Forever & Always

Chapter Twelve

"He's been sighted, he's been sighted!" Calls out Seamus, slapping down the paper. Gryffindors - including us - race over to where he is.

"Dufftown... that's not far from here," Hermione says worriedly.

"But he won't be able to get past the Dementors, will he?" Parvati asks with a frown.

"He's slipped by them once, who's to say he won't slip by them again?" Replies Seamus grimly.

"That's right," Dean says. "Black could be anywhere. It's like trying to catch smoke, catch smoke with your bare hands." Harry, Hermione, Ron and I head back to our breakfast. Harry and Ron are oddly quiet.

"What's with you two?" I exclaim.

"Tell you later," Harry mutters. I sigh and take his arm, dragging him out of the hall and into a private corridor.

"Explain."

"Well, yesterday after you and Hermione left back to the castle, Ron and I - or I - followed Fudge, McGonagall and Madam Rosmerta upstairs to the three broomsticks. I- I overheard what they were saying... about my parents..." I lead him over to a bench and his shoulders slump.

"Harry what happened?"

"Sirius Black is the reason my parents are dead. He killed Peter Pettigrew - my parent's friend - and killed twelve muggles too. That was the same night he betrayed my parents. Handed them over to Voldemort-" I shudder "-and now he's after me. He's my- my godfather! He's the reason my parents are dead! I- I'm gonna kill him!"

"Harry," I say gently. "It'll be alright-"

"No! No it won't!" He jerks away from me. "He's the reason my family is dead! He's the reason why-"

"V- Voldemort is gone," I supply.

"I- I gotta go," he races away. I look at my lap.

"Oh Harry," I say aloud, even though he's gone. "Why can't you just open up? I can help you. I know you want me help... you're just too scared to ask."

*****

I run away. I can't help myself. He betrayed them! I- he was their friend... I dash away from Sara. Running until I don't know where I am. I look around, and I realize where I am, the room where the Mirror of Erised used to be held. I sit on the steps, head in my hands, keeping my head resting even when I hear the door open and shut. I only look up when I feel someone hugging me, their brown hair making a veil so I can't see anything. I close my eyes and breathe in her rose perfume.

*****

I rush up to the Gryffindor third year boys dormitory, rush over to Harry's trunk and dig around for the map. I pull it out, muttering 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good', and tapping the map with my wand. I search for Harry - once I see him - I take the map and burst out of the Gryffindor tower, following myself on the map as I go. Once I get outside the room, I open the door and see Harry - head in hands - on the steps. I walk over.

"Hey," I say softly. No answer. I sit beside him and pull him into a hug. "I'm so, so sorry Harry. Just please, please promise me, that anytime you need help, advice, anything, you can always come to me. Understand?" I feel him nod. "Good. C'mon Harry, let's go back to the common room and have a relaxing, stress free, Sunday. Okay?" He nods again. I stand up and hold out my hand to help him up. A few minutes later, we're in the common room. "You'll be okay?" I ask.

"I will. Eventually." He looks down, blushing. "Thanks for being so persistent. Even when I pushed you away, you didn't give up on me."

"That's what friends do," I say softly. We sit beside each other on a loveseat by the fire. Harry's head rests on my shoulder. He looks tired even though it's only eleven in the morning. I brush his hair away from his face and take off his glasses. "Accio blanket!" A blanket from a nearby armchair comes flying toward us, and I cover us with it. I rest my head on top of his. "I reckon I am a bit tired," I say aloud, before drifting off to sleep. A week later, everyone leaves for Christmas vacation. That is, everyone except Blaise, Draco, Harry, Hermione, the Weasley's, myself, and random students I don't know.