"...And to end the year, all the seventh years will have a dance as a way to say their good-byes and also to, once again, try to have some sort of harmony within the houses", finished Headmistress McGonagall. And to accompany her ending, there were many groans and sighs among the houses. As pre-usual, the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws would get together, as the Slytherins preferred to stay alone. Even after the war, there were still tensions among the houses. But that, everyone assumed, was just out of nature. If all the houses got along, sure it would be nice, but it wouldn't be the same.

"There's still some time left, so use the remaining to mingle about and such", added the Headmistress.

And with that being said, everyone got up and walked to their friends, either complaining over the dance, or having a fit over what they would wear. It was the final dance, and everyone, girls and boys, wanted to look their best.

A dark-haired boy raised his head and leaned it back, resting on the benches that he sat on. He didn't bother getting up. Just a second ago, he was about to get up and talk to his friends, but he noticed that they were already discussing how they would look in front of everyone. Since the beginning of their seventh year, Ron and Hermione decided to just get together, ending their constant bickering derived from angst and jealousy. Though he didn't want to think about it, the dark-haired boy, Harry, knew that he was alone. Those two were always together and always had something to talk about, blocking everyone else from their mind to avoid getting side-tracked. They were so involved with each other that they even ignored Harry from time to time. Unintentionally, of course. They would change their actions, were Harry to say something. But he didn't want to. He didn't want to interfere. He was busy enough himself as it was, having people still thanking him and wanting to interview him, all of which he either merely denied or just walked off.

As he said in his fourth year, and still kept to, he didn't care fame and glory. It wasn't important to him.

Sure, he had Ginny Weasley. But after Christmas break, he just decided to end it. He loved Ginny, and she him. But even she had to agree with him that it just didn't work. Harry believed her, seeing as how she was already flirting around with some of the guys from the other houses. Not that it was a bad thing. It didn't even bother him anymore. He just wanted her to be happy. And if flirting around was her way to try and find the right guy... Well... Alright then. Harry wanted to focus on himself.

'She's sure gotten prettier...' he thought, now having his head raised, his gaze somewhat focused onto Ginny.

He started to think about Cho Chang...

He shook his head.

It'd never work.

She cared about Cedric too much. Even until today.

He thought back to the fighting. He remembered what Cho yelled out when she was fighting a Death Eater.

"And that's for Cedric!"

He sighed.

There was no point in dwelling on the past... He closed his eyes...

"..Look at me..."

His eyes quickly bolted open. It wasn't strange to think about him. It wasn't abnormal, or anything. But just out of nowhere like that, what was Snape doing swirling through his thoughts? Harry actually missed him, he remembered, thinking back to the first week back at school. No one was harassing his house, messing with his friends, personally hating on Harry himself. It almost felt too boring to go through class. Slughorn was still the Potions professor, and they had a new DADA professor. But just not having Snape teach either subject, or even be there in general, was just far too annoying. Hah, too annoying for someone annoying to not be around. Well isn't that strange.

'Oh well... Things happen for a reason--'

"Time for lunch, everyone", announced McGonagall.

"Awesome. I'm starving."

*~*~*~*~*

Living in simple and quiet solitude.

He enjoyed it.

Actually, he loved it.

Peace and quiet was something he always looked forward to.

Sitting in his living space, a fire lit up in the fireplace, and sipping firewhiskey.

Everything seemed to be in place.

He wasn't complaining.

He hated people anyway.

He hated having any sort of contact, which obviously showed. No matter how much he cared for the person.

More accurately, he always hid his emotions.

Setting his glass down on the table in front of him, the man let out a dragging sigh. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, having his hands support his head up. Oily, raven locks curtained at the front of his face, swaying a bit as the man let out one more sigh.

He was living the life that he wished for.

So why did he feel so shitty?

*~*~*~*~*

Sitting by himself, he ignored everyone else, and engorged himself in food. He overslept and missed breakfast, having to sprint down to his first class of the day. Wonderful way to start out the morning, no?

Surprisingly, Ron and Hermione approached him. And rather quietly as well, since Harry spit his food out in shock, not realizing they were there. Letting out a couple laughs, Harry cleaned himself up and beamed up at the two. Hermione was the first to speak.

"Harry. Ron and I realized it's been a while since we've talked... All of us, like this."

Harry nodded his head in agreement; Ron was smothering his face in food. Hermione continued.

"It's gotten somewhat uncomfortable for both of us, and especially for you--"

"'Mione, it's okay, really, I don't--"

"--mind, I know. But of course, you're lyi--"

"--I am not lying! I'm telling the tru--"

"--No, you're not! You miss us, don't you--"

"--Of course I do--!"

"--Then shut up, and let me finish!"

Ron and Harry both looked at her in shock, their eyes wide, looking up at her. She was standing, hands firmly set onto the dining table. Her face was tinted a slight pink out of frustration. And after a short pause, she resumed.

"...We know how you've been feeling. We've been friends for years, so we can tell if something's bothering you, Harry. We're not stupi--"

"--I know you're not stu--"

"--Can you let me finish!?"

Harry nodded, and stayed quiet.

"Anyway...! ..Look, Harry. We feel like our friendship is faltering. And that makes us all uncomfortable. So Ron and I decided to set aside our relationship until the end of the year."

"What!? Why!?"

"For you--"

"--No! I don't want to ruin your rela--"

"--You aren't ruining it, Harry!" Ron interrupted. "We just want to focus on us. All of us. Us three, together. It's not just for you."

"..." Harry lowered his head and shook it side to side slowly. Ron and Hermione looked at each other, then back at Harry, who raised his head and smiled sadly.

"Thank you."

The other two merely smiled back.

*~*~*~*~*

"I swear... That boy will be the end of me... Again... --" He chuckled. Chuckled, for Merlin's sake! Who knew he, of all people, could be funny?? Or at that, even laugh!?

Ah.

But Severus Snape had always been a mystery.