Chapter 4
Draco sat with his mother of to the side the great hall, he was watching everyone in the great hall grieve while feeling utter relief that the battle was over. He was trying to collect his thoughts before the Aurors came to take him to Azkaban. His mother suddenly gripped his forearm, he looks over to her to follow her gaze and notices Hermione. walking out of the great hall with a woman he assumed wash his mother’s sister Andromeda. Once they are gone, he tried to tamp down the longing he felt for the curly haired witch. He'd always been drawn to her but with the circumstances as they were he had been trapped into treating her abysmally. He could admit to himself that his hatred for potter during school had been petty but couldn’t seem to gather those feelings since he saved his life from the Fiendfyre. Originally his hatred for Weaselbee had been based on things that his father had said but over time he had found more reasons to feel his own animosity for him. Maybe if he stayed out of Azkaban he could try to atone for his treatment of Hermione and maybe build a friendship with her. Draco was broken out of his musings by the approach of Kinsley Shacklebolt. He felt his mothers grip on his arm tighten and tried to give her hand a reassuring squeeze with his own.
" Lady Malfoy, Scion Malfoy. Would you please follow me? I would like to have a word.”
His mother nodded her head before he stood to escort her to where he was taking them. By the time they arrive before the gargoyle statue his heart was pounding, and he was trying to stave off the rising panic by raising his occlumency walls. They made their way to join Kingsley in the Headmasters office where they noticed Professor McGonagall already sitting in the lounge.
" Lady Malfoy, Mr. Malfoy please join us for some tea. "
They accepted Professor McGonagall’s offer, even though everyone knew that it wasn't a request.
“You are not going to Azkaban but there are things that need to be discussed.”
Kingsley noticed the look of surprise fall over both of the Malfoys faces.
" We had multiple people intervene on your behalf to ensure that you do not go to Azkaban for last years events while we await your hearing. Lucius has tried to offer any information he knows for leniency for you both. We have agreed to his terms but there were plenty of other people who spoke for you as well. While you are waiting for the date, you will be confined to your home "
“No, we agree to the house arrest, but it cannot be in the manor. We have a cottage from the black family in Scotland that we can open and reside there until the manor is dealt with. " Draco boldly interrupted the Interim minister of magic with a haunted look in his eyes but a determined set to his jaw. Kinsley understood that confining them to that place would do more harm than good.
" We can assist with the opening of black cottage. While there, your magic will be monitored, and you will not be allowed visitors unless they have been approved by the Auror department. We will also be layering our own wards over the ancestral ones that are already on the property. An Auror will be checking on you once a week and a mind heaver will also be visiting you. Are there any dark artifacts that we should know about on the property? “
" No, the cottage was willed to Draco by my uncle Alphard, Lucius has never had access to it and Alphard did not fully subscribe to the traditional views of the Black family. There were a few artifacts in it originally, but I gave them to Abraxas and Uncle Orion when the collage was looked over after Alphard died. "
Kingsley Nodded, Andromeda had told him that was probably the case. Although Narcissa was a black, she wasn't as fond of the Dark arts as their eldest sister, she tended to stay within the bounds of grey magic. Since many of the wards are still down you may summon a house elf to start opening the cottage. Narcissa called for Mippy, her house elf that came with her when she married Lucius.
" Mippy can you please open the black cottage and let the other elves know that we will be residing there for the foreseeable future, and they are welcome to join us.”
When Kingsley gave her a questioning look, she chose to elaborate.
" Since I oversaw the Malfoy elves, I freed them so they could be safer while the hated house guest was present. They decided to stay with the family out of their own choice.
" At this moment, is there anyone that you would like to be vetted for visits? "
Draco spoke before his mother could.
" Andromeda Tonks, Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott. It is time that mother reconciles with her now that grandfather and father are gone. Blaise remained neutral in the war, even though he never followed blood politics due to his family protection. Theo never participated and openly opposed his father when he demanded that Theo take the mark and almost died for it."
“I will start the process, Andromeda should not be a problem to approve, neither should Mr. Zabini. As for Mr. Nott, we will have to vet him a little more before approving his visitations.”
Draco nodded in understanding, pleased that he would at least be able to see Blaise.
" Now, during the hearing I doubt that either of you will be set to Azkaban. They could decide a house arrest or certain stipulations. They could require you to be educated in muggle studies, return to Hogwarts to finish your NEWTs, Travel Bans, Interaction monitoring, or any other number of caveats. They could also clear you of all charges due to the threats over both of your heads. Lucius will not be so lucky. The sentence he is given will be tacked onto the 9 years of his previous sentence before he was broken out of Azkaban. There will be other events included in his trial such as the events of the world cup and being present during Voldemort’s resurrection in the graveyard. "
Draco was trying to wrap his head around the fact that he most likely would not end up in Azkaban. When he processed what Kinsley said about his father: he couldn't help but mutter a good riddance under his breath. Professor McGonagall’s lip twitched slightly after hearing what he muttered under her breath. She began to speak before Draco could make anymore comments.
" If they do not specify that you must return to Hogwarts, we can arrange for you to sit your NEWTS privately. This is an option being given to all students who should have completed their formal education this year. "
Draco nodded and swallowed before he could reply.
" That would be greatly appreciated. We can hardly consider this last year with the Carrows to be a proper education. "
" Now that we have covered the most pressing matters. We can make our way to the cottage to ensure that everything is taken care of.”
They all stood, and Kingsley asked to be apparated with one of them. Narcissa offered her arm as she is not as magically depleted as Draco. Using her spare wand, she disapparated with a crack. Draco ducked his head towards the professor before following his mother. He reappeared outside of the wards surrounding Black cottage. The cottage was a large stone house that was covered in Ivy and surrounded by native Scottish trees and rolling hills. Kingsley asked him to reinforce the property wards before he layer on more. Draco walked along the edge of the wards until he came up to the ward stone. He withdrew his mother’s wand and cast a diffindo on the palm of his hand to drop some blood onto the ward stone and started chanting the words that were given to him when he was willed the property. Once his blood was absorbed into the stone, he made his way back to his mother and Kingsley.
" The wards have been reinforced. The only people keyed into them are mother, myself and you. When the Auror and mind heater come, they will have to apparate outside the wards or floo call before coming through. "
" I will let them know; I am going to set the monitoring wards before I leave you to rest. Lady Malfoy, Might I suggest that you owl andromeda. She is going to be needing family more than ever now. "
" I will do that minister; I have longed for her since She was banished from the family, but I was forbidden from reaching out from her. "
“I will owl you your approved visitors once they with have been cleared, as well as when the date is set for your hearing.”
With that Kingsley left to set the wards and then apparated away again.
Draco wrapped his arm around his mother to guide om her into the cottage. It was as if they had the weight of the world lifted off their shoulders as they stepped into a house that wasn't tainted by Voldemort and his followers. When they stepped over the threshold, they were greeted by Mippy, who immediately ushered them into the sitting room where tea was waiting for them. Sitting in down beside each other on the sofa, they both tried to release the tension they were holding and start to analyse everything that happened.
“After the last year. I am beyond grateful that we are both here and finally safe my dragon. "
His grip tightened around his mother.
"All I cared about this year was your safety mother. Had you not survived I don't know what I would have done. "
She pulled her only son into her arms, holding him as she wished she could have done more during his childhood.
" Thank you for asking Andromeda be added to our visitors. I cannot wait to see her again, and for you to meet her. "
" You should owl her mum, even if you don't do it today. We should retire. I cannot remember the last time we truly slept. We should also take some dreamless Sleep; we could both use it. "
" Of course, my Dragon. I love you. "
" I love you too mum.”
When they parted ways, Draco made his way to his rooms to wash the last year off of him and finally sleep somewhere safe. When he finished bathing, he padded across the room to look out the windows. He should owl Blaise in the morning, make sure he was okay. He wasn't sure where or why, but Blaise had disappeared not long after the start of the battle. He new Theo had left the castle with the younger students to avoid any further wrath from his father. A thought at the back of his brain wiggled behind his occlumency walls. He was beyond relieved that Hermione was alive but didn't want to unpack anymore at the moment. With that thought he climbed into bed before drinking the bottle of dreamless sleep left on his nightstand.
The next morning, he woke slowly. For the first time he was not afraid to leave his rooms. He dressed casually in a pair of grey trousers and a blue sweater before joining his mother for breakfast. Walking down the hallway he marveled at the feeling of being in a house that was free of Dark magic and safe. Walking into the dining room, he noticed his mother sitting before. A spectacular spread of food. He placed a kiss on her cheek before joining her at the table.
" Good morning mother, I hope you slept well. "
She smiled at him. " Good morning my dragon. I slept very well; you look rested. "
" I slept very well. Although that was most likely due to the dreamless sleep. I'm guessing that I will need to keep calming draughts on hand to avoid overusing it. "
“That is very wise. We should investigate other sleep aid alternatives.”
Draco nodded before dishing up and starting to eat When he finished, he sat quietly thinking about nothing and everything all at once.
" I owled Andromeda this morning. She will be coming for tea this afternoon with her grandson Edward."
Draco looked up at his mother quickly; relieved that she had reached out but in disbelief that andromeda had a grandson. He started to think of his cousin that he had never met. He knew that she was a Hufflepuff and an Auror. He also knew that she had married his former professor Remus Lupin. They had both perished that the hand of Bellatrix and her vow to cleanse the black family tree. He didn't know that they had a child and wondered how old he is.
“I am glad to hear that mother. "
Draco spent the rest of the morning in the library looking into alternatives for dreamless sleep. He was debating the merits of trying to alter the recipe of dreamless sleep itself to make it less addictive. Around two in the afternoon he was summoned by his mother to greet his aunt and cousin. He had opened the floo to allow them direct access to the cottage earlier that morning. He took a startled step back as a softer version of Bellatrix stepped through the floo holding an infant. Andromeda only had a moment before a rare display of affection overtook his normally composed mother and she flung herself at her sister while minding the baby in her arms.
" Hello Cissy "
" Meda, oh how I have missed you. You would not believe the number of times I wished to reach out over the years. "
" I have missed you as well Cissy. I understand why you could not have reached out sooner, no matter how I wished you would. "
“Now Introduce me to my nephew. "
Narcissa sent a grateful smile to her sister before nodding Happily.
" Draco this is your Aunt Andromeda. Meda this is my son Draco.”
Draco approached his aunt and started to bend to greet her before he was suddenly enveloped in a comforting embrace. “
Hello Draco. It is a pleasure to meet you. This is your cousin Edward Remus Lupin. "
Draco looked down at the babe in her arms and watched as his hair suddenly started to change while he slept.
" He's a metamorphagus. just like my Dora.”
" I thought that trait was lost in the black line. Not lost, Just Smothered. Inbreeding will do that.”
His mother released a small chuckle. " It is a pleasure to see it manifest again. "
As Narcissa maneuvered them into the sitting room Draco just listened and absorbed the conversation between the sisters. He could notice the similarities between them, they had the same mannerisms although his mothers were more rigid. He suspected it was due to her time married to his father. He was broken out of his musings by his aunt calling out a name.
" Amica " with a crack there was a house elf wearing a gold dress with a family crest subtly embroidered on it that he couldn't quite make out.
“This is my sister Narcissa and her son Draco.”
The house elf bowed to both of them.
" Would you be able to take teddy for his bottle please?”
" Of course, miss Andromeda." With that the house elf popped away with the babe safely in her arms.
" When did you get a house elf Meda? What crest was She wearing?”
" I didn't get a house elf. A friend of Dora and Remus offered the help of Amica to relieve some of the burden. Amica is a house elf of the Bellarosa family. "
With the mention of the Bellarosa family, Both Narcissa and Draco Sharply drew in a breath.
" The Bellarosa’s, I thought they were killed during the first war? "
“Titus and Cecilia Bellarosa were but their daughter was saved by Amica and raised in secret. Remus knew her first as he tutored her, but she became one of Dora's best friends. "
" They were right to keep her away from everything. The Dark lord would have stopped at nothing to have had her. I am glad she is there to help you. "
" Me too, we are planning to stay with her in Italy for a while after the funerals are finished. "
" It would be good for you and Edward to go stay with her; we may have to go to Italy when we are able. I would like to see Eloise. "
Draco nodded along with his mothers plans to head to Italy. He believed that getting away from England would be beneficial. Once everything stabilizes, He is sure most of the population would resent and blame the remaining Malfoys. His mind slowly drifted back to the fact that it is unlikely that he will go to Azkaban. He isn't sure who stepped in and made it possible for them to stay at the cottage, there had been so much going on that he found it difficult to believe that anyone took the time to speak on their behalf. He doesn't see how he could have avoided Azkaban, He let the death eaters into Hogwarts, Cursed Katie Bell, Poisoned the Weasel (which he barely fest remorse for but it had been an accident), let to the death of professor dumbledore, used the imperius curse, and tortured people. He turned back to what was happening in the room as his mother stood from the sofa and started walking towards an owl that was pecking at the window.
" It would seem that the date for our hearing has been set. We will be escorted to the ministry in three weeks time. Kingsley tried to it schedule it between the trial of the Carrows to take press attention away from us. Lucius’ trial will be held later. "
" That is very wise of Kingsley. If they release a statement about your hearing after the fact and if he were smart, he would bury, it deep in the paper until Lucius's trial where all the attention can be on him. Think Cissy, Lucius did always enjoy being the centre of attention. He won’t get another opportunity like this one! "
Andromeda threw her head back and laughed at the expense of his father. It took a few moments before his mother joined in her laughter. He could only stare at his mother like she had been imperiused, he had never seen her so open like this before in his life. His mother had always maintained a stoic facade and an even voice. Even when she was furious her voice would actually go softer and sharper. He couldn't help but think that he liked this version of his mother far better. He spent the rest of the time enjoying his mother reconnecting with her sister.
Shortly before dinner would be served, Andromeda decided to take her leave so she could put teddy to sleep. As they escorted Andromeda to the floo, she mentioned that their visits should become a regular occurrence. After dinner, Blaise's owl Pyrese flew through the window and instead of going to him like he expected. Pyrese flew to his mother before holding out his leg for her to retrieve the letter. He watched his mother read through the missive before her shoulders dropped in relief.
" What did Blaise want mother? "
“It was Eloise darling her owl is ill so she asked to borrow Pyrese until her owl has recovered. She said that Blaise would be contacting you soon. Apparently, he's had some pressing family matters to attend to. "
Draco nodded, only slightly suspicious that she was not being entirely truthful due to the use of the term Darling. Narcissa was relieved that Draco hadn't pressed the matter anymore. She agreed with Blaise that if her Dragon knew what was being planned by Miss. Granger and Mr. Potter, he would sabotage their efforts out of spite. She would have to respond once they each retired for the night. She stood from the table before wishing Draco good night and making her way to her rooms. Draco made his way to his room before getting prepared for bed and taking a calming draught before going to sleep.