Heart of Gold

The Death of a Great Man

~Tessa's POV~

The sky had darkened around us and the castle had an eerie feeling to it.

Dumbledore leaned against a railing

"We should get you to the hospital wing" I said

"No... Wake Severus.." Dumbledore said, "speak to no one else"

There were footsteps.

"Hide" Dumbledore said, "don't speak to anyone unless given my permission"

We nodded and hid quickly.

I watched in shock as a familiar blonde head came into the moonlight.

"Good evening Draco... What brings you here this fine spring evening?" Dumbledore said softly

"Who else is here? I heard you talking!" Draco said urgently

"I often talk to aloud to myself, I find it extraordinary useful" Dumbledore said, "Have you always been to yourself Draco? Surely there's someone you can talk to"

I looked down, knowing I was that person.

"Draco... I know why you're here... You are no assassin" Dumbledore said softly as Draco pointed his wand at him.

"How do you know what I am?? I've done things that would shock you!" Draco said

"Oh. Like cursing Katie Bell and hoping that in return she would bear a cursed necklace to me?" Dumbledore said, I stifled a gasp

"Draco.." I mumbled, "no.."

"Like replacing a bottle of Mead with one laced with poison?" Dumbledore continued, "forgive me Draco but I cannot help hut feel these actions are so weak that your heart... Can't have really been in it"

"He trusts me! I was chosen!" Draco spat. He was shaking slightly.

"I shall make it easy for you" Dumbledore said, taking out his wand

"Expelliarmus!" Draco said quickly and Dumbledore's wand went flying.

"Very good.. very good.." Dumbledore said, "you're not alone. There are others... How?"

"The Vanishing Cabinet. In the Room of Requirement" Draco said, "I've been mending it"

"Let me guess... It has a sister... A twin" Dumbledore said

"In Borgin and Burkes" Draco said, "they form a passage"

"Ingenious" Dumbledore said, "Draco, years ago, I knew a boy who made all the wrong choices... Let me help you"

"I don't want your help! Don't you understand? I have to do this! I have to kill you... Or he's gonna kill me.." Draco's voice cracked as he lowered his wand slowly.

"Oh, look what we have here..." A voice said as Bellatrix Lestrange crept up behind Draco, "well done Draco.."

"Good evening Bellatrix" Dumbledore said, "I think introductions aren't over don't you?"

"Love to, Albus, but I'm afraid we're on a bit of a tight schedule" Bellatrix said, "do it"

More Death Eaters crept up from the shadows

"He doesn't have the stomach. Just like his father" A Death Eater, a werewolf, said, "let me finish him.. in my own way"

"No. The Dark Lord was clear. The boy has to do it" Bellatrix said, "this is your moment Draco... Do it! Now!"

Behind us, Professor Snape snuck up the stairs. He got to us and put a finger to his lips then crept up.

"No." Snape said as he stepped out.

Dumbledore looked at him pleadingly.

"Severus.." he said softly, "please.."

"Avada kedava!"

I went to scream but Harry quickly slapped a hand over my mouth and held me back.

I struggled, tears streaming down my face.

"I know Tessa... I know.." he mumbled

Time seemed to slow as Dumbledore fell from the Astronomy Tower. He was dead.

I could see on Draco's face the fear and regret of what he was apart of and that only made me cry more.

"Tessa we have to go.." Harry whispered. I nodded and we fled down the stairs.

The castle was full of Death Eaters.

I shot spells at different people and saw Snape escaping along with Bellatrix, Draco, and others.

I felt anger inside me. "Let's go" Harry mumbled, his face showing more anger than mine did.

We ran out into the grounds and Harry yelled

"Snape! You coward! He trusted you!" He pointed his wand at Snape as Bellatrix set Hagrid's hut on fire.

Draco looked up at it in shock and looked at his crazy aunt.

"Draco..." I mumbled.

As if he'd heard me, he turned to look at me. He met my eyes

His usually neat blond hair was mess and he had a bleeding scratch on his cheek.

I could see the fear in his eyes.

He looked at me and mumbled something. I could just see his lips to read them.

'I'm sorry..'

I dropped to my knees as he turned away from me. I saw a tear slip down his cheek as he ran into the forbidden forest with the Death Eaters.

I glanced back to see Snape running after him, my brother watching him go in shock.

I drew in a shaking breath and hugged myself

Harry came over to me and helped me up.

"Are you alright?" He asked

I nodded and we walked to the bottom of the astronomy tower.

We knelt beside Dumbledore. Ginny ran over and hugged Harry as he cried.

I felt the tears slip down my cheeks. I hugged myself and sobbed.

I felt arms wrap around me. I didn't bother to see who it was. I just sobbed into their chest.

Around us, teachers and students raised their wands toward the sky and lit them as a sign of honor.

Honor for the Death of a Great Man.