Shadows of Uncertainty

What scared Harry most was the lack of remorse he felt. Yes, he felt bad about what he had done, but not nearly as much as he should. He had managed to convince himself that what he had done was for the better, something he knew to be true. Still, it unsettled Harry that he cared so little about the lives of others, even if the lives in question belonged to rather vile people.

Changing his expression to a confused look, Harry turned to Dean, who continued upon meeting his questioning gaze.

"I don't know if it's true or not, but Seamus said it was in the paper." Dean explained, shrugging.

"What about those Veela though?" said Dean mischievously, before looking at Seamus, "Good ol' Finnigan here couldn't stop himself from drooling. His mum had to hit him over the head with some Irish flags."

The topic remained upon the beautiful Bulgarian mascots for quite sometime, with only Harry noticing the way Hermione sat in the corner, fuming. She eventually told the group that she needed to use the lavatory ten minutes later. Ron, Seamus, and Dean all nodded quickly before continuing to day dream of the Veela. Harry smiled as she left; it hadn't escaped his notice that Hermione had taken her book, as well as her belonging, with her.

The rest of the journey to Hogwarts went by fairly peacefully, especially compared to the dementors and flying cars of the previous occasions. Harry had taken Hedwig out of her cage after a half hour of the journey, feeling bad for leaving her in there. He had intended to have her fly off to Hogwarts as she usually did, although she would not listen to him. She seemed to think that he was incapable of traveling to Hogwarts without getting in some form of danger.

She was certainly correct about that, although Harry chose to ignore that particular fact.

After removing her from her cage, the beautiful snowy owl sat in Harry's lap, snuggling into his chest. He listened quietly as the other Ron, Seamus, Dean, and occasionally Neville talked about all sorts of strange things. He even joined in on their discussions about what event might be happening this year, as well as who the new Defense Professor would be.

The Trolley Witch came by about an hour later, much to the happiness of one Ronald Weasley. Harry, Neville, Dean, and Seamus all purchased Cauldron Cakes, Liquor Wands, Pumpkin Pasties, Chocolate Frogs, boxes of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, and as much else as they could. Ron ended up eating more than anyone else, although nobody commented. Ron was well known around the school not only as Harry's friend, but as the person capable of eating more food than anyone else anyone had ever met.

Harry attempted to feed Hedwig some of the Pumpkin Pasties, although she kept turning her beak in the opposite direction, hooting softly at him. Harry couldn't tell what was wrong; he knew she had to be hungry, as she hadn't eaten recently. Besides, he could feel her stomach grumbling slightly.

He did laugh, however, when Hedwig suddenly started accepting food after he had eaten a fair share. Hedwig had been mothering him again.

Things stayed as they were until they reached Hogsmeade Station, with the only change in consistency being when Malfoy and his goons had entered their compartment.

Malfoy quickly left after Hedwig had bitten him for stealing Harry's food.

She had earned a few extra treats for that.

The five Gryffindor males, along with Hedwig and Trevor (Ron had sent Pigwidgeon off to Hogwarts before they had left the Burrow), departed from the train. Hogsmeade Station was crowded, with all of the Hogwarts students currently standing upon it. The station was slightly rowdy as well, with rain falling harshly onto the heads of the many young witches and wizards.

Harry was somewhat tempted to try and remove the rain, but quickly decided against doing so. For starters, he was almost guaranteed to fail, and more importantly, he had just gotten his magic back; he was not about to lose it.

Harry and Ron both held a portion of their robes above their head, Harry gently moving Hedwig over to his shoulder in the process. They soon met up with Hermione, who was walking with many of the other girls in their year.

Lavender Brown, the Patil twins, Susan Bones, and Hannah Abbot to be more specific. They had all chosen to use their cloaks to protect from the rain as well, although Hermione held her book under her cloak in an attempt to continue reading.

"What took so long in the bathroom?" asked Ron, craning his neck over the unruly crowd to try and find the exit. Harry and Hermione both rolled their eyes, neither bothering to pay the question any attention. The trio slowly made their way over to the exit, and after a quick greeting to Hagrid, began walking toward the carriages.

"Why is Hedwig with you?" asked Hermione, closing the book she had been reading since stepping out of the train.

"She seems to think I can't make the trip to Hogwarts without nearly dying." said Harry, grinning. Hedwig hooted in agreement, nodding her head back and forth. They made their way over to the carriages, but before they could enter, Harry paused.

Standing before the carriages that supposedly moved on their own were two strange looking horses. They were much bonier than the average stallion, and were bone white to match that. They had wings as well. The creatures had a slight resemblance to a hippogriff, although not even Ron could have mistaken the two for the same thing.

"What is that?" asked Harry, pointing at the horse-like creature before him.

"What is what, Harry?" said Hermione, her eyebrows raised higher than usual.

"I - nothing, I suppose. Just a headache again."

Hermione nodded, before she and Ron went into the carriage as well. He followed behind them, Hedwig still resting upon his shoulder. Inside the carriage sat a group of sixth year Ravenclaws. They weren't the same ones Harry had ran into at Diagon Alley, but they also made fun of him often. Harry didn't particularly care at the moment; almost everyone at school had mocked or bullied him at some point or another.

Thankfully, the group of Ravenclaws merely sent a quick glare at the 'Golden Trio', before turning back. Harry could feel Hedwig shifting angrily on his shoulder, but thankfully, she hadn't hooted at the students. Harry turned to Ron and Hermione, and joined in on their discussion about what the special event might be.

They arrived at the Hogwarts gates less than ten minutes later. The trio quickly got out of the carriage before the Ravenclaws could, Harry and Hermione taking care not to get their shoes dirtied by the muddy grass. They made their way over to the wet stone steps that lead into the Great Hall, Harry and Ron ignoring Filch's yells to wipe their feet.

Once Harry had begun his climb up the steps, Hedwig nipped his ear before flying off to the Owlery. The students made their way up the steps and into the Great Hall, many greeting Professor McGonagall as they passed. A few students even stayed back to talk to her, although they sped into the Great Hall upon spotting Peeves flying their way, his hands filled with water balloons.

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