A/N: a huge thank you goes to my wonderful beta- UnseenLibrarian, thank you for doing this chapter! Get well soon!
000
Chapter 2: Change
Just because everything's changing
doesn't mean it's never been this way before
000
Malfoy Manor
Tuesday, 20 October, 1998
It was six pm and Draco Malfoy was sitting in his late father's study, good and inebriated from the bottle of Ogden's finest resting on the table beside him. He picked it up with unsteady hands and, glancing once again at the document he was holding, which was Lucius Malfoy's Last Will and Testament, he poured himself another glassful.
"Cheers, Father," he slurred, raising the glass, toasting the air then throwing the drink down his throat. He was truly too numb to acknowledge the burning quality in the drink as it ran its course through his body. "Bastard," he swore under his breath, standing up and walking around the room on slightly wobbly legs. "BASTARD!" he shouted, throwing the expensive crystal into the fireplace, where it exploded magnificently.
His father was not only a coward but also a right git, desperate to make his only son pay for leaving him with his crazed beliefs. The Malfoy patriarch must have suspected he would die during the war, and had decided to leave Draco with nothing. Absolutely, bloody, NOTHING but the guilt of knowing he saved him in his righteous death. All of Lucius' fortune was apparently spent away on the Dark Lord's needs and on Lucius' gambling. Malfoy Co. had also suffered, finally bankrupting a month after the war had ended. Truth be told, Draco had never wanted it anyway, but without it he would need to find a job. However, the worst part was that even the Manor wasn't Draco's. It was his mother's, and she wanted nothing to do with the godforsaken setting of her nightmares; deciding, instead, to move in with her sister, Andromeda, and help take care of Andy's now orphaned grandson, Teddy Lupin. 'Burn it, for all I care,' was what Narcissa had said to Draco the last time they had spoken. He would like nothing better, but he couldn't. It was the only place he had to live at the moment, and with the Ministry too busy conducting war crime trials against Death Eaters, it would take ages to get the proper approvals to rent a flat, let alone buy one. He couldn't even sell the goddamn Manor or the objects in it, by court order. It was safe to say, that even six months after the war had ended, the only change the Manor had suffered was a dwindling in its extensive liquor collection.
He sat down on the large sofa, reminiscing about the months of training before the war, if only to forget his current predicament for a little while.
"Alright, Draco, Miss Granger," Severus said in his deep voice said as he stood before his two old-new students. "I am going to be your instructor. I will teach you to fight better then you ever thought you could possibly fight. I will make you both, together, a weapon so powerful, you will work as if you are one. I will not tolerate laziness, complaining, or any slacking on your part. I ask for you both to trust me fully and do exactly as I say, understood?" They both nodded. "Also, when I am busy playing my role at the Dark Lord's side, Lupin has agreed to teach you. I expect you both to respect him as much as you will learn to respect me." They nodded again.
"Your practices will consist each time of a game which will have an objective and a set of rules you must follow. The rules will constantly change from game to game. Sometimes, I might not even give you the rules and you will have to determine what they are as you play. You will have a game a day at first, then more. They will become more demanding as time passes. Also, I will be timing you, so remember speed is of the essence.
"Lupin and I have turned the attic into a sort of Room of Requirement which only he or I can change. The minute you enter the room, the game begins and will not end until you have reached your objective. First game starts tomorrow at six am. Goodnight," and with that, he left.
The first game had been a simple enough form of a treasure hunt in a forest-like area. In the second game, they were blindfolded. In the third, they were cuffed to each other.
It took Granger and him three weeks to develop enough trust in each other to start playing the big league, so to speak. In the month and a half after that they had learned a new language of codes, hints, and signals that only the two of them understood fully.
Duck and Cover was the first one. Severus had suggested they find a way to let their partner know they had three seconds to do something or other. Granger had remembered how in Elementary (which she explained to him meant a children's school) they were taught to Duck down and find some kind of cover in the possibility of a nuclear attack. They built a system where Duck meant to get on the ground in three seconds. Cover meant the other was looking out for you, and 'You duck, I'll cover' meant that in exactly three seconds, they were to go into action. They learned to count at the same pace after much trial and error- Snape would make them stand across each other and start counting, when they reached three one would get down while the other fired a curse at the other, it took them two weeks to perfect that move.. They learned to be partners; they learned to work as one.
Draco remembered again the moment when he thought Granger had not heard his warning to duck and his father was running towards her, wand held high, firing curse after curse at her. A shudder ran through the blond.
He was just about to pour himself another drink in a new glass, when someone gently knocked on the door.
The young Malfoy sighed, then called a slurred, "Come in,", continuing to make his way towards the bottle of his salvation.
"Master Draco, sir," Episkey's voice, his personal house-elf and one of the few left in the service of the Malfoys' (paid of course), came from the crack in the wooden door. "Missy Her-me-one is here…" she mumbled, getting the name wrong, again
Draco sat down again on the sofa, sighing again and taking a swig straight from the bottle. "Let her in," he answered, knowing the witch would not be happy to see him drunk, again. The little elf bobbed her large head, disappearing behind the door. Draco lay his head on his hands, massaging his aching head. The door opened. He didn't have to look up to know Granger was standing there, probably staring at him in disapproval. Finally, he felt the weight on the sofa shift slightly as she sat down next to him.
"Oh, Malfoy, what are you doing?" she sighed.
"Getting as drunk as I can as fast as I can," he answered, deciding to forgo the duh! at the tip of his tongue. His voice lacked its snarky bite, though.
"Why this time?" she asked, shifting her weight. Without looking up Draco handed her the stack of papers. "What is this?"
"Lucius' Last Will and Testament," he answered bitterly, itching to have another drink but knowing the pesky Gryffindor would stop him before he got the chance to even have a sip. He sat beside her, completely resigned, as she read the words. Suddenly, he felt her stand and walk away.
"Where are the glasses, Malfoy?" she asked and he glanced up for the first time. She was looking around the room, her hair held up by her wand and still wearing her Law Enforcement navy blue robes, and she was looking for glasses… for Firewhisky… Draco was stunned into silence. "Hello, Malfoy? Glasses?" He pointed to the liquor cabinet and she walked to it, pulling out two crystals. She came back and sat down next to him, pouring each of them a sizable amount from the now nearly-empty bottle then handing him one.
"To that complete and utter bastard, Lucius Malfoy," she toasted. "May he rot in hell, right where he belongs!" she clicked her cup to his then drank the entire contents of the glass.
"To Lucius," Draco mumbled in replay, following her lead and drinking. They sat there in silence for a few minutes, both looking down at their hands in thought before Granger put down her glass.
"Right, Malfoy, we are getting out of here." She got up, crossing her hands and waiting for him to do the same.
"Wh… what?"
"I am going to make you swallow down some sobering potion and then we," she signaled at the two of them, "are getting out of here and going to dinner at the Leaky Cauldron where Ginny, Harry and Ron are joining us. None of them have seen you since graduation nearly two months ago!"
He got up, too tired to start arguing with the feisty brunette. "I don't get…" he mumbled as he got up. "Why do they want to see me? It's not as if we like each other…"
She frowned at him, her lower lip pouty. "Well, Malfoy, if you must know, they see you as a friend. I suppose you can't fight alongside another person in a deadly war and not care about them later," she answered slowly, as if explaining something to a child. It was his turn to frown at her. "Alrighty then, where do you keep your potions?"
"My room," he answered, dragging his feet towards the door. "Stay here, will you? I don't want you frightening Episkey like last time."
She glared at him. "That was an accident!"
"Whatever," he mumbled, leaving her in the study as he walked up to his room. He quickly found the correct potion in his storage and drank it all, hopping in the shower quickly. In ten minutes he was back in the room with her, clearing his throat to announce his arrival to the reading woman on the sofa.
She looked up from the book in her lap, setting it aside and getting up. She took out her wand. "See you at the Leaky Cauldron, Malfoy," and with a swish of her wand she Disapparated. Sighing again and pulling out his own wand, he followed suit.
000
Dinner, to Draco, was pure torture. He had spent two hours in the company of not one -which was bad enough- but TWO lovey-dovey, head-over-heels-in-love couples. He almost gagged when Weasley gave Granger a sloppy kiss, on the lips, right after eating his pasta. Thankfully, she didn't seem to enjoy it much either. He also had to watch as the Potter newlyweds couldn't seem to keep their hands off each other. The whole thing was disgusting really, but Granger made him swear he wouldn't go back to the Manor and get drunk, and for some reason he wanted to stay in Granger's good graces.
Finally, five minutes after midnight, she told him he could leave. She got up and looked at him sternly, putting her hands on her hips in a fantastic imitation of Molly Weasley, and then said, "And I'll be coming back tomorrow. Be ready by ten!" and with that she dismissed him, returning to her boyfriend.
Draco sighed, turning on the spot and Disapparating right to his bedroom. He took another quick shower, set the alarm clock and proceeded to get into bed. In five minutes, he was asleep.
He woke up to the sound of his alarm, way too early in his opinion. Cursing the witch under his breath, he got ready, not willing to be surprised by Granger's appearance again. He was putting on his shoes just as Episkey appeared in his chambers with a Pop!, announcing Granger's arrival. He sighed for the sixth time that morning before telling the little elf to ask his guest to wait in the lounge, and to bring him a cup of coffee.
Five minutes later he entered the room where the brunette witch was sitting.
"Morning, Granger," he acknowledged her, taking a sip from the steaming mug waiting for him on the short table.
"Good morning, Malfoy," she answered cheerfully, smiling up at him from her seat on the dark leather couch.
"What are you dragging me off to do?" he asked suspiciously; that sparkle in her eyes, he had learned through experience, was never a good thing.
"Straight to business?" she pouted. "I was thinking we could lounge around here for breakfast. I've already asked Episkey to bring the food here." He gave her his well-practiced glare, trying to convey his annoyance at her with his frown. "Oh, come off it, Malfoy. I'm sure you are just as hungry as I am! That all too loveable idiot I call 'boyfriend' finished all the food at home yesterday," she told him, her lower lip pouting out. He reluctantly sat down on the couch opposite her, giving in to her demands. That pout should not be allowed, he decided, taking another sip from his drink. Episkey walked in then, silently putting a tray of food on the low glass table and then leaving the room after giving her master a tiny curtsy.
They ate in silence, Granger too busy filling her empty stomach and Draco too annoyed with her to speak. Finally, she swallowed her last bite and turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow at his put-off expression.
"Alright," she announced, standing up. "Loads to do. Better get going."
He stayed seated. "I'm not going anywhere, Granger, until you tell me where!" She looked at him, a smug expression on her features and the infamous twinkle still present in her dark chocolate eyes. He sighed again and got up without another word, realizing defeat when it hit him (not often, obviously!). "Good boy," Granger said, chuckling to herself. He glared again, hoping to get the whole day just over with as soon as possible.
"Side-Along?" he asked. She nodded in response, taking his hand and turning on the spot; and just like that, Draco felt the familiar squeeze of Apparition whisking him away with her.
He almost fell when they came to a sudden stop in a dark alley he recognized as an Apparition point in Muggle London. "Here?" he asked skeptically, looking at the unsteady witch next to him with a hint of doubt in his arctic eyes.
"Not exactly…" she mumbled, beginning to walk out of the alley. "I have this friend who would like to meet you. His office is about two blocks away and this is the closest Apparition point…" Granger was now standing on the main street, turning to the right. "Are you coming, Malfoy?" He snapped out of his surprise and walked fast to keep up with her brisk pace.
"But… this is Muggle London," he stated, trying not to brush against her hand while maneuvering through the crowd of Muggles. She glanced sideways at him, arching her eyebrow again.
"This is where he works. Besides, you let go of your prejudice, remember?"
"It doesn't mean I suddenly like them…" he mumbled, knowing that she had a point but unwilling to acknowledge it. After walking for another three minutes in mostly silence, she finally stopped in front of an unremarkable flat building just off the main street. She smirked at him, walking in. He followed, still dumbstruck by the complete ordinariness of the place.
"Over here, Malfoy," Granger called, peeking from the small space behind the stairs. He walked to her, seeing only the boring gray inner wall. It was his turn to raise his eyebrow in question but she ignored him, looking for something on the wall and finally calling a quiet "Aha!" and clicking a little nub on the wall. It disappeared immediately, revealing behind it a busy corridor. Wizards and witches ran back and forth, chatting to one another animatedly.
Granger passed the threshold and he followed close behind, doing his best not to lose her in the chaos. She walked straight to a closed oak door, knocking on it.
"Come in!" a deep voice called from inside. Granger opened the door, letting Draco in and then closing it behind them, drowning out the sounds from the corridor. "Ah! Miss Granger! Lovely to see you, my dear!" a plump and short man said from behind the dark wood table.
"I'm wonderful, Prof. Thompson…" Draco listened to them exchange pleasantries with half an ear, concentrating on his surroundings. The room had light-colored walls against which leaned three large bookcases. On the walls themselves, every available space seemed to be taken up with the man's credentials. Other then that, the room's contents consisted of a dark rug, the desk, and three comfortable-looking chairs.
"This is Draco Malfoy, Professor," Granger said finally, gaining Draco's attentions.
"Mr. Malfoy," the man said, shaking Draco's hand cheerfully. "Have a seat please!" They all sat down. "I must confess, when Miss Granger came to me and told me you might be interested in becoming a Healer, I was quite surprised." The silly man smiled at him then turned to Granger. Draco turned his glare towards the little vixen sitting next to him, both eyebrows raised now. She smiled sheepishly at him then dropped her gaze to her hands. "Anyway, I believe our world could use such a talented man such as yourself. Ms. Granger also told me you were taught a great deal by Severus Snape," Draco felt a small pain at being reminded of his dead mentor. "That is quite an achievement and St. Mungo's will be glad to sign you up for our Healer studies program here in the academy…"
The meeting lasted another three hours, during which Draco signed a lot of papers, answered many basic tests and took care of a few more bureaucratic steps. He was exhausted at the end of it, but oddly content, knowing he would soon be employed; and not just any job, but his dream job! But how did she know? He kept asking himself. Granger hadn't looked at him once since those first ten minutes, instead focusing almost solely on her hands sitting in her lap, like a scolded school girl. He had to admit he rather liked that look on her; it made her appear almost obedient.
Now they were standing outside Professor Thompson's office in the deserted corridor and still not talking. Finally, Draco got sick of the silence and blurted out the question in his head. "How did you know?"
She blushed and looked at the floor. "Umm… Ginny told me a few weeks ago… she said you told her once…"
"Err… Thanks…" he muttered, his eyes on the floor too, feeling his cheeks heat up. She giggled and he looked up to see her eyes full of humor. "What's so funny?" he asked, annoyed.
"I think that's the first time I have ever heard you say thank you to anyone who wasn't Molly!" and she giggled again. Draco allowed himself a small smile before getting his emotions under control. He was still a Malfoy after all, and Malfoys do not under any circumstances, show emotion… or some other rubbish like that.
"I'm starving," she suddenly said. "It's lunchtime. Let's go to Diagon Alley to celebrate your new job!"
"How can you be hungry after eating so much this morning?" he asked, actually curious.
She shrugged, walking next to him. "I guess knowing the Weasleys for so long has that effect on you." Now he laughed.
They ended up eating lunch outside at the ice-cream parlor, enjoying the unusually nice weather. "So what else do you have on your list for today, other then getting me a job?" he asked as he finished his third ice-cream cone.
"Just one more thing for today…" She suddenly seemed reluctant and not as confident. "I signed you up for rose duty…" She looked down at the top of the table, knowing she had done something wrong.
Two weeks after the war, they were all offered the chance to repeat their seventh year. They all returned and finished their NEWTs with Ginny's class in a four month crash course. Just before they began, a week after the war, as everyone was burying their dead; Granger came up with an idea for the memorial. She petitioned the Ministry of Magic for the field next to Hogsmeade where they had fought and won. Then she had everyone plant a rose for their lost loved ones. That way, she had said, they would forever be remembered for their life and growth instead of for their death. The flowers were magical and so would never die, and would always be at their full bloom. Each rose was a different color, taking on the essence of the man, woman or child it represented. They still needed taking care of, though, and Granger had devised a volunteer plan to tend to the flowers and the planters.
Draco had yet to be able to visit the place and bury his own losses. She had tried once or twice while they were still at Hogwarts but had quickly ceased, feeling that he would come to her when he wished to let go.
"Come on, Malfoy, it's time to move on and heal and you can't do that until you let them go. Severus, Remus and Tonks wouldn't want you to carry this… guilt... with you. And you know what?" She gave him a fierce look. "It's even time for you to let go of your father and bury him too." He stood up quickly, knocking his chair back.
"I am not doing it, and that is final! Now, if you don't mind," he said acidly, "I'll be off to the Manor to get royally drunk. Good day to you, Granger. Don't bother coming back tomorrow." And with that he Disapparated back to his house, away from the infuriatingly righteous girl.
000
Draco was sure she would come. He even had an entire speech written up in his head, to be delivered to her as she tried to drag him away from his liquor again today. But she didn't show up. Just like that.
"Damn Gryffindor," he cursed as the clock chimed twelve. He looked out of the window to the darkness, feeling it engulf him and he forced himself not to care that she hadn't appeared. He sighed into the full glass he hadn't drunk from since refilling it around eight, then put it down and got up to go to bed. The day had seemed to go on endlessly to him and he desperately hoped the rest of his dreadful week would move quicker. He had to go through just five more days before beginning his training the next Monday.
He was standing in his room, wearing his comfortable sleeping pants, looking out his large glass window. The view was spectacular. There was no moon in the sky and the stars stood out in sharp relief against the midnight black. It took him longer than usual to find his namesake constellation, as it seemed to be the most faded. He left the window and just before lying on his bed, shut the curtains, unwilling to watch what the stars were trying to tell him.
It felt like he had just fallen asleep when he was rudely awoken.
"Come on, Malfoy! Time to wake up!" Granger's voice called from above his head and he could hear the suppressed laugh in her words. He grunted, turning his head into one of his pillows, not even bothering to cover his naked upper half. He could feel her stare at him and he smirked into his pillow through the haze of sleep.
"Fine!" she fumed and he could hear her move away. She left the room, and he relaxed, trying to fall back asleep. Suddenly, a wave of freezing water hit his back. He scrambled up, trying to get as much of the water off, and falling on the floor in the process.
"You crazy witch!" he growled at the laughing girl, finding her right next to him on the ground, unable to breath from laughing so hard.
"You... water… fall…" and she burst into giggles again. He glared at her, annoyed. When he realized she wasn't going anywhere, he moved away from the bed and entered his bathroom, quickly changing from his now-wet pants to a pair of jeans (he had decided they were quite comfortable sometime after Ginny had dared him to wear an old pair of Fred's) and a dark shirt. He took care of the rest of his business then left the bathroom to find Granger in exactly the same place he had left her about five minutes before. At least she had stopped laughing; she was now looking around his bedroom curiously.
"Hmm…" she murmured, tilting her head and looking at the walls.
"What?" he asked bitterly, seating on the bed and tying his shoes.
"The walls… they're… light blue…"
"So?" He was now openly staring at her.
"I just… I guess I always thought your room would be green and silver…" she blushed, looking away from him. He shrugged, getting up and offering her a hand.
"You wanted to get going, didn't you?" he fumed. She stared at his extended hand for a couple of silent seconds before taking it and using him to stand up. They let go of each other as if burned as soon as she was on her feet. Nether acknowledged the current of electricity they had both felt. She shook her head as if to clear it then looked at him and nodded.
"Let's go!" and with that said, she took his hand in hers and Disapparated them away.
"Two things," Draco growled as he looked around and found himself once again in Muggle London. "Why are we here, again? And why here, as in Muggle London?" All she gave him as an answer was a laugh as she walked through the busy street. He followed, unwilling to lose his guide even though he was mad at her. They've been walking for thirty minutes straight, and Draco was now not only annoyed, but also beginning to be tired. He put his foot down when they entered an alley with buildings, just off the main road.
"Will you stop with the silent treatment and tell me what in Merlin's name we're doing here?" he finally erupted at her. She stopped her brisk walk and turned to face him. She smiled at him and pointed to the building just before them.
"We," she said, grinning coyly, "are here to see about a flat for you."
"Wh… WHAT?" he stuttered, staring at her with shock.
"It's high time you left the Manor," she said, wrinkling her nose. "That place should have been destroyed months ago. Anyways, I talked to the owner of this building, who is a witch, by the way, and she happily agreed to let you see it and buy it. Apparently she has been trying to sell it for ages but as it can only go to a wizard or a witch and it costs quite a lot, she hasn't been very lucky. So…" and suddenly she looked unsure. "What do you say, Malfoy? Shall we take a look?"
"But what about the Ministry? What about getting approvals and all that?"
"I took care of it," she shrugged. "Let's go in?" He nodded at her, still shocked; with a new bounce in her step, she led him into the building.
"Ms. Granger, Mr. Malfoy!" a little woman said as she opened the door and let them in. "It is such a pleasure to meet you!" Draco passed the door, ignoring the two talking witches. He looked around, getting the feel of the place. It wasn't very big and there was only one bedroom but the kitchen was a comfortable size and the bathroom quite large.
"What do you think?" Granger asked as he walked out the bedroom. The owner was out of earshot.
"It's a bit small… isn't it…?" She laughed. "What?" he asked, frowning.
"Every house is going to look smaller then the Manor, Malfoy. You'll have to find a way to compromise eventually. You don't have to pick this one, or the next house or even the one after that, but just keep that in mind, alright? It'll make it so much easier."
"Fine…" he fumed, then realized something. "Wait, we're going to see more flats today?" She laughed again, smiling at him; he ignored the little jump his heart made.
"Of course we are! You don't choose a flat after seeing only one. I've looked the places up and everything, too. I am not letting all my hard work go to waste!" She smirked at him, calling to the owner and telling her something or other about contacting her about the flat at some point this week and then they were back in the alley, walking away.
"How far away is the next one?" Draco asked, feeling a tiny flare of excitement light up inside of him.
"We can Apparate straight to the next flat, so we just need to find an empty alley," she told him, walking towards one. She stopped at the end of the alley, making sure they could not be seen before extending her hand to him. He took it without much thought, letting her lead the way, a small smile tugging stubbornly at his lips.
By the time lunch came around, they had seen only two other flats, and Granger had admitted to have talked to five other people. None of the houses had looked good enough to him yet, but he was really trying to commit to the idea of truly leaving the Manor. They ate a late lunch in Diagon Alley, finishing quickly and Apparating to their next destination. After seeing another three flats they finally found the one.
Granger kept insisting that they go see the final one, but as soon as Draco walked into the large penthouse flat with its exposed-brick walls, two large bedrooms, an office, an open kitchen, and the large glass window that took half a wall, he knew he was home. She tried to argue with him a bit more but finally grudgingly agreed that it was the most beautiful one, and the one best suiting Draco. The place had, she had called it, soul; and so, Draco signed with the now-previous owner on the spot, deciding in his mind to let the house-elves pack tonight.
They finally decided to leave Draco's beautiful new house at around ten, Apparating straight into the Manor. He quickly gave the elves their assignment, letting them do their job before making him and Granger something to eat for dinner.
He found her sitting in his father's study when he had finished making the food. Paperwork overflowed every free space on the dark wooden surface of the desk, some actually spilling out to the floor. He picked them up, putting them on the desk and placing their dinner on the short glass table by the couch.
"Come eat, Granger, we can take care of the bureaucratic stuff later," he told her, sitting down and waiting for her to join him, like a gentleman.
She sat down and, sighing from exhaustion, began shoving the food unceremoniously into her mouth. "Umm…" she said when she was halfway done. "This is really good, Malfoy." He looked away from her, feeling his cheeks heat up slightly.
"Are… are you blushing?" she asked and he could hear the suppressed giggle.
"Shut up, will you?" he mumbled, picking at his food in embarrassment. She was the first person, other then the house-elves, to taste his cooking. She laughed at him, but strangely enough, it didn't feel insulting to him; it felt just... natural.
She left quickly after dinner with a promise (or threat) to be back tomorrow. She also made him swear not to do anything before she was there. He agreed, though he couldn't see a reason why he had to swear on it; she would be at the Manor probably before he would be up, uninvited, he reminded her. She just looked at him slyly and reminded him that his wards have yet to kick her out, so she was, in fact, invited in, by him no less. He had fumed at that but let it go, too exhausted from flat-hunting, as she had called it, to retaliate.
As soon as his head hit his pillow, he was asleep, a small but content smile on his lips.
It was morning and they were sitting in a sea of cardboard boxes, surrounded by Draco's five house-elves, while he signed whatever contract came his way. The little creatures were running around, taking things out of the boxes and putting them in their designated spots. They all knew this was their last task from their master; after the move was completed they would move along to his mother's care and she had promised them the same treatment. The only one that would stay with him was Episkey who was soul-bound to him, having been born on the same day as Draco. Over the years she had become a treasured friend.
By lunchtime, almost everything of worth to Draco had been put in place and he was walking around the house, rearranging things this way and that, others leaving as they were. Granger literally had to yank him away to eat and as soon as they finished he rushed away again to see what progress the elves had made during his half-hour break.
The only furniture she commented on was the grand piano he placed in the middle of the office-turned-library.
"You play?" she asked, surprised. He just shrugged in answer, arranging a few pictures on the wall.
They were officially done at five in the afternoon, grinning brightly at one another. Draco was so giddy he actually hugged Granger briefly, lifting her up and then putting her down awkwardly. All she did was laugh and walk away to call the house-elves down.
"Are you sure you don't want to come to dinner at the Weasleys?" she asked as the elves departed and he was left with his beautiful new flat.
"You know what?" he said, smiling to himself. "Why not?"
"Really?" she asked, beaming. He nodded, smiling. "I'm really glad you are! Oh! Merlin, look at the time! I have to get back home to get ready and make sure Ron is dressed." She smiled at him and he could see the love she felt for her boyfriend fill her eyes. A pang of jealousy coursed through him; he ignored it. He nodded. "I'll see you in the Burrow at six-thirty then." He nodded again, leading her to the door.
She was standing in the corridor outside, ready to go, when he said in a small, shy voice, "Thank you, Granger, for... err... everything you've done for me…" He turned away, unable to look at her.
"Sure thing, Malfoy." And then she was gone. Draco did not admit, even to himself, that the house felt just a bit less bright without her there. He got ready, wearing his most comfortable clothes; he knew dinner at the Burrow tended to lead to Quidditch or some other form of manual labor. At six twenty-nine, he Apparated to the Burrow.
000
"And THEN!" Fred shouted, reaching the climax of his story. "He tells me his in love with me, falls on the floor and STARTS SNORING!" Ginny, George and Charlie fell off their chairs, laughing so hard Draco could feel the deck they were sitting on actually shaking with them. It was well past eleven, dinner had finished ages ago, but the younger generation decided to settle in the Weasleys' back yard by the little pond at the edge of the property. Draco ignored the howling redheads behind him, looking over the water, suppressing a yawn.
"Getting sleepy?" Granger's voice came from his left, as she sat down next to him. He could hear the hint of amusement in his voice.
"Not at all," he mumbled, letting out a large yawn by accident. She stiffened a giggle, snorting slightly in the process. "You know that's extremely unattractive, right?" he told her sarcastically. She let out a few chuckles at that and Draco gave her a little half-smile.
"What's up?" Weasley asked, sitting next to Granger and putting his arm around her. She smiled at him, turning away from Draco.
"Malfoy's sleepy," she giggled, turning back to him and giving him a wide smile. Weasley just laughed and scooted closer to his girlfriend. It was making Draco slightly ill for some reason.
"Yeah, I am," he said, getting up. "And I think I'll be going. Thank you for dinner, tell Molly it was lovely." He walked away to a chorus of "Bye, Malfoy" and "Goodnight". Then suddenly he could feel someone running up to him.
"Hi, Draco!" Ginny's voice came from behind him. "Wait up!" he stopped, letting her catch up to him. "Listen, Mum's hosting a Halloween party next Saturday and she said to invite you. Want to come?" She smiled at him, actually looking hopeful that he would say yes.
He shrugged. "I'll think about it and let her know some time next week."
"I'll take that as a yes!" she smiled triumphantly, turning to go back, then she seemed to remember something and she turned back to him. "Oh, and 'Mione said to tell you she signed you up for rose duty every day next week. I'm glad to hear you're going, it really helped me."
He frowned. "I'm not going, Granger's just being pushy. Goodnight, Ginny."
"Night…" she mumbled, turning back. Before she could remember something else, Draco turned on the spot and Apparated away to his new home.
The weekend passed uneventfully. He spent both mornings doing some last minute moving from the Manor to the flat, making sure he left nothing that was valuable either to him or to his mother. On Saturday afternoon, Narcissa came over to see the flat and to talk to him, as they always did on Saturdays. He told her about his new job, smiling widely when she said she thought it was perfect for him.
"And how is that delightful Hermione Granger?" Narcissa suddenly asked, putting Draco off-balance.
"She's alright, I suppose… She… err… she's the one who's been… helping… me… this past week," he mumbled, unwilling to admit his dependence on someone else.
"What a positively darling girl!" his mother exclaimed, beaming at him. He glared at her, daring her to keep on talking. Narcissa didn't say another word, only smiled coyly at her son.
Sunday afternoon, he was a nervous wreck. He was actually starting a job! He couldn't believe it. He actually considered calling Granger over just to have something to do. Luckily, an owl came from his mother just as he was about to start the Floo call to Granger and Weasley's house. She sent him the thick black notebook he had kept while studying with Severus. He had recorded in there everything his godfather had taught him of healing; so he went over the entire notebook, refreshing his knowledge. Finally, at around nine, he retired to bed, a knot of nervousness and excitement settling in his stomach.
Draco woke up Monday morning extraordinarily refreshed. He took a quick shower, got dressed in comfortable robes and made himself a light breakfast of toast and coffee, asking Episkey to make him a fun sandwich for later in the day like she used to make him when he was younger. At ten, he had another half an hour until orientation began; he started pacing around his flat, the knot from the night before growing into a whole colony of butterflies - or perhaps moths, they were much more manly.
A small sound came from the window. He opened it to let Granger's owl in, taking the note it carried and petting it absentmindedly as he read the short parchment.
'Good luck today, Malfoy.
You'll do great!
See you later this afternoon for rose duty!….?
Hermione.'
Draco actually laughed, shaking his head. The woman was so stubborn! Then suddenly it was time for him to go and start the beginning of the rest of his life. He couldn't wait!
000
It was finally Friday afternoon. Draco crashed on his couch, exhausted from the week of hard studying. Who knew learning to be a Healer was so hard? His job at the moment was to assist the certified Healers like a common Muggle nurse. It was quite degrading, really, but he sucked it up, knowing that if he kept it up he would one day, in about four or five months, be a certified Healer too! He felt like a child again; truly excited about a dream coming true!
A persistent knock on the door, shook him out of his giddy daydreams. He got up heavily and opened the door, not surprised to see the brains of the Golden Trio standing there, looking very pissed off at him.
"Really? Ditching me without volunteers for a week?" she cried out, sounding more exhausted then mad. She stormed in, going straight to the kitchen and pouring herself a glass of Firewhisky, sipping it as she made her way to the couch he had just occupied. Draco sat down on the chair opposite her, looking at her quizzically. "Do you have any idea how shorthanded we were this week? I was seriously counting on you!" She looked down, looking completely sleep deprived. "I needed help, Malfoy…" she murmured quietly, her tone of disappointment hurting him deeply; and then he was mad at her. He got up and stood before the couch, towering over her.
"I told you, upfront, that I wasn't going to do it! And you still thought I was? I was quite clear, wasn't I?" he shouted.
She got up too, pushing him slightly back. "I wasn't asking you for your benefit! I was asking because I NEEDED YOU!" she collapsed back into the couch, tears streaming down her face.
Draco awkwardly sat down next to her. "What's really going on?" he asked.
She sniffed and looked down, wiping away her tears. "Ron and I got into an argument," she mumbled, "and then he was supposed to be on rose duty all this week along with a bunch of other Aurors, but they all had this convention so I was stuck with no volunteers for the whole week so I've been working double and triple shifts in the gardens to help the shortage…" she started crying now in earnest, burying her face in her hands. He was shocked into silence, the only time he had seen her this way was when Potter and Weasley had left her at HQ, after that she had turned into a determined fighting machine. He had almost started believing she wasn't entirely human, but she obviously was.
"I'm sorry, Granger," he mumbled clumsily. "I didn't know…"
"I'm just… so tired," she whispered.
"Then go to sleep. You can sleep in the guest room, since I don't think you should Apparate when you're like this," he offered, getting up and helping her stand too, leading her to the guest bedroom. "And when you wake up… I'll come with you on rose duty, alright?"
She mumbled a small but grateful, "Thank you," taking the clothes he offered her to use as pj's and walking in, closing the door behind her.
Draco sat back on the couch, finishing Granger's untouched glass in one go. He was really going to go to the rose gardens, and he just knew she wouldn't let him leave until he paid his respects to the people he had lost during the war. He wasn't sure he was ready yet for that.
Two hours later, the guest room door cracked open and a disheveled Granger walked out, already dressed in her clothes; at least she looked slightly more awake and relaxed.
Draco stood in the kitchen, beckoning her over then turning back to the pot of spaghetti he was making.
"You know I still find it shocking that you know how to cook?" she told him, sitting down on one of the bar stools around the marble island. He snorted, extinguishing the flame underneath the pot and putting some of its contents in a bowl for her. He had made it with mushroom sauce, his favorite. "Wow! Malfoy!" she exclaimed as she took her first bite. "This is amazing! Even by your standards!" He gave her a little bow, taking a bite too and humming in approval at the wonderful taste. "So… did you mean it?"
"Hmm?"
"When you said you'll go on rose duty with me today… did you mean it?" she asked quietly, probably afraid to anger him again. He nodded and shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. She smiled brightly at him, going back to her food.
"You ready for this?" Granger asked him again as they stood just a few feet from the field. He nodded, swallowing past the frog in his throat. She walked past him and pushed open the little gate, stepping through. He followed silently, nervous. Immediately, the scent of thousands of roses hit his senses. He breathed in again, intoxicated by the aroma. The roses were of every color in the world, each with a different pattern and of a different size. It was truly beautiful. She led him to a small empty patch at the far end of the field and gave him four seeds.
"Each one is for one of the people you lost that night," she explained in a quiet, calming voice.
"But I only lost three… Tonks, Remus, and," he swallowed, "Severus."
She put her palm on his arm, her warmth reaching his heart. "You also lost your father. It's time to let him go too." He nodded, holding the seeds tightly. She helped him bend down on his knees and dig a hole the right size.
"Nymphadora Lupin-Tonks," he murmured as he laid the seed gently and put earth on it.
He dug another hole right next to the first.
"Remus Lupin," he said quietly, his eyes prickling as he covered the second seed with a blanket of soil.
"Severus Snape," he mumbled, tears streaming down his face freely as he buried his surrogate father.
Finally he came to the end of the little row. Granger dug the hole for him as his hands were shaking too hard. She took his hand, still clutching the last seed, in hers and helped him lay it in the ground. Together, they covered it as he said the words that would make it his father's memorial. "Lucius Malfoy." He began sobbing in earnest now, crying on Granger's shoulder. She didn't seem to mind, rocking him gently while holding him to her. When the tears had all gone away he let go of her, looking at the four patches of disturbed earth.
He heard Granger take out her wand and cast a complicated spell on the heaps, and then she turned to him. "Each flower takes a shape, color and size that represent the relationship of the buried and the burier," she told him in her soothing, professional voice. "It takes the essence of it and shows it to you. They will reach full bloom in about five minutes." She stayed quiet as they waited, once removing her hand from his, but he quickly took it back, needing to hold on to something real, alive. After that she had left it there, waiting, waiting, waiting. Finally, the earth seemed to shrug off a little and suddenly, where before there was nothing, there now stood four roses in full bloom.
Tonks's was just a bud, baby pink, familiar and welcoming. It looked on the verge of opening and Draco let a few tears fall for the relationship that would never open fully, would never grow.
Remus's was a light blue and half open, seeming to engulf Draco with its homey scent. He had come to associate the Lupins as his family, and he still regarded Teddy as such, but he would never be able to do the same for the toddler's parents.
Severus's dark magenta rose was in full bloom, wide open as if holding Draco in its stance. "I don't know why, but magenta symbolizes paternity," Granger murmured quietly when she saw where he was looking. He nodded, staring at the beautiful flower, letting the tears fall without trying to wipe them away.
Finally, he looked at his father's rose. It's color was the darkest, deepest black Draco had ever seen, he felt like he was going blind as he looked at it, but just as he was about to avert his gaze, the petals opened showing a tiny ruby red core. "Red is love?" he asked in a choked whisper, not looking at his companion.
"Yes," she answered simply, squeezing his hand in comfort. They stayed there for a long time, him looking at the flowers and her not saying a word, just holding his hand; he didn't know how long but the sun had long ago vanished in the horizon, letting night slowly embrace them. The moon was starting its long climb along the sky when she tugged on his numb palm and helped him up. It wasn't just his hand that was numb, he realized after a while, his entire body felt empty and yet truly there for the first time since the war had ended. He felt whole again. His silent companion led him to his flat, then his bedroom and then tucked him into bed as if he was a child again.
Just before leaving him she said in a quiet voice, "Good night, Draco, I'll see you tomorrow." With his name on her lips, on her voice, he fell asleep.
000
It was almost noon when Draco's fire turned green and Ginny's head popped into existence in his living room.
"Hi Draco," she said, smiling brightly. He nodded in acknowledgement, waiting for her to reveal the reason for her visit. "I just came to make sure you remembered the party tonight." He nodded again. "Good! So we'll see you at the Burrow at seven! And don't forget to dress nice!"
He scowled at her. "I always dress nice!"
She rolled her eyes. "Oh! I have to go! Andy is bringing Teddy over." Draco looked at her longingly, wanting to see his cousin. She laughed at his expression. "You'll see him tonight, Andy and your mother are bringing him with them." He pouted. "You are such a spoiled brat sometimes, I have no idea how Hermione handles you!" And then she was gone. Draco had to agree with her though, he had no idea why Granger was helping him so much, but he was determined to find out!
And so, at one minute to seven, Draco stood in his best casual (yet elegant) clothes on the front step of the Burrow, knocking on the door. The door opened to reveal the sitting room, filled with an assortment of Potters, Weasleys, Blacks and other people Molly Weasley had adopted as children over the years, like Granger, Neville Longbottom and his date Luna Lovegood, and others. He waved a friendly hello to the last two. It really surprised him how much he now saw Neville and Luna as his friends. The war really did change things. They waved back, signaling to him that they'll see him later on to catch up on things. He nodded but drifted on, letting them return to their easy conversation.
He walked farther in, spotting Fred, George, Angelina and Katie right away by the drinks table, both women wearing large clothes as they had already started showing their pregnancies. Next he waved hello to Bill, Fleur, and Charlie who were standing close by, talking about the dragon tamer's latest adventure. Soon, thought, he found himself drifting off towards the Potters who were standing with Narcissa and Andromeda, Teddy Lupin held firmly by his godfather.
"Drake!" was the first thing the young blond heard when he got near his family, and then the little toddler jumped into his outstretched hands, holding on to his cousin. "I missed you," the boy told him, unabashed. Draco just hugged him harder, happily taking the love the boy was giving. Finally, they let go of each other, and Draco let him down, still holding his little hand.
"It's lovely to see you, dear," his aunt said, kissing his cheeks lightly, a warm smile lighting up her face. Next to her, Draco's mother nodded.
"You look lovely, Draco," she told him, and from behind her Ginny gave him a thumbs up.
"Aunty 'Mione was looking for you," Teddy suddenly told him, tugging at his hand and looking at his cousin eagerly. "She went outside." Draco smiled at him, thanked him with another small hug and gave his hand back to Potter.
"I'll see you guys later," he murmured, walking to the back yard. He was stopped a few times for a quick 'hello' and 'how are you', but soon he stepped outside, breathing in the fresh air.
"Hi," Granger said, appearing out of the shadows. Draco's breath caught in his throat. She was breathtaking; her dress was a strapless piece made of some kind of beautiful light green fabric, it practically glowed in the little light that hit it, making her skin look like cream and roses. To her midsection, a black bow with white polka dots was tied, making her waist even more defined. Around her neck was a simple silver necklace and she wore a classic pair of black heels that made her legs seem longer and thinner. Her hair was made up in a simple do on her head and her face held the faintest hints of makeup. She looked absolutely beautiful.
"You look… wow," he mumbled, his mind leaving on what seemed like a permanent hiatus.
She blushed, laughing lightly. "You don't look so bad yourself," she answered, looking him up and down. He blushed, hoping she couldn't see.
"Err… thanks… so.. err…" He cleared his throat and tried to keep his eyes on her face, failing miserably. "I was told you were looking for me…?"
She nodded, leaning on the back of a bench he hadn't even noticed. "I was just wondering how you were, after yesterday…"
"I'm… I feel better…" He looked down. "It's good to know that despite everything, I loved him and he loved me back," he said quietly, referring to his father. "You were right," he admitted finally. "It was time to let them go, all four of them." Only then did he look up at her to see her smiling brightly at him, a smile that made him catch his breath all over again. "Don't let it go to your head, though," he muttered. She laughed and got up, squeezing his hand briefly on her way back in.
"Granger?" he suddenly called and she turned away from him.
"What is it?" she asked, stopping in her tracks.
"Why did they invite me?" he asked, pointing towards the Burrow.
"They like you," she answered simply. He looked at her skeptically. "And I asked them too."
"Why?"
"Because I think everyone should be with someone during the holidays, even if it is just Halloween."
"No, why?" he asked, his voice rising in frustration at not understanding. "Why would you do all that for me? Why would you help me find a job? And a flat?" And helped me let go of the people I've lost, he added in his mind. "You could have just as easily left me to drown myself in Firewhisky; Merlin knows I wanted to."
That twinkle appeared in her eyes and she smiled at him. "We're friends, Draco. That's what friends are for." With another smile she walked back into the loud party inside, leaving Draco shocked by her words.
Friends… he thought as he watched her go. He could get used to that….
000
All you can do is try to know
Who your friends are…