**Author's Note**

I'm proud to say that this is the longest chapter for this story so far. But keep in mind that my fiend that I usually let read my chapters before I publish them has been very busy lately and didn't have time to give me any useful feedback on this chapter. So I'm just gonna hope that it's good enough for everyone to read. I hope you all like how the story is progressing and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

**End Author's Note**

Third Person POV

Colin pushed his plate away and stood up from his spot at the Gryffindor table. He had a mountain of homework to do and he wanted to get it done so that he could at least try to sleep tonight. He walked the route swiftly, holding his back off one arm. When he came to the portrait of the Fat Lady, he muttered the password and stepped inside, not expecting to see anyone else in the common room already. But there was someone on the couch by the fire.

Colin's POV

Harry was sitting there doing his own homework. He seemed angry though. He was pressing so hard on his quill that it was almost going through the parchment. The pressure of the Tournament must be getting to him. I'd be on edge too if someone entered me into a dangerous competition.

I stood there for a minute, trying to think up a way to head for my dormitory without him noticing me. I'd been trying to avoid him and his friends for weeks now, after all. Plus he can't stand me anyway, and he didn't seem to be in a very companionable mood in the first place.

Just then, I heard a faint snapping sound and I saw Harry throw his broken quill at the fire in frustration. Unfortunately, as it was just a large feather it didn't go as far as he meant for it to.

"Harry," I surprised myself by speaking up. He jumped slightly and turned around.

"Oh, hi Colin," he said unenthusiastically as he began looking for a new quill in his bag. When he found one he dipped it and got back to work.

I walked over and stood next to the couch he was sitting on. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine," he said stiffly.

I don't know what I was thinking as I said, "If you want to talk about it…"

"I said I'm fine!" he snapped, causing me to step back a few feet.

What was I thinking? The one time I spoke to him first, and I was just trying to help. It hurt.

"I'm sorry, I'll stop bothering you," I hated that I couldn't keep the break out of my voice. I could feel my eyes watering as I turned and made for the staircase.

"Wait, Colin!" I'd just made it to the stairs when I felt him grab hold of my arm. His grip wasn't tight, but I still couldn't get out of it. He turned me to face him just as, to my embarrassment, a tear slid down my left cheek.

Harry seemed to study my face for a few seconds. The anger was gone from his face, but it was replaced with more unidentifiable emotions.

"I'm sorry," he said in a quiet voice. He brought his right hand to the left side of my face and wiped away the tear with his thumb. My breath hitched slightly and I could feel my heartbeat speed up.

Then Harry pulled his hand back; he seemed surprised by what he'd just done.

"It's ok," I said quickly. He stared for a second and the nodded.

"It's just," he began before stopping. Suddenly, he threw both hands in the air with a, "GHAA!"

"Everywhere I go in this bloody castle, I get looks in whispers. It's really nothing new. I never liked it, but I've gotten used to it. But now they're all calling me a liar and a cheat!"

I couldn't help but be surprised at him opening up to me like he was.

"And I recently found out that I've got to fight a dragon in the first task, a dragon! And Draco Malfoy and those other snakes aren't helping much. 'Hey, Potter, we've got a bet going on whether you'll last ten seconds in the first task, or five.', 'Hey, Potter, do you want to be buried in your school robes or those ratty muggle clothes you wear?' I'm getting sick of it! Oh and here's the best part. Ron, who is supposed to be my best friend, doesn't even believe that I didn't put my name in the Goblet. He thinks I'm looking to gain even more fame and attention!"

When he was done with his rant he seemed to calm down a bit. He sat back down as I took in all that he had said. It sounded as if it had all been building up for weeks. I hadn't noticed that he and Ron stopped talking, but now looking back, the few times I saw Harry he was without the redhead. I sat down in the chair adjacent to him.

"Does Hermione Granger think that you did it?"

"No, Hermione believes me. She's been helping me prepare, but she's tired of being mine and Ron's go between." We sat in silence for a bit before he asked, "Do you think I did it?"

I looked at him to see him looking back with a strange expression. "It doesn't matter what I think."

The look on his face became even more intense, "I need to know."

I held eye contact with him and said, "No, I don't think you did it."

"Thank you," he said, before smiling a bit, "Not just for believing me, but for listening. I actually feel a bit better now."

I blushed slightly and said, "It's nothing. I know you've got lots of friends, and once they come to their senses you'll have them to talk to. But till then, if you need someone to vent to I'm up for it."

"You know that goes both ways, right?" he said, "I know you've been down lately, If you want to talk, I'm right here."

"Thanks, Harry," I said becoming uncomfortable, "I'm headed up to my dorm. I guess I'll see you around," I got up and hauled my bag to the stairs.

"Goodnight, Colin," I heard him say.

"Night, Harry," I replied.

When I got to my dorm, I collapsed onto my bed. As I thought back on what just happened, a small, hopeful smile stretched onto my lips.