Stand By

    Harry did not see his friends again until lunch, choosing to wander the disused parts of the castle rather then face their inquires into his sudden flight. As it turned out, they hadn’t been all too worried. When he slid in beside Ron at lunch, they barely spared him a welcoming glance before turning back to one another.

    “They’ve been like this all morning,” Seamus complained from across the table. “All gooey and romantic. Never figured Ron for a sap.”

    “Hermione either. She’s too brainy to be that…silly,” Dean grimaced.

    Harry cast a glance to where Hermione was currently mussing Ron’s hair, speaking in a tone that could at best be described as cooing. Ron seemed to be lapping up the attention, grinning wildly at his girlfriend. He had to admit, it was rather…silly.

    “So, where did you disappear to this morning?” Seamus asked casually, piling his plate high with roast beef sandwiches.

    “I had some things I needed to take care of,” Harry replied quietly.

    “We missed you. The common room was a mess! Imagine, cramming all of us back into the dorms after weeks of freedom. It was worse then first day of school!’ Seamus laughed. “ And then, right in the middle of it, little Keli Katall, that first year, she sliced her finger open! Blood everywhere!”

    “Was she all right? What’d she cut herself on?” Harry asked, wincing in sympathetic pain.

    “Oddest thing…someone left a razor blade in the common room!” Seamus and Dean both shook their head, neither noticing Harry had suddenly gone sheet white, trembling slightly.

    “A razor blade?” Harry echoed, voice shaking. When the boys turned questioningly towards him, he forced himself to say, “What was it doing there?” He was relieved to find his voice was almost even.

    “I haven’t the faintest idea. Looks like someone cut themselves…dry blood and all. Gross,” Seamus mock gagged, earning him a smack from Dean.

    “Harry, you all right? You look pale,” Dean commented.

    “I’m fine. Just feeling a little tired, you know? I think I’ll head back up to the dorms.” Without another word, Harry stood and hurried from the hall. Seamus and Dean stared after him, sharing a confused glance.

    “What was that about? I didn’t know Harry was squeamish,” Seamus said.

    “I don’t think that had anything to do with being squeamish. Something’s wrong,” Dean shook his head.        

    “Maybe he really is just tired. Can’t say the boy gets the most restful sleep.”

    “I don’t know, Seamus. I just got the weirdest feeling that something is going on with him.” Dean sighed heavily, pushing away his mostly full plate. Seamus frowned at the movement.

    “If you’re really worried, why not ask Hermione and Ron?”

    Both boys turned to look at the couple. Hermione and Ron had hardly noticed when Harry sat down and seemed oblivious to the fact he had left. Currently, Ron was whispering something to Hermione that made her blush bright. Turning back to face Seamus, Dean sighed, “I think not. Maybe I’ll talk to him.”

    “Fine. But I’m going to finish eating. I’m starved!” Seamus dramatically cried, grabbing another sandwich from the tray.

    “I’m gonna see if I can catch up,” Dean said, gesturing in the direction Harry had run.

    “Good luck,” Seamus said.

    Dean didn’t respond as he rose and made his way to the door. Immediately, he headed for the dorms, mind racing with ideas of what to say to Harry. For as long as they’d been at Hogwarts, Harry had turned to Ron or Hermione for any support he needed. Now that they were busy, Dean felt he needed to step up. They’d never been close friends, but Dean wanted to be there for Harry.

    Unfortunately, he hadn’t the faintest idea what being there for him involved. With Seamus, problems came and went, easily solved with a grin and a pat on the back. But this was Harry Potter. He had far scarier problems then anything Dean or Seamus had faced.

    Distractedly, Dean recited the password for the Fat Lady. She gave him a concerned look, but didn’t comment as he stepped in. Harry was sitting before the fireplace, curled up tightly in the overlarge chair.

    “Er, Harry?” Dean called uncertainly.

    “Lunch over already?” Harry asked, not turning to look at the boy.

    “Not quite. I came up to check on you,” Dean admitted, slowly moving towards him. “Are you all right? You didn’t seem too great down there.”

    “I’m fine,” Harry responded shortly.

    “You seemed upset,” Dean pressed on. “Is there anything you’d like to talk about? I’d be glad to help, if I may. I know I’m not Ron or Hermione, but I wanna help.”

    Finally, Harry turned with a sigh, eyes dark and melancholy. “Thanks, Dean. But I’m really all right.” Dean nearly snorted in response. Harry looked anything but all right.

    “Harry…”

    “I think I want to be alone for a bit. I’m going to head out for a walk,” Harry quickly cut in before Dean could finish. Without another word, he rose, grabbing a cloak as he went, and disappeared out the portrait hole.

    “Well that went bloody brilliantly,” Dean growled to the empty room. With a sigh, he settled himself into the recently vacated chair before the fire. He was disappointed that he had been unable to get through to Harry and a little hurt that the boy had so easily brushed his concern aside.

    Rubbing at his temples, Dean sighed again. It seemed Harry wasn’t going to talk unless he wanted to. And everyone knew, the boy-who-lived couldn’t be forced into anything. Dean just hoped Harry would confide in someone. He had seen the darkness in Harry’s gaze. It was too much for a single boy to carry.

    Never had Dean been more thankful for his easy friendship with Seamus. He couldn’t imagine what Ron and Hermione went through being friends with Harry Potter. He only hoped they did a better job dealing with Harry then he did. But judging by their inattentiveness at lunch, he guessed not.

    With a shrug, Dean rose and started for the portrait hole. He may have been unable to get through to the boy, but the least he could do was alert Ron and Hermione. Maybe worry for Harry would pull them from their love daze.

    A smirk twisted Dean‘s lips as a sudden thought occurred to him, making him laugh aloud. “If that doesn‘t work, there’s always Snape.”