CHAPTER 2

It was as if time had not come to pass. Every single year since he was eleven he held a cherished repetition that not until now did he notice. Every year, the castle greets him. Hogwarts was and is the only place he would ever consider home. No matter what happened, he always knew he would return there. Last year if not for circumstances, he would have stubbornly clung to the castle refusing to be made to depart.

"It's as if we did not leave…" came a melancholic voice. He smiled at that. "Yeah, Hermione. Its as if last year didn't happen." She smiled at him forlornly… it was a bit sad. Because last year did happen.

"HEY! You two! Stop staring at the bloody castle like firsties! I'm hungry! On to the carriage, mates!" It was the usual again and he laughed as Hermione ran before him trying to scowl and sound scolding as she berated Ron for being immature. He, on the other hand, walked slowly. He was searching for familiar faces, greeting old friends… getting greeted by unfamiliar people. The stares are worst now, people he didn't know points fingers and come up to him. It was just that it all seemed trivial now. He couldn't muster up enough energy to be annoyed. At least this time he actually did something worth pointing fingers at than causing his families death, and being considered as an attention seeking lunatic. A carriage passed him by and he offered a grin and a wave to Luna, Neville and Ginny.

Ginny. Another loose end he needs to tie up. He sighed as he walked up to their carriage shaking his head in amusement as Ron and Hermione continued to bicker. "Harry? Is there something wrong mate?" He shook his head and gave Ron a grin. "Nah. Just feeling melancholic." The red head simply gave him a look and shook his head. "If you say so, Harry. Just don't go wondering off inside your head too much." He scowled at him. "You don't want us to feel neglected do you, Harry?" He sputtered at that as Ron laughed his head off. "Oh the way you looked. Priceless, mate! Bloody priceless! Now! Can't the thestrals go any FASTER?! I'm bloody starving here! And I missed the house-elves cooking!"

…

Their rather eventful and noisy carriage ride to the castle somewhat mellowed down once they got down. From afar… the castle, the lights, the lake and the magic didn't seem different. But at close… it was apparent. There really had been a war there. The magic was different.

It felt somewhat… young.

Everything looks the same… from the cracks on the stone walls to the growing moss. But he knew some of those walls are not even truly there. The castle is magical… but at the moment some parts of the castle are empty space just filled up with illusions. He can tell which parts they were… He felt Hermione pull him along and he smiled and walked on.

As they passed through the doors he could feel her magic. After a couple of steps he could feel Ron's… he knew that once he enters the great hall he would be overwhelmed by everyone else's. Just as the four founders built Hogwarts, the teachers and students that were capable helped reconstruct the castle. Their magic would now be forever imbued within her walls. It was an encouraging thought. As he entered the great hall he couldn't help the grin that slid up his lips.

"Finally! Hey 'Mione, ya think McGonagall's gonna talk for long?" He laughed as she hit him up the head and he continued laughing as they all sat in their seats. The Great Hall was at it should be during the opening feast. Majestic! It was bright with candle light that burned brighter than it should. The sky projected above was clear and the stars can be seen properly. It was as he always remembered. He was so caught up with his memories that he almost couldn't feel the silence that followed their entrance the increasing intensity of the stares that was solely centered at him. Well… that was until it was broken by Ron's yelling that is.

"What the BLOODY HELL!? It's the FERRET!"

And just like that his happiness dimmed. Damn Malfoy. And so chaos ensued and followed Malfoy as he reached his seat on the Slytherin table. That was when he finally noticed that their side looked somewhat desolate. Not that anybody bothered to notice but, Malfoy entered with his 'friends' Blaise Zabini sat on his right as he glared at no one in particular. Pansy Parkinson haughtily sat on his left, trying to look nonchalant, some of the other 7th year returnees sat randomly… looking both proud and docile at the same time. Goyle wasn't there and well Crabbe well… they won't be seeing him anymore. Nott if he wasn't mistaken would be in Azkaban but who knows? The other years on the other hand either looked meek, afraid and ashamed to actually shared their table. But then again there were those that looked dangerously mad. "I thought he was sent to Azkaban like the rest of them Death Eaters? What, is he that so much richer than Nott?"

The talking grew louder as he said that. And he couldn't care less. What the hell was Malfoy doing there?! The blonde git had the guts to look straight at him and smirk! "The hell was Kingsley thinking?!" Ron nodded right by him as he glared murder at the ferret. "Yeah. Now that you mentioned it, what was McGonagall thinking?!"

At that all three set their eyes on the professor's table and noticed that none of their regular teachers were there. Trelawney was there though along with a lanky guy who didn't seem dependable. McGonagall wasn't there yet, Flitwick may still be with Hagrid acting as another buffer to calm the first years and who knows where the others were. And since no teacher was inclined to stop it…

The chaos rose…

SLAM!

A moments silenced rippled through the hall… before it escalated again.

A younger student in Sytherin stood up and glared daggers at Malfoy. His face was red and contorted with rage. "You dared… you dared show your face here again?! Is your fuckin skin that thick, Malfoy?! The house is already suffering as it is… and you just had to make it worst huh?! How did you manage to get back? Money? Underhanded power? Come on, tell us, oh fallen prince of Slytherin?"

Harry raised a brow at that. "What an attention seeking kid." Was all he could say. "Well, yeah Harry… but he could just really be frustrated." He sputtered at that. "Frustrated? Hermione?" As they both shared a look Parkinson had already stood up and by the looks of it she was a second short of cursing the kid when Malfoy stopped her. "Draco! Let go! That kid-!"

"The kid, Pansy dearest is an idiot, and a member of the house. I know we normally handle idiots differently but let's give him a little space, yeah? Since he is an idiot that lacks common sense."

"Who do you think you are?! Bastard! It's because of your types that we have a bad name!"

At that the older ones actually laughed. "Hm… yes. And if your type becomes predominant in Slytherin table we'd all be known as idiots. Apparantly you didn't get the Slytherin predominant trait of wit, cunning, and loyalty to one's own. You actually got the more negative one… aren't you a acting a bit of a traitor Flinwin?"

"At least I'm not a murderer, Malfoy!"

And like magic it was silent. And it stretched on as Malfoy's smile grew more twisted in the light of the great hall. "Yes… it is much better, yes?" his voice turned lower as his eyes glistened… it was as if he hissed the words. He glanced up at Harry and his smirk sharpened. "But then again, if everyone was just like you… " he turned his gaze back to Flinwin who flinched. "The Dark Lord would still be alive and would have won long long ago. Yes? You were lucky, Mister Flinwin that you were so insignificant the Dark Lord didn't seek you out when you and your family ran away like cowards. Remember this whelp. I can actually swallow abuse from those who actually fought that war. I will not take it from someone like you that turned your back from your house and escaped on your own. Look around Flinwin who amongst our table is with you?"

Even those from Griffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff could see… Slytherin would rather follow their prince to the grave than follow Flinwin to the Kitchens. And apparently the kid saw it too. He grew redder and he stated to shake from either fury or humiliation, but before anyone noticed, and no even thought of it-

"CRUCIO!"

…

It had been just a couple of months since the war and everyone was still on that stage where they were celebrating and being joyous… still drowning in the heights of a victory… and so the curse that reverberated throughout the hall caught most everyone unawares and cost a couple of those that were still traumatized to panic. But before anyone could act a bright light erupted between Malfoy and the curse and before anyone knew what was happening… Flinwin flew a few meters back and just before he hit the wall- he was gone.

"What is HAPPENING?!"

Just then McGonagall, Flitwick and Sprout entered the Hall all looking harassed. And just like a switch everyone had gone back to life. "Profes- Headmistress! Malfoy attacked a student!"

"What?!" her gaze flickered to Malfoy. And to everyones shock she didn't even look accusingly at him. Malfoy stood up and bowed a bit. "Flinwin decided to let his mouth runaway with his senses and decided to Crucio me in front of everyone." He said in his borest tone. She then turned to Harry raising her brow in inquiry. "Just as he said Professor. However… as you can see he isn't writhing on the ground and a well Flinwin isn't here. He must have attacked him somehow."

At that McGonagall shook her head and marched up front as the other Professors dispersed and to their own seats. Their reaction shocked most of everyone to silence. "Why are they so calm? They must be hiding something. Don't you think so, Harry?" he could only nod at Hermione as he tried to tone down Ron's cursing and Dean and Seamus's whispering.

Once the teachers settled, McGonagall raised her hands, requesting for silence. After a moment… everyone started to settle and she nodded.

"Firstly, I am disappointed! The first day of coming back, I haven't even been able to greet everyone yet and the feast hasn't even started yet, and all of you are already at each other's necks! Have the war not taught you children anything?!"

As the silence deepened she nodded curtly and added. "Secondly, I would like to clarify, Mister Malfoy whatever may have happened have not attacked Mister Flinwin. As the Slytherin Headboy-" an outroar shook the hall as outraged cries echoed. After a beat the Headmistress raised her wand, "Silencio!" "NOW maybe all of you would be a bit more willing to listen?" at the mutinous looks she got she glared. "Or does all of you want to spend the next week in detention? The castle still needs a lot of helping hand you know." After a few seconds of silence she nodded. "Mister Malfoy, Ms. Parkinson, Mr. Goyle, please stand up and raise your wrist." As she said that, they exchanged a few glances. When Malfoy nodded they all stood and showed their wrists. At that Harry saw it… that same bracelet Malfoy was wearing when he last saw him… although his appears to be somewhat different than the others. From where he was looking he could only see the difference in color and nothing else. "As you all could see, they are wearing magic blockers. They would be wearing those for the entire year as part of the condition of their parole and they would only be able to release it during class or within my presence and approval. Third! I would have announced this earlier but since all of you are already at your wits ends… The castle during its construction had been given additional protective spells. Those with ill intent cannot enter and those who would have developed such intents within the walls and decide to act on it would be expelled from the castle. This would be expressed most efficiently with dark magic and unforgiveables. And you have seen an example of that with Mister Flinwin. Professor Slughorn, could you please meet with your student beyond the grounds and inform him of his situation?"

At that Hermione beside him raised her hands as if she was in class. He could have sworn she saw a smile tug on McGonagall's lips. With a wave of her wand the silencing spell was lifted. At once Hermione stood up and she looked up with a purpose. "Um… Headmistress, would Mister Flitwin be suspended or… er expelled?"

At that a smile did bloom on the Professors lips. "Expelled. As of this moment, Mr. Flinwin is expelled. And so let this be a warning for everyone. NOW! We have made our first years wait too long! They are a bunch of nervous wrecks as it is…

Let the sorting commence!"

…

Everyone was tense the entirety of the sorting and it was almost depressing how crestfallen the new slytherins were. One even cried as he settled on his seat. It was so depressing that the cynical ones couldn't even mouth off. Once it ended the new Headmistress introduced the new assistant to the headmaster who ended up being Professor Flitwick. The lanky one turned out to be the next DADA teacher who, amidst his appearance was a retired accomplished auror. Professor Slughorn was still the head of house for Slytherin as was the headmistress was Gryfindors. With the way the Slytherins looked at the announcement of Slughorns position, it was apparent that they actually liked the snarky passed Potions Master. It was only Malfoy who was smiling. He would have cursed I and risked getting expelled if he didn't understand that smile. It was the same smile he had when he asked if Snape was alive.

"Harry!"

He tried to stave off the annoyance that sprung everytime he looks at Malfoy… it was just a tad bit impossible. Of everyone that was there, he could not understand how Malfoy of all people managed to keep out of Azkaban…

"Harry!"

It had been 2months since his talk with Kingsley and his appeal for Snape hadn't been going through as fast as he would have liked. He was even forbidden to announce it at school… It was depressing and maddening at the same time since Malfoy of all people was there. If anyone was any more worthy to be given a chance, even if he was already dead, it was Snape! Not fucking, insufferable and undeserving MALFOY! It would have been alright if the guy seemed repentant but he was the same proud git he had always been. Maybe he matured a little, but they did went through war… if he didn't mature even a little, Harry would seriously start to doubt his mental state.

"Harry!"

"OUCH! Hey! What the hell Ron?!"

"You know mate if you keep glaring at Malfoy like that I'd have to fear that he might just suddenly burn to ashes or something. Don't make me worry about you getting yourself expelled." Oh Harry could have handled that if it came from anyone except… well…

"Ron… are you seriously warning me about trying to burn Malfoy with my eyes?" He proceeded to laugh at the thought and so followed Neville, Seamus and Dean. Hermione even smiled a bit. Ron just looked smug. "Yeah I know… I've matured a bit, Harry. Try it for once." He sputtered at that and smirked back at Ron. "Yes Ron, coming from the one that had been muttering about nothing but bloody murder on Malfoy since he first saw him again." He laughed at his mates annoyed scowl. "Yes… Ron. Maturity lessons from you."

"But you know Harry, you are doing it again." He scowled despairingly at Hermione for that. "What am I doing 'again' 'Mione?" She looked at him as if he was stupid that he sighed. "I am not obsessing over Malfoy again 'Mione!" She sighed at him and then she smiled. "Well at least this time you know what to deny, Harry. But yes, you are obsessing over him… again. Harry. But you know… this time I am curious too… How DID he end up getting admitted to school? Besides, did you notice Harry? The headmistress, who wasn't very fond of him ever since before is more than just tolerating him now… I sense something terribly odd."

He looked at her as weirdly as possible and muttered, "hypocrite". She just glared at him and he smiled. "Yes 'Mione… I'm the one obsessed and yet you're the one that thought all of those things. I was just cursing him in my mind… not analyzing all those stuff… I would have figured those out quite later… after I cursed him in my mind some more."

"Yes I know Harry… That's why you guys were lucky you saved me from the troll. Else you'd both be goners long ago."

"We know Hermione. We'd be so lost without you." At that she smiled and then returned to listening to the Headmistresses speech. Something about avoiding blowing castle walls causing bathrooms to flood given that the castle is still under construction as it was.

After a while he tuned her out and went back to cursing Malfoy's very existence. As the grey eyes that was once focused on the headmistress turned to him he scowled. Malfoy simply cocked his head to the side patronizing him further. The git smirked then continued to ignore him the entire couple of minutes. He continued glaring until widened grey met his back. 'What'

"BLOODY HELL! NO WAY! HELL NO!"

"WHY?!"

"WHAT THE F* K?!"

"What is it?" he asked around. Until Ron started to shake him.

"WHAT is WRONG RON?!"

"DAMN IT HARRY! WE'RE ROOMING WITH SNAKES!"

.

.

.

"WHAT?!

…TBC…

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