Draco blinked at Ginny, unsure of whether he had heard her correctly. She would let him have a place to stay? After he had taunted her entire family?

"Draco, dear. You can move into either Charlie or Bill's room, they will be leaving before the morning. Ginny will show you, the others are going down to the village" Mrs. Weasley said tenderly, beginning to dry more plates.

The other people in the room filed out of the front door, leaving Malfoy alone with Ginny. They stared awkwardly at each other, then Ginny cleared her throat and proceeded up the stairs. Draco followed quietly.

The two climbed the old, worn steps for quite some time in silence, then Ginny stopped at the second to last landing.

"This is Bill's room, it's right above the attic, which is a bit backwards I suppose... The Ghoul tends to make a racket, but it's worse in Charlie's room so I-" Ginny shut her mouth, blushing.

"Sorry" She mumbled. Malfoy nodded, a slight flush on his own cheeks.

"I-i'll go" Ginny stuttered, opening the door then darting past Malfoy down the stairs, quick as an elf.

"Weasley?" Draco asked. Ginny turned, blushing even harder.

"Could you inquire as to my wand?" Ginny nodded.

"By the way, the loo is down halfway with the large painting of a gnome on it" Ginny added. Malfoy nodded as he turned to go into Bill's room.

As soon as the door shut, a small smile broke out on Draco's face. So far, he had received more kindness from these poor people than he ever had from his own parents. He decided to give staying here a try.

Many things about the family intrigued him, most of all the youngest Weasley.


Draco laid down to sleep some more, and it felt like he was only asleep for ten minutes when a soft knock startled him awake. He stood up quickly, reaching for his wand when he realized that he didn't have one.

Feeling like an idiot, Draco opened the door to see Ginny once again.

"Mum said to invite you down for dinner" She said, flipping some of her auburn hair over her shoulder. Malfoy nodded, realizing that he was once again starving.

Ginny started down to stairs, banging a fist on each door as she went, yelling to her siblings and friends that it was time for dinner. Draco's eyebrows went up as he saw her get into an argument with one of her siblings.

"You don't have to knock so loud, Ginny!" The bespectacled brother complained in a nasally voice.

"Aw, hang it Percy" Ginny said, equally as nasally in a loud tone. THe brother harrumpfed and retreated into his room. As Draco went by, he saw a faded gold plaque with the sibling's name on it. Percy Weasley, that must be the one that worked for the minister.

Weasleys began to filter down the stairs, complete with Harry and Hermione. They must have come back from their trip sometime while he was asleep.

Draco was almost to the bottom of the stairs when his foot caught on something and he began to fall forwards.

Luckily, A strong hand caught him by the back of his robes, pulling him back to safety.

"Watch your step, son" Arthur Weasley's deep voice said. He clapped Malfoy on the shoulder with ease, as if this wasn't the first time he had saved someone from grinding their face into his floor.

Mrs. Weasley had laid out a large feast, which was being set upon by the other inhabitants of the house. The chatter was laud and punctuated by frequent laughter. Draco winced, feeling completely out of place.

"Come, Draco dear. I set you a place next to Charlie" Mrs. Weasley called, and Draco made his way awkwardly to her.

As soon as he sat down, the table went silent, looking at him expectantly. Draco stared back, unsure of what to do.

"Tuck in" Mrs. Weasley called, and every one began to dish out food, the talk and laughter beginning to build up again.

Draco let a small smile slip on to his face. For the first time in many months, he was actually beginning to feel what a real home felt like.