Harry woke up trembling and covered in sweat. Scenes from last night's dream flashed before his eyes. He saw Ron and Hermonie dead; he saw Hagrid covered in blood; he saw nameless innocents all lying dead on the floor all because of him. He wrapped his arms around himself because he knew that no one else would. He placed his head on his knees and he struggled to regain control of his breathing.
Harry slowly unraveled himself and stood up. He covered his mouth while he coughed; that fact that he did so without pain at least meant that he hadn't been screaming last night. He stood still for one second; he allowed himself one second of grief before he put himself into motion.
He showered quickly, letting the hot water wash away all of the pain from last night's dream. After slipping on a clean pair of robes, he took a deep breath, then proceeded to The Great Hall for breakfast.
All the teacher's chairs were filled except for two: one was Trelawney's, and one was Malfoy's. Malfoy he thought. His anger from last night flared instantly. He would go to McGonagall today and ask her about him.
All of Harry's classes ran smoothly. The only interruption was when a first year Ravenclaw started squealing and jumping up and down when he walked by her in the corridor.
Apart from the Ravenclaw girl, he liked the first years. All of his students showed a strong desire to learn. Even the Slytherin's showed excitement when he said that they would be learning how to tackle boggarts this year. Perhaps the events of the former year had made the first years more determined to prepare himself or herself for whatever or whoever might cross their paths in the future.
By the time Harry had reached Lunchtime, he was exhausted. However, he promised himself that he would find the reason for Malfoy's employment. With Dumbledore's death to fuel him, he started the trek up to the Headmistress's office.
If McGonagall hadn't been walking to enter her office herself, he would have been stuck standing in front of her office for a while, because he realized that he had no idea what the password was. "What is it Pott- er- Harry?" McGonagall still had not gotten over her habit of calling Harry, "Potter," as she called him when he was a student. Harry was her equal now. "Er, yeah. I was wondering if I could ask you about certain… employment decisions you have made." She looked like she was trying to suppress a glare at him. "Very well, I had a feeling this would happen. Step inside with me."
The office that formerly belonged to Dumbledore had not changed much. All the portraits were silenced at once by the Headmistress's entrance. The biggest change was that the perch where Fawks, Dumbledore's phoenix once stood was no longer there. A large pile of old looking books replaced it.
Harry sat down across from McGonagall. She started to move things around on her desk; she seemed to be avoiding the conversation as long as possible. At last, she clasped her hands on her lap and she began. "I assume this is about me choosing to employ Professor Malfoy?" Yes!" Harry's anger ignited as quickly as it did the night before, when he heard McGonagall call Malfoy, 'Professor'. "How in the world could you employ him? He was a Death Eater! He worked for Voldemort! He almost killed Dumbledore! How could you let such a monster teach in a school which he participated in destroying?" "I would be very careful with who you call a monster Potter." She said coldly. "As for your other concerns, the war is over. Malfoy himself did not choose the path he went down, his parents did. You very well already know that. Furthermore-" "Professor! He disarmed Dumbledore that night! He was the reason why Snape could kill him!" Harry knew that Snape was supposed to kill Dumbledore, that it had been planed months in advance, but Harry could still not help harboring anger towards Malfoy and Snape regardless. "He let Death Eaters into the school through the vanishing cabinet in the Room of Require-" "Enough!" McGonagall looked exasperated, yet it did not soften her cold stare. "Dumbledore was known for given second chances, especially to those who deserve them. I know that you and Malfoy have a history-" "We do!" Harry interrupted her yet again. "He made my life miserable in school!" "Now you are just letting your personal interests get involved Harry!" McGonagall fumed. "Malfoy was the top in his class in potions aside from Ms. Granger. He was the only one willing to take the job especially after what had happened last year! Now if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do then to listen to you whine about my teachers! If you wish to complain about my authority, go to the Ministry! Until then, get out of my office!"
Harry stomped out of the office. White-hot rage ran through his veins. Every inch of his body was tense with anger. His hand tightly grasped his wand, as if something were about to attack him. He needed to cool down before his next class, because he certainly couldn't teach like this. Just as he rounded the corner to head to his room, he ran straight into Malfoy.
"You!" Harry raged. He pointed his wand at Malfoy as if he was just announced as the next great dark wizard. Malfoy smirked. Harry noticed that the smirk did not reach his eyes as it normally did; however, it was provoking nonetheless. "Hello Potter. You look a little flushed. You almost resemble one of Hagrid's Blast-Ended Screwts." He spoke with a deadly calm and controlled voice, almost like he knew this confrontation was going to occur. Harry's anger started to boil over. "How dare you step into this school? How dare you step into the place that gave you a home and safety as if you hadn't been the one to destroy it?" Malfoy's smirk had faded. He just looked tired now. His posture has slumped a little; he no longer had the posture of an arrogant schoolboy, but the posture of a man who hadn't slept in weeks. "Listen Potter," his voice was casual, but malice could still be detected in it. " I am not frolicking through daisies at the thought of having to work with you. In fact, I would much rather you be locked away in a hospital for the insane, but we don't all get what we want in life. I expect for you to grow up. Move on. I certainly do not like working with you, but I got over it. If it is what I need to do to keep this job, then so be it. I expect you to do the same." Harry raised his wand. He could not believe what he was hearing. "Don't you dare try and tell me what and what not to do, Malfoy." Harry whispered. "Potter, put your wand down, you look ridiculous." And with that, Malfoy turned on his heel and into the stairwell where he was headed for the dungeons.
Harry had not moved since Malfoy left. He stood in the middle of the corridor with his wand raised, pointed at where Malfoy stood less than a minute ago. Harry's anger was now mixed with confusion. Why had Malfoy not wanted to argue with him? Harry was looking for an argument. He wanted an excuse to fight, to release the anger that had been building up since yesterday at the start of school feast. He wanted Malfoy to feel the pain of watching the place you call home get destroyed. Instead, Malfoy was calm and collected and tired. Malfoy almost looked as bad as he did. Although Malfoy's words were as piercing as ever, they lacked the fire they once had. They lost the fight in them.
The sound of students grew louder and closer; lunch must have just be let out. In one fluid motion, Harry stowed his wand away, and made his way towards his classroom, where he had to prepare for his next class.