A/N: This is something I started a little while ago. I haven't written much yet but I figured I'd put this up and see what people think of it. Let me know if you'd like to see more, and any ideas or suggestions you might have are always welcome. Thanks!

Chapter One

Harry sighed as he surveyed the enormous pile of parchment in front of him. Who knew being a hero and saviour of the wizarding world could involve so much paperwork? He and Kingsley had been working for hours, sorting through problems and difficulties and making decisions that apparently couldn't possibly be made without the input of the Boy Who Lived. Right now, all he wanted to do was apparate back to Grimmauld Place, have Kreacher bring him something to eat and collapse into bed. Instead, he was stuck in the Ministry, helping Kingsley sort out the return of muggleborn refugees to their homes, and planning Death Eater trials.

"Perhaps we should finish up for the night," Kingsley suggested at last, causing relief to flood through Harry, "The rest can wait until tomorrow."

"Yeah, sounds good," Harry agreed, stifling a yawn and standing up. Just as he reached the door, however, Kingsley spoke suddenly.

"Wait a sec. There's one more thing I need to ask you."

"Yes?" said Harry wearily, turning.

"You said a few days ago that you don't think Draco Malfoy should be given a full criminal trial?"

"Yeah, well, he was only sixteen when he became a Death Eater. And it's not like he did anything very terrible. It would seem a bit extreme to send him to Azkaban," Harry said, repeating the same argument he'd had several times with various people over the fate of Draco Malfoy.

"And I completely agree," replied Kingsley, surprising him, "but people are going to expect some sort of punishment. He was a Death Eater, after all, and in most cases we've been sending people to Azkaban simply for having the Dark Mark, regardless of their actual crimes."

"So what would you suggest?"

"Firstly that his wand be confiscated, for a period of six months perhaps, to be reconsidered at the end of those six months, and another decision made depending on his behaviour."

"That sounds fair."

"And secondly that he be placed under house arrest, also for a fairly short period of time. However, Malfoy Manor is currently under inspection due to Voldemort's use of it, and may not be entered by anyone other than trained Aurors and authorised Ministry officials."

"So he can't live there."

"No, he can't. And in order for us to place all the necessary charms on it to stop him leaving, the house he stays in would have to be a fairly old and magical building.

"Okay. Do you have one in mind?"

"I do. I was wondering whether, with your permission, we might use number twelve, Grimmauld Place?"

"What?" Harry stared at Kingsley, wondering whether he might have misheard him.

"I realise that it's a lot to ask, but –"

"Let me get this straight. You want me to let Malfoy come and live with me for six months, or potentially even longer?"

"Only if you're willing to do it. Normally I would never dream of asking someone to do this, but we're very short on resources right now. If he can't stay with you, then I'm afraid he will simply have to be sent to Azkaban."

Harry sat down. He couldn't believe this. Then again, it was probably his own fault. After all, he'd been the one to insist on Malfoy not being sent to Azkaban. And how bad could it be? It wasn't like he was actually at home very much. He spent more time at the Ministry than anywhere else, only going home to eat and sleep, and sometimes not even then. And if he could make things a little easier for Kingsley, who in his new job as temporary Minister of Magic had been working even harder than Harry, then surely that would be worth a little bit of inconvenience?

"Alright, I'll do it," he said heavily. Kingsley nodded his thanks, and Harry groaned inwardly. What had he let himself in for?

When Harry arrived at Number Twelve, he was unsurprised to find Hermione already there, sitting at the kitchen table and tucking into a bowl of Kreacher's soup. She often stayed here, preferring it to her parents' empty house – which still awaited their return from Australia – and to the Burrow, where she felt out of place among the family who were still mourning Fred.

"How was your day?" she asked as he came in.

"Tedious," he replied, and she smiled sympathetically. She knew all too well what it was like; she was doing similar work, but in a different department.

"Talking of work, there's something I need to ask you," she said casually as Kreacher fetched Harry some soup.

"What's that?" Harry asked warily, sitting down. He'd had quite enough of people asking him things for one day.

"Well … as you know, the Ministry sent out someone to fetch back your uncle, aunt and cousin a few days ago. They were recovered without difficulty, but when they arrived at Privet Drive, they discovered that the house had been completely destroyed by Death Eaters. Due to the nature of the curses used in the destruction, it's going to take the Ministry months to repair. In the meantime, the Ministry asked me to organise accommodation for them. Fortunately, your aunt and uncle have decided to go and stay in some holiday home in Majorca, but for some reason Dudley is refusing to go with them."

"Okay …" Harry understood her problem – Dudley could be very stubborn when he wanted to – but couldn't see where she was going with this. It wasn't like he was going to be able to persuade Dudley to go.

"This means accommodation for him is the Ministry's responsibility and we were wondering – and I know this is a lot to ask; I would completely understand if you refuse – whether he could stay here at Number Twelve."

"What?" Harry said incredulously, for the second time that day.

"I understand it's a huge favour to ask of you," Hermione said apologetically, "It's just that … well there's not much else we can do," she finished.

"Oh, well that's a good idea, Hermione," said Harry sarcastically, "Let's have two people who hate me staying in my house for a while. They can exchange tips on how best to pick on me."

"Two?"

"Yes, two. Kingsley has requested that Draco Malfoy be placed under house arrest – here at Grimmauld Place. So Malfoy is going to be living here for the next six months."

"Oh." Hermione seemed unsure what to say. They sat in silence as Harry finished his soup, then smiled in thanks when Kreacher whisked the bowl away to be cleaned.

"Yes, Hermione," he said resignedly, "Dudley can come here." After all, how bad could it be?