Author's Note: Time to get on the Hogwarts Express! Good luck to all of you who are in school. You can do it :)
SIX MONTHS LATER
"Seventh years, please come forward," Professor McGonagall instructed.
The four houses were lined up by their respective tables in the Great Hall. Younger students had already gone home for the summer, unless invited to stay.
Today, Draco would bid farewell to Hogwarts.
Professor McGonagall looked down on them, arms open with joy. "My dear seventh years! Your journey at Hogwarts began right on these steps, where you were Sorted; not quite children, but not quite young adults. You've all grown up to become fine people. Today, it's only fitting that here is also where your school journey ends. For many, however, they will never get this chance. I'd like us to start with a moment of silence for our students who gave their lives in the Battle of Hogwarts."
Even the ceiling seemed to hush as everyone fell mute, lost in thought.
This one's for you, Crabbe, Draco thought. I'm sorry I treated you so horribly. He'd never really appreciated Crabbe's loyalty until it was too late.
"Now, as your name is called, you will receive two gifts. One will be given to you by your respective Heads of House. The other is my token."
She held a ball in her fist: a golden Sneakoscope. "My greatest wish is that you do not see another Wizarding War during your lifetime. We've entered a peaceful time, but you cannot go unprepared. I hope these Sneakoscopes allow you to be one step ahead of your potential enemies."
Very useful, in Draco's case. He still worried that other Death Eaters might come after him. One spin of his new Sneakoscope, and he could know if something dark was going on nearby.
"I will next ask Professor Pomona Sprout to read the names of our seventh-years from Hufflepuff House."
Professor Sprout shook hands with each Hufflepuff, which included this year's Head Boy, Richard Collins, handing them a pack of seeds. What magical plant they grew, Draco could only guess.
Professor Flitwick, standing on his usual book pile, introduced the Ravenclaws. They each received (what a shock!) a book. Before long, "Luna Pandora Lovegood" skipped her way towards Flitwick. Draco hadn't ever spoken to her, but other people said she was an oddball. She'd been seen around Harry Potter frequently. Maybe not so odd.
"Truly, Gryffindor House has left a real mark on Hogwarts and the wizarding world ever since it was established. Being Sorted into this house myself, of course, I'm rather biased. Professor Sinistra?"
The astronomy teacher assumed her place as the new head of Gryffindor. There were a few names Draco vaguely recognized from his classes. He couldn't quite pay attention enough.
"Your Head Girl, Hermione Jean Granger."
Later:
"…And the last of our Gryffindors, Quidditch Captain, Miss Ginerva Molly Weasley!"
A host of redheads cheered for Ginny as she stepped up to claim her awards. Which is why the boy with dark, unkempt hair, and hideous glasses stood out among them. Draco hadn't seen his face since the Battle of Hogwarts.
"Well, well, well," he muttered. "Harry Potter."
Being within hearing range, Harry pivoted to glance over at him, nodding. "Malfoy."
"Yes, congratulations!" McGonagall declared. "However, I must confess that we've not yet recognized all of our Gryffindors. There are three outstanding students who, rather than complete seventh year with their peers, went on a mission. This mission led to the downfall of Lord Voldemort. Therefore, it's only fair that each of them receives an award for services to the school. First, I want to acknowledge Mister Ronald Bilius Weasley."
"Yeah, Ron! You destroy that Horcrux!" one of his brothers yelled.
"Our second honoree is no stranger to excellence; Miss Hermione Granger!"
Hermione ruffled Ron's hair affectionately when he joined her. Plaques were handed out with their names engraved on them.
"In my opinion, this next young man is the bravest wizard of his generation. A heartbreaking tragedy made his name famous. But he's proven himself to be more than The Boy Who Lived. Because of him, our world is safe again. Ladies and gentlemen, join me in welcoming Mister Harry James Potter!"
Was Draco imagining things, or did Harry blush a little from that introduction?
Harry, Ron and Hermione embraced one another. Draco wondered how it felt to be in such a tightly-knit trio, almost like siblings. Being an only child was stifling at times. Over this past year, he'd come to think of Emmett as his younger brother.
"Finally, we present… the seventh-years of Slytherin House." People began jeering, but Professor McGonagall raised her voice to continue: "There's no question that it has bred countless dark witches and wizards, including, yes, a notoriously evil man who once went by the name Tom Riddle. No matter what the past may dictate, I still have faith in this house. Without further ado, I give you, Professor Horace Slughorn."
Only two Slytherins were ahead of Draco. He kept his ears open for the words:
"Draco Lucius Malfoy."
"That's my boy!" Narcissa shouted, applauding while Draco shook hands with his professors.
Oh, Mum, don't embarrass me…
It turned out that Slughorn would be giving them custom pocketknives, with the Slytherin emblem inscribed on their handles.
"People will surprise you," Professor McGonagall said after the Slytherins were called for. "Gryffindors can be afraid. Ravenclaws can lose their knowledge. Hufflepuffs can demonstrate the utmost bravery. Slytherins can overcome darkness. Which brings me to our final award. This young man has endured more than you could possibly imagine. In the beginning, he sided with dark wizards, like his family has done for centuries. But he discovered that his true allegiance is to justice."
Hold on, Draco thought. She's not talking about me…
"Using his outstanding talent for Potions, he subdued Death Eaters all by himself, and saw them chained in Azkaban. I firmly believe that if it weren't for him, more lives would've been lost."
Draco tuned out, his eyes widening in shock. Is she really giving an award to-
"-Draco Malfoy!"
He composed himself and walked up to meet her before he did anything embarrassing. McGonagall smiled, the only time Draco could ever recall her smiling at him. She'd been quiet upon his return in the winter.
"I'd like to offer my deepest condolences," she whispered as she slipped his plaque into his hands. "This was the least I could do after you went above and beyond a student's duties."
"I'll never forget this," Draco vowed.
When he left, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. "Saying goodbye is bittersweet. But I feel proud that you'll be out in the world, making life better for all, whether magical or Muggle. Take your education at Hogwarts and let it become part of you. Well… I'm sure you're all hungry by now, so let's commence with the feast!"
Draco stared ahead, looking for Harry Potter's scrawny frame. He found Potter as he prepared to sit at the Gryffindor table.
"I'm sorry," Draco blurted out. "I'm sorry for the way I treated you all those years. It wasn't fair of me."
Harry creased his eyebrows. "I'm sorry, too. About your dad. And Crabbe. And others you lost during the war. I know they were-"
"Death Eaters," Draco finished.
"Yes… Death Eaters. But they were your family as well."
"Some of them, yes."
I lost a cousin, too, he suddenly realized.
Nymphadora Tonks. He'd spent his whole life pretending that she didn't exist. Not a single Black communicated with her mother, Andromeda, not since her marriage to a Muggle-born man; and this extended to Nymphadora. He never had met either woman.
But Andromeda was living still. Narcissa's sister. Maybe he could pay his aunt a visit. With everything that had occurred, she'd probably welcome him gladly.
Of course, this idea comes while I'm with Potter, he thought. That boy always made him want to be a better person.
"I never did thank you, by the way," Draco said. "When you saved my life in the Room of Requirement. So, thanks, Potter."
He turned his back and made to leave.
Then, Harry's voice called behind him: "There's something you should know. Your mother saved my life that same day."
"She did? How?"
"I really was shot with the Killing Curse, and she went to check on me. When she noticed that I hadn't died, she asked me if you were alive. She could've told Voldemort the truth. But instead, she risked getting killed."
Draco glanced over at his mother, who was congratulating other Slytherins. And suddenly, he knew exactly what to do.