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Chapter Six

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Ron's POV

It's strange how although Harry's my best mate, I feel like he's so distant from me and Hermione. And I don't mean that as in, "you're ten miles away from me". I'm talking about that fact now he's gone off and done his own thing, and we're left here at Hogwarts, he seems to be getting older by the day, if you know what I mean. It's like, Harry's great to be around with - the best mate anyone could ask for, in fact - but recently he's lost a load of people who weren't as close to me as they were to him, and it's kind of depressing knowing that. At Bill and Fleur's wedding, it was great. Harry was happy. I was happy. Everyone was happy, including Ginny. And then Harry goes and does a runner and leaves us all wondering whether it's our fault.

I'm sorry, but that's not fair. Maybe I'll send another letter, graphically and in detail describing how Harry's become a miserable old git. A miserable old git who just happens to be my best mate - but still, a miserable old git.

Yeah. I think I'll do that.

I wander up to our dormitory, happy that Hermione and I are getting on so well. That's really, really rare. We're normally always poking fun at each other, and we always seem to start arguing. Maybe it's the absence of Harry, the only one who can stop us arguing, and rarely at that, or maybe it's 'cause suddenly it seems very likely that we'll all be killed by Death Eaters. You never know. I've heard of those sudden "never arguing relationships" that sprout in times of danger. It's funny, 'cause until now, I've always thought that was a load of crap.

"That was some feast," groans Seamus as I enter the dorm. "I'm really, really full. McGonagall can be good at partying, right?"

"Yeah, but Dumbledore was the life and soul of the party, know what I mean?" I respond grimly. "And they say he was the only one You-Know-Who ever feared, right? I mean, McGonagall's clever all right, but she's not a patch on Dumbledore."

"I agree," says Neville somewhere from behind an open trunk sprouting all kinds of laundry. "Gran has been really glum over summer. It was a huge relief to come back to Hogwarts. Uncle Algie was away, so I didn't spend any time hanging out windows, either." That gets a laugh.

"And that's a good thing or a bad thing?" Chortles Dean.

"So… where's Harry, Ron? Or is he still downstairs? It's funny - 'cause I didn't see him at the feast, either." Asks Neville. My face darkens.

Dean, Seamus and Neville look at me, awaiting their answer. I decide - I've known these people for years now. Neville's confessed one of his biggest secrets to me, so I might as well tell them.

"Harry's not coming back this year," I say glumly. "It's just the four of us."

"WHAT?" Say the other three incredulously. Dean curses.

"Why?" Seamus inquires. I look at him, brow furrowed.

"I dunno. He did a runner the day after my brother's wedding, and I haven't heard of him since. He did say he wasn't coming back though. I guess he's gone to do his saving the world thing."

"Wow. You don't mean…"

"You…"

"Know…"

"Who?"

They all say together.

Oh, god. I can't help myself. My mouth is just too big and my want to prove myself just too strong. Well, it's not exactly my fault…

"Well, Harry had meetings with Dumbledore last year to help with You-Know-Who. And he - I mean, I'm guessing, that he found out how to do it. And he was there when Dumbledore died, as well. And at the Ministry. So, uh, yeah."

I stop myself before I can say anything else completely and utterly stupid.

"Wow…" Says Seamus.

"Harry and You-Know-Who…" gasps a wide-eyed Neville.

"Amazing," says Dean as he shakes his head. "I know he's done it before, but this is like… wow."

"Whatever," I say hastily. "Just get some sleep."

Oh crap. I'm sure I haven't given much away, but I'm never going to hear the end of this. Maybe I can fold them all into a little package and send them to Harry so they can worship him away from me?

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Note from author: Malfoy's got something interesting to say next…