The Life He Deserved

Chapter 16

The bittersweet moment arrived; for Harry to return to Hogwarts. While he would miss his fathers greatly, he was also excited to return. Even if it meant returning to Dumbledore's annoying watch. He hadn't approached him directly yet, but he could tell he wanted to. He was quite apprehensive when it came to Tom, but he had faith no one would catch him. Harry was currently packing his belongings along with Tom, into his luggage. Bringing Tom wasn't all that hard, not when he has such a spacious trunk. Seriously, why do they not do luggage checks? That could've prevented the entire chambers incident, or any dark artifact for that matter! However, in this case it was quite convenient. Tom was happily inside the library compartment of his trunk reading his collection of rare scripts. Closing his trunk, he took Hedwig and Tenebris and walked downstairs. He saw both his fathers looking at him solemnly but with a smile. He smiled back and held on to them. Within an instant they were surrounded by the bustling of King's Cross station. Harry gave his fathers a big hug as they came close to the train.

"Be good and try to avoid doing something crazy, cub," Remus said to him, to which Harry chuckled a bit.

"I promise not to get caught," he cheekily replied with mischievous eyes. Sirius gave him a grin and a pat on the back.

"Make havoc Har, don't listen to grumpy old Remmy," Sirius instructed him before getting slapped and reprimanded by Remus. Harry laughed at their antics and waltzed onto the train as the two bickered. Honestly, it was like they were a married couple! Hauling his trunk, he headed to the back compartments. Taking a seat and wandlessly levitating his things to the rack, he sighed and took out a book on ancient runes. His mind however wandered to the person who he was smuggling in his trunk. He wondered how he and Tom would communicate throughout the day. What if he needed him and he didn't know? Perhaps he should charm something so they could contact each other for emergencies. He didn't want Tom to be hurt, or caught, or anything else that could happen. What would happen if he was? His worrying was interrupted as Draco came into the apartment along with Blaise and Pansy in tow. He of course held his mask firmly on and greeted them with a manneristic smile. They spent the next few minutes thanking each other for gifts and discussing their holidays; Harry of course didn't mention resurrecting Tom. He liked the two but didn't trust them like he did Draco. After a while, they drifted off doing their own thing; but not before Draco gave him an expectant look. Harry gave a subtle nudge of his head towards his trunk, to which Draco understood and nodded.

The ride was quiet for the rest of the time, the four of them exchanging occasional words. They soon arrived at the station and they all headed to the carriages. He never understood why first years went on boat for the sorting; it was inconvenient compared to carriages. Walking over, he smiled and dropped his things inside before jumping out again. He headed to the gorgeous winged horse that were pulling the carriages. With a soft look, he gently and slowly raised his hand and pet the Thestral's muzzle. The skeletal horse leaned in appreciatively, making soft appreciating noises. After a couple seconds, he reentered the carriage, only to face three bewildered eyes gazing at him.

"Why were you patting air?" Pansy blurted out. Harry laughed.

"That wasn't air, the carriages are pulled by thestrals," he informed them. Pansy and Blaise looked confused before Draco gasped.

"Really? I never knew they pulled the carriages! Father never told me!" Draco exclaimed.

"What are you on about; thestrals?" Blaise questioned confused. Harry turned to him.

Yeah, thestrals. They are black winged skeletal horses. They are said to be an omen of death, as only those who've seen death can see them. But they're actually quite friendly and love human attention." The two went quiet to the part where you'd have to see death. The ride was slightly downcast after that, silent but peaceful. Arriving back at the school, they got their things and headed through the castle gates. Everything was so beautiful, a thin layer of white snow covering the premises. Well, it was time for phase 2.