I stood outside Kings Cross Station with Mother. There was hustle and bustle all around us, screaming children and commuters barging past anyone in their way. I took a sleek black box out of my coat pocket and passed it to Mother. She looked at me curiously before opening it to reveal the peacock quill. Her face lit up and tears prickled her eyes.
"Happy Birthday Mum." She pulled me into a hug. More awkward for the fact I was a few inches taller than her. Her blonde hair shone in the morning sun.
"Thank you Draco. Now you have a good time at school and remember to write to me." I grabbed my trunk and kept a strong grip on the pet carrier sat atop it. Maali sat content within, happily playing with a plastic spring. It turned out that when I returned from shopping last week my furniture was fully intact. She did however very quickly teach me to put my clothes away. A sock had been ripped to shreds. In body she was four months and in mind she was only a few weeks older and would eventually grow out of the kitten like need to chew everything. Despite this, she seemed very calm and content to be petted and to play with cat toys.

I waved goodbye to Mother and made my way to platforms nine and ten. I easily slid unnoticed thought to platform 9 3/4. The Hogwarts express was in pride of place, smoke billowing up from the chimney spout. Parents and students rushed around crying and hugging. I pushed through with my trunk to get it into the hold and kept a firm hold on the carrier before rushing onto the train. I needed to find a seat. The Slytherin carriage was full, my spot from sixth year now taken by a group of seventh years. A girl looked up at me with surprise on her face.
"Draco. Are you retaking seventh year?" I cocked an eyebrow. Who was this girl? She had cropped black hair and almost black eyes as well. "Are you okay Draco?" How was it that I didn't know any Slytherins in the year below me? Or any of the years come to think of it? Not a single one of them.
"Sort of." I replied. Not waiting for another barrage of questions I headed back down the train.

I walked down the carriage of compartments hoping to find an empty one. I was having rotten luck and could hear a commotion ahead.
"Where am I supposed to sit if I can't sit with you Hermione? It's not like there's anyone else I know on this damn train!" I heard a muffled reply as Brown burst out into the corridor. "You only want to hang out with Ginny because your dating.." Her voice stammered with crying. ".. Her brother!" She ran into the next carriage and out of view.

I checked more compartments. Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, Gryfindors and empty. Yes. I quickly went into the compartment ahead of the one which the commotion had come from and locked the door behind me. I let Maali out of her carrier and she settled to sleep next to me on the bench seat. I took out my wand from its holder in my sleeve and cast a diluminating spell on the compartment light.

I jolted awake to a rap on the door. Two eyes stared in from the bottom of the glass pane, a mass of black curls above them. Begrudgingly I got up to open the door to reveal a scared looking first year.
"Can I sit with you? I've been up and down the train and everywhere is full. The.. the trolley lady says I can't sit in the corridor because I'm in her way." He dejectedly looked down.
"Why can't you sit with the other first years? I'm sure I saw some at the end of the carriage." I sighed. A peaceful journey was all I wanted.
"They all say I'm a squib because I don't have a wand. My Mum couldn't afford one as well as everything else." He entered the compartment and closed the door behind him. I decided not to object. How on earth could this kid not have a wand? "She's a muggle you see, Dad's a wizard but he's in Azkaban. She didn't realise I needed a wand until she'd already spent as much money as she could spare on all the rest of the stuff I needed for school." He sat down opposite me close to tears. "I shouldn't have come, should I?" I watched as he curled up on the bench. Maali jumped up to him and settled to sleep by his stomach while the boy quietly cried himself to sleep. A lot of ideas raced through my mind. As pathetic as he looked and as much as I wanted him to man up, I had to find some way to help him. When Father and Aunt Bella were in Azkaban Mother struggled financially as well as emotionally but at least I still had friends.

I got up quickly and left the compartment. Keeping an eye to make sure no one else went in, I rapt on the door to the compartment next to mine. The door flew open. Amongst a gaggle of seventh year Gryffindors sat Granger.
"What on earth do you want Malfoy?" The Weasley girl spoke up. She looked offended as if my presence physically pained her.
"Granger. Can I talk with you out here?" She looked up in surprise. So much surprise that she actually got up and joined me in the corridor.
"What is it Malfoy?" She looked around as if to not want to be seen talking to me.
"You're compassionate right?" I didn't even know that word was in my vocabulary until it came tumbling out of my mouth. I was starting to feel the need to man up myself.
"Is your pet dying or something? I'm not a priest you know." She snapped and began to turn back to the compartment.
"Wait Granger." I put my hand out to stop her. "There's a first year boy in my compartment. He has no wand. His Mother couldn't afford one." I admitted. She seemed to mull it over.
"That's horrible. A first year with no wand." She shook her head as if the concept astounded her.
"I need to help. I don't know what to do. Is there a Professor on the train?" She looked contemplatative.
"Are you willing to buy him a wand? Can you afford?" She looked at me with a curious gaze.
"Of course I can." I looked offended before noticing her mocking gaze. "I'm willing." I backed up a little to check the boy was still soundly asleep in the carriage. Grangers look turned serious.
"If the last year has taught me anything, It's that you have to take matters into your own hands. The first evening at Hogwarts is when you make friends to last a life time. If he has no wand, no one will want to be his friend." She said, deep in thought. How on earth was I supposed to get the boy a wand while we were on a train? As if realising what I was thinking she said. "You apparate."

I landed in Diagon Alley with Luke clinging to my arm for dear life. Apparating from a moving vehicle was harder than it had sounded. Granger had agreed to take Maali to the castle if we were not back before the train arrived at Hogwarts.
"Are you in one piece?" I asked Luke. He looked shocked that my question was serious. I had decided not to tell him about splinching and cause undue worry. The apparating had somehow made his hair even more curly. I headed towards Knockturn Alley, making sure that Luke stayed ahead of me so I wouldn't lose him in the crowds. It seemed awfully busy considering that most of the wizarding population should have been at work or on the way to school. "Luke. In here." We turned into Madame Sorcerers wand shop. The same place I had got mine only last week.

I was surprised to see Blaise sat at a desk behind the counter with implements laid around him. He looked to focused in the task at hand that I felt reluctant to disturb him.
"Blaise?" I stepped forward to the counter, pushing Luke along with me. Blaise looked over to me, his handsome features stealing my breath.
"Draco! What are you doing here? Madame Sorcerer told me you got a new wand last week." He looked curiously at Luke. Although I was sure that all he could see from his vantage point was a mass of brown curls.
"Making a little detour on the way to my eighth year. This kid Luke turned up with no wand. Think you can help us out?" Blaise came over to the counter and Luke backed up looking scared.
"No problem. I think I have just the thing." He rustled under the counter through boxes of wands. I glanced around the shop. Ornate shelves of wands reached up to the ceiling while boxes of wand cleaning equipment were arranged on a stand in the corner opposite the desk.

"So, how did you end up working here?" I asked curiously.
"I wanted to study wand lore. It seemed daft going back to Hogwarts when I knew what I wanted to do. I got an apprenticeship here. Its hard work and I have to do a lot of studying to keep up with the pace of things but it's great. Madame Sorcerer said that when I make my first full wand she'll give me a pay rise. How awesome is that?" His smile was almost contagious as he passed a small wand over to Luke. Luke held it as if it was a venomous snake about to strike. I put my hand on his shoulder for reassurance, much like my mother did with me when I got my first wand.
"Thats great Zambini. It seems that everyone is really getting where they want to be." I watched Luke bring the wand in a little closer to him.
"Okay Luke. I want you to stand on the cross on the floor and aim the wand to the target painted on the wall." Luke nervously moved to the red cross. "Now don't be worried that the shop might blow up because I promise I'd fix it if you did. Like thrust his arm out, his confidence raising. A stream of light hit the centre of the target making it glow at the edges.

"Blaise. That was impressive." I looked at my old friend in awe. His smile never left his face.
"Madame Sorcerer says I have a gift. When I've learnt everything about wand lore I could get a grant to open a shop of my own. I'm hoping the Ministry will give me one to open a shop in Hogsmeade. It would be great for when students break their wands." He took the small wand from Luke. "Okay, this wand is six inches, made from a supple oak with a core of owl feather. It's an unusual combination and a very unusual length. However, its elements are relatively cheap so I can give it to you for eight galleons." I nodded. "Anything else?" I thought hard.
"A polishing kit." Thinking a little harder I added. "A wrist harness too. Less chance of it breaking."
"Good plan. Luke, how about a nice simple black?" Lukes curiosity spiked and he looked into the top of the counter at the various harnesses.
"I like the black, yeah." He looked at me. "Are you sure this is okay?" He looked both overwhelmingly sad and happy at the same time.
"Sure it is." I gave Blaise the money after he strapped the wand and harness onto Lukes arm.
"I'll owl the kit to the castle. One less thing to lose during apparition. See you soon hopefully Draco. You too Luke." He passed me a receipt and we left the shop into the busy Alley.

"Come on Luke. We need to get back to the train before the first years get on the boats."I looked at my watch. We'd need to apparate straight to Hogsmeade. Looking up again I couldn't see Luke anywhere. Panic stuck my stomach. Where would an eleven year old boy run to? The quidditch shop? The joke shop? The sweet shop? No. He has no money, there'd be no point. It struck me. The pet shop. I glanced to Terrific Tailors. Despite my promise, a catch up with Milly would have to wait for another time. I dashed back down the Alley to the shop I got Maali from. From the doorway I could see Luke holding and petting an owl which had been in the window. He looked serene and content. Owl wand, owl petting, this kid must sure like owls.
"What are you doing Luke? We've got to get to school or you'll miss the sorting!" I snapped. He looked sad as the owl jumped back on the perch in the window. "Come on." I pushed him out the door and around a corner.
"But.. But.. " He stammered.
"Jump on my back and hold on tight." He did as I said. I turned on the spot and thought of the Three Broomsticks.

We landed around the corner of the Three Broomsticks which I had hoped would be deserted. Luke jumped down from my back.
"Are you alright Luke? In one piece?" I asked genuinely unsure. Apparating with another person was definitely a little nerve wracking.
"Sure. You know there's some tall scary lady rushing over to us?" I turned around. As Luke announced, Professor McGonagall was striding over to us with a confused but stern look on her face.
"Don't say a word Luke. Let me handle this." I moved in front of him.
"Handle what exactly Mr Malfoy? What is this?" I grimaced. I missed Professor Snape. If he were here I would be completely off the hook. I looked for an excuse to escape. I quickly moved to the side.
"Sorry Head Mistress. I can't chat right now. I need to get this lost first year to the boats before they leave." Luke grinned at McGonagall.
"Very well Mr Malfoy. Do use haste." I pushed Luke along ahead of me."Mr Malfoy?" I turned. "My office, seven pm." Just the welcome I needed, a lecture from McGonagall.

I walked faster and soon reached the station. The first years were all sat in the boats on the other side of the station. Hagrid stood in the centre of the station as older students hurried from the train to get seats on the carts for the ride up to the castle.
"Oaf." I yelled above the chattering. Hagrid looked over to me before seeing Luke standing nervously beside me.
"I knew I'der missed one. Luke, says 'ere." He motioned at the small boy with big hair to come over to him.
"Yes Sir." Luke piped up.
"Yer in my boat with these others." He motioned behind him to a boat with a big group of first years and a seat right in the middle left for Luke. Luke smiled at me and ran off to the boat ahead of Hagrid. I looked around to see if I could see Granger but had no luck. The last carriage pulled by thestrals was full of giggling Hufflepuff fourth years, I climbed up and sat at the back. I very almost decided to walk but it would mean missing the sorting. After our brief acquaintance, I really wanted to see which house Luke would end up it. I really hoped it would be Slytherin. But he didn't come across as brave or smart, dedicated or loyal. Just a mixed up little kid.

In the Great Hall I found a seat at the very back of the Slytherin table. Everyone in front of me moved further forward and began talking amongst themselves as if I was diseased. I guess everyone knew I had been a death eater. Stupid itchy tattoo didn't even go away when the Dark Lord was killed. I watched as a new Professor lead a long stream of first years into the Hall. I could see Lukes mass of curls right the way at the front of the line. The Professor introduced himself as Professor Chang, New head of Gryffindor house and Transfiguration. He called each first year forward until only Luke was left. I added up. Ten Slytherins, ten Ravenclaws, ten Hufflepuffs, nine Gryffindors. It was inevitable. I didn't want to watch.
"Zader, L. Take a seat on the stool please." I could see him nervously perch on the end of the stool as Chang placed the grubby old sorting hat on his head.
"GRYFFINDOR." The sorting hat yelled. I slumped on the bench. I couldn't believe I went to all that trouble for a Gryffindor. I could see Luke running to sit with a group of first year gremlins. At least he wasn't my responsibility anymore. Ungrateful kid didn't even thank me for helping him out. I sulked to myself as Chang took his seat and McGonagall took her place at the podium.

"I first would like to introduce other new members of staff. Professor Niquel has joined us this year to bring a new academic class of Curse Breaking to our school." Niquel stood and gave a wave. She was very slim and had fine long black hair pulled up tightly into a bun on top of her head. "I'm happy to welcome Defense against the dark arts teacher, Professor Zion." A man of medium build with a main of fiery red hair stood up behind the staff table. At such distance he almost looked like a Weasley. "Our returning eighth year students will be both teaching and learning this year. As with many of our older students, they experienced fighting the dark arts personally in the battle of Hogwarts." McGonagall paused as whispers erupted around the great hall. "I would like to remind all students that the Forbidden forest is out of bounds to all unless accompanied by a staff member. Also note that some parts of the castle are still under reconstruction, you may find diversions to your classes so please do allow extra time. I trust I don't need to draw out maps?" She looked out across the hall. "Help will always be given to those at Hogwarts who ask for it. Let the feast begin!" Platters and plates of food appeared on the tables. An impressive display as always shown on the first evening at Hogwarts. It seemed I had a lot of platters to myself as the students ahead took food from further up front. I helped myself, this if nothing else was a good reason to be back.

When the feast was over and the great hall began to empty, I realised I didn't know where to go. No one had told me the password for the Slytherin common room, I wasn't even sure there would be a bed for me in the dormitories. I looked to my watch. Seven thirty five. I was going to be late.

When I finally entered the head mistresses office, Granger and Brown each sat in a chair opposite her desk as far apart from each other as possible.
"So nice of you to grace us with your presence Mr Malfoy. Why don't you take a seat so we aren't waiting any longer." With a glance to her stern face I sat quickly in the chair between the two girls, noticing whom I could only assume to be Professor Zion with his flame red hair sat to the side of the desk. "I would like the three of you to meet Professor Zion. He will be head of eighth years for this year and will be taking over as head of Slytherin next year when Professor Slughorn retires once more." She went into her desk draw and pulled something out. She passed each of us a key, similar in appearance to the one I had for the apartment in London. "These keys will give you access to the eighth year common room and your dormitories. It's a little unconventional to use keys in the magical world but it allows for extra security, no spell or password will unlock your door." She looked at our confused faces. "You will soon understand. Follow me."

We each followed McGonagall from her office and down the eagle statue staircase. We followed as she led us down through the castle from the seventh floor, at times taking long diversions when we came across construction signs.
"Professor, why in a castle full of witches and wizards, do we have construction sites? Surely all damage is reparable?" I questioned as she turned to look at me.
"I wouldn't worry Malfoy. As punishment for apparating with a first year you will be joining the staff in their efforts to reverse the magic used which is preventing the reconstruction. Detention on Sundays will begin at nine am in the Great Hall." I scowled at being punished. "I commend what you did Malfoy but I cannot condone it." I used great effort to keep my mouth shut. "Things are not always what they appear to be." The mysterious statement from McGonagall unsettled all of us, we hurried faster towards the entrance of the castle. "Due to the repairs still being made in the castle, your new common room isn't actually in the castle." She mused walking through the entrance of the castle and out into the courtyard.

"So we're to freeze to death outside?" I huffed in the cold evening breeze. Maybe I should have taken the job at the ministry or gotten a shop grant like Blaise and Milly. Father wouldn't approve of my working in a shop. After working as a death eater, working in a shop sounded like a holiday.
"Don't be ridiculous Malfoy. Look down by the lake." A small log cabin with smoke gently rising from the chimney stood just back behind the tree line overlooking the lake. The dark stained logs extended around the cabin to create a large deck which extended out over the lake at the front. Lit up by the moon and its reflection in the Black Lake, the sight took my breath away.
"That looks amazing Professor." Granger piped up.
"Wow." Brown quipped.

A/N - Sorry I kept Lavender alive. She has a small but integral role and a valid reason for being alive. This can be revealed if people are interested!