After the war

New arrangements

Chapter 2

Draco tried to avoid all the hateful glances he was getting from the other students. I mean he couldn't blame them...he did support voldemort after all even though he didn't have a choice and he was in fact a deatheater, which again, he didn't have a choice of. And the war had caused so many deaths and suffering and he was on the wrong side of the war so it was only likely that the other side hated him and blamed him. Only a few slytherins had returned for the 8th year. If it was up to him he wouldn't have returned either. Pansy and blaise were among the few who did. Unlike him they weren't death eaters nor had they harboured the dark lord at their manor.
He looked down at the food, but felt no appetite and so he just munched on a green apple. He heard that hufflepuff Smith blurt some bullshit about him.
He wanted to shut him up but didn't.
That's when he noticed Potter staring at him. Draco had avoided looking at potter for so long.
Potter looked different now. He wasn't the small, weak, malnourished kid anymore. His hair was still atrociously messy though!
Why can't he just comb that hair?
He had become taller now and looked fit, like he had grown some muscles. Draco had heard 6th year girls sqeeling about how handsome the chosen one had become.
Draco avoided eye contact and looked back at his plate.

"It's going to be a tough year!" Pansy stated.
"I can already feel all the hateful glances from the other students!" Blaise added.
Why did either of you even come back? If I wasn't forced too, I would have never stepped foot in hogwarts again." Draco muttered. His whole memory of hogwarts was filled with nightmares now. With that whole year he had desperately tried to kill dumbledore, with all the shit he had to do to bring in the deatheater and with Vincent's death...It should have been him there.
"Obviously to accompany you, Draco!!" Pansy answered interrupting his thoughts.
"Also to complete out study" Blaise added.
"Of course." Draco scoffed. But he was glad they were there.

"Attention students!" Professor McGonagall spoke. "I am your new headmistress. I know it has been a tough year with the war and the loved one we lost. But it's a new day and age. And I am happy to see so many of you have returned and still have faith in Hogwarts. We have done most of the castle's restoration but the east wing is still not completely reconstructed. And we also have our new DADA teacher Bill Weasley!" Everyone applauded and cheered at the name. "Also since we have returning 8th year students, we have decided to give them separate dorms instead of putting them in their respective houses, this is not only because of the lack of space but also for unity and fixing all the broken ties and mending the unity of houses. Also it is still forbidden to go to the forbidden forest and our caretaker Flitch tells me the millionth time that students can't loiter in the corridors or perform any magic....well anyway that's it. All Seven years can follow their house prefects and go to your dorms. While 8th years, wait here for your new arrangements." She concluded.

Harry watch as all the students started scurrying off to their respective house dorms. Harry missed the Gryfindor dorms, but it was only sensible that 8th years have their own dorms. A few students greeted and bid their goodbyes to Harry. Ginny was among them.
Harry looked at the table of 8th years, only a few had returned. Harry and Ron didn't really want to come and wanted to directly join the aurors, but Hermoine had forced them telling they had to finish their graduation. And also the fact that they had to clear the NEWTS.(Though Harry and Ron could join the aurors without that since they defeated voldemort after all)

Among the ones that returned were Neville, Dean, seamus, Parvati, Blaise zabbini, Pansy Parkinson, Justin fletchley, Ernie Macmillan, Zacharias Smith and Hannah Abbot and her friend and of course Draco Malfoy! Luna and Ginny were now in 7th year.

Mcgonagal and the other professors came to the table and she cleared her throat.
"I am happy to see you all here. Unfortunately managing an extra year is tough. And the curriculum had to be changed since nearly all of you are experts in a lot of things." She glanced at the trio. "So this year you can choose an elective and a minor which helps in your future jobs and not have to do all the 7th year subjects. Also you are assigned dorms in the west wing, your timetables will be given tomorrow. That's all. Have a good sleep!"

"I can't believe you didn't tell me you were going to be our DADA teacher!" Ron grunted at Bill.
"Well it was meant to be a surprise!"
"Well it makes sense though." Ron mused.
Ron kept saying something but Harry's attention was focused on a certain blonde.

Draco and the other two were leaving for their dorms when Zacharias Smith stopped him.
"You should be locked up in Azkaban, you filthy deatheater!" He shot.
"Last time I checked you ran away like a coward, with your tail between your legs during the battle of Hogwarts, Smith." Draco shot back. Immediately biting his tongue.
No conflicts, remember? You will get your wand seized you idiot!
If Draco had even used a simple hex he would be thrown back to Azkaban.
Smith fumed with anger and raised his wand to hex.
Draco backed off. And used a protection charm.
"Can't attack back, can you Malfoy? Since you will be thrown back to Azkaban if you do!" Smith sneered as he threw another hex, but this time someone else blocked it and the impact threw Smith backwards.
Draco looked back to see Harry Potter.
Of course saint fucking Potter.

"Stop throwing random Hexes, Smith. It's annoying." Harry muttered, giving him an hand to get up.
Draco tried to avoid any eye contact and walked past Harry. He could feel Harry staring.
He could feel his heart beating really fast. And heat rising his face.
Pansy and Blaise caught up to him.
"Did Harry fucking Potter just defend you?" Pansy blurted.
"I could have defended myself. Let's go."
Maybe we should...I don't know thank him? He saved your life too, you know..." Blaise suggested.
"I would rather eat vomit flavoured jelly beans!" Draco huffed.

"What was that? Why did you do that?" Ron asked, bewildered.
"I- dunno...I just don't like Smith...ig." Harry muttered, as the trio were heading to their new dorms.
"Oh come on Harry! Malfoy deserved that hex. I hate smith too but I would've loved to see him hex Malfoy!" Ron commented.
Seriously Ronald. Stop it! Remember what mcgonagal said? We should all be unified, now off to bed both of you!"
"Hermoine, you are just too nice!" Ron protested. As they entered the boys dorm.

Harry's eyes unconsciously tried to search for Malfoy. He saw Blaise sleeping in the corner of the dorm, Neville was there too.
Why did I do that? Why did it piss me off when Smith did that? And where is Malfoy?