Taking a Trip

Chapter 1: The Talk and the Problem

Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny sit in a carriage in the Hogwarts Express, on their way to Hogwarts for their 8th year. They were all excited and terrified at the same time, as they were excited to see the castle again but they were terrified of going back to the memories of everyone who died during the war.

The war is a hard subject for all who had been involved and witnessed many deaths. It is an especially hard subject for one Harry James Potter, the Saviour of the Wizarding World, as he believes that everyone's deaths were his fault. He believes that if he had let Voldemort kill him in his first, second, or fourth years, no one else would have died. Of course Hermione, Ron and Ginny have tried to convince him that if Voldemort killed him then, he would control everyone and everything and he would have killed people anyway. But, Harry, being as stubborn as he is, doesn't believe what they're saying and continues to take the blame.

"I can't believe we're going back to Hogwarts! It's so exciting, isn't it?" Hermione asked the others.

"Yeah, it's great, 'Mione." Ron said, smiling at his girlfriend, at the same time Ginny said, "yeah, it's pretty cool."

Harry continues to ignore them while they talk about things like classes and quidditch and professors.

Harry can't believe they aren't bringing up the war. I admit it's a sensitive subject for most people but that still doesn't mean we can forget it like this. Whether people died or not, the war was and is an important part in the Wizarding World's history and as much as we pretend, no one is ever going to forget this, Harry thought.

But before Harry could think anymore, he was interrupted by a knock on the carriage door. Soon after that, a man wearing muggle clothing underneath an open robe with pale blonde hair opened the door and looked first at Hermione, then Ron, Ginny next and then stopping on Harry. Harry then realised this man was Draco Malfoy.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Ginny asked with a sneer.

"Um," Draco said then cleared his throat. "I was wondering if I could speak to Potter, alone."

"Hell n-" Ron started but was interrupted by Hermione.

"Why do you need to speak with Harry?" she asked.

"I want to ask him something, that's all," Draco responded.

Hermione noticed how pale Draco was compared to normal, and how skinny he was, as if he hadn't eaten in weeks. I suppose one little chat won't hurt, she thought.

"Okay, fine. But make it quick. Let's go Ron, Ginny," Hermione said, standing up and heading for the door.

"what?!" roared Ginny.

"What do you mean, 'Let's go'?!" shouted Ron.

"I mean, let's go. Now." Hermione said in a threatening tone that had everyone in the room swallowing in fear.

"O-okay fine, but we'll be back soon. And if the Ferret does anything to Harry, I'll hex his balls off," Ron grumbled on his way out the door, followed by Ginny.

As soon as they left, Draco shut the door and sat across from Harry.

"So, what did you want to talk about, Malfoy?" Harry asked quietly.

"Um, I-I just, uh," Draco stuttered, clearly nervous.

"It's okay, Malfoy, take it easy. Calm down, mate," Harry said, reassuringly.

Draco took a few deep breaths before trying again.

"I-I just wanted to ask you if y-you still have m-my wand, Potter," Draco said nervously, still stuttering a bit.

"Um, yeah I do. It's in my trunk up there," Harry said, pointing to the luggage shelves above them. "I can get it down for you," he continued as he stood up, turned around and looked up, staring at his trunk. Harry stood on the seat for a boost and reached up to his trunk and unlocked it, searching around for the hawthorn wand.

What Harry did not know, is that his muggle shirt had ridden up in his stretch and his flesh could be seen by Draco, who noticed this and suddenly flushed bright pink and looked at the ground.

When Harry found the wand, he closed his trunk, locked it then hopped down and sat back down, facing Malfoy. He held out the wand to Malfoy, who hesitantly took it.

When Draco finally got a hold of his old wand, he turned it this way and that, examining it.

"I didn't damage it, you know," Harry said with a grin.

Draco, suddenly remembering where he was and who he was with, flushed and put his wand in his lap. "Sorry, it's just been so long since I've held it, I didn't think you damaged it," Draco said quietly, looking at the ground.

To Draco's surprise, Harry laughed. "All good, that was my very bad attempt at a joke. It's been a while since I've made one so I figured, why not?" Harry said, smiling.

"Oh okay," Draco said, smiling lightly.

There was an awkward silence for a bit before Harry asked, "How's your mother?"

"Uh, she's good, I suppose. Still getting used to being watched like prey by the ministry and receiving gifts and notes from our fans but she's getting there," Draco replied.

"I told everyone not to, just saying. I was hoping my word would be enough but clearly they still have some doubt." Harry said quietly.

"it's fine, thanks for trying to make them quit it but really, what should we expect after saving the Saviour of the Wizarding World, some hot tea and biscuits?" Draco laughed bitterly.

"Everyone in the ministry does know that you both saved me once, and they do understand why the both of you did what you did, but with Voldemort dead and most death eaters either in hiding or in Azkaban, you two are easy targets for anyone's anger. They will all leave you alone shortly, I promise, Draco." Harry said, smiling at him.

Draco looked up when he heard Harry say his first name and saw him smiling at him. He smiled back. Harry hesitated at first but eventually moved to sit next to Draco and put his hand on his, which was in his lap. Draco was surprised at first, but then moved his hand to grip onto Harry's, looking into his eyes and Harry looking in his.

They both began to lean in but then suddenly the train came screeching to a stop, shoving Harry and Draco off the seats and onto the floor in a big heap. When Harry and Draco got up and went to the door to find out what happened, they found the door was jammed shut by someone's fallen trunk. They both sighed heavily and sat down to wait for someone to come let them out.

Everything was silent for a while except for the boy's breaths, until a scream was heard that was so loud it could have shattered ordinary glass.

At hearing the scream, Harry and Draco shot up and ran to the door, trying to get it open but to no use. The door wouldn't budge. So, for the next half an hour the two boys listened to the screams and shouts, the cries and pleads of the ones they know and love, wondering if it would ever stop…