The night before the trial Draco was having a hard time shutting his mind off. Sleep was eluding him and every time he closed his eyes, all he can see are images of sapphire eyes and long flowing golden hair speckled with burnished copper. The smell of vanilla and jasmine taunt him viscerally as the echoes of Georgiana's touch leave him feeling exasperated and very frustrated. It's like a promise of something sweet and forbidden, yet so close he can almost reach out and grab it. He's taken to dreamless sleep on more than one occasion, just to give his mind some peace from the haunting images of his hands roaming over her ample curves and her breathy moans gasping his name in ecstasy. He has to wonder if this is how insanity starts.

This last dream that he'd just woken up from had been the best dream he'd ever had. He closed his eyes and allowed his mind to drift, thinking about how blissful he'd felt upon waking.

Her beautiful eyes gaze longingly at him from across the ballroom. She is a vision in her gown. The black silk material clings as the corset hugs her breasts and torso like a well-fitted glove curving down to the swell of her hips. There the material flows in gentle waves to the floor, moving like water every time she glides gracefully across the floor. Her beautiful hair is pulled up off her long slender neck, where a diamond wreath necklace adorns the slim column of her throat and matching earrings catch the sparkle of her eyes as she smiles at him. Captivated, he walks over to her and gently takes her arm within his and breathes in her distinctive scent of vanilla and jasmine. Slowly he lowers his lips to run along the column of her throat and stops at the base of her shoulder. He can hear her intake of breath as she looks at him longingly, her eyes promising him delights too naughty to imagine. She gently bites down on her lower lip and he can't stifle the small groan that erupts from his throat. Leaning over, he softly whispers into her ear, "I can't wait to get you alone, my angel. I fully intend to ravish you until you scream my name."

Her beautiful face blushes a soft pink and she looks at him with a wicked smirk. "Who says I will be the one screaming in pleasure, my love?" She smirks at Draco in challenge, then gently kisses his lips enticingly.

"Minx," he smirks back, then grabs her by the arm and leads her to the dance floor. All eyes are on them, and Draco feels as if he is the luckiest wizard alive, having this witch on his arm. Knowing she loves him and wants only him. Their eyes lock and their steps move together effortlessly, as if they have been partners their whole lives. All eyes in the room watch as they move as one. His Georgiana smiles at him impishly. "It's been a beautiful evening, don't you think? Such a lovely night of celebration, I can't imagine it getting any better, can you my love?"

Draco can't help but smile fondly down at his witch. He knows that look, it usually means something infinitely pleasurable for him. "I can't imagine my life any better than it is at present. I have everything I could ever want, right here, in my arms."

Georgiana gazes at her lover with wide innocent eyes. "Everything, you say? How interesting you should say that."

Draco gives his witch a questioning look. "All right little witch. What are you planning? What am I missing?"

Georgiana laughs delightedly, and gently takes his hand and brings it to her stomach as she gazes into his eyes with complete love and devotion. "We have everything, right here."

Draco follows his hand at her stomach and then his eyes move back to his love. "You mean? You are?" He sputters excitedly.

"Yes my husband, we are having a baby. Our baby."

Draco smiles widely at his wife, who is radiating joy and love. He draws her in to him and kisses her deeply. Coming up for air he gently leans his forehead against hers and whispers, "I love you so much. You have no idea how happy you make me. I'm never letting you go."

"I love you too, My Dragon, always."

Draco slowly opened his eyes and felt tears running down his cheeks. He has no idea what tomorrow might bring, but he can't help but feel despondent over the possibility that he might never have a taste of true happiness. All his life, he'd always been taught that being a Malfoy meant you were better than everyone else. But now, he knows he will be lucky if he is able to walk away tomorrow a free man. Truth be told, he's tired. Tired of the hate, the prejudice, the violence he's seen these past several years. He just wants to feel peace, experience joy and find love. He's not sure if he deserves those things, but he knows that he wants them, desperately.

Deciding that sleep is no longer an option, Draco heads down to the library. It had been his place of refuge even before the war started in earnest, before that madman came and invaded his home. It was the one place he could go and be left undisturbed. Only his mother, and occasionally his father, would ever venture into the family library. Walking along the corridors, the paintings in the hallway were silent as always, there wasn't much hope within the walls of Malfoy Manor these days.

Upon reaching the library Draco called for his house elf. "Master calls for Tinky?"

"Yes Tinky, could you bring me some tea please?"

"Yes, Master. Tinky would be most happy to get you somes tea. Would Master like somes chocolate biscuits to go with his tea?"

Draco smiled fondly at his elf. "Yes, Tinky. Biscuits would be great." Tinky popped out of the library and returned a few moments later with a tray of tea and biscuits. He then started a fire and left with a silent pop. Draco poured himself a cuppa and sipped on it carefully while staring into the fire. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't immediately notice his mother coming into the library. Narcissa takes in her son's appearance, he looks withdrawn and haggard. Dark circles under his eyes from too many sleepless nights and his eyes looked red and swollen. She feels her heart break for her son.

"Draco, what are you doing up so late?"

Draco's eyes meet his mother's as he rubs his hands over his face, trying to regain his composure. "I couldn't sleep. I woke up from another dream."

Narcissa gazes at her son with concern. "Was it a bad dream?"

"No Mother, the dreams are becoming more intense, more real. This last one...well..." Draco says hesitantly, "It was amazing. But, I know I'm never going to have that kind of happiness, Mother. Whatever happens tomorrow, I'll either end up in Azkaban at worst, or house arrest at best. And who would want me, a Death Eater?" Draco shook his head despondently.

Narcissa sat down next to her son and gently placed her hands on top of his. "My Dragon, you are a good man, a wonderful son. I know these past few years have been difficult. I would have given anything not to have had you branded by that madman. But I promise you that we will get through this, together."

Draco sighed at his mother dejectedly. "Mum, I know you and Dad still believe in blood purity. I know it's hard to turn away from everything you were taught, what you taught me. But I just can't keep living my life with that kind of hatred. I know I'm already a disappointment to Dad, I just need to know if you're going to be disappointed in me as well."

Narcissa observed her son intently. While she could admit that she did hold the same ideals as her husband, she was perhaps not as zealous as he was. Severus was a half-blood and in many ways, he was more formidable than most of the purebloods she knew. It was at her insistence that he be made Draco's godfather. He'd never let her down, and she'd never regretted that decision.

"Does this have anything to do with the Granger girl, Draco? I saw how affected you were when she was brought here to the Manor. I admit I was appalled by my sister's actions, but they could not be helped."

Draco glared at his mother angrily. "That's what I mean, mum. She's a Muggle-born, and I know I've been taught to look down on them. That they are beneath me. But how can I feel that way, after seeing her tortured and carved into? She never broke. Would I have been as strong? Her blood, mum. It wasn't muddy like I'd always been taught. It was red, like mine. How can I go on believing something that is so clearly not true?"

Narcissa looked into her son's anguished face. "Draco, I don't know what to tell you. I wish I had answers for you, but I don't. I was raised to believe that my heritage, my blood made me better, a Black. You're asking me to rethink that. I'm not sure what to think. I won't lie and tell you it doesn't matter. To me and your father it does, and probably always will. But I can promise you that I will try and accept whatever choices you make for your future, and I will not allow your father to dictate your life anymore. I just want you to be happy and safe."

Draco nodded his head in resignation. This was probably the only concession his mother would ever make. He knew his father would never change his mind, and would likely disown him if Draco ever thought about marrying someone outside the Sacred 28. Draco did have his own vaults, left to him by his Grandfather Cygnus Black, but those were nothing compared to the Malfoy vaults. Still, Draco knew he needed to get some space from his father.

"I was thinking mum...I heard from Theo the other day. Apparently the Wizengamot is making it mandatory for any Slytherins who were in their seventh year to return to Hogwarts and retake their year. I don't know if that will be an option for me, but if it is, I'd like to return and finish my education. I might not be welcome, but I think it would be good for me to go back, help rebuild the school. Try to help repair some of the damage done because of our family."

Narcissa smiled at her son. At times she was so proud of the man he had become, and this was one of those times. "Yes, I think that might be a good idea. Hopefully you will have that option come tomorrow."

"I hope so too, mum. I just hope that I'm strong enough to face whatever happens tomorrow."

"I will be with you. And for what it's worth, your Father will be too. He loves you Draco, even though he has a hard time showing it. He was as frantic as I was to get to you during the battle. Being without a wand this last year has been very difficult for him. I'm hoping that the Wizengamot will take everything into account tomorrow."