The library at Whittom Park was still impressive. The house-elf showed Draco in. Tracey was sitting and writing. He'd come over here with something specific in mind. Pans had dropped a bomb on him yesterday. Greg was home? Well, if anyone knew, it was Trace. Beyond that, he was curious about how she was doing, like with everyone. He'd started with Blaise, then Snape. Pansy had come looking for him. He didn't want anyone else to. He would seek those out that needed to be sought.

"Well, well, well, good day to you, Miss Davis. How've you been?" Draco said, announcing himself before the house-elf could do so.

Smelling that same familiar cologne he'd worn since he was fourteen, before actually hearing him enter, Tracey wasn't surprised a bit when she looked up and saw Draco standing there in her parlour looking very much like the six year old boy she once knew, with his little upturned smile. Drolly, she put her quill down and turned toward him fully. "Good Morning, Draco. I'm glad to see you haven't forgotten where I lived. I'd heard you'd been home." There was this strange tension in the room and she wasn't sure why. Standing, she slowly stood and walked toward him. She kissed him on the cheek, embracing him as she was taught, and then motioned toward the sofa. "Would you like to sit? I assume there is a reason for this lovely visit."

Draco closed himself off. He was wary with her, just like with Pansy.

"Thank you," Draco said politely. "That would be nice." He waited for her to sit before sitting himself. "You didn't answer my question. I asked you how you've been." This was what kept putting people off, he was finding. He wasn't talking about himself unless pressed. That had never been the case. He wanted to feel her out here. He wanted to know about Greg.

"I've been the same as I always was, though this time I don't have mum here to breathe down my neck about my ill behaviour." A house-elf carrying a tea service appeared next to her and she tilted her head toward him, "Tea, Draco?" At his nod, she told the elf to place the tray on the table and poured for them herself. "It was hard, being on my own once I was out of school, but it would have been so much harder without Blaise around. Especially after Greg left." Tracey sighed and picked at the napkin she had just placed in her lap. "Ah well. Things are starting to sort themselves back the way they ought to be. Greg's home now... and you've come home too."

Draco nodded. He was too polite to tell her that things were never going, would never, be the way they ought to be. There was no hope for that.

"Yes," he said evenly. "Pans showed up at Malfoy Manor yesterday and told me that Greg was home. I suppose you have seen him then. What am I saying? You were likely the first person he decided to find."

This was cold and awkward. Draco didn't mean to make her uncomfortable, and he got the distinct impression in a way he was. He had that effect. There was little he could do about it. He wasn't going to dance around the subject like he would have in the past.

"How is he?"

Tracey smiled. This was something new, she thought, it actually sounded like he cared about Greg there for a minute. "Actually, I wasn't. But I have seen him. He's... he's fragile, I think. He'd never admit it, but I think he's patched up his pain the best he could do, and now he's home to get that final bit of closure. It didn't hurt that he's made some really good friends in America, who really cared about him." Looking down at her hands, she continued, "And it's selfish of me, but I'm glad he's back. I missed him. You have too. I can tell."

Tracey wasn't saying those things to hurt Draco, but she could tell she had. Greg liked to tell her she had a mask that she showed to the world, but if anyone else in the world had one of those it was the blond across the room from her, and his rivalled hers, that's for sure. While following he and Blaise around through school, she was able to see that, despite never being overly close to him - he didn't just let anyone get close to him. She was able to swallow whatever anger she had for him, to make him see that she could see through him, that he wasn't fooling her.

"Of course I missed him," Draco said, trying to keep the snap out of his voice. Did she think he wouldn't? Despite his bad ideas usually involving Greg and Vin doing something they weren't too keen on, like say... polyjuicing into girls, Draco had always liked Greg. He was just less likely to say no than Blaise had been. Vin never said no because he liked it. Greg was another story.

For one whole second Draco considered going into her head like his Aunt Bella had taught him, but he would never do that to someone he called his friend.

"Sorry, Trace," he said, meaning it. "I don't mean to snap. I just... I had no idea he was back. It's thrown me. There are... things. I'm sure you know there are things. You don't need me to tell you about the things. There are just things... and bloody hell, that's fucking annoying when I do that. Apologies."

He poured himself some tea and took a large gulp. If he was drinking he would not be rambling on like a madman. Why was it out of all his Slytherin friends, it was damned Severus Snape he could talk to? Well, and Blaise, but Blaise was his other half. He didn't count Blaise as just a friend. He was more than that.

Sighing, Tracey rubbed her temple. "You know, Draco, you don't have to say you're sorry to me. I know I have no right to be angry with you. You didn't leave me. You left for your own reasons, and I can accept that. But that doesn't change the fact that we were left behind. I still felt like I was left behind. Blaise was even worried, and he understands you so much more than the rest of us ever could, even Pansy. Greg left not too long before you did." Her voice grew quiet. She wasn't one for crying, despite her recent penchant for tears. Perhaps that was why all the boys in her house seemed to come to her when they had problems. Stuffing down the sadness, she spoke again. "I've never been like you all. I wasn't made a Slytherin because I was cunning or ambitious. I wasn't there because I had a dark temperament. I was put there because I wanted to be with you. All of you." She arched an eyebrow toward him. "If you ever breathe a word of this, I'll hex you into oblivion, but I that wretched hat actually wanted to put me in Hufflepuff and I flat out refused. I wanted to be with my friends. You meant so much more to me than my own family did. Hell, you were my family. And you all left me. So don't say you're sorry to me. Just be there. For Greg, for me, for Blaise. He's put up with you for years, cleaned up your messes. Make it worth it."

Draco actually let some very bitter and less than sane laughter escape him.

"I was not about to implode in front of all of you. If I had not have left, I wouldn't be here, and with no hope of coming back. No one has to put up with me any longer. That's the beauty of me these days. I don't feel the need to have my messes cleaned up. They can stay where they are. You don't want me here. None of you do. You don't need me. Bloody hell, I'm not worth all of that. Shite."

He sat there for a moment.

"I wasn't apologizing for leaving. I'm not sorry about that. I was apologising for being snippy and babbling."

Draco sighed and looked away. He should not have come here. She was angry about how he had treated Greg and Blaise. She didn't need to be. He was angry enough about that for not only everyone involved, but people who just knew about it.

"I'm party of your family? I'd disown me."

Tracey's jaw actually dropped for a moment, before she realised what she'd done and how unladylike it looked. "Well, you're an idiot! We don't just throw away someone if we don't like what they've done. What the hell do you think friends are for? Imploding? More like running and hiding. We didn't put up with you because we had to. We did it because we love you, you pillock! None of us are very good at saying that, so I'll say it now... you had people here that love you. That would have been there for you. That gladly cleaned up those messes because it was needed and it was good." Her temper, usually kept in check was sparked and she was letting loose on all the pain and anger this man had fueled in her. "Stop with the 'I'm not worth it' shite. That's a load of bollocks and you know it. Do you think real friendship is something only those idiot goody-two shoes can feel?"

She closed her eyes and exhaled. He really doesn't see what he's meant to all of us, she thought. Wearily, she added, "Draco, I'm glad you're home, I've missed you. I don't know how Greg feels about it, but I'm sure he's missed you too. I told him the one time we've been together since he got back, but that night somehow got sidetracked by how miserable I've been. So coming here for information on him seems to have been a fruitless endeavour. I'm sorry I shouted. It was wrong of me."

"I actually liked the shouting," Draco said dryly. "I don't need you to tell me I'm an idiot. I'm aware, and If I'm not, I've got a tacky tattoo to remind me. Not that I have not tried to get rid of the thing."

The something she'd just said sunk in. He was completely distracted by that now.

"Well, what's wrong with you then? Miserable? Why, Trace? Do I need to hex someone?"

Tracey looked at him for a moment and then started to laugh. She covered her mouth as the laughter erupted from her mouth. "You sound exactly like Blaise... well, after he got out of the cocktail dress, anyway. No, things are alright now." He looked at her and she knew knew wasn't getting away with that one. "I was feeling dreadful for no explainable reason, and seeing Greg just turned on the waterworks. Sweet Salazar, I hate to cry." She shook her head of those thoughts. "And besides, I had a date on Friday night. It ended up complete rubbish, but I'd rather Theodore Nott keep his parts where they are, though I appreciate the offer to hex him. If I change my mind, I know who to go to. You and Blaise are not to be trifled with, clearly."

"Nott made you cry? Cry!" Draco shouted the last word. Theodore Nott was getting a punch to his face. Wizards didn't expect that. Especially ones that knew him. Oh she was right, he was not to be trifled with, and neither was Blaise, but Draco knew a few things now that he had not known five years ago. "Well, I won't hex him then."

Punching wasn't hexing, after all. Draco had a malicious gleam in his eyes. Tracey had never been as mean as the rest of them. Not really. He could be mean for her. As awkward as this was, he didn't want anyone thinking they could hurt something of his. She'd called him family, and what would Draco do for a sister? Plenty. He also hadn't been in a fistfight in well over a month.

"I know you won't tell me where I can find the bastard, but find him I will." Merlin love you, Mei. "Is bone breaking permitted or would you rather just some nice bruises. It's the lady's choice, of course."

She rolled her eyes, but smiled. "You're not going to break any of his bones. How would that look when we go out tomorrow night? I like his bones exactly where they are, thank you." Upon thinking over what she just said she knew immediately why Draco's face turned into a childish grin. "Not those kinds of bones, you pervert. It's only my second date, and I'm a prude - or so you said when we were thirteen and I wouldn't let you under my robes. But, yes. If he doesn't behave himself you can feel free to smack him around a bit. But come on, this is broody Theodore Nott we're talking about. It's not like he's going to take advantage of me or anything." Deciding to change the subject, she countered. If they could talk about her lack of real prospects then they could talk about his conquests. "Now, are you as hard as Blaise to get romantic information out of? You didn't find a gorgeous witch in your travels that you can't live without?"

"Several actually. One in particular, but I was a fool. Threw her over for a French lunatic. You'd hate Lindsay. Hell, I hated Linds when I first met her. She's a good friend though. Messed her about, and she still owls me. Sophie, the French nutter, you lot would probably get on with, but she likes to set the bed on fire with her wand while people are sleeping."

Draco pinned her with a look. "I was very broody in Romania, and I still managed to talk a Gypsy witch out of her skirt. Broody does not equal not horny, all right. If he touches you in any way inappropriately, I'm breaking fingers. Or I'll just let Greg do it and circle so no one interferes. You know, have his back for once."

"Nice! So I'd like the French nutter over the witch you actually care about. What you must think of me!" She feigned hurt and then grinned at him, "Though you're probably right. Pansy is my closest girlfriend and we both know how much of a nutter she can be. Though I'm sure she's never set the bed afire before... in the technical sense, anyway. I'm sure you've noticed that about her since you've got home, still exactly the same, that one. And you know Draco, up until today I would have said the same thing about you. But I would have been wrong." Her smile was genuine and she realised that her feelings of hurt and pain were lessened dramatically. Perhaps getting them out was a good thing after all.

Turning to look at the clock over the mantle, Tracey saw the time and cursed under her breathe. She hated being late, so she would have to say good bye to her friend, no matter how much she would rather spend the afternoon with him. "I'm sorry, Draco. I have a meeting at the Three Broomsticks in a few minutes."

Draco nodded at her, rising when she rose. His mother had taught him manners. Despite how relaxed he could be, he still had them. What probably had her attention was the way he set his tea cup back on the service to make the cleanup easier.

"Yes, Pans is much the same, give or take. Subtle changes, but I did notice them, and though she didn't say anything, I even noticed what she's done to her nose. I won't keep you, much as I'd like to," Draco started for the door. He paused. "Malfoy Manor is still situated in Wiltshire. I'm still much in the southern wing of the house. Have a good meeting."

He headed out. He was still thinking on finding Theodore Nott and passing on the usual threats. Draco wondered if Blaise wanted to join him for that.

Tracey smiled at his retreating back. Things may have changed, but as much people did, they stayed the same, deep down. He'd always been a good person, underneath all the shite he put up in front of himself. She was glad to have him home. Now, she had to meet with some barkeep. What exactly does one wear to a business meeting at a pub?


(Summary: Draco seeks out Tracey for a little Greg information and to make nice.)