A/N: For the Houses Competition
House: Ravenclaw
Category: Drabble
Prompt: "The problem was that you changed to please the people who didn't really matter."
Word count: 498
It was quiet in their little camp without the sound of Ron's radio crackling away in the corner. Harry had never thought he'd miss the sound of the presenter listing the names of the dead in that heavy, grief-filled way, but he supposed it had been a comfort to him, too. He hated how the lists seemed to get longer each day, but it was always a relief to know that his friends were all still alive.
He leaned back against the tent, listening to Hermione as she cast the wards around them. He wasn't entirely sure where they were, but he supposed that it didn't really matter, not when they'd be gone in a few days. The crunch of leaves signalled Hermione's approach, and she sat down next to him, pulling her knees up to her chin.
Harry shifted uncomfortably, feeling the tension radiating from her. He wanted to say something to comfort her, but then decided against it. He'd probably just make things worse anyway.
"If you've got something to say, Harry, just say it," she snapped. Harry blinked, taken aback, then his eyes landed on the locket around her neck.
"Want to switch?" he asked, nodding to the locket.
"What?" she said, confused, then her expression cleared. She reached up and took it off, handing it over to Harry. "Sorry."
"It's okay." Harry placed the locket round his neck, feeling its familiar weight settle against his chest. Silence fell between them once more, but he realised that Hermione had been right; he should just get it over with. He took a deep breath and turned to face her.
"What did he want from me, Hermione?" he asked, grimacing as he saw Hermione wince at the mention of Ron. She didn't answer for a while, and Harry became worried that it was too soon to be bringing it up.
Finally, she sighed and looked up at him. Harry felt uncomfortable under her gaze, like he was being studied, and he quickly broke eye contact. Hermione hummed softly. "You changed, Harry" she said simply.
Harry frowned. "What?"
"You changed," she repeated. "This- this coldness, this anger… it's not you."
"It's war, Hermione," he said bluntly. "We've all had to change."
Hermione looked at him sympathetically. "The problem wasn't that you changed, Harry. The problem was that you changed to please the people who didn't really matter."
"Dumbledore-"
"Dumbledore's dead," Hermione reminded him. "Ron didn't like that you were still trying to get his approval even now. And, honestly, nor do I." She stood up and stalked inside the tent. Harry thought about following, but he knew she wouldn't thank him for it.
He shivered as the wind began to pick up. Hermione's words had settled heavily in his heart, and he knew that she was right. He had been trying to please all the wrong people, and, in doing so, had pushed his friends away.
The night closed quietly around him. Never had he felt so alone.
A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this! Thank you for reading and please leave a review if you have a moment. Bye!
