Chapter Three: Solitude among the night

Receiving the news about Hogwarts, only half of the students came back, while the others stayed away, the terror of the war that had happened here leaving its mark on their mind.

Deciding that he would stay at Grimmauld 12 for now, he dumped his luggage on the floor and laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

"School starts tomorrow..." He muttered out loud when a pop sounded and Kreacher stood in front of him.

"And what do you think you insufferable thing is doing at master's house?!" Kreacher screeched, pointing a claw-like finger at him accusingly.

Signing, Harry turned his head to face the wall.

"Kreacher is ashamed," it wailed. "Master told Kreacher that this half-blood can stay, but Kreacher is bringing shame to the manor! Kreacher will be punished-"

"Kreacher, just shut up and go away, preferably as far as you can get-like the kitchen."

Catching the words like 'filthy half-blood', 'intolerable' and 'Kreacher will make the nastiest breakfast for the half-blood', it disappeared with an annoying crack.

Harry looked around the room. The room was exactly the same as it had been before he was gone, but something was missing. The aura of homeliness had vanished along with Sirius the moment he died. The absence was a huge hole left in his heart as he thought of his godfather.

He had no home left, for this was the only thing as close as home as it could be, despite the hollow silence that echoed in it, over and over again.

Closing his eyes tightly, a tear slipped past his facade as he dozed off.
...............

Waking up early in the morning, Harry made his hair as nice as it could be-which wasn't much-and went for breakfast.

Staring at his plate, Harry looked at the pile of scrambled eggs, two burned sausages and a cup of plain water.

"Kreacher." Harry gritted out.

In response, Kreacher banged the pots louder and shouted, "Kreacher cannot hear master! Kreacher does not know what happened to master's breakfast!"

"You know exactly what happened, you made the breakfast, you insufferable creature!"

"Kreacher does not understand what words are coming from master's brilliant mouth!"

"Cut the crap!"
.............
-we will let time pass as they continue arguing-

Mumbling and growling under his breath, he boarded a carriage that had been waiting for him. His robes and books were still the same from the sixth year, shrunken to fit his suitcase.

He hoped that Hermione and Ron would have been there when he arrived at Hogwarts. They were his only friends, but while he knew he couldn't tell them his dark secret, he would take whatever comfort they would give him.

He locked the part of him within himself, and silently bear the burden of it.
..........

"Harry!" Ginny pounced on him and proceed to hug him until he began the suffocate.

"Ginny...I need..air." He wheezed out, secretly giving a sigh of relief when she finally let go.

"Harry? Are you alright? Did you read the book I gave you?" Hermione asked anxiously.

They stood in front of Hogwarts, waiting for Harry to come. They smiled happily while Ron patted his back.

"Its good to see you back, mate."

Harry's heart warmed at the concern they showed at him. He didn't have many friends, but all of them mattered to him.

While they chatted excitingly about the seventh year as they walked along the hallway, Harry noticed the subtle glances as they looked at his eye. Whispers could be heard as he saw the mockery on their faces.

While Ginny and the others subtly avoided having the conversation with him, he saw their looks of sympathy when they thought he wouldn't see.

As he looked around, he saw the students that had gathered to stare at the supposed hero, The Boy Who Lived. He saw the faces of pity, and of scorn.

He took everything in his silent way, taking all of the knives that stabbed him.

Feeling a tug on his sleeve, he looked into Ginny's bright eyes.

"Ignore them." She whispered.

Nodding slightly, he forced a tiny smile on his face as they went into the Great Hall.

The hall was still the same with its decorations. Now that Professor Dumbledore was gone, Headmistress McGonagall took her place at the utmost seats. All of the professors were still there, the bond with the school so strong that they just couldn't give up on it.

As soon as they took their seats at the table, Headmistress McGonagall spoke quietly, her voice clear enough for everyone to hear.

"So we meet again after a year of hardships." She said. They looked down at the floor silently.

"We have fight, and we have won, the scars on our hearts as well as the deaths of our loved ones as the price." She gazed at each of them. "Now, Hogwarts is trying to recover. It will recover, mind you, but not without its students. You are not alone, because we are all here. I know a lot of you want to give up, but please, stay strong. No matter how you feel, just know, that we are here for you. As long as you still need us." She paused.

"So, please, let us work hard for this year, let us strive to achieve and mend what was broken."

"Let this year be the best year you will ever have, all of you."

Her words echoing in their hearts, she gave a small smile and clap her hands together.

"May the feast begin."

Yes, I promised for the Draco P.O.V. but apparently, it's too long so I'll have to postpone it ;) How is this chapter? I'm not sure if its okay, but I did my best.

I was on semi-hiatus during the holidays and I might not have much time now (homework), but if I have inspiration, I'll make sure I write. (Prob one before CNY to celebrate it :)

This is kinda long and I know ya all prob won't read this XD but onto the next chapter!