Chapter 8
A White Dream
The four of them went to the direction of the main gate; no one spoke on the way. They arrived to the castle and Harry tried to open the gate, but it didn't move. "What's wrong?" Ginny asked Harry, looking at the gate. "It's not opening," he said, putting all his weight on it, without any success. "Try to call someone" Ron suggested, "I don't think someone is out here…the feast must have started right now" Harry replied, and as he said that, four stomachs moaned from hunger. "Just shout something ok?" Ginny said, holding her stomach. "What am I supposed to shout?" Harry said, annoyed. "Oh come on" Hermione said, "we're dying in here" she said. Then Ron had the courage to shout, "HELLO…HELLO, CAN ANYONE HEAR ME?" the words echoed in the silent night, they all stood as the air went pass them. "I think we should find another way in…I'm sure there's one" Ginny said, moving to the side a little, and looking. "Hey…" Ron suddenly said, "how about going to Hagrid's hut, he might be in there" they all looked at him, "I don't think he'll miss the feast Ron," Harry said. "Well…" Ron continued, "Maybe he noticed we were missing, and tried to look for us…or wait for us in there". They all stood, pondering what he just said, but they didn't have another choice, they went to the direction of Hagrid's hut. As they saw the cabin, lights came from it, "hey, he's there" Ginny said, and without another word, they all ran as fast as they could towards Hagrid's hut, with their trunks and cages. As they arrived, Harry went ahead and knocked. There was no answer; he knocked again, a little louder. "Who is it?" came a voice from inside. "HAGRID…IT'S US" Harry shouted through the door. There was the sound of someone getting up and they heard the footsteps coming near the door, and after a second, the door swung open. "Hagrid" Harry greeted their 'giant' friend. "hello Harry…what're you all doing here?" he asked, yawning hugely. "Can we come in?" Harry said, Hagrid ushered them inside and they all entered. "What's wrong Hagrid…why aren't you at the feast?" Harry asked, looking up at Hagrid. "Oh…I had a lot of drink last night…so I had a headache and thought I'll take a nap" he sat on the bed, and looked at them all. "Why aren't you at the feast?" he asked them, "well…" Harry began, "we missed the train…and a ministry car brought us here…but the doors were locked" "oh…you didn't expect the gate to be open?" Hagrid laughed at them. "Well…" Ginny said, "We thought that someone might be waiting for us" Hagrid stood up, "I'll take you there…come on" he walked and they all followed him.
After walking for a long time, they all finally got to the huge gate again. Hagrid pulled out his wand and waved it a little in the air, there was nothing. They waited for a whole minute, then Harry opened his mouth to say 'what was that?' when the gates started to open slowly for them. After another minute, the doors were wide open, and they all entered the castle.
The lights were all let up, but when they arrived to the great hall, there was silence. "Why is it silent in there?" Ron asked, pointing to the great hall. "you are so late for school" Hagrid said, "I'm afraid you missed the feast." Ron groaned, "but I'm starving" he said, looking at Hagrid in disbelieve. "well…you could always go to the kitchens" Hagrid said, winking at Ron, and then he said, "I'll leave you all here then…goodnight" and he walked towards the doors and out of sight. "Let's go" Ron said, "We have to eat something before sleep". No one said no, they all followed Ron to the direction of the kitchens.
After some minutes, they stood facing the painting of the fruit basket. Ron walked forward and tickled the banana, it giggled and a door swung open in its place. They all stumbled inside when they smelled the food. "Excuse me…we need some food over here" Ron said, as every house elf turned to see him. After some silence, they all jumped, and as one ran and brought a tray full of food. "Thanks" Hermione said, to all of them. "you're welcome, lady" a house elf squeaked, and then they all went to their work again. Ron was already eating, stuffing food in every corner in his mouth that he could reach. "Ron" Hermione said, looking disgusted. "ot…ant anwan et er" Ron answered. But Harry saw a question mark over Hermione's head.
They all ate some food, thanked the house elves (or at least Hermione did) and got out of the kitchens, heading back to their common rooms. "I wonder who our new defense against the dark arts teacher is?" Harry wondered aloud, they all nodded , wondering too. As they arrived to their common rooms, they all said goodnight, Harry and Ron headed towards the boys staircase (Ron was so tired, that he accidentally went after Hermione to the girl's dormitory) and Hermione and Ginny headed towards the girl's staircase. The dormitory was dark; Harry had to feel his way to his bed. when he and Ron were securely on their beds, they both said goodnight and went to sleep.
There was white light all around him, Harry didn't let go. He was clutching something white in his hands, and he knew that he shouldn't let go, he mustn't let go. Something else was holding the other side of the white thing, it was so strong, Harry couldn't manage, he needed help. "Hermione…Ron" he called, but no one answered him. He can't take it any more, he opened his fingers and let go of the thing. It flew into the air and vanished into puffs of smoke, it was gone. Harry felt that he lost something big…huge…he was falling…falling…falling down… into nothingness.
Harry woke up from sleep, he felt the fall, as though it was real. He sat up and put his glasses on, it was morning.