The 8th Year

Chapter 2 - Making Amends

Harry got up early on his 18th birthday. He dressed and snuck down the stairs of the Burrow without waking Ron. He didn't sleep as much as he used to anymore and he liked to keep his mind occupied. His birthday always made him feel a little sad, it was a time when he missed the family he had never known or had not known for long enough.

Considering the fact that it was only 5am in the morning and the sky was shining with vivid shades of orange and pink, Harry didn't think he would meet anyone on his venture but he was wrong.

Harry walked into the kitchen and stopped in his tracks when he saw that Ginny was already there. She was sitting with her back to him at the table holding something in her hands as her body shook with silent sobs. He was unsure about what to do at first, but Harry silently crossed the room and tapped her on the shoulder. Ginny got a shock and dropped the photo in her hands onto the table as she turned to look at Harry.

Harry mustered a smile as he looked at the redheaded girl. The photograph that she had been looking at was an old one of herself and Fred when she was only a little girl.

"Are you still struggling?" Harry asked gently.

Ginny nodded and cleared her throat, "Does it ever get easy? Does the ache in your chest ever go away?"

"Yes," Harry replied as he sat down next to her at the kitchen table, "It hurts really badly at first. It feels like there's a hole that will never be filled. You feel like you will always be numb and empty. But then slowly the hole starts to close up and other people fill it, then life starts to look up. You start to laugh at jokes again, you start to smile again and when you come out of that tunnel everything seems brighter, it feels like the best thing in the world to have hope again. I'm not going to lie and tell you that it's easy Gin because it's not. But it does get better, I promise."

Ginny nodded and wiped away her tears with shaking hands, "Do you still miss them Harry?"

"My parents?" Harry asked quietly, "Yes, some days more than others…like today and on Halloween."

Ginny's eyes widened, "Oh Merlin, I'm so sorry! I totally forgot that it was your birthday! And I just dumped all of my emotional drama on you, I'm sorry."

Harry smiled, "I don't mind Gin. It's just another birthday, nothing special is it?"

"I'd say that it's pretty special that you lived this long," Ginny smiled, "You never thought you'd see your 18th birthday."

"Then I suppose it's an accomplishment," Harry chuckled.

Ginny laughed too, "I hope you don't mind me bringing this up today but do you think we should talk properly about what happened during the war? I mean I understand that we won't get back together and I don't expect us to. But if we're going to be friends I think we have to know everything."

"I told you everything," Harry promised.

Ginny glanced up at him, "Yes, but you were vague on…certain things."

"Do you really want to hear about those things in detail?" Harry asked quietly.

"I think I need to understand," Ginny said with a frown, "I need to understand if that…if she…well, if that was why we didn't get back together."

Harry sighed and glanced down at his hands, "No, Gin. What happened between Hermione and I was a mistake. Not a stupid mistake, it didn't ruin our friendship but it shouldn't have happened. She's my best friend and we've always been close. You don't understand what it was like out there. It wasn't like it was the real world, everything felt strange and surreal like it was a dream and you were going to wake up and you know…not have to deal with the consequences."

"So there weren't feelings?" Ginny asked calmly.

"Not those sort of feelings," Harry admitted, "There was loneliness…it was just a need for human comfort I suppose. If Ron hadn't left things would have been different but it was just the two of us for months and we naturally got closer but it wasn't by choice, it was by necessity. Do you know what I mean? It was just the two of us so it just…happened."

"I get it," Ginny said with a nod, "Trust me, I get it."

"What happened between you and…him?" Harry asked as he cleared his throat.

Ginny frowned and looked away from Harry towards the kitchen window, "It was a similar situation I guess. We were sort of leading the DA together so we saw each other day in and day out. I missed you and we both missed normality… we were lonely and struggling with the way things were at school so it just…happened."

"We weren't together," Harry reminded her.

"Did that make it feel any less like cheating for you?" Ginny asked bluntly.

"No," Harry replied honestly.

"No, not for me either," Ginny said as she caught his eye, "And that's why we can't make it work, isn't it?"

"I think so," Harry replied quietly, "As much as we can attempt to justify things we've lost the trust haven't we?"

Ginny nodded and pulled her gaze away from his, "Yeah."

"I'm sorry Gin," Harry said, "But I don't think I could have given you what you wanted."

"I know," Ginny said with a weak laugh, "You need someone who'll be okay with you running around trying to kill yourself to save everybody else every other day. And I need someone with a stable, normal job so that I don't get bloody anxiety disorders."

Harry smiled slightly, "We could have made it work if the war hadn't happened."

"But the war did happen so there's no point in talking about what might have happened if it didn't," Ginny said matter of factly, "Let's just make sure we salvage a friendship from this. I don't want to lose our friendship, I've lost too many people I care about already."

"So have I," Harry said as he placed his hand on top of hers, "We'll stay friends, that much I can promise."

"Thank you Harry," Ginny said with a soft smile.

When Hermione tiptoed into the room Ron and Harry shared at the Burrow not long after 5am she expected both of the room's occupants to be asleep. She pushed the door open silently and jumped out of her skin when Ron opened an eye to look at her.

"Mione," he mumbled, "What you doing in here so early?"

"I was just dropping Harry's present off," Hermione whispered, she frowned as she put the present down on top of the small pile already sitting by his bed, "Where is Harry?"

Ron yawned, "Dunno, he gets up early these days and goes out for walks. I reckon it clears his head, he's always having nightmares."

Hermione sighed, "Do you think he's going to be okay?" she asked as she sat down on the edge of Ron's bed.

Ron was quiet for a moment, "I hope so, maybe Hogwarts will help."

"Maybe," Hermione said softly, she looked down at her hands, "Ron, do you think you and I… do you think our friendship will ever go back to the way it was before?"

"Honestly, I don't think it can be the same," Ron said, Hermione's face fell.

"But maybe it can be better," Ron added with a slight smile, "You said it yourself Hermione. We've been through way too much together to abandon each other now."

Hermione smiled slightly sadly, "I can't lie to you anymore Ron. If we're going to be friends again and try and fix things I have to tell you the truth about-"

"-about what happened between you and Harry during the war," Ron finished.

Hermione's eyes widened, "How did you…"

"Harry told me," Ron admitted as he caught Hermione's eye, "After I destroyed the locket…he told me that something had happened when I was gone."

Hermione frowned, "And you would have been okay with that, if you and I had gotten together?"

Ron shrugged and looked down, "I wasn't exactly happy about it. But I would have had to be okay with it wouldn't I? You and me weren't together and it was my fault it happened. If I hadn't left…"

"It wouldn't have happened, you're right," Hermione said quietly.

"Is that why you didn't want to be with me, and why he broke up with Ginny?" Ron asked, still not meeting Hermione's eye.

"No," Hermione replied honestly, "There were feelings between Harry and I…I suppose. But nothing like that, it was just so confusing…like the line between friendship and more was so blurred because of how isolated and lonely we were."

"So why didn't you give us a try?" Ron asked curiously, "I didn't want to know before, but I think I need to now."

Hermione's frown deepened and when she glanced over at Ron she was aware she was fighting back tears, "You're my best friend Ron. We went through so much together and I always thought I had feelings for you…but looking back on them after everything that happened in the war they seemed feeble and childish."

"Like a childhood crush," Ron said quietly.

Hermione nodded and wiped her tears, "We all changed so much. The war changed us, it damaged us. We're all such a mess, Harry is a wreck, you are a wreck and Merlin knows that I'm a complete mess. We've been through so much together, too much. We've both seen the other at our worst and neither of us like that person. We all need someone a little bit more removed from all of this…someone who can help us fix ourselves."

Ron smiled sadly, "You're right Hermione, I know you are…but I didn't want someone else, I wanted you."

A few more tears spilled out of Hermione's eyes, "And I wanted you too, once upon a time. But not now Ron...and I don't want to lose you, you're my best friend."

Ron nodded and cleared his throat as he wiped away a few of his own tears with frustration, "You're my best friend too Hermione. We'll be alright."

Hermione nodded, "In time," she agreed.

"Have you been crying?"

Hermione nodded as she pulled on a cardigan and walked out into the garden. It was still early and the dew on the grass was fresh. She sat down next to Harry on the bench and kissed him on the cheek.

"Happy Birthday, Harry."

Harry smiled slightly, "What's wrong Hermione?"

"Nothing," Hermione sighed, "I just spoke to Ron this morning…about what happened in the war. I never knew that you told him about that."

"I was going to tell you," Harry promised, "But you were still struggling to cope with what happened to you at Malfoy Manor…I was waiting for the right time."

"Yes well in the future I'd appreciate it if you just told me things, regardless of whether you thought the time was right or not," Hermione said irritably.

"I know, I'm sorry," Harry said as he turned away from her to look out at the quiet, awakening village of Ottery St. Catchpole.

"Do you think we'll ever be okay again? Any of us?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Yeah, I think we'll all be okay," Harry said as he put his hand on top of hers, "With time I think all of the wounds will heal."

"I feel like I'm old before my time," Hermione said with a quiet chuckle.

"Well, that's part of the reason why we're going to school, isn't it?" Harry said with a smile as he closed his hand around hers, "To be young again and actually enjoy a year of school without Voldemort breathing down our necks."

"It will be a nice change," Hermione admitted as she also looked out at the village.

"It's odd that you spoke to Ron this morning, because I spoke to Ginny," Harry said after a few moments of comfortable silence, "I had already told her about what happened but she questioned me in more detail about it. I think it helped give her some kind of closure, but to be honest I'm just glad that we agreed to stay friends."

"Same with Ron and I," Hermione sighed, "But I don't think our trio will ever be the same."

"No," Harry agreed, "I think things will change when we go back to school. Our friend group will expand; we won't just be a trio anymore."

"I'm not sure how Ron will take that," Hermione said cautiously.

"Neither am I," Harry said as he gently squeezed Hermione's hand.

Hermione frowned slightly as she looked down at their hands, "Harry…about what happened between us in the war. It didn't mean anything did it?"

"It meant something," Harry said as he glanced over at her, "Or it wouldn't have happened."

"Yes, but then what did it mean?" Hermione asked a little desperately, "Because I've searched my brain a million times and I can't work it out."

"It means we love each other, in our own way," Harry said thoughtfully, "You are my best friend Hermione and you always will be. I don't feel like anything has changed between us, do you?"

"No," Hermione admitted, "It doesn't feel like anything has changed at all. I think our emotions just got the better of us, I thought you were going to die from that snake bite."

"I know," Harry said as he looked at her again, "We were lonely and we needed each other. It's odd actually, we've always been there for each other as friends…I suppose you could call that an extreme extension of that friendship."

Hermione laughed as she looked down at her hands, "I suppose you could," she agreed.

"Happy Birthday Harry dear!"

Harry smiled as Molly walked into the kitchen and began to cook up a large, splendid breakfast, "Did you like our present?"

"Oh," Harry said with a frown, "I haven't opened them yet. They're still in my room."

Ron guffawed, "How could you forget your own presents mate? I'll bring them down."

Harry grinned, "Thanks mate," he said cheerfully.

"The whole family are joining us for dinner tonight," Molly said cheerfully, "It's such a lovely night so I thought we could eat outside, oh and Fleur is bringing a cake!"

"It sounds great Mrs. Weasley," Harry said honestly as he looked down at the watch he still wore, the watch they had given him the previous year.

"Oh and Andromeda wrote yesterday," Mrs. Weasley remembered, "She wondered if you would like her to come by tonight with Teddy?"

Harry's grin widened, "She's going to bring Teddy round? Yes, definitely! Can I floo her now?"

Mrs. Weasley smiled fondly at Harry, "Of course you can, on you go."

Hermione chuckled as Harry darted towards the kitchen fireplace and flew some floo powder into it. He spoke Andromeda's address and her head appeared in the flames within a few seconds.

She looked very much like Bellatrix, but her hair wasn't quite so dark and her smile was kind.

"Happy Birthday Harry."

"Thanks Andi," Harry smiled, "Molly said you were thinking of dropping by with Teddy?"

Andromeda nodded, "Yes, he has a birthday present for you. Although I picked it, wrapped it and paid for it."

Harry laughed, "Why don't you join us for dinner tonight? Molly won't mind, will you Molly?"

Mrs. Weasley shook her head and smiled, "Of course not, it would be a pleasure to have you both Andromeda."

"That sounds lovely," Andromeda said honestly, "What time should we come by?"

"Oh any time after 5pm will be fine," Molly smiled.

Andromeda smiled back, "Perfect, I will see you all this evening in that case. Oh and do enjoy your birthday until then Harry."

"I will," Harry promised, "See you later Andi."

Her face disappeared from the flames, and Ron walked into the kitchen with a large pile of presents. He dropped them onto the table where they wobbled precariously and Harry eagerly ripped into them all then ate a lovely big breakfast. He was really beginning to think that the day couldn't get any better as he, Ron, Hermione and Ginny set out for the orchard for a game of tag Quidditch which Hermione would referee.

When Harry walked out into the warm, bright sunlit back garden that evening he had to stop for a moment and smile as he surveyed the scene. The gazebo that the Weasley's had bought for that summer was erected over two long rectangular tables. Fireflies in jars were sitting on the tables for when the light began to fade later that evening. Standing around the garden or sitting at the tables were the people he loved more than anyone else in the world.

There was a twinge of sadness too because Sirius, Remus, Tonks and Fred weren't here. But that didn't stop the gathering from being any larger or livelier than the Weasley gatherings normally were. Arthur was standing talking to Bill and Charlie. Fleur was in the kitchen helping Molly prepare the food and the cake. Percy was talking to George, he had his arm around a very pretty dark-haired woman who Harry didn't recognise, and George was here with Angelina which made Harry smile broadly.

Ron, Hermione and Ginny were playing with a toy mouse and Crookshanks close to the hedge where the occasional garden gnome would peek out from.

Kingsley was here too, despite being the new Minister for Magic he had managed to find the time to come to Harry's birthday dinner. Andromeda was talking animatedly with him while bouncing Teddy absentmindedly in her arms. The little boy was still very little; he was nearly 4 months old now. He couldn't speak but he had started to babble very vividly as if he was having a very interesting conversation with himself. His hair was its favoured bright blue at the moment and his eyes the same hazel colour that Remus's had been. The moment he spotted Harry he began to kick his legs and his hair began to transition to black.

Harry laughed as he walked across the garden, "I think somebody is pleased to see me."

Andromeda smiled, "Here we go Teddy," she said, "It's Uncle Harry's birthday today."

Harry grinned broadly as he took the little boy into his arms, "Hey Teddy!" he said as he tickled the little boy's tummy and made him giggle.

Ron grinned in amusement when he walked over to his best friend, "You're doing that ridiculous baby voice again."

"Of course he is," Hermione said brightly as she put her hand on Teddy's tummy and tickled him, "Because he's gorgeous, aren't you Teddy?"

"He's cute," Ron conceded as Teddy grabbed his finger.

Kingsley laughed in his low, deep way, "That little boy has everyone wrapped around his little finger."

"Mum included," Ron said in amusement.

"Oh yes," Andromeda said with a sad sort of smile, "Dora was exactly the same as a baby, everybody adored her."

Harry sent a sympathetic glance Andromeda's way, "How has he been?"

"He's been teething," Andromeda said with a long-suffering sigh, "I found out at his St. Mungo's check-up that a teething part-werewolf baby is even worse than a normal teething baby."

"Oh dear," Hermione said with a smile, "Did he destroy anything soft and fluffy?"

Andromeda smiled in amusement, "All of the cuddly toys he could get his hands on and my favourite cushions."

Ron laughed loudly, "How sharp are his teeth?"

"Not any sharper than an ordinary babies," Andromeda admitted, "He just has werewolf instincts when he's in pain apparently. Bill said he has the same thing; he growls when he gets mad."

"Yeah and Fleur locks him in the dog house she built outside their house," Ron said through his laughter.

Harry chuckled as he gently opened Teddy's mouth, "Oh yeah, I can see a couple of teeth in there," he said as he removed his finger before Teddy could bite him.

"Why don't you give him one of those chewy bones for dogs?" Ron asked cluelessly.

"Ron!" Hermione chastised.

"I'm not giving my Godson a dog's toy Ron," Harry scoffed.

"Right," Ron muttered, "I didn't mean it like that."

Andromeda shook her head in amusement, "It will pass, and I have some diluted pain potions so that he can sleep through the night. Although if you fancy taking him for a few days I would appreciate it."

"Of course," Harry said with a smile, "I'll miss him when I go back to Hogwarts. I'll have him for the whole first week of August if you like?"

"Would you really not mind?" Andromeda asked as she glanced at her Grandson, "I have been thinking about visiting my sister."

"Your sister?" Harry asked in surprise, "Narcissa?"

"Malfoy?" Ron added.

Andromeda nodded, "Yes, well…after the war we talked briefly about reconciling. We haven't spoken since her little boy was born, Draco I believe he's called."

"Little, he's our age now," Harry said in amusement, "It's good though that you reconciled. You should go, family is important."

"I am surprised that you are behind the idea," Andromeda admitted, "I had heard that you and my nephew did not get along."

"We didn't," Harry said honestly, "Well, we don't. But he saved my life in the war and so did your sister. Maybe they're more willing to make amends now that Lucius is in prison."

Andromeda nodded, she still appeared to be deep in thought, "Then I will make sure it is alright with Molly and if she agrees you can have Teddy for the week."

"She'll say yes," Harry assured Andromeda before she left to seek out Molly.

"How come you're so okay about that?" Ron asked with a slight frown.

"I told you, Narcissa Malfoy saved my life," Harry said honestly, "And so did Draco, in Malfoy Manor."

"Yeah but he also sat by and let Hermione get tortured," Ron pointed out.

"No, he didn't," Hermione sighed, "He tried to run forward, just like he ran forward to give Harry his wand in the final battle."

"Still," Ron muttered, "You're cool with Andromeda just hanging out with her?"

"Narcissa is her sister," Hermione said in disbelief, "And Draco is her nephew. It has nothing to do with us."

"Yeah well, it doesn't mean I'm going to forgive the Malfoys," Ron said irritably, "Do you reckon Malfoy will come back to school too?"

"I dunno," Harry said honestly, "If he does he won't be the same person."

"None of us are, Harry," Hermione said softly.

"Everything you need is in his bag," Andromeda was saying, "His travel cot, his bottle, and all of the changing equipment. Remember to feed him just-"

"-just before his afternoon nap," Harry finished, "And not to put him to sleep any later than 6pm. I know Andi."

Andromeda smiled and kissed the little boy on the forehead, "You be good for Uncle Harry," she said.

Teddy gurgled in response and Harry hugged her, "Have a good week Andromeda. Give my best to Narcissa…and Draco," he added as an afterthought.

Andromeda chuckled, "How the world has changed," she said softly, "Of course I will."

Harry smiled at her and waved as she stepped into the fireplace and disappeared from sight. He sat down at the table and pulled the formula milk from Teddy's bag, "I suppose we better give you some breakfast little man."

"Let me make it up for you Harry," Mrs. Weasley said kindly as she took the formula from Harry.

Harry smiled, "Thanks, Molly."

"You make a very good Father to that little boy, you know," Molly said absentmindedly as she made up the milk.

Harry shook his head, "No, I'm not his Father. Remus Lupin is his Father."

"I understand," Molly said softly, "But Remus died when he was only a month old. He is going to need a Father figure in life to look up to, someone to take him to Quidditch games, someone who he can look to for advice, you are that person."

Harry frowned slightly, "I suppose so. Do you think it's selfish of me to go back to Hogwarts?"

"Of course not," Molly said gently, "You need to get your N.E.W.T's so that you can give yourself a good career. Andromeda knows that and understands that, and she knows you'll visit as often as you can. It's only for a year after all."

"I know," Harry said as Molly handed him the bottle, "Molly, can I ask you a question?"

Molly sat down opposite Harry as he fed Teddy his bottle, "Of course, what's on your mind Harry?"

"Draco Malfoy," Harry frowned, "If we go back to school and he has changed…if he's lonely and…well like I was for a good deal of my time at school. Do you think I should try and make amends?"

Molly smiled slightly, "I think that's a very mature idea. Draco Malfoy and yourself may be more similar than you think and I think he will be very lonely. Your generation all seem older than you are but you are still teenagers who had to grow up far too quickly because of a war. You were forced into something you didn't want to do by the prophecy and he probably was by his Father. I don't see what makes you any different and I think a friend might be exactly what he needs."

Harry smiled back at her, "Ron won't like it."

Molly scoffed, "My son is far too prejudiced Harry. The world is changing thanks to you and what you did in the war. Ron will have to get used to that one day."

Harry nodded, "Thank you, Molly."

When Andromeda stepped out of the fireplace into the drawing room of Malfoy Manor she was immediately hugged by her younger sister, Narcissa.

She chuckled, "You haven't changed a single bit Cissa."

Narcissa smiled slightly, "You have. I seem to remember a lot of tartan skirts and band t-shirts."

Andromeda laughed, "Yes well I am a Grandmother now, not to mention a Juror of the Wizengamot! So it's black robes now, but I seem to remember you wearing an awful lot of pink back then."

"She still does," Draco said as he sauntered through the drawing room, "Only not in public because Father told her it wasn't becoming."

Andromeda scoffed, "Then your Father was an idiot. Your Mother looks beautiful in pink, Draco."

"Do you have any respect for pureblood etiquette?" Draco asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Not a shred," Andromeda said cheerfully, "I was disowned for marrying a Muggle-born, I constantly ran away from home and I spent my entire youth wearing tartan skirts and band t-shirts. Now you, young Draco Malfoy have far too much respect for Pureblood etiquette."

Narcissa smiled from behind her hands, "Draco, this is your Aunt Dromeda."

"Yes Mother, I gathered," Draco said as he surveyed his Aunt with interest, "How long will you be staying for?"

"The entire week," Andromeda smirked, "So you had better get used to me."

Narcissa looked down to hide her laughter, "I'll show you to your room, come Dromeda."

Andromeda slung her bag over her shoulder and walked out onto the grand staircase with her sister, "I do apologise about my son's behaviour. He's far too much like his Father for my liking, but I'm sure you two will bond. He's a sweet boy when you get past the sarcasm."

"Now that sounds familiar," Andromeda chuckled.

Narcissa smiled, "Yes, he is rather like you actually. He pretends he is okay but he will not talk about the war and I know he must one day. It has clearly had some adverse effects on him."

"I can't say I'm surprised," Andromeda admitted, "From what I know from Harry, he seems to have been forced to try and kill a man when he was only 16 years old."

Narcissa nodded as she looked down at her hands, "For his Father's failures. There were so many days when I wished I had gone against Mothers plans and married a Muggle-born, like you Dromeda."

"No, you never could have Cissa," Andromeda smiled, "You cared far too much for etiquette. You would never have been happy with a Muggle-born."

"Yes well I wasn't exactly happy with Lucius either," Narcissa pointed out as she opened the door to Andromeda's room and led her inside, "In the beginning I loved him very much. But when he joined the Death Eaters and that man became involved in our lives I could no longer be happy. I only wanted a husband who could provide a safe, happy home for my son and he could not do that, Dromeda."

Andromeda sighed as she dropped her bag on the bed and pulled her younger sister into a hug, "Well he's gone now and I'm here Cissa. I won't run away this time, I promise."

"I get the impression you don't like me very much, Draco," Andromeda said as she sat down next to the boy by the lake in the back garden of the Manor.

Draco shrugged, "I just don't know you very well."

"Yes, I haven't exactly been in your life," Andromeda said, "Which you can blame your Grandfather for. My Father disowned me."

"For marrying a Muggle-born," Draco said thoughtfully.

Andromeda nodded, "Yes, I ran away with him after I left Hogwarts. We eloped and I gave birth to our daughter when I was only 19 years old."

"I'm sorry," Draco said, frowning down at his hands, "About what happened to your daughter."

"So am I," Andromeda said softly, "I begged her not to leave but she loved her husband and she had to protect him. I find some comfort in the fact that she died for love not because of her blood status as my Husband did."

"What happened to him?" Draco asked.

"He was killed by snatchers," Andromeda replied calmly, "During the war."

"Sorry," Draco said again.

"You did not kill him, nor did you help the snatchers who did," Andromeda said, "Therefore you have nothing to apologise for."

"I did a lot of bad things in the war," Draco said quietly.

"Have you ever killed someone, Draco?" Andromeda asked thoughtfully.

Draco shook his head, and Andromeda smiled slightly, "Then there is some hope for you yet. You are not beyond saving, contrary to what you believe."

Draco shrugged, "Maybe I don't want to be saved."

"You say that, but deep down you know that it isn't true," Andromeda said.

Draco said nothing in response to this so they fell into a peaceful silence. Andromeda sighed contently and looked out at the shimmering lake, "This reminds me of Hogwarts."

Draco nodded, "The lake is smaller and the water is clearer, but I suppose so it is similar."

"Are you returning to school, Draco?" Andromeda asked conversationally, "Your Mother said you got a letter about re-sitting your final year to get your N.E.W.T's."

Draco shrugged yet again, "I got the letter, but I'm not going back."

"And why is that?"

"I wasn't on the same side as everybody else there," Draco said quietly, "They won't want me there. I won't have a single friend."

"I think you will have at least one friend," Andromeda said thoughtfully.

Draco scoffed, "Oh yeah, who?"

"Harry," Andromeda replied.

"Harry Potter?" Draco asked in disbelief, "He's my arch enemy!"

"You are 18 years old Draco," Narcissa said as she emerged from the small summerhouse with a tray of ice cold lemonade, "18 year olds do not have arch enemies."

"And I think you'll find that Harry probably considered Voldemort as his arch enemy, not a fellow schoolboy," Andromeda said with a raised eyebrow, "Consider the difference; Voldemort killed his parents and you called him some nasty names. Which do you think he considered a bigger threat?"

Draco flushed at the comment, "Yeah well…Potter and I hate each other."

"Harry doesn't hate you and I don't think you hate him either," Andromeda said matter of factly, "He saved your life in the war and you saved his."

"Yeah well, I was just doing the right thing, for once," Draco said under his breath.

"Harry and yourself have an awful lot in common, Draco," Andromeda continued as if she had not heard his comment, "You are both lonely-"

"Lonely?" Draco scoffed, "He's got all of his little friends and his Weaslette girlfriend."

"It's comments like that which make people dislike you Draco," Narcissa pointed out as she handed her son a glass of lemonade.

Draco rolled his eyes and Andromeda said, "And you know Draco, it's very easy to be surrounded by people and still be lonely. Harry has not been the same since the war, he's very withdrawn about the whole thing and barely talks to anybody about it."

"Yeah well, I don't like talking about it either," Draco said as he put the lemonade down on the bench and stalked away.

Narcissa sighed, "I'm worried about him Dromeda," she said as she sat down in the seat he had just vacated.

"I'll get through to him," Andromeda promised, "Before I leave."

TBC :)