Chapter 1 TW/CW: therapy m, food m

Harry was pretty excited. For the past year, he had lived with Andromeda Tonks and her grandchild, Teddy Lupin-Harry's godson. Of course, after the constant surge of cameras and wizarding press had died down, he decided to lie low.

Around late July of 1998, Harry moved in with Andromeda and began to assist in caring for Teddy. It was strange, as Andromeda has insisted on only speaking French around the infant so that he would grow up to be bilingual (a Black family tradition). As such, his only company until September was Andromeda, Teddy, Hermione and her family, the Weasleys, Neville, Dean, and Seamus.

On September 1st, Professor McGonagall announced that Hogwarts would be remodeled in the following year, but (unfortunately) the next year would hold 3 different sets of 1st years (those from last year, those currently, and those for next year). Thus, Harry was required to design speeches, partake in interviews, stage fancy dinners, and pose for photo-ops.

It was all very stressful. So, yes: Harry was anticipating a new term at the University of Manchester. He had decided to go to university because it was what he wanted—which was strange for Harry. Hermione was excited due to the fact that she was attending Oxford for chemistry. "We need more girls in the STEM fields," she had said. Ron was working to be an auror. Neville decided to study Herbology so that he could help Madam Sprout teach—a shock to everyone. For a while, Harry'd felt that everyone had their futures and careers planned out—everyone except for him. Andromeda warned him that he arguably had had the most stressful circumstances and so he needed rest time.

Rest was exactly what he did. He learned conversational French from Andromeda, spoiled Teddy, read muggle books, played Quidditch, and attended (wizard) therapy on a weekly basis. Attending a muggle uni was only the cherry-on-top for tabloids such as the Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly. Harry did not care: it was time for him to be selfish.

On his first day, Harry woke up early and promptly gathered all of his supplies. He could never think of another time he'd been this prepared as he thought, "Blimey, Hermione'd be proud."

He fixed breakfast for himself and Andromeda and bottlefed Teddy. It was only eggs, coffee, and baby formula, but Andromeda had made a point of offering positive affirmations to Harry.

"Merci, Harry. You didn't have to do this. Really though, I appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful first day, but don't work yourself too much!" she yelled after him as he left.

His journey to the University of Manchester was an uneventful one. He apparated to Muggle Manchester and took the public transit from there. Using muggle transportation was always easiest for him because it meant no Rita Skeeter nor any of the other hundreds of buzzing wizard reporters.

As Harry wandered onto the uni's campus, he observed his surroundings and thought back on his life. Was this really where he wanted to end up: not as an auror or Quidditch star, but rather a muggle student? Yes, he decided.

Harry drew a breath. His life was finally going to start. No more ghosts and no more worries (his therapist would be proud, he thought). He exhaled, looked down, and began to walk.

Bam! "Hey! Watch it, mate," spoke a stranger.

Of course, he had slammed into someone and sent both of their belongings tumbling to the ground. They simultaneously bent down to pick everything up when they bumped heads.

"I am so so-" Harry stopped midsentence when he and the stranger locked eyes. His jaw dropped.

Harry had attended a muggle university in hopes of not running into anyone from the wizarding world, but lo and behold, there stood none-other-than Draco malfoy.

"Wh-why are you here?" Harry sputtered.

"I suppose I could ask you the same," Malfoy attempted with a sneer, but it did not work. The blond had lost a considerable amount of weight, his eyes were bloodshot and had deep bags underneath, and his skin was as grey as it was in sixth year.

Harry shuddered, "Er-okay. I'll just…be off then.." He turned and strutted away.