The impasse

Several times during the 'Great Feast' Harry had felt like rolling his eyes. A public Sorting? A singing hat? A really bad school song? Is this what Hogwarts was like? He could almost see Draco and Blaise making torturous faces from where they stood. This mission was going to be a giant pain in the ass.

Harry's eyes roamed over the students from where he stood confidently against the walls, his dark leather outfit keeping him well hidden under the shadows. All Lightnings had such attires – black leather skin-tight trousers, knee-length capes (more like coats), and combat boots. The only colour seen on them was the clothes lining, which was personalized to the teen and their specialty on energy – also known as element – magic.

Harry's eyes were drawn to the brown haired boy on the gold and scarlet table. Charles. So long had passed since he had seen his brother, and now that he was on the very same room with him, he felt a cold feeling rush through him. It was paralyzing, and it was fear. Fear of the unknown. Had Charles changed from the last time he had seen him? Did Charles even remember Harry?

The Lost – elder – Potter shook his head, and forced himself to look at the headmaster instead. The old man was on his feet, giving an 'inspirational speech'. Of course, the only thing Harry got out of it was an urge to slap the manipulative man. The Triwizard Championship was widely known for the number of deaths – horrifying deaths – that's why only those above seventeen would be able to participate, even if, in Harry's mind, they were also still children. But Albus Dumbledore was giving the wrong message to those who did not meet the age requirements. The stupid man was talking about the Championship as if it were a game, a triviality. He was speaking about fame, and wealth, as if they were worth a life. Harry wondered, not for the first time that night, what the bloody hell were they teaching the students on Hogwarts? The last time he'd been on the school he had been amazed by the knowledge the teachers possessed, the ability to think that they inspired on their students, how they all really cared –

"Harry?" a whisper shook him from his thoughts. "Are you alright?"

Harry closed his eyes momentarily, fighting to reign his fury. It would do no good to the students if he suddenly lost it.

"Yeah, I'm okay, Gin," he said finally, opening his eyes, and looking at the wary redhead at his side.

She didn't look convinced, but she let it go. "Okay, then."

"Harry?" he heard in his head, and he sighed, rubbing the bridge between his eyes.

"Yeah, hey, Luna."

They had discovered early on Luna's capacity's with the mind. She could control the energy that surrounded it with a force that even Harry couldn't achieve, managing to do all sorts of things, like talking through it.

"You are lying." Luna replied. "Ginny and I both know this."

"I am okay, Luna, really."

Harry could almost see her disagreement.

"Your eyes looked dark."

Harry sighed once again. He had discovered, while learning to control all energy magic, that if he started to lose control of it, his eyes would become darker. He had made the mistake of telling his friends, which was why they were all fussing about him.

"It's okay, Luna, it's under control. Don't worry."

Harry heard a groan, and he knew that everyone had listened to his last comment.

Damn.

Everyone started to speak loudly into his mind, and Harry felt the beginning of a headache coming.

"Guys?"

"What?"

"I'm okay, really."

Like Ginny before, they all were hesitant to believe him. Harry rolled his eyes, but continued to look stoically at the students, that were now eating their feast.

"It's nice of you to worry, but I am really okay. A little mad at Dumbledore, but otherwise, I'm peachy."

Harry felt Ron grinning, and he let out a breath in relief. At least Ron believed him.

Slowly, all of them retired from his mind, and Harry almost sagged from the tiredness that sweep over him. He had been insisting in small groups mind talks, as they tired him quickly, but with Luna involved, well… things could get out of hand.

Later that night, when the students were sent to their dorms, Ginny took his hand and squeezed it gently. Emerald eyes flied to the entwined hands in surprise.

"I'm here for you if you need me, you know that, right?" Ginny said, smiling at him.

"I know," he replied, and the world was diminishing around him, and only Ginny existed – Ginny and her smell, and her brown and red…

SMACK

"Ow!" the world came back into focus, and he was rubbing at his arm, which had been smacked by the now grinning Ginny.

"I'm here for you," she reminded him, with a smirk – she had been spending too much time with Draco and Blaise, Harry thought. "Even when you need to be put in your place."

She let go of his hand and slowly walked away.

"That's for lying to me."