Harry tried focusing on his breakfast the next morning, trying not to make eye contact with anyone. He was sandwiched between Dean and Seamus at the far end of the table, away from Ron and Hermione. Harry felt absolutely miserable and exhausted: He barely got any sleep that night, his thoughts flashing back from the disappointed looks on his best friends' faces, to Cedric's lifeless body, to the first time he cut himself. Harry's misery must have shown on his face, for he felt Seamus putting an encouraging hand on his shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze. Harry gave a small, thankful smile.
Ron and Hermione kept throwing glances at Harry, who was seated at the opposite end of the table.
"Now we know what Harry was keeping from us." Ron said, pushing around his porridge.
"I feel awful," Hermione said in a low voice, staring into her cereal.
"Me too. But what can we do?" Ron asked. Just then, Fred and George squeezed themselves next to the two friends and leaned in close.
"Hey, what's going on with Harry?" Fred asked.
"Why aren't you guys sitting together?" George continued.
"Get into a huge fight, or something?"
"Something like that," Ron said quietly. "We kind of fucked up as his friends, let's just leave it at that."
"Eh, I'm sure he'll come around," Fred said nonchalantly.
"He doesn't typically stay mad long." George said encouragingly.
"No, this is different. When I say we fucked up –"
"You mean you fucked up, right? Not Hermione?" Fred said jokingly. But the smile slid off his face when he saw Hermione's expression. "Oh….oh, I see."
"So what are you guys going to do?" George asked, looking down the table at Harry, who was in deep conversation with Seamus.
"We don't know. We have to find some way to earn his trust back, according to Seamus." Hermione explained.
They all sat silently, thinking. Hermione went back to stirring her cereal absentmindedly, while Ron continued to stare down the table at Harry. Fred and George suddenly stood up, a determined look on their faces. "We'll figure something out for you guys."
"Yeah, don't worry." George gave Ron a gentle hair tussle before they left to start their first class of the day.
Harry, Seamus, and Dean made their way to the grand staircase, heading to their first lesson of the day; Arithmacy for Hermione and Seamus, Muggle Studies for Dean, and Divination for Harry and Ron. Harry and Seamus stopped just at the top of the stairs to the third-floor corridor and turned to each other. Harry looked apprehensive.
"You'll be ok, Harry. Just sit with someone else if you're not comfortable." Seamus said, putting a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry took a deep breath and nodded. Seamus gave one last squeeze before following Hermione down the hall: Harry continued up the stairs to North Tower by himself.
The class was nearly empty when Harry arrived. The only other students there were Parvati and Lavender, who absolutely revered Professor Trelawney. As there were no single tables for Harry to sit at, and with Neville typically sitting with him and Ron, Harry knew what his best option would be. Taking another steadying breath, he went up to the girls.
"Hey Parvati, hey Lavender," Harry said, smiling at them. They looked at him curiously. "I, er, I was wondering if I could sit with you two today?"
The two girls exchanged looks and then stared at Harry curiously. "Is Ron not coming to class today?" Lavender asked.
"He is. But…um….we're not exactly talking at the moment," Harry looked at his feet. Being as close as he is with his two best friends, it would very soon be noticeable their separation. The two girls exchanged wide-eyed looks once again.
"Oh? Everything ok?" Parvati asked, moving her chair over to make room for Harry. Harry sat down next to her, grateful for their acceptance.
"We had a bit of a fight last night," Harry said, not really wanting to get into details. He soon realized that sitting with the gossip girls was probably not the best choice.
"We'll, hopefully Hermione can talk some sense into him," Lavender said matter-of-factly.
"Er, I'm actually not talking to her either." Harry said, avoiding eye contact still.
"Hermione too?" Parvati said, surprised.
"It must be really bad if you're mad at her as well." Lavender said. "She's always the sensible one."
The three fell quiet as Ron and Neville entered the room. Neville waved to Harry, who waved back half-heartedly. Ron looked between Harry and the two girls and continued to saunter after Neville.
"He looks very down," Lavender said, gazing at Ron.
"Probably feels bad about whatever he did," Parvarti said, looking at Harry consolingly. Harry continued to stare forward and just nodded. Parvarti was probably right; and Harry secretly hoped that Ron felt bad. With that last thought about Ron, his attention was soon turned to Professor Trelawney, who made her usual theatrical entrance.
It was the longest class Harry had had that day: between sitting with the gossip girls, Trelawney predicting his death once more, and being assigned dream diary homework, Harry wanted nothing more than to go back to his dorm and sleep for the rest of the day.
It was a welcome relief when the bell finally rang, and Harry was able to leave the stuffy classroom. He was the first out of class and headed down the spiral staircase, anxious to get outside for his next class, Care of Magical Creatures. Despite not really liking the class, Harry always felt better when he saw Hagrid.
"Hey, how'd everything go?" Seamus caught up with Harry just as he descended the stairs leading out of the castle.
"Not too bad, I guess." Harry shrugged. "I sat with Parvati and Lavender –"
"Ohh big mistake," Seamus said, shaking his head. Harry chuckled slightly. He loved that he didn't have to explain himself further. They made their way over to Hagrid's hut, where the Slytherins were waiting. They stood with the rest of the Gryffindors.
Harry noticed Parvati and Lavender were standing just a little way from Ron and Hermione; they kept throwing them glances, and Harry knew they were discussing what it was they could have done. Harry shook his head: Next time, he would find a better set of people to sit with.
"Why are Parvati and Lavender staring at us?" Hermione asked, watching the two girls from the corner of her eye. Ron explained how Harry sat with them during their last lesson.
"I'm not surprised. Seamus and I usually sit together during Arithmacy and he completely ignored me. People were starting to take notice as well.
"Yeah, even Neville was asking what was going on." Ron explained. "There has to be something we can do, Hermione."
"I know, I've been trying to think – " Hermione was suddenly interrupted by the appearance of Professor Umbridge heading their way.
"Attention students! This lesson has been cancelled for today. If you could all kindly make your way back to the castle, you can enjoy your free period there."
"Something's wrong," Seamus said under his breath, for Umbridge looked far too happy.
"Where's Professor Hagrid?" Harry called out as most of the students happily made their way to the castle.
"Professor Hagrid is not capable of conducting today's lesson. Now make your way back to the castle, or I will have to give you a detention." Umbridge gave a malicious smile and turned away from Harry, who's blood started to boil.
"Come on, Harry," Seamus said, starting to turn around, but Harry went the opposite way. "Harry? Where are you going?"
Harry headed straight to Hagrid's hut and started knocking on the door. There was no answer. He knocked louder, hoping Hagrid was just sleeping.
"Maybe he's in the infirmary?"
Harry turned to find Ron and Hermione standing just a few feet behind Seamus. Harry turned and ignored them. When it was clear Hagrid wasn't going to answer the door, he moved over to one of the windows and tried to peer inside; it was completely empty. Not even Fang was inside.
"We could check the hospital wing," Seamus said softy, approaching Harry. "It wouldn't hurt."
"I don't want them following us, though." Harry said, as he started making his way back to the castle.
The two walked in silence, aware that Ron and Hermione were behind them. "I know you're worried about Hagrid, Harry. But I'm sure he'll be ok." Pause. "We could always ask McGonagall. It wouldn't look suspicious if we asked her."
Harry said nothing as they continued inside and headed towards the library. They found an empty seat at the very back and started unpacking their homework. Although Harry had his homework out, he couldn't concentrate on anything. Between his anger with his two friends and now Hagrid's mysterious illness, he just desperately wanted the week to be over. He took his quill and started doodling on the edge of his parchment.
Seamus watched as Harry started doodling on; what started out as a simple drawing soon became intricate. And suddenly, Seamus knew what he wanted to do for Harry.
It had been a week since Harry hadn't spoken to his best friends. It wouldn't have been as bad if Harry hadn't had to do Quidditch practices with Ron. They walked to practice together, but in silence, changed in silence…practiced in silence…Harry didn't even step in when the team started bashing on Ron for his poor performance. He had to admit, he felt bad for Ron. But at the same time, he knew Ron wasn't performing well because of their fight.
When training was over, the two boys headed back to the Gryffindor common room. As they headed to the portrait hole, Neville suddenly ran out of it, looking around. When he saw the two boys, he ran up to them.
"Ron, you gotta come! It's Hermione!" Neville said frantically, turning back to the portrait hole. Ron and Harry looked at each other before rushing after Neville. When they entered the common room, it was to find a small group around Hermione; She was sitting in one of the armchairs – looking completely distraught, crying hysterically. They rushed up to her, and everyone backed away to let them through.
"Hermione! What happened?" Ron asked, kneeling in front of her, looking concerned. Lavender, who was sitting on the edge of the armchair with her arm around Hermione's shoulders, answered.
"Hermione got a letter from home this morning," Lavender whispered. "Her aunt was killed in a tragic accident last night."
"Oh no, Hermione!" Ron put his hands on Hermione's shoulders. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry!"
"Did the letter say how it happened?" Harry asked quietly, watching Hermione with concern.
"It said something about…er…skeeing?" Lavender said, the word sounding foreign to her.
"Skiing? Oh Hermione," Harry stood up and sat on the other side of the armchair, putting his arm around Hermione as well.
"S-she was so y-young!" Hermione cried. "And a p-p-professional!"
Lavender vacated her seat, allowing Ron to take it. Hermione turned into Ron and cried into his shoulder. Seamus walked in just then, looking around the room excitedly. But the smile faded from his face when he saw the subdued group. He walked up to them.
"What's going on? What happened to Hermione?"
"Hermione's aunt…she lost her aunt tragically last night." Harry whispered, trying not to say anything to trigger her.
"Oh Hermione," Seamus said, looking at her sadly. "If there's anything I can do…"
The group fell silent for a moment, not sure what else to say. Harry looked down and noticed a package in Seamus' hand. "What's that?" Harry asked, breaking the silence.
"It's a present for you…I was going to give it to you, but I'm not sure if this is the right time," Seamus said, looking back at Hermione. She wasn't crying anymore but looked thoroughly miserable, sniffling into Ron's shoulder.
"Go ahead Harry, I'll keep an eye on her," Ron said, tightening his grip on Hermione.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked.
"Yeah. Go get your surprise."
Harry knew it was Ron's way of trying to make up with him. Harry nodded, but before he left, he bent down and gave Hermione a hug. "I'm sorry again, Hermione. Truly." He whispered in her ear. And with that, he followed Seamus up the boys' dormitories.
"I see you've guys made up," Seamus said, sitting himself on the edge of Harry's bed.
"It's not the way I pictured our reunion, to be honest," Harry said, sitting next to Seamus. He let out a deep sigh.
"Do you feel relieved to be talking to them again?"
"Honestly, yeah. As mad at them as I was, I'm glad I was able to say what I needed to. But now I just feel bad for Hermione."
"What exactly happened to her aunt?" Seamus asked, concerned.
"She was killed in a skiing accident." Harry explained.
"That's awful," Seamus said sympathetically. They fell silent for a moment. Harry looked at the package once more and couldn't pretend he wasn't curious about it.
"So, what's the surprise?" Harry asked.
"Oh, right!" Seamus handed Harry the package. "I've noticed you doodling a lot lately, so I got you something to help with that." He watched as Harry unwrapped the package to reveal a handmade sketchbook and a set of magically colored pencils.
"Seamus! This is incredible, thank you!" Harry hugged Seamus excitedly. "Did you make this yourself?"
"Of course," Seamus watched Harry excitedly as he started exploring his gift. "I didn't want you to waste your parchment paper – and I was able to get the best sketch paper so you can take your drawings to a new level."
Harry looked at Seamus, smiling from ear to ear. He took Seamus' hand in his own and gave it a squeeze. "This means so much to me, Seamus. I can't believe you did this!"
"You have the talent, Harry. I know you can do great things," Seamus said, squeezing Harry's hand back.
The two became quiet, still holding hands. Harry looked down at his new sketchbook, already thinking of all the different drawings he wanted to start. The door opened just then and the two jumped slightly, letting go of each other. Ron walked in, looking down.
"How's Hermione doing?" Harry asked, watching Ron walk over to his bed.
"She's as ok as she can be. I took her to the hospital wing to get a calming drought. She's resting there for a bit." Ron sat on the edge of his bed and looked over at Harry. "Look Harry, I'm really sorry we weren't there for you –"
"Don't worry about it, Ron. I'm over it," Harry said, shrugging.
"But – " Ron started, but Harry interrupted.
"Really, Ron. It's ok." Harry gave him a kind smile. "I just want to talk to you guys again."
Ron nodded his head in appreciation before falling backwards onto his bed, heaving a deep sigh.