Broken- A Harry Potter Fanfic

Chapter 6: Back Again

Harry woke up with a groan. Today they were leaving for Hogwarts. It had been a month since Harry's trip to the doctor, and nothing was any better. What's the point of being diagnosed if nothing changes?

The thing was, Hermione wasn't sure Harry should go to Hogwarts anymore. She warned him, again and again, that it could trigger a PTSD attack. He'd had one just that past week. It was quite frightening for everyone else, but Harry had brushed it off and said it was nothing.

At Hogwarts, there are plenty of places connected with bad memories. Hermione wasn't sure Harry could handle it all. But Harry insisted he go, to finish his education. He had been offered a job as an auror a little while back, but turned it down. He had lost all interest in becoming one. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do, but he'd find something.

Harry got out of bed, showered, changed, and tried to fix his hair, but it was no use. It stuck up everywhere, especially in the back. He sighed, and started packing his trunk. It was supposed to be done yesterday, but Harry had been to exhausted to pack anything. Although, he didn't actually fall asleep until about 4 a.m. 

When his trunk was packed, he brought it down. Ron and Hermione were snogging in the kitchen, so Harry went outside to sit for a while. The air was nice, not too hot, not too cold. There was a slight breeze, and it was a clear sky. It was perfect. He laid down in the grass, and closed his eyes. It was exceptionally peaceful. That is, until Ron burst out the door, going on and on about the Chudley Cannons, Hermione close behind. Harry flinched at the sudden noise, and sat up straight.

"Done snogging then?" he asked, turning to face the two. They blushed and looked at Harry.

"We-uh...well," Ron cleared his throat. "Ready to go?"

"Yep," Harry replied, standing up. He walked over to the two lovers, and they apparated to Platform 9 3/4. 

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were already there with Ginny, smothering her with hugs and kisses. Harry would have laughed, but he knew she'd be doing the same to him soon. And he was quite right. As soon and Molly spotted the three, she rushed over and hugged Harry so tight, he couldn't really breathe. He contemplated letting her continue until he stopped, breathing that is, but decided against it. When she pulled away, she kept her hands on his shoulders.

"Be careful dear. Make sure you eat, and try and get some sleep." She gave his shoulders one last squeeze, before hugging Ron. Harry looked around the platform. He looked around for anyone familiar, trying to see who else was coming back for the year. 

He saw Dean and Seamus, hand in hand, and made his way toward them. By the looks of it, they had finally admitted their feelings for one another. Harry gave a small smile.

"Finally together I see," he said to the two. 

"That we are. How are you and Ginny doing?" Dean responded, grinning at Seamus before turning back to Harry.

"We're actually taking a break right now," he told them.

"Really? Why?" Seamus questioned.

"Just figuring things out," he stated. "Anyway, how was your summer holiday?"

"Not back actually. Dean met my parents...that part made me a bit of a nervous wreck, to be honest."

"Well, it turned out fine," Dean smiled, giving Seamus a small kiss on the forehead. Harry nodded, although something else caught his eye, or rather someone. It was Malfoy, walking along the platform, head ducked, people yelling and spitting at him as he walked past them. One man even tried to trip him.

Harry hadn't seen him since his trial, where he testified. It was only right, seeing as how he had saving Harry's life, that Harry saved is. Just the thought of Azkaban made him shudder slightly.

Harry had also spoken at Narcissa's trial. She was on house arrest for a little while, but at least it wasn't Azkaban. 

Harry had not, however, spoken at Lucius's trial. He had been nothing but cruel, Azkaban seemed the right place for him. He felt bad, sometimes, but Lucius had never shown a sign of redemption, or mercy. He was just plain evil. An evil coward.

Watching Malfoy now, he began to feel sorry for the guy. He watched as he silently, head still bowed, made his way onto the train.

"Harry!" Seamus yelled. Harry snapped out of his trance.

"What?" he asked, somewhat confused.

"You've been staring at Malfoy for the past three minutes," Dean answered, holding back a laugh by the looks of it. 

 "I have no idea what your talking about." Harry tone had a finality to it, ending the conversation. " I'll see you guys later." Harry walked back over to Ron and Hermione.

"Let's go find an empty compartment," Harry commented, and they left Ron's parents with a final goodbye, getting on the train. Looks and whispered followed the three as they looked for somewhere to sit.

 They passed the compartment they had sat in when Harry was in his third year. Harry had been attacked by dementors. He could still remember the cold, empty sadness that had filled him as he had passed out. He could still remember him mother's screams. And the older man they had shared the compartment with, who turned out to be one of his dad's best friends. He could still remember Remus's stiff body when he had found him lying next to the other dead bodies just a couple months ago. He could remember the night Remus had come, with news of his child's birth, the smile he wore when he asked if Harry would be the godfather. Or when he taught Harry how to cast the patronus charm. Over and over, memories of Remus Lupin played in Harry's head. He hasn't even noticed he had stopped walking.

Hermione and Ron watched as Harry stared at the compartment they had occupied in third year, no longer moving. He just...stared at it. A single tear fell and rolled down his left cheek. He hasn't noticed. After five minutes, Ron shook Harry's shoulder lightly, causing him to come back to his senses. He looked over his shoulder at Ron.

"Come on mate, let's go find a place to sit," Ron said in a soft voice, almost like it was fragile. Harry nodded, a solemn expression on his face. They found a compartment, and sat in silence for another ten minutes, Harry wrapped in Hermione's arms, her head resting on his shoulder, Ron on the other side of Hermione. The three stayed like that, not even noticing the compartment door opening. That is, until an all to familiar voice spoke.

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A/N: Hoped you liked this chapter. Comment and vote. Actually...I don't want to be one of those people. If you are one of those people it's totally fine...I feel like I just offended a bunch of people. Well, if you have actually been reading my author notes (Because let's face it, who actually reads these? Well, I do...but I'm weird so...) then you know what I'm going to say next. Have a phenomenal day!