Authors note: This is a story about a boy named Draco Malfoy and an animal that changes his life. The animal in question has taken different forms across different stories and theories, but I, along with many others, like the idea of it being a cat. I have seen the cat go by many names, including Paws, Whiskers, and Furball, but my favorite by far has been Specs, and that is the name that I will be using in my story. If what I have said here doesn't entirely make sense to you, that's ok. It's not supposed to, for you to fully enjoy the story. However, this is just a disclaimer to those of you who do understand what I'm saying. The name Specs belongs to BummedOutWriter. I don't know who first came up with the cat concept, but it wasn't me. Everything else obviously belongs to J. K. Rowling. Just a heads up, I'm not entirely sure where I'm going with this story yet but there is a strong possibility of eventual Drarry. Also, this is the first fanfiction that I've written, so I appologise in advance if it's terrible. And now I will stop rambling because you're all probably bored out of your minds by now and just want to get to the story.(By the way, this Author's Note was supposed to be italicized, but somehow it got un italicized and I can't figure out how to fix it because I'm typing this all on my phone. So, sorry about that. On with the story!)

Draco Malfoy did not, under any circumstances, want to go back to Hogwarts ever again. The embarrassment of having fought on the losing, and maybe even the wrong, side of the war was bad enough. Coupled with the violent and devestating memories that surely would surface, it just seemed like a bad idea. In addition, many of his friends were dead, and few of the living ones were returning anyway. His father was in Azkaban. He should have been, too. However, due to the fact that he was underage when he enlisted and that he was pushed into it without any real choice, he was cleared of his charges. He had been surprised. All the other Death Eaters had been locked up. There was even a small part of him that thought that they might have deserved it. That he might have deserved it. But he had been released, not necessarily without a fuss, but without complication. He knew why, of course. No one was going to argue with the Chosen One when he had just saved the world. If he said that Draco was innocent, then Draco was innocent. No questions asked.

Draco was still utterly confused as to why Harry Potter, of all people, had defended him, but he wasn't arguing. And, he supposed, if it was a choice between Hogwarts and Azkaban, he knew what his decision was. And that is how Draco Malfoy found himself on the Hogwarts Express, sitting alone in one of the extra compartments that had been added to the train to make space for the returning eighth years.

He saw a small group of people walk up to the window, see that he was sitting there, and quickly hurry off. Draco sighed. He tried to look on the bright side. At least no one was bothering him.

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A few hours later, Draco woke to the sound of people in the corridor. He blearily noticed that the train had stopped moving, and heaved himself off of the bench.

Draco recoiled when he noticed the carriges. He had forgotton that he would be able to see the thestrals now. He heard many others gasp beside him as they realized it as well. His head started to pound. He didn't want to think about all the people who had died in the war. He remembered Vincent, how he had been consumed by the fire that he had so foolishly set himself. How the very same had nearly happened to him.

How Harry Potter had saved his life.

Harry Potter had saved his life!

Why on earth would he have done that? They had been in the middle of a battle, and Draco had been the enemy. He realized that he hadn't thought about it at all until now. He speculated as he climbed into the nearest carrige. Potter must have had some ulterior motive. He probably wanted a Death Eater who owed him a life-debt. It was strong magic. It had saved him before, from Peter Pettigrew. That was probably why Potter had argued in his defense, he ralized somewhat glumly. It was no use having someone in your debt if they weren't able to pay it. And he definately wouldn't have been able to pay his debt from Azkaban. He supposed he would just have to avoid Potter, so as not to be forced into anything. However, he realized that that might be harder than he had thought when he reached the Great Hall.

The four House Tables were there, along with the Head Table where the teachers sat, however there was now a fifth table at the back of the hall parallel to the staff table. He noticed many students giving it strange glances, and he could understan why. Curling gold script in the air above the fifth table read The House of Dumbledore. Beneath it, in parentheses, read (Eighth Years).

Confused and a little nervous, Draco sat down on the very end of the bench, as far away from everyone else as possible. Unfortunately for him, Harry Potter sat down next to him.

Draco was saved from having to talk to him by the entrance of the first years. The sorting had begun. Draco tuned out most of it, fiddling with his fork, eager for the food to appear. However, when the sorting was done, rather than start the feast, Headmistress Professor McGonagall stood up and stepped forward.

"Before we begin our meal, I have some announcements and some things to explain," she said, looking kindly down at the students. "As you all know, the seventh year students from last year were unable to comlete their NEWT examinations, due to a rather nasty battle that occurred right here at Hogwarts."

The students murmerred as she continued.

"Therefore, they will be returning this year to complete their studies. In a somewhat controversial move, the staff have made the executive decision to add a fifth house to Hogwarts this year, named after our dearly departed Proffessor Dumbledore." She discretely wiped her eyes. "Rather than living in their respective houses from previous years at Hogwarts, the returning eighth year students will be living together in Dumbledore House, to promote unity among all wizards and witches, and so that the veteran students can provide comfort and support to eachother in these troubled times of rebuilding society."

Draco frowned. Ravenclaws weren't so bad, but the Gryffindors were positively infuriating. Not to mention, he was expected to share a house with Huffelpuffs? It was a nice idea, but he was quite certain that this decision would soon be regretted. He silenced his thoughts as Professor McGonagall spoke again.

"On a related note, a memorial has been set up near the Forbidden Forest - oh yes, first years, don't go in the forest - dedicated to all those lost in the war. Student may request passes either from myself or from any Heads of House to leave class for a short period of time to visit the memorial. Anyone may also visit during any free hours, however I will warn you that you are less likely to be alone if you do so." She was now visibly crying, and took a few moments to compose herself before continuing.

"Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Huffelpuff will continue to be headed by professors Slughorn, Flitwick, and Sprout, respectively. Gryffindor will be headed by Professor Vector, as I will be unable to from now on, having added Headmistress duties. I will still be teaching Transfiguration, however the class periods that I will have available will be more limited, and so I will be teaching classes with multiple houses at one time. After a long debate it was decided that, as responsible adults, the students of Dumbledore House do not need a Head to keep them under controll. However, they will have a House Representative - a member of the staff that will bring their concerns to meetings and help solve any conflicts that they cannot solve themselves. This person will be Professor Hagrid." An outburst of noise from the students greeted this announcement, and Professor McGonagall had to yell to be heard.

"In addition! Defense Against the Dark Arts will be taught by Professor Weasley to all students under NEWT age. Please know that this is temporary, until we find someone else to teach the class and Professor Weasley can resume his job at the Ministry."

Draco frowned, positive that he had heard wrong. But sure enough, there he was, Arthur Weasley grinning and waving akwardly from the staff table. Well, this would be interesting.

"For all students of NEWT age, you will have a different Defense teacher, who is none other than Harry Potter himself."

Draco blanched. First it was Weasley, now Potter? And also, Hagrid? Why had they put Hagrid in charge of anything? He was destracted by Harry Potter standing up abruptly.

"Now wait just a minute, Professor. We discussed this once, and very briefly!"

"Yes, and if I recall, you said that you would take the job."

"Only if you couldn't find anyone more qualified! Why don't you bring in some auror? You brought in Arthur Weasley, surely you can find someone to teach the NEWT classes from the Ministry!"

Professor McGonagall looked at him shrewdly. "I would think that you would be far more qualified than any auror the Ministry could provide us. After all, none of them can claim to have vanquished Lord Voldemort."

Blushing and mumbling under his breath, Harry sat down and was immediately bombarded by his friends with questions. Professor McGonagall said something that Draco didn't catch, and then finally, finally, the food appeared. Draco stuffed himself and then followed the rest of the eighth years out of the Hall, having no idea where the House of Dumbledore might be located. He was stopped, however, by a voice, and a hand on his shoulder.

"Mr. Malfoy. If you could follow me for a moment." Professor McGonagall guided him into a small classroom off to the side, and gave him such a pitying look that he thought he might puke. "I know that this all has been very difficult for you," she said quietly. "I want to help you. There's someone I want you to meet. His name is Specs, and he will hopefully help you get through this last year here."

Draco frowned. He knew immediately that he was going to dislike whoever this was. Anyone with a stupid name like Specs was sure to annoy him. He settled even more firmly into this belief when Professor McGonagall produced a black, scruffy-looking cat. She handed it to him with a kind smile, and exited the room.

Draco stood there, unsure of what to do, until the cat - specs, what a stupid name - began to squirm in his arms. He hastily set it down, and stepped out into the now deserted hallway. He had only taken a few steps when he realized that he didn't have the faintest idea where he was going. Draco sighed. This was going to be a long night.

Thank you so much for reading to the end of this chapter. I know it was super long, but I wanted to get to the part where Draco meets Specs, and I needed to give some introduction first. Please reveiw with suggestions. Any and all comments are appreciated.