RAVENCLAW!

27. Necessary Visits

Harry felt like the luckiest boy alive. He was still here. After all that had happened, not only the day before but throughout the course of his life, he was standing here, a young, learning wizard in a magical castle, surrounded by (mostly) friends.

Even though the previous day's events had exhausted Harry deeply, he was up and about at sunrise – a habit that's harder to get rid of than one might think – and on his way to pay Hagrid a visit. The other boys had all still been asleep when he'd left the dorm so he didn't get to actually reunite with them, yet, but he'd been glad to see them all back and well.

Catching up with Hagrid was fun and kind of grounding. They hadn't had much time to talk when they had run into each other in Knockturn Alley.

After three cups of very sugary tea Harry made his way back to the castle where he joined Ron and Hermione for breakfast with a smile on his lips and probably a red nose from the cold.

"Hey, guys."

Neither of his best friends replied, bringing up a frown.

"What's up?", he tried again.

Ron gave him a glance as if he had just seen a giant spider with too many eyes. And maybe that expression was justified because at that same moment Hermione's judging glare found his eyes and her silent scolding was almost as effective as Professor McGonagall's, leaving Harry mumbling a sheepish apology.
Hermione wouldn't have any of it. She just kept ignoring them in a rather loud way. Harry wanted to avoid her eye at any chance. He knew they had messed up. She was right, they had been very irresponsible. But the outcome could've been worse... probably.

Harry found himself searching the room with his eyes for... he didn't even know what he was looking for. Something just felt amiss. He spotted his roommates (apart from Malfoy, obviously) sitting at the Ravenclaw table, talking as if they had never stopped. Soon, Anthony looked into his direction and made a motion to the other two. Terry and Michael turned their heads and sure enough all three of them flashed him bright grins. Harry smiled back and gave a little wave before bringing his gaze back to his plate – which was still empty. How long did he just sit there without eating? Shaking his head, he helped himself to some scrambled eggs and bacon and tucked right in before going back to people watching. Draco Malfoy was actually nowhere to be seen and somehow Harry didn't even find that surprising. Although it would be quite interesting to know where that git always ran off to. There was no time for pondering in that moment, though, because a little redhead slid into the seat next to her brother, interrupting his thoughts. He spared Ginny a smile and then let Hermione lead the conversation with the first year.

And then the Howler came.

I mean, you have to see the positive sides: at least now Hermione thought they've been punished enough and was taking to them again.

:    :    :    :    :    :    :    :    :    :    :    :    :    :    :

Draco stared at the light brown wood of the door way longer than he should've before carefully lifting the door knocker and letting it do it's job. If felt weird being back here after those months. But Nobody wouldn't let him be shy about it for more than a second.

I'm glad you're back, Draco.

Clearing his throat from all awkwardness he finally entered and went straight for the couch. If the room had changed even a little bit since last year, Draco didn't see it. It was all well-known, homely and comfortable. A nice cup of tea appeared on the small coffee table in front of him. He smiled briefly.

"Thanks."

There was a short pause when Draco took a sip of his Earl Grey and only when he sat the cup back down again did Nobody speak up.

I take it you want to tell me about your holidays?

Draco nodded but didn't speak, yet, in favor of sorting his thoughts first. He let the events of the summer flash up in front of his eyes and one by one started retelling them. Every now and then he would take a look at the time in order to not be late for class on the first day.

"... Dobby made sure that Harry couldn't return to school. I don't care for him but that idiot will get himself into trouble again, I just know it, and in this case he wouldn't survive it. I despise his ugly scarface-",

Draco blatantly ignored Nobody's comment of language! here,

"-but I'm not a murderer. I really don't know how to feel about father doing these things anymore."

Oh, I feel like your starting to form your own opinion on the topic just fine.

Draco rolled his eyes.

"Why do you always have to be so damned vague?"

Nobody laughed and it made Draco feel all giddy inside. It was a free and honest and bright laugh. Less like the overly controlled ones from his friends and more like Harry's when the redhead twins had made a good joke.

Thinking about Harry's laugh, he craved to hear it again. It felt like an eternity since the last time. Maybe if he had went down to breakfast instead he might have heard it floating over from the Gryffindor table where he was probably sitting with Granger and the Weasle Clan. That was the moment when it hit.

Harry was here.

At Hogwarts.

Where chances were of a monster to be released by an innocent and unknowing school girl with a diary.

A sob escaped his throat and he pressed a hand against his mouth to stifle it. With all willpower he forced the tears back down. I promised it! No tears! Ever again! No tears! No crying! I'm not a girl!

Nobody immediately sensed his change of mood.

It's gonna be fine, Draco. Whatever it is, it's gonna be fine.

Draco shook his head, his lips pressed together tightly. He rubbed his wrists together until the usually pale skin there turned bright red in order to stop the urge to cry. Nobody gladly kept silent until it had worked and Draco was able to talk properly again. He thought about what to say and pointedly avoided anything that included Harry's name or that was as direct as: "there will be deaths this year." Instead he opted for a sentence that he thought summed up the present situation pretty well:

"This year will be a huge, grant mess and I can't do anything about it."