The weeks had been long for Draco Malfoy since the war ended. What with all the trials and funerals he had attended, he sometimes thought he could never have a moment to himself. Just last week he had attended the trial for Travers, one of the nastier of the death eaters. He had been declared guilty, and subjugated to the dementors kiss. Draco couldn't argue against it, he knew Travers was evil, most of the death eaters were. He just wished he had never gotten involved, escaped with his parents before it had been too late and the Dark Lord was knocking on their door.
He was sitting alone in his bedroom, he and his mother were currently living with Andromeda Black, who had been far too kind and allowed the former death eaters into her home. Malfoy Manor was currently being held under investigation, therefore the remaining Malfoys were forced out of their home. Although, it hadn't been much of a home to Draco in a very long time. Lost in his thoughts, he stared out the window, wondering what was to become of him when he heard his mother knock twice on his door, then enter.
"A letter has arrived for you Draco, by owl," Draco looked over at his mother, her frail form covered with expensive robes, not up to her usual standards, but they hadn't had access to their home, so they couldn't pick up their old clothes.
Draco glanced down at the letter his mother's shaking hand was holding. He immediately recognized the seal, the Hogwarts seal. Memories flooded into his head, both good and bad. He silently reached out and took the letter from his mother.
Narcissa's bottom lip quivered, she took another step forward, then fell to her knees.
"Draco, darling please say something, I need you, please, just say something!" she sobbed into the front of his dress shirt. Draco said nothing, he hadn't in a long time. Not when saying something could get another one of his friends killed. Crabbe, Nott, Astoria…. No. It was just better for everyone if he kept his mouth shut.
Narcissa looked into his eyes, her poor son's beautiful silver eyes, but what she saw just made her cry harder, pain, guilt, fear, every feeling he was harshly taught never to feel. So much pain, and he was just a boy. Her sobs subsided, she haughtily stood up, and wordlessly swept out of the room, looking as though nothing had happened.
Draco looked down at the letter in his trembling hands, he wished he could say something, anything, to his mother, but he couldn't. The last time he had addressed her out of turn, he had gotten her hit with a cruciatus curse. He had learned to just take it and wait for the unforgivable curse to be over, but she hadn't, and her screams had echoed around his head ever since.
He opened the letter, took a deep breathe, and read.
Dear Mr. Draco Malfoy,
I, Headmaster McGonagall hereby invite you, and the other children from your year to return to Hogwarts for an eighth year. This way you may finish your N.E. so you can apply for jobs with as many credentials as any other witch or wizard. You may either return to Hogwarts for your eighth year, or you may go to the Ministry of Magic and do your examinations there. I do suggest you return to Hogwarts however, as you will have only two weeks to study for your examinations at the Ministry as they are taking place on August 23- August 30th, which happens to be in exactly two weeks. Those who do wish to return to Hogwarts, there have been some changes for the eighth years. As you all know, there will not be enough space in the house common rooms for all of you returning. However there will be one, large, eighth year common room which you will all share. You may remain in your houses, but house points cannot be given or taken from you. The head boy and head girl will be seventh years. I hope you all decide what is best for you.
Sincerely,
Headmaster Minerva McGonagall
Draco was dumbfounded.
Why the hell would McGonagall want him back at Hogwarts? He was a death eater, he had hurt people, and he deserved nothing less than Azkaban in his opinion. He pondered what the letter a moment longer, he then realized that this was McGonagall's way of forgiving him. His mind wandered back to the great battle of Hogwarts, before he had chased Potter and his friends into the room of requirement, he had pushed her out of the way of a cruciatus curse, and received the full blow. This must be her way of repaying that debt.
He thought about his options, he had already been trialed, and declared innocent, thanks to some choice words from the boy who lived. He shook his head at the memory and immediately went back to the subject at hand. Returning to the Ministry, even if only for a week, that would ruin him. He wouldn't be able to handle it. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He decided to sleep on it and decide what to do in the morning.
