"Harry!" it shrieked in Hermione's voice. "It's a trap! Norway's Ministry received an anonymous tip about Malfoy! Hit Squad dispatched! Get out now!"

Harry turned to see Draco's face drain of color.

"Not me," Draco rasped. "I didn't—"

"I know." Harry acted fast. "Grab essentials. We leave now."

Draco's wand sent logs and small items flying into a satchel. Outside, apparition cracks erupted.

"Too late." Draco said calmly. "Portkey at the back door to Finland. You first."

"No, we go together." Harry grabbed Draco's arm.

Draco shook his head. "They want me. If you're caught with me, your career—"

"To hell with my career!" Harry roared. "I won't watch you die again—"

The door exploded inward. Three black-clad Hit Wizards stormed in, wands raised.

"Draco Malfoy! You're under arrest for Dark artifact theft! Lower your wand!"

Harry shielded Draco. "Auror Office Director Harry Potter. There's been a mistake—Malfoy's assisting Ministry investigations."

The lead wizard sneered. "Pity, Mr. Potter. Our orders are clear: if found conspiring with Malfoy, you're to be arrested too. The Minister suspects you're under the Imperius."

Harry's heart sank. This trap was set for them both.

"Run!" Draco suddenly shouted, brandishing his wand. Blinding light flooded the room with smoke.

Harry felt Draco yank him through the haze. They burst out back, sprinting for the woods. Curses whizzed past them.

"Where's the Portkey?" Harry panted.

"Never existed." Draco gasped. "Lied. Split up—they want me more."

"No!"

A Killing Curse grazed Harry. Draco shoved him aside but took a hex to the shoulder.

"Draco!"

"Keep running!" Draco clutched his bleeding shoulder. "Find Ron and Hermione—clear your name!"

Harry hesitated one second—then made his choice. He wheeled toward their pursuers, wand high. "Stupefy!"

Red light dropped one Hit Wizard. The others dodged, returning fire. Harry dragged Draco behind a tree.

"You're mad!" Draco hissed. "They'll kill you!"

"Let them try." Harry grinned, feeling oddly exhilarated, like their schoolyard rivalry days.

Draco shook his head but smiled. "Ever the Gryffindor."

Back-to-back, they dueled fiercely. Harry's defensive spells were flawless; Draco's Dark Arts knowledge predicted every curse.

Just as they gained ground, more apparition cracks sounded—reinforcements.

"We retreat," Harry said. "Can you Side-Along?"

Draco shook his head. "Anti-Disapparation Jinx over the area."

Harry spotted a frozen river nearby. "This way!"

They dashed for it as curses exploded behind them. Nearing the bank, another Killing Curse flashed.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Harry felt Draco shove him hard. The green bolt struck Draco's back—he crumpled like a broken puppet.

"No!" Harry caught Draco as they tumbled down the embankment. Ice shattered beneath them; freezing water soaked them instantly.

Harry clung to Draco, battling the current. The rushing water carried them downstream until the shouts faded.

Finally, Harry grabbed a rock and hauled them ashore. Shivering, he checked Draco—alive, but barely breathing, lips already blue.

"Hold on..." Harry wrapped Draco in his coat, conjuring a fire. "You'll be fine..."

Draco's eyes fluttered open. "Potter... eternally... optimistic..."

"Shut up, conserve strength." Harry's voice was sharp with fear. "Need to get you to a Healer..."

"Too late..." Draco weakly touched Harry's face. "Killing Curse... not... direct hit... but close... enough..."

Harry clutched the cold hand. "Why? Why push me?"

Draco's grey eyes held a softness Harry had never seen. "Because... this time... I finally... got it right..."

"No, no, no..." Harry's tears fell on Draco's pale face. "You can't... We just..."

"Find... my chest..." Draco's voice weakened. "Something... for you..."

"Draco, please..."

"Harry..." Draco used his given name for the first time, smiling faintly. "Know... I never... truly... hated you..."

His hand fell. Grey eyes glazed over. Harry clutched the cooling body, sobbing into the Arctic wind.

Three days later, Harry returned to London. Hermione and Ron met him at the Ministry, faces etched with worry.

"Harry..." Hermione said gently. "We heard about Norway... The Hit Wizards claim you—"

"They lied." Harry's voice was eerily calm. "Draco Malfoy died. Saving me."

Ron gaped. "Malfoy... saved you?"

Harry nodded, producing a delicate silver box. "He left this. Found at his Norwegian safehouse."

Hermione opened it carefully. Inside was a photograph—young Harry and Draco passing in a Hogwarts corridor, caught by a magical camera. The back read:

"In all possible worlds, I'd wish to be your friend."

Hermione's eyes welled. "He... all this time..."

"Loved me?" Harry smiled bitterly. "Or just regretted. We'll never know now."

Ron gripped Harry's shoulder. "What now?"

Harry gazed into the distance, resolve hardening. "Clear his name. Tell the world what Draco Malfoy did. He deserves to be remembered as a hero."

Hermione nodded. "We'll help."

Harry studied the photo's young Draco—that arrogant blond boy, his nemesis, the friend he'd never truly known. Then gently closed the box, pressing it to his heart.

"Thank you, Draco," he thought. "For the second chance."

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