Hogwarts Revisited

Hogwarts Revisited

by FSR

Chapter Two

Draco Malfoy was 19 but he felt as though he lived very long and very sad life. There were horrible moments that would hunt him in nightmares for the rest of his life: the first time he saw the Dark Lord, the night when Dumbledore was killed, the day when Potter came and arrested his parents, the day of his parents' trial...

The last one wasn't at all unexpected but still Draco so much wanted for something to come and make things as they once were that he started at some point believing that it'd happen; he even imagined that Merlin himself would come and set things right. Nothing and no one ever came. Potter was still alive and self-righteous, his parents were in Azkaban and he was 19-year-old who felt old.

The trial. It wasn't much of trial, in fact. A formality. Potter sat alone behind a high table. When Minister Scrimgeour started announcing the charges Potter stopped him and said, "We have no need to hear all the charges. We have enough evidence to pass sentence on both Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy."

Scrimgeour looked as if he wanted to say something but Chief Warlock didn't give him the chance.

"Lucius Malfoy, you were once condemned to the life-sentence in Azkaban. You were broken out by Lord Voldemort and returned to your duties as a Death Eater. You were caught again. I see no reason not to confirm the earlier verdict. I condemn you to the life sentence in Azkaban."

"Narcissa Malfoy, for your actions which resulted in deaths of Sirius Black and Albus Dumbledore, I condemn you to the life-sentence in Azkaban."

Then Chief Warlock fixed his eyes on Draco Malfoy and added, "Put them into one cell."

Draco didn't know what to make out of it.

***

Draco had a plan. He was absolutely sure it would work and it seemed that fate itself helped him - Potter came this year to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts. Draco tried not to think that Potter didn't even take the NEWTs - he didn't need that anger right now.

It was very grey and very dull morning. All the students and staff were having a breakfast in the Great Hall. Draco was sitting at the high table between Severus and Charlie Weasley. The former was either scowling at his bowl of porridge or passing some comments on Gryffindors, the latter was flirting outrageously with Harry Potter who sat next to him. Granger sat on the other side of Potter and seemed greatly amused by the proceeding. In fact, McGonagall's apprentice seemed almost in league with Care of Magical Creatures Professor and from time to time told Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor that he should think more about himself now that the war was over and that there were so many interesting people around who cared so deeply for him. At that point Draco almost choked but quickly regained control over himself. He had work to do; Mu- nosy girls shouldn't be distracting him.

Harry was trying to think about upcoming negotiations with Chinese Magical Government but Charlie and Hermione just wouldn't shut up.

Charlie was massaging Chief Warlock's right hand and saying, "You have the most interesting right hand I've ever seen, Harry," when there was an explosion.

The Great Hall was quickly filled with green gas. Harry seemed confused for a moment; then he took in a sharp startled breath, swiftly turned and fixed his eyes on Draco. Everyone around them was coughing and thus took no notice of the two very shocked-looking wizards staring at each other. It lasted only a few moments; then Harry's eyes narrowed, lips pursed.

The next moment Draco's body was seized in the worst pain he'd ever had to feel. It was worse than the Dark Lord's Cruciatus Curse. In fact, Crucio seemed like lover's touch in comparison to this.

Then the pain suddenly stopped and Draco was never more grateful in his whole life. He welcomed the blackness that took him.

At that moment he was sure he died. He was glad.

***

Green gas cleared. Students and staff who recovered from coughing were sitting in shock. Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter were lying unconscious on their respective chairs.

Suddenly, the doors of the Great Hall burst open and a team of 20 or so Aurors in black robes and highly polished boots came in. All of them had a shining 'W' on their chests. Their wands were drawn, their faces were grim. The one on the front took in the scene, his eyes going wide. He cleared his throat and spoke.

"Hogwarts is shutting down for the time being. No one is to enter and no one is to leave. No owl-post, no fire-calls. Life within the walls may continue as it did before." He made a pause. "Headmistress?"

"Mr. Jerkins, you cannot -"

"I am sorry, Professor, but I can and I will. If you are wondering when the restrictions will be lifted then I am afraid that is for the Chief Warlock to decide."

"He is apparently in coma! It may take a month!"

"I am sorry, Headmistress, but there is nothing I can do. I am sure you've got some announcements to make."

***

Hermione was really worried. There was no news for hours and all the Aurors she tried to speak to politely declined from answering. She had to find Jerkins.

She rounded a corner and there he was; and, of course, very tall and very well built handsome men were not supposed to be alone.

"Mr. Chambers, go back to your common room. Detention and 20 points from Gryffindor."

Hermione waited for Mr. Chambers to go, then spoke in her most annoyingly bossy voice.

"Berth, you are an authority figure, you shouldn't be snogging students in dark corners."

"Maybe I should be snogging you, instead, Hermione?" Jerkins' voice was a purr.

Suddenly Hermione found herself in a dark corner, Berth all over her.

"Hermione, I love you! I am thinking about you all the time. I lost my sleep. I am losing weight. You shouldn't be doing this to -"

"Oh, Jerkins, you are professional."

"Come on, Hermione, I'd love to marry you. I am sure I haven't said this to anyone but you... yet."

"And I would sit alone at home while you are fu-"

"- while I am defeating Dark wizards, you meant," Berth showed all of his teeth in a dazzling smile.

"Anyway, you don't want to upset your boss' best friend and about him I'd like to speak to you."

"Always down to business, Hermione. You are no fun," Berth pouted professionally. "Speak."

Hermione always admired Jerkins' ability to change from an expert seducer to an expert Auror.

"I take it, Malfoy was the one who activated that... bomb?"

"I am sure of it. He is in the hospital wing; Pomfrey says that he is in shock as though he was kept under Cruciatus Curse for hours, but there is no physical evidence of it. No evidence means that it is Harry's work. Secondly, Snape tried to vanish away all the traces of that green gas but we managed to collect some. It is Dark potion with selective effect, that's why we were alerted; its effects are similar to the Killing Curse - it cuts the strings that tie soul to body. The most interesting thing, however, is that the potion was made perfectly."

"So, Harry survived again."

"It seems to be the case."

Jerkins, who decided that Hermione was satisfied with his answers, leaned over and started licking her throat when they both suddenly felt light-headed and happy.

Hermione felt as if she could change the world, win the Nobel Prize and be on the cover of Wizard Weekly weekly. Berth felt as though he had a harem with thousands of most beautiful men and women who'd be very happy to make his every dream come true.

Hermione regained control over herself a bit quicker than Jerkins (who still had a dreamy look on his face). She shook him quite forcibly, "It's Harry; he is coming to himself!"

***

Berth and Hermione were in the Great Hall in less than two minutes (as it turned out Aurors were unable to move Harry Potter from the Hall, so they moved everyone else from it). They were both panting.

Chief Warlock was trying to stand up but his arms didn't obey him all that well. Hermione and Berth were at his side in an instant. Harry sensing their presence looked up, then took a look around and noticed all the Aurors in the room.

Hermione didn't quite know what happened but the next moment Harry stood on his own and had his usual blank look on the face.

"Sir, we are sure that Malfoy -" Jerkins began to speak but was interrupted.

"I'll deal with it on my own. Return to your duties. Immediately."

"Yes, sir."

Jerkins and all the Aurors activated their portkeys and were gone.

"Harry, you do not look well, maybe you should -"

"I am fine, Hermione, thanks for your concern."

Hermione abruptly hugged him. There were tears on her face.

Harry awkwardly hugged her back.

"I was so worried." Between her sobs she also said something that sounded like "I so much miss Ron."

Harry sighed.

"I miss him too, Hermione. And Ginny." I wish she were alive and were my soul mate instead of that jerk.

***

Harry was sitting alone in the dark on a couch in his rooms; Godric, his month-old lion was lying on his lap, purring.

"Why everything is so wrong in my life?" Harry asked.

There was no answer except for a louder purr from Godric, who decided that Harry was talking to him.

"How can Draco Malfoy be possibly perfect for me? What should I do to make things right?"

***

Draco Malfoy was almost happy. He didn't know why but Potter didn't kill him the moment he regained consciousness. He wasn't even in Azkaban.

The thought of Potter, however, brought most unpleasant memories of The Pain. Draco didn't understand why there were no side effects. No, Draco thought, there was that particular one - I have no desire to cross Harry Potter ever again.

He decided that understanding was good enough reason to buy something for himself.

He was in a bookshop and some dusty-looking tome attracted his attention. He took it from the shelf and glanced at the cover. 'Advanced Identification Potions' it read. He bought the book.

On the other side of the planet, Harry Potter was negotiating with Australian Magical Government. Peter Cook, Australian Minister of Magic, almost jumped when something like a smile crossed that self-righteous bastard's face.

Author's Notes

Thanks for reading! ANY feedback is much appreciated! If I made any language mistakes, please, tell me. Please, also tell me if I contradicted canon in any way.

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