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Addiction:

It had been a week, one long, long week. He'd never tried it before, and had thought that the rumors going around the common room were just stories the seventh years told to the first years to scare them. Unfortunately, they had been right, in a few short hours he had been completely addicted.

Two days after it all started he was back in classes, he hadn't had any in about four hours and he was starting to get a mild headache. He ignored it and miraculously made it through his classes, glad he was able to sleep through History. By the time dinner rolled around, his hands were starting to shake. He lied when Hermione asked if he was okay, he claimed to be cold, not quite understanding the extent of his addiction. He immediately found his stash once returning to his dorm.

Day three was worse, by lunch his hands had started shaking, and had made a small cut into his finger on accident. Hermione shook her head worriedly as she cast a minor healing charm. He skipped lunch to fix his addiction.

Day four was so bad he had hidden the remains of his stash in his bag, covertly eating during classes, and he was able to keep all signs of his addiction at bay, ignoring how quickly it was depleting. He felt overwhelming pride that he had snuck it in, even under the stern eye of the head of Gryffindor.

Day five, he had run out. Panic had set in that morning as he reached in the brown bag he had hidden his stash in, finding only a few empty packages. Desperate, he licked the wrappers to get any and all residue to try to get one last high. It wasn't quite enough.

"Come on, Harry!" Ron yelled, a little too loudly, making his head throb. He pulled on his uniform quickly and joined his friend, who was giving him a particularly odd look.

"What?" Harry asked.

"Nothin' mate." Ron said looking away quickly. They continued down the stair, but Ron stopped at the fourth floor and steered Harry away from the stairs with a hand around the back of his neck. Harry was confused, but realized there was something wrong as they headed for Lupin's office. After all, Ron was skipping breakfast; it had to be bad. Ron didn't bother knocking, but opened the door and pushed Harry in.

Remus was leaning on his desk, and Hermione stood nearby. Harry was made to sit in a chair and the three stared at him.

"What's going on, Harry?" Remus asked.

"Uh… nothing." Harry lied.

"Then why is your hand shaking?" Remus asked, and Harry looked down to see his hands had started shaking again.

"Come on Harry, we're here to help you." Hermione said, and she was doing her best to hold in tears.

"It's…." Harry couldn't bring himself to say a word, suddenly exhausted and his vision was starting to blur due to the headache.

"It's substance abuse, isn't it?" Remus asked, it wasn't angry, just concerned.

"Well, I guess so." Harry hung his head to try to clear his head.

Remus crouched in front of him and took his hand. "We need to know what it is: alcohol? Drugs? Illegal potions?"

"It's… embarrassing…" Harry said softly, trying to stop his hands from shaking in Remus's grip, and then quietly muttering something that made Remus falter.

"What did you say?" Hermione asked leaning closer.

"I said.." Harry's shoulders slumped, "I'm addicted to candy."

It was silent for a full minute before Ron asked, "Please tell me that candy is some kind of messed up drug."

"Unfortunately, no. I'm addicted to Halloween candy." Harry said, and the other three began laughing.

"Okay Harry, no more candy for you." Hermione said after composing herself.

"Ever?" Harry asked.

"Ever." She confirmed and turned to Ron, "You get to take any candy he gets."

"Hey, that's not fair." Harry protested.

"Whatever you say, druggie." Ron said jokingly.

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