Chapter 1
The Hogwarts Express sped along the tracks, its familiar whistle echoing through the autumn air. As the scenery blurred past, Harry sat by the window, lost in thought. It had been a peaceful summer since he threatened the Dursleys with a repeat of third year.
However, he felt a restlessness stirring within him as he approached his sixth year at Hogwarts. Going back to Hogwarts meant dealing with the stares, the whispers, the reporters, the fans, the enemies. Going back meant accepting the position as ‘Saviour of the Wizarding World’. He didn’t want that. He wanted to be Harry, just Harry and nothing else.
The final battle was drawing closer, he could feel it. The pain in his scar had become more frequent, more excruciating. Voldemort was happy, if he could feel anything that is, so he celebrated by raiding muggle villages and torturing those who lived there.
Harry had seen hundreds of death eaters attend each time, he knew there were many more elsewhere. He dreaded to think of the amount he would have to face.
Bellatrix always made a regular appearance in the visions, along with Snape and Lucius.
Harry scowled at the thought of a professor and a well-respected member of society being able to walk freely after putting people through so much pain.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts as the train pulled into the station. Harry couldn’t help but smile as he thought of all the good times being at Hogwarts had given him. The friends he gained, the love he’s experienced, even the dangerous adventures were looked upon fondly.
In the back of his mind, he saw everything, everyone he loved burning. A dark chuckle echoed before fading out.
Of course, this year will not be like the others.
He saw Ron and Hermione at the edge of the platform, they were closely whispering to each other before they spotted him. When Harry was just able to make out what they were saying, they stopped, choosing to hug him instead.
“You weren’t on the train! We thought something had happened.” Hermione scolded him, then began to fuss over his apparently out of place uniform. Harry imagined his mother would do something similar, so he let it be.
After a while they went the carriages, Harry stared at the Thestrals before boarding.
“They don’t seem as scary this year.” He sighed and sat down between his two friends.
“I still don’t know what you’re on about Harry. The carriages are pulled by magic mate.” Ron laughed as Harry rolled his eyes.
Harry's heart raced as they approached the castle, its towering silhouette illuminated by the setting sun. The school looked the same as it always did, yet there was a foreboding atmosphere around it, almost like it knew what was to come.
The grand doors opened, revealing the twilight sky above the long tables filled with an array of untouched foods.
Harry could enjoy at least one evening without thinking about his entirely doomed future.
The Great Hall was quieter than it had been in previous years, many students hadn’t returned.
Some parents no longer believed Hogwarts was the safe paradise the professors promised it was. Others, mostly those in Slytherin, had left due to joining the wrong side of the war, becoming deatheaters.
Harry shook his head once again, he did not need to be worrying about those who were against him.
“Harry, don’t you think Malfoy is going to be planning something this year?” Okay, so no avoiding the bad topics.
“Don’t care if he is. Not my problem.” Harry sighed watching the first years be sorted into their houses.
“He keeps looking at you mate. It’s weird.” Ron nudged him arm to try and get him to look. He wouldn’t. Harry refused to look, he refused to fuel his somewhat unhealthy… obsession from the past years.
“Oh leave him be Ron. Perhaps Harry wants to have a night without thinking of-“
“A pompous twat?” Ron finished, smiling lopsidedly.
Hermione rolled her eyes before focusing on the last part of Dumbledore’s speech.
Harry had heard it a thousand times. ‘It’s good to see you all, do your best, don’t go in the forbidden forest, this is the safest place for you, this is our new DADA professor, you might die, study hard, enjoy.’
As people began to fill their plates up, Harry couldn’t help but look over to the green table.
Malfoy was between Parkinson and Blaise. Goyle and Crabbe were nowhere to be seen.
He found Malfoy already looking at him, frowning, his grey eyes were clouded with an emotion Harry couldn’t recognise.
They stared at each other for what felt like eternity.
Malfoy had specs of blue in his stormy eyes, a freckle next to his right one, just on the side of his nose. His eyelashes were surprisingly visible considering how light they were. He blinked every 7 seconds, sometimes it was twice. It was a while before Harry noticed Malfoy’s mouth moving. He was responding to his friends, although followers would be a better word.
“Harry? Are you okay?” Hermione’s voice pulled him back to his own friends. He hoped neither of them realised what he was distracted by.
“Yeah, just thinking,” he replied with a small smile.
“Careful, you might hurt yourself.” She smiled back at him before turning her attention to Neville.
“About Malfoy, yeah?” Ron spoke, his voice muffled by the food stuffed in his mouth.
“What is it with you and him? I don’t care what he does Ron.” Harry scoffed, turning his attention to his plate. A few peas sat next to a thin piece of chicken. He pushed it around on his plate, an appetite was never something he seemed to have.
The feast didn’t last long, it never did when it was the first one back. Everyone was usually eager to get to their common rooms. Some, like Hermione tended to prepare for the entire year, whilst others, like Harry, tended to join in on the games that were held.
This year Harry didn’t feel like playing games or doing schoolwork. As much as he longed for familiarity, he couldn’t shake the fear for what was to come.
However, Ron managed to drag him over to the group, much to Hermione’s disappointment.
A few hours and shots later the boys stumbled into their room, muttering nonsensical sentences to each other. They managed to get ready for bed, likely with clothes belonging to the other and buttons in the wrong place, but it was good enough for them. They both fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows.