AN: My entry for DAYDcomm's Anniversary Contest. Colin's thoughts during 10th anniversary of his first day at Hogwarts. Minor spoiler for AP.


Train is arriving again at the castle,
Young eager faces alight,
Halls fill again with the noise and the bustle
Of Hogwarts' opening night.

Eager first years will soon fill the hallways,
Waiting the magic to taste.
Their amazement this year, as always,
Will bring a smile to his face.

He was among them not so long ago,
During his first Hogwarts day,
And that day's memory's shining warm glow
Carries him through all times gray.

"Magic is real", the news unexpected,
Brought to his life greatest light.
All heroes he admired, respected,
Weren't just stories for the night.

When that toy sword sailed to him through the air,
He knew that the stories were real.
The same way that Hogwarts, first night he was there,
Let him the new magic feel.

Not just a story from imagination:
Place real, whose heroes tall
Would always protect him, and no frustration
Could make him falter or fall.

This feeling unreal remains, and will always
Bring happiness into these halls,
Despite all that followed, through all the dark days,
Whatever on his shoulders falls,

He'll never forget that first magic's warm glow,
In hallways the sun's morning rays,
Whatever has happened, will happen, he'll know,
Future will bring happier days.

There had been plenty of death and destruction,
And darkness that covered the world,
But these faces young still remind of the promise,
That future will happiness hold.

Whether outside's filled with light or with darkness,
This place is the safest to learn,
And he'll do his best to make sure that nothing
Prevents them from taking their turn.

He quietly wonders around the table,
New faces to better explore,
The faces that are filled with just as much wonder,
As his held ten years before.