Harry sat on the edge of the Astronomy tower. His eyes were puffy and red. The normally soothing Scottish highland countryside that usually made him feel at home were now simply making him feel a pang of guilt, as it reminded him of the freedom he had compared to Sirius.
"Sirius" he whispered painfully.
Then he felt a deep pang in his heart, opening his mouth quickly in preparation for the vomit he had felt was coming but there was nothing but tears. As they flooded he rocked himself back and forward, to soothe himself.
"I need time" he thought "I don't want this... I don't want this..."
He closed his eyes and started breathing slowly. In... and out... In... and out... He repeated this until eventually the thrumming he heard and felt stopped and all he could hear was the wind gently flowing and the crisp splashing of water from the lake.
After some time in this state, Harry had finally managed to collect himself and for the time being, forget his pain. In the background he started to hear the faint thud of footsteps. He sat for a small while listening to them get closer until there was a bit of scraping next to him and then silence.
He opened his eyes and sitting next to him, looking out at the beautiful scenery was Ron. He felt conflicted. He wanted to be alone but Ron was his best mate, his brother. Just having him there made him feel more at ease.
They sat in silence for a while before eventually Harry was startled out of his musings by Ron clearing his throat.
"I'm not going to make you talk about it mate" he said gently.
Harry tried to reply but his throat was blocked up and a bit scratchy at that moment, so he made do with a simple nod of thanks.
Ron looked over him, a rarely seen expression of seriousness on his face. "But" he said "There is something I'd like to say."
Harry gulped "Yes?" he whispered hoarsely.
"I know what I did last year It was extremely crappy to treat you the way I did, even if you do know how jealous I get sometimes." He mumbled "But I learnt what you went through mate, last year and this year. I know things are starting to become different. But you need to know that I'm here for you, that Hermione is here for you, the D.A, Dumbledore, my family... All of us. No matter what.
Harry coughed and looked at him in despair. "But Voldemort?" he despaired "We're tied, I don't want anyone to get hurt. There is something between us both."
Ron laughed, "I think that's always been obvious mate. But I mean it, you aren't alone, I'll always be your friend."
Ron then put his arm around Harry and they stayed like that for a while, they couldn't say how long. Eventually Hermione was sitting on Harry's other side, head on his shoulder, the trio were alone together.
They stayed like that for the rest of the day, watching the students bustle through the castle and it's grounds, the sun move until it was sunset.
As the sun touched the hills, the light faded on the melancholy trio, it's shadows drawing it's own blanket over them, while the castle was bathed in it's final orange rays for the last time that day. The final glow.