The entrance area to the great hall was buzzing with students, new and old. The war having been won by the light side had many parents beaming with joy as they put their children on the Hogwarts Express. There were some who didn't believe that school would be the same for a while, but that was all right. All in all, their very own hero, Harry Potter would be there, and that itself was a good reason to have them return. If he could do it, then anyone could do it.
The golden trio, as they were so aptly named, had been asked if they wanted to return to get their N.E.W.T.S, and all three had jumped at the chance. In fact, all the students who had been caught up in the war had been approached, and not one of them had declined. How were you expected to get anywhere in the adult world without a degree behind your name?
So, after the long train ride, everyone was excited to see the castle again, and how it had been repaired and restructured after the devastation. It had taken a few months, some muggle repairs, and some magical, but the school was standing proud once more. The walls having been reinforced with new wards, the roof and the windows replaced with charms that meant nothing untoward would ever enter the halls of Hogwarts again.
The owlery had been enlarged to house even more birds than before, and even though only Mondays used to be the only days to receive post, a new regime had been implemented. Parents could send post on any days, as well as students and teachers. For muggleborns this had presented a problem, but not until Professor Chippendale had suggested a postal service that would take the owl to a post office, and from there it would reach the non magical parents. The same way they would send post to their magically gifted children.
This new Professor was teaching Muggle Studies, after Charity Burbage had been killed in the war by Voldemort and subsequently eaten by Nagini. He was a tower of a man who had played a part in the war, by offering his services to Dumbledore. He had blond hair and deep blue eyes, his frame thin and almost petite. He took no crap from anyone though, and second to Harry Potter, hated bullying. Every time he witnessed it, his punishments were known to be quite severe.
The Slytherin trio, Draco, Pansy and Blaise, were there in all their glory, standing to one side, watching everyone as they climbed off the carriages and made their way inside. The other two who were standing with them were Gregory Goyle and Theodore Nott. Each and every one of them had been cleared of all crimes by the Wizengamot, claiming that they had done what had been forced of them, and the newspaper headlines were calling for friendships and unity.
Which was all good and well, and if you're truly over your own evil deeds, it was probably time to bury the proverbial hatchet. But, that was easier said than done, because if you've been a spoilt insufferable prat for most of your life, why on earth would you want to change now, just because The Daily Prophet suggested you do so.
It was when Pansy nudged Draco with her elbow, and pointed with her head towards the big doors, that had Draco look up and see what he didn't want to. A familiar sneer crossed his pale face, and he hated the fact that someone could have such an effect on him.
It was Potter and his gang. Weasley and Granger walking by his side, but he was stunned to see that the Weaslette was not with them. Probably trying to make herself look pretty, although that was a lost cause, he thought with a snort. He let his eyes roam up and down at the trio, and finally rested on the savior.
It took his breath away - Potter had definitely changed. His hair was longer, it kind of suited him. It seemed that with the horcrux out of his body, he was able to grow some. He had muscle and was taller, with toned biceps, and his thick thighs and long muscular legs were being shown off in a tight fitting pair of shorts. Paired with that, he wore a T shirt, that almost seemed a size too small, showing off his abs and pecs. In a word, Potter was breathtaking.
