CAPTIVATION

1. The beginning sign of change

The sound of thunder echoed throughout the silent night over a long distance acting as foreshadow of something that was to come. The strong winds blew over the hilltop as a lonely figure was descending down from whichever destination he came from. His steady footsteps unwavering seeming like the feet had eyes on the ground.

Humming an odd tune he walked towards a lonely tree that was the only living survivor in that area. It seems what he had been told was true, he mused. Before settling down for the remainder of the night, he wondered if he would ever get the chance again, it was his time but not sure of what would happen. He sat down on a depression that the base of the tree had minutely resembling a seat and took a deep breath.

After making sure he was comfortable enough, he lowered his eyes reciting the words he was ordered to while on the tree trunk. This went on for half an hour before a heaviness in the air was felt. The thunder became heavier before a single lightning bolt from nowhere appeared and decisively struck the tree which conducted the electricity to him making him scream out in agony before he turned to mist and disappeared from the area thus making the surrounding return to its normal calm, that is if the tree wasn’t minutely glowing for a few moments before the light went off.

Harry Potter, 17 years of age, was restless that night. Being unable to find a hint of sleep, decided to go up the astronomy towers and observe the stars in a bid to relax. The whole week, for some reason, made him edgy which led to minor bitter exchange with his supposed ‘best mate’ Ron. Hermione wasn’t able to bring the two eye to eye so left to his own devices, he decided to hide whenever he could, luckily, being able to utilize his marauders map. His magic core was a bit unstable as if trying to tell him something that he could not understand. “Argh…” he exclaimed. He squatted down taking a few deep breaths before being able to calm his mind. ‘Whatever… just let whatever new surprise come in my way’ he thought before deciding to go back to his bed and try to salvage whatever ounce of sleep he could before dawn.

Albus Dumbledore was still awake in his chambers talking his usual gibberish words to his pet bird when mysteriously an envelope which appeared in form of a flame appeared on his desk. He uttered an undignified curse and tried bluffing his words, no doubt if heard by the staff, would rebuke him to the heavens with their scathing retort. Being curious, he approached the letter after sensing there was no magical signature, curse nor teleportation properties before he stretched out his hand and opened it easily.

The message was brief, just stating a new student would arrive tomorrow night and he should allow him residence but apart from that, ordered him to leave the child alone. Only the boy’s name and a general description was given of his features. He sat on his chair and conjured a blank letter of which soaking his quill in black ink, he wrote a letter to Professor Snape entrusting him with the student in terms of retrieval. Heavens knows how Hagrid messes up small matters and manages being unable to fulfill most tasks being given.

He sent it through the owlery for it to be received at first light even before breakfast. Outside a lightening streak could be seen, however, it was an unnatural phenomena given that no one was awake to see such rarity. The air had become slightly warmer for a split second before all was quiet yet again.