The Bond of the Links

Chapter 5

'Harry! Harry wait! Stop! HARRY!' Shalimar yelled, catching up with Harry just before the lake.

'What is it?' he asked pretty coldly. 'Just stop trying to explain things to me all right? Can't you trust me? I know there's something you guys are keeping from me. Just tell me,' Harry said, his eyes blazing as he rounded up on Shalimar. Her eyes flashed with hurt.

'Oh Harry! I'm sorry, but I can't tell you yet. It's breaking you, I know. But you are not ready. I feel bad, really I do. But there's nothing I can do! If only we had met before, it wouldn't have been so hard. But fifteen years...' Shalimar said the last part half to herself. Suddenly, Harry was overwhelmed by a wave of sadness coming from her. He stumbled.

'Harry? What's wrong?' Shalimar exclaimed. Harry looked at her strangely. He was feeling all sorts of emotions coming from her. He tried to control them; to stop them- and succeeded. What had happened? Was he an Empath or something? Having read about them, Harry knew exactly what Empathic powers were like. Empaths could sense others' feelings or make them feel any way they chose. But, he wasn't one was he?

'Harry? Are you ok? What happened?' Shalimar asked, breaking into Harry's reverie.

'Wha-? Oh, yes I'm fine. It's just- well, I just felt like I was an Empath just now. I mean, I could sense your feelings and when I tried to stop it, it did. Do you know what it is?' Shalimar stared. This was happening so fast! To Harry's surprise, she looked surprised and relieved.

'Yes, I know what it is. It's pretty useful. But...it's early...' Harry stared at her, nonplussed. What was she talking about?

'Look Harry, just try to get it under control. I-' But Harry had had enough.

'Can't tell me right? That's enough Shalimar. What can you tell me anyway? Don't explain Shalimar. I've had enough.'

'Oh Harry! Please listen to me. It's dangerous to tell you know. If it leaks out... and you aren't in control... well, let's just say you'll make an easy target for Voldemort. He's not active, Harry, and that means he is planning something sinister. Please Harry! If anything happens to you... I won't be able to stand it. Please Harry. Oh God... This is all my fault... This should never have happened,' Shalimar said, half-sobbing, her voice tight with strong emotion.

Harry looked at her, suddenly guilt-ridden. Sure, she was being pretty unfair, but she didn't deserve this. At that moment, he realized that Shalimar loved him. But it was the kind of love that Sirius gave him, or his parents used to. Even Ron and Hermione's friendly love could not feel like what he was experience. This was someone he really and truly cared for.

'I'm sorry Shalimar. I guess I overreacted. I don't know why you have come here or who told you to. But I just want you to know I trust you- the way I trust Sirius. Even the Weasleys, who have been my family for so many years, will still be at a distance. There's nothing I can do to change that, however much I would like to. But there's something different about you Shalimar. I just hope I find out what that is.'

Shalimar's eyes glistened with unshed tears. Harry would never realize how close to the truth he had just been. Not until he learned the truth. Harry closed his arms around her, very much like she had not so long ago.

A few paces away, Hermione found her eyes moist, having heard every word. Ron was there too, and he could only shake his head. Ginny stared off into space. Never had they realised how hard life was for Harry. He considered them family, but he kept his distance. He didn't want to hurt them, but also because he had never really been able to confide his inner struggles in them. Not because he didn't trust them, but because they had never experienced what he had.

He had kept quiet, not gotten them involved into something if he could help it. Only because he cared. He had laughed with them, went through everything with them, for their sake.

'Hermione! Ron! Ginny! What are you doing here?' Harry had finally noticed them. 'We just came to make sure you were alright,' Ron told him. Harry was looking at them awkwardly. He seemed to have realized that they had heard the conversation.

'I-' Harry managed, before Hermione cut him off.

'How come you never told us Harry? True, we acted like blind fools, but didn't you trust us?'

'How can you say that? I just felt that you were troubled enough because of me. I didn't want to disturb your happy lives. My living has taken away enough lives, mentally or physically. People care too much about me. I don't deserve it. I don't want it! I'm a fifteen-year-old for God's sake!

'I just want a normal life. A normal life means thanking your stars if you get a good Christmas present. But for me, I thank my stars everyday, waking up and realizing I'm still alive! I don't want this! Anyone who wants my fame can take it! I would be happy. Whoever thinks fame is great is a bloody idiot!' Harry burst out.

Hermione rushed forward to hug him. He let her wrap her arms around him. Suddenly pulling away from her, he walked to the edge of the lake. Flopping down on the ground, he pulled his knees up to him and laid his head on them. The other three quietly sat down next to him, Hermione closer than the other two. Instinctively, he touched the amulet she had given him, and felt warmed.

'Let's just get back to the common room Harry. Hagrid wasn't expecting us anyway,' Shalimar told him gently. He nodded and got up, leading the rest towards the castle. Ron and the girls followed warily, careful not to disturb Harry.