In The Wake Of Crows And Snakes

Chapter 4: Hogwarts

Y/n slept with her head pressed to the glass window of the train, using her makeshift jumper as a pillow. Occasionally, she stirred, catching Draco's attention, but as she settled back into sleep, he would return his gaze to the passing countryside. In her dreams, Y/n saw her father. She dreamed of meeting him and having a mundane conversation, but suddenly, reality clawed its way into her fantasy.

She found herself looking through her father's eyes, experiencing his perspective as he walked up the steps to the front door of a small house in Godric's Hollow. A carved pumpkin and various Halloween decorations adorned the house. His breath caught in his throat as he noticed the front door ajar. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he drew his wand and pushed the door open gently. It creaked loudly as he scanned the interior. Inside the living room, signs of a struggle were evident: a broken lamp, a flipped chair, and a trail of blood leading upstairs. He followed the trail, calling out, "Lily? James?" His voice trembled with fear.

"Lawrence! Run!" Lily's ragged voice cut through the air, but before she could finish, a hand struck her across the face. A hooded man appeared in the hallway, wand drawn. "Avada Kedavra!" he bellowed, and a flash of green light shot toward Lawrence, striking him in the chest. He collapsed heavily at the top of the stairs, eyes wide open.

"Give me the boy!" the hooded man demanded.

"No! Never!" Lily screamed through her tears, stepping protectively in front of the crib. "Momma loves yo—" Her sentence was cut short as the same spell struck her down. Harry's cries echoed in Y/n's mind, and she thrashed, desperately trying to wake up.

Suddenly, she was lying in a sunlit field. Warm sunlight streamed across her face, and long grass rustled softly in the breeze. Y/n looked up to see a black crow circling above her. She sighed, feeling calm as her heart rate slowed and her breaths became steady. The crow swooped down and landed beside her. It cawed, jolting Y/n awake.

"Dad..." she whispered, tears still on her cheeks.

Draco, still sitting across from her, watched her intently as the sunset bathed him in an orange glow, making his eyes glisten like diamonds. "Are you okay, Y/n?" he asked, leaning forward to offer his full attention.

"I-I'm fine," she replied, composing herself. "One crazy dream, huh?" she added with a small chuckle. "My mother and I, we're apparently 'seers,' well, according to her anyway. I think it's a load of bull..." Y/n sniffled, wiping her eyes.

"It's a shame I wasn't there, in your dream I mean. I think that would have been much more entertaining," Draco said cockily with a smile.

"Psh!" Y/n breathed, stifling a laugh, her cheeks reddening. "Please! That would have been a nightmare! Possibly worse than the one I just had," she chuckled, teasing him.

Draco responded with a noncommittal "Mmm" as he leaned back in his seat, returning his gaze to the window. The cabin fell into silence.

"My dad, he was murdered by Voldemort the same night Harry's parents were," Y/n explained through the silence. "He and Mum received James' Patronus—a stag appeared in the living room. They were all in the Order, you see, and receiving a Patronus was a signal that help was urgently needed. Mum begged him not to go, but—"

"Claremont, I asked about your dream, not your life story," Draco interrupted coldly.

Y/n stared at him in disbelief, her eyes welling up as a lump formed in her throat. She was unsure if Draco was serious or if he was making a poorly timed joke. When he said nothing else and avoided looking at her, she realised he was indeed serious. She stood abruptly, stormed out of the cabin, and slammed the door behind her.