The next morning, Hermione was already sitting at the table reading the paper and having a cup of tea when Ron walked into the kitchen.

"You're up early," he said.

"I feel a lot better today," she said.

"Good."

"I think I'll go to Hogwarts and help out. I'm tired of being stuck in the house. And I need to talk to McGonagall. You should read the letters to the editor this morning," she said, sliding The Daily Prophet over to him.

"Yeah?" he said pouring himself a cup of tea and picking up the paper. He read through the letters and let out a low whistle. "Bloody hell," he said. "Whoever thought that would happen?"

"I know. I mean I was pleased that so many people responded negatively to the implication that I was a drunken party girl, but to have him write a letter, and such an honest one. It was a little creepy actually."

"Well," Ron said, reading through Draco's letter one more time. "It's not entirely honest. He makes it seem like Bellatrix was at Malfoy Manor uninvited. Like she was holding them hostage, but yeah, other than that it's a pretty faithful account."

"I wonder what possessed him to write it?"

"I can't imagine. I mean Draco Malfoy—"

"Defending a mudblood like me. I wonder what his angle is."

"Well, I reckon he's trying to get back in the good graces of the community. I mean, otherwise how's he ever going to go out in public?"

xxx

Later that day, while Ron and Harry were helping with the reconstruction, Ron caught sight of McGonagall walking toward them with Draco Malfoy at her side. Draco was pale, paler than Ron had ever seen him. He almost looked translucent like he hadn't been in the sunlight for ages.

"Harry, Ron," McGonagall said. "Draco has volunteered to help with the reconstruction. I've told him I'm not entirely comfortable with his presence here, but if he was willing to work with you two and more importantly if you're willing to work with him, I'm open to his help."

Ron looked at Harry. They had discussed Draco's letter in The Daily Prophet already. Harry gave him a glance that told Ron it was up to him.

"Alright," Ron said, grimly. "We'll see how it goes."

"Thanks," Draco said, without looking him in the eye.

McGonagall nodded and walked off.

Harry cleared his throat and tried to think of something neutral to say. He settled on, "How's your mum?"

"Fine."

"Good," Harry said.

Draco glanced at Ron. "Your family?"

"Good, considering."

Draco stared at his feet. "I was sorry to hear about your brother."

"Yeah," Ron said, his jaw tightening. Draco looked penitent, but he couldn't help remembering what a slimy git he'd always been.

"So," Harry said. "We should probably get back to work." He showed Draco the charm for each of the stones and they set to work setting them in place. As stones rose into recognizable walls and towers, Harry began to recognize the school that was his first true home. It was nice to see it restored from the ruin that was left after the battle.

xxx

Hermione was starving at lunchtime. She hurried over to their usual spot by the lake to meet Ron and Harry. Seeing Draco sitting next to Harry was a bit of shock. Her hand rose subconsciously to finger the scarf at her throat. Ron stood as she approached and surprised her by kissing her lightly on the lips.

"Hullo luv," he said. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine, starving, but fine." She looked at him to see what was happening. It wasn't like him to be so demonstrative in public or so solicitous in general and what the hell was Draco doing there?

Harry handed her a sandwich and she and Ron sat together on the blanket. "Draco's come to help put the castle back together," he said by way of explanation.

"Hello Draco," she said cautiously. It was one thing to see his letter in the paper. It was quite another to come face to face with him again.

Draco glanced up at her. "Hermione." His eyes slid quickly away from her.

Ron and Harry were both looking at her, clearly unsure of how this was going to go.

Hermione squared her shoulders and cleared her throat. "Thank you for the letter to the editor this morning. It was kind of you to set them straight."

"They didn't have their facts right," Draco said, pulling a blade of grass and shredding it with his thumbnail.

"No, but that's not unusual for the Prophet," Hermione said.

"That's certainly true," Harry said. Ron nodded his agreement.

"So how are things for you these days, Draco?" Hermione asked.

Harry and Ron both looked at her like she'd lost her mind.

She shrugged at them.

Draco looked up at her. "All right, I guess. I've moved out of the manor and taken a room in Hogsmeade."

"Oh," Hermione said. "Is it nice to live in town?"

Draco gave a sort of half smile. "Yes. Well…sometimes. It's not permanent. I just thought my parents needed some time to themselves. You know."

Ron and Harry raised their eyebrows and glanced at each other.

"Of course," Hermione said.

Draco looked as if he wanted to say something else, but didn't.

After a long moment of silence, Harry said. "So, how about that Cannons game last night?"

"You heard that did you?" Ron said. "I read about it in the paper this morning. Great game. Wish I could have seen it."

"Yeah, we listened on the wireless last night," Harry said.

"We should get a wireless," Ron said to Hermione.

"If you'd like." She smiled and rested her hand on his knee.

The rest of lunch consisted of Quidditch talk and a discussion on how best to charm a radio. Hermione asked the occasional question. Draco remained silent but not in a sullen way. After lunch, Hermione returned to the Protective Charms team and the boys continued with construction.

That evening they all walked down to the gates to get past the protection charms so they could Apparate home.

Hermione squeezed Ron's hand. "I'm going to go get cleaned up. I'll see you back at the Burrow for dinner."

Ron nodded. "See you in a bit."

She disappeared with a pop.

"See you Harry," Ron said and popped off.

"They look happy," Draco said.

Harry looked at him. "They are."

"You and Ginny too?"

"Yeah," Harry said. "We are."

"Good," Draco said.

"Thanks." Harry said, looking at Draco, who seemed even paler than he had that morning.

"Everything I ever thought was wrong," Draco said quietly. "Horribly, horribly wrong. It's all so messed up now."

Harry didn't say anything. It seemed cruel to agree with him, but pointless and false to disagree.

"I'm lucky I'm not in Azkaban," he said.

"That wasn't luck," Harry said. "It was mercy."

Draco looked at him. "How am I to come back from this? Everyone thinks I'm a monster."

"Focus on the mercy," Harry said. "Pay it forward. Hang around and be descent. That letter about Hermione was a good start. So was volunteering here today."

"That was nothing," Draco said.

"Little things add up over time," Harry said. "Just don't be a prick and it'll pay off. You'll see."

Draco nodded.

"I'll see you around," Harry said and Apparated to the Burrow.