walking in the moonlight DRARRY

on the hogwarts express

Heavy drops were falling on the pavement outside, making the travelers shoes squeak once they got inside. The cold September morning showed no signs of the summer that had been only a week earlier. Trees were tired from the nonstop rain and flowers had lost their petals due to the wind. London rushed through late summer evenings to a more gray, and depressing pre-autumn weather. The Londoners were not pleased by the change and showed their contempt by yelling at by passers and looking grim most of the time.

Some people seemed to not be affected by the weather and gloomy looks of the rest. These people happened to be the students of Hogwarts School of Whichcraft and Wizardry, returning back to the now repaired school by the Hogwarts Express. After the war, nothing could keep these young students down, for the Dark Lord was gone for ever!

Or so it should be, in a perfect world. Most students, or wizards in general, had lost family members or beloved friends in the war, and going back to the place where it all happened was one of the hardest things they ever thought they would have to do.

Harry Potter was one of these students, now returning to the only place he's ever called home to complete his 7th and last year. Pushing a cart in front of him, being slightly distracted by the fact that his two best friends were walking beside him, laughing and making jokes, he was the center of attention. Every which and wizard going in the opposite direction would stop and look. They didn't care if the muggles thought it odd to be so interested in a teenager with black, untidy hair and glasses. But little did they know that this was the Chosen One and defeater of the Dark Lord.

The Chosen One could not care less about the stares and glares. Harry was used to it, and had made a promise to himself to try and enjoy himself as much as he could possible muster at his last year at Hogwarts.

"What time is it? I feel like we're always late! How is that even possible, every year!" Hermione exclaimed, looking at the clock. "Okay, hurry through now boys, I really don't want to share compartments with staring 11-year olds."

"Thanks, mom." said Ron in a very sarcastic voice, getting an annoyed, but loving look from Hermione.

When all three of them were on Platform 9 3/4 they pushed themselves though the crowds of happy parents waving their kids goodbye. They found a compartment in the middle of the train and decided to settle down. When organized and comfortable, Hermione took her book out and started reading, and Harry and Ron were discussing the different people on the platform.

"Holy... Is that Malfoy? He looks so... different!" Ron said with a frown and pressed his freckly nose against the glass. "And I thought coming over to the good side would be better for him. Perhaps not."

Turning to look at the blonde boy as well, Harry saw the face of the person he had so deeply hated before. After last years event of life saving and lying to protect the other, Harry couldn't hate Malfoy anymore. Malfoy on the other hand, looked like he was hated by nature. His hair had gone even lighter and thinner, his eyes had sunken deep into his skull, leaving dark rings underneath. He looked thinner and not well-fed at all.

Ron moved on to talk to Hermione, holding her hand and whispering things in her ear, leaving Harry more time to think about the former Death Eater. Harry knew they would never be friends, but he sincerely hoped the wouldn't fight like they've done previous years, Harry was feeling rather sick of it. Feeling pitiful and hoping for something of a friendship, he went to grab his chocolate frog he had in his pocket.

Before he had time to open it, the compartment door slid open and there stood Malfoy, looking directly at Harry. Harry froze in his movement, looking right back into those gray eyes. He couldn't tell what Malfoy was feeling or what he wanted, the his eyes were plain and cold.

"Err.. Can we help you?" Ron said, with uncalled-for-rudeness.

"I'd like to talk to Potter. I have something important to say." Malfoy looked uncomfortable, but he still had a smirk painted across his lips.

"Spit it out then." Ron said. Malfoy, clearly disappointed with this response, made a move to leave, but Harry was curious to see what the pale boy had to say.

"No it's fine Ron. I want to hear him out."

Ron and Hermione, confused but understanding, made no sign of getting up to leave, so Harry stood up to follow Malfoy out into the corridor. The landscape outside the windows was flashing by as the train had already left the city. Harry walked behind Malfoy as he was headed to the boys bathroom. Inside the little room, he closed the door.

"So what did you want to tell me?" asked Harry, trying to sound understanding even though that was the feeling he was lacking the most. He understood nothing.