All characters belong to J.K. Rowling of course, I own nothing.

This is fairly canon compliant but please don't expect all details to be totally accurate. Some parts may be based on what happened in the movies rather than the books.

I've decided to split my original story into smaller segments. This first part focuses on the set-up of Draco and Seamus's relationship, therefore it won't be particularly slash-heavy. The sequel, however, will include more on the romantic aspect of their relationship. I'd love for you to read this story - romance is still its main element. I just don't want anybody to be disappointed if they're expecting 20,000 words of intense slash-y smut.

Draco sprinted down one of the dark wood staircases of Malfoy Manor, racing blindly towards the front door. Light from the tip of his wand barely illuminated the path in front of him. Following in pursuit were red sparks bouncing off the walls and cackling laughter, both coming from the three Death Eaters who had avoided capture by the Ministry of Magic. That evening they had come out of hiding to visit Malfoy Manor, although their arrival had not been welcome. Now they chased Draco throughout the house, leaving a path of destruction in their wake.

Draco whipped around the corners of the hallways, narrowly avoiding the curses thrown by the Death Eaters. Narcissa's screams for Draco from the entranceway echoed throughout the house, shrill and chilling. When Draco rounded the last corner he saw her standing with her wand raised high, throwing light around the darkened, marble-floored room. His chest heaved as he gasped for air. Ignoring the burning pain in his lungs, Draco dashed the final distance towards his mother's outstretched arm. As their hands connected, Narcissa disapparated them both with a booming crack.

The street they appeared on was dimly lit and damp. Draco stumbled slightly and tried to push down the feeling of nausea rising in his stomach. Something cold and wet was soaking into his socks, making his nose crinkle in discomfort. He glanced down and shuddered. He'd stepped into the middle of a murky puddle. Trying to ignore his sopping feet, Draco looked around the street. To his right loomed a row of attached brick houses while opposite was an iron-fenced park. Narcissa turned to Draco and squeezed his hand. 'I'm afraid this may be the only place you're safe and welcome now,' she said. 'We are in debt to Potter already, but where else was I to take you?' She let his hand fall to his side.

Draco raised an eyebrow, confused. 'Potter?'

'I must return home and stop them from coming after you. Be safe, Draco.'

'What? No!'

Before Draco could grab Narcissa's hand again, she was gone. He shuffled back a couple of steps into the empty street and ran a hand through his hair. Narcissa had gone back home to face three Death Eaters alone; it was a sure death sentence. So why do it? Could she have not have taken them to the Ministry? That way both mother and son could have been safe. Draco knew the reasoning behind her decision. How could his mother trust the very establishment that had attempted to send her teenage son to Azkaban and succeeded in sending her husband there? Still, why did she have to whisk Draco away? As doomed as the two of them would have been fighting the three Death Eaters, he would have chosen that option over his mother facing the danger herself.

A chill breeze blew down the street, rustling leaves on the trees and making the hair on Draco's arms stand on end. He had barely had time to pull on a pair of trousers and a shirt after being woken by the crashing noises of windows shattering and walls being blasted to pieces. What he needed now was a winter coat despite it only being the end of August. He peered up and down the street but didn't recognise where he was. What was he to do now? Draco couldn't yet apparate, he'd not yet had enough practise. Adrenaline was still coursing through his body and his mind was buzzing, even if he could apparate he'd probably splice himself into a hundred pieces. Wait, hadn't his mother mentioned Potter before she left? What did he have to do with this?

'Oi! What do you think you're doing here?'

Draco recognised that thick Irish drawl. He cringed. This wasn't good. He turned to see Seamus Finnigan marching towards him, dressed in black and with a rosy tint to his cheeks.

Draco pulled himself up to his full height and took a deep breath, collecting himself. 'I can explain, Finnigan,' Draco replied. He could not help but glance up and down the street again, eyes searching for black-cloaked figures and red sparks.

'No need, Malfoy. You're spying on Harry, aren't you? Even after all he did for you, stopping you being sent to Azkaban.'

Draco's brow furrowed before understanding dawned on him. His mother had dropped him off at Harry's house. The apparition-induced nausea transformed into anxiety at the thought of having to see Harry. After Harry had defended him at his trial he would much rather have returned to the Ministry to face the Wizengamot again than ask Harry for more help.

'No,' Draco sighed. 'Look, it's not like that.'

'Don't try and weasel your way out of this,' Seamus growled. 'I know what you were doing.'

A loud crack sounded behind Seamus. Draco felt his heart jump. He stumbled backwards, eyes wide and wand raised. It took a couple of moments for him to realise that it wasn't a Death Eater standing before him but rather Hermione carrying a basket covered in a tea towel. She looked nearly as surprised as Draco, though she recovered quicker.

'Malfoy? What are you doing here?'

'Spying,' Seamus answered.

Draco inhaled deeply, trying to control himself. His pulse was still racing. Slowly, he lowered his wand and exhaled. 'I was not spying. My mother brought me here.'

Hermione's eyebrows furrowed further. 'Uh, why?'

'A couple of Death Eaters decided to attack our house and attempt to…'

Draco's voice wavered and trailed off. He had not yet had time to process what had actually brought the Death Eaters to Malfoy Manor. Thinking back to what he remembered of their yells and threats, it only took a moment for him to figure out what they had wanted. 'They were going to kill us,' he finished, glancing downwards.

Seamus followed Draco's eyes and spotted that Draco was standing in his socks. When he looked back up his face had lost its confrontational glare but he still refused to believe Draco. He crossed his arms over his chest and snorted. 'Likely story…'

'And where is she now?' Hermione interrupted. Her expression was one of concern.

Draco bit his lip. 'She went back home.'

Hermione's eyes grew wide. 'We need to get a message to the Ministry at once. Come on, we'd better let Harry know.' She hurried off towards the house at number twelve while Draco and Seamus remained in the middle of the street. Seamus was obviously still suspicious of Draco.

'We can't just let him into Harry's house,' Seamus called over his shoulder.

Hermione stopped and spun around. 'We can't leave him out here, Seamus. Death Eaters, remember? And his mother's in danger. The sooner the Ministry knows where they are, the sooner they get caught.'

'But…'

'For goodness sake, he can wait on the doorstep if it'll make you feel better. Actually, Harry can decide whether he lets Malfoy into his house or not. Both of you should at least get off the street. Unless you've forgotten, here in the Muggle world there are these things called cars and around London they're not very forgiving of pedestrians who get in their way.'

Draco stood on the doorstep of twelve Grimmauld Place while Hermione and Seamus disappeared inside. From the end of the corridor warm light was visible around the edge of the kitchen door. When Hermione opened it, voices and laughter floated towards the street. The noise died away as Hermione spoke, and a moment later Harry popped his head around the doorframe.

He stepped up to the front door, eyebrows slightly furrowed. 'Come in,' he said evenly, not giving away any emotions he felt at Draco's unexpected arrival, apart from perhaps confusion. 'You can wait in the study.'

The study was cold and dark. Harry flicked his wand at the lamps upon the walls, which emitted a dim glow across the room. Draco wandered inside a couple of steps and then turned back. Harry stood in the doorway, Hermione and Seamus behind him. Whoever else was in the kitchen was now silent, hoping to catch any snippet of conversation.

'Hermione said your house was attacked by Death Eaters,' Harry started.

Draco nodded.

'And your mother is still there?'

'Yes.'

'I'll notify the Ministry. You might as well take a seat.'

Harry headed upstairs, his footsteps thudding on the old staircase. Draco did not move but stared at the floor, feeling awkward and uncomfortable. Hermione put a hand on Seamus' shoulder and guided him into the kitchen, shutting the door behind them. When Harry reappeared Draco had only moved about five steps towards the couch. He felt very out of place and his socks were still wet.

'Aurors are being sent to your house right now,' Harry informed him. 'One will come back here once the situation has been assessed.'

Draco glanced at Harry and met his eye for a moment. He nodded and returned his gaze to the floor.

'Sit,' Harry insisted. 'They'll probably take a while. By the way, it'll be best if you stay out of the kitchen. You see we're having a get-together before Hermione, Dean and Ginny return to Hogwarts and Ron and I start auror training.' Harry scratched a spot on his head and pursed his lips, thinking of the right words to say. 'I don't believe you're still the bad guy we knew at Hogwarts all those years, but everybody next door has been bullied or hurt by you in some way or another. Maybe one day they'll come to forgive you, but I don't think they're ready just yet.'

Draco felt Harry's eyes on him. He looked up to meet Harry's gaze once more, wondering what had spawned this forgiveness of his past actions. Draco hadn't seen Harry since his trial in front of the Wizengamot. He had been unsure whether Harry truly believed the words he had said or if it was just another act of Gryffindor heroism. Now it seemed he may have been more truthful than Draco had given him credit for.

'If you ever need anybody, I'm here,' Harry continued. 'And one day, if you show them that you've changed, maybe the others will be there for you too. From what I've heard the Slytherins have deserted each other, but you don't have to be friendless forever.'

Draco raised an eyebrow. He supposed Harry's words at his trial had been genuine. A rush of hope ran through Draco's body, momentarily alleviating his anxiety and discomfort. For the first time in months he no longer felt completely alone.

'Light the fire if you want, you must be cold. And feel free to have a look through the books, too. You might be here a while.' Harry's eyes dropped to the wet footprints on the floor. 'Maybe a drying spell?'

'Oh, yeah. Good idea.' He nodded at Harry, hoping the action might convey his true appreciation for what Harry had said before, as he knew he couldn't find the words to express himself. A quick nod in reply confirmed to Draco that Harry understood.

Harry retreated towards the kitchen but stopped in the study's doorway. 'I hope your mother's ok.'

Draco smiled faintly. 'Thanks.'

An hour later a knock came at the front door. Harry greeted Kingsley and welcomed him into the house. From the study Draco could hear Harry and Kinglsey's hushed conversation. Kingsley, despite not working in the relevant department for Draco's case, had been sent to Grimmauld Place due mainly to him being available. It sounded as if a lot of aurors had been sent to Malfoy Manor, as capturing the last Death Eaters was very important to the Ministry.

In the study, Kingsley greeted Draco with a firm handshake.

'Is my mother ok?' Draco asked, too concerned to be bothered with formalities. Over the past hour he had become nearly overwhelmed with nausea and worry for Narcissa' safety.

Kingsley's face was grim. 'Please have a seat, Mr Malfoy.'

Draco perched on the edge of the couch and opposite sat Kinglsey in a large armchair. Harry faltered a moment before taking a seat next to Draco. Out the corner of his eye, Draco noticed somebody else in the room. Hermione had silently joined them, now standing beside Harry. She stared hard at Kingsley with a slightly frown on her face, awaiting information. No wonder she was going to try and solve the case before the Ministry's aurors.

'Mr Malfoy,' Kingsley began, 'I'm afraid to say that our aurors did not find your mother at your residence. By the time we arrived neither she nor the Death Eaters were still there. We are currently searching for them as best we can.'

Draco's head started to spin. He muttered a vague acknowledgment of his mother's disappearance.

'I would like to ask you some questions, if that's ok.'

Draco propped his elbows on his knees and rested his head in his hands, unable to keep up his usual pretence of collectedness. He didn't care what Harry or Hermione thought of him now, his world was falling apart. Dread settled in his stomach like a brick. He agreed to answer Kingsley's questions anyway.

'Could you describe the nature of the Death Eater's 'attack' on your residence?'

Draco's head shot up. 'We weren't expecting them, if that's what you mean,' he hissed. Kingsley stared back calmly at Draco, which immediately made him feel guilty. That's not what the auror had meant at all; Draco had misinterpreted the tone of his voice.

It was hard not to expect that everybody distrusted him, few people trusted the Malfoys even before the war. Draco sighed and continued in a softer tone. 'I woke up and they were blasting our house to pieces. I heard my mother calling from the entranceway, so I ran to her. The Death Eaters found me and chased me through the house, three of them, I believe. When I reached my mother she disapparated us and left me here.'

'Then she returned to your residence?'

Draco nodded, unable to verbally affirm his mother's dangerous action.

'And do you have any idea what these Death Eaters may have wanted from you or your mother?'

'We're traitors. In the eyes of Death Eaters, being a traitor to any degree is deserving of nothing less than death. They were there to give us what we deserved.'

Kingsley nodded thoughtfully, his eyes on Draco. If Draco had not returned his head it his hands he may have noticed the expression of sympathy on Kingsley's face. No young person deserved what Draco was facing, former Death Eater or not. It was also believed by many of those involved in Draco's trial that, with a father like Lucius Malfoy, that Draco's participation in Voldemort's grapple for power was less voluntary than he let on. Kingsley shook his head at the sight of Draco so distressed. He decided the questions could stop there.

'Thank you, Mr Malfoy,' Kingsley said as he stood to leave, rousing Draco from his dreary thoughts.

'Actually, I have a question,' Draco said.

'Yes?'

'Where am I going to stay? I can't go home. Even if it the Death Eaters weren't still on the loose, it's probably in pieces by now.'

'Ah, yes.' Kingsley turned to Harry, a questioning look on his face. 'Harry, it's late and I doubt I could find alternative accommodation before morning. As aurors already monitor this house it would be the ideal place to keep Mr Malfoy.'

Harry did not look happy but he grudgingly agreed with Kingsley. 'Ron isn't going to be happy about this…'

'Mr Shacklebolt, sir,' Hermione interrupted, 'surely Malfoy can't stay here. I mean this is where Narcissa brought him. If the Death Eaters want to find him they'll get that information out of her and come straight here.'

'Very true, Miss Granger. However, I'm afraid we don't have many more options.'

Hermione looked to Harry. Her eyes were bright and focused. Draco was sure there was a plan forming in her mind. She whispered Seamus's name to Harry.

Harry's eyes grew wide. 'Oh no, he wouldn't agree.'

'We've got to ask him. This is important. Seamus only has to take Malfoy back to the pub for one night and tomorrow the Ministry can make other arrangements. It would be the safest option.'

Draco's stomach sank. He did not like the sound of what Hermione was suggesting. Seamus Finnigan had been one of his most outspoken enemies at Hogwarts – after Ron, of course. He would rather be asked to move in with Harry permanently than have to take refuge with the reckless and foolish Irishman.

'Hermione, you're right as always, but do you really think Seamus is going to agree to take Draco home with him?'

She grabbed his arm and hauled him off the couch. 'Harry, come with me.'

A moment later there was a shuffling of feet in the hallway and whispered voices.

'No. No, no, no. No way,' Seamus said, ignoring Harry and Hermione's attempts at keeping the conversation unheard by Draco. 'I'm not taking that git back to the pub. I'm not supposed to have anyone but me staying in the room anyway, I could lose my job.'

'From what I've heard you've had your fair share of people staying in that room with you. Sneak them up the staff staircase, yeah?' Harry replied.

'Saints in Heaven, that's the last time I tell Ron anything.' His voice was thick with annoyance and loathing, most like for Draco rather than Ron.

'Seamus, you told me that,' Harry said. 'You brag about how many people you sleep with whenever I see you. It's completely…'

'Oh, shut up,' Hermione growled. 'For goodness sake, we don't have all night. Seamus, please. Whatever Malfoy has done to us in the past, we've got to look past it right now. His mother's missing and he's in danger. He'll be safe with you.'

'Why should I be doing this for him? He was a Death Eater himself!'

'We're not asking you to forgive him, nothing of the sort. All we're asking is for you to do the right thing.'

Silence filled the house for a couple of moments until Seamus finally grumbled acceptance. Nausea bubbled up in Draco's stomach as if he'd just apparated across the country. He took a deep breath and tried to keep the contents of his stomach where is ought to remain.

Harry and Hermione re-entered the room, followed by Seamus. The Irishman stood with his arms crossed and eyes fixed glaringly on Draco. Hermione announced the plans to Kingsley.

'Sounds like a good plan to me,' the auror approved. 'Mr Finnigan, I apologise for the inconvenience. I can assure you that I will make alternative arrangements for Mr Malfoy as soon as possible.'

Seamus shrugged as if to say it didn't matter because, really, what choice did he have? When Hermione Granger wanted something from someone, she darn well got it.

Once Kingsley had left, Harry suggested they return to the group in the kitchen. Seamus said he couldn't. 'I've got work in the morning, I was only here to say hello.'

'Yeah, I forgot. It was good seeing you though,' Harry replied. 'Come and say goodbye to everybody.' As they filed out of the study, Harry turned back to Draco. 'I can lend you some clothes if you want. I know I'm shorter than you, but I'm still taller than Seamus. I've got an old pair of shoes you could make fit with a re-sizing spell.'

Draco felt a flicker of a smile touch his lips at the mention of how Seamus was so vertically challenged, but it faded as quickly as it had appeared. He felt guilty for finding Harry's comment amusing given that vengeful Death Eaters had captured his mother. A shiver ran through Draco's body, reminding him how cold he was in just his shirt. 'A jumper and shoes would be appreciated, thanks.'