Harry Potter sat on the chair in the "support group" at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He did not understand why the Old Fart, Dumbledore, made him go. Maybe, Harry thought, it is my self-imposed silence.
Harry watched, amusedly, as the seats began to fill with students. None of them looked like they wanted to be there. He noticed it was mostly younger students, but there was a few other seventh years, and a few sixth years. He recognized Hermione Granger, the smart mouth, know it all Gryffindor, Draco Malfoy, the dumb, idiot, Slytherin, and only one other seventh year, Ron Weasley, his ex-best friend, and fellow Gryffindor. Sixth year students he recognized were Luna Lovegood, a Ravenclaw, that was exceptionally weird, and Ginny Weasley, a Gryffindor, who was also under a self-imposed silence. He counted 20 other seats that were filled, but he did not recognize anyone else.
Then Minerva McGonagall walked in, "Hello students," she said, "this year we noticed that an exceptional amount of you seem to need extra mentoring outside of the classroom this year," Harry silently scoffed at that, "so Professors Flitwick, Sprout, Snape, Dumbledore, and I have decided to form this support group for you all. This will also help with House and year unity." Again, Harry silently scoffed.
It was then that Snape and Dumbledore walked in, Snape carrying, is that the Sorting Hat? Yup, Harry decided, Old Fart and his minions are nuts.
"This," Dumbledore began explaining, "is the Sorting Hat." Some first or second year asked if it was resort them, Harry snorted to himself. McGonagall caught his eye, and disapprovingly shook her head. "No, it is not to resort you, but in this group you will be given a partner, whom you are to check in with everyday to make sure everything is going okay with them. It is a two-way project. Anyway, the Sorting Hat has a piece of parchment with all your names. It has been magically altered, so you and your partner will pick each other. The Hat technically is picking your partner, as to give you all the best benefit. May I begin?" No one objected, so passed the hat around the group. Harry visibly relaxed when he saw "Ginerva Weasley" written on the parchment. Ginny would be an interesting partner.
-Line Breaker-
Albus Dumbledore knew the kids were annoyed, especially Harry Potter, but he knew they all needed this group.
Once the Hat returned to him, he further explained that they were to seek each other out at least once a day, to make sure their partner was having a pleasant day, and if they weren't they were to try to help them; their main goal was to befriend their partner.
"Okay," Minerva exclaimed, "partner up!"
Albus watched as Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley went together, Draco Malfoy went to Selena Martinez, a Hufflepuff third year, Luna Lovegood partnered up with Conner Travis, a Ravenclaw first year, and as Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley partnered up. That will be interesting, considering Harry's past with her brother, Ron, and they were both in a self-imposed state of silence. He wondered how that would work.
-Line Breaker-
Harry grabbed his bag and stood in front of Ginny, motioning for her follow him; she complied, grabbing her bag, and they went into the far corner of the room. Away from everyone else. They sat, in silence, staring at each other.
Harry grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill from his bag. He set it in between them, but neither of them wrote on it.
Snape came over the pair, and sneered, "Do two think you are to good for this?" Harry glared at the Potions Professor, until Ginny put her hand on his wrist, calming him. Harry stopped glaring, and found a sudden fascination in the carpet. Snape briskly walked away, his cloak billowing behind him.
Ginny put her hand under Harry's chin, and gently brought his head up, so his gaze met hers.
"Okay?" She mouthed. Harry nodded. Harry and Ginny moved against the the wall. Harry grabbed his parchment and quill, drawing the scene in front of him. Ginny, resting her head on his shoulder, watched him draw. Honestly, he wasn't the best drawer, but, Ginny thought it was still better than what she could do. He quickly showed it to her when he finished, and she gave a thumbs up.
-Line Breaker-
Albus was carefully watching Ginny and Harry. He noticed that although they seemed to be getting along, neither talked nor smiled. He watched Hermione and Ron glare at each other the whole time, as they haven't talked to each other, since Ron and Harry had it out. He watched as Luna and Conner told each wacky stories, and as Draco and Selena sat, awkwardly, introducing themselves to each other. His gazed shifted back to Harry and Ginny, who seemed content sitting silently next to each. Maybe, Albus thought, just maybe, this will actually help. Molly would be so excited to see Harry again, and even more so if Ginny'd talk.