On the Edge of War

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As prophesized, Harry's going to save the world. But nobody expected this: Harry playing by his own rules. Ministry and idiots be damned, Voldemort will be crushed and along the way, our Savior finds love in the most unexpected places. HD, RevoluntionFic

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Main Relationship Focus: Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy
Genres: Action & Adventure, Romance, Drama and Suspense
Rating: M for sex, violence and language
Length: Epic
Warnings: Slash, slight Ron bashing.
Disclaimers:
This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by J.K Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Warner Bros, Bloomsbury. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Beta: Many thanks to Dray for editing this piece!

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IV: A Fresh Start

Albus Dumbledore had a feeling.

It was the sensation of hope, relief and elation, all rolled into one. For decades, he had been the esteemed Leader of the Light and truth be told, he was getting rather tired. He knew that it was time for the younger generation to take over the war effort. From what he saw of Hermione, Harry and Draco's efforts, they were more than ready to take over the mantle. Perhaps it was time for him to live his life as he wished and focus on being the Headmaster of Hogwarts as he should have when he took over from Armadus Dippet.

Glancing at his desk, Albus quirked an amused smile when he chanced upon a letter from yesterday.

A,

Keep the DADA post open; I've managed to contact DM for you and it's been confirmed that there will be a new professor this year and hopefully for the next. It's a favour to me; DM doesn't owe you anything. Don't disappoint again.

AM.

At the choice phrase of 'don't disappoint again,' Albus felt a bubbling of guilt. He had certainly done the child wrong once and that had cost him one of his best students and fighters.

He guessed that it was better late than never to make up for his mistakes. It would be a delightful shock to most when the Maxwell showed up for classes, and in the Wizarding World for the first time in ten years. Minerva and Fillius would be pleasantly shocked to see one of their favourite students return.

Never had he looked so forward to the Welcoming Feast since young Harry Potter's turn to attend Hogwarts. He'd better prepare for tomorrow's grand feast.

--

It was the end of the eight weeks' worth of training. The trio found themselves settled around the mahogany table, which they christened the 'Table of Serious Business,' in contemplative silence. It was late afternoon after their last meeting with the Headmaster.

"Well –" Hermione started and then fell silent again. Then Draco chuckled and the other two of the trio looked on with interest.

"It has been an experience working and training with both of you, now I really know what I missed when I failed to secure your friendship. It's been interesting and… it's good to know that there are people who are working towards a common goal with you," Hermione immediately glomped the unsuspecting blonde philosopher. Draco merely laughed, already used to the spontaneous displays of platonic affection from the pretty brunette witch.

"Likewise," Harry spoke up and looked right into Draco's metallic orbs. The aristocratic young man smiled and the dark-haired young man was slightly taken aback at the softened eyes that held respect and friendship, and something akin to regret.

Hermione released Draco from her embrace and then the trio fell into another comfortable silence. There were just so many unspoken feelings between them, especially between both boys. The intelligent young witch longed to shake both Harry and Draco to their senses.

She understood Harry and Draco's reluctance to a relationship but she found Harry's fear partially misconceived and overly dramatic. Draco was only reacting to Harry, although she had a suspicious feeling that the blonde wizard thought himself as unworthy of the other boy's affections.

Standing together, the boys were a magnificent pair – whether in colouring, personality or presence. Draco's silky flaxen hair and alabaster skin was a delicious contrast to Harry's dark windswept tresses and golden skin. The Malfoy heir was the epitome of aristocratic elegance with his slender physique and effortless grace and this balanced his equally powerful counterpart's dominant aura and well-built physique. Draco would reign in a room with his subtle, elegant maneuverings while Harry would command a room's attention with his almost overwhelming charisma. The two would conquer both the social and political scene if they chose to.

They were truly a match made in heaven for Draco was the Yin to Harry's Yang. Hermione giggled at the aptly chosen metaphor, earning herself two very confused gazes from her friends.

"Oh, sorry. Just some random thoughts," Draco laughed and Harry raised an eyebrow. Then the blonde spoke up again.

"Hey, Potter. Between you and me, how about a fight before the summer ends?" Harry paused for a while, his gaze intense and then nodded.

"Alright, let's." The trio adjourned to the Room of Requirement. Both boys were dressed in comfortable Muggle jeans and t-shirts that were less of a hindrance during physical combating sessions than robes. Harry always thought that Draco in jeans and t-shirts was a scrumptious sight but he had something more urgent at hand – to release the pent-up energy that he usually had spent by the morning with the training sessions with Severus.

"Ready?"

"Always." Draco shot back confidently and the match began.

The pair bowed at each other and then sprung apart, glittering eyes trained on each other in an attempt to calculate and predict. Hermione watched the boys tread circles around each other, eyes locked in an intense staring match. Suddenly Draco's right fist aimed a strike at Harry's face, the other boy sidestepped the punch, lowered his upper body with his left hand on the ground and did a roundhouse kick.

Hermione looked on with anticipation; the hand-to-hand spars were always filled with a frightening intensity and a naughty undertone of sexual tension between the boys. Even though she would never admit it, Hermione would always come out of the watching pinked and warm.

Draco took two quick steps back and avoided the potentially painful move and then lunged at the object of his desires. Harry tried to land a blow on his solar plexus but the blonde deflected the punch smoothly with a forearm before landing the first blow on the brunette's shoulder.

Harry then shot the blonde a sharp grin and then swooped down to the floor to attempt sweeping Draco off his feet. The slender boy merely jumped and landed behind Harry. The green-eyed teen immediately hopped onto his feet and started raining blows on Draco, who had to resort to defending himself with protesting forearms.

Draco, tired of defending, ducked and then successfully swept Harry off the ground with a sweep of his leg. He smirked but the elation did not last, what Draco did not count on was for Harry to push himself off the ground with his hand and twist his body to land perfectly on both feet.

Hermione's eyes were fully trained on the sparring pair, awed at the magnificent display of physical prowess. Little did she know that there was another spectator in the makeshift arena.

Severus Snape was masterfully hidden in the shadows, underneath a Dillusioning spell, with dark eyes intent on the fighting match. He had to admit to himself that he was impressed. Many wizards relied too much on their wands that they neglect the physical aspects of dueling. A punch and the duel would be over.

Taking advantage of Draco's momentary pause, Harry re-launched his attacks again. However, this time the blows were random and the blonde was having difficulties blocking some of the punches. Despite all that, Draco still kept a straight face, focused at spotting for an opening.

Then he found one.

Busy with the offensive, Harry forgot about his chest. Draco allowed himself to be hit in the abdomen as the blonde contracted the muscles to lessen the blow's impact and then landed a powerful punch onto Harry's chest. The dark haired teen landed onto his back.

However, Draco miscalculated Harry's strength and crumpled onto Harry. Harry's blow came too close to the solar plexus and it knocked the wind out of the slighter boy. Hermione gasped but relaxed once Draco's eyes fluttered open and he made a move to stand.

Suddenly, Draco found his face inches away from the other teen's. The unique scent of cologne mixed with nature and sweat hit him all of a sudden, making him heady. He did not realize that he was bent over the other boy, straddling him and that Harry was thoroughly enjoying this. Mesmerized, the blonde slowly lowered his face but when his lips was about to touch Harry's, he widened his eyes, got off as if electrocuted and scrambled off with hurried apologies.

Hermione sighed and shook her head before running off after the fleeing blonde.

Harry sat up and then groaned, running his hand through his sweat-drenched hair. "Damn it, now I need a cold shower."

But damn, he really wanted Draco to…

--

"Shit. Fuck. I nearly kissed him, what the hell was I thinking?"

Draco buried his face into his trembling hands as he slid down the wall to sit on the cool tiles of the Slytherin Dungeons. He probably ruined everything. First he accidentally revealed his sexual orientation and now, this! Where did all his wits go?

Unbidden, the image of Harry flushed, panting and under him hit Draco and he groaned miserably. What did he do to deserve this?

Falling for someone so unreachable, he was going to ruin everything. His father was going to be so proud of him.

--

Meanwhile, Hermione was frantically searching for the absent blonde. Scouring the corridors and trying to listen to some footsteps.

"Draco?" Nobody answered. The witch grew worried and then continued her search. Then she stopped and paused.

"Where would Draco go?" Hermione was not labeled the smartest witch in twenty years to walk the hallowed halls of Hogwarts for nothing as she hit the nail on the head moments later.

"Slytherin Dungeons!" As she turned around to make her way to her intended destination, she found herself staring at a black-clad chest.

"Yes, that would be correct, Miss Granger." The silky baritone of the Potions Master hit her ears and Hermione gasped.

"I am so sorry, Professor Snape. I… I…" Severus quirked an amused eyebrow.

"The password's Serpentine Unity," without another word, the austere teacher walked away, robes billowing dramatically with his long strides. Hermione stood there for a few more moments, stunned. However, she collected herself and immediately ran to the Slytherin Common Room.

"Serpentine Unity!" The portrait, a dark-haired gentleman with sharp blue eyes, raised an eyebrow but swung open nonetheless. Hermione rushed in and there was the distraught blonde wizard, head in hands and on the floor, against the wall, in a shaking mess.

Hermione cautiously approached Draco and sat down beside the blonde. Then she drew the trembling blonde into her embrace and that was when the dam burst.

"Oh Merlin, I've screwed up so fucking badly." Hermione kept her silence and allowed her friend to rant, "What the hell was I thinking? This cannot go beyond friendship, I'm only hurting myself. He'll never notice someone like me."

Hermione smiled wryly and said her piece.

"Draco, did you look at Harry just now when you were over him? He sure looked as if he didn't mind you locking lips with him," the Slytherin stilled and then laughed hysterically.

"No way, he wouldn't and couldn't love someone like me, I am so confused. He keeps sending mixed signals and I just don't know how to deal with it," Hermione widened her eyes, love?

"I'm a morally reprehensible bastard who spent most of his life hating and taunting people like him and you, I don't want to break that fragile truce by asking for more. I should be thankful for what I have instead of wanting more, I'm merely being stupid." Suddenly Draco smiled cynically and snorted.

"My father would be so proud because I turned out to be just like him, reaching for something so beyond him that it drove him to partial insanity," Hermione was now very curious and interested, and to her morbid delight, he continued his story.

"James Potter and my father were once lovers and to both his dismay and delight, my father fell in love with Harry's father, but James Potter always only loved Lily Evans. Lucius even went on to apply to become an Auror, in order to be close to Potter, even though he was already engaged to my mother. However, when he heard of the engagement between Lily Evans and James Potter, something broke inside of him and he rejected the offer to train as an Auror. He went on to become Voldemort's right-hand man and had me. Do you know that almost the same thing happened with Abraxas Malfoy and Octavius Potter?" Draco then emitted a strangled moan.

"Now I'm just continuing the family tradition," by now, Hermione had pity in her eyes for both the Malfoys as she rocked Draco.

"Nothing that your father or grandfather did before you were born implicates you; it's just a coincidence that you fell for Harry. I think Harry is lucky that he has someone like you looking out for him at all times. I say give it a shot, we're on the edge of war and matters of the heart can't wait. We never know how much time we've left, if something happens to either of you, at least there will be memories and… there wouldn't be any regrets," Draco looked up at Hermione and then tentatively wound his arms around her midriff.

"No regrets?" Draco echoed softly and Hermione smiled.

"Regret's the last thing you would want weighing down on you. People come and go but people who you love and love you truly will stay eternal in your heart. You'll never know until you try and something as magnificent as this cannot be overlooked. Take a chance and just go with the flow." Draco paused, going over his friend's wise words before speaking up.

"Thank you, Hermione." The girl just smiled and nodded.

The pair stayed like that, with Draco in Hermione's comforting embrace, for a few hours before the witch realized that the boy had fallen asleep in her arms.

"Oh dear, how am I going to get him into bed?" The brunette girl tried moving without waking the other boy up but it did not quite work with the awkward position they were currently in.

"Miss Granger," Severus Snape's voice floated melodically and Hermione blushed a faint red.

"I'm sorry," the Potions Master waved away her unnecessary apology and bent down to do something Hermione would never thought she would see in her life: gather Draco up in his arms.

"Thank you, Professor." Hermione then stood up and stretched, popping a few joints. Then the mismatched trio made a move to return to the rooms.

"I should thank you instead, Miss Granger." Severus suddenly spoke up as they made their way slowly back. Hermione shrugged.

"I would have done it for any of my friends." The serious man quirked an amused smirk. "Yes, that you will."

Nothing else was exchanged but a comfortable silence fell between the pair.

When the trio showed up in the shared rooms, Harry was on the couch reading a Potions text, much to Severus's surprise. As soon as Harry laid his green eyes onto the sleeping, pale-looking Draco in the somber man's arms, he grew worried.

"What happened?" What happened next was something Severus never thought he would witness: a Hermione who was extremely angry with Harry.

"You happened," Harry widened his eyes and blanched, because he had never dealt with a Hermione like this before. Suddenly the girl turned around, gave her Potions Professor a small smile and as good as ordered him to put Draco into bed and erect silencing wards.

Severus itched to be a spectator of the would-be spectacular outburst but excused himself politely. As soon as the portrait door swung softly shut, Hermione turned her furious eyes and stared down her best friend.

"Harry James Potter, what on earth are you thinking?"

Harry was really confused, "What did I do?"

"You are an overdramatic, idiotic, blind, self-righteous, angsty teenager with a hero-complex the size of the British Isles!" Harry spluttered but then recovered to glower at his ranting best friend.

"Excuse me?" The dark-haired boy was still confused but now the confusion was mixed with a touch of anger. Hermione then returned a snarled reply.

"Your insecurities and misconceived fears are the cause of Draco's emotional breakdown!"

"Wait a sec – What?" Hermione put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes.

"You heard me." Harry was even more confused than ever.

"Why would I be the cause of Draco's emotional breakdown?

Hermione rolled her eyes heavenward and collapsed onto the soft couch; she sighed and proceeded with her explanation.

"Your fear of losing people you love is understandable but that doesn't mean that you can ignore something like what's growing between you and Draco." With that point made, Harry growled.

"There's nothing between me and Draco, there will not and cannot be something there. He's not going to be interested in someone like me and I don't even know whether I will survive this war or not," the boy then slumped onto the couch, head into his hands.

"Then please explain to me what the thing between you and Draco was during that spar?" Hermione raised a sarcastic eyebrow, daring her friend to say otherwise.

"It was just an accident," the defeated teen adamantly insisted and Hermione exhaled tiredly.

"All I have to say is that there is something potentially beautiful between you and Draco and I am not going to interfere, it's up to both of you to work up the courage to deal with this together. I am sick and tired of seeing both of you suffer for each other's insecurities and stubbornness," Harry nodded and the brunette witch smiled wryly.

"I know what you're worried about. However, if you don't even know how much time you have, then why don't you live life to the fullest when you have the chance? Wouldn't it be better like this than to end up with regretting your decisions for the rest of your life? There is something true and sincere between both of you. Harry, pushing people away is not the way to ensure them of their safety; if in any case, it would just make it worse."

"Think about it, people who care about you are often left wondering about how you are doing and in the process, while trying to help but unable to contact you, gets injured or, even worse, killed. I thought you would learn that lesson after Sirius." The last part was a soft whisper and Harry inhaled sharply as comprehension struck him hard.

"I never thought… I thought I was protecting them." Hermione smiled sympathetically.

"This is war, Harry, not a one-man battle. I'll concede that it is between you and Voldemort, but you can't possibly kill every single Death Eater by yourself. Admit it, Harry; you need us to help you. Everyone who will agree to help you knows that there is a risk of dying. There is nothing that they will blame you for," Hermione suddenly realized that there were tears streaming down Harry's face, tears of relief.

"I… I've always thought that by leaving them in the dark would keep them from danger. I never thought that it would be more dangerous instead," Harry croaked, finally releasing all the stress and tension accumulated over years. Hermione got up and send a small smile to Harry.

"I'll let you think about it, I desperately need a shower and sleep. Goodnight." Hermione then left Harry to his thoughts.

Harry released a huge breath of air, expelling the last remaining bits of his burden, and he slipped into Draco's room. Severus had magically cleaned and dressed the sleeping blonde.

The dark-haired teen's breath was taken away by the simple beauty of the resting flaxen teen. Awake, Draco was a sight with his beautiful yet icy visage but asleep, the boy was an ethereal vision.

Light blonde hair fanned out on his black silk pillows and his flawless alabaster skin stood out from the dark silk sheets, creating a striking contrast. The silk clung onto the sleeping boy's slender body, emphasizing his misleadingly effeminate but powerful physique. Relaxed, Draco actually looked his age for once without the creases at his brows or the hardened mask that he had taken to wearing. To Harry, Draco was the embodiment of a fallen angel and the most beautiful person he had ever seen.

Unconsciously, Harry moved closer, reached out with an uncertain hand and traced the pale, chiseled jaw line of the sleeping beauty gently.

Who was he to deserve the attention of such a being?

"All I have to say is that there is something potentially beautiful between you and Draco," Hermione's words echoed, unbidden, in head. Harry then bent down, pressed a soft kiss onto Draco's forehead.

Harry then got up and left the room with a lingering look at the resting boy and possibilities of a real relationship between the two of them running through his mind. Harry quietly closed the door and went back into his room.

--

Draco opened his eyes, only to squint as he shied away from the bright sunlight that poured into his room through the open window. Reaching for his wand, he muttered a "Tempus" and the silvery numbers '07:45' appeared.

As he got up, he paused when he recalled yesterday night's events. Cringing, Draco swallowed audibly before steeling his resolve to maintain a distance between Harry and himself.

Despite Hermione's words, he needed some time to sort through his feelings and thoughts before plunging into something unknown.

Exhaling heavily, Draco went on to his daily morning regime of showering, shaving and dressing. Today was the first day of the school year. He was excited and afraid at the same time, a new year meant a fresh start. Draco then gave his summer residence one last look of fondness before he walked out into the Common Room.

Only to see Harry lounging in the living room.

Today was really not his day.

"Good morning," Draco refused to look at the other boy and tried to make a hasty escape. Just before he managed to get pass the portrait door, Draco felt a strong hand encircling his wrist.

Draco still did not turn around.

"Draco." Harry implored softly and the addressed blonde turned around despite his wishes.

"I… I just want you to know that I've found a good friend in you and… and that I am interested in keeping you as a friend," Harry's emerald gaze softened ever so slightly.

"Over the past two months, I've gotten to know you much better and the Draco of the past is no longer of consequence to me. I like you and if given the chance, maybe even something more serious."

Draco paled visibly and Harry frowned.

"Could you please release my wrist?" As if scalded, Harry immediately let go of the blonde's wrist and observed his blonde Slytherin. Head bent, Draco's golden bangs hid his eyes from view as he step closer to Harry.

"My thoughts are really jumbled right now and I am a little disoriented. I wish to keep a temporary distance between us so that I can sort through my problems, you're a good friend but I just need to think things out. Everything's really confusing but that's just personal. You can be sure of my professionalism when it comes to the war and revolution efforts," Draco softly but clearly said and Harry sighed, nodding his assent as he stepped aside to allow the blonde through.

"Thank you, this is more than I'd expected." With the parting words, Draco left the apartment-like abode soundlessly, leaving Harry to slump into the couch.

--

"Mr. Malfoy," Draco spun around quickly and found himself facing his godfather.

"Hello, Severus."

"Your mother's here," the young blonde widened his eyes and then nodded, his eagerness to see his mother betrayed by the relief pouring into his eyes.

"She's in my rooms," with a quick word of thanks, the Malfoy rushed to the Slytherin Dungeons.

Weaving through the corridors and stairs, Draco finally found himself outside his godfather's private quarters.

"Dreamsbane."

Narcissa Malfoy was sitting by the cold fireplace, looking every bit the beautiful socialite she was, in a modest light blue dress that brought out her eyes and a pair of simple diamond earrings.

"Mother," Draco breathed, feeling five again, and then Narcissa smiled, the gesture lighting her striking face brilliantly.

"Dragon." She opened her arms and embraced her only son warmly. Draco returned the gesture and Narcissa sensed something amiss. Her son was tired and resigned.

"Is everything alright?" Worried light blues scanned the face that was the perfect mix of both Lucius and her best features. Her dragon looked weary and the composed woman's magnificent features were marred with a slight frown. However, upon further observation, Narcissa's face relaxed into knowingness and she spoke up in a soft but sure voice.

"You're in love, aren't you. In love with someone you shouldn't be." A sharp intake of breath confirmed her deductions. Shocked grey met her calm blue gaze. Narcissa smiled and continued.

"Let me guess, Harry Potter?"

Draco looked away, once again confirming his mother's conclusion. "I'm so sorry, Mother," Narcissa smirked slightly and then shook her head. Malfoy men will always prefer their own gender, she mused amusedly. Yes, she knew about Lucius's 'conquests' outside their marriage, they were mostly dark-haired men with hazel eyes that reminded her of James Potter.

"No, you shouldn't be. With your father in prison, the world's yours," Draco froze and then spoke up.

"Father's in prison?"

"Thanks to Harry Potter," Narcissa smiled again. Draco marveled at the changes that his father's absence brought. His mother was more relaxed and he could see that she was much happier without the tyrannical presence of his father.

"I have started the divorce proceedings and you're now the Malfoy Lord, despite your emancipation. The Ministry acknowledged the fact that you weren't disowned and it would keep the Malfoy fortunes and influence from your father again. I wonder how Voldemort would react to this." A mischievous glint entered his mother's eyes and Draco laughed, glad that someone actually benefited from the recent whirlwind of events.

"I am happy for you, Mother. You finally can live a life of your own," Narcissa nodded elegantly and put her hand over her son's.

"Dragon, this is the only chance you have at making your own decisions without killing Lucius. Evoke the disownment rites, as the Malfoy Lord, you have the power to remove members of the family." Draco bowed his head and then Narcissa sighed daintily.

"It's your choice but I will have to remind you that your father no longer serves the interest of the Malfoy Family. He has broken the first rule. Lucius planned to sacrifice you to Voldemort. To be his consort and heir."

To say that Draco was shocked was a complete understatement. "What?" Narcissa nodded. "Your father was more interested in rising in the ranks of Voldemort's army than protecting his only son, his heir and the next Malfoy Lord."

That was why his mother emancipated him. Despite telling himself otherwise that his father was never a father to him, disappointment and grief pooled into Draco's grey eyes.

"I'll leave you to your thoughts, my Dragon. I shall take my leave, an important appointment awaits. Write more often, my son, because an old lady gets lonely sometimes." A rustle of pale silk and then there was silence but Draco's heart felt lighter than before.

--

The evening sky was spectacular with stars dotting the cloudless skies like precious diamonds. Orion was especially bright as it shone brilliantly.

The Great Hall was slowly filling with students as Hagrid escorted the First Years and the older students filtered in after the carriage ride. Harry, Hermione and Draco noticed that the Defence Against Dark Arts seat was empty. Perhaps Dumbledore could not find one in time.

Harry and Hermione shot each other furtive glances and the girl shrugged. Soon, everyone was settled down but Harry and Hermione could see that the student population was restless as they eyed the empty DA spot. They whispered and pointed as the diminutive children of first years were sorted into their respective houses.

A crystalline knock on the goblet rendered the Hall silent. Dumbledore, in all his purple and golden glory, stood up and beamed.

"Welcome back to another year of Hogwarts, I trust all of you have had a great summer," Harry and Hermione exchanged grins, and the witch locked knowing gazes with their Slytherin comrade and friend.

"This year, Professor Devon Maxwell has kindly agreed to take on the Defence Against the Dark Arts post, however you will all only see the Professor tomorrow in class," the whispering started again, who was Devon Maxwell? Will the new Professor be competent? What about the curse? Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"I only have three more words; Siegel, nylon, bitty." The school was used to the odd expressions of the often-thought brilliant but barmy Headmaster and eagerly awaited for the next few words.

"May the Feast start!"

Like a sonic wave, the clinking of cutlery and chinaware swept the room as everyone dug into the delicious variety of food prepared by the House-Elves.

Harry helped himself to some salad greens and roasted chicken breast as he tried to spot his redheaded best friend. He found Ron at the end of the table, sitting with a couple of the lower years. Suddenly the estranged friend caught Harry's green gaze and Harry was shocked to find burning hatred and disdain.

Saddened, Harry found his appetite disappearing. Hermione noticed and asked. "What's wrong?"

"We need to know what's wrong with Ron ASAP. " The witch nodded and resumed eating, shooting worried glances between both her best friends. There must be a Potions or a spell at work, she put her mind to reading up about mind-altering substances later.

Regardless of all the underlying plots and work, Harry felt good to have his friends and classmates around him again. This year, Dumbledore's Army will have a magnificent resurrection.

This time, he would not fail.

--

TBC.

Sorry for the long wait! Everything's been so busy for me and my beta, hence the late update but the next chapter is already with my beta, Dray, so I hope everything's well for everyone! Look out for more updates!

Until next time,
J.a.S