It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 11

"Be that as it may be, you all are going to have to start changing how you perceive other people in this world of yours. Lots of things and lots of attitudes are about to shift around, for the better." Dan added, then he put a hand on Kreacher's shoulder.  "Come on Kreacher, let's go get Master Regulus' locket and bring it up here to show everyone."

The old House Elf looked at Dan, started to speak and then nodded, stood up and led the way out the door.

"Emma!"  Rupert called across the room. "Find that passage about Kreacher fighting with the Hogwarts House Elves at the Battle and read it to him when they get back."

"Good idea, Rupert."  Emma dug deep into her tote and pulled out 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' and started leafing through the last chapters, looking for the right passage.

 * * * *

As Kreacher was rummaging through his sleeping space, there was a "Pop", announcing the arrival of Draco Malfoy, his mother and Dobby.  Draco immediately jerked his hand away from the House Elf and looked around wildly, pulling out his wand.  When he spotted Dan, he got an evil grin on his face.

"So, this is all your doing, eh, Potter?  Using your godfather as an excuse to kidnap Mother and me?"

"First, I'd like to introduce myself," Dan calmly replied, turning to Narcissa, effectively ignoring Draco.  "I'm Daniel Radcliffe, but everyone calls me Dan.  I'm very pleased to meet you, Madam Malfoy."  He extended his hand and she shook it, looking at him closely.

"You are not Harry Potter, are you?"

"No, I'm a Muggle actor.  No scar, no wand, no magic, no glasses; just a good resemblance to Harry."

"What are you talking about Potter," persisted Draco.

"Draco! This is not Harry Potter.  He's telling us the truth.  Now put your wand away and behave yourself!" she admonished him.  Draco sheepishly complied with his mother's orders.

"I believe all your questions will be answered when we join everyone upstairs. After you, Madam Malfoy,  Draco.  They're gathered in the front parlor."

"If you think you . . . " Draco started.

"Come along, Draco!"  Narcissa gave him a look that broached no argument and then turned to lead her son up the stairs. Harry, with Kreacher at his side, clutching his Master's locket and Dobby trotting along behind, followed them.

 * * * *

Narcissa walked into the front parlor, looked around at the gathered assortment of people with arched eyebrow, until she spotted Sirius.  They stood looking at each other for a long moment and then, to the surprise of everyone, Narcissa grinned, shrieked, "Sirius!" and ran into his outstretched arms.  He spun her around and then put her on her feet and hugged her, laughing.

"Welcome back to Grimmauld Place, Cissa." He held her at arm's length and gave her an appraising glance.  "Still drop dead gorgeous, cousin."

"Of course," she sniffed.  "I do have my standards, you scruffy thing, you!"  Then she collapsed into his arms again, laughing and hugging him.  "I'm so glad to see you!  Are you well, have you had any lasting effects from your time in Azkaban, dear?"

"Nah, I'm doing fine, just getting a little antsy, being stuck here, what with the Ministry and the Death Eaters all looking for me."

Then, as if they suddenly became aware they were the center of a fascinated circle of watchers, Sirius and Cissa blushed, dropped their arms and stepped apart.   Most of the witnesses to their reunion were smiling, some bordering on giggling fits but Draco was standing there, his mouth wide open, dumbstruck.  That is until Tom walked up to him and put his arm around Draco's shoulder.

"Welcome to the party, Draco."

When Draco turned and literally saw himself standing there, he jumped, spun around, saw Rupert, Ron, Emma and Hermione waving at him, the Weasley twins convulsed in silent laughter, Mrs. Weasley, Professors McGonagall and Snape and Headmaster Dumbledore, Remus, Tonks and  Mad-eye Moody all looking at him with mild interest, waiting for his reaction. 

"What the bloody hell is going on?" he gasped. "Mother, get away from that murderer!"  He reached out and grabbed Narcissa's hand, trying to drag her to safety.

"Don't be daft, Draco," she scolded, snatching her hand away and smacking his.  "Sirius didn't kill anyone.  Peter Pettigrew killed all those Muggles to frame Sirius; he's innocent and you know it!"  She turned to Sirius. "The minute Peter turned up with the Dark Lord, I knew you hadn't done anything but try and catch him.  He betrayed  Lily and James, didn't he?" Sirius nodded.

"MOTHER!"  Draco was past shocked.  "Lily and James . . .Potter's parents . . .you knew them?"

"Of course I knew them; we were all in the same year . . . Lily was a very sweet girl, although James was a bit of troublemaker, along with Sirius, but we were all cordial.  Then everything went very bad, very quickly and I was told which side I was to be on in that war, I had no choice in the matter, married off to Lucius without asking me about how I felt.  I tried to stay in touch with Sirius, Lily and James.  But Peter . . . I never liked him."

"What?" Draco gasped.  His whole world was turning upside down and he was totally lost; everything he'd been told, everything he'd taken as gospel from his father  . . . had it been a lie???  "I don't know what you're talking about.  Father said . . ."

"Your father is a fool and it's about time you hear the facts, dearest," Narcissa said, walking up to him and taking his face in her hands, she looked him straight in the eye. "I'm sure that's why we've been brought here, to learn the whole truth and to help rectify things.  Am I correct?"  She looked around at the group, who were nodding.

"Correct, Madam Malfoy," said Tom, stepping forward and giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Hi, Mum! Who's the dork?" he asked, with a wink, jerking his thumb at Draco.

Narcissa laughed and then turned to Molly Weasley.  "Am I about to learn what it is like to have twin sons?"

"Apparently . . . lots of luck," Molly answered, with a chuckle.

"Good afternoon, Headmaster, Minerva, Severus.  Oh, Happy Christmas, every one."

There were greetings of 'Happy Christmas' from all in the room, and then Tonks approached her aunt and received a hug, too.

"Tonks! How are Andromeda and Ted?"

"Just fine, Aunt Cissa. It's good to see you again.  Hi, Draco."

"Hello," Draco answered, still in shock at the whole situation. "Mother, I don't understand."

"Neither do I, entirely, dearest, but I believe if we join everyone, listen and learn, we will be the better for it.  Now, come and sit over here with me," she replied, as she took him by the hand and pulled him down to sit next to her on a love seat near Tom and Emma. 

Tom was scribbling furiously on one of the notepads and Draco's curiosity got the better of him.

"What are you writing?"

"I promised you I'd tell you how your Mum reacted to all this, when we go back. Also the look on your face and your reaction."

"You'd tell me when?" Draco asked, brows furrowed.

"2012 - Hermione and you coordinated this whole get-together!"

"2012! You're joking!"

"Not a bit, you'll see! Oh, I almost forgot; here's your note . . . from you."  Draco handed over the envelope with Draco's name, in his own hand writing on the front.  Draco turned it over, broke the seal and pulled out the letter and started to read.  His eyes got bigger and he started shaking his head.

"What is it, dearest?"  his mother asked, seeing the look on his face.

He silently handed the letter to Narcissa, who quickly scanned the contents and then nodded her head, took the envelope from his slack fingers and put the letter back inside.  Taking his hand, she patted it, looked over at Tom and smiled, then turned her attention to Dan, who had walked to stand in front of the TV.