Draco looked into Astrid's eyes with complete horror as the realisation of the danger she had just walked into dawned on them both.

"Stay close to me," he growled, pushing her firmly behind him as much as possible, clutching her hand tightly in his as he drew his wand shakily with the other.

He stared fearfully at the cabinet as the door creaked open, black billowing smoke rising rapidly from the inside.

He felt Astrid's fingers tighten around his as a booted foot stepped out onto the floor, and a sallow faced woman dressed all in black emerged from the cabinet.

It was his aunt, Bellatrix.

And behind her, much to Draco's horror, came Fenrir Greyback; a disgusting werewolf who could sniff out a Muggle from across an entire Quidditch pitch.

"Draco, Draco..." his aunt grinned, stroking her wand wantonly down her cheek, making Draco squirm in revulsion. "We've been a very clever boy, haven't we?"

Her high pitched laughter filled the room as other Death Eaters emerged out of the cabinet behind her, cackling lowly.

Draco squeezed Astrid's hand, as his own heart tightened with fear in his chest. He could hear her shallow, frightened breaths behind him, and wished he could take her far, far away from this terrifying situation.

"And who is this, Draco?" Bellatrix asked, stopping her laughter suddenly at the sight of the black haired beauty tucked behind him. "A little cheeky treat?"

Draco felt a wave of protective fury on Astrid's behalf. He gave a tug of her hand, pulling her closer behind him so that she was now right up flat against his back. There was no mistaking her trembling and he wished so much that he could take her fear away.

"She- she's been helping me," Draco tried to say in a firm voice, but was dismayed at the noticeable quiver that betrayed his unease.

His aunt's heavy lidded eyes widened, and she took a step towards him, gazing curiously at Astrid, who he could feel shaking fearfully behind him.

"Interesting," Bellatrix purred, as she circled the both of them, her eyes dancing in delight, "very interesting..."

"There's no time for games, Bellatrix," the Death Eater, who Draco knew to be the sister Carrow, barked, "let the boy go and do his duty!"

"Oh you're no fun, Alecto," Bellatrix cackled, "have you never heard of playing with your food?"

"Go on, Draco," Greyback growled menacingly, baring his pointy, sharp teeth, "go take care of that headmaster of yours and leave the girl here."

"She stays with me!" Draco snarled, as he heard Astrid give a little whimper behind him. No way was he going to let Astrid out of his sight with these foul human beings lurking in the castle - if that's what you could even call them.

"I think not, young Malfoy!" The brother Carrow sniped, taking a lumpy step towards them. "This is not a time to start showing off in front of a silly girlfriend!"

Draco instinctively took a step back, forcing Astrid further from their reach.

"Oh calm down, Amycus," Bellatrix sighed, rolling her eyes dramatically, "let Draco have his reward - he has done well after all."

Draco did not want to stand around any longer, and before anyone else could argue with Bellatrix, he spun around and pulled Astrid hurriedly with him to the door.

"We'll be right behind you!" He heard Bellatrix titter manically as he yanked the door open, "although we may stop to have some fun on the way!"

"Come on," Draco muttered to Astrid as they stepped out into the corridor looking up and down, making sure the coast was clear.

Letting go of Astrid, Draco delved his hand in his pocket and removed a shrivelled up old hand he had procured from Borgin's.

"W-what's that?" Astrid breathed in disgust.

"The Hand of Glory - gives light to only the one that holds it." Draco whispered furtively, handing it over to her, "Here, you'll need to hold it with me. It's about to go pitch black."

"Wha-" But before Astrid could ask another question, Draco reached in his pocket for the black powder that he knew was tucked there, and threw it in the air, plunging the whole corridor in darkness. Grappling for the Hand of Glory that was being held by Astrid, Draco waited for the light to come to him.

He didn't trust he wasn't being watched by Potter's pathetic little army, so he felt this was a necessary precaution, just in case they tried to stop him.

"Don't leave my side," he murmured quietly to Astrid as they walked along the corridor side by side, the Hand of Glory between them. He would have felt better holding her hand, but he needed his other one firmly on his wand, ready to use it at a moments notice.

As terrified as he was for Astrid's safety, a small, selfish part of him was glad she was here with him. She gave him the strength to walk the walk that he had never thought he would be able to do.

"I'm scared, Draco," she trembled as they started to ascend another flight of stairs, and his heart tugged horribly. This was all his fault - he had brought her here in the first place, knowing this day was eventually going to come.

"It'll be all right," he assured her, as they neared the Astronomy Tower, despite not believing that himself, "just stay close to me and let me do all the talking, okay?"

"You don't have to do this," she implored, "I love you, Draco. I know you're not a killer. Dumbledore will protect you, he'll hide you like he did me - please, Draco."

Behind them, they could hear the distant clamor of shouts and bangs as the Death Eaters undoubtedly caused destruction in their paths. Draco closed his eyes wondering what hell he had brought upon his school.

"I've got to do this, Astrid," he said sadly, "it's too late to turn back now."

"Then I'm with you, Draco," she whispered, looking up solemnly into his eyes, "every step of the way."

Putting the Hand of Glory in his pocket, he grabbed Astrid's hand in his. He couldn't do this last bit without feeling her gentle, warm, loving touch.

"Let's go," he said, his voice no longer sounding like his.

And together, hand in hand, they climbed the small spiral staircase that led them to the door of the top of the Astronomy Tower.

To Dumbledore.