight at Ron.

Ron stood perfectly still, the memories of his torture from their previous meeting still fresh in his mind.

“I don’t have time for explanations, we have to hurry and get the others. You have every reason not too, but I am afraid you are just going to have to trust me.” Draco slowly lowered his wand opening the door to Ron’s cell further open. “Come on.”

Ron didn’t move. He looked at Draco, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. “What are you playing at Ferret?”

“I told you already, I don’t have time for this.” Draco sighed. “Fine, stay here and rot Weasel.” Before Ron could give a retort, Draco spun on his heels and exited the cell leaving the door open behind him.

Ron slowly limped up toward the open door and cautiously peered out. He looked down one end of the torch lit hallway then the other and spotted another open cell a few doors down. He heard a soft cry, which he immediately recognized as Hermione. Without a second thought to his injuries or of possible lurking Deatheaters, Ron ran towards the open cell.

Inside, Draco was hunched over Hermione; his wand cast out and was emitting a soft blue hue over her.

Ron became acrimonious. “Get away from her you bloody bastard!” Ron began to storm over toward Draco when he swiftly spun around on his hunches aiming his wand at the furious red head.

“I told you before, we don’t have much time. I had to cast a few quick healing spells on her before we could move her. Now help me get her up. We still have to get Potter.” Draco explained through clenched teeth.

Draco once again lowered his wand and turned back to Hermione. He carefully placed his arms under Hermione’s arms and legs, then gently tried to stand up. Hermione gave a pained whimper despite Draco's careful efforts. Ron moved towards Draco in a flash. “I’ll carry her.”

“Are you sure you can manage?” Draco asked gazing over Ron's injured form.

“As long as I have too.” Ron replied with resolution.

Draco nodded and handed his burden to Ron who gently held Hermione close to his chest as if offering the protection he could not provide her the night before.

Draco immediately exited the cell and moved towards the end of the stoned hallway to the last cell, Ron close as his heels. Draco drew his wand and opened the cell door before him.

“Wait here,” Draco instructed.

Draco entered the cell and felt his stomach lurched at the sight of Harry. Draco quickly drew his wand casting the same quick healing spells he had previous cast upon Hermione. The healing spells were not nearly enough to heal the damage but it would have to do for now.

Draco did not realize he was holding his breath until he watch those dark lashes flutter open revealing deep emerald eyes, only then did he exhale in relief. He watched as Harry tried to focus on him then his face scowled as he recognized the figure before him.

“Malfoy, come gloat?” Harry croaked out. Draco mentally winced at the Harry’s cold tone.

“We don’t have much time for a heart felt reunion here, Potter. Weasley and Granger are waiting for us just outside the door. We need to hurry. This is taking much longer than I anticipated. Now come on.”

Draco held out his hand, offering it to Harry to help him up to his feet. Harry stared at the smooth long pale fingers attached to the hand offered to him with suspicion. Ignoring the proffered hand, Harry weary pushed himself up on to his feet.

Harry’s entire body protested against the motion as his head began to throb, his world spinning before him. Harry took a tentative step towards the open cell door when his step faltered. He felt strong warm arms wrap around his waist, steadying him.

“Easy there, Potter.” Draco said softly, his breathe ghosting over his ears. Harry let off a shudder, which he attributed to the dampness within the dungeons. Harry desperately wanted to pull away from the former Slytherin but begrudgingly allowed him to help due to his weakened state.

Draco continued to support Harry with his one arm encircled around his waist, while with his free hand he dug deep into his robe and drew out three wands. “Here, you may need these.”

Harry stared at his, Ron’s and Hermione’s wands then slowly reached out, wrapping his fingers around the smooth pieces of wood.

He then turned his head to look at Draco. “Why?”

“Later.” Replied Draco and led Harry out of the cell to where Ron was waiting with Hermione in his arms.

As soon as Harry saw Ron protectively cradling a whimpering Hermione, Harry’s stomach dropped. “Ron is she…?”

“She is fine, but we won’t if we don’t start moving, now!” Draco interrupted impatiently.

With his arm still around Harry’s waist for support, Draco led him, Ron and Hermione out of the dungeons. Harry found himself unintentionally leaning heavily into Draco’s warm embrace.


Draco led them to the end of the dungeon hallway towards a tall archway. Just beyond the archway were two unconscious Deatheaters sprawled out at the bottom of the stairs.

Harry looked from the unconscious Deatheaters then to Draco. “Your handiwork?”

Draco gave a smug grin in response and then began to lead the trio up the stairs.

Harry leaned further into Draco to compensate for the immense pain in his right leg. Without thought he burrowed his head slightly into Draco’s neck. Draco in response tightened his hold onto Harry as they picked up the pace. It felt odd how comforting and safe he felt in Draco’s arms and also felt equally disturbed by these feelings. Appalled, Harry abruptly turned his head forward willing his concentration on the task at hand, escaping.

They continued to move along the winding corridors, until they reached a corner and Draco paused to peer cautiously around it. Harry found himself unable to resist, as he turned his head slightly taking in Draco’s soft platinum hair that fell gently over his piercing silver blue eyes which were dancing with concentration, alertness and determination. Heat flooded through him and he licked his dry lips. He then mentally winced as he realized the direction of his drifting thoughts.

“Dammit!” Harry then froze. ‘I did not just say that out loud.’

“What the hell, Potter! Are you trying to get us killed?”

“Sorry.” Harry mumbled embarrassingly. Draco snorted in disgust and then continued on.

After several confusing turns and treading down several passageways, they made their way into a large sitting room. Draco secured the large double oak doors behind them with several locking charms then settled Harry against a large plush beige armchair before moving towards an immense marble fireplace across the room.

He glanced down at the expensive silver watch on his wrist. “We have five minutes before they shut down the floo network.”

Harry wanted to ask who ‘they’ were but knew that Draco would only say “later.”

He picked up a large pewter pot from the shiny oak mantel and held it out to Ron who was still clutching onto Hermione.

“You first. Just say ‘Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.” Ron stared wide-eyed at the blonde before him.

“Fred…George...you…” Ron stuttered in confusion.

Draco gave an irritated sigh, “Now Weasley!” He gave the pot an impatient shake.

Ron stepped up into the fireplace, grabbed a fist full of the green silty floo powder, some of it sifting through his fingers. He was just about to throw it down by his feet, when footsteps and angered voices could be heard just outside the sitting room’s doors.

“Damn, they found us! Hurry! Go!” Ron nodded and threw down the powder and called out the destination holding onto Hermione tightly as they were immediately swept away.

Draco turned to Harry who was still leaning wearily up against the armchair. “Your next, Potter,” and held the pot towards Harry. Harry grabbed a fist full and limped toward the large hearth.

Bright flashes of light filtered through the cracks between the large oak doors as the Deatheaters on the other side tried frantically to gain entrance into the sitting room.

Harry turned to face Draco who was suddenly standing before him stuffing some parchment into his freehand. Harry looked up at Draco in confusion.

“Read that once you reach the Weasley’s. Now go, those locking spells won’t keep them out much longer!”

“Thanks, Draco,” he whispered.

Draco gave a soft smile. “Save the sediments, Potty. Go, I’ll be right behind you.”

Harry gave a faint nod.

Just as he threw down the powder and uttered his destination, the doors to the sitting room burst open and several men in dark cloaks stormed into the room led by a furious Lucius Malfoy.

Harry could only watch helplessly as Draco was hit with a beam of red light, slamming his body across the room.

“Draco,” Harry cried out as he frantically tried to reach for him but was suddenly whisked away to safety.

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Harry stumbled out of the hearth and gracelessly stumbled into a pile of books sitting near the fireplace within the Twin’s office.

Clearing his head, Harry looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings of Fred and George’s office. Harry immediately leapt to his feet, ignoring the protesting aches of his body and stared intently at the fireplace. He barely registered the hand on his shoulder as he continued to stare at the fireplace, wishing hope against all hope for a familiar platinum blonde head to suddenly appear.

Only when the hand on his shoulder gave a gentle squeeze did Harry look up into George’s eyes, which normally danced with mischievousness, now looked tired and dull.

“What happened, Harry?”

“Several Deatheater’s broke through Malfoy’s locking charms. But he will make it…he has to.” Harry whispered.

George gave a slight squeeze and held out his wand closing off the floo network to the office.

Harry spun around staring angrily at George. “What are you doing? We have to wait. He was right behind me. He could show up any minute!” Harry cried out.

“I’m sorry Harry.”

Harry bowed his head, a lone tear silently fell down his cheek for his school rival. Correction. His former school rival.

Fred glanced at the bland and weary faces around him and gave a tired sigh. “Let’s get you three fixed up, hmm? Mum’s been frantic with worry.”

Harry turned and looked over at Ron who was sitting on a nearby patchwork couch his arms wrapped protectively around Hermione. Ron was staring at the fireplace with a look of utter confusion and disbelief.

“I don’t…he just…” a string of incoherent words spewed from Ron’s mouth. He finally turned to Harry. “Were we just saved by Malfoy?”

Harry looked from Ron to the fireplace as if expecting the blonde boy to suddenly emerge.

A slight crinkle drew his attention to the piece of parchment still in his trembling hands. He carefully opened it and began to read the contents of the letter. His breathing became ragged, his heart beat furiously within his chest the more he read. His throat suddenly felt tight, making it hard for him to swallow.

“What you got there, Harry,” George inquired softly.

Harry lifted his gaze from the parchment and tried to focus on George, but his eyes had abruptly become blurry. “Malfoy has just provided us the information to finally end this war.” The three Weasley’s just stared at Harry in disbelief.

Harry swiftly looked down at the parchment once again, which held the location of the final horcrux along with instructions on how to dismantle the protective barriers and how to overcome the obstacles surrounding it.

After all these years he had thought that he knew Draco Malfoy but it would seem he didn’t know him at all.

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