Chapter Text
Visions of the battle of Hogwarts haunt Harry even in the silent aftermath of it. There hadn't been any time to do recon. He had defeated Voldemort thinking all will be over after it and the next time he saw his friends was dead in the rubble of the castle.
The death eaters had targeted his loved ones, using dirty tricks to beat them, or it's what he was told by the few witnesses. Molly, Arthur, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ginny, Neville, Luna, Hagrid, Remus… Hermione and Ron. All slaughtered. None had been spared. The courtyard is deathly silent, but it's almost as if he can hear the screams, it's absurd because he neither saw or heard it.
It almost feels unreal, that they're really gone. He's never going to see them again. He played the last game of wizard chess with Ron without even realizing it. He can't imagine a world where he won't laugh about something stupid with his friends, even though that world is reality now. Harry's eyes drift to the lifeless corpse of Ginny on the tiles, eyes closed by the healers. Tears spill down his cheeks, he doesn't even try to wipe them away.
The elder wand pulses in his hand with power, loyalty fickle. Holding the most powerful wand in existence and he'd been able to do nothing to save the people he fought this war for. How pathetic of him.
When he tears away his eyes from the body of his love, he can see students being treated for injuries, the dead being gathered. Nobody looks happy about this victory. Everyone's exhausted, Harry is as well.
He has nowhere left to go, everywhere would be empty, devoid of warmth. Harry turns his gaze up to the sky, the clouds beginning to part, revealing rays of sun. No family, no friends, just silence. Without a word he tugs the wand into his belt and starts walking, he doesn't know where yet but he can't remain here. Anywhere but here.
Harry's eyes get increasingly puffy as he weeps his companions, traveling without much purpose. Ending up walking through places he's visited over the years.
Hagrid’s hut, he wonders who'll take care of the animals now. Every location brings more memories with them. He retraces his steps all the way to diagon alley, visiting the shops, remembering that eleven year old who didn't know what was coming in the years ahead, who was simply happy with making friends and going to school in clothes that weren't three sizes too big and god knows how old.
He remembers Hermione and Ron, how they had been when they were eleven. They came such a long way, the two of them. Now they'll never even see their 18th birthday.
He stands in the center of the alley too long, maybe minutes, maybe hours. It doesn't really register to him, too busy trying to memorize every little thing he can about his friends.
He doesn't even notice someone has walked up to him till there's a hand on his shoulder. Harry looks over to see Malfoy. The blonde looks awkward, it's an expression Harry hasn't seen him wear before.
“I-” Malfoy begins but the words die on his lips. He averts his gaze “I'm sorry. If you ever need something, our manor’s doors are open for you. Whatever, whenever.” The hand falls away from Harry's shoulder. Harry can't muster words for a sentence, instead ending up nodding quietly.
Malfoy stands with him in the silence for a while, Harry has no idea if it's sympathy or pity but currently he doesn't care, doesn't even want to think.
“Do you have somewhere to stay?” He seems to ask the question pressing on his mind. Harry shakes his head, not quite looking at the other. Malfoy is quiet for a moment. “Would you come with me then?” Harry shifts his gaze to meet Malfoy’s.