In The Shadows² ★ Draco Malfoy

*4 months later

September 1st came around like a shock to everyone because despite 4 months having passed between then and the Battle of Hogwarts, it came as a shock to the system, but a welcome one for everyone except Briar

Back when she decided she would be staying home with Teddy she knew she was making the right decision and she still did know that, however, watching Ginny, Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Draco pack their trunks and belongings for the upcoming term was harder than she imagined

Of course she knew that she would not be completely alone since she still had the Weasleys, Andromeda, the Forrests, Narcissa, and the rest of the remaining Order, however, the idea of not having her closest friends with her for months was very hard on her

Draco had stayed at hers for the week before they were due to return to Hogwarts, so on the morning of September 11th, the couple and Teddy climbed into Briar's car and she began to drive them into central London. Briar had decided to get her driver's license and had admittedly used a confundus charm on the man at the agency to get it underage, and on the instructor to make sure she passed, but she now had her license and she was a relatively good driver

From the passenger seat, Draco could clearly tell that Briar was tense and upset about him leaving her for three months and he was upset too. But he just hoped that her being upset wouldn't turn into her ignoring him or not visiting Hogsmeade or writing to him

When they arrived at Kings Cross, Draco went to get a trolley for his trunk and owl while Briar unbuckled Teddy from his carseat and carried him inside the busy station and together the three of them ran at the wall to Platform 9 3/4

Unlike the muggles at King's Cross station, Platform 9 3/4 was not nearly as busy as it had been in previous years. The war was long gone, but it was clear that not only had many families or their children not survived, but many people weren't ready to return this year

But the regular large family with bright orange hair were there and that made Briar smile, so she and Draco made their way over

"Hi!" she cried and the Weasleys all smiled at them. The only one who was missing was George and nobody could blame him for that. Draco still felt very out of place around them after all the trouble he and his family had caused them, so he was surprised when Harry held out his hand

And everyone watched in awe as these two boys who had fought back and forth for seven years, actually shook hands and smiled, as if they had been friends the whole time. 

"Oh, I can't believe my final two babies are finishing this year," pouted Mrs Weasley, affectionately smiling at Ron and Ginny, the former of whom rolled his eyes

"Well I don't have to, mum, I could stay," he suggested. Ron was not keen on the idea of going back to Hogwarts but Hermione had not given him or Harry much choice, so they were reluctantly going along with her

"Ron!" snapped Hermione and he sighed, but everyone could see the smile hidden in his eyes

Briar looked around the rest of the platform and she could see a few other faces she recognised, including Seamus, Dean, the Patil twins, and Neville

Draco wrapped his arm around her waist and brought his lips down to be close to her ear. "You okay?" he asked

"Yeah," she said vaguely "Just feels strange doesn't it? Like it should be a happy reunion, but is actually more painful to see how few of us are left"

"I'm sure next year it will go back to normal," he said 

"I hope so," nodded Briar "And this year will be different. I mean Professor McGonagall will be headmistress, no Snape brooding around every corner, and hopefully much less drama"