Tears fill my eyes as I realise I’m free

Of Voldemort and Death Eater regimes.

But independence might not ever be,

For deeds long done will ever haunt my dreams.

I tried to kill, and saturated skin

Tells tale of my erroneous misdeeds.

The Mark reminds of disillusioned sin,

And that is all of me the world heeds.

But Potter takes my side and never bends;

He gives his word that I am not like those

Who tortured, killed, and maimed his Mudblood friends.

That he believes in me, it surely shows.

And as we part, I want to let him know

That Draco Malfoy has a new hero.

I cannot fathom how this comes to pass,

That I can see my enemy anew.

Where once our words were bitter, trite, and crass,

Now there is something else I’d rather do.

“I’m sorry” doesn’t seem like quite enough

To let him know there’s so much more to say.

My breath is weak, my voice is dry and rough,

As I call out and ask if he might stay.

If curious or startled, I won’t ask,

But Potter is beside me once again.

That “thank you” is a monumental task

As I atone for years of fear and pain.

And as he nods, I know he understands

How obligation wields its iron bands.

I ask him if he’ll have a drink with me,

For liquid courage seems the thing to do.

We lift our Ogden’s to the victory,

And many thoughts reside within that brew.

That mussy hair stops seeming so grotesque,

And even those foul glasses cannot hide

Those lively eyes that shine so picturesque,

No longer leering, judgmental and snide.

So if it is the whiskey, I don’t know,

For I’m propelled by forces undefined

To take my chance and to let my lips show

The strange, new feelings stirring in my mind.

He backs away and tells me he feels used,

And my heart shatters, leaves me so confused.