CHAPTER 4

Draco had to admit that he was settling into his new routine fairly well. He was living in a small flat that belonged to the Ministry, he was working a small desk job in the Ministry, and the Ministry was monitoring his life. But he was not complaining one bit. Yes, he hated his flat, his job, and the Ministry, but every time he even thought about complaining, he remembered that he could be sitting in a cell for the rest of his life. Thinking of this always put an end to any that he might have against the Ministry or Chaz, who had been keeping a close eye on him over the last six months. Yes he had grown up privileged, living in a huge mansion, hardly ever having to ask for anything, but now he was making his own way. Because really, what had that life done for him? Nothing good. And it wouldn't be long before he could move back into his mansion if he wished, but for now he was willing to put up with his lot in life in order to be free and possibly have something real in his future, not something handed to him on silver spoon.

His job at the Ministry was not overly dreadful. He worked under a man named Gregory. He was a nice enough bloke. Never seemed to worried about Draco's past and treated him just like all the other desk jockeys in the office. He was working in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, which he thought was part of his punishment. Everyday new stacks of paper work would be lying on his desk. Nearly all of them had been reports from the war. Even all these months after it had concluded the reports were still being filed. He had often seen names that he knew and even events that he knew of. There had been a few instances that he had been a part of. Draco kept this knowledge to himself, but he believed whole heartedly that this was part of his punishment. To file away the names, pictures, and descriptions of people who had died in the war. To file away reports on destruction and mayhem from the war. To remind him of what he had done and witnessed.

If it was punishment, it was working. Draco was reliving every bad thing that he had done every day and it was taking its toll. He had a hard time sleeping, and he often awoke from brutal nightmares that seemed more real than they should.

Still, Draco was in routine. He would get up, go to work, file all day, come home, try to sleep, and then do it all over the next day. The only time he deviated from this schedule was when Chaz would show up; informing him, he had a special duty for the day. This had only happened a few times, and it was mostly to help someone with information on a specific person or crime committed during the war. These were always the worse. Having to relive the nightmare aloud for a group of wizards and witches to hear. The nightmares were always worse the nights that he had to do this.

When a knock sounded on the front door of his flat, Draco knew that it was going to be one of those days. He was going to have a special duty. Chaz was the only one to knock on his door. No one else had visited him in six months, but Chaz. He always came after work if it was to check in; he only ever came before work if it was a special day.

Draco pulled his shirt over his head and walked to the door.

Chaz was all smiles like usual. Draco moved, so the jovial man could enter.

"Good morning, Draco. How have you been? It has been a few days since was last talked."

Draco had been relieved when days had passed and he had not seen the wizard. Not that he was not appreciative for all the Chaz had done for him, but the man could be a bit overbearing at times.

"I have been fine, just working."

"Yes, yes, quite good. I have come because we need you for a special project. As I am sure you knew, Hogwarts has been being rebuilt. The Ministry is hoping to have it rebuilt in time for the next school year to start. It was brought to my attention by my boss that they might need extra hands. I, of course, volunteered you! It will look great when your status is being reviewed when your two years is up."

Draco started at the man; Chaz wanted him to help with the rebuilt of the school? Draco nearly said no, but then remembered the last thing Chaz had said. He had known about the review that would happen at the end of his probation, but he had never put much thought into the idea that he might need to go above and beyond in order to look good for it. At this thought, Draco looked back on the last six months. He had done nothing that would make him seem like an asset to the wizarding community. This might be his first chance to change that. In year and half he needed to be able to stand before the review committee and be an asset to the community.

"Okay, when do I start?"

The wizard smiled brightly.

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Draco was more nervous than he would have thought as he walked up to the gate of the school. Beyond he could see that Hogwarts was still a mess. However, it seemed as though a substantial amount of work had already been done. There were still two towers that needed to be rebuilt, and the front of the castle looked a bit worse for wear, but Draco could see that the bridge had been rebuilt. The grounds seemed to be starting to shape up, but there were still places that obviously needed help. Draco could see people walking around in the distance, working here or there.

"I spoke with Minerva McGonagall yesterday. She suggested that you help with the Great Hall. She should be in there, go and find her. This is where I leave you. Minerva will inform me when to come escort you home."

Draco swallowed thickly. He was not prepared to see Professor McGonagall. Though he supposed it was Headmistress McGonagall now. So far, he had not run into anyone from his past, and he had wished to keep it that way. It seemed as thought that was going to be impossible. He turned back to Chaz, ready to inform him that he had changed his mind, but the wizard had already walked back through the gates and disapparated.

Draco blinked and turned back to the castle. There was no time like the present, and he knew that he would have to face his past sooner or later. And it looked like it was sooner rather than later. Pushing forward, he started the long walk up to the castle.

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"Headmistress?" Draco called when he entered the Great Hall. He watched as the woman turned slowly her eyes meeting his across the space.

"Mr. Malfoy," she responded softly, but her eyes were hard.

"I was informed that you might need help with the renovation of the school?"

McGonagall snorted, "Renovation. Yes, we are rebuilding the school." She had laid a large emphasis on her words, and Draco looked away in pain for a moment.

Collecting himself, and trying his hardest not to put his emotional mask back on, he nodded his head. Chaz had warned him back when they had only known each other a few days, that holding on to his mask would not help him to move on. Chaz had insisted that he practice showing his emotions. He promised the young wizard that it would help him to gain the favor of those around him. "People want to know that you feel bad, that you regret what you have done. If no one can feel that you have feelings, it is much easier to condemn you. Just try to be genuine." Draco had been trying his hardest. It was much easier with his co-workers because he had not known them from his past.

McGonagall, on the other hand, had known him since he was eleven years old and she knew the awful things he had done.

"I am…I'm here to help," Draco stumbled a bit over his words, and tried to show her that he was sincere. She nodded slowly looking surprised to see the emotion shinning in his eyes.

"I was surprised when I heard that you would not be spending your days in a cell." The Headmistress pronounced slowly. "I was even more surprised when I learned why you would not be spending your days in a cell. I am willing to give you a chance, but only because Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger were willing to do so. You must have done something in order to gain their favor. I can only hope that it was something well worth your freedom."

Draco swallowed hard and nodded his head. He did not want to tell her that he did not really know why the witch and wizard had stood up for him at his trial, but he hoped that she was right. He hoped that he did deserve his freedom, and he was going to work as hard as he could to prove to himself that he did.

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A/N: I would love a few reviews to let me know how this story is so far. I has been a long time since I posted anything on FanFiction. I always love to hear what my readers think! But no pressure; I will continue to update even if you don't review