I walk back down to the Gryffindor Common Room, feeling alone.

I get to the door and hear the shouting.

I tell the Fat Lady the password and as she swings open, the resulting blast of noise from the partying going on inside is deafening.

"Harry!" "Wow!" "The Chosen One, literally!" "Hogwarts Champion!" "How'd you do it!?" "Teach me your ways!"

The 'man of the hour' walks in, resigned to his fate. Honestly, nothing could be worse than this.

I attempt to escape from the crowd, and make my way as well as I can to the Boys' Dormitories.

Jostled and shoved, knocked over once, I eventually make it away.

When I arrive, I see Ron standing there with a strained smile.

"Congrats mate."

Hands on my knees, I can only pant "Thanks" as a reply, and hope he understands.

"So, how'd you do it?"

I finally stand up, "Do what?"

"Get your name in the tournament. Why didn't you tell me how to do it?"

"I didn't put my name in, that is why I can't, and so didn't, tell you."

"Bull."

"It's true."

"Harry, I'm your best mate, you can tell me how you did it."

"I didn't, though. You're my best mate, you should understand that."

"You're just an egotistical glory-seeking liar, you are."

"At least I'm not so dumb as to be jealous of yet another chance to die."

"Fine, be that way." Ron stomps off.

Neville started walking over, but when someone comes in, either bored of the party, or wanting to torture me further, he squeaks, turns, and leaves me to certain death.

I decide to leave the dorm to try and talk to Hermione, who would definitely understand.

She wasn't at the party, as far as I could tell, probably because they would interrupt her reading time, and so she was probably at the library.

'Guess that's where I've got to go.'

When I escape the mob, I head straight for the Library.

Hermione was sitting at a table in a secluded corner, looking to all the world to be reading two books intermittently while also writing on at least four papers.

When I see her, I sigh in relief.

"Hermione!"

She glanced up at the voice, shushed him, and looked back down.

"What ya reading?"

She sighed, "Why do you care? Also... Shhh."

"Hey, how're you doing?"

She looked up, "Feeling abandoned, I never see you or Ron because you're always with each other."

"Well, it's your lucky day, me and Ron are no longer on speaking terms."

She slammed both of the books shut simultaneously. "Oh, that's why you're here. 'I lost a friend, but in a pinch, I guess you'll do'." She finished packing up and walked off.

"Hermione, no! You know I didn't mean it that way."

She huffed and walked faster.

Sweet solitude.

At least I have ten full years practice and three summers.

I mean, don't get me wrong, it was nice having friends who cared.