Hogwarts was as majestic as ever. White puffy clouds partially covered the top of the Astronomy Tower from view and the grass was as green as it ever could be. Even the forbidden forest had an eerie but beautiful glow about it. Oh how they had missed this place! Coming back here after so long was an emotional throttle for both Draco and Hermione.
They made their way to the doors of the castle. They were sealed shut. Hermione wondered at them being so. They were never shut during their Hogwarts days. She knocked. A slip of parchment appeared before her.
Truest of the truest
Never can it lie
Liquid, thick and bright
Forever it here must lie
A riddle. Both Draco and Hermione pondered over it for a while. What did it mean? They tried to speak their names. The door didn't open. They even tried to wash the doors with water from the lake that had been spelled with Alohamora. Nothing happened. Finally, Draco configured a leaf into a small blade and made a small cut on his fingertip. The door opened just big enough to let him enter. He gave a triumphant smile to Hermione and entered. She tried to follow him but couldn't. she realized then that she'd have to drop some of her blood too. As soon as she had done that, she entered the castle too and found Draco waiting next to Professor McGonagall.
