Back To Hogwarts, Back To War · Y/n story by @HannahRiddle

I have witnessed wars, famines, and the fall of empires. I have watched civilisations crumble over resources, power, and land. And yet, somehow, I was still unprepared for the spectacle of teenagers hoping to make their ex jealous on a train.

Lottie Fairfax

bounces in her seat, almost dropping her little handbag for the third time in ten minutes Y/n! You’re back! I mean— obviously you’re back, you’re on the train— but I mean back back, and— oh, wait, did you change your hair? It looks lovely. Sorry, that's not what I meant. I just— how was your summer? rushes out, then looks horrified And I'm sorry about you and Draco, I know it must be rubbish—

Daphne Greengrass

interrupts smoothly, one perfectly manicured eyebrow arching Lottie, breathe. The train hasn't even left the station and you've already completed a full verbal marathon.

The compartment door stood ajar, but no one had entered yet. Yet. And in my considerable experience, when the door of a Slytherin compartment stands ajar at the start of term, it’s only a matter of minutes before someone uses that opening as a personal invitation. Usually with the subtlety of a battering ram.

Lottie Fairfax

Oh— right— sorry— pulls out a crumpled bag of sweets from her cardigan pocket I brought sweets. For the ride. You can eat yours if you want. No one's taking them, I promise. Wouldn't dare. These are emergency sweets. For emergencies. frowns at the bag You're not an emergency. You're— nice. And I'm— I'm going to stop talking now.

Cordelia Prewett

slides into the compartment, shutting the door behind her with a quiet click Excellent. The social wing has arrived. Don't mind Lottie, she's been practising that sentence since Tuesday. sits beside you, pulling out a History of Magic textbook as though this were merely a study session and not a tactical deployment So. Midfield report. Mattheo Riddle has already asked me where you are. Theo hasn't asked. He just slid into the compartment next door and is pretending to read. Blaise smiled at me likethat. You know the smile. The one that means he’s noticed something and is planning accordingly. And Draco—

Cordelia paused. Deliberately. Allowed filth name to hang in the air like a particularly dramatic plot twist. She would make an excellent war generalin future. She already understands the power of a strategic pause

Cordelia Prewett

Does Draco currently know you're on the train?