Harry Potter and the Boy He Loved | Drarry

Chapter 3: Potions

Chapter 3: Potions

While Harry had fallen asleep quickly (likely due to the amount of food he had eaten), he had been restless all night. His dreams had suddenly turned to flashbacks from the battle, unlike any he had had before. At the Burrow, he had actually started to sleep quite soundly with few disturbances as time went on. But he imagined that being back at Hogwarts was somewhat triggering. Regardless of the fact that he had won the battle, he had seen many— too many— deaths and had quite literally momentarily died himself.

He woke up exhausted from a night of terrifying dreams to find Ron looking just as tired, if not more.

The two of them found Hermione at breakfast already, finishing what looked to be a second cup of coffee.

"Bad night?" Ron asked her with a hint of humor.

"Couldn't fall asleep," she said. "And when I finally did... I just had nightmares about the battle."

"Same," Harry said. "Well, I fell asleep just fine— I mean, I did eat a ton— but my dreams were all about Voldemort."

Ron squirmed in his seat. "Me too."

Hermione rubbed her eye. "I think it's this place. I mean, I'm overjoyed to be back, but," she leaned in and lowered her voice, "I think it's affecting everyone else, too. It's just bringing back too many bad memories."

Harry looked around. She was right; almost everyone was yawning, even the teachers. He looked up at McGonagall's seat at the middle of the staff table. She wasn't there.

Just then, Hagrid approached the three friends with parchment rolls in his massive hands.

"Good mornin'," he said brightly despite the dark circles under his eyes. "I got yer schedules fer the week an' whatnot."

"Hagrid!" Hermione said in surprise. "You're head of Gryffindor?"

Hagrid chuckled and blushed. "Fer the time bein' at least. Reckon McGonagall wanted summun she knew she could trust while she gets to know the new professors."

"Well it's great you're doing it anyway," Harry said with a smile. Hagrid left them with the scrolls and they scanned their schedules.

"Double advanced potions? At nine o'clock? On a Monday?" Ron complained. "Just hit me with a bludger already."

"Get this— it's mixed houses, too, so Slytherin will be there. Just like the good old days!" Harry said sarcastically.

Hermione attempted to put on a hopeful face, but just ended up looking pained as she said, "Maybe it won't be so bad?"

Harry glanced at the Slytherin table. Why was Malfoy still being so mean? The war was over and his family ended on an indifferent note. His parents didn't even end up in Azkaban! He shook his head.

"It'll be bad. I know it."

* * * * *

Harry, Ron, and Hermione found themselves marching into Slughorn's classroom dreading the next three hours. Slughorn, however, albeit tired, seemed ecstatic.

"Double advanced potions means even more advanced potions! Longer-brewing potions! Isn't that exciting?"

The class groaned in response; Slughorn seemed disappointed. That is, until, he scanned the classroom and his eyes landed on Harry.

"Harry, my boy!"

"Good morning, sir," Harry responded with much less enthusiasm.

"Good to see you!"