Draco and Blaise raised incredulous eyebrows. “Only you could say that so casually, Harry,” Draco drawled.
“It’s true,” Harry said. “It’s not like I actually want to make an entrance. It just happens.”
He changed the subject. “The Weasleys aren’t here yet?” he asked Blaise.
“I haven’t seen them,” Blaise said. “But I got here early just so I could see the reactions to the arrival of you two.”
Harry waved his arm expansively. “Shock, disapproval, awe, terror. Which reaction were you most wanting to see?” he asked sarcastically. “You’ve got your pick.”
He narrowed his eyes as he caught sight of Nott and Pansy. “You can add hatred to that list,” he said.
“They’ve already tried grilling me for information,” Blaise admitted, following his gaze. “I have to agree with your impression that they seem to think Draco is simply putting on an act.”
“Did they say anything specific?” Draco asked sharply.
“Of course not,” Blaise answered. “Pansy’s a stupid bitch, but Nott is too clever to say anything and tip his hand.”
“Not clever enough,” Harry muttered.
“A vague impression doesn’t give us anything,” Blaise said. “And Nott knows that.”
“He will be observed closely,” Severus said. “For now, it is time to get on the train.”
Harry turned around, knowing he probably had a stupid grin on his face but he couldn’t help himself. He’d worry about Nott and Pansy later, as right now he had parents to see him off to school.
He hugged Remus tightly, relieved that he wasn’t actually saying goodbye. He was happy that he’d finally been given an opportunity to spend more time with Remus and didn’t want to give that up again so soon.
“I’ll see you at Hogwarts, Harry,” Remus reassured and Harry reluctantly let him go.
He didn’t dare try to give Severus a hug in front of all the other students. He didn’t particularly want detention before they’d even arrived back at school. Or rather, any more detentions, as he already had to brew potions for the hospital wing.
“What?” he asked warily as he registered Draco staring at him expectantly.
“I was just waiting to see if you truly had a death wish or not,” Draco drawled.
Harry shrugged uncomfortably. “No, not particularly,” he admitted.
“Need I point out that I am not your professor here?” Severus questioned.
Did that mean it was all right to give him a hug? Professor Snape, definitely not. But even Severus was extremely prickly about those sorts of things. He didn’t look approachable at the moment with his teaching robes on and the stoic expression.
Severus arched a brow and Harry smiled, stepping forward to give Severus a quick hug.
“Thanks,” he whispered.
“Thank you, Harry,” Severus murmured.
Maybe Severus wanted confirmation of their relationship as well.
Loud gasps had been heard on the platform. Harry turned to look, sharing amused smirks with Draco, Blaise, Crabbe and Goyle at the gobsmacked expressions of students and parents alike.
“This was more the type of reaction I was looking for,” Blaise said.
“We should’ve brought some popcorn,” Draco drawled.
Harry burst out laughing, feeling far lighter than he’d expected to feel going back to school.
“Severus, you are turning soft,” Lucius drawled.
“I weighed the risks, and I do not believe it will compromise my reputation,” Severus said dryly.
Glancing over his shoulder, Harry smirked at him. “Everyone’s certain to still think you’re a mean bastard,” he agreed.
“That’s because he is,” Draco said, side-stepping to move away from Severus.
“Harry!”
He spotted his friends. “I’ll be right back,” he said.
Draco nodded, taking the opportunity to talk to his father.
Harry hurried over to meet them and Hermione caught him in a hug first. She tilted her head curiously as she studied him. “You look incredibly happy,” she observed.
“I am,” he managed to say before he was swept into a round of Weasley hugs.
“What’s that?” Ron asked.
Harry looked down at the basket he’d been keeping close to him since he’d arrived at the station.
“Er, well, it’s Blast,” he reluctantly admitted.
“What’s a Blast?” Ron asked curiously.
“Blast is her name,” Harry said, picking up the basket and lifting the lid to reveal the bit of fluff tucked cosily inside.
“A kitten?!” Ron exclaimed loudly.
“Oh, she’s adorable,” Ginny cooed, reaching in to pet Blast. “Very manly, Harry.”
Harry scowled at her, snapping the basket lid on her arm. She grinned at him unrepentantly.
“I think Blaise is looking for you,” he said.
“That’s not going to get rid of me, you know,” she said. “You’ll be sitting with us, as Malfoy will be busy with Head Boy duties.”
“Why do you have a kitten?” Hermione interrupted, peeking into the basket.
“Draco gave it to Victoria for her birthday,” Harry said.
