Colin's POV

This morning wasn't so bad. I wasn't happy, but I wasn't sad either. I got dressed and gathered my books in my bag. I don't bother to grab my camera. It's in my trunk, covered in dust. I take pictures of things that I'd like to remember. Thinking back now, there hasn't really been anything I'd like to remember in quite a few months.

There weren't that many people in the corridors as I walked down to the Great Hall for breakfast. I saw through the windows that the sun was shining brightly and there weren't any clouds in the sky. I actually started smiling to myself, just like I used to. I jumped the last few steps in the Entrance Hall and stepped through the doors to the Great Hall.

I sat down at the Gryffindor table and looked around. Everyone there was chatting merrily to their friends and no one noticed me. Even my brother made his own friends among the first years and didn't have time to talk with me. Then it hit me that I was still all alone. I might as well not even exist.

Third Person POV

Harry, Ron and Hermione were standing out in the Entrance Hall. Harry peeked through the doors and saw Colin sitting alone.

"Okay, he's in there,"

"What are we doing again?" asked Ron.

"We're gonna try and cheer him up," said Harry.

"And why do we need to do that?"

"Don't you notice anything that hasn't got to do with your stomach, Ron?" Hermione exclaimed, "He hasn't been acting like himself, and he hasn't been sleeping. He doesn't talk to anyone. And when was the last time you saw him take a picture?"

"I thought we didn't like for him to take pictures?"

"I prefer the way he used to act compared to him being constantly unhappy."

"Fine, let's just hurry up and get in there. I'm starving."

Harry and Hermione rolled their eyes as Ron pushed the doors open and stepped into the Hall.

Colin was pushing his food around with his fork, not really interested in eating, when he felt the bench shudder as someone sat down next to him. He made a point to keep his eyes on his plate.

"Morning, Colin," came Harry's voice. Colin looked up in disbelief, but sure enough Harry Potter was sitting next to him.

"Morning," he said quietly in reply. He looked across the table and saw Hermione, who smiled kindly, and Ron, who had already begun shoveling food onto his plate and then into his mouth.

Hermione noticed this and said, "Why do you even bother with a plate. Just stick your face in the bowl of eggs, it'll save time." Colin almost laughed at that. Almost.

"How are your classes this year?" asked Harry rather lamely.

"Fine… I guess," replied Colin, still quietly.

They sat in awkward silence for a few seconds. Then Harry said, "What about that Triwizard Tournament? Exciting, isn't it?"

"Maybe,"

"I bet you'll take lots of great photos of it," said Harry, receiving an approving nod from Hermione. Colin looked surprised by the compliment.

"T-thanks," he said, the corners of his lips twitching slightly.

Then Ron said, "Maybe you can get some candid shots of the champions since you like sneaking up on people and flashing them with your camera?" Poor Ron just doesn't know what he's saying sometimes.

What was almost a smile quickly disappeared from Colin's face. He grabbed his bad and stood up from the bench, a look of hurt upon his face.

"Colin, what's wrong?" asked Harry, getting up to follow Colin out the Great Hall, sparing Ron a glare. He managed to catch up in the Entrance Hall, and grabbed the younger boys arm, "Colin! What's wrong?"

When Colin looked back at him, his eyes were watery, "Don't try to pretend that you want to be around me. I already know what everyone thinks of me. It hurts enough without you guys coming around to make fun of me." He pulled himself away and ran toward the dungeons.

"But Colin!" Harry tried to call him back. Then whispered to himself, "I wasn't pretending…"