Harry stepped out into the cool September evening. So many emotions filled him now that he became overwhelmed with his every thought. The people who were closest left his life. He doubted everything surrounding him, for he didn't know if it would be there the next time he needed it most. First his parents, then Sirius, and now Dumbeldore. The pain flooded him more every day.
The night was slightly breezy, blowing the smell of campfire smoke from somewhere behind the black sheet of darkness beyond the grounds. The half covered moon reflected a silver light off of the lake. Everything seemed so calm. The strange kind of calm that there is in the center of a hurricane. Harry could feel it. It wasn't over yet, and he knew this. No sounds were heard except the occasional owl hooting or tree movement from the forest. No. The worst was yet to come.
Footsteps came up behind Harry. It was Hermione.
"Harry, you should come inside. It's not safe out here."
"Since when is anything?"
"Just...please come inside."
Harry did not feel like facing everyone inside. It was too much. If this was the eye of the storm, then he wanted to enjoy the peace while it came because it might be him that doesn't return this time. He tried to ignore this idea but it was the truth. Why had so many innocent people been killed? Because of him, so why not kill the source. He knew that one day he would have to live that realization. He may have not shown this on the outside but deep inside he was scared.
Hermione led Harry back into the castle and into the Great Hall. When they entered into the Hall students started to whisper. Harry only caught little pieces of conversation as he walked silently past people. He was truly Walking the Gauntlet. They reached their seats and sat down. Professor McGonnagal stood up. She looked weary and seemed to have aged a few years over vacation. She cleared her throat.
"Due to past events I am disappointed in saying that last year was our headmaster's last year serving this school. He built up great pride within these grounds. We must keep our integrity without him. It was not time for him to impart from this world..." McGonnagal's voice wavered for a moment,"...I do not know how to explain the madness someone would have to commit such a crime. The wrong that it has caused, the disbelief it has brought, the tears that this crime has shed should never have happened and should never have to be repeated in the future." She paused and took a deep breath. "Now with things said I believe we should...food? Yes yes yes..."
Hermione nudged Harry in the side. He ignored it. She pinched him.
"Ow!" Harry yelped, rubbing his arm.
" Well, if you hadn't ignored me the first time..."
"Yeah. What was it for?"
" Did you not notice? McGonnagal never once said Dumbeldore's name throughout."
" So. She has feelings and respect for him."
" But don't you honor a person by at least stating their name?"
" Well maybe she has a different way of honoring."
Harry was losing his patience with Hermione.
"Maybe. But..."
"Hermione! Would you just SHUT UP!"
Students turned and looked at him. The whispers started up again. Harry couldn't take this anymore. Whispering and dirty looks. What did he have to do to make everyone happy? He stood up and left the Hall. If anyone stopped him he wouldn't care. He would keep walking. The sound of his heart beating was pounding in his head. The only other sound he could hear was his quickening breaths. Harry started down the hall to the common room. The walls spinned around him, turning bright red's and orange's. He tripped and fell on the floor, hitting his head on the hard floor in front of the Portrait hole, blacking out.