Broken - Drarry AU

Chapter 1: The Room of Requirement

Harry ~

The train rumbled into the station bringing along a cloud of steam and the hissing of the brakes. Harry sat on a bench in Kings Cross station, platform nine and three quarters, just waiting. His summer had been the same as always, receiving beatings, and vulgar comments along with being locked up in his tiny bedroom. Harry's correspondence with Ron and Hermione were limited due to Hedwig only being allowed out every couple of weeks, making staying at the Dursleys even worse. But this was nothing new to Harry, and he seemed to be coping just fine with it, at least that's what he tried to make everyone believe.

As the doors of the train opened, students started to pile into the compartments and wish their families farewell. The Weasleys were nowhere to be found, but it was common for them to be late so Harry wasn't worried. Everything seemed to blow past him in a haze. He didn't remember getting up and making his way onto the train. He didn't remember finding an empty compartment and taking a seat. His mind was filled with worry and anxiousness. Not really knowing why he felt this way, Harry tried to calm his breathing. Maybe it was just first day jitters, but Harry had a feeling in the pit of his stomach that somehow this year would be different.

Harry didn't see Ron or Hermoine at all while he was on the train. He sat alone in his compartment thinking about the upcoming year. He was excited for Quidditch, of course, and to see his friends. He wanted more than anything for this year to be great, but already it hadn't started off that well. The Dursleys had dropped Harry off at the station with a shout of 'good riddance' and his stuff strewn across the sidewalk. He had gathered his few belongings off the ground, along with Hedwig, and had made his way to Kings Cross Station where he was bombarded with a bunch of first years pointing and staring at him. He was happy to finally be on the train and have some peace and quiet.

Many hours later Harry felt the train come to a halt. He had dozed off for a while and when he looked out the window he saw that it was raining and almost dark out. Thank goodness he thought as he sat up and stretched. His back hurt from laying in an awkward position and he was shivering slightly from leaning up against the cold window. He saw that students had started to leave the train and he quickly stood up and grabbed his belongings. As he opened the door he stepped into the hallway of the train and smacked right into the person ahead of him.

"Oh sorr-" Harry quickly cut off what he was saying when he saw who it was. Draco Malfoy of all people. Quickly bracing for the worst, Harry took a step back and waited for Malfoy to shout at him to watch where he was going. Instead, Malfoy turned to look at him without saying anything and what Harry saw almost sacred him. Malfoy had deep purple bags under his eyes like he hadn't slept in weeks, there were black and blue bruises on his jaw, and his eyes looked dull, lifeless, and red like he was crying. He must have seen the look on Harry's face because he quickly turned away and rushed off the train.

Harry knew that him and Malfoy didn't have the best history together, but seeing him like this upset Harry for some reason. He knew he shouldn't be feeling sorry for Malfoy, especially since he doesn't know the full story, but he couldn't help but feel like he should do something. The way he had looked at Harry with those sad, broken eyes snapped something inside of Harry. It was almost like he was willing to forget everything that had happened between them. Immediately after he thought this though, Harry shook his head. He was just tired and needed to eat, that's why he was thinking these things, that's all.

Making his way along with the rest of the students, Harry eventually came to where the carriages were waiting. People were getting on in groups of four, most not seeing what was pulling the carriage. Quickly analyzing the scene, he saw what looked like a mop of red hair in the sea of people. Quickly pushing through, Harry found Ron standing with Hermione and Ginny near the front of the group. As soon as he caught Hermione's eye, she quickly waved at him to come over.