***Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the writings of JK Rowling. This was only written for fun and my own sanity.

Harry stretched out on his sofa and contemplated what he should do for the evening. He knew he could probably find something to watch on the telly but he wasn't motivated enough to find the remote. He could Accio it but that would take more effort than he had. Every muscle burned and he cursed Oliver Wood under his breath. It was his stupid idea to form an alumni Quidditch team. It was his idea to work the team just as rigorously as he had at Hogwarts, and frankly Harry was feeling old. He was only twenty- eight but he'd barely had time to sit on a broom in the last several years let alone actually play. He was out of shape.

Harry was about to slip into sleep when he heard an insistent knocking. He wasn't used to people using his front door. He'd opened the Floo to all of his friends and they were at a point where they never even asked before coming in. Harry was always suspicious of anyone using his front door so he grabbed his wand and headed into the hall.

He opened the door cautiously, ready to throw a hex if need be. He never would have expected what he found. Draco Malfoy was on his doorstep holding a sleeping child.

"Malfoy? What . . .," he was cut off by Draco pushing inside.

"Shhhh," Draco whispered. "She's asleep."

"I can see that. What are you doing here?"

"Sanctuary. I'm claiming my right of sanctuary."

"What? What are you talking about?" Harry asked in a hushed tone.

"Where can I put her? She needs a bed. You wouldn't turn away a child would you? You're too much of a hero for that."

Harry ignored the hero comment. He hated being called a hero. He was nothing special. Not anymore. "Right, come up." He led Draco up the stairs and into the nursery. "In here."

Harry lit the dim lamp by the small bed covered in pink blankets. He pulled back the comforter and motioned Draco to lay the small girl down. He watched as Draco carefully set her down, pulling off her shoes and sweater. He was very tender and Harry felt a familiar pang, that he was missing something significant in his life. He looked at the little girl with her soft blonde curls. He imagined that if her eyes were open, she'd have pale gray eyes like Draco. Her father? She was beautiful; there was no doubt about that.

He backed out of the room and stood in the hall, leaning against the wall opposite the nursery.

Draco stepped out a few minutes later, looking exhausted and weary. "Can I put an alert spell on the room? So I'll know if she wakes?"

"Of course," Harry answered. "Come on down to the kitchen. We'll talk."

"Can I use the loo first?"

"This bedroom here, it has an attached loo." Harry pointed in the direction of the bedroom and looked on as Draco quietly nodded and passed by. Harry was confused. He never expected Malfoy to show up at his home, and certainly not with a sleeping child. He painfully dragged himself down the stairs to start some tea. He grabbed a bottle of whisky when he passed the parlor. He felt he would need it.

Draco appeared in the kitchen and to Harry's mind, he looked a little better. He'd probably washed his face and combed his hair.

"Bloody confusing house Potter," Draco said, leaning in the doorway. "I had a hard time finding the kitchen."

"Sorry about that. Most of the people who visit have lived here at one time or another. I forgot my manners."

"Manners," Draco scoffed. "Right."

"I wasn't raised in a barn Malfoy. A barn probably would have been a nicer place to be raised however. Have a seat. Tea is brewing. Are you hungry?"

"I suppose there are a few manners in you. I'm fine. Thanks." Draco sat at the table and folded his hands. Harry watched the long fingers with curiosity. Malfoy almost looked nervous.

"So, why are you here?" Harry asked, taking a seat across from Draco.

"Sanctuary. I needed a safe place so I thought I'd invoke the right."

"Sanctuary? This isn't a church. This is my home."

"Sanctuary, Potter. Surely you've heard of it. Asylum? Protection?"

"I understand the concept but I've only heard of it being invoked in a church."

"So sad that you were raised by Muggles," Draco said with a heavy sigh. "I really hate describing things."

"Look Malfoy, I get that you are in need of a safe place for that little girl. I'm not heartless, I let you in. The fact remains that I haven't seen you in over eight years! Not since your father's trial. Last I heard you went traveling the world. Now you are on my doorstep with your daughter and asking for my help. Excuse me for being confused."

"First, Lucy is not my daughter, she's my sister. Second, yes I did travel a bit but I've been back for over three years. Third, I do need your help but only because you are living in the house of the Blacks." Draco paused to take a sip of tea. "Look, there is a Wizarding right of sanctuary. If someone needs protection for something pure and good, the right of sanctuary exists in a familial home. I needed to protect Lucy. Because I am protecting her from our father, I needed to find a home belonging to the Black side of my family. Mother's childhood home was destroyed by crazy Aunt Bella so here I am. I'm the last of the Blacks after all. This was the only place I could think where Lucy would be safe."

"Why are you protecting Lucy from your father?"

"Long sordid tale that I can't get into it right now. Can we stay?"

"You hate me, you'll probably kill me in my sleep." Harry peered at Draco over his cup.

"I don't hate you and I'm not homicidal. I don't like you much. That part is true, but I need your help. This is your home by all rights so you have a right to say no. It's only for a few days. I'll sort something out."

"You can stay but I want more answers tomorrow."

"I'll try. I can't promise you." Draco bent his head over his cup and Harry could see a flash of pain behind his eyes.

"Well, let me give you a quick tour and then I'm going to bed." Harry pushed back from the table and waited for Draco to follow. It was going to be interesting having a house guest like Draco Malfoy.

Author's Note: I'd love to hear what you think. The story is nearly complete but I have a few holes that could be filled by the thoughts in the comments. I've been known to change direction based on your thoughts! I'm also looking for a beta so if anyone would be interested in getting first shot at reading this whole story and would like to help me with my comma challenges, I'd love some help. Thanks for reading!