firecracker ???

7-2

By the time the castle came into view, the sun was beginning to set. The towers glowed like gold under the clouds. The lake shimmered. Hagrid waved from the dock.

It was Hogwarts.

But something had changed.

There was no sense of looming threat. No fear of what might lurk behind the next corner. Only the scent of autumn, the quiet hum of magic in the air, and the weight of safety in the stone.

The castle had endured.

And now it welcomed them home.

-

The Great Hall was brighter than usual. The enchanted ceiling twinkled with starlight. The tables buzzed with returning students—some new, some old, all a little dazed by how normal it all felt when a war should be breaking any day now.

Snape stood at the staff table, face eternally sour, robes blacker than sin.

"Headmaster," someone whispered.

Harry's grin widened.

Snape opened the feast with his usual flair: brief, cold, and merciless.

"The Dark Lord is in hiding," he said flatly. "That doesn't mean your homework is."

A few students blinked.

Some chuckled nervously.

Harry, Draco, Blaise, and Theo nearly choked, laughing in unison.

Regulus stood beside him, utterly unfazed. Lupin nodded politely. Sirius winked at the Gryffindors.

It was absolutely ridiculous.

But it was perfect.

After the feast, their new timetables were distributed.

Harry glanced at his and immediately cackled.

"Double Defense with Regulus and Gryffindor with Slytherin?"

Draco groaned.

"I'm surrounded."

"By people who love you," Lyra said sweetly.

Harry reached over and ruffled his hair.

"I will kill you in your sleep, Potter."

Harry just grinned wider. "Try it. I've got two badges, remember?"

Draco narrowed his eyes. 

"You only have one, Draco. Try not to cry yourself to sleep tonight."

"Lyra also only has one," Lyra said flatly.

Harry paled.

Lyra sighed, "I guess I'll cry myself to sleep tonight."

"I mean I hate power. I hate the badges. They're much too shiny, much better suited for you instead. Would you like to wear them instead of me, love?"

She smirked. "Better."

Regulus walked by then, glanced at the group, and said, "First Defense class is tomorrow morning. Don't forget and waste my time."

"Aw, Reggie, say it with love," Sirius called after him.

Regulus didn't stop walking.

Lyra tilted her head. "You're all going to be unbearable."

Harry smiled.

"I know."

He looked around at it all—the laughter, the voices, the quiet magic of ordinary joy—and smiled.

For once, no one was dying.

No one was plotting.

No one was preparing for a final stand.

For once, they were just students.

And if the world ended tomorrow?

Harry would still have today.

The castle had changed.

Calmer. Safer.

It didn't hum with dread anymore.

It felt sacred.

This was the calm before the final storm.

And for now—he was allowed to breathe.

He didn't know everything.

He didn't know what the end would look like.

But tonight, under a sky full of stars, Lyra at his side and Hogwarts at his feet—

He didn't need to know.

Not yet.

The Golden Year had begun.