Author's Note: Draco Malfoy x Harry Potter. If you don't like the pairing then click either the back button or that little red X in the top right corner. This is one of the few things I've written that I'm actually posting anywhere so reviews and critiques are welcome. NO HATING PLEASE!
Warning: None for this chapter, but rated M for future smut.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the one and only JK Rowling. I just own the story.
Chapter One
"All aboard!" The final call and whistle shouted moments before the train started down the tracks pulling away from Platform 9 3/4. All throughout the windows of the locomotive children of varying ages leaned out waving and hoping to catch last glimpses of their parent counterparts before heading off to school. Leaving King's Cross Station and heading straight for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry the students settled in for the ride. Harry Potter, a rather famous student by this point, was returning to the school for his eighth year with his friends after skipping the year before thanks to a certain dark wizard. The brunette sat in silence in a car near the back with his best mates Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The two were busy with idle chatter leaving Harry to his thoughts.
After the war had finally ended with the capture and sentencing of the remaining Death Eaters most of the wizarding world did what it could to return to normal. Ron and Hermione had spent their time at the Burrow with Ron's family while Harry had opted to stay at Grimmauld Place with Kreature as his only companion. With the weight of being the Chosen One finally lifted from his shoulders he was grateful for some time alone. Many of times Molly had asked him to stay with them but, in his usual polite manner, he refused with his excuse being that he wanted to stay somewhere where the press would not bother him.
No, after almost a whole year of dropping off the map, he was returning with the hopes of finishing his final year of school in some semblance of peace. Judging by how peaceful the train ride is it seems like that is quite possible. Everything seemed to be normal. No more Dark Lords, crazed Death Eaters, rampant evil creatures. No, this would be his first and last normal year at the school he considered as a second home. A slow smile graced his lips as he watched his companions have a heated discussion about the practical uses of various spells before the shaking of the train pulled him into a much needed rest before arriving at the Hogsmeade Station.
Hagrid the towering half-giant welcomed the group of first years. When he saw Harry's group he flashed them a big smile and waved but didn't move from his post. At the sight of a familiar face Harry couldn't help but smile a bit sadly as he thought about all the faces that he would no longer be able to see no matter how long he waited. Making a mental note to talk to the gentle giant he headed towards the waiting carriages. As he and Ron started putting up their luggage a familiar yet slightly unwelcomed voice called out to him.
"Back for another go-around, eh Potter?" Draco Malfoy stood watching the dark-haired youth with a sneer.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry sighed not wanting to deal with this after just arriving.
"Surely the Great Harry Potter has no need to return to school."
"What about you ferret boy?! I thought you ran-" Ron tried to make a comeback but was stopped when Harry raised his hand dismissively. Hermione place a consoling hand on her boyfriend's shoulder to calm him down.
"Still playing around with the bottom feeding Weasleys and Mudbloods I see." Draco scoffed and Hermione flinched a bit as her left arm started aching from the taunting word forever etched on her.
"If all you want to do is taunt us then save it for someone who actually cares." Harry waved off the blond who skulked away with Blaise Zabini at his side. "You two okay?" He looked to his friends questioningly and could see that they were a bit shaken.
"I guess some people will never change," Hermione shook her head and rubbed her arm. "You would think that after all that happened he wouldn't be such a-"
"Bloody pain in the arse?!" Ron interjected and earned himself a glare from the girl as he helped her into the carriage and followed suite before Harry got on.
"Let's just chalk it up to him being the most insufferable git we know?" Harry offered and got agreeing nods before they started moving towards the school.
Finally at the castle all the students filed into the Great Hall and Head Mistress McGonagall called for the first years to stand at the front and wait to be sorted. Hermione and Ron sat next to each other with Harry and Ginny across from them. Other friends such as Neville, Seamus and Dean Thomas filled in the seats around them. Glancing around the hall Harry was glad to see so many familiar faces returning, His gaze fell upon the Slytherin table and found Malfoy seated between Blaise and Pansy Parkinson. It seemed a bit odd that the blond wasn't surrounded by his usual loyal lackies but instead seemed more reserved then previous years. Sure the boy was a major pain in the arse and with some friends, but it just didn't seem the same. Looking closer Harry could see the prominent dark circles and sickly paleness of the boy's skin. Even as he spoke such harsh words to Harry's friends earlier there was no emotion in the dull grey eyes and no real bite in his tone.
Quickly he had to look away as Malfoy noticed the stares. Thankfully the sorting had started so all attention was drawn to the front. The number of students standing was such a small group that it didn't take long to sort them all. In total there were five Gryffindors, seven Slytherins, and four of both Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. As they took their seats at their house tables McGonagall stood to address the school before starting the feast.
"As you all know, this is the first time in the history of Hogwarts that anyone had to come back for an eighth year. For that reason all seventh and eighth years will be sharing living quarters." There was a low murmur as some students mumbled their displeasure. McGonagall's hand raised in the air silenced them all. "Furthermore, to promote the concept of house unity every dorm will be separated by year but have one student from each house minus the few exceptions for the odd number of students." This idea obviously didn't go over well. The quiet murmurs from before had turned into full-blown complaints yelled across the hall. "Silence!" Her voice rang loud and powerful above the rest. "It is precisely this type of discrimination that will no longer be tolerated here at Hogwarts. I sincerely wish that you can all learn to forget your differences and work together." The students all seemed to calm down as they soaked in the importance and sincerity of their Headmistress' words. "Now without further delay, tuck in!" When she finished the tables filled with food and famished students reached forward and quickly filled their plates.
"I think it's great that the houses are being put together," Ginny shrugged a bit, not minding the idea.
"You do realize that means you will be rooming with a Slytherin." Ron grumbled around bits of food.
"Yes Ron, and a Ravenclaw." Ginny wore an expression of mock surprise, "Oh! Oh! Oh! And a Hufflepuff!" Shaking her head she rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Hey, it might not be as bad as you think," Hermione offered with a half smile.
"Yeah, or it could be a lot worse. Right Harry?" He looked to his friend for support. "Harry?"
"Huh? Um, yeah. Right." The reply was half-hearted at best and Ron almost seemed to pout.
"Everything ok mate?" The ginger cocked his head to the side and raised his eyebrows.
"Yeah," Harry lied as his thoughts drifted and he took a good long swig of pumpkin juice.
