Chapter 4
As she woke the next morning Claire found Hermione yelling at her to get up. Claire quickly dressed and ran to meet Harry who Hermione had shouted was waiting for her. She saw him looking perfect in his black robes. Harry smiled as he saw Claire running toward him.
"Hello there slept in I see," he said smiling as he noticed her hair.
"Yes I did. I would still be asleep if it wasn't for Hermione," she said laughing.
"Well shall we go to breakfast," said Harry holding out his arm for her to take.
"Yes please just get me away from Hermione," said Claire and laughed at the thought.
The interesting pair made their way to breakfast. They ate in silence and then headed to their separate classes. Claire did not really want to go but she new she had to. She day dreamed in class all day about home. Tears even entered her dark eyes during Divination but Claire got them to retreat before they spilled onto her face. She did not go to lunch. Claire did not want to face Harry for she knew he would comfort her but it wasn't worth it. She heard the bell ring and went to her afternoon classes. After her long classes Claire went to dinner. She saw an odd look on Harry's face as she sat down.
"Hello how are you?" she asked innocently.
"I'm not too happy with you at the moment. Why weren't you at lunch? You scared me I thought someone had got you but Ginny said you were in afternoon classes," replied Harry angrily.
"I'm sorry. I had been thinking about home and wasn't in the mood for sympathy if you must know," said Claire tears forming in her brown eyes.
"Its okay I understand. I'm just worried about you," he said hurriedly.
"I know I know but sometimes I just want to be alone," she cried and with this she ran from the Great Hall.
Claire ran for a very long time or so it seemed to her and when she stopped she found herself in the Owlry. Just then an idea crossed Claire's mind she could send her former family a message using Hedwig. Claire rummaged in her school bad and found some parchment as she wrote Claire left out many details. In the end it was just a short writing to tell them that she was fine and not to worry. Just as Claire was about to send Hedwig off Harry burst through the Owlry doors.
"What do you think you are doing?" he asked breathlessly.
"I'm sending a letter back home. Why do you ask?" said Claire innocently.
"Because I can't allow you to do that," replied Harry running over to her.
"Why not? They were my family," replied Claire harshly.
"Because if Hedwig would be intercepted Lord Voldemort would know you were here. Please Hannah I beg of you don't do this," he said almost to tears.
"I'm sorry. I should have guessed that you would say that. I promise I won't send any letters," she said almost coming to tears herself.
The two left the Owlry and went back to the Gryffindor Common room. It seemed as though everyone had been waiting for them. Ron and Hermione came and sat the pair down in separate chairs. The large crowd finally dispersed and the four of them were left alone in the common room. For a while the four just sat and looked at each other. Claire still had tears in her dark eyes as did Harry. Ron and Hermione just looked lost for words.
"Well, I think I'll go to bed now," said Claire finally.
"You're not going anywhere," replied a very sullen looking Harry.
"What do you mean I'm not going anywhere?" she asked looking at her brother shocked for his tone.
"What Harry is trying to say is that you two need to talk tonight so you can't go to bed right now," said Hermione hurriedly.
"Thank you Hermione. Hannah I'm sorry but you can not send messages to your former family or friends," said Harry still not looking at Claire.
"I know but I wanted to so bad. I miss them a lot weather they are my family or not," replied Claire sullenly.
"I know you do. I was hoping you would make friends fast like I did but that hasn't happened," said Harry thinking.
"Well Ginny is my friend but I'm afraid that no one can replace Chloe. I miss her so much," at this thought the tears Claire had wanted to prevent spilled from her face.
"I know and I don't want anyone to replace her Hannah. I'm sorry maybe bringing you here wasn't such a good idea," said Harry comforting his sister.
"Harry! This is the only way you could protect her she must stay and she had to come," interjected Hermione as usual.
"Maybe so but she's so unhappy Hermione. Hannah you can not go back now not now that Voldemort knows where you live and who you are," he replied sullenly.
"I know and I won't go back I promise and no more letter attempts either," said Claire almost laughing.
Harry smiled at this and hugged Claire and said, "You may go to bed now if you wish. I have nothing other to talk about."
"I think I'll do that," she replied giving him a small smile.
As Claire left for bed she felt Harry's eyes on the back of her head watching her. Hermione came to bed soon after she did. Claire lay awake for what seemed like hours thinking of home and Chloe and all her family and friends finally she drifted into a tormented sleep. Hermione woke her the next morning with a gentle shove. Claire got up and changed and went to breakfast. When she arrived she noticed Harry sitting there reading the Daily Prophet she sat down next to him and began to eat.
"Hello Claire how are you? You look awfully tired," said Harry looking concerned.
"Hi, I'm okay but I'm extremely tired. I didn't sleep very well last night," she replied between chewing food.
"Well I have some good news. If you noticed Ron isn't here and well he wanted me to ask you something for him would you mind if I did," asked Harry thoughtfully.
"No go ahead ask away," replied Claire curiously.
"Ron was wondering if you would like to go out with him sometime," he said waiting for the explosion of no that may come.
"Yes I'd like that very much," she said smiling she had liked Ron the minute she met him.
"Okay I'll tell him later in class," replied Harry beaming.
He had wanted his baby sister to date Ron for quite sometime now. Harry knew they both liked each other and she was going to be Ron's match just as Ginny was his. Claire began to think as she left breakfast and made her way to Transfiguration he likes me he really likes me!
