A Broken Bond

'What do you think happened to him?'

'I don't know, McGonagall has just told us that he was with Snape.'

'Which enough of a reason to be brought here, don't you think?' Muttered Harry, his eyes half closed.

'Harry!' Exclaimed Hermione. 'How are you?'

'What happened?' Added Ron.

'Move away you too!" Exclaimed a stern voice behind them.

Despite their happiness to see their friend awake, Ron and Hermione immediately stepped away from the bed. They knew better than being between Madam Pomfrey and her patient. She inspected him and put a glass with a red mixture on the bedside table.

'You are free to go during morning, Mr. Potter,' said Madam Pomfrey satisfied with his health. 'Drink this before you leave and come back every morning for the next five days for a check-up.'

'I will, thank you,' replied Harry.

She nodded and, as soon as she had freed the place, Hermione and Ron rushed to his side.

'Is it because of Snape?' Asked Ron worried. 'Did he curse you or something?'

'He's a teacher Ron,' replied Hermione. 'Besides he is on our side, he would never do such a thing.'

'I know that Dumbledore trusts him,' said Ron. 'But that's not enough for me. I want proof!'

Hermione rolled her eyes and reported her attention on Harry who was smiling at each of them.

'How do you feel?' She asked with a softer voice.

'I feel fine,' simply replied Harry. He took the glass and started to drink its content to avoid elaborating on his answer.

'What happened?' Asked Ron again.

'I decided to follow your advice, Hermione,' answered Harry after a short silence during which he had seemed very interested by the glass. 'I tried to talk to Dumbledore.'

'You did?' Exclaimed Hermione with a smile. 'How did it go?'

'Errrr not good,' winced Harry. 'I was trying to pass the Gargoyle when Snape arrived. He tried to make me tell him why I wanted to see Dumbledore. And then, I don't really know what happened.' He frowned. 'I think I fainted.'

A heavy silence followed his confession in which Harry avoided to look at each of his friends.

'Are you sick or something?' Asked Ron while frowning.

'He's sleep deprived,' said Hermione. 'Don't look at me like I am some detective, Ron. Look at his face!'

'I can't look that terrible,' said Harry in a miserable attempt to defend himself.

'Actually, she's right,' said Ron with a worried look. 'You look awful!'

'Thank you, Ron,' replied Harry with an acid tone. 'I appreciate.'

'Maybe if you were staying in your dormitory at night, it wouldn't have happened,' retorted Hermione on the same tone.

'What do you mean?' Asked Harry with a frown.

'We noticed that you were leaving Gryffindor's Tower at night,' replied Hermione with the most appeasing tone she could manage.

'Am I being watched or something?'

'Don't take it like this, mate,' said Ron. 'Hermione and I, we worry about you. You've been so distant lately we don't really know how to help you anymore.'

Harry considered his best friends and took a deep breath.

'Look, I appreciate your concern, I really do. I've had… troubles to sleep during the night, lately. Walking through the castle without anyone here to point at me or insult me has helped me tremendously.' Ron looked like he was buying the lie, but Hermione was still suspicious. 'I am fine,' Harry insisted. 'Yesterday was a long day and I guess I was just too tired. I'm sorry, it won't happen again.'

'She really did banish you from the Quidditch team?' Asked Ron with a low voice.

Harry nodded, happy to change the subject. Not that he really wanted to talk about his one either though. The thought of his Firebolt locked in Umbridge's office was making him sick. Hermione glanced one last time at him and finally seemed to relax. She knew Harry hadn't told them everything, but for now she would let it go.

Harry was about to get dressed when they heard hurried footsteps going their way and they turned their heads in the same motion to watch McGonagall approaching them.

'Mr. Potter, it's good to see that you are well.'

'Thank you, Professor.'

'Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, could I have a word in private with Mr. Potter? It won't be long.'

'Of course,' replied Hermione while standing up.

'We'll wait for you in the Great Hall,' said Ron as they were heading towards the door.

As soon as they had disappeared, Harry turned a resolved look towards the Head of his House.

'Professor, I need to speak with the Headmaster.'

'I know,' replied McGonagall, 'he told me he would see you at his return.'

'What do you mean? Wait he knew I wanted to see him?' Harry was feeling his anger rising.

McGonagall took a deep breath and decided to let his misbehaviour slide.

'The professor Dumbledore brought you here before his departure,' she said patiently. 'But I am afraid he couldn't postpone it any longer.'

'Where did he go?'

'This is none of your business Mr. Potter,' she said sternly.

Harry let out a deep breath and looked away. Nowadays it seemed that nothing was his business anyway. He barely listened to her when she told him that he could take the morning but that she was expecting him to resume his classes in the afternoon.

The fact that Dumbledore had decided to go on with his travel despite him being unconscious in the infirmary was the last straw. He had always thought he had something special going on with the Headmaster. Because he had been the first adult to show that he cared about him. Because he was this almighty figure standing between him and Voldemort. But today it was clear that the bond he thought he had with the old wizard wasn't mutual. And it hurt more than what he wanted to admit.

He stood up and headed towards the infirmary bathroom to take a shower. The hot water allowed him to calm down and he thought back to what he had learned from Salazar. Whatever his resentment, he would have to share this with Dumbledore. He wouldn't be able to find the Horcruxes all by himself as he didn't have the resources nor the time. Moreover, he had no idea about how many there were, but he could however guess it wouldn't be above the number of people Voldemort had murdered. And he was in no hurry to find it out.

He got out the shower and started to get dressed. So far, he knew about two Horcruxes… Well three in fact. Tom's diary, a ring that was supposedly in the house of Tom's family, and the lost diadem of Ravenclaw.

He collected his belongings and headed towards the Great Hall. As he was crossing its giant door, a memory suddenly came back to him. Maybe the diadem wasn't so lost after all.