Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, guys! I'd really hate to complain about too little reviews cuz some of you are giving pretty long reviews which I enjoy reading xD But please keep them coming, same goes to new followers of this story~ Okay so this chapter is going to be kind of like a rushed job due to SAT and other relationship stuff which have actually been bothering me a lot lately. Honestly I'm somewhat not in the best state to write today but it's ALL FOR YOU GUYS! Oh and no Draco here, just a short flashback and characters mentioning stuff about him, that's all, SORRY! Enjoy this chapter anyway and please review, thanks~

Acceptance
Chapter 35
Please Be Safe

Narcissa began pacing about in Malfoy Manor. Ever since the recent incident with the Dark Lord, her husband had been forbidden to return to her side and was forced to stay with him for a hell long time. The wife of Lucius Malfoy sat herself on the couch, feeling the stress she knew would have come sooner or later. She began questioning the decision of de-ageing Draco in the first place, then wondered if he was okay (Lucius had told her about his little accident with him) and then began to panic at the thought of Voldemort and his Death Eater army infiltrating Hogwarts and killing her only son. What would become of her family? Personally, Narcissa wasn't exactly willing to work for Voldemort anymore now that her husband, and most importantly, her son's life was on the line.

In an attempt to relax, she scooped out an old photo album from a nearby cabinet and began flipping through the pages. The Malfoy family was never known for taking many photographs of themselves, although Narcissa could have sworn she saw Draco topless and posing in front of a mirror and snapping random shots of himself when he was thirteen. However, she had made an effort to take at least one picture every year since Draco was born. This year…there was no picture…how could anyone be in the mood for a picture at this crucial time? "Will we even get a chance to get a family photo this year…?" She wondered aloud. Her mind was constantly flooded with images of her husband and son's death, but she tried her best to shake those thoughts away and proceeded flipping through the pages of the album; Draco's first birthday party, it wasn't really a party. It was just the three of them and a huge cake that they didn't even finish. The next few pictures were also just centered on their immediate family, until one day Draco plucked up the courage to ask, "Mother, why don't I ever have any friends celebrating my birthday parties with me? It's always you and Father."

Narcissa recalled that very moment; her baby boy was beginning to speak his mind. It then occurred to her that her son could really do with some friends, thus resulting in her speaking with Lucius about it. Lucius then got a couple of his deatheater pals to bring their children over to Malfoy Manor every now and then. Narcissa stared at a picture of Draco and his new friends; Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy. The three friends looked fairly happy, but Draco's smile…it was a false one. She knew her son well enough to discover that he didn't exactly regard the three as really close friends, possibly just acquaintances? Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy took a liking to Draco almost immediately when they saw him; that was for sure. But whether or not it was because they knew of his family's high status and wealth was uncertain. Draco never thought of that though, whenever Narcissa asked him,

"Draco, darling, did you have fun with your friends today?"
"Yesh! They're so nice to Draco."
"Why do you think they're nice to you, dear?"
"Cuz…Draco is nice too? Draco love making friends!"

Her son had smiled adorably at her, she couldn't risk breaking that innocent smile by telling him the possibility that they only befriended him because his dad told them to, and that they sucked up to him because of his family's wealth and status.

Narcissa continued to flip through the flimsy pages of the old album, soon coming to the conclusion that her son never had a truly happy childhood. Every fragment of it was just shoved into his life by them, his parents. He never had a chance to show his true character. He just did what he was told, every now and then he would start speaking his mind, but in a dignified way, like his father did. He wasn't rebellious at home, thank merlin. Apparently in school he flaunted his high status and was strictly against mudbloods, much to his father's delight. Also, she got wind from several people that her son became famous for the line "wait till my father hears about this" and thus got mocked behind his back as a 'Daddy's little boy'.

"Draco…" She whispered, still staring at their most recent family photo where they all looked sternly in the direction of the camera. "My baby Draco, I hope that de-ageing you gave you a chance to experience a real childhood. I'm sorry your father and I failed as parents. Please forgive us and…" A tear escaped her eyes as she began to worry again. "Please…be safe…"

I sat in the Gryffindor common room, fingers skidding across the pages of the album my friends had given me. Flipping through the pages, I couldn't help but giggle at the animated images of three year old Draco doing all sorts of weird things which he wouldn't be caught dead doing at this age. I was fantasizing over one particular picture of me tickling Draco while he kept rolling about and laughing, shouting for me to stop. It was adorable as hell and I could see his lips moving to form the words 'Harry stoppppp!' Somehow no one else could make my heart melt inside of me by calling my name, except him. His innocent little voice; I could still hear it ringing in my head whenever I looked at these pictures. But I missed hearing it in real life…His voice…

Yeah, bye, Harry

Those words were the closest thing I heard to what his three year old self would have said. He called me by my first name again. It was the second time he had done that since he came to in the infirmary.

Oh…okay. Thanks…H-Harry

That was the first time he called me by my first name in his teenage form. Both times, however, I couldn't help but have that same warm, melty feeling within me. I wasn't quite sure but I really hoped that these two incidents were signs that he remembered…or at least part of his de-aged days had remained engraved in some part of his mind. Oh god, Draco… Tell me you remember! My greatest wish of all now would be for you to tell me that you do… But if you do, why would you want to pretend that it never happened? I don't get it…

Just then, I heard some random furniture get knocked against. I was sitting at my favorite spot at the window, which was one of the only sources of light now because there was a full moon conveniently out tonight, but I still couldn't see the intruder. I set the album aside and stood up, "lumos."

"Ahh..Turn that light off, Harry!"

It was Neville of all people. "What the…Why are you still awake, mate?" I raised an eyebrow. I was pretty certain that I didn't make much of a noise when I sneaked out of my room, and how much noise could flipping album pages cause?

"I couldn't sleep, just wanted to get some food, you want some?"
"We have food here?"
"Well…it's my secret stash. Don't tell anyone!"

I grinned and nodded at the fatter boy, who beamed with glee and retrieved a couple of cupcakes from somewhere within the darkness. He then joined me at the window and handed me a cupcake. I held it up under the moonlight. Cupcake…

"Hey, Neville," I said, still mesmerized by the cupcake. He looked at me with food stuffed in his mouth, preventing him from speaking comprehensible words.

"You know…When little Draco first came to the common room, the very first thing he ate was a cupcake. In fact, he ate more than he should. I felt pretty guilty at that time, he was only here for less than a day and I already made him get sick."
"Haha, Ron told me about that. But I guess it's not really your fault. The poor little guy had a weak tummy. And who knew how much he could eat? Seriously, look at me! This portion of cupcakes here is probably one tenth of my diet."

I laughed at his comment while I picked the album up once more. Looking at the cover, I smiled. I was glad that my friends were here for me. They had been with me throughout this whole de-ageing incident and all of us missed the three year old slytherin like hell. I wasn't going through this alone.

"You miss him, don't you?" Neville said suddenly. I didn't know why, but I was a little shocked by this question. I thought it was pretty obvious. "Well, yeah…I mean…I got extremely attached to him during that period of time and it felt as if he was one of us; our family. And just as suddenly as he came, he left us. I still can't get over the fact that he's forgotten all of this while I'm here reminiscing about it every single day. It's just…"

I failed to complete my sentence, hand trembling as I gripped firmly on the album. I felt my vision getting a little blurry again and I knew I was about to cry, but I held the tears back. I was supposed to stay strong! Countless times I had to remind myself that Draco wasn't truly gone. He was here in Hogwarts with us. But it wasn't as easy to convince myself as I hoped.

"What if…" Neville began. "What if he never really forgot? You ever thought of that?"
"Um yeah, I did. But what are the odds of that? Come on, we were already told beforehand that by drinking the potion, Draco would more than likely forget everything."
"Still! Ah…I really do miss the little poof."
"So do I…"
"Harry, you forgive me, right? For that time…?"

I had to pause to figure out what he was getting at. That was when I recalled the Blaise incident. "Oh yeah, totally. It wasn't really your fault I guess, and Draco didn't blame you either, so nothing to worry about!" Neville flashed me a broad grin before stuffing another cupcake into his mouth. Pretty soon, I started thinking about Draco again. How's he doing in the Slytherin common room? Are his friends taking care of him? Is he safe…?

"Uhhhh are you gonna eat that?" Neville asked, pointing at the cupcake that I had left untouched. Glancing at it once last time, I shook my head, no. Neville then devoured the cupcake within a few seconds and bid me goodnight. "See ya in a few hours."

I hugged the album close to my chest. Somehow doing so would make me feel as if I was hugging Draco, which was somewhat comforting. Draco…will you ever hug me again? Will you ever tell me you love me again…? I know I would, only if you let me. Perhaps when all this is over and we take Voldemort down, I'd try my luck winning your heart from scratch. But for now… I just hope that you'll... please…

Be safe…