A/N: I have just released chapter 2 when I started writing this. I'm still so ecstatic upon seeing followers AND favourites! Also, if you are reading, please take a minute to leave a quick review about your thoughts on the story! Thank you!

Chapter 3 - Returning to Hogwarts

They arrived at platform 9 3/4 and Harry felt an urge to turn back and run away. But the shouts of the younger pupils distracted him from his thoughts and before he knew it he was on the Hogwarts Express, half way to the castle. This was fun, sitting in the compartment and chatting about what may happen during this new experience. It felt strangely like his first day from 7 years ago. Although the most surprising thing was that he saw Malfoy. Why was he invited back? He was a former Death Eater and had supported the Dark Lord. Harry couldn't fathom why he was invited back but supposed there must be good reason.

It had grown dark and the three had changed into their robes. Soon enough, the train pulled to a halt and everyone got off.

"Firs' years! This way!"

Harry's head jerked towards the familiar voice.

"Hagrid!"

"Harry?...'Arry!"

"I knew you would return!"

Then they all followed through to the hall and sat down at their tables. When the sorting ceremony started, Harry realised he was paying the most attention he had since his own and saw the happiness on the students faces when they were sorted into their houses. Professor McGonagall called the final student up and they joined Ravenclaw before the speech began. She welcomed everyone and spoke about her hopes for the year. Then she addressed the new teachers, she had taken the temporary position as the Headteacher, Firenze was sharing classes with Professor Trelawney and the new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher was introduced. He was tall and seemed friendly, but Harry didn't catch his name. Though he expected to find it out eventually, especially as he would be likely to have the subject.

The feast commenced and it seemed even more extravagant then previously, mountains of food appereared on the tables but that was soon gone and the desserts appeared. The first years still couldn't believe their eyes every time something appeared.

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

Draco hadn't fully paid attention to the speech even though he knew he should have. He was just excited for some proper food as he had tried to cook some at the Manor, but it was often undercooked or disintegrated. He seemed happy for the first years who had joined the Slythein table, which was unusual as he didn't usually care for them. He was ready to sleep when suddenly Professor McGonagall stood up and the room went silent.

"Now, I'm sure many of you are excited to commence your year at Hogwarts but I need to share some information with you. First years, after I have finished speaking, you shall follow your house prefects and will be shown to your dormitories. Eighth years, you are the first to experience this and as there are only a few of you, you will all be sharing a common room and dormitories which are located in the astronomy tower. We have created them to suit your needs and they are similar to the house specific ones. In the morning after breakfast we will talk to your year and what you should expect from it. Also, we are now encouraging houses to sit together to educate you on the importance of not being prejudiced. Now, enjoy your year here and the first years will now be escorted by their prefects. Goodnight."

Draco was interested at the thought of a shared common room. He hadn't expected it and was too tired to realise he was going to sleep in the bed next to Harry Potter's.

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

They arrived at the astronomy tower and walked to a new floor below the top one. It was behind just a usual door without any enchantments. How would the other years not get in? However everyone was just intrigued with what was on the inside. It seemed massive with comfy sofas and plenty of desks for studying, it even had a small kitchen area. This was perfect. Draco looked around before noticing Potter and didn't know how to react. He felt as though this may not be the best time to argue. Instead they went to the dormitories and selected beds. However this is what caused the arguments.

"Do I have to sleep next to Malfoy? You know I can't stand him. " Ron exclaimed loud enough for Malfoy to hear.

"Shame" Malfoy blurted out, "I was hoping that you wouldn't come back but you did. And ya brought Potter and Mudblood. Obviously saving the Wizarding world wasn't enough for ya."

Harry was too tired to have a full blown argument but had to stop it as this was the permanent sleeping arrangement. "Oh, shove off Malfoy. I just want to sleep. Ron, I'll swap beds with you but you owe me big time as I have to sleep next to Malfoy."

"Charming" Malfoy looked in disgust at him and hopped into bed. Nothing else was said until the next day.

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

Harry woke up last apart from one. Malfoy. How unlucky was he to be in this situation. Well if he was quiet enough he could grab his glasses and his wand and "THUD!"

Malfoy shot up and stared at Potter. 'Crap' he thought before grabbing his wand from the floor and making his way down to breakfast, ignoring the blonde on the way out. He sat at the Gryffindor table with his friends and grabbed a slice of toast. He was about to eat it before Professor McGonagall spoke and announced that the 8th years would not begin lessons until tomorrow.

The other years left and only the 8th years remained. She began, "You have all been carefully chosen and as a result we expect you all to work hard and try your best." It was a predictable speech but was important nonetheless. She finally let them go and they left to the common room. Most seemed to be content and enjoyed being there...and then there was Malfoy. He still had Blaise and Pansy as friends but he was unsure whether this was the right thing to do. He supposed this is all he could do to get a future. He felt that maybe this was the year to put things right and to put the past behind him.

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

The rest of the day was spent comparing timetables and enjoying a day to settle back into Hogwarts life. The castle was now fully repaired and looked like it was never damaged. Night fell and students went to their beds one by one until Harry was the last one up, or so he thought. Malfoy walked in from the kitchen and sat down. He hadn't realised Harry sitting in the chair that he walked past. He jumped when Harry said his name.

"Malfoy, why were you so rude last night?"

"Whoa, Ron was the one who was rude, he insulted me. I just defended myself. Anyway you insulted me aswell."

"That doesn't give you the right to calm Hermione a Mudblood!"

"I don't care, she is one and that's what I'll calm her!"

Their argument quickly became louder and louder before Neville ran in the room and stopped it completely.

"Merlin's beard, what's going on in here? You two have only seen each other for a day and you're at each others throats. Why can't you just put this behind you?"

"I wanted to but he's not having any of it" Harry exclaimed before Neville stopped him and warned them both to stop it or go to bed. So Harry left Malfoy and went to bed.