Chapter Text
Draco had several meetings with Dumbledore over the next day, being exempt from classes much to the confusion of all his classmates. First by himself, then accompanied by Severus and lastly with Hermione and McGonagall added to the mix. Dumbledore seemed satisfied with their recounts of the events and promptly offered them lemon drops, which Draco refused, but Hermione curiously tried. He could see that she did not much like it.
“But professor,” Draco inquired before they had to leave. “What happened with Potter?” He saw both Severus and Professor McGonagall tense up.
“Ah,” Dumbledore started. “A most curious thing.”
And then he proceeded to tell them that professor Quirrell had been hiding the Dark Lord on the back of his head! And Potter had apparently defeated the man with the power of his dead mother’s love.
“I understand that this is a lot to take in,” Dumbledore said gravely. “Another lemon drop?” Hermione was quick to refuse this time.
“And what about the stone?” Draco wanted to know as well.
“Nicolas Flamel has agreed to destroy the stone,” Dumbledore told them. “He will have enough time to get his affairs in order and then it will be gone.” Draco nodded thoughtfully. He was still a bit confused about the whole thing. Like the elixir, couldn’t Flamel just make more and live longer. Did he not want to. Was it really possible for the dark lord to come back if he had such a potion. So many questions. But when Dumbledore offered them more lemon drops they were quick to get out of there.
Draco didn’t get another moment alone with Hermione either as Severus swept him away to his study.
“Draco,” he started as they had sat down by the fireplace which was of course connected to the floo network as well. “Do you understand the mortal danger you were in? This stupidity, I would have expected from the Gryffindors. But you.” Severus shook his head. Draco sighed deeply, slumping back on the sofa.
“I know,” he agreed. “I’m sorry godfather. And I’m sorry I thought you were the one stealing the stone.” Wow, Hermione had really gotten to him with her whole apologizing nonsense. Severus raised an eyebrow at him, obviously surprised by this as well. To his godfather, Draco figured he was a rather spoiled child and this was very new to him.
“Draco,” Severus said sternly. “Promise to come to me, when you are in trouble. Do you understand?” Draco nodded tiredly. Severus suddenly stood and sat down next to him on the sofa. His godfather put a gentle arm around him and Draco thankfully leaned down to rest his head on Severus’s shoulder. “And never doubt that I will always put you first, my godson.”
Draco shuddered slightly, burrowing into Severus further and nodding.
“I know,” he promised. He did really love his godfather and Severus loved him too, even if they never said it out loud.
~
Harry blinked his eyes open blearily, everything blurry. Probably because he wasn’t wearing his glasses. A gentle hand was brushing his unruly hair back and a familiar scent of chocolate and hot earl grey tea reached him. His dad.
“Dad?” He croaked, voice raspy. The hand in his hair disappeared to set his glasses on his nose and Harry could see again. Remus was sat next to him and he was definitely in the Hogwarts hospital wing.
“Hi sweetheart,” Remus said, smiling wanly. “How are you feeling?”
“Sore,” Harry said after a moment of trying to move all his body parts. Remus nodded in understanding.
“It’s not every day you fight off a dark wizard,” Remus said breezily. Harry winced.
“I’m sorry dad,” he murmured. Remus sighed heavily.
“I know. I know you are.” He started stroking Harry’s hair again, which the boy appreciated very much. It meant he was not as mad as he could be. “I’m just glad you’re alright.”
“I love you dad,” Harry suddenly felt the need to remind him of that. Remus gave him a smile and leaned down to kiss his forehead.
“I love you too, Harry. More than anything,” Remus promised. “So don’t do this to me anymore, please. Try to be more careful.”
Harry nodded.
“I promise, dad.”
They were still for another few moments until the doors to the infirmary opened. McGonagall and Dumbledore walked through.
“Hello Remus,” Dumbledore greeted gently, giving Harry’s dad a small smile. Harry felt scared all of a sudden, what if they were going to expel him?
“Headmaster,” Remus nodded. “Minerva.”
“Remus,” McGonagall inclined her head. “Will you please come with me, I have some matters to discuss with you.” Remus shot a small look at Harry and then Dumbledore before standing. “And Potter, Oliver Wood wanted to have a word with you but I managed to ward him off,” McGonagall said, lips pursed. “Might I suggest you avoid him, until the end of the year at least.” Harry sucked in a breath, dread filling his eyes. Oliver Wood, quidditch captain to the extreme, was bound to have many complaints since Harry must have missed the last game. Harry did not even want to imagine the thought. Remus chuckled at his expression.
“I’ll be back soon,” he promised, leaning down to kiss Harry’s forehead before leaving with McGonagall. Dumbledore strode over to Harry’s bed, looking at all the candy he had received.
“I’m sure you must have many questions,” Dumbledore started. Harry did. And so Dumbledore explained.
~
The great hall was buzzing at the end of year feast. Draco felt like he was a stranger in his own skin. After the events of two days ago he did not feel like he belonged with his friends anymore. And the fact that their end of year results had come and he was second best to Hermione in their whole year dampened his mood further (even if he was happy for her). Crabbe and Goyle were digging in to the food, Blaise was talking about vacationing in France during summer. Theodore was haughtily talking about a bill his dad was trying to pass in the ministry where muggleborns had to be set through blood purification testing which Draco thought sounded terrifying. And everyone was so excited to get back home, but he was not feeling it so strongly. He missed his mother and father of course, but they had been notified of his escapades in the last days and he was sure to be given a stern talking to when he got home, maybe worse (especially since he lost his top spot to a muggleborn as well). He didn’t feel like who he was supposed to be. And his friends noticed too.
“Draco,” Pansy said. “Why are you moping so much? Slytherin has the most points! The house cup is ours!”
“I’m not moping,” he protested. “I simply slept badly.” And he hadn’t seen Hermione since Dumbledore’s office (or Weasley or Potter since they were on the third floor). Pansy looked like she wanted to say something more but she kept quiet and turned to Daphne instead. A miracle really. Millicent, who was seated beside him, bent close to whisper with him.
“Nott has sent several owls to his dad about you,” she revealed. “He has also told all of us to not invite you to things this summer.” Draco’s eyes widened slightly. He glanced at the boy, still boasting about his father’s new bill. He hadn’t noticed that they were ignoring him, but now that he thought about it Crabbe and Goyle had been very skittish, Blaise had been aloof and Pansy refrained from talking too much with him. This was very bad.
“Why are you telling me this?” He hissed back, feeling angry at everything. Millicent frowned at him but didn’t answer his question, simply returned to eating her dinner. Draco sat back, mind running through everything. He felt like he’d aged considerably during this year. The start of it he’d been young and stupid. Now he felt perpetually worried. Yes, Hermione had been right (as per usual). It was a lot for an eleven year old to bear. Maybe he should just let things come and try not to worry too much…
The chatter in the great hall suddenly quieted as everyone turned toward its entrance. Draco felt relief course through him as he saw Hermione, Weasley and Potter walk through the doors. They all seemed unharmed and almost happy. Probably to be alive. The golden trio walked over to gryffindor table and sat down by Neville. The chattering picked up again but most everyone seemed to be talking about the gryffindors. The whole school had figured out that they had done something very special and that it had to do with Quirrell since he was mysteriously absent from the high table. But no one knew the exact details, and no one had connected Draco to it yet which suited him perfectly fine.
“Another year has passed!” Dumbledore suddenly stood up to start speaking, which silenced everyone yet again. Draco let him drone on, wanting to be done with school. “…and so Slytherin is in first place with 472 points!” The whole table rose in applause and Draco forced himself to do so as well, although he noticed the other tables seemed very dismayed. He noticed Hermione clapping for them though, which he appreciated.
“However!“ Dumbledore raised a hand to silence them. “Recent events must be taken into account. And I have a few last minute points to award.” Draco felt himself slumping. This did not bode well for Slytherin. He even saw Severus looking wary. “To miss Hermione Granger, for cool use of intellect when others were in great peril, I award 50 points!” The Gryffindor table started applauding frantically at this and Draco could feel the mood at Slytherin table deflating. “To mr Ronald Weasley, for the best played game of chess that Hogwarts has seen these many years, 50 points!” The applause were steadily rising in volume and excitement was palpable. “And third, to mr Harry Potter, for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award 60 points.” Draco glanced at his godfather to see him looking increasingly annoyed.
“They’re tied with us!” Pansy hissed across the table. And Dumbledore apparently wasn’t done.
“Also, it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, a great deal more to stand up to your friends. I award 10 points to Neville Longbottom,” Dumbledore finished off and Draco felt happiness for his friend (no! Not friends) upon seeing Neville’s stunned face, and Draco was glad to see him recognized for his courage. The roaring applause almost deafened him. This was really it, Gryffindor overtook them just like that. He noticed the angry murmuring coming from his own table and wanted to sink through the ground.
“Lastly,” Dumbledore suddenly spoke again, over the thundering applause. “For innovative solutions and showing great logic, I award 50 points to Draco Malfoy.” The applause stuttered suddenly. Draco’s eyes were as wide as they could go, and he met his godfather’s eyes at the high table, Severus looking equally surprised. It seemed like even the Slytherin’s didn’t know what to do with this. “And thus, Slytherin wins the house cup!” Dumbledore announced grandly. Draco was startled as someone started to applaud, and he looked around, locking eyes with Hermione who was standing with a wide smile on her face. Potter and Weasley were quick to follow her lead, applauding and Draco met Potter’s eyes, stunned by the genuine smile on his face.
And of course, whatever Harry Potter did, the school was sure to follow, so all the houses started applauding loudly - Slytherin included. The high table were also celebrating, Severus looking infinitely proud, with a small tilt to his mouth that could be likened to a smile.
Draco cautiously let himself grin and accept the congratulations of his house, Pansy giving him a wide smile, Crabbe and Goyle slapping him on the back and Millicent nudging him with her shoulder. Theodore looked dismayed but couldn’t be so for long since they had won the house cup. Draco still almost couldn’t believe it, but realisation soon set in that this wasn’t the great gesture it looked to be. Dumbledore had just branded him adjacent to the golden trio. To a muggleborn, a blood traitor and the boy who lived himself. His father was going to be livid.
~
Draco sat alone in a train compartment (except for Lyra, lounging in his lap), having quickly escaped his slytherin friends after they arrived at Hogsmeade station (not that it was hard, since they were still ignoring him). He was staring out the window, stroking Lyra’s fur absentmindedly and contemplating how he was going to explain this to his parents. Then the door opened. In came, of course, the three Gryffindors which were the cause of all his misery.
“Draco!” Hermione said, relieved, as she sat down next to him (which he had not invited her to do). Weasley and Potter took seats across from them. Draco smiled thinly at the girl.
“Hermione,” he stated.
“Congratulations on winning the house cup,” she said firmly, reaching a hand out. He shook it with ease.
“Thank you,” he said sincerely.
“Yeah Malfoy,” Potter spoke, “congrats.” He seemed like he meant it even if he was disappointed Gryffindor hadn’t won which Draco could understand.
“Yeah fine,” Weasley agreed, a bit more reluctantly, which made Draco smirk.
“While your words are oh so touching,” Draco huffed, “the reality isn’t so great.”
“What do you mean?” Hermione frowned. He shook his head and stared resolutely at the window.
“My housemates are less than thrilled that I have been associated with you lot. And my parents aren’t likely to be either,” he murmured. They all remained silent for a while, Potter and Weasley looking at each other awkwardly while Hermione tried to catch his eye. Lyra chose that moment to stand up, stretch and jump swiftly across the compartment into Potter’s lap. The boy looked shocked but gently laid his hands on her fur. Weasley also reached out to give her a small pet. She purred under the attention and Draco found there was a smile on his face. Maybe everything wasn’t terrible at least.
“Well,” Hermione spoke. “Your parents will still love you.” She said it with such conviction that Draco felt he had to believe her. “And no matter about your housemates. You have us now! And Neville!” Draco snorted.
“Yeah yeah,” he mumbled.
“No she’s right,” Weasley suddenly said, although breezily like he wanted to have this conversation over with. “I figure you can’t do everything we did and not become friends, right Draco?” Draco found himself nodding along, because yes. It did seem absurd to not call them his friends now (though he would never do it out loud of course! Blasphemy). And it felt weird for Weasley to call him Draco, but he figured he would have to start calling him Ron as well (maybe, in a distant future). And call Potter, Harry (eww that was weird).
“And considering Quirrell walked around with a dark wizard on the back of his head for a year, I think us becoming friends wouldn’t be the most unlikely thing to happen this year,” Weasley said mildly. Draco couldn’t contain his laughter at that. Hermione and Potter soon joining in, not able to stop their giggling. Soon they were all laughed loudly though.
“Anyway! Let’s play exploding snap!” Potter suggested, and Draco could definitely get behind that.
The rest of the journey was spent playing, talking and snacking on various treats from the trolley witch. And Draco felt the weight in his chest lightening considerably. It would all be fine he thought as they stepped off the train. As they located Mrs Weasley and the man who he still didn’t quite know who it was. As Weasley said they were both welcome over during the holiday and he would send an owl (although more enthusiastically to Hermione and tentatively at best to Draco) much to Mrs Weasley’s shock. As he looked around for his parents who did not seem to have crossed the barrier with a beating heart. As he and Hermione exited through the barrier together, the old guard letting them through in twos and threes so it wouldn’t be so suspicious for the muggles. As he found his mother and father waiting outside, and as he saw Hermione’s muggle parents (who his father was staring down already). As he joined his parents and got a swift and tense hug from mother before father whisked them all away outside to the apparition point.
It was all going to be okay. Right?