Harry Potter & The Book of Days
Chapter One-REACQUAINTED
Hillary stood next to her trolley on the Platform of 9 and ¾. Her green eyes scanned the sea of students as they all stood around, talking excitedly at the start of a new year. She sighed sadly. This was going to be her last year at Hogwarts. She crossed her arms on top of the trolley handle and just rested her chin on them. Her shoulder length chocolate/coffee dark brown hair was pulled into a ponytail. It had grown over the summer and was now reaching just above her shoulder blades. Her father had joined the Order of the Phoenix, a secret group that wanted to fight Lord Voldemort. Hillary was terrified that she'd end up losing him as well, just like her mother. But her father reassured her that it would be alright. She sighed again.
She suddenly felt someone tap her on the shoulder behind her. She whirled around sharply. It was her father.
"Oh hey Dad," she said feeling her heart pounding in her chest. "You scared the daylights out of me."
Remus grinned.
"Sorry about that," he said apologetically. "I just want to let you know that you forgot this at home."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small gold heart locket. He opened his palm and held it toward her.
She smiled and took it from his hand, unclasping the lock and she put it around her neck. The locket hung down against her chest and gleamed in the afternoon sunlight. Her father had given that to her on her 16th birthday last year. She cherished it so much that she considered it like her good luck charm. She would've been really upset if she'd left for Hogwarts without it.
Remus studied Hillary. She'd grown up so much since he'd taught their third year at Hogwarts. She was tall like him and she was beautiful. She looked exactly like Michelle with each day. He sensed that something was bothering her.
"What's wrong?" he asked her quietly. "I know something's bothering you."
Hillary tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear and faced her father.
"I don't know," she said shaking her head and staring off into space to the side of him. "Something's nagging at my gut that something bad will happen this year. I can't put my finger on it."
Remus folded his arms across his chest and exhaled as he kept his green eyes locked on her.
"Did you have a premonition?" he asked keeping his voice low so that passerby's wouldn't over hear him.
Hillary shook her head.
"No, not since the 3rd year," she replied. "It's weird. It's almost like whenever you're in danger, that's when I get them."
She finally moved her eyes back onto her father.
Remus smiled.
He was dressed in a pair of jeans, a white shirt and a black V necked sweater vest. The winged collar of the shirt was neatly lying flat against the vest collar. He had rolled up the sleeves to his elbows and folded back the cuffs.
"Hillary," Remus said quietly. "It's like you're my protector, but honey I don't need one. I appreciate you warning me of danger. But I can totally take care of myself."
Hillary cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Well I'm sorry for being concerned about you," she said as her tone hardened. "Next time there's impending danger, I'll let you fend for yourself."
Her ears pricked at the sound of the whistle blowing from the Hogwarts Express and as she looked up at the clock it now read 11 o'clock. It was now time to start boarding the train.
Remus went to reply, but Hillary just grabbed the handle of her trolley and pushed it toward the Hogwarts Express, leaving him standing there, looking after her. Hillary had vanished into the sea of students. He sighed. He hated it when they argued like this, although it was rare.
He knew how much Hillary loved him and he loved her back the same way. Now he felt even worse because they'd had an argument and it wouldn't be settled. Normally, when they had the argument, Hillary would storm upstairs and slam her door but Remus would wait about 5 minutes before heading up and they'd talk it out. Now, it wasn't going to happen because Hillary was off to Hogwarts. He'd feel miserable until he could talk to her again to clear it up.
He wanted to also tell her to give Ron, Hermione and Harry his best. He exhaled dejectedly and decided to head back home. He'd owl her right away.
Hillary took a seat in one of the compartments once her luggage was boarded and things were settled. She stared out the window searching for her father, but he'd probably already left.
She felt a bit guilty. She hated when they argued like that. He hated to have her mad at him and vice versa.
Now it was too late to talk to him. She sighed again, feeling miserable.
Once everyone boarded, the trains pistons began slowly pumping and it gradually picked up speed. Soon, Kings Cross station began getting smaller and smaller.
A short while later, Ron, Hermione and Harry entered the compartment.
"Hey," Hermione beamed at her broadly. "What's wrong, Hil?"
Her smile immediately faltered seeing Hillary's troubled expression.
Harry sat down beside Hillary and sitting across from them were Ron and Hermione. They'd started dating in their 5th year. Harry had grown too. He was also tall, lean and agile. His features had sharpened and his hair had finally calmed down slightly. He'd grown up nicely and Hillary remembered a picture of his father that her father had shown her. He looked exactly like James Potter. Hermione's brown hair was now smoother and not as bushy. She looked a lot more mature and relaxed. Ron was tall too. They'd all changed somewhat over the summer. Hillary just couldn't believe that this was their last year at Hogwarts. After this it would be out into the real world. She still had no idea what she wanted to do. Perhaps teach a class like her father had.
She felt herself smiling wistfully at the thought.
"It's nothing," Hillary grumbled. "Dad and I just had a slight argument."
"About your 'powers'?" Hermione whispered, keeping her voice low.
Hillary shrugged.
"It seems that I only get premonitions whenever Dad's in trouble," Hillary said. "Other than that I don't get them. He just said that he could take care of himself and blah blah blah."
Harry looked at her sympathetically. He knew how much Professor Lupin and Hillary loved each other. He'd never seen a father and daughter as close as they were. He had to admit he felt a bit jealous, seeing as though Sirius was killed in the Department of Mysteries in their 5th year. Everyone whom he regarded as a father figure vanished on him, except for Professor Lupin. He'd joined the Order of the Phoenix but Hillary was extremely on edge. She'd been this way since the 5th year, since he'd joined. Harry knew that it was because she was terrified of losing him.
Also, Harry never told her that he was in love with her. He fell in love with her during their 4th year. He'd been so nervous to ask her to the Tri-Wizard Ball so he ended up going with one of the Parvati twins. Hillary ended up not going because of not having a date. He had felt really awful.
He swallowed nervously, causing his Adams apple to move up and down.
"Don't worry, Hil," he said softly. "I'm sure your Dad knows you didn't mean to argue."
Hillary looked at him.
She gave him a half hearted smile.
She never told anyone except Hermione that she was in love with Harry. She'd hoped he would've asked her to the Tri-Wizard Ball during their 4th year, but he asked one of the Parvati twins instead. But that year was horrible and sad. They'd lost Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff. Harry told them that Lord Voldemort had used the Tri-Wizard cup as a portkey and they'd ended up in a graveyard. He'd killed Cedric without hesitation.
Harry had been really distraught over that, but they all reassured him that it wasn't his fault.
Naturally, there'd been those that DID blame him. But Professor Dumbledore warned the entire school not to blame one another and that pretty much ended that.
Their 5th year was just as bad…Sirius had been killed in the Department of Mysteries. Another person close to Harry had been killed and not to mention it was his Godfather, someone that could've easily been a parent to Harry. He'd been even more upset over that and blamed himself solely for that.
The 6th year was even worse. Professor Snape had killed Professor Dumbledore and fled the grounds with Draco Malfoy. The school was now under a new Headmaster, Headmaster Ryans, whom was just like Dumbledore with the personality. He was well liked, but everyone truly missed Dumbledore himself.
Hillary had found herself many a day in Dumbledore's office before that year with problems and he'd never judged her or anything. He always helped her.
Hillary hadn't realized her eyes were brimming with tears until Hermione reached over and gently put a hand on hers. Hillary snapped out of the stupor she'd gone into and blinked, her tears spilling over and streaking down her cheeks. Ron and Harry had left the compartment for some reason leaving Hermione and Hillary alone.
"What's really bothering you?" Hermione asked kindly and softly. "And I want the truth."
Hillary wiped a tear away.
"I don't know," she said as her voice shook. "Something's not right this year and I can't put my finger on it. I feel like something bad is going to happen."
Hermione's coffee colored brown eyes were locked on Hillary's.
"Have you told Harry how you feel?" she prodded gently.
Hillary shook her head miserably.
"No," she muttered. "That's the next thing. Suppose I tell him and he doesn't feel the same way? I'd feel like a loser."
Hermione smiled.
"Relax," she said softly. "Listen I know for a fact that he feels the same way."
Hillary looked at her.
"How?"
"He told me," she smiled. "I was the only one he talked to. Ron doesn't even know. I think it's fabulous. You'd both be good for each other."
Hillary snorted.
"If we can tell one another how we feel without feeling like morons," she said deadpan.
Hermione just patted her hand.
"And that bad feeling you have is probably just nerves from this being the last year," she said softly.
Hillary secretly didn't think so, but she nodded wanting to give Hermione a sign that she wasn't completely going mental.
"The boys went to use the little wizards room," Hermione explained grinning.
Hillary nodded again.
Shortly, Ron and Harry returned. Ron and Harry returned. Harry took his seat again beside Hillary. He noticed her eyes were red and puffy.
"What's wrong?" he demanded automatically studying her with his emerald green eyes behind his thin black-rimmed glasses.
"Nothing," Hillary said forcing a cheerful smile on her face. "Did you two fall in? We thought the toilet gnome got to you!"
Ron burst out laughing.
Harry didn't join in on the laughter as he continued to study Hillary. Something was bothering her deeply but he didn't want to push her into telling him if she wasn't ready. This seemed to be a lot deeper than the argument she'd had with her father.
About 1 hour later, the train pulled into the station and Hogwarts loomed in the distance. It was cloudy and grey out, threatening of rain. Hagrid, the groundskeeper, was ushering all the nervous first years onto the boats to take them across the lake. Harry, Hillary, Ron and Hermione climbed into the carriages pulled by Threstrals. Shortly, they were on their way to the castle.
Once inside, they headed to the Gryffindor table. A new Potions teacher took the place of Professor Snape. Her name was Professor Walker. She was really pretty with shoulder length dark brown, almost mocha colored hair and crystal blue eyes. She was really sweet and well liked, unlike Snape had been. She tried to help the students instead of barking insults.
Hillary, Ron, Hermione and Harry had already changed into their robes so they sat at the table and watched the first years being sorted.
Hillary sighed wishing she could go back to her first year. There were no worries then and she had no knowledge of the telekinesis that her aunt and mother had. Granted, she was able to control the powers, but sometimes she felt like a freak and a stranger.
Ron and Hermione headed off after dinner leaving Harry and Hillary alone. Harry suggested a stroll along the grounds.
They headed out onto the grounds. The moon was crescent and peered out at them behind a cloud.
The lake shimmered under the moonlight like little crystals. The Forbidden Forest was silent, dark and foreboding.
The moonlight didn't even seem to penetrate the darkness of the forest. Hillary tore her eyes off the forest as they walked around the perimeter of the lake.
"What's really going on?" Harry asked her as their shoulders bumped as they walked.
Hillary grabbed Harry's wrist and signaled him to stop walking. At her touch, electricity seemed to surge up his spine and body. Hillary faced him.
Her green eyes were filled with apprehension and she was biting her bottom lip. Some of her hair had been pulled back with a barrette and some of the shorter strands hung down blowing in the wind. Her cheeks were rosy and the moonlight caught the small diamond stud earrings in her ears. Her bangs went straight across her forehead in gentle waves. She absentmindedly brushed them aside and kept her eyes on Harry's maroon/gold striped tie, not raising her eyes to meet his.
"I don't know," she said quietly. "I have a feeling something bad is going to happen this year and I can't put my finger on it. I'm upset that I wasn't able to resolve Dad and I's argument."
Harry exhaled.
"Have you had this feeling for long? Don't worry. Why don't you owl him in the morning?" he suggested softly.
"That sounds like a good idea," she said at last. "And no it just started when I boarded the train."
Harry smiled.
"It could be nerves, like Hermione would probably say. But I know you better than that. If it intensifies, I'd let Headmaster Ryans know,"
Hillary nodded finally raising her eyes to meet his.
She smiled.
"Thanks, Harry," she said softly and threw her arms around his neck. Her chin rested on his shoulder.
Harry slowly wrapped his arms around her, leaning into her embrace. His chin rested on her shoulder now.
He felt his heart hammering in his chest as he gave her a tight hug. He wanted to tell her so badly, but he was terrified. He'd talked to Hermione about it, and not even Ron knew.
After a few minutes, they released each other and headed back to the castle.
They headed to the common room to chat with Ron and Hermione who'd gone to Professor McGonagall for something before heading off to bed. As Hillary climbed into bed, she stared into the darkness, her mind locked on her father and that bad feeling.