A/N: Enjoy…
Chapter Three
Return to Hogwarts
I stared at my supposed archenemy. He glared back. We stood in thundering silence. My ears were ringing; everything seemed to stop around us, even time. We looked into each other's eyes, for god only knows how long. His expression softened.
"I'm sorry," he said as he turned to leave.
"It was my fault," I said and as he turned to look at me I turned and made my retreat. I basically ran as fast as I could back to the Leaky Cauldron. I felt his eyes burning in my back. I booked it up the stairs, ran into my room and slammed the door.
I flopped, face first, onto my bed. I don't know why but by time I was running up the stairs to my room, I had tears rolling down my cheeks. Perhaps, I was crying at my own weakness to not be able to let him take the blame, or maybe it was because I couldn't keep up the stupid sham any longer. I really couldn't tell. Perhaps it was both. There came a knock on the door.
"Draco?" Dad's voice drifted through the aged wood of my room's door. I quickly wiped away my tears while sniffling.
"Come in," I said shakily. The door slowly creaked open and I looked up, red eyed. Dad walked in little by little as if he was treading on dangerous ground.
"They didn't say I had to deal with upset 15 year olds when I became a father," he said trying to cheer me up. Which it did. I smiled.
"Sorry 'bout that. They didn't tell me I had to deal with certain things in school either," I said in a vain attempt to sound like the normal old Malfoy me. He smiled.
"What's wrong? Is it your mom?" He asked.
"It's always mom, but that's not why I am upset at this moment in time," I sniffed. I really didn't want to tell him what was wrong. I did not know if he approved of well… you know.
"Then what's wrong? No matter what I am behind you," he said quietly. He probably knew what I was, seeing as I was a dashing Malfoy and so far hadn't brought any girls home to meet the parents.
I took a deep breath and poured my heart out. I told him about how I felt about Potter and that he didn't return the feelings. That I had condemned myself to the wretched fate of enemy. Told him what I felt now that mom was gone. Told him that I was going to kill Voldemort and make him pay. Told him that everything with the Potter situation escalated in the previous 15 minutes. Told him it kills me to be evil to him. Told him it hurts yelling at and insulting him. Told him that I do have feelings but no one at that dejected school seemed to grasp that concept because of my last name. Told him that, contrary to popular belief, I can't have everything I want. That I can't change the world. That I am only one person. I was crying, sobbing and at times shouting as if it was the only way to be heard. When I was finished, I was a mess. Father sat there and listened to everything, looking thoughtful. I stared at him in silence, well almost silence because I was still trying to regain my composure.
"Do you know what?" He asked after a length of time.
"What?" I sniffed.
"What's meant to be will find a way." He said simply with a comforting hand on my shoulder and left me to contemplate what he said. Those words have stayed with me to this very day.
* * *
I woke in the morning feeling so much better having gotten that off my chest. I wondered how dad felt about it. I wondered if he cared that I did not care for women. Oh well, I guess it did not matter. What's said is said. I was packed and ready to leave by nine am. So, I sat in my room and read my mother's cookbooks. I know it sounds lame, but I was crying as I remembered the fun times we had with those books. It hurt knowing that we would never cook together again, at least not for a while.
"Draco?" Dad's gentle voice met my ears as he poked his head into my room.
"Mhmm?"
"Ready to go? You're train leaves in about an hour," he stated calmly. I nodded and stood.
I placed my mother's books in my suitcase and followed dad down the stairs out onto the busy streets of muggle London. A normal looking car replaced our carriage. Slowly, we made our way to King's Cross Station. The hustle and bustle of muggles trying to get where they were going swirled around us, and we went unnoticed as we slipped through the barrier onto platform 9 ¾.
The beautiful scarlet steam engine came into view. It looked as formidable as ever and wonderful in its own way. It was as inviting as my mother's smile… No, I must stop thinking like this, I shook myself. She's gone, she's gone and there is nothing I or anyone else can do to bring her back. No matter how much I want it… She's gone… I was a very depressing soul for a good chunk of that year.
"Come on Draco. Let's get your things onto the train," Father said quietly. I nodded slightly.
We made our way toward the train and Father put my things in the side compartments. The day was typical of September. A bit cool and bright. No cloud in the sky and the sky was the colour of a tropical sea, aquamarine blue. This would have been the kind of day to make me smile, but how could I have done so then?
"Well, I won't be seeing you until Christmas holidays, then?" Father asked quietly.
"I suppose not," I answered solemnly.
"Have fun then and I'll try to write everyday."
"I'll try to write everyday and I'll try to have fun. If that's possible."
"Oh, don't talk like that. This is the greatest time in your life to make friends. This is the best time to make memories and god knows that's not going to happen while your in Slytherin. Branch out and be different. Tradition needs to be broken sometimes," he winked. I caught what he meant. I smiled. He gave me a small smile before he hugged me. "I'll miss you."
"Miss you too," I said quietly.
"Now, go on before you miss your train." With that I turned and stepped onto the train. I walked to an empty compartment and waved as my father disappeared with the rest of the train.
I was sitting alone, staring out the window, watching houses and pastures and most anything else pass me by. The vending woman came by with her trolley of snacks.
"Anything for you, dear?" She asked with a kind smile. I was feeling a little hungry.
"Could I get a butterbeer and a packet of crisps?" I asked.
"Of course," she bent and pulled out what I had asked for. She handed it to me. "1 sickle and 1 knut, please."
I handed her the money and she went on her way. Again, I found myself watching the passing towns and odd houses, as the scenery grew darker. After about three hours on the train, Harry burst into my compartment.
"What do you want Potter?" I sneered.
"Nothing. I'm just hiding. So, if you stop talking, we won't have to converse whatsoever until my friends find me," he said matter-of-factly.
I did not care to answer at the moment. So, I returned my gaze to the window. The sky grew steadily darker. Suddenly, Harry erupted into a fit of laughter as he dove under his seat. At that moment, I saw Ron walk by, spot me and leave.
"Perfect hiding place. Thanks Malfoy," he smiled at me for the first time in his life. And for the first time in mine I smiled back, which I think caught him off guard. Hell, it caught me off guard.
* * *
We will be arriving at Hogwarts Station in about five minutes. Please prepare to depart the train, a disembodied voice floated through the train. Harry had left about twenty minutes before when Ron's voice floated through the air saying that he had found everyone else and that Harry had won. I was left alone again, but when the train came I a halt I was dressed in my robes and ready to leave. Though, I did not want to see Crabbe Goyle or Pansy. I sighed as I heard her shrill voice ring through the air.
"Draco!" She called as I just stepped off the train. She ran right up to me and hugged me but I just let I did nothing in return. "Where have you been? We were looking all over for you!"
"I was near the front of the train," I answered annoyed that I could not have been alone for a little while longer.
"Oh," she answered hurt that I had not come and found her. "I'm really sorry about your mom."
"Um… Thanks," I said unsure on how to take the sympathy.
We walked to where the carriages were to pick us up. Pansy and I shared a carriage. As we made our way down the bumpy road, I looked out of the window out onto the vast expanse of deep dark water that reminded me of my soul.
Soon, we had arrived and were stepping into the entrance hall with the rest of the students above first year. It was just as magnificent as ever with its high pillars of white marble and lovely would trim. We walked into the halls and settled at our usual table. Gryffindors, Slytherins, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. The traditional, no one makes friends outside of their own houses. It was really quite frustrating but I later changed that. We all began talking again. Crabbe and Goyle parked themselves one on each side of me, much to my dismay. After a moment's chatter the sorting ceremony began. Many of the students were shaking like crumpled leaves in the wind. We received about 10 new students.
Once everyone was settled, Dumbledore stood to make him start of the year speech.
"Welcome everyone to a new year at Hogwarts! I trust you had a wonderful summer! I have a few start of term notices before the feast gets underway…"
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns it all… I just use her brilliant characters for my twisted stories… I swear no money made so don't sue… I swear it's so not worth it.
A/N: Well, how was that? Did you like it? I know it took me forever to write but I have been writing the Moon Shone Brightly and Eight Princes and After Eleven Years more often than this because this type of my writing requires inspiration… And you don't get inspiration when you're stressed out about marks… I've got 78% in History!! Oh man you have no idea how happy I was!! Well, please review… Thank you for reading my story… Luv Gia