- Hall of Prophecy, 18th of June 1996 –

After all these years, and all of his scheming, Draco truly was nothing more than a bloody idiot. Hermione had warned him of the trap his father had set. But like an overconfident bastard, he thought he could waltz into the Ministry and rescue his mother and Deandra. What a fool he'd been.

The blond gritted his teeth as his father grabbed him by the shoulder and pushed him down onto the floor, his wand long lost. He was an arrogant little boy who had not learnt his lesson. But this time, it wouldn't just be him that would be punished for it. No. All of them would be. He mentally scolded himself for thinking they would be able to take on Bellatrix Lestrange and her entourage. Yes, they had trained. Yes, they were more knowledgeable than they ever were. But none of them had reached their magical maturity yet. Not even Harry's raw power could save them from this. Neither could his own, or his animagus form, as he felt the iron shackles clasp around his wrists, dampening the magic he had left.

Their only hope was the Order arriving swiftly, and Harry being able to pick some of the Death Eaters off from the shadows and stall for time. Thanks to Lord Potter's Animagus powers, the death eaters had not found his best friend yet. Draco prayed to Merlin that Harry would not reveal his location too soon. That the Boy Who Lived's cunning and courage would get them through this night.

He tried to look for Hermione, but his father took his chin and forced him to look at him. His nostrils flared, and his lips curled in anger. Whatever bullshit Lucius was spouting, Draco did not listen to. All he'd needed was one glimpse of the girl he loved, and seeing her in the arms of Dolohov, his wand trained at her neck. His magic was slowly losing control, the shackles burning him as his magic fought against them. If only, he hadn't been so brash. So stupid, then he would have-

Glimmering silver caught his eyes as they flickered to the archway in front of him, staring past his father's shoulder as he kept going on about some sort of nonsense. Hermione had described the strange structure to him, but she had never mentioned the cold magic seeping out of it. It was as if Death itself was attempting to lure him in, the dark magic calling out his name from beyond the veil.

Draco .

Deandra had been forced down on her knees right in front of it, magically drained, and her humanlike form beaten and bruised. Her usual cheerful silver hue now shimmered lightly, much like a candle about to burn out. The Death Eaters hadn't even seen fit to chain her to the floor, weakened as she was. Draco could not help but growl at his father as he took in the usually elegant form of the Spirit, now thorn, bloody, and broken, her magic seeping out of her slowly. His father would have never found a spell that could pull a spirit from its leylines. This whole farce reeked of the Dark Lord and his magic. Yet, Voldemort had not joined them in the Hall of Prophecy. That could only mean more trouble later down the line.

If they made it that far.

"Foolish boy," Deandra whispered as her eyes finally fell upon him, a saddened smile on her face.

His father grabbed him by the neck and forced him closer towards her. Closer, but still out of reach. He fought against his restraints, the sharp metal edges cutting him along the burns. But he did not care, especially not when he noticed his mother. Narcissa, being held by Bellatrix, missing half of her hair and part of her scalp burnt, also struggled against her captor. She too, was terrified for the fate of her beloved friend. For his fate, Draco realised as his mother started pleading with his father to let him live.

But Draco was no longer the boy he was before. He was not as easily intimidated by his father. "What have you done to them?" the young wizard whispered coldly, venom lacing his voice. Despite the iron chains, his magic lashed out angrily, crackling at the restraints as his anger grew. Magic did not work on dragons, and he was a dragon. His rage, hurt, and love of his friends added to his magic as he fought against the enchantments trying to keep him in place.

"Silence!" his aunt yelled, her wand flicking in his direction as he felt the silencing spell attempt to settle on him.

He opened his mouth, wanting to defy her. No sound came out, and Draco wished he could wipe that pleased smirk off Bellatrix's face. Fury burned bright in his eyes, his muscles straining against the spell that tried to kowtow him. No! He would not be chained and mute while the death eaters did whatever they pleased with him and his friends.

A scream of utter rage, hatred, pain, and despair tore from his throat a few seconds later when he finally managed to shatter his aunt's spell clouding his mind. It had been tricky, but not nearly as impossible as he first thought. The chains around his wrists were burning up, his magic fighting to regain control. Even if he had wanted to keep his animagus form a secret so they might have an advantage in any upcoming battles, he would attempt to shift with all his might if that meant finally escaping the mess they were in.

When he started yelling abuse at his father again, more than a few eyebrows were raised among the death eaters. To brute force one's way through a silencing spell was one thing. To do so against the magic of Bellatrix Lestrange was even more impressive. His chest heaved as he glared at his father and aunt.

"Silence, boy!" Lucius yelled back, whacking Draco straight across the face with his magical cane forcefully, the crack of it so loud that it echoed around the room. Everyone went still they watched and waited to see what would happen next. Some of the Death Eaters chuckled, still holding their captives tightly. Draco had expected the strike from his father, yet, the force behind the blow did surprise him a little. His jaw radiated with pain and he wouldn't be surprised if it was broken or at least dislodged. Hermione's gasp and her shuffling feet as she attempted to get to him, penetrated the ringing in his head. He had to get her out of this place. Protect her. Protect all of them.

Instead of responding, the blond kept his head down, faking his obedience. He was trying his best to control the beast that roared and slashed wanting to tear his father and Dolohov, to pieces for touching the ones he loved most. Taking a deep breath through his nose, he hoped the silver scales he could already feel crawling on his back would not be noticed by any of their enemies.

Just a little bit more power. A little bit more time.

Keeping his head bowed, Draco hurried to gather whatever remained of his magic to try and cut through the enchantments on the shackles.

"Bring me the prophecy!" Lucius's order cut through the room, ignoring his son and the magic gathering at his core. The previous Lord Malfoy stomped his cane down on the floor impatiently, until a mere grunt dared to walk closer, hovering a glass orb in front of him. The ball kept coming closer until it was right in front of Draco. So that was what this was all about then? His prophecy? The one he should have destroyed as soon as he had the chance…

His father crouched down in front of him, and Draco looked at him with pure defiance and utter disgust. How had he ever looked up to this man?

"If you so desperately want your mother and spirit to survive, you will show us that prophecy, son," the elder wizard ordered him. "Your mother has been attempting to hide it from me for years. Even acted as if there was nothing out of the ordinary with our child." Lucius leant closer, the orb pushed forward by his magic, nearly touching Draco's cheek. He studied his son, a satisfied smirk on his face. "But how could my offspring be anything but extraordinary? After all the magic you have displayed, you would be the finest asset to the Dark Lord, if only you would just bend-"

Draco spat in his father's face, grinning at Lucius as some blood splattered on his father's cheek. "Go to hell," he growled.

Lucius struck him again, harder this time, nearly knocking his teeth out. His father then stood up slowly, conjured a handkerchief out of thin air and wiped off his face. "Very well." With a look of disdain, he finally lifted his cane into the air. As soon as it touched the floor, the orb flew straight into Draco's chained hands behind his back, revealing the prophecy to all.

"In twilight's embrace, as day greets night's face,

your sister's blade seals your son and his beloved's fate.

A dragon, now free from darkness, will become destiny's slave.

Time's fabric shall tear and will be his to repair.

He will be the one to lead the Boy Who Lived to the power he knows not,

but it will guide your son to be in his family's web, intricately caught.

If his power is increased, he shall break his shackles and free the beast.

But should darkness seduce, and his heart it encases,

naught but ash remains, lost to time's embraces."

It was silent for only a second, Lucius not even having enough time to analyse its meaning when Bellatrix cackled loudly, her wand raising higher to Narcissa's chin. "What a bunch of rubbish! Is that what we came here for, Lucius? A load of nonsense fairytales? His beloved? A dragon? Is this the power you promised the Dark Lord, is this-"

"Never take a prophecy literally, Bellatrix," Lucius drawled, his impatience showing on his face. "I have seen Draco do unimaginable things when pushed just the right way if we just find- Ah. Yes" His eyes had already glanced over to the spirit at his feet, then to his former wife, and eventually to Draco's friends, all rendered immobile behind him. A wicked grin flashed on the blond wizard's face as he inclined his head to one of his fellow Death Eaters. "Yes. The mudblood will do."

Whipping his head back, and dropping the prophecy in his hands as fast as he could to destroy it, he could see Hermione struggle against Dolohov as he started pushing her towards him. She pulled at his arms, even attempted to twist herself out of her jacket to escape his grasp, but to no avail. The terror in her eyes was real. Draco could feel the dragon coiling, ready to unleash its fury, his magic begging to be let loose. He could not lose her. Not after everything they'd been through.

His father aimed his cane towards her. But a voice spoke from the darkness. "I would not do that if I were you," Harry threatened, a silent stunner making Dolohov drop to the ground, giving Hermione a chance to grab her wand and disillusion herself again.

"Lord Potter," Lucius smiled politely to the invisible intruder, his cane trained at the spot where Hermione had just disappeared. "I was wondering when you would make your grand appearance. After all, you are the main price of this event." He nodded silently at two other death eaters, who immediately started casting spells and scouring the area for both Harry and Hermione. "My son is not the only object of a prophecy, as you well know, Chosen One," the blond wizard mocked him, casting a stunning spell at a ripple of magic in the distance.

Catching Hermione who had been Lucius' target, Harry revealed himself, shielding both of them before the other Death Eaters could advance like a hungry flock of vultures. No matter how much they tried, they could not get through his shield, however. But because of the onslaught of spells, neither Harry nor Hermione could not come to their friends' aid. Hermione was trying to cast spells from behind Harry's shield but there were simply too many death eaters and it required nearly all of Harry's concentration and strength to maintain his shield against all these adversaries.

In his attempt to divert their attention away from his best friends and give them a chance to overthrow the death eaters, Draco taunted, giving Lucius a smirk of his own: "If you are looking for Harry's prophecy, I destroyed it. Years ago, when Harry first learnt of its existence."

Bellatrix's eyes scanned the room worriedly at his announcement. "The Dark Lord will not like this, Lucius. We were specifically instructed to-"

"I know what we were instructed to do, Bella!" Lucius yelled angrily, taking his son by the collar of his shirt. "You," he growled, spit flying into Draco's face. "I swear you have been thwarting and sabotaging me since the day you were born, boy! You must believe yourself so cunning, to have destroyed the prophecy. But you are not the only scheming Malfoy born to this world."

As he shoved Draco, he reached into his pocket, taking out a small silver object oozing with magical power. Draco nearly vomited as he realised how familiar that magic was. How much it had been tainted. He gazed at Deandra, seeing her broken form. This was how she had been removed from the Wiltshire leylines. Why she looked like she was about to fade into oblivion. His father had syphoned off her essence into nothing more but a magical trinket. Had reduced her to nothing, just so he could gain her power.

"What. Have. You. Done. To. Her?" Draco seethed, his magic barely under control. He could feel it crawling along his skin, the beast ready to come out.

"I think you already know," Lucius smiled wickedly as he shook the trinket in his hand. "Why don't you join her, son? There's more than enough room for both of your magical essences in this enhancer."

Before he could brace himself and use his magic to get through the chains, Draco felt the dark magic tendrils reaching out towards his core. In the back of his mind, he could hear Hermione and Harry yell his name. His mother too, was screaming, stuck in her sister's wicked grasp. None of them would be able to reach him in time. Not even his own magic could respond as fast as he needed it to. No one would be able to save him, no one but-

For just a split second, he could feel the warmth of Deandra's magic caress his face as she leaned forward and pushed him back with whatever strength she had left. Arms still outstretched, the dark magic crawling over her now, she smiled sadly and spoke to both Draco and Hermione one last time. "Do not be saddened, little ones. I am a spirit born out of magic. My destiny has long since been sealed. I knew my time in this world would not last long, once we came here. To this timeline. But do not fear. Those born of magic, shall be reborn again. And I will always find my way back to you, little dragon, " she smiled at Draco lovingly, as she had done so often in the past. "My duty as a protector has finally come to a close. Do not let Voldemort's evil reign. Promise me. "

"No," he whispered back, tears filling her eyes. She had guided him all these years, ever since that fateful day at the manor. She was not just the source of the Malfoy family's power. She was the second parent he'd always wished he had. "Do not leave me, Deandra. We can fix this. I cannot do this without you," he begged.

"Stay," Hermione pleaded in their minds, her despair ringing through the connection they shared with the spirit.

"Promise me," the spirit urged them again, the dark magic worming its way into her, turning her silver hue into a foul black.

"I promise," Draco and Hermione said in unison, their magic weak as it was, reaching out for her.

All they received as an answer was a loving smile, and the familiar feeling of a tender kiss on top of their heads, before a bright burst of silver light emanated from the centre of Deandra's body. The last of her essence was finally pulled into the trinket, only a whisk of black smoke now left behind.

Lucius laughed menacingly, holding the trinket in his hands and feeling its power, as it had once fueled Draco and Hermione.

Draco kept staring in disbelief at the spot where Deandra had been sitting a mere second ago. When the bond between him and Hermione broke, he felt cold. Lonely. Empty. Having Deandra ripped away like this felt much the same. His shoulders shook, and he hung his head. Dead. Deandra was dead. Reduced to nothing but pure magic. Tears blurred his vision, and he blinked rapidly, trying to make them disappear.

"Now. For you," Lucius announced, prowling around his son, holding the trinket in front of him tauntingly. "Perhaps, you'd like to join her after all? Or will you join the Dark, as you were born to do?"

Draco's body slowly stopped shaking. The iron around his wrists felt as hot as burning coals. He lifted his head in defiance at his father, eying the trinket still dangling from his hand. His voice did not sound like his own when he spoke. "Or perhaps, I will set her free."

With one deep breath, Draco burned right through the chains holding him with his animagus magic, the fire burning under his skin setting him free. He roared, swinging both his arms forward, the insides of his wrists and the leftover burning metal smacking his father in the face. Stumbling backwards, screaming in pain, he was not fast enough to stop Draco who lunged for the trinket in his hands. As soon as he held it, a blue flame burst engulfed his hands, destroying the trinket, and freeing the magic within. Deandra should never have been tainted or enslaved.

Amazed by her nephew's capabilities, Bellatrix lost all sense of her surroundings. Gleefully, she told her fellow death eaters, "This power is what we've been looking for, it's-"

They didn't have time for this. If they did not want to lose anyone else, they needed to get out. And fast. A quick glance at his friends showed them struggling against their opponents, Ginny even biting the death eater holding her in his hand so he would let her go. The youngest Weasley soon held her wand in her own hands again, as did Cedric and Neville across the room.

Chaos ensued, and the Death Eaters were in disarray, firing spells at the Hogwarts students as they tried to leave the room. The students fired back, ducked behind the strewn debris, and pulled each other to safety. Draco was still closest to the veil, attempting to get to his Mother when Harry yelled out a warning. Dolohov had found his bearings again and aimed straight at Hermione, who was shielding Luna, unaware of what was happening behind her.

"No," Draco breathed as Dolohov murmured the spell.

And not for the first time, Draco defied time and fate. He saved Hermione from a horrible curse by erecting a wall of fire with a mere snap of his fingers between the death eater and his friends. Voldemort's cronies jumped back as the walls of fire began to encircle the other students, protecting them from lethal consequences. Not wanting to get burned, the death eaters scattered and fled, still throwing curses at the Hogwarts students. Harry and Hermione's magic soon joined Draco's, protecting every single one of their friends so they at least would be able to escape this room.

A figure slithered in the shadows and observed the chaos and magical power displayed. His eyes were hungry and watchful. He petted the constrictor coiled around his shoulders.

"Interesting," Lord Voldemort whispered, his eyes tracking Harry and Draco, before whirling away in a cloud of dark magic.