"Change is certain. Peace is followed by disturbances; departure of evil men by their return. Such recurrences should not constitute occasions for sadness but realities for awareness, so that one may be happy in the interim."
~Percy Bysshe Shelley
Sighing, Harry looked out of the window, his breath frosting up the glass and obscuring the view of the wilderness outside. Ron and Hermione were still at their prefect meeting. He had seen them briefly before entering the train, Hermione had almost bowled him over with her excitement. She had been made Head Girl, apparently Professor McGonagall had sent her a note along with the badge, congratulating her. Ron was smiling sheepishly, drawing Harry's attention to the fact that he was holding Hermione's hand. At this Harry grinned, relieved that they had finally stopped dancing around the issue and just gotten together. Ron relaxed after that, obviously he was worried at how Harry would react, and before they left Harry they promised they would try and be back as soon as possible, giving him money to buy them sweets from the trolley if they weren't back in time.
It was getting darker outside, the sun setting behind the mountains, illuminating the surrounding clouds and setting fire to the skyline. It was beautiful, it truly was. The golden hues of the dying sun's rays seemed to warm Harry's spirits. He hadn't seen a sunset like this since before the holidays, normally training with Tom or hanging out with his new friends to pay attention to this phenomenon of nature. He wondered how Tom was going to get inside Hogwarts. Harry never wanted his lover being caught in some inane attempt to see him, however he knew this was irrational. Tom would never risk himself like that, their cause never allowed him to be so flippant. Whatever it was it had to be foolproof, something that Dumbledore wouldn't suspect. Thankfully, Hermione and Ron chose at this point to return, stopping Harry's thoughts before they wound up his nerves any further.
However, any thoughts of his nerves surviving this train journey were decimated when Lysander poked his head around the door.
"Harry, this is Lysander Chevalier, he's an exchange student from Beauxbatons. Professor McGonagall asked me to look after him" explained Hermione, pride lacing her words at the confidence her mentor had placed in her.
"Harry, it is a pleasure to meet you" said Lysander, amusement dancing deep within his eyes.
"It's good to meet you too Lysander" returned Harry.
"Blimey that was utter hell" said Ron, flopping down on the seat next to Harry, his hand diving into the box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans that Harry had bought for him.
"Ronald, you are a prefect, you need to take your duties seriously" scolded Hermione, glaring at him. Harry resisted the urge to laugh, it appeared that even with their newfound relationship some things wouldn't change.
"So who do you think will win the house cup this year?" asked Ron, concentrating on Harry to escape Hermione's wrath.
The next hour or so lasted with him and Ron talking Quidditch strategy, Lysander piping in every now and then. Harry had to admit, the boy was a natural at acting. He looked suitably nervous when it was expected, only some of his normal cocky behaviour leaking through when discussing flying prowess. Ron was amazed when Lysander had told him some of the moves he had performed on a broom, asking the blonde to perform them at Hogwarts. Lysander had of course agreed and before Harry knew it Ron had arranged a one on one competition between Lysander and Harry. At first Harry hadn't wanted to, but upon seeing the confident glint in Lysander's eyes he accepted. It would do the vampyre good to be knocked down a few pegs.
It was only after they had changed into their robes that trouble appeared. Harry had officially decided that no train journey was complete without a visit from Draco Malfoy.
"Potter, why am I not surprised" Malfoy's voice floated into their compartment. Sure enough moments later he came along with Blaise in tow.
"Blaise!" exclaimed Lysander happily.
"Lysander, how may I ask did you end up with these 'people'" sneered Blaise, looking down at Harry and Ron. Harry bit back the retort that he knew would make the façade useless
"Now, now Blaise, manners. These fine people have been educating me about Hogwarts, I can't wait to try out for Quidditch, you know how much I love brooms" said Lysander, if they hadn't been trying to remain undercover, Harry would have whacked Lysander, now was not the time for innuendos. As it was, Blaise just blushed a little bit.
"Lets go Lysander, I don't want to be contaminated" drawled Malfoy.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Ron angrily.
"Come on now, even you are capable of figuring that one out" said Malfoy, smirking at Ron's reaction.
"Draco, didn't mother teach you manners" said Lysander teasingly.
"How do you know each other?" asked Hermione, popping her head up from behind Hogwarts: A History.
"Well" said Lysander, "Blaise's mother has a second home near mine, I believe it was your second step father's residence?"
"Yes" said Blaise, grinning slightly.
"Well anyway, she immediately got in touch with all the pureblood families in the area and I was on that list. One thing led to another and-"
"Hey!" exclaimed Blaise as Lysander pulled him on his lap.
"So you are together I take it?" asked Hermione, smiling slightly at the Slytherin's discomfort.
"Yes" said Lysander, tangling his fingers in Blaise's hair, pulling him close and pecking him on the lips. Soon however Blaise grew impatient and deepened the kiss, moaning slightly as Lysander took control.
"If I have to deal with this for a year I think I might get a transfer to Durmstrang" mutter Malfoy, for once looking uncomfortable.
"I never thought I'd ever say this but for once I agree with Malfoy" mumbled Ron, not really knowing where to look. Hermione handled it slightly better, burrowing herself back into her book. Harry was trying not to laugh, and when they eventually pulled apart, Lysander peeked at him over Blaise's shoulder and smirked as if to say 'paybacks a bitch'.
"Where's Crabbe and Goyle?" asked Harry, it was strange seeing Malfoy without his usual bodyguards.
"They never passed their exams last year, their fathers took them out to be self tutored" said Malfoy, without the normal drawl.
"I take it we're going to be seeing a lot more of each other" sighed Ron, looking over at Blaise and Lysander who were making out again.
"I guess" sighed Malfoy, sitting down next to Hermione and grimacing slightly, "But it doesn't mean I have to like it."
"Suit yourself" said Harry evenly.
They lapsed into silence, all trying to ignore the noises that Lysander and Blaise were making. Mercifully they arrived soon and Harry heard Ron sigh happily when the train came to a stop. The night had a fierce chill to it and Harry wrapped his cloak around him tighter, the cold never affected him a lot anymore but he could still feel the bite of the cold Scottish winds. Climbing into a carriage he almost groaned when Lysander came with him, Blaise and Malfoy having joined the rest of the Slytherin's in their own carriage.
"So is that really how you two met?" asked Hermione, feeling it was now safe to talk to him.
"Yes, my parents weren't too happy when they found out, they are rather traditional but they want me to be happy" answered Lysander, smiling.
"Just do me a favour and have no more public displays of affection like that" grumbled Ron.
"You're just jealous" retorted Lysander, grinning smugly when Ron's ears turned red and he grabbed Hermione's hand.
"Ron he doesn't mean it" said Harry, glaring at the blonde.
"What about you Harry?" asked Lysander, innocently turning his attention on Harry.
"No, I feel rather sorry for Blaise actually, it must be hard fucking you due to that stick up your arse."
Lysander laughed, and Harry joined him. It was exactly like it was in the Midnight Realm and Harry was enjoying himself immensely. Hermione looked at him rather disapprovingly but couldn't contain her smirk and Ron looked like he was choking on something. Their reactions just added to Harry's enjoyment.
They arrived at the castle and Harry, Ron and Hermione entered the hall, taking their traditional seats at the Gryffindor table and conversing with their classmates about their summers. Harry was glad that he was normally vague about his summers, it meant they never asked him much. Shortly the first years came in, Lysander at the head. Harry tried not to smirk at how uncomfortable the blonde looked, being about two feet taller than most of them.
"Now we have a new student in our midst as I am sure you have noticed. Everyone this is Lysander Chevalier, he has transferred here from Beauxbatons and I want you all to give him a warm welcome" said Dumbledore. Lysander sat on the stool and McGonagall placed the sorting hat on his head. After a few minutes 'Ravenclaw' echoed around the hall. Smugly, Lysander stood up and walked to the third table, sitting next to Luna. The rest of the sorting went on without any problems and Harry found himself staring longingly at his plate, as if wishing the food to appear.
"To the new students and some of the old, I ask you not to enter the Forbidden Forest. Other than that I believe Mr Filch has added several items to his contraband list, a few Weasley products amongst them. For full details the list is on the door of his office. Lastly this year I would like you to welcome Professor Demeter Fairchild, she has kindly taken up the Defence Against the Dark Arts post," Dumbledore paused, allowing everyone to clap, "And now dig in!"
After piling steak and kidney pie on his plate, Harry looked up at the new DADA professor. She was pale, and her dark flowing hair only emphasised this. She had an almost ethereal beauty about her and Harry could already hear his classmates remarking on it. He thought she was part elf, maybe with a mix of vampire. He'd have to ask Lysander and Luna on what they thought. Pushing the matter aside he felt himself fall into the usual pattern, amazed at how easy it was to be amongst his friends again. It was like he had never left and the only thing that reminded him what had happened was how bland his pie tasted.
After dinner had ended, Hermione went off to find Lysander, only to be assured that 'the wise Ravenclaw' could find his way to the common room. Harry groaned internally, Lysander was going to milk this for all it was worth. Entering the common room (the password was 'fortune favours the bold'), Harry clambered up the staircase to the topmost floor and entered the seventh year dormitory. Collapsing fully clothed on the familiar four-poster bed he sighed happily, for now revelling in the joy he normally felt returning here. Forgetting, for a short moment, about the purpose that had driven him back. That could wait till tomorrow.
A/N: Thank you for the feedback! I'm glad you liked the previous chapter, it boosted my confidence in it immensely. I hope you like this one, I couldn't resist adding in a 'Blaise and Lysander moment' I just love their relationship!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.
I apologise for any spelling and/or grammar mistakes.
Please review!