Chapter Four: Rash Impulse

He was putting up an act. Severus stared up at him with incomprehension, but Harry managed to look stern with an unwavering gaze, despite the fact that he felt as though he would collapse at any time. The silence in the room stretched to an uncomfortable degree, and Harry took the chance to leave and let Severus wonder.

Hermione followed him anxiously, but instead of returning to his bed, he went up to the balcony instead.

"Harry. You should go back to bed. Get some sleep. We have work to do later. You need your rest." Hermione tugged at his arm, but he shook his head wearily.

He threw himself at the armchair and exhaled loudly. The sword's heavy, he thought as he laid it across his lap. Strangely, it felt heavier ever since he had taken the oath, as though reminding him of the dire consequences should he renege on his vow. He leaned back. Feels good. He grew drowsy as his body took the comfort of the padded back.

"Why?" Hermione whispered. Harry did not open his eyes to look at her. "Why are you going to such lengths to keep him safe?"

"I don't know."

"Harry, you can't keep on doing things without knowing why you're doing it. This oath you had taken, is active for as long as you're alive. Don't you think it's selfish, that you had gotten him involved?"

Harry knew she had a point. He maintained his silence, though his conscience began to scream at him for his impulsiveness.

"Is it because you pity him, Harry? Is that why your attitude toward him has changed?" Hermione asked softly. "He is a criminal – he killed Professor Dumbledore. Why are you defending him now?"

"Because he is defenseless. I may have ... killed ... but ... I –"

The sky was lightening. Harry turned his head just as the first rays of the sun lit up the world. Emerald eyes flickered at the play of radiance.

"I want to protect him. It's just the kind of thing I would do, right?"

Hermione was quiet for a while. Harry did not say anything else. He had never gotten up early to watch the sun rise in a long time. Nostalgia hit him as he remembered a view of Hogwarts washed in morning light.

"Have you ... fallen for him?"

His stomach flipped and for an instant, he could not breathe. He dredged up a faint smile. "Is that possible, Hermione? Because I don't know. What islove?" His friend did not answer him.