Chapter 25

Harry waited throughout the week, feeling as if time was slowing down on purpose, just to torture him. He couldn't wait until Saturday, so he could see Percy, have someone to talk to in person, to just be friends with, like he used to be with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. Finally, Saturday came, none to soon for Harry. He woke early that morning, changed quickly, and headed down to the Common Room and sat in his favorite chair. He sat with nothing to do, not even a paper for Snape. He sat just zoning out as the Common Room gradually filled around him. He eventually headed down to breakfast and tried to eat as slowly as he possibly could, although he was still one of the first people in line to sign out with Filch.

He walked around Hogsmeade for a bit, checking his watch every few seconds. Finally at 11:30, he decided to go in the Three Broomsticks and wait for Percy. He entered and looked around and saw a head full of red hair, and was halfway to the table, when he realized that the red hair belonged to Ron, not Percy. He blushed and turned the other way, and sat at a table across the room, still embarrassed by his mistake, hoping that Ron didn't see his mistake. Harry sat for a few minutes, thinking of his old friends until he couldn't bear it any longer and pushed his old friends out of his mind. Finally, at 5 after noon, Percy came in and sat with Harry. They ordered butterbeers and caught up with each other. At one point, Harry glanced over to Ron to see him staring at Harry and Percy openly, obviously shocked. Harry turned his attention back to Percy, satisfied.

'Just because you and Ginny are complete arses, doesn't mean everyone else in your family is Ron.' Harry thought to himself.

He once again became involved in the conversation with Percy, until they decided to leave. They walked up and down the street, entering Honeydukes and the Quidditch Shop. Harry saw that the Thunderbolt had been released and he vaguely thought about the Quidditch team reassembling next week. Dumbledore had come to him and told him he could, of course, be Seeker, and Harry readily accepted, even if he had to see Ron and Ginny, he would at least have something to do besides schoolwork. Harry and Percy eventually went outside and started walking once again. As they continued to talk, Harry noticed the sky darkening.

"Percy, maybe I should start to head back, it's getting a bit dark."

Percy nodded. "Yes, we wouldn't want you out too late. Well, before you go, may I ask what you're doing for the Christmas holiday?"

"Erm, well, nothing really, I'm probably just going to stay here. Why?"

"Well, if you want, you can stay with me for the holidays if you want to. I have my own place in London, and you're welcome to come."

Harry smiled at Percy and resisted the urge to scream. "Of course I want to! What am I going to do here except work?" he said, rolling his eyes.

"Excellent! Well, you best get back now. Anyways, keep in touch."

Harry headed up to the castle feeling better today than he had in a long time. But something at the back of his mind was nagging at him. He pushed this thought out of his head, and thought about on the next few weeks of training for Quidditch and waiting for the Christmas holidays.

The next few weeks passed in a blur, with Harry doing work and going to exhausting Quidditch practices. Harry had, of course, been Seeker again, Ron was still a Keeper, and Ginny was now a Chaser. Mostly, Harry ignored them at practices, and they didn't exactly strike up any conversations with him either. Harry only concentrated on catching the Snitch at practices, and he often caught it within the first 10 minutes of practice.

The entire team, (the people still talking to him, that is), told him if he played anything like that in the upcoming game against Ravenclaw, they would win in 5 minutes. Eventually, the weeks ticked by, the days winded down, and December came on Hogwarts. Percy had sent Harry another letter, telling him he would be picking him up from Kings Cross Station on Friday at 4 pm. Harry anxiously awaited Friday and when it finally arrived, he could hardly contain his excitement. Harry waited in an empty car to the trip back to the Muggle world on the train. He stepped off the train with his things and immediately saw Percy. Percy brought him outside and helped Harry put his things in the trunk.

"Is this a Ministry car?" Harry asked, noticing how perfectly the trunk seemed to accommodate his things.

"Yes, I got the chance to borrow it." Percy replied, sitting in the car.

Harry climbed in and they headed off, going to Percy's flat. When they arrived and they were settled inside, Percy started to show Harry around. Harry turned his back towards Percy as he looked out the window.

"It has a great view here Percy." Harry suddenly felt a sharp pain in the back of his head.

He was unconscious before he hit the floor.