by Jas - sorry for delay. Having long busy days.

Harry's POV

This is boring the hell out of me. I am wasting a whole good afternoon, sitting in a very noisy Common Room, doing nothing. Anyway, it's not like I want to study now. I really wonder how Hermione does it. Speaking of Hermione, she and Ron just walked into the Boys' Dorm.

I'm not invited.

Well, at least none of them beckoned me to. Come to think of it, this is the second time this week. Maybe they're discussing some Prefect matters. Yet again, it is rather... dodgy.
I drum my fingers on the table; head propped on my palm. I stare out of the big window, letting my mind drift a bit. Random thoughts start pouring into my head, but evaporate quickly, making way for something else... something else that's been at the back of my head the whole time.
Wednesday night... Wednesday night keeps playing over and over again. This has become a happy thought. But I'll never admit it.
Actually, why should I be happy about it? I am straight, for goodness sake. I like girls. Stop grinning, Harry.
There.
Ron's right. I do need a girl. But which girl? I make a mental list of girls from my House, and I find myself crossing out their names. This isn't as easy as I thought it would be. It doesn't even feel right.
I leave my little corner and go to the bathroom.

The place is empty; air is still. There is water on the floor, but the whole place is clean. A portrait of some kind of magical being and a young girl watches me as I scan the bathroom. They are not as chatty as that mermaid portrait in the Prefects' bathroom.
"You look bothered." The young girl finally speaks.
"Yes, I think I am." I reply her, quite glad that I have someone, or something, to talk to.
"What is it?"
"I don't quite know."
She frowns. Hey, I'm not lying. And she smiles again, "I suggest you sort it out soon."
She can read my mind? Now, that is an intimidating thought. I don't think I quite like my thoughts being read, thank you. She nods and resumes looking after the magical being.
I walk over to the basin and look at my reflection. My final year here at Hogwarts... All the memories... So much has happened in the last seven years. I'm not sure what will happen after this one.
"Well, I'll rather waste my perfectly good afternoon outside, than inside the castle." I say aloud.
Once outside, I walk over to my favourite spot, which is beside the lake, with a huge rock beneath a tree.
But it is already occupied by a blond someone. His back is facing me. Well, I guess it is a very likeable spot.
I continue walking, with hands stuffed into my pocket, thinking of what to say to him... now that... things are slightly different.
I realise that he's already talking to a girl. As I walk closer, I recognize that it's Pansy Parkinson. I hope I'm not interrupting anything.
Pansy's expression changes from discontent to satisfaction as I walk nearer.
Then she hugs him.
I stop walking; my heart's hammering away. I feel quite lost. At least my jaw's not hanging open.
Somehow, he turns around. He seems dumbstruck.
I turn and walk away; the bitter cold of autumn stings my face.
I go back to the Common Room, determined to remain unruffled. The first person I notice is Hermione, who is buried in her books again. Ron's not there.
"Where's --?"
She looks up. I scan the room and see Ron with other Gryffindor boys at the other end.
"So, Prefects meeting's over?"
"Prefects meeting?" She looks puzzled.
Hermione's cheeks suddenly turn a deep shade of red.
"What?" It's my turn to be baffled.
"Oh nothing much..."
I give her an out-with-it look that she's familiar with.
"Umm... Ron and I... We thought... Well... We're together." She whispers the last bit.
So, Ron and Hermione, finally together! I mean, that's good, but there's only so much I can take in a day!
I laugh in spite of my present mood. I am a good actor. "Please say you're ok with it."
"I am, of course! That's just fantastic, really." I manage a smile.
"We knew you'll be fine!" She hugs me.
What is it with girls and hugs today?
But I guess it's quite alright.
"Thanks, Harry."
"Hey, no problem."
Maybe Pansy gave him the same kind of hug.
Why should I care?