Chapter 3 - Journal Entry and Sarcasm (Prompts)

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Harry entered the Great Hall for the first time since he had thrown the Invisibility Cloak over himself and secretly made his way to the Headmaster's Office with Ron and Hermione in tow. Almost collectively, everyone looked up at him. And he found himself unable to look away.

They all looked at him kindly; some with tears in their eyes from mourning their loved ones, and others giving him nods of understanding and respect as he passed by. He couldn't help but feel like he didn't deserve what they thought of him. He was one person after all; one person who had people around him fighting the cause with him. He didn't do it alone, and he wished everyone didn't treat him like he did.

Harry kept his head down as he walked down the halls, taking in everyone who was seated at the long house tables while holding each other in support. Only one person smiled at him encouragingly: Hermione. And his gaze couldn't help but fall on the person who was sitting right next to her. Ginny met his eyes hopefully; her expression causing him to move his gaze away from her and instead focus on the other people within the Hall. He knew that she wanted him to comfort her. But he just couldn't. Not now.

Ron stood up from the Ravenclaw table - where the rest of his family sat - and made his way towards him. "Kingsley wants to see you."

Harry nodded before he looked around the Hall once more. Everyone continued to stare at him, causing him to shift uncomfortably from one foot to the other. At Ron's gesture, he decided to ignore everyone and follow his best friend.

They found Kingsley talking to McGonagall in soft whispers outside in the quart yard. It was the first time in a long time that he saw McGonagall smile at him. It was short, pained, but it was still a smile. "Mr. Potter, I fear we may need you to do something for us."

"What is it Professor?" he asked respectfully, even if all he wanted to do was leave Hogwarts as soon as possible.

Kingsley looked over Harry's shoulder at Ron with a cautious glance before his eyes met Harry's. "We will need you to tell us where you dropped the Resurrection Stone."

Harry simply stared at them incredulously, which caused the two adults to share a look before they turned to face him again.

"We need to ensure that the stone doesn't fall into the wrong hands," Kingsley said strongly.

"I don't understand," Harry mumbled. "It's nothing without the Invisibility Cloak and the Elder Wand. I have the Cloak and the Wand is once again buried. What harm can it do?"

"What harm can it do?" McGonagall questioned outrageously. "Potter, the Resurrection Stone has its own magical properties that can have devastating effects if it falls into the wrong hands."

"Then it's a good thing that it won't then, right Professor?" Harry asked bitingly. He couldn't help but notice how Kingsley looked to the side quickly. Following his gaze, he saw Hermione a fair bit of distance away, waiting for him. As McGonagall started talking, they shared a small smile.

"We need to keep it safe, Potter. Letting the stone lie about in the Forbidden Forest will keep it vulnerable to those who would want to use it for all the wrong things."

"Only a few of us know that it fell in the Forbidden Forest, Professor," argued Harry.

"And there is no guarantee that no one will ever find out and they won't come looking for it."

"I'll make sure not to add its location in my next journal entry then," Harry said sarcastically.

Kinglsey looked at him kindly. "Harry, I know it seems like the stone should just be left alone, but we're trying to make sure that no one who would use the stone for wrong intentions would get their hands on it. We're trying to protect it."

Harry shook his head in disagreement. "I'm sorry but Dumbledore told me I should let it be where it is."

They stared at him in surprise. "He told you?" McGonagall asked him anxiously.

"Yeah," Harry said confidently, "he did."

And with that final statement, he turned to leave. Ron leaned close to whisper, "You do realize that that was a painting, yeah?" Harry simply grinned as his best mate fell into a comfortable step behind him while muttering, "Bloody Brilliant" under his breath.

Once they neared Hermione, she squeezed his arm in support and joined them; walking right beside him as he made his way to the Great Hall. Her very presence was somehow comforting.

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