A/N: Thank you those who have already put this story on your follow or favourite lists! I decided to check the stats and saw 42 views! Wow that didn't take long and I definitely wasnt expecting fav or follow lists. I am so grateful especially as I have released only one chapter! Wow, thank you again! You are all so great! This has really encouraged me to do more of this and release as soon as possible.

Chapter 2 - Unexpected Owls

It had been many solemn weeks of mourning and coming to grips with everything. Most dark witches and wizards has either been caught or had gone into hiding whilst most others that fought against them had struggled to sink back into normality. Many people hadn't returned to jobs, others had moved away from it all and for the rest, they were forced back into routines and just accepted it. Nothing new was expected to happen and yet no one had attempted to change anything. Until one bright morning.

Draco Malfoy sat alone in the Malfoy Manor. With his mother having fled the country to escape prosecution and the guilt, and his father in Azkaban for, well forever, he had inherited it and felt nothing better to do than sit in his spacious room and stare at the garden. He felt obselete. There was nothing he could think of doing and no one to help him so why try? He hadn't decided what his future held for him and he really couldn't be bothered with trying when he knows his family wealth should last him until gone the age of 50, provided it was spent carefully. Mother should be back by then, she can sort out this mess.

"Tap, tap, tap, tap"

The sudden, repetitive tapping startled him when he realized he was no longer looking out the window, but rather at the quill and parchment on his desk. He longed for some sort of contact but denied himself the opportunity. Leaning for his wand, he opened the window and gave the owl a treat, but only after taking the letter. The owl flew away. Solitary. Again. He kind of regretted choosing his side because of his family but still feared what could have happened to him if he didn't oblige.

Dear Mr. Draco Malfoy,

We have recognised you as one of the highest achieving students in your year and ask for you to rejoin us for an 8th year. This is in order to provide the correct education to those who will work for it and we believe will achieve high. This is an optional choice as we know many will already be in jobs or would prefer to not continue with their studies. This is also why we have sent these letters out early as to provide the most we can with the opportunity.

For those joining us again, you will require the same equipment as your previous year. Please respond promptly with an owl, we hope to see you again.

Upon reading the letter, Draco's mind filled with many thoughts and feelings. Should he go? Is this what he wants? If he goes, what will others think of him? The question filled his head and he thought it best to wait until tomorrow to decide.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Harry couldn't believe his eyes. He didn't know if he wanted to believe them. "Ron! Hermione!". The pair flew down the stairs crashing into each other and causing such a racket.

"When will you learn how to walk sensibly?!" Mrs Weasley yelled from the 4th floor.

"What is it Harry?", "Are you OK?" huffed his best friends.

"Yeah I'm fine, just ... confused. Have either of you been offered this?" he questioned, holding up his letter as proof. The pair just nodded simultaneously before the three being called to lunch. He threw thoughts back and forth like that muggle game, tennis, I think. This decision was difficult. More than he could have imagined. Upon settling it with the rest of the family, he chose to join Hermione, Ron and Ginny back at Hogwarts. After all, he still had ambitions to become an Auror and he needed all that he could get to ensure he could get a place and also felt genuinely comfortable with the job.

That night, he wrote his letter and gave it Ron to put with his on his owl. The next morning, it was sent. It was final, he was going back to Hogwarts. He was still in disbelief that he was returning to the place he was made famous again. What was his 8th year going to bring him? Hopefully a normal year he thought yet this was completely new and different. But could it be a normal year?

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Two weeks later, Ginny's letter had arrived. Harry was glad she was still great friends with him even though he had broke off their relationship. She was so caring and only wanted the best for him, as did Harry for Ginny, meaning he couldn't lie to her and had come clean. He didn't feel what he thought he originally had and he was still extremely confused as to why this had occurred. Ginny was also pleased that Harry was going back as she could look after him. After all of this, she thought another person (who was less judging than Ron) would help him feel better at his lows.

At breakfast they sat around the table talking about their next year at Hogwarts and what it may bring. Molly suggested they head down to Diagon Alley later to buy everything that they needed. Upon looking at what they needed, they flooded there and searched for the list, however after so many shops had closed, it took longer than usual. Although, Molly kept disappearing and Ron immediately realised when they saw Fred and George's joke shop. Ever since Fred had died, Molly hadn't been the same. Well, she changed but tried to not let it affect her life dramatically.

Later on, they arrived back at the Burrow and spent their remaining week enjoying their time together before the day came to return to school.