Uncomfortable Truths

Chapter Nineteen - Allies

Harry woke from his first sleep without nightmares in about a month. It was weird not having the adrenaline rush first thing in the morning; almost as weird as not waking tired from the tossing and turning. It was still early though. Ron left his room right after Malfoy punched him, he felt bad about that. He shouldn't have punched Zabini. Malfoy said it made them even, but Ron shouldn't have to pay the price for his impulsiveness.

What was he going to do about Malfoy? Was he glad Ron was here last night? Harry flipped over, burying his face in his pillow... it was what he smelt in the potion. It was back and it was strong again. No, it would have been better if Ron actually left. Malfoy... why did it have to be Malfoy. It made sense, but... Harry needed to think about something else. This was too confusing, and to think Malfoy wanted this too... ok, that was a bad job of thinking about something else.

Harry slipped out of bed being as quiet as possible, not wanting to wake Seamus. Seamus came back last night after Malfoy kicked him out of his room. He was laughing about it though; Seamus always has the best outlook on everything.

Harry put on his slippers and left; going to Hermione's room. He still had to talk to her about, well, everything. Unless Ron filled her in, which would be fine. A lot less awkwardness if he did. He's definitely going to have to make this up to Ron. Hermione can help him with that too.

The common room was empty, but Harry could hear voices in the hall of the boy's dormitory. The Slytherins going out to jog most likely. Harry ran up the stairs to the girl's dorms, definitely not running from Malfoy or Zabini, just in a hurry to talk to Hermione.

Harry hasn't been to her dorm before, actually he's never been in the girl's dorms. In the Gryffindor tower, boys couldn't even climb the stairs. Harry always thought that was unfair, since Hermione was constantly waking Ron and him up.

Harry used his wand and cast the lumos spell to look at the name plaques by each door. He knew Hermione was rooming with Parvati, hopefully she was an early riser like Hermione was.

Knocking softly on the door, Harry waited. He put his ear to the door trying to listen.

"Padma, if you are waking me up for any other reason than you are on fire, I will hex you until I'm an only child." Parvati opened the door. She was wearing her pajamas, which luckily was similar to what Harry was wearing. A baggy t-shirt and pajama shorts... Harry was wearing pants but close enough.

"Sorry, Parvati, is Hermione up yet?"

"Harry?" Parvati huffs, "No, but come in anyway."

"Thanks." Harry walked across the room to Hermione's bed. Parvati crawled back into hers and pulled the drapes closed. "Hey, 'Mione, wake up." Harry shakes his friend.

"Go away Ron, I'm tired, I'm not in the mood." Hermione rolls over away from Harry.

"Hermione, it's me, Harry, I need to talk to you." Harry tries again.

"Everything ok, Harry? What time is it?" Hermione mumbles.

"No, I mean, yeah, things are ok but no too, can you get up?"

"Where's Ron?"

"Don't know, I thought he'd be with you."

"Ugh, let me get dressed. I'll meet you downstairs in 15 minutes. Brush your teeth, your breath is rancid."

Harry leaves for his room; he peeks into the common room but luckily no one's there.

Hermione is waiting for him; he was able to get ready without waking Seamus.

"Let's go down to the lake." Harry had a couple sketchbooks, "I'd rather have some privacy if that's ok?"

"That's fine." Hermione smiled, "I've missed us."