Chapter Thirteen

Harry glanced along the stands at his friends. They were sitting several rows below him, and hadn't once looked at him. But he couldn't blame them, not after the way he had treated them over the last few weeks. He stared into the game, but his heart was no longer in it. A great cheer rang out as Katie Bell, one of the Chasers for Gryffindor, scored a goal, earning them ten points in the game, and pushing them further into the lead.

Hermione twisted around in her seat. She felt awkward not sitting with Harry, but Ron had said it was best they left him alone. She longed to find out what was bothering him, but at the same time was afraid he'd start shouting again.

As Harry had walked out of the hall, she'd looked at the Head Table, wondering if any of the teachers had seen the incident. Judging by the expression on Professor Dumbledore's face, he had sent he whole thing. He had briefly caught Hermione's eye, the short connection had been a little reassuring.

"What's wrong with you?" Ron demanded.

"He looks so lonely."

"He should be used to it, he's been totally ignoring us for ages." Ron snapped.

"He's not himself, Ron."

"It doesn't make any difference. He doesn't want our company any more."

"So why did he choose to sit with us at breakfast then?" Hermione questioned, facing the game again, while not paying attention to it.

"How should I know?"

"Hasn't it crossed your mind that there might be something wrong?"

Ron sighed, "Yeah. I've known him all my life, and he's never been like this before."

"I think we need to speak to someone."

"Who?" Ron watched the Slytherin Beater whack a Bludger towards Angelina Johnson.

Hermione turned to the stands where the teachers sat, "Dumbledore. He's as worried about Harry as we are."

"Ok, but we try to help him ourselves first. We owe him that much as his friends."

Hermione nodded her agreement.

Harry watched Ron and Hermione talking. He couldn't help feeling left out. They were supposed to be his friends. But then, he'd not exactly been friendly himself recently. I'll make it up to them after the game. Harry though to himself.

Harry joined the end of the queue outside the Transfiguration classroom. Ron and Hermione were closer to the front. Hermione looked at him and gave a small smile, he tried to return it but it was as though his face had forgotten how to smile. He gave up, turning away as Professor McGonagall opened the door and let the class enter.

Harry sat beside Hermione in a glum silence. He'd not been able to get a private moment with them all weekend. Slytherin had narrowly won the Quidditch match, putting them in the lead for the inter-House Championship. He listened to Professor McGonagall talking about the complexity of vanishing animals. Only a small amount stuck in his mind. Next to him, Hermione was talking notes at such a speed that her quill was almost a blur.

"You can borrow my notes later." She whispered as she wrote.

"Thanks." Harry whispered back, while Ron scowled at them.

After half an hour, Professor McGonagall allowed the class to practice on a simple animal. She handed the box of snails around as the noise levels began to rise.

Harry took a snail, placing it on the desk in front of him. He took out his wand and stared at it with no idea what the incantation should be.

For a while, Harry just watched Hermione and Ron as they worked on their own snails. Eventually, Hermione took pity on him and leaned across to help. Ron watched in silence.

The bell rang for the end of the lesson. Harry wanted nothing more than to be able to disappear for a while so he could sleep. Despite getting a full night of sleep every night, he always awoke feeling distinctly unrested. He shoved his books into his bag along with his wand and got up to leave with Ron and Hermione.

"I'll lend you my notes this evening if you want, Harry." Hermione said, leading them to the Great Hall for lunch, "It's pretty simple stuff."

"Speak for yourself," Ron interrupted, "You never lend me your notes."

"That's not true. I lent you my History of Magic notes just last night."

"No you didn't."

"I wish you two wouldn't argue so much," Harry dropped his bag on the floor and sat down heavily on the seat.

"I'm sorry if it bothers you, but it's just the way we are." Hermione said, sitting beside him.

"I should be the one apologising," Harry lowered his voice and head.

"Yeah, you should be." Ron sat opposite them.

Harry fell silent and rested his head on his hand.

"Are you all right, Harry?" Hermione asked, reaching for the bread.

"I just want to go to sleep."

"Why don't you then?"

"I don't want to miss Charms."

"You'll miss most of it anyway if you're that tired." Hermione pointed out, "I'll lend you my notes for Charms as well if you want."

Ron opened his mouth to protest, but Harry cut him off.

"Leave off it, Ron. I've had enough of you two arguing." He grabbed is bag, slung it over his shoulder and left them staring after him.

"We should go after him." Hermione said immediately.

Ron looked longingly at the sandwiches on his plate.

"Bring them with you if you're that hungry." Hermione said, rescuing her bag from under the table, "Come on, we can't loose him."

Together they ran up the Marble Staircase catching Harry in the corridor leading to the entrance to the Gryffindor Tower.

"Harry, wait!" Hermione called.

Harry slowed, but didn't stop.

"What's going on, Harry?" Hermione asked, standing right in front of him.

"Nothing."

"Oh come on, Harry, you can't pretend nothing is wrong, because it's quite clear something is wrong."

"But nothing is wrong, I'm fine."

"No, mate, you're not fine. You get angry at the smallest thing. It's not like you."

"How many times do I have to tell you there is nothing wrong?"

"But, Harry – "

"No, Hermione, leave it alone. Leave me alone."

Harry sidestepped around her, walking straight passed the portrait hole.

"I think it's time we spoke to Professor Dumbledore." Ron muttered.

Professor Dumbledore strode along the corridor to his office. Lunch had just finished and students were heading off to afternoon lessons. Harry had not been waiting outside the Charms room when he'd walked passed, and neither of his friends had been there either.

When he reached the hidden stairway to his office, he was surprised to find two students waiting for someone. It quickly became clear that they were waiting for him. He let them into his office and offered seats to them.

"Now Mr Weasley, Miss Granger, on what terms is it that you have come here?"

"We want to talk to you, sir."

"Indeed."

"About Harry Potter."

"Ah yes. I know his parents quite well. Please, continue."

Hermione glanced at Ron before she spoke.

"We're sure something is wrong, but he refuses to admit it."

"He's been really short-tempered lately, and it's just not like him."

Dumbledore gazed at them. Ron shifted uncomfortably, but Hermione held it confidently.

"His father has voiced the same concerns to me recently. I have been meaning to talk to him for a while."

"You'll need some luck finding him." Hermione said, "He was heading upstairs when we last saw him."

"Thank you for coming to me. Perhaps it would be best that you go to your lesson now. Just tell Professor Flitwick that you have been with me."

Author's Note: There you have it, Chapter 13. I spotted one or two mistakes while I was going through it before putting it on here. Any more mistakes, let me know please. Enjoy!