Draco didn't know what to think about this whole situation. Actually, that was a lie. He certainly wasn't happy about it. Anger radiated off of him and was evidently read through his rigid posture, his hands shoved in his pockets as he stared down at the damp ground beneath his feet. A particularly cold gust of wind rattled the trees as they made his way down the road to where they were going to apparate. His mother had been babbling on for the last ten minutes about how he should have been grateful for what she was trying to do for him and his future. Her voice was only a murmur in the background now, completely tuned out of anything that she was actually saying. Beneath the cold surface, his pride was beginning to ache at the thought. How could she think that he could even return to Hogwarts after everything? He certainly didn't want too, not after his mother practically begged McGonagall to let him in. He had heard enough of their conversation to know that he wasn't wanted, and why would he go somewhere where he wasn't wanted.
"She's being very generous to offer you a chance to let you finish your education, Draco. You really should try and show more appreciation when we get there, please?"
He looked over at her and raised his brow wordlessly. "Why should I, mother? I don't want to go back. I have no reason to go back there, you know they don't want me."
"Just make an effort and behave, please," she said, before grabbing his arm and apparating to a spot just a ways from Hogwarts. Once again he fell beside her step, remaining completely silent the whole walk there.
"I'm already behind; they've been in school for like a month and a half. There's no point in me going back."
His mother seemed to have enough of his complaints and protests and just continued to walk silently, staring straight ahead at the castle that was coming in to view. His stomach turned when he saw that they were approaching the front gates, memories lingering in the back of his mind. This place did not bring back happy memories, and everything that had happened last year was still fresh in his mind. The old castle held no tales of the damage that had previously been hit on it. The war had been a gruesome battle that he had tried to forget over and over again but never could. It was something that couldn't be erased, and if he was better with spells he would take his wand to his temple and obliviate the last two years out of his mind. It would be kinder that way, not to remember and have it haunt him under his lashes every night when he tried to fall asleep. It had become something little in his life, sleep- he clung to the small hours he managed to get.
His heart beat a bit faster in his chest when they stood at the entrance. The gates were open leading to the path up the castle. He prayed that no one was outside and that he wouldn't be seen. It wasn't like he'd be opened with open arms, there would probably be a couple hexes flying in his direction. Maybe if he got lucky enough one of them would hit him and he wouldn't have to go in. the thought made him smile, but it quickly faded as they made their way through the gates and up to the doors that were open with professor McGonagall stood there as if she had been waiting for hours for their arrival.
"Mrs. Malfoy," she said curtly. Draco could feel her look him over, her gaze lingering on him for a long moment before she said, "Mr. Malfoy."
Looking up from the ground, he met her eyes and didn't look away until she did first.
"Very well, follow me to my office."
Keeping his head down, he followed her with his mother. His heart was hammering faster now, the sound echoing in his ears. He was surprised that no one could hear it as it felt like it was practically pounding against his chest. His hands were not clenched in to fists in his trousers pockets, his nails digging in to his palms as they tagged along and up in to the headmasters office that had once belonged to Dumbledore. McGonagall sat down at her desk, looking up at them she gestured for them to sit down. It was one of the last things he wanted to do was sit down. Feeling a bit trapped, he reluctantly sunk down in to the chair anyways. Drumming his fingers nervously against the overstuffed arm rest, he refused to meet her gaze and continued to look around the room.
"Your mother has spoken to me, Mr Malfoy, you are aware of this I'm assuming. She would like for me to give you the chance to return to the school. Do you understand how much of a risk this is? She has said that I am to forgive everything that happened in the past, which I am willing to do if you can prove to me that you have changed from your… earlier ways."
Draco wanted to sink in to the chair and through the floor right now more than ever. His mother spoke before he even had a chance to think.
"I can guarantee to you that neither Draco nor I wanted that. Draco was just a boy, he had no say. It was what Lucius wanted for him; he never had a chance to go around it. He never wanted any of it, he was terrified," Narcissa explained, sitting up straighter in her chair and staring at McGonagall desperately. "All I want for him is a chance to finish and learn all he can so that maybe he can go on like this had never happened to our family, a chance for him to get out in the wizarding world after he's done school and not have to hide away because of what happened before." Her tone was growing more and more pleading, practically begging McGonagall to understand where she was coming from.
"I know, Mrs Malfoy," she said. Her eyes still on Draco, "you have told me all of this already when we first met. I'd like to hear what your son's thoughts are on this whole matter."
Finally meeting her gaze, Draco shrugged his shoulders and leaned in to the chair. "I don't see the point in me coming back. No one wants me here obviously, and the school year is already started. I'm already behind in classes, and it isn't like it's something I can just walk in on. NEWT level classes aren't exactly a cup of tea, and it's not like I've done fantastically before."
"What I'm asking you, Mr Malfoy is that if you were extended an invitation to return to Hogwarts, would you accept it?"
He could practically feel his mother's gaze cutting him in to him, and he knew that he couldn't say no. Nodding his head, "I guess."
McGonagall seemed to take his answer. "Very well. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt that what your mother tells me is true, but I am going to have to take some precautions. I am allowing you to attend Hogwarts for three months. At the end of three months, we will see where you stand. If you are true to what I have been told and have caused no problems you may continue on and complete your schooling. If you are to cause any trouble beforehand I will have you expelled and out of here before you can even protest. Do you understand me?"
Once again, Draco nodded his head in reply. He found no words, what did he think he was going to do? Walk around and kill all the mudbloods in sight? The more he let himself think about it, she had a reasonable worry there considering the events that had happened a year ago. "I'll give you no trouble," he told her flatly.
"Good. You will be closely monitored by staff and a few select students, Mr Malfoy. As you mentioned earlier you are behind in classes considering they have been in session for approximately a month now. I will find a student to help you catch up and keep you caught up in your classes." McGonagall suddenly looked quite tired, looking over at Narcissa and her son once more, she said: "Don't make me regret my decision. I will give you two days to pack your things and buy what is necessary for your classes. The gates will be open for you once more and I will meet you at the entrance Thursday at three o'clock. By then I will have all your accommodations sorted."
She stood up, watching the two of them.
"Thank you, thank you so much. Draco and I are eternally grateful for your second chance," Narcissa murmured, standing up and smiling at her. "We will be here at three o'clock exactly."
Draco also stood up, saying nothing and avoided her gaze as the two of them left their office. This wasn't going to be good, he was already thinking of the dreadful scenarios that ran through his head. This was going to be a long three months that was for sure.
AN: So… hi. This is my first Dramione story that I'm starting and have great hopes of finishing (well first actual story, one shots don't count). I'm a bit nervous to be posting this to be honest considering some of the amazing authors on here put me to shame. But I hope you guys enjoy this, I really like writing it so far!
