Disclaimer: I do not own any characters created by J.K. Rowling.

Chapter Twenty

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~December~

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December came down hard with a brittle wall of cold that shocked Draco awake one morning. He hadn't been expecting it, the way his skin had prickled as a draught skirted around his ankles. He'd been having trouble sleeping since the last full moon, which was only a few nights ago. He hadn't managed to complete the Wolfsbane potion in time, however Remus assured him that the following full moon was as good a time as any to test it. Even Slughorn had said that the vial he'd produced last Friday was a worthy attempt.

It was on one of these cold lonely mornings, in the quiet hours before the rest of the house woke up, that Draco would sit on his window seat and look down on the muggle street below and sigh. His breath fogged against the glass and the cold seemed to seep inside him, making him feel empty.

He missed his mother.

December was one of the months she'd loved best; from the sixth of December the Manor would be decked out with the most elaborate decorations for the Christmas season. There had been times where he'd abhorred the displays, however now he wished for nothing else.

His mother had always loved a party.

He didn't know what sort of celebrations Sirius and Remus tended to have. Of course both men had anticipated entirely different things; Remus had expected to live in a quaint little house with his wife and new-born son, whereas Sirius and Potter were probably glad just to kick back by the fire, drinks in hand, and joking about the good old days and toasting to those who had been lost.

Maybe they would even go to the Weasley's on Christmas Day just to have a change of scenery?

Would that still be the case?

Would he be invited to the Weasley's or would they come here? And what if they didn't invite him at all? Was he to spend his first Christmas Day since the war … alone?

Wrapping himself up in his dressing gown, he sat at his writing desk and dipped his quill into ink.

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'Dear Mother,

I hope you are well and that the auror's are not pestering you unjustly.

I'd almost forgotten what month it was until the frost started to settle in. How is it December already? I seem to lose track of the days, even though I go to Hogwart's every Friday to hand in my assignments. Everyone says that, despite not being in class, I'm still tied for the top spot with Granger. Some things don't change, war or not.

I'd been thinking about Christmas; I honestly don't know how I'm to cope without seeing you or father at the dinner table. I miss you both so much. I feel so lost in myself right now. Remus and Sirius are doing their best by me, and I appreciate all their efforts but … I feel like it just isn't enough.

Am I being selfish?

I have another two more sessions with Dr. Lisa before Christmas, and it turns my stomach. She keeps wanting me to talk about the war and my part in it but I just … I can't.

I'm sorry to unburden myself on you in a letter.

How are things with you?

Your son,

Draco.'

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He'd had to stop writing there otherwise he'd have gotten even more emotional. He hurried to the study as quietly as possible and sent the letter off with Archimedes before he could change his mind.

It was far too early for anyone else to be awake, so he tiptoed down to the kitchen and was surprised to find Kreacher putting the dishes away into the cabinets. At the sight of him in the doorway, the house-elf turned and eyed the young wizard.

"Master Malfoy is up early today," he observed.

"Yes I am."

"Is Master Malfoy wanting to be fed?"

"I -I am hungry," he said lamely. "I can make something for myself, don't worry."

It was the first time he'd said such a thing to a house-elf. He hadn't even thought about it.

"Kreacher is making Master Malfoy some porridge with honey, brown sugar and cinnamon if this pleases him?"

"I …" How had the elf known that's how he liked his porridge? How had he known he even liked porridge? "I … Yes, thank you Kreacher."

The elf bowed his head and began getting all the ingredients from the lower shelves, a few clicks of his fingers ensuring that barely any sound could be heard.

As Draco watched the elf stir the bubbling goo, he leaned his head in his hand and felt himself be taken back to one of the few times in his youth, when he'd woken up from a nightmare and tottered down to the Manor kitchens for something to settle his nerves. Dobby had been fairly new then and had happily taken Draco to a small chair where he was sat as Dobby made him porridge. It continued on a fairly regular basis, until his father had caught them.

He'd beaten both of them.

From that moment on Draco was more scared of being beaten by his father than he was of the monsters under his bed.

The bowl was placed before him, along with a steaming mug of black coffee with two sugars. He sipped it gratefully, shuddering as the warmth ran through him. "Thank you, Kreacher."

"Master is welcome. Kreacher must be going now. He is to be cleaning the third floor today."

Draco watched him disapparate with a snap of his fingers.

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By the time everyone else came down for breakfast it was just gone 9 o'clock. Draco had finished his own breakfast and was reading through the Defence Against the Dark Arts textbook he'd left on the kitchen table the night before. Remus smelled the porridge and smiled tiredly, his shaggy hair sticking up in all directions as he settled Teddy in his highchair. He gave Draco a pat on the shoulder before dragging himself to the counter and making himself a bowl of porridge.

Teddy seemed happy enough munching away on a sliced banana.

He made Draco another cup of tea and levitated everything over to the table, making Teddy clap giddily at the floating objects.

"Thank you," Draco gave a wan smile, accepting the floating mug and taking a drink.

Archimedes arrived with no news from his mother, yet, although Draco didn't expect her to write straight away. There was, however, the Daily Prophet and a letter addressed to him with the Ministry seal.

He gulped nervously, the letter trembling in his hands.

Remus noticed his expression and lowered his spoon. "What is it, Draco?"

"A letter from the Ministry," he murmured, his heart racing in his chest.

"Do you want me to open it?"

"Please!" He thrust the letter to Remus, his teeth clenched so hard he could hear the bone crunching.

Remus broke the seal and slipped the parchment out. His amber eyes flitted from one side to the other, his face giving nothing away as he read the letter twice over. Finally, he looked up at Draco, "Well, I can confirm that it's not bad news, if that makes you feel any better?"

Draco grimaced. "What does it say?"

"They're just writing to confirm that your six-month review will be brought forward to this month, on the seventeenth."

The bottom fell out of his stomach. "Is -is that good, that they bring it forward?" he asked, not daring to breathe.

"I'm not really sure," the man admitted sheepishly. "Let's just try to stay positive, okay? It's not as though you've done anything bad, nor has anything untoward happened since that last, isolated incident at the school."

Draco ran his hands down his face and groaned. "I feel like this nightmare will never end."

Remus squeezed his shoulder, "It will. You've been doing so well with the tools you've been given. Slughorn has said that your potion work is out-standing for someone of your age."

Draco hunched his shoulder and looked down at the table. "Severus was never one to praise people for doing a good job. There was always something to improve, something new to learn."

"Severus was a perfectionist. He needed to be in control of every element in his life -now we know why."

Remus gave a sad, tight-lipped smile.

The door to the kitchen flew open.

"REMUS! DRACO! LOOK WHAT HAPPENED!" Potter stood proudly on the top step, holding a small, milky tooth aloft. "IT CAME OUT! MY FIRST TOOTH!"

Sirius appeared behind him, shaking his head fondly. "Pup, what have we said about yelling indoors?" he prodded the kid good-naturedly. "We use our …?"

"Indoor voices," Potter finished, still beaming. The gap of his front tooth was oddly discomforting.

"Good boy. Now how about some breakfast?"

"Okay!" Potter hopped into the chair beside Draco. "Can I have some cornflakes?"

"Of course, pup, cornflakes it is."

Draco tried not to look at the new hole in the front of Potter's face. He looked far too delighted at having lost a tooth as he waited for Sirius to bring him a bowl of cereal. His glasses were perched on his nose, meaning he didn't need to strain to focus on anything.

"So, Harry, are you going to put your tooth under your pillow tonight?" Remus grinned across the table.

"Why would I do that?"

"For the tooth-fairy of course!"

"Tooth fairy?" Draco frowned at the same time Potter yelled, "THE TOOTH FAIRY!"

"Pup!"

"Sorry Daddy," Potter settled back, sheepishly. His wide eyes homed in on Remus, "What does the tooth-fairy do?"

"If you leave your tooth under your pillow tonight while you sleep, the tooth fairy will come in and leave some money in exchange for your tooth."

"What sort of sick creature would do such a thing?" Draco asked, curling his lips in disgust. "Who would want all those teeth anyway? Eurgh, that's revolting!"

"It's a muggle custom," Remus said, a little too firmly. "When your kids put their lost teeth under their pillow, the next morning they would get some money. It sort of … takes the edge off them losing said tooth, which can also be painful. Although, clearly not for our Harry!"

"No, I was super brave, wasn't I, daddy?"

"Yes, you were pup," Sirius planted a kiss on Potter's head, placing the bowl of cornflakes in front of him. "Now eat up."

Sirius sat down with a plate of toast and black coffee. "So, what were you two getting all mushy about?" he asked pointedly.

"Draco got a letter from the Ministry."

"Oh," Sirius swallowed. "What did it say?"

"They're … uh … bringing my six-month review forward to the seventeenth. We were speculating on whether that's good or bad."

"It could be that they want to review things quicker to make the next six months more tolerable for you, fewer restrictions and that. It's not like you've gotten into any trouble, is it?"

"On the other hand, they may have made a snap decision and decide to implement it to make my life worse," Draco countered. The familiar numbness was starting to creep up inside him.

"You have to have some faith, Draco," Remus said.

Draco scoffed and returned his attention to his mug without seeing it. He could feel Remus and Sirius exchange a look over the table, but he didn't have the energy to analyse it. Instead, the conversation turned to what Potter was going to do with 'all the money he got from the tooth fairy.'

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After dinner that evening, Potter marched around in his pyjamas declaring he was going to stay up all night long to see said tooth fairy! Unfortunately, he fell asleep not long after 8pm. Sirius chuckled to himself and carried the child upstairs to bed. Draco was just leaving his room when he saw the man heading into Potter's bedroom. Sliding along the wall, he peered around the door frame and watched as Sirius placed a single galleon under Potter's pillow before settling the child into his bed.

Stepping out into the hallway Sirius spotted Draco and held a finger to his lips as he pulled the door closed. "Are you okay?" he whispered, resting a hand on the blonde's shoulder.

Draco nodded, "I just fail to understand the purpose of a tooth fairy."

Sirius smiled. "Muggles like that sort of thing. It's their sort of magic."

"But of all things to imagine -the TOOTH fairy? That's like having a shoe fairy -pointless!"

Shaking his head, Sirius guided his cousin back towards the stairs. "I suppose no one bothered telling you about Santa Claus either?"

"Who's he?"

"He's a magic being with a who flies to every house on Christmas Eve delivering presents to all the girls and boys who have been well-behaved for the whole year."

"How does he get to every house? Does he apparate?"

"No, he uses a sleigh with flying reindeers."

Draco stopped halfway down the stairs. "What?!" he exclaimed, almost losing his footing as he spun around. "How can they possibly believe that?!"

"It's impossible, Draco, which is why they believe in it. A sense of whimsy to give Christmas an extra magical meaning."

Draco scanned the man's face for any sense of irony. There was none. He groaned and stepped down onto the floor and shuffled into the kitchen just as Remus was pouring some tea. He saw Draco come down, shoulders slumped, and took another mug off the shelf and filled it.

"Do I even want to know what's made you have a face like a sour lemon?"

"We were discussing Santa," Sirius smirked.

"Ah," Remus looked at his friend as he set the mugs on the table. "I don't know what you're smirking, Paddy, you and James were determined, all through till fifth year, that you two were going to capture Santa over Christmas break and make him give you all his presents."

Draco snorted. "Did he really?"

"Yes," Remus said drily. "After third year, I refused to spend Christmas with them."

"Speaking of Christmas …" Draco hedged, tracing patterns on the worn wood of the table. "…I know this is the first Christmas since the war and things are still settling but … uh … what are the plans for Christmas?"

Sirius sighed and raked a hand through his curls. "Well we have technically been invited to the Weasleys."

"And as you can see, Paddy is extremely excited."

"Molly irritates me," Sirius growled. "Besides, I want to have a proper family Christmas here, with Harry."

"There's no reason why we can't do both," Remus said reasonably.

"They'd invite too many people and what would we say about Harry being a child? We can't risk people finding out."

"It's been nearly six months, Paddy, there are already articles asking where Harry Potter is travelling."

Draco thought back to the Prophet from that morning. He never bothered reading those things, not since his father was imprisoned.

"How about a compromise? We go to the Weasley's for Christmas Eve and then have a nice quiet family day here, on Christmas Day?"

Sirius' eyes lit up. "That sounds perfect! We should invite Andromeda as well; I don't like the thought of her being all alone at this time of year. She's lost so much …"

Remus grimaced and nodded, "I know."

Draco glanced between the two and felt a lump forming in his throat. "Do you think …?" he trailed off, the idea already seeming too ludicrous to say out loud.

"What is it, Draco?" Remus asked.

"Would we be able to invite my mother? If the Ministry allows it for the day?" he asked in a rush, his heart drumming wildly in his chest.

"There's no harm in asking," Remus said. "Although I can't promise that they'd say yes."

"I still want to try. Mother would be happy to know that I'd at least tried to make her first Christmas since … well … a little more bearable. I can ask them on the seventeenth, surely?"

"Of course, you can."

"We will have to worn Andromeda about that being a possibility," Remus said matter-of-factly. "Those two weren't on speaking terms before the war and I dare say it didn't help matters."

Draco tapped his nail on the wood, chewing on the inside of his cheek. "I can ask Aunt Andromeda next time we spend the day there? Maybe it would be better if I asked her? She always yells at you two."

He downed the last of his tea as Sirius spluttered some obscenities and Remus chuckled to himself. He bade them goodnight and made his way back to his bedroom. As he lie in bed, the covers pulled up to his chin with a nice, cosy fire crackling merrily away in the grate, he allowed himself to relax in the fact that he was safe somewhere that wasn't Hogwarts. Christmas' at the manor had never really been joyful affairs; extravagant and ridiculous, sure, but the only family time he had throughout December was in the early hours of the morning on Christmas Day just before brunch, when the family would open their gifts. There would be no drinking tea in their pyjamas with bed-hair. Everyone had to be dressed immaculately, as uncomfortable as it had been.

Curling up onto his side, Draco was anxious for the seventeenth to arrive, come what may for himself, as all he wanted was to spend the day with his Mother at Christmas.

~0~

It had to be said that he was glad he only had to go into Hogwarts once a week; the sheer drop in temperature was enough to turn his bones to ice and, contrary to popular opinion, Draco despised being cold. He loved heat, summer usually being his favourite season when he was able to do magic and see his friends.

The days seemed to pass slowly.

Remus and Sirius still alternated their weeks and Hogwarts would send their students home on the twenty-first of December.

On this particular day, Draco was spending some time at his aunt's house with Potter, whilst Sirius was at Hogwarts and Remus was taking Teddy to the paediatrics ward at St. Mungo's for a check-up. He needed to gather his courage to ask his aunt about his mother attending on Christmas Day, but he felt short of breath and his hands wouldn't stop twitching.

He was grateful that his aunt was more preoccupied doing a puzzle with Potter to notice his tremors.

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he tried to take a sip of tea, but it tasted sour in his mouth. He set it down a little louder than necessary with a sigh, his leg starting to jiggle under the table. His insides were thrumming with the pent up energy and he felt nauseated.

A hand came down on his shoulder and he flew out of his seat.

He could feel himself panting for air, his chest feeling tight and unable to sustain his breath, his heart was hammering wildly in his chest. He had to blink several times to dispel the momentary blindness.

"Draco, dear, are you alright?"

Andromeda's face swam into view, her square jaw and large round eyes giving him a momentary glimpse of Aunt Bella. He yelped and backed away, colliding with the sharp edge of the mantlepiece.

"Harry, why don't you go play upstairs for a little while okay?"

"Is Draco okay?"

"He's a little unwell sweetheart, but I'll put him to rights. Off with you now. I'll call you down for dinner."

Light footsteps petered away up the stairs.

He was being led somewhere, not very far he thought, before he was nudged downward. His body melted onto plus cushions and he was dimly aware of the floral wallpaper in the living-room. He was still taking short, shallow breaths, his vision was blurred, and his head was swimming -until something cool and damp pressed against his forehead.

He sucked in a long, sharp breath, convulsed, and choked on the air.

A weight settled beside him. He felt something cool pressed to his lips. He sipped at the water without really realising.

It took a full ten minutes for him to calm down and to be able to identify his aunt perched on the edge of the sofa beside him, her face frowning down at him. Licking his lips, he tried to speak, to thank her, but she shushed him and shook her head slowly.

"You had a panic attack," Andromeda stated in a soft voice, holding the glass of water in her lap in case he needed another sip. "I don't know what triggered it; were you thinking about something that was causing you some anxiety?"

He gave a mute nod.

"What was it you were thinking about it? I'll try and help in any way I can."

"M-Mother …"

Andromeda's face got a little pinched. "Ah, yes. I imagine you're worried about your mother, dear, but if my memory serves me, she does enjoy France very much."

"N-not … without … magic …"

"No, perhaps not." Andromeda sighed and brushed a curl behind her ear. "What was it you were thinking in regard to your mother?"

"I just … didn't want her … spending Christmas a-alone."

"And what exactly did you plan on doing about that?"

Draco cleared his throat and tried to sit up a little straighter on the sofa. "I -I wanted to ask at the Ministry … if they'd allow her to come to Grimmauld p-place for Christmas."

"You know there's every chance they will say 'no', don't you?"

"I n-need to try."

"So, what made you panic?"

"I just …" He bowed his head, his hands still tremoring slightly in his lap. "I … want you to be there, too. For Christmas." He peered up through his blonde hair. He really should ask Remus if he could get it cut. "I -I know there's bad blood between you and my mother, but we f-fought through the w-war to end all this … squabbles."

"Like you and Harry?"

"I'm sorry?"

"You still don't call him 'Harry' even though I know he's begged you a hundred times over."

Draco furrowed his brow, "That's completely different."

"Is it?" Andromeda shot back. "Tell you what; I'll let you invite my sister to Christmas -I'm sure it'll be entertaining one way or another -and from now until Christmas is over, you have to call Harry by his name."

"That's a little childish, isn't it?"

"So, we understand one another," she grinned wickedly.

He glowered up at his aunt. There was no energy in him to argue, the panic attack seemed to have depleted any reserves he'd had left. Andromeda handed him the glass of water to sip, watched him for a few moments and when she was sure he wasn't about to drown himself in the glass, she excused herself to go and check on Po – er -Harry.

Sipping at his water, Draco tried not to pay attention to the noises from upstairs; he could hear Andromeda's heels clacking on the floorboards and he was used to the sound of Harry's feet, as disgruntled as the fact made him. There were calm, muffled voices -Harry's quieter voice -and then the pair of footsteps made their way down the staircase.

The door to the living room opened with a soft hush. Andromeda walking in holding Harry by the hand. The kid looked anxious, his bottle lip jutting out and his green eyes were wide and gleaming behind his glasses.

"Harry, Draco is still a little poorly, do you want to go and sit with him while I get some tea and cakes ready?"

Harry nodded mutely, tottering over to the sofa Draco was sat on. Draco watched as the kid hesitated before hoisting himself up onto the sofa. He shifted awkwardly beside Draco, his legs sticking out straight ahead with his hands in his lap. Andromeda waited in the doorway for a moment, observing before nodding her head in a satisfied manner and retreating down the hall to the kitchen.

"Draco?" Harry mumbled.

He sighed, "Yes, kid?"

"Are you poorly?"

"… Yeah."

"Would you like a cuddle?"

"Why would I want a cuddle?"

"When I'm poorly, Daddy or Remmy give me a cuddle and it helps me feel better."

Draco let the child's logic sink into his brain. On the one hand he was a grown-up, had been through a war and now wasn't able to do magic or see his mother. On the other hand…

"You know what kid? I'd really love a cuddle right now."

Harry seemed to leap into action, turning on the spot and hugging Draco tight around the middle. It was hard to reciprocate, at first, having been brought up balancing a book on his head, however as soon as that little head of messy black hair burrowed against his stomach, Draco felt the tears come. He clamped his jaw tight and squeezed his eyes shut as he looped an arm around Harry and hugged him close, pressing his face into the kid's black hair. If he squeezed too tight, Harry didn't complain -of course that was very in-keeping with his personality, even as a child.

For the rest of the afternoon at Andromeda's, Draco called Harry by his given name and was more than happy -and too exhausted -to shift the child out of his lap. He could tell his aunt was amused by their position, but Draco refused to rise to the bait as he kept one arm firmly around Harry's waist and sipped his tea with the other hand.

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Later that evening, as soon as his assignments were done for the week, Draco went into the living room where Remus and Sirius were playing a muggle board game. Harry was curled up on Sirius' lap, his little stuffed owl clutched tightly to his chest. Remus puffed his cheeks indignantly as Sirius swept three green house things off the board.

"Back to the basics, Moony! I got you now!"

Remus shook his head, "I don't know why I ever both taking you on in these games."

Draco edged into the room, frowning bemusedly down at the board. "What is this game you two keep playing?"

"Monopoly."

"I'm assuming it's muggle."

Remus nodded, "And somehow, despite growing-up with the game, I still lose to this over-grown child!"

Sirius feigned hurt. "Remus! How dare you call my little paddycake an over-grown child!"

Remus glowered at his friend. "You know I was talking about you, Sirius, not Harry."

Draco had to fight a smile as he pulled the footstool over and sat down. "So, is the game nearly over, or can I join?"

If either of them was surprised he was asking to join in their muggle 'shenanigans', neither man mentioned it. "Of course," Sirius grinned. "I think Remus needs a do-over before his brain melts. Remmy, set up the board, love, and I'll go make everyone some hot chocolate!" He pressed a kiss to Harry's forehead and left him perched in the armchair before he whisked out of the room.

Draco bit his lip, the heat and stiffness settling around them like a lead curtain. Changing a glance over at Remus, he saw that the older man was frozen in place, his eyes staring hard through the table and his hands having stopped mid-shuffle with the game cards.

Clearing his throat, Remus continued to shuffle the cards.

"So … Sirius said -"

"I know."

Draco swallowed, knowing full well he was pushing his luck. "Are you not going to ack-?"

"No."

Another silence.

"Why not?"

Remus clenched his jaw. "It wouldn't be appropriate."

Draco wanted to ask what he meant; however Sirius chose that moment to stride in, a tray laden with piping hot mugs in his hands, and a wide grin on his face. He didn't detect the stifling atmosphere and by the time he sat back down, Remus had managed to force a tired-looking smile to his lips. Harry squirmed on Sirius' lap, trying to juggle his stuffed owl and his small cup of hot chocolate.

"Here, I'll hold Hootie for you, kid," Draco said, reaching out and taking the small owl from Harry's grip. Wide green eyes started to glimmer with tears, but Draco forced a smile. "Just until you finish your hot chocolate, and then she's all yours."

Harry reluctantly relinquished his hold on his treasured toy.

Once Draco was talked-through the rules of monopoly, he was fairly sure he knew exactly how the game was played, which was true when -by 10 o'clock -he'd won his first ever game. Sirius grumbled about 'beginners' luck' and drained his mug, leaving whipped cream sticking to his upper lip. Remus wasn't able to hide his smile, however catching Sirius' eye over Harry's head was enough for cold shame to pour through him.

Excusing himself, Remus gathered Harry up into his arms and bade the other two 'goodnight', Draco passing Hootie back to a dozing Harry as they went by.

"You're being nice to Harry," Sirius observed calmly as he packed the game away.

Draco fought against the lump in his throat. "What of it?"

"Nothing," Sirius shrugged, slotting the lid back over the box. He turned to Draco with a warm smile. "I'm just glad."

Draco didn't know how to respond to that, so he simply sipped at his drink until there was nothing left.

~0~

The seventeenth arrived far too quickly, after what felt like an eternity of waiting.

Draco was awake before everyone else and tried to wash and dress himself in as close to silence as he could manage without muffling charms. His hands trembled as he fixed an old tie around his throat, trying not to feel like he was preparing his own noose.

He was barely able to eat anything at breakfast. Sirius himself only managed eggs on toast and a mug of black coffee, before it was time for them to leave. They went through the floo, and Draco barely managed to swallow the bile that surged up his throat as he staggered through the grate and into the Ministry.

He felt a hush descent upon the bustling atmosphere as soon as he stood to his full height.

Hundreds of eyes were staring at them, their eyes sticking through him like pins. He felt the suppressed magic inside him bubble up, boiling him from the inside with no way out. He felt physically sick again, and was starting to perspire.

"Ignore them, Draco," Sirius voice rumbled in his ear, cutting through the white noise buzzing in his head.

He let himself be steered towards the lifts. Sirius didn't take his hand from Draco's shoulder until the lift clanged down before them and the doors rattled open. There were some shocked faces, possibly a sneer, from the people that vacated. Draco was urged forward, his feet and Sirius guiding him into the lift. He blindly reached up for a hang-strap and felt his heart lurch when the lift doors rattled shut and the lift skittered backwards before rushing upwards.

They made two trips to other floors before they were taken down to the courtrooms.

Sitting outside courtroom three, Draco was ramrod straight in his chair, his nerves wound so tight he was sure he could see sparks flying off his eyelashes. Sirius was trying to engage him in a calming conversation about not being too disheartened by what they had to say, and that they could deal with the worst if it came down to. Draco had kept his nose clean, barring the ambush incident. He couldn't get into any trouble even if he'd dared to try.

He was started to tremble again.

His vision was fading at the edges and his breath became laboured. He could feel a panic attack digging its claws into him.

Sirius reached over and took his hand between his own. The tremors continued, his heart still beat rapidly, but Sirius was here. Sirius was here holding his hand and keeping him grounded in this draughty corridor. It would be alright. Whatever shit they tried to throw at him, it wouldn't stick, it was baseless. If Sirius could make it through the last fifteen years and still have a decent outlook on life, then Draco needed to follow his example.

They were not going to beat him. Not today.

The door opened.

"Draco Malfoy, please come in."

Swallowing thickly, Draco forced himself to his feet and followed the narrow woman in horn-rimmed glasses into the courtroom, Sirius got on his heels. Sirius was told to sit in the rows of hard benches whereas Draco was escorted across the courtroom to sit before the magistrate and the Minister of Magic.

He settled into the hardback chair near the front of the room, his hands quaking in his lap.

"We call order this hearing on the Seventeenth of December at 10 o'clock. Presenting Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic, and Arnold Ringwood, magistrate." A gavel came down, sending a shockwave through Draco's bones. "We are here to assess the current sentence of one Draco Lucius Malfoy."

Draco felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle.

"According to the reports I have received throughout the last few months, there was one red flag that appeared on the eleventh of September. Can you recount the events of that day, Mr. Malfoy?"

He tried to keep his voice calm as he spoke. "I -I had gone to Hogwarts to turn in my assignments to my professors. I was on my way to leave when a group of students ambushed me in the corridor."

"What happened?"

"I -I was out-numbered," as this a few people behind him scoffed. "A-and Prefects Granger and Weasley had to come to my aid."

"That's Miss Hermione Granger and Mister Ronald Weasley, is that correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"I see they both spoke on your behalf about the incident. Both stated you didn't not use any means by which to defend yourself, is this the case?"

"Yes, sir."

"So, you didn't hit at anyone or try to use your wand?"

"No, sir," Draco tried not to clench his teeth. "I didn't have my wand with me. It's useless. I didn't try to defend myself against a gang of students who were all armed with their wands."

The judge nodded, satisfied. "From what your professors have told me, you are excelling in your studies, despite not attending the physical lessons. How do you find it?"

"I may do well in the theory, sir, but the majority of our lessons now are wand-based. I may practise the movements, but that doesn't mean I've learned the spell."

"Professor Slughorn attests that you are doing well in the practical-side of potions."

"I -y-yes, sir."

"How can you accomplish this without a potions lab?"

"My guardian, Sirius Black, accumulated a small lab for me in the basement of our house. It suffices for my practical needs in brewing potions."

"Have there been any incidents outside of the house or Hogwarts that we need to know about?"

"Incidents?" Draco frowned. He'd had numerous panic attacks and anxiety attacks. As for incidents that required discipline, no, he'd kept his nose clean. "No, sir. No incidents."

The magistrate made a note of something, his quill scratching setting Draco's teeth on edge.

"Does anyone else have anything to report at this time?" he asked, his eyes scanning over the people scattered around on the benches.

No one spoke up. Draco didn't realise how anxious he'd been about that, until he let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"In that case, I am relinquishing the stasis charm on Draco Malfoy's wand."

There were some outraged shouts from the public attendees, but Draco simple sat there, numbed, the words not sinking into his brain.

The magistrate raised his voice, his voice booming through the room and drowning out the shouts. "You will be allowed to use spells allocated by your professors to learn for exams and the like. Basic charms and cleaning spells are also permitted, within reason. You will still be heavily monitored and an auror will assess your wand use once a week. If we are alerted to three consecutive high-risk spells or curses, you will be in breach of your sentence and will have to spend thirty days in Azkaban."

Draco swallowed thickly, his body over-heating.

"This is to help aid you in passing your final exams. If you have a specific request that breaches your prohibition, please inform an auror of your request and we will evaluate the necessity of it. It may be the case of having your request done at Hogwart's or here at the Ministry, as a measure of safety."

Kingsley stood up, his deep, rick voice vibrating through the air as he spoke. "I would also like to add, that due to Mr. Malfoy's recent behaviour, I would like to extend the perimeter of his house arrest to five miles within the vicinity of his residence, St. Mungo's and Hogwart's as long as he is accompanied by his court-appointed guardian, or an auror."

This statement did outrage some of the public.

Someone even tried to throw a hex at Draco's back. He only caught wind of it, because Kingsley himself, threw a shield charm up, causing the offensive spell to fizzle and crackle in the air around him.

"ORDER IN THE COURTROOM!" Ringwood boomed.

Silence descended, the pounding of the gavel making Draco feel sick.

"The sentencing you have heard carried out at ten thirty this morning is the ruling decision of myself and the present Minister of Magic. If anyone attempts to use offensive magic in my courtroom, they will be filed for contempt and be placed on house arrest of a fortnight." He turned his beady blue eyes to Draco, who shrank down in his chair. "Mister Malfoy, your sentence has been passed and you are free to go. Use this chance wisely and good luck with your final exams."

"Court dismissed!"

He slammed the gavel down.

Draco was reeling as he levered himself out of the stiff chair and made his way towards the side-door in a daze. His ears were still ringing with the words the magistrate had said. His ears were still ringing with the words the magistrate had said. Outside in the private hallway they'd waited in before court started, Draco found Sirius waiting for him, resting lazily against the wall. As soon as he saw Draco approach, he grinned and straightened up, meeting the blonde half-way and grabbing him in a hug.

"I told you not to worry, Draco. Look what happened! Something good finally came your way."

Draco nodded, limply hugging his cousin back. He still couldn't quite believe it. "It's just … surreal."

"I know it must seem a big strange right now," Sirius said, sobering up for a moment. "But just think of it this way; you have your wand back! You can study properly now and Remmy and I can help you practice."

"Isn't that dishonest?"

"Who gives a shit, Draco? You have your wand back!"

"Yeah," he allowed himself a small smile. "I have my wand back …"

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this update! Apologies for any spelling errors. Please read and review, it keeps me sane in these dull, long times of Lockdown. Hope you are all keeping safe and well.

Belle x