Draco and Luna Lovegood were outside on the shore of the Black Lake, enjoying the warm air before the chill of fall began to sink in at Hogwarts. They were working on homework, her Defense and him Ancient Runes. They remained silent for the most part, once they focused on their books and parchment sitting in front of them.

It was still odd to Draco, that Luna decided to spend time with him. Following the war and the Ministry's trials, he was invited back to Hogwarts to finish his education there and complete his degree, along with others who missed the year due to the events of the war. When he first received the letter, he couldn't believe the school was inviting him back. His mother was so happy for him, that he was still being given a chance. He took the opportunity, admitting that he wasn't sure if he was ready to face the world outside Hogwarts just yet. He wasn't sure what he wanted anymore and having some extra time to figure out what he where he wanted to go following school was welcome.

It wasn't easy being back, many of the students have not welcomed his presence and have gone out of the way to let him know. None of them were brave enough to fight him, it was all threats that were never carried out. Between all the threats and the side-glances, he was glad for Luna to have befriended him. Sure, Pansy and Blaise had returned as well, but Luna was different. She seemed to have never inherited the human characteristic of judgment, her pureness drew Draco to her. After a life of living surrounded by people who were, well, very much unlike Luna, it was like a fresh of breath air.

It was for this reason that he was planning on discussing something Draco hasn't been able to accept about himself for a long time. He's never told anyone or spoke about out loud, for fear of being judged and rumors spreading. Even though he's only gotten to know Luna over the past month, he trusted her with one of his darkest secrets, something he began to realize he was going to have to accept sooner rather than later.

"Luna?" he tentatively broke the silence between them, his heart pounding. He looked at the girl sitting across from him, her eyes looking curiously at him, a long strand of her blonde hair sticking to her lips,

"Yes?"

"I wanted to talk to you about something." Draco's voice was so different from normal, quiet and scared. This piqued Luna's interest, as she pulled the strand of hair from her lips, she remained silent, waiting for Draco to speak again and watching him calmly.

"I think—" he swallowed, shaking his head, if his heart was pounding any harder he might've exploded, "I'm gay."

Luna smiled, seemingly unfazed by his confession, "Well I'm not surprised, it was quite obvious to me. I've seen the way you look at Harry." Draco stared at the girl in front of him, so shocked he felt nauseous. How could she tell? He attempted to deny it,

"Oh no Luna," he began with a faked breath of disbelief, as if the idea was preposterous, "there are much finer pieces of arse here at Hogwarts then Potter's, honestly he's such an annoying little—"

He was interrupted by a little giggle from Luna, then, "See, there it is. You always get so flustered at him being brought up. You guys have been biting at each other's backs every year at Hogwarts. It always seemed like you wanted his attention."

Draco stared at his friend, scared. How did she know? No one else knew, did they? She looked back, waiting for a response. Draco started up, his emotions fiery; his voice going back to the old snappy way it would whenever Potter was brought up,

"No, why on Earth would I ever want his attention? It's because he acts as if the whole world revolves around his agenda, it's so irritating how big-headed he is—" His nerves flared up in annoyance when Luna interrupted again, he glared daggers at her. Most people winced under that glare of his.

"You know Draco, he's actually a really good guy once you get to know him."

Draco huffed, crossing his arms and staring at Luna, trying so hard to be mad at her. She was doing exactly what he's seen during his years at school, everyone claiming how amazing Potter is. His anger melted, however, as she spoke again,

"I know I've never been one many people like to be around or understand. My dad taught me things that no one else here believes. No one really took me seriously for a long time or ever bothered to get to know me.

"Before I met Harry, I could understand where you were coming from. With an outside perspective, he seemed like quite the popular guy around the school, all sorts of excitement and trouble following him, being one of the best Quidditch players in school, having as many friends as he did. It was easy to be jealous of him.

"In fifth-year, I was personally introduced to him and his group of friends. I saw that Harry was considerate and actually listened to what I had to say, I was there when he saw thestrals for the first time after Cedric was killed, I had to tell them what they were. I think he cared for me as a friend after that. The boy everyone seemed to think of being so arrogant was acknowledging me in the hallways, including me in his group of friends, even inviting me to help him and his friends with an important quest that year. He really is quite a lovely person. He's much lonelier than everyone makes him out to be."

Draco had to admit her words held merit. That Harry was much quieter than he expected, he was sharing a room in the separate eight-year dormitories with Weasley, Finnigan, and Harry. He does seem to spend more time alone than expected, usually studying. Draco had to admit he thought Harry surrounded himself with more people. Thought he sent more time partying in his common room. He also was often kept awake by Harry's screaming at night. It made his heart sink and it took every ounce of his being to not crawl up in bed next to him and hold him, comfort him.

"He has nightmares," Draco admitted quietly, "Bad nightmares. I'm the only one who is woken up by his screaming. I mean, I think all of us get nightmares, but his seem intense. It makes me wonder what he's been through in the war..." Luna smiled weakly at Draco opening up to her, letting him continue speaking his thoughts, "I would just put a silencing spell around his bed, I think the other two guys put some around their own so it blocks out Harry. I can't seem to get myself to do it. To just block out his screams is to ignore his pain and leave him alone in it."

"That's awful thoughtful of you, Draco. He deserves someone like you."

Draco got a lump in his throat and he couldn't swallow. Did he just admit that he did like Potter? He continued to explain why he felt this way about Potter's pain.

"I have nightmares too, and I wonder if I scream as he does. Terrible things happened in my home, things I will never be able to forget. Sometimes I wonder if he hears my nightmares too."

"Why don't you ask him? If you wake him up at night? That'll be a good way to start a conversation with him. I'm sure it's difficult for you to find a way to talk to him."

Draco couldn't believe his ears, he almost laughed, Luna was trying to help him talk to Harry. He didn't even confirm her beliefs, that yes, he did like Harry. Liked him so much he dreamt of gaining his attention.

"Luna, I don't think that's something you can just bring up to somebody you don't really know."

"You do know each other though. You have since you were eleven. You guys have a lot you can relate with, I think Harry would be open to talking with you. Especially if you show him you've changed."

Draco sighed, letting his guard down even further, "Ok so maybe I do find Potter attractive. I don't think he'd even give me a chance at friendship though, Luna. I was a right asshole through the years."

"You told me he came to your hearing, correct? Saved you from being sent to Azkaban?"

Draco nodded, remembering the court hearing at the ministry once Voldemort was defeated. They were determining how long in Azkaban he should spend. Any Death Eater who had committed murder was there for life, he and his mother were different. They had never committed murder for the Dark Lord, his mother never became a Death Eater herself. Potter appeared out of nowhere in the middle of it, testifying that him and his mother worked against the Dark Lord, in the end. He hadn't even looked at Draco during it, just came and went without an exchange of dialogue, or even eye contact.

Draco's voice was small, "Yeah, he did. Both my mother and me. I thanked him at the beginning of the term and haven't spoken to him since."

"That speaks volumes, Draco. Maybe he's waiting for you to speak to him."

He swallowed, shaking his head, "I don't know, Luna. I haven't even come terms with my sexuality as a whole, let alone my feelings for Potter."

"You'll get there, there's nothing wrong with being gay. I like you just the same." With this Luna looked back down at his book, continuing her homework as if they were just talking about the weather. It made his throat tighten in emotion. For years, he'd been so awful to himself for who he was. How he was a failure, how he was a fucking wanker who wasn't a real Malfoy. Who shouldn't be the heir of the Malfoy name and estate. And the first person he dared tell accepted him for it right away, without any second thoughts. He smiled, looking down at his homework with a small feeling of hope in his gut.

.

.

.

Draco was excited to return home for a week of his holidays at home, he hadn't seen his mother since apparating to Hogwarts for the beginning of term. He could tell through the letters they've regularly exchanged throughout the term that she missed him. She asked about how Hogwarts was now, how the professors and students were treating him. There were no mentions of grades, she didn't seem to care much at all about those sorts of things without his father around anymore. It seemed like his mother just wanted him to be happy and comfortable.

It was something he wasn't used to, receiving love from his mother with no fear of his father around. Draco felt as if he was finally beginning to feel comfortable with his mother. Even though she was lonely, she was thriving under the roof of Malfoy Manor without her spouse. She had loved Lucius so deeply but recognized that he'd become power-hungry long ago. That by allowing himself to become so close to him while she was pregnant with their son, that he was putting his family in danger. Maybe if they'd have stayed more neutral, her son wouldn't have been forced to become a Death Eater in order to keep them all alive. Maybe Draco wouldn't have had to see the horrible, horrible things he witnessed in his own household as he was still just a boy.

In their written conversation, his mother seemed to be trying to get to know him. They used to be close when he was a child, before coming to Hogwarts. As he aged into his teenage years, everything he had struggled with as he tried finding the identity he kept to himself. If that was her intention, it was working.

Draco was planning on having a conversation with her, as this summer they didn't share too many thoughts on what had happened to their lives the past three years. They were both too busy dealing with relearning how to live in their own household without fearing what they might find around the corner. Draco had spent many hours outside in their garden, practicing little bits of magic in order to calm himself. He tried to spend as little time in the manor as possible. Even during the sleepless nights when he was too afraid of the nightmares, he'd be outside. None of the other Death Eaters ever went out in their garden. It was his safe spot.

He was in his dormitory, gathering the few items he was going to need for his week at home, he was alone as he closed his small trunk in finality, positive he hadn't forgotten anything. He looked down at his outfit, smoothing his slacks a bit before sighing. He was picking up his winter coat from his bed and beginning to cover himself with it as he heard footsteps approaching from outside.

His heart skipped a beat when he saw it was Potter entering the dorm, looking for something in his trunk. Draco swallowed, as he continued to put on his winter coat. Only as Potter stood, with a textbook in his hand, did he look at Draco. He stopped when he saw him with a packed trunk, and his coat on.

"Where are you headed?" Potter inquired, his voice holding a tone of surprise.

Draco's heart was making up for it's lost beat, he avoided Potter's emerald gaze, knowing he'd flush if he got locked into it, this was the first term Potter was speaking to him since he thanked him for the coming to his hearing, "Headed home for a week of break," Malfoy answered, sounding nonchalant despite his internal monologue.

Harry looked confused, "Aren't you going to take the Hogwart's Express tomorrow?"

"No," Draco explained, "I've gotten permission from McGonagall to apparate back home outside of the school's charms, so I'm leaving tonight instead of tomorrow."

"Oh," Harry looked shocked, awkwardly rubbing his already-messy, enduring hair, "Well I'll leave you to it then."

As the brunette turned to leave, something sparked in Draco. A bit of bravery, maybe staying with the Gryffindors had an effect on him, "Hey Potter?"

Emerald eyes turned back at him, unable to hide clear curiosity, eyeing him up and down, "Yeah?" This curiosity gave him the nerve to speak.

"I hope you have a nice break, lord knows we all need it. Happy Christmas."

Potter stared, speechless for a long moment. Malfoy watched, waiting for a reaction—almost causing Draco to regret the sentiment. Blinking, Potter finally answered, a bit of a smile beginning at the corners of his mouth, "Happy Christmas, Malfoy."

And with that Potter turned and left, leaving Malfoy and his fluttering heart to himself.

.

.

.

As Draco went downstairs, dressed to face the winter air and wind outside, he was glad Potter was nowhere to be found. He would've seen his pink face, a direct effect of Draco considering their interaction. As he walked through the castle alone, he couldn't help but smile a bit.

He and Potter had spoken to one another. No fighting, no bickering, no edge to their voices. It made Draco's heart soar. He cursed himself for acting like a third year with a massive crush, yet still accepted the interaction as a step in the right direction. He had given Luna's words back from the beginning of the term some serious thought, that maybe they weren't so different, that maybe they knew each other more than they thought.

As he stepped outside the walls of the castle, into the path of the wind, his body instinctively clenched, and Potter left his mind as he braved the stinging wind, walking down the path to Hogsmeade, cursing the ward preventing apparition within the castle's walls.

Ten minutes later, the moment he left the circumference of the wards, he stopped and took a breath, before concentrating on the face of his home, every detail he could imagine, and focused on that only. He knew if he didn't, the consequences could be deadly. His determination to see his mother for the first time in months caused the familiar feelings of being squeezed while free-falling through a tight space to lurch in his stomach, a force hitting his body as he disapparated from his spot outside of Hogwarts to the center of the path outside the front of Malfoy Manor.

Slightly winded from the intensity of the apparition, he took a minute to clutch his heart and let the shakiness leave his limbs. He looked at the dark, looming building in front of him, and many emotions stirred within him. The first instinct was fear, fear of what he witnessed happen in the house in the past few years. Then excitement, forcing himself to remember his mother was inside, waiting to see him. Motivation as he began to approach the front door, attempting to suppress the initial fear.

Whether he liked it or not, the manor was his to inherit. And he had plans for the place, a bit of redecoration and changing some of the floor plans. He felt it was outdated and the thought of remodeling the home someday gave him some hope of ridding himself of the demons he felt within it. At first, he was afraid of changing it, when it was such an important possession of his family's blood. It was at Hogwarts he let go of this thought, that something needed to change in his bloodline. It was time for the Malfoy's to update themselves with the times, and to continue cursing those without pureblood and hiding away in a dark, depressing home was not the way to do it. If he were to have children, they would not grow up in the same environment he had.

When he entered the entrance hall, the front doors welcomed him into the home without the need of him opening them himself, he immediately headed to his mother's favorite room in the house, one of the commons rooms downstairs. He ignored the countless portraits of the old Malfoy's watching him go through the entrance hallway, his footsteps muffled by the long carpet, knowing they hardly approved them of being part of the Malfoy name. The only opinion in his family he truly cared about was Narcissa's.

He smiled as he entered the common room, gently stepping inside, watching his mother reading a book in her lap. Her light hair was pulled back in her usual up-do, and a few lines of age defined her eyes, yet she managed to look as graceful as ever. She hadn't noticed his arrival until he cleared his throat, gently announcing his presence.

His mother looked up, her blue eyes widened at seeing her son before her, she breathed quietly, "Draco—" before carefully setting the book down on an end table, standing up to greet him.

He expected his usual greeting from her, a simple kiss on the cheek. He was shocked and unsure how to react to her gently embracing him in a hug, this was unusual for her. He gently hugged her back, suddenly finding it hard to swallow, losing himself in the embrace. The words of the hateful students at school rang in his ear quickly, and only then did he realize just how much he missed his mother, worried about her spending so much time alone in this accursed home.

"I've missed you so much, Draco."

He pulled away from her, looking a few inches down at her, clearing the tightness in his throat before speaking, "I have missed you as well mother. I've been worried about you."

Narcissa laughed gently and shortly, "And I you. Go and get yourself settled, dear, and get a good night of rest. We have plenty of time to catch up this week."