Draco entered the Great Hall for lunch. He noticed that Amethyst wasn't there, but he didn't really expect her to be. Not only was she physically exhausted, she was emotionally exhausted as well.

"Dad, I didn't expect you back until later today." Scorpius spotted his dad near the front of the Hall.

"We got back early this morning." Draco explained.

"What's wrong?" Scorpius could tell that there was something up with his dad.

"We should talk. There are a few things I want to discuss with you." Draco motioned for his son to follow him out of the now crowded Hall. They headed to an empty classroom.

"What's going on? You're starting to freak me out." Scorpius sat at one of the desks and looked at his dad.

"Professor McGonagall had offered me the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts professor along with Head of Slytherin House." Draco didn't beat around the bush.

"What did you say?" Scorpius wasn't exactly sure what to say. Though he rather liked the idea of his dad being at the school more.

"That I needed time to think about it and to discuss it with you." Draco said honestly.

"Is it something you want to do?"

"At first, no. But I've had some time to think about it and I think I would. I don't feel like I have much purpose right now." Draco admitted.

"Then I say do it. When would you start?" Scorpius smiled. He knew his dad had been feeling lost since Astoria's death and loved that there could be something to spark happiness again.

"As soon as next term. If I accept and am willing to take the position after the Christmas holiday, I would start in January. Otherwise, next September." Draco watched his son's face for any sign that he really didn't like the idea, but did not see any.

"Take it, start in January." Scorpius laughed.

"Okay, I'll talk to Professor McGonagall tonight." Draco smiled. "Now the next thing: Professor Abbott is talking about selling her house in Godric's Hollow and I have thought about purchasing it. I would make it my permanent home. We would keep Malfoy Manor, but it doesn't feel much like home anymore. It hasn't for a while - only during the summer since your mother's death. Being away these past weeks… I haven't missed it.

"Then buy Professor Abbott's house. Taking the teaching position means you'd only be there for holidays and the summer, but it should be somewhere you enjoy being. Plus, Grandpa and Gran will have something new to keep themselves busy. You know they're trying to get you to marry a Pansy Parkinson?" Scorpius said.

"How do you know?" Draco wasn't the least bit surprised by this news.

"Gran sent a letter while you were gone. Wanted to know why you were in London with some half-blood and hanging out with Harry Potter. She wanted everything I knew about who you were with and why. She mentioned that Pansy had been the one to tell her you were in London. Said she hoped that you'd come to your sense and marry Pansy because she'd a pure-blood." Scorpius explained.

"Did you respond?" Draco was curious.

"Said that I didn't know anything and that I'm busy studying for my O.W.L.S." Scorpius shrugged. "The Pansy person doesn't sound like you type, though. Not if she's so friendly with Gran."

"Pansy hasn't changed at all. That is not something I'm liking to revisit. Ever. Besides…" Draco trailed off not sure he should bring up that particular topic yet.

"There's already someone?" Scorpius wasn't blind. He had seen the way he dad and Professor Abbott were like around each other. They were professional and, of course, friendly, but if one really paid attention it was pretty obvious. Draco gave a slight nod. "Professor Abbott?"

"How did you…?" Draco looked wide-eyed at his son.

"It hasn't been obvious to anyone else, but I've noticed how you are with each other. It was clear from the Start of Term Feast how she felt about you. And I don't think you would have helped care for a baby hippogriff for just anyone… not even Mum." Scorpius smiled. "Mum wouldn't want you to miss an opportunity to love someone because of her. Especially if that person was anyone like Professor Abbott. Not that you need it, but you have my permission… and I guess more importantly, my blessing if you wanted to date Professor Abbott."

"Thank you." Draco hugged his son. "Just so you know, I would have asked her out even without your blessing. But it does mean a lot to me that we have it."

"It's time for you to be happy again. I think being a professor and Professor Abbott will do that." Scorpius looked at his dad. "Do you love her?" Draco nodded. "And she loves you." It wasn't a question but Draco nodded anyways. "I don't object and I don't think anyone here will either. McGonagall may have something to say though."

"I'll need to talk to Professor Abbott before bringing it up with McGonagall." Draco said. He, then, explained about the situation with Amethyst's wand. He also said that her aunt had given him a branch from an English Oak located in Godric's Hollow.

"While you were gone, Albus and I were walking along the lake with Hagrid before class Friday afternoon. We stumbled across some branched. I picked one up and Hagrid said that it was cedar and could be used for a wand, but without knowing which tree it actually came from it would be hard to know for sure." Scorpius dung around in his bag. "Maybe Ollivander will know. I wonder if he's ever made a wand using two different types of wood…"

"Not that I'm aware of. I'm sure he'll know if that cedar can be used in a wand though." Draco looked out the window. "Now, we should get some lunch before it's gone."

"And I'm supposed to meet Albus and some other fifth years in the library to study and finish some homework assignments soon." They headed back into the Great Hall. Draco noticed that Amethyst was sitting in her spot but wasn't paying attention to anything. She didn't even notice when he sat beside her. She jumped a little when his hand grazed hers.

"Are you okay?" He asked when he noticed the look in her eyes. She shook her head but didn't say anything. "Do you want to go somewhere and talk?" She nodded. They headed out of the Great Hall and bumped into McGonagall. Draco explained briefly what happened over the course of the trip but that more details had to be discussed privately. They arranged to meet in McGonagall's office later that evening, after dinner. They headed into an empty classroom. As Draco shut the door, Amethyst leaned against the desk.

"…" Her breath was shaky and Draco could tell she was crying.

"What's wrong?" He lifted her chin and wiped away her tears with his other hand. She buried her face in his chest and he just held her. They stayed like that for a few minutes before she felt calm enough to pull away.

"I'm sorry." She pulled back a little. He wiped her tears away again as he shook his head.

"There's nothing to apologize for. What happened?" His heart was beating rapidly as his mind raced through scenarios. Did she, in fact, have the blood curse? Did something happen to her aunt and uncle? Did she get a threatening letter? Did someone or something hurt her?

"I know it was a dream…" She finally spoke. "It seemed so real." She looked at Draco and his heart stopped when he saw the fear in her eyes. "Kyle came after me and he…"

"Shh…" Draco pulled her back into his arms. Anger coursed through him. "He'll never touch you. We won't let him. I won't let him." He waited for her to calm down again. "I talked to Scorpius earlier."

"Oh?" She leaned back to look at him.

"He wants me to buy your house and take the professorship." He smiled warmly at her and then kissed her on the forehead. "He told me that my mother has been scheming to get Pansy and me together. He doesn't know her but figures that, if my mother likes her, then she couldn't be a good person."

"Hmm…" Amethyst thought for a minute. "Smart kid." She smiled.

"And much more observant than I thought." He added.

"What do you mean?" She tilted her head.

"He figured us out already. He figured me out before I had." He weaved his fingers through her hair and then interlocked them with hers. "You know I was going to wait to bring it up, but he brought it up when he mentioned Pansy. He gave his permission and blessing. He knows you make me happy."

"I guess the only one we need to talk to now is McGonagall." She smiled at him.

"I was planning on it this evening what I talk to her about the position." They headed towards the door. "Come with me." She nodded. He kissed her quickly and then they separated before leaving the classroom. They were not going to be open until they spoke with McGonagall. They headed out into the courtyard. Ember landed on Amethyst's shoulder and nestled her head into her neck. Amethyst looked over at Draco and smirked.

"Jealous?" She teased.

"Who?" He smiled back. "Just makes me want to talk to McGonagall now."

"Welcome back." Hagrid said as he approached them. He knew there was something going on but he wasn't going to be the first to bring it up.

"Thanks. Everything go okay?" Amethyst asked.

"Smoothly, but they certainly prefer you teaching." He explained. "Pick up them owls?"

"Yes. Nyx is resting in the tent. She should be ready to stretch her wings soon."

"Erebus is resting in my room. He was getting restless earlier though." Draco added. Hagrid smiled and nodded. He picked up on the Greek mythology connection.

"Good. I was told there would be no permanent damage, but the Emporium is not ideal for their recovery." Hagrid replied. "Glad they made the trip okay."

"Draco's driver drove us to Godric's Hollow and then we took the Knight Bus to Hogsmeade. Disapparate on would not have been good for them. Orion has gotten used to it and know to be completely still. He also presses himself against me so that there is little chance of splicing." Amethyst explained.

"If you need anything, I'm around. Oh, Bane left this yesterday." Hagrid handed her an envelope. "McGonagall read through it just in case it was about the acromantulas." He explained why the seal was broken.

"Thanks." She waved as she headed to a bench. Draco kept his distance, giving her a chance to read the letter. Orion jumped onto his shoulder and began to purr.

"'Amethyst, there has been little movement with the acromantulas. It seems as though they are preparing their den for winter. Hopefully, this will mean no attacks until Spring. However, I am concerned that those attacks may be wide spread. We will certainly need to be on guard as the temperature warms up. I don't think we should drop our guard though. They may hope for that as they are intelligent beasts. If you and the Ministry plan to combat the colony, Winter may be the best time. Please, let us know if anything is planned. Bane.'" She folded the letter and looked at Draco. He walked over and sat next to her.

"What's up?"

"He's right. If we want to hit the colony, Winter is the best time. They stay in or close to the den during the cold months." She answered. "I need a wand. But, I guess, I just need to get back to practicing wandless magic for the time being."

"Are the attacks slowing?" Draco made a mental note to hurry up and find a suitable wand core. As soon as he had that he could take the material to Ollivander. He knew it would still take time for him to craft the wand. Hopefully, it would be finished by Christmas if he got it now.

"Yes, but Bane said not to drop our guard. If they sense we have, they may take advantage of it. They will continue to venture away from the den until the first hard freeze if they feel like it." She watched Draco's thoughtful expression. He leaned back and stretched his arm out behind her. She scooted closer and rested her head on his shoulder. Her breathing relaxed and he knew she'd fallen asleep. Ember had been flying around overhead. She swooped low and dropped a tail feather in his lap. Draco smiled at the phoenix. He looked at Orion was still nestled on his shoulder. The kneazle jumped down onto his lap and brushed some whiskers out with his paw. Two woods and two cores… if possible, that was sure to be a first for any wand maker. He tucked the whiskers and feather gently into his bag. He should be able to get to Diagon Alley one afternoon that week; he just needed to double check the lecture and class schedule. After about thirty minutes, Amethyst woke. She stood and stretched.

"Sleep well?" He smiled up at her.

"Much better than I did last night." She smiled back and then noticed Orion curled in his lap. "Someone seems to like you." She laughed.

"That's good. Especially considering the nature of kneazles." He picked up Orion and stood. They walked about the courtyard and watched the baby hippogriffs playing. "I have to make a trip back to Diagon Alley sometime this week. Probably late afternoon one day. I shouldn't be long though."

"Everything okay?" She asked, watching Orion swatting at the baby black hippogriff's tail.

"Yeah, I just want to get a head start on Christmas presents. I also need to check on the status of my dress robes for the Halloween Feast." He answered.

"Oh, that's right. The Halloween Feast is next Saturday. I ordered some dress robes and some other stuff for it. They should arrive tomorrow."

"If they don't, I can always check for you." He suggested.

"Thanks. I'm not too worried though." She shivered.

"Shall we head inside for dinner?" They headed into the Great Hall. Neville and Hannah were the only ones there.