LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 8: A Tense Encounter
The trio—Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Neville Longbottom—cautiously made their way down the narrow corridor of the Hogwarts Express. The rhythmic clattering of the train wheels against the tracks created a comforting yet electrifying backdrop, echoing memories of adventures past. Leading the group, Harry moved with purpose, his green eyes scanning each compartment in search of Neville's missing toad, Trevor. As they passed by, students peeked out, some whispering in awe at Harry's presence, their faces alight with curiosity and admiration. His fame had clearly preceded him; even in this alternate universe, stories of Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, were well-known.
With every step, Neville's anxiety bubbled to the surface. "What if Trevor is lost forever? What if he fell off the train?" he murmured, his voice trembling with worry as he clenched his fists, his thoughts spiraling into despair.
Ron, ever the jokester despite lingering envy toward Harry's status, attempted to lighten the mood. "Maybe Trevor found a cozy spot to rest," he suggested, flashing a lopsided grin. "Perhaps he's curled up under a seat, enjoying a nice nap. Smart toad, that one."
Sensing Neville's distress, Harry offered a reassuring smile, though he could feel his own patience beginning to fray. "Don't worry, Neville. We'll find him, I promise," he said, his voice steady and comforting.
As they approached another compartment, Harry halted and, with a determined push, opened the door. His movements were deliberate, almost impatient, as if he sensed that something significant awaited them inside. The compartment housed a girl with bushy brown hair, her nose buried in a thick book, and lounging opposite her was Draco Malfoy, exuding an air of detached nonchalance.
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Harry's eyes narrowed at the sight of Draco. "Malfoy," he muttered under his breath, the name dripping with disdain.
Draco's half-closed grey eyes flickered open at the sound of the door, and he straightened slightly, taking in the trio with a hint of amusement mixed with disdain. Ron wasted no time, stepping forward with a challenging stance. "What are you doing here, Malfoy?" he demanded, his voice tinged with hostility, suggesting that Draco's presence was anything but welcome.
An unspoken challenge hung between them, thick and palpable. Draco's gaze shifted from Ron to Harry, lingering on the lightning-shaped scar on Harry's forehead, a mark of his past. He remained silent, though his attention briefly flickered to Neville, whose nervousness was almost tangible.
Hermione, sensing the tension that crackled in the air, broke the silence with a cautious introduction. "Hello, I'm Hermione Granger," she said, her eyes darting between Harry and Draco, trying to gauge the brewing conflict.
But Harry was too engrossed in his own thoughts to acknowledge her. He could feel the weight of Draco's scrutiny, as if they were two sides of a coin, fated to collide.
Neville stepped forward timidly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Um, sorry to interrupt, but… we're looking for my toad, Trevor. Have you seen him?"
Draco raised an eyebrow, glancing at him before responding with a disinterested air. "No, I haven't seen a frog," he replied flatly, leaning back against the seat .
Ron, unwilling to let the dismissal slide, crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at Draco. "Finally decided to come out from hiding, Malfoy? I thought you'd only show up after becoming a dark wizard," he shot back, his voice a blend of mockery and challenge.
Draco's absence from social gatherings had been a hot topic among adults. Though he might not be as famous as Harry, his status as the heir of the Malfoy family made him special in his own right. For two years, he had been absent, leading to speculation about his wellbeing; some thought he was ill, while others assumed he lacked magical talent. Yet noone realized that Lucius simply wished to keep Draco out of the limelight.
Yet Draco remained unfazed, regarding Ron with a cool, measured gaze. Harry caught the rising tension in the compartment and glanced at Ron, who was clearly itching for a confrontation. It wasn't just Trevor weighing on Ron's mind; a simmering envy lurked beneath the surface, evident in the sharpness of his words.
Draco, meanwhile, seemed far more interested in Harry, his gaze fixated on the scar that marked him as a survivor. Harry, in turn, mirrored Draco's scrutiny, recalling their limited encounters. The last time they had crossed paths was three years ago at a gathering hosted by the Wallons, a powerful but neutral house focused on dueling. In a fleeting moment, he had bumped into Draco, causing him to stumble, and the memory of Draco's emotionless expression during that encounter still lingered in Harry's mind.
His father had warned him of the Malfoys' unwavering loyalty to dark forces, a legacy that haunted their family. In this moment, Harry felt that legacy weigh heavily upon him.
Draco, too, reflected on their brief history, though his memories were sparse. Lucius had severed his ties to the outside world, leaving him isolated. In this alternate universe, Draco know many had changed. He knew Harry parents are still alive and that Sirius Black was not imprisoned in Azkaban, but many other truths remained shrouded in mystery. He resolved that once settled, he would gather as much information as he could about this new reality..
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Author's pov
Updates will be uneven since I have started preparations for placement as I still haven't learnt any skill and i only have 1 year left.
Also suggest if anything to add . Since i came back after some time I may forget.