Chapter 1: Remembrance and Shock
It was nightfall. As the trees swayed back and forth to the constant shifting winds in the Forbidden Forest, only one light was visible in Hogwarts this damp, cold January evening. The light belonged to the headmaster; there he sat among the trinkets and gizmos which he never dared to touch as they belonged to his predecessor, Albus Dumbledore. It was only a year ago, though it felt just like yesterday, that Dumbledore had vanished. It had been daylight, yet for some reason the day had seemed dreary and gray and no one knew why except him. He felt so much guilt weighing upon his shoulders; as if it was his fault all long, like he could have prevented Dumbledore's disappearance. But it had only been his final year at Hogwarts; he had come of age in the wizarding world now. Yet, he had seen it happen, just like he had envisioned the Ministry of Magic and its Department of Mysteries during his fifth year. He had felt it indeed; he knew that something was going to occur. The continuous dreams almost every night were keeping the headmaster of Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry up into the early morning hours and tonight was no exception. So again, he was unable to sleep and again pondering the disaster. But, in turn, his thoughts always reflected back onto his initiation as headmaster here at school. It always amazed him, as he thought back, how the day after his seventeenth birthday he received a letter via owl from Professor McGonagall that Dumbledore had vanished and she needed his presence at the school immediately. He had been enjoying one month of no worries (he was glad he never to hear the word homework ever again) and having to be back at school for the next year. He was still living with the Dursley's; his Uncle Vernon, still a plump, short-tempered man as he always and his wife Petunia, still skinny and bony. And then of course there was Dudley, or Dudders as his mother still called him even though he was seventeen years of age. But it had only been he, Uncle Vernon, and Aunt Petunia that summer for Dudley had been away at professional wrestling camp attempting to fulfill his dream, and it was only if he had not beaten up another camper, that he would have achieved his goal, but lucky for him, he was allowed to continue to stay at the camp because his counselor said he had showed "real potential" when beating up the camper. It was because Dudley was not home that entire summer, that Harry was having an almost normal life, for the exception that he still resided at number four Privet Drive, his home since before he could remember, and of course the fact he was a wizard. Although he was left with his aunt and uncle, things were not so bad. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had come to live with Harry's "problem" and "severe disability" as they called it, but were still very cruel. Harry was also very thankful that he had finally reached the age where he could practice magic outside of school and not be sent an owl from the Ministry of Magic. Even further, his uncle and aunt had finally let him have company over! Ron and Hermione, his friends since his first year at Hogwarts, had come over on more than one occasion, like on his seventeenth birthday. It had been his first official party and there had been a wonderful cake (Hermione had grown into quite a cook) topped off with candles and all. That day they celebrated, practiced spells and charms in the backyard (very much to his aunt and uncle's dismay), and played many games of wizard's chess. The three of them also talked about Quidditch, Harry's favorite sport, though he was angry with himself that he missed registering to have a spot in the tryouts. Because he was relaxing right after he left Hogwarts, he forgot to apply for a position.
His mind suddenly jumped back to the present; he had heard a knock on his door. He took out his wand and quietly whispered, "Timalus" and out from his wand shot red swirls which formed numbers, that when came together said 2:33AM. He heard the knock again, but this time a soft voice which followed, "Potter! Potter! It's McGonagall, Open the door!"
At this, Harry hastened to open the door to his quarters. He unlocked the door just enough to see a cheery, yet tired looking Professor McGonagall.
"Up again, Harry?" she inquired.
"Yes, I can't get over the fact -"
"I've heard the story too many times, Potter," she interrupted.
"What is it Professor?" Harry questioned. "You seem to be very nervous."
"Headmaster," she spoke taking deep breaths, as she proceeded, "all the students from Gryffindor Tower, are, are -" She stopped to inhale. "- Are gone!"
A rush of terror swept through Harry's body and he acting unknowingly; he whipped out his wand from the pocket of his night gown (he always slept with it for safety) and ran down the spiral staircase followed closely by McGonagall. At the foot of the stairs stood the familiar faces of Professors Flitwick, Snape, Lupin, Sprout and Trelawney, as well as Professor Hagrid. They all had horrified looks on their faces, all except Snape, as Harry quickly glanced at each of them in turn and then found himself dashing off down the hallway followed by McGonagall and the other professors toward Gryffindor Tower; all the way Harry trying to stay calm and hoping for the best.
** Please, please, please review!!! The second chapter will come soon, but in the meantime, remember the 2 R's: Read and Review. Thanks guys! **
It was nightfall. As the trees swayed back and forth to the constant shifting winds in the Forbidden Forest, only one light was visible in Hogwarts this damp, cold January evening. The light belonged to the headmaster; there he sat among the trinkets and gizmos which he never dared to touch as they belonged to his predecessor, Albus Dumbledore. It was only a year ago, though it felt just like yesterday, that Dumbledore had vanished. It had been daylight, yet for some reason the day had seemed dreary and gray and no one knew why except him. He felt so much guilt weighing upon his shoulders; as if it was his fault all long, like he could have prevented Dumbledore's disappearance. But it had only been his final year at Hogwarts; he had come of age in the wizarding world now. Yet, he had seen it happen, just like he had envisioned the Ministry of Magic and its Department of Mysteries during his fifth year. He had felt it indeed; he knew that something was going to occur. The continuous dreams almost every night were keeping the headmaster of Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry up into the early morning hours and tonight was no exception. So again, he was unable to sleep and again pondering the disaster. But, in turn, his thoughts always reflected back onto his initiation as headmaster here at school. It always amazed him, as he thought back, how the day after his seventeenth birthday he received a letter via owl from Professor McGonagall that Dumbledore had vanished and she needed his presence at the school immediately. He had been enjoying one month of no worries (he was glad he never to hear the word homework ever again) and having to be back at school for the next year. He was still living with the Dursley's; his Uncle Vernon, still a plump, short-tempered man as he always and his wife Petunia, still skinny and bony. And then of course there was Dudley, or Dudders as his mother still called him even though he was seventeen years of age. But it had only been he, Uncle Vernon, and Aunt Petunia that summer for Dudley had been away at professional wrestling camp attempting to fulfill his dream, and it was only if he had not beaten up another camper, that he would have achieved his goal, but lucky for him, he was allowed to continue to stay at the camp because his counselor said he had showed "real potential" when beating up the camper. It was because Dudley was not home that entire summer, that Harry was having an almost normal life, for the exception that he still resided at number four Privet Drive, his home since before he could remember, and of course the fact he was a wizard. Although he was left with his aunt and uncle, things were not so bad. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had come to live with Harry's "problem" and "severe disability" as they called it, but were still very cruel. Harry was also very thankful that he had finally reached the age where he could practice magic outside of school and not be sent an owl from the Ministry of Magic. Even further, his uncle and aunt had finally let him have company over! Ron and Hermione, his friends since his first year at Hogwarts, had come over on more than one occasion, like on his seventeenth birthday. It had been his first official party and there had been a wonderful cake (Hermione had grown into quite a cook) topped off with candles and all. That day they celebrated, practiced spells and charms in the backyard (very much to his aunt and uncle's dismay), and played many games of wizard's chess. The three of them also talked about Quidditch, Harry's favorite sport, though he was angry with himself that he missed registering to have a spot in the tryouts. Because he was relaxing right after he left Hogwarts, he forgot to apply for a position.
His mind suddenly jumped back to the present; he had heard a knock on his door. He took out his wand and quietly whispered, "Timalus" and out from his wand shot red swirls which formed numbers, that when came together said 2:33AM. He heard the knock again, but this time a soft voice which followed, "Potter! Potter! It's McGonagall, Open the door!"
At this, Harry hastened to open the door to his quarters. He unlocked the door just enough to see a cheery, yet tired looking Professor McGonagall.
"Up again, Harry?" she inquired.
"Yes, I can't get over the fact -"
"I've heard the story too many times, Potter," she interrupted.
"What is it Professor?" Harry questioned. "You seem to be very nervous."
"Headmaster," she spoke taking deep breaths, as she proceeded, "all the students from Gryffindor Tower, are, are -" She stopped to inhale. "- Are gone!"
A rush of terror swept through Harry's body and he acting unknowingly; he whipped out his wand from the pocket of his night gown (he always slept with it for safety) and ran down the spiral staircase followed closely by McGonagall. At the foot of the stairs stood the familiar faces of Professors Flitwick, Snape, Lupin, Sprout and Trelawney, as well as Professor Hagrid. They all had horrified looks on their faces, all except Snape, as Harry quickly glanced at each of them in turn and then found himself dashing off down the hallway followed by McGonagall and the other professors toward Gryffindor Tower; all the way Harry trying to stay calm and hoping for the best.
** Please, please, please review!!! The second chapter will come soon, but in the meantime, remember the 2 R's: Read and Review. Thanks guys! **