A/N: Sorry guys! I uploaded the first chapter again by mistake. Here is the second chapter, for real this time! Thanks for reading!

Waking Up to Reality and Memories

Draco awoke grumbling at the light pouring in through the drawn curtains and he silently cursed Tom. He realized after a few short minutes that he had a dreamless sleep. One of his first nights in two weeks, which usually happens when he drinks the amount of burning fluid he did last night.

There was a note on the bench at the end of the bed.

"Young Mr. Malfoy,

When you are awake, I will have breakfast ready for you downstairs.

-Tom"

Draco has learned to accept the kindness of some people over the past few years. Although Draco made seldom visits to Diagon Alley, he did frequent the leaky cauldron more than he ought to. Tom would always warn him when he would either have to go home or have to pay for a room. He slowly made his way down the stairs with his cloak on.

"Good Morning" Tom said quietly as a plate of food appeared in front of Draco. "Thank you" He nodded. Tom was busying himself cleaning out some glasses. He kept opening and closing his mouth as though he wanted to say something to Draco.

Finally Tom looked down at the glass he was cleaning and put it away. "Draco, you can't keep doin' this to yourself lad."

Draco stopped chewing for a moment, looked up quickly to Tom and put down his fork. He pushed his stool out from the bar and put his napkin on the table "Thank you Tom" He put on his hood as he stood and left the Leaky Cauldron. Tom sighed heavily, shaking his head as Draco Malfoy walked out the door.

"Should've seen him Harry, looked dead to the world, he did." Harry was sitting in his kitchen, head propped on his clenched hands. "Though, he looked almost startled that Luna looked so lovely!" Neville smiled. Harry snickered knowing that it was more of a surprise at how large Luna had got, given she was expecting twins. When Ginny was expecting Harry loved how she looked and she would hum to herself around the house and he too thought she was nothing less than lovely.

"Neville, did he say anything else to you?" Harry asked.

"No, not at all. He looked more like he wanted to have the conversation as painless and quickly as possible. I don't believe he wants to be spotted Harry. He looked worried that we even stopped to speak with him. He is hard to recognize these days." Neville replied while drinking his tea.

Harry had been trying to contact Draco since the trials. He had had no replies or anything from Draco. He knew Draco was going through the motions of the aftermath of the war and had become a recluse since the trials. Harry did find it odd that he would even stop long enough for Neville to have a conversation with him, regardless of how short it was.

Just then Ginny walked in carrying James in one arm and holding Teddy's hand with her free hand. "Hullo dear" Ginny kissed Harry's cheek. "Neville, how is Luna?" "Oh she's grand!" Neville handed a cookie to Teddy who came running up to him and hugged his leg. He gave Ginny a peck on the cheek and gave little James' hair a ruffle. "Just you wait James and Teddy, soon you will have a couple of friends to play with" Neville tickled James under the chin and James cooed and smiled in response. Teddy looked worried. "Was nice seeing you Neville! Don't leave us in the dark, you better be letting us know when Luna has those boys" Ginny called after him before he left by floo.

She moved to put Teddy at the table. "What was that visit about?" Ginny asked Harry, as she put James in the highchair and prepared lunch for both of the boys.

Harry laughed a little out of exasperation, "Neville ran into Malfoy." Ginny stopped what she was doing and turned to stare at Harry. "Was he certain it was him?"

"He's positive. They even spoke a little and he told Neville that Luna expecting was, uhm, 'grand'" Harry replied half smiling at Ginny's look.

Ginny stifling alaugh, replied, " 'Grand'? Malfoy said it was 'grand' ?" Harry laughed too. "I suppose we are all changing, luv. I wish he would answer the owls I've sent. Neville said he looked terrible."

Ginny walked over to Harry, the spoon now mixing James' lunch on its own. "Harry, why not go to the Manor. Talk to Narcissa. Let her know you want to speak to Malfoy and talk about all that happened. She must notice his demeanor as well, if he is looking as terrible as Neville says."

Harry thought about her suggestion for a moment. "I am not sure if that is a great idea Gin. It's not like it is Ron we're talking about here. This is Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. Why do I feel the need to help him?" Harry walked away frustrated.

"Malfoy!" Teddy bellowed. Ginny looked over and couldn't help but laugh.

Draco arrived at the manor. Before he would have to deal with his mother's wrath he decided to quickly grab his broom and go for a fly. One of the few things that released his frustrations and allowed him to think clearly. As soon as his lungs filled with the brisk cool air he felt a million times better. Draco was flying aimlessly not heading anywhere in particular and he started to think of Neville. What he would give to be as happy as Longbottom looked.

Had he ever truly been happy?

He tried filtering through his memories to find a point when he was truly happy. His fifth birthday when his father bought him his first broom, when he was 11 years old and received the letter from Hogwarts and the last one after that was his first day on platform 9 ¾. Then he remembers when the shadow of his father had started to overshadow his memories. His father imploring him to befriend Potter, to be pure as pure is and make sure the 'filth' that is does not associate with him.

He shook his head trying to get away from all the bad memories his father had left him with. No matter how hard he tried to overlook what had happened with him and his father he couldn't. Too many times did the man pick greed, money, ignorant pride over his family. He started laughing when he thought of what his father would have done, had he seen him speaking with Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood!

"That would've been a right sight for him!" Draco kept laughing. It had been awhile since he'd laughed.

Draco decided to fly down and grab a bite to eat in the muggle town below. He hid his broom just outside the town and walked toward it. He took off his cloak as he neared the town. There were small little shops on either side of their main street. He decided to sit in a little café; he smirked at the name "Petit Chou". Clearly some muggles believe that if it is French is must be posh "I wonder what people would think if they knew that said ' Little Cabbage'." Draco thought as he pushed the door and a little bell went off.

It was nice and quiet, just as Draco preferred things these days.

"Be with you in just a moment!" A sing-song voice called from the back room. Draco sat at a table in a far off corner in the small café. He fiddled with a hot drink menu; he almost choked when he saw the name of a drink on the menu.

'Butterbeer- Love the taste of buttery caramel? You will fall in love with this magical hot beverage.'

Draco raised an eyebrow as the server hurried over to him.

The server almost stopped dead in her tracks. The man in front of her was gorgeous.

"My apologies" she stuttered out, a little out of breath. She looked back up as she got out her pen and paper.

He cleared his throat "Could I get a, butterbeer?" He looked at her intently to see if she picked up on the intent behind his words.

"Oh yes, one of our best sellers. You'll love it, have you ever tasted it before?" said the server, clearly oblivious.' Clearly Muggle' he thought.

"No, no I haven't" Draco replied trying to hide the smirk pulling at his lips.

"Get that for you in a jiffy" she replied and rushed off.

"Astoria!" the server called as she went into the kitchen, "One Butterbeer!"

Draco tapped his fingers on the table waiting for his order. He heard some hushed voices and smirked at how terrible the two women talking were at keeping their voices low.

"He is gorgeous Astoria. Go out there yourself. He's tall, blonde, built and a smile that will melt your heart." She let out a little squeal of excitement.

"What I would do to get my hands on that-"

Astoria stopped her before she continued, "Okay okay! I get it, Laura. I'll go out there and bring this to him myself. Just stop it, will you?"

Laura smiled at Astoria and winked at her.

Astoria came out and noticed the blonde gentleman looking out the window, fingers tapping on the table. She tilted her head knowing she recognized this man from somewhere however couldn't quite place her finger on it.

"Here you go sir, a butterbeer. Enjoy it." She said as she approached him and set the mug down on the counter. Draco looked up and couldn't help but stare.

Astoria's eyes went wide in disbelief.

"Draco Malfoy."