The Things No One Notices (A HP Fic)

Chapter twelve

It was hell when Harry returned to Gryffindor Tower. People were fighting left and right. Some were verbal. Some were physical. Two people even decided to duel. Luckily, Harry was able to make it up to his dorm without getting caught in the crossfire.

"Oh, thank Merlin, it's just you!" Neville exclaimed from his bed.

Harry gave his roommate a wave. "It's Hell down there."

"Wait till Ron gets back."

"He still being a git?"

"Yep."

Harry jumped face first onto his bed. It had been a long day of hallway groping and dodging insults. This would be the first night that he was sleeping without Draco in arm's length, let alone eyesight. To say he was not looking forward to it was putting it mildly.

It was easy to fall back into the warmth of his own bed, instead of the comfort of the scratchy Hospital sheets. His own pajamas were warm against his skin. His own clothes had gotten baggier than they already were due to his weight loss. He buried his face into his pillow, inhaling his own lingering scent. His eyes fell shut. It had been a long day.

~~

"Mate, are you alright?" Dean asked groggily from across the dorm.

Harry pressed his palm against his temple, even though his scar had not hurt in weeks.

"I'm alright," he mumbled. "Nightmare."

All of his roommates were sitting up, staring at him. It was obvious they were concerned.

Neville rubbed at his eyes. "Do you want someone to stay up with you?"

"No, I'll be fine." He reached over to his bedside table, grabbing the small bit of parchment on it.

"Alright," Neville rolled back under his covers.

The other's followed soon after.

It was the blood curdling scream that had woken them all up. It was the same thing that had Harry studying the piece of parchment, wondering if it was worth it. It was late. The blond may not even be there. It was too far of a trek anyways. He laid on his side, staring at the wall with a strong intensity. He counted the beams.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

He got to fifteen has his eyes drifted closed. Maybe this time he would get better sleep.

He was wrong. Not even an hour later he was sitting by the common room fireplace, hugging his knees that were curled up to his chest. A gentle hand was placed on his shoulder.

"Having trouble sleeping?"

It was Hermione.

"Yeah," he said.

"Me too." She sat on the floor next to him. "Is Ron giving you problems?"

Harry shook his head. "I haven't even seen Ron since I've got back. He was gone when I got here and a sleep when I came down here. I haven't had a chance to talk to him. No that I want to."

"You don't have to. He's been insufferable for weeks."

He nodded his head in agreement. He ran his fingers through his hair.

"Can I ask you something?" she cleared her throat, as if she was nervous. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want."

"Was is it, Mione?"