CHAPTER 8

"You'll be fine." Harry assured Ron, who suddenly looked petrified. "The castle can't be that bad right?"

Ron nodded hesitantly.

"What if it is though?" A small voice spoke up from behind them. Harry and Ron turned to see Draco coloured a bright red. He seemed to not believe he had said those thoughts out loud.

Harry walked back to the bench and sat next to Draco, putting his hand on Draco's shoulder. Draco turned away but Harry caught a fleeting look of his tear stained face.

Ron looked like he wanted to say something but Harry shook his head. He had only known Draco for a short time but something told him that what he needed was to feel like no one was watching him in his moment of weakness.

Harry took his hand off of Draco's shoulder and turned away, make quiet small talk with Ron. Draco cried silently for a few moments longer before finally taking a deep breath.

"Are you not nervous?" Draco's voice cracked as he addressed the two other boys.

"Oh beyond belief." Harry assured Draco, elbowing Ron who seemed to be on the verge of laughing at Draco's state.

"Me too." Ron coughed, giving Harry a dirty look while clutching his stomach.

Draco didn't seem swayed by Ron's reply but Harry's seemed to make him feel slightly

"You don't know what will happen when we get there," Harry sighed, wishing he could offer better advice, "but you do have one thing to be sure about. You have friends."

Harry gestured to himself and Ron,who seemed to be unsure about that statement.

"And we'll be here for you."

Draco gave a small smile The first smile that seemed genuine and not a smirk in disguise.

He walked over to the window, looking out at the castle . Harry and Ron walked over and looked out from behind him at the fast approaching castle.

The fast approaching offer of a new life.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

So it's been a while. I wanted to give some closure to the story that I had been so passionate about during the summer. I started this story with the sole purpose of curing my boredom during the hot summer months and had no intention of people liking it. Not to sound cliche but I was amazed when people started commenting, saying they actually liked my really dumb story that had been floating around my head for years. I wish I could continue this story but now with school and other things going on, updating the story just isn't easy to fit in. Not to mention I've kind-of gotten bored with this concept. I don't know why but inspiration just leaves me whenever I tried to sit down and write before. Maybe I'll start another story, maybe I won't. It's really hard to tell right now but I'd just like to thank everyone who read my story and those who commented. They really made my day. :D