After Lucius Malfoys banishment to Azkaban, Draco Malfoy has lost all faith in everything he ever believed in. Now returning for his Sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he must face predjudice, disgrace and disgust from his Peers and Professors alike. Will he be able to find faith where there is none, in someone he thought least likely to understand him? Or will it all become just too much...

Pride of Ice

Epilogue: Tomodachi

"History is much like an endless waltz. The three beats of war, peace, and revolution continue on forever."
- Mariemeia Khushrenada, Endless Waltz.

All around it is silent. The far-off cries of the still standing Deatheaters trying to fight away the Ministry Aurors and the remainder of Hogwarts' army ever so distant in my ears as they refuse to leave his form. Face down in the grass where he landed, deathly still and ever-so-silent. And yet I'm waiting, hoping, wishing for something, anything. Something that signals he is still alive, that it's all just one big joke and he'll spring up any second now and jinx me for being an idiot.

But it's been five minutes already and he hasn't moved. The Deatheaters are breaking away from the Ministry, fleeing the grounds their black robes whipping back in their wake as they seek their Master who had fled long ago. Dumbledore had made sure of that, he had driven him away with strength that seemed impossible for someone of his age.

But I can't move at all. I'm frozen in place, held back by the paralysing hope that maybe, just maybe he will get up again. But still he won't move, me slumped upon my knees staring weakly at the head of silver-blond that has planted itself into the blood-splattered battle field.

All around me people are combing through the bodies, searching for any signs of life amongst the saviours of Hogwarts and Deatheaters alike. Every now and then a cry of relief erupts with yells of, "over here! We've got another one!". Nobody seems to be questioning the fact that they had managed to apparate into Hogwarts Grounds. Hermione will have an absolute fit when she realises it.

Slowly unsurely I shed the paralysis that has stolen my body for the last five minutes, crawling, unable to stand on weak limbs I close the meter between us. Carefully I grip his robes, ignoring the footsteps that are headed my way and slowly roll him over onto his back. His face holds no sign of life, all that remains is grim triumph shining in lifeless eyes and holding his lips in a victorious smile. And upon his forehead, splattered with blood which seems to be trickling from numerous gashes, including vicious tears across his cheeks it faintly shimmers.

The pale scar upon his forehead has been replaced, its crude dragon like form dissapeared without explanation. But right in the very center of his forehead, half obscured by thick rusty trickles of blood it rests. Resembling a tattoo of sorts, a dull blue-ish form, perfectly inscribed onto his skin.

Standing out bright amidst the dreadful waxen white of his skin, his hair stained copper by the still running blood. He lays, unmoving and silent in his final triumph staring up at me without flinching. I don't move as I hear Lupin's voice croak out hoarsely, exhaustion heavy in his movements, "good lord..". When his hand comes to a rest on my shoulder, him crouching beside me I barely acknowledge him merely glancing towards him in silence.

He stretches out a trembling hand, carefully tracing the tattoos pattern with a blood smeared hand, only now I realise the heavy gash that splits across his right eye, forcing it shut. "It was his choice" he murmurs, his voice barely reaching to my own ears. "He knew what he had to do Harry, you couldn't have stopped him". His words linger heavily in my mind, echoing over and over through the haze of confusion that has encased me.

Death surrounds me. To all corners he beckons, gathering up the souls of those sacrificed in this false pretense of fighting for peace. "Harry?" the second voice comes only as a croak, and there they are. Hermione being supported by a limping Ron. Her face paler then she's ever been before, a nasty gash across her arm bleeding freely as she favoured her right foot. By the way she's moving I guess her left leg must be broken.

"Are you alright? What happened..?" she whispers out her eyes turning upon his form. Lying so still, finally at peace with the battle that became his life. Slowly I lift my head further, meeting their eyes, my best friends, leaning heavily upon each other to keep from falling. And him, he who sacrificed his life so I could live. Their eyes no longer rest upon his body but upon me and Lupin as he carefully heaves me to my feet. My godfather nowhere to be seen, he seems to realise my silent search and he shakes his head quietly answering my unasked question.

No, he's not dead. I watch as the survivors of this slaughter house slowly move towards the door, Lupin obviously sensing my inability to move loops a strong, trembling wiry arm beneath my shoulders and carefully tries to steer me away. The cry erupts from my throat without warning, "no!".

He stops, eyes filled with confusion until he follows my stare to the unmoving form of my saviour. "I see" he murmurs more to himself then anything else, slowly setting me to balance he still trembling turns back to the body, carefully moving toward the slumped body and stoops to lift it.

"Harry!" the croaked exclamation comes from another and then he is here. My godfather swoops towards me, catching me around the shoulders as I begin to sway. His eyes questioningly falling on his childhood friend who now stands, trembling with exhaustion and the added weight of him. I'm sorry Draco.

The wind tears past, it's whisper sad and soft as it laments the loss of life. Yet we seldom few stand tall, we have met the challenge once again and faced it. Gaining insight into profound wisdom and courage that was beyond comprehension, we had faced the devil himself and came away with knowledge and pain that would scar us all until the day we die.

I know now what it means to be lost to the wind. Thrown into disarray without a hope of gathering yourself together, we are controlled by powers bigger then I can understand. All of us waltzing to the rythm of life.

The skies above are pale and grey, a soft breeze whipping quietly across the ground. Ruffling at the soft green grass, vibrant with colour that seems out of place in this silent place. Rows upon rows of chairs face forwards, my feet seem to carry me effortlessly forwards. I am thankful for this, I don't think I could have managed to do so if it had been left up to my own willpower. The breeze whips at wisps of greying tawny hair, sending it tickling my nose as I force myself to walk respectfully toward the front row, already seated are the faculty, all solemn and silently facing the front as they wait.

It is to start soon I know, I'm surprised that more people haven't shown up yet. But then again, perhaps I place to much faith in the nature of humankind. I turn my head to catch upon a solemn, hunched figure, his messy head of raven black hair a great deal more tame then usual, as though he has tried to make it respectable. He is clothed, as are the others in formal dress robes. Glancing down at my own, slightly shabby pair I find myself reaching the row he sits down.

Without hesitation I walk down the row rather then the seat I am expected to sit at with the rest of the Hogwarts Faculty. He glances up, probably having heard me and stares silently at me, his glasses held in one hand and worn, saddened emerald eyes meet my eyes. "Professor Lupin?" he murmurs out and I shake my head silently, taking a seat beside him. "Remus, Harry" I correct him without a thought.

"They tried to get rid of that mark" he mumbles out at me almost inaudibly. I nod again, "Professor Dumbledore made them leave it" he continues aloud, as though he feels he should speak. "It's okay" I murmur finally and he glances upwards a hint of gratitude lingering in his gaze. "Where are Ron and Hermione?" I question quietly, already knowing the answer that is sure to come. "Ron.. he said he couldn't handle another funeral today, Hermione stayed to look after him."

I can't help the twinge of anger that flares toward the pair. They didn't wish to attend their former rivals funeral, not even for the sake of their best friend. "Where is Sirius?" he speaks up cutting off my train of thought, "he is coming" I reply, barely noticing the tightening of my throat. This was my second funeral of the day as well, the Weasleys had held Bill's own service this morning.

We don't need to look up to know that Sirius has arrived, shuffling past me to sit on Harry's other side. A form of support I suppose, for he is the one who will need it the most. I watch with silence as the last of the small crowd moves in to sit down, the rows upon rows of seats unnecessary. There were barely enough people to fill the first four rows.

I don't know what I expected really, even after the Daily Prophet published his actions on the battlefield people had still been critical of coming to the funeral of a convicted and tried Deatheater's son. Sometimes I think I don't even know myself anymore, for so many years I've fallen further and further away into loss, first from James and Lily, and supposedly Peter, Sirius' supposed betrayal, then the reality of Peter's betrayal.

Now the loss of someone like me. Someone who was rejected for what they were and not who they were. Someone who wasn't given the chance to show others who he really was, until the very end. Someone who had broken free of conformity and expectations and shone like the brightest star in the sky. For several glorious minutes he became what everyone expected least of him, he became a hero.

I watch as a line of Aurors shuffle in silently, filing down a row and taking their seats. Eyes glued determinedly at the podium set amidst the grass, the service is going to begin soon. I close my eyes briefly, silently rubbing them as Sirius shrugs an arm around his Godson's shoulders.

When I reopen my eyes Albus Dumbledore is standing, silently moving to the front, silence rings through the crowd, the whisper of the wind dancing past tauntingly in my ears as he pauses. "We are here today" he begins, his voice carrying clearly out over the seldom few who have come to pay their respects. "To farewell a student of this school".

The silence is deafening, I could swear that I can hear Dumbledore's words echoing. "Known amongst us all as Draco Malfoy, a boy who throughout his past year at Hogwarts, became a person to be looked upon with the greatest regard. Draco Malfoy was not always the most amiable person, nor was he always the kind person that we always claim people to be when they have passed. But Draco was a role model."

Impressive silence reigned as Dumbledore's words washed over us, his words utter truth and not laced with the usual honey-lathered guards that were put up at such ceremonys. As he stood, his eyes shining with emotions his final words echoed in my ears, never to be forgotten, "lest we ever forget your bravery Draco, you have earned the inspiration of generations to come".

He stood down from the podium and slowly the small populace stood from their seats, my own eyes heavy with unshed tears I bring my hands together in respect. When Dumbledore returns to his seat I step back, allowing Harry's passage past as he makes his way determinedly toward the podium.

No-one speaks, all is once again silent as Sirius draws closer to my side, his hand snaking out to grip my own so tightly it feels as if his grip alone could crush the entire skeleton of my hand. I lift my head silently as Harry steps determinedly up to the microphone, his face set.

"Er.. I wanted to say something" he speaks up slowly, his voice shaking as he stares around at us. Looking for confirmation he takes a deep breath inward, my eyes never once leaving his form as I hear Sirius take a sharp intake of breath. "Draco.. was always my rival" he speaks up finally cutting the intense silence. "From the first time we laid eyes on each other we were competing" he continues, his voice shaking.

"But this year, everything changed. He changed" turning his eyes quietly over the crowd before he continues I feel Sirius' grip tighten. "He - He saved my life" he continues shaking visibly as a tear makes its pathway down his face. "People have always told me how brave I must be - to take on Voldemort. But he, he was braver. He did it volunteerily .. He did it even though he wasn't expected to". He seems to falter, raising a sleeve and brushing away a stray tear carelessly, "he was a rival and a friend. And I will never forget him".

Quickly without another word he moves back towards us, seemingly not hearing the applause that rings out from the hands of the gathered few. I don't seem to take in much more as Snape, as head of Slytherin House makes his quick speech, short and to the point as always.

People filter forwards, passing their own comments, lost amongst the gentle breeze as my mind reels. On and on through the inescapable maze that is my mind and then we are moving forwards, peering down at the coffin, scribed with the crest of a dragon, and then we are throwing handfuls of dirt in silence as we pass by the final resting place of a mere teenager.

As the soil leaves my hands I can't hold myself together anymore, without warning I'm suddenly braced by Sirius and together we stand, Harry carefully positioned infront of us as they proceed with the end of the ceremony.

My mind is overcome with a flood of memories and images. Standing outside as the rain beat down on us, soaking us to the very bone. Murmurs of Lions and thunder, carrying the limp boy burning with poison-induced fever. Sympathy, prophecies and then strength. Under a years worth of strained vivid memories flashing in my eyes.

Watching as blow after blow was forced upon you, but nothing was strong enough to break you Draco. Time after time you got back up onto your feet and continued. Nothing, no nothing could scratch upon the dragon.

Nothing could melt away the Pride of Ice.

Tomodachi
from Visions of Escaflowne.

Doushiteru kana anata no koto
tsumetai kaze ni sukoshi omotta

Eda ni mo tarete hanashita yo ne
karada ga hiete hi ga ochite mo

Nakidashite shimatta
watashi o mamoru you ni
damatte soba ni ite
kureta ne

Fushigi na sekai sono hitomi ni
utsushiteru you na sonna kigashita
akogare dato ka yumemiru koto
anata ni kitto oshierareta

Hanareba nare ni naru
sukoshi mae ni tsugeta
negai
wasurenai de iru kara

Tooku temo anata ni
maketaku ha nainda
itsu made mo futari ha
RAIBARU

Tayori ha iranai
daisuki na tomodachi
dare ni mo iwanai
ichiban no omoide

Mou ichido aerusa
daisuki na tomodachi
wasureru koto nai
daisuki na tomodachi

(Friends - Visions of Escaflowne)

I wonder how it's been with you?
In the cold wind,
I pondered a little bit.

We leaned against a branch and talked, didn't we?
My body started to chill,
and as the sun was setting,

I ended up crying.
And as if to protect me,
you came and stood silently by my side,
didn't you?

I felt like
your eyes reflect
a wondrous world.
You taught me
how to dream
and long and such.

I told you only a little while ago,
even if we get torn apart,
I won't forget
our dreams, so...

...even though I'm far away from you,
I don't want to give up.
Even though we've always been
rivals.

I don't need to hear any news,
beloved friend.
I don't tell anyone else
my foremost thoughts.

We'll meet once more, right,
beloved friend.
I won't forget you,
beloved friend.

A/n: It's the end, the real..true end. And I apologise a thousand times for taking so damn long. This ficcy is utterly and completely incompliant with OotP. WoOoOhoOo. -glances casually out of the tiny dooflap of her bombshelter- Erm.. Rabid Reviewers Beware o.O;; I've invested in a security guard. -Shoves a Yami Bakura unceremoniously out of the door- yeah.. almost as scary as my muse ^-^;;. Anyway, I hope that was satisfactory. I finally feel that this fic is finished! the first fic that i've actually finished. Geeze, that's scary! I might actually start -gasp- finishing fics. Oh the horror..

Thankyou to all of my faithful reviewers. Your all wonderful, no matter how rabid or positively scary you are ^-^. God it was one hell of a journey. There's nothing else I can say except, Thankyou!

Playlist for this chapter:
Through her Eyes: Dream Center
Angel: Sarah McLaughlan
Black Balloon: The Goo Goo Dolls
Somewhere Out There: Our Lady Peace
Streets of Philadelphia: Bruce Springsteen.