Chapter 1 – The First Session

"Draco Lucius Malfoy, I hereby release you from your imprisonment in Azkaban. You are to report tomorrow for your first mandatory counseling session here at the ministry at 9am. If you cause any trouble for yourself again, please understand that the Wizengamot will not be able to you grant you anything less than 10 years imprisonment due to the new laws on continued offenses. Do you understand all that I have told you?"

"Yes."

"Good. I have faith in you Draco and look forward to what you will become ."

"Thank you Minister Shacklebolt."

A year ago, to this day, and the memories seem like it happened five minutes ago. And what did I do with myself? Well let's see first I'm living in this God forsaken hell hole of a Manor because I have some sense of duty to the legacy that failed me. Despite taking the reins of Malfoy Enterprises, delving into muggle technology, and bringing the excitement of the internet and mobile phones to the wizarding world, I have apparently contributed nothing worth mentioning. I certainly haven't changed any of my beliefs if you were to listen to anyone on the streets who still feels the need to gossip about me even though I have social life to speak of. Blaise and Theo come around still but they don't have anyone either so I can't really count them. I haven't been with a woman since Pansy before that psychopath ruined my life.

So, I continue to start every day with a therapeutic workout, go to work, eat, and try to get an hour or two of sleep. Except for Friday's at 9am. Friday's at 9am are my mandatory counseling session days. You would think that after a year I would not need to do them anymore, but I can't seem to keep a counselor and so my year has started over again multiple times. It's not like I'm trying to piss them off or anything. They just ask the most asinine questions, and I must point out that they should've gone into different professions the whole lot. And so, I make my way to the 5th floor of the Ministry where I will meet my new counselor.

They have kept me in the same meeting area despite my numerous changes in counselors. Something about keeping the environment steady with little variations helping to stabilize the emotions and blah blah blah. It's a plain beige office that they tacked the plate "Counseling Sessions" to. It has a desk with a fairly nice rollie black chair, a couch that is comfortable enough for an hour, and a single plant that Longbottom would probably love to try to revive. I'm not even sure what it is, or was, at this point. The low lighting is probably what killed it since there are no windows. If I'm not mistaken, it could have been a large storage closet at one point. That's fitting that shoving me into a closet is what the Ministry has decided to do with me every week. At least I know exactly where to go and do not have to encounter anyone I do not wish to. Oh, with the exception of Potter.

Of course, my meetings would need to be on the Auror floor because apparently I am stupid enough to commit a crime and then walk right into the one place I would most certainly be arrested on the spot. I believe they originally did it with the intention of protecting others from me, as if I have ever been that dangerous. Now I think it's just easier than relocating me. Plus, I'm pretty sure Potter has a secret desire to see me become what he would call a friend. As the head of the DMLE, because of course vanquishing a dark lord with an expelliarmus is qualification enough, I get to see his bright golden boy face every Friday at 8:55am when the elevator opens.

As so as all the other Friday's before, I take a deep breath as I come to a jolting stop and ready myself for another hour of bullshitting those that, I guess, matter.

"Morning Malfoy! How's your week been? Any new apps I should download?" Harry Potter's smile is unsettling and too bright for being at work. His hair has a messy windswept look as if he rode his broom to work but I know that's only because constantly has his hands in it. He's either pulling or moving his hair from one side to the other. Why he doesn't just get it cut or put it in a ponytail Merlin knows. But I guess that's the same question I would have about glasses as opposed to contacts at this point.

"Potter, the fact you have any space left in your mobile amazes me. No, there is no new app this week I recommend. My week has gone just splendidly as always. What are you wearing? Has the Ministry finally called for better fitting robes for the department?"

"Ha ha ha no Malfoy. I happen to have a date this afternoon after work. Why do these robes look ok?"

I look him up and down trying to sneer but unfortunately, they do look good. "They are acceptable depending on who the date is with of course."

"Oh no one special just meeting for drinks after work to see if I'm interested. Nothing amazing or life changing."

Is that sweat? How odd. "Potter are you ok? You're getting the complexion of a Weasley all of a sudden. Merlin is it contagious?! No wonder there's so many of them!"

"Malfoy just forget I said anything. Go to your meeting. You might have this complexion once you walk in."

"Oi what is that supposed to mean? Is my new counselor a looker?"

"Oh, most definitely. I know this will be a day you won't forget for sure."

What the fuck is up with Potter? He's always odd but this is another level like he's taking the piss out of me or something. I walk over to the door at exactly 8:59am and open it to reveal the desk with no one behind it. Well, that's odd, normally the counselors are here before me. That's when I hear a quiet cough to my right where the spare chair next to the couch is. There is absolutely no way that I am seeing what I think I am right now. It must be a clever metamorphmagi or even a boggart would be preferable. But I can quickly tell with the fidgeting of the cuticles, that she is actually here.

"Hello Mr. Malfoy. Prompt as expected. If you will take a seat we can get started. I won't be doing a true session today, just getting to know each other. How does that sound?"

"Granger. You're not serious. I thought you went on to do something in the creature's division. That's why I had to free my elves is it not?"

"You had the opportunity to do the right and morally acceptable thing of giving your elves freedom because of a much-needed law that I helped create and pass, yes. However, I learned there are more creatures out there that need help in the wake of the war and life itself besides those of the beast category. I earned a degree in both Muggle and Wizarding Psychiatry through advanced placement testing if would like to see my credentials. However, you have no other option as Kingsley has made it very clear that you have no other choice besides me before you will automatically be sent back to Azkaban for failure to complete the one year of required therapy. So, is there an issue or not?"

During her rant, that I am sure is very cutting, I can only stare at her mane. Or what used to be a mane but is now silky curls that cascade down to her shoulder blades with an array of light brown and honey colors. I don't think I've ever seen it so tamed before. But when was the last time I saw her? The trial possibly? Oh, she's staring. "No, no issue at all."

"Good because I would hate to have to walk out the first day. I am here to help you Malfoy, but I swear to Merlin I will walk out, and you will be on a boat back to Azkaban faster than you can say niffler if you cross me. Do you understand?"

"Yes I get it Granger you hold my life in your hands, I understand. Can we proceed or must you show more dominance first? Care to rub my nose in the carpet maybe?"

"Right. Well let's get on with it then. I see I'm your fourth counselor." Her face is scrunched just a smidge between her brows as if she is truly concerned. "Is there a particular reason for that?"

"Not really. I guess they just couldn't deal with me as a person. Thought they could redeem me in two or three sessions and then realized I just am really a prick, and my life is where it's at and that's that. So instead of trying anymore, they left. That's not really anything new."

"Well, I think after dealing with you being a literal death eater who made my time at Hogwarts hell, I can deal with one more year of you just being a prick."

The words sting but I deserve them. I was a death eater. A shitty one, but I have the mark to remind me that it was all real and not a nightmare like one of the many I have now. I can see she's not going to take my shit so I might as well just get used to it. But this sparring is certainly better than the silent crying the others did when trying to show a brave face to my self-depreciating and bitching. "I'm certain you can. So yes let's get on with it Granger. What expectations and goals do you have for me?"

She shuffles her papers over in the neat folder she has on the side table and gives me what seems to be a list. "I have the expectations on the list I just gave you. I will want a signed copy to show that you understand the requirements of my help. As far as goals, well we will make those up as we go along, but not today. As I know you are a talented reader, I will give you a minute to look this over and then answer any questions."

The list seems to be small which is surprising for someone who was such a detailed know it all at Hogwarts. I'm sure somewhere on here it will say that I owe her my first born for the torture I watched her endure at the hands of my aunt. However, I'm surprised to see only sound and reasonable expectations.

1. Be on time for all meetings with all necessary materials if any are required (Journal notes, pictures, etc.)

2. All information shared in the meetings will remain confidential including from the client to the counselor and vice versa to create a trusting environment.

3. All assignments from counselor are to be taken seriously in an effort to complete the requirements of the parole program, and in such, failing to complete assignments could cause the participant to fail. If an assignment is particularly difficult, the counselor will give accommodations as necessary to complete.

4. There will be sessions that will occur outside of the assigned meeting area in which the counselor will secure proper travel arrangements and permissions. These are mandatory sessions. Again, accommodations can be arranged if necessary.

It's the last rule that I get to that causes me to scowl. "Granger, what's this about number 5?"

"What about it? Is it not clear enough?"

"The participant will submit to initial, final, and random drug testing throughout the sessions. While the initial test does not have to be negative for substances, subsequent tests will be evaluated to see if participant is making progress or maintaining sobriety while undergoing counseling treatments."

"Yes Malfoy I already said you could read. What is the issue?"

"The issue is I've never had to submit to a drug test before. My work does not require me to submit to drug testing. I don't know of anyone in the wizarding world that has to submit to drug testing, this is just some muggle rule to keep people poor."

"While I agree with the reasoning for why muggles sometimes utilize testing, the wizarding world would benefit as well. There are many mental health issues that arise from drug dependence, and we are not immune to addiction. Quite the opposite as we have potions that can be more addicting than those of muggle drugs and the ingredients are oftentimes easily bought from the apothecary, if not sold out right. I am a little concerned why you are so concerned with this particular expectation. Is there something you would like to discuss before your first test?"

I look up from the paper expecting her to have some sort of shit eating grin on her face but what I see surprises me instead. There's a look of genuine caring in her eyes as she leans forward slightly toward me in obvious worry. If I didn't know better I would think she was trying to use legilimency on me so that she could get the truth. But for some reason, I don't want her to have to work for the truth. I guess I'm just too tired at this point. So, look back at the paper so I do not have to look in her eyes.

"Well Granger, since this is all confidential, I guess I will let you in on a little secret of mine. Something that no one else aside from four other people on the planet know. You see, the reason I'm concerned about this specific expectation is because I'm an addict."