Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters.

Harry sat at the Gryffindor table, picking at his already cold breakfast. In front of him was a copy of the Daily Prophet.

ANOTHER MUGGLE ATTACK!

The headline proclaimed. The news gave Harry a queasy feeling in his stomach every time he glanced at it. He tried to ignore it, tried to distract himself. They were going to Hogsmeade today…he was going to have fun, Harry decided.

Hermione looked over at the tired boy. "Is everything ok, Harry?" He hadn't been himself lately. Actually…he had been acting strange ever since the year started. Something was wrong, and yet he was too stubborn to admit it. That was Harry, all right.

"I'm fine…" Harry mumbled. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hermione and Ron exchange skeptical looks.

"You haven't been sleeping well," Ron said. "I've seen you get up at in the middle of thenight."

Hermione spoke carefully. "You haven't been eating much, either. You're really starting to worry us…"

Harry gave them a fake smile. "I'm really ok. It's just that there's been so many attacks and stuff."

"Oh Harry," Hermione said. "It's not like it's your fault…there's really nothing you can do about it. I know Dumbledore's doing everything he possibly can."

Harry's stomach turned again. Little did they know.

Ron got up, belching. "It's ok, mate." He slapped Harry on the back comfortingly. "Don't get yourself all worried."

Hermione glared at him.

"What?" He asked innocently, belching again. "That felt good…well, I'll meet you guys here when we leave for Hogsmeade." He walked off.

Hermione sighed loudly. Then she turned back to Harry. "Really Harry…don't be so hard on yourself. You can't do anything about it…just try to be hopeful." She glanced at his plate. "And you'd better start eating and sleeping better or you'll end up in the hospital wing."

"I know," Harry said, and thrust a largepiece of toast in his mouth,just to satisfy her.

"Good…now I'm going to the library to see if I can get some work done before class. See you in a few hours!" Hermione said cheerfully, before disappearing into crowd.

Harry stared hard at his congealing food. The sight of it made him feel nauseous. He pushed it away, and stood up. Stuffing the newspaper in his pocket, he walked off to class.

The chilly wind whipped around the students as they entered the town of Hogsmeade.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione rushed towards the Three Broomsticks, entering the warmth of the cozy little place.

They got a table near the window andsipped at their butterbeer, chatting contentedly.

Harry noticed a familiar figure walking in. "Is that Fudge?" He whispered.

The Minister of Magic took a seat at a large table in the backwith other members of the Ministry.

"What are they doing here?" Ron wondered.

Hermione snorted. "They are regular people, Ron. Regular peopledo like to have some time off once in a while. You know? For fun? Something you have way too much of?"

"Hey-" Ron scowled.

"I wonder if they finally believe Voldemort is back," Harry wondered out loud, not wanting to have his friends get into another argument.

Hermione craned her neck toward the large group. "Hmmm…I do believe they are talking about it right this instant…" All three strained to hear.

"Poor things…" One woman was shaking her head sadly. "They never had a chance, did they?"

Another man laughed harshly. "The muggles think it was a 'terrorist attack.' Of course… the only thing the ones still living saw was a huge blast."

Fudge nodded solemnly. "A few of our Aurors were killed too."

Harry began to feel sick again, but Hermione and Ron were too concentrated on listening to notice him.

"I think the casualties were at least in the hundreds. Many of them were children," the woman whispered.

"How exactly is He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named to be stopped, Fudge?" An old man spoke up. "We can't let this continue happening!"

Fudge looked uncomfortable. "Well, for one thing…I am sure that Dumbledore knows the answer. He has always been hiding things from me. I don't believe he trusts me."

"If anyone knows, it's Dumbledore," the woman chirped.

Fudge grimaced. "I bet it has something to do with that Harry Potter, and Dumbledore's trying to protect him. There is just something strange about that boy…I wonder what exactly happened last summer..."

Hermione and Ron exchanged outraged looks. "Harry, don't listen-" Hermione turned to the boy. But there was only an empty seat.

Harry ran out into the cold, gasping and shaking. What was he going to do? Where was he running? He didn't know, but he kept going and going, one foot in front of the other, the cold wind slicing through him mercilessly as he barreled down the empty road.

It was all his fault, wasn't it? With each step he took, he felt worse and worse. How selfish was he? All these people were dying-

He slowed down to a halt, drawing ragged breaths. He couldn't allow Voldemort to cause any more pain, any more evil…

A hand suddenly grasped his shoulder, and Harry whirled around, pulling out his wand. The bushy hairin his viewalerted him that it was only Hermione. Harry sagged downwards, suddenly drained of all energy.

"It's ok," Hermione said softly to her exhausted friend. Behind her Ron was scrambling to catch up. "What happened?"

Harry closed his eyes, shivering from the cold.

"Come on," Hermione said. "Let's go someplace warmer."

"No!" Harry said. "I have to tell you guys something…"

Ron grasped Harry's arm. "We can talk while we walk," he said, gently steering them towards Hogsmeade.

Harry shuddered, then took a deep breath and told them everything as they slowly walked. He told them about everything Dumbledore said, and the things he had overheard between Dumbledore and Sirius. "So, it's my fault."

His two friends were in shock. Finally, Ron said awkwardly, "At…at least Voldemort won't try to hurt you anymore…I guess…"

Hermione's face was full of concern. "Oh Harry! It's not your fault! Promise me you won't do anything rash!" Suddenly she whirled around, looking at the Three Broomsticks. The minister and his people were still in there, apparently drunk. "You have to be careful what you say, and where you say it. If the ministry knew about this-"

"I know, Hermione-"

"Promise me!" The girl hugged him tightly.

"Hermione," Ron noticed how uncomfortable Harry looked. "Stop strangling him."

She ignored him. "Harry?"

The boy sighed. "Ok, I promise not to do anything without thinking about it thoroughly."

Hermione pursed her lips, clearly not satisfied with his answer, but gave up. "Fine. Let's go into in somewhere before we freeze."

The trio headed toward the numerous shops, unaware that close to where they had been talking, something moved in the shadows. A tiny beetle rubbed its legs together greedily.

AN: Thank you Becki and Jessi for reviewing! I love you guys! Now does anyone else feel like leaving a comment besides them? Please? Anyone have any good ideas for the plot?