Ch.1: A Friend Forgotten
Harry laid himself onto his bed, drawing the curtains around him. He probably had one of the best days of his life. He had successfully changed his feather into a crow in transfiguration without the aid of Hermione. He earned ten points for Gryffindor by correctly answering Professor Binn's question about the Wizard-Muggle wars of 1294.
Professor Dumbledore, who was acting as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher until the post could be filled, gave the class study time. Snape was absent with a nasty cold and the substitute seemed to enjoy giving the Slytherins detention, much to the delight of the Gryffindors.
Yes, everything seemed to be going good for Harry. His friends seemed to be more loyal than ever. Not one fight had risen between them, even between Ron and Hermione who constantly bickered.
Harry began to think about his friends. He felt so lucky to have such good friends, and luckier to have any friends at all. Harry began to think about his past. He had never had any friends before he attended Hogwarts. Dudley had threatened anyone who even looked at Harry with any emotion other than absolute hate.
He did have a friend once though, it was for a very short time and he couldn't have been more than six years old. Harry fell asleep with many memories flooding his mind.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Harry sat alone at a table, constructing a tower out of building blocks. That was, of course, before Dudley came over and knocked it over. Everyone laughed at him, pointing at his now ruined skyscraper. One person didn't laugh though. A small child came over and said, "I'll help you rebuild it." Harry knew the person, he felt very warm-hearted when this child was around him.
But why couldn't Harry recognize the child? He couldn't even tell if it was a boy or girl. He couldn't make out a face, a voice, or any identifiable features. But Harry definitely knew who the child was. The only problem was that his mind wouldn't tell him exactly who.
Tap, Tap. Harry woke startled to see Hedwig pecking at the window outside the tower. Why are you here so early? Harry thought to himself. Why couldn't you come during breakfast when the post is supposed to come? Frustrated, not only because it was the middle of the night but also since he was close to figuring out who the mystery classmate was, Harry got up to let Hedwig in. Hedwig bit his finger affectionately as Harry took the note from her.
Dear Harry,
How are you? I don't have much time to write this so I'll make it short and sweet. Meet me at the cave on the hill the next time you have a Hogsmeade weekend. I'll talk to you then. Bring Hermione and Ron if you wish.
Snuffles
Harry stared down at the letter. Sirius wanted to meet them again. Harry began to think that it must be important since he seemed to be in such a rush that he couldn't write it. Harry tucked the letter under his mattress and went back to sleep hoping to figure out the dream he had early.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Hermione tossed in her sleep. She couldn't see the face. Why couldn't she see the face? There she was, no more than five or six years old, sitting alone in a corner of the classroom.
"Hey, do you want to help me with this puzzle?" she asked a girl who passed her. The girl gave her an odd look and mumbled something about not playing with people like her. Hermione sat alone again, staring across the room at another child. The child looked very familiar, but for some reason she could not tell who he or she was.
A large, hefty boy wobbled over to him or her, knocking over a tower that he or she had been working on all morning out of building blocks. Hermione felt sorry for her classmate. She herself knew what it was like to be rejected by the other children. She had been picked on before, called names like bossy, goody-two-shoes, and brainiac. She knew exactly what he or she was going through.
Hermione got up and walked over to the child. She knew she had found someone who she could easily make friends with. But she was struggling. Why can't I tell whom that kid is? she thought. She continued her way over and when she reached the child, she said, "I'll help you rebuild it." The boys smiled back at her.
"Ouch!" Hermione screamed. She opened her eyes to see Crookshanks going mad, hissing and spitting on her bed. She saw the problem; Crookshanks had one of his claws stuck to a blanket and was wiggling all over creation to free himself. She grabbed him ad freed his claw. Crookshanks, who had managed to scratch Hermione two more times, finally settled down.
Hermione laid herself down again and stared at the ceiling. She wanted to fall asleep as soon as possible. She wanted to find out who the child was. Why couldn't she remember who he or she was? Why couldn't she remember her first real friend?
She rolled onto her side and closed her eyes hoping for the best.
