Chapter One-Goodbyes

The next year of graduates from Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, shared in a tearfull goodbye. Friends hugged each other and gave parting gifts to their teachers. "I'll miss you!" and "Please write!" rang throughout the Great Hall, as students said final goodbyes to everyone. " "Tomorrow morning," the aging Dumbledore boomed, "The Hogwarts Express will be bringing you back to the King's Cross Station." he wiped a tear from his gray eyes, "I must say I will miss each and every one of you." He turned and stared at Harry, who immediately flattened down his hair and looked around. "It has been a great honor to head you all, and you will each be very missed by myself and the teachers." He sat down, and Professor McGonagall stood up and walked slowly to the podium at the top of the stage, looking our at the sea of students. "Goodbyes are always hard," she began, "and I for one am very upset about you leaving.I am sure each teacher here is." Harry turned to stare at Snape, and highly doubted that. Severus Snape, the Potions master at his school, deeply loathed Harry, and basically every student except the Slytherins, whom he favored. "I'm sure he can't wait to get rid of us," Ron, his best friend, whispered to Harry.as if reading his mind. Harry nodded and then looked over at Hermione. For the first time in a while he noticed how beautiful she was. She had long, silky blonde hair and eager brown eyes. Her skin was creamy and smooth, and she was sitting for the first time, without books.she sat up straight and held herself differently-she hadn't looked that pretty to him since the Yule Ball, which he had in his fourth year. They were now in seventh year-at the end of term. This was the last night they would be staying at Hogwarts, and then each would go home. Harry felt like crying. He loved Hogwarts more than anything else in the world, and hated to go. This was where all his friends were-all the magic, the teachers, the feasts in the Great Hall, Quidditch (which he feared he would never play again; surely the Durselys, his muggle relatives, would never let him play!). Hermione caught him gaping at her, and returned a weak smile. Harry looked back at Professor McGonagall quickly, and felt a tear forming in his eye. "I will miss you all," she repeated, "but don't worry: in about ten years, we will be having a magical reunion!" she joked. "You just need to wait a decade." A few giggles erupted, but McGonagall continued, "I can tell by the looks on your faces that most of you are happy to be finally rid of this school," she turned to look at Harry. "And some of you look as though you will break into a fit of tears." She winked at him, and he smiled. Ron nudged him and grinned. "Crying, Potter?" he joked. Harry laughed, and Hermione did too. McGonagall got off the stand and it was now Snape's turn to speak. He stared icily at Ron, Harry, and Hermione.whom he had dubbed the "Dream Team" in their second year. "I am not very big on goodbyes," he stated coldly, "so I will make this quick. It has been a pleasure teaching you all." He twisted his frown into a painful smile, as he turned to the Slytherins. "I can honestly say I will miss some of you, and others-" he stared at the Gryffindors, "-well, let's just say that I am not overwhelmed by some people's departures." The rest of the teachers spoke briefly, and then huge helpings of food appeared on the long tables. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil were chatting noisily with Dean Thomas and Neville Longbottom, while Ron, Harry and Hermione were in deep conversation. "You guys have to come to my house sometime over the summer," Hermione whined, "I'll be so bored! No Hogwarts to look forward to," she said sadly.

"Don't worry," Ron said, "mum says I can have you guys over for a week or two." Harry nodded and felt upset. "Something wrong, Harry?" Ron asked, biting viciously into a chicken leg. He tore off the skin and began to chew on the white meat. "You don't think I'm happy about leaving, do you?" Harry said coldly. His voice was deeper than usual; as was Ron's. Being three years older made a big change. "I guess not," Hermione nodded, taking a swig of iced pumpkin juice, "It's like me, Harry. I can't keep much in touch with the Wizarding World-" Harry looked down at his plate, which was covered in smoked Ham and potatoes. A large swoop of owls suddenly swarmed through the Great Hall, dropping parcels to all the kids. Hedwig, Harry's snowy owl, dropped him an envelope. Inside it was a letter, in Sirius's untidy scrawl. As Harry read it, his heart stopped.

Harry, I know that you can't be too happy about going back to your aunt and uncle's.I've talked to Dumbledore and he thinks it would be best for you if you came to live with me.if you want to. Do you? If so, send an owl to your aunt and uncle, requesting your things (you can't have too much stuff at their house, right? No offence.) and I'll pick you up at King's Cross.if you want to come. If not, that's okay.I'll miss you and try to keep in touch.

Sirius

"Is he kidding?!" Harry screamed. "I would love to go live with him!" Hermione squealed.

"That's great, Harry!" The next morning, Hagrid gave all of the Gryffindors big hugs and goodbyes. Harry, Ron, and Hermione hugged eachother and said to write. "Well, Potter," a cold voice behind Harry said. It was Malfoy. "I guess this is goodbye." "Guess so," Harry said. Malfoy held out his hand. "Truce?" he asked. Harry shook it. "Truce." On the train, everyone moved from car to car, talking to all their friends. They played a few rounds of exploding Snap, got lots of sweets off of the witch with the food cart, and watched as the countryside whirred by. When they finally arrived at King's Cross, they all were reluctant to go. Ron and Hermione were crying as they hugged Harry again, and as he left with Sirius, he knew he wouldn't see them again.