A FRIEND TO TALK TO

CHPT 14: MEETING

DISCLAIMER: I dont own the Harry Potter sereis.

It was December, and it was winter break. Harry was with Hermione, the Weasley's, and the Order.

What happened in November was simple.

Harry and Hermione made-up and were on happy best friend speaking terms. She apologized for burning his letter, and said she only did it to protect him.

Brian dated all the Ravenclaw girls. Nobody knew how he did it, but he did. Some people didn't believe it, but it was true. Nobody knew how. He was only eleven-years-old, after all.

Draco Malfoy did whatever he could in his power to put down Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Mostly Harry. Nobody knew why he had such a big change in attitude, but some thought he reality of his father being in prison finally hit him.

Harry and Luna started talking again. So did Neville. Neville lost a some weight and gained a ton of confidence. After Luna's break up with lil PIMP MASTA Brian, she and Neville started dating.

But today was the day Harry was going to meet with Claire. He was nervous and excited at the same time.

Hermione and Ron would come with him, then seperate when Harry meet up with Claire.

Harry had changed his cloths at least six times. He went from red tee-shirt to blue, then a faded green one, then back to red. He changed from black slacks to jeans, then knaki trousers...

He was wearing a black buttoned up long sleeved shirt and dark jeans. Over that, he had a black cloak. He tried so hard to make his hair lay flat, but it didn't work.

He took a deep breath and stood by the firepalce with Ron and Hermione, who thought that Harry being so nervous was funny.

"Hurry up Harry." Ron said, as Harry stood in front of the fireplace with floo powder in his hand. Harry nodded as he bit his lip and took off his glasses.

He threw the powder into the fireplace and green flames erupted from the ashes.

"Diagon Alley!" He said, and jumped in.

The firmiliar jerk and tug came, and moment later he was spit out of a fire place in Florish and Blotts.

He brushed himself off at fixed his hair as Hermione and Ron came crashing out.

"I cant wait until we can apparate!" Hermione announced as she wiped her shoulders.

"Same here..." Ron mummbled. He had dirt on his nose and Hermione wipped it off for him. Unknown to Hermione, Ron blushed as red as a tomato.

They walked out of whatever shop they where in (which happened to be a book shop) and walked over to the ice cream parlor. A little bell rang when they walked through the door.

"The thing i dont understand is why you are going to get ice cream when it is absolutly freezing!" Hermione said.

Harry shrugged. "They sell hot stuff during the winter."

Ron nodded. "Yeah, like hot chocolate. Its pretty good, have you tried it before?"

Hermione shrugged. "I wouldn't know, i never been here in the winter."

They walked into the ice cream parlor and sat down.

"So, where is she? I do hope she's not bailing out on you Harry, that would be a shame." Hermione said.

Harry blinked. He never thought about that.

"Hermione! Dont say that, come on, even i'm not dense enough to say that to Harry!" Ron told Hermione.

She gasped. "You're calling me dense?" She laughed.

"Well, i mean... you're being really... catty." Ron said.

"Me! Of course im not!" She snapped. Ron shook his head. Harry, meanwhile, was wringing his hands and staring at his feet. Hermione noticed this.

Just as Hermione was about to say something to Harry, the little bell on the door rang and a cold breeze swept through.

Claire walked inside.

Harry smiled. "Hey she's here!" He grinned at Ron and Hermione. Ron stared at her while Hermione was quiet.

Hermione decided that Harry was pretty dense for not knowing any information about her.

Claire walked over to were they were standing.

"Hey Harry!" She said sweetly with a big grin on her face.

"Hi Claire!" Harry stood up with a cheesy grin on his face. Claire clamped herself onto Harry and gave him a great big "i'm sorry best friend" hug.

She had a big smile on her face and her face was a little pink from the cold. Harry's face was pink from blushing, Hermione's face was pink from jelously, and Ron's face was always pink.

She looked over at Ron and Hermione. She nudged Harry.

"Oh!" Harry said.

He pointed at Ron. "Claire this is Ron, Ron, this is Claire." Claire smiled and Ron drooled as Claire shook his hand.

"Hey Ron." She said. Ron nodded the "Pimp Masta" nod. Claire nodded back.

(a/n: u know that little nod guys do when u say hi to them? well, its not really a nod, more like lifting ur head a little)

Harry pointed at Hermione. "Hermione, this is Claire. Claire, this is Hermione, she's the super smart girl i told you about. She destroyed the last letter." Harry said and Hermione almost had a heart attack. She laughed nervously.

"Well, you see..."

"Oh! I thought- Well never mind." Claire said. She smiled at Ron and Hermione. "Nice meeting you guys, Harry says alot of good things about you."

Hermione was slightly relieved.

"Okay, we better get going." Harry said, and held Claire's hand. "I'll meet up with you guys later."

"Where?" Hermione asked.

"Here... around six."

Ron nodded. "See ya mate." He laughed a little.

Harry waved and Claire did too. They walked out of the ice cream parlor.

They were silent for a while.

"So..." Claire said. "Know any good, warm places?" She said. Harry smiled.

"Uh yea! Where do you want to go?"

"I have no idea." She said.

"Okay." Harry said, and lead them over to him favorite store. "Where's Brian?"

"Brian? Oh, i dont know. He's at home i suppose." She said. They walked into the Quality Quidditch Supplies. Harry wanted to know how she got there without a wizard.

(a/n: lol harry's so stupid)

"Wow! Look at this Claire!" Harry said, running over to a broom accessory. It was for a Firebolt and made it slightly faster.

Claire laughed. "You have a Firebolt?"

Harry nodded. "Yup! I'm captain if the Gryffindor quidditch team too." He smiled.

"Really? Thats so awesome!" She complimented. "What position do you play?"

"Seeker." Harry said. he eyed the accessory. Should he buy it? Maybe later.

"Cool." Claire said. She was looking around too. She found some blue quidditch robes and put it on. "Hey Harry, how do i look?" She laughed.

"Very nice." Harry said. "But you should wear red, you look too much like a Ravenclaw player."

Claire laughed and took off the robe. "Speaking of Ravenclaw players... what this i hear about Brian? What is he doing?"

Harry chuckled. "Oh yeah. He was going around calling himself 'pimp master'. He spikes his hair and struts around school, its really odd. Plus, he dated ALL the girls from Ravenclaw, even the older girls."

Claire's facial expresion was priceless.

"ALL the girls?" She choked. Her eyes were wide, mouth was open and her eyebrows were raised.

Harry nodded.

"Oh...my...god..."

"Er..." Harry didn't know if it was a good thing he told.

"He's drinking love potions again!" She shreiked with laugher.

Harry blinked. "What?"

"Long story." She rolled her eyes.

"Oh! And, he does this with his hands to people..." He made a little "W" with his hand.

Claire stared at Harry, do still had his hands in a "W".

Claire snorted.

"What?"

"Heh heh... dont EVER do that again... haha..."

Harry shrugged. "And you know what he called me?"

"What?" Claire replied, very interested.

"A wigger...?"

Claire was holding her sides, laughing.

"What's a... a wigger?" Harry asked.

She was on the floor giggling hysterically.

Moments past. Little did they know, a hooded stranger was watching the two teens.

It was the second day Claire and Harry decided to go to Diagon Alley.

Harry had to be back at Grimmauld Place in two hours, since he came alone.

Harry and Claire were walking down the streets of Diagon alley. Claire was sipping Liquid Mint Chocolate, a warm drink she bought at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.

"How's life being Harry Potter?" She asked.

"Um. Horrible." Harry said bluntly.

"Really? How so?"

He stared at Claire. "Dont you know the whole story?" He droaned.

Claire nodded. "Yeah but... you always won, right?" She smiled.

Harry looked at the sky. "I got away, just by luck." He sighed. "But someone always had to die..."

He trailed off and thought about Sirius.

Claire hesitated. "But you dont have to talk about it. I understand if you dont."

Harry looked at Claire with sad eyes and smiled. "Thanks."

She gave a litle smile. "No problem."

It was quiet for a while. Harry's mind raced with thoughts.

She'll be next to get hurt... it happened to everyone you love.

No, she's moving back to America, and she'll be safe.

Still. She made you happy, and she'll be next.

No!

Yes. Face it.

NO!

"Hey, wanna try some of this? Its really good." Claire said, breaking the silence. She held the cup for Harry to take.

Harry shrugged. "Alright."

He took a sip and was filled with mint chocolaty warm goodness. He was feeling much better.

x

Hour Later

x

"Er... So..." Harry said. Claire turned her head.

"Hmm?"

The air was chilly and the sky was cloudy gray color.

"Oh, i dont know."

They walked in silence for a moment.

"What are you thinking about?" Claire asked suddenly.

Harry blinked. "Well..."

"Be honest." She added, smiling.

"...okay. I'm thinking on whether or not i should have got that broom bangle." He said. Claire raised her eyebrows.

"Oh no, did i give the wrong answer?" Harry said quickly. He remembered the time when he went on a date with Cho... it didn't go very well.

"You are very random." She said.

"It that... good or bad?"

She paused. "Good."

"Great!"

"Brilliant!" She exclaimed.

"What?" Harry was confused.

She shrugged. "It seemed like the right thing to say."

Harry couldn't help but laugh.

"So... Brian used love potions?" He asked. When? Didn't he only figure out he was a wizard this year? They were walking down the street to another shop.

"Why would anyone want to go out with him?" She laughed. "Well, maybe cuz he's a ..." She trailed off.

In front of them, someone dropped their wallet.

"Exuse me sir, you dropped your-"

Harry and Claire both stopped and picked it up at the same time.

"Excuse m-" Before they could finish, they felt a sharp tug at there navel.

They had just picked up a keyport, and they were being transported.

An: Edited version of ChapterFourteen. Tell me if i missed something, yes?