Title: Bend or Break - Chapter Two Chapter Rating: PG-13 Story Rating: NC-17 Story Pairing: Harry/Draco of course! {Minor Harry/Ginny, Draco/Pansy, Ron/Hermione at the end} Chapter Summary: Harry and the trio get ready to go back for their final year at Hogwarts. Warnings: Slash, of course! None in this chapter, though around 8 or so it'll get steamy. *nods* Beta: </a></b></a>confuzzledbunny Word Count: 4,928 Warning::This story's slash, deal with it, or don't read it ^_^ Author's Note:Okay, so in this chapter, you learn a bit more about the summer, but Iwant to let everyone know that I have disregarded most things in HBP.Dumbledore is dead, and Harry saw Draco that night, but Harry and Dracoare both back at Hogwarts. Kays.
“No!” Ron yelled, but Harry nodded. “You’re stuck with Malfoy?!” Harry nodded as Hermione and Ron both looked shocked.
“WellI thought being stuck with Blaise was terrible, but he’s actuallyalright.” Harry stared at Hermione, his expression priceless. She hadto know that she wasn’t helping the situation. “Well, Harry, maybeMalfoy has grown over the summer. You never know,” Hermione reasoned,warranting a glare from Harry. “Hermione- HONESTLY!” Harryyelled, immediately regretting it. He had just been getting his temperunder control; the last thing he needed to do was yell at her some more. “Harry, what did I tell you about taking your anger out on me? It’s notmy fault you were stuck with Malfoy.” Harry looked at Ron, and he wasnodding. He turned back to Hermione. “Maybe if you talked to theMinister he’d let you switch with someone else.” Harry looked atHermione like she had just said he could copy her homework. “Brilliant!” Harry quickly turned around and searched the crowd for the slightlystocky man. But as soon as Harry began walking towards the Minister, hesaw that a dozen other students also had this idea. Rufus Scrimgeourwas shaking his head. “Now listen, this is meant to be different,and we are NOT changing any seating arrangements. Now, if you wouldplease be so kind to board the train.” This did not work, however;there were still students pleading with him. Harry thought they lookedkind of pathetic. “-Thank you, that will be all.” Disappointed,Harry returned to his two friends, whom he found arguing. He patientlywaited until they were done, and as soon as they realized he had beenstanding there, they blushed madly. Ron cleared his throat nervouslyand stepped forward to Harry. “So?” Harry shook his head, and Ronpatted him on the back. “Well, you’ll get through it. It’s only acouple of hours with Malfoy.” Ron shuddered at the thought and Harrylaughed. “Boy, Ron, you really do have a knack for cheering people up, don’t you?”
Tenmore minutes passed, giving everyone ample time to board the train.Hermione, Ernie, and some other prefects were in a private car in theback, discussing everything one could discuss about the upcoming year.They were supposed to go to their train cars when they finishedtalking, but by the time they had finished, they were only ten minutesaway from Hogwarts, and decided to stay in each other’s company. Ronwasn’t having as bad of a time in his car as he had predicted. Heactually got along with everyone, especially Michael Corner. Michaelhad confronted Ron when he saw that Ron was glaring at him, but thenMichael almost immediately realized why, and he laughed it off. Thefact that Ron had been glaring just because he went out with Ginnyseemed quite funny to Michael. Meanwhile, Harry was starting to havea miserable time with Malfoy. Terry Boot from Ravenclaw and Megan Jonesfrom Hufflepuff decided to talk amongst themselves, leaving Harry andMalfoy in an awkward situation. As soon as Harry stepped into the car,he sat down. Malfoy joined him less than a minute later, surprisinglybecoming quiet after only a couple rude comments. Harry couldn’t helpbut be mesmerized as Malfoy stared out the window. His eyes weresoaking up all the scenery, as if he had only just seen it. Once ortwice, Malfoy caught Harry looking at him, but ignored him. Harryalmost thought Malfoy wasn’t being half bad, but then Malfoy got boredof the scenery. “So, Potter, did you enjoy your summer living in ashack? Oh, that’s right, you must be used to it, seeing as how youspend almost every summer at the Weasel’s house.” Malfoy seemed pleasedwith himself, but Harry laughed. “Is that the best you can do,Malfoy? Didn’t your dad and his friends teach you anything over thesummer? Oh right, your father can’t, because he’s locked up! So I guesshe just left you in the company of all his special friends. Did theytreat you nicely?” Harry smiled spitefully, not noticing that Terry andMegan now had their eyes glued to their fight. As soon as Harry spokehis last sentence, he was surprised to see Malfoy turn to stare out thewindow again, his face expressionless. Good job Harry. Yeah, goodjob for telling him off. His thoughts poured into his head. But was itreally necessary? You don’t know what he’s been up to over theholidays. He could’ve been tortured for all you know. Now it seemedthat there were two personalities in Harry’s head, battling forcontrol. Honestly! It’s M-A-L-F-O-Y! He deserves every bit that hegets. Harry nodded, but then frowned. Still… it seems wrong. Harryglanced back towards Malfoy, and now agreed with his guiltierconscious. Malfoy didn’t deserve what Harry had said. Harry bit hisbottom lip out of nervousness and titled his head. “Malfoy?” Malfoyimmediately looked up towards Harry, one eyebrow raised. Harry sighed;he couldn’t believe he was going to apologize. “I … just…” Harry’s gazemet Malfoy’s and he found himself turning a slight shade of pink. “I’m-” “Hey,Harry! We’ve arrived!” Harry quickly looked towards the door and sawRon smiling at him. Ron slowly looked at Malfoy and frowned. Malfoylaughed. “Well, Potter, we’ll just have to continue thisconversation later, unfortunately.” Malfoy rose up and didn’t look atHarry once as he stood in front of Ron. “What do you want Malfoy?” Ron asked, leaning in towards his foe. Malfoy began laughing arrogantly. “Well,Weasel,” Malfoy saw the immediate effect that his words had on Ron andsnickered, “I would like it if you would move so I don’t have to be inthis dreadful car any longer… or is that too much to ask of you?” Ron’scheeks turned bright red, along with his ears as he stepped to the sideand allowed Malfoy to pass. Harry shook his head and made space for Ronto sit down. “I can’t believe I was actually going to apologize to that git!” Harry said quietly so only Ron could hear. Ron chuckled. “Youwere going to say sorry to Malfoy?” Harry nodded, and Ron sat there insilence for a while to ponder over what Harry just said. “What did hedo to make you say sorry to him?” Harry sighed. “It’s complicated,”Harry said, thinking of how Malfoy looked after Harry insulted him. “Isaid something I shouldn’t have.” Ron shrugged and stood up. “Well,Hermione’s waiting for us at the front of the train.” Harryacknowledged Ron and said goodbye to Terry and Megan before leaving.Ron turned to him. “I didn’t even notice they were there, those two.”Ron said, nudging towards Megan and Terry. Harry laughed. “Yeah, it’s funny how people can become invisible if they want to.”
Harryand Ron walked in the small corridor that linked the compartments.While Harry was staring off to the side, he realized that he waslooking at the car where Blaise was sitting. He realized that Malfoyhad moved in with his fellow Slytherins when he caught sight ofwhite-blond hair. Catching Malfoy’s gaze, Harry could’ve sworn Malfoyhad almost, half-smirked at him. Harry continued to follow Ron to whereHermione was waiting after shaking his head and messing up his hair.Hermione smiled and looked oddly refreshed when they reached her. “So,how was it?” Hermione asked Ron and Harry. Ron began in detail abouthow Michael wasn’t that bad, and that the only problem was when thegirl from Hufflepuff lost control of her kitten, and it began runningaround their whole car. Ron and Hermione both turned to Harry,expecting the worst. “It wasn’t that bad, really. Malfoy said someidiotic things in the beginning, but he had more of an interest in thescenery than insulting me.” Ron looked shocked, but Hermione smiled.“And I never talked to Terry or Megan.” Harry turned to Hermione whowas still smiling. “What?” “I told you Malfoy might’ve changed.” Hermione said as she pulled off her luggage from a shelf. “He’sstill the same; he still made nasty comments about me and Ron.” Ronglared at the floor. “But I will admit, it was quite strange. When Ifinally said something rude about his family and his dad,” Harrypaused, thinking of the change of expression in Malfoy’s face. Harrybegan to blush a slight shade of pink, and quickly shielded his facefrom his two friends. “He almost looked hurt.” Ron laughed. “Well, he deserved it, for everything he’s done to us, to you; one nasty remark won’t kill him.”
As the three of them walked off the train and stared up at the Hogwarts castle, they all looked at each other doubtfully. “Thisis our last chance to have a normal year,” Hermione said as she grazedher hand upon Ron’s accidentally. Ron looked towards Hermione andsmiled sheepishly. Harry rolled his eyes and began slowly walkingtowards the castle. “Might as well just kiss that chance goodbye.” Harry,Hermione, and Ron all looked over to where the first years usually metand saw a man they had never seen before. He had short blond hair and astocky build. “Ova’ here first yers’!” The man waved in the swarm ofconfused and bewildered first years, and Harry sighed. He wonderedwhere Hagrid had gone, but he wouldn’t blame him if Hagrid leftHogwarts forever. Harry wished he could’ve pursued another journey, butunfortunately, he was forced to attend his last and final year at thewizarding school. He had tried to force his way out of attending,insisting that no more education would serve beneficial. The Ministryof Magic unfortunately did not agree, saying that you could never stoplearning, but Harry knew why they wanted him there. If news leaked outthat Harry Potter, the “Golden Boy”, wasn’t attending Hogwarts, theMinistry was sure that something horrible would happen. They didn’tcare if he actually learned anything, they just wanted to give people afalse sense of comfort. Harry also knew that Hagrid would think that itwould be best to help the Order full time, since Dumbledore was nolonger with them. Harry’s thoughts were interrupted as someone coveredhis eyes from behind. “Guess who?” Harry laughed, and grabbed the hands that were covering his eyes. “WellI knew that’d be Ginny!” He turned around, and saw it was indeed Ginny.She was laughing, and Harry smiled. He liked it she laughed. Ginny soonstopped laughing and blushed madly; Harry was still staring at her. “What’sup with you?” Ginny asked as she ran her fingers through her hair.Harry smiled, and couldn’t help but lean in and kiss her. It was aquick impulsive kiss, and Harry, immediately after ending the kiss,covered his mouth. Ginny was left speechless and confused. “Harry,what about what you said at the end of last year?” Harry sighed andstepped back. “What about all the ‘dangers’?” Ginny rolled her eyes.Harry nodded and ran his fingers through his hair. “You know Ican’t take it when you do that,” she said, and Harry smiled as theyslowly got closer. Over Ginny’s shoulder, he saw Malfoy snogging Pansy.Malfoy’s hands were all over Pansy, and as soon as Malfoy got tired ofsnogging her, he shoved her away and turned to fellow Slytherins. Harrywas disgusted that Malfoy would treat Pansy like that, but Pansy wasn’tcomplaining. She, in fact, was still clinging to Malfoy, even throughall his nasty stares in her direction. Ginny noticed that Harry wasn’tlooking at her, and she stepped back. “Harry?” She asked as she snapped her fingers in front of his face. Harry suddenly snapped back to Ginny and sighed. “Sorry,I just…” Harry searched for the word, “…hate how Malfoy treats Pansy.”Ginny turned around and looked where Harry had been staring. After acouple moments of observation, Ginny nodded and turned back to Harry. “Yeah,he’s totally ignoring her, and she’s still faithful. I guess she’s justdesperate. I mean, who would want to go out with Draco anyway?” Harrywas startled when Ginny had said his first name, but then he guessedshe didn’t mind him as much as everyone else in her family. “So, Ginny, about us…” But before Harry could finish his sentence, Ginny pulled him in for a long kiss. Tap.Tap. A couple minutes later, Harry and Ginny were interrupted bysomeone tapping Harry’s shoulder. As Harry stopped kissing Ginny andlooked to see who it was, he saw Malfoy standing with a smug grin onhis face. “Potter, you are in the way. And please leave yourdisgusting snogging with the Weasel girl for your own quarters.Preferably in a broom closet of some sort.” Ginny separated from Harry,and Harry saw that they indeed had been blocking the way. Dozens ofseventh years were all waiting for him and Ginny to stop snogging andstart moving, but they were polite enough to wait, unlike Malfoy. Harrycontinued to stare at Malfoy, and as Malfoy passed, he turned backaround and rolled his eyes at Harry. Malfoy then began talking to hisgang of friends and in moments, Malfoy was laughing. Harry knew thatMalfoy was making fun of him, but at this point in their“relationship”, Harry expected that from Malfoy. “I’m sorry Ginny,” Harry said, but she shrugged. “It’sfine.” Ginny walked away from Harry, and Harry knew that she was lying.She was obviously hurt that Harry hadn’t tried to stick up for her whenMalfoy called her the “Weasel girl”. Harry didn’t know why, but whenMalfoy broke them up, Harry froze, and could only think about how hurtMalfoy looked in the train earlier that day. Harry slowly walkedtowards Ron and Hermione who were busy discussing something or other.When the two noticed Harry had come up next to them, Ron’s smile faded. “So are you and Ginny…?” Ron asked. Harry sighed and shrugged. “I don’t know, Ron. I mean, we kissed-” Ron laughed angrily. “Harry, you can’t just snog my sister and then walk away! You can’t do that!” Ron’s face began to flush. “Ron,I know! I’m not using her, okay? It’s just… things are complicated.”Hermione rubbed her hand up and down Ron’s arm, trying to get him tosettle down. “I still like her, but I’m not sure if things shouldcontinue.” Ron softened up a bit because of Hermione’s touch andHarry’s reassurance. “I know I can trust you Harry I mean, youalready know I’d rather that she go out with you than any other bloke.”Harry smiled, complimented by Ron’s statement. “It’s just that youdidn’t see her when we came home for the holidays. She shut herself inher room, and didn’t come out for practically two weeks. It’s not yourfault, of course, you were only looking out for her. I just don’t wantto see her so upset again.” Harry nodded, but was really surprised thatGinny was that upset when he ended things. When he did it in person,she was much calmer about it; he almost wished she had cried in frontof him, so that he could’ve seen how much it affected her Fifteenminutes later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all sitting at theGryffindor table, eagerly waiting to see the new staff and particularlythe new headmaster. All the students poured into the Great Hall,causing commotion and chaos. Ron tapped Harry on the shoulder andpointed behind him. Harry turned around and saw Malfoy leading at leasttwenty other Slytherins to their table. Harry’s eyes followed Malfoyand began looking up and down at the posse following him. It wascomposed mostly of fifth to seventh years. Harry turned back to Ron,who was glaring. “Just who does he think he is?” Ron asked asHarry turned around again to see how Malfoy was acting. He was ignoringhis entire posse except for Blaise, Pansy, Theodore Nott, and DaphneGreengrass. Instead of paying attention to Pansy, Malfoy was nowholding Daphne by the waist, while Daphne smiled seductively at him.Pansy’s expression was priceless; she was hurt and shocked, but tooscared to say anything. “I don’t know why those girls go afterMalfoy,” Hermione said, and Harry’s attention was turned to her. “Imean, even if he were the least bit physically attractive…” Ron lookedimmediately jealous at the suggestion, and Harry had to force back hislaughter while Hermione finished speaking. “…He’s dreadful to bearound!” “Girls are just shallow,” Ron said spitefully. Hermione turned to him and shook her head. “Notall girls.” Ron shrugged. “I mean, Lavender wasn’t.” Harry and Hermionebegan laughing hysterically as Ron shot them evil glares. “Oh, veryfunny.” There came a clinking sound from the head table, and they sawProfessor McGonagall tapping her glass with her wand. Within seconds,the whole Hall quieted, and she cleared her throat. “Welcome backto Hogwarts. As you all know, last year, we lost a great Headmaster.”There were murmurs amongst the students. “It was tragic, but we mustmove on. We will honor Professor Dumbledore every day at dinner with amoment of silence. So, let’s take a moment to honor the memory of agreat man, a great teacher, and a great friend.” Before Harry closedhis eyes, he glanced over at the Slytherin table and saw Malfoy playingsome sort of card game with Blaise. Harry shot him an evil glance, andsurprisingly enough, Malfoy looked up at Harry at that exact moment andsmirked. Harry lowered his head and closed his eyes. After a minute ofsilence, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and smiled. “SinceI was Deputy Headmistress while Dumbledore was Headmaster, I will nowbecome the Headmistress, which means I will not be teachingtransfiguration anymore.” Ron turned to Harry, grinning from ear toear, but as soon as he turned back to Hermione, he saw her scowl. “What?!” “Thisalso means that I will no longer be the Head of Gryffindor,” There weremoans from the Gryffindor table. “It was wonderful being your Head, butnow I must assign a new professor. Your new Head Professor will beProfessor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank.” Hermione clapped loudly, but Ronand Harry both applauded half-heartedly. They had never really taken asgreat liking to her as Hermione had. “Now, seeing as how we are shorttwo professors,” Harry glared at Snape’s empty seat. He was glad Snapewas gone, but if he ever found him alone, Harry was sure he would killhim. “I shall introduce your new Defense Against the Dark Artsprofessor and your new Transfiguration professor.” All the studentsstared at the entry way in anticipation. “Your new Defense Against theDark Arts teacher will be Professor Silva Popplewell. She has been inFrance for the past six years battling Inferi.” There were excitedmurmurs from the students and Hermione seemed impressed. They had neverhad a great female teacher in that subject. “She will only be with usfor a year, unfortunately, because she will be moving on to a specialorganization after her Wizarding Visa is accepted.” Harry glanced atHermione; they both knew this “special organization” was really theOrder. “Join me in welcoming Professor Popplewell!” A tall woman withmedium-length, curly blonde hair gracefully entered the Great Hall. Sheappeared to be in her late twenties, a youthful aura emitting from herpresence. When she smiled at Headmistress McGonagall, some of theclapping stilled, boys became too enamored with her smile. When Harrybegan clapping, he noticed that Ron’s jaw had dropped and he wasstaring rudely at their new professor. Harry gently nudged him on theshoulder, and Ron immediately came back to reality. Luckily, Hermionehadn’t noticed. “Ron, what’s with you?” Harry whispered into Ron’s ear. Ron turned towards Harry. “Doyou not have eyes?! She’s bloody gorgeous!” Harry turned to look atProfessor Popplewell again, and he shrugged. She was pretty, but hewasn’t going to gawk at her like Ron. Hermione began lightly chucklingand turned to Harry and Ron. “I bet you ten Galleons there will beat least five boys in class who won’t be able to keep their eyes off ofher. I mean really, she’s a professor!” When Hermione turned away,Harry raised his eyebrows and held back laughter as Ron blushed. “Nowto introduce your new transfiguration teacher. I myself have been afriend of this man for a good half of my life. He just moved back fromAmerica, so I want you all to give a very warm welcome to ProfessorPeter Baltar.” There came a faint applause from the students, and agreater applause from the teachers. A man with auburn hair, wearing anexpensive silk robe, walked through the door and waved at all thestudents. He wore glasses, and his hair was cut short, his face linedwith a scruffy beard. He stepped up to the Professors’ table and satdown. Harry was almost intimidated by the man’s stature; he commandedattention whenever he walked into a room, just like Dumbledore. ProfessorMcGonagall continued with the Sorting Ceremony and then started thebeginning year speeches. After a long forty minutes, food finallyappeared in golden bowls and platters. Everyone began shoveling foodonto their plates and talking amongst themselves. Harry heard a loudsqueal from across the hall, and shot around. He saw Malfoy sittingnext to Daphne, and he thought the squeal came from her. He studiedthem for a while, but saw nothing that would make Daphne yell out likeshe had--and then he noticed it. Malfoy was talking to someone in frontof him, but Daphne was becoming flustered and her breathing pattern hadchanged; she was now breathing faster and shorter breaths. Harry lookedaround him to see if anyone else had noticed what they were doing, butno one seemed to. Harry glanced back at Malfoy and Daphne and saw thatMalfoy’s hands were beneath the table, and he was acting perfectlynormal. Daphne, however, just tilted her head back and sighed deeply.He saw Malfoy lifting his hand above the table and placing it on hisnapkin. In one swift movement, he cleaned his hands, smiled at Daphne,and turned back to his friends. Utterly disgusted, Harry returned toRon and Hermione, eager to change the subject. “So, what do you guys think of the new teachers?” Hermione swallowed her food quickly, keen on answering Harry. “Well,I am glad they finally got a female professor that isn’t totallyinadequate, but I do think that she is going to be attracting some ofour fellow students’ attention.” Harry nodded, and Ron fell silent. Asthe trio sat in the Great Hall discussing their teachers and what theyhoped to learn- not learn, in Ron’s case- the post owls swooped in anddropped envelopes into each person's lap. “These must be our newschedules!” Hermione said with enthusiasm as she tore hers open. Ronand Harry placed theirs aside and continued eating. Hermione looked upat them both. “Aren’t you going to open yours?” she asked. Ronswallowed a mouthful of potatoes and looked up. “Yeah, in due time.”Hermione glared at Ron and Harry, so they sighed and began openingtheir course schedules. “Alright, already!” Harry glanced at the pieceof paper and smiled. Tomorrow morning he had double Defense Against theDark Arts with Professor Popplewell, Charms, lunch break, study period,and then double Transfiguration. In reality, Harry had no intent ofgoing to the library to study on the first day back to school; he wasgoing to use his study period to do whatever he wanted. Harry glancedat Hermione’s schedule from across the table and winced. She had adouble period of History of Magic, Charms, lunch, Herbology, and thendouble Transfiguration. She, however, kept glancing at her schedule asif she were missing something. “Hermione?” Ron asked as he finished up the last of his treacle tart. She turned towards him and ran her hand through her hair. “Something’smissing! We are supposed to have one more class before dinner. Hermionequickly and quietly rose from her seat and made her way over toProfessor McGonagall. Harry and Ron watched curiously as they talkedand Hermione made her way back to the table. “Well?” Ron asked,swallowing a bit of water. Hermione smiled and pointed to ProfessorMcGonagall, who was now stepping up to the podium. “Attention!”Heads snapped towards the front of the hall and McGonagall smiled. “Assome of you have noticed, there is no third class after lunch. Youmerely have your first class, then your double period class. The reasonfor this is the new idea formed by the Ministry of Magic, called theInter-House Connection. Every Monday night you will be participating invarying activities with different houses; you will be with a differenthouse each week. Tomorrow night, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor will bepaired, and Hufflepuff and Slytherin will be together.” A sigh ofrelief came from students of both Ravenclaw and Gryffindor; they wereboth ecstatic they weren’t paired with Slytherin. Students ofHufflepuff, on the other hand, were groaning and complaining.Headmistress McGonagall ignored them. “These activities usually aretwo hours long, but there will be some shorter and some longer.Tomorrow night you will simply be getting to know the people in thedifferent houses more closely, so there will be no need forsupervision. Ravenclaw and Gryffindors will be in the Gryffindor commonroom, and Hufflepuff and Slytherins will be in the Slytherin commonroom. Furthermore, we have all decided that it is best to split you upinto age groups. First years through third years will be together,fourth and fifth years will be together, and finally, sixth and seventhyears will be together. If you have any further questions, please askthe head of your House. you.” With a swipe of her wand, the foodimmediately disappeared from the platters and dessert appeared. “I’vebeen waiting for this all summer!” Ron said as he grabbed a brownie.“Since Mum started her new diet, she cut out all the sweets from ourmeals. I’ve been dying to lay my hand on a brownie.” He stuffed thewhole brownie into his mouth as Harry and Hermione laughed.
Aftereveryone was done eating dessert, the Houses parted. The prefects ledthe way for all the first years to the common rooms as everyone elsewalked in unison. “Are you looking forward to tomorrow night,Hermione?” Harry asked as a confused bunch of first years discoveredthe moving stairs. “I guess. I mean, I’m all about unifying underthe circumstances, I’m just not thrilled about having to unify withcertain Slytherins.” She replied, climbing up the stairs; Ron nodded. “Iknow what you mean. Well I’m just glad tomorrow night’s with Ravenclaw.They’re nice people after all.” Harry nodded, but all he could thinkabout was how he and Ginny were going to finally have time to talk. Hehad to tell her exactly how he felt about the situation. Harry foundhimself lagging behind his two friends, leaving him alone. When hefinally noticed he was far behind Ron and Hermione, he didn‘t doanything. They were obviously having a good time from the wide grin onHermione’s face. As Harry checked his watch, he accidentally bumpedinto someone. “Oh, sorry!” He said instinctively. He lifted his head to see who he had hit, and saw Malfoy, with his arm around Pansy. “What'sthe matter, Potter?" Malfoy drawled. "The Weasel and Mudblood kick youout of the threesome?" He put on a mock pouting face and Pansy giggledgirlishly. Harry didn’t have the energy to fight Malfoy, so he justgave him an evil glare and walked passed him.
***
Malfoyhad to say he was shocked that Potter had walked by him without even acomeback. He couldn’t help thinking that Potter had grown physicallyover the summer. He had risen at least a good three inches, and hisraven-colored hair had somehow stayed the same length, even though itwas obvious Harry never got a haircut. Glad that he himself had grownquite considerably, he turned back to Pansy. Malfoy guided Pansy in thedirection towards the Slytherin common room, but Malfoy couldn’t helpbut watch Potter walk down the hallway, his gaze still fixed on theground.
***
By the time Harry reached theGryffindor common room, he was tired senseless. He made an effort tolook for Hermione and Ron, but no such luck; they were nowhere to beseen. Worn out and only the tiniest bit lonely, Harry decided to headup to bed. He walked over to Hedwig and unlocked her cage; he figuredshe would want to stretch her wings after being locked up. Harry tookoff his robe and shirt and lazily threw them on top of his trunk. Hepulled off his pants and left them where they were as he climbed intohis bed. Harry finally closed his eyes, and couldn’t help but thinkabout how Malfoy must’ve loved that Harry had finally given him thepower he always wanted.