J.K. Rowling's characters
Just to clear up that Harry was released from Azkaban in August, the summer holiday of what would have been his sixth year. He caught up on his sixth year work before Hogwarts started, therefore he is attending Seventh year with the rest of his peers I.e. Ron, Neville, Hermione, e.c.t. (Does that make sense?)
Thank you for reviews. :)
It was the second day and Harry entered the great hall again, only to find the glaring stares of his peers greeting him. He shivered at the stares, more aware of those holding hatred rather then pity. With his head held high, Harry swiftly moved and sat at the end of his table; the Gryffindor table. Not two seconds after taking his place, a yell from the other side interrupted the meal.
"You can't sit here, murderer. Traitors don't belong in Gryffindor."
A murmuring of agreement to Hermione's statement rushed up and down the table.
"Miss Granger. Ten points from Gryffindor for rude behaviour, please sit back down." Professor McGonagall snapped at the girl whilst rushing over to Harry's side. Hermione practically dropped back down in her seat, her face pale at the thought of losing points. The professor bent low, so her head was next to Harry's.
"Mr Potter, are you alright dear?"
"Yes professor, I'm fine" Harry answered, not lifting his head.
McGonagall frowned before giving a slight gasp and grasping the side of Harry's head so she could inspect it.
"What happened to your face? You've got a large bruise."
Harry pulled his head out of the firm grasp in haste. "I just fell over professor."
"You don't want to go to the infirmary?"
"It's nothing professor."
The woman pursed her lips before snapping back up and walking back to her seat at the head table. Harry stayed where he was, glaring at an empty plate.
A movement to Harry's left made him turn to Neville.
"Morning Neville."
"Morning Harry. You weren't in bed this morning?"
"No I got up early, couldn't get any sleep."
Neville gave a frown, matching the one that professor McGonagall had used two minutes ago. The boy turned back to his food shovelling down his meal. Harry turned back to the space in front of him, not lifting his eyes. Neville kept a weary eye on Harry, watching the boy, Neville noticed that Harry did not eat a single thing, exactly like at the feast. Towards the end of the meal, Harry reached into his bag and pulled out a small vial of a purple potion and he downed the potion with a grimace before standing up to go to his next lesson. Neville followed, trotting behind Harry. The curios boy didn't ask any of the stream of questions that were running through his mind, he knew Harry wasn't ready to answer them.
It was Tuesday and the morning owls had just arrived. The whole of Monday had been spent moving between lessons in silence with Neville. The student population was completely split as to how they had taken Harry's return. Many had roared insults or attempted to jinx the boy and friend whilst in the halls; others had taken to giving him a pat on the back, a shake of the hand or a few complimentary words. But Harry did not really care for any of it. Harry kept his head down low and his mind on his studies. Neville and himself had passed few words but spent most of their time in a comfortable silence, glad of each others company. Luna Lovegood had joined them for lunch and dinner, allowing the two boys to sit at the Ravenclaw table.
Two tawny owls swooped down to the Gryffindor table; one landing in front of Neville, the second landing in front of Harry. Settling down, Neville reached for the letter from his grandmother. Whilst reading, Harry heard a growl escape the other boys throat.
"What is it?" Harry asked, surprised by Neville's surprising show of anger.
"A letter from my grandmother, she says not to have anything to do with you."
"Neville, if your family says so, you should probably follow her. You'll probably end in an argument."
"No! Harry, you're my friend I'm not going to leave you just because someone says I should."
Harry's eyes widened. A smile pinched at Harry's lips; the first smile in a long time.
"You really are a true friend Neville. I'm honoured."
"No problem mate." Neville said, placing a pat on Harry's back.
Harry turned to his the newspaper he had received. He looked at the Daily Prophet and with a single glance he already knew the main topic.
"Harry Potter freed from Azkaban." Was the headline, a picture of Harry's mug shots just below it. Skimming through the first page, Harry could already see it was all in the Minister's favour, their was barely any mention of Harry's time spent in Azkaban but instead was Fudge's heroic act in freeing the saviour of the wizarding world.
Not bothering to read it, Harry got up and left to his first lesson: Potions.
Wednesday. The mail came again but this time a whole group of owls landed in front of Harry. The first letter to catch his attention was a thin note coming from a very plain owl. Looking on the back, Harry saw the ministry seal printed on the wax.
Dear Mr Potter.
We are to inform you that your mail is currently being tracked. All those that are deemed dangerous or come from unknown public with no relations to you have been locked in your locker. If you wish to receive the mail please go to the ministry of magic to claim the material, if you are unable to do so before the twenty-second of September please write to us or else the mail will be burned.
Sincerely
Mr T. Margate
Head of Owl mail and personal affairs.
A feeling of surprise washed over Harry at the consideration the Ministry was showing for him. He tossed the note aside, not interested in receiving the useless mail kept in his locker.
The next letter, Harry recognized the hand writing immediately. He quickly tore open the letter from Remus, scanning its content before re-reading it in detail.
Dear Harry
I am glad you are finally free. I must apologize for not being of any use to you during your time. I am currently on mission for the Order of the Phoenix so am unable to speak to you now. I will be visiting you in Hogwart's in two weeks time; Professor Dumbledore has already been informed of this.
I wish you had informed me of your release earlier but I understand that you wanted to use your holidays to settle down in your newly found freedom.
I will keep this letter short as I feel that a letter if far too impersonal to speak on such matters of how you are feeling.
Yours
Remus Lupin
Harry tucked the letter into his bag, making sure to keep it neatly folded.
Looking at his next array of letters, Harry noticed all seemed to be from different members of the Weasley family. Fred and George had sent one along with one of their prank toys, Charlie and Bill had both sent letters from their workplace and Molly and Arthur had sent him one along with a few home baked goods.
Harry passed the food over to Neville.
"Here, Neville do you mind taking them, I know they're really good- Mrs Weasley's home baked."
"Harry, they were sent to you, shouldn't you be eating the?"
Harry grimaced and shook his head.
"I can't eat solid foods yet. I've been stuck on nourishment potions."
"I feel bad, but okay then. Harry you should try to build up on what you eat. Start with something easy."
Harry bit his lip, looking at the plates of food along the table. He couldn't deny that he longed to eat the delectable meals, filled with flavour, especially after a year spent in starvation along with small amounts of soup and bread. However, Harry knew from the last time he tried to eat, that this would only end in him feeling worse.
"Maybe next week Neville."
Standing to leave, Harry made his way to the exit of the Great Hall. He didn't understand the point of even coming down for meals when he only stared at an empty plate; a waste of time really.
"Mr Potter, if you could wait a moment."
The voice pierced through Harry's head and he held his breath as a wave of fury washed over him. He stopped, not daring to turn around as he counted down from ten. His back was rigid and fists were clenched. Anyone who saw Harry's eyes wouldn't waste a second in trying to get as far away as possible.
A wrinkly, cold hand placed itself on Harry's shoulder.
"Harry, my boy, I was wondering if I could speak to you."
Harry reached zero and whirled around on the balls of his feet. He stared up at the headmaster, his face impassive. Placing his weight on one foot in a casual stance, Harry placed his hands in his pockets, reaching for his wand.
"Sorry, sir, I really have to get back and finish my homework."
"Come now, it'll only take a minute in my office."
Harry bit his tongue, as he tried to with hold the insults he wanted to scream at the man who betrayed him.
"Really, sir, I'm sorry but I'm tired and have no wish to discuss whatever it is you want to waste my time one."
There, that felt better.
Dumbledore stood still, trying to comprehend the insult. It was only light and had caught him unawares, coming from the mouth one of his own pupils he had know for years. Before he knew what had happened, Harry was gone, his hand grasping thin air and the eyes of the student population staring at him in his shock.
