Shadows of Redemption

Chapter 27: The Return to Hogwarts

Harriet's POV

The journey to Hogwarts felt both unbearably long and far too short. Draco and I sat in tense silence, the weight of our mission pressing heavily on us. The bag I was hidden in kept me safe from prying eyes, but I could still sense the mounting dread around us. The familiar, comforting sights of the Scottish countryside rushing by only served as a painful reminder of what we were returning to: a school that was no longer a sanctuary but a battleground.

When the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station, the sight of the castle in the distance sent a jolt through me. It looked the same as always, majestic and timeless, but I knew better. Danger lurked within those walls, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Draco shouldered the bag, and I felt the tension in his body. He was carrying more than just me; he was carrying the burden of expectation, the fear of failure, and the hope of a plan we desperately needed to see through.

We stepped off the train and into the chaos of students and Death Eaters. The Carrows were there, overseeing the crowd with malicious glee. Their presence made my fur bristle with unease, and I felt Draco's grip on the bag tighten. He kept his head down, blending in with the other Slytherins, and I did my best to stay still and quiet.

The walk up to the castle was surreal. The chatter and laughter of students were muted, a thin veil of normalcy over a landscape of fear. I could feel the nervous energy buzzing through the air, a collective understanding that everything had changed.

Draco's face was a carefully constructed mask, but I could see the strain around his eyes. We were surrounded by people who would betray us in an instant if they knew what we were planning. But we couldn't afford to falter now.

Draco's POV

Hogwarts loomed ahead, both familiar and menacing. It felt strange, almost wrong, to be back, knowing what awaited us within those walls. The castle had always been a place of safety, a place where I had navigated rivalries and friendships with relative ease. Now, it was a battlefield, and I was one of the key pieces in a war I didn't want to fight.

The Carrows wasted no time in asserting their authority, shouting orders and leering at the students. I kept my head low, avoiding their gaze, and made my way into the castle, the bag containing Harriet still pressed tightly to my side.

Inside, the Great Hall was filled with the usual hustle and bustle of students returning for a new term. But there was a heavy undercurrent of fear, a tension that simmered just beneath the surface. The Sorting Hat's song, which usually brought cheers and excitement, was met with anxious silence.

I found my seat at the Slytherin table, doing my best to blend in with the other students. Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini greeted me with the usual camaraderie, but even they seemed subdued, their eyes darting nervously around the hall.

The staff table was a chilling sight. The Carrows sat beside Professor Snape, who was now the Headmaster, his expression as unreadable as ever. My stomach twisted at the sight of him, knowing he was both a potential ally and a dangerous wild card.

Harriet remained still in the bag, her warmth grounding me. We had made it this far, but the real challenge was just beginning. I had to play my part perfectly, keep up the facade, and find a way to work with Hermione, Ron, and the others.

The Sorting finished, and Professor Snape stood to address the school. His voice was cold, commanding, as he laid out the new, oppressive rules. Curfew would be strictly enforced, and any form of rebellion would be met with swift punishment. The Carrows looked delighted at the prospect, and I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to keep a neutral expression.

Once the feast ended, I made my way to the Slytherin common room, Harriet still safely hidden. The dungeons felt colder than I remembered, and the sense of isolation pressed heavily on me. But as I set down my bag in a quiet corner, Harriet climbed out, her green eyes filled with determination.

"We're here," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Now it's up to us to find a way to fight back."

Harriet let out a soft, encouraging purr, and I felt a flicker of hope. We had made it to Hogwarts. We had allies waiting. And as long as we held onto that hope, we had a chance.

Harriet's POV

The castle was familiar and yet entirely different, haunted by the shadow of the Dark Lord's influence. But we were here, and that meant we had a fighting chance. I would find Hermione and Ron, and we would make our stand. The time for hiding was nearly over.

Draco looked at me, his expression a mixture of fear and resolve. "Let's do this, Potter," he whispered. "We're not giving up now."

I nodded, my heart pounding with determination. The final battle was coming, and together, we would be ready.