Disclaimer: all characters and the wider wizarding world belong to J. K. Rowling.

Molly hugged Harry and Hermione as they came out of the court.

"I'm so proud of you both," she fussed. Ron and Ginny pushed forward to hug them as well. The press were far enough away that their shouted questions were just noise and they knew they couldn't get a good picture. Short of being in an Order house, this was as close as they could get to privacy.

"Minerva wanted a word with you before we left, I said we'd meet her here, I hope that's ok."

McGonagall swept around the corner, ignoring the press and the clamour. Dressed in dark green and black tartan robes, she looked every inch the headmistress as she approached the group.

"How can we help you Headmistress?" Hermione asked, once pleasantries had been exchanged.

"Hogwarts business, I'm afraid, Miss Granger," the older witch sighed. "I know you've agreed to come back and I'm very grateful."

"Our letters arrived yesterday - I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be head girl, professor," Hermione gushed. Ron rolled his eyes and earned a swift elbow from his mother.

"Yes, well, I wanted to discuss the other students who will also be returning for their final year. More specifically those from Slytherin house."

The older witch watched as the four young faces in front of her changed as their owners processed that information. Harry simply looked at Ginny and shared a knowing look, as he reached for her hand. Hermione's mouth made a surprised 'o' as she thought for a moment, before a glorious smile erupted on her face and she beamed at her mentor.

Ron was not quite so understanding. His face was bright red by the time he summoned the courage to speak.

"You can't be serious!" he bellowed.

Molly elbowed her youngest son once again.

"Ronald, quiet now! Listen to what Minerva has to say before you reply, please."

The colour draining from Ron's neck and face was reply enough.

"Thank you, Molly. As I was saying, there are several Slytherin students who have expressed a desire to return, some of whom have parents now in Azkaban. I trust you three - well, four including you Miss Weasley - will not be so foolish as to associate the sins of the fathers with your classmates."

A stern look followed, and Ginny had to control her giggles as her brother's face grew red once more. Harry squeezed her hand before replying for the group.

"Of course, professor. They were kids, just like us, and it's not like most of them fought with Voldemort." He nervously adjusted his glasses before continuing. "But what about the ones who did support him? Parkinson, Goyle and Malfoy?"

McGonagall's eyes shone. Although they were only children, it was clear the young people in front of her had matured so much over the past couple of years. Gone was the angry boy who had cursed another in a bathroom in a fit of rage and instead a measured young man with intelligent questions filled his shoes. She could not have been prouder if they had been her own children.

"An excellent question, Mr Potter. Mr Goyle has indicated that he would like to continue with his studies as he is now head of his house and his mother is concerned he will need all the help he can get. Miss Parkinson replied to my owl with a terse response but nevertheless says she wishes to return to the school and bury the past."

The older witch paused and looked at the young adults gathered before her, judging whether they were ready.

"And I have yet to speak with Mister Malfoy, as he has been under house arrest. I was intending to offer him a place if he would like it, but I wanted to check with you first. I know you spoke on his behalf as well as Narcissa's but I wanted to ask if you thought there was any reason I should not," the older witch paused, her eyes narrowing. "Perhaps something you did not share in his trial?"

Hermione thought Ron was about to explode, he was now an impressive shade of purple. Looking to Harry and Ginny, who both nodded their support, she stepped forward in an attempt to avoid an incident this close to the press.

"Professor, if I may. Our testimony today was the truth - we didn't exaggerate or lie, or omit anything. Draco Malfoy was just a child caught up in this fight, the same as us. He was simply caught up on the other side of it. I think yours an excellent suggestion. After all, everyone should have the opportunity to finish their schooling."

Minerva smiled at her brightest student and grasped her shoulder.

"Miss Granger, I had no doubt you would be the voice of compassion. I shall speak to him about returning to school then. I'll have to select another prefect, of course-"

"If I may, professor, why must you?" Hermione interjected. "I mean, Death Eater or no, Malfoy was actually a decent prefect despite everything, and there's no denying he's a competent wizard. He would be good for patrols and helping the younger ones if he can be persuaded to focus on the right things."

Molly and the older witch shared a look and the flame-haired matriarch had tears in her eyes when she nodded her head slightly. When Ron made a move to object vehemently, Molly pulled him away from the conversation to have stern words.

"Very well, Miss Granger, those are good points and I'll see how he is when I speak to him," McGonagall sighed. "He'd never admit it but he is a very lucky individual to have you two arguing his case. I suspect it would be wise not to hold out for his gratitude though; the Malfoys are a proud bunch. I look forward to seeing you in September."

In a swirl of tartan the Headmistress retreated back to the courtroom and Harry, Ginny and Hermione were left alone in the corridor. Ron was still being scolded, albeit quietly, by Molly so the three stood awkwardly to one side until she was finished. Ginny grabbed Hermione's hand and leaned in to whisper to her.

"That was a really good thing you did, Mione. He doesn't deserve it but I almost hope McGonagall is wrong about him not being grateful, we could all use a second chance now and then."

She tilted her head to her youngest brother and wiggled her eyebrows at her friend. Hermione just rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Oh Gin, I think we both know we'd be much better off as friends."

Ginny sighed, it's not like she was rooting for her brother over her friend, but when the war had ended she had this vision of them all being family and now it seemed like it wasn't to be, she couldn't help but mourn what could have been.

"I know, I just thought it would be nice to have you as a sister."

Hermione swatted her friend on the arm and pulled her in for a bone-crushing hug.

"You'll always be a sister to me, Ginny, don't be daft. I hope I don't have to marry your idiot brother for you to think of me in the same way."

Harry watched as the two girls - no, women - he loved more than anything in the world hugged and smiled. Ron sidled up beside him, his face a little less red and his demeanour thoroughly chastised.

"Well done for today, mate. He doesn't deserve it, but it just goes to show how much better you are, doesn't it?" He muttered to Harry.

"And you, of course, Mione. But no such thing as a lost cause for you, is there? Hermione Granger for Minister for Magic!" Ron ducked Hermione's slap as they collapsed in giggles and moved to follow Molly to the atrium.


A gentle tap on the shoulder roused Draco and he looked up into the stern face of Professor McGonagall. She pursed her lips and waited for Narcissa to compose herself.

"Narcissa, Mr Malfoy."

"Minerva." Narcissa pulled herself together and straightened her robes. Draco produced a handkerchief and she dried her eyes addressing the woman before her. "I assumed we would still have business to attend to, it wouldn't be as simple as just walking away."

"I'm sure Kingsley will contact you in due course for your contribution to the restitution fund and your paperwork and so on, but he assures me, I can accompany you home without any further ado."

The witch extended her left hand, and they both grabbed hold whilst she whirled them around and the familiar but uncomfortable sensation of side-along apparition engulfed them. They found themselves standing in the main reception of Malfoy Manor.

Narcissa recovered herself quickly and called a house elf to prepare some tea for them in the sitting room and led the way.

The silence was deafening as they waited for the tea to be poured. After taking a sip of her cup, Minerva McGonagall set it down and waited until she had the attention of both Malfoys.

"I can imagine today has been quite trying enough. As I said, Kingsley will send someone to speak with you in a day or two to discuss monetary matters, visiting rights and the likes. I'm just here as a familiar face to discuss next steps," she turned to Draco and narrowed her eyes slightly. "Especially for you, Mister Malfoy."

Narcissa watched the older witch, willing to step in at a moment's notice to defend her son, but his hand on her arm stayed her ire.

"Professor - Headmistress," he corrected. "I don't suppose there's any coming back from where I am right now. If there's anything I can do to help with the repairs of the school, although I can understand if you'd like any donations to remain anonymous."

The older witch sipped her tea while she let the silence drag on after his question. Minerva McGonagall was a shrewd judge of character and she wanted to give time for the Malfoys to show any flicker. She had always admired the Slytherin, pureblood way of keeping everything close to one's chest - it wasn't what she would choose but it had to be admired nonetheless - but she saw none of that now, every emotion, albeit subtly, played out on their faces. Pride and a little anger, yes, shame and remorse too, but mostly they looked tired.

"Mister Malfoy, that won't be necessary. The repairs for the school will be taken from the pool of funds collected from various sources, reparations being just one," she placed her teacup carefully back down. "No, I'm here to talk about whether or not you wish to return to Hogwarts to complete your education."

Narcissa whimpered to his left. It was a thoroughly undignified sound and one he was sure she had never made in company before. He gave her clasped hands a brief squeeze before replying.

"It would cause you a lot of trouble. I'm not sure you know what you're offering me."

His voice was steady but quiet. He was just glad he'd managed to keep the wavering to a minimum.

McGonagall drew herself up to sit even straighter in her chair, if it were possible.

"Mister Malfoy, I assure you, I have thought long and hard about your case, but there's one factor that I simply cannot ignore; Albus had faith in you, and Severus did what was necessary to save you from a terrible fate. It would be remiss of me to disregard your future when they sacrificed so much for it."

Draco felt as if he would combust under her gaze, the colour rising to his pale cheeks.

"As to the trouble I will be in, I would be more concerned about your own trouble, Mister Malfoy. I have quite enough on my plate and I cannot be chasing you around the castle breaking up schoolyard fights and childish rivalries. I expect you to make efforts to show your classmates - and, indeed, the wizarding world in general - the mature young man I believe you can be." Her eyes narrowed again. "I am a very good judge of character, Mister Malfoy. I am putting my faith in you, I hope you realise that. I don't wish to be disappointed, so should you abuse that faith I shan't hesitate to expel you, and very publicly I should add!"

Draco swallowed hard. This was more than he had hoped for, and it was certainly the sort of thing he and his mother had discussed at length whilst awaiting their trial. He needed to rebuild the Malfoy name. His mother had made it clear, she had thrown her lot in with his fa- Lucius, he reminded himself - but he was young and the burden of rehabilitation would fall heavily on his shoulders. He squeezed his mother's hand again, for courage.

"Thank you, professor. That's more than I could have hoped for," he began, shakily. "I'll do my best. I-"

Draco paused, he wasn't sure how much of himself he was willing to sacrifice on the altar of Gryffindor public opinion but his old Transfiguration professor was so shrewd he secretly suspected her hat stall had been about more than just Gryffindor and Ravenclaw so it seemed foolish to lie or disguise anything now. He sighed and ran his free hand through his hair.

"Professor, I know now that I made the wrong decision. He said that to me, you know, Dumbledore. He said he knew a boy who made all the wrong choices, and I knew he was right and I made them anyway. But that doesn't mean I'm completely reformed. My pride is battered and bruised but intact. You can threaten me with expulsion, certainly, but can you honestly tell me I won't be hexed in the corridors? I'm not perfect, what happens if I snap back after one too many jinxes to the back?"

The older witch's eyes glistened and he was reminded of the former headmaster so strongly, he had to fight to keep his eyes from dropping in shame. Perhaps the eye twinkle came with the job?

"I trust my prefects to take care of that, I expect each and every one of you to set a good example for the younger years in the way you interact and treat one another."

"I'm sorry, professor," Draco interjected, his eyebrows drawn together in a frown. "Did you say each and every one of us?"

"Yes, Mister Malfoy. You are, are you not, one of my most senior prefects?"

Draco's eyes widened fractionally, but it was enough of a tell for the headmistress to see.

"You should know I was persuaded by one of your classmates. You could have some very powerful allies, Mister Malfoy, if only you would allow them to help you."

She stood and straightened her robes, smoothing imperceptible creases from the tartan. Draco stood automatically, his manners not yet forgotten.

"Narcissa, thank you for the tea but I must be going. I will remove all the enchantments on your house as I leave, your floo will be open so you can go about your business. I imagine you'll be wanting a new wand. I've already spoken with Garrick, he'll be expecting you in due course."

With a final swish of robes she left the two Malfoys in stunned silence.