Always. (A Draco Malfoy Story)

The Plan.

Draco awoke from his bed in the infirmary, snuggled under the warm covers as the nights have gotten colder. He could hear the thunder roar and the skies get dark, and took it as a sign that tonight was the night.

He swung his legs to hang on the edge of the infirmary bed and jumped up to his feet. He put on his shoes, fixed his suit, and quietly made his way to the Room of Requirement, where the others were patiently for him on the other side at Borgin & Burkes.

-

"So, Draco did it? He fixed the cabinet?" I ask Snape as we quickly walked down the halls of Hogwarts castle.

Snape nods, "He did. Admirably... his motivation was you." I stopped walking, "Come again?"

He sighs, "When you lost your memories, the Dark Lord told him that if he doesn't complete your tasks... then you'd die."
"He what?!" I screamed out. Thunder began to rumble into the sky as I spoke. Snape looked to the sky then back down to me and continued to walk.

I continue on, "If Harry doesn't kill him, then I will." I gasped, "Harry! Does he remember me?!" Snape shakes his head, "No. He, along with everyone else besides Draco and the Dark Lord, still think of you only as the Dark Lord's heir."
"Then, I have to tell him I remember! Where is he?!" Snape scolds me, "You cannot verbally convince someone of who you are. The Dark Lord made sure of it when he had your memories erased." We turned a corner and looked like we were heading towards his office.

"So what was I doing the whole time?!" I plead for him to explain, and he does. "You were still Joy, but the Dark Lord had you to follow Draco to Hogwarts under an alias of 'Rosie' to ensure he finished his tasks, but you were instructed not to help him. I watched the two of you."

"Ok... so?"

"You acted as my daughter. Dumbledore was aware of our situation." He adds on.
I'm confused... "I thought everyone's memory of me got erased?" Snape nods, "It did... but you cannot erase memories that are already in a Pensieve."

Dumbledore... you sneaky motherfucker.

"I've been having meetings with Dumbledore, who slowly reintroduced me to his memories and my own memories of you." Snape opens the door to his office and motions for me to go in.
"So you remembered me, but you didn't do anything about it?!" I screamed at him. He admits, "It took a while for the memories to return on its own, with the help of the Pensieve. I simply couldn't remind you of who you were... you needed to still be under the impression of helping the Dark Lord to avoid ruining the plan."

I scoff, "Plan? What plan?!"

He replies, "The plan to protect you and Draco, of course... I promised you. I'll always protect you."

I hug Snape as a thank you. I honestly didn't even feel this close to my own father. My eyes widened, "Wait... where's Father?! I'll fucking kill him the next time I see him!"
Snape calms me down, "You mustn't do anything, Joy. You still need to act as if your memories are gone. We cannot afford to have the Dark Lord figure out the truth. Not right now."

I grunt in obvious frustration, "Well, what about Draco? Can I at least tell him? Where is he anyway?!" Snape nods, "You may tell Draco when you are ready to do, so on your own. He will be helpful in executing the plan."

I roll my eyes, "You keep mentioning this 'plan' that you have and you haven't told me anything about it yet! Are you gonna fucking tell me or not?!" He sighs, "I cannot believe I missed saying this... but language, Joy."

More thunder and lighting lit up the sky as the clouds rolled in to hover above the astronomy tower. Snape and I both looked out the window to the tower as then Snape commands, "Wait in here for now, until I come and get you. Do not leave this office, do you understand?" I nod and he swiftly left me alone to wait.

-

Draco allowed Bellatrix, Greyback, Dolohov and the others to run rampant on Hogwarts grounds as he made his way up to the astronomy tower... where he knew his last task shall be done.

He slowly walks up the stairs of the tower to the top and see Albus Dumbledore standing alone.

Draco draws his wand to point to Dumbledore, who obviously seemed tired and weak. "Who else is here? I heard voices."

Dumbledore stands up a little bit taller, "I often talk to myself." Draco walks around the astronomy tower to stand across of Dumbledore, as Dumbledore says, "You're no assassin, Draco."

"How do you know what I am?! I have done things that could shock you!" Draco's eyes began to water and his hand holding up his wand begins to shake.

"I've watch you grow up from a young boy who made all the wrong choices, to a man who's now trying to follow the light, away from the darkness." He calmly speaks to Draco, hoping that his words will get to him.
"I know your heart is not in this, Draco. Your heart lies somewhere else, perhaps... with someone else."

Shakily, Draco responds, "I was chosen!" He lift up the sleeve of his left arm to reveal the ink that displays the Dark Mark.

Rumble and crashes echo from below the tower. They both dart their eyes in the direction of the stairs.
Dumbledore asks, "You are not alone... are you? How?"

Draco grips his wand tighter in his hand, "The Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement, I've been mending it."
Dumbledore nods, "I can help you, Draco. Get you away from all of this."

Draco spits back, "I don't want your help! Don't you understand?! I have to do this! I've got to kill you... or else he'll kill her... and that'll kill me."

Dumbledore looks at Draco who's eyes are filled with sorrow and fear. Dumbledore could tell Draco didn't want to do this, that he was only doing this for Joy.
"It will always be Joy. Isn't that right, Draco?" Dumbledore asks.

Draco slightly lowers his hand and his face softens.

"...You remember?"