Bound by Love

Chapter 12: Back to Reality

Harriet's POV

Returning to Hogwarts felt like walking into a storm after the calm of the summer. The familiar stone walls, the chatter of students, the noise—it all came rushing back the moment I stepped off the train. But this year, something was different. I wasn't coming back to Hogwarts with the same weight on my shoulders, or at least, not in the same way. I had something now—someone—that made everything feel just a bit more bearable.

Draco and I hadn't spoken much after our last meeting. We both knew the reality that awaited us back at school. But the understanding we'd shared in that clearing lingered between us, even when we weren't together. He didn't have to say it for me to know we were both thinking the same thing: we'd find a way.

I found Hermione and Ron on the platform, waving me over as usual. Hermione smiled brightly, but Ron's smile faltered slightly, his eyes scanning me like he was trying to figure out what had changed. I had already decided I wasn't ready for that conversation yet, so I forced a smile and hurried over.

"You okay, Harry?" Ron asked as I joined them. "You seem... different."

"Yeah," I replied quickly, forcing the usual casual tone into my voice. "Just glad to be back."

Hermione gave me a curious look, but she didn't push it. "It's good to be back," she agreed, though I could sense her curiosity bubbling just beneath the surface.

As we made our way to the carriages, I couldn't help but glance around, looking for a glimpse of Draco. I didn't spot him right away, and maybe that was for the best. It wasn't like we could suddenly act differently around each other without raising suspicion.

"So, how was your summer?" Hermione asked, glancing sideways at me. I forced a smile. "Quiet. I needed it." But even as I said it, I could feel the weight of what was coming pressing down on me. The quiet we'd had over the summer was gone now, replaced by the crackling tension that filled Hogwarts. Rumors of raids on wizarding families, of Death Eaters growing bolder, circulated through the halls. Even Hermione seemed more on edge than usual, always watching, always waiting for the next piece of bad news.

"You heard what happened in Diagon Alley, right?" Hermione continued, her voice low. "A shopkeeper was attacked—no one's sure if it was a Death Eater, but..." She trailed off, glancing at Ron.

"Yeah, I heard." The chill in my chest deepened. It was only a matter of time before the war reached us directly.

Draco's POV

Walking into Hogwarts felt like a familiar routine, but this time, everything was different. I could feel it in the way my steps carried me down the hallways, in the way I scanned the crowds of students without even meaning to—looking for her. Harriet.

But of course, nothing could be simple here. Pansy was already hanging off my arm, chattering about something I wasn't listening to. I had become good at tuning her out over the years, but now it was harder. Now that I knew there was someone else, someone I actually wanted to be with.

"Draco, are you even listening?" Pansy whined, tightening her grip on my arm.

"No," I said bluntly, not bothering to soften my tone. I could feel the impatience rising in me already, but I knew I had to play my part, at least for now. Harriet and I had agreed to keep things quiet, and that meant putting up with this for a little while longer.

Pansy pouted, but before she could complain more, we reached the Slytherin common room. I brushed her off, muttering something about needing to unpack, and headed for my room. The last thing I needed was her clinging to me while I tried to think.

Once I was alone, I let out a breath, running a hand through my hair. This was going to be harder than I thought. At school, the expectations were back, the roles we were supposed to play snapping back into place like nothing had changed. But everything had changed, at least for me.

I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor. I needed to find a way to see Harriet. We had agreed to take things slow, but that didn't mean I didn't want to see her. I needed to see her, to remind myself that this—what we had—was real.

Harriet's POV

The Great Hall was buzzing with the usual energy as we sat down for the welcome feast. Hermione was already making notes about the new teachers, and Ron was stuffing his face like he hadn't eaten all summer. But my mind was elsewhere, constantly darting to the Slytherin table.

I spotted Draco almost immediately, sitting with his usual group, though something about him seemed off. He wasn't engaging with them the way he used to, his expression distant even as Pansy chattered beside him. I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. It was strange, seeing him there, looking so much like the Draco Malfoy everyone knew, but knowing that there was more to him now—more that only I had seen.

Our eyes met briefly, and even though it was only for a second, I felt that connection between us snap into place. It was subtle, and I quickly looked away, but my heart was racing. He was here, and we were going to figure this out. Somehow.

After the feast, as everyone began making their way back to the common rooms, Hermione, Ron, and I lingered near the entrance, catching up with a few other Gryffindors. My mind was still on Draco, wondering if we'd be able to talk soon, when I felt a nudge at my side.

"Oi, Harry, you alright?" Ron asked, his brow furrowed. "You've been a bit quiet."

I forced a smile, shaking my head. "Yeah, just tired. It's been a long day."

Hermione gave me another of her knowing looks, but thankfully, she didn't pry. "Let's head back to the common room," she said, leading the way.

As we walked, my mind was racing. Draco and I hadn't exactly worked out how we were going to see each other at school, but we would have to figure something out. I wasn't going to let this go, whatever "this" was.

Draco's POV

It wasn't until later that night, when the common room had mostly emptied, that I found a moment to send a note. Just a simple piece of parchment, folded carefully and spelled to deliver itself discreetly to Harriet. I kept it short—there was no need for anything elaborate.

Meet me in the Astronomy Tower tomorrow night. After curfew.

It was risky, but then again, everything about us was risky. That didn't change how much I wanted to see her.

I sent the note off and sat back, my thoughts already drifting to what tomorrow night would bring. We would keep meeting. We would figure it out, one step at a time. For now, that was enough