Draco Malfoy, Broken

Chapter 6 - Reunion Confessions

It had been a week since Harry had seen Draco. A week of Draco languishing in prison. Harry was uneasy about the length of time, but as fast as she could, McGonagall had thrown together a summer dinner party at Hogwarts, inviting all of the war heroes. While it was mainly to encourage his year to come back to get an education, she wanted everyone to know that they still had a family, a connection.

Harry found himself again in dress robes, in his old common room. He couldn't help but think of the memories he had had in there, and how he wished he could return. He couldn't be sidetracked though. Just like when he was hunting Horcruxes. He choose duty over his own needs and wants.

"Well my room looks the same. No damage," Hermione said, walking down from the girls' dormitory.

"Thanks for coming up with me. I don't know if I'll ever be able to come back."

"Harry, won't you even thin-"

"No. Not unless we save Malfoy before term starts. I've barely made any breakthroughs. I've read all accounts I could find about the Battle of Hogwarts, even spoke with the professors and Aurors that were there and none of them had anything of note. They didn't see Draco at all, until the end. He was in the Great Hall when Voldemort died."

"Well, he might not have done anything, either."

"Yeah, but where's Goyle? Why would Draco tell his mother that Goyle was 'after him'? No one knows where Goyle disappeared to, either!"

"You're get worked up."

"Sorry... it's just frustrating... is all."

"You're doing the best you can with what you got."

"I guess. This isn't going to be easy. It's convenient sure, everyone is here. How many people do you think I can talk to before everyone gets wind of my purpose?"

"I don't know. They are your friends, though. Maybe you should remind them of that."

"Like Ron?" Harry grunted. Ron was downstairs with Ginny socializing, with the early arrivers. Obstinately, refusing to help Harry.

"Touché. But make sure you talk to Luna."

"It's on my list," Harry said, his voice flat and defeated.

"Don't worry, I'll help. I'll get the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, first. You think any of the Slytherins will show up?"

"Possibly. McGonagall invited them back. Parkinson, Zabini... I think all of them except Goyle. And Malfoy," he added as an afterthought."

"You going to try them?"

"I doubt it. As far as I know, they all left when McGonagall ordered them to leave, though some came back with Slughorn. I wish I knew which ones."

"Nott's father was a Death Eater."

"Yeah... but there's nothing that says he was. If I get the chance, I'll talk to them. But I'll try to talk to the Gryffindors and Luna."

"Good, let's head back down. We're wasting time."

Harry walked with her downstairs. They saw most of the damage had been repaired and some sections looked new and improved. Ready for school to begin on schedule. Without saying anything, they steered away from the spot where Fred died.

"Harry!" he heard several voices chime as they at last descended into the main hall.

Neville reached him first, taking him into a hug. He had grown up a lot in the past year, rallying against the Carrows and standing up to Voldemort. He was braver than all the throng of defenders there. He talked back to the Dark Lord, himself, and cut the head of his precious snake. Harry gave him a tight hug. Neville had shown true loyalty to him that day.