Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Prince of Tennis!

...

...

Britain

...

Hermione glanced over at Ron, who was staring into the fireplace with a frown on his face. He looked like he was ignoring the others around him now and she had caught him looking over at her a few times earlier that evening.

Just what was he thinking?

She sighed as she turned back to her books and tried to focus on her homework. She was so tired. She missed Hari. Oh, how she missed her best friend. It was a long time since she had felt so alone.

They had met with Madam Bones, and she had been intimidating and Hermione had barely managed to keep herself together. She hated being in front of authority figures like that, but she had done it. She hoped it had helped.

Ron had been of help, at least. He had backed her up even if he had let her do most of the talking, and she was glad he had managed to keep his temper in check. At least for the most part. He had let his frustration slip a few times, but it hadn't really hurt them. It seemed to have had Madam Bones thinking, so she guessed it was good.

Again, she felt confused about Ron. He pulled away but he still acted like he cared, but then he would pull away again. He looked almost scared. Something was going on, and she was curious and worried. She knew Ron was rash, and that he acted without thinking a lot.

But he had been the one standing between Hari and Sirius when they thought Sirius wanted to kill Hari. He had refused to sit back and just watch then. What had happened?

At least Madam Bones had looked like she believed them. While she had questioned them she hadn't dismissed what they were saying. So Hermione hoped that it was a good sign.

But now she was tired and just exhausted.

Hermione closed her books. It was no good. She wouldn't be able to focus on anything else and she should just give up. She got up and said goodnight to Neville who had been keeping her company a lot lately and she felt again that they were bad friends to him by not letting him know about Hari.

As she made her way through the common room she picked up on a conversation and stilled.

"I can't believe that Potter would actually sue the publishers!"

"I know! The books are great!"

"I read them a lot when I was a kid. My little sister is reading them now and loves them. Mum said she cried when she learned about the lawsuit."

"Potter acts all high and mighty."

"She should be here. Why is she hiding?"

"Coward."

Hermione stared at the second and third years talking together and was disappointed when she saw Ginny sitting there as well. She hadn't said anything but she wasn't defending Hari either.

"Who do you think you are to make judgements like that?" Hermione interrupted making them fall silent and looked over at her with wide eyes.

The common room seemed to go silent at once and turned to watch. Hermione didn't care. She glared at the students in front of her.

"What?" A girl Hermione thought was named Lucy said.

"Why shouldn't Hari do something about the books about her when she wasn't involved in making them?" Hermione asked. "Why shouldn't she say it isn't okay that they use her name like that?"

"She's the Girl-Who-Lived!" Lucy said with a glare. "She's famous because of those books! She should be glad they are there!"

"Why?" Hermione asked again biting back the rush of anger that washed over her.

"Because…"

"Don't say because she's the Girl-Who-Lived," Hermione interrupted. "She's Hari. She's a teenage girl who just wants a chance to be normal."

"As if," Trent scoffed (a third-year if Hermione remembered correctly). "She's famous and loving it."

"You know nothing," Hermione said. "You don't know her."

"She's a Gryffindor," Trevor said. "We all know her. She's one of us and she left us."

"Yeah! Hari should never have left! What if something happens and we need her? She's the one who defeated You-Know-Who!"

"Professor Dumbledore doesn't think that You-Know-Who is gone!"

"Hari needs to be here!"

"She's a coward!"

Hermione looked at Ginny who looked defiantly back at her.

...

"This is why she left," Hermione scoffed. "You all make me sick! Stop being stupid! Hari is a teenager! She's not some saviour!"

"You're just saying that because you're her best friend," Lucy said.

Hermione felt so angry and frustrated as she saw others seemingly agreeing with these kids. She fisted her hands.

"You said that Hari shouldn't sue the publishers of those books," Hermione said going back to the first part she overheard.

"No! She shouldn't," a boy Hermione didn't know the name of said.

"It's not like she didn't know that there were stories about her, Hermione," Ginny said softly.

"Stories, yes, but she didn't know about the books," Hermione said. "Yes, she knew there were stories. Stories, but not books. It's one thing that people talk, but knowing that there are books that helped form an opinion about her and who she is… that's another thing."

Ginny frowned and Hermione saw that they were thinking as they took in what she said. Good, but she didn't like the stubborn looks that took over their faces. This attitude around Hari was scary…

"Opinions?"

"Look at how all of you seems to think you have a claim to her and what she does," Hermione said. "You all sit there saying she shouldn't do that, and she should do that. She should be here. She's a coward for not being here. She should be here in case something happens so she can come and save the day! LISTEN TO YOURSELVES!"

Hermione didn't care that she scared them by yelling. They were all so ridiculous.

"It is…"

"…despicable…"

"…the way…"

"…you all…"

"..act!" Fred and George came up to stand beside Hermione and she felt a little better knowing they came and supported her.

"Hari is Hari," George said.

"She's not someone who owes you anything," Fred added.

Ron had also gotten to his feet and walked over to them, and Hermione glanced over at him. He didn't look at her, but he was clearly on their side in this.

"But…"

"But nothing!" Hermione said. "Hari doesn't owe you anything. Let me ask you this if it were you, would you like to know that someone made money off your story? That they made money of the fact that you lost your mum, lost your dad? How would you like it if some third party decided to write books about it? Used you and made you into something you weren't? So, no! Hari isn't famous because of those books! Those books are popular because of Hari!"

Hermione saw that they were thinking but still looked a little defiant.

"You make me sick." Hermione snapped. "All of you. You're not acting like Gryffindors! I thought you were supposed to be brave. Instead, you act like you need someone to hide behind. You are the cowards! Idiots."

"Hey," George said placing a hand on her shoulder and Hermione felt herself calm down a little. "Don't listen to them. They clearly are idiots and deserving of some good pranks in order to get their heads out of their arses."

Ginny glared at her brother who returned the look.

"I thought better of you, Gin," Fred said. "I thought Hari was your friend."

"She is!" Ginny said. "She saved me!"

"So? You're not acting like her friend right now, Ginny," Ron said quietly. "Neither am I, really. I messed up again. This isn't right. Hari deserves better than this."

Ginny glared but didn't say anything as she rushed out of the common room and toward the dorms. Hermione didn't care. She just glared at everyone again and allowed George to lead her out of the common room followed him to an empty classroom close by along with Fred and Ron.

...

"I can't believe them," Hermione hissed. "They're so deluded and I'm glad Hari isn't here having to deal with them anymore!"

Hermione was glad Hari had found a place she belonged even if she missed her at Hogwarts. It was lonely without her there, but at least she didn't have to deal with these people and their stupidity.

"You okay, Hermione?" George asked.

"Yeah, it isn't like you to lose your temper like this," Fred agreed.

Hermione inhaled trying to calm down. She knew it wasn't like her to lose control of her temper, but she was so tired and alone. The news about Hari and her connection to Voldemort was also tearing at her, and it just was too much.

"I know," Hermione said. "I just… Hari is going through so much and they act as she owes them… I can't deal with that right now."

"It's not fair, no," George agreed.

Ron looked at her but looked down when she met his eyes.

"And what is wrong with you, Ron?" Hermione asked bluntly. "One moment you're acting like you don't care and then you are defending her again. You push me away, but step up now? What is going on?"

Ron grimaced, "I know. It's…"

"Don't say it's for the best," Hermione snapped. "Is this worth it? Hari is confused as to why you haven't been writing. She thought you fixed things when we saw her."

"We did!" Ron said.

"Then why are you ignoring her?" Hermione asked.

Fred and George watched them silently. It was weird seeing the twins being serious, but Hermione had learned that they had this side to them as well. They just rarely showed it to anyone.

"Because I think I did something stupid!" Ron exploded. "I… I messed up!"

Hermione frowned, "what?"

Ron looked away and she noticed that his ears were red.

"She won't want anything to do with me anymore," Ron said not looking at them. "Neither will you. I know that. I messed up."

"What are you talking about?" Fred asked.

"Why wouldn't we want anything to do with you?" George asked. "You're our brother."

Ron glanced over at them.

"I…back when we were in Japan, and I had the argument with Hari…" Ron started. "I… I thought that she wasn't safe and that she should come back. I let my insecurities take over, and I thought I knew best. I didn't want to lose her."

Hermione frowned not really seeing where this was going.

"I… I wrote a letter," Ron said quietly. "To Professor Dumbledore… I was going to tell him where Hari was."

"Ron!" Hermione snapped.

"I know, okay?" Ron said looking at her. "I changed my mind. I didn't even finish it. But there was enough information in the letter…"

Hermione felt her eyes widen, "but…"

"I didn't send it," Ron said almost pleading now, "you have to believe me! I never sent it. Like I said, I didn't even finish it…"

"Please tell me you destroyed it," Hermione said.

Ron shifted on his feet, "no. I meant to, but I forgot. I pushed it into my trunk and forgot about it."

"I still don't see why you pulled away," Fred said. "If you didn't send it…"

Ron grimaced, "I noticed that it had been moved the last day before summer ended. It wasn't where I left it, and… I don't know if it means anything. But if mum had found it she would have asked me about it, so maybe it doesn't mean anything. But… I got this feeling…"

Hermione felt a sinking feeling of dread go through her as she stared at Ron. How could he…

"But it was at the Burrow, right?" Hermione asked.

"Yes," Ron said.

"So…how could anyone see it?" Hermione asked.

Ron shrugged, "I don't know. I just… I noticed that some things had been moved. I didn't think about it at first, but the more I think back… it's strange."

"Mum would have confronted us if she had seen it," George agreed.

"Dad might not," Fred said, "but then again… he probably would. He'd be calmer about it, though."

"Great," Hermione sighed. "Just… great. How could you do that, Ron?!"

Ron flinched, "I didn't…"

"You didn't think, I know! But seriously! Someone can know where Hari is, and you waited all this time to tell us?" Hermione glared at him. "That's worse!"

Ron didn't say anything as he looked down ashamed. He knew that, but he had been scared. Scared about what they would say…

"I'm sorry," Ron said. "Hermione, I really am sorry."

"I don't know if that's enough this time," Hermione said.

Ron nodded. "I know."

...

Madam Bones felt exhausted as she finished her rapport. This whole case just kept growing and growing the more she learned about it. It was far from simple and cut. Well, she was more than convinced that a grave mistake had been done and that they had imprisoned an innocent man.

It was just a lot of other things that kept appearing as well.

Having talked with Ron and Hermione it was clear that there was a lot that Madam Bones had been kept in the dark about.

The Dementors on the school grounds, for one. She had been surprised and horrified hearing about it and wondered how she hadn't heard about it before. Susan had been that close to the Dementors, and she hadn't known. Hari Potter had fallen from a broom during a quidditch match because of them and would have died if not for Dumbledore slowing her fall in time.

She shuddered thinking about Hermione's tale about how they had almost been Kissed by the Dementors alongside Sirius. Madam Bones had been stunned when Hermione said that Hari had been the one to drive the Dementors away before passing out.

A thirteen-year-old girl had managed to cast a full-fledge Patronus. It was unbelievable and she would have doubted it if not for the fact that McGonagall (who had been sitting in under the interview) had confirmed that Hari had been learning one. Apparently, Remus Lupin had been teaching her.

It was sad, really. That Hari had the need to learn. It wasn't hard for Madam Bones to guess why she needed to learn. It was not something she wished for anyone especially a girl that young to remember.

Madam Bones was going to find out why she hadn't been told about this. It was inexcusable for this to have happened. Fudge knew how Madam Bones felt about having placed Dementors at the School gates and had promised that they wouldn't enter the school.

But while the news about the Dementors had been upsetting and shocking it hadn't been the most shocking thing she had learned by talking with the two students.

Animagus.

Sirius Black was an animagus. Madam Bones was not someone who was surprised easily, but that had taken her by surprise. The tale they told her about how Sirius Black, James Potter and Peter Pettigrew becoming animagi in their fifth year. All in order to keep Remus Lupin company during the full moon.

No wonder they hadn't found Sirius. They hadn't been looking for an animal. Hermione and Ron had refused to tell her what animal he could turn into though. Madam Bones had pressed them, but they refused. Honestly, she understood why. It was what kept him safe, but she was the Head of the Magical Law Department meaning it was her job to catch him.

She could make moves to force them to tell her, but for now, she wouldn't do that. Not while Fudge was still running the Ministry. She didn't like how he had gone for the Dementor when they had caught Sirius. He was under control so he should have been brought back to the Ministry and where he should have been put back into arrest.

The Dementors Kiss was only to be used if there was a danger.

This had not been that.

It was one more thing for her to figure out.

The things they told her matched with the articles and went deeper into details that had been lacking in the articles. She also knew that they were closer to Sirius than they would admit to. The way they talked about him hinted strongly about familiarity and fondness. Again, she held back, though. It wouldn't do her any good pushing too hard. Not if she wanted this to be solved peacefully and justly. Meaning they had to get the truth.

She sighed as she got up and moved to go home for the night. It had become late once more. Not that there was anyone at home waiting for her. Not with Susan at Hogwarts.

...

Madam Bones frowned when she saw the owl sitting in the window when she entered the kitchen. She had been on her way to find some food when she spotted the owl.

A wave with her wand told her that there were no threatening charms on the owl or letter it carried. She reached out and took the letter and the unfamiliar writing of her name.

She didn't normally get owls at her home. Susan was one of few who wrote to her here, otherwise, she got her owls through work.

She eyed the letter once more before opening the envelope and she didn't miss that the owl was still there.

Her eyes widened as she read before she frowned.

...

Tokyo

...

Hari glanced around wondering how she had ended up here. It had happened so fast and without her really having a chance to think before she found herself in the large auditorium where the match drawing would take place before Nationals.

She glanced over at Tezuka who looked calm, but then again he always did look calm. Had she ever seen him anything but? She couldn't think about a time…

She looked around noticing the others there. It seemed like there was someone representing every team that would be playing in the Nationals.

"Why did you bring me here, Captain?" Hari asked looking over at Tezuka.

"Oishi couldn't, and I thought you would be the best choice," Tezuka said.

"Um, Shu-chan could have come," Hari pointed out but Tezuka shrugged. She sighed because she knew he wouldn't give her his reasons.

She looked around and saw a few she knew from before, but there was also a few new ones. It wasn't surprising, really, given that this was the Nationals meaning that they came from all over the country.

"Ah, Rikkai Dai sure got sloppy," a boy said making Hari glance to her right and frown. "Losing in the Kanto District Tournament."

"Last year they won the National Tournament," another boy (obviously from the same team) added. "They sure got weak."

They laughed as they had just said something clever. Hari scowled and was about to go over when she noticed someone coming up to them making her smile a little.

"Aichi Murigaoka," Sanada said sternly. "Say that directly to the people you are talking about."

Hari grinned as she took in their horror realising that Sanada had heard them. Her eyes moved to behind Sanada and saw Seiichi who was watching her as well and smiled a little.

"Sanada, are you really a middle school student?" another boy asked making Hari look away from Seiichi and over to where a boy with long brown hair was sitting. He was wearing his cap and looked a little bored.

Hari eyed the boy who was now told to be quiet from his friend. Hari hadn't seen them before, but they looked off. She couldn't explain why she felt that they were bad news.

"Oh, a girl is here," the same boy said having looked over his shoulder and was now looking at Hari.

Hari arched a brow as she returned the look and he smirked. She noticed that the auditorium suddenly seemed to fall silent as everyone turned to look at her. She hid the way she wanted to shift and hide behind Tezuka.

"Ah, I heard about a girl being on Seigaku this year," someone said. "Oi, Tezuka? Why are you letting a girl on your team?"

Some started to whisper to their friends as they noticed Tezuka. It was clear that Tezuka had a reputation here as well.

Hari huffed silently but decided to ignore them. Tezuka just gave them a look and didn't seem like he was going to answer.

"Hey, Hari-chan!" Keigo said. "You're here as well?"

"Keigo," Hari smiled. "For some reason, yeah."

Seiichi walked over to her now and she smiled at him, "hey, Sei-chan."

"Hari-chan," he smiled before looking over at Tezuka. "Hey, heard you were back. You're ready to play?"

"Yes," Tezuka said. "I'm good."

Hari sat down beside Tezuka while Seiichi and Sanada took the seats next to her. It might be a little unusual for two teams being that close, and Hari noticed the looks given them but didn't care. She smiled at Tachibana (who had dyed his hair blond for some reason) and he nodded back.

...

When the matches had been drawn the tension in the room was higher than before. It was like everyone was eying the others trying to decide who would be the biggest threat or challenge.

"Seems fun," Hari smiled. "So, we'll meet either Rokkaku or Higa, eh?"

"Yes," Tezuka said.

"Would be fun to play Rokkaku again," Hari said, "right, Jiro-kun?"

Saeki had just gotten to their side and smiled.

"Yes, Hari-chan!" Aoi yelled making Saeki sigh but gave a fond smile all the same.

"It would be fun," Saeki agreed more calmly.

"I want to play you this time," Aoi said grinning at Hari.

"Hey, Hari-chan," Tachibana said as he came over and Hari waved.

"Tachi-kun," Hari grinned. "New look."

He shrugged, "seemed appropriate."

Hari just nodded, "you ready?"

"Yeah," Tachibana said. "It will be fun."

...

Seiichi sighed a little as he watched Hari talk with Tachibana, Saeki and Aoi. He noticed Keigo also making his way over to her now and claimed her attention.

"Ah, Yukimura," Shiraishi said making Seiichi look away from Hari and to the Shitenhoji tennis Captain who was walking over to him. "You're ready for the tournament?"

"Yes, I am," Seiichi said with a small smile. "You?"

"Always," he smiled. "The atmosphere here is as tense as always."

"That's not so strange," Seiichi said.

"No… but that is," Shiraishi said looking over at where Hari was.

Seiichi smiled and Shiraishi gave him a curious look.

"Someone you know, Yukimura?" he asked. "You did sit with her…"

Seiichi looked at Hari who was now looking over at him and he felt warm knowing that she paid attention to him even when she talked with her friends. Tezuka had been pulled away from her and was talking with Keigo now.

He arched a brow and she said something to Saeki and his hyper captain before moving over to him.

"Sei-chan," Hari smiled.

Shiraishi was watching them curiously.

"I want you to meet someone," Seiichi said. "This is my friend Shiraishi Kuranosuke, he is the captain of Shitenhoji tennis club. Shiraishi, this is my girlfriend, Echizen Hari."

Shiraishi glanced at Yukimura in surprise before he smiled at Hari who smiled shyly back.

"Hey," Hari said. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Shiraishi said politely. "I didn't know you had a girlfriend, Yukimura."

Seiichi shrugged, "I haven't seen you in a while."

He huffed, "well, and you play tennis for Seigaku?"

Hari nodded, "I do."

"She's good," Seiichi added.

Hari blushed and smiled a little, "I'm still learning."

"We all are," Shiraishi said. "I hope we get to play, Echizen-san."

"That would be fun," Hari smiled.

She wondered a little about why he had both hands and arms bandaged, but she didn't ask. He gave a little of the same vibe as Seiichi did, but there was something mysterious about him at the same time. He was hard to read.

She looked over at Seiichi who smiled back at her. She had talked with him almost every day since he had learned the truth about her.

...

"It's just a week now," Hari said looking over at Seiichi.

He smiled as he met her eyes, "mm. Do you look forward to it?"

They stood outside now waiting for Sanada. Tezuka had left having told Hari that he'd see her for the practice the next day.

"Yes and no," Hari said making Seiichi look at her.

"I know what you mean," he said quietly. "Nationals means we're closer to when they have to do something with your scar, right?"

Hari nodded.

"Are you worried?" Seiichi asked. "Well, that's a stupid question, but…"

"I would be lying if I said I wasn't," Hari said, "but I manage to forget for the most part. At least when I can focus on tennis."

Seiichi reached out and pushed her hair out of her face and leaned in pressing a kiss to her forehead. She smiled a little feeling his reassurance without him having to say anything. She had something to fight for, and she wasn't going to give up.

"Okay, I'm going to stop being depressing now," Hari said.

"You're not being depressing," Seiichi said.

Hari laughed softly, "I am. But it's fine. Let's find something to eat, I'm hungry."

"Sure," Seiichi said. "Ah, Genichiro, are you ready?"

Sanada just stepped out and nodded.

"Yes," he said.

"So, let's eat," Hari said.

"You two can do…" Sanada started.

"No, you're coming," Hari interrupted Sanada. "I'm not going to steal Sei-chan every time."

Seiichi laughed and shrugged when Sanada looked at him.

"We did wait for you," Seiichi said.

...

They found a place that served ramen close by and ordered before sitting down at a table by the window.

"I was surprised to see you here today, Hari-san," Sanada said looking at Hari.

Hari shrugged, "I was too. Tezuka just told me to come with him. He never said why I should be the one. He only said that Oishi couldn't."

"I'm glad you were here," Seiichi said. "It was much more fun this way."

"I realised that I don't really know that much about other tennis teams," Hari admitted. "I mean I know the ones we've played, but there was a lot of new ones (for me) at the meeting."

"It's always interesting to see what other teams made it to the Nationals," Sanada said.

"I would have told the two guys off if you hadn't stepped in," Hari admitted. "I didn't like how they were talking."

Sanada smiled a little, "people talk without knowing what they are talking about."

Hari nodded, "I know."

She had picked up on someone talking about Tezuka as well. Like he wouldn't be as good just because he had been injured. They would get a shock when they saw him play.

"Will your coach be back in time for Nationals?" Seiichi asked.

Hari frowned, "I don't know. I hope so."

"She is doing okay, right?"

"Yes," Hari said relieved. "Sakuno-chan said she is bored and itching to get back. So, I guess that's good."

"Seiichi said you had your dad as a temporary coach?" Sanada said just as the food arrived.

"Mm," Hari said. "He's good, for the most part. Though, Ryo-chan will be glad the day he isn't our coach anymore."

Seiichi laughed.

"Oh?"

"I think he blames Ryuzaki-sensei for putting Otou-chan in charge," Hari smiled.

"He was a professional player, right?" Sanada asked. "He would know what he's talking about."

"Yeah, he does," Hari agreed. "And he has been doing well. He normally has a way to let you figure things out yourself, though. The number of times he has crushed me just to show me that I was doing something wrong…"

"Brutal," Seiichi commented while Sanada nodded.

Hari shrugged and smiled a little.

The conversation went easily and Seiichi watched as Hari and Sanada talked. He smiled liking seeing the friendship build between the two. Every time they met they became better friends and he liked seeing Hari becoming more confident around Sanada as well.

...

"Hey! I'm back!" Hari called as she entered the house.

"Hari-chan!" Nanjiro pouted. "You're late."

She rolled her eyes, "you know where I was, Otou-chan."

"So, how is Yukimura?" Nanjiro asked after a sigh. Though he didn't look as mulish anymore. He even looked a little bit interested. "Ready for the Nationals?"

"Sei-chan is ready," Hari smiled. "I hope we get to play them again."

"I hear Rokkaku or Higa will be our first match," Ryoma said as he came downstairs.

"Mm," Hari said. "Aoi-kun said hey, by the way."

Ryoma shrugged, "I don't know anything about Higa."

"Me neither," Hari said. "But they looked…unpleasant."

She knew they hadn't really done anything wrong, well one of them had insinuated that Sanada was older than he was but other than that… but it was just a feeling she got.

"Well, we'll beat whoever it is," Ryoma said confidently.

Hari smiled a little, "that would be good."

Her mind turned toward the journal upstairs and she wondered if she had gotten anything from Hermione. She knew they had met with Madam Bones by now and she was worried and curious about how it had gone.

She excused herself before making her way to her room. She tossed her bag away and went straight to her journal.

...

Hermione: Hey, Hari! We talked with Madam Bones. I think she believed us, Hari. She listened and while she asked questions, she didn't sound like she was looking for lies. I told her you cast the Patronus that sent the Dementors away, Hari. You deserve the credit for it, so don't complain. I said you did so before passing out. I didn't go into the time-travel thing, so don't worry.

Hari continued to read through the rapport about their meeting with Madam Bones and felt a spark of hope go through her. Was it possible that they had finally reached someone who would believe them?

It looked like Madam Bones had been asking the right questions from what Hermione told her. Hari let out a relieved sigh and closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened her eyes again she noticed that there was another entry and this time it wasn't Hermione's handwriting, but Ron's.

Ron had finally written to her? She felt a smile cross her face as she had been worried since he hadn't written to her at all since they left. While she would want answers to why he let Hermione be so much on her own she missed her friend.

Ron: Hey, Hari… I'm sorry I haven't been writing to you. I know you are confused and hurt. I keep messing up, Hari. I was going to let Hermione tell you, but then I thought it would be the cowardly way out of this, so I told her I wanted to be the one to do so.

But first I want you to know that I am really, really sorry! I thought that when we talked after I was being a stubborn git this summer that I would have learned. I thought it would be fine then. But… I forgot. I honestly did forget about it.

Okay, the thing is… When we were fighting (I guess is the right word here) I thought I was right and that you were running away. I thought you weren't safe, Hari. I truly did believe that, but I know I was jealous. Jealous that you had found somewhere to belong without me and Hermione. It felt like I was losing you. I couldn't handle it.

So, I made the mistake. I thought I should tell Dumbledore where you were and ask for his help to get you back at Hogwarts. I…I know we don't trust him, but I did trust him a little then. I didn't want to admit it, but he is the leader of the light. So, I thought he needed to know.

I changed my mind, Hari! I promise I did! I never even finished the letter I was writing. I realised I was wrong, and we talked. I meant what I said then, Hari. Truly I did.

But… I should have destroyed the letter. I know I should have, but I didn't. I forgot about it. Until the last day before school started again. I noticed that it had moved. I am quite sure I had stuck it into the back of my trunk, but then it was not there and at the front (it's hard to describe, but the point is that it moved).

I panicked. At first, I thought mum had seen it, but she would have said something. You know her. Dad would have said something too, I think.

I have tried to tell myself that it's nothing. That it's just my imagination. I just… I have a bad feeling. I can't explain it, and I've tried to ignore it. I've tried to tell myself that I'm thinking the worst. It happened at the Burrow, at our home and we would have known if someone had entered the house, right? But, I know that the wards aren't the strongest because mum and dad see it as unnecessary. Bill has been trying to get them to update their wards, and I think he plans to do it himself soon.

But like I said, I have a bad feeling.

I should have told you sooner. I know. I messed up again.

I'm sorry. But I know it probably isn't enough.

...

Hari felt like she couldn't breathe. It was too much. What was she supposed to do with this?

Why did these kinds of things keep happening to her? Why did everything happen at once? She must have been a terrible person in a past life or something.

"Why?" she muttered. "Ron…. you idiot!"

She couldn't sit still so she jumped up and started to pace around her room. This was all Ron's fault! If he just could learn how to think! She had never thought that he would even consider going to Dumbledore behind her back. It wasn't the fact that the letter might have been seen (though that worried her too) but that he had actually considered going to Dumbledore when he knew how she felt about the headmaster. How could he do that?

Why did he believe that he knew better than her what to do with her life? She was so tired of people thinking they knew best.

Then there was the concern that someone could have seen the letter? Did someone know that she was in Japan? Just how much information was in the letter? Ron hadn't said… That was a valid concern as well.

But how likely was it that someone had seen it? Could a stranger just walk into their house without anyone noticing? So, maybe Ron was overreacting? If he had forgotten about the letter then he might have forgotten where he put it? Right?

But if someone knew… why hadn't they already done something?

Yet, maybe they had. Maybe they were here looking?

Did that mean that she was in (even more) danger now?

She sighed and pulled a hand through her hair in frustration.

This was all Ron's fault.

Hurt and anger filled her as she stared at the journal. The brief flash of happiness that appeared when she saw Ron's handwriting had disappeared. She had been happy he had finally written, but now she wished he never had written at all.

She had believed that she could trust him, but now she was questioning if she really could do that. It hurt. Ron had been her first friend (beside Ryoma) and been there with her at Hogwarts. Yet, Hermione had told her about how he seemed to like the popularity he had found this year. He was always surrounded by others according to Hermione.

Hari didn't mind him being popular, it wasn't that, but why didn't he try to involve Hermione more? If he pulled away because he was scared that he would lose them, then why was he always surrounded by people while Hermione was alone?

What was she supposed to do now? Could she forgive this? Was there anything left of their friendship that could be saved?

...

...

AN: What do you think? XD

Next chapter the Nationals should start. I had planned on starting this chapter, but I felt it would be rushed and the situation in Britain took a lot of space this chapter. It was needed for the progress in the story, so Nationals will be starting in the next chapter!

I hope you liked this chapter! Ron messed up again... Should Hari forgive him this time? Or did he mess up too badly? Curious to hear what you think.

Thank you for your patience! I have been struggling with migraines lately so writing has been very slow. I hope it will get better soon so I can get back to writing more regularly and hopefully update more regularly as well. 3