Chapter 3:

Meetings at the Top-Most Tower

"Oh Ronnie, not here," Hermione yelped as Ron tried to get her into a full make-out session as they were studying in the Common Room.

"Mione! Pwease!" he said with a cute little puppy dogface.

"How bout you two go somewhere more secluded," Harry suggested, a bit miffed at their flirtatious conversations. Secretly, he liked it better when they were ranting and raving at each other. They gave Harry a questioned look, but gazed back at each other as they started to giggle. Harry rolled his eyes and continued on his essay that was hardly written and due the next day. "Or if you both don't leave, I will."

With that said, he stood from the couch, grabbed all his books, rummaged them into his bag, and as he carried it on his shoulder, he left out through the portrait into the hall. He heaved an exhausted sigh, and strode down the hall, wondering where he would go. As he rounded a corner, he heard countless laughter afoot, and saw before him a couple of teenagers in a massive make-out session.

His eyes burned with fury as he had realized that what the couple was doing was what he was trying to get away from. Harry yelled in anger and ran past them, causing both their heads to turn in shock. But as he looked back at the couple, a pang of jealousy arose in him; it was Ginny Weasley and another 6th year student.

Red-faced, Harry dashed up a different staircase to avoid them. Why is she with him? He thought, but he remembered the year before was when he told Ginny to not be in anyway acquainted with him in a strong relationship. It was my fault. Deep down inside of him he felt so guilty at telling Ginny off. He wanted to have a relationship, but it just wouldn't work. Harry wanted her safe; away from harm that Voldemort could cause her.

As he contemplated on the past in his mind, and found himself going up the North stairway that led to the Astronomy Tower. It was a cool night outside, and stargazing wouldn't do much damage to him. At least he would be away from all the public displays of affection. The sky was filled with the glittering stars, and as Harry stared out at them, his eye caught a shooting star. He remembered once when he was younger that he stole one of Dudley's childhood books that said if you wish on a shooting star, it would come true.

But that was a childish thing to do, though Harry's curiosity got the better of him.

"I wish I could have a friend. A true friend," he whispered into the darkness, and slid down the pillar he had been leaning on. His parchment rested on his lap as he tried to finish it, enjoying the peacefulness.

On the last paragraph, he explained the theory of how minx poplin can be used to make a sleep potion, but as he wrote the word minx he suddenly heard footsteps ascending the staircase, towards him. Quickly he snatched up his things, but before he could run for it, a voice stopped him. "Why Mr. Potter, what are you doing up here?" they asked as Harry wished he had brought his invisibility cloak. Slowly, Harry turned around and looked down upon Clarissa. He gulped.

"I wanted to enjoy the moon," he mumbled. She eyed him suspiciously.

"Why were you running?"

"I-I realized that it was late and wanted to make it back down to my Common Room," he stuttered as she grinned.

"You know, if I was in a better mood, I'd give you a detention. But since I am not, you may leave Mr. Potter." He smiled at her.

"Thank you, Professor," he said and began to descend the stairs, glad that he got out of a detention. When he reached the last step, he heard a mild sound of sobbing from the tower. Slowly, Harry strode back up the stairs, to see Clarissa in a lamented state. He felt pity inside of him, and the good side of Harry walked towards her.

"What is wrong?" he whispered to her. She jumped a bit in surprise until she saw Harry.

"Oh. It's you, Mr. Potter," she sighed and looked back out into the atmosphere.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Harry asked after a long moment of silence.

"Yes. It's wonderful. I love stargazing," she answered smiling a bit, "What am I doing? You should be off to bed, Potter," she ushered him through the threshold. "And I'd better not catch you out here late again or there will be a detention."