The very fine line between love and hate

Chapter 1

A.N Hello guys this story is also on Ao3 here's the link if you'd like to read it on there instead,
https://archiveofourown.org/users/Shayla_brisket18/pseuds/Shayla_brisket18

Anyway this is my story on both wattpad and a03 I decided to also upload it to wattpad because it did well on a03 and I wanted to put it on here.

I do not give permission for anyone to reupload this as their own content, this story is mine and mine alone.

I hope you guys enjoy it!

....

Harry wanted a normal year. That's a funny thought, but after everything that's happened to him, a normal year would be nice.

The eighth year was established so everyone could complete their studies, and that's all Harry wanted to do. He knew it would be hard coming back. He was admittedly suffering from ptsd, depression, and, of course, the nightmares.

No matter what he did, they just wouldn't leave. Dreamless sleep had stopped being an option when he took it so much that his body was practically immune to it. He tried to settle in at Grimmauld Place, but it just didn’t work. The place was in dire need of renovations and felt overwhelmingly depressing to live in. So, when he received his Hogwarts letter, he accepted it without much thought.

He understood that while the walls of Hogwarts held many of his bad memories, they also contained some of his only good ones. He hoped he could have a better year this time—one without running from a madman, hopefully.

The train was just as it always was; it was one of the few constants since the war: the same carriages, the same stained seats, the same windows. It was comforting.

Sitting with Ron and Hermione was even better. Harry was surprised Ron wanted to come back after what had happened to Fred. He had expected Ron to want to stay home and grieve properly, but when he asked him before they boarded the train, Ron had said it was easier to be away from home. Plus, he would get to spend the year with his best friend and girlfriend. Harry thought that made sense.

Hermione had managed to track down her parents earlier in the year and restored their memories. She wrote to Harry and Ron after finding them, and Harry was relieved for her.

Now, both of his best friends were here on the train, sitting in front of him. He had worried he would be the only one returning, and he was so glad that wasn’t the case. He knew that without them, he wouldn't have been able to come back.

Hermione tilted her head, breaking the comfortable silence.

“So, what classes do you both plan to take this year?”

Ron leaned back with a groan. “Is there a need for Defence? Honestly, haven’t we all had enough of that?”

Hermione shot him a look, the kind that said You cannot possibly be serious. Harry smirked into his sleeve.

“Don’t know yet,” he admitted.

“Hopefully, eighth years can still play Quidditch.”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Harry. Priorities.”

“What about Potions?” she asked pointedly.

Harry shrugged, trying to keep his voice light. “I’m pants at it. Especially now I don’t have that book…” He winced inwardly, the memory of Snape flickering through his mind like a shadow, but he pushed it down before it showed on his face.

Hermione leaned forward, undeterred. “Well, it’s still a great subject to pass. You know, there’s also Alchemy being offered this year, and—”

Harry caught Ron’s eye over her shoulder, and they both suppressed grins as she launched into full lecture mode. Ron mouthed Here we go again, and Harry had to look away to keep from laughing.