Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. If I did I would be at a ski resort in the Alps. Every day. For the rest of my life.

So, I'm a little disappointed. See, one of my reviewers says that she (I think it's a she), isn't going to be reading anymore chapters because she (once again I think it's a she) doesn't like romance, which I said was going to be coming on in later chapters. Well, it's going to be much later on, I don't do the 'all of a sudden it turns out so-and-so has always been desperately in love with such-and-such' and it's not because I have anything against it, but because I can't write it and make it plausible. But oh well, you can't make everyone happy. So, brea, I hope you'll keep reading for a while longer at least, but if you don't, thanks for your reviews.

To Alexandria J.Malfoy: I'm glad you found the Albus 1 &2 thing funny

and DCoD, thank you so much for your reviews, it really keeps me encouraged and writing fast, and well, just thanks. It means a lot.

froggifrog: I'm glad you think it's well written I do try to make it flow

AngeliqueCollins: you're on to something with your Ginny comment

Zippy Zany: I have it pretty well mapped out in my head and I don't plan on leaving it

Read and enjoy, and then review!

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Draco spent the evening after dinner camped out in his new office. It was a tiny room with a desk, bookshelf, and a comfortable chair that swiveled around. There was also a small window. He quickly put his files and papers away in drawers and on the shelves and then took a moment to savor the feel of his own space. A black owl interrupted his minute of reflection, tapping on the window and he sighed, but let the owl in. He took the letter and read the address, Manoc Mentior, Law and Consulting Offices. He skimmed the letter and groaned; another person sending threats for dropping their company. He wrote a reply that was just as, if not more, cutting and snobbish. When he finished, he sent it off, and glanced at his watch. Only seven-thirty, so why did he feel so tired?

He rubbed his eyes and pulled out the long list of companies and started picking through them again. Three hours later and he had chosen six more companies to drop and had composed eight more letters, this time writing clearly on why he was pulling out and giving them office hours when they could call or write with any questions or comments. He turned back to the pile to make sure he hadn't missed anything. His eyelids were slowly drifting closed and he kept jerking awake, shaking his head in hopes to stop from falling asleep. It became harder and harder to focus and he became vaguely aware of the fact that he was slumped over his desk, but that thought was gone as soon as it came, replaced by nothing.

He gradually became aware of the fact that his shoulders were cramping painfully and that his head was resting on a hard, unyielding surface. He groaned and slowly opened his eyes. Sunbeams were streaming through the window, lighting up the office and overpowering glow of the candles that were burning down to nothing. He sat up, rubbing his eyes as he looked at his watch trying to make sense of the numbers and hands. Seven-twenty. He groaned again. Draco pushed himself to his feet, put his slept on papers away and left the office, the door closing behind him and then disappearing into the stone wall. He stretched and rolled his shoulders back, his muscles sore and stiff; he needed a hot shower. He headed towards the Slytherin dorms yawning and running his hand through his hair, causing it to spike up crazily. He past the two girls without really noticing them, but stopped and turned when Granger called out

"Oh, Draco?"

"Yes?" he asked, noticing that she looked as if she had spent all night sleeping at a desk as well. The littlest Weasley looked equally rumpled. "Late night at the library?"

Ginny glared at the older girl. "Someone had the great idea to study late and wanted company. I told her to wake me up when she went to bed, but I guess she decided to have a campout in the Potions section."

Hermione colored slightly. "I've been speaking to Professor McGonagall-"

"Who woke us up," said Ginny, still glaring and twisting her neck side to side.

"-who said that people would start arriving tomorrow so this afternoon after classes we're going to help divide the side lawn into sections for campsites."

"How about we rent out the library?" asked Ginny, still getting the kinks out of her neck.

"Will you ever let that go?" asked Hermione exasperated.

"When I get a masseuse," said Ginny. Draco smirked. "Hey, hotshot, you're not looking that grand either," said Ginny, turning on him. "Is porcupine the new style or did you get struck by lightning?" Draco raised an eyebrow; Ginny groaned. "I'm gonna go take a shower," she announced and walked off.

"You'll have to excuse her," said Hermione. "She's not a morning person. So I'll meet you at the front entrance then. At four, is that okay? Or would you rather it at three, I mean, I may be a little late because I've got Muggle studies 'til three, but I could see if I could get out earlier. Or-"

"Four's fine Granger," said Draco, interrupting.

"Hermione," said the girl.

"What?"

Granger bit her lip, but pressed on. "I think we should call each other by our first names, I mean, now that we're on the same side and everything. Especially when the other people come, we should look like we're, well, not friends, but allies at least. I've talked to the others about it, and their willing to give it a go if you do."

Draco thought for a moment. It would be better, especially seeing as his family wasn't in the best of graces at the moment and he needed to side himself with the right people.

"Alright, Hermione," he said, testing out her name. It didn't hurt to say it, but it didn't feel natural.

She smiled. "I'll see you at four then, Draco." His name came from her lips much easier than hers came from his. She waved and continued down the hall.

Draco made his way to his room with his mind on overdrive.

The day went smoothly. He only had Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Herbology and it was all review for the NEWT's, which he had no problem with because he had a scarily sharp memory. He met Gra-Hermione at four and McGonagall showed them what portion of the vast grounds was designated for guest use and let them figure out how to divide it up and mark the boundaries.

"Any ideas?" asked Hermione.

"Straight rows," said Draco, "with the plots back to back with paths to get to Hogwarts for meals and facilities. Like at the Quidditch World Cup, except without the Death Eaters."

"Sounds good," said Hermione. "I figured we could paint the lines, like at parking lots. Oh, parking lots are where Muggles-"

"I know what parking lots are," said Draco.

"You do?" asked Hermione, surprised.

"Yes, Gra- Hermione," said Draco, and then, noticing the questions in her eyes, changed the subject. "I think paint is a good idea. Did McGonagall say how many people are coming?"

"Two hundred," said Hermione.

"Two hundred?" asked Draco, in surprise. "I thought there would be more."

"Oh, no. Two hundred families are coming to stay here. Even more will be arriving by portkey for the ceremonies themselves."

Draco surveyed the expanse of lawn. "It's doable then, it'll just be pretty tight quarters."

"I calculated it to be around five by five meters in each plot, but they'll be right next to each other. I hope they get along."

"I'll look over the list," said Draco. "We should probably keep the Death Eater families away from the rest."

"Is that such a good idea?" asked Hermione. "I mean then they might, you know, plan something."

"They won't," said Draco.

"You don't know for sure, plus it will look suspicious."

"I do know for sure. This place will be teaming with Aurors and Dumbledore is here; they won't try anything. And this way no one can provoke them, because then things might get messy."

Hermione looked somewhat unconvinced. "I don't know. I'd feel better if they were surrounded by, well, non-Death Eaters."

"Yes, you would," said Draco. "But they wouldn't. They have just lost a war that half of them believed in and the other half was forced into by family. Right now, they are getting treated like scum, like dirt, all because they fought for their beliefs and family. They have just lost family members, many of them more than one. Entire families have been destroyed, and I will not surround them with people who will spit at them right after they have lost so much. I refuse to have them subjected to that."

Hermione opened her mouth and Draco knew what was coming next. She would say, 'Well, that's how they treated me', but then she shut her mouth and thought.

"Okay," she said. "We'll put them in their own corner; I know I would hate to be surrounded by Death Eaters if this was the other way around."

Draco studied her in surprise, and then gave her a slight, fleeting smile. "Thank you," he said, sincerely.

"But, I want you to patrol their area thoroughly."

"Deal," said Draco. He watched as Hermione began to survey the lawn for the best area to start the plots and felt for the first time that he had made the right decision turning on the Dark Lord like that. He had expected the cycle to continue, only have the purebloods be the ones discriminated against, but if everyone was as forgiving as the girl in front of him, then maybe this war would finally be over.

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He and Hermione finished marking the lawn in two hours, and then they poured over the map to figure out where would be the best place to put the families of the Death Eaters. They finally put them in the far corner, bordered by pureblood families that were not Death Eaters so that there was a buffer around them.

McGonagall found them in the library putting the finishing touches on the placing. She looked at the grouped Death Eaters with a frown, but said nothing on it.

"Our guests will be arriving tomorrow after lunch. As Head Boy and Girl you will help Hagrid and Filch direct the visitors to where they will be staying so you are excused from your classes. You will also give them these directions and guidelines." She handed them a piece of parchment. "You will be patrolling the campsite at ten o'clock each night, and then you will patrol the school. Any questions?"

They shook their heads and McGonagall nodded and left. The two turned to the parchment.

Disrupting classes, disturbing students, or fighting with other visitors or teachers will result in your expulsion from the grounds.

Students may visit family and friends that are on the grounds, but not visa versa.

Visitors are prohibited from the Hogwarts building except in the dining hall and facilities unless permission is granted by Albus Dumbledore.

Meals will be served from 8:00am- 9:00am, 1:00 pm- 2:00pm, and 7:30pm-9:00pm.

A list of prohibited items will be posted for your convenience.

Obedience to Hogwarts staff and Aurors is a must.

A service for the Death Eaters will be held Friday at 10 am.

A service for teachers, students, Aurors, and Order Members will be held Saturday at 2 pm.

Questions? Contact the Hogwarts staff or Head Boy and Girl.

"Well, that about sums it up," said Draco, looking over the list.

Hermione yawned. "I'm going to go to dinner. I'll turn or map in to Dumbledore on my way down, alright?"

"Alright," said Draco.

She gathered her things up. "Are you going to come down?"

"In a while," said Draco. "I need to do a few things first."

"Your company?" Hermione asked.

He looked up at her in surprise. "How do you know?"

"It's been going around school," said Hermione. "Don't overwork yourself."

"Look who's talking," said Draco, with a hint of his old smirk.

Hermione smiled. "See you then."

"Yeah," said Draco. He sat at the table for awhile after she left, letting his mind wander around nothing, but then he got up. He would just take a quick stop at his office before going to supper. How much work could be there to do? He had a pretty good handle on the whole business thing.

He pulled up short when he entered his office. Letters were piled onto his desk; some had fallen to the floor. Owls were still coming in.

"What the hell?"

He strode into the room and shooed away the owls, digging through the mess to find the most recent letter to figure out what had gone wrong.

Three hours later, he discovered most of the mail was fan or hate letters. But the ones that were work related were serious. Manoc Mentior and Cripes had started a strike, aligning themselves with other companies who threatened to pull out unless he reinstated the eight companies he had pulled put of. He wondered what Mentior and Cripes had offered the other companies to get them to oppose him. He sighed and began composing a rather snotty reply to Cripes and Mentior. The threats would come later.

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He woke up Wednesday morning in the office for the second day in a row, but this time he woke up on the bed he had transfigured from his desk chair. It was a little late in the morning, so he ran down to the Slytherin dorms to take a quick shower. He threw on clothes and just made it to breakfast. Blaise was there at the table, grinning ear to ear, his leg still in a very stiff brace and crutches next to him, but he was there.

"Hey, Draco," he said, as if he had never been in the infirmary at all and he was just meeting his friend for breakfast.

Draco walked over and slapped hands with him, pulling him into a quick embrace. He realized that he was also grinning like a fool but didn't really care at that moment.

"How you doing, Blaise?" he asked, sitting next to him and helping himself to a generous portion of eggs, ham, and toast. His stomach was reminding him in painful clenches that he had skipped dinner the other day.

"I'm doing good," said Blaise, honestly. "My leg hurts now and then, but I am so glad to be out of that damned hospital, though getting out was a hassle. All those reporters and what not."

"They're still here?"

"Will be until all of the services," said Blaise. "Then I came down here and everyone started applauding and standing up. Weird, huh?"

"They did it to me as well. And Potter. It's their way of saying thank you, and don't you even try to tell me that you didn't enjoy it."

"Well," said Blaise, grinning even wider, "I must say that I didn't entirely mind it."

"Didn't entirely mind it," snorted Draco.

Blaise chuckled and began his own breakfast. "This is so good," he said, around a mouthful. "Stuck eating hospital food for days on end is terrible."

"Hate to break it to you Blaise, but the 'hospital' food as you so call it is the exact same food that you're eating now, and it's all made in the same place."

"I know," said Blaise, "but it tastes better down here."

Draco just shook his head and then turned towards the Head Table when Dumbledore stood up.

"Could I have your attention, please?" he asked, his voice carrying through the hall and effectively silencing all conversation. "Thank you. Now as many of you know Hogwarts is hosting services for those fallen in battle and so many guests will be coming to stay with us. They will be camping out in the front left lawn and they will have access to the dining hall and to the facilities on the first floor. I ask that you all be on your best behavior so we can show these people how good our school really is. Many of these guests are your family, and if you wish to stay with them, go see your Head of Hose for a permission slip. You will be able to visit them during the day, but you will be expected to be in the school at 9:30 at night, unless otherwise permitted. As we will also be feeding our guests, a list has been posted on each of the dining hall doors to tell you when our guests will be eating, so you can either avoid them, or join them a your discretion.

"If any of our visitors is bothering you, please let one of the adults or the Head Boy or Girl know, and we will take care of the situation. Service hours are…"

Draco tuned the rest out; he knew it already.

"My mum's coming," said Blaise.

"I know, I saw her name on the lists," said Draco.

"Where are you sticking her?" asked Blaise.

"In between the Death Eaters and the others."

"Good idea," said Blaise. His mother was not a Death Eater, and his father died when he was ten. In fact none of Blaise's family were Death Eaters, they lived in Italy, far away from the war, and so Blaise had no pressure to join the Dark Lord, except form his friends at school and that was never much seeing as Draco refused him.

"Your mother is the best," said Draco.

"Yeah," said Blaise. "She sent me so many presents when I was in the hospital, that and then she told all of my aunts and uncles, and they all sent me stuff. Grandmother Julet even sent me an entire home cooked meal, which myself, Potter, and that Thomas kid were able to share before Pomfrey found it."

"When was this?" asked Draco.

"When you were unconscious."

"Oh. What's wrong with the Thomas kid?"

"His sister died, the first year."

Draco racked his mind and came up with a picture of a small girl with bows in her hair. "Oh, Merlin," he said.

"Yeah, there's a list you know. In the entrance hall, have you seen it?"

Draco shook his head, pushing his food away from him, not hungry any more.

"I'm going to head out; I have to start writing my speech. I'll see you in Potions."

He stood up and left; Blaise staring after him. He didn't want to look at the board of names, he honestly didn't. He was sick of death and dying, he was sick of fighting, and he was just plain sick of life at that moment, but his feet carried his unwilling body to the entrance hall and he gazed up at the board. There was a list of students, a list of Aurors, a list of teachers, a list of Order Members, a list of DA members and a list of Death Eaters, all in alphabetical order. His eyes skimmed over the list. Euan Abercrombie, Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, Cho Chang, Dennis Creevy, the list went on and he jumped to the next list. Professor Flitwick, Professor Halloway, Professor Trelawney. The next list: Amory Dawlish, Veronica Demogry, Elliot Fenwey, those were the Aurors. He skipped to the Order list, his eyes only taking in a few of the names. Elphias Doge, Hestia Jones, Lee Jordan, Alastor Moody, Sturgis Podmore, Arthur Weasley. He read the Death Eater list next, his stomach twisting as he read the names of those he had gone to school with and studied with and who were now no more. Another list caught his eye and he looked at it more carefully. It read Slytherin Army in emerald green ink and the names were written in dark silver. Hesitantly he reached out and touched the paper, his fingers skimming over the nineteen names reverently, those were his people.

He took a step back, still gazing at the green and silver notice, but managed a small smile. Somehow, with all of the names listed and on display, it didn't seem like they were really gone. Their names would not be forgotten and their lives were not a waste. He gave the list a small salute and then began his trip down to Potions, meeting Blaise along the way and carrying his books for him as his friend struggled along with his crutches.

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He was outside a few hours later, waiting for the next group to Portkey in. Hermione had already taken the first group, which had consisted of a group of Muggle parents, into the castle for their lodgings. Draco was glad she had taken that group, he had no idea what to say to them, but then a portkey activated and he found himself wishing that she was here. Mrs. Weasley had just arrived in a plain black dress, fading black shoes and an old-fashioned black hat with a short netted veil.

He swallowed hard, feeling dread wash over him, much as it used to when Lucius called him into his office for a talk. He would have gladly faced Lucius and his 'crucios' if it meant he would not have to face the recenlty widowed mother. He stepped forward, resisting the urge to tug on his hair.

"Can I help you with your bags, ma'am?" he asked, softly.

Mrs. Weasley looked up, brown eyes fastening grey ones. "Yes, please," she said, and relinquished the tattered old carpet bag into his hands.

Draco took the bag, treating it as if it was one of his mother's fine dragon silk ones. "If you'll follow me, I'll lead you to your designated area."

"Oh, I'm waiting for Bill and Charlie to arrive. They'll be in on the next portkey."

Sure enough, a few awkwardly silent moments later and the two oldest brothers appeared with somber faces and dark clothing. They too had bags and they looked around wondering where to go.

"This way," said Draco, getting their attention. "If you'll follow me." He turned without any further greeting because they were both staring at him with both hatred and pity and he couldn't take it anymore. He led them across the lawn and to a corner plot. "This is your site, facilities and meals are right through the main doors. Do you need any assistance setting up your tent?"

"No," said Charlie, "we've got it." His tone seemed forcibly polite.

"Very well, I shall leave you to unpack. The Headmaster wishes that you read over these guidelines." He handed them the copied parchment. "If you have any questions feel free to ask myself or any of the Hogwarts staff." He nodded at them cordially and was about to leave when he decided they deserved it. "For what it's worth," he said, causing them to give him their complete attention, "I'm sorry."

For a moment none of them said anything, and then Mrs. Weasley walked over and gave him a hug. "It's alright," she whispered in his ear. "And thank you."

She kissed his cheek and pulled away, tears sliding down her cheeks. "Now off to work with you," she dismissed.

He gave them a half smile, and walked away. More people would be arriving, and there was lots to do.

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Okay, so I lied, so there's two more chapters of the back story, and to tell you the truth, I sorta like the back story as well. I'm sorry for those who are frustrated and want me to go straight to what it says in the summary, I really am, but it just didn't happen that way. Please, please, please review. So many other stories have more reviews than me, is it because I'm not begging enough? Pleeeeaaassseee, review. Even if you don't like it, just leave a quick line like "Hey, it's good" or "Hey, your story sucks". Hopefully it's the first, but oh well. Review, review, review!