A/N:  I wrote this a while back on a different screen name and just found it the other day.  I guess it's a lot of angst and defiantly not my best work.  Anyway, let me know if you think it has any promise and if I should rewrite and continue.  The Integral would be my first priority, but if anyone likes this I can work on it.

Disclaimer:  Nope…don't own them, just playing with them a bit.  ;-)

Chapter 1:  Reflections

Hermione and her two best friends were once again on the Hogwarts Express, heading for their sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 

Hermione stole a glance at the raven haired boy sitting across from her.  He soon realized her stare, and quickly looked out the window pretending to be particularly interested in the passing trees, but not in time for her to miss the lost look on his face.  She wondered if he was ever going to talk about it.  He hadn't written over the summer, despite the fact that she wrote almost everyday.  He hadn't spoken so far on the ride to Hogwarts, nor had he let go of that photo album Hagrid had given to him after his first year. 

~*~

The last week of summer break, he and Hermione had gone to stay with the Weasley's, but even then, no one could get more than a couple words out of him.  He spent his days outside, looking at that book, clinging to it as though it was life itself.  'Probably has pictures of Sirius in it.'  Hermione thought silently.

Today he chose a tree to sit in.  Now a tree was a normal place as any for teenagers to sit and think, I suppose, but it isn't the brightest thing to sit in a wizard's tree, not knowing what creatures could be living there.  Harry soon learned that fact after he was bit by one such creature, startling him.  The next thing he knew, he had landed on the ground next to Ron.  He got up, ignoring Ron's snickers and the normal, 'I told you so' and 'should've listened to me' as he made his way towards the shed.

He usually loved his time at the Burrow, but this summer was different.  Lately, he couldn't help but get annoyed with Ron.   Ron hadn't even tried to talk to Harry about what had happened that night in the Department of Mysteries.  Not that Harry would've said anything, but that fact that Ron was so oblivious to what had happened and the fact that he was constantly happy was driving Harry mad!  He had had enough.  "RON!"

Ron looked aghast at Harry sudden outburst.  He had been in the middle of a rather funny joke that he had just heard from one of the twins.  "What?"

"Just…just go!" 

"Fine," he sighed, "I was just gonna go check up on 'Mione anyways…see you later then."  Ron smiled and turned around.

Harry glared at his retreating figure.  He knew that Ron was probably really smiling because he had gotten more than two words out of him, but he still couldn't help that he felt his heart tear a little when he said he was going to look for Hermione.  Everyone knows that Ron likes Hermione— with the exception of Hermione, that is— but Harry had admitted to Ron the year before about his crush on her.  He knew Ron had probably forgotten about it, but he still couldn't help the anger that surged in him, thinking that he was only trying to make him jealous, which if that was the case, he was definitely succeeding.

He had gotten his broom from the shed and had made his way to his nightly spot on the roof of the Burrow when a loud shriek came from below—

"HARRY JAMES POTTER!  Get down from there this instant!  I don't know what you're trying to pull, but I guarantee that's not going to solve anything!  You can't just…"

"HERMIONE!"  Harry yelled for what he thought was the sixth time. "I'm not planning anything!"

"Then what on earth are you doing up on the roof!"  Hermione asked confused.

"Just thinking…can't do much of that down there, with the twins and their pranks, and Ron…"  Harry's voice trailed.

"Ron what...?"  If Hermione had been listening closer, she would have noticed a hit of jealousy in his voice.

"Nothing…"  Harry mumbled, "nothing."

"Well come inside then.  It's freezing out here, besides, Mrs. Weasley says that supper will be ready in a few minutes."  Hermione said going back into the house.

Harry sat their a few more minutes, looking up at the sky.  He thought about what Hermione had said.  He wasn't really planning on jumping off of the roof of the Burrow.  He had occasionally thought of the Astronomy Tower back at Hogwarts, but he never took those thoughts too seriously.  He knew how many people were relying on him…he was their last hope.  *Why do I always do things for everyone else!* Harry thought, furious at himself, *because I'm the bloody 'boy who lived' that's why!*  He didn't think he could handle much more.  The wind began to pick up a bit, getting colder.  All the while, Harry sat there unfazed.  He had become numb to coldness around him.  It was everywhere, and he didn't think it was going to go away any time soon.

~*~

TBC…

A/N:  Well, here the first chapter!  Let me know  if I should try this one again!

~i luv padfoot~