Alone Together (drarry)

chapter 1

After the gruesome war, the castle was rebuilt and student began to visit the school again. Harry and all the others in the same year had gotten a letter stating that each one of them had the chance to repeat their last year and get their NEWT.

Harry couldn't be more thrilled to start attending Hogwarts again and finish his study. Just reminiscing about all the memories he had from that very place (the good ones) and the thought of returning there again filled him with anticipation. And he was more than eager to reunite with his friends. This time without any danger lurking there and waiting for him.

Draco, on the other hand, was feeling the exact opposite. He wasn't very happy about the idea of meeting with the people that now knew he was a Death Eater. Or at least used to be. People liked to gossip and Draco was aware of that. Once he would step foot inside Hogwarts, rumors would probably start spreading.

They'd talk behind his back and he knew that all too well. About him being a traitor and Voldemort's supporter. Someone that couldn't be trusted. And that he didn't deserve to attend the school. What they didn't know was that Draco didn't even want to return to school and resume his studies. But he had no choice.

Malfoy sighed while packing his suitcase, almost done. He debated whether or not he should beg his mother to stay at home one last time, but already knew her answer. She was the one insisting he finishes his last school year after all.

Glancing up, he was met with Narcissa leaning against the door frame, watching him with a satisfied smile on her face. She was aware of her son's miserable state, however she still wanted Draco to attend Hogwarts and do the NEWT so he could find a good and suitable job in the future.

After telling him to hurry up, she left the room and Draco continued packing, a frown forming between his brows. Once he was ready to go, he said goodbye to his room and followed after his mother who was already waiting for him outside their mansion.

"Ready?" she asked and earned a nod in return. Draco handed Narcissa his heavy luggage and she took it with ease, putting it into the trunk of the black car. They both stepped inside and after turning on some music they drove off to the station. Draco stared out the window, leaning against the glass, and thought about what awaited him this year.

***

"Hurry up, Harry! Or we're gonna be late!" yelled Ron who was running not too far away in front of Harry. Arriving on platform 9 3/4, they ran to the nearest door of the train and got on. Panting heavily, they leaned against the wall for support while catching their breaths.

"Thank god we made it just in time," Ron breathed as relief fell upon him. "Yeah, but I'm getting up earlier next time for sure," Harry added and both boys laughed at their own mistakes. "Let's look for Hermione. She said she'd be waiting for us." Harry nodded and followed after his ginger friend. The train set off and Harry mentally said goodbye.

Once the pair found the person they had been looking for, they immediately greeted her, both of them beaming with happiness after not seeing their friend for a long time. Harry's face turned into one of disgust as he watched the couple kiss each other and faked throwing up, making both of them giggle in response, but still continue.

Because he averted his eyes to not have to look at the scene happening right in front of him, his gaze fell on the coupe next to theirs and without thinking he sent a glare its way. Inside sat the infamous Slytherin trio, Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini. All three already dressed in their black and green robes and talking with a serious look on their faces. Harry couldn't help but wonder what mischief the Slytherin was up to this year.

"What are you waiting for, Harry?" Hermione asked, holding the door open for him, "come sit." She invited him in and after shooting one last glare in the direction of Malfoy and his friends, he complied. Taking a seat opposite of the two, he immediately began questioning. "Why did you have to choose this coupe?"

"What do you mean?" Hermione inquired and Ron gave him a puzzled look as well. "Next to us is Malfoy," Harry complained. "Oh... I didn't know. There weren't many free coupes and I didn't bother to check who was sitting there," she explained and Harry's anger calmed down slightly. "It's okay. They haven't noticed us yet so we're all good for now," Ron tried to brighten up the atmosphere and Harry sighed. He wanted his last year to be memorable and not ruined by Malfoy after meeting him on the very first day.

The three chatted, catching up with their lives, and ordered some food, eating it till they were full. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom," Harry told them and left. But his friends didn't know his real intentions and he didn't plan to tell them.

Once there, he put on the invisibility cloak he brought along and sneaked back, careful not to touch anybody that walked by. Arriving at his destination, he pressed himself as closely as possible to the coupe where his enemy sat. He knew that eavesdropping wasn't a good method to get the answers he wanted, but his curiosity got the best of him.

Voices were heard and Harry focused all his senses on them alone, listening to their conversation attentively.

First, there was nothing that caught his attention, however, that changed after a couple of minutes. "What do you plan to do this year? Bother Potter again?" he heard Pansy ask. "No, I just want this year to get over as quickly as possible. And why bring up bloody Potter?! He's the last person I want to see!" Draco replied angrily, making Harry raise his eyebrow at the mention of his name.

"Oh please! We all know how obsessed you are with him," Blaise joined in. "You've been talking about him endlessly since first year! And don't you dare disagree now!" Malfoy was about to cut in, but his words got caught in his throat. "Okay, fine. You're not completely wrong about me talking about Potter because I hate him. But this year will be different. I want it to pass by without getting into any trouble. Especially not with Potter." He averted his eyes, glancing out the window.

The group was silent for a while before Blaise spoke up. "How is your father?" Harry perked up at that and listened closely. "I don't know. We haven't heard from him at all after he was sent to Azkaban." Draco paused, fidgeting with his hands, seeming uncomfortable with the change of topic. "And I'm glad. It's way better at home now that he isn't there."

Harry thought about how hard it must've been with his strict father. He had met Lucius Malfoy more than once in the past and didn't even want to imagine how it would be to live with him. Probably hell.

Deciding the eavesdropping was enough and he got lots of useful information, he wandered back to the bathroom, took off his cloak and moved back to his own coupe. There his friends welcomed him back and asked what took him so long. Ron even joked about him having diarrhea which resulted in a playful glare shooting his way.

The trio laughed and enjoyed their ride till they finally arrived at their destination - Hogwarts.