Chapter 41:

"Are you okay Harry?" Hermione asked him worriedly as he slumped into the seat next to her. "You look a little ruffled."

He snorted. Ruffled. Right.

"Hermione, if I ever indicate a likelihood to show concern for Tom, just remind me of this day," he groaned, letting his head thump onto the back of the chair.

They were in an empty classroom near Gryffindor Tower - where he still wasn't particularly welcome, hence, why he slept in Slytherin dorms. Ron was out somewhere, suspiciously. He hadn't been in Gryffindor anyhow.

"Why? What happened?" she demanded. He tightened his jaw, glancing at her, even as a light flush crept up his cheeks. His best friend looked positively intrigued now. "Harry?"

"He…um…started hitting on me."

"WHAT?" Hermione shrieked.

"Not for real," he added hastily. "I'm pretty sure he's straight and was only doing it to get me to go away. I just…never again." Hermione was staring at him. "I was trying to find out was wrong with him," he explained. "He's been acting odd all day. I don't know why. He said," Harry faltered again, wrinkling his nose. "He tried to convince me it was because he had feelings for me and…urgh," he shuddered.

"Are you absolutely -" Hermione began.

"Yes! Damn it. He's not gay, I'm not gay and we're not a bloody couple!" he snapped. Hermione held her hands up in a placating manner.

"Okay, okay. I believe you. I mean, you act a bit like an old married couple, but I believe you."

Harry glared.

"Whose side are you on here?" he demanded. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Yours of course, don't be ridiculous."

They were silent for a moment.

"Harry," she started again. He turned his attention back to her. "Have you ever considered that he was being honest -"

"He wasn't seriously hitting on me," Harry protested automatically. "He's straight; and a psychopath to boot, he doesn't do feelings -"

"Hear me out," Hermione cut in. "I'm not saying he's got romantic feelings, and yes, he's a psychopath, but that doesn't mean he can't…care about things, right?" Harry was silent. Hermione continued a little nervously. "He could be reacting because he's not used to caring…having feelings, which would explain the mood swings you've told me about. You know, calm and joking one second, lashing out the next. Helpful to…" she trailed off with a shrug. "Has he been particularly, er, nice recently?"

His mind immediately went back to the last night. Hermione must have found something in his expression, because when she spoke again it was with an increased confidence.

"Exactly. If he doesn't act like that normally, then he could just be confused about why he's doing so now."

"It's possible," he conceded, before shooting her look as she opened her mouth to say something further. "No. Don't tell me to talk to him about it. Hell no. You weren't there, it was creepy and I was genuinely terrified that he wasn't going to stop on just hitting on me."

Hermione paled slightly, turning a peculiar green shade.

"Yeah," he said darkly. "That's what I thought."

He checked his watch. It was almost curfew. He rose with a great reluctance.

"I should go." He didn't actually move. Hermione stood as well.

"You could stay in Gryffindor for the night," she suggested. He shook his head.

"What, and let him think he's won? No way! I'll never here the end of it." He strode decisively towards the door.

"Harry," he paused at Hermione's voice, the desperate tone. "Be careful. Please. You say he's a psychopath…then he might not appreciate being…changed." He let her words sink in for a moment, repressing another shudder.

"Goodnight Hermione."

He entered the Slytherin Common room to find Zevi, Alphard and…pretty much every single person in the room, watching the Slytherin heir warily. Tom, on his part, was merely sitting reading and ignoring everyone around him.

Which wasn't all that unusual.

Most people considered themselves lucky to get any sign that the young Dark Lord was even paying attention when they addressed him. A flick of eye, a glance, was considered a good reaction. They put the lack of attention down to Tom being a genius and never needing to give anything his full attention is everyday life.

Harry put it down to Tom being an ass.

No, he was not bitter. Seeing that the other's disposition had in no way sweetened since their last meeting, he decided he couldn't be bothered to do anything but sleep. Tomorrow was a new day. A better one, hopefully - because the last two had been hectic.

"You're in a hurry," Tom remarked. The occupants in the room seemed to draw a visible intake of breath. "Considering how late you slept, you can't be tired. You normally function on far less sleep. Come, sit." Violet eyes didn't waver from the pages they were perusing. Harry kept his features composed, continuing across the room without looking back.

"Thanks, but no thanks," he said calmly. "I'd rather not. Night." He slammed the dorm room behind him. It was childish, but he wanted Tom to know that he was not happy with him and his twisted mind games. Closing his eyes for a moment, he headed for the showers and then, later, to his bed.

He sat doing homework on his bed. Alone. God, it was reminiscent of when he'd first been sorted into Slytherin, 50 years ago. He felt as isolated as he did then. Zevi walked in when he'd almost finished.

"Harry?" he began hesitantly. Harry made a noise of acknowledgement, but concentrated intently on his essay. "Alright?"

"Fine," he looked up, flashing a smile. "Am I directing this at you or your lord?"

Zevi flinched slightly and Harry rolled his eyes. Well, that answered that question.

"I'm your friend," Zevi said carefully.

"I don't doubt it," he sighed. "But your loyalty lies, and will always lie, with Tom. So forgive me I don't…ah…like talking about my feelings," he finished flatly.

Silence reigned, as the Prince Heir searched for something to say.

"Bye Zevi. And yes, you can quote me on that."

The dorm was abandoned once more.

He flopped back onto his bed, resolved to pretend to be asleep next time one of Tom's minions walked in to enquire as to his health. He knew Tom was pissed off to try something that see through, but Harry found he honestly didn't care. It would probably do the Slytherin Heir good to be ignored, he'd gone too long being the centre of attention.

Not to mentioned, he'd never actually decided against taking Tom's fingers off for stealing his memories.

The door opened once more.

"Harry?"

A/N: I am stunned by the reception of the last chapter. 16 reviews. Yay. I feel so happy =) Thank you so much. I'm glad you liked it. This one is not as exciting, forgive me, but it is in for a reason. Anyhow. Hope you enjoyed it. Adieu - The Fictionist