Chapter 3
Platform 9 and 3/4 was as busy as it always was on the first day at school. In previous years the bustling noise of excited children filled Harry with warmth, this year however it only irritated him.
"Saviour and heart-throb Harry Potter coming through! Make way, c'mon move your shit."
Ron hadn't shut up since they'd got here. It was hard enough for Harry to stomach the admiration many people looked at him with, Ron wasn't making it any easier. All he could hope for now is an empty carriage and a quiet train journey to the place he'd once called home.
Harry thanked every god he could think of when they did eventually find an empty carriage. He sat nearest to the window and without a word plugged in his headphones, he really wasn't in the mood to listen to how Hermione was excited for all the essays they would have to do this year.
During the journey Harry truly felt how aching and sore his muscles and joints were. He felt practically on the verge of passing out and yet his brain wouldn't allow him to fall asleep. His sleeping pills were in his Hogwarts trunk above his head, if he took them now in front of his friends there's no doubt that they'd be suspicious. Also he had to save the little he had left, last week the doctor had refused to prescribe him anymore. He didn't care that the pills fucked up his mood and made him dizzy sometimes, he needed them. He supposed he would just have to suffer for now and hope that there wasn't long left to go.