The beginning of something bigger than ever
Draco’s POV:
As I sit in the last compartment of the Hogwarts Express, waiting for the journey to Hogwarts to start, I observe the sea of people outside my window on the platform. I was sitting on the seat nearest to the window wearing an uncomfortable black suit, as it was the presentable piece of clothing I owned at the moment. Within the sea of people were mostly teary-eyed parents as they bid farewells to their children for a few months. Some of these children were nervous, some were excited, and others were both. Starting a new school year has always been stressful. Especially now, with the war having only ended a few months ago.
I continue to stare at the crowd of people hugging, laughing, and crying. This all felt foreign to me. I had never had parents that had cared. I can not remember a time they hugged me or comforted me. They were always distant, cold. I was raised by the house-elves more prominently, Dobby. My mother refused to spend any time with me, as she thought I had ruined her for good. She hated I was hers and my father had the same feeling. I was just there to be part of a chess game. The pureblood-line chess game, but I was just a pawn in this game. The only times my parents decided I was worth their time was when I was being punished. My father found pleasure in putting me through pain. I was in his punching bag. I meant to be the perfect heir, so at the slightest mistake, I was punished. When I was young age, it was more physical and mental, but then as I grew older, curses became more prominent. The cruciatus curse was his favorite to use on me as I started going to Hogwarts. My mother would do nothing but watch every. single. Time. She would never stop my father, no she would sit on an armchair with a cup of tea as if nothing was happening. The only people that ever cared were Dobby and Severus Snape.
Severus was named my godfather after I was born. At first, I didn't know him very well. I would see him every once in a while, but he had never spoken to me, so I followed the rules and didn't speak to him either. This went on for years until my first year at Hogwarts, I was shaky and almost completely out of it when the welcoming feast had begone. I had gotten a severe punishment before coming to Hogwarts and I haven't had time to heal any of the wounds. I couldn’t get myself to eat that day. I had just wanted to go to sleep exhausted from the punishment I had received. I had barely kept myself awake until it was time to go to the dorms, but then I was called by Severus. I followed him to his office and sat waiting for the punishment I knew I was bound to get, but instead, I had gotten taken care of that day for the first time. That was the day I first felt loved. Severud had informed me, he had noticed my odd behavior in the manor and had investigated it. He told me how disgusted he was with my father for doing such things to me. That day Severus became a father to me, taking care of me and making sure I was happy and comfortable.
Severus had helped me in more ways than I could Imagen. Especially after the incident. I could feel my body begin to twitch remembering that faithful night. If Severus hadn't been there, I-
My train of thought had been interrupted by the sound of my compartment door opening and then slamming shut. I turn around to see who had come into my compartment, but the moment I saw who was there I froze in my seat. In front of me stood Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger. All three of them seemed pretty out of breath as they leaned against the door. After a moment, Granger pulled out her wand and cast locking and silencing charms on the compartment.
“Do you think we lost them?” Asked Potter as he looked out the compartment window.
“Let's hope so mate, because I really don't feel like dealing with them,” replied Weasley, rubbing his temples.
“Well, we should be fine for now. Let's just-” Granger started, but stopped as she turned around and saw me. At her pausing, the two boys also turn around and freeze in their spot. We continue to stare at each other for a few moments until Potter decides to break the silence.
“Malfoy” hisses Potter with a glare.
“Potter,” I respond with an emotionless face. If I'm going to be honest though, I was absolutely freaking out.
“Why are you here?” He asks me as he crosses his arms over his chest. Is this man stupid?
“I could ask you the same question, Potter. You were the one to burst in here with your friends.” I retort, making a point of keeping my voice as emotionless as I can. I really didn't feel like fighting with anyone anytime soon.
“You-” started Potter before being cut off by Weasley.
“Mate, it's fine. We were the ones who just burst in.” He stated while glancing at me.
“It's fine,” I say, “As long as you let me sleep. "
Weasley gives me a nod and I turn my head back to the window. I can hear the trio put their trunks up on the shelving. But I go back to observing the platform. Most of the kids had disappeared from the platform, having gotten on the train unless they were too young. Parents and little siblings were now waving at the train windows, hoping to see their relatives one more time. I lean my head against the window and let out a deep breath while closing my eyes. I tuck my hands into my side and curl up in the compartment's corner and let myself get lost in thought again, having almost completely forgotten about the trio that was sitting not too far away. I choose to brush off their stares and try to go to sleep.
I start to imagine all kinds of things. Magical or not to try and get myself to relax and sleep and after a couple of moments, I can feel myself start slipping into the void of darkness. The last thing I hear is the sound of the train starting its voyage to Hogwarts before everything becomes black.