Healing Draco Malfoy

Chapter 50

Published: October 27th, 2022

Draco leaned in and hugged Harry tighter, as the emotions ran through him. Salazar, he hadn't felt this... happy... ever. After years, decades, of killing his emotions, it was almost too much to handle. His controls just evaporated. There were no walls up as he trembled from the lack of security his mental barriers had provided. He felt strangely connected to his body, again... whole. Draco didn't know what that meant, but as he hugged Harry... some part of him recognized that he'd never retreat to that pitch in his mind, flying with Harry, again.

"Draco? Are you okay?" Harry whispered but didn't let go.

"Yeah... thank you... for this," he murmured, his voice hoarse.

"You're welcome. But you're shaking. Do you want to sit?"

"No... it's just... a lot to take in, Harry. I didn't believe I'd get... here... I mean... really believed it. That I'd stand, again... that I'd walk. I never thought a lot of things would happen, again," Draco whispered, as his throat was impossibly tight.

Harry gave him another squeeze. "I'm sorry about everything, Draco, but I promise you that you'll walk out of here in a few weeks. You're going to live, again, and get your life back. I'm sorry that it was stolen from you."

Draco buried his face into Harry's shoulder and cried, again. Really, he should be embarrassed by his completely out-of-control crying, but he wasn't. He didn't have to hide it from Harry. He could feel Harry was trembling, too. The emotions were so high, now. He finally pulled back to look at Harry, leaning back onto his legs. Harry let go and released his grip on him slightly. Harry's eyes were wet, and he was staring at him, concerned.

"Thank you, Harry," he said, wanting to do so much more.

Harry nodded, his eyes lowered from the overwhelming emotions. "You're welcome, Draco."

Harry was getting uncomfortable with their closeness, or rather, he was scared of it. Draco knew that intimacy was scary for him, but also he was his patient. Stupid rules. After years of Harry breaking every rule Hogwarts had, now the idiot cared about the rules. But... he was an adult now, and there were consequences for breaking the rules. So they had to follow them.

Draco straightened up more, and Harry let go of his grip. He shuffled slowly backward and lowered his hands to grip the chair's armrests before dropping down. He didn't have to use his muscles as much, so Harry must have discreetly used his magic on him.

"Okay?" Harry asked as Draco settled into his seat.

"Yeah...."

"I used a Lightening Charm on you. If you're wondering why I don't use it more... it's just... it would be best if you got used to your own weight. The charm might stop and you'd crash. It's better not to use it during your recovery and use your own weight."

"Okay, I understand."

Harry took a seat on his rolling stool and looked at him, seriously. "Alright. Now, we have to have another talk about limits. No trying to walk while you're alone, alright?"

Draco smirked at his "stern" face. "Yes, O'master healer of the world."

"Don't you forget it," Harry muttered and looked away, smiling. "It's just... you can fall and have a setback. Please don't."

"I won't, Harry. Calm down. I haven't broken your rules... much."

"You escaped the room and came down to visit me alone."

"That was an emergency."

Harry smirked. "Yeah... sure. Well... do you want another massage? How are you feeling?"

Draco rolled his eyes. "I only stood up once. You usually make me do it until I collapse. Those two steps didn't hurt that much."

"Your smaller muscles will start hurting more when you're walking. So, don't think it'll get easier now."

Draco snorted. "We have this conversation every time we make a new step."

"Well, it's important to clearly explain...."

"Yeah, sure. It's my birthday, apparently, and I don't want a lecture, minion."

Harry laughed. "Yes, your highness. But do you want a massage? You've complained before about having rest days."

"You're not going to torture me with your ridiculous exercises?"

"No... I'll save them for tomorrow."

"Goody," Draco said and rolled back and forth a bit. "So, was this your... plan? To get me ready for my birthday?"

Harry nodded. "Only a little. When I came back, I knew it was coming, and pushed you a bit."

"A bit? You've been on me for days doing non-stop exercises."

"You were my only patient. You probably could have tried a couple of days ago, but it was probably easier on you since I waited."

Draco huffed. "Well, thank you, though you made me cry on my birthday."

"I'm so sorry," Harry said with a smirk.

"Seriously, thank you. I can't remember when I had a better birthday. Maybe before Hogwarts. I mean, my mother sent me gifts, and my friends would give me small gifts, but being in Slytherin... it wasn't... couth to organize a party or anything. I'm sure you Gryffindors were different."

"Kinda. No big celebrations... besides Seamus," Harry chuckled.

"Finnegan. He always did like to brag."

"Yeah... but... I... umm... actually did invite people to come over, today," Harry mumbled, shyly.

"People? Like more than you... and Joel?" Draco said, warily.

"I... suggested that Hermione bring the kids to see you, again. If that's okay?" he asked, his face lined with concern.

Draco smiled. "It's fine, Harry. It'll be nice to see them, again. When were they coming?"

"Hermione said that she'd bring them, if you were fine with it. Blaise and Neville said that they'd stop by after school.

"Okay."

Harry sent a Patronus, and they chatted a few until they heard the children jabbering loudly in the hallway. Granger was trying to keep them quiet, but failing as they sounded super excited. Draco heard Natalie greet her and offer help before they knocked. Harry was already up and opened the door for them.

"Uncle 'Arry!" Hugo said and hugged Harry's leg.

Rose was holding her mother's hand, who was carrying a circular dish in her other. When Rose saw him, she squeaked and pulled free from Hermione and ran toward him. "Uncle Draco!" She hopped up onto his lap and hugged him, while kneeing him in the groin.

"Oww," he groaned. "Hey, there."

Hugo also detached from Harry and jumped up onto him, screaming excitedly, "'Appy birthday!"

"Kids! Don't jump on him!" Hermione yelled and looked horrified.

Draco bore the pain and waved his hand. "It's alright."

"Still. Hugo, Rose, listen, Draco is injured, so be gentle with him, like you are with Grandma."

Draco huffed. "I'm not an old woman, Gr-Hermione." Hugo laughed.

"Grandma says she doesn't mind getting hugs! She said mum's just over-worried sometimes," Rose declared.

"Rose!"

Harry was laughing into his hand, and Draco said, "All grandmothers like hugs."

"What abou' you, Unca Draco?" Hugo asked.

Draco smiled brilliantly. "I do as well."

Hugo wrapped his arms around him tightly before breaking it and yelling, "Unca Arry's been stayin' with us!"

"I heard. He's so happy to be spending time with you."

"Mum yells at him more than us," Rose said, haughtily, and Harry blushed.

Draco didn't think wizards could clone humans, but maybe Hermione had somehow. He laughed and said, "Really? Does he still eat too much dessert?"

"Yeah! And she makes him eat with us!"

"She's trying to make him strong, like you guys," Draco said, amicably.

Harry smirked and gave his honorary sister a smile. "How about some rides?"

The kids screamed in his ear and soon were zooming around the room, sitting on Draco's lap. Hugo managed to get a few seconds on his shoulders, but Hermione said no to that.

"Are you sure that you are alright, Draco?" she asked.

Truthfully, his legs were sore, but he shook his head. "I'll be alright." After a few more laps, he whispered to them to tickle-torture their mum, and they jumped off his lap and attacked her.

Granger played along, laughing and pleading with them to stop as she backed into the wall. But it took little persuading to switch to Harry, who ran away, making them chase him. Which, eventually, they caught him. He playfully fell to the floor and the kiddos jumped on him.

"I got you, Unca' Arry!"

"Awww! Nooo... you got me!" Harry faked screamed as the kids laughed. Merlin, Harry was so good with them.

Hermione came over to the table where Draco had pulled into to get out of the way. "Happy birthday, Draco."

"Thanks, and thanks for bringing them. I... I really appreciate it."

"I know they always get Harry smiling for a while."

"He's going to be a great dad, one day," Draco whispered, as Harry continued rolling around on the floor.

Hermione gave him a smile and set the circular plate down. The cake was frosted haphazardly blue and was a bit off-kilter. "The kids made a cake for you," she laughed.

Hugo popped his head pop as he sat on Harry and ran over. "Cake! I decorated it!"

"It looks amazing!" Draco said. "Thanks, guys!"

Rose pulled Harry up to a sitting position. "I helped to mix it. It required delicate measurements of which my brother can't handle."

Hermione sighed and Harry said, "Nothing like looking into the mirror, Hermione."

"What?" Rose asked.

"Nothing, sweetie."

"Did you bring the game?" Harry asked.

"Game?" Hugo shrieked, as he looked at the cake. "But...."

"We can sing Happy Birthday later," Hermione said and pulled a box out of her bag.

"Dungeons and Wizards!" Hugo said, jumping up and down. "Unca Draco, will you play?"

"You'll have to teach me," he said, meeting Harry's eyes.

Harry spelled his workout equipment against the wall, spread the game out on the floor and explained the rules. They could roll the strange 20-sided die and face the challenges that Harry read. The kids sometimes made strange decisions, and Harry was definitely making it easier for them to win. He doubted that Hugo only needed a 4 to capture a dragon. Rose chose to use her wand to enchant her dragon and then ride it. With his magic, Harry even made little figurines appear on the floor as they faced their challengers.

When it was Draco's turn, Harry led him through a series of turns in the dungeon maze until he finally opened the door, and Harry said he was outside.

"But oh no! A creature appears in front of you...."

"Watch out, Unca Draco!" Hugo cried out in concern.

Draco had to fake looking worried and gasped, "Oh no, what should I do, guys!"

"Fight 'em!" Hugo growled.

"Cast a spell!" mini-Hermione suggested, doing an excited dance.

"You got to let Harry give the options, kids," Hermione said. She had sat at the table to watch, letting them enjoy it as she worked on some papers.

"What can Unca Draco do?" Hugo asked.

"What even is it?" Rose asked for Draco.

Harry smirked a bit too happily as he hovered his hand over the space between them. "The creature appears!" he yelled, and an inch-high figurine appeared.

Draco knows why Harry was smirking as he looked at the beak, feathers and legs. Harry was quite skilled at making figurines. Even the colors matched the real-life version.

Hugo shrieked with giddiness, and Rose said, "We don't have one of those! Don't grab it, yet, Hugo. What are the options?"

Harry's eyes were twinkling when he looked at Draco. "The hippogriff is posed to attack... do you want to offer him a dead jarvey? Or bow to him? Or..." Harry paused and had to contain his laughter when he finally said, "Or... turn into a ferret and run away."

"A ferret!" Hugo laughed.

Rose did too, and then looked at Harry funny. Then she looked at her mother, who Draco noticed had both hands over her face and was laughing.

Draco chuckled, but managed a decent glare. "How could I possibly choose?" he said, layered in sarcasm.

"You can turn into a ferret, Unca Draco! Like the stories da' told us!"

Draco snorted and sighed, "Alright, I'll turn into a ferret."

"And run away?" Harry finished.

"No, I'll fight him," Draco deadpanned.

"You can't fight him! That wasn't an option," the master of rules, Rose, said.

"No, it wasn't. Roll the die, Draco... to see your fate..." Harry said, ominously.

Draco rolled his eyes. "What do I need?"

"1 through 5, you escape. 6 through 19, you get squashed, and 20, you get eaten!"

"No! Those are terrible odds!" Rose lamented.

"I can roll for you!" Hugo offered.

"No, let him roll Hugo, but you can give him the dice," Harry said, and the little guy handed it to him.

Draco sighed and dropped it to the floor. It spun a few times before settling on a decisive 16.

"No! You got squished... squashed," Hugo said and hugged his legs.

"Uncle Draco! You're supposed to bow to hippogriffs!" Rose declared and then pouted.

"You think you would've learned that the first time," Hermione muttered quietly, before the three adults broke out laughing. Draco didn't remember the last time he had laughed so much.

The kids weren't sure what was happening, but Harry rubbed Rose's back. "It's okay, Hugo. Uncle Draco only loses a turn."

"Why are you laughing so hard? What did mum mean?"

"That's a 온라인카지노게임 for another time."

They continued the game until Draco was eaten by the dragon. Apparently, eating is always Harry's 20-count answer to all bad guys. Draco was sure he was making it up on the fly, despite the fact that he had the game book with him. Hugo happily collected his new pile of figurines, and Rose put everything else into the box. Hermione stuffed it into her beaded bag, and Draco wheeled himself to his spot at the table just as a knock came.

"Come in!" Harry yelled.

Blaise popped his head in. "Hey, there are little humans here, Dray."

"You work at a school, Blaise," Neville said, pushing him inside. "Happy birthday, Draco!"

"Thanks," he said and took Blaise's hand as he gave his greetings, too. "Thanks, Blaise. Thanks for coming... and for not mentioning that it was almost my birthday."

"Hey, it really was a... surprise birthday!" Blaise said.

"Shut up... nitwit."

"Neville!" Hugo said, and Neville picked up Hugo.

"Hey, little man, still being a pain to your sister?"

"Yes," Rose responded, pompously. "Nice to see you, Mr. Neville."

"I'm sorry, I haven't been around. It's hard when school is in session, but I'll stop by soon to check on your garden, Rose."

"Okay! Thanks!"

"Kids, this is my boyfriend, Blaise."

Blaise made a show of shaking their hands and formally greeting them. He always was a softy. He was kinda perfect for Neville, but then he looked at Harry. Draco realized Harry was tense, and Harry hadn't seen Blaise in a while. Draco really wanted to wheel over to him, but the room was getting crowded. When Hermione got up and took Hugo out of Neville's hands, Blaise sidestepped around her and slowly made his way to Harry.

"Hey, Harry... are you okay?" Blaise said, dropping his voice so the kids couldn't hear.

Harry lowered his eyes and nodded, "Sorry. Thanks for... everything. I... would appreciate it if you wouldn't tell anyone... about the graveyard."

Blaise shook his head. "I would never, Harry. I know that I'm an obnoxious prat sometimes, but... I would do anything for you, for Draco and, of course, for the man I love."

Blaise turned and looked at Neville. Blaise moved closer to the wall and lowered his voice to the point where Draco could barely hear it.

"I'm thinking about asking him to marry me," he whispered.

Harry seemed to relax instantly and smiled at him. "You're really good for him. He's one of the nicest people I know."

"He is," Blaise smiled. "He got this grumpy, loner to see what love was... what family really was. I fucked up big time with Draco. It... just hurt so much when they sent him away. I sent... letters... in the beginning. Nothing came back. I-I should've...."

"Don't Blaise. I think that, too. I should've tried harder... checked on his parole date... anything. But in the end, it was those bastards who did it. We only could've gotten him out sooner... or gotten him killed."

Blaise nodded. "Thanks, and thank you... for the invite."

"My pleasure," Harry said and turned to look at him. Draco quickly looked at Neville, who was showing some wiggling plants to Rose and Hugo.

"Joel should be here soon," Blaise said, taking a seat against the wall.

Draco smiled, and sure enough, Joel, Nat and Cass came in. He stiffened a bit, at first, stressing at the number of people, but he calmed down when Harry sat beside Blaise across from him. Nothing would happen if Harry was here. The newcomers came and gave their birthday greetings. Cass even hugged him. Draco gave Joel a nudge for not telling him about this as he took the last seat beside Draco.

"Sorry, Draco. Confidentiality rules," Joel joked.

"Mum! Is it cake time?" Hugo asked. "I want cake!"

"Young man, it is not your cake, but maybe we'll cut it after I floo call your father," Hermione said and turned to Harry. "Harry, can I use your floo? I didn't think we'd be gone this long. Ron's probably worried."

"Just send a Patronus, Hermione," Harry suggested.

"No, I want to talk to him."

Draco blinked and realized what she meant. "Hermione?"

"Yeah, Draco?"

"Is R-Ron coming?"

She grimaced and looked at Hugo and Rose. "He's busy. He wants to be with you guys, of course."

"Busy?" he said, and knew that wasn't the case.

She gave him a look. "He thought it best... it's your birthday, Draco."

"Please ask him to come, Hermione," Draco said, and she glanced over to Harry, who nodded. She winged an otter Patronus through the wall, and Hugo cried with glee. "Daddy's coming?!"

Hermione took his hand and said, "Yes, he is."

"Yay!!"

Draco looked at Harry and whispered, "You told him not to come?"

"He asked. I wasn't sure, and it wasn't like I could ask you," he mumbled.

"He's okay, Harry. I'll be fine," he said, and a few moments later, Weasley knocked on the door and came in. Hugo and Rose ran over to hug him.

"Dad, you would never believe what happened," Rose said, grabbing his hand.

"Is that so?"

"Unca Draco turned into a ferret and got squished! Then he got eaten!" Hugo announced.

Ron's face went from confusion to amusement in two seconds. "Really? Did you get some new figurines?"

"Yep!" Hugo said and showed him.

"That's awesome, but let's say hi to Uncle Draco."

"I'll show you, dad!"

Ron weaved his way through the onlookers and stopped at the head of the table. "Happy birthday, Draco."

"Thanks, Ron," Draco said and held out his hand. Weasley smiled and shook it. But, somehow, he wasn't as afraid of him anymore. Weasley-Ron was Harry's friend, no brother. He could trust him, though he still was a little on edge. Then Draco glanced at Harry, who was smiling proudly. He nodded to him.

"Now, we're all here. Let's do the cake!" Hermione said and picked up Hugo.

She lit the candles on the cake, and Rose climbed up into Draco's lap. He was trembling slightly as everyone stared at him and started singing Happy Birthday to him. Tears formed as he looked at all his new friends. He hadn't celebrated his birthday in over a decade.

"...happy birthday to you!" they all finished chorusing.

"Now, blow out your candles," Harry said, with watery eyes.

Draco did with Rose's help, and his friends clapped and cheered, once more saying happy birthday to him. He tearfully thanked them all, and Hermione cut the cake into pieces. She gave him the biggest slice and then passed out plates of misshapen but delicious cake. Rose snuck in some extra bites of his, while Hugo ate his with his hands. Hermione only half-heartedly scolded him for it, as Ron did the same thing.

"My brother... zero tact," Rose huffed, as she graciously forked a bite of his cake.

Draco chuckled. "True, but we all need some comic relief."

Rose giggled and went for another bite, but Hermione saw her and said, "Rose, come on sweetie, that's enough cake. You don't need to stay up all night."

"Oh, let them live a little," Ron said, as Rose jumped off Draco's lap gracefully and ran to her father.

"Are you going to stay up with them?" Hermione huffed, and Harry snickered. "You can stay up with him, too, Harry."

Draco smiled, watching the three of them interact. They were family. Ron laughed and leaned down to clean his daughter's face. That small gesture really stuck with him. It was something... something that his own father wouldn't have done in a room filled with people. It was done with kindness, a fondness that Draco had rarely seen. At that age, he would have received a strict scolding and sent to the loo to wash it off. Even his mother wouldn't have done it at Rose's age. Of course, his father stopped her from showing affection and making a scene. They would have both been reprimanded after their guests left.

"Hey, Draco, can I tell them what you did today?" Harry asked, breaking him out of his reminiscing. He wondered if Harry noticed him retreating into darker thoughts.

"Sure. Could show them, too?" he added, feeling braver than normal. Ten other people were in the room, and it was hard not to feel subconscious about it.

He knew immediately that he had said the right thing, when Harry jumped up excitedly. "Really? Come on, move out of the way, guys!"

The group cleared and Harry came around to flip his footrests up and lock his wheels. He checked visually that Draco was alright. Draco nodded and kept his eyes on Harry, rather than the large crowd in the room. Harry stood up and, with some determination, Draco followed him to a roar of celebration.

"Oh, Draco!"

"Oh my Merlin!"

"Great job, Draco!"

"You stood up!"

"That's not all," Harry said, over their friends' exclamations. His grin was huge, and Draco couldn't help but emulate it. "You're doing great, Draco."

Draco nodded, staring into Harry's eyes. He forced his foot forward and followed it with the other to another round of applause. He slowly backed up and dropped into his seat, again. Blaise was at his side first, shaking his hand. Neville was by his side.

"I'm so proud, Draco," Blaise said.

The kids came around him and crawled up into his lap, and he had to suppress some groans. "Unca Draco! You don't need wheels anymore?" Hugo asked.

"I still have some more healing to do," he explained, as he settled in his chair.

"Uncle Harry is healing you? Why aren't you healed, yet?" Rose asked, scrutinizing him.

"It takes a long time, sweetie," Hermione said, wiping some tears away.

"Why? Aunt Ginny says Uncle Harry can fix her boos in seconds!"

"My body isn't broken, little one. My muscles don't work right. I'm too weak to walk," Draco explained before her mother could.

"Oh... what happened?"

Draco could feel alarm spread through the group. Hermione was about to intercede when Draco said, "I was asleep... for a long time. My muscles are still asleep, and your uncle had to wake them back up."

Hermione relaxed and looked at him in relief for the white lie.

"Asleep? Like Sleeping Beauty?"

"Sleeping Beauty?"

"Yes, sweetie, just like Sleeping Beauty," Ron guffawed and Hermione elbowed him.

"Who kissed you awake?! Was it Unca Harry?" Hugo nearly shrieked excitedly.

Draco felt his face heat up as the crowd broke out into laughter. He looked at Harry, who was equally mortified.

"In a way, I suppose. His magic did. He healed me and he still is. I'd still be sleeping if it weren't for him. He saved me."

"Like a fairytale prince!" Rose gushed.

Harry sighed, his face red, but Draco said, "Yes, like a heroic knight."

"Swooping in to rescue the damsel?" Ron joked, and Hermione elbowed him harder.

Draco glared but restrained himself from responding back. There were children in the room.

"Behave husband," Hermione chastised for him, but then produced a wrapped present from her beaded bags. "Happy birthday, Draco. This is from Ron and me."

"Yes, I definitely went out and got it, whatever it is, too."

Hermione nudged him. "Don't be an idiot."

"Ooohh... mum called you a...."

"Rose!"

Draco reached out for the present that she had left on the table in front of him. It was heavy. He slowly tore off the wrapping, but his fingers didn't have the fine muscle movements. Hugo broke free from his mother's grip and jumped up on his lap.

Hugo gave him a smile and said, "I'll help you Unca Draco!"

"Thanks, kiddo," Draco said and looked at Hermione and Ron, who were smiling proudly at their son.

Hugo deftly removed the paper and ripped the tape off the lid. Draco opened it and there were several books and pamphlets inside. He picked up one and read the title, "Therapeutic Physical Therapy Exercises". Intrigued, he flicked it open and saw photos of similar exercises that Harry did to him, but so many more. He looked at her.

"I thought you'd want to understand the methods behind Harry's healing. Of course, these are muggle exercises, but there are some that you can do alone to help rebuild your strength."

Draco smiled and flicked through the remaining books and articles on the same topics. "Thank you. I will certainly read them."

"Especially since Harry forgets to explain things so much," Ron added.

"Hey!" Harry grunted, but was still smiling.

One at a time, his friends presented wrapped gifts, and he opened them, finding it increasingly difficult to keep from crying as candies, jumpers, aroma therapy candles, and green silk sheets. Blaise was horrified at the thread count of the hospital sheets. The children presented theirs. Hugo made something called "macaroni art" with human-resembling forms. Draco just thanked him for the gift.

"It's you and Unca 'Arry!"

"Oh, I see! Thank you."

Then Rose came and gave him a painting. Draco could just figure out Harry, by his black, chaotic hair, Rose's parents, and what looked suspiciously like a ferret. Harry had to try hard not to laugh. Draco smiled, too.

"Mum and dad told us about how you got turned into a ferret!"

"Did they?" he asked faintly, not meeting his former adversaries' eyes. Somehow, he didn't think they told her everything about that 온라인카지노게임. "Well thank you, Rose. Why don't we give it to Uncle Harry to put these on the wall?"

She squeaked happily as Harry charmed their gifts onto the wall.

"Very nice, thank you," Draco said, and looked at his friends. "Thank you. All of you."

"You're welcome, Draco," Hermione said.

"We... I do have something else for you," Ron said, and Hermione turned to look at him, confused. "Sorry, I probably should've told you, honey, but... anyway, it's not exactly a birthday gift. It's... just right."

Draco and the rest of the room were confused. "Okay?"

"This is... from Kingsley, Minister Shacklebolt," Ron said and handed him an envelope with two pages inside.

Draco opened it and read,

Dear Mr. Malfoy,

In light of the atrocities you have endured, your post-war case was revisited. I feel your original sentence was more in retribution for the war, more than your own culpably. We should have listened more carefully to Harry's plea for mercy. For this, for my part, I am deeply sorry. I also can't begin to apologize for the treatment you received whilst under the control of the Ministry. It is unforgivable, unconscionable. I will take measures to prevent this from happening, but your redress is extremely important. I will gladly meet with your solicitors and hammer out a full restitution agreement.

However, I will give this order attached freely, as you more than deserve the peace of mind it brings. I do this, with no desire to sway you from your pending civil action. This shouldn't be something traded for. It is owed.

I wish you a speedy recovery,

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Minister of Magic

Draco felt a lump in his stomach, when he flipped the page. There was a bunch of legalese, titles, and court seals, but his eyes found the words, "I, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic, issue a full pardon to Draco Lucius Malfoy for all crimes committed during and proceeding the war." The lump deflated. Pardoned... that meant he wasn't on probation anymore. He let out a breath. He would never go back, and tears formed against his will.

"Draco?" Harry said, not knowing what was happening.

"I'm free?" he whispered, finding it difficult to look at Weasley, who he was surprised to see, had tears in his eyes as well.

Ron nodded. "You deserve that certainty, Draco."

Draco looked back down, examining the declaration, and he read another line as Kingsley took it even further. "I hereby order his criminal record be expunged." That meant that no one could use his past against him, either.

"Thank you... this means... so much," he whispered.

"It was nothing."

Joel leaned over to read it and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Draco nodded, appreciating the grounding, and passed both papers to Harry.

"It's everything. I'm free," he said, as Harry read them. He needed to send them to the Patils.

"Uncle Draco?" Rose asked, confused.

"Everything is okay. Don't worry. Your father gave me a very special gift."

"Really, daddy?"

"Well, technically..." Ron started, but Hermione nudged him silent.

Draco was still reeling from that reveal and didn't really like everyone staring at him. Joel again, touched his elbow, making him focus on the present. He met Joel's eyes and whispered a thanks.

"I'm so happy for you, Draco," Harry said, setting the papers down, which Hermione snatched up, apparently kept in the dark about it. "Thanks, Ron, for asking for this."

Ron just nodded, and Draco felt any lasting fear of him evaporate. Weasley would never hurt him, and he could trust him. Draco thought that the gift-giving was over and all the attention wouldn't be on him, but then he saw that Harry had produced another gift out of... who knows where. His eyes zeroed in on the small, long box, and chills ran down his back. He recognized what it was, what it had to be. He locked eyes with Harry, who smiled.

"Happy birthday, Draco. I probably should have given this to you before now..." Harry trailed off and slid the box across the table.

Draco stared at it for a second, but his trembling fingers reached forward and pried loose the tape on the paper. He slowly unwrapped it, but hesitated when it was free of the paper. The weight of everything he had endured finally hit him right then, and his mental guards were struggling to contain it. Inside was the ability to defend himself... something he hadn't had for over six years.

"Draco?" Harry whispered, and his grey eyes lifted to look at him. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just..." he couldn't finish. There weren't words to describe what he was feeling.

Sensing the stares would stop when this was over, he reached out and flipped the lid open the lid. He recognized his old wand immediately... the one that Harry had taken from him on that Easter break during the war. The wand that had defeated the Dark Lord. His fingers slowly reached out and grasped it. It warmed in his hand, and his soul tingled as the wand dragged his long-forgotten magic out of him. It almost hurt, but the pain mellowed out as his core fully connected to his wand. His eyes welled again with tears as he looked at Harry, now unconcerned with his audience.

"Thank you," he whispered. Harry smiled and nodded as he gripped his wand tightly, hoping it would never be parted from him, again.