Disclaimer: All characters are not mine. Too bad.

*.* denotes thoughts

Disclaimer: Not mine

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The conversation

Hermione hadn't forgotten her conversation with Harry. She decided to confront him again. He was going to tell her what was wrong!

"Harry? Can I talk to you? Alone?"

Harry knew what she wanted to ask. It bothered him that she assumed he wasn't okay. But he also knew that he had to have this conversation, otherwise she would keep asking him.

"'Kay, 'Mione."

He followed her to the common room that was deserted due to the late hour. The fire was lit, so it was comfortable warm. They both seated on the bench in front of the fire. Harry stared into the fire, not wanting to look at Hermione.

"Harry, how are you?"

"Fine."

"You're not fine, Harry! I can clearly see that something is wrong!"

Harry looked away. * I can't let her know. She'd be overly protective of me.*

"Nothing 's wrong, 'Mione. Really."

Hermione eyed him suspiciously. She knew he was lying again, but why? Did he have something to hide? And from his friends, of all people?

"What is it you're not telling me?"

Harry sighed. He really didn't want to talk about it. So he just kept staring into the fire, hoping that she wouldn't insist.

"Harry, answer me, please!"

He had enough. He had tried being polite and calm. He just stood up and left the common room with the intention of wandering through the hallways. Unfortunately, Hermione was right behind him.

"Harry, don't run away from me!"

"I don't want to talk about it! I already told you I was fine!"

Hermione sadly shook her head.

"You're acting different, Harry. And you're looking a bit different too."

Harry didn't know what to say, so he remained silent. He saw that Hermione was uncomfortable. But she was the one he wanted to pursue this, so it was her own fault.

"What Draco said was true. You do look skinnier, your jaw is a bit more square, your cheekbones more accentuated and your hair has grown and isn't quite as messy anymore."

Hermione was talking rather fast now.

"Did the Dursleys starve you? Did something happen during your vacation? I just want to help!"

Harry had heard enough. The oh so bright Hermione was just assuming things she had no knowledge of.

"So I lost some weight. Or maybe I have grown a bit, making me look skinnier. That doesn't automatically mean that the Dursleys starved me! They didn't treat me any different! And hair grows! It's normal, especially when you don't cut it! My face? "

Harry was pointing angrily at his face.

"In case you haven't noticed, I'm growing up! People tend to change when they get older!"

Hermione pointedly stared at her feet, cheeks red from embarrassment.

"I'll just leave you alone," she whispered.

Harry was left with his anger, but it soon disappeared leaving him feeling drained. He walked to his room to retire for the night.

Snape was wandering through the hallways when he suddenly heard Hermione and Harry. He crept closer to listen to their conversation without being noticed. When he heard them leave, he came out of hiding.

*So that Granger girl believes that Potter has changed? *

He started to head back to the dungeons.

*Potter has acted quite strange lately. And he looks indeed a bit different. *

The conversation kept him awake for the better part of the night.

What did you think of the conversation? Please review!!!