Chapter 3- Train ride

A.n: OMG…how long its been since I have updated. I am soooo sorry all. Been so busy with life and everything. Well I am going to keep this short and get onto the story!

Harry walked through the familiar train station in London and cringed. So many memories flooded back to his mind. His first time meeting Ron, Hagrid explaining things to him, taking the flying car with Ron and other memories that almost brought a tear to his eye.

He approached Platform 9 ¾ 's gateway and he held his breath as he walked through the brick pillar. The familiar pull pulled him and he looked around and stared at the black and red train that steamed and sounded to indicate that it was preparing to leave. Harry hesitated and knew it was so simple to just turn around and leave, but he knew that he had to go. He had to face his demons sooner or later.

Harry stepped onto the train and walked through the small corridor to find a compartment that he could be alone. People that he recognized stared at him and he could hear gasps of excitement, but he didn't stop and say hello, he quickened his pace and finally found an empty compartment to duck into. Harry slumped into the soft cushions and sighed wearily.

Hours later:

Harry stared out the window and watched the trees go back slowly. The time seemed to drag to Harry, but surprisingly no one ever knocked on his door, but he noticed people walk by very quickly. Harry didn't bring anything with him because he didn't plan on staying at Hogwarts like it was required. He dreaded to see Ron. He knew that Ron would say some bitter things to him, but he really didn't care as much. He just wanted to make an appearance and leave. He didn't want any drama.

Harry turned suddenly as the door to his compartment opened and in came a platinum blonde, tall and dressed handsomely. He held a scowl that was so familiar to Harry and Harry stood and readied himself to fight.

"Well well well, if it isn't Potter! How have you been?"

Harry blinked in surprise. Did Draco Malfoy just ask him how he has been?

Draco looked at him for an answer, but then a long arm appeared from behind him and then a head of red hair. Ginny Weasly poked out from behind Draco and smiled at Harry widely.

"Hello Harry. It's very nice to see you again. Draco…we should be getting back to our seats. We are going to be arriving soon." Ginny gave Draco a suggestive look and Draco's eyes sparkled heinously. He turned back to Harry and smiled at him.

"Well we can talk once we reach the castle. Now if you would excuse me…"

Draco departed and followed Ginny down the hall.

Harry was speechless.

Harry walked off the train a couple of hours later and boarded the carriages drawn by the black, red eyed, winged Thestrals. He had looked at them and remembered that only people that have seen and accepted death were able to see them. He knew that he had accepted many deaths, but the only one he could never accept was Dumbledore's. Hogwarts would never be the same since the Headmaster was no more. He wasn't there to make Harry's life easier and he wasn't there to tell Harry that everything would be okay. He wasn't there to make Hogwarts home anymore. These reasons were few of the many why he wished to not return to Hogwarts, but he knew that he had to. It was his duty to return to Hogwarts and remember to the good times he had experienced and just maybe…it would thaw out his heart…just a little.

The carriages pulled up the to the steps of Hogwarts and all the former students piled out of the carriages. Harry looked up at the dimly light castle and sighed. Even though he never got tired of seeing the castle, he wasn't looking forward to seeing the people inside. He knew questions would be asked and he knew he wasn't inclined to answer them, he felt he needed to answer some questions of people that had been close to him. Harry moved forward and entered the gigantic doors and a flash came of when he first walk through these same doors. The castle had seemed bigger, more inviting, more warm. Maybe it was because Dumbledore's presence and rule over it had made it so, maybe it was just that he had never felt so accepted before. He was like everyone else, except for the scar that was on his forehead.

He walked through the doors and looked around. Nothing had changed. The Entrance hall still had its glow, the house hourglasses still sat next to the door and were still filled with the sparkling rubies. He looked at Gryffindor's and a frown came to his face. He felt a pang in his heart and he wished that was coming back to school for a whole year and not just a few hours. The people that jostled around him looked at him out of the corner of their eyes and he felt ashamed. He never graduated with these people and he knew he shouldn't be there.

They all entered the Great Hall and Minerva McGonagall stood at the owl podium with a smile on her face. Harry skimmed the crowd and spotted a tall, gangly man sitting near the head on the Gryffindor table. The red hair that seemed to be on fire made Harry know it was Ron. Harry gulped and made his way over to him. Next to Ron was still a woman with blonde hair and she was very pretty. He smile was bright and she donned a beautiful ring on her left ring finger.

Harry sat down across from him and looked at him. Ron stared back until a wide grin broke out on his face.

"Harry? Is that you?"

"Yeah…"

Ron's smile got a little smaller at Harry's coldness. He wanted to hug him, but they haven't spoken in 5 years.

"How have you been?"

"I've been surviving. You?"

Ron motioned to his side and smiled.

"This is my finance, Heather. Heather…this is Harry Potter."

Heather smiled and Harry nodded towards her.

"Harry Potter…well…it is wonderful to finally have met you. Ron has told me all about you."

"Charming…" Harry turned away and Ron gave him a scowl.

"Listen, you didn't need to come here. If you are going to act like this, why did you even bother showing your face?"

Harry gave him an angry glare.

"Shove it. You don't know what I have been through…"

"Bloody hell mate, just come off it and be civil…be happy you were even invited…"

Harry continued to glare, until Minerva cleared her throat and began:

"Welcome back! I have so excited to see all of your glowing faces here tonight. It gives me great joy to see all of my former students happy and well. Now, our feast will begin shortly and in the meantime, if you would like to congregate with your peers, then gladly do so. That is all…"

Harry looked up at the staff table to see Hermione seated at Minerva's right and Snape was seated next to Hermione. He watched them closely because Hermione showed no discomfort being next to Snape. He still held his malicious, vile, cold stare, but it seemed a little softer then Harry remembered. Snape's eyes caught his and a cold sneer crossed his lips. Snape leaned close to Hermione and whispered something in her ear and Hermione turned scarlet and smiled slightly. She didn't seem to notice Harry watching and then underneath the table, Harry saw her grab Snape's hand.

It was then Harry's stomach turned and he was truly speechless…

A.n: Well well well...now things are getting interesting..let's see how Harry's going to deal with this.

Chapter 4: It's been 5 years...