Draco stared at Hermione, hardly believing what he was hearing.

"What?"

Hermione swallowed and nodded. "There's a potion... It's very old and very complicated, but... it's our only hope."

Draco's mouth fell open. A potion? That could save Harry?

"But how-"

"It's known as the Versatèz potion. Also commonly referred to as the drink of death." Hermione looked at Draco, willing him to hear her out.

"Drink of death?! Granger what the hell? He's already bloody dying!" Draco looked at her incredulously, confused as ever.

Hermione held up a hand to silence him.

"I haven't finished," she said with pursed lips.

Draco rolled his eyes and raised his eyebrows, folding his arms and sitting back, gesturing for the girl to continue.

Hermione took a deep breath. "The Versatèz potion, known as the drink of death, renders any magical creature human. In other words, should someone who is not entirely human, drink the Versatèz potion, they will be changed into a human state."

Hermione bit her lip as realisation passed over Draco's face.

"I've heard of this potion before..." Draco mumbled quietly, looking down at his hands, deep in thought. "It was used centuries ago on those creatures who had defied their kingdom's rules... But it was a punishment?" Draco looked questioningly at Hermione.

The girl nodded, indicating that Draco was correct. She looked out across the lake and continued.

"The potion was used as punishment for those who had committed sins against their people - those with magic or simply those who were creatures of magic, would be rendered to a human existence and banished from their kingdom. That's why it's known as the drink of death... because those who drank it felt that by now leading a human life, they had been given a death sentence."

Draco snorted. "Sounds dramatic as fuck if you ask me."

Hermione let out a quiet laugh. "Yes," she said, nodding at him. "I suppose it is."

"So..." Draco started, unsure if he wanted to say it aloud. "What you're suggesting is... I drink this potion?"

Hermione closed her eyes before briefly looking up at Draco.

"Yes," she answered quietly. "If you drink the Versatèz potion, you will become human."

"But then..." Draco furrowed his brow. "But then Harry would no longer be my mate. The magic would be gone."

"It's the only way to save him," Hermione said, her voice barely audible. "By drinking the potion, you will be human, cutting any magical bonds between you and Harry. Harry will no longer be your mate because you will no longer be a Veriae... and thus, Harry won't have to die... because he will no longer be tied to you."

Draco took a deep breath and swallowed. He knew this was the only way. He knew this was the only way they were going to be able to save Harry.

But a little niggle in the back of Draco's mind just wouldn't leave him alone.

What if he doesn't love me anymore? What if the only reason he ever felt anything for me was because of the bond? What if... if i become human... what if he wants nothing to do with me?"

Draco pinched the bridge of his nose and bit his lip. There was no debate about this. He couldn't let Harry die. He'd rather Harry hate him than him be dead. It was the only way.

"I know you're worried..." Hermione said, cutting through Draco's thoughts. She looked at him sympathetically. "But Harry will still love you. No matter if you're Veriae or human... He loves you so much... so much that he's dying for you."

Draco swallowed, trying not to let Hermione's words bring tears to his eyes. He was a Malfoy. Malfoy's don't cry.

"And Malfoy," Hermione continued. "We can't let Harry know about this. We can't let him know about this plan. If this doesn't work... I don't want him to get his hopes up for nothing. So please," Hermione looked at Draco desperately.

Draco swallowed. Keeping this a secret from Harry would be near impossible. But it would have to be done.

Taking a deep breath, Draco nodded in agreement. He sat up straight and looked Hermione dead in the eye.

"How long does it take to make?" He asked, his heart pumping.

Hermione bit her lip. "Three days," she whispered.

"Three days?! We don't have that long now! Harry only has two left!" Draco looked up at the sky and cursed. Bloody three days. What was all these three's about? For Merlin's sake.

"Malfoy, calm down," Hermione instructed. "I can do it in two. Just trust me."

Draco stopped kicking rocks and turned to face her, his expression one of sadness. He was losing hope.

"Okay," he said finally. "What do we need?"

-------------------------------------------------------

Draco crept silently behind Hermione as the two made their way into the library. It had gone midnight; no students were around and they were breaking school rules.

Draco was surprised Hermione had been so willing to go at such an hour - he knew that she would never have done so under normal circumstances. But these were not normal circumstances. Harry was dying, and the two of them were going to do everything they could to save him.

Hermione had brought Draco to the library to search for the book in which the Versatèz potion was listed in.

Draco wasn't sure what to make of this strange new alliance between him and Harry's friend. Half of him turned his nose up at the thought of hanging around with a mudblood, but the calmer, more rational side that had grown immensely since being with Harry, told him that this alliance could work, and could maybe even bloom into a... friendship?

Draco shook his head at the thought. What the hell? Friends with Hermione Granger? No way. That was absurd.

"Here it is!" Hermione hissed, bringing Draco from his thoughts. The girl was a few rows in front of Draco and the blonde rushed to her. She was holding a dusty, thick book open on the desk in front of her.

"Well? Can we get the ingredients?" Draco urged, looking between the book and Hermione.

"Yes... but it'll be tricky..." Hermione trailed off, inspecting the list of ingredients thoroughly. "I can get some from Hogsmeade, and a few from the greenhouses. Everything else should be fairly simple. It's just brewing it that's the hard part."

"Well, I can do that," Draco said, nodding firmly. "I'm not bad at potions after all," he said, crossing his arms with a smirk.

"Don't you think you should be with Harry for the next couple of days, Malfoy?" Hermione suggested carefully, looking up into Draco's grey eyes. "I know you want to help, but if this doesn't work..." She bit her lip. "I don't want to be the one who held you back from saying goodbye."

Draco inhaled sharply. He hadn't expected that. He hadn't even thought about what might happen if this didn't work. He'd just assumed everything would be fine and Harry wasn't really going to die. He swallowed hard. He couldn't say goodbye. Not properly. Otherwise it would all be real. This was going to work. He wouldn't let Harry die. This was going to work.

"Okay. Okay fine," Draco sighed in resignation. "But Granger, if you mess this up-"

"I won't mess this up, Malfoy," Hermione bit at him. "He's my best friend in case you needed reminding. The ingredients won't take me long to find and then I can make the potion in two days, following the instructions. This is for Harry, and I'll do anything for him."

"Right," Draco coughed. "Sorry."

Hermione nodded by way of forgiveness.

"There's one more thing, though," Hermione said, pointing to a line in the book.

Draco peered down to read it.

The versatèz potion requires one single part of the magical being in order to be completed. If this last ingredient is not induced before the potion is finished, it will render it useless.

Draco looked at Hermione confused. "The potion needs... a part of me?"

Hermione nodded, looking pointedly just past Draco's shoulder.

Draco raised his eyebrows, looking horrified. "My wings?"

Hermione shook her head, a small smile on her face. "Just one feather will do. That's all."

Draco laughed. "Well there's plenty of those on the forest floor. I shedded them like a snake when I was... uh..."

Hermione reached a hand out and touched Draco's arm, smiling sadly at him. She knew what had happened, of course she did.

"Can you bring me one? A feather? I'll need it if we're going to do this." Hermione looked at him carefully.

"Yes, don't worry I'll-"

A loud crash made both Draco and Hermione jump violently as the two turned around quickly, grabbing for their wands.

It was silent except for the sound of the two breathing.

"Nox," Hermione whispered. Her wand went out, leaving the two in complete darkness.

"Who's there?" Draco asked loudly.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" A voice from just in front of the two startled them. Hermione grabbed the book off the desk.

In one swift motion, the pulling of an invisibility cloak revealed a Harry James Potter, standing in his pyjamas, his eyes narrowed at both Draco and Hermione, his wand at his side as he whispered 'lumos'.

"Harry..." Hermione started, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What are you doing here?"

"I think I'd like to ask you the same," he replied through gritted teeth, looking only at Draco, his mouth set in a hard, straight line. "Why are you here with him, Hermione? What's going on?"

"Harry we were just... We were-"

"Granger and I were simply looking for a way to save your stupid, idiotic, Gryffindor ass from death." Draco cut across Hermione, smirking slightly, not taking his eyes off of Harry for a second.

Hermione's eyes bulged in the low blue light, as she looked at Draco incredulously. Had the boy gone completely bonkers?!

"I... What?" Harry asked, evidently very confused. "You told Hermione?!" Harry almost yelled.

"No, Potter," Draco looked at him, ignoring the guilt he felt when he saw Harry's face fall at the use of his last name. "She worked it out herself and came to me. You have a very clever friend, I must say."

Hermione bit the inside of her cheek and looked at Harry, embarrassed.

Before anyone could say anything else, Draco spoke again.

"Pity we couldn't find a way though," Draco lied, sneering at Harry. He could feel the anger rushing back from earlier. "Would've been nice to have you around a bit longer, but never mind."

Draco's eyes were cold and stone-like as he folded his arms across his chest and stared at Harry.

The latter squirmed under his gaze, feeling upset and shaken. So many thoughts were rushing through his head. Hermione knew he was going to die. He looked at her, feeling only sorrow and guilt at the thought of leaving his best friend. And Draco... Draco was furious with him. Still! He was acting as if they weren't together, as if they weren't mates, as if none of this had ever happened. Harry couldn't meet his Veriae's eyes. This was all too much.

"I- I'm gonna go now," Harry said, firmly, trying not to let his emotions show through. "I'll talk to you later, Hermione."

"Harry, wait!" Hermione started after him, but Harry had already vanished under the cloak. She sighed, putting a hand to her forehead.

"Why'd you have to be like that?!" Hermione rounded on Draco, angry as ever. "He's your mate, for Merlin's sake! He did this for you! So you could live! That's how much he loves you, how much he cares for you! Don't you see? And now, in his potentially last two days on earth, you're treating him like this!" She was almost crying now, looking at Draco disgustedly.

Draco pressed his lips together as he listened to her, realising she was right. He shouldn't have been so hard on Harry. He might only have a couple days left to live, for heaven's sake! Where had his protective, caring and loving side gone? Where was the Draco that supported, nurtured and cared for Harry? If this is what heartbreak did to Draco, he didn't want to know what it might be like if Harry really did die. He gulped, finally letting in all the emotion he had been covering up the past twenty four hours.

Crumbling into a chair nearby, Draco sunk down and rested his head in his hands, tears pricking his eyes hotly. How could he have treated Harry like that? He was an awful Veriae, an awful boyfriend. Everything he felt came rushing to the surface as he realised he really could lose Harry forever.

"I need to go after him," A choked sob escaped Draco as he looked up at Hermione, not caring about his Malfoy image now. "I shouldn't have treated him like that, I shouldn't have been angry. I should be there, holding him, supporting him. Merlin, what have I done?"

Hermione inhaled deeply. "Draco, if you go now, you can probably catch up to him. I'm sure you know where he's gone. I'll focus on the potion for now - just make sure you get me that feather soon, okay?"

Draco nodded and whispered a thank you under his breath as he left the girl in the library, running heavily after his mate.

---------------------------------------------------

Draco ran as fast as he could out of the castle and down towards the line between the forest and the grounds.

Not stopping for breath, he ran through the tree line and into the forest, refusing to give up even though he was running out of breath.

Eventually, Draco came to a stand still in front of the vines; his and Harry's special place. He knew Harry would be there. Where else would he go?

Taking a deep breath, Draco quickly made the figure of eight motion, and walked tenderly through the vines, unsure of what he might find on the other side.

Now looking over the scene, Draco immediately spotted a mop of dark hair, laying curled up by the rocks across the bridge.

He walked silently down the steps and across the bridge, over to Harry.

The boy was curled up against the rocks, his eyes closed. Draco wasn't sure if he was asleep or not.

"What are you doing here?" Harry's voice came out hard and cold, signalling that he was very much awake. He still hadn't opened his eyes.

"Um, Harry... I..." Draco didn't know what to say. How could he just apologise after the way he'd treated Harry?

"Have you come to gloat? Come to tell me how idiotic and stupid I am? How I should have just left you to die?"

Harry had his eyes open now, piercing into Draco's, who recoiled at the intensity.

"No..." Draco said softly, all the guilt he had pushed away now piling on top of him, weighing him down like thick cement. "No, I came to apologise. I'm sorry, Harry. I shouldn't have treated you the way I did."

Harry snorted and looked away. "Is that it then? You can go now."

Draco tried not to let himself feel hurt. He hated this. He hated fighting with Harry, hated how it made him feel. It was like a dagger in the heart, it had been for the past day. And it was eating Draco alive.

"Please, Harry..." Draco was nearly begging now, dropping to his knees beside Harry's curled up form. "I understand why you did what you did... I want you to know that I'm sorry, I care for you so much-" Draco choked on his words, trying not to cry.

Harry's head snapped up to look at him, surprised at the amount of emotion Draco was showing. He really felt this bad?

There was a long pause before Harry spoke.

"You really mean that?" he whispered softly, his eyes wide, staring into Draco's. Harry noted that they were a deep shade of blue. He really does mean it, he thought.

"Yes.." Draco was completely still, looking into Harry's eyes with the most sincere expression the raven-haired boy had ever seen. "Yes, I really mean it, Harry. I'm so sorry for treating you like that. I was hurt, angry... because I love you. It's because I love you that I got so upset, so upset that you're... that you're leaving me."

A tear fell down Draco's pale face, reflecting the moonlight. "I'm so sorry. I just want to spend these last days together, not fighting, not making snide comments at each other. I just want to love you. Please let me."

Harry stared at him, his mouth agape. Draco really did love him, and he was serious about it.

A long, painful pause engulfed the two boys. Draco could almost hear the cogs whirring in Harry's brain, trying to decide what to do.

"O- okay," Harry said finally with a small, tentative nod.

A small smile broke Draco's forlorn-looking features, relief flooding through him.

Draco took Harry' hands in his, taking a deep breath to calm his racing heart.

"Almost exactly a year ago," Draco whispered, looking deep into Harry's eyes, not cutting contact once. "We danced together at the Yule Ball, outside the Great Hall where no one could see us." The blonde swallowed, unshed tears shining in his eyes. "I'd like that dance again."

Harry bit his lip, a small smile spreading over his lips as he squeezed Draco's hand in his.

"Harry James Potter..." Draco said, standing up and pulling Harry with him. "May I have this dance?"

"Yes," Harry breathed, hardly daring to look away from Draco. He was captivating, intoxicating. He couldn't bring himself to look away, even if he wanted to.

Draco didn't once let go of Harry's hands as he led them to a small space between the rocks and the bridge, the large willow tree creating a tent-like space around them.

Draco placed his hands on Harry's waist, and Harry instinctively reached his arms up to circle Draco's neck.

"There isn't any music," Harry stated stupidly, breaking the silence.

A small laugh escaped Draco. "Yes there is, Harry. You just need to open your mind, and let it in. Close your eyes."

Harry did as instructed and closed his eyes. A few seconds passed and he heard nothing, then suddenly, Harry felt as if he could hear a piano playing somewhere far away in the distance. He laughed in surprise.

"I can hear it!" He exclaimed with delight, eyes still closed.

Draco simply looked at him in adoration. "Is it getting closer?"

"Yes," Harry whispered. "It's loud now... almost like it's here." His eyes shot open and he looked around him, confused.

"It's all up here, Harry," Draco whispered, tapping Harry's head lightly. He leaned forward, his lips just above Harry's ear. "But I can hear it too."

Harry said nothing as the two locked eyes and began to sway together, back and forth, rocking in time to the music.

Draco could feel Harry's warm breath on his chin, they were so close. He gripped Harry's waist and brought their bodies closer, trying to keep his emotions down. This could be their last ever dance.

Harry breathed deeply and evenly as he let Draco lead the both of them, beginning to step and sway together with the music.

Before he knew what was happening, Harry heard a violin join the piano and the pace was picking up.

Harry let out a squeak as Draco whirled him around, the two moving quickly in time with the music. Draco laughed as he watched Harry's surprised face and dipped him like he had done a year ago.

Harry's eyes went wide as he felt Draco's strong hand on his back, steadying him, keeping him anchored. He felt a sharp, painful tug in his gut as he looked up at Draco, realising he was going to be leaving him just too soon.

Draco's nose was so close to Harry's they were almost touching as he began to bring the boy back up into a standing position. He quickly brought the both of them back into their dance, swirling around each other, nothing but the two of them in the world.

They danced in silence with the music, engrossed in each other, not breaking eye contact once. Nothing else mattered right now except the two of them. The feel of their hands clasped together, palms and fingers touching and intertwined, spinning and laughing and swaying. The moonlight shone onto them like a spotlight, lighting up both of their faces. It was truly beautiful.

Draco brought the two of them to a slow sway as the music started to dissipate. Harry was breathing heavily, his eyes closed as he leaned on Draco's chest. The thump of the blonde's heartbeat was all Harry wanted to listen to. It was so calming and reassuring. A reminder that another person, truly loved and cared for him. It was all he'd ever wanted.

"Draco," Harry broke the silence as he leaned back from the blonde's chest, still wrapped up in his arms. "What if this is... What if this is the last time that we-"

"Shhh," Draco whispered, cutting Harry off and placing a finger on the boy's lips. "We shouldn't talk about that right now. These are our last moments together. I want to spend them the right way."

Harry nodded and didn't say anything, tears threatening to break free as he realised the implications of what was about to happen. He gripped Draco tighter than ever and the latter responded, seeming just as desperate to keep a hold of him as Harry did.

Harry placed his head back onto Draco's chest, and the blonde rested his on top of Harry's, stroking his hair comfortingly.

The two stayed like this for a few minutes, neither wanting to pull away from the other. Merlin, this hurt. It was like a sharp knife had cut straight through both of their hearts, knowing that each of them was going to leave the other far behind in just a matter of days. It was too much to bare.

"Harry," Draco whispered into Harry's hair. "Look up."

Harry pulled away from Draco and did so, still gripping onto the boy.

Harry gasped as he took in the sight before him. Thousands of tiny fireflies were flying around the two of them, circling ahead and far above past the branches of the willow tree. They looked like tiny floaty stars among the moonlight. It was amazing.

"Wow," Harry breathed, looking up and all around him. It was incredible. "It feels so magical."

"It does," Draco agreed, looking above him. It was one of the most amazing things he'd ever experienced.

Draco looked down at Harry, who was still looking around him in awe.

"Harry," Draco whispered and the boy looked into his own eyes. Draco cupped Harry's face with his hands and brought the Gryffindor's face to his, closing the gap between them.

Harry sighed in pleasure into Draco's mouth, his lips moving against the blonde's almost desperately. Draco responded with just as much emotion as another tear rolled down his cheek. This could be the last time they kissed. This could be the last time they touched. This could be the last time.

"I love you so much," Draco breathed as he broke the kiss, resting his forehead on Harry's. "Never forget that," He quickly captured Harry's lips again. He couldn't get enough. It would never be enough. There was so little time.

"I love you too," Harry responded, his eyes closed, hands running through Draco's hair and along his neck. He hadn't realised he'd started crying as well until his damp cheek brushed against Draco's.

"Merry Christmas, Draco."

"Merry Christmas, Harry."

-----------------------------------------------------

A/N: BRO MY HEART THIS IS GETTING SO SAD NOW JESUSCBRIST

This was the song I was listening to as I was writing the dance scene in case anyone wanted to listen:

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]