Chapter 7
On September 1st, students arrived for the new school year at Hogwarts. The tension was high, and the staff was nervous. Most of the older students had participated in the war. They knew of the damage that was done first hand. But a lot of the younger years only heard stories in passing.
Everyone was aware of the fact that the wounds caused by the war were still fresh. But Headmistress McGonagall had hoped that a fresh start would help heal. Being surrounded by those who were equally affected would help. She hoped that with the returning seventeen 8th year students, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would no longer know the meaning of separation in its houses. At least, that's what she hoped.
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Draco, Pansy, Blaise, and Luna made their way into the Great Hall. Pansy was the first to notice the fifth table directly in the middle. Banners of each house hung overhead the table, unlike the others, where each table had one House Banner above it. "This must be for us," Blaise interpreted. The other three nodded in agreement. They all shared a look before walking towards the table and taking seats at the very end.
"Luna, you're a seventh year. You'll get into trouble sitting here," Draco tried to argue. He knew just as much as she did that he needed her presence in order for him to survive this dinner. Luna only laughed, "Oh my dear Draco. It's okay, I don't believe we will run into any problems. I am an honorary eighth year."
Blaise and Pansy shared a look, Luna is a strange one for sure, but they decided not to argue. The four of them kept their gaze on the table, waiting patiently as the hall filled with those returning and the young ones waiting to be sorted.
As the eighth year table began to fill up, Draco took notice that no one sat next to them. All of the returning eighth years sat as far down the table as they could manage. No one wanted to be next to the traitors. Luna sighed, "Maybe one day they will see their destiny too. I am but one person. I cannot escort so many through their paths."
Draco smiled at her. This year shouldn't be so bad with her by his side. All he wanted to do was finish his education and start his apprenticeship under Slughorn. That dream seemed so far away.
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Headmistress McGonagall waited for the last of the students to take their seats before standing to take her place at the podium. "Students of Hogwarts; Welcome home. I am aware that many of you had your doubts of returning. I do not blame you, and I wish only for you to see that a new chapter is beginning within our walls.
"I cannot promise you that this transition will be easy. But I can promise you that you have the support of the staff, as well as your fellow peers. The war is over. We have all lost someone," she paused briefly to let everyone take a moment to remember the fallen. McGonagall glanced at the wall with the golden templates of the names of those who lost their lives at the Battle of Hogwarts.
"But we must remember what we all won; freedom. The chance for us to follow our own dreams without the threat of the future coming to an end. There are so many possibilities for each person in this room. Take them. Embrace them. And do not forget, that you are not alone. We are all grieving. Despite what house you are in, or what house you will be placed in, you are welcome here, and you will be welcomed with open arms. Before we begin, I would like to introduce our new teacher assistants." Everyone watched as five people stood behind McGonagall. "Auror Shraw, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Bill Weasley, our Defense Against the Dark Arts assistant to Professor Shraw," McGonagall paused as the room clapped, "Fleur Delacour, our new Care of Magical Creatures assistant to Professor Hagrid. And Fred and George Weasley, they will be assisting me in caring out my duties as Professor in Transfiguration. Now, let us begin."
The doors to the Great Hall sprung open and the new first years were lead to the front of the hall by Professor Flitwick. "Wanna make a bet on how many students beg not to be in Slytherin?" Draco heard Dean whisper.
"This should be fun," Blaise whispered to his friends as he listened to the first child be sorted into Hufflepuff.
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Hermione rushed down the stairs of the eighth year tower. She was already thirty minutes late to the Welcoming Feast. She got into an argument with her brothers about who should go and who should stay. Harry demanded that he should be the one to go, but Theo wanted to stay with Teddy. Hermione said that Harry and Theo needed to rest before the long day ahead of them tomorrow. It wasn't until Teddy threw a tantrum that Harry realized that Hermione was right. Harry and Theo stayed behind to look after the infant, while Hermione booked it towards the Great Hall. She was starting to regret her decision.
She calm to a halt in front of the doors. Hermione granted herself two minutes to get herself together and slow her breathing. She didn't need to rush in and make a scene.
After her allotted time was up, she pushed the doors open and walked through. No one paid her any mind; people came in late to dinner all the time. She was right in hoping that she could just slip in unnoticed. Hermione looked at the eighth year table in astonishment. 'When Headmistress said house unity, she wasn't kidding.' She thought as she made her way to the table, thankful that no one noticed her late arrival. Hermione was unaware that Draco noticed her come in.
Draco noticed the way McGonagall and the Weasley's looked at her in surprise, like they hadn't expected her to come to dinner. Draco also took note of the hint of concern in McGonagall's eyes as Hermione made her way to sit down next to Neville Longbottom. Hermione gave a slight nod of her head to the professors, it was so small that if Draco hadn't been watching her, he would have missed it.
Pansy paid no mind to Granger, she was focused on the professor walking down each table handing out schedules. She was so nervous to see if Blaise was in any of her classes; she couldn't attend without him. Luna smiled warmly at Hermione when she noticed a particular sixth year leave her peers behind and make her way towards them.
Blaise was second to notice that Greengrass had taken a seat next to Granger. It shouldn't be a surprise. Everyone knew about Greengrass and Potter's on-again-off-again love affair. Of course the two girls would be friends.
Draco was third to notice Astoria. He watched the way they spoke in hushed whispers, glancing around to make sure no one overhead them. It wasn't normal behavior for either of them. Something was going on, and he was determined to figure it out.
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Once the feast was finished, McGonagall released everyone to their respective towers. Everyone but the eighth years, that is. "I would like to personally welcome you all back. You have no idea how much it means to me to see all of your faces again. I know it's not going to be easy, but you have my appreciation either way," she said to them. "Now, if you will please follow Miss Gr-." McGonagall cut off when she glanced at Hermione, asking silently for permission, Hermione nodded, "Eh hem, please follow Miss Granger-Potter to your tower. She has the password written down for each of you."
Everyone gaped at Hermione as they followed her out of the hall; except for Luna and Astoria. No one had noticed how the two girls were will still with them. Hermione led them to the eighth year tower and stopped at the portrait. Helga was the first to appear, and then Salazar, Godric, and Rowena. Each animal greeted everyone and Hermione murmured the password.
The portrait swung open and everyone walked in and took a look around. Surprise was the main thing on everyone's face. The common room was huge. Dean was the first to notice Harry and Theo huddled together on a couch and shouted, "HARRY!" as he ran towards the raven haired boy to shake his hand.
Everyone said their hellos to Harry and gave weary looks to Theo, who had perched himself in Harry's lap with his face hiding in Harry's neck. No one questioned it, or even spoke to Theo. Hermione took that as a good sign as she sat down on the opposite end of the couch, giving Astoria the room to sit next to Harry.
Harry smiled at her and gave her a kiss on the cheek, which she returned. Everyone in the room was too busy to notice the way that Earnie MacMillan was glaring at the two Slytherins. "What are you doing here?" He questioned, glaring at Astoria, "This is the eighth year tower. Go ruin your own common room." Everyone in the room turned to watch. Astoria just smiled and shook her head, "I will leave once I am ready."
Ernie growled before turning to Theo, "And you. The son of a Death Eater. What do you think you're doing? Trying to convince Harry to assist you in becoming the next Dark Lord?" Hermione gasped and Astoria stood up, ready to pounce. "MacMillan, I would watch what I say to him if I were you," Harry whispered darkly.
The onlookers started to back away, they knew what Harry was capable of and they didn't want any part of it. "In fact, leave all of the slytherin's out of it. They're innocent, and if I catch you saying or doing anything to them, I will not hesitate to hex you," Harry threatened. If Harry spoke out for the Slytherin's in the dorm, then that was enough for them. They wouldn't become best friends, but they wouldn't jump into a fight either.
Ernie laughed and made for his wand, "I'd like to see you try." Harry was faster and before Ernie could even pull his wand out, he was flat on his ass as Harry stood over him. Theo was sitting next to Hermione with his head down, and Astoria was standing next to Harry. "That's only a warning. Next time, I won't be so nice," Harry threatened again.
Everyone just watched. No one made a move to help the Hufflepuff on the floor, but instead continued on with their conversations and deciding who was rooming with who.
Blaise, Pansy, Draco, and Luna stared at Harry in shock. He just openly defended one of their own, as well as them by saying that no one was to mess with any of the Slytherin's.
Blaise was right, this was going to be an interesting year.