Returning to Hogwarts

Draco

The train's vibrations were comforting, but Draco couldn't relax. Here he was on the Hogwarts Express riding along like just another year, but it wasn't just another year. A constant ache resided in his chest reminding him of what he lost, and he couldn't shake his feeling of hopelessness. His mother's heartbroken face flashed through his mind as he remembered her last words before getting on the train. "I love you Draco, no matter what. Always remember that my dragon." She had been upset with his decision to finish school, but had still been supportive. It was now that he realized he was an idiot for coming back. He knew what his father had done to these people, what he had done to these people, and he knew they wouldn't forget. Even he couldn't forget, no matter how much he wanted to. At night Professor Trelawney's face haunted his dreams, her mouth open in a silent scream. No, he had a feeling this year wouldn't be like any other. He let out a sigh and turned another page in his book. The words seemed to slither around like snakes and his left arm began to burn, a reminder of the sin that marred his pale skin. "Neville! Wait a second!" A streak of black darted past the window leading to the hall, and Draco recognized the voice immediately: Harry Potter. The boy who lived, and just kept living. He was overcome by a vision of messy black hair and determined green eyes. His pulse jumped and his heart began to race. So Harry had come back for his 8th year? Surprising, the papers had been abuzz with gossip about the young man being offered an Auror position with the Ministry. Draco had expected it of course, he was the golden boy, why not be the youngest Auror in history as well? He sunk a little lower in his seat as he realized he would have to spend yet another year with Harry. Would he expect him to go back to their old rivalries? Or would the great Harry Potter expect Draco to grovel on his knees with an apology? He scoffed inwardly, knowing that he would do neither. No, Draco's plan this year was to study, and study hard. He needed this diploma, even though he couldn't get the job he'd always wanted, he would have to settle for something else. Work at Gringotts perhaps? That was respectable, but only Goblins work there. Plus, who was he kidding? They would never trust him, not in a million years. At the best he might could get himself a job at Flourish and Blots, but even that was a far stretch. Who would want an ex Death Eater marking off inventory? His heart hurt at the thought and he know what his father would do. Lucius would be all too happy to squash out this bit of weakness in his son, and the thought almost made Draco laugh at the irony. It just seemed he was full of too much weakness to squash out. He wished none of this had ever happened, he wished that Snape had never taken that oath. He wished his godfather had never killed Dumbledore. He wished that his father has never joined Voldemort, and above all he wished that Harry had just taken his damn hand the first day and none of this had never happened! Suddenly the train jolted and Draco remembered where was, and what he was doing. "Robes" he muttered and after pulling the curtain to on the hall window, he began to dress. "This will be a long year if I can't concentrate long enough to to even read a bloody book!"