A/N hi guys! First off I DON'T OWN THIS! I'm really excited for this story. I hope you like the bit about the violin. Please enjoy!

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Draco sat stiffly, his back rigid against the dining room chair. Meals with his parents were silent and stony, broken only by Lucius and his bullying.

Draco still lived at Malfoy manor with his parents under close watch by the ministry. After the battle of hogwarts Lucius and Draco were locked up in Azkaban for several months, the worst time of Draco's life. Then after Narcissa had paid a great deal of money, five separate trials were held and finally Lucius was placed under house arrest and Draco was told he was free but if he made a mistake again the penalty would be a life sentence.

And Draco would do anything not to get that life sentence.

"Draco Malfoy!" Lucius snapped. Draco jumped, dropping his fork with a clatter that sounded far too loud in the quiet dining room. Lucius sat at the head of the long black table which meant he was far away, Draco was sitting by his mother at the foot, but he still could shout as loud as if he were in Draco's ear.

"What are you doing staring out in space daydreaming? You spilled the wine twice and you didn't even notice. I will not have a stinking slob for a son in my house!"

Froth flicked from his fathers mouth as he shouted. Draco winced, indeed he saw a red stain on his lace shirt from the wine.

"Sorry father." He muttered.

"What's that?!"

"Sorry father!"

Narcissa presses her lips together and shot a look at her husband "let's not start a shouting match at dinner," She said wiping her fingers "sit down Draco, dear."

Draco who had not even realized he was standing sat down quickly, staring at his plate.

"Sit down Draco dear!" Mimicked Lucius waving the butter knife "what that boy needs is something a little stronger than 'dear' i think. Really Narcissa, the perfect sister, the cousin of that mangy Black fellow, the noble blood, the one who's really nothing but a —"

"Shut up!" Draco rose again, flinging his napkin angrily "don't you dare start bullying my mother!"

Lucius seemed at a loss for words, he rose gripping his cane tightly. Draco found himself cringing back. A deadly silence once more filled the room.

Draco was saved by his owl, Tuff, a black and grey very large bird that swooped down with a woosh to drop a letter on his masters head.

Draco grabbed it, stroking the owls feathers in thank. The letter had the hogwarts crest on it.

"Excuse me while I open my letter." Draco said stiffly. His father slowly sat, staring daggers at his son.

The letter was from Mcgonagall, headmistress of hogwarts, it read

Dear Draco,

I know in the past you have made some bad decisions, but it is now the time for you to come out of hiding and face the world as a new person. I'm sorry I haven't written to you sooner, you must come to hogwarts immediately as soon as you can. There are important matters to discuss concerning your late distant cousin Nymphadora Tonks.

Just bring yourself please, I don't think the ministry would allow your parents to come.

Oh and do remember, whatever has happened, you are always welcome at hogwarts.

Sincerely Minerva Mcgonagall.

Draco took a deel breath, his fingers were shaking. Last he had seen hogwarts he had helped destroy it and he wasn't sure if he could force himself to speak with Mcgonagall. He was too ashamed.

The truth was this. Draco has done terrible things, and every day he wished he hadn't. He wished he had been brave enough to stand up to his father and say he didn't want to be a death eater. He wished he had never let people bully him into doing what they said. He knew that the letters he got daily from people saying he should kill himself were right. He wished he could apologize to Harry Potter, and above all, he wondered what his godfather Snape would say if he were still alive.

"Give me the letter." Lucius said. Draco was tempted to refuse, but decided it would imprudent to push his father any further today. He handed him the letter without a word. Lucius read it quickly and raised an eyebrow at his son

"Do you wish to go?" He asked.

Draco fought down his anger "it doesn't matter what I think," he said softly "you'll decide for me as you do with everything and I'll have no choice but to obey you."

Lucius laughed "that is correct. Well done Draco."

Narcissa spoke sharply "Lucius, stop taunting our son!"

The eyebrow raised further and she fell silent. Narcissa was just as afraid of Lucius as Draco was.

Mr. Malfoy folded the letter and put it in his pocket "I'm going to let you go to hogwarts Draco on one condition. You must talk to Mcgonagall about me filling up the spot for potions master. I'm an excellent teacher if I do say so myself, and I get quite bored sitting around with nothing to do. The ministry probably won't allow it but it's worth a shot."

And so Draco found himself sitting on his bed his head in his hands, his best suit hanging up in front of him and his mirror chirping "slick back you hair! Brush your teeth!"

"I can't do this." Draco muttered. He simply could not go back to hogwarts. He didn't know what Mcgonagall wanted, he barley had even spoke to his cousin Tonks before, but he knew this. He couldn't go back to Hogwarts.

Draco had a talent that few knew about. He had a passionate love for music and playing any instrument helped him think. He had a battered walnut violin that he loved dearly. Twice his father had smashed it in the past and both times Draco had lovingly repaired it good as new.

Now he went and got it out of it's hiding place and Stroked the smooth wood.

He played extremely well that evening, pouring his heart and soul into the strings. Such mournful sounds flitted out from underneath his door that the little house elf they had got to replace Dobby began to weep.

A soft knock at Draco's door caused him to stop "go away!" He said angrily hugging the violin.

Narcissa opened the door and slipped in, her hands wringing themselves anxiously

"Draco dear, I'm sorry." She said softly going and hugging him. Draco hugged hard back, tears slipping down his cheeks

"I can't go to hogwarts." He said "I can't face them. I'm a coward."

His mother released him and studied him up and down with more of her usual firmness

"Don't say that Draco. My son is no coward. My son doesn't cry either."

Draco wipes his eyes and straightened. He did not want to disappoint his mother who was the only person besides Snape that had shown him love. She had never beat him like Lucius, never threatened or blackmailed. She was not a soft caring mother, but she did love Draco.

"I'll go. I do want to see everyone again, but I'll hate it at the same time." Draco said taking a deep breath.

Narcissa allowed him a small smile and handed him his suit

"Better get dressed then, Mcgonagall said to go as quickly as you could."

An hour and a half later Draco arrived at hogwarts freshly washed and shaved and with his suit looking snappy as always. On the outside he looked just the same as he had looked a few years ago. Confident, arrogant, and in control, yet on the inside he was torn and terrified, barley able to force his legs to carry him to mcgonagall's office. Everyone glared at him, hissed at him, or drew back frightened. An ex death eater was in hogwarts.

please tell me what you think!