Quickly, Harry lowered his hand to the glass in front of him, drawing the curtains shut around his bed. He had heard noises on the stairs, and he knew he couldn't be too careful this year. If someone discovered his secret, he might be tempted to do something drastic. Sighing, he chided himself for being so melodramatic. So he smoked, big deal. He still knew Hermione would berate him for it.
Pushing the butt firmly against the grey tinged crystal, he waved his hands around, trying to dispel the smoke and its smell. There was definite laughter outside the door now, and Harry pulled the curtains open in time to see Ron walk into the room with Neville and Dean. Wildly gesticulating, Ron nearly took Nevile's head off recounting the quidditch match from earlier. Harry had to chuckle to himself, given the looks Dean and Neville were shooting at each other.
"Harry!" Ron practically raced to the bed, obviously not noticing the smoke. "The match today. Oh man, we were so bloody brilliant!The way you dive bombed Malfoy-" Ron broke off, shaking his head. The huge grin on his face clearly showed his thoughts.
"Glad you enjoyed it, Ron." Harry stood, stretching. "I need to go, er, downstaris. See you in a bit." Harry quickly strode from the room, grabbing his cloak as he stepped out of the room. By downstairs, he meant outside. Technically, this was down the stairs, Harry thought, trying to convince himself.Everytime he lied to Ron or Hermione, he got a tingly feeling in his stomach, one that he really didn't care for.
Bounding down the stairs to his room, he ignored the pointed look a few third years gave him, and left out of the portriat. Casually, he slouched down the stairs, trying too hard to look inconspicuous. His throat caught with a sharp intake of breath as he heard a voice he knew all too well call his name.
"Potter! Oy, Potter, where d'you think you're going?"Draco Malfoy walked up to Harry, who turned around slowly. Flanked by Crabbe and Goyle, Malfoy crossed his arms. "I said," Malfoy spat, "where do you think you're going?"
"Out." Harry crossed his own arms and widened his stance, prepared to be on the defensive. He saw Malfoy's hand twitch and made to reach for his wand. Groaning, he turned around, knowing who had said his name this time.
"Ten points from Gryffindor, Potter. Run along now." Snape's greasy voice was never welcome, thought Harry as he rushed out the doors furiously, but at least he had been saved a detention-or worse.
Walking down the brown green hill in front of the castle, Harry smiled and waved when necessary. With a sigh, he sat down on one of the benches by the lake, facing away from the school. The sky was overcast and dreary; most students were inside. Patting the inside of his cloak, Harry pulled out a single cigarette he kept for emergencies. Lighting it with the lighter he kept in his back pocket, he leaned back, taking a long drag.
Running one hand through his hair, he tapped ashes off with the other. How did my life get so messed up? He thought, shaking his head. Taking another drag from the near burnt-out cigarette, he droped it to the ground, crushing it with the heel of his shoe. Wiping his hands on his pants, he walked back to the castle slowly, raising his head to the raindrops as they began to fall.