Blaise, Pansy, Draco, and Harry had spent summer in Grimmauld. Since Blaise's, Draco's and Pansy's parents were either dead or in Azkaban. Neither of the Slytherins wanted to go back to their own houses. Harry gave them the option to stay with him and they didn't hesitate to accept. Mid July Hermione and Neville showed up. Dean and Seamus arrived mid August.

Three days after the arrival of the last two Gryffindor's some Auror showed up at Harry's door. Hermione was the one who opened the door and let them in. Instantly Draco felt his heart drop. He knew they were raiding the manor since that's where Baldy Voldy had set up his headquarters. Throughout summer he hadn't heard a word about their search. Honestly he really didn't want to hear anything about it, but he knew they would look for him once they found his mother's body.

"Ahhh young Malfoy. Might I have a word."

Draco gulped. "S... Sure."

"Would anyone like some refreshments?" Hermione piped up hoping to defuse some tension.

The Aurors nodded. "Some lemonade if you have."

Hermione, Pansy, and Seamus (the designated female between Neville and himself) left to the kitchen. Harry laced his fingers with Draco's to stop him from scratching his thumb. A nervous habit Draco developed over the course of 6th year. Blaise, Dean, and Neville decided to hang back and give them as much privacy as they could. Of course within earshot of whatever conversation would take place.

"Young Malfoy we have some news for you. Now you must understand we were asked to hold back this information until we were certain of the outcome." The head Auror began.

"Sir may I?" A red-headed woman asked. She recieved nod and crouched down in front of the boys. "We know you have been dreading our arrival, but you need not. We actually come with good news. On our second day of the search we found your mother." Draco flinched. "Don't worry she was actually alive, however barely. She asked that we withhold the information from you until it was certain she will live. That is why we are here. Your mother is in a medically induced coma at the moment, however very soon she should be waking up. She'll be able to return to the manor before Hogwarts is back. I believe you have one more year, we wouldn't want to hinder that. That is why we chose today to give you this information." The lady offered Draco a smile.

Hermione and the others decided to walk in at that moment. She smiled at the Aurors and offered them their lemonade. They waited in silence for Draco to respond. Draco hadn't made eye contact with any of them. Harry sighed guessing at what was going through his mind. He gave the Aurors a warm smile.

"Thank you for the information. If there's nothing else I believe he needs time to process this." Harry said.

The Aurors said their goodbyes and quickly left. Once Harry got back from seeing them off Draco promptly broke down. He started crying just as Harry sat down. The others didn't say a word. Blaise disappeared and returned with a bunch of blankets. Neville quickly turned the couches into a comfy resting place. He took the back cushions from all of them to make a make-shift bed on the floor and pushed the biggest ones together to make another, more private (in his opinion) bed. Dean was helping Neville make comfy little beds. Harry lifted Draco and went to lay on the lone couch under a window.

This had become a thing with them since Harry had turned to a child. Whenever one was upset about anything they would all sleep in the same space. The cause of something like this was none other than baby Harry. Even though he was himself again, he was known to throw a fit every now and again. If the space they occupied in the moment was big enough for the group they would just make it more comfortable. If it was not they would find a space that was. They had all grown rather close so even if they were apart they'd come together just for such an occasion.

*~*

"Are you sure you want to do that?"

"Why not Dray? You only have four days with your mum before we leave for Hogwarts. I think it's a wonderful idea. And besides would it be a good idea to leave her alone longer than needed?"

Draco sighed. "Guess you have a point. I don't know I'm just nervous? So Christmas at the manor are you absolutely certain you want to do this?"

"Dray stop worrying."

Draco huffed. "Easy for you to say Harry. I just found out my mother is alive. The one time my father tells me the truth and I don't believe him."

Harry shook his head. "Your father chose his path. You didn't believe him because he's never given you reason too. Don't blame yourself. We're lucky you're mom sent that letter. She believed that would have been the end. It would have been under other circumstances. I'm sorry it hurt you, but if anything, she's the undercover hero. Just be happy she's still around for you."

Draco saw the pain in Harry's eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to sound like a brat. I should have also considered how you would feel about this."

"What are you two talking about?"

Both boys hung their heads back over the back of the couch. They had been sitting on the couch closest to the window. Harry smiled awkwardly at his friends. Draco, always the one for appearances and comfort, snorted and sat properly in the couch again. He gestured for the rest to take a seat where he could see them. Harry's head went from over the couch to Draco's shoulder.

"We were talking about Christmas break. Since you all know the thing with my mother. She invited Harry to spend the break at the manor." Draco said not making eye contact.

"He's still struggling with this isn't he?" The question was directed at Harry.

Although Harry had his eyes closed he knew it was for him. He hummed in response and nodded his head but he never opened his eyes. Draco chose to ignore the exchange. He was fiddling with Harry's hand and refusing to make eye contact.

'Who wouldn't be struggling after finding out their supposed dead mother is actually alive. Never mind just alive, but barely so.' Draco thought with bitter anger. His anger wasn't directed at his friends. It wasn't directed at his mother or himself. It was directed solely at his father. His father was the cause of everything bad in his life.

"Maybe we should go to Diagon Alley today. We didn't finish our last supply run." Harry suggested.

Draco blinked. Having only registered half of what Harry said. He knew the raven haired Gryffindor was trying to get him to think about something... well anything else. It worked fairly well. Harry knew what to say or suggest to get Draco's train of thought to change its course.

"I do need some books." Draco mumbled.

Hermione jumped up and rushed out of the room. She returned with a bag and a big smile. Everyone grabbed a handful and one by one they vanished in a burst of green flames. They gathered outside Gring Gotts before going on their spree. Three hours later they were all back in the couches. Everyone holding onto a cup of their favorite juice. The conversation was light and airy, all thoughts of the weeks findings behind.

*~*

Narcissa was released with 4 days before the start of Draco's 7th year. She asked the staff not to send word to Draco because she wanted to clear up the manor. When she was done she sent off the family owl.

Draco,

Sweat heart I have been allowed to return home. I would love to spend these last few days with you.

Your mother

She didn't wait long for a response. Actually it just allowed her time to get settled in the library with a hot cup of coffee. The owl swooped in and landed on the couch next to her.

Mother,

May Harry and my other friends come over? We were spending the summer together. Also Harry has accepted your Christmas invitation.

Love
Draco

She smiled and wrote a quick approval letter. Once again she didn't have to wait long. The fireplace fired up and one by one the teens popped out. All baring big smiles. They greeted her and she offered them something to drink. Draco offered Harry a tour of the house while the rest were talking to his mother.

Harry took Draco up on him offer easily. The two laced fingers and left. Draco flowed through the halls with Harry by his side. Harry's smile grew as Draco went from one explanation of an area to the next. It seemed like mere seconds had passed, but Draco knew even at a running speed it took at least three minutes to get to his room from the library.

"And this door..." Draco smirked.

He stopped in front of a double door etched with a pegasus. It was extremely detailed. It's wings were spread out and it was standing on its hind legs. The pegasus has black against the creme coloured door. The feathers were decorated with silver.

Harry raised an eyebrow at Draco. He rather liked the decorated pegasus. Draco was smirking with a glint in his eye. Slowly Harry's mouth pulled into a smirk of it's own as he stepped closer to Draco.

"This door leads to my bedroom. Would you like a... ammm more detailed tour?" Draco asked as he wrapped his arms around Harry's neck.

Harry's arms snaked around Draco's waist. "Yes please."