The Right Choice

A/N Well, below is the last chapter of The Right Choice. There is a sequel but as this story has not been that well received by the masses I am going to hold off on editing it for the moment and concentrate on my other 2 WIP stories. I will eventually finish the sequel but it may take a little while. Please keep an eye on my author profile for up to date information regarding current time tables for completing. In the mean time I am keeping the unedited and incomplete sequel, 'No Face No Name, up if you wish to read that.

Happy reading!

Draco rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stretch the kinks out of his body. For a brief he wondered why he was asleep in the chair before the day before came rushing back to him. Harry had lay there for some time muttering to himself for quite some time after The Dark Lord had left with the child. Draco had tried to comfort him but he had shied away from every touch, curling up into a ball before finally giving into his exhaustion. Draco could sense that his presence in the bed would be unwelcome so he had settled down in the chair for a restless night. He didn't know when he had fallen asleep but the crick in his neck was obvious proof that he had. He looked over at the bed to see Harry still sleeping. He was curled up in a ball, clutching the covers in his hands for dear life. Draco walked over to the bed and sat down on his side, stroking some stray hairs from Harry's eyes. Harry let out a small whimper and clutched the covers tighter, pulling them in to his arms.

"Shhh, baby" Draco murmured as he he stroked his husband head. All he wanted to do was curl up next to him and fall asleep and maybe they would wake up and this would all be a dream. Draco gave a dry laugh to his own pessimistic optimism, the best he could come up with was that it had all been a dream, that didn't bode well. He glanced up quickly as something caught the corner of his eye. A white envelope appeared on the bedside cabinet. It was plain and bright but Draco was not fooled. This was their instructions, their future, encased in a crisp white sheet of paper. Draco reached over and opened in nervously. He read through the contents quickly before looking back over to the table at a small pile of sheer black fabric which had replaced the notes. His head fell forward as he processed the note before looking over at his sleeping husband. "Back to Hogwarts, my love."


Harry awoke about an hour later to Draco sitting up in bed dozing. He took a moment to watch his husband sleeping calmly. His sleep had been anything but calm and even as the memories of his nightmares faded he could still feel the sense on unease lingering. He felt like one of those people who had had an arm amputated. It was like he could still feel her in his arms but when he looked down he saw nothing but air. It was so wring. She should be here, with him. He looked over at his husband and felt nothing but betrayal. He remember those weeks after their 'deal with the devil' had been made, and the months afterwards whilst he had stroked the life growing inside him, and then those horrific moments when Draco had done nothing to stop his child being taken. He felt like he was dying inside, splitting in two, one part of him blaming Draco for everything that had happened, for his child being taken, and the other part wanting nothing more than the crawl into Draco's arms.

Draco woke up slowly to see Harry watching him. "Hey you, how are you feeling?" He asked groggily. Harry looked down and away, thinking carefully about his answer.

"I'm fine." The answer was almost whispered. Harry rolled back over on the bed and faced away from Draco.

"Harry?" Draco leant over his husband, trying to get back in his eye-line. "Harry, please talk to me? I know… I know you miss her but this was always going to happen. I tried to…" Draco changed tack hoping to draw Harry out of his silence. "Do you want to talk about her? I heard you call her Lizzy? Was that the name you picked out?" Harry gave a small whimper in the back of his throat and nodded against his pillow. Draco almost smiled as he connected once again with his husband. He lay down behind Harry and gathered hi. Up into his arms. "It is a lovely name. Elizabeth Malfoy has a lovely ring to it." Harry grabbed his hands and held on to them as he had held the blankets in his sleep. Draco leant in to his ear. "Shhh, my love, it's ok." Harry felt the tears well up in his eyes. "It's ok to mourn her…" Harry pulled away instantly and sat up, wiping the tears away with the back of his hand.

"What do you mean mourn?! She's not dead!" Draco sat up slowly and placed his forehead in his hand.

"She's not coming back, Harry. I know how much that hurts and I know there is nothing that is going to take that pain away but you have to accept it and move on." Harry stood up and found a robe to wrap around himself. Draco fell forwards, his arms between his open knees. "You have to accept it, Harry, or this is going to destroy you." Harry turned around, his eyes were red and puffy but Draco only saw anger reflected in them.

"I don't care, I will not give up my daughter for dead." Harry retreated to the only place he could shut Draco out of, the bathroom.


Harry emerged a few hours later to find Draco packing away the meagre belongs they had accumulated during their stay. It was mostly robes and other clothes but there were a few other odds and ends which they had kept. He had decided to leave Harry's maternity robes in the back of the closet and hope that he didn't look in there. Harry moved around the room and fiddled with the bed linens.

"We are leaving tomorrow." Harry turned to him and stared for a moment, before lying down on the bed. "Don't you want to know where?"

"Not especially, everywhere is the same." Harry's voice was flat and monotone. Draco finally lost his rag.

"Fine! Fuck off then!" Draco got up and started pacing the room. "I have… " Draco started to speak but then gave up. "Fuck it, what's the point." he walked towards the door and slammed it in his wake, leaving Harry on the bed. His face flat and unresponsive.


Draco stormed through his normal route to the gardens. He needed to clear his head before he went back to his room and apologised to Harry. He had been so good at keeping his temper over the past months and now all his anger was coming at once, not just at Harry but at everything, their situation, The Dark Lord, his father, everyone. He moved silently to a stone bench he knew where few people came and sat down to think. He was interrupted immediately by the sauntering arrival of Lord Voldemort himself. He was walking down a different path to the one Draco had followed, his hands clasped behind his back and his head held back slightly so the sun glinted on his white forehead. It this were any normal man the encounter would look accidental but Draco knew better. He stood to attention and was acknowledged with a slight incline of his head as he steadily advanced on Draco's position.

"Ah Draco, how good to see you. You always did like the gardens?" Draco tried not to analyse The Dark Lord's current need for small talk but kept his guard up.

"Yes, sire, they are beautiful."

"How is your packing progressing?"

"It is progressing very quickly, My Lord. I hope that we can leave for Hogwarts by morning tomorrow." The sooner they were away from this place the better.

"Good, good. You will of course leave behind the formula for the male pregnancy potion before you go. No need to give it to me personally just leave it in your room I will collect it later." Ahh that was what this was all about. Draco's temper, still uncertain from earlier, finally had a chance to let loose at the real cause of all this.

"That potion formula has never been written down and will remain with me and only me until the day I die." Anger was clearly displayed on The Dark Lord's face, he gritted his teeth, his hand itching at his wand holster.

"And that is your final answer?"

"I will never give you that potion and there is nothing you can do to me or Harry to make me. We have complied with your request and as long as we go to Hogwarts and Harry remains in secret there is nothing you can do to either of us." Voldemort's face contorted slightly before he screamed, took out his wand and pointed it at Draco. Draco stood at the end of the most powerful wand in the Wizarding world and didn't flinch. The corners of The Dark Lord's mouth curled upwards in a mockery of a smile.

"Diffendo!" he shouted, a burst of energy erupting from the end of his wand, destroying the bushes over Draco's left shoulder. Draco still didn't move, truly blinding stubbornness dictating his actions. Voldemort. Walked over to him and whispered in his ear. "I may not be able to destroy you or your little bitch but I have a cute little baby who I can." Voldemort smiled and turned to walk back down the path he had come.

"I very much doubt you would go through all of this just to get a bit of leverage. You had that already. No you wanted something else and it wasn't the potion, that is just a bonus, one you are not going to get." Voldemort put his arms back behind his back and began to saunter down the path.

"Oh, Draco, do remember to pop into Malfoy Manor on your way home. I have surprise for you. Give my regards to your father!" With that The Dark Lord disappeared int the distance. Draco stood for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. He had just stood up to The Dark Lord and won. Well perhaps not won but lived which was a miracle in itself. All the anger had dissipated from his body having found the correct target to vent at and he could now think more rationally. Voldemort was obviously planning something else, something not good. Suddenly Draco was racked with fear. What if Voldemort had gone to Harry, he couldn't hurt him physically but right now it probably wouldn't take much to destroy Harry completely without throwing a spell. He hurried back towards the mansion, staying out of sight, once again taking his short cuts, before he reached their door.

Harry was sitting on the bed when he returned. The entire room had been packed away, leaving only the chests on the floor as evidence they had ever living here. Harry had changed into a black robe and had his head down but his eyes were opening, staring at his lap.

"Harry?" Draco asked, moving closer to the still form on the bed. It was then that he saw the paper in Harry's hand and the accompanying black material spread across his legs, running through the fingers of his other hand. "I was going to tell you but after this morning… I didn't really have the time before I walked out." Harry didn't look up, his gaze not leaving the black gauze. "Has he been here? We have to leave quickly." Draco waved his wand around the crates and neatly lined them up by the door and signalled for the house elves. "Harry, did you hear me?" Draco came to sit beside him, placing his hand on Harry's. "Harry, we have to go." Harry slowly looked up and into Draco's eyes.

"That's not who I am anymore." Harry's face was blank, emotionless.

"What the he'll do you mean? Look we don't have time for this now. The Dark Lord is looking for an excuse to go back on his oath. the safest thing is to be as far away from here as possible." Draco got up and took the gauze from Harry's hands. "Look I know it is not great but it is only where people can see you." Draco took the material and draped it over Harry's face and it magically secured itself to his head. The gauze was thick enough so none of Harry's features could be made out beneath it. "Can you see alright?" Harry nodded and stood up. "It won't be for long I promise, as soon as we get to Hogwarts you can take it off and we can talk ok? But right now we have to get out of here." Draco took hold of his hand and led him towards the door quickly. Draco heard the sharp in take of breath as Harry stepped through the door but he didn't have time to comfort him. They had to get away. He could feel Harry's body begin to shake as they hurried through the corridors to the main gate where their carriage awaited. The corridors were deserted as the gardens were earlier. The Dark Lord had obviously decided that everyone should be cleared out for their departure, which was probably very good. If Harry was shaking this much as empty corridors he could easily imagine how bad he would be if he saw his enemies lining his escape route. They made it to the carriage quickly and Draco was relieved to see that their belongings were already shrunk and secure. He helped Harry into the carriage and then went to go see to the driver. An old man greeted him with a doth of his cap.

"To Hogwarts as fast as possible." Draco said before turning on his heel to climb into the carriage.

"Sorry, M'lord, I's got me orders. We has to go to Malfoy Manor and then up to Scotland." Draco nodded his head grimly and continued his walk to the carriage door. He had hoped to get around that stipulation but it would seem that The Dark Lord would get his wishes and he would have to live with the knowledge. He settled on the opposite side of the carriage to Harry, facing him. Harry was staring through his veil out of the darkened window.

"We have to make a quick stop before heading on to Hogwarts." Harry didn't acknowledge he had spoken, remaining completely still. "You know you can take that thing off now, no one is going to see you through the windows." Again Harry didn't move so Draco leaned over to pull the veil from his head. Harry caught his hand before it could drag the material from his head and looked at him. It was difficult for Draco to read Harry's facial expressions through the veil, it was like he was looking at a blank page in a book, he knew there should be words but instead there was nothing. Harry dropped his hand and went back to staring out of the window at the scenery that was now whizzing past.

Their journey to the manor was brief and their visit even briefer. Harry barely moved during the trip and made no effort to accompany Draco in to the manor. When he entered one was welcomed by three large wizards wearing the red robes of executioners. They bowed to him quickly before standing straight again. Behind the men he could see the bodies of six men laid out in a line on the floor, his father in the middle. All the men looked in a bad way, dirty and covered with bruises and cuts. His father's once perfect hair was cut short, bald in patches like it had been ripped from his head. Draco schooled his face and buried his feelings.

"What did these men confess to?" No one was executed without a full confession of their crimes no matter how that confession was got.

"High treason, My Lord." The wizard at the front handed him a slip of paper. He knew what it was without even asking. This was where his father had confessed to plotting against The Dark Lord, most of it would be in beautiful script and at the bottom would be a gap with a badly scrawled signature from his father, usually splashed with blood.

"Have the other families been informed?"

"The families of the others were co-conspirators, My Lord. They have also been executed." Draco turned away attempting to control the anger he was feeling in his gut. Six bloodlines wiped from the face of the earth with not even a second cousin left to take the remains.

"Very well, you may leave." The three men bowed gracefully and apparated away. Draco only had a moment to stare at the bodies before there was a loud pop and a house elf appeared at his side. Draco stood for a moment, his fist clenching at his side as he struggled to stop the tears of frustration, anger and sorrow fall from his eyes. He turned suddenly on his heel and strode towards the main doors.

"Get rid of it." He said, his words clipped and harsh. The elf bowed and popped away as Draco strode through the large oak doors.

The sky was grey and mirky as their carriage entered the large gates in the grounds of Hogwarts. Harry had still not said anything since they had left and Draco was not really in the mood talk, re-reading the confession his father had signed in his last moments of life. The charges were numerous, treason, sedition, conspiracy, unsanctioned murder, the list went on. Although his father had been more of a taskmaster than a father Draco still felt a connection to him that he could't deny, an emotion that had no name. The confession didn't mention his mother but he could make a reasonable assumption that she was in a growing pile of bodies as The Dark Lord culled his more moderate supporters.

They pulled up to the main doors and Draco disembarked, once again holding out his hand to help Harry out. He waved his wand at the boxes and the floated easily behind them as they entered.They were greeted in the entrance hall by the current headmaster of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, one Walden McNair. He bowed slightly before quickly righting himself.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, Lord Malfoy. Your rooms are prepared as directly by His Eminence, The Dark Lord, at the top of the northwest tower." Draco smiled slightly at the new title his former employer had given himself. It looked like news of the mass executions had spread fast if it was being adopted so quickly. Draco inclined his head in return.

"Thank you, sir, I look forward to my tenure here."

McNair looked over Draco's shoulder and gave another, even shorter bow. "Apologies, sir, I did not see you there. You must be Lord Malfoy's husband. My greetings to you to." Harry stared at him like he had just turned himself into so kind of frog. They stood in silence for some moments as McNair awaited a customary response to his greeting. Draco decided to end the silence quickly and get Harry away from the public as quickly as possible.

"My Husband is disinclined to conversation. If you would please show us to our rooms we will let you get back to your busy day." McNair's expression gave away his irritation as he once again inclined his head.

"Of course, if you would please follow me." McNair turned quickly and strode down the hallway, Draco following after him and the chest floating on behind. It was around ten minutes later that McNair looked back around and started a conversation with Draco.

"The potions classrooms are still located in the dungeons, you can have them moved if you wish. The journey from your tower to the dungeons is a rather long one."

"The dungeons will be fine, I am quite capable to climbing up and down a few flits of stairs, I assure you. Do you have a syllabus outlined from the previous professor?"

"Yes, it is in your office for you to review at your leisure." Silence reigned again as they carried on the long trip to the northwest tower. McNair fell back in line with Draco and leant closer to him. "We have not been given any information regarding your husband.…" Draco cut him off quickly.

"And you will not be given any." Draco leant in closer and carried on in hushed tones. "I would highly suggest that you keep your curiosity on a tight leash, sir, the consequences would not be pleasant for either of us." McNair gave a small nod of acceptance and they continued the rest of the way in silence.

McNair took their leave at the door and they continued up the final flight of stairs alone. Harry was still completely silent as they ascended and Draco was getting more and more worried about him. He hadn't spoken since his outburst at Snape Manor and since Draco could no longer see his face he had no idea what his husband was thinking or feeling. They finally reached the top of the stairs and arrived at a comfortable living room with several doors leading off, a few windows and a small balcony.

"Well, it doesn't look to bad does it?" Draco moved through the sitting room, looking in to the rooms and finding a comfortable bedroom , a bathroom and a small empty room. He looked back at Harry, who was still standing beside the entrance, the luggage boxes stacked behind him. "Come on, my love, let's see our home. I bet you can see the Quidditch pitch from the balcony." Draco took his hand and pulled him towards small opening. There was a light breeze raising the small of freshly cut grass up the many stories towards them. It was probably a charm as below the trees of the forest were battered about but what looked like a raging gale. "See look, you can see everything from up here." Draco turned away from the view and back towards Harry. "Please, Harry, take off the veil. We are home now." Once again there was no answer from his husband. "I know this isn't ideal, ok, but it could be so much worse! We are alive, we have some where to live and we have each other." Draco stared at the unmoving features of his husband. "Please, Harry, just talk to me." In all the months since Harry had first been dragged into the middle of that party he has not felt as desperate as he did at that moment. Harry turned around and moved back into the rooms. "Harry!"

"No, Draco. This is how things are. This is me." Harry motioned towards his head, displaying the black void which now made up his face. "There is nothing left, I am dead and so is everything I want." Draco saw changes to the facial expressions under the veil, meaning that the blank face he had worn since leaving Snape Manor had changed into something else. "Please leave me be." Draco tried to move toward his husband, to hold him in arms, let him know how alive he still was, but instead Harry moved away towards the bedroom. "If you will excuse me, I am tired so I believe I will retire for a while." As he entered the bedroom he turned to his husband, who still standing in the middle of the living room looking lost. "If you could please transfigure a bed for the second bedroom to ensure that I do not take your bedroom for any longer than possible." With that he left the room, leaving Draco very much alone. Draco stared at the closed door for some minutes as he tried to get his bearings. He should have known Harry would react badly, it was after all only a day ago his baby had been taken from him. Draco slapped his head, cursing his own stupidity, he had been so caught up in leaving and danger, he had forgotten his husband's loss. He moved over towards the door, meaning to open it, to go in there and give his husband the comfort he needed, but before he could turn the knob he remembered the morning, when Harry had pushed him away. He hadn't been wanted then, Harry needing to deal with the first part of his grief first, accepting that his daughter was gone. Draco bowed his head down and stood for a moment before turning and heading towards the second bedroom.