Chapter 7

Chapter 7

"You ready?" Harry asked Draco as he waited by the door to go to breakfast. Draco shook his head, "You go first.", refusing to look Harry in the eye. Opening the door revealed Cedric, casually leaning against the door. "Morning babe." Harry smiled, "Morning Cedric." Together, they walked down to the Great Hall. On their way, girls and boys alike threw themselves at Harry, preaching their undying love, offering boxes of chocolates, most likely spiked with love potions. It was amusing to see Cedric taking on the role of overprotective boyfriend, snarling at anyone attempting to ambush Harry, wrapping a possessive arm around his waist. Draco trailed in the back, the sight of Harry and Cedric was quickly replaced by the image his mind conjured : Draco and Harry, walking hand in hand. He shook his head, what was he thinking? Harry would never... By the time they reached the Great Hall, Harry had a stack of cards and chocolates, which Cedric promptly vanished. Kissing Harry goodbye, he went to the hufflepuff table. "Hello 'Mione, Neville..." Harry started, "er, and Parkinson, Zabini?" He finished uncertainly. The four smiled, the Slytherins retreating to the table draped in green. "Morning Harry!" "Hey, Neville. Where's Ron by the way?" At that moment, Ron burst in, looking frantic. "I overslept! Please don't tell me all the bacon is gone!" Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ronald Weasley. Before you eat, you need to apologize to Pansy, Blaise and Draco." Ron looked shocked at the Hermione's usage of the slytherin's first names, though blushed profusely at the mention of Blaise. Harry, wishing to ignore the shouting match between his two best friends that was sure to ensue, looked up to find Malfoy sitting next to Blaise. His heart stopped as Malfoy looked at him, his face a stony mask, yet his eyes, shining with emotion. Sadness, annoyance, and something else... jealousy? longing? Harry tore his eyes away as Malfoy pulled his gaze back to Pansy. ---------------------------------------------- A week later, the unlikely group was now a normal sight at Hogwarts. Three slytherins, four gryffindors and Luna Lovegood, though the latter often had to go to different classes due to the fact that the few eighth years had classes together. 8 teenagers. Who have seen too much, suffered too much, felt too much. Who have cried together, who once fought on opposite sides of the war, who have bonded over the need of comfort, the company of those who actually understood them. Afternoons were filled with laughter, because heck, their entire lives had been chained to either serving or fighting Voldemort; it was now time to live a little. They are healing. They are each other's medicine. Yet, the two most affected by the war were crumbling inside, though their smiles, jokes, banterings told otherwise. Draco had more than he could ask for, more than he deserved, he thought bitterly. He had friends. Real friends, who cared about him. Even Ron became accepting and caring. Friends filled the empty void inside of him, though the sight of Harry in another's arms left him drowning in jealousy, leaving him alone to wallow in his guilt and regret. Harry looked at his friends. They made him happy, made him forget. Yet, conversations stopped when the war was mentioned. Tears threaten to spill as he realized his friends were scarred from the war. The war that he, Harry had caused. The guilt was bearable at first. Then, by the time Thanksgiving rolled around, the constant reminder of battles, the sadness and haunted looks most of his friends possessed, if only for a short while, latched on to him. Causing him to drag his feet as though shackled. If only I had destroyed the Horcruxes quicker! Harry thought bitterly. As everyone was healing, supporting eachother, Harry and Draco were slowly eaten alive. As their friends' haunted eyes filled with true happiness, as they spoke of the war with relief and positivity; as they guided eachother through the pain, Harry and Draco remained stuck. What is wrong with me? they thought... Their suffering however, went unnoticed, as nobody saw through the forced smiles, caregree smirks.