Chapter 1: the Welcoming Feast; A/N
I'm going to start by saying: Welcome to my new story!
Somethings that you might want to know is that this is a HarryXDraco fanfic. Harry will be turned into a girl for this story. I have my reasons in doing so. Another thing, this is a creature fic containing wings. Stories with Harry having wings makes me happy so I thought I would write one myself. Last warning, Draco will be the dominant just so we are cool.
Now on with the story, author notes will be kept to a minimum. So if there is one then it is probably going to be important.
Harry sat with his back to the wall and his knees pulled up to his chest. A smile lit his face watching Ron bicker to Hermione who unsurprisingly had her nose already planted in a book. The window next to Harry carried blurs of color as the well known train carried them all to Hogwarts.
The glass doors to their compartment were closed after Ron had complained about the cold air draft. Causing Hermione to roll her eyes because she didn't think it was that cold.
"Bloody hell 'Mione…" Said Ron turning his head and bending lower over his knees. His eyes reading the title of Hermione's book. "Is that a book from second year!"
"Why yes Ron, it is. I was twelve the last time I read it and I can't believe I had missed so much!" Hermione practically yelled folding over the cover to 'A History of Magic' sounding off an echoed pop.
"Yeah I guess, but it's not like we have to be tested over it anymore," Ron responded as he leant back into the seat.
Mistake.
"Oh for the love of… Ron! How can you be so stupid! We have NEWTS this year. You at least didn't have to take them last year. We are all very lucky that McGonagall is letting us finish our seventh year.
"Now be quiet Ronald, I'm at a very good part. And I can never finish it if you keep on talking." Hermione took a breath, shook her head and looked down to open her book back up.
The silver covering glistening in the sun, Hermione pulled up her knees and began to read. It was Ron's turn to roll his eyes as he huffed his chest. Harry watched both his friends with a smile. His dark hair brushed over his eyes, he really needed a haircut. If he didn't get one soon people would think he was Snape's twin. Harry grimaced at the thought.
Harry's new thought towards his professor had changed considerably he couldn't push out how Snape had treated him though all his years of school. The bad guy that is actually the good guy pretending to be the bad guy was rather one sided.
Even though Harry understood why the greasy haired git was so fowl toward him. Harry didn't feel that it should be taken out on him, just because James Potter was his father. Thought the old relationship Harry had with Snape was nothing like it was now. With Voldemort gone Harry got to know his old potions teacher a lot better.
Harry stared at his fingers in distant thought. He never questioned what would happen after the war because he never thought he would live past it all. His life was practically doomed from the beginning but now it wasn't so bad.
"Hey, you okay mate," Ron Asked.
He looked up to find Ron on the bench next to him rather than the one across. He smiled lightly at his red headed best friend. "Yeah I'm fine, just… thinking I guess."
"Oh, well do you want to talk, I mean talking always helps me,"
"Yeah I guess so….i just believe it, I'm eighteen Ron and the war is actually over," Harry almost laughed.
He turned to look at Ron's blue eyes running his hand through his unruly hair. Harry let out a shaky breath as Ron looked away. Mentioning anything about the past war couldn't help but think of those they have lost. Harry knew Ron was thinking about Fred.
"I never thought I would live past it all. From the moment I learnt of what was meant of me I knew I was going to die. And it almost disappoints me that I didn't. So many people died for this war and I can't help but feel guilty. They had their lives planned out. For me I never put that much excitement into anything involving after the war," Harry explained.
He waited for Ron to say something but his eyes remained locked on the blue fabric of the train bench. Hermione had now drawn herself from her text, listening to their conversation. Sitting in silence Harry broke it by talking more.
"Now I have no clue what to do. Job, Marriage, children, growing old; I don't know where to start. I'm not mentally ready. Everything feels easy, almost too easy and I'm not sure I like it. It's as if something else is going to happen. Something bad." Said Harry, his fingers again striving through his black strands.
"Oh Harry, I'm so very sorry. I know that your life isn't all sunny days and pretty roses, we-" Hermione gestured to Ron and herself. "Really care about you, we can help you sort things out. I will be with you for the next choices you make even if they get us into trouble," Hermione smiled brightly at Harry.
"Aww thanks 'Mione'," Harry grinned back at her.
Hermione stood, pushing the book off of her lap and onto the bench. "I don't care if we're eighteen, come here."
Harry found his legs pushing himself up to meet Hermione. Her arms wide and wrapped around his small frame. He found himself returning the simple hug, her thick hair tickling his nose.
"Ron…" Hermione said waving her hand to him.
Harry felt Ron join the hug; the golden trio all together. He closed his eyes taking in the thought of being cared for.
After seconds of hugging Harry and Ron broke into a fit of laughter, while Hermione smiled cheerfully. Harry's green eyes reflecting brightly with the setting sun.
By the time the train had arrived the sun had almost set itself into the horizon. Turning the sky a thick dark purple. Stars and possibly a plane or two filled with muggles oblivious to their world.
Golden lanterns littered themselves within the water leading to the big castle. Excited first years in boats of four hushed with the 'Keeper of the Keys' talking loudly over the quiet whispers.
"Doesn't it feel great to be back. I can't believe it's our last year." Said Harry, taking a deep breath as Hermione and Ron walked besides him.
The stone arch overhead, candle lights flickering in the lit hallway. Student of all years (not the first years) following each other to the Great Hall. Harry kept himself between his best friends, shielding himself from the passing students. Over the summer he had read countless prophet titles concerning the fall of the Dark Lord.
"Harry Potter defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named,"
"Our SAVIOR, Harry Potter,"
"The Chosen One…."
The Dark lord dead at last,"
He wasn't stupid and with the media the way it is he didn't want to be swarmed with the questions of his greedy classmates. The Hermione and Ron weren't that much off as well. Because who didn't know of Harry Potter's sidekicks.
Harry knew that his two best friends scoffed at the many titles that they were given. If he wasn't 'Harry Potter' then he would've told them to suck it up. But he is and he know on first hand the cruelty of the media. At first thought, big curly hair and a annoying fluffy pen popped into his mind. Harry shivered; Rita Skeeter. Oh how he hated that woman.
Harry's red and gold striped' tie hung loosely at his neck from the rush at putting it on. He honestly didn't care. "Let him be normal for once" thought Harry.
The three entered the all familiar hall to find the large room lit with a honey glow. A good welcoming feeling washed over Harry, he loved it. The four house tables in even rows giving the Hall an elegant look.
Dark blue banners hung proudly above the tables. A lighter blue ravens had themselves shaped into the banners. The long rectangles of fabric hung high with the lower end at a curved point.
It was no secret that Ravenclaw had won house cup. Harry found it a no surprise. The house was for the ones who were smart. They probably learned quickly that it was best to keep their mouths shut. Harry agreed, with everything that went down last year. He felt bad for those who had to stay at the school.
Harry walked to the table that belonged to the Gryffindors. He sat down with Ron next to him and Hermione across from them. They quickly settled down into a simple conversation. Neville and Seamus joining them.
"My Harry, fix your tie. It's not tight at all, rather loose," said Hermione.
Harry glared at the girl and brought his fingers to adjust the colored strip of fabric. Pushing the knot up and laying the other pieces flat against his school robes.
He looked to Hermione with a silly grin and shook his hands. "There, that better.." He thought.
"Yes, very much so," Said Hermione as if she was reading his mind. A smile took her face and she gave a single nod.
Ron looked to Harry and rose his brow, a grin on his face as well. He then gave a cheeky smirk as if he was laughing at Harry. Harry just shrugged.
By then the first years had arrived at the school and clustered around the front of the hall. Professor McGonagall still playing her role held her scroll with the names of the newcomers. But instead of the deputy she took her place as headmistress.
"JUSTIN WINTERS," yelled the transfiguration teacher.
Harry turned his attention to the curly haired boy who sat underneath the tattered sorting hat.
"GRYFFINDOR!" It yelled.
"MALLORY RUSSELL."
"Hemp, well very bright you are, full of wonder and questions, so let it be..
"RAVENCLAW!"
"SYDNEY MCKINLEY."
"My my this year is very intelligent, but you also show that of ambition. Let this guide you so I shall put you in…
"SLYTHERIN!"
Finding the sorting boring Harry finally drew himself back to his friends. Hermione still watching intently as the first years place the hat over their heads over and over again.
At the end and the last eleven year old was placed into their corrective houses. The feast began as food magically appeared in front of their very eyes.
"Man that never really gets old," breathed Ron as he was already grabbing a spoonful of mashed potatoes.
Harry laughed at his friends normal antics as he himself got a slice of ham without his hand being slapped away. Oh how he hated summer.
He eyes the redhead oddly. His mouth filled with white potato and chicken leg held in his right hand. Ron returned the same look.
"What? Mother didn't serve lunch...Busy," He mumbled past the food.
Harry laughed. "Me either."
"Do your relatives ever feed you?" Hermione asked with concern.
"Well yeah, but not often. They actually started to put me back in the cupboard. Something about timeouts n stuff."
"Harry!" Hermione shreked. "Please tell me that you know what they do to you isn't right. It's actually wrong and foul. I can't believe people could be so...er...bad."
"Yeah I guess so… Well yes I do know, it's just hard to go through a whole summer with them," Harry replied.
"Harry… They don't physically hurt you do they," she asked not sure if she wanted the answer.
"..No, at least not yet." Harry lied.
He self consciously wrapped his arm around his stomach. That was something nobody was going to know about. It wasn't that bad just a kick here or there. And a few pushes...down the stairs.
"Okay Harry I trust you," she said though her eyes told a different story.
Harry smiled. He was glad it was September. Happy that summer was over. No more Dursleys. He couldn't even think that he had went back this year, he didn't have a reason. Maybe he felt that he had to.
He looked to Ron to find his mouth moving but no words were heard. He couldn't really hear anything if that made anything better. Loud ringing sounded in his ears.
He glanced around the table looking at different people. From Ginny to Dean and even that new Gryffindor Justin. All awkwardly silent.
"I-it, I can't hear!" His voice loud in his head.
His eyes wide and fearful. The people around him were looking into his own pools of crystal green.
Then his eyes blurred and he tried to focus on the fuzzy figure of Hermione Granger. Her Gryffindor crest upon her cloak. Her brown hair. Trying so hard to regain his sight but everything was unless.
At first it was just a slight tingle but quickly became a steady burn. His back and head began to hurt. A pain that was different but all so similar.
Tears collected under his eyes, dropping one by one down his cheeks. All he could think was that his back was being ripped apart.
His dark hair stuck to his wet eyes making them burn. He wrapped his hand around in a tempt to grab at the place that was causing the most pain.
His fingers felt under his grey jumper and following his spine up his back. The smooth skin became wet and sticky and his eyes shot up to Hermione who was blurrily gone from her seat.
Her face appeared next to his as she and Ron helped him sit without falling over. He pulled his hand from his shirt, his fingers stained in red.
"H-her-...mione," He stuttered out to the girl.
He let his back fall and looked hazily up into the eyes of his best friends. Ron still sat in his seat in the rush to catch Harry. While Hermione was crouched down on her knees holding his neck.
Harry closed his eyes as he let the pain go away. His ears finally hearing that quieting shush that left Hermione's lips.
A/N
Thanks for reading! Update later this week maybe, Ill be camping, so I don't know if there will be Wi-Fi.