Draco could not be more relieved than he was at the moment. Potter backed up as Dumbledore came onto the scene. As the two started casting spells at each other, Draco waited for the perfect moment to Floo to Hogwarts. He quickly cast the Disillusionment charm on Potter.

It was incredible, to watch two of the best wizards of all time battle each other. They were both unbelievably swift. Neither was hit by a spell since they were both so experienced at dodging them and retaliating as fast as possible. There came a moment when Dumbledore was facing Draco and Potter and Voldemort's back was to them.

"Let's go!" Potter whispered to Draco, who was mesmerized by the duel. Snapping out of it, he and Potter quickly Flooed away.

Potter was the first one on the other side, in Umbridge's office, so when Draco fell through and hit the ground, he burst into laughter. Draco quickly lifted the charm from both of them since Hermione, Luna, the two Weasleys, and Longbottom looked scared and confused at the sound.

That might not have been the best idea because when they saw Draco on the floor, they joined in on the laughter.

"I hate Flooing," Draco said. "I've always hated it."

This only made them laugh harder.

"Let's not forget who just saved your arses!"

That was effective.

"We just saw Dumbledore dueling with Voldemort," Potter said. "It was amazing!"

"Dumbledore came?" Weasley said.

"Obviously, Ronald," his sister said. "Harry just said that."

"Well, let's go to the more important part of the whole battle," Potter said. "Like how your father was in charge back there, Malfoy."

Draco explained, "He was under the Imperius Potion again. I snapped him out of it and he disappeared. He probably went back to Malfoy Manor."

The comments and questions poured in.

"There's a potion for that?"

"What do mean, disappeared?"

"You mean to avoid jail."

"I'm sorry that happened."

"Alright, that's enough!" Draco said. "Do you all know what today was? The first official battle of the Second Wizarding War. From now on, we will be living in the midst of a war. Do you all understand?"

"He is right."

The students all jumped at the sound of Dumbledore's voice.

Answering the question in everyone's mind, Dumbledore said, "Voldemort has escaped for now, but not before Fudge and some Ministry officials saw him. There will be issued a formal declaration of war. Come with me to my office and we shall discuss what needs to be discussed. Draco, I will have you fetch your Slytherin companions."

Everyone followed Dumbledore to his office, Draco breaking off from the group to go to his common room. He entered to find Blaise, Theo, Adrian, and Pansy sitting on the couches, worry etched on all of their faces. When they saw Draco, they all showed signs of relief.

"We should have come with you," Blaise said.

"Well, you can come with me now," said Draco, "to Dumbledore's office."

"He's back?" Pansy said.

"He certainly is. And we need to get to his office now."

The Slytherins all raced to the Gargoyle's statue and were relieved that Dumbledore was waiting for them there.

"I thought you might need a little help, not knowing the password," he said, his eyes twinkling. He led the small group up the stairs and through the door to his office. The Gryffindors and Luna were waiting for them inside.

Dumbledore walked to his desk. Instead of sitting down, he remained upright along with the rest of them.

"By now, the Ministry will have declared war," he began. "For our sake, the Ministry does not know who all the participants in the battle were. However, the Death Eaters who are now in Azkaban do, and it is only a matter of time before Voldemort has that information."

"Another breakout," Potter said.

"Indeed," confirmed the Headmaster. "The six of you" he gestured to the five Gryffindors and Luna "are most in danger because the Death Eaters were aware that you were there. For this reason, I must have your families under some form of protection. Harry is safe because of the magic that will protect him until he is of age. The Weasleys are in the Order so they are safe as well. Mr. Longbottom and Miss Lovegood, I will have Alastor take a few Aurors to heavily ward your homes. Miss Granger will be at the Order's headquarters for the a good part of the summer. It is unlikely that your family will be targeted. Though your parents are squibs, they are still part of a prominent pureblood family. Then again, they might be recruited for Voldemort's cause. In that case, if they are approached in such a manner, I will have them contact me as soon as they can. I will give you a letter to give your parents soon. It is much safer than sending an owl."

After an overwhelming amount of information had been digested, Dumbledore turned to the Slytherins.

"Mr. Nott, I understand that your father has already joined the cause. If you wish, I can offer you a spot within the ranks of the Order. Or, at least in the position that Mr. Potter, the Weasleys, and Miss Granger are in."

Theo had ducked his head in shame but he brought it up to look at the Headmaster. "I'd appreciate that," he said, "but what about my mum? She's being forced to go along with this. Is there a place for her?"

"As long as she is willing to help bring down the dark wizard, she is welcome. In fact, I will write a letter for you to take home. Show it to your mother. Make sure you are at the Order headquarters as soon as possible. I understand that your father is in Azkaban so you will not be hindered in any way."

Dumbledore had thought of everything. Draco realized that this man was actually becoming his idol. Or at least, something close to an idol. He was a Slytherin: they didn't have idols.

"Mr. Pucey," Dumbledore said, moving on to the next Slytherin. I understand that your families are receiving protection from Voldemort as long as you continue to fund their activities."

"Yes, sir," Adrian said quietly.

"For now your best option is to keep up the charade. I will send you home with a letter as well so that your parents do not stop because doing so would put them at risk. If Voldemort attempts to recruit you or your family, you must let me know as soon as possible, understand?"

"Yes, sir," Adrian repeated.

"Next, Miss Parkinson," Dumbledore said.

Pansy nodded to show that she was listening.

"Your father is fully devoted, and I understand your mother has bought into his ideals. I will have you relocated to the Order's headquarters. We will arrange for you to set up an escape from Hogwarts."

Pansy nodded again.

"Mr. Zabini, I understand your mother is a Death Eater. In that case, you and your father will have to be relocated at the nearest moment."

"My father's childhood home," Blaise said, slightly hesitant at first. "It's in Italy, though so I don't know if I could come to Hogwarts. However, my mother doesn't know where it is, so it's a good spot."

Draco saw that some of Potter's company were confused as to why Blaise's mother didn't know where her in-laws lived. But Draco knew that it was because Blaise's father had never discussed it with them before. Blaise knew of its existence because his father had once mentioned it to him, and how one day, once Voldemort was done, he and Blaise could go there.

"You will have to be transferred to the wizarding school in Italy, then," Dumbledore said. "I will arrange for your father to pack both your belongings and come here. Then you two can take a Portkey to your new home. Some Aurors will accompany you to ward the house."

"Finally, Mr. Malfoy, I suggest you continue as you have been. It seems to be working." Yet another twinkle. This man was optimistic even in the toughest of times. "Happy belated birthday."

Everyone turned to Draco in confusion, with some voicing variations of, "When was your birthday?"

"You are all dismissed, now," Dumbledore concluded. "I suppose you'll be able to read about the battle in the evening paper. Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy, I'll have you stay a bit longer."

The others filed out of the office, no doubt curious as to why these two students would have to stay back.

Draco felt a warmth in his pocket, the one with the fake Sickle. When was your birthday?

Draco messaged back June 5th.

I'll have to get you a present.

I didn't get you one for your birthday.

That's fine. I want to.

Wait til next year. Draco needed Hermione to have hope that he would be fine next year because she knew the Voldemort had plans for him that summer.

Okay, came the last message.

He looked up to see Dumbledore open his mouth. "Harry, I have been keeping myself distant from you. I thought it would help you, but it appears that it has not. I understand that Sirius Black is currently at Malfoy Manor."

Potter nodded.

"I'll do my best to keep him unharmed," Draco said.

Potter frowned. "You're the reason he's in this position."

"I'm the reason he's still alive! That force that knocked dear Aunt Bella aside? That was me."

"You? But why would you save him?"

"It wouldn't be the first time," Draco said, smirking.

As Potter grew more confused, Dumbledore turned to Draco. "I understand that Voldemort has something planned for you, now that you are sixteen."

"I'm supposed to join the ranks."

"I bet you're excited," Potter said.

"Oh yeah," Draco replied sarcastically. "I'm quite thrilled."

Dumbledore chuckled at their antics and said, "You can both go now."

As they exited the office, Potter asked, "When did you save Sirius before today?"

"Perhaps one day you'll find out," Draco said.

Draco sat in silence on the Hogwarts Express, rereading the Daily Prophet issue from June 18th, the day of the battle. It had mentioned that there had been a battle, that Voldemort was back, and that Fudge was resigning. He was the only one in his compartment. Theo, Adrian, and Pansy had been Flooed home, in addition to Luna (and Longbottom, not that he would have sat with Draco). Blaise was waiting for his father, and Draco couldn't dream of sitting with the Golden Trio and Weaslette. That was fine with him. He wanted solitude.

So Blaise and Pansy would not be returning to Hogwarts the following year. Theo would probably end up friends with the Golden Trio since he'd be spending the rest of the war at the Order's headquarters, which Theo had been kind enough to share with Draco (Draco had never heard of Grimmauld Place before, and he decided that he would make a point to study the geography of Great Britain to find the most strategically sound locations for both the Order and the Death Eaters to do...whatever). Of course, Theo might have to be schooled with Pansy. Draco needed to distance himself from Adrian as well. As he'd explained to his friends earlier, they would all be potential targets. Draco reasoned that Voldemort would probably have him recruit pureblood Slytherin students to join the Death Eaters so staying away from his friends was the best way to make sure they were unharmed.

Now Draco was all alone, and he was fine. He didn't need anyone else, even if the Wizarding World needed him.