He wasn't sure how they'd managed it, but all of them had ended up at The Three Broomsticks afterwards, tucked away in Rosmerta's back room. Astoria had gone home to pick up their son, Scorpius and had just stepped back into the room as Draco stood up.

"I'm not," he cleared his throat. "I don't know why you've all done this, but I want you to know that it is appreciated. My mother was not a simple woman. She was complicated and sometimes I didn't understand her but perhaps," he frowned. "Perhaps in time, maybe with your help, I might understand her better."

"I would love to tell you about her time at Hogwarts, Draco," Minerva said gently. "We all would," she motioned to Filius and Pomona. "And you are welcome to visit whenever you like."

"I need to tell Severus," he muttered.

"I will tell him, if you wish. Though again, you are welcome to come and talk to him whenever you like, as well."

It seemed to be the impetus they needed to sit a little closer and talk about life in general. Draco regaled them with tales of what Narcissa had done with her life after the war and he felt humbled to have even known her. She had done countless hours of service to unfunded programs. She'd donated as much as she could, sold Malfoy Manor and put it to good use as a care home after she'd helped dismantle some of the more stubborn protections on it. She'd fed the hungry, clothed the needy and, if Harry was right, atoned for the inaction she had perhaps felt guilty for in the earlier parts of her life.

"Okay?" Minerva asked him as she sat beside him sometime later. He was watching Draco talk quietly to Teddy about school and Astoria sitting with Andy introducing her new Great-Nephew. It felt peaceful, somehow.

"Dunno," he admitted. "It's a bizarre feeling. Trying to," he swallowed. "Match the before with the now. The bravery with the," he shrugged. "Rest."

"I know what you mean," she whispered, wrapping her arm around him. "I'm glad she was as brave and as loving as she was. We might have lost you, but for her. She brought you back to us."

"She loved him more than anything," he whispered, swirling his drink. "Just like Mum did, me. Just like," he shrugged and looked at every one of his family members and then up at her. "Just like you do."

"Aye," she smiled sadly. "I do that."

"I'm jealous of him, in a way. That he got so long with her."

"I know," she whispered, kissing his hair. "Perhaps it's a reminder that all of us should focus more on love?"

"I do try," he muttered. "I know what it feels like not to be loved, so I do try. And it's not like you don't," he grinned up at her, his eyes darting to Hermione's glowing form. She chuckled and kissed his hair again.

"And yet, Harry Potter, if not for you? I might not have had the courage to say anything at all."

"I just pointed you in the direction you were already going," he smiled.

"Love is never wrong, sunshine," Minerva whispered. "In whatever form it takes. So, maybe you should go and talk to him?"

"I don't really know what to say," he sighed. "There was so much under the bridge that it could never really clear."

"Well, build a new bridge. Start again."

"I love you, Min," he muttered. "I know I don't say it nearly often enough, but I do."

"I love you," she chuckled, kissing his forehead. "Now stop stalling."

He chuckled and got up and made his way over to Draco who had stepped away from everyone else and was standing solemnly in front of the fire. He looked up as Harry joined him and they stood in slightly awkward silence for a while before Draco opened his mouth.

"I don't know how to -"

"I don't want to -"

Harry chuckled and Draco waved him to go first.

"Look, someone once told me that there are some Wizarding families that are worth making friends with." Draco gaped at him, but Harry could feel the corners of his mouth twitching. "I reckon that," he shrugged. "Maybe I can help you there."

He grinned as Draco gaped like a fish and then realised what he was saying. Harry stuck out his hand and Draco looked at it and then back at Harry before slowly extending his hand to take it.

"You're a good man, Harry Potter," he muttered. "And I'll never admit to saying that, not even under Veritaserum."

Harry laughed and shook his hand properly and pulled him back to the group. They chatted most of the afternoon away before Filius and Pomona left, followed by Minerva, carefully ushering Hermione out of the room while Hermione complained that she wasn't at all as delicate as Minerva seemed to think. One by one, everyone left, including Ginny, who helped Andy and Teddy home, where he would follow once he knew Draco, Astoria and Scorpius were okay.

"Maybe we can come here for a drink?" Harry said conversationally as Draco helped Astoria into her coat. "Astoria, you're welcome of course, but maybe," he looked at Draco. "Thursday?"

"I can't," Draco frowned and Harry sighed. It was a long shot but - "Can you do Tuesday?"

"Yeah," he grinned, seeing the laughter in Draco's eyes. "Yeah alright," he laughed. "Astoria, you're welcome, I can bring Ginny or -"

"Oh no, you boys are fine without me," she laughed musically. He liked her, he was sure she'd be a good influence on Draco. "Please thank everyone again for me. Perhaps we might invite them for Scorpius' naming ceremony?"

"We'd love to attend," he shrugged.

"Good," she smiled, glancing at Draco. "I'll wait outside, love."

They stood in the big room, shifting awkwardly on their feet.

"Take care, yeah?" Harry said finally, offering his hand again. "She was," he sighed. "She saved my life," he nodded. "And that of all the people I love. If you need anything, let me know."

"Maybe I will," Draco muttered, shaking it steadily. "Thanks again."

"See you Tuesday then," Harry quipped, making Draco snort.

"Yeah, Potter. I'll see you Tuesday."

Harry nodded and left him to it, stopping to press a polite kiss to Astoria's cheek and before Draco could see her, paid Rosmerta for the party as well. He grinned, knowing Draco would get him back on Tuesday but perhaps this was what they could start with. A bit of steady competition built on mutual respect for a woman that had only ever loved her son, more than life itself.

For Harry, that was enough.