Author's Rant: Thanks to Fanfiction's new hit counter I know there are some of you out there at least looking at my story. However it gets rather depressing when I get so few reviews- an average of 1 per chapter at the time of writing this note. If things don't improve I might just assume that the story is rubbish, no one likes it and there is no point in carrying on. So if you do want more, you know what to do! Now on with what may be the last chapter I write of this fiction.

Trying to Live

By Willowcharm

Chapter 11: Another Friend

Having made his decision, Harry started to try and get some enjoyment out of life. He took to slipping down to the quidditch pitch when he knew no one else would be around and flying around on one of the school brooms. They were nothing like his birthday Nimbus of course, but he still loved the feeling of freedom he got from speeding through the air. He also resumed helping Fred and George out with some of their mischief much to their delight. He still insisted of steering clear of pranks on Snape- that would be asking for trouble.

Lessons went on much the same as before. The one exception being that with Quirrel gone, Professor Dumbledore was taking Defence Against Dark Arts for the rest of the year. It couldn't be denied that he was a brilliant teacher, but Harry still resented him and refused to volunteer answers or do any more than the bare minimum of work required. In Potions Professor Snape still gave him the odd unfair detention, but not so many as before. Harry didn't quite know what to make of him. Snape really seemed to dislike him, but for some reason was refraining from being too harsh. Harry didn't think that it was because he felt sorry for him.

At Fred and George's suggestion, when the next quidditch match took place, Harry went to watch it, finding himself a corner of the Slytherin stand away from the rest of his housemates. Gryffindor were playing Slytherin and the twins were beaters on their house team. They had laughingly told Harry to be sure and cheer them on. Harry shuddered to think what Professor Snape would do to him if he carried out their request. Once the match started it was clear that Gryffindor were the better team But neither team seemed to have a decent seeker. Eventually the match was tied, with the Slytherin seeker catching the snitch to offset the enormous lead the Gryffindor chasers had built up. Although he enjoyed watching the match, Harry felt a bit left out because didn't really belong to one of the huge groups of supporters who were cheering and shouting and he was looking rather depressed as he walked back towards the school.

He didn't notice Hagrid approach from behind until the gigantic man put a hand on his shoulder.

'Fancy a cup o' tea in me cabin?' Harry was going to refuse, but seeing the pleading look on the gamekeeper's face shrugged and followed him.

'So did yeh enjoy the match?' They were seated at Hagrid's enormous table with a massive cup of tea each- Harry knew he would never be able to finish it.

'I suppose.'

'Professor Dumbledore's getting' worried 'bout yeh, Harry.' Harry looked up at Hagrid's words. The gamekeeper carried on not noticing the stubborn look that came over Harry's face.

'Everyone needs friends, Harry. if yeh spend too much time on yer own yeh end up like You Know Who. 'E was a bit o' a loner too yeh know.'

Harry snapped. He had thought that maybe he could patch things up with Hagrid, but comparing him with the evil wizard who had murdered his mum and whose followers had possibly killed his dad was too much to take. He flung his cup against the wall of Hagrid's hut and stormed out, saying as he left,

'It's none of his or your business if I decide to have friends or not!'

Fortunately he didn't see anyone as he made his way up to the owlery. Hedwig swooped down to see him, looking as if she expected a delivery to make.

'Sorry girl,' Harry told her. 'I don't have anyone left to write to now.' He wished he could write to Remus. What hurt him most was that the one 'family' member he had left was banned from all contact with him, leaving Harry without a grown up he could trust and confide in. Fred and George were the best friends anyone could ask for but for all their sensitivity they were still only children. Harry continued to stroke his owl softly for some time, then went back to his dormitory, cutting out dinner as he often did when upset.

The weeks started to slip by. Hagrid tried again to invite Harry for tea but he refused. He knew the man meant no harm but Harry couldn't bear to risk hearing more insults about his godfather. So he stuck to the Weasley twins for friends and kept to himself for the rest of the time.

One day just before Easter he encountered a distressed Neville Longbottom jumping along a corridor, both legs stuck firmly together. Recognising the effects of a Leglocker curse - Remus had performed it on him once when he had tried to run out of the room during lesson time - Harry quickly released the boy with the counter curse.

'Thanks.' Neville sounded close to tears. ' Malfoy said he wanted to practise that curse on someone and I couldn't stop him. I shouldn't be in Gryffindor. The hat must have made a mistake.'

'The sorting hat doesn't make mistakes,' Harry said , imitating Professor Mcgonagal . 'Seriously, Neville, your worth ten of Malfoy any day. And be thankful that you don't share a dormitory with him.'

Neville looked as if he were about to reply but just then Ron Weasley arrived on the scene.

'Keep away from Neville, you Slytherin Scum!' Harry was about to move away, not feeling like an argument, but Neville surprised him.

'Harry helped me, Ron.'

'You can't trust a Slytherin, Neville. He was probably going to hex you.' Ron's prejudices were obviously very deep rooted.

'No he wasn't . I want to be his friend, if he'll have me.'

'What? You cannot be serious! A Gryffindor wouldn't be seen dead with a Slytherin.'

'I don't care what house he's in. He's a good person and I'm not ashamed to be seen with him.'

Harry watched this scene with growing amazement. This was proof indeed that the nervous Neville did indeed belong in Gryffindor. Ron's face was growing red in anger but he was prevented from carrying on by the sudden appearance of Fred and George.

'Well said, young Mr Longbottom,' said George. Now suppose we four go off and have some fun together?'

And Harry and Neville were firmly marched away by the twins, given no chance of protesting, leaving Ron gaping like a codfish.

It soon became known all over the school that Harry Potter was friends with Fred and George Weasley and Neville Longbottom. Neville was clearly embarrassed by all the whispered comments but the twins just laughed them off, proving their point that they were quite happy to be known as Harry's friends. And so the Easter holiday started and although the twins and Neville were going home for the break, Harry was happier than he had been for a long time