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 cool air, 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. There was no warmth, no hint of the camaraderie Harry had hoped they could develop as colleagues. Every conversation between them felt distant, strained by the weight of unresolved tension. It was as though Draco had erected an impenetrable wall around himself, 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—cold, unresolved, 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. Harry often found himself staring at the walls of his quarters late into the night, wondering how it had come to this—how two people who had survived a war could still be so trapped in the past.

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 pulled Harry from his thoughts. He looked up to see 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—anticipation, perhaps—in the way she moved.

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

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, everything is quite alright. I've come to discuss a matter of some urgency. As you know, Halloween is fast approaching, and I've decided it would be an excellent opportunity to hold a themed party for the students before the half-term break. A chance for them to unwind and enjoy themselves."

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

"Indeed," McGonagall agreed, her eyes gleaming slightly behind her spectacles. "However, as you might imagine, this is somewhat short notice, and I will need the staff's assistance to organize and oversee the event. I'm asking several professors to help with various aspects—decorations, entertainment, supervision, and so forth."

McGonagall paused, and Harry could feel her gaze sharpening as she continued. "I'd like you and Professor Malfoy to take charge of the decorations and overall setup. I believe your combined talents will ensure the event is both safe and enjoyable for the students. You'll need to coordinate closely to make sure everything is prepared in time."