The Ghost, the Room and the Boy Who Lived
AUTHOR NOTE: Heya all! This story is dedicated to Mena and Yumna, two of my friends who are also HUGE Harry Potter freaks! It's dedicated to them because they both have birthdays coming up, the first of which is Yumna's on 2nd August, and I keep forgetting. This is my way of getting their forgiveness!
I also wrote this Harry Potter fanfic to satisfy my slash craving! It will all be explained later!
Oh, before you start reading, a small note: in this story, Dumbeldore is alive as I have only just come to terms with Sirius' death and Dumbeldore's just hasn't really sunk in yet!
So... read, enjoy and remember to review on the way out...
CHAPTER 1
Seventh year of Hogwarts, after the Christmas holidays. The war with Voldemort is over, Harry was victorious and the wizarding world is at peace again. But life at Hogwarts is never simple, especially for the Boy Who Continued To Live...
"Welcome one and all to a new year at Hogwarts!" Dumbeldore's sparkling eyes cheered everyone's spirits, reminding both students and teachers alike of the congratulations they all deserved. "And I can say, with near certainty, that the rest of this year will be VERY uneventful for everyone," his eyes scanned the Griffindor table at this, meeting Harry's eyes. Harry understood the hidden message in this. His whole time at Hogwarts so far had been very excitable, with Voldemort trying to finish him off at every turn. Maybe, he thought, just maybe, I can have at least half a year like a normal teenager... Well, as normal as a teenage wizard can be!
Harry nodded his head slightly to acknowledge the Headmaster, who continued on with his speech. Harry, however, had stopped listening. He knew what the Headmaster's speech would include: remember those who have died, keep on living now we are free, no exams (of course), and that lessons would continue as normal tommorow morning. Right on cue, a groan echoed through the Great Hall, although Harry could tell that everyone prefered the school's routine to the hell they had all been through in the last six months. All the destruction and death made double Potions seem like a walk in the park.
A soft nudge from Hermione brought him out of his thoughts and back into the real world, and the table now covered in food. Ron's face was hidden behind his plate, that looked like a real-life model of the Alps made from food. Harry started to help himself to the food in front of him and, as he ate, he couldn't help but notice how sparse the Great Hall looked. Dotted around all the tables were empty gaps where students should be sitting, students who had been killed in the Final Battle or too badly injured to even remember who they where. Even the teacher's table had empty chair, in memory of those who had fell on the battle field.
Soon, the banquet was over, and everyone poured out into the corridors that lead around the school. Harry walked by himself, as Hermione and Ron performed their prefect duties to the best of their abilities, guiding the new intake of students, however late, to the Common Room in the North Tower. However, he found the tide of students overwhelming and ended up taking shelter in a hidden alcove at the side of a bustling corridor. He sat down and waited for the hall to empty out, so he could walk without being squashed by other students. The Final Battle had crushed his confidence, even though he had been victorious. Everyone was under the impression that the battle had been easy for Harry to win, but it had been close right until the very end, too close for Harry's liking. He had been under Voldemort's control for the last two months of the War with no one, not even Harry, realising this.
So, there Harry sat, watching the entire student body of Hogwarts pass him by. No one noticed the Boy Who Saved The World curled up against the wall, staring at the legs that passed him, lulling him asleep. He was brought out of his day dream when he suddenly realised the corridor was empty and darkness had enveloped everything. He slowly sat up, ignoring the cramp in his legs, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. As he stood in the middle of the hallway trying to get his bearings, something caught his eye. A ghostly figure with long, blond hair in shimmering blue robes floated towards Harry. Instincts taking over, Harry ran back into the alcove and flattened himself against the wall, hoping the shadows would hide him from sight.
He waited there for what seemed like hours, without the ghost passing him by. He knew the ghost he had seen was not one of the Hogwarts ghosts, so it may have been dangerous. Then, he saw her. The ghost went right past him, not noticing his hiding place. Her blonde hair hide her face from view, but Harry could tell she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. She looked like she wasn't even touching the ground, her robes hide her feet. Harry was mesmerised by her, so much so that he wanted to follow her as she walked out of the building and towards the Forbidden Forest.
The donging of the clock as it struck twelve was the only thing that could bring him out of his daze. He suddenly realised what the time was and where he should be. He started to run down the corridor, towards the North Tower. He quickly looked behind him, and he was sure he saw the ghost look him straight in the eyes. Grey eyes. Then, the contact was lost and Harry was running up the stairs towards his bed.
A/N: So, that was the first chapter! Remember to review on your way out!