A New Chapter at Hogwarts [Drarry] ✔

Chapter 10: Enchanted Preparations

The morning sun streamed through the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall, bathing the space in a golden glow that shimmered against the long tables. It was the day before the highly anticipated Halloween party, and the entire hall buzzed with the excited energy of students and professors. The air was alive with magic—literally—as wands waved, casting spells to transform the hall into a spooky wonderland worthy of Hogwarts' grand traditions.

Harry stood at the centre of the Great Hall, watching the scene unfold around him. His wand was held loosely in his hand as he observed the decorations take shape. A dozen pumpkins floated above the tables, each one carved with a unique face, their grins illuminated by flickering candlelight. A group of younger student volunteers gathered around, their eyes wide with excitement as they helped guide the pumpkins to their designated places.

"Alright, everyone," Harry called out, his voice carrying over the chatter. "Remember to secure them properly, no one wants to dodge a pumpkin mid-bite."

The students giggled as they nodded, casting levitation charms with varying degrees of success. Harry smiled to himself, a sense of satisfaction blooming in his chest. There was something magical about watching students discover the joy in simple spells, something that reminded him of his own years at Hogwarts.

He turned to glance across the hall, where Draco was overseeing a group of older students. Draco's face was as composed as ever, his movements precise as he demonstrated the charm for floating candles. The candles bobbed gently in mid-air, their flames flickering without producing smoke, casting an eerie yet beautiful light over the tables.

"Focus on the object as a whole, not just the flame," Draco instructed the students, his voice calm but authoritative. "And don't forget the safety charm."

Harry found himself watching Draco longer than he had intended, admiring the way he carried himself with such ease. Draco's knack for teaching was undeniable. His precise nature lent itself well to instruction, and it was clear that the students responded to him. The admiration Harry felt was tinged with surprise. Perhaps he hadn't given Draco enough credit for how much he had changed.

"Looks good, Malfoy," Harry called, making his way over to where Draco stood. "This will set the perfect mood."

Draco glanced at Harry, his expression neutral but lacking the usual edge. "Thank you. Your pumpkins seem to be in order as well. The hall is coming together quite nicely."

Harry nodded in agreement, casting an approving look around the hall. "What's next on the list?"

Draco reached for the piece of parchment he had rolled out on the table beside them. "We need to set up the illusion charms for the ceiling."

Harry nodded his head. "I'll get started on that then."

Draco's straightened himself. "Great. I'll start working on the howling winds."

They moved to the centre of the hall, working side by side as they cast spells to transform the hall. The enchanted sky, which usually mirrored the weather outside, darkened to an inky black, heavy clouds gathering above. Lightning flashed sporadically, followed by the low rumble of distant thunder. A faint wind began to whisper through the hall, carrying with it the soft sound of rustling leaves.

As the illusion took shape, the students looked up in awe, their faces illuminated by the stormy sky above. Harry glanced at Draco, who was observing the transformation with quiet satisfaction. The spell-casting continued, an easy rhythm settling in between Harry and Draco. A group of younger students approached them, their eager faces glowing with excitement.

"Professor!" one of the students, a first year Gryffindor with fiery red hair, called out. "Can we help with anything?"

Harry smiled, appreciating their enthusiasm. "Of course! We need to set up a corner for the ghost story competition. We'll need lots of cushions and maybe some floating lanterns to make it feel cosy. Think you can handle that?"