Returning to Hogwarts.
The snow from the winter holidays still clung to the edges of the Hogwarts grounds, but inside, the castle was warmer than it had been before the break. The Great Hall buzzed with chatter as students returned from their holidays, reuniting with their friends.
Harry entered the hall, carrying his usual cool mask. His Slytherin green cloak swirled behind him, and his eyes scanned the room with their usual detached intensity. He had spent the holidays away from Hogwarts, a break that had helped him regain a little strength, though not much in the way of his usual energy.
After the feast, Harry slipped away from the crowded hall, heading for one of his usual spots—the bathroom where Myrtle resided. The castle was quieter now, with students scattered to their dorms, and the cold still air gave him a bit of respite from the weight of the day.
Myrtle was waiting for him, her figure hovering near the edge of the sinks, her large glasses glistening in the dim light. She seemed more subdued than usual as Harry approached, not her usual dramatic self but with a curious, almost expectant look.
“Harry!” she called out, her voice echoing eerily through the bathroom. “You’re finally back.”
Harry nodded, offering her a small, reserved smile. “Yeah. Back from the break. Did you miss me?”
“Of course, I did!” Myrtle sniffled dramatically, but Harry could tell it was more out of habit than actual sorrow. She had spent plenty of time sulking alone, but now, the bathroom felt less like her territory and more like a quiet haven for the two of them to talk.
She floated over to the nearest sink, looking Harry up and down. “You’ve... you’ve changed a bit. Not as sickly as before.”
“I’ve been eating better,” Harry said softly, though his tone suggested there was more he wasn’t saying. The truth was that, though he felt somewhat better, something still lingered beneath the surface—an emptiness that no amount of food or care could fill.
“Good! You look better. You should’ve stayed at home longer,” Myrtle said with a hint of a pout. “Not that I missed all those students anyway. They’re so noisy.”
Harry chuckled under his breath, but his mind was elsewhere. The holidays had given him a brief respite, but they hadn’t fixed everything. Still, he appreciated Myrtle’s company. She didn’t expect much from him. Her company was simple and comforting in its own odd way.
Meanwhile, back in the Great Hall, the teachers had noticed Harry’s change. Lupin, ever observant, was the first to comment on it. As the students filed out after the feast, he watched Harry slip away from the hall, his back a little straighter, though still with the same quiet intensity.
McGonagall had her eyes trained on the boy as well. “He’s better,” she murmured, noting the slight improvement in his posture. “Not perfect, but not as... sickly as he was.”
Lupin nodded slowly. “Perhaps his guardian or... caretaker took better care of him during the holidays.”
McGonagall’s gaze softened, but there was still concern in her eyes. “I hope that’s the case. But I can’t help but wonder...”
“Wonder what?” Lupin asked, looking at her with a raised brow.
“Why he’s still so distant,” McGonagall said. “It’s as if he’s still holding something back, even with the improvements. We can’t let our guard down yet.”
Lupin didn’t respond immediately, but his frown deepened as he watched Harry leave the hall. Something was still off, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were missing something important.