In The Shadows² ★ Draco Malfoy

*4 months later

"I would hope so," said Draco "Will you and Teddy come to Hogsmeade?"

"Of course," she smiled and leaned up on her toes to kiss him "Come home safely"

"Always," he grinned and kissed her once more before kissing Teddy on the forehead and starting to lift his luggage onto the train.

Briar took the opportunity to go towards Ginny and hug her tightly. It felt odd not finishing the journey they had started together, but Briar knew she would be okay as long as she kept close to the others

"I'l miss you so much," said Ginny "The dorm is going to feel so much emptier without you in it"

"I know, but it's not for long, and we'll see each other every holiday," replied Briar "I love you, Gin. And please don't get kidnapped into any more secret chambers this year"

"I'll try my hardest," she giggled and let go of her best friend

Ron suddenly let out a loud scoff and the group all turned to him "Look who it is." His eyes were fixed at someone along the platform and it didn't take long to figure out who he was looking at because amongst the groups of families and friends saying goodbye stood one boy on his own, looking miserable to say the least; Henry Michaels

"How can he show his face here after what he did?" added Ginny

"Just stay away from him alright, dear," said Mrs Weasley with a frown "Unfortunately, there will still be those at Hogwarts who share dark beliefs and will be unhappy about the fall of You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters. However, I am sure Professor McGonagall will put it all right soon"

"I'm going to miss Minnie," pouted Briar 

"She won't miss you," joked Harry "After all the trouble we've caused, I think she'll be glad to be rid of us at the end of the year"

"Again, we could spare her the wait and just not come back," said Ron

"Ronald!" Hermione and Ron had been going back and forth on this for the whole summer, however, no matter how much Ron complained or moaned everyone knew that if Hermione wanted him to go then he would in a heart beat

"Fine," he sulked "Can't believe I'm going from hunting horcruxes and escaping Death Eaters to writing potions homework"

"I would give anything to go back and do it again," smiled Percy and everyone looked at him with a strange expression. Percy may have been one of them by now, but his love of homework and writing would forever confuse them

"It's going to be strange next year when none of us come here," sighed Bill, staring at the gleaming red steam train with a forlorn look 

"It will," nodded Hermione and Briar could see she had tears brimming in her eyes. Of course they all knew this wouldn't be the last time they stood here because of Teddy, and any eventual children that came alone, however, it was the last time they alone were doing this. Next time it would be a new generation

"You're going to make me cry," said Mrs Weasley, who already did have tears running down her cheeks "Come here you lot!"

None of the teenagers were given a chance to protest before she had pulled them all into a bone brushing hug and over her shoulder Briar could see Mr Weasley hiding a laugh behind his hand

"Mum," Ron choked out "If you hug us any longer we'll die before we can get on the train"

Mrs Weasley laughed and released the group before giving hugs to Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Ron, and then finally Draco. The surprise on his face was evident since she had never hugged him like this before and his own mother had never been a big hugger, however, Mrs Weasley's hugs were legendary and the moment he was in her arms he could tell why, and he did have to try his best to not show how happy it made him. After all he still did have a reputation to uphold.

But eventually she let go of him too, and the steam train behind them whistled in warning of the coming departure. Draco quickly pulled Briar into his arms one last time before he joined Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny on the train, and Briar stood on the platform watching as the train slowly began to pull out of King's Cross station

All five of the teenagers leaned out of the window to wave to their disappearing family, and even little Teddy waved back at them to the delight of Briar and those around her

Mrs Weasley could see the nervousness on Briar's face and she wrapped an arm around the shoulders of the young girl. "They'll be okay, I'm sure of it"

"I know," nodded Briar "But it's strange thinking that life at Hogwarts is going on and I won't even be there"

"It's hard to leave a place you've called home for so long," replied Bill "But once you're out, you can see just how wide and exciting this world is, and now it's your chance to go out and explore it"

"Thank you, guys," smiled Briar "I don't know how I would have survived Hogwarts without you all"

"Of course," replied Mrs Weasley "And I know this is hard on you, but your father would be proud to see how dedicated you are to raising Teddy."

"Thank you,"

Briar did feel at peace in a strange way. It was weird to think of her friends all at Hogwarts together, graduating this year, but she knew her time at Hogwarts was up. It had been an amazing place, which she loved, and she had had five brilliant years there, so deep down she knew it was time for her to leave and make her own way in the world. A world that was finally free and a world that she could not wait to watch her brother grow up in, and she swore to herself that she would make sure he knew just how much had been lost and sacrificed in order to shape that world.