It was amazing to finally return to the burrow! The noises of the chickens clucking in the garden, the smell of Mrs Weasley's cooking and Magic- here Magic was everywhere! All of it was in stark contrast to the Dursley's house and he loved it!
As Harry walked through the room he noted a pile of washing folding itself- times like this made Harry wonder if even aunt Petunia would appreciate magic like this. A small voice responded in his head; nope! She would probably insist they weren't folded property and do it again herself anyway!
Ron bustled into the room before heavily thumping himself onto the sofa- earning himself a little titter from Hermione. Sensing an impending quarrel, Harry signalled to Ron "shall we take our things upstairs?"
Cottoning on faster than normal, Ron nodded quickly and rose to his feet once more.
Harry watched as Ron threw his packages on a chair in the corner before falling onto his bed "finally, some peace and quiet! Honestly girls are exhausting!" A knock sounded from the door as Ginny poked her head in. Ron snarled in her direction unkindly "what do you want?!"
Harry had always admired Ginny and her strength. He couldn't recall ever seeing her cry or losing control over her emotions! Her brown eyes were large with anger "what's your problem?"
Ron huffed loudly "Nothing! I just want to know why you're bothering us" With a slight hesitation she turned to face Harry "I… just wanted to say hi to Harry that's all!" a slight tinge had appeared in her cheeks but Harry thought nothing of it- she had always been a little strange around him.
"Hi Ginny, have you had a nice summer?" Not even giving her a chance to respond Ron stood up and pushed her through the door "ok he said hi! Now go away-ok?"
At last, just one more night before he could return home! His week at the burrow had gone quick, and as always it was hectic. Ron had left everything until the last minute once again so Mrs Weasley was scolding him loudly as she packed his trunk.
Harry had already began packing a few nights previous though most of his trunk was packed before he came to the burrow- he simply needed to add his new additions that he had bought from Diagon ally.
Finally, things had settled down. The girls had already gone to bed but Ron was only just changing into his pyjamas "what a bloody day!" Turning onto his side to face him, Harry laughed quietly "You knew Hermione would do your homework if you left it until last minute didn't you?"
Despite his ears turning red Ron shook his head "not at all! Mind you it's creepy! As if she actually enjoys it! Do you know she actually finished it all in the first week of the holidays?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders indifferently "so? I did too" Ron's mouth opened slightly "are you barking? Why?"
Ron was as good as a brother, but he could never understand. Harry and Hermione were raised by muggles- upon returning home for the holidays they were isolated from the wizarding world. Harry found solace in his homework; it reminded him that it was not all a dream- Hermione surely felt the same!
It was not uncommon for Harry to have dreams- they haunted him night after night. It used to be hard to distinguish between his nightmares and when he was watching through Voldemort's eyes; but he could now tell the difference.
Tonight was no exception. One again his mind was wandering far away from the burrow. Looking into a mirror back at his own green eyes- he was not wearing his glasses but somehow his vision was OK without them!
How strange! His heart was thumping loudly in excitement- he was going to Hogwarts! Recalling the common room with the open fire and comfy chairs he let the excitement grow. Finally- he was going home!
"Still working? Have you managed to even pack yet?" Draco was leaning against the door frame of the room Hope had been cleaning in. She smiled widely "I packed ages ago! I'm almost done in here though then I'm going to bed- the train leaves at 11, right?"
Draco's smile faltered slightly as he stood up straight "yeah, I didn't realise you were going straight to sleep…never mind. I will see you in the morning OK?"
Lowering the rag in her hand, Hope took a step closer to him "Draco? Could it be that you were you waiting for me to finish?" After a momentary pause, Draco nodded slowly "I thought we could talk for a little while- I could tell you about Hogwarts"
She wanted to know everything! Draco had told her so many things before but she wanted to know more! Secretly, she hoped he would tell her more about the boy they had met too- she couldn't shake the feeling she knew him from somewhere!
"Are we going to have a pyjama party Draco?" His face fell before he laughed and nodded "bring your pillow!"
Hope picked up her rag once more laughing "OK, it's a pyjama date! Let me finish up here and I will meet you in your room in half an hour OK?"
Hope bent over the sink; gripping the cloth so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her heart couldn't stop pounding in excitement! Her eyes shifted into the mirror, noting that her face was slightly pale but her cheeks were flushed with deep pink- and her emerald eyes were large with wonder.
Wondering about Hogwarts- what did it even look like? She opened her mind to the possibilities- no doubt she would be in Slytherin with Draco. She pictured a large red room with comfy chairs and an open fire! With a frown she shook her head- Draco had said that the Slytherin common room was green!
It had been so long since she had snuck into Draco's room, his parents undoubtedly didn't mind their harmless sleepovers and friendship- but the other maids loved to gossip and could be rather cold towards Hope at times.
Draco opened the door to let her in. She was stood in his door way with her pillow hung over her arms "Hey, you're not in your pyjamas yet Draco!" Defensively, he held his hands up with a slight smile "don't worry! I will get dressed soon- my father wants to see me first"
Draco sighed after he closed the door behind him- what could his father possibly want at this time? Trying to ignore the shadowy feeling in his stomach, Draco headed towards his father's room. What if it's him?
"Enter" relief swept over Draco when he saw that his father was alone "father- you wanted to speak with me?" Lucius nodded and offered him a chair "sit".
What was wrong? His father seemed rather serious- was it regarding the dark lord after all? "I want to talk to you about Hope…she has been with us for a very long time. We adopted her into our household when she was only 5- and so were you"
Draco was trying to control his impatience- what was he getting at? "My point is Draco; you have been together a long time. Your mother and I are fond of Hope- she is a good girl and we know you consider her a close friend…"
Draco rose to his feet with a quiet sigh "are you going to get to your point soon father?" Lucius' eye's hardened "sit down, I have not finished talking" Draco sighed heavily but remained standing "you don't need to finish father- I already know what you are getting at. You needn't worry I consider her nothing more than my childhood friend"
With clenched hands Draco faced away from his father masking the shadows that lay in his face "I would never fall in love with a lowly maid of unknown origin- I have to marry a pure blood like myself!"
Draco had always known that his parent's had only adopted an orphan to maintain a good image for the Ministry- Hope had been given the name Malfoy as a formality. There was no way to know if she was a pure blood, half blood or…he pushed the thought from his mind.
It was true they had given her privileges that normally wouldn't have been given to any other servant- but this was not through love or kindness! If that had been the case they would consider her a daughter and not just a maid.
No, they simply knew that they had to show the orphan they adopted was not neglected- the Ministry had to buy that the Malfoy's were generous so that they could retain a good relationship- beneficial to both sides; The Ministry wanted the Malfoy's money- and the Malfoy's wanted the Ministry's power.
Draco was the only one who truly cared for her; she was the only one in this house who really knew him- who didn't just want something from him.
"Very well Draco- your request for her to join you at Hogwarts simply made us wonder" Draco shrugged his shoulders "I figured it would be nice to have a servant at school too" with a cruel laugh Lucius sat back "of course, it was foolish of me to even suspect- forgive me- good night son"
Draco turned to leave before Lucius cleared his throat "oh one more thing Draco...I need to talk to you about the Hogwarts express!"
Turning his head back towards his father, Draco sighed "you have received his orders? Very well, I will be sure to stay out of the way"
