'This is it…'

'Oh, stop being so dramatic Ronald, it's just a game!' snapped Hermione.

'Just a game! Just a game!' spluttered Ron, dropping the card he had in his hand, 'This is an art!' he said, emphasising his words by gesturing at his nearly complete card tower.

'It's a waste of time, that's what it is,' said Hermione shortly.

'Well, you've been watching me for half an hour so I am sure it was not that much of a waste of time! Now leave or stay, your choice, but for the love of Merlin just stop speaking or your breath will make the cards move!'

'My breath! Completely ridiculous, honestly,' grumbled Hermione however, she remained in her chair next to the fireplace, her knitting needles left forgotten on the floor by her feet.

'Nearly there… Nearly there…' murmured Ron, concentrating hard on his card tower.

Hermione rolled her eyes but remained silent. She had half a mind to go up to bed but instead, she slowly bent down and picked up her knitting needles, however, made no attempt on continuing her work on her knobbly socks. Her mind drifted to Harry and to Umbridge. She sighed and rubbed her eyes – she knew Harry was telling neither Ron nor herself the truth and the fact that he was keeping silent infuriated her. She sighed again, more loudly and distinctly this time.

'What is it?' came an impatient voice from the floor.

'Huh? Oh, sorry Ron, what did you say?' said Hermione.

'I said, what is it? You keep on sighing and you're distracting me. I just have one more card… Aw no!' The card tower toppled and the cards littered the carpet of the Gryffindor Common room, 'Aw you nasty little –'

'Niffler,' cut in Hermione.

Ron threw her a dirty look but bit his lip and did not speak his mind. Hermione pursed her lips and picked up her knitting again. The room was empty apart from Ron and herself, however, neither of them were even thinking of going to bed before Harry came back.

'Ah well, there's no point continuing with this,' said Ron suddenly, scooping up the cards and chucking them ungracefully on the table. He then promptly threw himself onto the sofa, spreading out his arms as far as he could and said, 'Harry's going to kick you out of his chair when he comes back.'

'Maybe…'

'Do you want me to make the fire bigger?'

'Your choice.'

'Have you done the Potions homework?'

'No.'

'You're lying.'

'Maybe…'

'Can I take a little peak? Please? Pretty please?'

When Ron still got no answer he sat up a little straighter in his seat, 'Earth to Hermione Granger, what's wrong? You've never been this quiet before. You would usually be giving me a speech about copying right about now.'

Hermione threw her elf socks aside, 'I'm worried about Harry,' she said lamely.

'Everyone's worried about Harry, the whole world is worried about Harry… Be more specific.'

'Trust Ronald Weasley to be so blunt,' muttered Hermione under her breath, 'I'm worried about Harry and his behaviour.'

'You sound just like my mum,' joked Ron.

'No Ron! This is no time to be funny!' Hermione stood up abruptly and started pacing up and down the Common Room, 'He should not have provoked Umbridge like that! Things have changed Ronald; he can't go about speaking his mind willy-nilly!

'Willy-nilly,' Ron laughed, however; he stopped immediately after the look Hermione gave him, 'Ok, sorry, I'll be serious now… Look… I understand why you are worried but don't you think speaking our minds is the only way we will finally get our point across?' Hermione sat back down and nodded at him to carry on. 'The ministry is refusing to believe that You-Know-Who –'

'Voldemort.'

'You-Know-Who,' repeated Ron more forcibly, 'is back. Umbridge works for the Ministry and so –'

'I understand where you are going with this Ron but there is something about Umbridge that's… that's just not right. You know what Harry is like – he keeps everything in and never talks about his emotions or how he feels or anything at all… This year is going to be very hard for him, especially with everything that is going with the Ministry and Voldemort and if he doesn't talk to us he is going to do something really stupid!'

Ron sighed and passed a hand through his red hair, 'that's just guys for you,' he said finally, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He shrugged, 'Harry is Harry – we just need to be there for him and he'll tell us eventually.'

'I know… I know and I would usually accept that as an answer but these detentions he's been going to, they're not normal!'

'He's just writing lines,' said Ron frowning.

'Oh don't be so naïve, Ron,' snapped Hermione, 'Haven't you seen the way he holds himself after having been in a detention with her? Whatever, she's making him do, it's not lines and I am sure of it!'

Ron was about to answer when the portrait hole opened and Harry staggered through. Giving him a meaningful glare, Hermione picked up her knitting and raised an eyebrow at Ron as though saying: I told you so.

'How was it, Harry?' asked Hermione lightly.

'Fine, fine… You didn't have to wait for me…'

'Don't be ridiculous. Now off to be or you won't wake up tomorrow,' said Hermione, already ushering Harry up the stairs.

'I have homework!' shouted Harry between every shove.

'You can copy mine tomorrow, now go!'

Harry hurried up the stairs and out of sight.

'We need to be prepared,' stated Hermione, after she had distinctly heard the boys' dormitory door close.

Ron stared at her, 'How come he gets to copy your work?' he said finally.

'Oh honestly!' said Hermione, and with a flick of her hair, she disappeared up the spiral staircase and into the girls' dormitory.