The Dragon Breezes In

I woke up the next morning and I freaked out a bit because I didn't know where I was. Don't laugh! The surroundings were different, even though it had Slytherin style to it, it was shabby and I wasn't used to that back at the Manor, definitely not with the House elves cleaning all the time anyway.

I got out of bed and got dressed. I was just debating with myself over whether I should go downstairs when there was a knock at the door. It was Mrs Weasley.

"Draco, are you awake?"

"Yes."

"Come downstairs and have breakfast, I've just made it." I followed her downstairs to the kitchen. I sat at the round table; there was Fred, George, Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Harry. (There, I used their first names; I guess I better try to if I want to abandon my last name). They were all staring at me, well; I guess you could call it glaring. I felt like such an intruder.

"I guess now might be the time to apologise," I said.

"It would," said the Weasel rather rudely, with his mouth full of food.

Harry elbowed him. "Go on," he said, intrigued. I had paused as I had food in my mouth; my mother had taught me manners, unlike some. "Or is that all?" Potter asked.

I swallowed. "I've been an asshole, I admit it," I said.

"Damn straight!" exclaimed the Weasel.

"I'm sorry for what I did over the years, I really regret it." This was one of the hardest things I've ever had to say, probably because their reactions mattered.

And none of them said a thing. They just stared, I guess they were surprised. Then - one of the twins sighed dramatically and toppled to the floor. The other jumped off his seat and rushed to his side. "No! George, don't give up on me! Hang in there buddy! I know it's shocking but..."

"I just can't believe...." said George amazed. Then they got up, straightened their clothes and sat down again.

"Continue," said Fred.

"Anyway," I went on, "I'll understand if you don't accept my apology."

I was beginning to think that they didn't buy what I was saying. Then something amazing happened, Potter offered me his hand. I shook hands with the Boy Who Lived.

"Apology accepted."

Amazing! After five years of fighting, being enemies, you can just drop all of that. Though, I knew some people wouldn't buy it; the Weasel was glaring at me. If looks could kill, I'd be dead. But luckily they can't, and I'm fine.

"Good to see that you've come to your senses," said Fred.

When we finished breakfast, the others started to leave. Potter was about to go, I put my hand on his shoulder. "Wait, I need to talk to you,"

"Okay," he said and led me to an empty room.

He turned around to look at me. "Malfoy -"

I cut him off. "Don't call me that, I want to leave that part of me behind. I don't want to have anything to do with my father. I was thinking of changing my last name officially."

"To what?" His eyes suddenly grew large. "That would mean...you change it to Black."

"I know my mother is related to your Godfather, speaking of, why was Sirius Black's mother here?"

Harry turned away from me to face the window. "This was his house," he said softly, "he left it to me when he died."

"He died?" This was news to me. "I'm so sorry, what happened?"

"Lestrange, she killed him," he said, his voice was barely a whisper.

"Last year, in the Department of Mysteries, was... was my father there?" I don't know why I asked, maybe at the back of my mind, I was hoping, just hoping -

"Yes."

I nodded, of course he would be; he would have had to be one of the most loyal Death Eaters.

"Thank you Draco," Harry said.

"For what?" I asked.

"Being on our side," he said as he walked out.

Yes, it definitely was hard being good.

~*~*~*~

I sat in an armchair in the living room, pouring over some History of Magic homework that I should have done sooner. I had become pre-occupied with other things, Severus and I had to deal with all the Dark Arts stuff from the Manor. It was terrible, I had suffered a few injuries, my whole left hand had been burnt, I had nearly been choked to death by a plant (yes a plant!), and while sorting through the books, one of them threw itself at my head. It had not been fun. To top it all off, the Weasel had been glaring at me whenever I was in the room. Ignorant bastard.

"You look like you need some help."

I looked up, it was Hermione.

"You bet." I could have done it on my own perfectly but I had to be nice to these people, though it was quite hard, and History of Magic is my worst subject. Besides, Granger seemed to want to help, strange girl.

She took my essay and expected it. "Oh Draco, you've made this up haven't you? The Goblin King didn't even have any children to give pet dragons to." She sighed. So we started again.

When we finally finished, she smiled at me. "You are quick to forgive aren't you?" I said.

"Well," she sighed, "you're going to have some trouble with Ron; I don't think he'll ever fully forgive you."

"I wasn't expecting him to ever fully forgive me, but thank you, I wasn't expecting you to be like this. I promise I won't mention anything about your blood again."

"Then maybe I can promise never to slap you again."

"I hope so, that killed!"

~*~*~*~

That night as I lay in bed, I heard more yelling.

"Hermione I can't believe you!" It was the Weasel losing his temper again. "You were helping him with his homework! Since when do you help Malfoy with his homework?" I flinched.

"Since he joined our side!"

"That doesn't mean you have to be friends with him!" He sounded outraged and I felt the bitter hate flow inside me.

"Ron, he's changed, I know you don't see that but I do, and so do Harry and Dumbledore," Hermione said.

"Well everyone trusted Kreacher and look what happened!" Hermione didn't seem to have anything to say to this but it was Harry who spoke up.

"I never trusted him," he said bitterly, "I just under-estimated him." It sounded like he was close to crying. I actually felt sorry for him, but I was really wondering about this Kreacher.

~*~*~*~

A few days later I was talking to Harry, yes, we had a normal conversation. It was strange, we were talking about Quidditch, (and by the way, Weasley supports the Cannons! Ha!) when something on the wall caught my eye. I walked over to it and found that it was it was a family tree tapestry.

The heading at the top said:

The Noble and most Ancient House of Black

'Toujours pur'

But that wasn't what interested me, I sensed Harry peering over my shoulder too see what I was looking at.

"Shit, I'm on here." The name Draco Malfoy was under Narcissa Black and Lucius Malfoy.

"Yeah, I remember seeing your name on here last year."

"But your godfather isn't even here," I said, scanning the bottom of the tapestry.

"He was removed when he ran away from home." I didn't ask anything about this, his voice had already grown soft and sad.