FIVE YEARS LATER

Orange sunlight shone through the window of Harry's dormitory, bringing him a sense of joy. School had only been in session for a few weeks, but the grounds of Hogwarts had been burdened with a long stretch of depressive, cloudy days that had clouded not only the skies but many students' spirits. Of course, after such a terrible year the year prior, with the school essentially having been under the nefarious (a kind word) Dolores Umbridge's rule, a strong sense of trepidation was to be expected.

Harry was looking forward to today. Perhaps because of last year's strife, many of the professors had gotten together and planned some weekend festivals and games for students to partake in. This particular Saturday's plan was a scavenger hunt. The participants were paired up into partnerships and were able to choose their partners, and Harry and Ron, who had both wanted to participate, had chosen each other as partners. There were four teams, one for each house, and each partnership was given a divided part of the list. The house to find the most items by 5:00 that evening would be the winner and would be awarded fifty house points.

Harry got out of bed, got dressed, and went to breakfast in the Great Hall. He found Hermione there and sat with her. The two of them engaged in a chat as they ate.

"Have you seen Ron this morning?" Hermione asked, adjusting the cowl of her pink sweater.

Harry shook his head. "No," he replied softly, "but you know how Ron is. He will probably sleep until the last possible minute before the scavenger hunt."

Hermione nodded. "That's certainly true," she said with a pause. "When does that start?"

"10," Harry responded.

"He will be up no earlier than 9:30, then," Hermione said with a light, wry chuckle. "In fact, I'd recommend waking him up yourself if I were you."

"I'm still really disappointed that you aren't participating," Harry said to her. "Gryffindor could really use your..." Harry struggled to find the right word, and after a few seconds of silence, Hermione glared at him expectantly. "...knowledge," he said finally.

"I have already told you," Hermione said, sighing. "There are much more important affairs about which to be concerned. These games are silly, if you ask me."

Hermione had, indeed, already told Harry, and if Harry was being honest with himself, then he would have to admit that he had expected as much from her, anyway. Hermione was always the practical one of the trio. Rarely was she interested in pursuing an adventure unless it served some greater (especially academic) purpose. Harry also had to admit, however, that he had also expected Hermione to be understanding of the school's desire for release. She probably wanted it, too, but one of her strongest traits had always been her ability to circumvent her desires and focus on the necessities.

After Harry finished his breakfast, he gave Hermione half of a smile and stood up from the table, where Hermione was still seated finishing her own breakfast. "Well, it isn't too late to change your mind," he said slowly. "You know where we'll be."

Harry knew that she wouldn't come, though. He didn't expect to see her until after the event had finished.