A/N: After my many months of being away I have returned to you! [claps] I've missed you all dearly and I'm ready to type again. Now I introduce you to my newest story.
The Life and Death of Harry James Potter ConvincingThe castle was quiet as I walked through the halls, it was one of the rare occasions I stayed at the school for the holidays. Most of the students had returned to their families but ever since Sirius' death Harry hadn't been the same…he had lost the light in his eyes. I had owled my parents earlier during the week, telling them I needed to be there for Harry, they had agreed and told me there was always next time. My shoes clicked against the marble floors as I traveled around the school, there weren't very many things I could do today though the snow was fresh on the ground. I made my way to the clock tower quad thinking of something I could to do cheer Harry up.
The cool breeze caressed my face as I stepped out of the doors, small snowflakes fell from the air and landed in my hair. The sun was shining brilliantly down on the school's grounds reflecting against the white of the snow. I looked up and saw Harry sitting on one of the cement benches, leaned over. I scooped up two balls of snow and neared my best friend before plunging the white ball into his back. Harry jumped up and turned around before I caught his eye.
"Hermione, you scared me." He said sitting back down and cleaning his glasses with the fabric of his shirt
"I'm sorry," I apologized sitting down beside him and handing him the other snowball "snowball fight?" I asked
Harry pushed my hand away and shook his head "I'm not…in the mood for a snowball fight, 'Mione."
I sighed and pulled off my mittens, shaking the bits of snow off of them. Harry was never in the mood for anything anymore, whether it was a trip to Hogsmeade or a simple walk around Black Lake.
"Harry, please tell me what's bothering you. It hurts to see you so upset, think would Sirius have wanted you to feel like this?" I whispered looking at him, his eyes had lost their lightness now they were only dark green orbs. The man that had once lived in them died along with his godfather.
"It's my fault he's dead, Hermione." He replied emotionlessly "I went after the prophecy and got myself into trouble. Sirius came to save us and he died for it! Do you think that's fair? Everyone I get near, everyone I love will always get hurt and it will always be my fault."
"That's not true, Harry!" I replied "I can name plenty of people who haven't gotten hurt."
"Really?" he snapped "Who, Hermione? Who? I would bloody well like to know! My parents are dead, Sirius is dead, and Cedric died! I almost-" he broke off and turned away from me like something was stopping him from continuing
"You almost?" I asked urging him on
"I-I almost lost you, Hermione. I-I saw you there…on the floor. I was sure you were dead…you hold the three of us together, 'Mione. If you had died that night…I don't know what I would have done."
I laughed slightly though it was a very inappropriate time "Harry, you hold the three of us together. If something happened to you then we would all fall apart. Harry…when are you going to realize I'm not going anywhere? Dolohov's scar is only a battle scar, nothing more. It shows that I belong in Gryffindor with you and Ron; that I'm strong enough to stay by your side. Ron and I aren't going anywhere, Harry." I told him softly wrapping an arm around his shoulders
"You both are going to get hurt, Hermione. You will both make me feel worse than I already do." Harry replied looking at me, sorrow and grief filling his eyes "I couldn't stand to lose you, Hermione. You're my…" again he trailed off as if he were about to say the wrong thing "my best friend." He finished
"Why do you do that?" I asked "Ever since the…accident you haven't finished your sentences when you talk about me. Is there something wrong with me?"
I started to feel a bit self-conscious, I had tried not to pay attention but he always seemed to change what he was about to say to her. Sometimes I would feel my tears prick, I know I'm not the most attractive woman on the earth but Harry had never acted like this before. It was as if the Harry Potter I knew and loved had died. I felt Harry shrug out of my arms and watched as he walked away. I crossed my arms across my chest and watched him leave, I needed to know what was going on with Harry.
