Draco was fidgeting. He couldn't help himself as he stood on a hill overlooking Hogwarts, awaiting the Dark Lord's command to attack. The snarls from Greyback's pack could be heard even from this far away and he almost shivered at the thought of what they would do to anyone they encountered. He could feel the excitement radiating from the group around him; they were all excited to kill young wizards and witches with the hope of taking over the world. The thought was disgusting.

"He's not going to show?" the Dark Lord asked angrily. Draco knew the question wasn't directed at anyone, but Yaxley felt the urge to answer anyway.

"Maybe he's on his way and we can't see him in the dark," he suggested.

There was a smack and Dolohov could be heard hissing at Yaxley. Draco rolled his eyes and his hand subconsciously moved to hold the amulet from Hermione.

"Look!"

Draco's hand dropped from the amulet and snapped up at the sound of someone's voice. He squinted into the dark, barely able to see movement despite Mulciber's insistence it was Potter. Someone cast a revealing charm and light surrounded Potter as Blaise led him up the hill.

Draco frowned. What was Blaise doing here? And why had Potter just turned himself over so easily?

The Dark Lord started laughing. Slowly the other Death Eaters joined in as Potter walked closer and closer to the group. By the time Potter was being forced to his knees by Blaise, the entire group of Death Eaters was cackling gleefully. At the Dark Lord's snap, however, everyone shut up.

"Harry Potter," he hummed. He stepped closer to Potter who didn't so much as flinch. The Dark Lord reached out as if he was going to touch the scar on his forehead, but paused before he did. "Heroes like you are too predictable. I suppose you came so I would spare your precious Hogwarts and leave your friends alone?"

Potter didn't answer, but Draco could see his eyes narrow slightly. From where he stood, Draco could see Blaise tapping his thumb and middle finger together rapidly. The nervous habit had been discovered halfway through their second year at Hogwarts and Draco was no stranger to it. Whatever Potter was planning, Blaise was in on it. That probably meant Hermione was too and if she was in on it, they were likely relying on Draco. But for what?

"Before I kill you," the Dark Lord said, "I'm going to make you watch me destroy your school."

Without another word, he let out a loud cry and shot his wand up and out towards Hogwarts. Draco held his breath and watched as a beam of magic collided with the Hogwarts barrier. The light stayed focused on the barrier and seconds later, more magic was shooting out and Draco realised the Death Eaters had joined it. He found himself raising his wand as well, making eye contact with Blaise before sending the weakest magic he could at the school. It took almost a minute, but with the amount of magic and the pure rage sent with it, the barrier collapsed.

"Let's go kill some Mudbloods!"

"Wait!" the Dark Lord demanded, stopping Rudolphus in his tracks and turning to look back down at Potter. "I want him to watch his school burn."

A harsh swish of his wand sent an orange beam of magic shooting toward the castle and Draco saw something explode. Greyback howled and the werewolves charged. He couldn't breathe as he wondered where Hermione was and if he'd be able to get to her before anyone else. The second the Dark Lord let them invade, he'd seek her out.

Potter was screaming, but Draco wasn't listening. More explosions broke walls of the castle and the bridge below started to burn.

"Your sacrifice was in vain, Mr. Potter," the Dark Lord hissed. He leveled his wand at Harry's head and whispered, "Avada Kedavra."

Blaise sprang out of the way faster than Draco had ever seen anyone move. As Potter crumpled to the ground, Death Eaters cheered in victory and launched themselves at the castle. Draco and Blaise made eye contact before the Dark Lord levitated Potter's body and flew down to the courtyard of Hogwarts. Before Draco could ask what the plan had been, Blaise was grabbing his arm and apparating them into the castle.

They appeared in the Great Hall. Rubble was falling from the sky and kids were screaming. Draco was lost in the chaos before Blaise shook him to get his attention.

"—Nagini!" he was saying.

"What?" Draco yelled.

"We have to kill Nagini! The snake!" Blaise repeated.

Draco couldn't care less about the Dark Lord's stupid pet snake, but apparently Blaise was set on it. He disappeared before Draco could ask him more questions, though, and Draco was left in the chaotic mess of the Great Hall.

Spotting a few younger students sobbing in the corner, he ran over to them and covered them with a shield charm. They hardly spared him a glance as they crouched even lower. Draco sped off in search of Nagini and Hermione, not sure which he should find first. When he came crashing into Hermione, though, he had his answer. He grabbed her arms before she could duck away and immediately checked her over for injuries.

"Now's not the time, Draco," she said, fighting his grip. He held her tightly as more rubble came crashing down around them. They jumped as the ceiling fell closer than they felt comfortable with and Hermione looked up at him. "We sent Harry with Zabini. Is he safe? We need to kill the snake before we can kill Voldemort."

Draco didn't want to tell her he'd been murdered already and that her plan had failed, so he nodded.

"He's alright," he lied.

Hermione relaxed just a bit before straightening up and sending a curse behind him. Draco twisted around to see Yaxley writhing on the ground as deep wounds cut across his body. Sectumsempra, he realised. Hermione had hit someone with an actual curse.

"We need to go, Draco," she said, snapping him out of his daze. Her lip was split and bleeding and there was a cut on her forehead, but Draco was just glad she was alive. He pulled her up to meet his lips and kissed her as long as he dared to with a battle raging around them.

"Stay safe," he told her.

She smiled softly and nodded before darting away and disappearing into the crowd. Wherever she was going, Draco knew it wouldn't be safe. However, the ring had been hanging from her neck so he'd know if she was truly in danger. In the meantime, he supposed he should find that snake and kill it before things got too far out of hand.