Platform 9 and 3/4 and Hogwarts.
Harry cracks his eyes open as his curtains get drawn by someone. He sits up in bed, rubbing his eyes. Remus turns to him, smiling wider than Harry has ever seen.
"Minerva said you can still come to Hogwarts! The train is at 11, you will be riding with the teachers. It's today so get packing! There's no time to waste. Breakfast is downstairs, come when you're ready."He smiles again before leaving and heading downstairs. Harry stands up and looks around his room. He sees his old trunk under his be and he pulls it out. He opens it to find all the books eighth year's needs and new robes already in it. He remembers Remus going to Diagon Alley a few days ago and smiles. He keeps his trunk out as he changes into some regular clothes before heading downstairs to breakfast. Before he can even get on the same floor as the others, he smells pancakes from the staircase. He smiles and continues down, opening the door to see everyone already there, munching on pancakes.
"Morning."
"Good morning Harry."
"Morning Harry."
"Good morning, pancakes?" Remus asks, already placing a few on Harry's plate.
Harry nods and sits down in his seat, mouth watering from the smell alone. He eagerly digs into his breakfast. It's those thick ones, covered in maple syrup. It's like a cloud, so soft and light but full of flavor. Harry eats one easily, asking for another once he finishes the first one. Everyone at the table has already had two by the time Harry came down, so no ones judging him. They all chat for a while till Harry has to pack or he will be late. He places his plate in the sink, thanks Remus for a delicious breakfast, and walks upstairs to pack. When he opens his door, he spots a light brown owl sitting by his window. He smiles as the owl flutters to the floor and turns into Hermione. She grins sheepishly.
"Sorry Harry, couldn't resist trying. Have you packed already? I have, my trunks at Ron's. Pansy and Blaise are also returning for eighth year, so they will be joining us on the train today." She says, looking around his room.
As her eyes come in contact with his empty trunk, she tutts and begins to go through his wardrobe, picking out some outfits for him to take.
"You have to start packing Harry, the train is an hour! You're worse than Ron honestly. C'mon, dont just stand there, help me pick something!" She waves him over before going back to the wardrobe.
Harry chuckles before obeying her demands. He helps her pick out his only good few outfits and a few casual home clothes. They pack it in his trunk, put Hedwig in her cage, and get ready to go to Rons, where everyone is meeting before apparating to Kings Cross. He says goodbye to everyone and they floo over to Rons, where he, Blaise, Pansy, and Draco are all waiting.
Hermione grabs her trunk and they all apparate to Kings Cross. They arrive 10 minutes before 11 and they board the train. Some teachers give them weird looks as they pass, but most just smile and wave, most likely being told by McGonagall that they were riding with them. The group finds an empty compartment and sits down, putting their trucks in the overhead holders. They chat for a while before the train starts. They all watch as KingsCross grows smaller and smaller as they speed ahead, till it's just a blurry dot in the distance, like the rest of London. They continue chatting throughout the journey when The Trolly Witch comes by (surprisingly) and they all buy a few things, except for Draco, who has been staring out of the window for a while. Harry, who somehow got seated next to Draco, offers him a Chocolate Frog, which Draco accepts, much to everyone's surprise. They all chat till it turns to night and the driver announces that they will be arriving soon. The girls leave for the next carriage so they can get changed privately, and the boys change too. After everyone changes, they all sit back down and wait till they arrive. The train slowly stops and everyone gets out. They haul their trunks outside with the teachers. Harry approaches the Threstral carriages before he realizes no one is walking with him. He turns to see his friends standing there, looking at the Threstrals with fear. He remembers that no one had seen them before the war, even some of the teachers were looking scared. Harry pets the Threstral before climbing aboard a carriage. He looks at his friends who seem to snap out of a trance. Pansy walks out first, carefully petting the Threstral before boarding the carriage. Hermione follows, then Ron, then Blaise, then Draco. The Threstrals begin to move once everyone is on, and they trot to the castle.
Professor McGonagall greets them at the gate, showing them to their dorm. As Harry was told, all eighth years share one common room, no matter the house. The common room is like a mix of all the houses. It's in one of the towers, and it has a wrap-around balcony. It has floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a roaring fireplace on one side. It has plush armchairs scattered around, a mix of emerald green and ruby red colors. The ceiling has the star constellations painted on it, like the great hall. To enter the common room, you have to climb through a portrait of Hogwarts, and to get to the dorms you have to climb spiral staircases on either side, left the boys, right the girls. The dorms have the names of the people who stay inside them on the doors, and the boys have a laugh at the pairs. Draco's and Harry's is at the very end of the hallway, Ron being paired with Blaise right across from them. Draco and Harry enter their dorm, there are two beds on opposite sides, with desks next to them and an empty wardrobe on the other side. It's identical except for the colors. One side is laced in emerald green where possible, with dark green sheets and silver lining on the curtains. The other side is the same but ruby red, dark red bedding, and gold lining. Their names are on their corresponding sides. Harry has the green side, and Draco has the red. Harry walks over to his bed and places his trunk down at the foot. He plops down on his bed, looking around the room. Draco walks over to his side, unpacking his books and clothes, putting them away before grabbing a book, sitting on his bed, and reading. Harry unpacks a few of his things before he puts on a jumper, since the heating charms haven't yet been stretched to this wing, and heads to the common room. He finds Ron, Blaise, Pansy, and Hermione all there, chatting away in front of the fire. No one notices him approach, so he decides to just listen in before he reveals himself. He peaks around the corner and sees Ron and Blaise cuddling while Pansy is practically sitting on top of Hermione. He lightly chuckles and continues listening. Suddenly, the subject switches to him.
"I feel bad for him. Honestly, being bitten by someone you care about, and turning into a werewolf? I would be in shambles by now." He hears Hermione say.
"I know, but the least we can do is make things easier for him." Ron replied. Pansy snorts,
"Make things easier? You can't do anthing to make a transformation easier for a werewolf. Only thing you can do is clean up its wounds after its done. And maybe become animagi like you guys have. I'm still really jealous of you for that. But yeah, you can't really do anthing to make it less painful. Even with the Wolfsbane potion, it just makes the person in control of their body, doesn't make it less painful." She finishes.
"Still, it's the best we can do. He's our best friend, we cant just let him suffer then have a shitty night after it. We can at least make it fun, like they did for Remus." Hermione answers, figiting a little.
"I wouldnt have gotten into the hassle. Its kind of his fault that he was standing so close to Remus, with no protection spells or anything. He didnt do anything to prevent it, so why help make it easier?" Blaise says.
Harry hears people murmering their agreement. His heart strains. Pansy and Blaise he expected to have this reaction, but Ron and Hermione too? That was too much. He quietly walks back to his room, silently pulling the door open and sitting down on his bed, staring at the floor.
Draco jumps as Harry enters the room. He says nothing as he walks over to his bed and sits down, looking like he just got told that Voldemort was coming back.
"Potter?" Draco asks. Harry keeps staring at the floor, not seeming to hear Draco.
"Potter. Why do you look like a ghoul?" He asks, slightly louder.
Harry turns to Draco, his eyes empty, no life inside. Draco swallows, he knows that feeling all to well. Draco puts his book down and slowly approaches Harrys bed, sitting down when Harry doesnt make any move to stop him. He leans down, tilting Harrys face to look at his.
"Harry, whats wrong?" Draco asks, his voice soft.
Harry looks at Draco, not resisting to be moved. His eyes trail Dracos face, pulling away when he meets his eyes. Harry scoots back on his bed, curling his legs beneath him, holding them. He mumbles something incoherant.
"Sorry?"
"They called me a hassle. Its my fault I got bitten, they say." He whispers, voice thick with tears that have already dried.
Draco moves next to him, slowly wrapping an arm around the shaking boys shoulders. Harry flinches when Dracos arm comes into contact with his back, but he doesnt move away. Harry leans into Draco, feeling comforted by his warmth. Draco lifts Harrys head to look him in the eye.
"Harry. It was not your fault. You trusted Remus, and you were scared. Its not your fault. And you are not a hassle. Can you trust me on this?" Draco asks, voice barley louder than a whisper.
Harry hesitates before nodding, pulling his face out of Dracos hand, but immedinetly laying it on his chest. Draco smiles as he feels Harrys heart beat steady. Harry slowly dozes off, into a dreamless sleep. After a while, Draco slowly stands up, laying Harry down and pulling blankets over his body. He gently closes the door, before his rage overpowers him. Who on earth would say Harry flipping Potter is a hassle? Who would say its his fault he got bitten? Draco stormed down the corridor, walking into the common room with his wand out. He points it at the group from where he is standing on the staircase. They dont notice him at first, but Hermione who is facing his way, spots him and tells the group. Everyone turns around, and when they see his wand, their eyes go wide.
"You wanna tell me who said that Harry is ' a hassle'?" Draco asks, low and menacing.
Everyone freezes at these words, Blaise looking the most guilty.
"Was it you Blaise? You wanna confirm it?" Draco asks, anger rising.
Blaise looks at the floor as he nods, so he doesnt see the full body bind spell Draco sends his way. Blaise topples to the floor. Everyone stays still, no one daring to help.
"Now, who said that it was 'Harrys fault that he got bit.'? Anyone?" Draco asks. Pansy points at Blaise again. Draco grimaces and sends Anteoculatia Blaises way, causing him to grow antlers. Draco glares at everyone else before briskly wwalking back to his room. Before he leaves, he undoes the body bind spell. When he gets back Harry is curled up under his covers, looking so peacful. Draco smiles and gets ready for bed. As he settles in bed, he flicks his wand at the candle to put it out. He lays down on his pillow, falling asleep rather quickly. As he drifts off, he thinks,
Wonder what tomorrow will bring?