𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 // 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺

two

Harry's head rested against the window of the Hogwarts Express, his eyes were closed and his mind was filled with thoughts of returning to his home. The compartment was filled with absolute silence. Ron was asleep against Hermione's shoulder, and she, like always, was reading a book.

He was excited to see his home, a place where he truly felt like he belonged and found people who cared for him. The Dursleys made him feel like an outsider, despite being his only living family, they made him feel like a freak. They made him feel unloved and unwanted, like a stranger.

Even if he was excited to see Hogwarts, he dreaded it just as much. He dreaded to see the halls where he fought Voldemort. He dreaded to see the place where he saw Fred loosing his life right in front of his eyes. He dreaded seeing the Hall where the the Fallen fifty lay as people mourned for them.

He dreaded seeing the place where he lost the people he loved so dearly.

Harry opened his eyes, rubbing them with his palm and put on his glasses. Ron snored softly and Hermione kissed his forehead softly and shake her head. That made Harry smile wistfully at his best-friends. He longed for someone he could shower love on, someone who cared and loved for him, no matter what After losing Sirius and Remus, the only two people who were his father figures, he felt even more alone than ever. He knew he had Arthur and Molly, but it just wasn't the same.

He swallowed these feelings away, signalling Hermione that he was taking a bathroom break. She nodded back in affirmation, burying her face in the book again.

He maneuvered his way through the train, ignoring the stares and whispers directed at him.

"Is that Harry Potter?"

"He is so handsome!"

"I heard he is getting married to Hermione Granger!"

"Are you stupid! She is engaged to his best friend"

"The Weasley?"

"Yeah!"

"Which one?"

Harry rolled his eyes at the last comment and walked speedily to the bathroom. Suddenly someone bumped harshly into his shoulder making him wince, the person looked at Harry and mumbled a short apology. Harry just gaped at him.

There he was. Draco Malfoy.

"It's alright," He replied.

Harry gazed at his face. Draco looked beautiful. His eyes were shining, the dark bags under his eyes, which were prominent throughout their sixth year, were gone. His lips were pink and plump. His blond hair wasn't slicked back with gel but we're let down naturally, framing his heart-shaped face.

Draco nodded and moved past Harry to get to his compartment. "Malf- Draco!" Harry called out suddenly.

"Yes?" He replied with a confused face thinking that why would he talk to a person such as Draco.

"It's nice to see you," He smiled. Draco smiled back, "You too, Potter!"
That smile made Harry's heart do a flip.

◆

"You'll never guess who I just met?"

"Who?" Hermione asked.

"Draco Malfoy," The raven-haired boy replied. Ron, who was now awake, snorted.

"What?" Harry narrowed his eyes at him.

"Nothing," He replied with an amused look on his face making Harry scoff in annoyance.

Hermione shook her head fondly at him, "We met him too, some days ago at Diagon Alley. He acted very politely towards us. Not one insult. He really has changed," Hermione stated.

Ron continued, "Seems like he finally got over himself, that posh git."

Harry grinned at that, "Maybe he finally realised that being Pureblood and Slytherin isn't all that matters."

The couple hummed in unison and soon they fell into a light-hearted conversation about their trip to Australia.

A few hours later, they reached their destination. Harry stepped off the train and waved to Hagrid who was guiding the first years to the boats. "Hullo the'e! Harry, 'Mione, Ron!", The trio smiled brightly at the half-giant and moved towards the carriages.

The young students gaped at the creatures carrying the carriages, with wonder and surprise on their face.

Hermione was almost brought to tears by this but her Ron's hand in hers anchored her back to reality and she took a deep breath and leaned against him.

Harry felt guilty, because of him, so many students had been forced to see someone die. The guilt of being responsible for the loss of so many lives made his heart feel heavy and brought a lump in his throat.

He never wanted Riddle to kill all those people. He would exchange all of their lives for his any day.

◆　

The Great Hall looked as beautiful as ever. But there was a certain darkness in the bright lights and the house tables. The Hall held a dark past. This was where Riddle was killed. This was where the Fred, Remus, Tonks and many others were laid after they had lost their lives fighting. Harry could remember it all very vividly.

Ron wrapped his arm around Hermione, for both their comforts, squeezing her slightly they both stood a bit taller as if gaining courage from each other.

Hermione placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and patted him lightly, encouraging him. Harry snapped out of his memories of the war and moved towards the Eighth year Gryffindors.

As the students and teachers noticed the three Gryffindors, the Hall broke out into applause. They were war heroes after all. Cheers were heard as the three waved modestly and sat down at the Gryffindor table along with their classmates. The cheer died down and the students chattered amongst themselves.

Harry glanced at the teachers table and made eye contact with McGonagall, who smiled at him.

He smiled back.

Looking around the Great Hall he saw Draco sitting next to his friends.

Green eyes met grey ones and Harry's smile widened.

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