The night before the students were to arrive, they held a party. Granted, it was not so much of a party as it was a gathering of the Hogwarts staff in the Great Hall to chat and drink wine, but Harry found it to be enjoyable nonetheless. He especially enjoyed the drinking of wine.
"How many glasses has that been?" asked Bathsheda with gray eyes like dinner plates.
"The boy can hold his liquor," admitted Ogg with grudging respect.
"Is he even legal yet?" whispered Herbert.
The target of the comments was blissfully unaware. Harry was always most agreeable (and entertaining) after consuming copious amounts of alcohol. Currently, he was attempting to waltz with Yuuko. Though, it was not so much waltzing as it was leaning heavily on the woman, stumbling about, and humming Schubert loudly.
"I believe you have had a little too much wine, Harry," commented Dumbledore.
"Perhaps we should step outside," suggested Yuuko, who felt that her feet had been crushed a sufficient number of times tonight.
Harry blinked endearingly, "Out...side?"
"Yes," she said patiently, "to get some fresh air." And to cool your head, she added mentally.
"Okay, I'll race you!" he replied happily.
With this parting challenge, he ran down the hall, whooping all the way. Yuuko arched her eyebrows at an amused Dumbledore as if to say, what can you do?, lifted her skirts, and followed.
She found him at the Astronomy Tower, staring morosely at the starless skies - a severe shift from the exuberance he showed just minutes before.
Harry spoke suddenly, "Do you believe in second chances?"
The question unexpectedly hit home, and Yuuko took a moment to select the right words.
"Some people," she said carefully and slowly, "may very well never change, and it hurts to hope for what seems impossible. But if we do not give them the opportunity, they will be deprived of even the chance to change. I personally believe that it is never too late for redemption."
It was more than she had been planning to reveal about herself, but the new DADA teacher remained quiet. Finally he said with a dry smile, "Thanks Yuuko. Not as fortune-cookie confusing as you could have been. Give me a second? I need to think a few things over."
The witch obliged, turning to leave. Yuuko only glanced back once on her way out. Harry's silhouette looked so lost that it made her seldom-used heart twinge. They were just too similar.
Perhaps one day, she too would be able to return home. After all, it had been so many years, and didn't everyone deserve a chance for forgiveness?
How am I supposed to act tomorrow? Harry wondered miserably. Voldemort had murdered countless people, never showing a smidgen of remorse to the very end. The list of casualties was abominable: Mum, Dad, Cedric, Sirius, and many, many more. Harry should do the world a favor as their "Savior" and nip Tom Marvolo Riddle in the bud while he could. It would prevent so much loss and tragedy from happening if Voldemort never got the chance to become Voldemort. But a quiet voice in the back of his head insisted, No.
He's a monster, Harry argued.
Not yet, it whispered, he has not done anything yet. His soul is tarnished but unbroken.
The green-eyed wizard's brow furrowed in contemplation. Tom Marvolo Riddle would be going into his...fifth year? His eyes widened. That would mean he still hadn't opened the Chamber of Secrets or killed his father and grandparents. There had been no casualties yet!
But, Harry reminded himself, Tom Riddle had already exhibited his penchant for abusing magic on Muggles, already recruited his soon-to-be Death Eaters...
He buried his head in his arms and sighed, heartsick and conflicted.
What am I going to do?
SPECIAL TREAT: To make up for the long wait, heeeere's Tommy! And co.
Tom Riddle could not sleep. He was far too...excited, loathe as he was to be experiencing such a childish emotion. It could not be helped. Classes resumed tomorrow, and he longed to return to his true home. Tom belonged at Hogwarts, regardless of the fact that he was forced to spend his summers in a filthy Mudblood orphanage.
The very notion brought a familiar surge of anger, licking bitter and hateful in his chest. It mattered not that he had been reduced to almost begging to stay year-round at the school; Dippet, and more importantly Dumbledore, would not have it. How righteous of them, how correct and rule-abiding. One day Tom would see to it that the Wizarding World's useless laws and order were crushed.
The young wizard reigned in his rage with effort. It was getting more and more difficult to do so every time. Some days, he didn't even want to try; he wanted to let go and see everything burn to the ground, ashes to ashes. Tom took a calming breath and mentally chanted the mantra that had gotten him through the past few months.
Two more years, two more years, two more years-
Till the end of this age...and the beginning of a new era.
Minerva McGonagall, more commonly known as "Minnie", could not sleep. She was surprisingly sensible for a teenager and knew that the first day jitters were pointless and irrational. It would be wisest to obtain a good night's sleep for the busy day she'd have tomorrow. But tell that to her traitorous body - the tingling sensation in her fingers, the persistent tug at the corner of her lips, and the pounding of her heart remained.
Every time Minnie returned to Hogwarts was like the first time. The castle was the most wondrous and magical place in the whole world, and although it was a little babyish of her, one day she hoped to teach at the school. Perhaps, if she were very very lucky, beside a certain Transfiguration professor? She blushed at the thought of the auburn-haired wizard. Yes, he was quite a bit older than her, but he wasn't nearly as ancient as her friends' teasing would suggest!
But it'd be useless to wish or worry if she was exhausted the next day. Glancing at the softly glowing clock on her bedside - midnight already?- she closed her eyes and firmly willed herself to sleep. Minnie's last thought was: Oh, blast! I just know I'm going to have that horrid nightmare again; I always do the night before school begins. The one where I forget my books, lose my schedule, and arrive late to Professor Dumbledore's class. Oh, blast...
Rubeus Hagrid slept like a log. He was very tired, having worn himself out with his newest pet - an acromantula he'd named Aragog. Hagrid couldn't bear to leave the poor thing all alone for so long; maybe he'd bring it to Hogwarts after all.
Author's Note: Finally, amiright? Figured you guys deserved *something* for President's Week.
Review please.