A/N: Wow, thanks for the reviews! My first ever! I was afraid of the reactions I might get, but now I'm so encouraged. I know Ron's jealousy might be a bit overboard, but don't worry, he'll get over it soon.
And to the one reviewer who said it needs more dialogue: you're right! My problem is that I just want to get to the good stuff and skip all the build up. I have two scenes in mind that I'm dying to write, but they don't happen until near the end of 7th year, and it's only 6th year! Ah well. I do promise there's more dialogue coming up in two or three chapters.
6. Reactions
Tossing and turning all night, Harry was exhausted when he went to the Great Hall for breakfast. The Hall was practically empty, as it was still very early in the morning. Harry ate in silence until he saw Dumbledore appear at the head table, and Harry immediately rose and approached him.
"Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore. Has there been any word on when Hagrid might be returning?" he asked.
Dumbledore looked at Harry a moment. "No, Mr. Potter, but I'm sure he'll be returning shortly."
"Have you spoken to him recently?" Harry asked.
"I'm afraid not Mr. Potter," Dumbledore replied. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Harry struggled with himself. He didn't want to tell Dumbledore about the dream; after all the secrets that have been (and still probably are) kept from him, the petulant side of Harry wanted to keep his dream a secret. But Harry knew that Hagrid's life was at stake, and now was not the time to be childish.
"I've had another dream," Harry began, in a whisper. "I saw Hagrid, tied up. Voldemort was using the Cruciatus curse on him…"
Dumbledore raised his hand, cutting Harry off mid-sentence. He shook his had slightly and fixed Harry with a look of disappointment. "Mr. Potter," he said wearily. "I had hoped you would have taken your occlumency lessons more seriously, especially after you were manipulated by Voldemort last year."
Harry shook his head angrily. "I have been." Harry said indignantly. "Just ask Professor Snape! I know a false vision from a real one."
"Even if what you saw is true," Dumbledore said, with a look that clearly indicated he believed otherwise, "we cannot simply act based on a dream."
Harry opened his mouth to interrupt, but Dumbledore quickly spoke again. "Hagrid is an adult. He is fully aware of the risks and would not want you to go running off again on another ill-advised rescue mission. In fact, whether or not Voldemort does have him, and he is clearly allowing you to see his thoughts and planning a trap. We cannot allow you to make yourself an easier target."
"But what about Hagrid?"
"Hagrid can take care of himself. I've known Hagrid longer than you have, Harry," Dumbledore said gently. "He would gladly give his life to keep you safe."
Looking around, Dumbledore saw the Great Hall begin to fill with students. "Now, Mr. Potter, please return to you table and enjoy your breakfast. We can continue this conversation in private at another time." Harry nodded and made his way back to the Gryffindor table. Picking up his books, Harry made his way to his first class, even though it wouldn't start for another half hour. He needed time to think.
Harry turned Dumbledore's words over in his mind. He was fully aware that it was a trap to lure him from the protections of the castle. He was sure Dumbledore would do something, anything, rather then leave Hagrid to suffer. In fact, Harry wouldn't put it past Dumbledore already be planning something, but keeping Harry in the dark about it. But Harry couldn't take that risk; he couldn't live if Hagrid were to die because of him, joining his parents, Cedric, and Sirius on that list. Harry considered telling Ron, but quickly discarded the idea; Ron would probably see his dream as another attempt to get more attention. He finally decided to tell Hermione. Even though she was preoccupied with Eddie, she could help him decide on a plan to keep Hagrid and himself alive. Yes, Hermione would know what to do.
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Harry found his chance to talk to Hermione after dinner. He followed her as she walked to the library, and then pulled her aside into an empty classroom.
"Harry!" she exclaimed. "You almost gave me a heart attack, sneaking up on me like that."
"I'm sorry Hermione," Harry said contritely, "but I needed to talk to you in private."
Hermione looked at him anxiously, almost visibly deciding on whether or not to leave. "Will it be quick?" she asked, "I don't want to be late for an appointment."
"It'll be quick," Harry said, fairly certain who her appointment was with. Hermione nodded, then sat in at an empty desk.
Harry began pacing. "I've had another dream," he began. "It's Hagrid. He's in trouble. Voldemort's got him and…"
"No!" Hermione hissed, bolting out of her chair. "No Harry, no! Haven't you learned anything? Didn't you learn from last year? It's a trick; Voldemort's knows how to bait you, like he did with Sirius."
"It's not a trick Hermione," Harry said calmly, knowing that getting angry wouldn't help his cause. "I've been practicing occlumency, and I know a real vision from a fake one."
But Hermione wasn't listening. She was pacing back and forth. "It's always like this with you, isn't it Harry? Always one thing after another," she said. "Why can't you just leave it alone?"
"You think I want this?" Harry said angrily. "I never asked for any of this. I don't want any of this. But Voldemort's got Hagrid, and can't just sit here! I need to do something!"
"Fine!" Hermione practically yelled, tears forming in her eyes. "If want to go off on another of your rescue missions, you can leave me out of it! You almost got me killed the last time," she added in a low voice.
Harry stared at her in shock. He couldn't believe it. Hermione was refusing to help him? He expected her to be reluctant, but not to refuse him. She never refused him…
"You…you won't help me?" he asked weakly.
"I'm tired of this Harry," she said, her tears continuing to fall. "I'm tired of always worrying about you, of wondering if this is the time that Voldemort will kill you. I'm tired of worrying about Voldemort coming after me, or after my parents, just because I know you. I just want a normal life, where all I have to worry about is school, and homework, and winning the House Cup. I want a normal life with normal friends, not with people who waging war against the most evil wizard alive and may die at any time."
Hermione wiped her eyes and walked to the classroom door, opening it. Before stepping out, she turned to Harry. "Eddie gives me that normal life," she said before walking out.
Harry stood still for what several moments, before collapsing into a chair. Ever saving her from a troll their first year, Hermoine has always been his foundation. Sure, Ron was important, but Ron, for reasons not his own fault, wasn't always there with him, and times like now, Ron was actively against him. But Hermione. Hermione was always there. He could always count on her, to remind him to do his homework, to study for tests, to figure out mysteries and to stand by him as he faced scorn, ridicule, and even death. They saved Sirius together and faced Death Eaters together. Harry wouldn't be who he was today, and probably wouldn't be alive, without Hermione by his side. And now, she was gone, as everyone who seemed to love or care for him eventually left him as well.
An hour later Harry emerged from the classroom, his eyes long dry. He could still do this alone. After all, he was alone when he killed the Basilisk, and no one was with him when he dueled Voldemort in the graveyard. He could do this alone. Harry began running through the corridors to his room to prepare.
Slam!
Harry found himself painfully thrown to the ground. "Sorry Harry, I didn't look where I was going," Colin Creevy apologized frantically.
Rubbing his side, Harry said, "No, it's my fault Colin. I shouldn't have been running in the hall." But Colin looked aghast at running into and knocking down his hero. Scrambling to his feet, Colin helped Harry up, handing him his books and his wand, which had been scattered about the corridor.
"It's ok, Colin, really!" Harry said soothingly, as Colin fussed over him. "I'm fine."
"Are you sure Harry? I didn't hurt you? I'm really really really sorry!" Colin looked on the verge of tears.
"It's ok Colin," Harry assured him. "Don't worry about it." He gave Colin a smile and headed towards Gryffindor tower, wondering if he would ever see Colin again, and trying to decide if that would be a good or bad thing.