The Essence of Gryffindor

The welcoming ceremony was the same as always. First years were sorted into their houses, the Dark Forest is, as always, forbidden, but Dumbledore also said something that Harry wasn't expecting. "I am sorry to inform you all that we have lost one of our own."

Harry's good mood was instantly gone.

"You may think that Sirius Black was a 'murderous raving lunatic' as I've heard some of you call him. That is what we've all thought at one time. But no, Sirius Black was an innocent man. He was accused of murdering Peter Pettigrew and he was put in Azkaban for it. He obviously did not kill Peter Pettigrew. Peter Pettigrew is alive; and I am sorry to say that Sirius Black is not."

Harry couldn't look at him. He was staring at the empty plate before him, which hadn't yet been filled with food.

Dumbledore spoke briefly about the events at the Department of Mysteries last spring and solemnly informed them that Voldemort was indeed alive. He was, of course, not trying to scare the students but to warn them to be cautious.

Harry wasn't listening. He didn't need to hear it again; he remembered the events all too well. These events had kept him awake every night all summer. He had the sudden urge to kill Peter Pettigrew, because if it weren't for him he would still have his parents and Sirius and anyone else who had been taken from him. He suddenly felt the ring Hagrid had given him suddenly grow warm against his finger. He looked and realized that he could not kill Peter, for if he did the mist would fade. He couldn't bear the thought of it. He knew in his heart that he couldn't do it because he was a true Gryffindor.

~*~*~*~*~

The feast began and Hermione noticed that Harry was not eating, but poking at his food with his fork. "Cheer up Harry. You have to eat. I know all this upsets you. It upsets us too, but you can't dwell on it, Harry."

"Yeah, she's right, mate," Ron said then quieted his voice a little," besides, we have a little welcome back party planned for tonight. Just the fifth, sixth, and seventh years. You can't be all glum for that, now can you?"

Harry smiled, "You're right. I just need to stop thinking about it, that's all. The party tonight sounds great. It'll be just the thing to get my mind off...everything."
"Great," said Ron, "now eat up! I know you're starving. We haven't eaten all day, what with waking up late and all."

Harry dug in. The food was delicious as always and he was very thankful for that.

~*~*~*~*~

The party was wonderful. There were cases upon cases of Butterbeer and Honeydukes sweets galore. The party didn't even begin to dwindle down until about 1 AM. That was when Harry noticed her.

She was smiling, obviously enjoying the party, but she was alone. She had short, not quite shoulder length, dirty blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes that shone like diamonds in the firelight.

"Hermione," he said, "who is that?"

"Who? Oh, that? That's Arelise Sommers."

"What year is she in?"

"She's a sixth year. Like us. Why?"

"How come I've never noticed her before?"

"Well I don't know, Harry. She's always been here. Did you really think that the only sixth year girls were me, Parvati and Lavender?"

"No, of course not. I just...I don't know. Have you ever talked to her?"

"No...well, not really. I've asked her a few things in our dorm a few times though. Little things like, 'Can you hand me my toothbrush?' or 'Will you toss me my slipper?' but that's all. She mostly keeps to herself. Harry, why are you asking me all these questions?"

"She's beautiful."

"Yes she is very pretty isn't she?" Hermione saw how he was looking at her. He was smiling, his mouth slightly open, his cheeks were pink, and his eyes were dreamlike and glassy. "Well go on," she said finally, "go and talk to her."

"N-no...no I can't."

"Oh, come on Harry! Yes you can. And you know you can. Don't make me get Ron to do it. You know he can be a lot like his brothers with things like this."

"Get Ron to do what?" Ron said, having just wandered over from across the room. He came up to Hermione and took her hand.

"Oh nothing. Harry was just asking me about Arelise."

"Arelise? Who's Arelise?"

"Men!" Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "Arelise...Sommers...she's over there."

"And Harry has a crush on her doesn't he?" Hermione smiled at her boyfriend's common sense. "Well go on, mate." Ron continued. "Go and talk to her."

"See Harry, I told you. Ron's right, you should go tell her how you feel."

"But I don't know how I feel," Harry said turning to face his two best friends, "I don't even know her."

"That's why you should talk to her." Hermione said putting her hand on his, "Get to know her, find out how you feel."

"Alright, I'll go. Wish me luck."

Ron and Hermione stared after him. Ron was the first to speak. "Look at him. Look at what he did for us," he said squeezing her hand, "and he can't even do it for himself."

"That's Harry for you," Hermione said calmly.

~*~*~*~*~

All right Harry, relax he told himself How hard can this be? She's just a girl after all...

"Hello," he said as he approached her, "Arelise, isn't it?"

"Yes, and you are...Harry...Harry Potter." she said. Harry nodded. "I know you. You're Hermione's friend."

Harry sat down beside her.

"It's a wonderful party isn't it?" she said.

"Yes, it is," Harry replied, "but why, may I ask, are you over here all alone?"

"Well, you know, I've just never really made any friends at Hogwarts. Hermione is always off with you and that other boy, Ron. And it's highly unlikely that Lavender and Parvati would ever include me in anything. No one has ever really taken the time to get to know me."

"I would, if you don't mind. I'd like to get to know you. I mean I know it's already our sixth year, but it's never too late to make friends."

"But why, Harry? Why would you want to get to know me?"

"Because, I for one know what it's like to be alone. It's horrible, and I don't think that anyone should have to be left alone."

She smiled, "Thanks Harry."

He smiled back, "Um...the first Hogsmeade outing is this weekend. I wonder if you would like to go with me, Hermione and Ron?"

"I'd love to Harry."

~*~*~*~*~

They talked for a long time. Harry let out a yawn, a very loud one in fact, and she giggled at him. He looked at his watch. 3 AM. It had already been an hour and a half since Ron and Hermione had bid him goodnight. "Wow," he said, "it's getting late. We should probably get to bed. We have an early start tomorrow."

"Yes, you're right. We probably should." she said, yawning.

He walked her to the stairs leading up to the girl's dormitory. She hugged him. He was surprised, but he hugged her back. She kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear, "Thanks so much, Harry. I'll see you at breakfast tomorrow. Save me a seat."

"Ok," he said smiling, "I will."

She smiled at him, then headed up the stairs. He headed back to his dorm, smiling as well.

When he got there, the other four boys were asleep. He quietly changed and climbed into his four-poster. He stared at the ceiling for about another half hour before drifting off to sleep, thinking about nothing but her. He thought about breakfast in the morning and Hogsmeade on Saturday. This was definitely going to be a great year.