Puzzle to a Frozen Heart

Chapter 2: Back to Hogwarts

Harry got up at 5:00 am that morning. He was determined to arrive to Hogwarts in time, if not before. But there was a slight problem; he hadn't slept at all. He had stayed all night thinking about this girl, his charge; this Hermione Granger. The name sounded vaguely familiar to him. He could swear that he had heard the name somewhere, quite some time ago, but he couldn't put his finger on where or when this name had pierced his ears. Then again, how many people were named Hermione these days? Nevertheless he decided not to give the subject much thought since he would find out who she was sooner or later anyway.

Harry took a hot shower, hoping that these troubling thoughts would vanish, allowing his mind a bit of relaxation for some time; fat chance. He put on mauve jeans and a black sweater, before running a last minute check on his bags and room just to make sure that he hadn't forgotten anything.

"Oh, well, time to go." Harry sighed, checking his watch. He picked up his bags and headed towards Yoda's office, for a final instruction check.

"Come in," his Jedi master authorized.

"Master, I just came to let you know that I'm ready to go. Everything seems to be in order. Just say the word."

"Very well then. Remember everything that you have learned and be mindful of your feelings Harry. Now get going if you don't want to miss your plane. Good luck and I'll be keeping track of you."

"Thanks. I'll see you." With this said, Harry got out of Yoda's office and made his way to the plane that was going to take him to his home for the next year and a half.

It was exactly 9:30 am when Harry arrived at Hogwarts. It wasn't a pleasant sight, since it brought back so many memories that weren't fit to keep in mind. He had studied his first two years of magical education here, before he had transferred to Dumstrang. Of course, the transfer hadn't been by choice, but because of a little 'incident' at the Chamber of Secrets as he liked to call it that ended his stay in England.

Harry opened the grand doors and took a peak inside. It was bigger than he remembered, not to mention very deserted. Well, of course it would be, since the summer had just begun. He imagined that only Hermione Granger would be in this gigantic structure.

He got out a Hogwarts map to help guide him, since he didn't remember its halls and ways very well. Harry began to make his way around, map safely on hand. But his eyes were not fixed front, instead they were settled on the parchment on which the map was drawn. This position made him fail to notice the black fur ball that was heading exactly towards him.

Bam!

He fell onto the floor that same second, with something attached to his sweater. He tried to pull it off but it seemed to be permanently attached or with no desire to un-attach. He stopped struggling however, when he heard a rather familiar voice:

"Crookshanks! What are you doing?!!! Get off him!!!" Harry looked up to see the source of the voice and his eyes became transfixed at the beautiful young girl that was standing before him.