Sorry for the lack of updates. It's been a busy month. I have finals next week. SOOOO… that means I have more time to write this. I've started to loose interest **smacks self** but will soon regain it with Valentines Day. Ahhh… Tom Felton…
*****
"Harry, you have to get out of here at sometime," Ron sat down.
Harry rolled over in his sheets away from Ron.
"We have to start classes tomorrow. At least come to dinner. We'll face away from where Lisa is sitting ok?"
Harry let out a small grumble. He had stayed in his bed since Christmas. It was the New Year and every one had come back today. Eating never seemed like an option. Harry was no longer hungry or motivated to do anything. All day he stayed curled up in his bed. Everyone was frightened of what was happening to him. Hermonie and Ron often came up with Professor McGonagall to force him to eat. The Professsor even threatened to give him detention. Nothing cheered him up. Lisa sent a couple letters trying to get him to talk, but that only made him more depressed.
Even Dumbledore wanted to know what was wrong.
***
The Great Hall was filled with refreshed faces from the students. Most have returned to the school that afternoon. Classes were starting tomorrow and everyone wanted to be there and ready, for the most part.
George and Fred were sitting at the Gryffindor table saving seats for Ron, Hermonie, and Harry. Everyone but the Slytherins was hoping on his return. Rumors started to spread about Harry. They all started from the Slytherin house. They were any where from a disfiguration, freak accident; fame went to his head, and broken heart. The last one was right. But no one could figure out who broke his heart.
Lisa sat nervously and fumbled with her utensils. She was sitting next to Snape. Over the past week Snape took her in to show her around. But never said anything directly to her about it. She knew something was going on in Snape's head about her. She could careless about it. She was more worried about Harry's condition than teaching any more.
"Nervous?" Severous didn't look away from his table.
"A little," She mumbled.
"Don't worry. Most of them wont even pay attention. Just nod." Snape peered at her.
"I guess that will work." She dropped her knife when she looked up at the hall.
Ron, and Hermonie walked into the hall. A gray dark haired boy followed. Everyone in the hall looked up and gasped. Lisa could tell Harry was nervous. His steps seemed shaken. Harry looked up at her, but she had to look away. It was too much pain for the both of them.
Harry was greeted at his table by smiles and hellos. The Slytherin table sneered at Harry. They all wished he was gone. Lisa stared down at her plate.
"That is our celebrity," Snape growled, "Mr. Harry Potter. Fowl one. Always in trouble."
"I heard," She looked up.
Dumbledore was standing up. The hall quieted down.
"I welcome you all back from your break," His voice was slightly drone. "I have only one announcement. We have a new teacher joining the staff. Ms. Manson here," He pointed to Lisa sitting down. "Will be in many of your classes. Observing and helping us with the plant population we have. Please help me in welcoming her." Dumbledore started to clap.
The students clapped along. Most weren't very enthusiastic about it. Lisa nodded to them. The noise stopped and food appeared in front of all. Everyone dug in. They were all like little pigs. It seemed like they were never fed at home.
Lisa spooned some mashed potatoes, and grabbed a sliver of roast beef. She toyed with her food. Her appetite left. She looked up towards the Gryffindor table. Harry was looking up at her. Ron was putting bits of food on his plate. Their eye contact stayed for several seconds.
"Not hungry?" Severous interrupted her concentration.
"No not really," She looked at him.
"Feeling ill? I mostly likely have something to solve it."
"I have to solve this myself, but thank you." Lisa got up and walked out of the hall.
***
Harry didn't feel well. Ron piled things on his plate for him to try. He looked over at Lisa. She was looking back. He didn't know weather to smile or look away. She looked away first at the sound of Snape's voice. It was useless. He was no good here. He looked up again and saw that she was gone.
"So, Harry, are you going to get back to supplying?" Fred asked between bites of chicken.
"Give me a week," Harry picked up his fork and dragged into the mashed potatoes.
"A week?" another Gryffindor piped in.
"I'm sorry I'm just not up to dealing right now. I don't feel to good."
"You better keep that word," George smiled.
Harry glared down at the food in front of him. He took a bite. The food spread warmth he hadn't felt all week stream through his body. The feeling was welcoming. He began to eat.
