A/N: This is the beginning of the story I wrote for Nanowrimo. I have fourteen chapters written. I'm working on editing and writing a lot more. I've had this story in my head for months and finally got it written down. This story begins with a rating of T but eventually, it will be M. Remember, with all stories of children, romance is not the first thing, friendship is. This will have Harry and Draco as best friends, but not in a romantic relationship. Hermione is Draco's eventual love interest. (sorry that is a spoiler, but oh well) I really hope you like it. For those following Safe at Last, I am still working on that. I am trying to get the next chapter written, but I have writer's block. :( I really hope you enjoy this offering though! Please read and review! Next week is Christmas! so Merry Christmas! I hope to have another chapter up before the weekend as well as another of Safe at Last.

The Wizengamot courtroom was freezing. Draco stood beside his mother trying not to shiver. He was afraid of what would happen if the Wizengamot decided to ignore the facts and allow his mother to stay married to his father. Even as an eight-year-old, Draco knew that both he and his mother would probably be dead in a few years if his father had his way. The problem in the wizarding world is a divorce can be almost impossible to get. Thankfully, the one good thing the Black family did not enforce in a marriage contract is ineligibility for divorce. His grandparents may have been deranged, but they did their best by their daughters. It was hard to think about, but his father was dangerous. Once he had turned five, Draco had seen how dangerous his father could be.

A few days after his fifth birthday, he spilled some juice on the carpet. His father hit him across the face and whipped him with his cane. He couldn't walk for three days. His mother was beaten as well. He would have much rather, even at age five, to take the beating for her. A few weeks later, his father came home drunk from a business endeavor and decided that Draco was being too loud sleeping on the other side of the house. The cane broke his arm and thankfully, his arm was magically healed the next day. Mother hadn't been aware of that attack until well after when a house-elf came to check on Master Draco and found Lucius passed out in front of Draco's door. Dobby had been terrified of what would happen, but thankfully went straight to Narcissa and to get help.

The attacks grew in frequency and intensity. Narcissa tried so hard to keep her husband from hurting their son, but Lucius would not allow Draco to grow up to be some "Nancy boy." Lucius had been beaten by his father and saw it as the way to raise his son. He had never been beaten to the extent that he beat Draco, but he wanted his son strong.

By age seven, Narcissa was actively trying to get a divorce from her husband. She took Draco and left. She had reached out to her sister, Andromeda when the beatings had started, and they had a plan in place to get them out safely.

Draco's last memory of his father was being hit him across his legs with Lucius's cane, and Lucius using the Cruciatus curse on him over and over for an hour. By the time help had arrived for Draco, he was barely alive. Narcissa cast a full body bind and stun on Lucius. She took Draco and apparated to Andromeda's house. Enough was enough, she refused to live with a man who didn't seem to care if her son lived. She filed papers with the Wizengamot the next day. Draco didn't know about this for a week though. He had been unconscious for four days. When he woke in a different house, he was terrified as any seven-year-old would be. But seeing his mother, realized that he was safe. An Auror had been called to get a statement and the memories for the divorce proceedings. Only Aurors, the Chief Warlock, and the barristers would have access to the memories.

Today, he and Narcissa were in the courtroom across from his father. If the Wizengamot did not allow for this divorce to proceed, he didn't know what he would do. He was terrified. He had wished that his mother would allow him to stay with Aunt Andromeda, but she didn't. That morning when he woke up and asked one last time if he could stay with Aunt Meda, her response was immediate.

"Draco, it is important that you and I are united and show that we both want this. It is hard, I know. I wish you didn't have to come to court with me. I wish we didn't have to do this at all. You are a Malfoy and a Black. You have the strength inside to face this," she had said while running her fingers through his hair.

Since arriving at the Tonks house, his mother had been much more demonstrative to him, "Ok mum," he finally said looking down at the floor.

"That's my strong young man," she said smiling at him and lifting his chin.

Sitting in the courtroom was exhausting. The seats were made of stone adding to the chill. His mother was waiting next to her barrister. Draco sat beside her. His father had arrived moments before. Seeing his father for the first time in almost a year was terrifying to the small boy. His father sneered at him but ignored him after that. Draco was grateful that it was only a sneer and not his cane.

"All rise for the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot," the clerk spoke loudly to the room.

Draco and Narcissa rose and waited for Chief Warlock to sit in his chair.

"We are here to make a ruling on the divorce of Narcissa Malfoy nee Black and Lucius Malfoy. They have a son together, Draco Lucius Malfoy, age 8. The reason sought for divorce is abuse, physical and mental. I have looked over the memories of Mrs. Malfoy and Draco Malfoy. Lucius, what is your defense for the actions you took against your family?" Chief Warlock spoke to Lucius.

"They are mine to do with as I wish. I married her, she is my property. Draco was born to her, but he is mine. I can do as I want with them. If I abused them as they insinuate, they must have done something to earn it."

"Mr. Malfoy, you are aware that your wife is not property but a human being. A child, be they male or female, is a human being. The wizarding world allows for too many abuses to abound. It is not healthy for you to see others as property," Chief Warlock turned to Narcissa, "Once the divorce goes through, do you intend to allow Mr. Malfoy to see your son? Let me be clear, I would advise for him to be kept from Draco unless there is tangible change to his attitude. I will be unpopular for this opinion, ma'am, but I would advise you to keep your son as far away from Mr. Malfoy as possible. I see great trouble in your future if you allow Mr. Malfoy access to your son."

Narcissa took a deep breath before she began, "Sir, I agree. I feel like having Draco around Lucius would be detrimental to his health, physically and mentally. I will not allow that to happen. I am willing to negotiate if Lucius sees that we are human beings and deserve respect. Until such a time as that, he will not get to see his son. Once Draco comes of age at seventeen, he will have a choice of renouncing the Malfoy name and becoming a Black. I will take up my maiden name of Black."

"No, I will not agree to that. You are a Malfoy. You must continue to be a Malfoy, no matter if this farce of a divorce goes through or not. You are mine, woman," Lucius growled at her.

"Mr. Malfoy, she is not yours. As of this moment, I am granting a divorce to her from you. You do not get access to your son until you have a change of heart. I hope that Merlin will help you with that change of heart, so you may see your boy grow up. But until then, know that you will be monitored for illegal activities," Chief Warlock spoke with authority.

"You cannot do that to me. I am a Malfoy. I will see that you are ousted as Chief Warlock. Your career is done."

"Be that as it may, but you are no longer married to Narcissa Black," he turned to Narcissa, "Madam, may I suggest you and your son leave. Lucius will not be allowed to follow you out for safety. I have a pair of Aurors waiting outside to see you to the floo."

"Thank you, sir," Narcissa nodded and stood. She held out her hand to Draco who took it and without looking back, they walked out of the courtroom.

The Aurors met them at the door and escorted them to the floo network.

"Ma'am, if I may be so bold as to say, don't yell your destination. Speak it as quietly as possible. I don't want anyone to be able to say where you were headed," the Auror on Draco's left said.

Narcissa nodded and pulled Draco into the floo with her and spoke quietly, "Tonks Residence." In a burst of green flames, they disappeared and reappeared at home.

Narcissa burst into tears upon arrival. Draco wrapped his arms around his mother's waist, unsure of what to do to help her. Aunt Meda came into the room and had Draco go to the kitchen for a snack while she sat with Narcissa.