InsaneJournal

Apparating into Hogsmeade earlier in the day, Greg had been amazed at the transformation of everything.  The shops looked pristine, and he'd even had the time to go inside the sweets shop and look about, buying some candy to take to Theo on Monday.  Greg had spent most of the day at St. Mungo's before coming, and even as he left, he had felt defeated and hopeless.  He'd hated leaving Theo there, and even the thought of taking him treats was not enough to boost his mood. 

It was the walk to the school that had cheered him up so much; he found he had missed that outdoor expanse of woods and the smell of the green.  Greg thought he could spend all day outside, walking about that forest and on the grounds as he made his way up to the school.  The gates were open and he approached the main entrance, feeling more at peace than he thought possible.  Someone noted his arrival, an older Hufflepuff prefect he thought, and asked if he could help Greg.  He had been cordial and told the boy he was going to visit the Headmaster, that he had an  appointment.  The youth nodded, and accompanied Greg to the correct hall, and giving the statues the password, had vanished up the rotating stairs.  Greg looked at the walls, touching the newly repaired stone work with a wonder, remembering the damage that occurred here.  He turned at the sound of a cleared voice, and it was the youth again.

"Headmaster Snape will see you now."

Greg mounted the stairs and stopped just in the entrance of the room, waiting with his hands at his sides to be acknowledged by Snape.