Harry didn't often feel miserable at Hogwarts. Even though there were always good and bad times, it was hardly ever worse than at the Dursley's. But today Harry almost wished that he was back at the Dursley's. Ron, his best friend, had just died. Hermione, his other best friend, had blocked herself from any social contact and was studying ever so hard. Ginny, Ron's sister, cried day and night. And he, Harry, had lost yet another dear one. He had lost his parents at a young age, he had seen one of his classmates, Cedric, die. Last year it had been Sirius and this year it was Ron. Who would it be next year? Hermione? Another Weasley? Lupin? Dumbledore? And if that all wasn't enough, there were people that didn't even care about it all. Maybe they were even part of it. In a few hours he had to go to one of them, Severus Snape, for his detention.

What if I faint or fall off the stairs? Then I don't have to go to detention. No.. not a good idea. Snape would probably say I did it on purpose, which I would have.

*****

Severus Snape, the Potions Master, sat in his class room. Potter would have his detention tonight. He was late, as usual. The Potter boy had just lost his best friend, the Weasley kid, though it was not an excuse to be late. He, Severus Snape, has lost people too. He had seen more people die than the boy could ever imagine. Though he had never lost a friend, he never had friends. Maybe he'd be a bit less harsh on the boy. Maybe.. He heard a person knock on his wooden dungeon door.

"Come in Mr. Potter".

"Mr. Potter, do you know why you're here?"

"Because you like me to suffer even more", Harry muttered.

"No, Mr. Potter, it's not. It's because you can't control your temper. It's why you aren't a good occlumence. You have absolutely no control over your emotions." Snape said in a cool voice.

"Well I'm sorry that I can't control my emotions", Harry's voice became louder with every word, "when every single person that I care for DIES!"

"It would be wise to change that tone Mr. Potter. I am still your Professor, though you may call me 'sir' as well."

"Sorry, Professor"

"As I was saying, before you rudely interrupted me." Snape gave Harry a dirty look.

"You have no control over your emotions. It's the reason why the Dark Lord lured you to the Ministry. And it's the reason why the headmaster has asked me to continue occlumency lessons with you. So -under the disguise of detention- you will follow lessons with me again. They will start next week on Tuesday evening after dinner."

"But-" Harry said, but he was cut off by Snape before he could even say a second word.

"Now, Mr Potter, don't think I'm doing this because I want to. You're very lucky I owed the headmaster a favour. We both remember what happened last year, so if you give one reason to stop these lessons I gladly will. And now I think it might be best if you leave, before you do anything stupid with that temper of yours."

*****

Back at in the common room Harry looked for Hermione, maybe she had some advice on what to do now. Finally –after looking almost everywhere- he found her.

"Hey Hermione", he began, but Hermione started talking before he could get another word out of his mouth.

"Hi Harry. I needed to say this a long time ago, but I couldn't find the right moment. It's just that.. everything you do, everything you like. Ronald did and liked. Like every time you play Quidditch or chess or just anything actually. It reminds me of Ronald... You remind me of Ronald. And I need to comfort Ginny and do homework and extra work. And well.. what I've been trying to say is: It might be better for me, for us both, to stay away from each other for a while. Just until we both have things straight again." Hermione said, while gathering her stuff.

"I'm going off to bed now, Harry. I'll see you in class."

*****

Oh great, just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, they did, Harry thought. He was lying on his bed, thinking. I still have Neville to talk to, but he just isn't the same. He isn't as fun as Ron and he isn't as bright as Hermione.

*****

As the week progressed, Harry didn't talk to Hermione except during classes and then it would only be about their work. He got lots of boring homework and -as if the entire week wasn't bad enough as it was- Harry messed up his try-outs for Quidditch. Even though Fred, George Angelina, Alicia and some others were gone there were enough others that showed up. Katie Bell became the captain of the Gryffindors. After the try-outs she made the new team:

Seeker: Ginny Weasley
Keeper: Cormac McLaggen
Chasers: Dean Thomas, Demelza Robins, Katie Bell,
Beaters: Jimmy Peakes, Ritchie Coote