Chapter 11 - A Potter's Trust

It was the next morning at the breakfast table and Draco had just finished having a conversation with Remus over a book they had both read. Mrs. Weasley was talking about how she wasn't sure when they were going to finish cleaning up all the rooms in the big house. Draco got an idea and voiced it before they changed the subject.

"Would you like some help, Mrs. Weasley?" Draco asked kindly.

"You're more than welcome, the more wands the better," she said surprised by his offer.

"Thank you, though I will admit I never learned how to clean..I may be more of a burden then help," he informed her sheepishly.

"Oh don't you worry about that, dear. I'll teach you everything I know," Mrs. Weasley said giving him a gentle smile.

And she really did.

After breakfast, practically everyone had gone to help Mrs. Weasley clean the large house. She assigned everyone a certain tasks to do while she and Draco had done tasks together, teaching him how to do every little bit. He was disappointed but not very surprised by how much work actually needed to be done, but he was willing to do it all by hand if that's what it took to make his decision to go to the Order worth while. It was harder than he expected and yet easier at the same time which made him feel accomplished and excited that he was actually doing something.

Everyone noticed his change in mood, causing shared smiles throughout the group.

Sirius had come in and asked why he was so happy, Draco had then told him that he's never had to - never really allowed - to clean before as that was "below" them and a "House Elf's job". Draco said that it felt good to get something done that needed done, so Sirius clapped him on the back enthusiastically and told him that is fantastic.

The blond beamed at the encouragement like a child would with his father.

After seeing their exchange and getting a feel for the two's newfound bond, Harry had decided that he needed to settle things with the boy. He waiting until Draco had finished eating and asked if Harry could talk to him privately. The entire room grew silence and tense, Hermione gave anxious looks between the two while Sirius just listened, but none quite as much as Draco himself.

They all knew what this would represent.

This would define what Draco's time with the Order would be like or if he would even be accepted into the group.

So Draco agreed, having no way to prolong it, and they left the room. Harry walked through the halls and eventually led them into the room with the Black Family Tree. They stood silently and looked at the tapestry, at their family.

"It's hard to believe we're related, even if it is quite distantly," Harry said interrupting the silence.

"Very," Draco agreed, "its hard to believe how distant it is, all the way to my great-great aunt."

Harry nodded, "how easily things could've been so different."

"Yeah," Draco began, "If Dora Potter had gone insane like most other Blacks had your life could've been much similar to mine or if my Mum had chosen to take a path similar of Andromeda Black my life would be similar to the one you should've had."

"And yet it might not have been, like Andromeda and probably Dorea, someone could've gone rogue to the family and started a new life for the future generations," Harry said before finally looking at the blond, "such as what you're doing."

"I...suppose. I hadn't really thought of it from that perspective," Draco said as he grew anxious.

"After yesterday's events, I wanted to clarify some things," Harry started, "Sirius and Remus were two of my Dad's best friends, they're the closest ties I have to my parents and they're family. I trust their judgement and I can tell you aren't the same annoying ferret I've known these last few years. I want to start over with you. However, if this turns out to be some sort of trick to send information to Voldemort-" Draco flinched at his name, "-then you're going to go down with him and the Death Eaters."

"I can promise you this isn't a trick or anything of the sort. If I were to trick you then I would wish for you to do as you say. In truth, I was reluctant to switch sides in the first place due to how my reputation would damage my chances of being accepted...this proved to be somewhat true," Draco admitted, "though it hasn't lasted nearly as long as I anticipated."

"I believe you have Remus and Sirius to thank for that. Sirius practically forced us to listen to Remus' explanation and give you a chance to prove yourself. It was clear they really care about you and that convinced us," Harry said.

Draco smiled, "it seems the list of things to thank them for is getting longer and longer."

"So, truce?" Harry asked, outstretching his hand for the second time.

"Truce," Draco agreed shaking his hand. He could see Harry's uncomfort at the action but relaxed when it was over.

"How's you get them to let you in in the first place? I can't imagine it'd be easy," Harry asked after a pause.

"I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but Remus..he saved my life and then took me here. Sirius wasn't very happy to have me in the beginning but Remus talked him into it I suppose," Draco explained with as little detail as possible. While Harry might be an ally now, it was odd to even talk to him civilly let alone have a personal conversation.

Harry nodded, "it seems they've got a habit of taking people in when they need it most."

Draco agreed. While he had mentioned how different their lives were, they were the similar in this sense. Sirius and Remus had given them a little taste of a healthy/happy family, something neither have really had.

They'd given the boys hope.

The two boys looked to the wall of their ancestors for who knows how much longer before Harry had stood up.

"Well now that that's settled, Mrs. Weasley is going to get concerned about where her assistant is," he teased.

Draco stood also, "right."

The two then went back down into the kitchen, joking as they went, where everyone was waiting, still a little on edge. At their arrival and seeing the smiles on their faces they all relaxed. That was, until Molly Weasley started fussing over the time spent.

"Well it's about time, I was starting to think we would have to start without you two," she said before going on about the list of chores for each to do and having Draco stick with her again. Sirius had managed to slip out of the room without Mrs. Weasley's notice.

The whole cleaning crew then went up and began cleaning once more. It seemed to go on forever but just when it couldn't get anymore tiring, the Weasley twins came in saying they've messed something up and need help fixing it. So Molly left to deal with their mess while Draco had to take over the tedious chore alone.

His thoughts wandered to what had happened previously, what did it mean? Could he actually be accepted into the Order? Did he want to fight with them or just support them from the sidelines? Would he be able to face the people he knew on the other side of the battlefield? Could he face his father if it came down to it?

"Um Draco?" A voice said bringing him out of his thoughts. He looked over to see Hermione Granger looking at him oddly.

"What?" Draco said confused.

"You're scrubbing your hand," she said looking pointedly at his hands. Sure enough, he'd been too engrossed in his thoughts to notice.

"Oh," Draco said cheeks flushing pink as he wiped the soap off. Granger actually giggled, he tried especially hard to avoid her gaze as he grew more embarrassed.

"I'm sorry," she said still smiling, "I don't mean to laugh, I know you must have a lot on your mind."

"Yeah..you could say that," he admitted.

"For what it's worth, I'm glad you're here," Hermione told him now going back to cleaning. Draco stopped and looked at her, really looked at her, and smiled.

Maybe all this won't be as bad as it seems.