I haven't seen this castle since the end of my seventh year, nearing about ten years now I think, and yet she still looks as brilliant as she did the first day I saw her. Now that I find myself standing outside the towering gates I wonder if I am ready to walk back in and no answer comes. I am uncertain whether the lack of an answer is a good sign or a bad one.
I haven't spoken to or seen anyone in quite some time, the life of an Black Auror tends to be a lonely one. After finishing my seventh year I went straight to my training and was in secluded areas for two years as I mastered the arts needed to preform my duties. I sent out letters when it was safe and received only a handful in return, which I never stayed still long enough to really keep up a steady connection to the real world.
Once I completed training I took my oath and bound my magic to the cause. I spent the next several years hunting down rouge wizards and former death eaters who escaped the trials after Voldemorts defeat in my fourth year. I would still be doing just that, chasing darkness through small forgotten countries if it hadn't been for the accident that ended my career. Even now the scar twinges at the thought of that horrible night, the panic, the pain, the weakness. However this is no time for bringing up bad memories, it's time to walk up that familiar path and into my old world.
Every step is heavy with memories of the past and shadows seem to dance in the edge of my vision teasing me with happier times. The doors open as I approach and I can not help but expect to see droves of students but of course they will not arrive for a few more weeks. I find my way to the corridor leading to my quarters and it seems so odd not to be in Griffindor tower, however I am grateful to be in a more secluded area of the castle. I find my thing have been left in the study, grateful to attend to the more dangerous artifacts myself. A swift pale flame gives warning to an incoming floo and moments later the Headmaster appeared with that damn twinkle in his eye and that smile dancing on his face.
"Harry my boy I am thrilled you accepted my offer, it is good to see you after all this time." His robes flowing as he spelled away the leftover soot. His eyes lighting even more as he looks around the study at the different bobbles I have collected over the years.
"I just stopped in to welcome you and let you know about the first staff meeting tomorrow evening. We will gather in the great hall and enjoy a light dinner as we discuss the upcoming school year. We have a few special events this year but I will bore you with the details tomorrow evening. I look forward to seeing you as will everyone else. I bid you a good evening my boy, get some rest as I am sure you are tired after your long journey."
With that note he disappeared in a green flame as quickly as he had come. Thoughts of tomorrow swam in my head as the pain in my leg grew more intense, the rest of the luggage could wait. The call of the silken bed is too much. As I retire to my bed and my head lays across the cool pillow thoughts of tomorrow and memories of the past filled my head with the strangest dreams, dancing mermaids, a pair of dark eyes, and the smell of sandalwood are the last things I remember as I drift into the darkness of the sleeping druaght and remember no more.
