This year is already off to such a weird start. I'm walking to the owlery in the west tower. It's almost curfew so I have to hurry. “Hiya Harry!” I hear a familiar voice call from behind me. “Hey Colin.” I turn around. His eyes brighten when I say his name. “I wanted to talk to you after- um…- the events of last year but I never got the chance. How was your summer?” He blurts. “My summer was pretty good.” I smile warmly at him. “I can't believe you’re a seventh year now!” He beams at me. He's like the little brother I've never had. “I know you don't like pictures but would you like to take a picture?” He pauses. “To celebrate our final year at Hogwarts.” He quickly adds. “That sounds nice Colin.” He pulls out his camera. “I always keep one on me.” He explains when I raise my brows. “Smile!” We both mad e a goofy face and do a little pose. “I'll go develop it now. I'll see ya around Harry!” He runs away excitedly. “Darling?” A lady’s voice calls. Who said that? “Yes?” I hear a voice respond to her. “What's the report?” she asks. I turn around the corner to find no one's there. “Hello Mr. Potter!” It's the new teacher, Professor Diaz. “Hello professor.” I responded. “Did you hear those voices too?” She asks me. I'm shocked. Normally it's only me that sees or hears anything but now she can too? “I did. Did you see anyone?” She shakes her head. “No, but I doubt it's safe to be walking alone at night.” How late is it? Did my photo with Colin really take that much time? “I was just heading to the owlery to get an owl.” She seems trustworthy but the hat told me to watch out. “I also need to mail something, mind if I join you?” She asks after a second. I can't say no because we’ll still be heading towards the same place but if I say yes, it's going to be weird because she's the head of a rival house. “Erm… We are heading to the same place, so yeah.” I reply, trying not to seem awkward. Something feels off about her. “So I've heard you're one of the best DADA students this school has ever had?” She smiles. “I hope my class won't be too boring for you.” If the sorting hat hadn't told me to keep an eye on her, I would have trusted her right away. “This is your first time teaching right?” Why does it feel like these stairs are getting longer? “This is my first time teaching in Europe. I taught at Ilvermorny back in America for a year.” That must be the name of the American school for witchcraft and wizardry. “Are you from America?” I ask her. “I am. I graduated from Ilvermorny five years ago which is why I'm probably the youngest teacher here.” She says with a very warm smile. I look away. We've been going up this staircase for at least an hour. I look at the window and its pitch black. My eyes start to feel heavy. “Sweet dreams~” is the last thing I hear before everything goes black.

  “Harry?” I open my eyes. “Are you alright mate?” Dudely is standing over me. “Where am I?” The last thing I remember is walking to the owlery with that new teacher for what seemed like hours. “In the owlery. You left the dorm room like thirty minutes ago so I came to find you.” He has the letter that he wrote for Aunt Petunia in his hand. I sit up and see how bright it still is. “Are you alright?” He asks again. I nod because I know he's going to think I've gone insane if I tell the truth. “Lemme finish mailing this letter and we can go back to the dorm.” He stands up. “I just realized I have no clue what I'm doing,” He laughs. I get up “Give me the letter.” 

  He tosses the letter to me and I walk over to a grey owl. Something in its eyes reminds me of Hedwig. I look away and tie the letter to its leg. “Are you alright mate?” Dudley asks. “I'm fine.” I answer rapidly. “You're crying.” He points at my face. I put my hand to my face and wipe away the tears. “Sorry. It's just, seeing all these owls reminds me of Hedwig.” I try not to break down in tears. “Dude- it's not healthy to bottle up your emotions like that” I don't know why he sounds so worried. I'm fine. I've literally been fighting with Voldemort since I was eleven and come out alive every time. I even killed him when no one else was able to. Emotions are nothing compared to that. “It's alright Dud. It doesn't matter anymore..” I really want him to drop it- I don't want to talk about last year at all if I can avoid it. “We're going to talk about this later but I'll leave you alone for now. Let's go back to the dorm.” He sighs.