It was October 24th, 1994, and a meeting of Dumbledore's Army, known as the D.A. for short, had just concluded in the secret Hogwarts room known as the Room of Requirement. They had spent the night working on the Impediment Jinx and Harry was pleased with and proud of how well they had all done.

As most of Harry's students filed out of the Room of Requirement, Colin Creevey hung back and asked, "Can I have a word, Harry?"

"Sure, " answered Harry. Colin may have been annoying in the past, but Harry felt confident Colin had a question about Defense Against the Dark Arts and not a request for an autograph prepared on this night.

With the room now empty except for Harry and Colin, Colin looked at Harry and said nervously, "Harry. there's something I need to tell you."

"Do you mean tell or ask?" inquired Harry, "I assume this has to do with the D.A. and our Defense Against the Dark Arts Lessons?"

"Actually, it doesn't, " said Colin to Harry's surprise. "This was just a convenient and easy time for me to catch you."

"Back in the day you never needed a time to catch me, you would just stalk me everywhere, " said Harry.

Harry spoke with a smile and Colin understood there was no grudgingness in Harry's voice.

Colin took a deep breath and said slowly, "That's actually what this is about. Look, Harry, I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to you for how annoyingly I acted towards you in the past, especially in my first and your second year."

Colin continued, "I'm very sorry, in particular, for following you around and taking pictures of you with my camera without your permission. My taking pictures of you with my camera without your permission was an infringement on your privacy and I was wrong to snap those photos. I sincerely apologize to you, Harry, for the picture taking in particular. I showed a complete lack of respect for your space, your rights, and your privacy and I'm sorry for the uncomfortable positions that my lack of respect for your feelings, rights, and privacy put you in."

Harry slowly looked at Colin and said genuinely, "Colin, I accept your apology and I forgive you for your past transgressions."

Harry put out his right hand and Colin shook it with his right hand.

"I respect you for seeking me out and admitting your mistakes and even more so for apologizing for them. It takes a lot of courage to admit your mistakes and a lot more to apologize for them. Forgive and move on, " said Harry respectfully.

"Thank you for taking the time to listen to me, Harry, " said Colin gratefully, "I felt like I owed you an apology, so I hung back for a word."

"You're developing into a very competent wizard, Colin, " said Harry encouragingly, "You legitimately performed the Impediment Jinx better than any other member of the D.A. "

"Really?!" piped up Colin.

"Really!" smiled Harry.