A/N: OK I'm so sorry this took so long. I posted the reason on my authors note but this has taken a bit longer than expected I suppose I'm really sorry. I hope you like. Ok well on with the story then…

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter…

Chapter (Sorry I didn't give you the title in the last chapter): Worries, flirting and a strange power.

* Asterisks and italics are thoughts *

Worries, flirting and a strange power.

Harry began to feel restless with himself. He knew that Rene was missing. Probably being tortured at this very moment, yet his mind seemed to block it out. He was angry that he did this and decided to ask Hermione what was wrong. She was sitting cross-legged on the comfy red couch in front of the fire, one book balanced on her knee, and another in her hand while she took notes. The expression on her face (exposed by the flickering fire) clearly showed deep concentration. But Harry had to ask her. He tapped her on the shoulder, which resulted in a shrill shriek and the sharp end of her quill landing dangerously close to his eye. As she put a hand over her mouth in apology and he picked the offending item off the floor he thought of how he would start the conversation. He knew whatever he said would sound stupid. But he knew that Hermione was very understanding when it came to sensitive subjects and he slowly sat down.

"Hermione..." He began "I need to ask you something. Um… You may have noticed I don't seem so …um…sad about Rene? And well I just want to say that…" He was cut short when Hermione lowered her hand and gently placed it on Harry's knee. She stared deep within his eyes. Harry saw a mixture of pity and understanding and took a deep breath when anger flared inside him.

"Harry, I understand completely. I mean it's not uncommon to feel this way. You're bound to feel upset about Rene being kidnapped and I know you don't like showing you're emotions. You don't have to explain it to me Harry. I know it's hard enough for you as it is. I just want you to know I'm always here for you. You know that right?" Her slight frown and the comforting gesture on his knee made Harry relax a little. He had been right. She does (sort of) understand how he feels. But he continued in what he was previously trying to say.

"No Hermione. It's not that. I mean I am upset and I do miss her but… well…" He stopped briefly. *How do I tell her that my mind blocks Rene out completely?* He thought as he got more comfortable. *Ok here goes*

"Hermione it's not that I don't want to show my emotions. I would love to show them right now but I can't. That's what I wanted to ask you. It's like every time I think of Rene I seem to forget about her completely and think of something nicer and that's why I'm not as sad as I would normally be."  He met her gaze and saw her brows come together in a confused frown.

"Oh…um…well, I don't really know what to say?" she stuttered.

"That's ok Hermione. I was just wondering you know? It's really no problem. Anyway um… I better go to bed. Got potions first thing and I don't really want to get on Snape's bad side at the moment." And sending her a weary smile he retired to his dorms for the night.

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Lessons had been going ok. Snape was an ass as usual. McGonagall was as strict as ever. And Dumbledore was as annoying as he had ever been. But the strange thing was Harry noticed a lot more muttering going on around him. There were more giggles and pointing as well. Even stranger was the fact that they were thrown in his direction. It made him feel weird really. He had never had much attention from girls and the only time it had ever occurred was from the odd celebrity-seeking hyperactive girl. Although not much difference could be made between them and these right now, even Pansy had taken an interest. The thought made him shudder. Passing the transfiguration classroom he got so caught up in trying to make a run from a group of girls who just 'happened' to walk out of the door that moment, that he didn't hear the professor calling his name, or the amused smile to grace her lips.

"Just like James."

He turned a corner and hid in the closet that had appeared there. He let out a deep breath and lent against the wall. This really was getting too much. He had to ask someone about it. Peering out slowly, he smiled and went on his way to Herbology. On his way there he met up with Ginny and walked with her. She had really grown up during the years and he felt that he was more comfortable around her now that she no longer knocked things over when he said something. Deciding this was probably the only time he would be able to ask someone what was bugging him today he turned to her and stated,

"Ginny?" And after getting her attention he continued, "Um…I was just wondering, well…" he stuttered. He really had no idea how to say this and could see Ginny frowning questioningly at him from behind her long red hair.

"What is it? It's not … you-know-who is it?" *Just like Ron* he thought fondly as he smiled reassuringly and told her it was not.

"No actually. Oh god, this is going to sound really stupid compared to something like that but well, I've noticed that the girls lately have been acting um…weird?" And when he risked a glance at Ginny expecting to find more confusion he was met with a very amused yet relieved smile.

"Oh god Harry, is that it?" Not really knowing what she was getting at he just shrugged and hoped she would continue…she did,

"Harry, don't worry. Um… in case you haven't noticed you sort of had a change this summer and the girls are just talking about it. Really, don't worry it'll die down soon." Wondering why on earth they were talking about him he stated,   

 "They're talking about me?"

"God Harry, I knew you were clueless but not this clueless!" She said in exasperation. And noticing the strange looks they were getting she lowered her voice and concluded,

"Ok. Harry you are very handsome…no…you are gorgeous ok? Nearly every girl in this school was just a bit shocked that you came back from the holidays so changed. Not that you weren't nice before, I mean, with your cute smile and glasses and like how small you were…anyway" she blushed. "Just understand that there are girls going to be flirting with you and well you'll have to learn to be able to say no, because if I know you, you'll say yes because you don't want to hurt their feelings. And then you'll say yes again and again and so on." She stopped to see if it had finally sunk into that lovely head of his. And laughed in disbelief at the look of confusion still plastered on his face, she stopped staring when he looked up.

"Ok. Well thanks for that. I think? Um… well I better go seeya Gin." And shaking his head slightly he walked into the sunshine to begin his Herbology lesson.

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"Hey Harry. How's your side?" Ron asked his friend with concern.

"Oh it's ok now. It wasn't really that bad to begin with. It didn't even bleed…" he was cut off

"Not that bad? Bloody hell Harry, you were impaled on a bit of wood!" He said looking in disbelief at his friend.

"No honestly Ron, look." And pulling up his shirt he produced a small white scar on his back and another almost identical scar on his stomach. Ron looked in awe at the sight before him and reached out a finger, and slowly ran it along the mark.

"You mean that, that was where…"

"Yea…"

"Oh right. Well ok what do you want to do?" Ron asked changing the subject none too subtly. Not really knowing Harry replied with a simple shrug.

"Ok then. How about a game of chess? I haven't beaten anyone in a while and I know that will cheer me up." He said while rubbing his hands together in preparation. Laughing evilly Harry replied with,

"Oh whatever makes you happy Ron. But I have a feeling I'm going to win this one." And with that he went over to the table in front of the fire to pick up the set when he tripped on the carpet and fell into the fire. Panicking he shoved his arms out in front of him and leaned against the wall for a split second before pulling out again. He looked in sheer amazement to see that his hands weren't burnt and neither were his arms. But the fact that the clothes around said body parts were nearly burnt to a crisp gave him a reason to worry slightly. Feeling a presence behind him he turned to Ron and showed him his arms.

"Man…what the hell?" Ron took one arm in his hand and prodded at it pointlessly. "Ok well that's weird. Do you think we should tell Dumbledore?"

Sighing in annoyance Harry shook his head.

"No. We don't have to go to Dumbledore with everything you know. Let's play!" And he sat down with the set now safely in front of him on the table. 

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All the students were sat in the great hall indulging themselves in royal meals, drinking refreshing beverages and catching up with gossip from their friends. One student however had not turned up at the feast. Said student was currently sitting by the lake and throwing stones into it, resulting in ripples making their way across the surface.

It was so strange how such simple things made him feel. He knew that the fire was probably just charmed to not burn students. It would be normal to do that, but he still had a nagging feeling in his head that there was more behind it and he wanted to know what. Everyone said he was special and he was a part of the prophecy so there must be a reason as to why he suffers little from his injuries when they are so severe. Staring out across the lake he caught a glimpse of Hagrid in the forest, shifting something or other. He smiled to himself and brought his attention back to his life. He was glad that he had been able to meet the people he had. Without Ron and Hermione he had no idea where he would be. And Hagrid, if it hadn't been for him he would not have even been here, sat on this embankment.

A cold chill swept past him, it hadn't been this cold since his fourth year, and as he shuddered he looked up expecting to see the vapour rise into the air from his breath but was shocked when there was none. Blinking slowly he breathed again and found no change. Sighing at how complicated things were getting he stood from his position and set off towards the castle.

As he passed the row of hedges outside the entrance to the castle, he heard the familiar sound of giggling and suppressed a sigh. *Here we go again* he thought weakly as a group of 5 girls emerged from behind the hedge.

"Oh! Harry hi! Who would have thought we'd meet you here?" Simply rolling his eyes he let out a sigh and asked what it was they wanted.

"Oh nothing really. How are you? I haven't talked to you for a while." *You have never talked to me at all* he corrected silently but put on a smile and answered,

"I'm ok thank you. Well… I better get back to my dorm. I've got a lot of homework to do." And giving them a little wave he opened the door and set off towards the common room.    

Upon entering his dormitory he could not help but notice how cold it was. As he went to shut the window he caught a glance at a roll of parchment lying on the sill. Snapping the window shut firmly, he lifted up said parchment and turned it over in his hands. He looked around to make sure no-one was watching and unravelled it. He almost dropped it in surprise as he read the first sentence. It was from Rene…

A/N: Ok well that was fun….  I'm so sorry that this is so short. My mind isn't focused on it for some reason.

And I feel as if my style has changed … plz tell me what you think? I haven't meant to change it.

Thnx to all my reviewers and all you lovely people you sent your apologies for what happened … thnk you so much it means a lot. *hugs*

Plz review and tell me what you think. I am thinking that if I don't pick my writing head up off the floor then I may stop this story… or at least but it on hold for a while.

And this chapter to me seems a bit muddled up? I don't know what u think?

Thnx for reading…

LuvaboyDan*Hesmyman ~*XxX*~