Chapter Two: The Letter
Harry awoke frantically as if he had had a nightmare. Please let it have been a nightmare. Please let it have been a nightmare. He allowed himself to absorb his new surroundings. He sighed in defeat. He was back in the cupboard under the stairs on Privet Drive. His stomach flipped. Then it was true. He had failed at defeating Voldemort the first time and he was getting a second chance. He got up and brushed off the spiders that he had long forgotten infested his living space.
Sure enough, Harry went into the kitchen for breakfast and saw that Aunt Petunia was dyeing Dudley's old uniform for him. So I haven't gotten my letter yet.
Uncle Vernon interrupted Harry's thoughts, demanding that he go get the mail. Harry remembered that this was the first of many letters that he would receive. He decided to let things play out like they did last time. Certain inevitabilities.
The memories of Hogwarts kept Harry sane as he waited for Uncle Vernon to finally crack and take the family away. Harry knew that Hagrid would be here soon, all he had to do was wait for his 11th birthday, again.
As expected, the clock turned midnight signaling that it was July 31st, Harry's birthday. Hagrid and the Dursleys repeated their fight. Harry, since was not nearly as bewildered, was able to soak in the hilarity of Dudley growing a pig's tail while eating Harry's first birthday cake.
Harry was finally back in the world he belonged. Hagrid had taken him to Diagon Alley through the Leaky Cauldron. Harry saw Professor Quirrell for the first time all over again, though he didn't fall for his timid, stuttering act this time. Instead, Harry narrowed his eyes at the professor and said that he couldn't wait for the term to start.
Once Harry had gotten his money out of his vault in Gringotts, he set off to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Harry took the stool next to the pale, blond boy.
"Hogwarts, too?" said the boy.
"Yes."
"Oh, Harry Potter. I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Do you remember?" Harry nodded.
"Friends this time?" Draco reached out his hand towards Harry.
"Friends this time." Harry shook Draco's hand.
The boys agreed that, while communicating over the summer to catch Draco up to speed would be ideal, it was too risky in case the messages were intercepted. In the days leading up to their departure on the Hogwarts Express, Draco was evaluating all of his past decisions. While he did think he was better than most people, he realized that he shouldn't think of himself as better due to blood. He knew that Granger was better than him in their subjects and she was a mud- muggleborn. He finally realized that he had a choice all along. While he didn't meet anyone different from him in his early childhood, he still stayed close-minded throughout his time at Hogwarts despite meeting different people which is what led to him taking the mark. This time would be different. It has to be.