The dorm was quite; Parvati and Lavender were gone, so Vera knew this was an okay place to think…predictable, so they wouldn't come looking there first.
This is so unfair, she thought. I can't believe my father.
There was a knock on the door, but Vera ignored it; it was probably Hermione again.
If I'm quiet maybe she'll go away thinking I'm not here, she thought. Wait, she must know I'm in here, why else would she knock?
Another knock.
"Go away Hermione!"
"It's not Hermione," called an unexpected voice from the other side of the door.
"Harry?"
Harry opened the door, taking Vera's confusion as permission to enter. He sat down next to her on the bed.
"Harry how did you get up the slide?" Vera said, remembering the charm against intruding boys.
"Let's just say I'm a good climber," Harry said with a smirk.
Vera would've laughed, but given the circumstances she just stared blankly at the wall.
"Vera, are you—"
"Yes Harry, I'm fine. I'm absolutely perfect, you know, besides the whole I'm-Draco-Malfoy's-fionce-and-if-I-go-through-with-it-Voldemort-gains-even-more-power-and-if-I-don't-I-lose-my-powers situation. But you know, that's really nothing to get upset about, right?"
Harry stared at her. She knew that her anger toward him was uncalled for and melodramatic, but she couldn't help it. She had thought she had gotten out all her anger by yelling at her father, but she was wrong.
"Harry...I'm sorry," Vera said looking away from him and out the window. "I just...you know, this is big, and I had no idea. I just feel so betrayed and hurt...and I'm scared Harry."
She looked over at him. He was nodding and had a look on his face that resembled both understanding and pity.
"I know, Vera," Harry said.
"I feel trapped Harry," she said. "Like now...I feel like there are all these people expecting things of me, and I don't know what to do. Like all these people are out to get me, and I have no control over anything in my life."
Harry sighed. "Finally, someone who understands."
Vera was a little confused, but she finally got it. Of course Harry understood; Voldemort ruined his family, and because of it, Harry is held to high expectations by his supporters and is hunted by Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Harry knew too well what it's like to be trapped.
Wow, something in common.
"Harry, I'm sorry. I never really understood how you feel...and now I've made it worse."
"How?"
"My father," Vera said bitterly. "His stupid arrangement with Malfoy. Thanks to him, Voldemort is using me to get to you...and everyone else. This is all my fault."
Harry got up off the bed and sat across from her on Hermione's bed.
"Vera, none of this is your fault. Don't even think that. Your dad messed up, but you're going to have to forgive him sometime. And don't worry about me; everyone's always trying to get to me, remember?"
Vera laughed. "Yeah."
"But really Vera, if you need someone to talk to, you know I'm always here for you."
Vera wiped a tear off her face. "Thanks, Harry." She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. Harry seemed a little alarmed, but returned the hug. It felt good to Vera, having the heat of Harry right by her. She knew he would help her through this.