Unmasked

Harry only knew when 7am rolled around because there was no way to block out the sound of Hermione slamming her fists on their dorm room door. He groaned, pulling the blankets over his head. She slammed on the door again. “Five more minutes!” Harry called, desperate for a few more minutes after a night of tossing and turning.

The door flew open and Hermione charged over to his bed, a stern look on her face and hands on her hips. “Harry James Potter you get up right this instant!”

Although her image was fuzzy to him, her tone wasn’t and he scrambled out of bed. He shivered, clad in only cotton pants, searching for his glasses on his nightstand. Once they were on he took a better look at her. She was wearing a fuzzy robe and her hair was dripping wet. He chuckled. “You’re not even ready yet.”

“You never would be ready if I didn’t come and wake you.”

“What time is it?” Ron mumbled from the next bed, rubbing his eyes as he sat on the edge.

“7:05 now. I woke up at 6:45 and had a quick shower to wake up. Now both of you, go shower quick and get ready. Draco and Pansy will be up here soon.”

The boys both rolled their eyes when she left, grumbling under their breath. Ron stood and grabbed a towel. “Why do we have to take such an early flight?”

Harry shrugged, heading to the bathroom.

When he emerged again a few minutes later, Neville was sitting up in bed, reading. Harry raised his brows at him. “Why are you up so early, Nev?”

He gave him a look. “Hard to sleep with Hermione yelling at your mates at 7am.”

Dean rolled over and nodded. “He’s got a point.”

Harry cringed. “Sorry, guys. We’ll be out of here soon.”

“Doesn’t change the fact that we’re awake,” Seamus mumbled into his pillow where he laid face-down.

Harry almost snorted at the sight. “You alright there, Seamus?”

“Peachy.”

Harry actually did snort that time. He buttoned his jeans and slid his t-shirt on over his head. Ron emerged from the bathroom, steam trailing him as he held his towel around his waist. He turned when he reached his bed, gazing round at the boys laughing, and then the one attempting to smother himself. “What’s wrong with Seamus?”

“I’m trying to force myself back to sleep.”

Ron only stared as the other boys continued to laugh.

*

Harry and Ron headed down the stairs after saying goodbye to the other boys. Their suitcases bumped their legs as they walked, feeling overly sweaty and tired in their winter gear and carrying several heavy objects.

Hermione smirked at them from her place by the door, where she stood with Draco and Pansy. She seemed in a better mood now, at least.

Harry took in the sight of them all in their muggle attire. Hermione was wearing simple blue jeans and a pink button-up blouse, her hair back in a ponytail, hat and mitts sticking out of her coat pocket. Pansy smiled at them, seeming very excited. She was wearing a pair of Hermione’s black jeans and her red knitted sweater, silver earmuffs over her loose black hair. He smiled sadly at Draco, who had bags under his eyes as he stared up at Harry. He was wearing Ron’s blue jeans and Harry’s grey long-sleeve that had buttons at the front, underneath his winter coat. They were all wearing some sort of winter boots, except for Draco. Hermione’s brown high leather boots were very similar to Pansy’s black lace up ones, and Harry’s and Ron’s simple black boots looked almost exactly the same. But Draco was wearing his school shoes.

Harry cleared his throat. “Where are your boots, Draco?”

“I couldn’t wear them. Dragon hide.”

“Oh… well we’ll have to get you some when we go shopping.”

Hermione nodded. “For sure. Are we all ready to go?” She glanced around at all of them and smiled when they nodded. “Perfect. Let’s go.”

As they approached the entrance hall, the group collectively narrowed their eyes at the sight in front of them. Just inside the open front doors stood Professor Lupin, Professor McGonagall, Tonks, and Mr. ad Mrs. Weasley. Looking at each other apprehensively, they approached the group of adults.

Draco cleared his throat as he stopped in front of them, looking McGonagall dead in the eye. “Is everything alright, Professor?”

“Oh yes! Yes, my boy, everything is fine. There has simply been a slight change of plans for your transportation to the airport.”

“Why’s that?” Hermione piped up.

McGonagall cringed. “As I told you yesterday, Remus was going to drive you to the airport closest to us. But as it turns out, the tickets I gave you don’t line up with the time of the connecting flight.”

Draco looked to Hermione in confusion. She looked from Lupin to McGonagall. “So, what’s the plan now?”

“You five will be apparating with us to King’s Cross, where you will take the train to Heathrow Airport. Oh! Here are your new tickets, keep them safe!” She handed each of them a new plane ticket, which they took a moment to put in the envelope she’d given them before. “Hermione, Harry, are you okay to take these three on the train to the airport? Do you have change?” They both nodded, having kept some pocket change to buy breakfast or anything else they may need. “Perfect. Now, let’s head down to Hogsmeade so we can apparate.”

They group of ten strode down the winding path to Hogsmeade, a flurry of snow causing their cheeks to turn red. The crunching on their footsteps and suitcases rolling in the snow were the only sounds breaking the silence of the group, who walked silently to their destination.

Upon arriving in Hogsmeade, McGonagall turned to face them. “Alright, Draco, you’ll be going with Tonks. Pansy, with me. Harry, with Professor Lupin. Hermione with Mrs. Weasley, and Ron with Mr. Weasley. Whenever you’re ready.” At that, she mumbled something to Pansy, who clutched her arm, and they disappeared into thin air.

Harry nodded at Draco as he grabbed to crook of Lupin’s arm and disappeared as well. He meandered over to Tonks, blinking at her with curiosity. She smiled sadly, reaching out and touching his shoulder. “I’m really sorry about your father, Draco.”

He nodded. “Do I… do I know you?”

She smiled slightly. “Not really. I’m your cousin, but your mother and my mother don’t speak. Your Mum’s sister, Andromeda, is my Mum.”

He nodded, reaching out to take her hand. “Well, it’s nice to finally meet you. And, thank you for helping me.”

She beamed, pulling him in for a hug. “We’re gunna get to know each other when you come back, okay?”

He nodded. “Definitely.”

She beamed, taking his hand again. Then she turned in midair, and they were gone.

*

“Hermione,” Ron panted, trying to keep up with her as she sped along the platform. “Are you sure it’s the right train?”

“It’s the right train, Ronald.”

“But are you 100% sure?”

“Ron,” Harry puffed, causing his friend to look over his shoulder at him. “It’s the right fucking train.”

“Okay, okay, just checking.”

“You’ve asked five other times,” said Pansy. He glared at her, but she was laughing, her hair flowing behind her from both the wind and the speed they were walking, trying to catch the train.

Finally, after several minutes of speed-walking across the station, Hermione pulled to the side. “Okay, the train should be here any minute. Remember, stick together.”

Ron and Pansy nodded, both seemingly enjoying their journey thus far. Draco, however, looked even paler than normal. Harry glanced over at him, then reached out and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. “Breathe, Draco.”

He nodded, taking a deep breath as he stared at the concrete.

The train came hauling into the station, and the group watched the windows and doors sped past, slowly coming to a stop. The doors opened with a hiss and Hermione led the way, rolling her suitcase to the very back of the car and sitting. Ron sat beside Her and Pansy took a seat on a seat along the back of the car. Harry, pulling Draco behind him, sat across from Ron. Draco sat beside him, perched on the edge of his seat. He felt his pockets frantically, then sighed, staring around the car at his fellow passengers.

Harry lowered his voice as he spoke. “Your wand is still there. And no one knows you have it. We will all have to stuff them to the bottom of our schoolbags before we get off the train, though.” He nodded, throwing a hand through his hair. Harry rested a hand on Draco’s knee. “Relax.”

“What if he knows I’m here, Harry,” Draco hissed. “What if he follows us. We still have the trace.”

“We’ll be gone before he even knows we were here at all. We’ll be okay.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Harry stared straight into his eyes. “I just know. We’ll be okay.”

“Okay,” said Draco, letting out a shuddering breath. “Okay…”

Harry tilted his head, watching the other boy clench his eyes shut. “Draco—”

“I… I don’t… not again…”

“What are you—”

“Panic,” Draco spluttered. “I don’t want to panic again… especially—not—here—”

“Hey…” Harry wrapped an arm around his back, holding him tightly against him. “I don’t know what’s triggering you so I can’t get you out of it… we can’t leave the train, Draco…”

“I—know—”

“Look at me.” He guided Draco’s chin up to look at him. “Open your eyes and look at me.”

Draco wrenched his eyes open, terror evident on his face. He took shallow breathes, then dropped his eyes. “No, no, no, no, no… not again… I can’t—”

Harry gently cupped Draco’s face so he couldn’t drop his head. “Look at me… I need you to look at me.” His silver eyes came back up to Harry’s. “We’re going to breathe together, okay?” Draco nodded. Harry breathed in deep, and Draco tried to copy him. His breathing shuddered and he had to take several shorter breathes, following the same pattern as Harry back out. “You’re going to be just fine… in….” His breathing shuddered less that time, and then his eye fell shut as he exhaled, listening to Harry’s voice and breathing. “You’re safe… I promise… in…”

A few minutes later, Draco was slumped against Harry’s side, shoulder to shoulder, staring past Hermione’s face as he watched out the window. The landscape outside rushed past in an almost incomprehensible blur, but he was able to pick out houses and subdivisions, churches, and taller, presumably work buildings.

After a relatively quiet 45 minutes of Draco, Pansy and Ron staring out the windows, Hermione reading, and Harry daydreaming, the train slowed to a stop outside of Heathrow Airport. Hermione stood, turned her back to the rest of the passengers, and stuffed her wand into the recesses of her schoolbag. Then she slung it over her shoulder, watching the rest of them do the same.  When they were all ready, they disembarked the train. The airport, even at 8:30 was bustling with crowds of people, and even more luggage. The three purebloods stopped and stared around them, three different reactions on their face. Amusement for Ron, excitement for Pansy, and worry for Draco.

Harry came up behind him and rested a hand on the small of his back. “Come on,” he urged gently. “Let’s go.” He guided Draco alongside him as they followed Hermione into the airport.

She stopped off to the side in the main concourse, pulling her ticket out of her pocket. “Terminal T2… Harry?”

“Huh?”

“Do you think we should grab some breakfast before we go through security or after?”

He chewed on his lip momentarily. “Let’s eat after. T2, did you say?”

“Yeah.”

He pointed ahead of them to a big sign. “That way. Let’s go.”

They walked in a tight group, banging into each other with their suitcases and schoolbags. Several yelps from clipped heels and glares later, they arrived at the line for security check in. “Alright everyone,” Hermione said, pulling out her envelope. “Tickets out. Bags up on the conveyor belt. You’ll have to walk through the metal detector.”

“The what?” Pansy asked, eyebrows shooting up into her hairline.

“Metal detector,” Hermione repeated. “To make sure you’re not a terrorist or something. You have no weapons or metal body parts, correct?”

“No, I—”

“Then you’ll be fine.”

“Okay…”

When Hermione turn came they all watched as the security guard checked her ticket. He nodded at her, lifted up her bags onto the ledge, and walked through the metal detector. It flashed green and she grabbed her schoolbag off of the ledge, slinging it back over her shoulder. She smiled at them, nodding at Ron, who was next.

He scowled at the security guard, who eyed him. Ron cast his eyes down as they guard checked his ticket and grunted at him. Harry had to remind him about his bags, but in the end it flashed green for him just as it had for Harry.

Pansy copied Ron and walked through the detector, but it flashed red, beeping madly. She threw Harry and Draco a panicked look, and Harry motioned for her to calm down. The guard pulled out his wand, and she flinched away from it. The guard told her what he was going to do. Pansy tensed, not wanting anyone touching her body with anything, even the weird metal-detecting stick. It beeped as it hovered over her chest.

“What do you have there?” he clucked, staring at her chest.

“Huh?”

“What’s in your bra, miss?”

“My bra?”

He stepped closer to her and her eyes widened impossibly wider. Then Hermione called out to her. “Your locket Pansy! Are you wearing your locket?”

Her eyes widened in realization. “Yes!” She reached down the front of her shirt and pulled out a large silver locket.

Harry sighed in relief. Of course, just Pansy’s luck that her oversized necklace would set of the alarm. He shook his head with a chuckle as the guard let her go, handing her her schoolbag. She hurried over to Hermione and Ron, leaving Harry and Draco to go through, who both had no problems.

Walking towards the waiting area, Harry pointed out a café off to the side. “Who wants breakfast?”

After a unanimous yes, they all headed into the small café and found a table. A waitress promptly came over to them, smiling at the group of teens. “And what can I get you all this morning?”

Hermione cleared her throat, looking at Draco, Ron, and Pansy who shrugged. “Can we get… fur cappuccinos, please? Do you have breakfast sandwhiches?” The waitress nodded. “Four breakfast sandwhiches as well, please.”

“Is bacon okay on them?”

She looked to the other three, who nodded. “Yes, thank you.”

“Of course. And for you, sir?”

Harry smiled up at her politely. “Can I grab a black coffee and a croissant please?”

“Absolutely. I’ll be right back.”

“Thank you,” Harry said, watching as she turned her back.

Ron turned to Hermione. “What the hell did you just order us?”

She chuckled, glancing across the table at Harry. “Just try it. If you don’t like the cappuccino, we can grab you something else.”

Ron shrugged. “Okay.”

Harry pulled his phone out of his pocket to check the time. “We have about an hour until boarding time.”

Draco turned to his left to watch Harry. The Gryffindor unlocked his phone, then pressed on a green icon with a red circle with the number one inside on it. A white screen popped up, separated by grey lines. Harry pressed on the rectangle with a blue dot beside it labelled Dudley. His eyes widened. “How did you…”

Harry chuckled, taking in Draco’s look of awe. “This is my phone, Draco. It’s the same as Hermione’s.”

“What’s that you’re doing?”

“Texting my cousin.”

“Texing?”

“No. Texting. With a second t.”

“What’s texting?”

Harry laughed again, and saw Hermione chuckle across from him. “Basically I type what I want to say on my screen and press send, and then the other person gets it on their phone. Runs over the internet or cellular.”

Draco nodded, although Harry was positive that he still didn’t understand. “Dudley is your cousin? The one you live with?”

Harry nodded. “Mhmm.”

Hermione narrowed her eyes. “What’s he want?”

“He said my aunt told him where I was going. He wanted to know if everything was okay. A bit odd, really.”

Ron sniggered. “Remember when Fred and George gave ‘im ton tongue toffee.”

“Oh my God,” Harry chortled, startling Draco. “I nearly forgot about that. The look on my Uncle’s face! I wish I could’ve stayed longer to watch.”

“Yeah, too bad, that.”

Pansy looked at Ron with wide-eyes. “They gave him ton-tongue toffee? To a muggle?”

“Shh,” Ron hissed, though he was grinning like a mad fool. “The muggles will hear you, Pans. And yes, they did. What were Harry’s Aunt and Uncle gunna do about it? Too bad my dad set his tongue straight again, though.”

Harry huffed a laugh, shaking his head and typing a reply to Dudley. Just then the waitress came back, setting down the five coffees and breakfasts. They all thanked her, then tucked into their food.

Ron nearly spit-taked the coffee into Draco’s face, causing both Harry and Hermione to have to stifle their laughter. “Merlin, Hermione! How do you drink this?”

“I like it,” she said plainly, sipping at her own.

“I like it,” Pansy hummed, taking another sip.

Draco was blowing on his, eyeing it skeptically. Then he took a sip, furrowed his brows for a moment, then shrugged. “It’s okay.”

Harry smirked, handing his own mug to Draco. “Here, try mine.”

He took half a sip, then spluttered on it, making a face. “That is not.”

Howling with laughter, he took the mug back, holding it to his lips without actually sipping it.

For the next while, the group sat and talked, eating their breakfast. Harry held his croissant in one hand, scrolling through his phone with the other. Hermione glanced up at him, wiping a froth mustache off her upper lip. “What’re you doing now, Harry?”

“Setting up my roaming and international use,” he mumbled back, not looking up from his screen.

“Shit! That is one thing I did forget to do. Think I have time?”

He glanced at the time. “Yeah, probably. Just hurry. We have probably another fifteen minutes.”

Draco watched curiously over his shoulder as Harry set up the rest of his international use with amusement and curiosity. He turned to him a few times, causing Draco to look up at him and Harry to smile.

Hermione then slammed her phone down on the table, stood, and slung her bag over her shoulder. “Done.”

“How are you done before me?” Harry uttered in disbelief, throwing his arms out.

She shrugged with a smirk. “I’m just faster than you.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Come on, let’s go, the plane will be boarding any minute. Our gate is right outside.”

The group stood and shouldered their bags as Hermione and Harry paid for their food. Then they all followed Hermione out of the café and towards the gate.

Overhead they heard a voice.

“Flight AC857 from London to Toronto is now boarding.”