The Hogwarts express slowed down as it arrived to the station, sending pillows of exhaust down the base of the train. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th years excitedly got off of the train, walking to their respective pick up spots. 1st years with Hagrid, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, years walking briskly to their stations as well. The 6th and 7th years were slower, taking their time to unload their luggage and walk towards the carriages. It was a strange sight to see less faces in their cohorts, the missing people almost a shadow reaching beyond them.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron were the last to get off the train, slowly rolling their luggage behind them. 40 paces ahead of them was Draco, his head down, stalking towards the carriages in a hurry. Harry's gut twisted, feeling shocked at seeing him, even though it was expected. He looked.. rough. Like he hasn't slept in years, hasn't eaten anything either. 'I'm one to talk..' Harry looked down at his small frame.
As they approached the carriages, Hermione and Ron gasped in awe of the thestrals. They could finally see them this year. See how big and eerily beautiful they are. They ascended the small stairs to the carriage, waiting to depart.
"Bloody hell mate. You've seen these for years now? How were you not scared of them?" Ron inquired, hesitant to touch or look at the thestrals for very long.
"They are oddly.. comforting to me. A reminder that there is some beauty in the strange and unknown." Harry turned to the thestral closest to him, petting the sparse mane gently.
"Can, I, uh... can I... join you?" Draco approached the carriage timidly. "There isn't room anywhere else..." Draco was gripping his arm tight, the nerves settling in.
"Oh, Draco. Um, sure. You can sit with us. Scoot, Harry." Hermione chimed in, as Harry and Ron stared dumbfoundedly at him.
Draco climbed aboard the carriage, floating his luggage to the luggage rack in the back with his wand. He sat by Harry, putting the most space possible between the two of them before looking down at his shoes.
Draco looked in back of him at the strange horses pulling the carriage. He hadn't seen them before this year. Another thing he did not expect.
"Those are thestrals, Draco. They.. they only appear to someone after they have witnessed... death. I'm sure you are seeing them for the first time..." Hermione trailed off, their thoughts finishing her sentence.
"I would have loved nothing more than to keep being oblivious of their existence." Draco gulped audibly, saddened by his words.
"Draco, how are you.. fairing? How was your summer?" Harry attempted to be cordial, yet still keeping his distance.
*The carriage began to move, finally inching towards the castle*
"It was.. fine. A lot of... thinking to do. I almost didn't come back..." Draco said, barely above a whisper.
Hermione glanced at the two men, "Why wouldn't you have come, Draco? You deserve an education.."
"Hermione, you don't have to pretend. I am one of the most hated Slytherins at this school, and will continue to be for a long while. Everyone knows. Everyone." Draco shifted his eyes quickly around at the trio and back down at his feet.
The four of them sat in silence, not knowing what to say. They remained silent until the carriage pulled up in front of the entrance to the school.
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As the school watched the sorting ceremony for the new 1st years, there was a a hush over the older students. Most 7th years opted to sit together at the end of the Gryffindor table for a sense of support. Draco sat by himself, at the very end of the Slytherin table. The closest he could get to the door.
Harry continued to glance over at Draco, wondering if purposefully separating himself is part of him not feeling okay coming back. Harry wasn't very invested in the sorting ceremony either, not having the strength to cheer or celebrate with the others.
Ron was acting somewhat himself, clapping in between heaping bites of chicken drumsticks and mashed potatoes, pumpkin juice dribbling down his chin.
Hermione looked on, a look of disgust ghosting over her face.
Harry couldn't help but laugh at the ease of returning right back to their old habits, as if nothing had happened.
Harry pondered upon last year and the kiss that Ron and Hermione shared. As far as he knew, they weren't officially together. Probably just too much going on in the aftermath. But he wondered if that would change, or if they would continue to act like they don't like each other.
Harry had broken things off with Ginny at the end of last year. He couldn't bear to hurt her, and he was at no liberty of being an equal and willing partner at that point in his life. She understood, wanting to focus on her family and her own loss as well. But now, Harry could feel the absence of having someone to care for you in that way. It was becoming harder and harder to see the justification of having ended it.
Harry picked at his food, not feeling the hunger that plagued him most days. All he wanted to do was get settled into his dorm, attempt to feel like a regular 7th year.
Harry noticed something moving in his peripheral vision, turning his head to see Draco getting up from his bench and walking briskly to the double-doors to the hall.
Being his curious self, Harry excused himself and followed Draco out into the main hall, past the house cups, and onto the main moving staircase.
"Draco? Are you alright?" Harry called out, scaring Draco in the process.
Draco jumped slightly, turning towards Harry and blushing red.
"I.. I, um. I'm fine, Harry. Just... tired."
"Harry?? You've never called me Harry since I've known you... are you sure you're alright?"
Draco took a deep breath in through his mouth, "I... I'm fine. I know it's not going to matter much and not amount to anything but... I truly am sorry. About everything. I know words won't mend what I've done over the years, but... I'm going to try." Draco bit his lower lip, looking nervously at Harry.
"Merlin. I appreciate that, Draco. I think we all just want a fresh start. Just to be normal Hogwarts students. And we can have the chance to do that now... so let's just try, eh?"
Draco swallowed hard, nodding his head fervently before turning and heading towards the Slytherin dungeons.
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YOU ARE READING
Everything Remains
FanfictionHarry and the rest of his friends return to Hogwarts for the seventh and final year. After everything he has been through, after all of the fighting, loss, and heartache, maybe, just maybe, he can have a "normal" year at school. That's all he wants...
