Once a Death Eater...

Chapter 4 - A New Year

The carriage ride didn't take long at all, definitely not as long as Harry remembered, but I guess that time flies when you're having fun. It was none stop laughter and jokes all the way up to the castle. A huge smile on everyones face when they dismounted the carriage and entered the huge, majestic door of the Hogwarts castle.

The professors having completely rebuilt the castle perfectly in the day or so Harry's been gone, the same warm feeling coming from the Great Hall as they hopped up the steps. Dropping their luggage at the front doors and walking into the hall was a feeling Harry wanted to savour for the rest of his life, he felt home again.

McGonagall gave Harry a smile from across the hall, she sat in big chair, centre stage as students poured into the hall, all moving to their respective tables. There was however a smaller table at the back, a sign on it reading: 'reserved for eighth year' .

"Looks like we're sitting here guys." Hermione stated as they all began to sit. It felt nice, homely, Harry and all his friends sat together, not having to be split off into houses.

As most of the students seemed to have found their places, McGonagall gave a speech saying how wonderful it is for all the students to be back and how they're going to have a fantastic year. She raised a glass to Harry, thanking him for all his efforts. While the students cheered for him, Harry felt that undeniable twang of guilt. All he could see were the empty chairs.

This was quickly moved on from however to the sorting ceremony. New students stepping up and having the sorting hat placed upon their heads.

"RAVENCLAW!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Harry heard the shouts and claps of the sorting hat and the students, he wasn't really paying attention though. He was trying to suppress the horrible feeling of guilt, the shouts of the students celebrating sounded like the screams of terror from the battle and now Harry felt himself hyperventilating.

Hermione, having noticed, took Harry's hand in hers, giving him a reassuring smile. While this made Harry feel slightly better, what really distracted him from his near meltdown was the Great Hall door opening and closing and a figure moving into the room. Everyone else was watching the sorting ceremony to care but Harry noticed, he noticed the same sad, grey eyes move through the hall. He looked between the Slytherin table and the eighth year table. Harry saw it in Draco's movement, he was trying to decide where he belonged.

Eventually, Draco took a seat at the end of the eighth year table. He sat next to Hannah, who in turn scoffed and scooted as far away as she could. Harry watched him, watched how Draco's eyes never left the floor, his hands shook, tears threatened to spill.

"I wanted to say one final toast: here's to a new year and let the feast begin." McGonagall called out, the sorting ceremony having finished. All the students quickly tucked into their meals. Harry ate a little, the stress of the day was playing on him and he didn't feel too hungry. He looked down the table once more, he saw Draco not even attempting to eat. He already looked quite thin, maybe he's...

"Harry, I'm right aren't I?!" Ron shouted, quickly pulling Harry out of his thoughts.

"About what?" Harry asked, he really should pay better attention.

"Do you ever listen?" Ron laughed. "Don't you think Luna and Pansy would be cute together?"

Harry laughed, while Luna and Pansy both blushed. "Oh yeah totally cute."

The feast continued in this fashion, with funny little jokes and a lot of laughs. The group of eighth years were getting to be fast friends all of them having a great time together. All except one. When the feast was over and McGonagall wished them a great year once again, they were all free to go back to their dormitories.