Harry Potter does not belong to me, though I wish I did!

Chapter One

It was the beginning of the winter holidays at Hogwarts. The weather outside was icy, billows of sleet hammered at the windows and cold winds howled in the dungeons. Some of the deeper corridor we even covered in a treacherous sheen of ice. Luckily for the Slytherins none had remained, all had returned to the comforts of their pureblood homes. The only person left was Professor Snape, he preferred the deserted dungeons, even in the bitter cold, no blasted children to disturb his precious experiments, for he felt none but he could appreciate the beauty of a simmering potion, that, with time,

could achieve what many spells could not.

Not just the Slytherins had left; almost all students had deserted the castle for the holidays. The imminent threat of He-who-must-not-be-named just around the corner had caused most to leave for the perceived safety of their homes and loving families. The Christmas spirit had yet to sink in at Hogwarts, though the holidays had started. The gloom of war loomed on the horizon threatening to engulf the wizarding world.

In the Gryffindor common room one student remained sitting hunched by the fire, answering to the name of Harry Potter. This boy, now a man in everything but age, sat contemplating his first term back at school following the death of his godfather, Sirius Black. Most of the school had not understood his aloof nature throughout the term. Those present at the Department of Mysteries could only begin to perceive the emotions flashing through the man's mind. His two best friends, both bearing their own scars from that night had wisely left him alone to work through it. They were still rather wary of his explosive temper, even though it had not shown itself once that term.

The fact that he still seemed to be grieving even after the holidays worried the headmaster, but he was unsure as to how to approach him. The events in his office at the end of last year had alienated him to the boy. Harry would not even meet his eyes during meal times, preferring to sit alone at the Gryffindor table and observe the goings on of the houses.

No one but Harry knew what he was really thinking. His mind was far from thoughts of his godfather, though he missed him. He had realised during his imprisonment at the Dursley's, for that's what he thought of it, that Sirius would want him to be happy and not mope on his behalf. Also the fact that much deep thinking revealed that Voldemort himself, not to mention Bellatrix Lestrange we responsible for his death. Therefore he had realised some of his own secrets could not become known before the death of Voldemort, for he had no intention of losing! The distraction that would come of this information being known would only encourage the Dark Lord to push harder to gain Harry in his grasp and though more powerful than everyone realised, he did not yet have the experience to vanquish the evil creature.

None were there to witness the smile that crossed Harry's lips, nor the fire that lit in his emerald eyes. Seeing as it was the holidays and he was the only student remaining at Hogwarts, he felt he could relax a little and enjoy the gifts he was born with. With that he got up and headed for the door to the common room, supper would be starting soon and the Headmaster would expect him to be there so he could keep an eye on him.

'Well, they can certainly try' He thought with a small smirk.

Hi this is ryo-oki here! This is my first fic, so any creative criticism is appereciated. Please don't flame for the sake of flaming.