Miss Moony would like to dedicate this chapter to Alexia for being the first reviewer.

Miss Moony would also like to thank Maya, kayly silverstorm, Marblez and Jessi Malfoy for reviewing.

To Jessi Malfoy: I giggled quite hard when I read that, for no particular reason other than that I'd just spent the last half hour on the slash forum at FA. More seriously, though, the Harry/Briar slash won't be here for quite a while, though you will get to see quite a lot more development. First, though, there's going to be the whole "what happened to Harry" thingy, including a re-telling of his sixth and seventh years at Hogwarts, and quite a few past relationships (you'll see more slash there!!).

To Maya: It's a crossover. That is why it's in the TP section. It's just that it's much more likely to be found in a section where fics aren't pouring in left right and centre.

To Marblez: See above. Sorry!

------- I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good -------

Chapter 8

Luncheon was a disastrous affair. The whole table was surrounded by a stifling silence, broken only by the occasional request for the passing of one dish or another.

Briar watched as Harry sat by the side, his lips tightly sealed, and ate little, even as Briar dug into the food piled up on his own plate.

'So,' he heard Rosethorn say, clearly trying to think of a topic of conversation that might draw the younger boy out of his shell.

'What's your favourite flower, kid?' Briar asked, coming to the rescue.

He was almost surprised when Harry's eyes flickered up to meet his, and he saw, once again, the pain reflected in them, and it seemed like an eternity before he received an answer. 'Lupin… Lily… Lupin… Lily…' It was very quietly muttered, but Briar heard it loud and clear anyway, and winced when he saw an empty shine begin to rise in Harry's eyes again, before it backed down and was replaced by that painfully vulnerable look.

'Oh,' Rosethorn said in surprise. 'I've always liked roses best myself.'

'Figures,' Briar heard Harry mutter in response, but he doubted that anyone else did.

'Why lupines and lilies?' Tris asked, breaking the silence that had threatened to fall once again. Briar had the distinct feeling that she was trying not to let her impatience show through where Harry was concerned, probably for the sake of the boy's mental state.

Harry twisted around in his seat to face her, and answered, 'My mum was called Lily, and Lupin was the name of my favourite professor.'

'Oh.' It was a simple statement, and it came from Tris, and, that said, the room was plunged into silence once again.

The eight-year-old Glaki approached Harry after lunch, when he was sitting outside on the grass, and flopped down beside him.

'What's it like where you come from?' she asked, making Harry jump, having not realised she was there.

'Hell, actually. Why d'you ask?' He wondered briefly why he was bothering to talk to her. After all, it wasn't as if he'd said much to anyone else.

'Just wondering,' she answered. 'I come from Khapik – that's in Tharios. Tris brought me 'n' Keth here after Mama was murdered, though. What was your ma like?'

What is this? Harry thought, Twenty questions? 'I can't remember,' he told her.

'What happened?' Glaki's eyes were wide and curious.

'She died when I was a baby.'

There was a brief silence, but it stretched out for what seemed, to Harry, like an eternity, until Glaki asked, 'You're an orphan, too?'

Harry nodded, but didn't speak.

'Tris says that you're mad.'

"You're mad. You're all bloody insane."… Ron… Don't leave me… Please? …

'She's right,' Harry answered. 'I am mad.'

'Why?'

Harry thought for a moment before replying. 'Too much death… too much destruction. I suppose insanity was my way to escape.'

Glaki nodded thoughtfully, showing an unusual amount of understanding for someone so young. They were silent for a moment more, and then she reached over and hugged Harry.

'Don't worry,' she said, seemingly reading his mind, 'I won't tell.'