I'm Pants at That.

"Expelliarmus!" Neville called out and looked surprised when Blaise's wand flew towards him.

"Good job, Neville." Sirius crowed proudly. Blaise retrieved his wand and gave Neville a small nod when they stood ready to face off again. The DADA professor watched the exchange between the two and his goofy grin grew, "Alright you two, let's go again!" They were the last pair of students to face off against each other and the grin that the Gryffindor had been sporting courtesy of his success mere seconds ago slipped away quickly as his opponent raised his wand in preparation. "Three, Two, One!"

Blaise was faster that round "Expelliarmus!" "Prote-" winning two out of three of their faceoffs.

While Neville appeared to have been prepared for the duel, he apparently wasn't because he not only lost his wand he was tossed backwards onto his back. Harry flinched in sympathy. During his duel against Dean, Harry had been distracted by his godfather and was soon summarily flung backwards. Even with Sirius' sabotage attempts, Harry had won two out of three. While he wasn't overly concerned about his reputation for losing a duel to Dean, Harry considered contacting the Weasley twins for prank ideas to pay his godfather back.

"Excellent," Sirius nodded extremely pleased with the class' progress. The Slytherin helped Neville off the ground. Blaise also handed the Gryffindor his wand back. "Well done everyone. You've all improved tremendously. Next class we will discuss the Patronus Charm. I know, I know," Sirius began as the class began muttering, "Not everyone will be able to do this spell, but we will try and see how many can manage at least a shield. It's better to know the spell and fail than not have the knowledge at all. For homework, I want two feet on… dementors." The hesitation was small and if you weren't familiar with the man's history it wouldn't have been noticeable. Unfortunately for the professor, everyone in Magical Britain knew of his stint in Azkaban. "Class dismissed!"

His belongings were already together since that day's class had been purely practical. Harry scooped up his bag and was heading to the door, but he hadn't made it two steps before Sirius called out, "Harry, can you stay a minute?" Blaise and Harry exchanged a quick look. Harry gave his friend a small nod of reassurance as the Italian joined the rest of the students piling out of the classroom.

Once the room was empty, Harry made his way to the front of the class. He didn't speak; he just watched as Sirius fidgeted. The former Gryffindor did a bit of maturing over the years, but one thing hadn't changed; he still wore his emotions on his sleeve. Sirius still wanted to know everything that was going on in Harry's life. He still felt responsible for the teen and he still regretted the time he had lost by being the foolish Gryffindor that ran after Peter Pettigrew instead of taking care of his godson.

Harry had gotten over any feelings of abandonment by the man. Their new friendship had been coming along nicely since their summer together, but still Harry let the man stew in his discomfort. He reasoned that he wasn't the one who had asked for the impromptu meeting, so it wasn't his place to begin the conversation. Besides, watching Sirius squirm was entertaining for the Slytherin and perhaps just a small form of revenge for the distraction earlier in class.

The animagus didn't stay quiet for too long, he started with "Harry, are you…" but his words faded when his godson sighed and rubbed his forehead. Thankfully Sirius got the hint and changed tactics to a safer topic, "You did great on Saturday. I thought you were a seeker though."

"I've always been a beater. Although I did play the seeker position for one game back in third year, we didn't have a reserve to play for Malfoy so I got stuck… wait… you saw that game?"

"Yup. It was raining pretty hard that day. I was there as Padfoot. I'm just glad there were no dementors around this time. I had to duck out quickly at the end. That was a nasty fall you took and you still managed to win the game."

Harry peered at his godfather as he tried to remember, "I think I saw you in the stands. I was nearly hit by a bludger!"

"You should've been paying more attention to the game." Sirius grinned unrepentantly, "I'm proud of you. James would have been real proud. Remus was disappointed he had to miss it."

That brought a small grin to Harry's features and he said, "Thanks."

"I'm glad you didn't give up playing."

"Al asked me to continue since she wants to play next year. I do love to fly. Quidditch is just a means to keep to the sky."

"Flying's in your blood." Harry didn't respond; he just raised a questioning eyebrow, so the animagus explained. "I don't suppose anyone told you, but your dad and I were chasers for Gryffindor." When Harry's grin broadened into a full on smile, Sirius warmed to the subject and quickly continued, "We were unbeatable!"

Harry smirked, "I'm sure you were."

"We were!" Sirius exclaimed and grinned hugely, "Best chasers the school ever had."

The teen shook his head, chuckling in amusement and folded his arms before leaning back against a desk, "So is this what you wanted to talk about?" He knew it wasn't, but he was getting hungry and wanted the man to get to the point.

"Partly," the professor admitted, "I'm sure you don't want to talk about what's wrong…"

"Not really," Harry agreed when Sirius' words trailed off.

"You know I'm here for you."

"And I appreciate it," Harry stalled him from repeating the platitudes.

Sirius' gaze slipped to his forehead when the teen rubbed it again, "Are the headaches still bad?"

"They're easing," Harry admitted. He was relieved with the change of subject.

"Are you still meditating? That seemed to help."

"Twice a day," Harry nodded. He had to admit, even if just to himself, that he appreciated knowing Sirius was paying attention enough to know that the meditation helped him while he was staying at Grimmauld that summer. With the thought that Sirius cared fresh in his mind, Harry shared, "Professor Snape is teaching me occlumency. He said it should help with the connection."

"Occlumency?" Sirius let out a rush of air when he said it. He leaned back to sit on his desk, but grumbled when he nearly sat on the muzzle still stuck to the corner. Harry coughed to cover his laugh. The leather monstrosity grew each time Sirius pulled a prank and it was currently the size of Crookshanks taking up the entire corner of his desk. Turning his attention back to his godson, Sirius stated, "That's pretty advanced magic. How's that going?"

Harry deflated because Sirius wasn't wrong. Occlumency was very advanced and Harry was worried about failing. He idly rubbed his forehead again, "We haven't officially started." He admitted and dropped his hand. "We met up after the game and talked about it. Professor Snape loaned me a book and I've been reading up on it. It's pretty intense. He has me clearing my mind of thought and emotions when I'm meditating. We're meeting up again at the end of the week." Harry peered at his godfather, "How familiar are you with occlumency?"

Sirius let out a short bark of laughter, "Not intimately. I just know what it is."

"It takes immense concentration and willpower." Harry recited, "I learned that in chapter 2."

His godfather grinned, "That and you have to hide your true emotions. I'm pants at that." Harry let out a snort of laughter and Sirius mock pouted, "You don't have to agree so readily."

Harry stiffened and looked utterly offended with Sirius. He scoffed saying, "What? You're not pants at hiding your emotions. You're the most staid man I've ever met."

Sirius gaped at him, "You said that with a straight face!"

That had Harry laughing again… then his stomach growled. Loudly. Harry rubbed his belly asking, "Mind if we finish this conversation so we can head to dinner?"

"Right, you're a growing boy…" Sirius' words tapered off when his stomach growled in response. "Like me…"

Harry and Blaise followed the other students as they made their way up the stairs into the tower. He was never a huge fan of Astronomy, even less so now that he and Hermione were not speaking to each other. Every class he had with the fifth year Ravenclaws was a painful reminder of what he lost, which was half of his class schedule including Astronomy.

It didn't help that he kept second guessing himself. He had so many unanswered questions: What did she want to say to him before the game? Why did she wait until that moment to try and talk to him? Why hadn't she talked to him the dozens of times he tried to talk to her? What did he do to cause their break up in the first place?

The top of the Astronomy Tower was large and circular. Harry waited until Padma and Hermione found a place to set up. He gave a nod of understanding as Blaise moved towards his intended and made his own away from them. With a frustrated sigh, Harry moved a second time to distance himself from Sara. The chit was on the prowl and Harry wanted none of whatever it was she willing to give him.

There would come a time when Harry would date again. Not that he'd been on many dates with Hermione or any before her, but he reasoned that he was young and had his life ahead of him. That was what he had heard people say on films. Harry wasn't sure he understood it or cared to try.

Harry had plenty of time to worry about girls and dating. That's what he kept telling himself and it wasn't entirely a lie. Harry was only fifteen. Wizards were known to live long lives… providing a barmy Dark Lord didn't kill them first. Look at Dumbledore. Compared to him, Harry was still an infant. He smirked at his own silly thoughts before he tuned back into class and what the professor was saying.

He dropped his bag at his feet before he set up his telescope. Sinistra was walking the full circle around the tower at a slow pace while she spoke, "You will need to find Orion. We've studied its many aspects numerous times throughout the years. Today we will be mapping the stars. Who can tell me Orion's brightest stars?" There was a pause in her talking as she, presumably, looked for a volunteer to answer her question. Harry was busy adjusting his telescope to find the blasted constellation and wasn't paying any attention to the rest of the class. "Miss Granger?"

When he heard her name called out, Harry closed his eyes and tried to brace his heart against the pain. Hearing her voice was bittersweet; he loved it, but it cut deep. When Hermione spoke it was much closer than he had expected. His head snapped up and he stared at the girl standing next to him. "They're Rigel and Betelgeuse also known as Beta Orionis and Alpha Orionis."

She hadn't been looking at him when she answered the question, but he watched her all the same. The moment Sinistra took over the conversation again, her eyes went to him. "Correct," Sinistra said. Harry could feel the weight of Hermione's gaze as they stared at each other. The professor continued speaking, "A point for Ravenclaw."

Hermione didn't smile when she was awarded the point like she used to. She just kept looking at Harry; Harry continued to stare at Hermione. It had been too long since he allowed himself to just look at her. Sinistra wasn't done with her questions and asked, "Who can name the three stars in Orion's Belt… Mr. Potter?"

Sinistra had apparently seen their awkward moment and thought to break it up or catch Harry off guard with her question. Only Harry didn't miss a beat. He continued to stare at Hermione when he answered, "Zeta, Epsilon and Delta."

"Also known as…" Sinistra prompted.

He didn't hesitate to reply, "Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka."

"A point for Slytherin," Sinistra kept moving.

Why did she move away from their friends? He had been polite enough to set up across the tower from them so things wouldn't be awkward. Why did she set her telescope up beside him? There was plenty of room in class, so why did she move? Why wasn't she with that stupid git she'd been getting cozy with? Why did his palms have to sweat? Why did her eyes glitter like the stars? He saw movement and his eyes dropped to her mouth. His breath hitched when she bit her bottom lip. He missed kissing those lips, burying his face in her neck, holding her close, the smell of her hair…

Bollocks. He wasn't close to being over her.

He tore his gaze away. It hurt too much to look at her so he just… wouldn't.

Harry found Orion and began charting the stars. He did his best not to look her way. Every time he felt the urge he'd look through the telescope instead telling himself he couldn't remember the angle of Orion's club or how far the shield was from Bellatrix. He nearly had himself convinced his tactics were working until she whispered in his ear, "Harry…"

He closed his eyes and clenched his fist snapping his quill. She saw his reaction. He knew that because she gasped. Good. She needed to see… see him… see what she had done to him, was doing to him. Then she would leave him alone.

Harry had expected her to go back to her own telescope or, at the very least, to step away from him. But when he raised his head, he realized he was wrong. Hermione was close. Too close. All Harry had to do was lean an inch closer…

"I'm sorry," She whispered.

He was watching her lips, "Okay." The word slipped out before he could stop it. Okay. Okay? What was okay? That she was sorry? That she was that close? That he wanted to just forget everything and hold her? He couldn't do that. They were in class. Oh and there was the small issue that he wasn't her boyfriend anymore. There was that little detail as well. Let's not forget that. And whose fault was that? Hers. Nothing was okay. And she was standing too close for his sanity. Harry's eyes went back to hers, "I have work to do." He stated and went back to it.

Hermione's breath hitched, but he ignored it. That wasn't his problem anymore. She wasn't his problem anymore. Not that he meant to hurt her. He was just… being an ass…

Bloody buggering hell.

Sighing he looked over to her, "Hermione…" She was at her telescope; she waved him off and went back to her own work. Harry cursed his own stupidity under his breath. He put away his telescope, handed in his work not caring if it was completed or not and went back to the dungeon without looking back.

Harry had gotten into the habit of carrying around his cloak and map. It made avoiding Hermione a lot easier. It also made keeping tabs on her easier, but he'd never admit that to anyone, especially not to himself. Like usual, she was in the library… with Terry Boot. Harry watched the idle footprints and wondered what she was studying.

The dorm room opened and his head snapped up. Theodore walked in and looked over at him. The boy frowned and asked, "You haven't told her, have you?"

Harry scowled wondering why the other boy cared. He remembered the day Theodore told him to confess to Hermione that he loved her, but that was weeks ago. There was no way he'd do that now. Just no way. Harry's scowl softened, because he just didn't have it in him to be angry with his roommate. It wasn't Theodore's fault. It was hers. Harry simply said, "No."

Theodore just shrugged his indifference and went about getting ready for bed. Harry looked back at the map and watched their footprints rush to the Ravenclaw tower. He waited until her banner was swallowed up with other Ravenclaw names before he sighed, "Mischief managed," and tucked the map away under his pillow.

His hand encountered a small smooth item and he immediately recalled that it was his two way mirror. He couldn't talk to Blaise about his feelings. They were mates sure, but boys don't talk about feelings like girls do. Blaise was still his best friend, but he was also happy. Harry didn't want to bring the guy down with his woes. Harry couldn't talk to his guardian. The mere thought of going to Snape about Hermione was laughable. He couldn't talk to Sirius either. The animagus liked Hermione too much and talking to Sirius made Harry feel frustrated. There was only one man he could turn to without fear of judgement.

When Theodore went into the bathroom, Harry closed his curtains, threw up his privacy ward and called, "Remus."

It was a few minutes before he got an answer, but Remus did eventually respond, "Harry?"

"Hi," Harry sighed and rubbed his scar. "I…" He started, but couldn't quite continue.

Remus seemed to cotton on quickly because he settled into his seat and steered the conversation elsewhere. "How was your test in Charms? You said you were a little nervous. Did it go well?"

Harry leaned back against his headboard and gave a feeble shrug. "Not sure why I worried. I do nothing, but study anymore."

"So you aced it," Remus prompted and Harry shrugged again. "How is the occlumency coming along?"

"Okay," Harry admitted, because it was. He rarely had nightmares and the headaches were all but gone. Now if he rubbed his forehead it was mostly out of habit. "Professor Snape has been randomly attacking me to test my shield. Nothing too harsh. He said he doesn't want to shatter what progress I have made, just give it a poke to see if it's standing or has strengthened."

"That's great, Harry."

"Remus…"

"Yeah…"

"I miss her…"

"I know, cub."

He looked up from his book and cocked his head, "What's up?"

"Are you going to Hogsmeade?"

Harry shrugged and said, "Probably not."

When he tried to go back to reading his book, she continued, "You could come with us."

"I could," Harry looked at his little sister, "What happened? I thought you two were going with a group of friends. There's strength in numbers, Al."

"You could come with me and my friends…"

Harry smirked, "Yes, because I want to spend my free time with your many giggling friends and worse, Creepy…"

Alia grinned, "Okay… well, there is that."

"I appreciate the offer, but don't worry about me."

Harry looked back down at his book, but she started yet again. "I will worry about you. It's my job and my right as the little sister." Alia stated and then leaned on the table that separated them, "She misses you." She held her hand out to stop his protest, "Just listen to me. Hermione doesn't have the same happy step she used to. She's like you, moping around and studying all the time and it isn't just because she's a Ravenclaw. She asks me about you. If you're okay. If you're sleeping alright. About your headaches. Are you eating. She noticed you lost weight…"

He frowned at her and she stopped talking. "I don't want to talk about it, Al."

Alia leaned even closer, "Yeah, well maybe I want to talk about it."

"It's not about you-"

"No, it's about my big brother who I love a lot. He was there for me when I needed him, but he's shutting me out!" Alia hissed and Harry closed the book he had been trying to read. "Come to Hogsmeade with me. I miss you, too. You're shutting everyone out, not just her."

Harry winced at her accusation. He had been shutting everyone out. It was easier that way. Sure he was moping, yes he was broody, and okay maybe he was using his studies as a shield, but when he was alone up in his dorm room behind his curtains Harry didn't have to pretend to be what he wasn't. He wasn't happy. He wasn't okay and he could wallow in his self pity all he wanted thank you very much.

He missed his friends. He missed his sister. Still, he wasn't keen on going to Hogsmeade because Hermione would probably be there with Boot. Harry wasn't overly enthusiastic on seeing the two on a date or worse snogging. He might hurt Terry if he saw that, but Alia stood before him with hurt shining in her eyes. Harry sighed, "I'll think about it."

AN: I need these two to make up because they are seriously bringing me down. Worse, he's getting quiet and I can't have that. I'm finally writing again for cripes' sake! *flails*

MythStar Black Dragon: Considering this story is from Harry's POV, we won't know what's going on in Hermione's head until she tells him. Sorry!

JKArcanus: I had to smile when you mentioned the lack of Blaise in last chapter. Not because I've lost interest in the young man, but because Alia calls him on that in this chapter.

Shahismael: Wow, I hadn't thought of that, but you're right.