Tangled Fates

Chapter Number: 05
Chapter Name: London Calling

Harry awoke to a sharp rapping on the door that connected his room to Remus’s. He blinked in the bright sunlight that was streaming through his open window. "Yeah?" He mumbled sleepily, sitting up in bed.

"Good morning, Harry!’ Remus cried cheerfully as he burst through the door. "Just checking to make sure you were awake! The train leaves in an hour and a half, so get ready!"

"How can you possibly be so happy this early in the morning?" Harry asked, pulling himself out of bed, stretching slightly.

"It’s the first day of school, Harry. I’m always excited. Anyway, hurry up and get ready so we can get you to the station. I’ll apparate to the school from there."

"All right, all right. I’ll be down in a bit."

Remus smiled and exited as Harry stumbled into the tiny bathroom for his shower. Emerging, hair wet and skin pink from his shower, he dressed quickly, throwing on a pair of olive khaki shorts that fell a little past his knees and an off white long sleeved polo shirt. Slipping on a pair of Birkenstocks, he ran down the stairs to meet Remus for breakfast.

After a filling meal of eggs and bacon, Harry and Remus sat in a taxicab, Harry’s trunk carefully stowed in the trunk, on their way to King’s Cross Station.

When they arrived, Remus helped Harry put his trunk on a trolley and told him just to "run at the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10." Harry didn’t really understand this, but smiled anyway and waved as Remus blinked out of existence.

Breathing deeply, Harry wheeled his trolley around and set off down the train platforms, looking for platform 9. As platform 8, the express to Manchester, passed by, Harry felt his heart give a leap; this was it. He was popular back home, and had always found making friends easy, smiling cheekily at all the girls and cracking jokes with the guys—this would be no different. (It had better not be, or the next couple years at Hogwarts could be quite hellish, indeed.)

Standing off to the side of the platform 10 marker, Harry watched carefully as a tall, red-headed boy and a bushy-haired brunette, after looking furtively on both sides, ran swiftly at the barrier, slipping through the wall in a blink of an eye.

Noticing a willowy girl with the same hair as the boy standing close by, Harry sidled up, parking his trolley beside hers.

"Hello." He said pleasantly, smiling down at her as he ran a hand through his hair, making sure a thick lock fell forward onto his face. "Is this how you get to Hogwarts?"

The girl ran her eyes over in an appraising glance. A slight smile graced her features as she met his eyes. "Yes, it is. I don’t recall seeing you before. Are you new? You look too old to be a first year."

Harry laughed lightly. "Yes, it’s my first year here, although, I believe Professor McGonagall said I’m to be taking fifth year classes for now."

The girl smiled wider. "Really? I’m in the fifth year, too! My name’s Ginny Weasley, what’s yours?"

"Harry Dursley."

Just then, a plump woman with dusty auburn hair bustled up to where Harry and Ginny were standing. "Ginny Weasley! What do you think you are doing? The train leaves in ten minutes and you are standing out here—oh! I didn’t realize you were speaking with someone!" She smiled warmly, shooting a direct Look at her daughter, making Ginny turn crimson. "And just who is your charming new friend?"

Harry smiled brightly, holding out a hand. "My name is Harry Dursley, ma’am, pleased to make your acquaintance. Ginny was just telling me how to get onto the platform. It’s my first year at Hogwarts."

Mrs. Weasley shook Harry’s hand enthusiastically, looking at him with an appraising eye. "It’s wonderful to meet you, Harry dear. You have such a lovely accent! Where are you from? I hope you don’t mind my asking, but you do look rather old to be a first year."

"Well, I was born here in the UK, but my family moved to New Zealand when I was about three. This is my first year at Hogwarts, although I’m to be at a fifth year level at first. Professor McGonagall mentioned something about owls and possibly going to sixth year then."

Mrs. Weasley beamed. "You’re taking your O.W.L.s early? You must be quite the promising student then! My youngest son, Ron, is in his sixth year. Maybe you’ll be in some of his classes."

"Maybe." Harry grinned. "Well, I better get going. I need to find a seat on the train. It was very nice to meet you, Mrs. Weasley. Ginny, maybe I’ll see you around school?"

Ginny nodded as her mother cried, "Good bye, dear!"

As Harry pushed through the barrier, the last thing he heard was Mrs. Weasley remarking loudly how that was just the sort of boy she should be going after—and ever so handsome too!

Chuckling inwardly, Harry moved through the throng of people pushing trunks just like his own. He moved along the train, searching for a vacancy and not really looking where he was going. With a jolt, the corner of his trunk banged hard into a trolley parked in front of a softly kissing couple, in fact, the same two he’d seen dashing towards the barrier only minutes before, sending their trunks crashing to the floor.

Groaning loudly, Harry moved to pick them up. "Oh, man, I’m so sorry! I wasn’t watching where I was going and—"

A loud angry voice cut him off. "Hey! What do you think you’re doing?"

Harry stood abruptly, drawing himself to his full height. He stood a little taller than the boy and he used this, looking down slightly at his adversary. "I said I was sorry. It was an accident. I didn’t mean to hit your trunk."

"Listen buddy, you look like you’re new here so I’ll let you slide this time, okay? As long as you don’t want any trouble, I’d suggest keeping to yourself for a bit." The boy smirked as he looked hard at Harry. The girl on his arm looked down, almost as if she were embarrassed to have her boyfriend act in such a manner.

Harry met the boy’s smug stare with a steely look of his own. Laughing, he remarked, "Oh, yes. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind." He rolled his eyes. "We certainly think highly of ourselves, don’t we?" He finished in a small whisper, reorganizing his trunk.

The boy shook off his girlfriend, advancing towards Harry menacingly. "What did you say?"

"Oh, get over yourself! I said I was sorry and let’s just leave it at that."

The boy’s clear blue eyes narrowed to a steely gray. "I don’t think you know who you’re talking to."

Harry leaned against the wall, putting a hand in his pocket, knowing that he was seriously infuriating this kid with his cavalier attitude. He loved it. Back home, Harry, although never a bully, had always been the ringleader of his group of friends—and he was definitely prepared to "rise through the ranks" here. "I don’t think you know who you’re dealing with, either."

The girl placed a hand on the boy’s arm. "Ron!" she said loudly. "Come on."

"Hold on, Hermione!" he thundered. "I’m not finished welcoming the new kid."

Harry turned to the girl. "Hello, Hermione. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Harry." He held out his hand, which Hermione awkwardly took. "Hi, Harry." She said quickly.

"Ron?" he turned to the boy, thinking hard. "Where have I heard that name lately?"

"What?"

Harry remembered, matching the name with the familiar hair. "Oh! You’re Ginny’s older brother, aren’t you? Your mother mentioned you when I saw them just before."

"My mother? What are you doing talking to my mother?"

"Ginny was telling me how to get onto the train and your mother came to talk with us."

"You better stay away from Ginny if you know what’s good for you."

"Well, I don’t know if I can stick to that, Mr. Weasley. Your sister is quite the lovely young woman. But, I must be off. Hermione, dear, it was lovely to meet you. Ron, have a wonderful day. I’ll be sure to see you later."

He turned on his heel and continued down the train, laughing as he heard Ron start after him and Hermione yelling sharply for him to "turn around and leave Harry alone."

Harry stopped in front of an empty-looking compartment. Pushing the door open, he began wheeling his trunk inside. Suddenly, a pretty girl with black hair and a surprisingly familiar face sat up quickly. Harry jumped.

"I’m sorry! I didn’t realize this compartment was taken—"

"It’s all right, Harry. You can sit with me if you’d like."

"Thanks." Harry beamed. "You’re Cho, aren’t you?"

She smiled weakly. "You remembered."

"Of course. It’s not often I forget a pretty face."

Cho blushed as Harry sat down across from her. "I really want to thank you for being patient with me that day. Not many guys would have just let me cry like that."

Harry waved a hand. "Really, it was no trouble."

They sat in silence for a while as the train began to move.

"So..." They both said together. Harry burst out laughing, as did Cho.

"Why don’t you tell me about yourself, Harry? I think that we could be great friends, and usually friends get acquainted with each other."

Harry smiled awkwardly. This was the part he was kind of worried about—his past. "Well, there’s really not too much to tell. From all accounts, I was born in a little town in Wales, although my parents were both British. We all lived in Surrey for a bit, then when I was about three we moved to New Zealand to start up a sugarcane plantation."

"Pardon me for asking, but did you say your parents were British?"

"Um, yeah. They died in a car crash when I was little. I live with my aunt and uncle now. They’re Muggles, and they didn’t know that my parents have had me down for Hogwarts since I was little. I’ve been going to a Muggle prep school all this time. Professor Lupin shows up this summer saying all this stuff about magic and how I should have been at school for four years already, and that’s why I’m just coming now."

"I’m sorry about your parents, Harry."

"It’s all right. I don’t remember them anyway, and my uncle and I get on well."

"Well, that’s good. What was it like being in a Muggle school, then? I’ve never been."

"I don’t know. It’s just normal, I guess. We took classes and played sports, although, half the time I spent at University taking these special lessons, so I’m really not one to say much about the benefits of a regular education."

"Why were you at the university?"

"It was better for me there. I just always caught on to school quickly and was always more advanced than the rest of my classmates. I was taking physics, calculus, literature, and a couple languages on a university level. Always felt kind of weird about that, but my friends were cool with it, so it was okay."

"Wow. You must be really smart then."

"I don’t know. I just like to learn things. I was one of those kids who always liked to go to school. Bit of an idiot, really. But I was captain of the basketball team, all conference in track, and shortstop on the baseball team, so don’t go thinking I’m just a bookworm!"

Cho laughed. "You’re an athlete, too?"

Harry nodded. "I’ll miss not being able to play, but Professor Lupin said something about Quidditch teams. I’d actually like to try out for one of those. Do you play, Cho?"

Cho sobered. "I did, but not anymore."

Harry sensed her darkened mood. Carefully, he asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Cho looked pained. "I was injured last year. I’ll get better, but it’ll be years before I’m back on a broomstick."

"What happened? Forgive me if I’m pressing too hard."

"No, it’s all right. This is the first time I’ve ever talked about this, you know? It’s difficult." She wiped at her eyes. "It’s just that--when Cedric ran out of the school, I saw him. I chased after him, but when I was running, a spell hit me; I fell down a hill and damaged my back. I just can’t fly anymore, not until all the scar tissue heals, which could take years according to Madame Pomfrey."

Harry let out a low whistle. "I’m really sorry, Cho. I would have liked to see you fly."

She smiled tearfully. "I was a seeker. I loved it, too. More than I’ve ever really loved anything before. The team is letting me stay on as honorary coach, though, so I’ll still be involved."

"Ravenclaw."

"That’s the house my mum was in. My dad was a Gryffindor, though."

"Gryffindor’s a good house, although some of them are just downright stuck-up sometimes. Oh, how I would have loved to beat the pants off of that smug Ron Weasley this year!"

"What is the matter with him, anyway? I ran into him in the hallway before and he nearly took my head off!"

"He was an all right kid, but he’s got the biggest ego in the world! He made the Gryffindor team and it immediately went to his head. Was a decent chaser, but somehow, he got it into his head that he’d be a great seeker, like his brother, Charlie. He can fly well, I’m not saying that, but he doesn’t have the speed or agility to be a seeker. To top it off, during the war, his father rose quickly though the Ministry and is tipped to be the next Minister of Magic. Weasley thinks he’s God’s gift to Earth and it shows. It’s a shame, really. His family truly is the nicest you’ll ever meet. My mother and Mrs. Weasley were roommates at Hogwarts, so I spent a lot of time with the Weasley crowd when I was growing up. Ron was always a little off, though. Always seemed like he had something to prove to everyone."

"Yeah, I met Ginny and Mrs. Weasley and they were perfectly nice to me."

"Oh, they are! Fred and George, too! They’re twins, graduated last year, both two of my best friends—and two of the funniest people I’ve ever met. Ginny’s all right, too. Always really good to talk to. It’s just Ron. Like I said, it’s like he has something to prove and is going about it all wrong. He’s the leader of this group of Gryffindor boys, always pulling stuff on people. Sometimes they go too far, though. Last year, they put blue dye in all the tea, so everyone who drank it had blue teeth for a week. Turns out that this one girl, Hermione Granger, was allergic to something in the dye and almost died. They got in so much trouble for that. The strange thing is that now Ron and Hermione are dating. Would never have seen that coming, not after that prank."

"Ugh. I’ve had enough of Ron Weasley for one day; let’s talk about something else. I told you all about me, now you tell me about you."

Cho began to speak, her eyes lighting up, telling of summers spent in Hong Kong at her grandfather’s and her favorite things. They talked for hours, really connecting. Harry knew he had found a life-long friend in Cho Chang and was glad for it.

The lady selling magical sweets had been by twice and the seats were littered with chocolate frog wrappers and the worst specimens of a bag of Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavor Beans. The door to their compartment swung open then, and a group of girls stood, gaping in the doorway, looking on as Harry and Cho were both clutching their sides, absolutely howling at Harry’s description of what life as like once the overly-friendly Serena Feliciano had set her sights on you. It was minutes before they regained their composure and noticed they had company.

Cho sat up, hastily wiping her eyes, still shaking with mirth. "Oh—hey, everyone. This is Harry." She said, pointing at Harry, who still hadn’t faced the gaggle of teenaged girls standing at the entrance to his compartment, currently being curled up on the seat, face down.

At Cho’s words, Harry sprung around, sitting up quickly, smoothing out his shirt. "Hello." He said pleasantly, cracking a slight half-smile that he knew was a guaranteed winner.

Cho’s friends were silent, staring, some open-mouthed, at Harry. A girl with long strawberry blonde hair shot Cho a look. "We, uh, came to see how you were doing, but it appears that you’re adjusting quite well. We’ll be, uh, leaving now." She nodded to her friends and they began to exit, before Harry stopped them.

"You don’t have to leave—stay and talk with Cho and me for a bit. She was just going to tell me what life’s like at Hogwarts so I don’t make too big of a prat of myself once school starts. I’d love to hear your opinions, too." He smiled again, and the girls smiled back, smitten.

The strawberry-blonde girl spoke again. "All right then." She sat down next to Harry, smiling smugly at her friends who scattered about the compartment.

"Cho?" Harry asked. "Would you care to introduce me to these lovely ladies?"

Cho fought back a grin. "Certainly. This one here is Melissa." She said, pointing to the strawberry-blonde sitting next to Harry. "And this is Brittany, Phoebe, Janice, Katie, and Padma. Padma’s got a twin sister in Gryffindor, so don’t get confused. Everyone, this is Harry Dursley. He’s just moved here from New Zealand."

"It’s nice to meet you all." Harry said, looking around the compartment. "Are you all Ravenclaws, like Cho?"

The girl Cho had called Phoebe spoke up. "Yes, we are. Cho, Melissa, Katie and I are all seventh years, but Britt, Katie, and Padma are all in their sixth. What about you?"

"I think I’m a fifth year right now, although, Professor McGonagall said that after I take my O.W.L.s, I’ll probably be moving up to sixth year."

"McGonagall’s letting you take the O.W.L.s early? Why?" Padma interjected.

"Well, I think it’s because that if I had been at Hogwarts all this time, I would be in my sixth year, but since I wasn’t, I’m a little behind and need to catch up a bit before getting to where I should be."

"That’s weird. What school were you at in New Zealand? I know there’s at least two down there."

"Oh, I didn’t go to any magic school. I didn’t even know I was magic until Professor Lupin came and told me last month!"

The girls gaped at him. "Then how did you get up to fifth year level already?" Katie asked. "If you’re Muggleborn, then you couldn’t know any of the spells or anything yet!"

Harry laughed slightly. "I’ve been at Hogwarts for a month already. Professors Lupin, Snape, and Gudgeon have been tutoring me privately so I won’t be too far behind. I’m not Muggleborn, either. My mum and dad were magic, but they died when I was little, so I went to live with my aunt and uncle."

"Wow. You had private lessons with Professor Snape? What was that like? He’s brilliant!" Brittany asked.

Harry scowled. "Are you crazy? It was horrible. I have never met anyone with a more horrible disposition than Professor Snape."

The girls looked taken aback. "Are you serious? Professor Snape’s always perfectly nice to everyone! Ever since he’s got the Dark Arts post, that is." Cho said.

"Not to me. All he did was pick on everything I did."

"That’s odd."

The compartment was quiet for a bit. Harry looked around, noticing Melissa staring at him. Blushing as he caught her eye, she spoke. "What was your name again? You look very familiar."

Harry paled. "Um, it’s Harry Dursley." He said quickly, stressing the "Dursley".

Melissa looked at him strangely. "I don’t recognize your name, but honestly, something is so familiar about you!"

The rest of the girls stared at Harry intensely. Harry felt himself begin to fidget under their gazes.

Hastily, he changed the subject. "Well, how about someone tells me how I’ll get sorted then?"

And they were off, chattering madly about hats and changing staircases and Peeves and Hogsmeade. Time flew by quickly, and soon enough, the conductors voice came over the train, warning everyone that they’d be at school in five minutes time.

Harry began to get nervous as he left the compartment so they girls could change into their uniforms, being the first one off the train as it came to a stop at Hogsmeade Station. Seeing Hagrid’s bulking figure, Harry hurried over to him, tapping him on the shoulder. "Hey, Hagrid!"

Hagrid spun around, startled, before realizing who his assailant was. "Harry! What’re yeh doin’ off the train, an’ not even dressed yet!"

Harry looked down, only then realizing that he was still dressed in his shorts and polo shirt. "Uh, oh. I forgot to change! Hagrid, can I change on the train quick enough?"

"I dunno, Harry. Yeh could try, but I’ve gotta get these firs’ years up ta the castle ta be sorted. Yeh know how to get there. Just come on up when yeh’re done. I’ll tell Professor Lupin yeh’ll be a little late."

Harry smiled. "Thanks, Hagrid. I’ll be right there."

He turned away from Hagrid, dashing through the crowds of people clustering on the platform and hurtling back onto the train. He flew through the hallway, searching for the compartment that he had shared with the Ravenclaws. Finally recognizing his trunk, he ran in and threw up the top, ripping off the packaging that encased his robes.

Hurriedly, he changed, adjusting his plain black tie and fastening his robes as he rushed back to the platform; it was deserted.

He knew it was a good ten minute walk from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts, and so, thinking madly about how to get there quicker, Harry got a brilliant idea: McGonagall had said that he was a natural animagus—and what better a time to use his powers than the present?

He flapped his newly formed wings, pushing himself off the ground. His flight was easy, his wings sculpting and molding the air to propel him faster and faster towards the school, gleaming like a diamond set atop the cliffs.

He approached the grounds and set down, hastily willing himself to resort to his natural form. An anomalous tickle ran over his skin as his plumage glimmered and faded, becoming normal, smooth flesh. Not even stopping to congratulate himself on the feat he’d just accomplished, he picked himself up from the ground, and ran at full speed towards the castle. As he passed the window, he could see five or six first years still standing in line, watching their new classmates being sorted.

He threw open the large oak door and bolted inside. As his footfalls clattered upon the smooth stone floors, he could hear Professor Lupin’s voice, magically enhanced, echoing out from the hall. "We are delighted to have a new student come to us, all the way from New Zealand. I have been informed that he will be a little late, and so while we wait, our Headmistress would like to say a few words."

There was thunderous applause as McGonagall’s voice began to resonate over the school. Harry ran faster, determined to reach the hall.

He flung the doors open, running inside, stopping abruptly as he realized that McGonagall had cut off her speech, and her eyes, along with every other pair in the hall, was trained on him.

Breathing heavily, he walked quickly up to the front of the hall, trying to ignore the whispers that followed him. "Sorry about that, Professor." He said meekly, catching McGonagall’s thunderous gaze.

Professor Lupin then spoke, breaking the tension. "Well, since he’s here now, I’d guess he’d like to be sorted. Harry, if you please." He motioned to a tiny stool with a decrepit looking hat set upon it. He walked steadfastly towards the hat, catching sight of Cho at the Ravenclaw table who gave him a subtle thumbs-up, and trying to ignore the snickers that were emitting from Ron Weasley’s end of the Gryffindor table.

He plucked the hat off the stool and sat down, placing it on his head. The brim fell over his eyes, obscuring his vision, and the last thing he saw was curious stares from all over the hall.

"Well, well, well! What do we have here?" A small voice echoed in his ear.

Harry started, obviously shocked that he hat was speaking to him. "Um, my name’s Harry Dursley." He said quietly.

"Do you lie to everyone, or is it just me?" the hat asked. "I know who you are, Harry Potter. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time."

"Um." Harry said eloquently.

"Of course. I’ve been wondering where to put you for quite sometime now. Your blood screams Gryffindor, or course, but I have a feeling that that’s not the place for you right now. I can sense something in you; something that wishes to control, but cannot. You most definitely are not Slytherin material."

"What do you mean there’s something inside me?" Harry asked indignantly.

"I sense something, another presence within you. I do not wish to nurture it. Now, then, let me think. You are not a Hufflepuff, too outspoken for that, most definitely. Ravenclaw, perhaps. You’re quite intelligent, you know. Amazing power, as well. Let me ask you something, Mr. Potter, where would you like to go?"

Harry laughed aloud, "You’re asking me? I thought this was your job!"

The hat sounded affronted. "It’s just a simple question, Mr. Potter. There is no one quite like you, I must say. You’re too smart for your own good, and I can see more power in you that I’ve ever seen before. You have the power to be great, there’s no doubt about that. But we must find the perfect place for you."

"The blood of Gryffindor runs in your veins, as does the blood of the great Merlin, himself. You are definitely a child of Avalon, Mr. Potter. You are fiercely independent, however, you do not want to be known for what you are, but rather, who you are. It’s a very admirable thing."

"So where should I go?"

"If I were to disregard what your blood tells me, I would say Ravenclaw. You are sharp-witted and kind. You would fit in well there. In Gryffindor, you might find some problems—you don’t take kindly to being second best, and you’d have to fight a bit, but you’d be all right in the end. You’re a bred Gryffindor, but right now, it does not seem like the best choice for you."

"Then put me in Ravenclaw. I don’t mind."

"Ravenclaw? There is some Ravenclaw blood in you, as well. Did you know that? Yes, I do think that RAVENCLAW would suit you nicely. Now, go, Mr. Potter. We all expect a lot from you."

Harry took the hat off and scanned the crowd. The Ravenclaw table was standing and cheering madly, while the others clapped politely. Harry hurried over, finding a seat next to Cho. "I guess we’re housemates, now!" He said happily to her.

"I’m so glad, Harry! I know you’ll love it in Ravenclaw. It’s a great house. I have to ask you though, what was the hat talking to you about? You were up there for a good five minutes!"

"Just didn’t know where to put me that’s all."

"Well, I’m glad you’re with me. We’re the best house, really. Always have the best marks. Now, you can sit with me at the Quidditch matches!"

"Sure." Harry looked around, noting that there were a lot of eyes of the female persuasion were trained on him still. "Cho," he whispered. "Why are all these girls staring at me still?"

Cho laughed. "You’re the new kid, and quite dishy, I might add, not that you didn’t already know that from the way you acted on the train. Be prepared. It’s open season on you."

"Oh, really?" Harry laughed.

"Yes, really! You’re a mystery to everyone here, and when they all hear your charming accent, they’ll all fall harder. Oh, come off it! You know you’re good-looking!"

"That may be, but I just wanted to hear you say it." He smiled sweetly at her.

"Oh, is that your game, Dursley?" Her eyes narrowed.

"You better watch out, Cho. I win every time."

The two glared at each other for a second before bursting out in great peals of laughter, drawing some jealous glances Cho Chang’s way. They fell silent as McGonagall began to speak again.

"Well, now that everyone’s been sorted," she glanced at Harry, who blushed, "let the feat begin!"

Platters full of scrumptious looking delicacies appeared on the tables, sending a general cheer up from each of the houses. Harry loaded up his plate with a large jacket potato and a thick slice of roast beef, drowned in gravy. The Hall was bustling with conversation as everyone settled down for the beginning of a great year.

After all the food had been eaten and plates cleared, Professor McGonagall stood once again, clearing her throat. "Welcome back to a wonderful year at Hogwarts! As we all know, this is my first year as Headmistress, due to the tragic loss of our beloved headmaster, Albus Dumbledore." The hall was deathly quiet and sadness was etched on the students’ faces as they remembered their headmaster. "I would like to ask you all to join me in a moment of silence for all of the gallant souls who gave their lives in the defeat of the Dark Lord." Tears ran freely now, especially amongst the Hufflepuffs, who thought of brave Cedric Diggory who risked everything. Cho had buried her head in her hands, sobbing quietly.

Harry was overcome with an immense feeling of grief—all of these people, lives changed forever by one twisted and evil man. His own parents came to mind as a solitary tear traced his cheek. He knew it wasn’t his fault, but he couldn’t help but think that if he had been here, perhaps Cedric never would have died. Perhaps Dumbledore wouldn’t have had to sacrifice himself. He shook his head; it was no good trying to change the past—but he would do all he could to make sure that no one would ever cry over one of Voldemort’s victims again.

It was a very somber crowd that listened as McGonagall addressed the rules and regulations for the upcoming school year. Everyone gave a half-hearted laugh as the ghosts flew in, everyone of them muttering about something Peeves had done to the kitchens. Finally, they were dismissed. It was late, and time for bed.

Harry followed Cho through the school, making sure to memorize the path they took. She stopped in front of a large navy blue tapestry, embroidered with gold. "This is how we get into our common room, Harry. It looks just like a regular tapestry, but it’s only pretending. Britt told me the password; she’s a prefect. Dittany."

The tapestry lifted up, revealing a short flight of stairs covered in a plushy blue carpet. Cho led the way up the stairs and into a large circular room, fully decked out in comfortable looking blue couches and armchairs, situated around a freestanding hearth in the middle of the room. It was a very cozy looking room, with the fire spreading warmth and light to all sides of the space.

Cho pointed up a staircase that led off the common room. "Boys’ dorms are up that way. Your trunk should be up there already, so don’t worry about that."

Harry turned to look at her. "Cho, are you all right? You seem...different."

She crumpled. "I can’t stop thinking about Cedric."

Harry put his hands on her shoulders, looking her straight in the eye. "Listen to me: it is not your fault. You cannot keep blaming yourself. I know it’s hard, but you have to remember that you cannot change the past, only the future. Believe me, if I could, I’d be the first one to go back and fix things, but I can’t, and you can’t either!"

"I know that, Harry! But it’s hard not to think that I could have done something and didn’t! Don’t you talk to me about fixing things, Harry Dursley! You have no idea what I’ve been through this past year and—" she broke off, falling into Harry’s arms, crying her heart out. Harry held her as he did before, just letting her cry.

"I know, I know. It’s okay." He soothed, as heart-breaking sobs wracked her thin body.

And they sat that way in front of the dying fire, deep into the night, watching the burnt orange glow reflect off falling teardrops, and thinking of the future.

* * * * *