The Godfather

Harry was leapt from bed with a fright and started slowly towards the window when his lamp flickered back on. The storm that had continued uninterrupted outside, was still unrelenting and unyielding against the glass pane, though it was obviously dying down. There was no face near the window; even the weak light from the lamp could reveal that. No one could have been there and left soon. He sighed and sat slowly back onto his bed facing the window. A thousand thoughts ran through his head and Harry felt himself becoming quite nauseous. But what of the tingling feeling, and the eerie silence that the storm had brought? The rain outside had slowed to a patter and the sound of the individual drops hitting the metal gutter could be distinguished. Even the sun was visible through the clouds. Harry switched off his failing lamp and stared still at the window, willing himself to believe what he had seen.

He squinted as the now apparent sun reflected off the window glass into his eyes. He strained his ears and he heard the sound of Aunt Petunia and Dudley talking loudly in the kitchen. It sounded like Petunia was making him a big breakfast, Harry judged by the amount of pot banging going on. Had they not noticed anything unusual during the storm? Harry threw his wand back on the table in frustration and put his head in his hands. Did he really want to see his godfather that much that he would have some sort of hallucination? It just didn't feel right to him. Harry stood up with resignation and walked morosely towards the door. Perhaps he would surprise Petunia and Dudley by joining them downstairs. He just didn't feel like being by himself after that, even if he had to endure the company of his remaining relatives. Even before he reached the door handle though, he knew something was different.

Harry whirled around and surveyed his room with a feeling that he'd forgotten something, missed something important. He walked right up to the window and slid it up until he could feel fresh air against his face, such air that only occurs after rain. He could hear the sound of water from the gutter dripping slowly and loudly down the drainpipe. He rushed back to his bed, grabbed his wand and turned back towards the window. With a rush of excitement, Harry saw that he had been right. Something was different. The sun was still reflecting off something at the window, but it was not the glass pane, it couldn't be, he had opened it up. it was something near his desk. Harry's face spread into a look of astonishment and then understanding as he let his wand drop to the hardwood floor. He didn't need to look, he knew straight away what it was that he had long since forgotten. But the truth was more bewildering than any of the events during the storm.