Chapter 2- Paper Dragons.
As Harry had promised the day prior, he and Hermione walked onto platform 9¾ at half past ten. Harry was surprised that the station wasn't more crowded and it was at that point that Hermione made it known that the opening ceremony and the sorting ceremony of the 1st year students wasn't for another week; Harry, had been tricked into going early. Begrudgingly, Harry climbed aboard the train and sat with Hermione in an empty cabin, the place in which Ron would have sat, empty as the air between them. Harry looked out the window and watched as the train lurched and pulled away from Kings Cross, When Hermione pulled a book from her bag Harry resigned himself to a quiet trip to Hogsmeade and let his mind wonder to what it would be like returning to Hogwarts.
A knock on the cabin door broke Harry's thoughts, and decided against what he had just thought was going to be a quiet trip. Draco stood in the doorway, looking between Hermione and Harry before he swallowed hard, his face contorting as he mustered his words. "The other Slytherins didn't want me riding with them….No one does" was Draco's only words, it hadn't really been asking for permission to sit with them but Harry moved closer to the window to open the bench for him, moving his gaze back out the window without saying anything. "Why sit with us?" Hermione asked, but before Draco could find the right words the light voice of Luna Lovegood was calling into the Cabin. "Quibbler? Oh hello Draco. It's nice seeing you again so soon." Luna said and slipped into the cabin, inviting herself to sit next to Hermione; not noticing when Hermione stiffened slightly as Luna occupied what would have been Ron's seat. "Again?" Harry's attention had been pulled from the window and to Luna as both he and Hermione spoke in unison then glanced at Draco.
Luna nodded and spoke as if everyone had already been aware. "Of course. Draco and his parents have actually been kind enough to let me and my father stay with them while our home was being repaired. The garden gnomes have not been behaving so it's been a very slow process, though my father wishes it were faster. Things have been a bit awkward." Luna said leaning towards Harry and Hermione and away from Draco. Harry glanced between the dreamy eyed Luna and the seemingly embarrassed Draco. "Well, I should get back to it." Luna said after a minute of humming to herself she stood and once again began calling out 'Quibbler' as she passed the cabins.
Hermione was the first to break the rather awkward and long silence after Luna left. "So," She had originally planned to question Draco about his family allowing Luna and her father to stay at the Malfoy Manor but as she opened her mouth only the one solitary word fell out. Harry glanced at Draco, whom he caught glancing back at him then they immediately looked the other direction - Harry back out the window, and Draco out into the hallway - the Silence becoming thicker, and almost turning menacing. Hermione glanced between the two boys who, despite their best efforts in ignoring one another seemed to move with the other's movements. Draco shifted, Harry shifted. Harry inhaled and exhaled in a sigh and Draco, moments later seemed to almost mimic him.
Hermione was grateful when another member of the Gryffindors made their way to the cabin and eased the awkwardness and annoyance that was quickly rising in her mind. Neville seemed slightly uncomfortable with the sight of Draco staring down at his feet as he sat beside Harry. "Neville. How have you been?" Hermione spoke to him to advert his attention. Neville smiled at Hermione but gave Draco a second sideways glance. "Good. I took on an apprenticeship at st Mungo's helping with the wounded from the war. But I'm kind of glad to be going back to Hogwarts, it will be a nice change. Hi Harry, how are you fairing?" Neville asked Harry stiffly but genuine in his concern completely skipping over the Slytherin due to being quite unsettled seeing the blonde haired boy sitting with his friends. "I'm fine Ron-" Hermione and Neville froze, holding their breath and waiting, watching Harry closely. Draco, slightly confused by the sudden change in Hermione and Neville just looked side-long at Harry as Harry's face fell slightly then he corrected himself. "I'm fine Neville." Harry said quietly, looking out the window and trying not to feel the sting of pain. Neville gave Hermione a weak smile before looking at Harry sadly and left the cabin with a generalized 'bye' and explained that Seamus was waiting for him.
"Poor Neville. He's been pretty skittish since..." Hermione looked at Draco not finishing her sentence, instead sinking back into the bench almost seemingly trying to melt into it. Draco remained looking down at his shiny black shoes, his fists, hidden in his cloak clenching tightly. "Since you were all tortured at the Malfoy Manor." Draco finished Hermione's sentence then stood swiftly, and left the cabin without a single word. Hermione glanced over to Harry who seemed, or rather was pretending to not have even noticed that Draco had left. He was so different… than the boy she had first met seven years ago. He had grown up for one thing, but in the last months he seemed to have… regressed. He was so withdrawn and quiet; no one could seem to get any more out of him than just the minimum.
Both Harry and Hermione were relieved when the train finally came to a stop; they stood on the platform at the Hogsmeade station and for a moment they stood in complete silence and just stared out at the silhouette of Hogwarts in the near distance. Harry wouldn't admit that the sight of the grand castle almost cast a solemn feeling, but, it was also his home, Harry was glad to be back, glad that he had been convinced to return. With a glance at Harry, Hermione gently tugged on his sleeve, "come on Harry, Hogwarts waits" Harry nodded and began to head to the carriages that would take them to Hogwarts. Hermione stopped in her tracks as she saw the winged creatures that pulled the carriages for the first time. "Harry…" Harry put a hand on her shoulder. "I'd be surprised if you didn't see them Hermione. I'm sure a lot of people are seeing what you are. Especially after the war, after we were all touched by death" Hermione's lower lip quivered and it was Harry's turn to give her a tight hug.
Harry climbed into the awaiting carriage and was slightly disappointed to find Luna and Neville sharing one of the benches, Harry had wanted one last chance at quiet before the stares and chatter behind his back began. He and Hermione sat across from the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, no one seeming to want to break the silence that filled the air between the four of them. "I wonder if the House Elves will be serving dinner." Luna said to herself; most likely trying to break the silence "I don't know, maybe." Hermione responded then silence fell upon the group once more. The rest of the ride was quiet as each contemplated words to be spoken without speaking them.
Once the carriage had come to a stop all four of them climbed down and looked up at Hogwarts, it was amazing how it looked as if the war never happened, though everyone who took a moment longer before entering knew it had indeed happened; Hermione took another glance at the creature she had never been able to see before, yes, that would be a reminder of what everyone had lived through. After the moment of still silence the group began to make their way to the front gate. "Potter," All four of them stopped and turned at the sound of Harry's name, curious as to who wanted Harry before he had even made it into the castle. Draco walked up to the group and glanced at each of them before addressing Harry. "I would like to talk, alone" Hermione once against stiffened as she put a hand on Harry's arm protectively, she didn't trust the blonde, why should she, and she trusted him even less with Harry in the state he currently was in. Harry nodded to Hermione, Neville and Luna and Neville prompted the two girls to continue on without Harry. "We'll save you some pudding." Luna called back before smiling at the two boys and skipped after Hermione and Neville.
"She's a weird one, Lovegood." Draco said before beginning to slowly walk the same direction as everyone else, towards Hogwarts. "Is that all that you wanted to talk about?" Harry asked and shoved his hands into his pockets as he tried to figure out what Draco was trying to accomplish. "No. I wanted to say I was sorry… for Weasley, both of them... For, their deaths… and for everything. I was just doing what I had to, to survive." Harry was taken back and nearly lost his balance from stopping then the anger began to well in his chest. "Why?" Harry questioned Draco sternly, what was with the sudden change of demeanor, what was Draco really after? "After we…my family... My father has been demoted a lot at work, and my mother has all but been cut off with her social standings. It's funny how a war can show you who your real friends are, and who they aren't. We all lost something in the war Potter, though some more than others." Harry raised an eyebrow still confused about what was really going on.
"Do I need to spell it out for you, Potter? I don't want to be enemies anymore." Draco said and held out his hand, as a gesture of truce. "How do I know this isn't just some trick? You and I have NEVER been anything but enemies, ever since first year." Harry said and Draco sighed. "I know, but this time will be different." Harry had always been good at listening to his gut, but at the moment, he didn't know what he was feeling. "We don't have to be friends Potter, just not enemies." Draco said hoping that Harry would at least mull it over. Harry looked down at the blonde's hand, in nearly the same fashion as the first time they had met back in their first year at Hogwarts. "Not enemies then." Harry said but didn't take Draco's still outstretched hand as he continued onward up the stairs to the main entrance of Hogwarts leaving Draco to trail behind.
Harry had gone in first, finding his friends waiting just outside the great hall. Draco walked past Hermione, Neville and Luna as if they were invisible before taking a seat at the nearly empty Slytherin table. "What did Malfoy want?" Neville asked as the two girls watched Draco walk into the great hall with his usual composure then look back to Harry, Hermione and Luna pulled their eyes from the Slytherin to look to Harry, also wanting to know. "Draco just wanted to talk. And he wanted to talk without being scrutinized, he isn't exactly welcome with certain people." the two Gryffindors and one Hufflepuff looked down at their feet knowing all too well who 'certain people' were, they all then walked into the great hall. "I doubt that is all he wanted." Neville continued and Harry looked over to where Draco sat, alone while the few Slytherins that were sitting at the same table threw daggers in his direction. "I'm not convinced either, but the war affected everyone in some way. I'm not about to be friends, but at least we can get past being enemies." the four sat together at what would have been designated Gryffindor's table, but no house colors had yet to be hung over any of the tables. Maybe it was because the year didn't officially start for another week.
"I'm surprised there aren't more people here already." Harry said and Neville and Luna looked at each other as if silently prodding the other to break the news, causing Harry's stomach to turn slightly. "Harry, not everyone will be coming. Some are going to other schools, and some found a way to finish their education over the last few months." Neville said quietly as if telling Harry for the second time that he had lost his friends. "Oh." Hermione touched Harry's arm, looking to Luna and Neville. "If it makes you feel any better, we will all be done relatively quick and then we can join everyone else. And you'll be an Auror like you always wanted." Harry's chest hurt and his eyes pricked for a moment, an Auror…
Harry shook off Hermione's hand, the sting of the pain growing to a nearly unbearable pounding in his chest. "I wanted to be an Auror because Ron was going to be my partner. I don't want to be an Auror without him." Harry said and got up from the table, quickly, leaving Hermione stunned as he hurried from the great hall. Hermione stood to follow after Harry calling after him, but a hand grabbed hers, keeping her from pursuing Harry. Hermione turned to scold the person who had stopped her but her anger faded when the shock of red hair filled her site, "George." She said his name through a frog in her throat. "Let him go Hermione, we all knew this was going to be hard for him." The four of them were silent for a moment and Hermione sighed, sitting back down next to Luna and looked down at the table. "He's changed," Luna said at last and Hermione nodded. "Yeah, He…" She couldn't bring herself to say how he had changed, but all of them, and perhaps everyone in the Great Hall could plainly see that it was true.
Draco, having watched Harry leave quite quickly had gotten up and followed the boy up to the clock tower in silence, Draco's stomach knotted as he climbed the steps; the last time he was here… Draco shuttered at the memory but trudged on. Draco found Harry exactly where he had expected him, Harry had his back towards the stairs as Draco approached, "Potter." Harry glanced at Draco, his green eyes shiny with tears, but void of emotion then back at the place where Dumbledore had fallen from -Dumbledore's death had been hard for everyone, some more than others- "You aren't thinking…" Harry realized what Draco was implying and turned to face the Slytherin full on, all of Harry's anger for all of the death directed at the blonde. "Why would you care!? In Fact, how dare you stand here like you did nothing! You were going to kill him!" Harry said angrily and fumbled for his wand drawing it on Draco who put his hands up, unarmed, and backed up a few paces. "I'm unarmed Potter. I won't fight you." Draco said and Harry's hand shook with anger. "Why!? You have always been so willing before! Like the bathroom, and sparring in 2nd year, always trying to provoke me! Why not now!?"
Harry's vision fogged for a moment as tears wetted his cheeks, Draco took the opportunity to pull Harry away from the edge and disarm him, tossing Harry's wand aside as it clattered across the wooden floor. The two boys rolled around on the wooden deck of the clock tower, fighting to gain the upper hand punches being thrown by only Harry to be taken and not returned by Draco "Fight back!" Harry yelled at Draco, his fists connecting anywhere he could reach but Draco still didn't raise his hands. Harry continued to throw punches until both of them had lost the will to struggle against each other. Harry panted with exertion as he sat on his hands and knees, arms shaking, tears still slowly streaming down his cheeks, his eyes still locked onto Draco. Draco watched Harry, watched his movements, perfect blonde hair hanging in his silvery eyes as he too panted from exertion, blood stained his lower lip from a punch that had connected to his face, splitting his lip. "I won't fight you Potter, because it's not right. I'm not your enemy, and you aren't Harry Potter; you're just some bloke who just lost his best friend." Draco said quickly between pants. At the mention of Ron Harry's anger flared once more and he half-heartedly attacked Draco, ending up with his arms pinned across his chest, Draco twisting his and Harry's body to get Harry sitting in front of him, holding onto each of Harry's wrists tightly from behind, the brunette boy struggled for a second longer before going limp in Draco's arms, all his strength drained from him as silent sobs made his body jerk against Draco's firm hold. Draco closed his eyes as all but his grip on Harry relaxed.
"It's alright. It's going to be okay… Harry." Draco tried to soothe the brunette in his arms, the silent sobbing accompanied by the wetness of tears on each of Draco's hands. Draco slowly released his grip on Harry as Harry's breathing deepened and steadied out. With long, slender and pale fingers, Draco ran a hand through Harry's dark messy hair, the usually messy locks even more so after their tussle. Draco never blamed Harry for anything that happened between them, He had always admired the brunette, he seemed to strong and determined to live his life in his own way, Draco only wished he had had the same kind of courage. Draco pulled the sleeve of his shirt up slightly, looking at the dark mark tattooed on his arm. He had wished he had never let others drag him into the darkness that was Voldemort, if only he and Harry had been friends from the beginning, he would have been saved from it all.