He pulled his cloak tighter against him. It was only mid-September, but the sun was barely above the Scottish horizon. He should cast a warming charm, but in his experience doing these walks, he would be warm soon enough.

Walking along the lakeside of the Great Lake has become a norm for him ever since arriving back at Hogwarts. Leaving his dorm before the sun, and his dormmates, begin to rise. He would be in the Great Hall before questions would be asked about his disappearance. As far as Ron and Hermione knew he was out with Dumbledore in the early morning.

It was easy to lie to them. He wasn't so much as telling them lies, more that he was ignoring them. He was ignoring most people now. It was safer that way. If anyone were close to him, then they would be hurt, badly. The events at the Ministry at the end of last school year showed him that. All of those that followed him were wounded. Hermione almost died. Sirius did die.

Sirius.

He pushed that thought deep down, burying it away, under other pain.

He quickly swiped away the lone tear that began to form in his eye. He did not need that now. He sighed as he thought about the past weeks at school.

Staying at the Burrow forced him to act like everything was fine. He talked, laughed, and acted normal with the Weasleys. He enjoyed the last bit of friendship he could before he planned on cutting off everyone completely.

The train ride started with Harry barely saying anything on the train; it was much the same during the opening feast. His friends gave him that one day of space before they tried getting him to talk. He sat away from them in class, choosing a seat by itself or with someone he would not usually sit by.

The confusion that both Ron and Hermione showed the first time he did it quickly changed into hurt and worry. After the first week of it, one of them would stand by his side or drag him to where they sat.

During meals, they tried talking to him, but he kept quiet. He spent his free time alone doing homework in a small room overlooking the courtyard he found.

Ron was angry at him for ignoring everyone else. Hermione was more worried about his recent behaviour change but was happy as he was receiving better grades in all of his subjects, with a lot of help from the Half-Blood Prince, though he never told her about the notes in his book.

He allowed himself the small smile as he remembered how flabbergasted and annoyed Hermione was when he created the Draught of Living Death.

As quickly as the smile came, he pushed it away.

Death.

That was what Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and even Neville did not understand. They never had anyone they loved die on them. Luna could understand, but well, she was Luna; it was hard to talk with her.

Hermione, Ron, and Ginny have their parents. Ron and Ginny have their brothers and each other. Luna has her father and Neville his grandmother. Who did Harry have? No one.

His grandparents died before he was born. His parents murdered because of Harry. He had no siblings because of that. His mother's family hated him because of what he was.

As much as Remus claims to be a best friend of Harry's father, he has barely ever been around. Sirius was though.

Sirius was the one who cared enough that he broke out of jail because Harry was in danger. Sirius flaunted the risk of death to watch over Harry. Sirius fought for Harry. Sirius died for Harry.

Harry was stupid. He should have opened the mirror earlier. He should have listened to Hermione. He shouldn't have gotten the one person who cared about and would do something about it killed.

He could feel his nails start to bite into his palms as he tried to take deep breaths as he continued his walk.

That he was why he stopped talking with his friends, he couldn't let them be hurt more because of him. They might hate him now, but at least they will be alive to do it.

He could see the sun entirely above the horizon now. He should turn back. But it is Saturday; he already had most of the homework completed for the weekend. He was even ahead in some of his classes now. He decided to press on for a while longer.

He would need to start bringing his broom out here one day. The lake was too big to walk around its whole length in a reasonable time. He was sure he could make it around the lake before classes on his Firebolt. He marked it in his mind to remember to bring it out to test the time tomorrow morning. He would have to cast a warming charm then.

After another 10 minutes, he decided to turn around and begin his way back. He would be cutting close to the end of breakfast if he continued with his current pace, he decided to slow down. Eating breakfast in the kitchen won't be that bad. He will be able to see Dobby and be by himself. He wouldn't have to deal with people trying to get him to open up when he didn't want to.

His books and such were already hidden away in the room he found so he wouldn't have to return to his dorm any time soon. He had thought about going to Room of Requirements to practice some spells but knew that he would be found there. He could always go to the cave where Sirius hid in during the Triwizard Tournament. Even better would be finding a spot along the shoreline.

He was halfway back when his watch read 9 am it would be little more than an hour. He would be missing breakfast then.

He was coming up to a small grove of trees when he started to hear the soft sounds of crying. He could see a black form with bright red hair huddled against a tree. Harry debated about going to them or just walking around them. The goodness in him won out.

Moving closer, he could see the long red plait and yellow outline of a Hufflepuff student's uniform. He could make out the face of Susan Bones from under the freed strands of hair covering her face. She was looking out across the lake, not noticing him.

"Susan, are you okay?"

His voice seemed to spook her as she shot up with her wand drawn. "Who is there?" Her voice was slightly hoarse.

As she looked around for the source of the voice, Harry remembered he had cast the notice-me-not charm on himself. He cast finite on himself cancelling the spell.

"Oh, Harry. I didn't see you there." Her wand arm dropped suddenly to her side.

He gave her a tentative smile, "I had a notice-me-not charm on me. I didn't mean to scare."

They stood there awkwardly as she turned to face the lake, trying to hide her tear-soaked face.

"Are you okay, Susan?"

She stayed silent.

"Alright, I will leave you. Have a good day."

He hurried his steps as he moved around her. He didn't know how to comfort her. He knew he was in no condition to comfort someone he barely knew.

"Stop, please." Her voice caused him to falter in his steps. He turned to look at her as her tears rolled down her cheeks. "Don't go, please. I don't want to be alone." Her quivering voice was near-silent by the time she finished.

Her eyes pleaded with him. He quickly debated just leaving, but the right part of him won out again. He silently nodded and started to stand by her.

When she slumped down against the tree, he followed suit next to her. They sat facing out to the water, shoulders touching. Her quiet sobs rocked her body.

They sat listening to the rolling waves and birds chirping away before he worked up the courage to speak. "What is wrong? It's not Malfoy again, is it?"

"No, it isn't him." She opened her mouth before closing it again quickly, "What do you know of what happened over the summer? I know you live with your muggle relatives so I don't know if you can keep in touch with wizarding news."

"I know there have been attacks by Death Eaters and Voldemort." She flinched harshly at his name. "Fudge stepped down. The Head Auror replaced him. I don't remember much else."

Each attack was another weight that hanged on Harry's soul.

"My Auntie," He remembers her talking about the head of the DMLE last year, "she... they attacked her home over the summer. She died. They say there were half a dozen Death Eaters there. That it wasn't until You-Know-Who arrived that she finally died." Her tears began to flow freely again.

"I am sorry."

She sniffled, "It isn't your fault. My family was a major target in the First Wizarding War, and Auntie was very anti-Death Eater."

"It is." He could see her turn to look at him as he spoke.

"No, it is not."

"It is. Voldemort is back because of me. It is my blood that is in his veins. He is only alive because of me. He is killing again because of me." He could feel the tears start to burn his eyes.

He stiffened when he felt her hand start rubbing circles on his shoulder; the tension did not stop her. "Auntie's death is not because of you, Harry."

"Yes, it is." He practically shouted the words causing her to remove her hand. He wasn't sure why he could feel the dam holding back his emotions start to break, but it all started to come out. "Voldemort wouldn't have been able to kill her if not for me. Quirrell wouldn't have died if not for me. Cedric would have graduated now, if not for me. Sirius would be alive and free, if not for me. Even my parents would be alive, if not for me. My parents-" He was interrupted by red hair in his face, and skinny arms snaked around his midsection.

He froze. He could count on one hand the number of people who have hugged him. Hermione, Ginny, and Molly Weasley.

He kept his arms to his side, not sure what to do as tears rolled down his cheeks, wetting her shoulders. They stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity but was at most a minute. Slowly she disentangled from him. They made eye contact causing her to blush adorably.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine."

They resumed sitting next to each other. Shoulders touching again and her leg against his as she sat cross-legged.

Both had tears running down their face. For the first time in a week, he wished Hermione was here to help with this. He never knew how to talk with girls, much less crying ones. His experience with Cho showed that he did not understand them.

"You were close to your aunt, right?"

He saw her silent nod, "My parents died when I was young. She was the last of the Bones family besides of me due to the First Wizarding War. She raised me."

Their stories weren't so different. Susan was the last of the Bones and he the last of the Potters. Both their parents died young and sent to live with their aunts. However, it sounded like a far better childhood than him.

"What about you and your family, are you close with them." She seemed to notice how rigid he became as she started to apologise for the question.

"No, it is okay. Close is not how I would describe our relationship at all. I was kept at the furthest distance she could. I lost my parents and got stuck with those... people." Her hand was quickly over his. Susan gave a reassuring squeeze as he tried to figure out why he was allowing so much personal contact with someone he barely knew.

"I am sorry, I knew I shouldn't have asked. No one knows anything about you before first year, well I am sure Ron and Hermione know, I guess that is for a reason. You don't have to talk about it if you do not wish too."

"They don't know. Ron only saw my room in the summer before second year, but that was it."
He paused, not sure whether he wanted to come clean. He has never talked about his time with the Durselys before; he never wanted the looks that he knew would go with it. He didn't know what it was, maybe the smell of fresh strawberries in the air or the sky blue eyes that stared into his green ones, but he wanted to tell her about it, at least some of it.

"They-" He tried to find the right words. "They treated me like a house-elf. Not like how I am sure your family would treat one like, but it was like I was Malfoy's house-elf. Lots of work, very little food. There were times when I was barely fed for weeks sometimes. They hated me for just living. All I owned was hand me downs from my overweight cousin. I was-" He ended the thought about telling her of the physical abuse he had to endure. "They made me believe my parents were drunkards who died in an automobile crash."

She laid her head against his shoulder as she squeezed his hand. He realised it was her flame bright red hair that smelled so much like strawberries that it made him want a bowl. "It sounds awful. I don't know how anyone could hate you so much to do any of that to you."

"I am nothing special." It was the truth; he was just Harry Potter. A young man who had a pyscho after him because of a stupid prophecy.

"Harry, you are one of the best people I know. You are selfish to a fault. Kind, sweet. Any time someone needs help or is in trouble, you are stepping in without being asked. We all came to you for help last year for the DA, and you helped us while I am sure you suffered at the hands of that toad."

His laugh came freely. It was a much-needed break of sadness for the moment. He thought he could feel Susan smile.

In the moment of break, Harry took advantage to try and change the topic. "Did you break curfew to get out here?"

"No, I haven't been out here long. I left the moment I could. What about you? Gryffindor Tower is farther away, and yet you seemed to be on your way back to the castle when you found me. Breaking rules are you?"

"Well, I think it is well known now about my lack of respect for rules. Breaking curfew is probably the least serious one I have broken in the last week."

She turned to face him with an eyebrow raised as she tried to fight a smile, "Perhaps I should tell Hannah to take points away from you and assign detentions too."

He sighed looking off to the lake, "I knew I shouldn't have stopped to make sure you were okay."

Her giggle warmed his heart and brought a smile to his face. He just noticed that her hand still held his own. She seemed to see it as well as she quickly pulled her hand back.

They sat in silence as they looked over the lake for a few more minutes until his stomach rumbled because of the lack of food. Susan quickly stood up.

"How about you come with me to the castle for food, and I won't tell Hannah to take points away from you."

"And what about the detentions?"

"It will depend on how you are while we walk. If you behave, I won't say anything about detentions to her." She replied with a playful smile that he found infectious.

"Well," He stood up, dusting himself off, "since you are threatening so nicely, I shall come with you."

"Auntie always said I was good at making threats sound so nice." She smiled at him prettily. "Come on you can tell them me about when you found out you were magical since I assume your family never told you."

And he did.

He wasn't sure why he seemed to want to tell Susan things about his personal life. He barely knew her. It had to be something about her eyes. Even though they were stained red from tears, they still created a trusting stare. He felt like he could take a long swim in her eyes. He felt at ease, something he hadn't felt in a long time.

He started with the first letter and how many he received. She barely controlled herself as he described Hagrid, giving Dudley a pig's tail. The story lasted their trip back to the castle. He ended the story as he finally got to Platform 9 3/4th as Susan and Harry crossed over the covered bridge. Susan would interject with her own experiences with various places. It only took her three tries to find her 10in Dragon heartstring spruce wand.

"Lunch should be starting in 30 minutes." Susan cancelled her Tempus charm. "We can wait out here if you don't mind."

He still didn't want to eat in the Great Hall, even if he was talking with the girl he was beginning to like talking too. "What about the kitchen? They should have some food around."

"You know how to get to the kitchen?" She sounded surprised like it was a big secret.

"Hermione showed Ron and me in fourth year. One of my friends works there."

She paused in her steps as she looked shocked at his statement.

"It is a long story, but Dobby is an elf I tricked his previous family into freeing. He has been working in the kitchens for the last few years. I haven't gone to see him yet this year. I have a sock I bought for him over the summer."

"A sock?"

He scratched behind his head before he replied, "I tricked his previous master into giving Dobby a sock. Ever since then, Dobby has been in love with them, the more colourful, the better. Though never give him a pair as he is confused by them."

She smiled, looking at him, "He sounds like quite the character."

"He can be eccentric but is well-meaning and is a good friend."

"We can go to Gryffindor Tower so you can grab it, the Hufflepuff common rooms are close to the kitchen so that I can grab one of my colourful socks for him."

He paused in the courtyard that had a few milling students about, Susan paused with him. "You don't have to give him anything, Susan."

"Nonsense. I have a few old socks that I don't wear anymore. So first Gryffindor Tower and then the Hufflepuff common rooms and then the kitchen." She turned and set off to the way to the Gryffindor Tower.

"You don't-"

"Harry, I am going to get a sock for Dobby. It would be good to know that they are going to someone that would love them."

He reached out and grabbed her forearm, pulling her to a stop. "No, I mean you don't have to go to the tower. I kept the sock in my school bag since I wasn't sure when the opportunity would present itself to go down and visit him. And well I have my bag stashed in a small room near here." He has been meaning to go down but has made excuses each time he wanted too.

"You just left your bag unattended?" One of her bright red eyebrows rose above her sky blue eyes.

"Well," he said sheepishly, "no one has found it for the last few times I have done it. And it beats having to carry it around all the time."

"Do you not have the featherlight charm on it?"

"I-" He furrowed his eyebrows, trying to think about why he hadn't thought about doing it. That only seemed to cause a giggle from his companion that warmed his heart.

"Come on; it is over this way. Wait outside the door; it is only a small closet so not much room for two of us."

There was room for two people, but he didn't want to say he didn't want people to see him and her go into a broom closet together. He didn't want her to have to deal with the rumours that would come from it. His bag was in the same place as he left it. He quickly summoned it before beginning the small climb back down the small set of stairs.

He closed the door causing Susan to turn around to him. She flashed another pleased smile. He was happy seeing her better than when he found her earlier. They began their quiet walk down to the kitchens. They passed students with only a few giving them a curious glance.

It was in the Grand Staircase that he heard of a familiar voice. He turned to see the red hair of Ron coming towards them from a few staircases up. There was confusion and hurt written on his face. He could see the signs that pointed to his friend about to do something stupid.

Luckily, for them both, Hermione grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him back. She no doubts lectured him on something going by the annoyed looked in Ron's eyes; he quickly changed direction and started the trek up the stairs.

Hermione gave him a half-smile filled with worry and a wanting to know more. Her eyes darted to the redhead next to him who stopped and was staring at the both of them in confusion. He gave her a shallow smile that he hoped conveyed that he was okay, and somehow doing better. Her face brightened as she gave him a look that meant she would be asking questions later before she turned and followed Ron.

He turned back to Susan, who smiled before leading the rest of the way. It was a strange thought he realised. He just thought of himself doing better. He tried to search his brain on why he would think that. This morning he would have thought he was doing as miserable as he has been most of the summer. What changed since this morning?

The rest of the journey to the basement was walked in silence. Susan told him she would be back quickly before disappearing through the doorway for the Hufflepuff dorm room. She reappeared a few minutes later with a bright orange colour sock with blue strips on it.

He tickled the pear as they neared the kitchen. The painting swung open, allowing access to the elf workspace.

"Dobby."

A soft pop and then an elf with a colourful suitcase and multiple hats appeared in front of him, "The Great Harry Potter called for Dobby?" the elf had a smile that threatened to split his face in half.

"I meant to come down sooner in the year, Dobby, but I have something for you." Harry began to rummage through his bag before pulling our the blue sock with white snowflakes on it. "Here I just wanted to give this since I missed your birthday."

The house-elf squealed in delight before taking the sock and holding it gingerly in his hands. "Great wizard Harry Potter, is too kind to Dobby."

He felt the nudge of an elbow, reminding him of not being alone. "Dobby this is my friend Susan Bones, she also has a gift for you."

Dobby broke down in tears with the gift of the orange sock, "Harry Potter's Susy is a great witch. Dobby would love to be a friend of Harry Potter's Susy."

Both Harry and Susan blushed at Dobby's nickname. "Dobby, I was wondering if Susan," he stressed her name, hoping it would stick, "and I could eat in here."

"Harry Potter and Harry Potter's Susy would be most welcome to eat in kitchens. Dobby will be getting your favourite foods."

"It is fine, Dobby, just Ummm. Omelettes will do."

Dobby nodded before snapping his fingers. Two plates of omelettes appeared on the counter along with two chairs next to each other.

"Thank you, Dobby."

"Dobby is happy to help Great Harry Potter. Dobby must go finish with work. Call Dobby if anything be needing." With another pop, his friend disappeared.

"Where did you get that sock anyway?" He took the seat next to her.

"Hannah likes to give random gifts, and most of the time, it is colourful items like those socks." He hummed in response.

He took a few bites before asking his next question, "How long have you known Hannah? I feel like I barely see you two apart."

"Our dad's were best friends when they attended Hogwarts. Our houses weren't that far from each other. We are practical sisters." She turned her attention away from him and back to her plate, "I have been living with them since Auntie was murdered."

He opened his mouth to apologise again. "Shut up, Harry. It wasn't your fault. Aunt Amelia died fighting criminals; it was her job. No matter what you think, you didn't make them commit a crime."

They continued the meal in silence. A glass of water appeared in front of him when he began to get thirsty.

"Okay, my turn to ask the question."

"What?"

"Have you never played the question game, Harry? You ask a question I answer, and then I ask the question, and you have to answer." She didn't even wait for a reply before she continued, "What is going on between you, Hermione, and Ron. No one can remember a time when you weren't with either one of them. But ever since the start of the year, you seem to be avoiding them."

He began to play with his food on his plate. "You noticed." He didn't fail to notice the look asking him if he was joking.

"It is pretty obvious what you were doing Harry. You are not exactly subtle."

He continued to stare at his near-empty plate. "It is safer for them not to be around me."

"Harry-"

"It is true," his silverware bounced off his plate after throwing it down, "they all could have died at the Ministry, Hermione almost did. I-" he choked back a sob, "I can't have them die as Sirius died for me. Too many have been murdered because of me. I can't allow anyone else to also die for me. I am not worth it."

He felt himself being turned in his chair as two arms wrapped themselves around his lower back. Red hair attached to a head rubbed against Harry's black hair.

He paused, unsure of what to do. Soon his arms found themselves bringing the female holding him closer. He laid his head against Susan's shoulder. A dam broke somewhere in him as his tears began to flow more freely then he could recall in the last few years.

He wasn't sure why, but years of pent up emotions finally broke free subjecting the Hufflepuff to them. He could only guess he was tired, tired of holding it all back.

Susan spent the next few minutes, rubbing his back. One of her hands snaked its way to his head and started to play with his hair. It was oddly comforting and calmed him down some. She whispered reassurances that everything was alright.

He pulled back, finally noting the damp spot on Susan's cloak. "I am sorry."

Even though he was half turned away from her, he could see her reassuring smile, "It is okay, Harry. Everyone deserves a moment to cry. You saw mine earlier. I think it was only fair that I see yours." He let out a laugh that came out as a chocking sound. "And you are more than worth it, Harry. You are kind, brave, helpful, sweet, caring, good, and-" She paused as they made eye contact. Her cheeks turned Gryffindor red before she turned to look at her exciting plate. "They all came with because they wanted to help you in your time of need. I would have come too if you asked. Anyone of us in DA would have." The last sentence came out rushed.

He thanked her before finishing the rest of his plate, suddenly much hungrier.

He started to deliberating slow down his eating as he, for some reason, wanted the lunch to last as long as it could. He did not wish to the time spending with Susan to end.

"How is your silent spell casting doing?" He finished the last of his meal as he spoke.

"Not that great, I am still having problems with some of it. The stinging hex works half the time for me. The shield seldom works."

The one good thing he had to say about Snape was that the man was consistent. If one had thought that Snape finally teaching the subject he always wanted would have made him a better teacher, they would have been wrong. The lessons still were 'do this with no help or instructions on how to do it'.

"If you want, I can help you with it. We can always find an empty classroom or the Room of Requirements to practice?" He found himself hoping that she would accept.

Her smile brightened his mood instantly, "I would appreciate that. If you want we can work on some other subjects too. Hannah is blowing off our study session this weekend. I could use a study partner."

"Deal." He couldn't stop the grin forming as she looked into the deep beautiful eyes.

The ended up finding a room on the fifth floor that was far outside the standard walking path of anyone as the Room of Requirements held someone. There were desks littered around the walls and large chalkboards on the walls.

They spent the day practising silent spell work. Susan's silent stinging hex started to work all the time, and the shield began to become a regular thing for her. They had started on some simple spells like Accio she managed to pulls the books a few inches towards her. They switched to Charms and Transfiguration homework. Each would check over the other papers.

Dobby brought dinner up to them, and before they even realised it, the clock struck 9 pm. His Advance Potion's book was slammed shut. He stretched his back before cracking his knuckles, causing Susan to smirk at him.

"What?"

She shook her head, "Nothing. It is just you are a very restless studier."

"I am not that bad."

"Oh really," she began to laugh to herself, "I must have imagined you tapping your foot or hand endlessly. Or the fact you kept twirling your quill. Or how you kept looking at me to see what I was doing?"

He could feel his cheeks burn red.

"I-. That's-" Harry began to stumble over his words which only set Susan off into a fit of giggles.

Harry's glare was interrupted by a yawn.

"I think that is a sign we should end this study day, Harry." He was sure he could hear the faint hint of disappointment in her voice.

"I will walk you back to the Hufflepuff common room."

He waved off her protest as he started to pack his stuff and helped her with her study mess.

"I may be a restless studier, but you are messy." He pulled his hands back after Susan slapped them as he tried putting all the parchments into a pile.

"Stop, it is all in an organised manner." He stood as he watched her take seemly random piles and putting them in a stack.

Once the room was cleaned and their supplies were stuffed back into their bags, he closed the door behind him. They remained in silence as they walked through the corridor. It wasn't until they reached the staircase that they found the courage to speak.

"Thank you for today, Harry. It felt good to just worry about school work for once and not the war."

"I should be thanking you. I have been more social today than all year so far. I am sure I would still be hidden by myself if I didn't find you today. It felt good talking about things with you." Her smile radiated.

"I know we haven't even been close, but I am always willing to listen. I promise next time I won't cry so much on you."

"Thank you, Susan, truly."

They continued down the stairs in silence. A few of the students wandering the halls late at night gave them a curious glance, but no one said anything to them. It wasn't until they reached the basement that she spoke again.

"You know, we never did finish all of our charms work. How about we do this again tomorrow? I could also use some more help on the silent casting."

The words of denial died in his throat as he looked into the blue begging eyes. He tried to say he couldn't, that he had other things to do. "I would like that."

"Great, how about we meet back at the room at 10 in the morning?"

"I have the Gryffindor quidditch team tryouts at 11 tomorrow. We can either do a quick session in the morning or after it."

He didn't even schedule the tryout. He woke up one morning and found the sign-up sheet in the common room; it was written in Ron's handwriting. Harry almost forgot about quidditch this year, despite the fact he was the captain of the team.

"Well, how about we study beforehand. Is Hermione going to be at the tryouts?"

"I don't see why she wouldn't."

"Great, I could use some help with my Runes essay. Plus I can scout your team while I am in the stands. We can study some more afterwards. That is if you want to."

He forgot Susan was a chaser for Hufflepuff. With him being banned from the team last season he stopped paying attention to who was on the team.

"That sounds great. It will save me from having to deal with Ron wanting to start talking strategy right afterwards." He honestly would instead due to homework with Susan than talk quidditch with Ron; he wasn't sure if it was because of whose company he was sharing.

"You can always tell me your strategies."

He didn't reply as they stopped in front of the entranceway into the Hufflepuff room. They stood in awkward silence as he tried to think of what he should say.

A hand on his left shoulder caused him to tense up once again. Susan either did not notice or did not care.

"Thank you again, Harry." His cheeks flushed red as he felt soft lips on them. He froze. "I will see you in the morning at 9 in the room. Good night, Harry."

She quickly left, leaving him frozen in place as he tried to process what happened.

The slamming of the doorway broke his paralysis. He pulled his bag farther up his back before quickly escaping up the stairs back to the Gryffindor Tower.

The walk up the many stairs included a permanent smile on his face. He wasn't sure why he was so happy nor why he could still feel Susan's lips on his cheek. His heart began to pace quicker as he thought about tomorrow.

The Fat Lady swung the portrait open as he spoke the password. He considered himself lucky as Ron was too busy playing himself in chess and Hermione had her back to him as she helped some younger students with homework. He hurried up the stairs to his dorm, not wishing to have a discussion that he was sure Hermione wanted to have.

He showered before crawling into his bed. Shutting the curtains, he fell asleep with a small smile on his face.