Chapter 11 Back to school
The start of school was a momentous occasion for Harry. He had happily paraded onto the platform hand-in-hand with Ginny and was surrounded by his friends. He had laughed with them and greeted those he hadn't seen for a while with either a hand-shake or a hug. Other than a small contingent of media standing by the platform entrance trying to get a decent photo of the boy-who-lived-twice, the boarding on to the Hogwarts Express was probably the most enjoyable Harry had ever experienced.
There was a large number of Harry's year returning to finish their education. When McGonagall had sent out the letters offering them a chance to return, many had realized just how much they had missed over the past few years, especially the last year where many muggle-borns had been running for their lives and those actively against Voldemort spent a lot of their time hiding away to prevent themselves from being tortured by the Carrows.
The returning Eighth Year, as they were calling themselves, filled most of a carriage by themselves and happily wandered between cabins discussing what the new school year would be like. Neville had been given the honour of becoming head boy and Hannah Abbott had become head girl. Both had been deeply involved in keeping people safe and hopes high the previous year and already had the respect of the returning students. When the media had asked whether or not Harry had expected himself to become head boy Harry had just shrugged, telling them he was happy to have a year off.
That didn't mean that he was completely free from responsibility; McGonagall had approached each of the returning eighth year with offers of extra roles and positions. Some, like Hermione, had taken them on without question. Others had declined, stating that they would like to focus on the education they had missed. Harry had agreed to help continue the repairs around the school and also to sit on a student review meeting every now and then to assess how the well the new subjects were going. It didn't escape his attention that McGonagall's insistence of his involvement was most likely to endorse the changes with his influence as the boy-who-lived-twice.
Ron had done the same, as well as taking on the joint task of getting Quidditch up and running again. Ginny had taken the captaincy role after the remaining team members – including Harry and Ron – had voted her in once she expressed an interest in becoming a professional Quidditch player. Ron had looked like he was going to protest against this, but he had grown so much more mature over the past year and he could see how it would benefit his sister in her final year to bring the team to glory. He had also become passionate about expanding the Quidditch games, liasing with Dean about muggle games and races that could be converted into something students that aren't already in a team could get involved with, so he was planning on putting all his focus into that.
Harry sighed as he sat back in his seat, allowing the general chatter of his friends to wash over him. He had his arm loosely around Ginny's shoulders as she scribbled down possible game-plans in a small leather bound book. Hermione and Ron sat opposite, Ron nearest the window, both of them laughing at something Neville had just said. Luna was sat on someone's trunk that had been left by the door, tracing something through a sheet of parchment onto a page of the latest edition of the Quibbler.
Ginny glanced up at him as she sensed him relax against the corner of the cabin in contentment. She grinned as he smiled down at her. "Feeling alright?" she asked.
Harry nodded, quickly tightening his hug. "Just counting my blessings" he said. "Sometimes I just can't believe we all made it."
Ginny gripped his hand with hers and gave it a squeeze. "Don't you start getting all deep and meaningful again." She said, trying to lighten his mood. "This is a year for a light-hearted-Harry, not an I–have-to-kill-an-evil-psychopath-Harry."
Harry smirked at her words, knowing that over the last couple of weeks of the holiday the two of them had been growing closer and she had been noticing the odd quiet reflection that he kept sinking into. Sometimes he would walk away from the Burrow and squirrel-himself away somewhere quiet, thinking about the people who had died or been injured in the final battle. On one occasion he had been sat in a summer storm, tears running down his face as the thunder rumbled overhead. He had been found by Arthur Weasley several hours later and cajoled back into the Burrow for a warm shower and hot tea, but since then he had noticed his friends kept a closer eye on his moods and were always by his side to support him if he felt his grip waver.
"I'm okay." He reassured her, then indicated to her book. "How's the game-plan coming along?"
Ginny nodded, "All good so far." She said. "I'm planning on trying out a second team though, considering most of us will be leaving this year. We can mix and match and learn a bit more through having more players at training sessions as well as giving them a bit of an advantage for next year. You're going to pick up seeker again aren't you?"
Harry shrugged. "Going to have to sort out a new broom." He said. "I meant to do it last week but haven't had much chance to get into Diagon Alley."
"Oh, I meant to tell you." Ginny said, turning around slightly in her seat and looking at Harry with a happy glint in her eye. "I spoke briefly with McGonagall a couple of days ago when she came to speak with dad and she mentioned that they were going to buy some new brooms for the school. The Quidditch field obviously needed replacing so they were going to get the latest in the Comet range for a brand new start. Nothing as good the Firebolt of course, but at least we can all get back in the air!"
"Brilliant." Ron said, overhearing their conversation. "We'll all be on a level field then, at least for the first few games until people can get their own again."
Harry smiled. "Comets are good, but I'd miss the maneuverability of my old Firebolt. Do you think I can owl-order one?"
"For you I'd think they'd send you all of the top-models to try out and give you your pick of the bunch." Ron said with a chuckle.
Harry blushed slightly, still uncomfortable with the amount of gifts and praise that was being laid on him. If anything, he preferred the snubs and insults that came from those that had lost a loved-one, at least then it matched his mood on the whole event. "I'd much rather they didn't." he said, and added seriously. "If I give you the money, do you think you could get one on my behalf?"
The group around him laughed and soon got distracted by the arrival of the treat-trolley and settled back for the rest of the journey.
It wasn't long before there was a shadow at the door and silence fell around the cabin as everyone's attention was taken by the person standing there.
"Malfoy." Harry said in a steady voice, giving the Slytherin a nod.
The Malfoy heir looked nervous as he stood in the doorway. Like most of the other boys in their year he had grown several inches over the summer although appeared to have lost a lot of weight, his normally pale palour almost sickly looking with shadows under his eyes that weren't hidden by his carefully styled hair.
"Potter." He replied, his voice low and slightly shaky. His eyes darted around the small room before settling on the Gryffindor again. "Could I have a word?"
"Feel free." Hermione said, her hand unsubtly gripping her wand. Several of the other DA members had also pulled out their wands.
Malfoy shifted uncomfortably and looked back at Harry. "In private?"
"You wish!" Ron said with a snort. "After all that you did last year! You think we're going to let you go anywhere with him alone?"
His words fell flat as Harry stood up, untangling himself from where Ginny had been leaning against him and walked to the door of the cabin.
"We can talk in the corridor." He said softly to the Malfoy. "In full view of the group, but without being overheard."
Malfoy nodded, seemingly relieved that Harry was willing. Once the door was closed he turned his attention away from the eyes that were glaring at him through the paneled windows and took a deep breath to steel his nerves.
"I'm sorry." He said, and his shoulders sank as if a large weight had been removed.
Harry snorted slightly. "Is that it?" he asked, resisting the urge to pass a snide comment and wait to see what it was Malfoy was trying so hard to say.
Malfoy nodded. "I know that doesn't even start to amend what my family and myself have done to you over the past few years, but I am genuinely sorry for this past year. Having Vol… um, You-Know-Who in my house for the most of last year made me realize a lot of things, especially how much of a git I had been to you, and how much you have gone through..."
"And yet you still chased Hermione, Ron and myself in the Room of Requirement, nearly killing us and almost getting yourself killed in the process." Harry stood still, finally crossing his arms as he watched Malfoy chew his bottom lip and glance towards the others again.
"I had no idea what I was thinking." He admitted. "When I was younger it was all about trying to impress my father, thinking he was big and important in the eyes of the strongest wizard alive." He glanced towards Harry. "I realize now that I was backing the wrong team. There was no way You-Know-Who was going to win. My actions that night were in desperation. I started to think… well, hope really, that if I had achieved something that could restore my parents name, everything would become better again. I was so wrong. I used to think that our family name was something to be proud of, but I've never been so ashamed to be called a Malfoy as when we walked away from that final battle."
He snorted and Harry frowned slightly when he noticed tears in his eyes. "My mother proved to be so much stronger than my father this past year, and I almost wish I could change my name to Black…" he sighed, realizing this was something that Harry didn't need to know and tried to get back on track. "I could never hope to be friends, Potter, and I know that too much blood has been spilt between us that would prevent us from starting afresh, but I am hoping that we can maybe call a truce? Now He's gone, everyone is starting again, and I would like you to give me the chance to show I can change too."
Harry shook his head. "You're asking me for permission to become someone new?" he stated incredulously. "Why?"
"Because you are the one who we've treated the worst! My aunt killed Black! My father has done nothing but snub you and cause problems! Bellatrix also tortured one of your best friends when my parents and I stood around and did nothing!" he gestured emotionally with his arms. "Not to mention I owe you a life-debt for saving me in the Room of Requirement. All this time I have stood by the traits expected of a Slytherin, acting selfishly at every turn in order to profit myself and those I care about. But really I am nothing more than a coward. My family has been ashamed of showing their faces in public all summer and all I'm asking for is the chance for us to be able to go about our lives. Start afresh like everyone else."
He was breathing heavily by the end of his emotional outburst and angrily swiped at one of his eyes, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment and shame.
Harry glanced to his right, making eye contact with his closest friends. Neville stood solidly next to Ron and both had their wands out but lowered. Once Ron saw the look in Harry's eyes he shook his head warningly even though he couldn't hear what was going on. Hermione on the other hand seemed to be trying to analyse their body language, her usual thoughtful look on her face. It was Ginny that helped him make the decision; she had a knowing smile on her face, full of love and support in whatever decision he made. Harry didn't know how he got so lucky to be part of such a supportive relationship. Even though they had only officially been a couple less than a couple of months, she already seemed to know what he was thinking and they were already acting as one couple rather than two separate persons.
"I don't know about your father." Harry said, his eyes still gazing deeply into those of his girlfriend. "He did a lot to so many people in this last war… and I can only imagine what he did in the first war to gain a position in Voldemort's inner circle. I honestly don't think I could ever look at him again without wanting to make him pay for what he put my friends and family through."
He looked down, feeling slightly ashamed at having to admit that. "But your mum saved my life." He said, glancing up to catch the look of shock in Malfoy's eyes. "When I walked out to confront Voldemort he hit me with the killing curse again. We both fell to the floor and she was tasked to see if I was still alive. She felt my pulse, she knew I was alive and conscious, but instead of giving me away all she wanted to know was that you were okay. I nodded to answer her and as soon as I did, she lied. She told him that I was dead. I know he was feeling the effects from the rebound but it takes a lot of guts to lie to Voldemort. I know of only one other who was able to get away with it and he has been given the honour of being buried next to the greatest headmaster Hogwarts has ever seen. All I had to do after that was to keep him thinking that way until we got to the school."
"I didn't know that." Malfoy said in awe. "She lied to the Dark Lord?"
Harry smiled slightly and nodded. "Seems like there is a bit of Gryffindor bravery in every concerned mother." He said.
Malfoy smirked, the shadow of his old self appearing briefly. "Or maybe she saw a way to get what she wanted by being particularly Slytherin."
"I guess that shows that each of us have a bit of every house within us." Harry returned with a half- smile and relaxed his stature slightly. "As for you," he said and watched the Slytherin's prince close up again. "You were right; you were a coward. But, even if it is only for your own self-interest, it has taken a lot of courage to speak to me today," Harry nodded to the window where his friends were still looking out. "Especially with them hawk-eyeing you!"
Harry watched as Malfoy glanced nervously to the door and then back to Harry. "If you owe me a life debt for the Room of Requirement, then I negate that with the favour your mother gave me, I doubt very much I could've survived another killing curse, two in one life-time is more than enough for me." He smiled slightly. "I'm willing to call your truce, but with a couple of conditions."
Malfoy hesitantly nodded, but the fact that he hadn't sneered and shot-down Harry's offer showed a level of maturity that Harry had never previously seen.
"Number one, you don't insult my friends. I don't want to ever want to hear you call someone a mudblood, or insult their heritage. If you want to think it or comment on it with your own friends then that is up to you, but I ask you to remember the number of half-bloods, muggle-borns and magical creatures that helped end this. I don't pretend to think you can change a life-time's worth of opinion and upbringing, but I do ask that you keep it to yourself. Is that fair?"
Malfoy nodded, not making any attempt to say otherwise.
"Number two, you were always a leader in Slytherin, whether that be through bullying, money or whatever. You used to hold a lot of power and, if you think you're up for the challenge, I think other people in your house will start following your lead if you start becoming active with all the new changes that are going to be happening in the school. You may have behaved like an idiot, but you do have a pretty good grasp on politics and power and other stuff that Gryffindors just don't care about. I think you can make a new name for yourself by using that knowledge. Something you might be interested in?"
Malfoy nodded again and Harry could already see his mind working on plans and strategies to improve his standing with his house.
"Finally, I don't really want you to change that much." Harry said. "It would just seem too weird. As long as you don't overstep the mark I think we can show others that we can be civil enemies. I still need a challenge on the Quidditch pitch this year after all. We can make all those insults and slagging matches a bit of fun, if you like?"
Malfoy smirked, though the look in his eyes had a humbled look about them. "You think you can still best me in a match, Potter?" he said.
Harry shrugged. "I think it'd be fun to find out."
Malfoy nodded. "I think all you've said is fair." He hesitated again. "And thanks." He added.
Harry just rolled his eyes and put his hand on the door to return to his friends. "Don't get all mushy on me, Malfoy." He said. "Everyone says that you Slytherins are a bunch of pansies, but I think it's rather unbecoming seeing a grown man beg."
Malfoy snorted, playing along. "If you think I'm going to bow to your elevated ego, Potter, think again. It's so much more fun looking down on you and your little entourage."
"Says the Dungeon-dweller." Harry retorted as he opened the door. "See you around, Malfoy." And without another look he turned his back on his once-enemy walked into the cabin.
"You're bloody soft, you know that?" Ron said, gaping in disbelief at his friend.
"I've just had enough of people hating each other." Harry replied. "If we want to take a step forward then maybe Malfoy can help by turning the heads of other Slytherins from the top of the house this year, as well as from the bottom with the new first years and the new classes McGonagall has organized."
"I think that sort of planning is rather Slytherin of you." Hermione said. "Not at all like the Gryffindor we know that jumps onto the back of dragon without thinking."
Ron snorted. "Like we had much choice about that." He said with laugh.
"I wonder what happened to that poor animal." Luna said from where she was still perched on top of the trunk. "Do you think someone's found him and looking after him?"
"I think it was large enough to be able to look after himself" Hermione said with a shudder, and her friends laughed as they retook their seats.
The rest of the first week went well. The opening feast started with the usual sorting of new students, the Sorting Hat singing a song of rejoice that the war was over, and stressing the importance of unity within the school. Following this, there was a long introductions of new teachers and subjects that would be introduced over the new year.
The teachers that had survived the war had taken on their usual subjects, with Professor Slughorn returning as potions professor and ex-student Henry Jackson taking over the role of History of Magic professor. The introduction of Muggle Studies was being taught by a Squib called Sam Nelson, who had grown up with Muggles and got a teaching degree at a Muggle university. The most interesting new faces were Italian twins Cas and Tori Pollux who would be teaching Practical Defence and Duelling Theory in place of the old Defence against the Dark Arts. They appeared approachable and friendly with piercing blue eyes and cobalt hair, though it was clear that both were fully capable of holding their own in a battle, and the presence of swords strapped across their backs sparked an interest in Harry and he found himself looking forward to their lessons.
The following days were fullof settling down into a new way of school life. Everything was fundamentally different from what Harry and his friends had known before, but everyone was encompassing the changes with large grins on their faces. Harry found his free periods filled with meetings with a select committee of students from each House in company with a couple of house elves and searching through the castle for a suitable place to put some new common rooms. It had been his idea, fully supported by McGonagall, to have a common room for each year group as well as their House common rooms in their living quarters. His aim was to create a place where students could intermingle and work alongside their peers without the shadow of House bias. It had taken the best part of a day to find a large, disused wing in the castle. It was a long corridor, with several large rooms and a number of smaller ones dotted along it. Perfect for people to form their own DA type groups and practice spell work with their year-mates without the need for passwords.
Harry had found a large room at the far end of the corridor that was airy and spacious with large bay windows looking out over the lake; if you looked carefully you could just see Dumbledore's tomb peeking out from around a tree. Harry thumb-printed this room to for the older students, selfishly thinking that he would enjoy spending time in that room with his friends working on his final exams and practicing spell work. He had stood in the doorway for a long time, planning the layout of the room, with a small kitchen unit in the corner for students to make tea whilst they work, desks to work in, large comfy chairs to read in and an equally large open space for spell work. He knew it would take a while for the plans to be put in place, but he thought that the rooms would be up and running at least by the new year.
About three weeks into the term, Harry once more found himself happily holding Ginny's hand as they walked down the street of Hogwarts on the mid-autumn morning. Like on the previous occasions many people were pointing them out, but the shopping crowd seemed to respect their privacy and instead of rushing up to the couple, seemed content to admire them from a distance.
Harry knew they made an eye-catching couple; he had grown a lot over the summer with a healthy appetite and plenty of sun, not to mention clothes that fit properly and weren't hand-me-downs from a baby whale. And every time he looked to his right he felt himself smile like a giddy school boy. In his eyes Ginny looked stunningly beautiful today; dressed casually in tight blue jeans with a long tartan jacket over a green jumper, and her long red hair falling naturally around her shoulders, he knew he was lucky to be holding her hand but with a sudden urge he put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer, planting a kiss into her hair before giving her a wink and pointing to the outdoor picnic benches that now sat outside the front of The Leaky Cauldron.
"Take a seat," he said. "I'll get the drinks."
Ginny smiled and nodded, climbing over the bench to sit down whilst Harry went inside to buy a couple of butterbeers. It took him a little longer than needed to get to the bar, several other students offering seats at their table or to join in a game of gobstones. Harry graciously declined, but upon his return found that a similar crowd had joined Ginny outside in the sunshine.
"You don't mind if we sit, do you Harry?" Dean asked, from where he was perched on the side of the table next to Lavender.
"Not at all." Harry replied. "Though don't expect me to get your drinks, it's packed in there."
Dean laughed. "Don't worry about that," he said. "Seamus has already gone in. Though I might take a swig of yours if he's going to take a while, I'm parched!"
Ginny took an exaggerated drink from her bottle and smacked her lips together after. "Delicious" she said, smirking at Dean's look.
"Potter, may I have permission to hit your missus?"
Harry shrugged and indicated for him to go ahead. Dean promptly snapped a hand out and patted it across the top of Ginny's head.
"You're supposed to protect me from that sort of thing." Ginny said indignantly, pouting at Harry.
Harry just smiled at her, heaving an internal sigh of contentment that the world was finally cruising along normally, even though he had lost many friends it was a blessing to be able to laugh and joke with those he had left and not worry about what was going to happen tomorrow.
Harry climbed over the bench and reached for Ginny's hand under the table, giving it a squeeze before taking another drink. Ginny looked at him quizzically, tipping her head to one side and asking a silent question.
Harry just smiled at her, leaning in to catch a quick kiss before the world seemed to erupt around him.
The building next to the Leaky Cauldron seemed to disintegrate, bricks and glass flying outwards without warning and pelting the group that had congregated in the small pub garden. Harry felt something hard hit the side of his head as the bright light of the blast caught his eye. Within a heartbeat, the sound of the explosion assaulted his ears, and he felt his face hit the side of the table and the world around went grey.
As soon as he was able, Harry sat up opening his eyes to see Ginny pushing herself up dazedly next to him.
"What the hell was that?" Harry heard someone ask.
Harry looked around at the moaning piles of bodies, some bleeding from cuts caused by the flying debris. He then turned to see a blackened ruin where the building next to the Leaky Cauldron had once stood. "Nothing good." He muttered in reply, pushing himself to stand and stepping over the bench. He looked down at Ginny as he pulled out his wand. "Are you alright?" he asked, reaching out to gently rub at a trail of blood on her temple.
She looked around, surveying the damage and nodding absently. "I think so." She said.
"HARRY!"
Harry's head snapped round, causing stars to dance behind his eyes as he saw Ron and Hermione sprinting towards him, their wands out.
"RUN!"
Harry spun around to see what they were aiming at and dropped to a defensive stance, pulling Ginny behind him slightly as he saw a group of a dozen wizards running towards them, black masks over their faces and their hoods pulled up.
He started firing off spells, fully aware that those who had been standing during the explosion had been sent flying, and many were still semi-conscious or too injured to defend themselves properly.
"Get them out of here!" he called over his shoulder to Ginny as he ran to where Ron and Hermione were also firing spells.
"Who are they?" he asked, sending a leg-tying curse at one wizard and sending him falling to the floor. Ron quickly followed with a binding curse.
"No idea." Hermione said. "We were just speaking to some Aurors near Honeydukes when suddenly they all appeared. The whole village is surrounded."
"What?" Harry paused in his offence for a moment, turning around to see Aurors fighting down the other end of the main street with another group of similarly dressed wizards.
"HEADS UP!"
Harry spun around, trying to locate the new danger when he felt something grab him around the throat and lift him into the air. He struggled, pulling at the constricting grip and trying hard to not let go of his wand.
He heard his friend's cry out from below as he ascended rapidly and caught a glimpse of Ginny running forward, wand pointing to him and desperation on her face.
With more luck than intent, Harry managed to grab hold of a thumb and pull it back, causing his abducted to grunt and release his grip slightly. Harry kicked out with his legs, managing to slide free of the grip but realising too late that they were far above the ground and just passing over the roofs of the buildings on the main street.
He hit the tiles at an angle and his feet slid out from beneath him, causing him to fall heavily onto his hip and slipping rapidly amongst a shower of slate, scrabbling for a grip as his legs went over the side.
For the briefest of moments, his fingers managed to hold onto the edge of the roof and slow his descent before he started once again to freefall, this time the two storeys to the floor.
He landed and rolled, gasping at the shocking pain that went through his legs and into his back. His shoulder slammed against a stone paving slab and he ended up leaning against a brick wall, gasping for breath and trying hard not to move his bone-shaken body.
As his senses returned, Harry heard a disturbance from the other side of the wall and struggled to open his eyes to see where the danger had gone and to make sure his friends were okay. With the help of the wall he managed to pull himself to his feet and watched in horror as his friends were herded up in a group, wands trained on them from every angle.
He watched as Ginny tried to break free, crying his name as she struggled against her captors and, a moment too late, he heard a step behind him.
He swung around, raising his wand arm, just as something large and black descended on him and wrapped around his throat, he felt something sharp press into his neck and with a gasp the world faded away.
