Edelweiss

Horace

     Harry couldn't stop thinking about the woman from his dreams. Harry was sure he had met her before, but he didn't know where. Was she a friend of his mother's? Or maybe one of his father's? She had to be if she were to be in his old nursery singing him to sleep.

     "Hey Hermione?" Harry asked.

     "What is it Harry?"

     "I had a dream."

     "You should talk to Dumbledore," She said, finally looking up from her book. "If it's about You Know Who he could help."

     "No Hermione, no, it's- it's about a girl." Hermione looked intrigued as Harry struggled to find the right words. "Every night it's the same dream. I fall asleep and I see her face above mine, we're in my old nursery from when before Voldemort killed my parents. She sings me... a song. And she tucks a flower in my hair and then I wake up."

     "Do you know who she is?"

     "That's the problem. I know that I've met her, but I can't figure out where. I think it's a memory."

~ ~ ~

     "Alright class, our time is almost over but before you go I just want to say that you all have a test this Friday at 9:15. Since that class is only an hour it'll be written instead of practical. Class dismissed." Professor Slughorn finished as students began to pile out of his classroom. As soon as Harry had thrown his bag over his shoulder the Professor called him back. When Harry went over to talk to Slughorn he told him "Oh just a minute Harry." Harry took the time to soak in his surroundings. The once damp and dim potions classroom had changed over the summer. There were windows where there weren't any before. The sunlight shone through them beautifully. The ingredient jars were clear for the first time since Harry had seen them. Professor Slughorn's desk was cluttered with papers, inkwells, and books. There was a large, obscure looking magnifying glass placed upon it. Harry couldn't recall a time where the Potions classroom felt as welcoming as it did now.

     "Professor?" Harry questioned.

     "Yes, what is it?" Slughorn said, still crouched over his desk.

     "What is it you wanted to ask me sir?"

     "Oh right! Harry you're available to come to the next Slug Club dinner we're having right?"

     "Oh yeah, sure Professor. When is it again?"

     "Why it's this Saturday of course!" Said Slughorn, finally standing up to face Harry.

     "Thank you Professor." Harry said as he turned to exit the classroom. Just as Harry had exited the room he remembered what Hermione had said about him talking to Dumbledore.

     "Professor? Sorry, again, but I have a question." Harry said. Slughorn motioned for Harry to continue.

     "I- I've been having these dreams. It's the same. Every night. And I think it's a memory I've somehow... blocked." Said Harry, fidgeting with his hands. Professor Slughorn frowned,

     "I do believe there is a potion that could help with that. But since we have the test this week I won't have time to," He paused, almost as if he was thinking about what to say next. "Do it justice. If you'd like I can start it next week Harry."

     "That would be great Professor thank you."

~ ~ ~

     Horace watched as the boy left his classroom. The afternoon sun shone through the windows he had charmed into the dungeons. Walking into his office he looked at his menagerie of favorites. Pictures of his former students. Stopping to look at Gewnnog Jones's photo he noticed that the Evans sisters' had gotten a bit of dust on them. Picking up the photo to wipe the dust off with his sleeve he started to reminisce about the past. The sisters were both wearing their Hogwarts robes, one clad in yellow and the other red. The older sister of the two had bright red hair, green eyes, and a welcoming smile. The younger sister, only younger by two years, was ethereal. She had dark brown hair and rosy lips. The yellow clad sister had always been the nicer of the two. Both sisters wore a badge upon their robes, one read "Head Girl" while the other simply said "Prefect". Lily Evans and— a sharp knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.