A/N: A gracious good morning to everyone. Welcome to the first post of the new year. And a new year means NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS where we promise ourselves to do or not to do things. My one resolution for the upcoming year is to not make any resolutions.

My usual thanks to everyone who has been reading. And a special thanks to the reviewers, for taking time out from the holidays. Good Reading.

Chapter 20: Patronus

Draco was sitting by the window, watching the scenery. Hermione and Justin were telling each other about their holidays. Justin had finished telling how his sister swore that Hermione's gift to him simply appeared under the tree as if by magic.

"Which reminds me, mate," he said to Draco. "Couldn't send anything to you. You're not on the network."

Draco turned his gaze to see a small wrapped box. It was a reminder that he hadn't anything to give. All of his money, a galleon and change, had been used for what few gifts he brought to the house. "Don't need to. Thanks anyway."

"Holiday okay?" Justin's face told that he was concerned.

"Yeah, tired is all." And he was. Cheryl loved the fact that he pulled her sled all over town. So he did it again the next day, and every day. It was simple. He pulled the sled. Cheryl was happy. There were no schemes or plans or efforts to trick people. He didn't have much to give anyone, but it was a gift that didn't take anything to give.

"Tired?"

"I'm Cheryl's favorite uncle. It's hard work."

Maybe it was because she was a girl, but Hermione had to ask. "Janice? How is she? When's she due?"

"Another month."

Janice had told him. They already picked out the names. Andrew if it was a boy. Givens had already agreed to be godfather. Pamela if it was a girl. Doctor Pamela Bennett was the official doctor of everyone at the home. While he was there, Draco saw her every three months. It seems the doctor still had Janice as a patient, without charge. This was the one way Janice could repay her.

And other memories of the holiday came back to him. A brief visit with Miss Carmichael. Again, no gifts to exchange although she did tell him that seeing him prosper gave her great joy. It made him feel good at the time.

But. There was always that word. Here he was, returning to school after the Christmas holiday. And what did he have to show for it? A pair of gloves and a few callouses from pulling on the rope.

"Draco?"

Both Hermione and Justin were watching him. The gift Justin had been holding had been put away.

"I told you. I'm tired is all." Draco turned his head and looked back at the scenery. He didn't want to look at his mates. He knew they didn't understand what he was feeling. How could they? How could they know when he didn't even know? How do you tell someone that they're making you angry because they're being nice to you? After a few minutes, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. With luck, he might fall asleep.

Draco woke up with Fred and George in the compartment as well.

"Whot?"

"Feel better? You've got Hermione fretting over you worse than our mum."

"You woke me up for that?"

"Naw, we woke you up because we embarrassed everyone you're with." Draco was fairly sure Fred was talking.

"We want you to know that we invaded your backpack." Draco's thought was that he was wrong and this one was Fred.

"They said you were mad at them for trying to give you a gift," the first Fred told him. He has to be George, Draco thought.

"An' you opened me pack 'cause of tha'?"

"We have him confused," Fred (or George) said to Hermione. "That's much better than angry." He turned to Draco. "Mum gave me a homemade jumper for Christmas. See." He pointed to a Scarlet jumper he was wearing and the large golden G in the middle of the chest.

"Looks great, Fred, an' why'd you open me pack?"

"To show them you didn't." George told him. Draco knew it was George because, now that his eyes focused, he could see the large F on his jumper.

"What else you get?" Draco asked carelessly.

"A great meal, two weeks of tormenting Percy . . ."

". . . and we teased Ginny about her boyfriend."

"Colin is just a friend," Hermione insisted strongly.

"He sent her a Christmas present," George informed everyone. "In our mum's eyes, that makes him a boyfriend."

"And we never argue with our mum," Fred reminded everyone.

"What did you get?" George asked Draco.

"Bugger all. Gloves." He had to smile. "A great meal, an' two weeks pullin' me niece aroun' town in 'er new sled." He deliberately frowned. "Why you bein' nice?"

"What happened to your fancy voice?"

"Don' change the subject?"

"It's simple. Wood wants another meeting and Hermione won't come because she's too concerned about you."

"An' you cheer me up an' then take 'mione wit' you?"

George smiled. "Not our plan at all. We get so involved in trying to cheer you up that we forget all about Wood until after we reach the station."

"It is a good plan," Hermione admitted. "His meetings are so boring. I know he means well . . ."

"Um," Draco interrupted. "Don't he want me at this meetin'? I am the Seeker. T'ought I was?"

"Um is a very good word," Fred informed him. "And that's why he wanted to talk to Hermione. She did win the last match."

"Took out their seeker, I know," Draco informed him back.

"And . . ." George added, "there are rumours."

"Rumours?"

"About you and Nott."

Fred and George, in their usual way of trading sentences explained the various rumours. The official rumour was that Nott attacked him and Draco barely saved himself. The runner up was that Draco attacked Nott and almost didn't succeed. This rumour went on two tangents. Draco was attacking before he was attacked (merged with the smaller rumour that they attacked each other). Or Draco attacked without cause or a reason only known to himself. Purveyors of this version had a field day with what the sinister reason might be. The next rumour was that they were both attacked by an unknown third party.

"That one's mine," Justin pointed out. "I started that one about a week after the Quidditch match."

All eyes turned to Justin.

"I asked Father's advice. It was his idea to promote a version of the events that exonerate both parties. In the event circumstances require a compromise, it helps to have a convenient lie available." He managed to look at Fred and George at the same time. "I'm surprised you don't know that."

George responded. "How smart are you?"

Justin smiled. "Average, really. Father taught me to learn, and I tried to learn what he did. It was his idea I practice my skills at school." Justin paused. "The rumours, how far have they spread?"

"The Daily Prophet." Fred looked snidely at Justin. "One letter they printed even pointed out your argument."

"Did it?" Justin looked well pleased. "I must tell Father."

Draco looked confused. "Your dad start rumours?"

"The technical term is propaganda, although it isn't used often because it has a bad connotation." Justin was clearly repeating what his father had told him. "In society, there are groups. Each group entertains its own ideas and is resistant to new ideas. The rumour is a way of introducing a new idea to a group. The acceptance of the rumour is a gauge for how receptive that particular group is toward change in that particular direction. For example, Universal Health Care. Start a rumour about how people are against it. Point out all those children without health care. Add their poor parents once people start feeling bad about the children. Once that story takes hold, you know people are ready for facts."

"Universal Health Care?" Fred asked.

Hermione nodded with a smile. "My granddad told us how he went to the doctor for the very first time under the Health Act."

Justin smiled with her. "And that's what Father does. He's currently working on efforts to take into account existing neighbourhoods when considering redevelopment projects." To the confused stares he added, "Mostly, they fix up an area, the poor people move out and people with money move in. Father's argument is that this isn't social welfare. We need to find ways to improve the neighbourhoods and the people who live there. Otherwise we're only moving the poor around until they're somewhere out of sight."

"Like Saint Brutus," Draco said. His fancy voice was back. "We put them in there for their own good. They'll be better for it when they come out. There is no need to worry." Draco eyed his mate. "Tha's wha' Mick's doin'? Killin' the lies?"

"Father says he's very good at it."

Everyone jumped when a new voice said, "Trolley, dears. Did you want anything?"

Hermione smiled and patted a box next to her. "Mum sent us biscuits. Thank you though."

"Biscuits?" Draco asked.

"Thought you didn't want any presents from us." Hermione was smirking as Draco stared at the large box which clearly held dozens of biscuits. "Do you want your presents after all?"

"Tha's not fair, 'mione. You made me 'ungry. Fine, I'll take the presents."

Hermione handed him the box. "Happy Christmas, Draco." She turned to Justin. After a pause, she said, "Well? Draco's gift?"

"Oh," Justin smiled weakly. He produced the box from next to his luggage and handed it to Draco, adding, "it is the thought that counts."

In the moment of silence that followed, Fred turned to George. "It bet it's gloves."

It was back to the school routine. Oliver Wood insisted on practice that first Monday. Everyone told him he could practice by himself. He then insisted on Tuesday.

Every Tuesday night and Thursday night Draco practiced Quidditch. Hermione was there as well. Wood explained himself. In the four matches she played to the end, Gryffindor won three of them. In three of those matches, Hermione interfered with the opposing team's Seeker. Twice she caused unintended injuries. ("Once," Hermione corrected.) As for Draco, he did win the one match he played. But there were also mounting rumours. It might be necessary to replace him as Seeker. Oliver emphasized that he was not planning on doing so, but he didn't want anyone outside of the team to know that.

Draco had to laugh. "You want them to think they'll get lucky and have to deal with 'mione?"

Fred clapped his shoulder. "No, little dragon. You have it backwards."

"Whot?"

"Are you kidding?" Cho Chang asked Draco later that week. "Of course we'd rather have you as Seeker. You know how to play. Merlin only knows what that girl thinks about when she's on a broom."

Ernie MacMillan approached him. "Is it true? They might keep Granger as Seeker? She's dangerous, you know."

Draco had to ask. "Do you know that you've just told the Boy-Who-Lived that someone is dangerous?"

"Well," Ernie drawled. (Draco was miffed that he did drawling better.) "It is Quidditch." He added in a loud whisper, "She's a menace on a broom."

By the end of the week, Draco was certain that Hermione was the best choice to play. From the stories he heard, she scared the pony and trap out of everyone.

Wednesday night. Special class. It was almost like meeting with Hagrid. Draco and Hermione, with the twins, arrived at Professor Snape's office. Justin was already there, although he did not have a cup of tea in his hand.

The professor looked up. "Mister Finch-Fletchley informed me that Draco is being replaced as Seeker."

"It's those rumours, Sir, about Halloween," George said with a straight face. "People are objecting to Draco."

Severus Snape gave them his best smile. "I understand. And you are countering these rumours by threatening them with Granger. The two of you are very clever."

Draco was confused. "Uncle Severus, you're smiling at . . . Weasleys." He turned around to the twins. "No offense."

"None taken," Fred answered.

Draco turned back to see the Potions Professor was still smiling, almost laughing.

"It is my own fault, Draco. Every time I see them, I think about their Patroni and about what would happen if they were attacked by Dementors."

Draco looked surprised as Justin snorted and Hermione started giggling. Hermione never giggled. "Whot?"

"Visualize it, mate," Justin called out.

"Picture it in your head," Hermione explained.

"Picture whot?"

Fred and George stood on either side of him.

"Imagine that dementors are attacking."

"Fred and I both cast the Patronus charm."

"And . . . what happens."

Draco looked confused as everyone watched him. "Yeah. The dementors get attacked by geese."

"And you don't think that's funny?" Hermione asked.

"I guess."

Hermione groaned.

"Miss Granger," Professor Snape admonished, "perhaps we should remember something in particular. Draco was attacked by Dementors. Something that even I have managed to avoid. That may be why he does not see the humour."

The professor then took everyone to the classroom, where all the tables had been moved against the wall, leaving a large open area. He then had everyone practice casting the spell. Justin went first. The English Bulldog appeared with little problem.

The twins went next. No one ever thought to have them take turns. They cast their spells and two geese appeared. Draco turned to Hermione and admitted that the geese were funny but noted that a dementor slipping on a banana peal wouldn't make him laugh. While he meant that comment as a sort of apology, the only effect it had was that Hermione was laughing too hard to cast her spell. When Draco insisted it wasn't that funny, she responded by falling over.

"It wasn't that funny," Draco insisted.

"It was the way you told it," Fred assured him.

Now it was Draco's turn. Professor Snape reminded him. He needed to concentrate on a thought that made him happy, not something that made him laugh. With that in mind, he cast the spell. The white mist came out of his wand like a puff of smoke from a barely lit pipe. The second and third times he did little better. Snape assured him he had the skill, he only needed to focus.

Happy? Draco had to think about what made him happy. He had his Christmas memories to draw from. Mick and Janice had so little time together that he made it a point to take the baby out for long walks, or slides, or whatever you call it when you're pulling someone's sled with them on it. Memories welled of the contentment and grateful looks that he received by coming back to the house after five hours and bringing a 'happy' child with him.

And one thought centered on his mind. Someone saying don't you love the snow, don't you love your new sled, don't you love this, don't you love that. And a young girl pointed up with a mittened hand. 'Wuv Dwagon.'

"EXPECTO PATROMUM."

This time the white mist came out of his wand with full force and began to form a shape, a shape larger than the others. Larger than Hagrid's boarhound. It was one that everyone present was familiar with. Justin pointed.

"That . . . That's . . . Norbert."

"He's probably bigger than that, now," Hermione said. "But that's how he was when we last saw him."

Norbert, this version of him, reared back his head and let loose a ghostly white flame. It turned around and looked at Draco. Then, as Draco stopped holding the spell, he faded.

Severus Snape put his hand on Draco's shoulder and said with all sincerity, "I am grateful that you have never seen an adult dragon."

"I did it." Draco was in awe of himself. He had produced a patronus.

"Next week," Professor Snape explained. "We will try something more difficult. It is one thing to cast such a spell in an empty room. It is another to cast the spell when you are in danger."

Draco didn't care. He had already done something more difficult. He had searched his life and discovered a moment when he was happy.

It was after one of the Care of Magical Creatures classes (Hagrid had brought his dog Fluffy) that Draco had a chance to talk to his godfather.

"A dragon? It is appropriate."

"I was wondering, Uncle, when the dementors attacked, they said they had never seen a patronus so clear and distinct. What was your happy thought?"

Rodolphus Lestrange looked at Draco with his perpetual smile. "I thought I mentioned it already. Revenge. That I had the chance to return the hurt I received from those creatures. Hatred, if properly embraced, can be quite cheering."

Draco nodded. He would make it a point to remember that.

Rodolphus wasn't done yet. "You may want to talk to the Potter boy. He also cast the Patronus spell." He ignored the frown he received. "I have talked to him. Did you know? He drew his wand at first because he thought the dementors were attacking him."

"Sounds like Potter. Thinks he's the center of the universe."

"True, but this part is interesting. Once he realized you were the target, he cast the spell, anyway."

"So?"

"May I remind you? You are not the center of the universe either. Consider this fact. He decided to help you anyway, for no other reason than you needed help. Also, note this. His father rebuked him at first for not leaving immediately, as Longbottom had done. You do remember, also, a certain discussion in the dark forest?"

Draco also remembered an argument. In the infirmary. His first year. Had Potter died that would have solved HALF of HIS problem.

"He wants him dead. Him and Longbottom."

Rodolphus Lestrange did not need to ask who HE was. "Close, Draco. He needs them dead. But he is still weak and he must bide his time. They will be safe for quite some time. And as long as they are safe, you are safe."

Thanking his uncle, he made his way to join Hermione and Hagrid. The giant had convinced her that Fluffy was friendly. And Hermione couldn't resist the chance to examine a three-headed dog at close range. As they walked back to the castle, Hermione told him all of the things she found out. It took two minutes. All she found out was that Hagrid defined the words safe and friendly in a way that was different from everyone else. She looked closely at him when she was done.

"As a close companion of mine would say, 'Whot?'."

"I need to do something I don't like."

It was after the evening meal. Draco walked into Gryffindor late after wasting some time with Justin. The common room was half crowded with students doing homework or just sitting around. He walked over to the lone boy at the corner table.

"I owe you an apology."

Potter looked up. He was about to make some smart remark but held his tongue.

"Why?"

"I never thanked you. When the dementors attacked." He paused until he realized Potter wasn't saying anything. "Thank you for saving my life."

Potter didn't smile. "For what it's worth, you're welcome." He turned back to his reading. The conversation was over.

Draco turned around. Everyone was watching him.

"Whot?"

Draco was prepared. He practiced the spell twice before Professor Snape led him into another room. It was a long, narrow room with a curtain against the far wall. The Professor's wand waved in the air. The curtains flew to one side. As Draco watched, a dementor came straight toward him. He drew his wand and cast the spell.

The dragon appeared at once and attacked the dementor, spraying it with ghostly fire. The dementor went through the dragon and stopped five feet away from Draco. In surprise, Draco lost his concentration. Professor Snape waved his wand. The dementor went back to its starting point and the curtains closed again.

"That was remarkable, Draco. No one has ever successfully cast that spell on the first try in almost ten years."

"I knew it wouldn't be real, Sir," Draco admitted. His voice faltered. "I still remember the feeling I had."

"Then remember this. Should you ever have that feeling again, this is the spell that will protect you. Let that feeling be a cause for action and not for fear."

The warmth of those words filled Draco's heart. "I won't forget, Uncle."

As he left, Hermione went into the room to be tested. Fred and George wanted to know how it went. Draco told them that he proved himself remarkable. But he also reminded them that he was close friends with the teacher and his test had been rigged.

"Fred, George, how is it for you in potions class?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Professor Snape smiling at you."

Fred and George laughed. "Draco, he's only nice to us when you're around."

"Yeah. In fact, that's the only time I've ever seen him smile."

"That's not true for me," Justin said. "In class, I'm just another student. But he does stop me on occasion to talk."

"Really?" twin voices asked.

"Yeah. Remember our first year. I started that rumour about the Philosopher's Stone. He was impressed. He Invited me to tea and asked what my parents did, just to make conversation. He was so impressed, he even asked me if I minded if he talked to Father about his work. That was the first time and . . . why are you staring at me?"

Draco was staring. He noticed Fred and George were staring, too.

"Justin, you never mentioned these meetings."

"Didn't happen very often. Mostly when you were in the infirmary."

Draco nodded. His thoughts went something like this. Justin's dad works at a job where he tries to influence people. Severus Snape, who can read minds, talks to Justin. He also talks to Justin's Dad. Justin's Dad talks to Justin to give advice on how to influence people. And Justin starts rumours designed not to make Draco look good but to make him look no worse than anyone else. And that was wrong. Not using people, but using a friend.

"He's usin' you," Draco said, his accent slipping. "He jus' wants you to help make people like me."

"Yeah, I know. But you'd be amazed at how much I'm learning."