New Beginnings

Chapter 6

Harry hides on the train, knowing that Hermione and Ron will search for him. He also knows that Draco finds him at least every year and won't be surprised when the Slytherin does again.

He watches other family's say their goodbyes, some family's crying as their eleven year old leaves and others hug their seventeen year olds with fond smiles, used to showing them off.

Jealousy bubbles up in him because he wants what they have but can't have it. He's haunted by the fact his parents hate him and/or are sociopaths. Harry lays awake wondering if his parents know that he's theirs and hate him anyway or are just victims of Dumbledore's meddling. He wants to know what happened that ended with him being with the Potters. 

Is he a monster for not reaching out to them? One tried to kill him months ago and the other does everything in his power to remind him of how hated he is. How much like James Potter he is.

Harry closes his eyes and leans away from the window, breathing solely through his nose as he tries to suppress everything. He won't cry and wonder about his parents.

Once he destroys the light he'll go to them and prove he's their son. Even if they hate him, Harry can easily disappear, loads of people love to travel and Harry could too.

Salem purrs heavily on his lap, sensing Harry's mood and being even more affectionate. Harry slumps down, putting his feet on the seats opposite so Salem can use his legs as a bridge if the kitten wants. Salem just stares at him for a while before licking his cheek, like a mother cat to her kid.

Outside the window he hears the sudden explosion of sound as the Weasleys get on the platform, the twins escaping quickly onto the train. Harry grimaces when he sees a large black dog with them. Did Sirius know? Is he part of it?

Harry refuses to entertain those thoughts, slamming his door closed instead and pulling down the blinds. Later he may put a locking charm on the door, but for now it's enough. His disgruntled kitten climbs back onto his lap but hisses for good measure.

The last thing he sees before he settles down for a nap are silver eyes searching the platform. 

 
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Draco was staring at him.

Silver eyes burning into him from across the hall as first years got sorted. The hat had just yelled Slytherin and Draco had had to turn away to clap for the newbie.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He's wearing complex glamours so Draco isn't staring because he looks like himself, like Hadrian, but because he's Potter. Messy black hair and all. He'd let Salem roam the castle with Ms Norris and would find her later.

Draco's not the only one staring at him but he is the only one filling him with unexplainable warmth. The others are Ginny from down the table, Dumbledore and occasionally Luna. The latter only glances across occasionally whereas the others aren't even trying to be subtle at this point.

"How was your summer mate?" Ron asked, ignoring the speeches up at the dais.

"Alright."

Hermione elbows him in the rib, pointing subtly to the pink clad toad of a woman. Whomever it is is their new Defence teacher but Harry's positive he won't learn anything from a woman who sounds like she eats sugar. Her voice is overly sweet and simpering, similar to Ginny's. She's introduced as Dolores Umbridge and does what no one would ever dare. Interrupt Dumbledore. Harry likes her only for that.