Later that day Harry sat in his usual spot next the front doors of King Cross station trying to bum money off of the passing people. For a time he took a break and just gazed at them, they had places to be, people to meet. But Harry had no one, he was running away from everyone he knew, for now anyway. He just could face the world with his friends right now.

The next people to pass was a young pair holding the hands of there young daughter between them. Suddenly the little girl looked over her shoulder and looked directly at Harry.

As the small family walked over to the cab that was waiting for them, the little girl pulled on her mother's skirt.

"Yes Laura?"

"Mommy, what's that boy doing?" she pointed over at Harry. The mother took in the boy's filthy, thin form as he asked someone something and that someone dumped a couple coins into his hands and walked away.

"That boy is asking for money so he can eat." She said to her daughter.

"Why? Why doesn't he go home and eat?" She couldn't understand why the boy was so dirty and sad looking.

"Because he doesn't have a home and he's all alone." Her mother said sadly.

"What about his mommy and daddy?" she was struck by the sudden thought that maybe he doesn't have any, what could be more horrible than that?

"I don't know. He doesn't have any parents probably."

"He must be so sad!" she cried tearfully.

"Maybe, but I think I know a way to make him feel a little happier. Why don't we go give him this?" She held out a twenty dollar bill to her. Little Laura took it excitedly and lead her mommy by the hand back towards the boy.

Harry saw them coming back his way and watched them curiously. They stopped a few metres in front of him. The little girl let go of her mommy's hand and ran over to Harry.

"Hello, here!" She said holding the note out to him. He looked at it and then around at the woman who stood a little back, she smiled reassuringly at Harry. He looked back at the little girl with a small smile of his own and took the money.

"Thank-you."

"Your welcome! My names Laura and that's my mommy. What's your name?"

"Laura don't be rude, it's time to go."

"It's alright. My names Harry." Harry said shaking her tinny little hand.

"Say good-by to Harry, the taxi's waiting."

"Good-by Harry!" and she ran over to her mommy taking her hand, grinning proudly as they left.

Harry was in an even better mood than before, it was almost a good day after his birthday presents and now that little girl who seemed to care.

Harry went to have a nice breakfast with the money he had gotten and came back feeling better then ever, but if he looked healthy then less people would see the need to give up there money to him. So he barely got enough for supper. Though it was better than the last couple days that he had a small meal late in the evening and nothing else for that day, but he had breakfast this morning so it wasn't so bad.

The next two weeks went the same. Harry began to lose wait dangerously and back to his dark hateful self, but this time it seemed be borne of jealously. Now he didn't have to act cold and hungry, like he did in the start, he was cold and hungry and looked it.

One night he lay awake thinking that it may be to late to write anyone as the school year was only two weeks away. And with Dumbledore having sent his new school books and his owl results last week he could just stay here until September 1st, though he'd need to find away to clean himself up before he went among his class mates. Half a month had gone by with out a single shower and such little amount of food, he was begging to feel as if he'd do anything for a real meal and a hot shower. Anything, except write to his friends.

The next morning Harry was out before any of the big crowds started coming in for the Subway that was underneath the train station.

It had rained in the earlier hours of the morning and Harry had stashed his things, even the blanket, inside the boxes they had come in and then in an empty garbage bag so they would remain dry.

Now he sat down against the wall in the morning sunshine asking for spare change. He heard a whistle in the distance announcing the return of one of the trains.

Good. A stream of people will be coming out this way in a few minutes, so more people to bum change off of. Just as said before, a crowd of people began leaving through the doors next to Harry.

"Hey sir, spare change?" "Do have any spare change?" "Please, Mis, spare change?"

The crowd began to die down slightly and just as someone was dropping a few coins into his palm someone had stopped out side the door.

"Harry?" Harry looked strait into the speaker's eyes, and gasped. It was none other then Neville Longbottom.

AN: I know this is short but the next chapter going up with it so I don't think it maters.

Never-fear-death