(Author's Note – I don't own Harry Potter, JK Rowling does, and that's that.)
Chapter One
Strange Feelings
Harry sat quietly on his four-poster, looking out the window at the few stars that were in the sky. The other 3 boys that occupied the same room as him were all sleeping soundly. This might normally be expected of Harry as well, considering that it was nearly three in the morning, but something had him up thinking.
Things had changed since last year an awful lot. After Cedric's death, Cho had turned to Harry for support. Harry was of course upset about Cedric's death, having witnessed it himself; but he found himself very content that he finally had the chance to be with the girl that he liked. They had been dating for probably 7 months now. Hufflepuffs had been treating Harry a little bit better, for which he could not complain.
So, why was he sitting here thinking about it with an odd feeling in his stomach? It was something he couldn't understand. The problem was, he didn't know who to ask about it, or how to even figure out exactly WHAT he was feeling.
Harry noticed that one of the sounds of sleepy breathing had stopped. Messy red hair poked out of one of the other beds.
"Harry?" Ron said sleepily, "What are you doing awake? We have a quidditch game tomorrow! Or…today in this case. You should be getting sleep."
Harry finally yawned, realizing that he was indeed tired. They'd had a hard practice last night, and he probably should be sleeping. Ron had always been a quidditch nut, but this year, he'd been made Keeper of the Gryffindor team in Oliver Wood's place. Harry had never seen Ron more elated in his entire life.
"All right Ron. I'm going to bed then. Goodnight." Harry lay back in bed, and closed the hangings of his bed to shut out the world. Why, when everything seemed to be going right, did he feel like he was hanging on to a roller coaster that was going wildly out of control?
* * * *
"Harry! Harry, wake up! Breakfast is nearly over!" Ron hollered from the other side of the bed hangings. Harry awoke with a start. Was it that late already? "Harry!!"
"I'm up Ron! Give me two minutes." Harry grumbled, pulling back the curtains. Bright, unpleasant light streamed in. A throb dwelled in the back of his head. It looked to be a beautiful day outside, perfect for quidditch. It was a shame that Harry wasn't quite in the mood.
Pushing his feet over the side, Harry slid out of bed and walked around. Ron, Dean, and Seamus had all dressed and left by now. Harry reached for his quidditch robes and shrugged them on. He had a nasty feeling that he was developing a head cold. A visit to Madame Pomfrey and an inquiry for a Pepper-up Potion seemed to be on the ticket for today. Harry wasn't sure if he'd have the time to go before the game.
Harry found the common room deserted as well. He must have really overslept. He quickened his pace down the staircase to the Great Hall. A few 1st years rushed by him, barely stopping to apologize when they nearly slammed right into another going in the opposite direction.
The Great Hall was nearly devoid of people as well. Harry quickly grabbed a few sausages and a piece of toast. Half running, he bolted them quickly as he left. He was truly surprised that Hermione hadn't stayed to see where he was; usually she was the one who made sure he was where he needed to be on time.
The path outdoors to the Quidditch pitch was well trodden up; Harry realized the entire school had already left for the game. He quickened his pace once more. How had he let this happen? The last time he was late to a game was nearly 2 years ago.
Bursting through the doors, he found much to his dismay that both teams were already up. Harry spotted Ron at the goalposts, but Ron was too involved in the game to notice that Harry had just come barging in. The score was tied at 30 points for Gryffindor as well as for Ravenclaw. Ravenclaw had recruited some new players in the past year, and were once again a team that was fairly formidable. Harry rushed into the locker room and found his Firebolt propped against one wall. There was a loud cheer from the stands outside, but Harry couldn't make out above the din who had scored what.
Jumping astride his racing broom, he streaked out the doors and up to where Madame Hooch was hovering, midfield and about 25 feet in the air. The crowd was still explosive and Harry had to shout so that Hooch could hear him.
"Sorry I'm late, Madame Hooch. I'll be joining the game now."
Harry had to strain to hear what she said next. Hooch looked highly displeased.
"No you won't Potter, for the game is over. The Ravenclaw Seeker's just caught the Snitch, beating Gryffindor for the first time all year. Next time, maybe you shouldn't be 10 minutes late to a game!"
Harry felt as though a lead anchor had been dropped into his stomach. For the first time since his third year, his team had lost on account of him. Hooch blew her whistle again and arced up to where the Ravenclaw team was madly flying rings around their own seeker, breaking them up.
Looking towards the other end of the field, he found that his own team had already deserted the field. With an even bigger sinking feeling in his stomach, Harry eased his broom down to the doors leading to the locker room.
No sooner the door opened and Harry entered than Ron descended upon him.
"Where he hell where you!? At least twice I went up to the dormitories to wake you up, and at least twice you said that you'd be right out of bed! Harry, the Ravenclaw seeker might be better than he used to be, but he's still no match for you! If you'd have been here, we'd have HAD this game!" Ron spouted, in one extremely fast paced and agitated jumble.
Harry sighed and looked around the team. Everyone was looking very nearly upset as Ron.
"I'm sorry. I'm not sure why I was so tired, or so late. I only remember you coming upstairs once." The pounding in Harry's head only got worse, feeling as embarrassed as he did right now.
Ron opened his mouth to say something, but only sighed and waved his hand at him. Harry decided that it was probably best to make a quick exit, so he turned around, walked back out of the locker room, and soared into the sky upon his broom.
Looking back, he noticed the Ravenclaws were still celebrating, while nearly all the Gryffindors had left. No doubt that Harry had only gotten the half of what was coming with Ron angry with him. The rest of Gryffindor would probably give him the cold shoulder for at least a week or two.
It never seemed to fail that no matter how many games he'd helped the team win, or how good of a Quidditch player he actually was, whenever something didn't work out correctly, people looked past his achievements and singled out the few mistakes. Harry sighed and gained some more altitude.
Behind the castle he could see the crystal blue waters of the lake, and the trees just beyond the lake. Harry wanted to be alone for a little while, and so began to move in that direction. As of late, he'd taken to going out there on his own to just relax and clear his mind. There was a tree-fort of sorts out there that had been left by someone, and he found it the best place to do so.
The air was very clear and smooth, and already Harry found himself becoming less tense. Flying was one thing he could always turn to. It was always something that made him feel free, not attached to his worldly problems and concerns. McGonagall had told them that some time this year they'd be learning to fly without brooms, but Harry didn't think that would be the same. Nonetheless, he looked forward to it.
He was now over the lake, and with no wind in the air whatsoever, the surface was as flat and as clear as glass. Being directly above it, he could see his reflection speeding across the surface. The blue of the sky reflected down upon it, but under that he could peer into the murky depths. He wasn't entirely sure, but he thought he saw the vague outline of a few merpeople. Harry wasn't sure he wanted to see them again, but smiled inwardly anyway. Memories were memories.
The far side of the lake was rushing up on him now, so he reduced his speed and hugged the shoreline from directly above, right at tree-level. He spied the tree, which had one long branch that poked out at an odd angle, and flew directly into it, alighting upon a platform with a wooden railing built around it. There was a white owl perched upon the railing. At his approach, it hooted softly and held out a leg.
"Hedwig! It's always surprising that you always know where to find me." Harry said pleasantly. He knew he hadn't been spending very much time with Hedwig, but she seemed to understand that there were things going on in Harry's life that were a bit more important. Harry was thankful for that.
Gently petting her chin, Harry untied the scroll that was attached to her leg. Hedwig hooted happily again.
"Wait here. I'll be right back." Harry said softly, and walked into the enclosed area of the small building in the tree. Inside were a cot, a table with two chairs, and a few cupboards. Harry had made a few additions to this place since he had found it. He came here so often lately, that he couldn't help but add a few creature comforts.
Opening a cupboard, he removed a bit of meat left from the extra dinner he had brought here the night before. Bringing it outside, he gave it to Hedwig, who carefully took it from him, then snapped it up eagerly.
"You must be awfully hungry. You may go back to the owlry now. I'll send a reply to whoever this is later, after you've had a chance to rest. Go on now." Hedwig looked at him gratefully, spread her wings, and soared into the sky.
Harry went back inside, and lit two candles. Settling in a chair, he unwrapped the scroll and read the contents.
Harry –
It has been a while since you've last written me a letter. Call me being paranoid if you wish, but I like to hear about you once in a while. All this business that occurred last spring has gotten me very worried about you, and if you wouldn't mind too much, please reply soon. It is very important to me that you are all right. Thanks very much.
-Sirius
Harry sighed inwardly again after reading the letter from his Godfather. He had been neglecting Sirius, which indeed was unusual of him, as Sirius and Harry had always been close, at least in correspondence. Harry fetched a quill and some parchment, but when he sat back down to the table, the letter remained blank.
Should he tell Sirius about what was going on lately? About the very strange feelings he'd been having? Ron and Hermione both had been commenting that he hadn't seemed himself lately. Harry had to admit that he'd been distracted a lot as of late. With all the things going on the world that were dangerous, and how the teachers at Hogwarts were trying to prepare the students for the rough times ahead, Harry could only introvert himself to how he was feeling.
Sirius was probably the best person to ask about stuff like this, if only Harry could put into words what the 'stuff' was. A number of times, he picked up his quill to start writing, only to stop before the ink ever even reached the page.
A gentle thump and footsteps came from outside, but Harry was too lost in his own thoughts to even notice. Hands feel upon his shoulders, and Harry nearly jumped out of his skin with a yell.
"Hey, hey, hey! Calm down it's only me. Why are you so tense?" a soft voice asked behind him.
"Cho!" Harry said as he came face to face with probably the worst person to ask about how he felt, regardless of how close they'd become in the past months.
