The Pensieve

Harry Potter entered Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry gloomily. He felt like something happened while he was at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries and Maladies for a month now, since late April. He went into the Great Hall, expecting another lavish lunch, but was met with a professor-less meal. The students were varied. Almost no one from Gryffindor or Huflepuff or Ravenclaw sat at his or her table. But Harry wasn't pleased to see the entire Slytherin House, sitting at their table, eating excitedly.

"Uh-oh. Something horrible... it must be horrible, if the Slytherins didn't care..." Harry thought. His heart sank. He ran to the window. No one outside. He ran to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

"Ron? Hermione?" No one... not even Moaning Myrtle herself. Repeatedly Harry checked the most obvious places, like the hospital wing (no Madam Pomfrey), the library (no Madam Pince), and even the dungeon. And then, he found himself at Dumbledore's office. Surprisingly, the statue of the gargoyle that usually guarded the office, was pushed aside as if whoever wanted to come could. Harry stepped inside.

"Hello?" he said. Hoping, yet not really, for an answer.

"Come in, Harry Potter," said a mystic voice, that could not be mistaken. Harry opened the door, and indeed found Professor Trelawney, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, Professor Flitwick, Professor Binns, Hagrid, Madam Pomfrey, Madam Pince, Professor Sprout, Ron and the entire Weasley family (minus Percy), but no Hermione or Professor Dumbledore. Professor Lupin (he came back as their Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in their sixth year and came back again this year) was looking deeply sadden. Next to him, was the entire Order of the Phoenix (with Fawkes, Dumbledore's pet phoenix) perched upon Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody.

"Professor McGonagall, where's Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked. It seemed as though the floor dropped a foot, and the females of the room sobbed, and Arthur Weasley sighed. Ron looked at Harry, and for the first, had a single tear in his right eye.

Without saying a word, Professor Minerva McGonagall pulled open the black sheet that Harry had not noticed before, and there lied Professor Albus Dumbledore. Harry was too shock to speak. In his mind, flashed all of the times Dumbledore helped Harry, including two years ago, when Harry faced expulsion for creating a secret organization to learn countercurses, he saved him from Dolores Umbridge. Harry felt like he had lost his father for a second time. Hermione burst into the room, clutching a small note. She beckoned Harry outside, and Ron followed.

"Harry, Harry, Harry!!! Hedwig delivered this note--it's from Dumbledore!!" Hermione said, almost out-of breath.

"Hermione, where have you been?" said Ron, blushing.

"I don't think this is the right time. I mean, Dumbledore was like a father to Harry and he probably won--"

"Tell me what?"

"Read the note," said Hermione, firmly.

"But first--"

"Read the note."

"Okay, okay..." Harry opened the small note, and begin to read. As he read, he began walking towards Gryffindor Tower.

Dear Harry, I do not think that I will make it to the day of your return, but there is much to be said. I apologize for not being able to help you unravel the mystery of my gift to you. You fill find on your bed a basin, but not just an ordinary basin--this is a Pensieve. Three years ago, we were discussing the many mysteries of my Pensieve. However, Harry, this is not my Pensieve. This belonged to Lily Potter. I promised her I would not give this to you until your graduation, but I'm afraid that will be too late... USE IT WELL... Signed, Albus Dumbledore.

"Ron, Hermione... a Pensieve? From my mother?" Harry said, in deep amazement. He ran all the way to Gryffindor Tower, and had to wait for Ron and Hermione to catch up for he did not know the password. Harry Potter found on his bed, the Pensieve of Lily Potter, his late mother...