...Draco & Harry talk in the Ruins of Hogwarts

It was all over, but not everyone was celebrating. Draco Malfoy could not just switch off all of the pain and suffering that he had seen. He could not just cheer and laugh and celebrate like the others in the great hall. All he felt as he wandered through the deserted corridors of the ruin that had once been Hogwarts, was relief and pain.

His parents were gone now, they had left the moment that it ended. Draco did not know what would happen to them, but he suspected they would be punished for their involvement, and that they would likely end up in Azkaban. He could even end up in Azkaban for his involvement, he had not killed anyone, he had not even wanted to hurt anyone but he knew it was a possibility.

He sighed and walked through a door that had been pulled off of its hinges, onto a stone bridge that connected two of the schools towers together. He absentmindedly kicked a bit of rubble off the bridges broken edge and walked into the empty tower on the other side. It was eerie, walking through Hogwarts with nobody around, even the ghosts were all gathered in the great hall.

Draco was almost certain that he would not see anyone as he climbed a spiral staircase to the top of the tower and forced open a locked door into an old Defence against the Dark Arts classroom. He was incredibly surprised when he saw someone else here because this tower was rarely used for classes, and he did not even know that anyone else knew about it.

It was clear from a quick glance at the back of the person's head that it was Harry Potter, he would recognise that jet black mop anywhere. Draco contemplated leaving and hoped that he had not been spotted yet. But unfortunately for him, Harry turned around.

"What are you doing here Malfoy?" He asked bitterly, "I thought you would have run back home with your Mummy and Daddy by now."

"I decided to stay," Draco said stiffly, "To help with the restoration of the castle."

"How generous of you," Harry muttered.

Draco rolled his eyes, "The real question Potter, is what are you doing up here? Shouldn't you be in the great hall where they're all celebrating your victory?"

"You make it sound like I won a Quidditch game," Harry said, "Why would I want to celebrate? Do you know how many people I lost tonight?"

Draco sat down on one of the dusty desks and said, "I think everyone lost someone tonight."

The windows were blown out up here and it was a little chilly as dawn began to break through the darkness.

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many, to so few."

Harry frowned, "Is that your way of saying thank you?"

Draco didn't respond for a moment, "I suppose it is."

"Wait," Harry's frown deepened, "Isn't that a…muggle quote?"

Draco nodded, "Winston Churchill said it in World War two, after the Battle of Britain."

Harry didn't have the time or energy to hide the surprise on his face. Draco smiled ever so slightly, "I do read muggle books, Potter."

"What does it mean?" Harry asked curiously.

"That depends on your perception," Draco said honestly, "Applied in the case of this war I suppose it means that never in any wizarding war, has the whole country owed so much to so few people."

"Those few being?"

"You, Granger, Weasley…the Order of the Phoenix," Draco elaborated, turning his gaze to the window. Dawn was now beginning to break through the cracks with its harsh, bright orange light. Draco just studied the sky, more intensely than Harry had ever seen anyone look to the heavens.

Harry didn't speak for a moment, he and Draco had been civil just there. They had managed to have a whole conversation without arguing or insulting each other.

"What are you doing up here anyway Malfoy?"

"I like it up here," Draco said simply, "It's usually empty and quiet. I didn't even know anyone else knew about it."

Harry shrugged, "I come here sometimes when I want to be alone."

"So do I," Draco said.

"Well, I was here first," Harry said, "I'm not leaving."

"Neither am I," Draco said stiffly.

They didn't speak for a good while as the sky was illuminated in a painfully bright orange which shone into the room, giving light to every corner.

"Thanks Malfoy."

"What for?" Draco asked.

"In the courtyard when I revealed that I was alive… you threw me my wand," Harry said, catching the Slytherins eye.

Draco shrugged and said, "You're welcome. Thanks, for saving my life from the fiendfyre."

"As much as we have disagreed in the past, I would never just leave you to die," Harry said honestly.

"You're too noble," Draco remarked.

"Gryffindor trait," Harry said with the hints of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"There isn't a point continuing this rivalry," Draco said.

"Rivalry?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow, "Is that what it is?"

Draco frowned, "What else would it be?"

"Hatred," Harry said bluntly.

"I never hated you, Potter," Draco said, surprised that Harry thought that he had.

"Really?" Harry said sceptically, "Because you kind of acted like you did."

Draco shrugged and said, "I was jealous of you actually, and bitter."

"Why were you bitter?" Harry asked in disbelief.

"Because I extended the offer of friendship to you and you denied it. Trust me, people don't say no to me very often," Draco said, the hint of smile on his lips.

"So you acted like you hated me because you were pissed that I didn't become your friend?" Harry asked.

"Pretty much," Draco said, "And also because my Father gave me two options. Befriend you, or have nothing to do with you."

"I'll never understand your family Malfoy," Harry remarked.

"Trust me, neither will I," Draco said.

"Although your Mother did save my life. It was for selfish reasons, but she saved my life all the same," Harry said, "Did you know that?"

Draco shook his head.

"She told Voldemort I was dead, but she knew I was alive. She asked me if you were alive, and I said you were so she lied to Voldemort," Harry said.

Draco frowned, "She lied to the Dark Lord?"

"Never underestimate a Mother's love," Harry said, "It can do extraordinary things."

"Is that how you survived him twice? Love?" Draco asked.

At first Harry thought he was being sarcastic, but then he realised that the Slytherin was serious so he answered with a vaguely honest answer, "That was part of it."

Draco didn't push the issue anymore, "They'll go to Azkaban, my parents."

"Your Mother won't," Harry said, "And neither will you."

"How do you know?" Draco asked.

Harry shrugged, "It's just a feeling," he said as he pushed himself off of the desk, wincing in pain.

"You should probably go to the hospital wing," Draco said.

Harry shook his head, "Other people are much worse off than I am. Do you want your Father to go to Azkaban, Malfoy?"

Draco shrugged at the question and didn't reply. Harry began to walk towards the door before he heard the Slytherins response, "Yes."

Harry turned in the doorway, "You'd wish that on your own family?"

"Not my family," Draco said, not catching Harry's eye, "But my Father deserves to go to prison for what he's done. He should have the years taken from him that he took from-" he cut himself off and stopped himself from saying, 'me' then took a deep breath, "Other people."

Harry gave a brisk nod, "Then I expect he will. See you around Malfoy."

Not understanding Harry's cryptic remarks Draco pushed them aside and looked back out at the sunrise, listening to Harry's footsteps echo down the tower stairs.

The trial took place two weeks after the final battle. The Malfoy family were the first to be tried, and they were being tried as a family. Lucius Malfoy was sure that he would get away with it, like he had in the first war, so he stood proud with a slightly sly smile on his face as they waited in the middle of the court room. Draco sighed, he had lost weight in the two weeks since the battle, he was pale and anxious. He was certain that he would be sent to Azkaban. His Mother didn't look any better, Narcissa's face was gaunt and she was far too thin.

Draco couldn't believe how his Father could stand there and be smug and sly when his family were falling apart next to him because of his decisions. It made him hate the man all the more.

He tried to listen to the proceedings, but things blurred out and in the end he could only pick out the odd word or sentence. His senses picked up when the verdicts were being revealed however, and his heart pounded with fear.

"Draco Malfoy," The Judge said, "The jury have decided to drop all charges against you because of the aid you provided to the side of the light in the final battle, and because you never caused serious bodily harm or death to any person.'

Draco couldn't believe his luck, he was getting off completely free. No time in Azkaban, no probation, he was a free man.

"Narcissa Malfoy," The judge continued, "The jury have decided to drop all charges in light of the fact your home was commandeered by Death Eaters against your will, and due to the fact you suffered heavily yourself because of this. Like your son, you did not cause serious bodily harm or death to any person."

His Mother seemed just as surprised at the verdict, and his Fathers smug expression was growing by the second. Draco despised him, and he knew there was very small chance that he would actually be punished for his crimes.

"Lucius Malfoy," The judge said, turning his steely gaze to his Father, "The jury have found you guilty of all war crimes, including multiple counts of murder and torture. We hereby sentence you to a lifetime in Azkaban prison."

Draco's surprise was mirrored in his Mother's eyes, she looked horrified, and for a second Draco felt guilty for wishing this upon his Father as the man's reserve broke down. In the end he was dragged screaming and shouting from the court room, while Draco and Narcissa got to walk out free.

Even in the sorry state he was in however, Lucius Malfoy still managed to call in one last favour. One last day with his family, a chance to say goodbye before spending his life holed up in Azkaban. It was the last thing that Draco wanted, because he knew his Father didn't really want to say goodbye, he wasn't that affectionate. There was some other ulterior motive involved, which his Mother knew too, she had suffered his abuse for far longer than Draco had after all.

His last day, his goodbye, turned out to be almost exactly as bad as Draco thought it would be.

Knock. Knock

"Sorry Ron," Harry said through the fireplace at Grimmauld Place, "Someone's at the door."

Ron raised an eyebrow, "Who'd be at your place at this time of night?"

"I have no idea," Harry said honestly, "But I suppose I better check. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Sure thing mate," Ron said, his face disappearing and the fire turning back to its normal colour.

Harry pulled his wand from his back pocket as he waked to the door. The war had made him paranoid, and it was rather late for anyone to be calling round at his house. He opened the door warily and raised his wand. But he almost dropped that wand in surprise when he saw the hunched, blonde-haired figure standing on the doorstep in the pouring rain.

"Malfoy!"

He looked up, his face bloody and bruised.

"What the hell happened to you?" Harry asked as he ushered his former enemy into his house.

Draco leant against the wall weakly, soaking wet and looking like he might collapse at any minute, "My Father…"

Harry frowned, "But…I thought he was imprisoned last week," he said.

Draco shook his head and said, "He found a loophole to say 'goodbye' to his family."

Harry's face was alight with anger as he took Draco's arm and led him into his living room, "He did this to you?" he asked as he pushed Draco into an armchair and performed a couple of drying charms.

Draco nodded, but said no more.

"Why?" Harry asked as he inspected Draco's injuries and contemplated calling Hermione, she knew the most medical magic.

"Because he was convinced I ratted him out and that was why he got time in Azkaban, and I didn't," Draco said.

Harry's face fell, and Draco caught it before he had the chance to cover it up.

"You don't have anything to do with this Potter, do you?"

"I… I vouched for you and your Mother," Harry admitted, "But from what you said to me the morning after the final battle, you didn't want your Father to be vouched for."

Draco didn't say anything as he eyed Harry suspiciously, "I didn't, but then I also didn't expect him to try and torture me to death."

"Why did you come here?" Harry asked.

Draco shrugged, wincing afterwards, "I didn't have anywhere else to go," he admitted reluctantly.

"Is your Mother okay?" Harry asked with genuine concern.

"As okay as someone can be after suffering 5 crucio attacks in a row," Draco said bitterly, "She's in St. Mungo's with my Aunt."

"You should be in St. Mungo's too Malfoy," Harry said, finding it strange and slightly surreal that Draco Malfoy was in his house after all that had happened while they were at school together.

Draco shook his head, "I'm fine, just a couple of light cuts and some bruises."

"Looks more like deep gashes," Harry remarked, "And two black eyes. How many crucio attacks did he put you through?"

Draco stayed silent, and Harry said, "Come on Malfoy, I can tell when injuries have been caused by crucio. I'm going to become an Auror."

He sighed, and Harry added slightly more softly, "Your Father won't find you here. You can stop protecting him and his secrets now."

"It was only three times," Draco said, "I've had much worse, it's fine."

Harry didn't say anything for a moment. He surveyed Draco, wondering why he was being so open and civil, then he smelled the firewhiskey on the Slytherins breath.

"You haven't broken anything have you?" Harry asked as he opened a glass cupboard and took out two glasses and a bottle of firewhiskey.

Draco shook his head and accepted the glass that Harry had handed him, "Thanks Potter."

Harry just nodded and sipped from his glass, Draco's face was swollen up and red with blood, dark marks were forming under both of his eyes and he seemed to be covering up an injury to his side.

"Can I have a look?" Harry asked, "At your injuries?"

Draco snorted, 'What do you know about healing Potter? Aurors just run in and don't worry about the mess they leave behind."

"Not anymore," Harry said, "Councillors are required by law to review the aftermath of every case now."

He snorted again, "That's great, wish they'd done that 10 years ago."

"Your Father abused you, didn't he Draco?" Harry asked.

He wasn't surprised when he didn't get an answer so Harry said, "Because if he did, I know how it feels. My Uncle beat the shit out of me when I was a little kid, and he let his son do the same."

"Yeah right Potter," Draco said, "You're the boy who lived, are you sure you weren't raised in a castle?"

Harry raised an eyebrow at the former Slytherin, "Malfoy, my bedroom until I was 11 was the cupboard under the stairs because my cousin was such a spoiled brat he needed two bedrooms. I might be a hero in the wizarding world, but I was a freak in the muggle world and I paid for it."

Draco seemed to narrow his eyes, but it was hard to tell since they were so swollen up, "I don't buy it."

"Well then I'll show you when you're well enough to take a trip into a pensieve," Harry said bitterly.

"My Father only did what any pure-blood man does to his children," Draco said angrily, "He protected me. He was trying to make me into the right kind of young man, the kind of person he wanted me to be."

The bitterness in Draco's voice was hard to listen to, even from Harry who had hated the boy for years. He was now beginning to sympathise with him however. After all, they had gone through pretty similar childhoods.

"Is that what you really think or what he brainwashed you into thinking?" Harry asked.

Draco's eyes flashed and with a flick of his wand Harry had forced his high school enemy into a deep sleep. Yawning himself, and still bewildered by the events of the night he levitated him upstairs so he could sleep in a bed, not on the sofa.

When Draco Malfoy opened his eyes groggily, his surroundings weren't those of his bedroom in the Manor. They weren't that different either though… he was lying in a four poster bed with thick green curtains and the walls were covered in Slytherin regalia.

He frowned as he sat up, wincing only slightly. The majority of his injuries from the night before were gone, but the last thing he really remembered was showing up on Potters doorstep. He had been drinking, so his mind was a little foggy. He got to his feet, noticing the blood was gone from his clothes as he pushed open the door and walked out onto the landing of a draughty, grim looking staircase.

He glanced back at the door and the one opposite it, "Regulus" and "Sirius", hadn't Potters Godfather been Sirius Black? Draco thought to himself, maybe this was his house. He made his way down the stairs cautiously, past the mounted heads of dead house elves and into the hall where he smelt cooking.

Following it down a staircase he arrived in what was clearly the kitchen, although it was dusty and cold. Standing over the oven whistling was Potter.

"Morning," he said as he turned around.

"Where am I?"

"In my house," Harry replied.

"This is your house?" Draco asked in disbelief.

"Not really, it's my Godfathers house, but he left it to me when he died," Harry said.

"Right," Draco said, sitting down at the table, "So I just showed up here last night?"

"Pretty much," Harry said simply, "Then you passed out so I put you in Regulus's old room."

"Sorry," Draco said sheepishly, "I was-"

"Drunk, I noticed," Harry said, "Although you were still being an arse."

Draco chuckled, "Thanks, for healing me and all, you should have just kicked me out."

Harry shrugged, "I sympathised with you. Do you like bacon, sausages and egg?"

Draco nodded, and watched Harry in bemusement as he put the food onto two plates before sitting down opposite Draco and shoving a plate in front of him.

"Why are you so comfortable with me in your house?"

"Besides what you may think, you're not that scary Malfoy," Harry said through a mouthful of sausage.

"Huh," Draco said simply as he stabbed a bit of bacon, "So was your Godfather in Slytherin?"

Harry shook his head, "Nah, the Blacks are a very old pure-blood family, the rest of them were all in Slytherin. My Godfather was in Gryffindor and his family hated him for it, he ran away and lived with my Dad as soon as he was old enough."

Draco didn't say anything, and for a moment they ate in silence.

"I'm not going back, to the Manor," Draco said, "I don't know why I'm telling you that."

Harry chuckled, "Because it's better to say it out-loud than to think it over and over in your head? I am surprised, I thought you'd go back for your Mothers sake."

Draco snorted, "A Mother who was too scared of her Husband to even try and stop him from trying to kill his son? I don't think so."

"She lied to Voldemort for you," Harry said, "She told him I was dead because I gave her information on you."

Draco's eyes flickered briefly, "I know, but it's a little too late."

"So what are you going to do?" Harry asked curiously.

Draco shrugged, "I don't know, get my life together, try and find someone who'll employ an ex-Death Eater with a reputation like mine."

"You'll get a job," Harry said, "Your record is fairly clean after that hearing."

"Which I assume you had something to do with," Draco said.

Harry only smiled.

"Thanks for this, Potter," Draco said gesturing around as he got to his feet, "I'll see you around."

"You can come round here whenever you want," Harry said, "It's just me and the dead house elves."

Draco snorted, "Cheerful lot, aren't they?"

"Aren't all pure-bloods this morbid?" Harry asked with a snigger as they walked up the stairs to the hall.

"They're either incredibly morbid, or incredibly extravagant," Draco said matter-of-factly.

Harry laughed, "Figures."

"I'll let myself out," Draco said with a forced smile, "See you Potter."

"See you," Harry said with a brief wave as he shut the front door on Draco's retreating back.

"Potter."

"Malfoy," Harry said with a slight smile when he walked into the former Slytherin in Diagon Alley.

"I heard you joined Auror training," Draco said.

Harry nodded, "Well, I needed to do something and it's all I've got experience in. Did you figure your life out yet?"

Draco shrugged, "Sort of," he said, "Are you in a hurry?"

Harry shook his head, "I've got all of the time in the world."

"Mind if I buy you lunch?" Draco asked, "As a thank you for that…breakdown, of mine."

Harry laughed, "Breakdown? I wouldn't say it was quite that bad, but I won't say no to lunch either."

Draco gave him a slight smile, "I know a good place in muggle London," he said.

"Since when did you become so cordial with me?" Harry asked curiously as they walked together.

Draco snorted, "I'm just being polite Potter."

"You just can't stand the thought of being seen as nice," Harry said in amusement, "Did you end up getting a job in the law department?"

Draco smirked slightly, "I'm a junior lawyer."

"I'm not surprised," Harry said as they neared the muggle place that Draco had mentioned, "Aren't all lawyers slimy gits?"

"Aren't all Aurors pretentious Gryffindors?" Draco combatted.

Harry grinned, "Touché."

Draco smirked as they walked into the café and sat down, "I started last week, its not bad. They all look at me like I'm going to start murdering people at any minute, but apart from that I can handle it."

Harry chuckled, "Auror training is tough, but nothing harder than what I've already done."

"Not that you're at all cocky about it," Draco remarked.

"I saved the entire Wizarding World and killed the darkest, evillest wizard ever at the age of 17," Harry said with a grin, "I think I have the right to be cocky about that."

Echoing Harry's earlier words Draco said, "Touché."

"Anyway, if you've got such a flashy lawyer job I assume you found a place to live?" Harry asked, "Or did you just go home?"

"I've not been home since that night," Draco said darkly, "And my Father is still in Azkaban, rightfully. I haven't found anywhere yet, the pay isn't great as a junior."

"So where are you staying?" Harry asked curiously.

"The Leaky Cauldron," Draco said with a sigh, "My Mother has cut me off, on my Father's order, which means no inheritance."

"I've just bought a new flat," Harry said after a moment of trepidation, "It's in muggle London, close enough to the Ministry, and it's got two fireplaces."

"Sounds lovely," Draco said.

"Well, it has two bedrooms," Harry said, "You could stay there if you want."

Draco's eyes widened, but his mouth remained shut, Harry waffled, "It's just an idea, I mean you'd still have to pay bills and help buy food, but there's no mortgage."

Draco never took chances, everything was meticulous and thought out in his world, so when he opened his mouth and said, "Sure," he surprised himself as much as he surprised Harry.

Harry's eyes widened too, he obviously hadn't expected that answer, but he smiled and said, "Good, well, I'll show you around after lunch."

Draco nodded, letting a small smile slip onto his face, "That would be nice," he said calmly when his stomach was actually doing flips. He had never had friends of the proper sort, just allies and bodyguards. This was his chance, the one he had missed in 1st year by being a cocky, pompous git, and he wasn't about to watch it whizz by him again.

The End :)