Refer to chapter one for disclaimer.
Hey everyone, I just wanted to apologize upfront for any confusion I might have caused when I changed the title. I decided today that I hated it. But I assure you its permanent now. White Doves and Bluebells. And secondly, chapter one was revised just a tiny bit. I'm hard core anal and I found too many grammar mistakes that needed to be fixed. It's not worth re-reading, but I thought I'd give you the heads up.
Chapter three is already in the making and should be up tomorrow, or maybe even later tonight. Thanks.
He had to admit McGonagall was certainly true to her word. His new quarters were definitely large.
Harry paced the large entry room that resembled something of a living room, with a fireplace, couch and bookcase. The dark woods of the furniture accented the green walls and light wood floors.
'At least', he thought to himself, 'I'll have somewhere comfortable to escape to.'
Attached to the main room was a simple bathroom, a study, and a large bedroom with the classic four poster bed.
He was still amazed at how fast she managed to clean up the hall and create such a perfect room. No longer where there boxes, all had been safely moved behind the many closed doors that would salute him as he walked to his rooms every night.
The dust and spiders were cleaned away, and bright alluring lights dissolved the once creepy feeling he had when walking through this corridor.
But most spectacularly were the ceilings. The ceilings of the hall were remarkable low, but those in his room were at least twice as long as the average room. Stretching up to meet a curved ceiling and detailed molding. Certainly McGonagall didn't go to that much trouble?
Well whatever the source, Harry adored it. He had finally found an oasis that was just right. Quiet and secluded, without the feeling of complete solitude, he could finally rest in peace, and hopefully keep busy enough to allow his troubles to melt away and return him to the carefree life he once enjoyed.
'As unlikely as it is', he thought to himself as he gazed at a small photograph of Ginny. 'It's worth a try.'
School didn't start for a month, but students had already begun arriving, and Harry was starting to feel the pressure of responsibility.
'I thought the stress of school work ended when you were no longer a student.' Harry thought as he flipped through numerous books in his study, trying to take notes for his upcoming classes.
First years, second years, fifth years, sixth years… all seven years of students now his responsibility.
Teaching plans for a years worth of curriculum for seven classes full of students. It was enough to make him sick. Well at least he could simply follow the text books, sorting out the material deciding what was important and what should be focused on first. If he played his cards right it might not be as much of a hassle as he had predicted. But of course… he never seemed to be able to do anything without some kind of complication.
Harry was deep in concentration, having made his way to the third year text book, mapping out his lesson plan for the first semester, when he heard a voice from behind him.
"I see your actually working during the summer… incredible, If only you had done more of that as a student."
Harry looked up at the smaller fireplace that graced his study wall.
McGonagall's head was glowing green and floating above the clean brick floor.
"Am I to assume that this will not be the last uninvited visit I am to expect while I'm here?" Harry asked sarcastically.
"I simply popped in to tell you that your two fireplaces, this one and that in your entry room are now both hooked up to the floo system. I thought that it might make life a little more convenient for you."
Harry rolled his eyes, "Thanks Minerva. I appreciate it."
"Of course, and don't fret I wont bother you, I know you strive on privacy. And remember you can block these if you want to avoid any unwanted guests..." She said with almost too much understanding. Harry hated that everyone was starting to know how secluded he wished to be.
"And finally, I know you're a long way away from everything, so if you need anything at all, I assigned one of the school elves to you. Her name is Rosie and if you push the nose of the lion engraved on this fireplace… she'll come straight away."
Harry laughed, "Just like Dumbledore you never miss an opportunity to be creative do you?"
"Just a little bit of fun… and one more thing, your welcome to go into any of the closets in your hall, as long as you don't remove anything, I don't know exactly what's in them… The doors work just like the paintings upstairs. They won't unlock without a password. Dumbledore installed them many years ago. Each has a number on it. If the number is five you say, "Five marshmallows and it will open. It's the same with all of them… one marshmallow, two marshmallows, et cettera."
Harry grinned. How much he was going to miss his old headmaster. With all his jokes and wisdom, it would never be the same.
"Thanks, I'll remember that." He said hoping she'd finally leave him in peace.
McGonagall winked and then disappeared with a pop.
Turing back to his work, he flipped another page of the book remembering the long hours spent over these texts.
Page 394… werewolves. Yes, he remembered this lesson in particular.
It was dark again. The corridor leading to his room held nothing but a dim light that seemed to come from no where. Harry walked slowly… he seemed to know where he was headed. His feet carried him almost robotically forward.
He was scared, and excited all at the same time. And inside his head, the thoughts seemed to be loud, almost angry, calling him forward into the unknown. Voices that knew him, voices that were pleading for him to return to this unknown place. As if his own mind was telling him there was something he was missing, something he needed to find. That he was where he was for a reason.
And then in a moment, quicker than a blink of the eye he was no longer moving slowly away from his room, he was standing facing a door that seemed to beckon him, door number nine.
His common sense was afraid, but there was a peace. This door wanted to be opened; it wanted to be opened by him, but if only he knew why.
Kruzkid92– Don't fret my love, "someone" will find happiness again soon. But we have to be patient; it doesn't come over night ;)
trishna87– Yay, thanks so much, you're a sweetheart. Keep reading it's definitely gonna start getting interesting.