Conflicted Loyalites

Chapter 7

Harry's POV

I awoke early the next morning to the sound of the dormitory door closing with a quiet creaking sound; Malfoy leaving, I guessed. It was probably so he didn't have to confront me about last night. I glanced at the clock on my bedside table.

It read 7:30am. Perfect.

I realised suddenly that I didn't have a headache. I'd drank enough of that dodgy drink to be at least a little hungover, but I felt nothing whatsoever. My thoughts had been so fragmented last night; I could barely recall anything after the third round of Scrabble against Blaise.

For some reason, I had a very clear image of those blazing silver eyes I'd been glancing at a lot recently. 

I wondered suddenly; had I spent any time looking at Malfoy last night? I wouldn't remember if I had, but the thought was chilling.

I stretched as I stared at the ceiling, pondering the events of last night. I hadn't known Malfoy got nightmares, but then, I guess I'd never really thought about it. He always acted so in control and on top of everything, who would have guessed?

I stood up and made my way to the bathroom to get a shower before going down to breakfast. I wondered if we'd be sitting with our usual houses, or if that would have changed too.

 'Probably not.' I reasoned, 'That's too much hassle just for one year to sit separately from the rest.'

I finished drying my body and caught sight of myself in the mirror. I remembered seeing the same image; around a foot shorter and pale as chalk seven years ago. How times had changed.

I got dressed quickly, having managed to waste half an hour so far. My mind wandered as I put on my uniform.

It felt great to be back, just as it always did, but some things had been stolen from me in a way I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to explain. 

The horrors I'd seen, defending this school and its students, still plagued me. I doubted I'd ever be able to look at the castle the same way ever again.

That terrified me more than anything.

This place, Hogwarts, was my escape. Sure, it was school, which meant there were exams and annoying sods like Malfoy and strict teachers and homework, but this place was my home.

I'd been able to get away from my bloody Uncle and Aunt for most of the year, been able to grow up without being treated like an inferior creature every second of the day.

Hell, if it wasn't for Hogwarts, I'd probably still be in that fucking cupboard under the stairs.

At the thought I glared down at the floor. Enough. I couldn't dwell on this now, not on my first day of class.

If I was ever going to truly put the war behind me, first of all I had to put it as far back into my mind as I could. 

Something told me that wouldn't be quite as easy as I was hoping. 

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The Great Hall was crowded as I made my way in, and after a quick scan, found myself a space beside Ron and across from Hermione.

Malfoy sat almost directly across from me, staring furiously down at his food as if it had insulted his family. I smirked at that, looking away and back to my friends.

Ron looked bedraggled and still half asleep. I supposed I looked pretty much the same as him. Hermione though, was practically bursting with excitement. She had a stack of three books piled up beside her for our first class and a fourth propped open on her lap, reading as she ate.