Albus Dumbledore sighed tiredly and leant back in his chair. Opening his eyes, he scanned his circular office, before returning his gaze to his desk.
On top of the oak table were piles of various papers, including a short stack comprised of copies of the Daily Prophet from the past few months. Weakly, he lifted his hand, pulling some of the most damaging (to him) articles and glanced over them.
BOY-WHO-LIVED ABUSED FOR TEN YEARS
Ministry and Goblin's Launch Joint Investigation
WEASLEY SCION ATTACKS HEAD OF MOST NOBLE AND ANCIENT FAMILY
DMLE Begins Investigation Into Claims
'LEADER OF THE LIGHT' CONDEMNED LORD GRYFFINDOR
Dumbledore Gave Custody of Boy-Who-Lived to Abusive Muggles
WEASLEY PATRIARCH CLEANS HOUSE
Two Family Members Cast Out
BOY-WHO-LIVED ABUSE CASE RESOLVED
Dursley's Tried and Punished
As he finished reading the articles which attacked him and ruined his plans, his hands trembled in anger. With a roar, he swept his desk clean of all items, before resting his head in his hands.
As the papers fluttered across the room, and his various gadgets smashed, Fawkes squawked angrily before disappearing in a flash of fire. With a long suffering sigh, he stared across the room, his head still ensconced in his hands.
"How has everything gone so wrong?" He muttered in frustration.
In the space of a few months almost all of Albus' plans had been ripped to shreds; all the years of preparation for Voldemort's inevitable return crumbling before his eyes. The boy finding out about his inheritance had created a snowball effect which brought his machinations into the light.
Not only had he lost his influence over the Potter boy, the investigations into these various claims were making his positions as the head of the Wizengamot, head of the ICW and even headmaster of Hogwarts untenable. Even his political power and the public's opinion toward him had nosedived.
On top of that, he had just lost one of his most diehard supporters: Molly Weas…Prewett. With Arthur back at the helm, he would no longer enjoy the full support of the Weasley family, nor be able to introduce them as Harry's surrogate 'family'.
He had thought that with Harry growing up downtrodden, with no familial love from the Dursleys, he would latch onto the Weasley family's large and colourful selection of siblings. From the very beginning though, the youngest son had been shunned and ignored by Potter, with all attempts to reconcile failing spectacularly.
Albus knew he would have to begin his planning once more. He could no longer sit back and subtly push Gryffindor in the right direction. He had to take direct control, forcing the boy's subservience to his will. He cycled his mind, trying to think of different ways to manipulate the boy and get him back under his thumb, but could not.
For the first time in his life, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Headmaster of Hogwarts, Grand Sorcerer, Order of Merlin, First Class, had absolutely no idea what to do next.
He reached over to pick up a lemon drop, before remembering he had thrown everything off his desk in a fit of anger. With an anguished sigh, he restored his desk to its original state before summoning a bottle of Single Malt Whiskey and a small glass, pouring a small amount of liquid into it before downing it in one.
Albus spend the next few hours thinking, steadily draining the bottle of its contents, before finally falling into a drunken sleep, sprawled across his desk, snoring quietly.
This was how Minerva McGonagall found him the next morning.
"Merlin, these things are impossible to do!" Harry commented in annoyance, while fighting with his bowtie. Emma looked at his struggles and had to stifle her giggles. Walking over to the full length mirror where he was standing, she knelt down and fiddled with his tie.
"Now, now, yanking at it won't help matters, will it?" She teased. Harry blushed and smiled shyly.
Over the course of the holidays, he had slowly been coming out of his shell in regards to Hermione's parents. For their part, Michael and Emma had made every effort to make him feel comfortable in their presence. Their efforts warmed Harry to the core.
Finally finishing tying and neatening his bow tie, she brushed some invisible lint from his dress robes.
They were emerald green (just like his eyes, Hermione had said), with the crests of the Gryffindor, Potter and Ravenclaw families, all amalgamated into one, printed on his breast pocket. He was wearing a plain white dress shirt, green bowtie and a matching cloak.
Emma gave him a final look over, before smiling widely.
"There now, all finished. You look very handsome in those robes, Harry." She commented, which turned his face even more red.
"Thank you Mrs Gra…I mean, Emma." Harry replied with a smile. Turning back in the mirror, he assessed his appearance before having a fight with his hair. Michael, who had just walked in, laughed and commented teasingly.
"I think that's one battle you aren't going to win, Harry." He pointed out, smiling at Harry's already blushing face. It was at that moment; Harry was saved by Hermione who had just walked into the room.
"Oh, leave him alone daddy; if he blushes any more, he may stay that colour!" She said innocently. That comment set off another round of laughs and further reddened his face.
Finally, Harry recovered and he took in Hermione's appearance. She was wearing a periwinkle dress, one not all too dissimilar to the one she would wear in fourth year. Her hair was lying straight and flat, thanks to the girls at Hogwarts, and she wore a small amount of makeup which brought out her features.
Harry forgot to breathe when he finally focused on her, but gulped in a breath, smiling brightly, his eyes twinkling.
"You look beautiful, Hermione." She blushed and smiled.
"Thanks Harry; you don't look half bad yourself!" He laughed and offered her his hand, which she took.
As they walked out of the room and went downstairs, Michael and Emma watched the pair in shock and awe. This had become almost routine for them. Whenever they observed the young couple's actions, they talked, moved and even thought as one. They were in perfect harmony, which both shocked and delighted them.
How they had achieved this sort of bond within a few months was baffling, but it was clear to the both of them that it was strong. Any concerns either Michael or Emma had about the two had dissipated when they saw them together.
After sharing a brief glance and smile, they followed the two downstairs, ready to say goodbye. As they entered the living room, where the fireplace was, they found Hermione explaining how to travel by floo, without falling over at the other end.
"…so what I didn't realise, is that you are supposed to take a step while you are still travelling, so when you arrive and the fire throws you out, your feet are already there to touch down on." Harry's eyes widened and he nodded in understanding.
"Oh right, no wonder I always fell over! I wish people had told me before I started floo'ing places…" He grumbled. Hermione giggled and turned to her parents, who were watching them, smiles on their faces.
"So, are you both ready to go?" Emma asked, her smile not leaving her face.
"Yes, I think we are. Now we just need to wait for Susan and her Aunt to arrive so they can escort us." Harry nodded, before looking at her parents apologetically.
"Michael, Emma, I'm sorry that you aren't able to go tonight. I wanted us all to be able to go, but I wasn't able to…" Before he could finish, Emma pulled him into a hug.
"Don't apologise Harry. Hermione explained it all to us and we understand. To be honest, if the prejudices against non-magical people in wizarding society are as bad as you say, I don't think we'd enjoy ourselves if we were to go to anyway." Harry nodded in understanding.
Before any more could be said, they heard the familiar 'pop' of apparition just outside the house, which was soon accompanied by a loud knock. Michael opened the door, revealing Susan and Amelia Bones.
"Ah, hello, you must be Madam Bones." Michael welcomed warmly. Amelia nodded smiling, shaking his proffered hand.
"Yes I am, and you must be Mr Granger." He nodded and beckoned them into the house. As soon as Susan saw Hermione and Harry, she rushed at the pair for a hug.
"Hermione, Harry! It's good to see you again!" They returned the hug warmly, chuckling at the excitable red head.
Much like Neville, Susan seemed to come out of her shell when she met Harry and Hermione for the first time on the express. In the original timeline, Susan had been shy, nervous and very timid. During their initial conversation, where Harry gave them a very philosophical speech about the houses, and the following days that were spent getting to know each other, she bloomed into a very energetic, warm, bubbly individual.
"It's nice to see you too Susan." Harry said chuckling, as the red head extricated herself from the three-way hug, blushing.
Amelia watched this with a small smile on her face. Since her sister had died and their daughter was left an orphan, she had been extremely protective of Susan. As such, when it came to Hogwarts, she had never really met any people her own age to make friends.
However, she had been overjoyed to see in her first letter home that she had made not one, but three new friends while on the express. Her following letters were almost entirely filled with anecdotes involving these new friends.
"Well, young lady, aren't you going to introduce me?" Amelia teased. Susan blushed before pulling the two of them over to her Aunt.
"Harry, Hermione; this is my Aunt Amelia. Aunty; these are my friends, Harry and Hermione." Her friends held out their hands and greeted her.
"Ah yes, Ms Granger, I've heard a lot about you." She began. "I was told by Professor McGonagall that she thought you were the brightest witch of your age." She said with a smile. Hermione blushed while Emma and Michael beamed at her proudly.
"And Lord Gryffindor," She said, turning to Harry, "we have met before, although not in as pleasant a circumstances." His face turned serious and he nodded.
"Indeed Madam Bones. I still have yet to thank you for your help in pressing charges on my relatives. Thank you." She smiled and waved it off.
"No thanks are necessary, your lordship. It was my pleasure to help punish those bas…I mean, muggles." She finished, changing her expletive at the last minute.
Michael and Emma shared a look and smirked. They had had a similar reaction when they heard about Harry's treatment by the Dursleys. Harry smiled, also catching the change in words, before speaking.
"Nevertheless; thank you. Also, I would prefer if you called me Harry. I only make people I don't like call me by my title." Amelia smirked and nodded.
"Very well Harry, but if I do, then I think you, and Hermione as well, could call me Amelia or Aunt Amelia if you would prefer that." Harry began to tear up slightly, before he nodded and thanked her.
Emma smiled and shared another look with her husband. It seemed as though there was a new family forming around Harry; first them and now the Bones'. It would go a long way to helping the boy overcome the treatment he had received at the hand of his relatives.
Remembering why they were there, Amelia pulled a bag of Floo powder from her purse and gave a handful to each of the children. After that, she conjured a ceramic pot and poured the powder into it, leaving it for the Grangers.
"You may as well keep this powder in case any of you need to use floo travel." They nodded and thanked her. "Right, now the address is 'Longbottom Manor'. Do you know how to use the floo network?" Harry and Hermione nodded. "Very well, I will go first." She stepped up to the grate and threw the powder into the flames. "Longbottom Manor!" She disappeared in a flash of green flame.
Susan went next, followed by Hermione and finally Harry. Before he went through, he turned back to Hermione's parents and grinned cheekily.
"Don't wait up for us!" With that said he threw his powder in and disappeared. They blinked for a moment, before realising what he said and laughed. As they did, Emma leant her head on Michael's shoulder and sighed.
"He's becoming more and more comfortable around us." She said happily. Michael smiled and nodded.
"That he is." He paused for a moment. "We can't replace his parents, but we can try." Emma turned, smiled and kissed him softly.
"Oh dear, is the big bad Mike beginning to likeHermione's boyfriend?" She asked teasingly, which made him chuckle.
"You know what, I think I am." He replied.
As Harry exited the emerald flames, making sure to start stepping while he was in motion, he didn't fall to the floor as he used to be well known for doing. Having a look around, he could see that Hermione and Susan were already reacquainting themselves with Neville.
"Wow, Susan, Hermione – you two look beautiful tonight." He said with a smile. They both blushed, Susan more so.
"Thanks Neville." Susan said shyly. As he watched them, Harry could see something forming between them. Hiding his smirk, he stepped toward Neville.
"Hey there Neville, how're you doing?" Harry said with a smile. Neville turned his attention away from the girls and gave him a brotherly hug.
"I'm doing great Harry; it's good to see you again!" He grinned at Harry. "I'm glad you decided to come tonight. If you'll follow me…" suddenly he had a thought "…oh yes, Harry; my gran is looking forward to seeing you again! She wants to know all about you!" Harry blushed and nodded with a smile.
They followed Neville through the brightly lit passages of Longbottom Manor, the walls covered with hundreds of magical portraits, much like Hogwarts. However, all the people in the pictures all seemed to be related, all featuring the same Longbottom facial characteristics.
Soon, they arrived at a set of large double doors, which opened automatically, clearly under some sort of spell. To one side of the door, stood a uniformed wizard, wearing the crest of the Longbottoms, holding a large scroll in his hands.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," he began, his voice echoing around the hall, "presenting, Madam Amelia Sarah Bones and the Bones' heir, Lady Susan Elaine Bones." He went silent as the pair passed him and entered the ball. Glancing back at his list, he cleared his throat. "Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting his lordship, Duke Harry James Potter Ravenclaw Gryffindor, and his companion, Ms Hermione Jane Granger." The hall went silent, as they regarded the new head of three such powerful families.
As Harry walked into the hall, Hermione on his arm, the couple were soon beset by people determined to introduce themselves and create an impression on the young lord. The monotony of the millions of introductions and irritating conversations was only broken when Draco walked over to them.
They smiled at him, but frowned when it was only weakly returned. He looked tired and paler than usual, and if Harry wasn't mistaken, it looked like his face was recovering from a bruise of some sort. The warning from Amanda echoed disturbingly in his thoughts.
"You need to keep an eye on Draco. I can't tell you much, but he may need you in the weeks ahead. He took a big risk befriending you Harry."
"Hello Draco." Hermione said happily.
"Hey, Draco." Harry said with a smile.
"Hey you two." He gave them another weak smile. Harry's smile faltered and he whispered to him.
"Hey mate, are you alright? You don't look very good and you didn't reply to any of our letters." Harry asked concernedly. Draco sighed and slumped slightly.
"I…I can't tell you right now. It'll have to wait until we get to school, alright?" Harry hesitated before nodding in acceptance.
"Alright. But if you need to talk mate, me and Hermione are always here." He smiled and thanked him, before disappearing back into the crowds.
With Draco gone, Harry and Hermione were swept back into the party, being introduced to people who were about as interesting as a turnip. While Harry had been working on his temper and was quite good at controlling it, he was beginning to lose his cool, despite Hermione's attempts to keep him calm. Finally, the pair was rescued by the hostess of the party, Madam Longbottom.
"Ah, Lord Gryffindor; I've been waiting for a chance to speak with you." She said, leading Harry and Hermione away from the people who had been swarming them. Harry smiled in gratitude.
"Thank you Madam Longbottom. I'm not used to having so many people wanting to speak with me." He said tiredly. She nodded sympathetically.
"Well, you are someone new, your lordship. They haven't had a chance to sink their claws into you yet." She said with a chuckle. "Do not worry; it will die down in time. You are just very popular at the moment." He nodded seriously.
"Yes, I know. I believe I have featured in several of the last Daily Prophet articles on the front page." He said with a smile. Suddenly he had a thought and added. "Oh, yes; please feel free to call me Harry, Madam Longbottom." She smiled at him.
"Well then, in that case, feel free to call me Augusta or gran if you wish. That's what my young Neville calls me." Harry grinned and nodded.
Augusta then took a step forward and took Harry by the shoulders, before looking him over carefully. When she had finished, a tear fell down her wrinkled cheek and she pulled him into a warm hug. After a minute, she pulled back and smiled at him.
"I'm sorry, I had to do that. You must understand, I haven't seen you since you were only a baby. Did you know my Alice was your godmother?" Harry smiled and nodded.
"Yes, I did. I found out at Gringotts when I received my inheritance." The elderly witch smiled and nodded.
"Yes, when you and Neville were babies, you were inseparable. Before your parents went into hiding, they often came round to let you two play together." Another tear fell down her cheek and she sniffed. "I was heartbroken when I heard that Lily and James had been killed that night. They were like my children…and I lost both them, Frank and Alice." She began to cry, but was shocked when Harry held the old witch in a hug.
"They wouldn't want you to be crying. They died for what they believed in and in defending their families from evil. I'm sure Frank and Alice would be proud of the way you raised Neville. He is a great wizard and a greater friend." He said softly.
Augusta blinked tears out of her eyes, a smile on her face, as she returned the hug of the young wizard. After a moment, she frowned and pulled back, looking at Harry's own tear stained face.
"I may have raised Neville, but I failed you. I saw the reports about the treatment you received from your guardians, Harry." He flinched. "I should have tried harder to find you; I should have fought tooth and nail for you…" She trailed off.
"Gran, it wouldn't have done any good." He said softly. Her eyes shot up when he called her by that name and she smiled. "Dumbledore specifically did everything in his power to hide me from the rest of the world. I doubt any amount of campaigning would have helped defeat him at that point." She nodded sadly and sighed.
"I know. I still wish there was something I could do." She replied. Harry smiled and hugged her again.
"Well…I have need of a grandmother…if you'd be interested?" He asked shyly. Her smile was wide and loving and she placed a kiss on his forehead.
"I would love that Harry." The next half an hour or so was spent by Harry catching Augusta up with everything that had happened recently in his life, including introducing Hermione to his pseudo grandmother.
After a while, Harry and Hermione were released by Augusta, who had to return to the party, so the couple went for a walk around the house and grounds. They didn't want to return to the party just yet. As they walked, Hermione noticed that Harry had a content smile on his face, which made her smile also.
"What are you thinking about?" She asked softly. He turned to her, kissed her lovingly, before smiling.
"I was just thinking about my family." Hermione looked confused.
"But I thought that you felt sad when you remembered your parents." He smiled and shook his head.
"I wasn't thinking about my parents." He pulled her closer and kissed her neck. "I was thinking about my family: Michael, Emma, Neville, Susan, Augusta, Amelia…and most of all, you Hermione." He said softly. "In the space of a few months, you have all changed my life drastically. I think I'm the happiest I've ever been in a long time." Her eyes twinkled with love and adoration. She leant forward and kissed him lovingly.
"I love you, my Harry." He smiled and kissed her back.
"And I love you, my Mione."
As they made their way through the corridors of Longbottom Manor, intent on returning to the party, Harry and Hermione could hear the quiet echo of raised voices. They shared a glance, before moving closer to a partially open door.
Their eyes widened as they heard the familiar drawl of Lucius Malfoy.
"I thought I made myself clear back at the manor that you were not to speak to Potter or that mudblood anymore, Draco?" He growled.
"Draco, my little dragon, the Potter boy is a blood traitor, and you know that the mudbloods are no better than filth. Why do you insist on disobeying us?" Narcissa Malfoy questioned softly. Draco snorted in reply.
"Because, mother, the muggleborns I have met are not filth! They treat people better than most of the purebloods do in school. And if I want to be friends with Lord Gryffindor, then that is my choice. But just so you know, Harry is great friend…" Before he could finish, he was interrupted by a sharp crack, like that of a hand.
"Don't you dare answer back to your mother Draco," Lucius snarled before controlling his temper, "you have brought shame on this family by consorting with the blood traitors and filth of this world. Now, I forbid you to speak to Potter, the mudblood or any of their blood traitor friends, do you understand?" Lucius asked softly, his voice cold.
"No, father; you are the ones who have brought shameto this family, by polluting this world with your narrow minded and bigoted beliefs." Draco sneered. "I am working to redeem this family in our world, by breaking down the divides that people like you have created. I will not stop being friends with Harry or Hermione." The air was filled with another crack.
As they listened, Harry was touched by the strong beliefs and bravery he had helped reveal in Draco in such a short time. He was torn apart inside as he heard the sounds of Lucius' aggressiveness and violence.
Harry shared a glance with Hermione, who was also beginning to cry at the exchange. Holding her tightly, Harry silently resolved to offer his help to Draco, should the worst come to worst.
"You are a disappointment, to both me and your mother. You are not the heir I wanted to carry on our great name. You shall not inherit this family's titles, or our legacy." Draco laughed mirthlessly.
"Then I am glad. I do not want to be the heir of a family like this one; one which is a disgrace to the name of wizard." They heard a snarl, before another crack.
Moving away from the open door and hiding behind a corner, they watched the Malfoy's leave the room, Draco's face red and bruised under his punishment. Waiting a little while until they were gone, Harry and Hermione headed back to the ballroom.
"I can't believe they did that to Draco!" Hermione whispered sadly. Harry's gaze hardened and he nodded.
"It seems that the muggle world isn't the only one where adults do that to children." He said softly.
As she turned to look at him, she could see the pain in his eyes, so she pulled him into a tight, warm hug. Trembling slightly, he let out a rattling breath, before returning the hug and whispering in her ear.
"I'll be damned if I let Draco continue to suffer because of us." Hermione pulled back and kissed his lips lightly.
"I'll make him an offer to stay with my parents. I'm sure they won't say no." Harry smiled at her, before linking her arm and walking back to the party.
"It seems that you're collecting us strays, Hermione." She giggled before leaning on his shoulder and sighing.
"All strays deserve a loving home."
As they re-entered the ballroom and began to mingle once more with the guests, they were soon approached by the conceited forms of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. This ball was trying Harry's patience, and he knew that the couple would only make it worse.
"Ah, Lord Gryffindor; it is such a pleasure to meet you at last." Malfoy drawled coolly. Harry plastered a very fake smile on his face as he shook the man's hand.
"The pleasure is all mine, Mr Malfoy…" He replied with equal detachment, before turning to look at his wife. "…Mrs Malfoy." He kissed her hand softly. Turning to his companion, he smiled before introducing her. "And this is my girlfriend, Hermione Granger." The reaction was immediate. The pair looked as though an unpleasant smell had breezed past their noses.
"Ah…yes…we were informed you had a…muggleborn as a companion." Lucius commented with obvious distaste. Harry's eyes became ice cold as he regarded the Malfoy patriarch.
"Why yes, yes I have. Is that a problem, Malfoy?" He asked coldly. Malfoy was taken aback for a moment, before he sneered.
"I am simply shocked that someone who hails from such a great, pure blooded line would disgrace the name of wizard by having a relationship with someone from a…muggle background…" he eyed Hermione in disgust. Harry's face which was almost bursting with anger suddenly became calm.
"I think that we have very different ideas about what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy." He replied, his voice like ice. Lucius' face went white, before his eyes burned with anger.
"You should watch who you make enemies with Potter." He spat. Harry sneered at him and grabbed the scruff of his shirt.
"Oh, you're family isn't an enemy, Mr Malfoy." He replied. "Your family is vermin. And one day, I will take great pleasure in permanently removing the filth that is the Malfoy family from this world." Lucius snarled in anger, before storming away, his wife following. Draco, who had been waiting nearby while this was happening, was grabbed by his father.
"Come Draco; we are leaving!" He spat. Draco struggled before finally breaking free.
"Why would I go with you, father?" He sneered. At this point, the other families and guests were watching this in interest. "Harry is right – the Malfoy name is a blight on this world. I refuse to be a part of it!" Malfoy looked absolutely furious, seeing him and his family being slandered by one of their own.
"Very well Draco. If you do not want to be a member of this family, then so be it. I hereby cast Draco Abraxas Malfoy out of the Malfoy family. You are no longer a part of this family; so I say, so mote it be." With that, he and his wife stormed out of Longbottom Manor.
The room was silent, the guests still recovering from the shock of the events. Draco stood motionless, his face still looking where his family had stood. Ignoring the reactions of the room, Harry stepped forward and put his hand on Draco's shoulder, who turned to look at him, surprised at the contact.
"Hermione has offered for you to come and stay with me and her parents until we go back to school." He said softly. The reality of what had just happened began to catch up and Draco trembled, tears forming in his eyes. "We can sort out what to do tomorrow; come on." He allowed himself to be led to the fireplaces by Harry and Hermione.
As they walked out, they passed Neville, Susan, Amelia and Augusta. Harry smiled at her tiredly and kissed her hand.
"Thank you for an enjoyable evening, Madam Longbottom, but we are going to head home now." She nodded and said goodbye, still shocked by what had happened.
After sharing some brief goodbyes, the three floo'd back to Hermione's house, where her parents were sitting watching television. They smiled in greeting, before they noticed their haggard faces and their extra guest.
Harry and Hermione shared a quick glance, before splitting up. She led her parents into the kitchen to tell them what had happened, while Harry sat Draco down in the living room. He was still in shock, so Harry drew his wand and conjured a glass of water, offering it to him.
"Here Draco; drink this." His throat was extremely dry and coarse, so he drank the water greedily, before handing the empty cup back.
They sat there for a moment, Draco staring into space, while Harry watched him in concern. After a few minutes, he put his hand on his shoulder and spoke.
"I can't imagine what it's like for you right now and I won't try to." He paused. "Hermione and I heard what your father said to you in the room away from the party." Draco swallowed slightly and sniffed. "You went against your families wishes because you knew it was right. That takes a lot. And you defended me when you didn't need to." He paused again.
"You're a good friend Draco. I know your family has…abandoned you, but you still have friends. You've shown what sort of friend you are, so allow me to do the same." He glanced at the kitchen door. "I'm sure Hermione will convince her parents with little opposition to let you stay here for what's left of these holidays, but this summer I intend to look at some of the homes I own." Draco turned to look at him, eyes wide, seeing what he was suggesting.
"I would be honoured to have a friend like you live with me, until you no longer want or need to. Also, if you wish, you could be adopted into one of my families. After seeing what you did, standing up for your beliefs and your friends, I would be honoured to call you my brother." Draco choked slightly as he listened, before bursting into tears.
In a flash, Harry had pulled him into a hug and held him while he cried. Glancing up, he saw Hermione and her parents re-enter the room, looking sadly at the Draco. Harry's eyes met hers, and she nodded. He smiled slightly.
For as long as he needed it, Draco would have a home.