AN: Sorry it's been a little longer than usual for this update. Hope you enjoy.

The next night, Severus took advantage of his lack of student meetings and went to speak with the Headmistress.

"Good evening, Severus." Minerva greeted him warmly as he entered her office, already pouring him tea. "How are things getting along this week?"

"Generally well, as far as I gather, Headmistress." He responded, tone droll, and sat in the offered chair.

Minerva rolled her eyes at the use of her title but otherwise ignored it. "So, what news do you have for me this evening?" She queried.

"I thought I'd let you know the results of my meeting with Miss Granger."

"Ah, of course. How is the poor thing?"

"Better than could possibly be expected." Severus replied rather grim. "And that isn't saying much."

The Headmistress nodded solemnly. "What did she say?"

"She was very reluctant to tell me anything. The three of them have the notion that they can't say anything about how they spent the year." Minerva noted the somewhat annoyed frown in her deputy's expression. "But she did eventually expand on what Bellatrix did to her." He paused, feeling sick just thinking about it. "Four or five rounds of the Cruciatus, no more than a minute each time. Plus some time spent at the mercy of Bellatrix's cursed knife."

"Oh Godric." Minerva placed her hand over her mouth in horror. "That poor thing. No wonder she's been having flashbacks."

"Indeed." Severus nodded sagely. "She tells me that she hasn't experienced any since being back at Hogwarts, so I'm willing to leave her be, provided she continues to attend the meetings. Do you agree?"

"If you think it for the best, Severus, I trust your judgement completely."

"Thank you, Headmistress."

"Will she talk to you do you think? In the meetings?"

Severus sighed. "I don't know. Not about what they did I suspect. At least, not until Potter gives her the go ahead."

Minerva nodded. "Have you spoken much to Harry?"

"Not since he told me about Granger's flashbacks and the subsequent row we had." His frown became more pronounced. "I've seen him in class, of course. He's quiet, focuses on his work; rather distant, like he's detached from what's going on in the here and now."

"You're worried about him." She said without question.

"I'm concerned." Severus corrected.

"And you're still worried that he won't forgive you for sharing what he told you." Minerva didn't even acknowledge Severus' insertion.

The potion master's ever present frown deepened.

"I suspect he is still angry about it, yes."

"Severus," Minerva chided gently. "You shouldn't assume anything until you've actually spoken to the boy. I'm sure that when you speak with him tomorrow evening he will be much more understanding of your perspective."

"Now who's assuming things?" Grumbled Severus.

Minerva sighed. "And what of your other charges? How are those you've seen so far?"

"They are all much as we anticipated. They are vulnerable and defensive, but generally well."

"Any big concerns?" She inquired.

"I haven't spoken with him yet, but I'll be keeping an eye on Draco."

"Is he alright?"

"He's quiet; keeping his head down. But I fear he'll become very isolated this year, with no friends at school and no family at home." Minerva nodded. "I'll have a better sense of how he is doing after his meeting tomorrow."

"Of course." Minerva agreed. "You'll let me know how it goes? Harry's meeting too."

"Naturally." Severus drawled.

"I can't thank you enough, Severus, for making the time to meet with each of the students. It was a marvelous idea of yours to do these meetings; devoting such time and attention to them as individuals."

"Your thanks is unnecessary, Headmistress."

"No, Severus, I mean it. I know there's many a thing you would rather be doing."

"Actually, Minerva," Severus interrupted. "I have found the meetings surprisingly…" He stroked his lips in thought. "Enjoyable isn't the right word. Enlightening, perhaps? Valuable. Interesting, certainly."

"Oh?"

"The meetings have given me a chance to get to know the students in a way I never have before." Minerva smiled knowingly. "I find myself actually looking forward to some of their next meetings."

The headmistress chuckled heartily. "You sound so surprised, Severus."

Severus glared back at her with little feeling. "Well I've never had an amicable conversation with Neville Longbottom before."

"Ah, how did that go?" The headmistress asked curiously.

"The boy is so changed, so mature; a man now, really." Severus mused. "We discussed some of what happened last year and the final battle. I hadn't realised that I was still missing part of the story." He struggled to keep all the reproach out of his voice.

"Oh, Severus, I am sorry. I know I haven't been as helpful as I should have been in that regard. It's just that so much has happened and little of it was pleasant."

Severus waved her apology away. "It is of no matter, I know things have been difficult. Besides, Mr Longbottom agreed to give me his account of the final battle."

"Really?"

"Indeed. I think it will be beneficial for him also. To be able to talk through the events of that day."

"That sounds like a very good idea, Severus. Were there any questions you had for me, regarding the final battle?"

"Longbottom mentioned something about Potter's body; that at one point he appeared dead, but then he wasn't."

"That's right. Voldemort came up to the castle with his followers, preening about killing Harry. Hagrid was in chains and carrying Harry's body. We all thought it was over; which says something about how much of our hope was riding on Harry's shoulders."

"So the Dark Lord thought he was dead as well?" Severus asked, needing some clarity for the picture he was building up in his mind.

"Apparently." Minerva shrugged one shoulder and took a sip of tea. "There was a distraction then; Neville standing up to Voldemort, though I'll let him tell you all about that. And then we looked back and Harry's body had vanished. A moment later he appears, 10 ft from where he was and very much alive."

"I don't understand." Severus frowned. "How can the Dark Lord have thought him dead if he wasn't? And how did he even get to Harry? Wasn't he supposed to be in the castle?"

"I'm afraid only one person can answer those questions, Severus." Minerva answered with a gentle smile. "Fortunately for you, you have a meeting with him tomorrow."

Severus grumbled. "Not that he'll tell me anything."

"Not if you go in with that attitude Severus!" She teased.

"Headmistress," Severus gave her a deadpan look. "When has there ever been a problem with my attitude?"

When Draco entered Severus' office, he was unnecessarily formal.

"Good evening, Professor." He nodded, respectfully waiting by the door to be invited in.

"Come in, Draco, and take a seat. You needn't be so formal when we are alone, you may call me Severus."

The boy gave him a sharp nod and came to sit down, scratching his neck nervously under his Godfather's scrutinizing look.

Severus thought Draco looked tired. The old arrogance of the boy-Malfoy was gone; in his place sat a young man who had experienced the worst the world had to offer and was now, somehow, even thinner and paler than before.

"I'm sorry I haven't been able to catch up with you much before now. I'm afraid my new duties have kept me rather busy."

Draco shrugged inelegantly. "I understand. You don't have to worry about me."

"Regardless, I should have more time to check in with you as things settle down. And you're most welcome to come and see me at any time. Even if it's just to take tea in my quarters."

"Thank you, Uncle Severus." Draco appeared genuinely grateful.

"Are you well, Draco?" Snape asked, a bit abruptly.

"Yes." The response came without hesitation.

"Are you sleeping?"

This time Draco paused, then shrugged. "Enough."

Severus frowned. "Do you need a vial of Dreamless Sleep? You can't take it frequently, but if you need to catch up on your sleep you could take it once a week."

"That's not necessary."

Severus drew his eyebrows together. "You can't function on a lack of sleep for long, Draco."

"I'm fine, Severus." Draco said firmly and Severus knew to drop the matter.

"Okay." He placated. "Is everything going alright otherwise?"

Draco shrugged again and Severus had to bite his lip not to comment on his lack of Malfoy decorum.

"Have you had any problems with the other students?"

"Nothing major." Draco dismissed the question.

"Nothing major? What's happened?" Severus pushed.

His student sighed in response. "It's not a big deal, Severus. There was some muttering from the Ravenclaw boys, that's all."

"What kind of mutterings?" Draco huffed at his mentor's persistence.

"You know, the usual 'Death Eater-guilty-should be in Azkaban' crap." He waved it away as though the words meant nothing, but Severus was quickly concerned.

"Do you need to move out of the eighth year dorm?"

"No, no." The blonde head shook. "It's just talk. Besides, Potter wouldn't let anything happen."

"Potter?" Severus' eyebrows rose.

"Yeah, he heard what Boot and Corner were saying and went all 'Defender of the Downtrodden' on them. Told the whole dorm that he stood by what he said at my trial. That he doesn't consider me guilty of anything and if anyone has a problem with that, they would have to go through him."

"And that stopped them?" Severus asked in disbelief.

"Are you joking? Of course, it did." Draco answered emphatically. "Potter's the Saviour of the Wizarding World; his word is law among all the students."

"Hmm, I can't imagine Potter throwing his weight around." Severus rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"No, it's not like that. They respect him." Draco explained. "I think he actually dislikes the way people look to him all the time, but he'll use his influence when he has to. When he sees something wrong, he just has to speak out or something."

Severus almost laughed at the mixture of disgust and bewilderment in Draco's expression. "Yes, that does seem to be Potter's modus operandi. I'm glad you two seemed to have put old rivalries aside, regardless."

Draco's head tilted to one side. "We grew up. None of the old crap seems important anymore, not after everything. It helps that I've stopped being a prat and he's let go all of the shit I did before."

"Indeed." Severus drawled. "I was impressed by your duel last week."

Draco's mouth quirked up into a smile. "Thanks. I was impressed I lasted so long myself to be honest."

"Well, Potter was a very strong opponent."

"Yeah," Draco said thoughtfully. "Something tells me he was going easy on me as well."

Severus found that interesting as he'd had similar thoughts at the time. "What makes you say that?"

"It's hard to say. It's like, when his spells hit, they were pretty powerful, but at the same time they felt reserved, like he was holding back. Whereas I was working my arse off to stay in the fight."

"I understand what you're saying. It seems odd though. Despite your new amicable relationship with the 'Boy-Saviour', I can't imagine him going to so much trouble, drawing out the fight, just to protect your pride."

"Yeah, it's pretty weird. But then, this is Potter we're talking about so…" Draco shrugged to conclude his point.

"Very true." Severus acknowledged. "What's he like, Potter? When you're in the dorm. How does he seem to you?"

Draco shrugged. "He's pretty quiet; gets on well with everyone, but generally sticks with Weasley and Granger. Seriously, those three are bloody inseparable."

"Hmm, the headmistress said as much, though I can't say I've noticed much difference from before."

"Longbottom said they weren't like this before the war."

Severus' eyebrow rose. "You talk to Longbottom now?"

Draco glared back. "I listen to Longbottom when he's talking to Thomas and Finnegan. Gryffindors are so indiscreet."

"So they consider the trio's behaviour unusual?"

"Yeah, and it is pretty weird. They barely leave the common room without each other, and if one of them isn't there they get all antsy. Except of course when Weasley and Granger are sucking face." Draco smirked. "When Granger and I have our Arithmancy class, Potter and Weasley are always waiting outside afterwards."

Severus frowned; the idea that the Gryffindors were so clingy was concerning. "But otherwise, Potter seems alright to you?"

"I guess so. He's a bit jumpy, but then most of them are."

"How do you mean?"

"Like, Chang dropped a glass in the common room the other day; next thing she knew six wands were pointed in her direction. You don't want to make any loud noises or sudden movements around that lot."

"They're conditioned for war." Severus noted sadly and Draco nodded. "How are your Arithmancy lessons going? It's just Granger, Boot and Corner with you isn't it?"

"Fine. Professor Vector isn't big on pair-work, so there's no problem there." Draco said somewhat bitterly.

Severus nodded understandingly. "Potter told me what happened at the Manor."

Draco looked at his hands, clenched tightly in his lap. "You can't really blame her for not wanting to partner with me, can you?"

"What were they even doing there?" Severus asked, ignoring Draco's own rhetorical question.

"Snatchers brought them to the Manor, along with Dean Thomas and a goblin. They knew it was Weasley and Granger, but Potter's face was all messed up so they couldn't be sure it was him." Draco swallowed before forcing the words out. "Aunt Bellatrix wanted me to identify Potter before she called him."

"But you didn't." Severus already knew this from the trial.

Draco shook his head, still looking at his fingers. "I knew it was him, but I told her I couldn't be sure. She knew though. She was ready to press her mark."

"What stopped her?"

Draco's brow creased and he looked up at his Professor again. "One of the snatchers was holding this sword. Bellatrix saw it and went mental."

"A sword?" Severus had a good idea which particular sword that might have been and where it had come from.

Draco nodded absentmindedly, already lost in the memory. "She killed half the snatchers and kicked the rest out. Just started screeching about the sword. She kept Granger and made us put the rest downstairs." His face took on a grayish pallor as he continued his story quietly. "I didn't go back in. I couldn't watch. But the screams." He dropped his head in his hands, his face screwed up in pain. "My God, the screams."

Severus knew the boy would welcome no comfort from him so he offered none. Instead he poured out two cups of tea and laced Draco's with Calming Draught. He pushed the cup in front of his student and encouraged him to sip from it.

After a few minutes, Draco continued in a lifeless monotone. "They escaped, of course. Potter took my wand. Dobby rescued them." He chuckled at the absurdity. "Dobby! Can you believe it? Our bloody house-elf!" He looked up at Severus. "Did you know Potter freed our house-elf in second year?"

"I do recall Lucius being most put out about it, yes."

"Potter, eh? 'Defender of the Downtrodden' aged twelve."

Severus rolled his eyes. "And a pain in the neck even before that."

When he looked back to Draco, the boy was assessing him through narrowed eyes.

"You've asked a lot about Potter tonight."

Severus frowned. "Your point?"

Draco held his hands up in a surrendering posture. "No point. Just curious about your new care for the Boy-Who-Lived when before you couldn't stand the sight of him."

The Professor sighed. "You were not the only one to re-evaluate things after the war, Draco. I may have always been working for the light, but I wasn't a good man. I was prejudiced and hateful and I treated Potter abominably because he reminded me of his father. Potter was no angel, but he wasn't all that I told myself he was. Now it is my duty as his head of year to be concerned for his welfare. That applies to all of you, of course, but Potter had been through the most and has no parental figure to confide in which puts him high in my list of vulnerable students."

"Fair enough." Draco allowed. "I suppose you'll get to check in with the man himself tonight. Potter's after me for the meetings with you, isn't he?"

"He is." Severus looked at his watch, they still had about 10 minutes before Potter would arrive.

A chuckle escaped Draco's lips. "You don't sound very enthusiastic."

"When have I ever sounded enthusiastic about anything?"

"Ha, good point."

Severus sighed. "I'm just wary of what Potter's approach will be."

"Not really the talking type, is he?"

"No, he is not." Severus agreed. "And we've already argued once because when he actually did confide in me, I had to tell Professor McGonagall."

"Well I didn't exactly want to spill my guts when I walked in here, but somehow you managed it. Just do your usual grumpy-but-caring Professor thing." He waved a hand in Severus' general direction. "Besides, whatever you did, I'm sure Potter'll get over it. That guy is ridiculously forgiving."

"I hope you're right."

"Of course I'm right." Draco smirked. "I'm a Malfoy."