Nothing Left to Give // Drarry

Chapter 3- Welcome Home

I was jostled awake by Ron, who was already in his robes with Hermione walking out the door. I quickly threw my robes and tie on, not caring if they looked messy. We left the train and headed to the carriages. Neville joined us, but Luna stayed with Ginny. I wondered if she knew. They were best friends so I assumed she had told Luna something more than her brother. The three of them talked while I just looked over at the creatures pulling the carts. I remember being stunned back in fifth year, now they seemed comforting. I was used to them so others might not agree, but they gave me a sense of hope that even death can bring forth beautiful things you hadn't seen before.

    Part of me wanted to be involved in their conversation, the other part didn't want to talk to anyone ever again. After Neville had tried to include me and Hermione had to explain I felt even worse. Maybe he could take my place with them. It could have been him. I've never been more thankful it wasn't. Never in my life would I wish that fate on somebody else. He had already gone through enough and my problems never seemed that big compared to others.

    It wasn't until we got into the Great Hall that I actually regretted coming back. I pushed the doors open with Ron and Hermione behind me. I wouldn't have noticed the chatter of the room dying if they hadn't all been looking right at me. Suddenly I thought maybe going in first wasn't a good idea. Maybe going back to Hogwarts hadn't been a good idea.

    I shook my head and went over to the table on the far right side of the room, behind Gryffindor. Keeping my head down until Hermione tapped my shoulder and pointed to McGonagall at the front of the Hall. I didn't understand what she was saying, but I figured it was the usual speech. I decided to see who else had come back. They had sent letters to everybody, though it seemed a lot of them didn't want to be back and I couldn't blame them. I saw Malfoy, Parkinson, and Zambini at the end of the table. It was weird not seeing Crabbe and Goyle with them but after Crabbe... I couldn't see Goyle coming back. Theodore Nott and Daphne Greengrass also sat by them, keeping some distance. Almost no one from Hufflepuff came back, it's not like I knew many of them. Every Ravenclaw from our year was there, which was only about 12. Then there was our trio, Neville, Dean, Seamus, and Pavarti.

My eyes lingered on Malfoy. He obviously wasn't paying Mcgonagall much attention either. I didn't get a good look at him before. His pale blonde hair was falling in front of his face and his face was sunken in.  It looked like he hadn't slept in months or eaten either. I knew I didn't look much different. The only thing that stood out as the same, from all those years ago, was his eyes. They were still the same stormy grey I had hated from that one time in Madam Malkin's. They were no longer set into a glare, his lips no longer a typical smirk. He looked up from the table and met my gaze. I thought for a split second I could see the colour drain back into his pale complexion. A light dusting of pink on his cheeks. The food appeared, and the moment was lost.

After we finished eating the schedules were handed out. Everyone around me had gotten one, so I was worried when I hadn't. It was then I looked over to Hermione to ask her what was wrong.

"McGonagall said to go to her office. We're going to the new tower for 8th years. Tell us what happens when you get back," she signs, easing some of my confusion.

"Thanks," I reply "go on without me. I'll be fine." She looked wary but nodded nonetheless. I couldn't blame her for being worried considering it was now ten times harder for me to spot the danger that seemed to be attracted to me. She and Ron left the Great Hall, leaving only one other person.

Malfoy got up out of his seat not sparing me a glance. I quickly went to catch up with him. After a moment of studying him, I noticed he too didn't have a schedule. I tried to think of why we weren't given one, but it didn't seem very obvious. I was close enough now to tap his shoulder. He jumped a little, not hearing me sneak up behind him. He said something that looked like he wanted to seem cold but his heart wasn't in it.