VIII. We have passed through a gate guarded by winged boars and now, the castle of Hogwarts is visible up ahead, towering before us with its many towers and turrets. A gentle breeze spreads waves through the green grass and whispers among the trees in the great forest that borders the school grounds.

"The Forbidden Forest," Hermione tells me when she sees where I'm looking.

"Ooh, we've been in there many times, mate," Ron says with a grin.

"Isn't it, you know… forbidden?" I ask as the gravel crunches underfoot and the castle grows closer.

"Didn't stop us," Ron answers smugly and Hermione rolls her eyes.

We're met on the stairs by an elderly woman who looks stern in spite of her welcoming smile, a tartan shawl over her shoulders and a pointed hat on her head.

"Harry, Hermione, Ronald," she greets us warmly. "Welcome back."

"Good day, professor McGonagall," Hermione answers brightly. "Or is it Headmistress, now?"

McGonagall smiles and chuckles. "It'll take me years to get used to being the headmistress," she says lightly before turning to me. "Hello, Harry. My name's Minerva McGonagall and I was your professor in transfiguration, but I understand you don't remember this?"

"Eh, no, I don't," I answer, confused but pleasantly surprised by her approach, and we shake hands. The fact that she does not seem to expect anything of me is a relief.

"How about a tour of the castle?" she suggests and claps her hands together.

The castle is truly magnificent with its stone arches and gothic windows, and I find myself looking around in wonder. McGonagall takes us to the Great Hall and tells me of the candles that float in the air during the meals as I marvel at the fantastic ceiling, and then there's the Library with the many books, the Hospital Wing and the Gryffindor common room. The moving staircases bring a smile to my lips and I find myself in a lengthy discussion with an animated painting. Even though I haven't been able to do anything at all with the wand, I decide I quite like magic.

"You should return in September when the school is in session. The halls are so terribly empty now," McGonagall tells me as she leads the way out onto the grounds, Hermione and Ron trailing silently behind us. I can feel their gazes, boring into my back as they wait for some kind of reaction, the barest of hints that I remember something about this place.

"You will open again in September?" Hermione asks and McGonagall smiles back at her over her shoulder.

"Oh, yes. The restoration is complete and we have found capable personnel to fill all positions. Nothing can stop us from welcoming another batch of students on September the first," she assures them with a smile, then adds: "You are welcome as well, should you fish to finish your education."

From the corner of my eye, I see Hermione hesitate and her gaze flickers towards me before she answers, regret in her voice.

"I would very much like to, Headmistress, but I'm afraid I can't."

"Well, if you change your mind, the offer still stands," McGonagall answers, seemingly picking up on the tension between us, and leads us over the lawn. "Ah, here we are, Mr Potter. The Black Lake – do look out for the Giant Squid…"