Can You Keep a Secret?

Title: Can you keep a Secret?

Authors: kusanobabe05 [kusanosakura] and socia0307

Pairing: DracoxHarry, implied RonxHermione,

Fandom: HP

Notes: Compatible up to the bathroom scene between Draco and Harry in Half-blood Prince- minus the Ginny interest. After that is completely AU…

Warning: drarry gets rather aggressive so be warned.

Chapter 38

Dumbledore woke up reluctantly in the beginning of June, not two weeks from Harry and Draco’s escape.

He dressed as usual and headed down to the Great Hall.

The loss of Harry and Hermione grated at him. He would have claimed that Severus’ loyalty to Harry was due to the life debt that he owed the House of Potter and the Unbreakable Vow he made to Narcissa, but Severus had grown cold to him.

The arrival of the Daily Prophet caused an explosion of cacophony in the Great Hall.

Confused, Albus opened his own paper.

Exclusive: Albus Dumbledore, lover and co-author of

Grindelwald's Reign of Tyranny

By Rita Skeeter

Abus didn't need to read further, he crumpled the paper and growled as it set itself aflame. "That mad witch! I thought she'd croaked already. Stupid Bagshot, she always did stick her nose where it didn't belong! Skeeter probably talked to Aberforth as well. A witch with her memory addled by disease and a drunk criminal who allows malcontents and scoundrels to frequent his establishment, fine source for a reporter."

"Those were secondary sources to verify the authenticity of memory phials that appeared in her office last week." Filius chided.

Who dared steal from him? His wards had not been set off, nor had he noticed anything missing recently.

He reached into his robes to down a draught from Severus...

In what one might claim was poetic justice, the phial dropped from his hand and he collapsed seizing.

Rather than send for a healer, McGonagall called out for Pomfrey.

Severus smirked inwardly, justice was like vengeance best served cold.

A potion meant to be taken a sip at a time, but was taken vial by phial instead.

Severus rose, using a silent spell to freshen up before heading towards Albus. He knelt at the fallen Headmaster's side, "I see. He refused to take it correctly to the end...I mentioned it was a dangerous ..."

"Like anyone could trust a slimy snake like you." Ron Weasley snorted.

"Shut it Ron! You dumped Hermione and didn't have the courage to tell her. It was Luna." Longbottom retorted. "It was Snape who saved your father and Hermione. I'd trust him over you any day!"

"Peace Longbottom." Although it was quite rewarding to have a student who had previously had him as a boggart, defending him…

"His heart just burst..." Pomfrey admitted shocked.

Severus snorted, "The arrogant fool, I warned him. That potion was untested, combatting such a dark spell should have been impossible."

"I see, what was the dosage?" McGonagall frowned.

"A swallow, it was a strong potion. I was very clear on that. Overdosing could cause it to build up in the blood and choke the heart." Severus muttered darkly.

"Oh my. A swallow? He took an entire vial..." Minerva whispered in horror.

Severus shrugged, "Then he essentially poisoned himself, any potion is dangerous if not taken according to the prescription."

"Why wasn't I informed of this?" Pomfrey demanded.

Severus sighed as if ill used and he had been, "You know Albus and his secrets..."

The worried professors nodded.

Hagrid took out his tablecloth-size handkerchief and began weeping.

Severus assumed a look of dismay but not sadness. he was far from displeased about Albus' death. Trust the fool to live a month beyond his expectations.

Albus had a heart attack due to his misdosing himself after reading Skeeter's article tying him to one Dark Lord.

Severus could only hope the other memories implicated Albus in more heinous crimes...

XooooooX

Remus' lessons were harder than then Hermione's own revision.

It was interesting having Fred, George, Remus, Draco and a pregnant Harry around.

Andromeda, Tonks' mother who helped Snape save her when she was practically poisoned kept an eye on her when she checked on Draco's mother who seemed quite different without his father.

Fleur came by some mornings but not today.

They were at late breakfast when a note came from Snape.

He is dead.

Harry kissed Draco, "Iris is safe!"

Hermione said nothing, but she did not see how this was possible with Voldemort out there.

Was there something that Harry had yet to mention?

Much to Hermione's embarrassment, she wasn't permitted to walk much be of the potions. It was embarrassing that she was practically carried everywhere...

Harry enjoyed it more due to it being Draco who did so, while Hermione was forced to allow Remus or Fred to carry her.

It was strange to not be in Hogwarts this time of year...

This term had been a strange one...

XooooooX

He’s dead…

That was all the note from Severus said.

That sent Voldemort into a bout of pleased snickers much to his associates’ discomfort.

“Severus says that the old fool is dead.” He hissed at Nagini who preened.

“Did I have anything to do with that?”

“He apparently overdosed on Severus’ potion causing his heart to explode.”

“Ah, poetic justice that.” Nagini drawled.

“Indeed...” Voldemort murmured as he stroked her smooth head just the way she liked it.

With this news they could push their plans for revising the Wizarding world…

What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds Expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?