I am so sorry about the really slow update! I have been extremely busy with mocks and stuff.
Chapter Three – Distance
Ron, Jasmine and Hermione found Ginny in a heap outside Harry's dormitory door. The girl was unconscious and her clothing was soaked.
"Ginny!" said Ron, gently shaking his immobile sister. The girl in his arms was limp and icy cold. "Ginny, please wake up," pleaded Ron.
Hermione bent down and felt her pulse, "It's weak Ron, and we should take her to the hospital wing."
"Okay," sniffed Ron, "Let's go quickly; she's in a bad state."
Jasmine watched Hermione an Ron head off to the hospital wing with Ginny floating beside them. She sighed and pushed open the door in front of her. She wasn't looking forward to talking to Harry, but she knew she must.
Harry felt her presence the moment she stepped into the room and stood up, leaving the window. "Hello Jasmine."
"Hi Harry. You okay?"
"OKAY? OKAY? DO YOU REALLY THINK I'M OKAY! I FIND OUT THAT I HAVE A SISTER! A CLOSE RELATIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE THAT I CAN RELATE TOO! AND YOU THINK I'M OKAY!" bellowed Harry.
Jasmine flinched, "I take it you're not. Well I'm not either, I've just found out my whole life has been a lie! You aren't the only one with problems Harry."
Harry glared at Jasmine, making her shiver, "Go away."
"You can't keep hiding Harry, you've have to talk sometime."
Harry, ignoring her went to his trunk and removed his invisibility cloak. He swung it around his shoulders and made sure it covered all of him.
"HARRY!" yelled Jasmine angrily! "This is pointless. Harry, when you are ready to grow up and talk, come and find me. I'm not going to waste my time with an arrogant teenager who refuses to listen and communicate. See you Harry, until you talk I'm not going to accept you as my brother, you'll just be an arrogant jerky nobody!"
She stormed out of the room, hoping Harry had listened and would see sense. Jasmine furiously made her way to the hospital wing. People watched her in surprise as she sped past, weaving in and out of the crowds of students.
It wasn't long before Jasmine reached the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey let her in, and she went over to Ron and Hermione who were standing around Ginny's bed.
"What's wrong with her?" asked Jasmine anxiously.
"Madam Pomfrey isn't sure," replied Ron.
"Why was she soaking wet? It doesn't make sense."
"We think she was soaked from tears, but we have no idea how she could have cried that much, to drench her whole body."
Jasmine looked at Ginny's pale and still form lying on the bed. Her clothes had been changed and her expression was clouded. Jasmine wondered what had happened between her and Harry. She knew it had something to do with her arrogant older brother, but she had no clue what he could have said to affect Ginny in such a way.
"Jasmine, did you speak to Harry?" inquired Ron, "Was it him? Was it him who did this to my sister?"
The raven haired girl nodded slightly, "I spoke to Harry, but he refused to talk to me. His mask is securely in place and it's seriously frightening. Nothing I said had any effect. I can only assume he had something to do with Ginny's state."
Ron put his head in his hands, "Not again! Harry you stupid jerk, wake up to the light." Ron spoke softly but both girls heard him.
A small murmur sounded from the bed, and they all watched as Ginny's eyes fluttered opened. She quickly glanced around and sighed deeply.
"Hey sis," started Ron, "Nice to see..." He stopped as Ginny's eyes filled with tears. He watched as clear tears trickled down her white face and tried to say something, but found he couldn't.
It was Hermione who broke the silence, "Gin? What's up honey?"
Ginny sobbed and gasped out, "Harry's gone."
"What?"
"He's so cold and hard. He said we could no longer be together, he seemed to think no one could possibly help him, and I should just leave him."
Ron nodded, "The mask."
"Yeah," Ginny whispered, "but this time it's different."
A chilling atmosphere settled over the hospital wing as each teenager tried desperately to think of a way to help Harry. They were all afraid; they were all worried stiff about Harry. No one truly understood what was wrong with Harry or why he had suddenly closed up. Only a few weeks ago he was full of joy and cheery antics, it was hard to believe that someone could slide so fast. The teenagers all felt a sense of despair fall upon them and each asked themselves the same question: would the mask ever slip again?
Harry took one last look around his dormitory, it was hard to say goodbye, but he needed to. He sighed as he stared at his housemates beds; they were going to be hard friends to replace. Harry hoped they would understand. He couldn't take it any more. He knew he was being selfish but the pressure was too much and the run in with the Death Eaters had spooked him very badly. He had to leave this world behind, it would be difficult. Everyone was in danger while he stayed, it was better this way. He knew not what the danger was but he felt it deep in his soul.
Hidden by his invisibility cloak he crept down into the common room. It was heaving, so it wasn't long before the portrait hole opened allowing him to leave secretly.
He walked quietly down the corridors, using the marauders map to avoid the busier areas. It wasn't long before he reached the main doors. The doors were wedged open and torrents of students were pouring in, heading to their house common rooms after their final lesson of the day. Harry watched as some Slytherin sixth years walked by caked in mud.
"Stupid oaf. What did I learn today? Absolutely nothing, apart from never to let Hagrid take a lesson. I'm filthy; it'll take all evening to clean up," growled the voice of Draco Malfoy as he strutted past.
Harry felt a surge of hatred run through him as he listened to Malfoy black mouthing Hagrid. He resisted the urge to curse him into oblivion, as the last student had walked through the main door, leaving the way clear for himself.
An hour later he was in Diagon Alley; Harry had managed to floo from the Three Broomsticks. Harry removed his cloak and stuffed it into his bag. He knew what he had to do next, and the cloak was unnecessary. He went to Gringrotts and took out a huge amount of muggle money, he had enough wizarding gold in his bag to do what he needed to.
Harry entered the post office and requested the use of three owls. He couldn't use Hedwig, as she was out on a job when he had made the decision to leave. He handed over five sickles for the hire of the owls and removed some writing materials from his bag.
Taking the three owls, Harry sat down at one of the many desks in the spacious room, flattening some parchment and picking up a quill, he began to write. His first letter was to Dumbledore, it was difficult to write and took him several attempts before he was happy.
Professor Dumbledore,
I'm sorry to walk out on you like this. I am no longer a benefit to Hogwarts, only trouble. I have decided to leave, and I do not intend returning. My magical skill is far higher than those in the seventh year, so I will not lose anything by leaving. I can do wandless magic and I can almost apparate properly. Another practice and I will have mastered the art.
I know far more spells than an average witch or wizard, and have faced more dangerous and terrible things than most. I have seen things too terrific to talk about and I no longer wish to put others in danger.
I beg you not to go looking for me, or send anybody to do so. Goodbye professor, thank you for everything.
Harry
The second letter was to Ron, Hermione and Jasmine explaining why he was leaving. The third was to Ginny, it flowed easily from his hand unlike the letter to his headmaster. It was short but it included everything he had meant it too.
Ginny,
I have left for good, don't dwell on the past. Forget me, there are plenty of guys out there for you.
As I said before, you cannot help me. I don't need you Ginny, not anymore. It's over. I wish I could die, and that would be the end, but I can't and won't, not yet any how. There's more to life, and I will find it.
Goodbye.
- Harry
Harry quickly re-read all the letters and tied them to the owls. He watched as the three tawny owls rose from the desk and flew gracefully out of the post offices window. Harry packed up his quills and ink, stood up and walked quickly from the building. Harry put his cloak back on and headed to the Leaky Cauldron.
Once inside he glanced briefly around, and noticed some familiar faces. Tonks was sat talking to Mundungus Fletcher, and Dedalus Diggle was dancing drunkenly on a table, egged on by some equally drunk wizards. Harry laughed quietly to himself and padded silently over to the far door. The one which led out into muggle London.
Harry's first job was to buy somewhere to live, so he took the tube to the far side of London, and visited an estate agent. He spotted four properties that seemed suitable, and requested to visit them.
The last house was definitely the best, as it was clean, a decent size, and welcoming. The others had been a bit cold and small, so this one was perfect. Harry decided to make an offer, "I'm willing to pay £150 000 for it, and I have no chain."
The estate agent looked thrilled, "Yes Sir, I'll let the owners know straight away. I'll be able to tell you tomorrow whether they have accepted or not."
Harry nodded and said goodbye to the estate agent. He needed to find somewhere to stay until he got himself a house. He walked around the streets for awhile looking for a decent hotel. It was dark by the time he walked up the steps of 'The Castle Hotel', and he was shattered from his long and tiring day.
The next morning Harry returned to the estate agents and received the news that his offer had been accepted. Harry was delighted and signed the necessary forms. The seller had no chain either, and would be out of the house by noon the following day, leaving it free for Harry. It had been a very quick sell, Harry hadn't used any surveyors, he cast a quick spell which told him the house was sound.
Not long after leaving the estate agents, Harry stumbled across a small café called 'The Espresso House'. In the window was a placard, with the words,
'Job Vacancy. Part/Full time. Reasonable rates of pay. Polite, hardworking and conscientious workers wanted. Apply within.'
It was perfect, just what Harry was looking for. He stepped inside the café, looked around, it had a pleasant interior and a cosy atmosphere. Harry approached the counter where a pretty muggle girl was serving an elderly gentleman. "Excuse me. I'm here about the job."
The girl smiled. "I see, please come through," She said pointing to the back room. "Soph, cover me, I'm gonna interview this young man about the job."
The waitress, Soph, replied, "Sure Leala," and took over behind the counter.
Harry was led into a small and dated looking room. It had floral wallpaper and a well worn living suite. There was an antique mahogany dresser on one side of the room, opposite a tall, freestanding lamp.
"Please take a seat Mr…" Leala faulted realising she hadn't asked the gentleman his name.
"P…Evans, Harry Evans," filled in Harry, deciding not to use his true name.
"Yes, right. Please sit Mr Evans."
Harry sat himself down on the faded sofa and watched Leala as she sunk herself into the armchair. Leala gave Harry a beaming smile before starting the interview, "So, why do you want this job?"
Harry hesitated, not sure what to say, "Err… Well, I am new to the city and I need a job. I was wandering past, saw your notice and decided it was just what I was looking for."
"Right. Okay." Leala scribbled something down on her note pad, "Have you had any experience working in a café?"
"No. I've just left school- a boarding school in Scotland. So I didn't have a job."
"Oh, why did you leave school? Oops, sorry I'm being nosy!" said Leala, blushing. "Well you don't need experience. It helps, but it's not essential. You need to be committed and eager. Are you?"
"Yes, Miss…sorry I don't know your name."
Leala blushed again, "Sorry. It's Leala Bourikas."
"Bourikas?" said Harry thoughtfully, "Unusual."
"Yeah. It's Greek."
"It's nice. Better than Evans." Harry smiled.
"Thanks. Err… Mr Evans."
"Call me Harry."
"You sure, Okay, well Harry, the jobs yours."
Harry looked shocked, "Me? You want me? I mean you only asked two questions!"
"You are a cool person to be around, that's just what we are looking for."
"Fantastic. When do I start?" burst out Harry.
"Soon as possible. We are very understaffed today- everyone is on holiday," grimaced Leala, "Is now too early?"
Harry was slightly taken aback, "Yeah. I don't see why not."
Leala stood up, "Come on then." She beckoned him to follow her into the café, where Leala explained what his duties were and how everything worked.
Harry thoroughly enjoyed his afternoon at the Espresso House. All the staff were friendly and helpful. Harry had been working behind the counter while Leala and Soph worked as waitresses. Harry had quickly noticed that the Espresso House was a popular place, and extremely busy.
At six he left for his hotel, promising to return at seven the next day. Things were already changing and for the first time in a long while Harry was looking forward to the next day.