human again / hp.

Chapter 52

The snow crunched underfoot as Daphne and I made our way down the winding path through the grounds. A thick blanket of white coated everything in sight, muffling the usual sounds of Hogwarts and turning the world into a quiet, shimmering expanse. Our breaths rose in visible puffs, mingling with the frosty air. Snowflakes drifted lazily from the pale gray sky, swirling around us before settling on the ground or catching in the folds of our cloaks. The castle behind us seemed to glow faintly under its frosty covering, the turrets and spires outlined against the overcast heavens.

Ahead, the path to Hogsmeade bustled with life. Groups of students trudged through the snow, their chatter rising in excited bursts as they braved the cold together. Bright scarves and cloaks stood out against the monochrome landscape, and the air buzzed with anticipation for the warm shops and treats that awaited in the village.

Daphne tilted her head toward me, her cheeks pink from the cold. Her dark hair spilled out from under her woolen hat, dotted with melting snowflakes. "Feels good to finally get out, doesn't it?"

"Yeah," I said, smiling at her as I tucked my gloved hands deeper into my pockets. It had been weeks since the disastrous Quidditch match, and though the daily rhythm of life at Hogwarts had resumed, the tension left in the wake of the Dementors' intrusion still hung like a shadow over the castle. Today, though, felt like an escape—a chance to breathe again.

"I missed the last Hogsmeade trip," Daphne continued, her tone lighter now, though a hint of reproach lingered. "No thanks to that miserable cold. You owe me for going without me."

"You think I enjoyed going alone?" I teased, nudging her shoulder playfully. "It wasn't the same without you."

She laughed, the sound like a bright spark in the cold air. "You're lucky I forgave you."

The village came into view as we rounded the final bend, and the sight was as magical as ever. Snow clung to the rooftops like icing, and icicles dripped from the eaves of every building, glittering like tiny chandeliers. The warm glow of shop windows spilled out into the street, beckoning us closer. Students bustled about, their laughter mingling with the cheerful hum of activity. The sweet aroma of freshly baked goods wafted from the Three Broomsticks, mixing with the crisp, wintry air.

I tugged at Daphnes sleeve, "Come on, let's go to Honeydukes first," I said eagerly, my eyes sparkling as I pulled her along.

She couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright! But you're buying me a Chocolate Frog for making me miss Zonko's last time."

We had barely set foot on the cobblestone street when a familiar voice called out from the side of the road. "Celeste!"

I turned, spotting Draco standing near a small cluster of students, flanked as always by Crabbe and Goyle. His platinum hair was slicked back, and his expression was as smug as ever. He motioned for me to join him, his eyes narrowing with expectation. Daphne followed my gaze, then shrugged, clearly indifferent.

"Fine," I said, sighing as I resigned myself to whatever he wanted. "Let's see what he wants."

We trudged through the snow toward him, and Draco's smirk deepened. "Finally decided to join us commoners, Celeste? I was beginning to think you'd rather freeze with the Gryffindors."

I rolled my eyes, choosing not to dignify the jab with a response. Daphne's expression remained unreadable, her hands tucked into her cloak pockets as she surveyed the scene with mild disinterest.

"What are you even doing here?" I asked, letting my voice carry an edge of impatience. "You don't usually lurk about like this."

Draco gestured up the hill, where the outline of the Shrieking Shack loomed through the mist like a dark, foreboding shadow. "Thought we'd take a look at the so-called most haunted building in Britain. That is, unless you're scared." His grin widened, daring me.

"Hardly," I replied, though I couldn't suppress a slight shiver as I stared at the eerie structure in the distance.

"Come with us," he said, his tone shifting to a more persuasive lilt. "It'll be fun."

Daphne hesitated, her eyes flicking to mine. "What do you think?"

I sighed, my breath forming a cloud in the air before dissipating. "Let's go. It beats just standing out here."

We trudged up the hill, the snow crunching underfoot. The wind picked up as we climbed, carrying with it a strange stillness that made the hair on the back of my neck prickle. Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle walked ahead, their voices carrying over the empty expanse. Daphne stayed by my side, her face unreadable, though she occasionally glanced at me as if gauging my mood.

As we approached the Shack, its crooked outline came into sharper focus. The building seemed to sag under the weight of years and snow, its windows shattered and its walls warped. The mist clung to it like a shroud, obscuring parts of it as we neared.

Draco stopped abruptly, his attention caught by movement on the other side of the Shack. His eyes narrowed, and he motioned for us to follow as he rounded the corner. When we did, I spotted Ron and Hermione standing stiffly near the Shack's gate. The mist swirled around them, making them appear ghostlike against the eerie backdrop.

"Well, well," Draco drawled, his smirk widening as he took in the sight. "Look who's here."

Ron bristled immediately, his fists clenching at his sides. "Shut your mouth, Malfoy."

"Shopping for your dream home, Weasel-Bee?" Draco sneered, feigning pity. "Seems a bit grand for you. Don't your family all sleep in one room?"

Ron bristled, his fists clenching. "Shut your mouth, Malfoy."

Draco clucked his tongue, feigning pity. "Now that's not very friendly. Boys, I think we're going to have to teach Weasel-Bee to respect his superiors."

Hermione stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Hope you don't mean yourself."

Draco's face twisted with disgust, his composure slipping. "How dare you speak to me, you filthy little Mud—"

Before he could finish, a snowball smacked him square in the face. His expression froze in shock, then twisted into outrage as he sputtered and wiped at the mess.

"Who did that?!" he barked, his voice rising as he scanned the area. Another snowball hit him, followed by a third, sending Crabbe and Goyle into a frantic search for the culprit.

I couldn't help but notice the faint shimmer of movement in the mist ahead. My breath caught. I'd seen that telltale flicker before. I knew what it was.The Invisibility Cloak.I kept my face neutral, though my mind raced. Harry. Of course, it had to be him. A memory surfaced unbidden: that morning in our first year, Christmas Morning, when I'd stood alongside Harry and Ron as he unwrapped the cloak for the first time. It had been magical then, a promise of adventure and mischief.

Draco began to back away, his confidence crumbling. "There's something out here!" he shouted, spinning wildly. Then, with a yelp, his scarf tightened around his neck, yanking him forward into the snow. 

Draco snarled. "Well, don't just stand there!"Crabbe and Goyle moved forward, clearly intent on going after Ron and Hermione, but their knees buckled, and they tumbled headfirst into the snow. I couldn't help but suppress a laugh as they scrambled after him, slipping and sliding in the snow.

I stood frozen, torn between amusement and unease. Harry's presence was unmistakable to me, but I said nothing. Instead, my thoughts drifted back to the first year—when Harry, Ron, and Hermione had dragged me into their wild adventures. We'd faced Fluffy, the Devil's Snare, and that cursed chess game together. Back then, Harry had been more of a friend, someone who challenged my loyalty to my family and my brother. 

Then I noticed that he wasn't targeting me.

"Celeste," Draco called from down the hill pulling me out of my thoughts , his voice sharp and annoyed. "Are you coming?"

I hesitated for a moment, glancing back toward the faint shimmer in the mist. My heart tightened, but I pushed the feeling aside and nodded at Daphne. "Let's go."

As we made our way back toward the village, I cast one last glance over my shoulder. The Shrieking Shack loomed behind us, its shape fading into the mist. Somewhere out there, Harry was laughing, invisible to the world. And yet, he was more present than ever in my mind.