Ten Questions (Harry Potter x Slytherin reader)

Chapter 46

I dread the entire ride home during my time on the Hogwarts express. While going home during Chritmas break had always been something I had never looked forward to, Adrian had always been by my side during the return home, telling me that everything was going to be okay. Now, with him gone, it feels like I'm completely alone, even with Daphne and Blaise in the same compartment as me to keep me company. Aside from feeling nauseous for hours straight on our way back to the platform, the ride itself isn't bad. I spend most of the ride talking with Blaise and Daphne, with Theodore Nott and Malfoy popping in and out of the compartment from time to time to play cards. 

Eventually, the train slowly begins to come to a stop, and I stifle a yawn, exhausted from the ride as I grab a hold of my bags. I say my goodbyes to Daphne and Blaise, even though I'll be seeing them in a matter of days, and begin to make my way out of the Hogwarts express. The train is completely overcrowded, and I'm stuck for what feels like minutes with dozens of anxious students who want to leave as soon as possible. 

My eyes search the crowd, and it doesn't take long for me to find Harry. I'm taken aback when I see that he's already looking at me, and my heart skips a beat. He gives me a small smile, but only for half a second before he averts his gaze and looks elsewhere. We had agreed not to talk or be seen near each other on the train ride.

It was for the best.

When most of the students in front of me have emptied out, I begin to haul my luggage off of the train, scanning the train station. It's far too busy- with wizards and witches scrambling frantically to find their children and carts being pushed everywhere.

And then I see him. 

Despite everything, a smile tugs at the corner of my lips when I spot Adrian, waiting for me a dozen paces away from me. When his eyes meet mine, he grins, too. I jog towards him, set down my things, and wrap him into a tight hug.

I'm not sure either of us know what to say. Ever since the end of the previous school year, things between Adrian and I have been different. Most notably, he is different. For as long as I could remember, Adrian had always been wiser beyond his years. He was always naturally respected by his classmates and friends, and was the usual favorite student in most of his classes. He had always had a quiet confidence about him that made him fit in with everyone without trying too hard. Out of all of my years at Hogwarts, I had never heard of anyone disliking him- even the Gryffindors.

But, as I look at him, I can see that the spark in his eyes is gone. There's a certain sadness about him that wears heavy on his features. The permanent smirk that once rested on his face is no longer there, and based on the dark shadows under his eyes, I can instantly tell that none of this has been easy on him.

Finally, Adrian straightens and clears his throat. 

"Mother and father will be pleased to see you," he says at last, his tone void of any real emotion. All I can do is nod in response, averting my gaze from his face. His features soften, and his eyes flicker over to my bags. "Here, let me carry those," he offers, and before I can object, he's already taken the luggage from my hands. 

It's quiet for a long moment. 

"Thank you," I say at last, quietly.

His eyebrows furrow for a moment, as if thinking hard for a moment. He only nods in response, and the two of us begin to move silently. 

It's only two weeks, Y/n, I remind myself as my head begins to spin, flooding with memories of home I'd much rather forget. However, two of those 14 days will be spent with Harry. I suppress a smile that threatens to play on my lips, and I still can't believe that I had agreed to something so stupid and reckless during that night on the astronomy tower. However, it was practically all I could think about during the ride on the Hogwarts express.