17. Hagger's Council and Harry's Abandonment

Harry woke late the next morning to an empty room. Easing himself onto his elbow, he pushed the curtains that shrouded his bed aside and looked through the window. It must have been close to midday. The clear blue sky seemed glaringly inappropriate to him, so he closed his curtains on it and retreated to his dank solitude.

His body no longer ached with fever, and for the first time in a long time, his stomach panged in hunger. Rubbing his fingers forcefully through his hair his thoughts turned to Ginny. She had sat with him until he had fallen asleep, even though he had made excuses for her to leave, still finding it uncomfortable to be in her company. Harry knew she had mistaken his attempts to dismiss her as feelings of guilt over Neville, never suspecting he would have betrayed her. But betrayed her, he had. Yet she had sat by his side and passed on Neville's parting words to her in an effort to console him, and they had seemed to Harry to be hauntingly final, like he had known he would not return...

The moment Harry, Ron and Hermione had left the Great Hall, Neville had gone back to the table and told the Gryffindor DA what was about to happen, giving the trio time to get away. Seamus and Dean had then proceeded to seek out their fellow DA Hufflepuffers and Ravenclaws, arranging to meet in Hagrids empty hut.

They slipped out of the Hall one by one, minus Neville, who finally went to see McGonagall, who of course reacted swiftly to the news by ordering all students back to there dormitories just as they expected. In the ensuing confusion, Neville was able to slip away unnoticed, joining the others as they planned their next move.

Horrified at what could happen with an army of Quintapeds on the loose, it was decided they should follow Harry's request and remain at Hogwarts, taking on the job as Home Guard, ready to warn the castles occupants should the monsters venture to Hogwarts.

They set themselves up around the outside of the school in groups of two, lurking in the shadows of the castle, waiting. Ginny and Luna were standing, watching the Gates from a recess not far from the Hogwarts entrance, when Neville approached them. Ginny had said that he had appeared odd to her, much calmer than usual, especially given their situation.

'I-If Hogwarts comes under threat, signal with a patronus, and get back inside.' They both nodded, and then Neville took Ginny by the arm and pulled her aside. 'I have something to do, so I-I wont be here. But make sure you don't stay out here if those monsters come. You and Luna stick together, okay?'

'Where are you going?' she had asked him, but he had just frowned at her.
'Harry won't understand, but you … you can help him to. It's what I have to do, the same as he has his destiny.' Ginny was beginning to see where he was going with this.

'Neville, I really don't think you should-'
'Don't worry,' he interrupted her gravely 'I know what I'm doing. It'll be okay.' He had held his hand up to her, silencing her protest. 'Just tell H-Harry that. Tell him its what I have to do, and its okay.'

'Oh, look!' Ginny turned at Luna's whispered warning, just in time to see Professor McGonagall and Slughorn hurrying out of the massive oak doors, and down to the gates. She watched, crouched into the shadows as they went through, locking it behind them, and when she turned back to Neville, he had gone.

Harry pushed the conversation he'd had with Ginny from his mind and finally pulled the curtains back from his bed, and squinting in the brightness that poured into the room, he pulled his clothes on and headed down the stairs.

He passed two students as he went, neither of who would meet his gaze as it fell on them. Harry felt stabs of anger in his chest as he continued down the stairwell. When he reached the bottom, the few people who milled around the common room chatting to one another suddenly seemed to find the floor very interesting, as they stood shuffling their feet in silence.

Those who had been flicking idly through spell books took a sudden interest in them, burying their noses deep as if their very lives depended on the knowledge that lay within. Harry ignored their obvious avoidance of him and crossed the floor, leaving through the portrait hole without looking back.

As he made his way through the corridors, he passed yet more students who seemed suddenly fascinated with the drab stone walls or the scuffed floor, and by the time he entered the courtyard, he was beginning to feel like the invisible boy, when a voice broke into his thoughts.

'Harry'

He looked over his shoulder to see Luna Lovegood coming towards him from under the giant willow tree, where her fellow DA members lingered. The anger in him faded instantly as he saw her abnormally large eyes glistening with barely held tears. He walked over to meet her half way, stopping awkwardly in front of her.

She and Neville had been good friends, maybe even more than that, and he could sense she needed something from him. She stepped forward and hugged him, and for some reason, even though he had loathed any touch until then, he didn't pull away. In fact, he hugged her back, and even found some solace in her embrace.

'Neville would have followed you anywhere,' she said in her far away voice. Harry tightened his arms around her briefly as he swallowed back the pain. 'He was right to believe in you.' She said, pulling away as the others came up behind her. 'We still … believe in you.'

A hand came down on his shoulder and Harry looked up to see Seamus standing beside him with Dean at his back. He scanned the forlorn faces before him. Ernie and Susan were looking on with pained smiles, and Hannah and Lavender both had quiet tears running down their faces as Justin nodded at him reassuringly. The Creevey brothers, though their faces were long and pale, both held their thumbs up in approval. Having their support in the face of so much grief brought a lump to his throat. Unable to talk, he nodded his head in thanks, before turning from them and heading to the lake.

Harry felt like his life was slowly crumbling down around him. Things had gotten so difficult, and messy, that he was beginning to feel like he'd lost his way. Where once he had known the direction he must take, full of determination and conviction, now … now he felt like he was wandering blindly in the dark, the path lost to him forever.

Trudging down the sludgy snow scattered slopes, he registered a puff of smoke rising into the air out of the corner of his eye. Turning, he realized it was coming from Hagrid's hut, so he abruptly changed direction and headed over to it, his heartbeat quickening along with his footsteps at the thoughts that Hagrid was back. He at least, was okay. As he climbed the stairs, he could hear muffled voices coming from within. His hand was raised, ready to knock, when he heard something that made him freeze.

'I'm really worried about him, Hagrid.' Hermione's voice was unmistakable. 'You should see him. You'd barely recognize him. He doesn't eat, he looks ill all of time. He's pushing himself too hard. If he's not careful he wont…'

Harry thrust the door open having heard enough. Hermione was seated in one of the huge wooden, oversized chairs at the table, with Ron standing behind her, and Hagrid bent over the fire, poking at it with a long forked metal prong. Three startled faces looked over at him as he glared at them angrily, infuriated that they were discussing him as if he needed watching. He had taken care of himself his whole life in one way or another, and the last thing he needed right now was his closest friends ganging up on him. Doubting him.

'Harry!' Hermione's faced flushed bright pink guiltily. 'How are you fee-'
'I don't appreciate being talked about behind my back.' Harry said angrily through gritted teeth, his excitement over seeing Hagrid safe and sound, overtaken by his ire.
'We weren't,' Ron said with surprise 'we thought you were still sleeping or we would have-'
'Oh really, you weren't?' Harry glared at them. He had felt under a great deal of pressure lately, even before the added burden of Neville's death, but he had thought he'd been dealing with it all rather well. He had thought he was facing up to his responsibilities. They couldn't possibly understand what it was like for him.

'I think it's time you two wen' up to lunch,' Hagrid said looking at Ron and Hermione from under his brow, then turning Harry, he said 'and you … you and I have some catchin' up to do.'

Hermione stood up, eyeing Harry with uncertainty, and he noticed her hand sought out Ron's, closing around it so tightly her knuckles whitened.

'We'll see you after lunch,' Ron said. Harry stepped aside, suddenly unwilling to vent his anger on them further. He had seen the hurt look on Ron's face, and he chided himself for being so tense. They were his best friends. Rightly or wrongly, they were concerned about him. The door clicked shut behind them before Hagrid spoke again.

'Looks like we both have some s'plainin' to do.'

Harry sat himself stiffly in Hermione's vacated chair, eyeing Hagrid warily. Hagrid stopped prodding the burning wood and without looking at Harry, he went to the cupboards and busied himself with making a pot of tea.

'I was gonna come up and see yeh later, but its better yer here. Ron tells me you've been busy.'
'You could say that.' Harry aimed at Hagrid, who still had his back to him. He blames me. He thought. He blames me for Neville's death. Hagrid had never turned on Harry in all the time he'd known him, but now it seemed even he would not forgive Harry for letting Neville die. A sickening ache panged through him as his anger melted into regret, his body sagging in the chair.

'I'd do anything to take it back, Hagrid.' He said quietly. Hagrid stopped spooning tea into the pot as Harry added under his breath 'Anything.' He bit down on his pain as he dropped his gaze to the floor, which had become a blur. The harsh sound of Hagrid scraping a chair across the wooden floor, grated in the thick air as he sat down.

'I knew you'd be blamin yerself. As sure as I knew you would have done everythin you could to save him. An' all I can say-'
'I didn't do everything I could,' Harry lifted his gaze to meet Hagrid's pained frown. 'I was obsessed with catching Bellatrix … I wasn't watching out for Neville. I could have stopped him … I could have ordered him back to Hogwarts, instead I-'

'Not from what Ginny tells me, you couldn't.' Hagrid interrupted him. 'Neville wouldn't have come back here no matter wha you migh have said. He 'ad one thin on his mind when he left here. An' it seems to me, he knew he weren't comin back.' Hagrids eyes were bloodshot and swollen as he sniffed back the tears.

'He should have come back. He defeated Bellatrix. He avenged his mum and dad. He won.' Harry said, his voice becoming more strained as he spoke. Hagrid was looking at him in deep concern.
'Remember wha he said Harry. Remember 'is partin message. It were fer you. That's how much he thought of yeh. Remember tha'!'
Harry swallowed painfully and rubbed his eyes under his glasses.

'I want it all to stop, Hagrid.' He said. He hadn't meant to off-load, but Hagrid was the only one he knew who wouldn't be terrified to hear the "Chosen One" saying he wasn't up to the job. 'I'm so tired of it all.' He straightened his glasses and looked at Hagrid. 'I don't think I can do it anymore, even if I wanted to. I can't go through it again. I cant watch anyone else I care about die.'

'I know wha yeh must be feelin, but yeh know there's nothing for it. Yeh have to go on. There's no escapin it.' Hagrid's tears that had threatened ever since he sat down now came tumbling down his chubby, flushed cheeks.

Harry spoke softly, yet gravely as his eyes search the table, looking for the right words 'I feel like … like I'm ... dying inside.' Hagrid sniffed heavily and wiped at his face with his hands.

'Its only natural, but yer strong Harry,' he said defiantly, standing again to resume pouring tea into two cups 'Dumbledore believed in you, an tha' should be good enough fer anyone, including you.'
'Dumbledore believed in Snape,' Harry said darkly to himself 'it was his fault I wasn't in any condition to help Neville.'

'Whadya mean?'

Harry looked up. At first he was stunned at what he had just let slip, but then he thought maybe he had meant Hagrid to hear. He had a need to share his experience with someone, and Hagrid somehow seemed like the right choice.

'Whadya mean, it was Snape's fault, eh?' Hagrid said irritably, frowning intently, then something seemed to dawn on him. 'He 'ad somethin to do with tha spell, didn't he? It were one of 'is!' Harry stared guiltily from under his brow at Hagrid's angry face hovering above him.

Hagrid took his silence for agreement and scoffed, slamming the two mugs of tea down on the table so hard that one of them broke, spraying hot brown liquid all over the table, the floor, and them, shocking Harry out of his gloomy despair. He jumped to his feet as Hagrid bellowed. 'Wha' the bloody 'ell is goin on? Ron and 'Ermione said there was somethin strange with yeh! Wha are yer up to, eh? Wha have yeh gotten yerself in fer?' Harry had never seen Hagrid this angry before, and he was regretting his moment of weakness, but there was no going back now.

'Before I tell you, I need to know,' Harry said, his heartbeat racing as he watched Hagrid 'Does Legilimens work on you?'
'Wha?'
'Just tell me! Can other wizards see into your mind?' Harry knew Hagrid had resistance to magic because of his Giant lineage, and hoped it meant that it worked on Legilimens as well.
'Of course they cant! … Sept maybe Dumbledore!' Hagrid said, waving an arm about angrily. 'Wha the bloody 'ell do yeh need to know tha fer?' Harry breathed out in relief.

'Snape … paid me a visit.' He said hesitantly.
'Paid yeh a visit?' Hagrid repeated with an undertone, still incredibly angrily. 'You've seen tha maggoty wretch?'
'Yes … twice,' Harry swallowed. Hagrid opened his mouth but no sound came out, seemingly too outraged to know what to say. He clamped his lips together, making them disappear in his wiry beard, his eyes glittering dangerously as he leaned over the table and thrust a finger at Harry.

'You're playin a dangerous game mixin with the likes of 'im!' Hagrid said threateningly.
'It wasn't something I had much of a choice in actually.' Harry said, starting to lose his temper.
'He's no good, I'm telling yeh! He killed Dumbledore, an he'll probably use the killin curse on you an' all, once he's finished with yeh.'
'It's a risk I have to take.' Harry said slowly through gritted teeth.
'I cant believe you'd be fool enough teh …' Hagrid seemed to be so mad, he didn't know what to say. 'YOU'LL GET YERSELF KILLED!'
'HE'S THE ONE WHO WARNED US ABOUT THE ATTACK!' Harry yelled back.

Hagrid looked stunned as they stood there, glaring at each other for a moment. Then Harry planted himself in the chair and told Hagrid about Snapes' visits, and how he had given him the scroll.

'So the spell was 'is, then?'
'Yes.'
Hagrid looked down at his enormous hands as he fidgeted with his fingers.
'Killed all of them critters, it did…' He said, fresh tears starting to form in his eyes again. Harry raised his eyebrows.
'They would have eaten people Hagrid.'
'Only cos they were put in the middle of a buffet. Never harmed no one out on their little island, did they? Kept to 'emselves, didn't they? It's not their fault.' Hagrid brushed a tear from his cheek. Harry had not revelled in the monstrous Quintapeds deaths, but he wasn't all that sorry either.

'I didn't know the spell was going to be like that.' He said tentatively. 'I didn't know what it would do,' Harry's voice darkened again 'Snape neglected to tell us that part. Just like he neglected to tell us we would be sitting ducks for the Death Eaters when they moved in.'
'Whadya mean?' Hagrid met Harry's gaze.

'The spell had a tranquillising effect on us. It almost got Ron and Hermione killed. If it hadn't been for Lupin, they wouldn't have made it back.' Harry's anger boiled at Snapes callousness.
'Wha about you? 'Ow come you didn't fall asleep?'
'It affected me differently; Julie said it was because I was ill at the time, already coming down with a fever ... something to do with my body temperature, I don't know. But the point is Snape put Ron and Hermione's lives in danger by not warning us!'

'Oh, you've met Julie then have yer?' It was an innocent enough question, but Harry's guilt made him react evasively. He sat back in the chair without looking at Hagrid.
'Yes'
'Nice girl … got a good heart. It was her who fixed yeh up then?' Hagrid asked raising an eyebrow. Harry nodded. Hagrid was looking at Harry curiously.

'Hagrid' he began 'you can't tell anyone about Snape, not Lupin or any other order member; not even McGonagall, okay?'
'I don't like it Harry. I mean, you said yerself tha' he didn't care enough to warn wha the spell would do to yeh.' Hagrid frowned 'Now its over, it'd prolly be best to tell 'em.'
'No,' Harry shook his head slightly 'If we do that, he'll never be able to warn us again.'
'An yeh think he will?' Hagrid asked, his beetle-like eyes widening.
'I don't know, but I do know if we expose him, he won't be in a position to, even if he wanted to.'

They both fell quiet for a moment, before Hagrid went to a cupboard, pulling out something that Harry could only assume was bread, though the thud it made as it hit the bench top made it sound more like a boulder, and then grabbing a knife that looked more like a saw, he started to hack through it.

He offered Harry a sandwich, and though his stomach still grumbled with hunger, he had sworn off Hagrids stoat sandwiches years before. Hagrid persisted, echoing Hermione's criticism saying he had dark rings under his eyes and looked thin, so that eventually Harry realized the only thing that would placate him was if he agreed to leave straight away, and head to the Great Hall for what was left of lunch.

'Where have you been, anyway?' Harry turned in the doorway as he left, to look at Hagrid.
'I've bin getting back teh me grass roots, yeh might say.' He said as he pulled what looked like a leg of cured ham off the ceiling, though Harry doubted it was anything as normal as that.
'Has it helped?'
'these things take time. I left GRAWP behind, so I can't stay long either, just in case. I came back to talk to McGonagall and Lupin.'
'Lupin? Is he here?'
'Aye. 'Least he was an hour ago, and it looked like he was in no hurry teh leave.'
Harry turned and passed through the door.

'Be careful Harry. Don't trust 'im. And don't turn yeh back on 'im either.' Harry didn't need to ask whom he was referring to.

He hurried back to the castle, bypassing the Great Hall and speeding up the passageways and stairwells until he reached McGonagall's office. Shouting the password before he'd even reached the gargoyle, he continued as it leapt aside. He rode the spiralling stairway up; stopping only when he was outside the office, where he could hear Lupins raised voice through the closed doors.

Harry knocked on the door, unwilling to overhear something that would annoy him for the second time that day. Opening the door at McGonagall's command, he was surprised to see not only Lupin, but Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Aberforth, and Julie as well. Lupin had fallen silent the moment Harry had knocked, and as soon as Mrs. Weasley had seen Harry, she rushed at him, flinging her arms around him, and fervently patting him down as if looking for injuries, apparently unaware she was gripping him so tightly he was struggling for breath.

'Mrs. … Weasley…' Harry managed to get out as he started to come over faint.
'Molly, let him breathe.' Lupin said, obviously aware of Harry's discomfort. She pulled away from him, her eyes swollen with tears.
'This wont do Harry, this wont do at all!' seemed all she could bring herself to say.

'Harry, I'm glad you're here,' Mr. Weasley made his way over to him and put his hand on Harry's back, directing him into the empty chair in front of McGonagall's desk. Harry sat down reluctantly, all eyes turned on him. He knew what they were thinking. They were scared for him, certainly, but there was another, more unnerving reason they wanted to talk to him.

Lupin perched himself on the corner of McGonagall's desk with his hands dug deep in the stretched pockets of his shabby fawn cardigan, staring down at him. McGonagall was sat behind the desk, looking decidedly uncomfortable as she motioned Mrs. Weasley to sit in the vacant chair beside Harry.

'We need to ask you a few questions Harry, and I want you to answer them as truthfully as you can.' Mr. Weasley said as he positioned himself with one hand resting on the top of McGonagall's high-backed chair. Harry was beginning to wish he'd gone to the Great Hall for lunch, instead of coming up here looking for Lupin. It hadn't occurred to him that he would have to face them all together like this. McGonagall refused to meet his enquiring gaze as Lupin spoke.

'How did you know about the attack on Hogsmeade?'
It was straight and to the point, and Lupin had asked it in a manner that left no doubt in Harry's mind he was expecting a good answer, and would settle for nothing less. As Lupin gazed at Harry from under his brow waiting for a response, Harry shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

'It just sort of … came to me,' he said finally, thinking of Snapes un-welcomed visit at Grimmauld Place.
'Came to you?' Lupin eyed Harry with determination. Harry looked him straight in the eye, with at least as much conviction as he spoke.
'Yes.'
'What, like in a dream?' Mr. Weasley asked frowning at Harry.
'Not exactly, more like a nightmare.' Harry added under his breath.

They were not happy with his answer. Harry could sense the frustration and anger building behind Lupins apparent cool persona, and he could feel the tension coming from McGonagall and Mr. Weasley as they watched them.

'I know you have been given responsibilities that you cannot share with us, however, I'm warning you Harry,' Lupin paused and held Harry's gaze 'If you continue to shut us out so completely, we may not be able to help you when you need us the most.'

'I know'
Harry breathed out and stood up, uncomfortable at seeming so vulnerable in the chair. He began walking around the office, glancing at the surrounding paintings that snorted and snuffled as they "slept".

'Harry dear, we're trying to help you.' Mrs. Weasleys voice quivered as she spoke. Harry did not look at her, but continued to walk the rim of the room, eyeing the paintings, stopping when he got to Dumbledores portrait. He looked as peaceful as ever, seemingly oblivious to the worries that plagued them all. Harry studied the portrait, waiting for what he least needed to hear, and yet knowing it was coming.

'You must understand Harry,' so it was Mr. Weasley, who would say it, Harry thought. 'All of us are invested in this war, every last one of us. Don't you see, without our help, more people are going to get killed? By not telling us what's going on, you're effectively asking us to leave the fate of our families, our friends, and everyone else for that matter, in the hands of … of a seventeen year old boy.' There it was. Disappointment flooded Harry as he hung his head for a brief moment before lifting it again and turning on his accusers.

'Voldemort chose me. He started this. I did not appoint myself. And it was Dumbledore who taught me that I would have to meet his challenge.' Harry's voice was cool, emotionless, like there was nothing left inside to feel. 'I watched Neville die three nights ago, and Gabrielle, just over three months ago. I watched Dumbledore murdered a month before that. And I watched Sirius killed almost a year before that.' Harry paused. The room was silent except for Mrs. Weasleys sobs, which she tried desperately to muffle with a handkerchief held to her mouth. 'Voldemort chose me.' Harry repeated. 'I used to fear the future because I felt like I had no control over it, but things are different now. Now I choose Voldemort.'

Sir and Julie had said nothing the whole time, only watching from the sidelines, almost like uninvited guests. But at this, Sir leaned sideways and whispered something in Julies ear. She nodded faintly, looking at Harry under heavy eyelids.

'I am partially responsible for Neville's death. I know that.' Harry vaguely registered their pained looks, but he continued on, not wanting their sympathy 'But he knew what he was doing that night. He went out there against my wishes to make things right for himself, and his family. And he did. And I can only hope that I can do the same when the time comes.'

Harry felt his anger rear 'Voldemort will stand accountable for what he's done ... for what he's doing. And right now, the best way to defeat him is to keep my word to Dumbledore.' Harry's steadiness was being threatened by a dull ache that had been growing within him. 'Don't you think I'm not doing everything I can to prevent further deaths? I've lost people I loved too! People who were trying to help me ... I don't want to lose anyone else...' Unable to continue, Harry battled to keep himself together as he looked from Lupin to McGonagall, noticing the doubt in their faces.

'I know this is hard for you to comprehend, but there was no other way I could have dealt with the attack on Hogsmeade. You were informed about it within minutes of me knowing what was going to happen. I was not about to put anyone else in danger if I could help it. There was no other way. You must understand! There was no other way ... ' in a fit of desperation, Harry swung round to Dumbledores portrait. 'Dumbledore, you know better than anyone … say something! Please! Tell them I didn't have a choice!'

For a few seconds it appeared everyone waited with bated breath. Harry watched the portrait intently, relying on the fact that Dumbledore would not abandon him in his hour of need. After what felt like an eternity of silence, while the sleeping form of Dumbledore did not stir, but snoozed on, Harry began to feel the attention of the others redirected to him, staring into his back. Perhaps they felt sorry for him, or maybe even thought him mad. Harry turned from the painting, despondent and feeling foolish.

'It appears there is nothing left to say.' He walked to the door, ignoring Mrs. Weasleys distraught calls, and rode the stairs back to the passageway where the Gargoyle leapt back into place behind him. He felt alone, betrayed. Why hadn't Dumbledore backed him up? Had he been so wrong in what he did?

He made his way to his dormitory and started filling his backpack with clothes and anything he might need in the near future. He wrote a note to Ron, leaving the marauders map with him, and grabbing the chest that contained the last of his parent's possessions, he headed down the stairwell, crossed the common room, and climbed through the portrait hole. As he yanked his invisibility cloak free of his rather full pocket, a voice he had not expected to hear made him turn.

'Leaving then, are you?' The Fat Lady was looking down her nose at him, her hands grasped in her lap, and her face stony.
'That's right' Harry turned his back on her, not sure he could bear to hear her satisfaction.
'I never pegged you for a quitter.'
'What?' Harry turned on her, his anger evident in his tone.
'A quitter!' she said shortly. 'Never thought you'd give in so easily.'
'Yeah, well it looks like that's just one more thing about me people don't know.' Harry was feeling rather savage.

'You're proving them right by running away, you know.'
'I'm-not-running-away!'
'Really?' she raised her eyebrows at him. 'What would you call it then?'
'What do you care? I'd have thought you'd be glad to see the back of me.'
'And why is that?' She watched him for a moment as he had trouble meeting her gaze. 'Ah, of course, guilt… The most soul destroying of all self induced miseries.' She was watching Harry so intently, that it unnerved him greatly.

'You were no more to blame for Neville's fate, than you are to blame for being the "Chosen One".' Her voice cracked as she said Neville's name. Harry closed his eyes briefly then resumed walking. He passed along the many corridors and stairwells, and as he descended the marble staircase, he almost collided with someone.

'Sorry' Harry said, without looking up.
'Harry'
He was yanked from his thoughts by a familiar and welcome voice. He looked back to see it was Julie who he had collided with, and now she was stepping down the stairs towards him.

'I was just on my way up to find you.' She looked almost apologetic for imposing on him. 'Aberforth said you would leave.' But Harry welcomed her intrusion.
'He was right.' Harry said.
'I know a place you can stay, for now at least. Aberforth seemed to think it might be the safest place for you at the moment … if you're looking for somewhere, that is.'

Harry had no idea where he was headed when he packed his things, though he had a pouch full of Galleons, thanks to Bills foresight, but he was also aware that he was highly recognizable, so it had to be somewhere he could lay low.
'Sure,' Harry answered 'Where?'

'I'll take you.' Julie took his hand and led him down the rest of the staircase. Harry's eyes barely left the floor as they made their way down, deep in his own thoughts. When they reached the foot of the stairs, she stopped and embraced Harry in a warm hug. 'They don't understand, Harry. They mean well...'

'I know.' He said quietly as he squeezed her back. He had been feeling at a loose end, and was glad to have someone who could ground him again. She was in tune to what he needed, and he found he did not want to pull back from the comfortable feel of her.

Ron and Hermione came strolling into view over Julies shoulder. They had just left the Great Hall, Hermione carefully carrying a plate full of food. He let go of Julie sharply, aware that Ron's gaze had instantly fallen on the two of them.

'I was just bringing you up some lunch.' Hermione said uncomfortably as she looked between Harry and Julie. 'I thought you might be hungry…' her voice trailed off.
'Doesn't look like he has food on his mind.' Ron said coldly as he eyed the two of them. Julie stepped back from Harry in an effort to distance herself, picking up on the awkwardness of the situation.

'I-I was just leaving,' was all Harry could manage.

'Leaving?' Ginny was stepping forward from the Great Hall entrance where she had obviously been watching them. Her eyes flicked from Harry to Julie, and then back to Harry again, taking in his backpack as she walked towards them. She stopped by Ron's side and with deadened eyes, she spoke to Harry. 'Aren't you going to introduce us?'

'Er … this … this is Julie. A healer. Er … she's the one who helped me ... a-a-after Hogsmeade.' He swallowed nervously. Ron looked at Julie with a piercing glare as Harry continued, 'Julie, er … Ron Weasley,' Julie smiled warmly at him, and took the few steps towards Ron, reaching out her hand to shake it, which softened Ron somewhat. 'And this is Hermione,' Harry added, motioning to Hermione as she off-loaded her plate full of food onto Ginny to shake Julies hand. 'And …,' Harry did not meet Ginny's eyes 'Ginny, Ginny Weasley.' Julie turned to Ginny.

'I'm sorry, I'd shake your hand, but I'm rather … overloaded at the moment.' Ginny said, her hands clutching the food plate still, 'Where are you going?' she directed at Harry. Harry shrugged, and Ginny took him by the hand, pulling him away from the others.

'What you are doing?' She asked, her tone flat and her eyes dangerously overcast.
'Well, I-I don't know where I'm going-'
'That's not what I mean,' She said gravely, her eyes glistening, 'what's going on, Harry?'
Harry looked everywhere but at Ginny, her pain and suspicion too much for him to face. That seemed to be all the answer she needed.

Lifting her arm, she threw the plate of food at the wall, narrowly missing a disgruntled looking portrait of a Victorian gentleman who unceremoniously scrambled for cover. Harry dropped his parent's chest, sending it crashing to the floor in an effort to grab Ginny's arm, attempting to stall her and explain, but she struggled free and scurried up the stairs with bitter tears filling her eyes.