The news of Harry Potter’s death ricocheted through the circle of trees, announced in a Death Eater’s cold voice piercing the night. The surrounding crowd stood in stunned disbelief and anguish.
Arthur’s eyes ached with the urge to weep, his stomach churning in waves of dread. Though the forest air was warm, a chill gripped him within. Happiness now seemed an illusion, a memory fading beyond reach. He watched in agony as Hagrid collapsed to his knees beside Harry’s motionless body, eyes closed, as lifeless as the brittle, fallen leaves around him. No more harm could come to the boy, but rage and guilt throbbed inside Arthur. How could I have let this happen?
Hagrid’s loud, heart-wrenching sobs echoed around the forest as he grieved over Harry. “Y-yer told me yer’d be okay this time,” he choked out, instinctively reaching to gently stroke Harry’s face. Slowly, he pulled the blanket up to cover Harry’s face, though he remained beside the body, tears splashing down. The Weasleys, especially Molly, were shaken to the core, sobbing uncontrollably as Hagrid’s painful howls tore at their hearts. Meanwhile, the Death Eaters congratulated themselves, the news of Harry’s death spreading amongst their ranks.
Stunned into silence, Slughorn sat on the ground with an unfocused, distant gaze. Arthur wondered what had transpired after he and the others left Shell Cottage for the Forbidden Forest. Had the ritual failed? Anxiety gripped him as he thought of his children—Ron, Ginny, Hermione—what had become of them? Panic swelled inside with countless unanswered questions. He bit his lip and inhaled deeply, trying to calm the dread within. They aren’t dead, he assured himself, taking some solace in that firm thought amidst the terrifying scenarios flooding his mind. His worries paused, however, when Yaxley’s voice broke through Hagrid’s loud sobs.
“Oh, what a glorious night it has been!” His cheery yet malevolent tone rang out, strikingly out of place for this grief-stricken occasion. Beaming at the scene before him, Yaxley proclaimed triumphantly, “Finally, The-Boy-Who-Lived is dead!” He cackled with glee at his glorious announcement. The Death Eaters joined in, some even whistling and jeering. His eyes sparkling with pleasure, he stared at the Weasleys. “You can’t imagine how I’ve longed for this moment, and at last it has come! And you, Slughorn—” He turned his gaze to the plump figure sitting despondently on the ground. “I can’t express my thanks enough for bringing the boy here, even though he was already as dead as a doornail.”
Hagrid growled loudly and glared at Yaxley with rage burning in his eyes. Clenching his fists tightly, his knuckles turned white. Arthur could see that Hagrid was about to lose control after trying to restrain himself since entering the forest, especially with Harry, whom he loved like a son, lying lifeless before him.
Yaxley seemed indifferent to Hagrid’s fury as he continued speaking to the other Death Eaters, who gazed greedily at Harry’s motionless body. “What should we do with him?” Yaxley asked. “Shall we mimic the Dark Lord and perform tricks as he did the last time he tried to kill the boy here?”
The Weasleys stared at each other in confusion as Arthur tried to discern Yaxley’s intentions. He had no idea what Yaxley meant by “perform tricks”, but when Hagrid glanced at him with terror-filled eyes, he knew something was terribly wrong. “Don’t yer dare touch him! H-Harry’s—” Hagrid stammered, overcome with emotion. Whatever Hagrid had witnessed here during the Battle of Hogwarts had clearly traumatized him.
Yaxley and the Death Eaters burst into maniacal laughter. “Come now, half-breed. You wouldn’t deprive us of our fun with the boy. Even if I cast the Cruciatus curse on him, he won’t feel a thing, will he? No... because he’s DEAD!” Yaxley yelled into the night, sending a chill down Arthur’s spine.
“Yeah,” Rookwood sneered. “He’ll just be a worthless, dead wizard as we toss him into the air.” More mocking laughter escaped the Death Eaters’ lips.
“You got what you wanted, so stop tormenting him!” Percy yelled, his face flushing red with anger.
“Must you really desecrate the dead just to gloat?” George retorted in disgust, wincing as he leaned against the tree for support. The blood seeping through his shirt had slowed to a stop.
“Surely by now you understand how this goes,” said Yaxley coldly, eyeing George. “Haven’t those torture sessions taught you anything? You know full well our plans for the Chosen One. I’ll admit, I’m a little disappointed that things turned out this way. The Imperius Curse is useless now, but aren’t you glad you won’t have to cast it? No matter...” He trailed off, his eyes glazing as if brewing up a more thrilling idea.
“Shall we proceed, then?” Macnair asked eagerly, twirling his wand menacingly and licking his lips with glee.
Hagrid clenched his jaw and pointed his finger threateningly at the Death Eater. “You dare cast a spell n’ I swear—”
Yaxley responded with a resounding cackle. “Such anger...” he purred silkily, relish dripping from his voice. “I love it! Let me provoke that, shall I?” The Death Eaters straightened themselves as though preparing for a signal; some even stretched from where they sat.
“You disgusting filth!” Molly cried, trying to tear herself from the restraining arms of Bill, who had immediately grabbed her when she made a move.
Grinning delightedly, Yaxley quickly turned to face his eager Death Eaters. “I say… let’s get started—”
“Surely this is not the ideal time or place for such thrilling tricks,” Draco drawled lazily, glancing at Yaxley.
Spinning around, Yaxley narrowed his eyes, staring into Draco’s cool gray ones. “Not the right time—you must be mad,” he hissed. “Now’s as good a time as any for amusement, Draco. Tell me, don’t you crave a turn with him?”
Snorting, Draco said slowly, “You’ve no idea how long I’ve waited.”
“So what’s the delay?”
Draco sighed. “If you really want to publicly humiliate Potter even more, I suggest doing it somewhere very public like Diagon Alley, where the crowds can watch.”
The Weasleys gasped in shock, and Hagrid grunted angrily at Draco’s cruel suggestion.
“How dare you!” Molly screamed, trembling with rage as she momentarily halted her sobs to glare furiously at Draco.
When Yaxley merely raised his eyebrows, Draco pressed on. “Can’t you see? You need a bigger stage to demonstrate our true triumph! I’m telling you, it will be well worth it! Unless, of course, this rabble satisfies you.” He waved dismissively at the Weasleys, who immediately cast hateful glares his way.
Yaxley seemed to be considering Draco’s idea; he remained silent for a moment. Most of the Death Eaters heaved exasperated sighs when their excitement was interrupted.
How could he do this? Arthur fumed to himself. “Harry saved your life, Draco! How could you betray him like this, you ungrateful son of a—”
“I already paid for my debt, Weasley,” Draco said coldly. “Why do you care what I do now? Potter is gone.” He glared at Arthur. “There is nothing more for you here. Take your son and leave. Your business here is over.” With a flick of his wand, he released Arthur from the Body-Bind curse and summoned the Weasleys’ wands into his open hand.
Arthur’s jaw dropped in shock. Shaking, he slowly walked over to join his family.
“Leave, just like that?” Molly demanded incredulously. “You expect us to just accept this and go?” She met Draco’s piercing gaze defiantly.
“No!” Hagrid declared. “If we’re leavin’, we’re takin’ Harry’s body with us!”
“Are you all deaf?” Draco spat angrily. “I said your dealings with us are done! Take your brat and get out!” he yelled.
Molly stood rooted to the spot.
“ENOUGH!” bellowed Slughorn, startling everyone. His face burned with unprecedented fury as he glared at the perplexed Weasleys, even causing Molly to back away several steps. “All of you,” he continued loudly, “please be rational! George is alive—can’t we just be grateful for that? Think of his safety if you stay.”
Yaxley smirked and applauded Slughorn’s logic. “Finally, someone’s thinking straight. Get it over with!” He nodded his head toward Draco, gesturing for him to do something.
Bill protested to his family, “But what about Harry? We can’t just abandon him with those despicable Death Eaters!”
Draco released George from the Body-Bind Curse and pulled him up to his feet, causing George to stumble unsteadily when Draco let him go. Together with Yaxley, Rookwood, and Macnair, they slowly approached the Weasleys to begin the exchange as Slughorn did the same. Ignoring the wild pleas from Molly, Arthur, and Hagrid who had gathered to block his path, Slughorn scooped Harry up in his arms and headed for Draco.
“Please, don’t do this, Horace,” Molly implored, tears streaming down her face again.
“I have to, Molly,” Slughorn responded solemnly. “I couldn’t save Harry, but we can still save George.”
“We know, but there must be a better plan,” Arthur pleaded urgently. “We have time to think this through—”
“I’m sorry,” Slughorn interrupted with a heavy sigh, giving Arthur an apologetic look as he walked away. “Truly, I am.”
Arthur glanced at George, then back at Harry’s lifeless body in Slughorn’s arms. Abandoning Harry felt wrong, but he had to prioritize his son. “Horace, please, let’s reconsider this,” he begged desperately.
“There’s no time left,” was Slughorn’s melancholy reply as he continued towards Draco, whose wand was pointed at George’s neck. Molly’s sobs echoed around them as Hagrid and the Weasleys watched anxiously, keeping their distance as Slughorn paused a meter from Draco.
Yaxley eyed Slughorn, who carried Harry’s body, with malicious glee. He twirled his wand wickedly. Arthur’s heartbeat quickened as Slughorn slowly stepped toward Draco. Time seemed frozen as the two stared at each other, calculating their every move. Draco’s gray eyes twitched almost imperceptibly, and Arthur could bear the tension no longer—something had to be done.
Suddenly, many things happened at once. No one expected Draco’s piercing yell shattering the night’s silence: “NOW!”
Shock and confusion flashed across Yaxley’s face as loud war cries echoed from the forest’s edge. The sound of many people crashing through the tangled trees grew louder as they swarmed closer.
Without hesitation, Draco suddenly shoved George toward Slughorn roughly, causing him to stumble. Molly and Arthur immediately rushed to their son and pulled him back to where Bill, Percy, and Hagrid anxiously waited.
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A chilly breeze swept through, lifting the hair on Arthur’s neck. Eyes wide, he watched Harry’s body jerk forward. In mere seconds, before anyone could grasp what happened, Harry stood firmly, wand aimed at Yaxley’s face as the stunned Death Eaters stumbled back. “What the—” Yaxley began, only to be cut off when Harry bellowed, “Expelliarmus!” into the night.
“Accio wands!” Draco shouted, and instantly fifteen wands zoomed straight into his open arms—all except Yaxley’s, whose quick reflexes allowed him to maintain his tight grip. Though he avoided losing his wand to Draco’s powerful Disarming Spell, its force still sent him flying across the clearing until he hit the ground.
“Stupefy!” Draco continued, aiming his wand at Macnair. The Stunning Spell blasted Macnair backward, sending him flailing and writhing through the air before slamming him into a nearby tree. Draco cast Stunning Spell after Stunning Spell at every Death Eater in sight, not stopping until they all lay unconscious. He dodged incoming spells and ran to the shocked Weasleys, tossing each their wand.
“There are not many of them left,” Draco informed Arthur quickly. “I’m sure I’ve stunned most of the Death Eaters present here—at least the group that was here—but the rest are farther out.”
Comprehension dawned on Arthur’s features, as well as Bill and Percy’s. Wasting no time, they sprang up to protect their family, squinting into the dark. Determined to blast the scattered, fleeing Death Eaters before they could fight back or hide, the Weasleys took aim.
But Arthur’s mind still reeled from what had just happened. He couldn’t believe his eyes: Harry was alive and fighting off Death Eaters as if he’d never been ill. Somewhat healthy in appearance, no trace of weariness or sickness remained. How had he missed it when Slughorn brought Harry to the forest? Was he missing something?
“Watch out!” Bill shouted loudly as spells flew past him and his family. They all ducked at the same time to avoid being struck.
Arthur sighed, frustrated that he didn’t have time to reach Harry without being blasted by Death Eaters. Instead, he looked up at Draco inquiringly, knowing it was foolish but determined to get an answer only he could provide. “Harry—is he really—” But before Arthur could finish, Draco hurried off to pursue Death Eaters who had scattered. Arthur anxiously scanned left and right to see where Harry had gone, but he had vanished into the darkness. His thoughts were interrupted by an enraged yell behind him.
“DRACO!”
They saw Yaxley rise to his feet, grasping his wand, his eyebrow arched sharply, as pure fiery hatred formed on his features.
“What have you done?!” he yelled furiously, eyes fixed on the white-blond haired young man.
But Yaxley’s anger did not faze Draco at all. “Oh, did I do something wrong?” he taunted. “I thought I was helping.”
Yaxley’s eyes flashed with rage as he glared at him. “Do you think this is funny?!”
Draco merely shrugged. “What else would it be?”
“You think you can do whatever pleases you?” Yaxley said loudly. “Stunning my Death Eaters one by one. I have more than you’ll ever know!”
Draco drawled, “Oh, please! Don’t give me that rubbish. We both know you have few followers left, and more than half of them are unconscious right now.”
Yaxley narrowed his eyes sharply. “Don’t be so sure of our numbers! I still have them stationed elsewhere, waiting for my signal.”
“Are you sure about that?” Draco replied, his voice shaking with malicious pleasure.
Yaxley’s chest heaved as he breathed rapidly. For a moment, relief spread across his face as hooded figures slowly emerged from the darkness. However, what he saw were Death Eaters captured and dragged away by Aurors and centaurs wielding bows and arrows, as well as Dumbledore’s Army. He let out a howl of rage.
Arthur recognized some familiar Gryffindor faces, including Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell, whom Fred and George knew from Quidditch, and their close friend Lee Jordan. There were at least fifteen more that Arthur didn’t recognize, but a resolute determination to assist fiercely hardened all their expressions. Their wands pointed directly at the apprehended Death Eaters.
“You’re too late,” Draco said, grinning wildly. “You’ve missed your chance to send the signal. They overpowered the hidden Death Eaters as soon as the Weasleys arrived.”
The Weasleys looked at each other, bewildered. Arthur raised his eyebrows, confused as he tried to understand what was happening. Had Draco planned all this already? But when could that have happened?
Yaxley blinked in surprise as the revelation hit him like a tidal wave. “How did you know about this?”
Draco laughed softly. “I happened to have a communication device that alerted me immediately if something was wrong. It’s quite useful.”
Yaxley stared at him, puzzled. “Device? I didn’t see you leave or speak to anyone else the whole time we were here in the forest.”
“I planned it all after you kidnapped the Weasley,” Draco replied casually, as if they were chatting over drinks. “Of course you wouldn’t know, since you’re an idiot. Why did you choose the Forbidden Forest anyway? Did you really think the creatures here feared you? What an ego!” He took a round object from his pocket. “This coin device alerted me. It’s ingenious, actually.”
Yaxley shrieked in outrage, shaking with fury. “I knew I couldn’t trust you from the start! You and your family are foolish traitors!”
Draco smirked, unable to hide his satisfaction. “You went along readily when I agreed to your plan. I knew you’d never succeed.” He laughed mockingly.
“You’ll regret siding against me!” Yaxley threatened.
“Do I look regretful?” Draco retorted, pleasure in his voice. “No, because I’ll relish defeating you while you rot in Azkaban!”
Yaxley hissed venomously, clenching and unclenching his fists in pulsating rage.
“There’s nowhere left for you to run, Yaxley. It’s time to surrender!” Draco declared.
Yaxley trembled with rage, his hand twitching as if preparing to hex Draco. Arthur’s eyes widened in horror as Yaxley bellowed, “Avada Ked—” but the Killing Curse was cut short when a voice cried, “Stupefy!” A jet of red light burst from a wand behind Yaxley, hurling him forward. Draco narrowly dodged the flailing body as it crashed onto the clearing in a crumpled heap. The Weasleys turned in unison to see Harry with wand raised.
Draco slowly approached Yaxley, who lay gasping for breath on the ground. “A word of advice, Yaxley,” Draco said with a smile. “You ought to be more selective with the company you keep.”
Yaxley’s face twisted in anger, but before he could respond, Aurors swarmed in to restrain him. As they dragged him away with the other Death Eaters, Yaxley shot Draco one last furious glare.
After the centaurs departed, Kingsley and the members of Dumbledore’s Army stayed behind, rushing to aid the Weasleys. Arthur was eager to learn more about what had occurred out of sight, but before he could inquire, a shocking sight left him astonished: Draco knelt before the Weasleys, his face a mix of remorse and apprehension. Arthur and Molly stood frozen, scarcely believing Draco would willingly show such sentiment beyond his inner circle.
“For all the harsh words I’ve said about Potter and your family... I didn’t mean them,” Draco said, catching himself with a shake of his head. His face was paler than usual, faint circles beneath his eyes—the only outward signs of distress. “I’m truly sorry for everything my parents and I have put you through.”
The Weasleys stared open-mouthed at Draco’s words. This was unimaginable. They were speechless. Never before had Arthur heard a Malfoy apologize; usually it was the opposite. He never thought he would see the day, but now he was completely dumbfounded. Myriad thoughts raced through his mind. How would he respond when a family like the Malfoys, who had always lorded their power and prestige, suddenly rid themselves of authority and tried their best to change for the better?
“I’m sorry,” Draco repeated over and over.
Looking into his gray eyes, brimming with worry, Molly—angry with him just moments before—couldn’t stop the tears spilling down her cheeks.
“We never should’ve treated you all like—” He faltered, unable to utter the words. “I’m so sorry.” His voice cracked and he swallowed hard, staring down at his hands. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make amends, I’ll—”
Molly and Arthur hushed him, kneading his back soothingly. “You’re forgiven, son,” Arthur murmured gently. “Let’s put it behind us.”
Draco met their sympathetic, compassionate gazes. “Of course,” he acquiesced, “whatever you wish.”
Arthur and Molly beamed at him warmly as the three rose together.
“I always thought you’d be an annoying ferret forever,” George remarked from behind his parents, “but I’m glad you’ve come to your senses.” Laughter erupted around the forest, including Kingsley and Dumbledore’s Army members.
Molly shot George a stern look. “That’s enough, George!”
“But it was true, Mum,” George argued. “If he hadn’t reformed by now, I don’t even want to think about what I’d do to him.” Murmurs of agreement circulated around the room.
“He’d be doomed,” Lee Jordan concurred from behind George.
“I wouldn’t want to get on your bad side,” Draco admitted quietly. “I’ve already faced more than enough terrifying pressures in my life.”
“‘Terrifying pressures,’ you say?” Bill scoffed skeptically.
“With at least twenty of us against just one of him,” added a stocky blond-haired boy. “I’m glad he realizes how that would go for him.”
Laughter lightened the clearing as more people joined in. “Too right, Ernie,” agreed a pink-faced girl with blonde hair.
Defeated, Draco bowed his head.
Arthur raised a finger, silencing them. His expression hardened with serious intent as he glanced at Draco. “Speaking of which, how did this all happen?”
“It was Draco’s plan,” Kingsley answered. Draco sighed, relieved the Minister spoke for him. “Apparently this was how he wanted to properly repay his life debt to Harry.”
Brow furrowed, Arthur turned to Draco. “What do you mean? Didn’t you already repay it when you told Harry about the cave in Ireland?”
Draco nodded curtly. “Yes, that was my initial plan... but I felt it wasn’t enough. Saving a life is no small feat, yet Potter risked his own to ensure my survival—even Weasley agreed to help. The guilt was overwhelming. There was little I could do to repay Potter’s willingness to sacrifice himself for me... So when I learned Yaxley had kidnapped you—” He glanced at George. “I knew I must act, to repay my debt not only to Potter but also to the Weasleys.”
Arthur saw gratitude on Draco’s pale face and understood his drive to help however he could.
“As part of his ongoing probation, Draco reports to the Ministry daily,” Kingsley continued. “So he promptly notified the Auror Department about what had happened to your son.” Clearing his throat, Kingsley adopted an apologetic demeanor as he turned to Arthur. “Even before we spoke in my office, Draco and I had already devised a plan that I deliberately concealed from you. I apologize, but withholding information was vital for the plan’s success.”
Looking confused, Arthur asked, “How was deceiving me the right thing to do?”
“Your reactions.” When none of the Weasleys understood Kingsley’s concise answer, he elaborated, “Draco and I had to keep you unaware of what was about to happen. First, Draco suggested using Dumbledore’s Army to help. He gave me the members’ names, so we quickly contacted Neville Longbottom, since I remembered he was at St. Mungo’s when Yaxley made his announcement. Neville told the rest of the DA about the plan. Draco knew exactly where the Death Eaters would be around the forest, because he suggested it to Yaxley.”
Draco smirked as he recalled, “I still can’t believe Yaxley agreed to that. Am I really that trustworthy?”
Hagrid snorted.
“Not really,” George, Bill, and Percy replied at the same time. The DA members sniggered in the background.
Kingsley interrupted their conversation. “The centaurs were instrumental in capturing the Death Eaters. They have an intimate knowledge of the forest and know exactly where the Death Eaters might try to flee. Unfortunately for Yaxley, Draco had placed anti-Disapparition charms, preventing them from escaping by magic. With the large number of us and Aurors present, we quickly outnumbered the Death Eaters surrounding the forest. When they attempted to run, they soon realized the dangers of wandering the forest at night.”
“It’s never safe to wander here!” Angelina Johnson exclaimed loudly. George nodded in emphatic agreement.
“Precisely,” said Kingsley. “It was fortunate we had the centaurs to guide us through the forest safely. Once we apprehended the stationed Death Eaters, we knew you had arrived when Seamus here—” Seamus smiled as the Minister said his name. “—signaled us through these enchanted coins.” Kingsley held up a fake Galleon and showed it to Arthur and the other Weasleys.
“Very clever,” Arthur said approvingly. “I’ve never seen that before.”
A dark-haired girl wearing a silver necklace with a “P” charm nodded in agreement. “It was Hermione who created it,” she replied.
“And then what happened, Kingsley?” Molly asked eagerly.
“Then it was our cue for Slughorn to interrupt Yaxley before things got out of hand,” Kingsley answered. Slughorn smiled weakly at the Weasleys before Kingsley continued, an apologetic look on his face. “This was the hardest part. We had to ensure Slughorn could do it.”
“Do what?”
“All I can say,” said Slughorn, “is it was worth a try. I’ve never shed so many tears in my life.”
Arthur’s brow furrowed as he tried to recall the events from earlier.
“We couldn’t risk you inadvertently revealing the one thing we were trying to conceal,” Kingsley explained. “your initial reaction when you saw Harry’s lifeless body and heard Slughorn’s anguished sobs.”
“You can’t imagine the relief I felt when I saw Harry alive and well,” Arthur admitted.
“That performance was brilliant, Professor,” Percy said admiringly to Slughorn. “The acting—you had us all quite worried.”
“We were terrified,” Hagrid affirmed. “’Specially me. I really thought Harry was dead.”
“Where’s Harry?” Molly looked around the room and spotted Harry fiddling with the Death Eaters’ wands that he had taken from Draco. “There you are!” she exclaimed, walking over to give him a tight hug.
“Harry,” said Arthur softly, his eyes shining with relief at the sight of the young man standing with them, safe and sound. “We’re so glad you’re alright.” But Harry’s hesitant reaction confused Arthur. He couldn’t quite tell what was wrong. “Harry?” he asked gently.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Weasley, but—”
“What are you sorry for, dear?” interjected Molly, her face full of concern.
Kingsley checked his watch. “Time’s up,” he announced ominously.
“Time for what?” asked Arthur, bewildered. It seemed everyone except his family and Hagrid knew what was happening. The DA members and even Kingsley just stood there silently. Alarm grew in Arthur’s stomach as he waited for Harry to explain. When he turned back to look at the young man, Arthur’s eyes went wide with shock. He was no longer looking at Harry, but—
“Neville?”
To be continued...