Justin thinks that his dog is the only thing in the world that really listens to him.
His friends try, of course. The problem doesn't lie with his friends at all- the problem is with him, because he feels guilty to complain.
What would he say? "I feel excluded by the DA, because I got to frolic in America and learn linear algebra instead of getting tortured or chased around the countryside." It's a pathetic thing to complain about.
"I hate that I suffered so much less than you" is what he wants to say. It's at least what he feels. But then they would comfort him and he knows that of any of his friends, he needs comfort the least. After all, he's got his dog to talk to, his cigarettes to steady his hands, his job to distract him.
So instead he makes an effort to listen to his friends when they need someone to talk to. Even though it's less and less likely to be him. Susan's got her boyfriend, Hannah and Ernie talk to each other and to the rest of the DA more than to him.
"I feel excluded by my own friends, because I got to frolic in America and learn linear algebra instead of getting tortured or chased around the countryside." It doesn't sound like such a problem, does it?
He goes to the DA reunions when they happen but more often than not he leaves early, or he ducks out for a smoke just to relieve himself of the gloom inside.
When he is going with Dean Thomas- that's what they call it, going with. Not boyfriends and not a relationship and sure as hell they weren't in love- they smoke together in his apartment, the air hazy and slow. They talk about their lives- Dean living with Seamus Finnigan and attending university, Justin with his low-level job on his father's campaign.
They lie in Justin's small bed together and Dean talks, voice low and constant in the dark. "It's so hard," he says, "to be Muggleborn."
"We did wind up becoming fugitives," Justin points out.
"It's hard to be stuck into a whole new society and pulled out of ours," says Dean. "And now I'm not really a wizard but I've been so distant from the real world too."
"The real world," echoes Justin.
"You know what I mean," says Dean.
"You could be in the real world for real," says Justin. The only light is from the gap between the blinds and the window and Dean's face is shadowed. "You could leave and never look back. That's kind of what I did."
"I doubt I could," says Dean.
"Why not?" says Justin, but he knows why, even though he's sure Dean hasn't guessed at it.
True to form, Dean doesn't reply.
Justin's dog is named Margaret and he'd gotten her from the pound. She's too old to do much, her face turning gray around her nose, but she's handsome in her way. She likes to rest her head on his leg and look at him. He almost imagines she understands when he talks to her.
"You know," says Justin out loud, one morning after Dean's rushed back home, "I still think you're the only one who's listening to me."
Many thanks to user oh help for all the inspiration.