A New Chapter at Hogwarts [Drarry] ✔

Chapter 7: Old Haunts

Days at Hogwarts passed in a slow, steady rhythm, the hum of life within the castle marked by the constant cadence of classes, meals, and the occasional burst of excitement from the students. The air had grown crisp with the approach of autumn, and the grounds were bathed in vibrant shades of red, gold, and amber as the leaves in the Forbidden Forest turned. Normally, this was Harry's favourite time of year, the sense of change that autumn always brought, but now, a quiet tension had taken root in his mind, shadowing his days and dulling the usual pleasure he took from Hogwarts' seasonal transformation.

Since the Patronus lesson, Harry had tried multiple times to speak with Draco, hoping to clear the air and smooth over the misunderstanding that had lingered between them. But Draco had been frustratingly elusive, his responses always the same, polite, professional, and cold. Every conversation between them felt distant, strained by the weight of unresolved tension. It was as though Draco had erected an impenetrable wall between them, one Harry couldn't seem to break through no matter how hard he tried.

The frustration gnawed at Harry, more than he cared to admit. He couldn't stand the idea of leaving things like this, unresolved and with no way forward. They weren't children anymore, and yet the weight of their shared history seemed to hang over every interaction, casting a long shadow. He wanted to show Draco that he was genuinely trying to move forward, that he had changed, that he understood things were complicated. But Draco's icy detachment made real communication impossible. 

It was a late afternoon when Harry found himself sitting in the staff room, the golden light of the setting sun filtering through the windows and casting long shadows across the room. He was trying to focus on grading essays, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Draco, to the weight of their last encounter, and to the cold silence that had followed. The staff room was quiet, the only sounds the faint crackle of the fire and the soft rustle of parchment as Harry turned another page. Despite the peacefulness of the room, an undercurrent of tension buzzed in the back of his mind, a feeling he couldn't quite shake.

The creak of the staff room door drew Harry out of his thoughts. He looked up to find Professor McGonagall entering the room, her sharp eyes scanning the space. She wore her usual stern expression, though there was a hint of something else in the way she moved.

"Good evening, Professor Potter," McGonagall greeted him with a nod as she approached. "I hope I'm not disturbing you?"

Harry set his quill down and shook his head. "Not at all, Professor. Is everything alright?"

McGonagall gave a small smile, something warm but fleeting. "Yes, quite," she said. "I wanted to speak with you about something that needs attending to. Halloween is approaching rather quickly, and I've decided it would be an ideal time to host a themed gathering for the students before the half-term break. They could use the chance to relax and enjoy themselves."

Harry felt a flicker of interest at the suggestion. "That sounds like a great idea. The students will love it."

"Indeed," McGonagall agreed, her eyes gleaming slightly behind her spectacles. "That said, it is rather short notice, and I'll need the staff's cooperation to see it done properly. I've already begun assigning responsibilities, entertainment, supervision, all the usual necessities."

She paused, fixing Harry with a more pointed look.

"I'd like you and Professor Malfoy to oversee the decorations and the overall setup," she continued. "Between the two of you, I'm confident the event will be both safe and engaging for the students. That will, of course, require close coordination to ensure everything is ready on time."

Harry kept his face carefully neutral, even though the idea of working so closely with Draco, especially after everything that had happened, set his nerves on edge. Still, he nodded. "Of course, Professor. We'll take care of it."