Dare - Draco Malfoy

Chapter 53: Hogwarts has changed

Maeve:

I left Nott's safe house the morning after. Leaving came with a wave of agony. As if fear was now rooted in me, occasionally resurfacing, making me feel powerless and lost.

Arriving back to London was intense. My mother's tears, and my dad's worry were pretty much the summary of my time at home.

I stayed in my room most days, sleep hardly ever came. My nightmares flooding whatever hours of rest I could manage.

My things were brought back to us and I left them untouched.

The air was darker, the spring never came. A coldness in the air left everything frozen, still in the passing of time. The gloomy cloud surrounding London never left. Just like inside me, an evil terror never left.

Draco:

My return was greeted by a constant passing of death eaters. Some permanently staying at the manor, some repeatedly coming to meet with my parents. I have been summoned to meetings, struck by a helpless feeling of belonging to a world of wickedness. My name tarnished by my status. My mark, a sign of pride in my fathers eyes.

My return to Hogwarts would often feel like an escape to this remote place. A palace of hate, undeserved superiority in which I grew up in. Now, Hogwarts feels just the same. Only with a note of unknown to enhance my fears.

There is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Except for one place. One person.

The 16th of March came too quickly. Being escorted to Kings Cross station I stare down to my hands. The fading mark of the missing ring on my finger makes me think of her. Hope raises in me once arrive, I look for her in the crowded platform. The usual cheer and happiness completely wiped away from everyone's faces. Some first years shedding tears, kissing their families goodbye, some older students simply more able to swallow tears, but sharing the same sentiment.

My parents by either side of me, my father looking ridiculously patronizing. My mother a mere shadow of him.

But then everything gets lighter as my eyes meet the only thing that makes all this more bearable.

Clutched at her mother, her father helping her board her trunk on the train. I see her wiping her mother's tears, a smile appear of her face while her mouth moves speaking words I can't hear.

"Draco" I hear my mother's trembling voice call me. I come back to reality and turn to her.

"It's time"

I nod and pick up my things. I give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. My father pats his hand on my shoulder.

I take a look at them both, my mother's eyes glistening, my father's head held high.

-

Hogwarts has changed.

The first night back the common room feels like a graveyard. Hushed voices, whispers and careful looks replaced the usual loud laughs and happy voices. I look around me to see Aria and Maeve sitting quietly together. There was no feast, the corridors filled with death eaters, now guarding the school in every angle. The news of Snape becoming headmaster would have made me happy back in the day, proud even. Now it revolts me.