The Firebolt

           Harrydidn’thaveaveryclearideaofhowhehadmanagedtogetbackintotheHoneydukescellar,throughthetunnel,andintothecastleoncemore.Allheknewwasthatthereturntripseemedtotakenotimeatall,andthathehardlynoticedwhathewasdoing,becausehisheadwasstillpoundingwiththeconversationhehadjustheard.

           Whyhadnobodyevertoldhim?Dumbledore,Hagrid,Mr.Weasley,CorneliusFudge...whyhadn’tanyoneevermentionedthefactthatHarry’sparentshaddiedbecausetheirbestfriendhadbetrayedthem?

           RonandHermionewatchedHarrynervouslyallthroughdinner,notdaringtotalkaboutwhatthey’doverheard,becausePercywassittingclosebythem.Whentheywentupstairstothecrowdedcommonroom,itwastofindFredandGeorgehadsetoffhalfadozenDungbombsinafitofend-of-termhighspirits.Harry,whodidn’twantFredandGeorgeaskinghimwhetherhe’dreachedHogsmeadeornot,sneakedquietlyuptotheemptydormitoryandheadedstraightforhisbedsidecabinet.Hepushedhisbooksasideandquicklyfoundwhathewaslookingfor—theleather-boundphotoalbumHagridhadgivenhimtwoyearsago,whichwasfullofwizardpicturesofhismotherandfather.Hesatdownonhisbed,drewthehangingsaroundhim,andstartedturningthepages,searching,until...

           Hestoppedonapictureofhisparents’weddingday.Therewashisfatherwavingupathim,beaming,theuntidyblackhairHarryhadinheritedstandingupinalldirections.Therewashismother,alightwithhappiness,arminarmwithhisdad.Andthere...thatmustbehim.