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The great hall was buzzing with gossip and news as owls flew in from the sky to drop off the Daily Prophet.
"Nothing interesting," Hermione sighed, placing the paper beside her bowl of porridge. "Figures," Ron said, frown appearing on his freckled face. "No news is good news, though."
"No news is good news?" Hermione exclaimed, giggling lightly. "Hem, I think not."
Ron merely picked the spoon out of his breakfast, shoving into his mouth hungrily. "You rrr outhfays mudgid my infeligeence." he said, hot cereal flying from his mouth and all over Harry. He swallowed, "Oh, sorry Harry."
Harry dabbed at the spots of cereal on his face, "No trouble." he said, barely any expression showing upon his tired face.
"You know Harry, we should go to Hogsmeade today... I know we weren't planning on it but I was hoping you would want to get out of the castle." Hermione suggested, eyes darting from side to side anxiously. Harry had been on breaking point for a few weeks now, looking as though he were about to burst out into a fit of yelling.
"Good idea Hermione," Ron said, smiling, hoping to get Harry to agree.
"Alright," Harry said, almost a hint of happiness sparkling in his eye. He thought getting out of the castle was a great idea... fresh air...
"Great!" Hermione bristled cheerfully, standing up and grabbing her books. "We'd better head off to potions... you know how Professor Snape gets."
Harry stood, also picking up his books. They all walked out of the great hall, tromped down the crooked stairs, and broke into Snape's dungeon just as class started and the clock gave one ring.
"You're late," Snape hissed as the over-sized doors slammed behind them, sending a gust of air into the chamber. "Explain yourselves."
Hermione stood on her tip toes, raising her hand like she had forgotten that she wasn't answering an question in class. Quickly she lowered her hand. "We aren't late, class doesn't start until nine o'clock and the clock hasn't rang nine times yet."
Snape scowled and dismissed them with one hand to their desks, swiftly turning around to discuss their newest topic. Harry pulled out his potions book to page three hundred and ninety four, as did Ron and Hermione. Class went as usual, slowly with boring snores emitting from the back of the room where many had fallen asleep. Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Neville sat at the back of the Three Broomsticks sipping at their drinks.
"I suppose we should get back to the castle-" Hermione started to say to Harry, but he was to distracted by the man who had just walked into the bar. He had a dark, deep grey coat on... not to dark though, not dark enough to be black. His hair lay shagged on his face, leaving his eyes, nose, and mouth invisible. His back was hunched and even from the far corner he was sitting in Harry would hear his deep intense breathing... which he strangely recognized. A dark chill ran through his body as he watched the man.
"Harry?" Ron asked, his eyebrow covering the top of his eyes that were intensely shaded with worry.
"That man," Harry replied, "Don't we know him from somewhere?"
Hermione slowly shook her head, "I don't think so... unless it is Professor Moody." she laughed, but then by realizing that no one was laughing with her she joined in the staring to the man.
"Oh my gosh..." Ron said slowly, eyes widening with shock.
"It can't be!" Neville cried.
"Yes..." Harry said, "It's"
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Hope you enjoyed, I will be writing more soon... Take a wild guess at who it is!
