Uncomfortable Truths

Chapter Thirty-Eight - Darkness

Hermione is waiting in the common room for Harry to get back from group. Harry and Draco enter in complete silence, neither smiling, Harry stumbles over to a chair near the fire and slumps down. His eyes are rimmed red, but he looks more angry than sad. She watches Draco look around the room, his eyes fall on Ron before he climbs the stairs for his dorm.

"Harry." Hermione squats down next to him, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Harry sighs, he looks at her, "No, I'm not alright. I'm not fine."

"What can I do?"

Harry looks around the common room, there's a lot of people about. Some throwing glances their way. "I'm going to take a shower."

"I'm coming with you." Hermione stands.

"Ah, Hermione... what?"

Blushing, "I didn't mean I was going to take a shower with you, Harry. I'm coming with you, to your room. I want to talk to you."

"If it's about today, about Ernie..."

"No, it's not. Although I am working on a very good lecture for both of you on the importance of your education and how these decisions can impact your choices, but I'm not done with it yet and I'm pretty sure Ernie is passed out in his room. At least that's what Neville said."

"If it's not about today..."

"Let's just go to your room. Seamus is in the library with Dean." Hermione pushes him towards the stairs.

Harry and Hermione pass Draco as he heads back to the common room. He drops his eyes as he passes them.

"So, what's this about?" Harry closes his door, "Can you do a silencing spell? I'm not... I don't think I should do anything with magic yet, I'm still pretty messed up."

"I want to know what's going on with you." Hermione finishes casting, "You've been miserable, and I want to know why. I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong." Hermione sits on his bed while she watches Harry start pacing his room.

"You can't help me." Harry rubs his face while he continues to pace, "I'm just stupid. I fell for another Malfoy scheme, I think."

"What are you talking about? What scheme?"

"Malfoy... you know he was always being a twit. Scheming something or having a laugh at me, at us." Harry starts pulling his hair. "Well, I think I finally figured it out. I think he's having a laugh."

"You think he's toying with you?"

"Yeah, I think he's playing with me. One minute he's ignoring me, the next he goes out of his way to be nice, then back to ignoring or insulting me... I think the other Slytherins are in on it too."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I mean think about it. He hated me, all through school he hated me. Crabbe and Goyle hated me. Zabini and Nott were somewhat indifferent but Malfoy and Goyle definitely hated me; and now I'm supposed to believe that he doesn't? That they don't anymore?"

"Harry..."

"No, Hermione, it'll be easier this way. I just have to face the truth. He's having a laugh and I fell for it again."

"He's not, Harry, I really don't believe he is."

"How would you know?" Harry glares, "He doesn't like you or Ron any more than me."

"Trust me, I know, Harry. What about the potion?"

"What about it?"

"Didn't he tell you?"