Take Me As I Am

Normalcy

The early morning came for everyone at the cottage, the sun not even up yet as the group packed up their things and clothes. Sirius sent everyone off with goodbyes and packs of sweets, using the unmarked floo passageway to get safety back to Hogwarts. Hagrid let everyone pass through his hut, greeting everyone with a big smile and tea time.

Draco and Harry sat at the table with Seamus, enjoying their tea and cookies. Ginny, Ron, and Neville sent all the luggage and personal items everyone brought with them back to their dorm rooms. They needed a plan now, conversing on the next step.

"Now I don't want you guys to just jump back into classes without understanding the dangers here." Hagrid wagged his finger.

Harry chuckled. "We've done this dance of danger since we were pre-teens, it's hard to imagine life without risk at this point."

Draco visibly shrunk at that remark. "I hope we can finally put an end to this." He stuffed his mouth with a Honey Dukes cookie. "Or maybe we'll get lucky and be able to finish our year without an issue."

Seamus sighed loudly, sipping his tea. "Blimey can't we just have a normal life for once?"

Ginny came over with a happy face. "I think we might just have luck on our side." She handed Draco a Daily Prophet.

Neville and Ron came behind Draco, reading with him. Harry leaned against him, reading as it was said out loud.

"Recent revolting crowds of the Rebellion and Death Eaters alike, have pulled back their threats." Draco felt like this was a trick as he read on. "As Hogwarts and Hogsmeade pull out of danger for now, speculation and gossip are filling the streets. Should Students return to finish their year?"

Harry clasped his fingers around Draco's wrist nervously as he skimmed the article. "We need to find Minerva...something tells me they know more than we do." He got up, shoving his wand back under his school cloak.

Draco finished knotting his tie, standing to follow Harry. "I'm actually glad to be in Slytherin uniform again, I thought we weren't coming back."

Ginny and Neville followed behind, Seamus pushing to the front.

"Wait! Is it safe to just walk up to the castle?" Seamus stopped them.

"My guess is their all up in McGonagall's office, let's go there first. We just need to stick together, take it slow till we get to Gargoyle Corridor." Ron held his sisters hand, firmly squeezing.

"Let's go everyone, we need to keep vigilant." Ginny nodded, leading at the front of everyone.

"Good luck! The ministry should be sending their final decision on the rest of the school year within a few hours!" Hagrid yelled to the group as they left.

Draco had a very hard time believing that his father would just give up, but it wasn't abnormal for there to be breaks between attacks. "Harry I'm worried about this." He whispered, looking around as they walked through the fields.

"So am I, something doesn't feel right...it's almost as if someone has been watching us since we came through the passageway." Harry linked arms with Draco, keeping him close. He kept his guard up as they approached the doors of the front entrance.

Ron came up on Draco's left side as they stood infront of the doors. "Malfoy...do you think your Father could still be stalking you?"