Twist of Fate

Chapter 20

January 15, 1999

Waiting with the others in the conference room of the Ministry, Harry adjusted the collar on his formal robes, trying to make it feel less like a noose. Molly had wanted him to wear his Order of Merlin ribbon but he'd refused. His presence at the press conference was needed but he didn't want to draw any more attention to himself than he could avoid. It was still hard to believe how quickly things had moved since first learning about the Malfoy's proposal three weeks earlier.

Sitting in the kitchen of the Burrow before Christmas, Hermione had told him about the Center and convinced him to meet with Narcissa Malfoy and Healer McCain. He had been surprised, shocked really, about how much thought had already gone into the proposed Diggory Center. After listening to the soft spoken healer and the sincerity of Narcissa Malfoy he had found himself agreeing that it was needed. What followed had been weeks of meetings with St. Mungo's administrators, Ministry officials, the Diggorys, Simon Ward and the Malfoys.

Initially, he had refused to include Draco in the meetings, but after a firm talking to by Hermione he had grudgingly given in. Harry still avoided all direct contact with the former Slytherin though. He knew the blond could not approach him because of the conditions of his probation and Harry had no desire to initiate any conversation. This did not stop him from surreptitiously studying the blond as they sat at the same Ministry conference table, day after day.

There seemed to be no sign of the arrogant, pretentious Draco Malfoy that he remembered. This Malfoy was well spoken, even tempered and courteous to the opinions of others even when he was disagreeing with them. Harry wondered if it was just for the benefit of the Ministry and St. Mungo's officials who were present at these meetings. Malfoy never looked directly at Harry, when Harry spoke the blond always stared at his hands, not at Harry. For some reason his hands fascinated Harry. Malfoy wrote with his left hand, his long, elegant fingers gripping the black raven quill that he seemed to favor.

Harry had had to delay his return to Romania but finally last week, all the groups involved in the process has reached an acceptable agreement and that led them here, waiting to go into the Ministry's press room for the news conference to formally announce the Black Malfoy Potter Foundation and the plans for the Diggory Center for Healing.

He looked over and saw the Diggorys and Weasleys talking to Narcissa Malfoy. A few feet away, with his back to Harry, stood Draco Malfoy. Harry had seen him enter the room a few minutes ago, already deep in conversation with Simon Ward. He was wearing new formal robes, plain midnight blue ones with no adornments. His short hair curled just over the edge of the high collar of his robe, a style he had never worn at Hogwarts.

In contrast, Harry's was tied back in a tight ponytail. Molly had hesitantly suggested he cut it but Harry had refused. It was a relief not having the fringe forever in his eyes and he had finally accepted that trying to hide the scar did not make anyone not notice it. He watched as Simon put his hand on Malfoy's arm as he tried to explain something, watched as the blond leaned towards the other wizard to catch what he was saying. Hermione came over to Harry, "You're staring." she whispered.

"Studying, not staring. I still don't understand him but it doesn't matter. I'll be back in Romania tomorrow." Harry said, forcing himself to look away from the two wizards.

"Have you decided if you'll come back in February, for the-"

"Burning of Malfoy Manor?" Harry laughed, "Doubt it, seeing that place once was more than enough."

Hermione looked like she was going to say more but Kingsley's assistant came up to them. "We are ready to begin the conference." Within a few minutes they found themselves sitting at a long table in front of dozens of reporters and photographers. Kingsley took his place in front of the podium. Harry tried not to blink as the hundreds of flashes blinded him as the media got their first opportunity to photograph him in months.