[twenty three]

The Malfoy Manor was as quiet and dreadful as Draco had left it at the start of the year. Although his mother's two magnificent white peacocks still roamed the garden in front, almost all the flowers and plants have been left to die. "Elves haven't been tending to the garden?" Draco asked as they walked towards the front doors "These were alive when I left."

"I've had them focus on ridding the manor of the dark objects the other Death Eaters have left behind." Narcissa sighed "The gardens weren't in any of my orders."

Two elves in horribly filthy pillow cases greeted them with a bow "Welcome home, mistress and master."

"Thank you." Draco said curtly, earning him a look from both the elf and Narcissa ""

"You never did abuse the elves like your father and aunt did, but you've never been so outspokenly polite to them either." Narcissa pointed out 

"Hermione has a for elves." Draco shook his head in disbelief "I can't imagine she'd be pleased about living in a home with dozens of house elf servants. The least I can do is treat them better."

Narcissa smiled in amusement "Okay, if you say so, darling." she nodded "Why don't you go ahead to the pool house. I'll be right behind you with our files."

"Business as usual, mother." Draco sighed "Can't I have a moment to breathe?"

Narcissa chuckled "You can breathe when we're done talking about everything we need to settle." she waved him off as she began to climb the grand staircase "While you're waiting, you should go ahead and inform McGonagall of your whereabouts."

Draco sulkily walked all the way to the back garden, where their massive pool and guest house were. He made sure to order the elves to bring them tea and snacks, the least he could do was make this a bearable discussion. 

When he and his mother went to the ministry to bargain, one of their terms was that they'd get to keep everything that was theirs. Narcissa had to make sure that after everything that happened and will happen, she and Draco would still have a future. So, in exchange for their intel, they asked for their names to be cleared and for their riches to stay in tact.

Narcissa just entered the poolhouse when Draco waved his wand with closed eyes and conjured a patronus. A brilliant dragon emerged from the tip of his wand and flew away in the direction of the school. His mother almost dropped all the things in her arms.

"" She whispered

Draco's eyes flashed open, then came a sheepish smile on his face "Right, er, I forgot to tell you about that." 

"Y-you can?" Narcissa asked, her eyes filling with tears ""

"It's just a patronus, mother. There's no need to overreact." Draco chuckled as he watched his mothers scramble to lay the records on the table and rush over to cup his face 

"It's not just a patronus, darling." Narcissa shook her head, her eyes gleaming "You're happy?"

"I'm happy." Draco nodded with a big smile 

"Hermione?"

"Hermione." Draco nodded "She taught me...that there were a lot more things I should be grateful and happy about. You, Blaise, Theo, Pansy, our friends, Quidditch, love, forgiveness. She's taught me a lot of things, mother, and it's only been a few ." 

Narcissa smiled, happy tears spilling from her eyes "I really should've thanked that girl when I had the chance." 

Draco chuckled "I know your pureblood habits are still in the mend, mother. There's no rush. You can build a relationship with her when you're ready. At least then I'll know it'll be genuine." 

"Draco, I just want what makes you happy." Narcissa smiled and carefully wiped the tears away from her face "If you and the rest of your friends can come around, how hard will it be for me?"

-----

When they returned to Hogwarts, the Slytherins immediately made a beeline for their respective quarters while Hermione rushed to inform McGonagall of Draco's sudden decision to sleepover at Malfoy Manor in hopes that the headmistress won't in anger.

Celine and Theo were just about to descend the last flight of stairs leading to the Slytherin dungeons, when Viktor caught up to them "Cel!" he called out 

the Slytherin pair whipped around in surprise "Viktor! You wanted to speak with me?" she raised two worried brows at her friend 

"Yes, it's rather important." Viktor said, glancing at Theo's keen expression watching them

"Anything  you need to tell her, you can say in front of me." Theo met his eyes in challenge

Viktor resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He found it amusing that Theo insisted on picking a fight every time, because nobody dared do that to him. He was Viktor Krum. Nobody really glared at Viktor Krum. However, no matter how amusing it was, Theo's causing him to waste time. "You should know, Nott, that I'm not after your girl. She's simply a good friend I can confide in." Viktor told him pointedly before turning to look at Celine "I was sorted with your friend, Astoria, earlier. I'd like to have a word with her after dinner, can you set us up?"

Celine almost giggled. Theodore was stone-faced next to her, but she can feel his embarrassment radiating off of his body "I'll set you up, don't worry. Where would you like to meet?"

"The courtyard should be fine." Viktor smiled 

Celine returned it and said "You're both lucky to have been sorted with each other. Astoria is a person."

"Then, consider me ecstatic to meet her." Viktor grinned "Cel?" he called, before they parted ways

"Yes?"

"That boy's reaction to me every single time should be enough hint to you about how he feels." Viktor winked, causing Theo to turn beet red Theo spluttered out 

"See you around." He spun around to the direction of Gryffindor tower with an extra bounce in his step

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't run his cocky arse down."  Theo said through gritted teeth 

"You always were very possessive about things you thought were yours." Celine said thoughtfully as she continued to climb down the stairs "I'm surprised you let Hermione go." 

"Hermione was never mine to keep in the first place." Theo said, a hint of bitterness lacing his words

Celine didn't say anything after that, and so their walk back to the Slytherin dungeons was a quiet one. Theo was regretting his words as he took each step, he thought to himself. Cel didn't look troubled at all though; she looked as calm and gracious as ever. However, Theodore knew how amazing an actress she was, and so he wasn't sure whether to worry or not. 

He sighed as he walked her towards the door leading towards the girls' dormitory "Celine, I'm--"

Celine shut him up with a kiss on his lips "Hush, I know" she smiled sadly "You don't need to keep being territorial with me, Theo. I'm not going anywhere. We're doing this together, okay?"

"Cel--" Theo began, but she interrupted him with a finger to his lips 

"We'll submit our names next week, alright? There's no need to be so possessive, nobody's whisking me away." Celine chuckled lightly "I had hoped to give our names when we've...established an appropriate relationship for it, but if this is the only way to assure you that I'm in this with you, then so be it."