Chapter 2

When Harry awoke, he found he had not woken up to his alarm clock. In fact, he could not even find his alarm clock. What time was it? He grabbed his clothes and began to change, all the while looking out the window and noticing people on the grounds playing. The sun shined brightly through his rooms and left a glow against the walls. The sun was perfectly lit up in the sky, which made him come to one conclusion.

It must be noon. He grabbed his books in a rush and ran out the door to his rooms. As he went down the stairs of the common room he saw an old dusty clock on the mantle and decided to ignore exactly what it said. In a rush, he ran out the door and started running to the dungeons room. He ignored the odd looks he was receiving as he ran.

Finally getting to the dungeons he barged into the class room with apologies fleeing his lips until he noticed no one in there except the greasy potions master. Snape quirked an eyebrow up and curled the edge of his lip.

"Well Mr. Potter...while I appreciate your enthusiasm to finally not waste your education… I must say that even the staff need their days off from you. Also, the next time you barge in to my rooms, please be sure you are wearing pants." Harry's blood ran cold at the words and dared not look down. He could feel the cool of the dungeons hit skin, and his pale face stood blank as realization hit his heart.

He had run down to the dungeons thinking he was late and hadn't even gotten dressed on a Saturday no doubt. Now he stood before the black cored man and his face began to burn. How many Slytherins had he run past on his way to the dungeons?

"I-I-I'm s-so sorry professor..." Harry stammered as he started backing away slowly all the while noticing the strangest expression on the man before him. Had Snape found amusement in this? Well, of course he had, he loved the misery of students and there was nothing more miserable than Harry Potter running through the school in his boxer shorts. But there was something more hidden behind those dark cold eyes. Sympathy, perhaps? But no, certainly the man before him would rot in hell before ever feeling sympathy for a Potter. Even empathy was far from the man's grasp of humanity.

Harry looked about hoping to find himself to cover himself before leaving the room, all the while the potions master staring at him intently which made him that much more uncomfortable. Finally, bored of the boy in the room Professor Snape spoke up.

" Why don't you use magic to bring your robes to you...unbelievable... chosen one... can't even remember a simple incantation to save you from utter embarrassment. "

Harry thought hard of exactly what spell could help him. Light shining in his eyes, obviously seeing an epiphany somewhere and ran to a window. Then with his arm out the window, wand in hand, he yelled" ACCIO ROBES!"

Moments later, his clothes had flown out of his window and all the way down to the dungeons window. After grasping them, he was about ready to put them on until he realized the other figure in the room was still in the same spot watching him.

"Umm, excuse me sir, is there a closet or something I could dress in?" Snape gave almost a snort.

"Mr. Potter have you forgotten whose rooms you are in? Very well, through that door is a spare room for work. Disturb anything with your snooping and I will personally have you cleaning the dungeon floors for the rest of the year. Do I make myself clear?"

Harry gulped in a fearful way of knowing that Snape was completely serious in this. He went into that room and closed the door behind him only to find large piles of papers on each individual desk. The room looked dark, much like their normal classroom with an odd-looking 8x6 mirror on the wall. It was nicely decorated with the words "You are not alone" written along the bottom of the border. Harry began to get dressed quicker as the mirror was starting to give him the willies.

He buttoned the last one on his robe and opened the door to the classroom. He glanced around with a small curiosity as to where the potions master was only to find he was alone. In this he found solitude and relief in knowing he wouldn't have to be embarrassed by Snape's remarks. He proceeded to leave the room. As he left he never noticed the man in the dark corner staring at him in what seemed to be distress.

Harry Found Ron laying with Hermione by a tree near the lake. The weather seemed cooler than usual with just enough sun to warm you from the gentle breeze. "Hey Harry, where've you been. 'Mione and I have been lookin' for you everywhere!" Ron jumped from his spot on the tree to give Harry some room to sit with them.

"Sorry, slept in and then I thought I had class today. Do you have any idea where my alarm clocks gone?" Ron looked abashed as he held up what seemed to be Harry's alarm clock or what was left of it.

"Sorry mate, it went off at 7 this morning, so I sort of helped it sod off. It was bloody loud so I just tried to quiet it a bit. "Harry gave him a stern look but couldn't help but smile after. It was after all a beautiful day and he had gotten over the worst of it. Now he was able to enjoy this day with people who truly love him. For lunch they had a picnic by the lake and wasted the rest of the day in each other's company.

After the sun started to set, the trio went inside to get a bit of dinner before discussing tonight's adventure of Hogwarts. As they walked into the great hall, they saw the walls decorated with the usual floating candles and lovely stars of the night sky. The tables were bedecked with pumpkin muffins and hot cocoa pies of all sorts. For dinner, turkey body's lay about the tables with baked carrots and potatoes diced and steaming around them.

Harry's eyes gleamed with unadulterated bliss as his belly mewed in delight. What a glorious feast the head master had arranged. They sat at their usual seats and watched in silence as the great headmaster ascended from his seat and began to give announcements for this school year.

"Hello, and welcome to another wonderful year at Hogwarts. As you may know, the dark Lord Voldemort is still at large and I ask that any and all students stay within the grounds of our beloved castle. I would also like to remind you that keeping your letters limited of information would be best for your own safety and to your families as well. The ministry cannot be completely trusted to protect you, so I advise you to be careful. I wouldn't want harm to come to your families from someone outside to read your letters. I would also ask that anyone with any information or on goings in the ministry please report any oddities to me as soon as you are able. Beyond that darkness, there is a light. Even in the darkest of times, you will always find a home in Hogwarts and you will always find people around that love you. Now, I am sure you have watched the turkey's long enough. PROCEED WITH THE FEAST!" As his voice rang the halls, students of all ages and houses all but pounced on the turkey's juicy flesh and sweet potatoes.

Harry himself favored the ham doused in honey and topped with butter garlic. After dinner they went to the Gryffindor common room. Taking place in their favorite spots by the fire, they began to speak of their summers. Ron began to talk about his summer and how he and his father had gone to china via floo powder out of curiosity and accidentally came out of a wizards' home in China town in New York City.

"They were bloody mad, they were. Tried to talk to me in this fast talking language. Blimey, they had great food though."

Hermione rolled her eyes and then told everyone about how this summer her family took a trip to Switzerland to see the beautiful cultural differences.

They then looked at Harry expectantly when Harry gave off a fake yawn and decided it was time for him to go to bed. Hermione opened her mouth as if she wanted to dispute it but decided against it in the end. Harry went up the stairs and when he finally got to bed he realized"...I still don't have an alarm..."

The next morning Harry had taken to the papers about St. Mungo's and was reading about some of the new patients when Ron had joined him at the large table. Ron seemed ill and was pale skinned and gave Harry a very grave look. Harry's stomach began to sink. What had caused Ron to look at him this way? "Harry we need to talk mate..."

Ron got up and gave Harry an expectant look as to follow him. Harry got up and followed Ron to a nearby classroom. Harry sat at one of the desks while Ron gathered his courage. "Harry, Tonks is dead..."