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Chapter 57

Forgiveness with a side of Suspicion

Draco watched in pride as his mother and Severus stood across from each other, hand in hand as Professor Dumbledore preformed the bonding ceremony. He couldn't remember ever seeing his mother so happy. Her smile, the joy in her eyes, it was a wonderful sight to see. No longer oppressed by a monster, but loved by a man who will protect her with every fiber of his being.

There was no reception and no fan fare, just a quiet ceremony before the couple retired to their quarters as man and wife.

For the first time in his life Draco had a father he could be proud of.

The question that lingered in his mind was what Lucius' reaction would be once he found out, and he knew eventually he would find out, even while rotting in Azkaban. Even in prison his father had a far reach, within Ministry itself he still had connections. No they may not be able to get him out but they could certainly pass him information or even do him a favor if need be.

Draco had never felt a need to write his father in prison, though Lucius did write him once. It was short an to the point and simply told him to look after his mother until he was able to sort things through and get out, that was shortly after her had been incarcerated. Draco never replied and Lucius never sent another letter.

Honestly, as harsh as it sounded Draco hope he died in Prison. He deserved it after everything he had done and the things he knew he was capable of doing in the future.

XXX

Severus couldn't say that be was surprised that Lucius managed to find out he and Narcissa had wed, but he would admit news traveled a little faster then he expected to a man sitting in a Dementor guarded prison cell. They had been married less then a week when he received a very interesting letter from his former friend.

The letter began:

Wife-stealing traitor,

I will kill you Severus. I will kill you a hundred times over and then feed your body to a pack of werewolves. I thought you were my friend! You have taken something that is rightfully mine and when I get out of here I will have her back, by any means necessary. I knew that Narcissa had managed to file for divorce, though how she did so without my consent is still baffling. I assumed it was to save face. My reputation is not what it once was, at this point in time having a husband who is in prison for killing a mudblood is not seen in a positive light but believe me one day it will be. One day when our Master returns I will be praised for ridding the earth of such a filthy, worthless creature; a creature as worthless as you Snape, you disgusting half-blood. I now realize it was you that put those ludicrous ideas about equality with muggles and mudbloods into my son's head. You also, it would seem, were seducing my wife! I will have my revenge. Mark my words! You will die a slow and painful death Severus Snape and I will make sure MY wife is there to watch.

Your Executioner,

Lucius

Severus' face folded into a deep scowl for the first time since he married. This was not good. He was not worried about Lucius at this point in time as he was still in Azkaban, however that did not mean he would always be there. He chose not to tell his wife and tossed the letter in the fire. He did not want to cause her needless worry or put a damper on their wedded bliss.

XXX

Arthur loved his youngest son, however recently he had been far from impressed with is behavior. This year he has shown a side of him he hadn't in quite some time. The boy was so green with envy he couldn't see straight. Harry was his best friend, if he was thinking clearly he certainly wouldn't be acting like this. He knew his son, he may be a cheeky monkey sometimes and on occasion a bit crass, but he was a good kid.

He decided it was time to have a talk with the lad. Father to son. His door was already slightly ajar, as he pushed it open he found Ron laying on his bed reading a comic.

"Hey there son."

Ron looked up from his comic and gave his dad a small smile. "Hey dad. What's up?"

'Ron… I need to talk to you about something." He said sitting down on the edge of his son's bed.

"Okay, what?"

"Harry."

Ron's interested expression instantly turned to one of malice. "Not interested." He replied curtly, quickly going back to his comic book.

Arthur calmly took the comic out of his son's hands and tossed it on his dresser. "Ron, enough is enough. We have all had it with this sudden hatred you've developed for you best friend."

"He's not my fr-

"Yes he is." Arthur snapped, cutting off his son. "He has done nothing to you Ron. Absolutely nothing yet you continue to treat him as if he somehow betrayed you."

"He did!" Ron's voice rose, his face scrunching in anger and crossing his arms firmly over his chest. "He cheated and didn't tell me."

Arthur shook his head in frustration, this argument was starting to get old. "He did not cheat Ron and I think deep down you know that. Harry tells you everything, and you know why? Because you were his first real friend. You were by his side as he entered a new world he knew nothing of. You were there for him though thick and thin, through ups and downs, you are like a brother to him. You are the one who betrayed him Ron. When he needed you the most you turned your back on him. We all know him well enough to know that he would never purposely sign up for something like the Tri-Wizard tournament. You know he can't stand the attention. How many times has he told you he just wished people would treat him like a regular guy? More then you can count I'd wager."

Ron ducked his head and quickly whispered, "He's changed."

"No, son, he hasn't. You have. I'm just going to say it Ron, as much as you like being Harry's friend you are jealous of him."

Ron's head popped back up, he opened his mouth to argue but his dad once again cut him off. "Don't try and deny it. You are jealous of who he is known as, his popularity, his status, his money, even though you know Harry could care less about any of it. "

Arthur paused for a moment carefully watching his son's expression. "Ron, when his name was pulled from that goblet how did Harry look?"

"What?" Ron's brown wrinkled unsure of why his dad would ask him that.

"How did he look, Ron? Did he look excited? Thrilled?

Ron let out a slow breath of air and replied with a sigh, "No."

"No, I'd imagine he looked shocked, perhaps even scared."

Ron knew his dad was right. In truth Harry had looked petrified. He had convinced himself that was all an act…but deep down he knew that wasn't true. Harry couldn't lie if his life depended on it.

"I just don't understand why he has so much money, and that everyone has to know who he is when he walks down the street…I know it's not his fault, still…I just wish I could have that." It was the first time he had ever admitted that aloud.

"Most everyone wishes for those things and if you want them, you'll have to earn them. I'm pretty sure Harry would give it all up just to have his parents back or even to have been raised in a loving home."

The reality of the truth in that statement hit Ron like a ton of bricks. Unable to control it Ron's eyes filled with tears. His dad was right. Harry had told him several times how lucky he was to have such an amazing family.

"You may not have a lot but you have each other and I think that's the best thing anyone could ask for." Harry had told him while visiting their home the summer between their first and second years. He had shrugged it off not really seeing his point, but looking back…he suppose he was right. They always had clothes that fit and enough food to fill their stomach, Harry didn't have that growing up.

The issue that had really been bothering him was Harry's friendship with Malfoy. He just didn't understand how some like Harry, whose parents were killed by You-Know-Who, would want to hang out with someone whose family has such a dark reputation.

Gritting his teeth Ron pushed aside the point his dad had just made and hung onto his deep seeded bitterness, "It's doesn't matter dad. He has a new best friend, Malfoy. Do you really want your kids hanging around someone whose friends with a Malfoy?"

Arthur sighed, adjusting himself slightly on the bed. That was a tricky question. In truth he was very leery about the Malfoy boy, at least at first, but after Dumbledore himself reassured him of the child's character there was no point in pretending otherwise. "Normally I would say no, but Draco is not his father, that much is very clear. Beside Ron, who else is he going to hang out with if your ignoring him?"

His dad had a point. Still, Draco was a Slytherin and Slytherins couldn't be trusted. Just ask anyone. Okay so Malfoy didn't seem to have a problem with muggleborns and he always stuck up for Hermione when someone like Parkinson picked on her. He had been a big help to Harry as far as the tournament, or at least that's what Ginny had said.

Okay so maybe Malfoy wasn't as bad as his father. He still couldn't bring himself to trust him completely who knew if and when the git might turn on Harry.

"If you want my advice," he said standing from the bed, "Apologize to Harry, do your best to rekindle your friendship with him and put all of this nastiness behind you."

"Do you really think Harry will forgive me?" At this point he didn't know if he would.

"Harry has a big heart, I think he would but you might want to find a way to redeem yourself, in addition to apologizing."

"How would I do that?"

"Oh I'm sure you'll come up with something. In the meantime time perhaps a letter might help."

"A letter, yea okay. Oh, Dad."

"Yes."

"Thanks."

Arthur smiled at his son and said, "Anytime Ron. You know you can always come to me when your struggling with something. I may not always have the answer but I can do my best to help you figure it out."

XXX

Harry was more then surprised when he sat down for breakfast he received an owl. At first he thought maybe it was from Hermione or even Ginny but to his astonishment it was from Ron.

"Is that from Ginny?" Draco asked as he sat down beside his friend at the table.

"No actually it's from Ron."

Draco snorted as he started loading his plate with bacon. "Did you check it for jinxes?" He asked only half joking.

Harry laughed and shook his head. "I don't think he would go that far."

"If you say so." Draco shrugged pouring himself a glass of pumpkin juice.

Opening the envelope Harry pulled out the letter and unfolded it.

Hey Harry,

How your holiday going? Hope you haven't been too bored. I've been doing a bit of thinking and maybe I overreacted a bit to the whole 'name chosen from the Goblet' thing.

"Ya think," Harry huffed under his breath.

I know you don't like all that attention and I guess I was just upset because I wished I could have been chosen. Stupid, right? I miss hanging out with you mate, and seeing you hang out with Malfoy is pretty tuff. I'll be honest with you, I'm still not thrilled that your friends with him but if you really trust him I'll do my best not to make a big deal about it. So I guess what I'm saying is that I hope you can forgive me for the way I have been the first half of the year and if its okay with you I'd like to start hanging out again.

Oh and despite what I said before I think it's fine that you took my sister to the ball. She had a really good time. In fact she can't stop talking about it. Anyway, see you soon and maybe we can do a few laps around the Quidditch Pitch before the term starts.

Your friend,

Ron

A small smile pulled to Harrys lips as he folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope. He knew Ron would come around!

"So, what did he say?" Draco asked refilling his plate this time with three pieces of sausage.

"Basically he apologized."

Draco's brow shot up, clearly surprised. "Really?"

"Yep. He even said he was okay with you and I being friends and with me seeing his sister."

"Wow, what a turn around." Draco remarked.

"I know. I wonder what made him get his head out of his bum. Anyway I'm just glad to have my mate back."

Draco was happy for Harry but at the same time he worried. Worried that Ron will pull the same crap again. He couldn't count the times future-adult Hermione had told him about Ron losing his shit but then turning around and begging for forgiveness. For some stupid reason she could never explain, she always took him back. She loved him, he knew that, but he could that tell deep down he hurt deeper then she would admit. Sometimes that woman was too strong for her own good. She never could grasp that sometimes its okay to give up, especially on a bad marriage. He had, and it turned out to be one of the best things he had ever done.

"Draco."

Harry and Draco turned to look up at the tall shadow that suddenly appeared over then.

"Hello Severus." Draco replied.

"After you finish breakfast I need you to visit your mother and I in our quarters."

"Sure. I'm almost done, shouldn't be too long."

Severus nodded in response however before he turned to leave Harry added a quick, "Good morning Professor."

"Potter." He spoke quickly though in a polite tone before finally turning away from the boys and leaving the Great Hall.

"I think he's warning up to you." Draco said with grin.

Harry laughed and shook his head. "The day Snape sees me as more then a mini version of my dad is the day candy and rainbows fly out of You-Know-Who's ass."

Draco laughed so hard bits of sausage went flying from his mouth shooting across the table. "Oh my God! Now that would be a site to see." Draco couldn't help but imagine a hairless, snake-like Voldemort bent over, his black robes spread as a rainbow of Honeydukes products come shooting out of his bum.

"No kidding. Hey you should totally draw it."

"What, You-Know-Who?"

"Yes, just like I described. It would be wicked funny."

As true as that statement was Draco was apprehensive. He had seen the Dark Lords wrath first hand. He once saw him kill one of his own followers simply for not liking a suggestion he made. There was still a possibility that he could return and while this time Draco would not join him he sure as hell wasn't going to make himself a target with something as silly as a drawing.

"Nah," Draco brushed off the suggestion, "Wouldn't waste the ink on it. Anyway, I better get going and see what Severus and my mum want." He said taking a final bit of sausage and standing from the bench.

"Okay, see you later Draco."

"See ya, Harry."

A/N: Hello all, hope you enjoyed the update. Up next everyone returns from Holiday and a bit of Draco/Hermione snogging ahead. Plus a bit of a mystery to be solved.