The weather on the first day of Hogwarts' new school year gave every student a harsh welcome.
Used to sleeping in at 12 Grimmauld Place, Harry yawned as he dragged himself out of bed. When he looked out the window, the sky was bleak and overcast, with a fine drizzle shrouding the mountains and valleys.
Seamus and Dean had already gotten up and left the dormitory.
Neville was in the washroom taking care of his morning routine, while Ron was still sleeping soundly with his arms around his blankets.
Which side were the Slytherins really on now? What exactly was Draco plotting? And then there was the Intelligent Magical Creature Exchange Delegation due to arrive at Hogwarts this Friday, as well as the newly introduced Divination class.
Those had been the topics they discussed in the common room before bed last night, and every one of them deserved serious consideration.
But Professor Binns, who was teaching their first two lessons today, certainly would not generously allow them to be late just because they had stayed up discussing those matters.
Harry slowly climbed out from under his warm but not stifling blankets and staggered away from his bed.
A gust of wind drifting in from the drizzly world outside swept through the dormitory and made Harry shiver.
Only then did he realize that, despite the night's sleep-friendly temperature, he was drenched in sweat.
That dream clung to him like a parasite burrowing into bone.
Still, Harry had decided not to impress upon anyone else how significant the dream was.
Quite a few people already knew about it, but no one—not even Professor Breen—seemed to have truly taken it seriously.
"I'm going to breakfast first, Harry!"
Having finished washing up, Neville rushed out of the washroom. He hurriedly grabbed his schoolbag from