Hero

Harry let his eyes find Draco's, locking onto the shining, silver depth that was found there once he raised his head to soak. He couldn't recall seeing any expression other than negativity or fear in the Malfoy mask and was momentarily struck by the volume and range of emotion now spilling from the blonde.

"Harry..." He repeated, swallowing hard. "You have to understand. I couldn't be who I wanted to be. I had a family name and honor to uphold. A Lord of my father to serve. Obedience is drummed into all pureblood children." He started, noticing the emerald eyes turning colder with each word that he spoke. He forged on, ignoring the lump in his throat that felt like he swallowed a Snitch, just as Harry nearly did.

"I-I never wanted it. The first thing I wanted from you was friendship, not hate. But my fa-father..." He stumbled over the word and took a step towards the quiet raven haired teen. "Once he learned that the dark Lord rose again, he came to me. He expressed a desire that I follow his lead, serve the dark Lord and bring you down. If I couldn't have your f-friendship and was only given your hate, I would have accepted that despite what I wanted. But knowing they wanted you dead...I c-couldn't bear it." He said, the last line softly, choking on whatever emotion that it brought with it. Harry remained stoic in his silence, allowing Draco to spill his being to the first person in his life.

"I was scared when I cast the Unforgivable at you. I couldn't go through with my task. I couldn't bring those Death Eater scum into the school. I wanted to p-protect y-you." He cried, tears pouring from his eyes. "But your hate...it drove right through me. A part of me died that day...even though Snape saved my life. My heart died Harry. You hated me. You almost killed me, a justifiable response to the curse I threw at you. I knew then, I couldn't ever have who I wanted. I broke... and decided that it was better that I finish my task, because if my heart died, I had no reason to try and the orders given to me." He said, voice watery though his tears.

"The astronomy tower was the worst day of my life, Harry. I didn't know you were there. Even if I did, I would still have surrendered to Dumbledore. I had nothing left once Snape finished off the headmaster. No-one but the Death Eaters to turn to. I hate what my family has done, but I didn't want that evil bastard to kill them. So...I did as I was ordered to. With nothing inside me but regret and disgust at who I had become, so far from what I wanted to be for you."

Harry jumped slightly, as if touched my static. Draco never hated him. Not truly. If anything, he lov- Harry was interrupted in his internal musings by another broken sob.

"I loved you. Maybe not right away, in Madam Malkin's, but I knew over the years, the friendship and love you showed in your little Golden Trio was what I needed. And I'd never get it, no matter how much I tried. You would always hate me for who I was, what I was." Draco dropped his shoulders and fell to his knees with his head bowed. Harry followed the movement with his own, and knelt, while he placed his hands on Draco's shoulders firmly to steady him.

"I didn't cast the fire curse. I tried to stop Crabbe! Even though we had strict orders, I couldn't let you die. If I could make up for everything between us in one shot, I wanted to take it. But...you saved me instead. And I knew then the mistake of taking the Mark...I knew you were a hero, unlike me, who let a dark Lord sway his thinking. I'm sorry Harry... sorry after everything means next to nothing, but Merlin, I'm so sorry!" He whispered in a hoarse voice, gravely from emotion. He kept his head bowed to avoid the possible disgust and rejection he'd find in the eyes of his long time rival and secret love. If he was to die tonight, he wanted, no-needed, Harry to know.

"Draco..." Harry said quietly. His hands tightened on the blonde's shoulders and gave them a small shake. Draco finally looked up. Defeat and anguish swam in pools of dull silver.

"Dra-" Harry started, his voice cracking. Lids closed over to block out the brunette's face and something inside Harry finally broke. After the bloodshed and death tonight... the defeat in Draco was all the push he needed. He was to die tonight. To save all the people here, and those remaining in both worlds abroad. He had to die. And looking down at the broken man before him, he knew that he couldn't walk to his end without putting a little of the life he planned to give up, into someone near his own demise from grief and love.

Draco didn't see Harry's motion but, he felt it. It wasn't romantic. It wasn't sweet. Dry, cracked lips descended into wet, dirty, and slightly blistered ones with a force that shocked even The Chosen One. Draco froze in his own shock then let out a soft wail, it being muffled by the lips that were claiming his own. Both boys opened their mouths simultaneously, Harry's hands moving from the blonde's shoulders to cup his cheeks. The brunette slid his tongue into the Slytherin's mouth and took his first, and probably last, taste of Draco.

The kiss deepened; seven years of mutual hate dissolving into an emotion close enough to love to be its twin. A fine line separated the two emotions, and at that moment the pair toed that line with raw need. A need to be understood, to be accepted, to be loved. A deep ache both teens had faced in their long journey to adulthood. A hand found its way from Draco's cheek to thread through blonde locks, holding the broken boy close for a moment before he broke away. His lips ached, but from the force of the kiss or the sudden departure from Draco's, he didn't know.

"Draco...I would have given you my friendship and my heart if it kept you from breaking. But all these years... and now this war..." Harry sighed softly. "You can have what you want finally, tonight. For me, there will be no tomorrow." Draco choked on a gasp at the statement, eyes widening in fear.

"Harry no..."

Harry shook his head sadly. "It has to be. I have to die so the piece of Voldemort inside me can die. I'm the last Horcrux, Draco." Harry stated in fresh and poignant despair, pulling the newly crying blonde into his arms and crushing him against his chest. "Voldemort doesn't even realize he made me into one. He has to kill me so he'll turn mortal. The war has to end! Nobody else should be murdered because of that evil bastard. I have to do this. To save the muggle and wizarding worlds both. And now, to save you." Harry added quietly, his breath fanning against the pale ear framed by strands of white gold.

"Harry..." was all that Draco could manage to choke out, tightening his arms around Harry.

"Live for me Draco..." Harry whispered again, pulling away from him. With one last, tender kiss, Harry stood resolutely, cloak flapping with the movement. He strode away and opened the door, but before leaving he gave the sobbing young man one last look. He'd leave Hermione and Ron, all the Weasleys and friends he'd made at Hogwarts. He'd leave them gladly knowing that his last decision had saved them all. But knowing he'd have to leave Draco, and the newly discovered possibility with him, ate at Harry's heart. He had to go. He had to do this. And maybe someday, Draco could forgive him.

A/N: Well, chapter three is up. Chapter four and five are rolling around in my head. I tend to write fast, and with no need for a beta, I can roll them out as fast or slow as I want. The sacrifice is up next, and seeing how the books portray Harry's point of view nicely, I'd expand and tweak them, and write in Draco's reaction. Enjoy.