A slight breeze wisped through the mop of Harry's hair. Inhaling a large gulp of air had he finally admitted to his soul that no longer was he in front of the dreaded Privet dr. No, Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived, roamed his wondering orbs over the monstrous castle declared Hogwarts. What a wonderful sight it was. Harry had dreams of this day. The day when he would return to the beloved school. Students were bustling around, as usually, attempting to claim their role in the school. Lifting the overweight luggage Harry had secured in his firm grip, he took off almost sprinting towards the massive golden crested doors. Familiar warmth engulfed his flushed cheeks. The school's aroma had not differed since last year; still smelling of old spices and candies. Harry's black Hogwarts robes bellowed behind his lean form as he increased his jogging pace towards Gryffindor tower. Oh how the boy missed those plush chairs and the light radiating from the all too comforting fire.
The fat lady stood, appearing as confident as ever. "Tapeworms!" the excitement in his rumbling voice was obvious. The fat women peered at him from the corner of her eye. A chubby cheek rose as she smirked wildly. "Well, well if it isn't the great Harry Potter? Come back I see. Hmm I always liked you." With a smug look still planted along her bulging face the portrait door swung open allowing Harry to enter.
It was as if Harry had stepped into heaven. The walls shone off the wonderful homey tone, the chairs had an inviting sense, all in all Gryffindor tower was astonishing. Barging up the curved stairs to the fifth year domorities, Harry claimed the single bed beside the window. He had always taken a certain liking to the window for no reason in particular. "Oy Harry stop daydreaming and come back to bloody earth you moron!" Ron stood directly in front of Harry waving his hand mechanically back and forth in Harry's face. Swatting away the unwanted distraction, Harry grinned at his best friend tugging him into a bear hug. "Where's Mione?" "I don't know mate. Last I saw her she was heading to..." "The Library," both men said in unison.
Harry assisted Ron in unpacking his belongings. Merlin knew Ron would need help. No offense to the lovable Carrot top, but he wasn't the most organized in the bunch Harry had to admit. When the few remaining quills had been set in order, the two 5th years descended the marble stairs heading towards the portrait hole. The feast was about to begin, how could two boys like themselves miss an opportunity to eat? Racing towards the table they spotted Hermione, who unfortunately was squeezed between some prankster twins.
"Come on Mione you could break the rules-"
"Just for us even if-"
"You hate rule breaking but-"
"It's a lot of good ol fun once-"
"You do it."
Fred and George Weasley, practically legends at the school. Hermione glared at both of them, though she appeared very green with anxiety written across her normally stern features. Slamming her book to a close, she shot a piercing stare at George, the weaker twin. "No, breaking the rules is a strict violation that I will not tolerate." George rose his hands up in defense while Fred removed himself from next to Hermione. "Come on George lets ask Luna if she'd got any quirks from the Quibbler." George trailed his identical leaving Hermione unaccompanied. She huffed in frustration bringing her novel to the tip over her nose to hide the glare she was casting the twins. Harry and Ron didn't know if they wanted to approach her with such a gaze on her angelic face. Hermione could be a sweet heart that was for sure but at other times the boys feared her more than they did Voldemort.
Hermione's eyebrows perched up in realization she was being observed. The wild beast left her warm, caramel eyes and was replaced with the same motherly expression Harry loved. "HARRY!" Frizzy strands of hair engulfed Harry's vision as she flung herself on him in an embrace. The-boy-who-lived snickered under his breath, Hermione was so innocent to the naked eyes but beneath her skin was a heart of steel. Releasing her tight hold on the boy, she glared at the red head beside him. "Ronald you took almost 20 minutes! Are you honestly that sluggish? Next time I should get Malfoy to retrieve Harry instead!" Ron glanced at the floor in shame. "What were the twins going on about Mione?" Harry tilted his head to one side to observe her frustrated complexion; the twins had always annoyed Hermione. "They wanted me to enchant a few items to attack Snape. Obviously I was the only one who could do this task but I refuse to break the rules!" Determination shone on her ruffled features.
Claiming seats at the Gryffindor table, the trio catched up about their summer activities. Dudley had made a goal to make Harry's life a living hell and had succeeded. The punishments were agonizing, Uncle Vernon jailed Harry in his dormiontry as if he were a wild animal ready to pounce at any given moment. Overall summer was torturous as usual.
All four houses zipped their mouths shut when their beloved headmaster, Dumbledore, pranced up on the stage. His flowing beard was tied with two shiny beads with a colorful strings gliding from it. The same twinkle possessed the elder man's eyes, his robes bellowed behind him. Taking his place by the podium, Dumbledore raised his wrinkly hands as a gesture of gratitude for the students.
The headmaster skimmed though the usual speech of the students returning. The way the old man spoke was full of love and care, making each students heart flutter in a unique way. Dumbledore knew how to capture ones attention and possess it. He fulfilled awaiting ears with wisdom and hope, not just petty answers. Maybe that's why he is the finest headmaster Hogwarts has ever been blessed with.
Harry paid close concentration on the topics the professor discussed. They were all the same as last years but what did it matter, every detail could assist Harry in any day to day activity. A pause flushed the room and for once in a lifetime Dumbledore appeared uncertain. The unease played across his withering face as if what he did next would cost his life. Inhaling sharply and observing the students once more did he move on with his speech.
"Children I'm sure you all know of the Death Eaters," Harry shuddered as did every other student, "the only reason I am mentioning them is something unfortunate has occurred recently. You see Death Eater's have escaped from Azcaban and are on the move. Forces have be placed all around the campus to secure the students, you are not to tamper with them please. I assure you nothing will harm you."
Murmurs sprouted across the grand hall, concerned faces could been spotted as far as the eye could see. A sickening feeling fell to the pit of Harry's stomach, causing him to almost spit up his feast. Dumbledore dismissed them allowing Harry to part from his collogues. He wanted nothing more than to just have some peace. Sprinting towards the Gryffindor common room, Harry avoided questioning glances from other students. His mission though was interrupted when a bony hand slide along Harry's shoulder forcing him into a tight grip. Glancing behind, Harry saw platinum blond hair and steel eyes glaring at him fiercely. "Did you hear that Potter? Death Eaters are on there way right now to come and kill you! How does it feel to know you are hated by the most powerful wizards of all time?" the trademark smirk crawled up on Malfoy's thin lips. Harry didn't have time for the spoiled git right now. "Listen Malfoy it's been a long damn day so if you wouldn't mind…" Harry eyed Malfoy's pale hand causing the blond to release his painful grip. "Ok Potter ill leave you be tonight but only tonight." The statement Malfoy uttered caused Harry to roll his eyes when Malfoy slithered away. Who did the git think he was? Stuffing, Harry ran a hand through his jet black untidy hair as a way to relieve frustration. The first day back had already been spoiled by the rotten death eaters.
Harry arrived at the fat lady's portrait and uttered password venomously, not wanting to chat. The fat lady took the hint and crept back showing no sign of conversation. Harry stomped through, fury playing on his usual calm features. Some students were in the common room glancing in curiosity at the flustered boy who marched up the dormority staircase, no one approached him. Ron laid on his four post bed stretching his toned armed. Harry strode past him paying no heed to Ron's presence in the room. "Hey lad where ya been? With Ginny maybe?" Ron's produced an immature kissy face creating noises from his lips at Harry who shuddered in annoyance. "For your information Ron there are Death Eater's on the loose and no I wasn't with Ginny! O and the worst part is I had to deal with Malfoy for almost two minutes!" Anger flared in his emerald eyes. Ron, unfazed by the outburst, chuckled, "Record timing bro, if it were me with Malfoy he would have been dead in thirty seconds or less." Harry cracked a smile, Ron always knew what to say about everything. "Oi! Harry! Just to let you know we have potions with Snape first period. I told ya the education board wanted to murder me huh?" Ron flipped on his stomach and in a matter of minutes snores came fumbling out of the red heads mouth. Harry followed his friends action's, laying his head on the fluffy pillow did he close his weary eyes. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.