A/N: So... this idea just popped into my head and was begging to be written, so... here you go.
I promise, I'll update my other fanfics as well, I've just been slightly stuck on inspiration, and I couldn't really stick this into any of the others because it's a completely different plotline, so.. yeah. Do enjoy, reviews are always appreciated!
It was your typical morning for the returning 7th years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the ones who had been unable to complete their final year of magical studies because of the havoc wreaked by the Wizarding War. Students were gathered at their house-allocated tables, eating breakfast, talking about Quidditch, upcoming lessons, or otherwise exchanging pleasantries, or then they were cramming in some last minute revision for Professor Flitwick's Charms test.
Harry Potter sat at the Gryffindor table with his best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The three had been together through it all: there had been arguments, and at one point Ron had left the other two, but he'd come back, and they had been together at the end. Now they were happy to sit back and relax, as much as their busy schedule would let them. Hermione had her face in a book, as usual (she had taken up the most subjects, and so had the most work to make up for), Ron was stuffing his face full of every food he could find, and Harry… he was looking in the direction of the Slytherin table, the one which held the most empty places out of all the Hogwarts houses (after the War, many of the Slytherins had been captured and interrogated in case any of them were still followers of Voldemort and his ideas, and so, fearing capture and prejudice, many people of noble blood had gone into hiding, and the ones who hadn't were being careful not to draw attention to themselves.) Harry's eyes were cast towards his arch-nemesis, Draco Malfoy, noticing the way the sunlight shining in through the giant windows made Malfoy's eyes twinkle dazzlingly.
"Harry? Did you hear me?" Hermione's voice cut through Harry's thoughts, snapping him abruptly out of his reverie.
"Sorry, I was-
"It's fine. I know how hard things have been on you. There's a letter for you. Ron, stop eating for once in your life!" Harry didn't hear Ron's reply, muffled as it was through Ron's mouthful of toast. Harry removed the letter from the leg of the delivery owl and gave the owl some toast, which it gratefully accepted before giving a muffled hoot of appreciation and flying off back to where it came from, no doubt the Owlery, for he didn't recognise it as an of his friend's owls and it wasn't sent from anywhere too far away from Hogwarts. He could tell that because someone had written the date of sending on the envelope. It was from yesterday.
He looked at the envelope carefully, studying the handwriting. In very neat, small, very ornate, delicate letters was written
Harry Potter
(open when you are alone)
"Open it then Harry," goaded Ron.
"Not now. I have lessons to prepare for. Bye guys." Harry rose from the table, slipping the letter neatly into his robe pocket before beginning to leave.
"Not fair!" Cried Ron from behind him.
"Ron, shush. People are staring, you're making a scene. Ignore him Harry. I'll see you in Defence Against the Dart Arts."
"See you Hermione. Bye Ron." Ron resumed stuffing his face without any reply to Harry's farewell. Harry turned around for a second, looking at the row of teachers. Snape wasn't there, hanging over everyone like a shadow. Dumbledore wasn't there to give a sense of safety. Hagrid was there though, and gave a one-handed wave to Harry as he looked. Harry let his eyes wander in Malfoy's direction again. The blonde had suddenly become extremely interested in the tableware, though Harry could have sworn that a short moment before, Malfoy's eyes had been fixed upon him. Harry turned on his heel and walked out the door, but not before briefly returning Hagrid's friendly wave with a smile.
Harry sprinted up the steps towards the Gryffindor tower, making sure to avoid all the false stairs and taking the quickest route. The common room had been so well rebuilt during the aftermath of the War that not even Harry, who had spent the happiest years of his life there, would have guessed from a first glance that it had been at all damaged. The dormitories, which had been blasted away by a badly aimed spell, had been completely restored to their former glory, and the parts of the fireplace that had remained after all the destruction had been upgraded, meaning that a lot more people now spent cold evenings by the fire, playing chess or doing homework.
Harry sprinted up to his dorm, and hurriedly packed his bag for the day's lessons. He then sat on the bed, pulled out the letter and stared at it, thoughts racing through his head. Why would the writer want him to be alone when he opened it? Who was the writer? What was inside the light envelope? Should he open it now, or wait?
He had no longer to ponder the matter though, as Ron stumbled into the room at that moment. Harry awkwardly stuffed the letter under his pillow and out of sight, not wanting anyone else to see it. Ron looked at him suspiciously, but said nothing except "C'mon mate. McGonagall's gonna kill us if we're late to lesson again, even if you are saviour of the Wizarding World."
A/N: Oooh, what's in the letter? Will he open it? Hmm... If you want to find out you'll have to wait and read the rest of the story, won't you? Hate to tease you, but... Mwahahaa!
Sorry, I'm a bit hyper... Sorry.
Anyway... Live long and prosper!