Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns Harry Potter…and she is awesome at it…

An Understanding

Eighteen days since the war…and I was now in Auror training…long story in a way…

For some reason…I was at outside the Great hall…why? Compulsion you could say. Memories raced through my mind as I strolled near the door. The first time I stepped foot in Hogwarts was the clearest thought in my mind at the time.

The sound of foot steps pulled me out of my torpor…I had been really fidgety since the war…Hermione's words, not mine, but I swiveled around ready to fight if I had to, and saw a familiar pale face. My hand grasped my wand cautiously.

But Draco Malfoy wasn't in the mood for a fight. He looked troubled and…satisfied? He looked up and saw me, and his mouth hardly moved when nodded and said, "Potter."

Harry, taken aback that he hadn't snarled, realized that Draco Malfoy was indeed a Death eater, and he was in training to capture people like him.

But something in his eyes caused Harry to want to speak to him. "Is something the matter?" He could have hit himself. What kind of question was that?

Malfoy looked up, surprised, and seem to consider his question. Then, he came to some sort of decision. "I…turned my self in…confessed," he said, subconsciously rubbing his left forearm.

I was taken aback, caught off guard. But I didn't say anything.

"Personally, I'm disgusted with myself. And, with everything that's happened, it felt like the right thing to do," he said with a small smile.

"I-wow…" there was nothing else I could say. Who knew?

"You know Potter-er-Harry, the reason I joined him was to protect my family. At the time, it seemed like some sort of honor," he snorted, "but the real reason? I wanted to keep my father alive." He seemed to be having an argument with himself and his face hardened before he sighed. "Worst decision of my life," he muttered.

"Are you having a trial?" I asked. But I already knew the answer. Kingsley and I would never let anybody enter Azkaban without a trial after Sirius.

"'Course," he smiled. "Mainly because of you, but what does it matter?"

"It matters as much of the world does, Draco," I said, using his first name for the first time. "You'll see; that trial will matter once I get into it." I looked at him. Everything seemed to register in his mind… then add up to nothing. "What?" he said, his eyebrows rising.

I just smiled and said, "See you at the trial Draco."

And even though he didn't have a clue what I meant, he smiled back, and we both turned and went our own ways, until the trial at least.

The few words he had said seemed like everything at that moment. Every thing he had ever done could be forgiven now, he was one of the few Death eaters who had seen wrong in their ways. And he wasn't going to suffer from it.

The first time both of had met at Hogwarts, we had developed hatred. This time? An understanding. Sure we would never be bosom friends…but we could put the past behind us.

I could almost see Dumbledore smiling…the twinkle in his eye brighter than ever.

A/N: I know it's short…but it's my first, so please review and tell me how I did. My break is starting this week so I'll be able to post more stories soon.

-Sami