CHAPTER TWENTY: Surprising Words

The rest of the graduation ceremony passed by, with no-one beating or even drawing level with Draco and Hermione's five O grades. Draco couldn't hide the fact that he was rather pleased with himself as it was obvious how people from other houses hadn't know that he was actually fairly intelligent. It was never expected that anyone could get as good a grades as Hermione Granger, whether she was muggle born or not. Draco had proved them wrong.

As the ceremony drew to a close, with Professor McGonagall thanking everyone for their attendance, the now ex-students of Hogwarts stood slowly to leave, chatting amongst each other. Draco noticed the sour face on Pansy, and couldn't stop himself from commenting. She had only received two Es, two As and a P.

"Cheer up, Pans, I'm sure they'll want to hire you in a cafe somewhere..." Draco said in a cheerful voice.

Pansy scowled and advanced towards Draco, who was smirking broadly. "I bet you think you're so clever now, don't you?" she asked, bitterly.

"Well, I don't think... I have the evidence right here," Draco idly held up his certificates and then straightened his suit.

"Guys, cut it out," said Theo, who was the only person in between the two of them.

"Tell him! He started it!" Pansy whined, clutching Theo's arm - the pair were now officially 'seeing each other' whatever that meant. This reminded Draco that he should wish Nott the best of luck. He was certainly going to need it.

"Pansy, you sound like a child," Daphne interrupted, standing at Draco's side.

"Oh, there we are! Another member of the cosy little family!" Pansy's voice was raised and people were starting to look around. She turned to find Blaise stood not far along the row of seats. "Blaise, wanna come over here? I know you're part of the family now, too. It really is very touching."

As Blaise scowled, Draco snorted with laughter. He'd always assumed that Pansy would mature one day, but it was quickly becoming apparent that she wouldn't. Or, at least, it wouldn't be any time soon.

"Pansy, just shut up will you?" Blaise said. "We've just had our graduation, all our friends and family are here, and you decide it's a good idea to start squealing and drawing attention to yourself. It's embarrassing."

Theodore opened his mouth to argue for Pansy but there was a look in his eye that said he totally agreed with what Blaise was saying. He shut his mouth again. There was nothing to be said.

"Theo, say something, will you!" Pansy whinged, hitting her 'boyfriend' with her handbag. Still, he said nothing. Draco laughed yet again, and started edging his way down the row to leave, speaking as he left. "Theodore isn't me, Pansy. He isn't going to stick up for you, and if he did, no-one would listen." As he reached the end of the row, Daphne and Blaise following him, he turned and said "Have a nice relationship," and with that, he left Pansy and Theo in each others' company.

Draco made his way over towards the back rows, his mother standing and walking towards him. He could see straight away that she'd been crying.

"Mother..." he said, awkwardly. "Why were you crying?"

"Oh, Draco, I'm so proud of you!" Narcissa pulled her son into an extremely tight hug. "Five Os! Five! We always knew you were clever!" Draco patted her on the back uncomfortably. He wasn't one for public displays of affection unless they were with Astoria, and then they didn't happen very often.

Narcissa let go of Draco and began to well up again as he shook his head at her disbelievingly. Just then, Draco heard someone call his name. He turned to see his girlfriend running across the grass to meet him. He smiled as she flung her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

"I knew, knew, knew you could do it! You got the best!" Astoria squealed excitedly.

"Joint best," Draco reminded her, nodding in Granger's direction.

"Oh, who cares," Astoria waved her hand dismissively and stood upon her tip toes to give Draco, who was stood with his back to his mother, a kiss on the cheek. Draco laughed at how happy she was.

"By the way, you look beautiful today," he mumbled in her ear. She was wearing a floaty white dress with ballet shoes and some dainty pearl earrings, her hair tied up in a not on top of her head.

"Why, thank you," she said, curtseying to Draco who laughed at her, yet again. He'd never met anyone like this girl - which was probably why he'd never been in love before. He suddenly remembered his mother standing behind him. Oh, shit. He'd never introduced a girl to his mum. He'd never introduced his mum to a girl. Oh god. He stood to the side, removing himself from the middle of the two. He saw his mother looking Astoria up and down and became twice as nervous.

"Umm," he said, as the two women made eye contact. "Astoria, this is my mother. Mother, this is Astoria, my girlfriend." He hoped they would do the rest themselves.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs Malfoy," Astoria said confidently, politely offering a hand. Narcissa considered it for a split second and then said "Don't be silly dear, it's wonderful to meet you," before kissing her once on each cheek. Astoria giggled, slightly nervously. "And please, call me Narcissa."

"Draco's told me so much about you," Astoria informed her.

Narcissa gave me a small smile. "Has he? I'm afraid I can't say the same for you. He was always very secretive, even as a child..."

Astoria looked towards Draco and smiled. "I gathered as much," she replied. Draco knew what she was getting at, but kept his face expressionless, fiddling with the certificates which were still clutched in his hands.

"Certainly, the first I knew of your relationship was when the pair of you made the front page of the Prophet," Narcissa announced.

"Ah," Astoria exclaimed, slightly embarrassed. She had no idea how Narcissa had felt about the article. Narcissa was smiling though, so she supposed she couldn't have minded.

"These papers will write anything to sell, won't they?" Narcissa said in an understanding tone.

"Exactly what me and Draco said."

Narcissa nodded gravely then turned to Draco. A thought had occurred to her.

"Draco, darling, why don't you and Astoria come to the Manor for your dinner tonight? It would be so lovely, the three of us."

Draco caught Astoria's eye and shrugged at her as if to say 'up to you.'

"That would be lovely. Thank you so much," Astoria smiled. So far she thought she was doing pretty well and she knew she needed Narcissa on side. Draco was fiercely loyal to his mother and she didn't think there was anything in the world that could change that. "Anyway," she said, turning back to Draco. "I should get back to everyone."

Draco nodded in agreement. "Tell them I'll be over soon to say hi." He approached Astoria, put an arm on her shoulder and kissed her on the forehead. "I love you."

"I love you more," she said, playfully. She knew he didn't like it when she said that. Draco pretended to scowl at her as she said to his mother "Goodbye, and thanks again for the dinner invite. See you tonight," gave Draco a cheeky grin and left to rejoin her family.

Draco stood chatting with his mum for a while. She was just saying what a good job they'd made of getting Hogwarts back to the way it was when Blaise come over to say hello.

"Narcissa, so good to see you again," he charmed her, swooping in and kissing her on both cheeks. She giggled softly like a schoolgirl. Blaise gave Draco a deliberate wink, as Draco glared back at him. There was a long running joke between the Slytherin boys that Draco's mum was a rather attractive lady and Draco hated it. As he knew Blaise would take it no further than a kiss on the cheek, he left them chatting so he could go and say hi to Astoria's family.

"Ah, Draco," Celia exclaimed upon his arrival, gesturing with open arms. "Congratulations on your results, I bet you're so pleased!" She gave him a friendly pat on the arm.

"Thank you very much. I am indeed. Very pleased." There was no point in lying.

"Well done, kid," said Astoria's booming uncle Jasper, holding out a hand.

"Thank you, sir," Draco said, taking the man's hand, resulting in his own being thoroughly shaken.

Just then, Professor McGonagall approached, resting a hand on Draco's shoulder. Draco turned to face her.

"I have some good news, Mr Malfoy," she informed him. Draco looked intrigued as the pair of them stepped away from the others.

"Am I correct in thinking that you still desire a career relating to flying?"

"Absolutely." Draco couldn't think of anything else he'd rather do.

"Well, it just so happens that Nimbus are looking for a junior assistant." Draco's eyes widened at the news. "And I may have put in a good word for you..."

"Seriously?!" Draco didn't know what else to say. The fact that he didn't already have a path set out for him had been niggling at the back of his mind. He'd been worried. Professor McGonagall gave a small smile.

"Yes, seriously, Draco. Now, naturally they knew who you were when I mentioned your name, they knew your background -" Draco rubbed his left arm subconsciously. "- but once I'd spoken to them, told them about you... Well, let's just say they're eager to meet you and would like you to go along for a chat in two days time."

"A chat, Professor?"

"Well, I suppose one could call it an interview. But I'd say it will probably be more informal. Once I'd finished singing your praises, they didn't seem as though they wanted you to slip through their fingers."

The only other time Draco had felt this grateful in his life was when Astoria had told him his dark mark means nothing. He had the biggest smile on his face.

"Thank you, Professor, I don't know how I can ever thank you."

"Good luck, Draco," she said, as she began to leave, heading in Potter's direction.

"Thank you," he said, turning back to rejoin Astoria's family.

"Oh, and Draco," McGonagall called. He turned back. "Do keep that smile. It's a nice change from that awful smirk you're usually wearing." She smiled as Draco laughed and scratched his ear, awkwardly. "Eleven o clock, Thursday. Ask for Duncan Herd." And with that, she was gone.

Draco went to tell Astoria what had just happened, which inevitably lead to more excited squeals and tight hugs. Already Draco was feeling nervous but he knew he could pull this off. He had to.

The atmosphere down by the lake was pleasant as the afternoon faded into the evening. The ex-students were making the most of their last time at Hogwarts and they and their families and friends continued mingling on the grass banks until the time reached almost six o clock. Draco was relaxing, sharing a drink with Astoria and Daphne when someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to find himself face to face with Harry Potter. Astoria and Daphne exchanged worried glances.

"I hoped we could speak, as we probably won't see each other again after today."

Draco nodded in response, though he didn't speak. He was waiting for Potter to say whatever he had to say. He noticed Potter look pointedly at his girlfriend and her sister.

"Whatever you want to say can be said in front of them," Draco said, flatly.

"Right, okay," Potter said. "Well, really I just wanted to say... That day, that last day. You gave me your wand. Without it I - I couldn't have beaten Voldemort. And I just wanted to say thank you."

Harry looked Draco right in the eye. The last time he'd done so was when Draco refused to identify Harry in front of a room full of death eaters. He had, indeed, saved his neck on more than one occasion.

Draco did not really know what to say. He'd been a complete asshole to Potter and his friends for the best part of seven years and here Potter was thanking him. It didn't seem right. The silence stretched on for longer than was comfortable and Potter turned to leave, Granger, Weasley and the Weasley girl standing not too far behind him, watching, like some kind of support unit. Potter took a couple of steps away from Draco and then

"Potter," Draco called. Harry turned back to face the person he had despised for so many years of his life. Slowly, Draco extended an arm out to Potter, offering him his hand.

"Good luck," he said, simply. Potter was stunned but grasped the blond's hand in return, remaining silent. "And Potter..." Their eyes met again. "If there was one thing I'd want you to know about me, I'm not a bad guy. Not really." The two men let go of each others' hands.

"I know," Potter said certainly, and with each of them giving the other a courteous nod, their brief encounter was over.

"Wow," came Daphne's voice from over Draco's shoulder as she exhaled deeply. "I never thought I'd see the day."

Draco sniffed indignantly. "And you thought I did?" Daphne shrugged in response and began to examine her perfectly painted finger nails.

"We'd better be off soon," Draco told Astoria. "Do you want to come back to mine to stay after? All your things are there, anyway."

"Sounds perfect to me," Astoria replied, placing her small hands on Draco's cheeks and stroking them with her thumbs. She smiled up at him before planting a kiss on his lips. "So proud of you!" she told him for about the tenth time that day. The couple were so busy fussing over each other that they hadn't noticed someone lingering around them - the short, fat guy from Hogsmeade to be precise.

"Err, Mr Malfoy..." he said nervously.

Draco turned sharply and sneered slightly at the sight of the man, though he didn't say the things that were running through his mind. "What do you want?" he asked, moodily. There was absolutely no doubt that the old Draco was still in there.

"The prophet would like a photo, Mr Malfoy, of you and Hermione Granger." Some distance behind him, Granger was hovering, looking sheepish.

With a muttered "excuse me" to his girlfriend, Draco took the journalist to one side. "Weren't you the one harassing me and my girlfriend in Hogsmeade?" Draco hissed, though he already knew the answer. He wanted to watch the man squirm.

"Umm, yes, that would have been me," the short, fat man was sweating slightly under Draco's stare. This pleased Draco greatly.

"Then why on earth would you think that I would pose for a cosy post-results photograph for the benefit of you and your employers?" Draco kept his tone calm. In his imagination he had grabbed a fistful of the man's robes and was yelling in his face. His self restraint was being pushed to the limit.

"I, errr.. umm," the man stuttered. He had to shake himself, trying to remind himself that he was a strong and confident journalist who could not be bullied by a nineteen year old boy. "Circumstances have changed, Mr Malfoy. This is a momentous occasion and your success should be celebrated." He tried to sound as if he wasn't intimidated, but he hadn't done a very good job.

A slightly smug look appeared on Draco's face. He was totally in control of this situation. He considered what he could say next, before slowly opening his mouth to speak. "If I do this photo, for you, for your paper, for your boss, whatever... You will not hassle me or my girlfriend again." It wasn't a question, it was an order.

"Ab - absolutely, Mr Malfoy," the man agreed. He had no choice. It was well known that the Malfoy's could be very unpleasant people.

"In that case, I'll be in the photo. But if you once mention me being a death eater in this article..." He glanced over his shoulder, Astoria shooting him a nervous smile which he returned more confidently before turning back around and leaning close to the journalist's ear. "Then so help you," he finished his sentence in a menacing whisper. Draco was sure the man gave a slight quiver as he nodded his understanding. It was good to know he hadn't lost his touch. He could still scare people if need be.

"Right then, where do you want me?" Draco said loudly and cheerfully, clapping his hands together.

"Just - just over there with Miss Granger will do," the man said, taking out a handkerchief and wiping his brow with it, casting an anxious look at Draco.

"Are you alright with this?" Draco asked Granger, as he approached her.

She nodded in response. "I don't have any problems, if you don't." She looked at Draco, who shook his head. The man was fiddling with his camera as Draco and Hermione stood awkwardly, waiting.

"Alright, ready when you are," the man said, finally.

"About time," Draco said in a lazy drawl. He and Granger posed for the photo, stood with about a metres space in between the two of them, she smiling, he not.

The journalist withdrew from his camera, looking exasperated. "If you could both look a bit... Well, you know? Friendly?" Draco and Granger exchanged glances which showed they weren't best pleased about the situation. However, it was for two seconds and then their paths would never cross again. They moved closer together, Draco resting his hand on the small of Hermione's back. Over in the distance he spotted Weasley glaring over at them, like he had been doing when they were revision partners. God, Weasley has insecurity issues.

"Is your boyfriend likely to punch me in the face after this?" Draco muttered to Granger under his breath. She couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh, no, just ignore him..."

They both smiled, there was a big flash and the photo was done. Draco quickly drew back his arm. They were both thanked by the journalist who then left rather quickly.

"So..." Hermione said, feeling awkward as the two of them were left standing alone. "See you round then, I guess."

"Yeah," Draco said. What else was there to say. He supposed there were certain things he should be saying. It was time to swallow his pride. "Granger..." She gave him a questioning look. "I'm sorry for being such a wanker," he said, plainly. "And well done on your results and... And, good luck, I guess." He extended an arm out to her. She looked completely gob smacked as she lifted her arm and took his hand to shake it.

"Good luck, Draco," she said, with utmost sincerity in her voice. It was true, he had been a wanker to her for many of their school days, but she hadn't forgotten when he saved their necks, either. Once they'd parted ways, Draco was left wondering what the hell had gotten into him. He must have been going soft in his old age.