They were all surprised when Draco knocked on the compartment's door and waited for one of the occupants to allow him in. He immediately turned to the Potters. "Lord and Lady Potter, I feel obliged to apologise for how I used to behave at the beginning of the year. It was all as my father ordered me to act and I was too ignorant and too frightened to give it any thought. Now, with him gone, I can finally think of what I say and how I act and I find his teaching very disturbing. I can't honestly promise I won't occasionally slip and act or talk that way, though, as he instilled that kind of behaviour in me and it may take some time to get rid of all the bad habits." He didn't wait for an answer before talking some more. "On behalf of House Malfoy – and that only means my mother and I – I also congratulate you on your marriage. While much earlier than one can expect, it was very clear from the first day at school that you two belonged together. I wish you all the best." He hesitated momentarily before adding, "I'd really like it if we could start anew and forget everything that happened before today."
As much as they were surprised, both Potters were also cautious. Although Draco had not shown any amount of cunning before, they couldn't dismiss the possibility that he was only playing for time to recuperate from losing his father before going back to his old habits. Luckily, they could exchange thoughts and ideas without anybody noticing.
Harry answered for them both. "I'm sorry for your personal loss, but I'm glad it pushed you to think for yourself. We also hope to build much better relations between the two families. We understand that it won't happen overnight and won't push, of course."
Conveniently, both parties refrained from mentioning the vassal relations that resulted from the duel at the beginning of the school year. Harry also thought that if Draco proved trustworthy, he could give back the rights he had gained in that duel, eventually.
Draco seemed to accept Harry's reply but he was still pensive. He then asked, "May I join your compartment? Both Vince and Greg won't come back to Hogwarts and others don't like me. I can't blame them, considering how I used to act."
Harry glanced at the three other occupants. Neville seemed uncertain and then nodded slightly. Susan and Hannah only shrugged. "We don't mind, as long as you keep behaving acceptably."
Draco smiled his thanks and sat on the only unoccupied seat, at Harry's side.
The conversation was a bit stunted for a few minutes, with nobody quite sure what to talk about near Draco, especially considering that the main subject of interest to most of the students was the trial of their former professor and what followed. Draco solved the problem by mentioning the subject first. He turned to Susan and asked, "Do you know what happened at Quirrell's execution, or maybe the Dark Lord's? In some way, it seemed to cause the death of all his marked followers. I'd like to understand why that happened."
Susan didn't know much, despite her Aunt serving as the head of the DMLE. "I wasn't present there, you know, and neither was my aunt – she asked the Head Auror to witness it. I only heard that it went somewhat strangely. In the few other cases that happened since we were born, once the convicts were pushed through the veil, they simply vanished. This time, he seemed to blink out of existence and back again for quite a while. Auntie suspects that each time, the Dark Lord tried to suck some life force from his followers to stay alive. Eventually, he sucked all they had, but the power of the veil was stronger and it took away everything he could gain from his followers. They were left with no life in them, so they died."
Harry thought it was very close to the explanation he got at Gringotts. He glanced at Draco, who looked paler than normal.
"So, the leader actually killed his followers, you say. Well, he wasn't really a leader. Dad called him Master. That's the way a house elf calls its owner, not the way a person should address a legitimate leader. It looks like Mum was right about that." Draco looked down for a moment. He then lifted his head and rested it on the headrest, closing his eyes. "Sorry, I need to think some more about it. Don't stay silent on my account, though," he said in a quiet tone and then seemed to relax. Harry thought it was a kind of meditation. He wondered if Draco would be willing to teach him. It could help with his Occlumency, he was sure.
–..–
It soon became evident that many of the children of known Death Eaters didn't return. Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle were the most evident, mainly due to their sizes, but Nott didn't return either, leaving Draco with only one dorm mate - Zabini. Quite a few older children also didn't return. Half the Slytherin Quidditch team was absent, but some Ravenclaws were also missing, and one each from Hufflepuff and Gryffindor.
Some students came to congratulate Harry for his success at the trial and the marriage. Most were from Gryffindor, as expected, but Harry was surprised that two first-year Slytherin girls also came. They looked suspiciously at Draco but still did what they intended. "Lord and Lady Potter, we want to congratulate you for your success at the trial against that murderer. It certainly helps to make our society safer, and the school too. We also congratulate you, Lord and Lady Potter, on behalf of our families, Greengrass and Davies, for your sudden marriage and wish you a happy life and many children, but not too soon." The last few words seemed to be said with some teasing.
Harry was too surprised to answer immediately, but Hermione did that for them both. "Thank you, the two of you. Tell your families that wegratefully accepted their congratulations. We would also like to expand our circle of friends to include students from all houses. Would you like to be our friends?"
The two girls seemed surprised but overcame it quickly. "I believe I can say it for my friend too, that we're glad to accept your offer. I'm Daphne and she's Tracey, as you may already know. Are you making any plans for your friends?"
Hermione smiled, refraining from chuckling. "I made no plans. I didn't even plan to ask you. It just seemed natural. Still, we may try to study together, do homework together and such. For now, we may just spend some time together whenever it fits us."
Tracey then asked, "Is he also your friend?" She pointed at Draco, who kept his eyes closed.
Harry answered this time. "He promised he's no longer our enemy and asked to stay with us for the train ride. We shall see how this may evolve." He then smiled self-consciously. "I didn't have any friends until I met Hermione. It's a new experience for me – having friends."
Daphne frowned. "I thought you grew up among muggles."
That confused Harry. "I did, but why should it matter?"
It was Tracey who explained. "You see, most pureblood families live quite isolated, meeting others no more than a handful of times per year. This makes friendships between children almost impossible. Muggles normally live close to others, so friendships are easy to come by."
Harry nodded. It made sense, yet… "My relatives made sure I'll have no friends. My cousin used to beat any child who showed interest in becoming close to me. Still, if what you said is true, how come you two are friends?"
Harry was surprised to see Daphne smile – something he had never seen nor heard of. "Her parents are friends with mine and they live close enough to visit regularly, although distance should pose no problem when travelling magically. We became friends before I can even remember."
Draco finally opened his eyes to comment, "I never thought that you might have had such bad conditions as a child. Everybody thought you grew up as a pampered prince, based on all those phony stories."
Both Potters felt alarmed at the mention of stories. "What are these stories you've mentioned?" Harry asked.
"Didn't you know? There are many children's books about your supposed adventures," Daphne said. "They're all fake, of course. No small child could even pronounce the spells you were supposed to use at age two or three. Yet somebody is making money using your name. You should stop that if you can."
"I'm sure my mother can advise you about that," Draco added helpfully.
Harry gave it some thought and then smiled. "It should still wait until we reach school, at least. Maybe a day or two after that, too."
All the others smiled and nodded in agreement. The two girls left the compartment shortly after that.
–..–
Sometime later, they had another visitor. Padma came to ask, "Have you seen my sister? We were supposed to come here together, but I can't find her."
"I think she was with some other girls, probably Lavender and Fay. They were talking about trying some clothes, so she may be in one of the loos, changing."
Padma shook her head disappointedly. "Well, let me congratulate you for how you acted at the trial, showing courage and thoughtfulness much above what's expected at our age. I also congratulate you on your unexpected marriage, although it is much earlier than normal, yet I know how close you two are. I say it both for me and for my family, as my parents also wanted to congratulate you. This is why Parvati and I were supposed to do that together, but once she met her dorm mates, she probably forgot."
Harry smiled at her. Although identical twins with Parvati, Padma looked different, mainly due to her hairdo and serious expression. "I thank you for your congratulations and please thank your parents too, on my behalf. Do you like being sorted into a different house than your twin?"
Padma shrugged. "It was expected, really. While Parvati can be just as smart as any Ravenclaw, she had never considered studies seriously. For her, socializing is much more important. It caused innumerable disputes between us when we were still at home. It's easier to be loving sisters when we don't meet so often, and even that doesn't always help, as you've just heard."
"But I'm sure you also like to have friends," Hermione noted.
"Sure, and I think I made one or two since coming to school, but we're here for our studies. The rest is nice, but not as important." A Hufflepuff wouldn't have said that, Harry was sure, but it fitted a Ravenclaw, like Padma.
"I think we may combine studies and friendships. One way would be to make a study group, for example. I'm considering inviting whoever wants to study with us, regardless of house, to join us a few times each week and study together. It can be fun, I'm sure," Hermione said.
Padma smiled. "I'd like to join you if that's alright with you."
Hermione smiled back. "I'll let you know when we start."
–..–
As soon as they reached Hogwarts, Hermione dragged Harry to talk with Professor McGonagall. She wasn't surprised to see them. She had also read the news and was actually expecting them. "May I assume that you're here to ask for your married accommodation?"
Both blushed a bit and nodded.
The professor smiled tightly. "I made an apartment ready for you soon after I read the news, although it would have been more prudent if you sent an owl. Your apartment is very close to the Gryffindor common room, so you can stay in touch with your classmates. A house elf will lead you there after the feast."
Harry felt a need to apologise. "We only planned to be betrothed as a way to keep Hermione safer. We didn't expect to become married seconds later. Had it been planned, we would have acted differently. And Hermione wouldn't have let me forget to tell you, I'm sure."
A tiny smile reappeared on the old witch's lips. "Of course, Lord Potter. It's understandable that such an unexpected and significant event confuses and makes one forget minor details. Now, I suspect you're quite hungry after the long train ride. I suggest you join the other students in the Great Hall."
Both nodded and rushed out. Minerva watched them as they were holding hands and smiled to herself. They were so cute, yet so powerful in more than one way. She wished them happiness.
–..–
The welcome feast was somewhat subdued. The Slytherin table seemed to have many vacancies, but even some students from other houses lost people they knew, either family members, family friends, or acquaintances. The Slytherin house also lost Snape, the former head of the house, making some students worried.
At least that seemed to have been resolved nicely. The headmaster stood up after all the students were at the tables.
"I'm sorry to tell you that along with some other casualties, we also lost our beloved Potions master, Professor Snape. We shall all remember him fondly."
Judging by the grimace that most students couldn't hide, that was quite a bit of exaggeration.
Dumbledore continued. "Luckily, Professor Slughorn agreed to return from retirement and resume his role as Potions professor and head of Slytherin. Please welcome our returning staff member!"
He started clapping and the other teachers joined him, along with most of the students, although not quite enthusiastically. Well, he was an unknown to them. Professor Slughorn, a rotund man with a small moustache and a friendly expression, stood up and bowed, accepting the applause.
"I wonder how good he may be," Hermione said.
"I don't think he will be any worse than Snape," Harry replied.
"Well, we have Potions tomorrow. We'll find out, I'm sure," Hermione retorted.
They were already quite tired. When they finally reached their apartment, they quickly got ready for bed and fell promptly asleep. The rest could wait.