Disclaimer: *silently stares at the word*
Harry stared. Lupin? He had been talking to Remus Lupin. A voice inside him said You should have seen it coming...
Thanks for telling me, good night.
'Night Harry.
The book flashed. Harry had closed it. Remus Lupin sat at his desk wondering what Harry's reaction had been. It must have felt terribly strange.
~~~
Harry had been silent for four months. Now, after talking to Lupin, he had found he needed to speak, to let things out somehow. Holding it in was harder. It would have been great to talk to Sirius, if it had not been his death Harry was grieving about. Harry felt tears trickle slowly down his face, meandering around the sharp features. This time, he was not grateful to have Ron out of the dormitory. He wished he wasn't so alone.
~~~
Ron finished up his homework and handed it to Hermione to check, looking at the staircase.
"Wish Harry would do his homework down here," Ron muttered. "He doesn't even get the benefits of sitting with you."
Hermione gave a humorless laugh. "He's doing fine, Ron. It's just that it's the act of pushing us away, sitting up there all alone. That's why I wish he was down here."
"Mmm."
"Here," said Hermione, handing Ron his work. "That's good. Probably your best essay this year."
Ron gave a sheepish grin.
"See you in the morning, Hermione."
"Yeah, goodnight Ron."
Ron picked up his bag and, sliding his parchment, quills, and inkbottle into it, walked upstairs. He slowly opened the door, like he always did now, so as to see what Harry was up to. Hermione has only asked Ron to watch Harry once, but he had felt obliged to do so as often as he felt was necessary. This time, Harry was sitting by the window, a new location, and was crying, something Ron hadn't seen him do in ages, although he did recall Hermione saying something about it. Ron shut the door, wincing as it clicked rather loudly in the lock. Harry seemed not to notice. Ron dressed silently and slid into bed in the same motion as sliding his bag against the bedside table. He was so tired... that essay had been so hard to write... Ron's latest conversation with Harry echoed in his mind. He had no been surprised Harry had spoken after Hermione had said Harry was pouring out so much to her... 'He knew him as a friend, not as almost a father.' 'He knew him as almost a brother.' 'So then which is closer?' 'They're about the same, I guess.' 'Lupin is strong than me, then. I break down too easily...' Harry, don't think that, Ron thought as he drifted to sleep. You're stronger than anyone I know...