DISCLAIMER: My name is not Kat Warner. I don't own Potter.

Chapter 8: Didn't Mean to Make Him Cry

"Harry, wait up!" Ron called down the hall towards his retreating friend. "Harry!"

"Leave me alone." Harry said as he slumped against the wall. "I don't want to talk."

"Listen then Harry. We know you're upset but you can't go running off like that." Hermione said quietly.

"I only left the room! Now I can't even be by myself for a minute or two?!" He shouted back.

"You can be alone but you can't run off like that with no explanation." Ron replied. "Alana's going to be wondering what she did to make you so upset and you won't want to tell her because of obvious reasons. She's going to feel like you hate her."

"I don't hate her though. I just couldn't stand her talking about death and how long a person can stay in death until there's to hope and what happens when the bonds break or anything like that." He buried his face in his hands as tears started to form in his eyes.

"We miss him too Harry." Ron said. "But no amount of tears will bring him back."

"I know, I know. I've gotten this lecture by anyone and everyone who could give it. Just stop already okay?" he looked up at them again his eyes red and moist.

"Excuse me?" they all turned around. Alana was standing shyly a few feet away, looking nervous at interrupting them.

"Hey. Sorry to run out on you like that." Ron said as he pulled her away from Harry and Hermione for the minute. "and for leaving you in the dark, but it's not our place to tell you what's going on with him. He'll have to do it when he's ready."

"I understand." Alana whispered. "I just wanted to apologize to him for whatever I said. I didn't know I would make him cry." She stood a glance at the pair they left behind. Hermione had Harry wrapped in a hug, whispering soothing words to him. Ron glanced over as well and Alana could have sworn she saw two emotions flash across his face. Sadness and another one she couldn't place in the brief second it had appeared.

"He'd probably deny that you did anything wrong, but go ahead anyways."

"Harry?" she asked. He and Hermione separated and Harry turned to face Alana.

"Hey." His eyes were still red

"I'm sorry for whatever I said that upset you." she said, again shyly. "I didn't mean to."

"Don't worry about it. You don't need to apologize for anything. I should be the one saying I'm sorry. I ran out without a word. But I couldn't really keep listening without breaking down." He also felt shy as he admitted he was wrong. It made him feel vulnerable.

"Okay so are we done here?" Ron asked from next to Hermione. "I'm starving."

"You're always hungry Ron." Hermione sighed and leaned against her friend.

They just met and already there are heart touching moments? I must be going soft...