A Pebble in a Shoe
The past is a pebble in my shoe. (Edgar Allan Poe)
(I own nothing; this is written for fun and not profit).
1. Changes
"Harry?"
Harry stiffened as he tossed the last remaining books into his trunk. He'd known Hermione wouldn't be able to let it go.
"Please, Harry, won't you talk to me?"
He turned slowly to face her. "What is there to say? I made a mistake…again. Maybe I'm not meant to ever find love."
He didn't say Maybe I'm unlovable, although the thought was in his mind. No, that reeked of self-pity, and the vestiges of his life with the Dursleys. He'd fought long and hard to have a chance at life, at finding love. But maybe he'd been searching in the wrong places.
"That's not true!" Hermione countered at once. "Just because it didn't work out with Ginny, that doesn't mean…"
"Stop, Hermione. I know. Ginny and I aren't meant to be. Maybe, soon, I will be glad I found out before it was too late. But right now…it hurts."
She said no more, just walked forward and hugged him. It eased the pain a bit.
He pulled away, and gave her the ghost of a smile. "Come on. We don't want to miss the train."
The Hogwarts Express was crowded.
With the Dark Lord vanquished and the fighting over, few students cared to spend their Christmas holidays at school.
Harry hesitated. He spotted Ginny, curled up in a compartment with Zach Smith. Smith- the coward from the Battle of Hogwarts, who'd trampled the firsties to make his escape!
Disgust rose in him like the tide.
He turned away and headed down the train.
"Harry." He felt Neville's hand on his shoulder. "Want to sit with me?"
He agreed gratefully, only to find Neville heading into a cabin filled with Hufflepuffs.
Harry checked on the threshold. But Neville gave him a pleading look, and Harry took the seat beside his friend.
"Not staying in Gryffindor territory?" Hannah Abbott gave them both a friendly smile.
"Maybe it's time to branch out?" Harry returned her smile, feeling the tension leave Neville.
"I guess it's better late than never," Susan Bones commented.
Harry wasn't quite sure how to take that.
Luckily, Hannah started asking about holiday plans.
"I haven't any," said Susan glumly. "Other than attending some Death Eater trials, that is."
"I have to do that too," admitted Harry.
"Yes, I heard you inherited the Black seat on the Wizengamot?" Her hazel eyes searched his face.
"That's right." He touched the House of Black ring on his right hand.
"I'm taking up the Longbottom seat," Neville jumped in. "Aren't you the Bones heiress, Susan?"
"Seeing as how I'm the only Bones left, the answer would be yes."
Hannah said hastily, "Maybe you should all go together."
Before anyone could respond, the door opened to admit Hermione. Harry took note of the fact that Ron wasn't with her, and that nobody questioned his absence. Guess word had spread.
"Harry?" We're in the last carriage, if you want to join us?"
"I'm fine, Hermione." He managed a smile for her.
"I just thought…since we're all going to the Burrow…"
"I'm not." Harry was surprised she'd even think that, after what had happened.
"But where…"
"To my house." He made his voice inflexible. He didn't want to argue with Hermione, but he was determined to live as he wished from now on.
"You don't mean Grimmauld? Harry, it's a dump!"
"I intend to fix it up over the summer; meanwhile, it will do."
Neville spoke up. "Harry, you know you're always welcome at Longbottom Manor."
"Thanks, Neville." Harry felt warmed by his friend's sincerity. "Maybe I'll stop over for a visit?"
Neville beamed.
Hermione found her voice. "But Harry, you have to go to the Burrow! Everyone's expecting …Ron will want to see you!"
Harry made a show of looking around. "He doesn't seem to want to see me now."
"You need to talk things out," insisted Hermione.
Harry shrugged. "Ron knows where to find me if he wants to do that."
His friend jumped up and fled.
"She's probably gone to look for Weasley," Susan smirked.
"Too late." Harry smiled as the train slowed to a halt.
Harry strode towards the entrance of King's Cross, thankful he no longer had to haul a heavy trunk. There was a lot to be said for shrinking charms.
"Harry?" A panting Neville caught up to him. "You won't forget? About visiting Longbottom Manor?"
"I promise," Harry nodded. "You'll be seeing quite a bit of me."
"I'd like that. Oh, there's Gran!" Neville turned off in the direction of an elderly lady wearing a stuffed-vulture hat.
Harry walked on, thinking of how he hated the Dursleys, but now…now he had no one he could call family.
"Potter!"
He whirled towards the sound of the unfamiliar voice, the elder wand sliding into his hand.
The girl running towards him was instantly recognizable, even though Harry had never once spoken to her. Still, every boy in Hogwarts knew her name, due to her dazzling blonde beauty.
"Daphne Greengrass!"
She nodded, trying to catch her breath. "Potter, I need to talk to you! It's important!"
Harry nodded. "Fine."
"Not here." She glanced around as if fearing some sudden attack. "Meet me some place?"
But Harry knew he couldn't visit Diagon Alley without being mobbed by well-wishers.
"It will have to be on the muggle side," he cautioned.
She made no demur. "Tomorrow? By the entrance here? Then we can go someplace else."
He nodded, curious as to what she wanted to talk about. Daphne Greengrass had a tendency to avoid most people.
They parted, and he was almost to the entrance when he heard Hermione calling his name.
Harry was beginning to wonder if he'd ever make it out of the station.
Hermione swung into step beside him. "I'm coming with you."
"I thought you planned to visit the Burrow?"
"Maybe that's not the best place for me right now, "Hermione said firmly.
He studied her. "Are you sure?"
"Yes!" Hermione's tone left no doubt. "I need to figure some things out. Please, Harry?"
"Of course, Hermione." Harry's response was instant. "But you should know…I'm planning to shut down the floo."
She blinked at him. "But why?"
He gave her a thin smile. "I need to figure some things out."
