A/N: Another chapter, only a day later? What, I'll admit the next one sure as heck isn't going up this fast, I only had the prologue and this plus part of the next one pre-typed for you guys, so it may be a bit before you get another one, I had another story (or five honestly I just won't be posting all of them) niggling at the back of my head, and while it may mess up my update/story mojo I might feel inclined to put it on here too.
A super special shout out to my first and so far only reviewer on this story colao. Thank you also to all of the people who have favorited and followed so far. It makes me happy that you guys are enjoying it.
The Broken
Chapter One: Wait? What?!
"Harry, come on we need to hurry it's nearly 11 she called up the stairs to where she heard him scrambling to gather, Merlin knew what from their room, his messy black hair appeared over the banister and shouted down to her, "Coming, sorry, almost forgot something, got distracted last night, as you well know!"
Her responding giggle only served to validate his claim. He popped back around the corner and back in a flash, easily levitating his trunk down to where she stood in the foyer following quickly behind it smiling down at her as he kissed her soundly, one hand diving into wild mahogany curls the other pressing her small form into his larger one, his tongue met hers in a passionate all consuming dance that neither would ever tire of. He pulled back when he felt himself quickly losing control, he grabbed their bags emerald eyes hooded from the heated exchange. "See you on the platform." He whispered as she stared up at him bemused, he so loved catching her off guard, and her easy, unguarded reactions to him only served to make him want to cause them to happen more often. Her cheeks flushed as she came out of her minor stupor nodding to him, and barely awaiting the pop of his disapparation before following after him.
Hermione appeared next to him not even a second after he landed on Platform 9 3/4 and he smirked as she lightly smacked his arm, "You're a terrible tease Harry Potter." She hissed voice low and seductive.
He leaned down to whisper in her ear a smirk that held delicious promises that had her trembling at the knees his voice a husky timber that sent exquisite shivers down her spine, "You love it though Hermione." Merlin how she loved the sound of her name on his lips.
She smacked his chest and laughed, "Very true, come on there's the whistle." She said as the shrill sound of the scarlet train's whistle rent the air around them popping their private little bubble at last. A quick wave of her wand and Hermione was dragging him behind their levitating trunks towards the Hogwarts Express a smile on his face as he easily fell into step with her as they climbed aboard.
It felt like old times as they slowly worked their way through the crowd a notice-me-not charm quickly cast by Hermione before they walked into the corridor kept any possibly scrutiny off of them as they searched for an empty compartment, or one of their friends.
They got to the last car without incident stumbling across Neville and Luna halfway down she lifted the charm surrounding them knocking on the door to their compartment before sliding it open a smile on her face as they beamed up at them from their seats. "Harry, Hermione, I wondered when we'd see you guys, saw Ron and Ginny earlier, no idea where they ran off to." Neville said getting to his feet to help them store their trunks in the overhead. Not noticing their stiffened postures at the mention of their respective ex's. "Its exciting to be going back though isn't it, feels like coming ho-" his rant cut off as he noticed the pair exchange a significant look. "What did I say?" He asked brow raised as the two turned to look back at him.
"We, well we actually haven't spoken to Ron or Ginny for a while now," Hermione mumbled her gaze directed at her fidgeting hands in front of her. She felt Harry's hand on center of her back, his thumb rubbing comforting circles. It was a hurdle they knew they'd have to face at some point, sooner or later people were going to notice the missing third of their trio. She glanced up at their long time housemate and friend from under her curls as he quirked a brow as if to say, 'go on.' "We sort of, had a falling out, things, people, feelings, change." She forced out unsure how exactly to explain what happened.
"You and Harry finally realized you loved each other, nothing to be ashamed of guys." Luna's dreamy voice drifted up from her still seated position by the window as the train left London behind. They'd almost forgotten she was there in the tension of the moment.
"Wait? What?! That's what this is about? You guys had to have been the last to figure it out, I'm guessing that's what caused the falling out, their jealousy? Because really, everyone knew you wouldn't work with Ron to be honest Hermione, and Harry, Ginny was obsessed with the idea of you from the word go, while I don't doubt you both loved them in a way, it wasn't love get me?" Neville said shaking his head, when he spotted their looks of shock he couldn't help the laugh that burst forth. "You guys have always been close, you two specifically as a separate entity from the 'Golden Trio'" they all chuckled when he actually used air quotes with the popular media phrase. "Even knowing it was utter tosh nobody was exactly shocked when that stupid beetle wrote that story about you two being in a relationship. Not for the reasons she claimed, but because no matter what you two were always together, no matter who fought with who it was always you two." He smiled at them now holding their gaze with his calm hazel stare, "We support you no matter what."
As if that settled the matter the young man retook his seat next to Luna leaving the spaces across from them for the happy, albeit shocked, couple as they revelled in their friends easy acceptance of their relationship, and worse, that they'd seen it coming. "Thank you Neville, honestly, I just hope everyone is as okay with this as you guys seem to be, lord knows Molly hasn't forgiven us yet, and we likely burned that bridge with Ron and Gin." Harry said running his hand through his permanently messy jet hair, as he always did when he was worried, or thinking about something particularly hard.
"I'm, sorry but do you have the time?" Luna asked staring out the window, Harry looked to the wristwatch the Weasley Matron had given him when he came of age and his eyes widen for the splittest of seconds before he replied hiding his anxiety over his girlfriend's pending reaction. "Quarter past, hey, um, Mi don't you have to meet Minnie in the Head's compartment like, right now?" He asked standing to help her to her feet. Her panic was instantaneous.
"Merlin, you're right. Oh good Godric I'm going to be late, not a good first impression on my first official day as Head Girl!" She gasped eyes roaming wildly hands patting every pocket to make sure she had everything she needed.
Harry grabbed her shoulders focusing his intense gaze right on her, "Breathe Mi, everything will be fine," he slipped his hand into her front pocket knowing it was where she'd put the gold badge proclaiming her new rank slipping it gently into her hand and kissing her on the forehead. "Come on love, I'll walk with you there, remember, I'm always here."
She visibly calmed as he held her, his whispered promise soothing her as his warm breath ghosted over her face. "Alright." She linked her fingers with his nodding to the pair they shared the compartment with she turned as Harry told them they'd be back soon. Placing the charm back on them as they exited the compartment, the blinds had somehow been drawn to keep out prying eyes when the duo arrived, they headed to the front of the train.
"They're late, you are sure, Headmistress that the three of them agreed to come back, let alone accept the responsibility you've put on them? I mean after what they've been through, especially with each other." His deep baritone penetrated the silent, empty, enlarged compartment in front of them. He was still coming to terms with his survival, his subsequent pardon, and the offer he'd declined to remain Headmaster accepting instead to serve as Minerva's deputy Head for the moment, let alone that as far as wizarding Britain knew he was an unsung hero in the fight against the darkness, he'd naturally spent the summer in seclusion holed up in his lab avoiding all press, let them publish what they would of him.
"That's the brilliance of it Severus, none of them knows who any of the others are, well besides Potter knowing about Granger, but other than that they haven't a clue. And yes I'm quite certain, just give it a moment." The severe woman in her deep green robes said in an unaffected voice a serene smile on her face. Almost as if she'd sensed him on the other side, the door slid open revealing the first of the new heads for the year. "Welcome Mr. Malfoy, if you'll please take a seat while we wait for the rest of the party, it shouldn't be too long."
The blond haired young wizard who'd just entered the room nodded, staying silent and taking a seat in one of the five plush armchairs arranged around a small table in the center of the space, keeping his head down. A couple of minutes passed the tension in the air thickening as they waited beforea soft knock finally sounded at the door.
The Headmistress stepped swiftly around her Deputy and opened the door to the unsure faces of her (arguably) two favorite lions, "Come in, we've been waiting for you," she said waving them into the room.
Hermione quirked an eyebrow narrowing her eyes over her shoulder as she felt Harry follow her into the room. "Sorry I'm, well apparently we," Another sharp look at her boyfriend behind her, and he had the grace to look properly chastised. "are late, had a bit of trouble navigating the corridors."
McGonagall waved her hand in front of her dismissively brushing off the apology, "Quite alright dears, please sit." She said gesturing for them to preceded her to the remaining armchairs, while signaling for Severus to call for the tea service. "And Miss Granger please don't be upset with Mr. Potter for his silence as in a way he's as in the darks as you at the moment." The tea appeared on the small table the moment they arrived at their seats both Harry and Hermione looking at the woman in confusion. "Tea?" She asked gesturing toward the silver tea service centering the table complete with a tray of biscuits.
"Actually, Miss Granger, your third arrived not long before you and Mr. Potter." Their former Potions Professor said inclining his head to the pair and his godson as he sat in the last chair placing him directly across from two thirds of the 'Golden Trio' as the Prophet had dubbed their particular little gang.
"Wait? What?!" The pair asked simultaneously finally casting their gazes around the magically enlarged space taking in the last member of their party as he sat there quietly, blond head bowed staring into his cup as though he could hide in it.
"Yes, this was debated heavily between the staff. The initial plan, of course had just been to have you, Miss Granger, and you Mr. Malfoy as heads to help, I suppose you could say, reinforce the new changes we plan for the school this year regarding inter house unity and cooperation." The Headmistress began sipping from her tea and carefully selecting a biscuit before she continued. "As you and Mr. Potter championed his case so ardently I didn't foresee it being an issue for long, if at all, knowing you'd both do your best to put aside your differences for the good of the school. However, we were met with resistance from some other members of the staff, most of whom insisted that you, Mr. Potter, would be a better choice due, well, that's what they thought." She caught herself before she mentioned how most of the world viewed the young man she had watched mature with motherly affection. The Deputy Headmaster continued for her, "So we came to a compromise, this year there will be three Head students. Two Head Boys and one Head Girl. If the other prefects and students can see you three working together, after everything that's happened between you, we might be able to help them heal." With that he and the Headmistress leaned back, observing the three young adults sitting before them as they took in and processed the information.
Minerva looked on over the rim of her cup. Potter had slumped back in his seat his face shell-shocked, Granger sat at the edge of her seat elbows on her knees as a look of contemplation and anxiety flashed across her eyes as she pressed her mouth to the tips of her folded hands, face going completely blank in the blink of an eye, something she'd never witnessed happening to anyone other than her Deaputy Head. Mr. Malfoy, to his credit hadn't moved or made a sound throughout the entire interaction still staring at his teacup, face hidden, she couldn't read the young man, she'd have to ask Severus later, he knew his godson well enough he'd see whatever she might be missing in her own observations.
Letting out a deep sigh Harry sat back up in his seat shaking himself out of his stunned stupor, unconsciously placing his hand on Hermione's back his thumb rubbing soothing circles as he eyed the Professors sitting across from them. "I think you're right, I forgave Draco long ago, I know he had no choice, that has never been a problem. If we can do anything to help we will, and you're right, just working together will help build the way to forgiveness, maybe not at first, and I'm sure there will be conflict at times, 'old habits die hard,' and everything, but we'll get there." He chanced a glance at Malfoy out of his periphery and saw that the blond had pinned his silvery gaze on his, his expression guarded but shocked none the less.
Hermione finally sat up her eyes focused directly on the blond, the steadying warmth of Harry's hand still firmly planted on her back as she spoke, "Whatever happened in the past, is just that, the past, we need to concentrate on moving forward, for a long time I blamed you for so many things, I can't even begin to count, Draco, but I know now, we all of us were really just pawns in a far larger game than any of us had any business being apart of." She looked at the rest of the table with that last statement, "We were all conditioned, to some purpose and that kept us at odds for years, I'm willing to move past that, not only, as has already been stated would it benefit the school, it would bring us closure. A fresh start, I would like to try to be your friend."
Draco looked around the table at the other four people in the room slowly eyes wide but expression otherwise forced to stay blank. They had to all have gone mad, his godfather included. Echoing the words Potter and Granger had said earlier he whispered, "Wait? What?!" He frowned his face serious, the need to understand what was happening tearing through him as he looked from one side to the other, the professors on one side his classmates on the other. He'd been shocked when they'd plead his case in the first place garnering his pardon, even more so when his godfather had sent him a letter inviting him to come back to school the coming term, and should he accept, he would be Head Boy, but he'd agreed, yey he couldn't in any fashion fathom what was happening around him in this moment.
"How?" He asked unable to really put order to his thoughts, "How can this, any of this be happening, I know damned well I don't deserve any of it, I've just accepted it up until now but, I don't get it, I don't understand, everything I've done to you, said to you, sat back and did nothing to help while you suffered? How?" He spluttered standing abruptly and backing away from the table.
Hermione was the one who rose to calm him, beating Severus by a mere second, "Calm down, please, and just listen, I can't imagine what you're feeling or thinking right now, I know, but please, sit and hear me out." She said her hands raised to show him she meant no harm as she stepped towards him gesturing to the seat he had vacated and backing up to her own as he resumed his place. Severus placed a comforting hand on his godson's knee as the young witch resumed her own seat. "You asked how, after everything, I presume that to mean how can we forgive you?" At his confirming nod she continued, "The answer is simple, if you disregard most of our years at school, which to be honest was more akin to general bullying, when you were faced with a moment that you knew the consequences of your incompliance, knew what you may suffer if it was discovered that you'd done it knowingly, you still did the right thing. You may think the worst of yourself or at the very least expect us to, but as I said, we were all pawns. I'm not saying that there weren't times you didn't act like a right git, nor will I say the same of us, I'm saying, we need to move past it. You deserve the same chances as everyone else to start over, affect change, be better than everyone else may expect."
Her speech halted and she leaned into Harry's side, waiting for his reaction, and for a while he just stared mutely before his expression soften to a sort of resignation. "I still don't understand it, but, I'll try to make this work, I'll try to work with you." He nodded resolutely looking each of them in the eye in turn, from his godfather's inky black, to Potter's emerald green.
A/N: As always please let me know what you think in a review, they're always welcome. Hope you liked it I don't know when the next chapter will be up. Love you guys so much, you make posting it all worth it.
Love Always,
The Broken