If someone would've told Draco that eight months ago that he would've started seeing a mind healer and become friends with a Weasley he would've laughed in their face but here he was 32 sessions in. He had his ups and his downs while in therapy, but Jennifer was there walking him through everything as well as providing help so he could make progress.

And progress was being made. So much progress that Draco could even see it himself. George could too. It was noticeable. He was proud of himself.

Some sessions were boring, such as session 20, which was spent talking about him wanting to redecorate his apartment.

Some sessions were difficult, such as session 28. He talked about his father.

"I hate that I miss him," Draco said, sighing. "He's my father, he raised me. He wasn't perfect or a good father but he's… he's my father. A part of me wants to read his letters and another part of me wants to burn them." His father had sent two more letters now, bringing his total to four unopened letters in his nightstand drawer. I've been tempted to visit him but I know it's not going to go well. I can already hear what he's going to say to me and none of it will make me happy or anything. I don't even know why I want to see him. I shouldn't want to see him after everything he's done to me, I know." He ran a hand through his hair before resting his elbows on his knees which were slightly spread. "He's done nothing good for me. Sure, I grew up getting anything I could've ever wanted. I went on fancy trips and grew up in a large manor. Anything I've ever wished for I got but you know what he never gave me? Something galleons can't buy? I never had a bloody father. He spent more time in his office or at work than he spent with me. He followed someone evil and forced me to follow in his footsteps which is why I have this bloody mark on my arm. I spent my entire life trying to make him proud of me." Draco placed his head in his hands, "Getting the mark didn't even make him proud. He was disappointed I hadn't gotten it sooner." He said, letting out a bitter laugh. He remembered his heart sinking when his father told him he was disappointed in him. "I've spent so much of my life trying to make him proud. I lost myself trying to get his approval." He whispered, keeping his eyes on the ground. "I hate that I'm glad he'll spend the rest of his life in Azkaban." His voice was barely audible, he wasn't sure if he should admit the last sentence out loud but it was too late.

Today was session number 33, or at least, it was supposed to be. Draco didn't think he was going to go. He couldn't even move. Even breathing was difficult. He realistically knew he should go see Jennifer today but he just…couldn't. The bed was calling his name and he was responding by burying himself in it. His hands were still trembling, his heart was still pounding, and his ears were still ringing. He thought he could even still feel the Cruciatus curse he'd been dreaming about only moments earlier.

"Draco, get up." George had said, ripping the blanket off of him. He didn't know when George started popping up at his apartment before appointments but he knew he was grateful for it, even when he'd end up with bruises from George quite literally dragging him out of bed. It helped him make it to therapy on his worst days.

Draco groaned in response as he knew today was a bad day. He had a nightmare. This one was a bad one, a horrible one even. He woke up screaming and to his magic going crazy. His room looked like a tornado hit. The bookcase was thrown across the room, picture frames were on the ground, his lamp was broken and also across the room, and his wand managed to end up on the floor. He didn't want to deal with the world today.

"You have five seconds to get up or I'll yank you out of bed." He said, grabbing his wand and performing some spells to pick up Draco's room. He couldn't help but feel embarrassed at George helping him like this but Draco didn't move, he hoped if he buried himself further into his bed that he wouldn't be able to be pulled out of it.

"I'll just reschedule my appointment." He muttered into his pillow, causing his voice to be muffled.

"You will not," George said before grabbing Draco's ankles and yanking on them, causing Draco to land on the floor with a thud.

He groaned from pain as he landed on his hip. "Fuck, George." He hissed, rubbing over his sore spot. "A warning would've been nice."

"I gave you five seconds."

Draco flipped George off but got up and walked over to his closet. He knew George wouldn't let him miss an appointment. Even if he was annoyed right now, he was very appreciative of George at this moment. He knew he needed to see his mind healer but he just… couldn't get out of bed.

"Change. I don't think you're the type to go out in… that." George motioned at Draco's clothing. It was yesterday's clothing. It was a mess honestly, his shirt had a stain from spilling a potion on it and it was wrinkled. His trousers were also covered in various substances from brewing. He looked like a mess and was glad George reminded him to change.

Draco nodded before grabbing a nice blue jumper and some black trousers and heading to the bathroom to change and brush his teeth. It felt like a chore and drained all of his energy to even just prepare to be a productive human being. He could do this, though. He wasn't going to sit around all day and mope. When he was finished, he exited the bathroom, seeing George sitting on his already-made bed. George knew Draco enjoyed having a made bed. He couldn't help the small smile forming on his face as he grabbed a pair of robes and put them on.

Draco was so grateful for their friendship right now.

"Thank you." He muttered as he grabbed a vile from his nightstand along with four envelopes. It was a calming potion, he needed it. The dream he had was an intense one and he could still hear his heartbeat in his ears. The envelopes were letters from his father. The reason for his nightmares recently.

George shrugged, this wasn't their first rodeo. "I told you to stop thanking me." He said as he stood up and gave Draco a soft smile.

Draco fought the urge to roll his eyes, "Unlike you, I have manners." He said jokingly, earning him a playful glare from George.

It was almost humorous how different the two were. Draco had manners, but George didn't. Draco kept his shoulders straight and chin up, and George had a horrible posture. Draco made himself presentable at all times, George was wearing muggle jeans and a hoodie majority of the time. The only thing they had in common was their pale skin. But they worked well as friends. Draco would go as far as to say George was one of his closest friends. After all, only five people had access to Draco's floo and George was one of them.

They quickly left Draco's flat and apparated to the hospital for their appointments. When they were in the waiting room they sat in their usual spots when George looked over at him, "Soo.." George said, "Had another nightmare I see. You've had a lot of them recently."

Draco sighed, he didn't want to talk about this. Not now at least. "Yeah, the third one this week."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not particularly," Draco said but reached into his pocket, pulling out five envelopes. "Father wrote me again." One was open, but none read. His father was the reason for the nightmares. These letters were the reason. He hoped burning them would help.

George grabbed them and examined them, not opening them but Draco could see that he was curious. "What does he want?"

Draco shrugged. "Can't bring myself to read them. Figured I'd just burn them."

George gave Draco a small smile as he handed them back, "That's a huge step."

Draco nodded and put them back in his pocket. It was a huge step. He thought long and hard about it for a while. This was the final step in cutting his father off and as much as he wanted to read the letters he knew his father would have nothing good to say. He also knew reading these letters would probably only bring negative emotions which would set him back in his healing journey. He didn't need that. Sure, cutting off his father hurt and he was torn over it but he knew this was the right decision and the right decisions still hurt sometimes.

Jennifer stepped out, smiling at him. "Draco," she stepped aside, "nice to see you."

He stood up and smiled at her, walking into her office.

"How are you?" She asked.

"I've been better. My father wrote me again." He said before sitting down. "I think I'm ready." He said, taking them out of his pocket when she closed the door. "I want to burn them."

She smiled, "I see," she said, flicking her wand toward the fireplace which caused a fire to start. "Are you sure?"

He nodded. "I don't want to read them… I can't read them." He was a coward but he was okay with being a coward. "I don't want them near me. I just want them gone."

She nodded, "well, whenever you're ready." She said, writing something down into the notepad before closing it.

He stood up and walked to the fire, his hands were shaking but he threw one in the fire. He could feel his eyes start to sting but he wasn't going to cry. This was the right decision. He threw the second, third, and fourth ones into the fire. He had the last and final letter in his hand. He could do this. He could. He had to.

But every time he wanted to throw the letter into the fire his body wouldn't comply. He couldn't do this.

"I don't think I can do this…" he admitted.

Jennifer nodded, "If you aren't ready to throw the last one in the fire then don't. You don't have to. I'm proud of you for throwing the first three in." She smiled sincerely.

She was proud of him. Words he never heard from his father. Words that he tried too hard to earn but never did. Those words he destroyed himself to hear and never did. That was the push he needed, even if she wasn't intentionally pushing him. He felt anger start to bubble up inside of him so he threw the last letter into the fire and sat down, not taking another glance at the fire.

"How do you feel?" She said, looking at him now.

He shrugged. "If I'm being honest, I'm torn. I've been distancing myself and almost completely cut him off. This was like… making it real." He said, leaning back on the couch. "I know this is the right thing but it's hard."

"I understand but just know I'm proud of the progress you've made, Draco," Jennifer said. It comforted Draco to know she understood him. She'd been through this too to an extent. She understood exactly how he was feeling. And he knew he'd be okay. He couldn't help but smile. At least someone was proud of him. The rest of their appointment was spent talking about lighter topics to help Draco feel better.

When they finished their appointment Draco walked out into the waiting room. George was still in his appointment so Draco sat down to wait for him. When George got out, only two minutes later, he looked rough. Draco knew he looked rough too so he gave George a weak smile, "Let's go. I have firewhiskey at my flat." He said while standing up, motioning George to follow him.

George nodded and followed him. Lately they'd started drinking at each other's flats instead of the bar when they had an extra tough session. Draco wanted to avoid a run-in with Harry and George didn't seem to mind. They walked in silence, as they usually did after tough sessions, and apparated to Draco's flat. He wasted no time going summoning glasses and then the firewhiskey.

"Want to talk about it?" He asked George once George made himself comfortable on his couch. They always gave each other the option to talk about things if they wanted to. Never forced each other. It was almost a therapy session after a therapy session.

George poured a glass and downed it before speaking, "The usual. Some days I feel like I'm past the war and Fred's death, and then someone will call me Fred or something will remind me of him and… you know…" he poured himself another glass. "It's been five years, you'd think I'd be over it but I'm not. That was my twin. I feel like I lost a part of me." Draco nodded in response and tried to ignore the guilt he felt. Every time George brought Fred up he felt guilty. He felt like it was his fault but he'd never tell George that, mainly because George knew Draco was on the light side when it mattered. He knew Draco was never really on the dark side. "Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday that he was alive and others it feels like it's been forever. Some of the memories are fading. I can't remember his voice anymore. Imagine that, forgetting what your brother sounds like." He let out a bitter laugh and downed his next drink.

Draco knew how that felt. Not in the same situation, but he felt that way about his mother. Sure, she was alive but he hadn't seen her in almost four years. They wrote to each other occasionally but it wasn't the same as talking to each other in person.

"I'm sorry." He said. He meant it. He was sorry. He hated that the wrong people died during the war. Fred, Remus, Tonks, and everyone else who fought for good shouldn't have died. They had so much more life to live. Draco downed his drink. Hopefully, that'll ease his guilt.

George scoffed, "What have I told you about apologizing? Thought Malfoy's didn't apologize." The comment had no malice behind it, but it earned an eye roll from Draco regardless.

"This one does." He said with a smirk. "You'll have to deal with it, Weasley."

George chuckled and shook his head, "Therapy's made you soft."

Draco laughed, "Only a bit." He said, finally shrugging off his robes and making himself comfortable too.

"You hear about the reunion at Hogwarts?" George asked, changing subjects as he usually did when he was sad.

Draco nodded, he got the letter a few days ago. It was a gathering for those to see Hogwarts fully rebuilt and to celebrate those who fought in the war. Draco was surprised he got the invite. "You going?" He asked, now filling up his second glass.

"Of course. Gotta leave some new products for the students next year." George said with a smirk. "You going?"

"I don't have a choice. Blaise and Pansy refuse to miss a good party." He said, recalling the conversation with Pansy only yesterday. She said he was going, even if she had to drag him there. "I was surprised we got invited."

George smirked, "I'm not. McGonagall was all about house unity after the war from what Ron and Hermione told me."

"Sounds like McGonagall," Draco said with a chuckle.

They continued drinking and making small talk until later in the night. Draco also gave George some more potions as he knew George was running low. He was glad George was now only taking his potions and not relying on the addictive ones. He knew how difficult it was as after the war he had the same problem, which is why he started making his own non-addictive potions and fought so hard to get them in the wizard hospitals.

He was finally doing good. Or trying to at least.

Almost a week later, Draco found himself in Blaise's room getting ready for the reunion. He was currently wearing nothing but a towel as he just showered, "I don't see why you're forcing me to go." Draco said, looking over the robes he brought.

Pansy rolled her eyes as she finished zipping up her dress. They'd been friends forever so none of them had shame when it came to changing in front of each other. "Don't be daft. We have to go." She scoffed. He'd been trying to talk her out of going since she got the invite.

"Yeah, Draco," Blaise said, buttoning up his shirt. "I've been dying to see Hogwarts since it got rebuilt."

"Do I need to remind you of why it got destroyed in the first place? I don't think any of us are going to be welcome." He said, dropping the towel and slipping on underwear. "I wasn't exactly fighting on the right side." He grabbed his black trousers and slipped them on. "Do you think it's a good idea for a death eater-"

"Former death eater. A horrible one at that." Pansy pointed out.

Draco rolled his eyes, "At the end of the day, I still have the dark mark." He said, grabbing his shirt, "My aunt helped kill students." He hissed but put his shirt on. He didn't want to go. He had such a bad feeling about tonight but couldn't tell if it was anxiety or what.

"If you were a bad person Potter wouldn't have kept you out of Azkaban." Blaise pointed out as he put on a few rings and reached for a necklace to put on.

"Tell that to Potter," Draco said as he buttoned up his shirt. It was navy blue and long-sleeved to hide his mark. "He practically had an aneurysm when he found out I was friends with George."

Pansy laughed, "I would've paid galleons to see that."

Draco shot her a glare. "You better be sneaking firewhiskey. I don't think I can last the night sober."

Pansy smirked in response. He already knew she would be sneaking alcohol in. "Hurry up! We're going to be late."

So Draco finished getting dressed. He looked good, the navy contrasted well with his skin and his clothes hugged him in the right spots. All he needed was his shoes and to put his robes on. Before they left the three took a swig from the bottle of firewhiskey for their nerves. Pansy and Blaise wouldn't admit it, but they were nervous, Draco could just tell. Even if they hadn't been death eaters, they were related to death eaters and didn't exactly fight on the light side so by default they were on the dark side. However, none of them were going to show it. They kept their shoulders straight and their chin up high.

They apparated outside of the castle and walked into the dining hall. There were people there already, who wasted no time throwing dirty looks at them. Draco recognized a few people from his time at Hogwarts but none of them were too happy to see him there. George wasn't here yet, which didn't surprise Draco. Outside of mind healer appointments the man didn't understand time management and always ran late. He hated that George was now his comfort friend.

Draco quickly put on the Malfoy mask. He wasn't going to show how he was really feeling.

He grabbed a cup from a tray and smirked as Pansy poured her firewhiskey into it. He loved her sometimes. Sometimes was the keyword here. "Thanks." He said before taking a sip. It was strong so he tried not to make a face.

He let his eyes wander around properly. The dining hall looked similar to how it did before the war. There were some differences in structure. It didn't look as ancient now but it had that old welcome feeling it has before the war. He could've sworn he can still smell blood, though. Perhaps that was only him. He took a rather large sip of his drink to try to ease his nerves.

"Draco!" He heard someone say, causing him to turn. There stood Luna. She was just as weird as she was in Hogwarts, if not more so. He loved it. She was wearing a bright yellow dress with red shoes and flower earrings. Draco wondered if anyone else could pull off her style besides her. Probably not. She quickly made her way up to him and hugged him.

"Luna, nice to see you again." He said with a smile. "How have you been?" He asked as they pulled apart. He hadn't seen her in a few weeks and missed her. They'd grown pretty close over the months.

"I'm well." She said then started going into a new plant she had discovered. He admired how she lit up when talking about plants. She almost lit up the room with how excited she was. Draco felt bad that he couldn't quite follow most of it though.

"Draco." George greeted with a smile. However, he didn't look at Blaise or Pansy with the same welcomeness. In fact, he didn't look at them at all. Draco understood why.

"George," Draco said with a smile. He saw Ron and Hermione approaching too. "Weasley," he said to Ron with a small nod, "Granger," he said after looking at her. He hadn't seen Hermione since the war. She had grown up. Her hair wasn't as frizzy or big as it once was and now looked quite pretty on her. Her darker skin was glowing too and was complimented by her lilac dress. Draco wouldn't admit it out loud, but she looked stunning.

"Malfoy." She greeted. He could tell she was cautious. Ron must've filled her in on his and George's friendship since she looked like she was attempting to be civil.

Draco couldn't help but feel a little happy but he wouldn't admit that either.

"Nice to see you again." He said, keeping his tone neutral. He kept his hands wrapped around his cup in hopes that they wouldn't notice them shaking. He couldn't help but feel nervous. Ron stayed silent. They had played wizard chess a few times but they weren't friends. Ron was more so tolerating Draco enough to not throw insults at him and Draco accepted that. He preferred that over getting hexed or a fist to the face.

He didn't see Harry which made him feel a little relieved. Draco didn't want to see him.

"You too," Hermione said, but it didn't sound the most sincere. Luckily the conversation didn't last long because people were calling for Ron and Hermione who took the first opportunity they could to leave the conversation. Draco was relieved.

More people made their way into the dining hall which meant more glares for Draco and his friends which also meant Draco had practically downed all of Pansy's firewhiskey but he didn't care. At first, he was bummed at the loss of alcohol but soon he found house elves that were handing out champagne. He was hoping the alcohol would soothe his nerves but he found the alcohol was doing the opposite. It was too much to be here. What was he thinking?

Did you really think coming back was a good idea? Did you think people would want you here? He kept asking himself. He could still smell blood and dust. It was all he could smell. He felt the walls closing in on him and the air growing thicker. His chest felt tight and his head was spinning. He needed to get out of there. Fresh air might help him. Or so he hoped. So he quickly made his way out of the dining hall and walked. He didn't know where he was going but he didn't care. His feet seemed to have a mind of their own. The layout of Hogwarts was still the same so he knew where he was going to an extent. The halls of the castle looked the same just updated, but the smell of blood was everywhere. His feet were betraying him because before he knew it, he was standing at the top of the astronomy tower. Fuck. He couldn't take this. Coming here was a horrible idea. He knew it. Suddenly he wished he would've put up more of a fight when Pansy told him they were all going tonight.

All the memories were too much. It was like he was back in the war. He could hear the screams and sounds of spells destroying the castle. The ground felt like it was shaking so he made his way to the railing to hold onto it and clutched onto it so hard his knuckles turned white.

"Malfoy?" Someone said.

Draco turned around and was now face to face with Harry Potter. Again.