On the next Sunday morning at Hogwarts, the sun had already risen, casting soft beams of light through the windows of Gryffindor Tower. Most students were already gone from the dormitory to the Great Hall for breakfast. The clock on the bedside table read 9:08 am. This was probably the first time Harry was yet to wake up. Usually he would be up by 6 am at the latest, but today he was still in his bed, tossing and turning. It seemed like he was having a weird dream of some sorts and weird the dream was.
In the dream, Harry found himself in a realm unlike any he had ever seen before. The surroundings were shrouded in darkness, with only dim shadows obscuring his vision. Unease prickled at his skin as he navigated through the murky place, a sense of dread settling heavy in the air.
His footsteps echoed faintly against the shadowy ground as he walked, the feeling of fear gnawing at his insides. It was as though unseen eyes were watching his every move, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
As Harry ventured deeper into the darkness, he suddenly came upon a clearing within the shadowland. At its center stood an imposing altar, its ancient stone surface weathered and worn by time. Harry approached cautiously, his heart pounding in his chest.
It was then that he saw it—a magnificent white dragon emerging from the darkness, its scales shimmering with an brilliant glow. Despite its beauty, Harry felt a surge of terror grip him as he met the dragon's piercing gaze. It was a gaze that seemed to penetrate his very soul, filling him with a sense of dread unlike anything he had ever known.
Before Harry could react, the dragon unleashed a powerful blast of its breath, sending waves of heat and energy hurtling toward him. Harry stumbled backward, his senses overwhelmed by the sheer force of the attack. He could feel the searing heat licking at his skin, threatening to consume him whole.
With a startled cry, Harry was suddenly jolted awake, his body drenched in sweat and his heart racing in his chest. He blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the remnants of the dream that still clung to his consciousness.
Slowly, Harry realized that he was back in his dormitory at Hogwarts, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of the castle. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heartbeat as he attempted to make sense of the unsettling dream.
Despite his best efforts to push the memory from his mind, Harry couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered within him. Why was he having these weird dreams? Sometimes he didn't remember the dream... Then sometimes like today he was killed in the dream... What did these dreams mean? And why was he the one having them? Did it have anything to do with his past life or the fact that he transmigrated?
With his mind still consumed by the vivid remnants of his unsettling dream, Harry dragged himself out of bed and made his way to the bathroom. The hot water falling over body did little to ease away the lingering sense of dread that had settled deep within his bones. As he scrubbed away the remnants of sleep, his thoughts continued to swirl with questions and uncertainty.
After the shower, Harry dressed mechanically, his movements automatic as he pulled on a t-shirt, jeans and a pair of shoes. Subconsciously he still remembered about the fact that he was about to take Ron and Hermione to his home today but his mind was elsewhere, lost in the murky depths of his dream and the unsettling feelings it had evoked. He barely registered the familiar routine of getting ready for the day, his thoughts consumed by the images of that dragon and it's breath.
With a heavy sigh, Harry trudged out of the bathroom and into the Gryffindor common room. The warm glow of the fire cast flickering shadows across the room, but Harry hardly noticed. His gaze was distant, unfocused, as he absently made his way towards the couch, his mind still lost in the labyrinth of his thoughts.
Unbeknownst to him, Ron and Hermione were sitting in the common room, their voices calling out to him. But Harry was oblivious to their presence, his attention consumed by the echoes of his dream. He sat down onto the couch, lost in his thoughts.
Ron and Hermione both puzzled by Harry's lack of reaction to their calling his name, exchanged concerned glances before making their way over to him. Ron reached out and shook Harry gently, hoping to jolt him out of his reverie.
"Harry? Mate, are you alright?" Ron's voice was filled with concern as he watched Harry with furrowed brows.
Startled, Harry blinked rapidly, his mind snapping back to the present. He looked up at Ron and Hermione, their faces hovering above him with worried expressions.
"Huh? Oh, hey guys," Harry mumbled, his voice slightly distant as he struggled to shake off the remnants of his dream. "Sorry, I... I guess I was lost in thought."
Hermione frowned, her concern deepening. "Are you sure you're alright, Harry? You seem a bit... off."
Harry nodded, forcing a weak smile. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just had a weird dream, that's all."
Ron raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Weird dream, huh? Want to talk about it?"
Harry hesitated, unsure of how to put his thoughts into words. "It was... strange. I was in this dark place, and there was this dragon... I don't know, it's hard to explain."
Hermione's eyes widened with interest. "A dragon? What kind of dragon?"
Harry shrugged, his brow furrowed in thought. "I'm not sure. It was beautiful, but... menacing. And then it attacked me with its breath, and I woke up."
Ron whistled lowly, impressed. "Sounds intense, mate. Maybe it's just stress from all the quidditch practice. You've been spending a lot of time in the pitch lately."
Harry nodded, grateful for Ron's attempt to rationalize his dream. "Yeah, maybe you're right. Thanks, Ron."
Hermione studied Harry for a moment longer, her expression thoughtful. "Well, if you need to talk about it, we're here for you, Harry. Don't hesitate to let us know if something's bothering you."
Harry smiled gratefully at his friends, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders at their words of support. "Thanks, Hermione. I appreciate it."
"So are you ready to go?" Ron asked, his voice pulling Harry out of his thoughts.
Harry blinked, finally noticing that both Ron and Hermione were dressed for an outing. Ron sported jeans and a maroon t-shirt, while Hermione wore jeans and a pink t-shirt.
"Where are we going?" Harry asked, feeling a pang of guilt for not paying attention earlier.
Ron and Hermione exchanged surprised glances, clearly taken aback by Harry's forgetfulness. He was usually not the forgetful type at all, and it seemed that the dream had affected him more than he had let on.
"You told us that we would go to your house and the Burrow," Hermione explained gently. "But it's okay if you don't feel like going. We can go there some other day..."
Harry's heart sank at Hermione's words. He had completely forgotten about their plans to visit his home and the Burrow. Guilt gnawed at him as he realized that he had let his friends down.
"No, no, I'm sorry," Harry said quickly, scrambling to his feet. "I'm ready to go. Let's go."
Ron and Hermione exchanged a relieved glance, their expressions softening with understanding. Harry appreciated their patience and understanding.
"Great, let's head out then," Ron said, clapping Harry on the back. "I'm sure your family will be thrilled to see you."
As Harry led the way out of the common room, both Ron and Hermione followed closely behind. They walked briskly through the corridors of Hogwarts, Harry's mind still lingering on the unsettling dream he had just experienced.
Soon, they arrived at a deserted corridor, and Harry glanced around, ensuring that no one was nearby with his magical senses. Satisfied that they were alone, he extended his hands towards Ron and Hermione, who took them, holding tight.
"Ready?" Harry asked, a determined glint in his eyes.
Both Ron and Hermione nodded, their expressions mirroring Harry's determination. With a shared sense of purpose, they braced themselves as Harry turned on the spot to Disapparate to the Burrow.
With a sharp twist, Harry Disapparated from the corridor, his friends Ron and Hermione by his side. The familiar sensation of being squeezed through a tight tube enveloped them, and within moments, they reappeared in a flash of light outside the quaint, ramshackle house known as the Burrow.
As they materialised in the backyard Harry let go of Ron and Hermione's hand. Ron looked around, taking in the sight of the familiar surroundings with fondness.
"Ah, it's good to be back," Ron said, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips.
Hermione seemed to be in a lose for words as she took in the surrounding. It was her first time at a proper wizarding house but it didn't look that much different from the normal muggle houses in the countryside.
Ron turned to Hermione with a red face, "Welcome to my home..."
The Burrow stood before her, a charming and whimsical structure that seemed to defy the laws of physics. Its crooked walls leaned this way and that, as if each brick had a story to tell. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, mingling with the crisp autumn air.
Hermione felt a rush of excitement and anticipation as she gazed at the ramshackle house, its colorful exterior painted in hues of red and orange. Turning to Ron, Hermione found herself at a loss for words. She had never experienced anything quite like this before, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude towards her friend for inviting her into his home.
"Ron," she said, her voice filled with wonder, "it's... it's amazing. Thank you for bringing me here."
Ron's face flushed with pride at Hermione's reaction, and he beamed at her with a wide smile. "You're welcome, Hermione. I'm glad you like it."
Harry was still rooted to the spot he apparated to, his mind still thinking about his dream. He started to walk towards the house absentmindedly, but what he was walking towards was not the house but the small lake opposite to the house.
Ron's brow furrowed with concern as he watched Harry's absentminded wanderings towards the lake. Reacting quickly, he rushed over and grabbed Harry's hand, pulling him gently back towards the direction of the house.
"Oi mate, where are you going?" Ron asked, his tone laced with worry.
Caught off guard, Harry blinked in confusion. "What do you mean where I am going? I am obviously going to your hou....". His words trailed off as he glanced back at the lake, a realization dawning on him. He chuckled awkwardly, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Ah...sorry. Thanks for stopping me."
Ron gave Harry a reassuring pat on the back, understanding shining in his eyes. "No problem, mate. Still thinking about that dream, are you?"
Harry nodded, his mind still reeling from the lingering effects of his unsettling dream. "Yeah, something like that."
"Come on let's go inside, Mom would go mental to see us back", Ron grinned as he dragged Harry and Hermione to his house. Opening the door, Ron screamed at the top of his lung, "Moooommmm!"
There was a big commotion heard upstairs as if someone fell over something. Then Mrs. Weasley could be seen hurrying down the stairs followed by Ginny.
Mrs. Weasley's face lit up with joy as she caught sight of her son and his friends standing in the doorway. Her eyes crinkled at the corners as she rushed forward to envelop them in warm hugs.
"Ron! Harry! Hermione!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with motherly affection. "How did you guys get here?"
Ginny, who had been following closely behind her mother, wore a bright smile as she greeted her brother and his friends. "Hey, everyone! What brings you here?". She was still shy to look Harry in his eyes for long.
Ron chuckled, his cheeks turning slightly pink. "We were getting bored at Hogwarts so Harry brought us here, as Hermione had never seen a proper wizard house. Hope that's alright."
"We went to Hermione's house yesterday, it was then she told us that she wanted to go to our houses as well and since we wouldn't have done anything except for laze around in the common room, I bought them here. I hope we are not intruding, Mrs. Weasley", Harry quickly explained.
Mrs. Weasley beamed at them, her eyes shining with happiness. "Of course not! You're always welcome here, my dears. But how did you guys come here? Did you guys use the Floo?"
Harry hesitated, should he tell her? Then he decided that it shouldn't be that big of a thing considering his magic capabilities.
"I Apparated with them Mrs. Weasley"
"You mean to say that you guys went out of Hogwarts grounds to Apparate here?", she asked.
Ron chuckled, "No mum, Harry Apparated us from Hogwarts"
Mrs. Weasley's eyes widened in disbelief, her mouth forming a perfect 'O' of astonishment. "You mean to say that you apparated from inside the Hogwarts grounds? But that is impossible! No one can Apparate or Disapparate from Hogwarts..."
Ginny, standing beside her mother, was equally shocked, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she glanced at Harry. She reminded herself that this was Harry they were talking about—someone who seemed to defy the laws of magic at every turn. Blushing slightly, she met Harry's gaze and who gave her a subtle wink.
Ron, always quick with a joke, stepped in to lighten the mood. "Come on, Mum, don't be so shocked. This is Harry we're talking about. The rules don't seem to apply to him, remember?"
"Yes Mrs. Weasley. It's Harry we are talking about", Hermione chimed in.
Mrs. Weasley chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "You're right, Ron. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised anymore."
"Now leaving that, can we have something to eat Mum? We didn't have breakfast today", said Ron.
With a warm smile, she ushered the trio into the kitchen. "Well, let's fix you something to eat."
"Did you like the fudge I sent you Harry", Mrs. Weasley asked while she got the breakfast ready.
"Oh he did more than like it. He refused to share the fudge with anyone. Can you believe it that he put up multiple wards on his beside table where he kept the fudge to ensure that no one could take it?", Ron teased.
Hermione and Ginny laughed while, Harry's face went a bit red, "Well what am I supposed to do when Mrs. Weasleys fudge tastes that good?"
Mrs. Weasley smiled and continued getting the breakfast ready. Soon after the breakfast was done, Mrs. Weasley bustled around the kitchen getting the plates and other things clean, Harry found himself alone with Ginny. He glanced at her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Hey, Ginny. How have you been?"
Ginny's cheeks flushed pink as she met Harry's gaze. "Oh, you know, same old, same old. Just waiting impatiently to start Hogwarts."
Harry chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Don't worry we will have loads of fun with you with us next year."
Ginny's blush deepened at the compliment, and she ducked her head shyly. "Thanks, Harry. That means a lot coming from you."
Before Harry could respond, Ron appeared in the doorway, a mischievous grin on his face. "Hey, I am going to give Hermione a tour of the house. You coming?"
Harry looked at him and then glancing back at Ginny with a smile. "Nah, I'll just sit here for a while!"
Ron nodded and disappeared again eager to show Hermione around. Meanwhile, Mrs. Weasley excused herself to fetch some ingredients from the nearby village store, leaving Harry and Ginny alone once again.
"So Harry, will you tell me now how you did that with the memory you sent?", Ginny asked suddenly. Harry turned to her and smiled, "That's a big secret...You have to promise me that you won't tell anyone". Ginny nodded eagerly, Harry looked at her with a serious expression, "It's called..."
He could see Ginny almost getting up at the edge of her seat, eager to know the secret. He chuckled inside his head. "..magic!" He said with the most serious face he could muster.
Ginny's playful expression shifted, her brows furrowing slightly as she narrowed her eyes at Harry. "Oh, you think you're so clever, don't you?" she said, her tone laced with mock indignation. "Playing jokes on your friends like that."
Harry raised his hands in surrender, a grin still playing on his lips. "Hey, you asked for a secret, and I delivered," he replied, trying to sound innocent.
Ginny let out a dramatic sigh, shaking her head in amusement. "Fine, fine. I should have known better than to expect a serious answer from you."
Harry chuckled, feeling relieved that Ginny wasn't genuinely upset. "Come on, Gin. You know I can't resist teasing you."
Ginny rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't let it go to your head, Potter."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Harry said, his grin widening as he leaned back in his chair. "So, what do you want to do while we wait for Ron and Hermione?"
Ginny shrugged, her expression softening as she regarded Harry. "I don't know. Just enjoy a stroll in the garden or by the lake"
Harry nodded, and lead Ginny towards the garden where both of them walked and talked. Harry told her all the stuff that he had been doing, like visiting the Forbidden Forest or the stunts he pulls in the quidditch practices.
As they made their way back to the house, Mrs. Weasley emerged from the kitchen, a basket of fresh ingredients in hand. She smiled warmly at Harry and Ginny, her eyes twinkling with affection.
"Back already, you two?" she said, her tone cheerful. "I hope you enjoyed your stroll."
Harry nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, it was lovely. Thank you, Mrs. Weasley."
"Your back from the village so soon mum?", Ginny asked. No matter how much she wanted to keep the disappointment out of her voice, it was still clear.
"Yes, the village shops were not crowded today, so I got it done quickly", Mrs. Weasley said.
Harry noticed the disappointment in Ginny's voice and was glad that she liked him. But what Ginny liked was the-boy-who-lived and not Harry as a person. This disappointed him a bit, but he will have to work to change that.
Just then, Ron and Hermione emerged from the backyard, their faces flushed with excitement. Ron was animatedly explaining something to Hermione, gesturing wildly as he spoke.
"What are you two up to now?" Mrs. Weasley asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Ron grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Just showing Hermione the finer points of gnome-tossing, Mum."
Mrs. Weasley chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "Honestly, Ron. You and those gnomes."
And just like that Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny spent some time playing chess and talking in the kitchen, with Harry occasionally helping Mrs. Weasley prepare lunch. After a hearty lunch in which Harry helped himself to second servings of everything and Ginny stealing glances at Harry every time she could, Mrs. Weasley cleared away everything.
As the lunch dishes were cleared away, Mrs. Weasley bustled around the kitchen, tidying up and wiping down surfaces with practiced efficiency. Meanwhile, Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny remained seated at the table, their conversation flowing easily as they enjoyed each other's company.
Once the kitchen was clean and tidy, Mrs. Weasley turned to the group with a warm smile. "Well, I don't know about you all, but I could use a bit of a rest after that meal."
Harry and the others nodded in agreement, their stomachs pleasantly full from the delicious lunch. Mrs. Weasley ushered them out of the kitchen, insisting that they relax in the living room while she took care of a few things.
Settling into the cozy armchairs and sofa in the living room, Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny continued their conversation, chatting about everything from schoolwork to Quidditch to their plans for the upcoming holidays. Hermione and Ginny were quickly becoming good friends, despite Hermione being older than her. The rest of the afternoon they played Quidditch and had a swim in the lake.
As they evening approached, Harry informed them that they should get going to his house as Petunia would be expecting them. Ron and Hermione nodded and Ginny looked disappointed a bit as they were leaving.
Mrs. Weasley came downstairs, "Are you guys leaving already?"
"Yes Mrs. Weasley, we are going to my house and we will have dinner there. Actually now that I think, it would be much better if you guys come with us too", Harry replied.
"Oh thanks Harry but I don't think it will be good for us to go....", started Mrs. Weasley.
Harry quickly added, "I insist that you guys to come too. Sirius would be there too, and with these many people mum would definitely need help preparing dinner for."
Mrs. Weasley thought of saying something but Ron intervened, "Oh come on mom. Let's all go...isn't that better? After all it's just you, Ginny and Dad here"
Ginny was looking quite happy at the suggestion. Mrs. Weasley tried to counter but Harry quickly said, "That's right Mrs. Weasley",
"And I am sure Ginny would like it too", Harry added with a wink at Ginny who went as red as her hair.
At Harry's suggestion, Mrs. Weasley hesitated for a moment before finally relenting with a warm smile. "Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to lend a hand. After all, it's always nice to spend time with family and friends."
Ginny's face lit up with excitement at the prospect of visiting Harry's house, and she eagerly dashed off to her room to get ready. Mrs. Weasley followed suit, disappearing upstairs to retrieve her cloak and purse.
Once everyone was ready, they reconvened in the living room, where Harry stood waiting with a confident smile. "Alright, everyone. Let's head over to my house. We'll Floo there, so make sure you have everything you need."
Ron, Hermione, and Ginny nodded eagerly, their excitement palpable. With a flick of his hand, Harry conjured a small pot of Floo powder, which he handed out to each of them.
"Remember, the address is Dursley Mansion," Harry reminded them, his voice firm. "Ron, you go first, followed by Hermione. Ginny, you're next."
As Ron stepped into the fireplace and vanished in a swirl of green flames, Hermione followed suit, disappearing moments later. Ginny stood hesitantly in front of the fireplace, her expression tinged with disappointment. She had been hoping for a more exciting mode of transportation to Harry's house.
Just as Ginny was about to step into the fireplace, Harry caught her eye and grinned mischievously. "Hey, Ginny. There's something on your shoulder."
Ginny's brow furrowed in confusion as she glanced at her shoulder, searching for the imaginary object. "What? Where?"
Harry pointed behind her, a playful twinkle in his eye. "Right there! Let me help you with that."
Before Ginny could react, Harry reached out and grabbed her shoulder tightly, his touch sending a jolt of excitement through her veins. With a triumphant grin, Harry Apparated them both to his house in an instant, leaving behind the Burrow and its cozy warmth.