The Temple of Le Fay

The last day of August dawned sunny and dry. Ginny awoke at her desk, face down on a pile of parchments that contained her working out and conclusions for Arithmancy. Hermione was flat out on the camp bed next to her, fully dressed and with ink smeared over her cheek. Ginny groaned loudly as she sat up straight, her back stiff and sore. Hermione mumbled something as she rolled over on to her front, but slumbered on.

Ginny staggered to her feet, looking around the room. The parchments containing her Potions, Dark Arts, Herbology, Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures homework were stacked neatly on top of her trunk. Copies of all of them sat in her bedside cabinet, Charlie having replicated them for her to be sure that she wouldn't have to redo the work herself if something happened to the originals.

Willing paranoid thoughts of spontaneous combustion of her homework from her mind, Ginny made her way sleepily downstairs and into the kitchen. It was too early even for her mother to be up and about, and yet someone was sitting by the door, watching the sunrise.

"Hey George," she said. Fifteen years of growing up around the twins meant she was able to tell them apart easily enough. It helped that now that the twins had money of their own to spend, they'd developed markedly individual tastes in clothing. George tended to dress the more conservatively of the two. Fred wouldn't have been seen dead in the dark purple shirt that George was wearing.

"Good morning Ginny," George said. "Looks like it'll be a beautiful day."

Ginny looked at her brother a little curiously.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I just woke up earlier and had a moment of panic that I hadn't bought any of my Hogwarts stuff. I'm going to miss the place."

"It won't be the same without you there," Ginny said.

"It's all up to you, now," George said with a smile. "I noticed they didn't make you a Prefect."

"I know. Can't imagine why. Colin Creevey and Daniella Spinnet are the only two who got made Prefect from Gryffindor this year."

"Well, you've always been able to twist that Colin around your little finger. And it's lucky for Neville that Daniella isn't as. . . fiery as Alicia. You won't have any problems staying out of line."

"You miss her, don't you?"

"Alicia?" George asked. He shook his head unconvincingly. "It's best for her to focus on her career. Apparently," he added with a forced chuckle.

"Really?" Ginny asked shrewdly. George's pretence, which hadn't been very convincing to begin with, faded in the full strength of his sister's inquisitiveness.

"I have my good days and bad days. I guess that not every relationship lasts forever. Besides," George said, brightening up, "I have a date tomorrow night. It doesn't take us Weasleys long to get back in the saddle, young Ginny. Just remember that if Harry turns out to be too much like Ron."

Ginny smiled at her brother. "I don't think I'd have much to complain about if Harry does turn out like any of my brothers."

*

Mrs Weasley had been delighted that George and Ginny had prepared breakfast when she came down. She was free to go around the house, collecting the school supplies, clothes and equipment that the four Hogwarts-bound teenagers had left scattered about. Soon the four of them each had a neat pile next to their trunks that took a pleasingly short time to pack away.

Harry looked at his trunk quizzically. Try as her might, he couldn't find a way to fit his galactic model into the remaining space.

"I know I gave up Astronomy anyway, but I still want to take it along," he said. "It cost me enough I almost feel I should be staring at it every second."

"Nah, it's the sort of thing you have on your shelf, and you look at it when you're stressed. Like goldfish," Ron said, his voice somewhat muffled as his head was under his bed where he was trying to find Pigwidgeon's owl treats.

The bedroom door creaked open and Ginny came in, bearing the last of Ron and Harry's robes, fresh from the clothesline.

"More robes? I don't have enough room as it is," Harry sighed. Ginny dumped the robes on the bed and looked in Harry's trunk.

"You've got loads of room," she said.

"Not if I want to take the galactic model as well," he replied, pointing at it where it lay on his bed.

Ginny looked from Harry to Ron and back again.

"I know it's a bit of a novel idea," she said. "But why not just put some of your stuff in Ron's trunk, or Hermione's, or mine."

Harry blinked. "Good idea," he said. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Well, you have plenty to think about," Ginny said absently as she plucked an armful of socks from Harry's trunk. "Quidditch, the Duelling Club, your N.E.W.Ts, all that."

Harry groaned. "I forgot all about the Duelling Club. We'll have to keep on with it," he said to Ron, who nodded.

"Yeah. Not really right to cancel it, even if it is going to get in the way of Quidditch."

"And your work," Hermione said, coming in to the room with Crookshanks at her heels. "You remember work, don't you Ron? What we're at Hogwarts to do?"

"Yes Hermione, I remember work," Ron said. "Most of it's useless, the rest is boring. We've got enough to worry about without you bringing it all up on the last day of holidays."

Hermione ignored him. "We're going to the Leaky Cauldron in thirty minutes," she said. "Everyone has to be downstairs and ready by then."

Ginny dug into Harry's trunk again, and pulled out his towels. "Hermione, here, take these for Harry, will you? He needs space for his model thing."

Hermione took the towels, and Ginny dived back into the trunk again and pulled out Harry's Firebolt. "Ron, here, I imagine Harry will trust you with this."

Hermione and Ron grinned as Ron took the broom. Harry shoved the last of his things into the trunk, before adding the model of the galaxy in last. It fit snugly among his robes, and the trunk shut smoothly on top of it.

"Thanks, Ginny," he said, giving her a peck on the cheek.

"Not a problem," she said. "Probably not the last time I'll have to do the thinking for you. You're a boy, after all."

With that, Ginny and Hermione dashed from the room, followed by Pigwidgeon's owl treats that an outraged Ron threw after them. The box clattered down the stairs, spilling its contents as it descended. Ron looked at Harry with a look of trepidation on his face. His fears were realised a few seconds later.

"RONALD WEASLEY!!! DO YOU THINK I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH ALREADY TODAY WITHOUT YOU-"

Ron dashed out of the room and down the stairs in an effort to try and placate his mum. Harry finished packing the last of Ron's things in his trunk, fully aware of the two girls laughing themselves hoarse in the twins' room next door.

*

The four teenagers gathered around the fire in the Weasleys kitchen. For once, Harry didn't mind the idea of travelling by Floo powder. He'd had a lot of practise over the summer, travelling back and forth between the Burrow and Diagon Alley several times, and even going to Ireland to visit Seamus for his friend's birthday shortly after the exam results had come back.

Nevertheless, as first Ron and then Hermione vanished through the green flames, Harry couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety at the thought of travelling via the Floo network. He still hadn't managed to get the hang of landing properly and more often than not stumbled awkwardly out of the fireplace, or simply fell to the ground.

When his turn came, he took a pinch of powder and dragged his trunk into the magical flames. Holding the trunk firmly, he threw the powder down and yelled "Diagon Alley!"

Harry had barely finished speaking when the spinning began. In a second, he was gone from the familiar confines of the Weasleys home. He spun faster and faster, catching glimpses of peoples homes both inviting and disturbing. One elderly wizard seemed to be bathing in an old tin bath in front of his fire, while a younger witch was sleeping on her sofa, a ginger cat curled up on her lap. Harry felt slightly uncomfortable watching other people's lives, but accepted it as an unavoidable side effect of using the Floo network. He found himself thinking of the following summer when he would be able to learn how to Apparate, and could dispense with the need to use Floo powder once and for all.

In time, the spinning began to slow and Harry prepared himself for arrival at the Leaky Cauldron. He threw out one arm to steady himself and felt the familiar cool stone of the Cauldron's main fireplace. He stumbled as the spin halted, but gripped the handle of his trunk tightly to try and counter it. It worked, partially. He still banged his head on the side of the fireplace, but he stayed upright.

"Well, you're improving," Ron grinned. He handed Harry a Butterbeer. "Come on, Hagrid's over here."

"I'll be over in a minute. Ginny'll be here in a second."

Ron walked away, shaking his head but smiling. Harry knew Ron was pleased to see that he was keeping an eye out for Ginny, but that Ron still liked to tease his sister and best friend about their relationship.

Harry pushed his trunk over to the pile that lined one wall of the Cauldron. Harry knew that the pub had been secured for the evening for the exclusive use of Hogwarts staff and pupils. When Harry heard the Floo network activate once more in the fireplace behind him, he turned with a warm smile on his face and his hand outstretched to take Ginny's as she stepped off of the grate.

The smile froze on his face as a tall woman with a mane of long, white hair stepped from the fireplace. Seeing Harry, she smiled slightly and thrust her pink suitcase into his hands. Harry stood frozen by the surprise.

"Oh, thanks," she said. "Just shove it with the rest. I imagine someone'll pick 'em all up tonight. Now, is Hagrid in here?"

Harry pointed wordlessly, still tongue tied by the woman's arrival in Ginny's place. He watched her walk away, trying to work out why the surprise of her appearance had affected him so much. As she neared Hagrid, the fireplace flared again, and Ginny appeared. As soon as she saw Harry, she giggled, one hand coming up to her mouth to try and hide her laughter.

"I'm really not sure it's you," she said. Harry looked at her in bewilderment, then followed her gaze down to the suitcase he was holding.

"It's not mine," he said, taking the handle of Ginny's trunk and pulling it over to the pile. He put the woman's case on top of it and looked around for his Butterbeer. He sipped it, wishing for something a lot cooler to wash away the taste of soot in his mouth.

"Whose is it, then?" Ginny asked. Harry looked around, but couldn't see the white-haired woman anywhere.

"I dunno," he admitted. "She came through just before you and handed me her bag. She was looking for Hagrid."

"Well, why don't we ask him?"

"Yeah. Good idea. You're just full of them today, aren't you?"

"I always am. You just never pay attention."

"I'm paying attention now," Harry said. "From now on, I'll always listen to you, and follow your advice. At least then I'll have someone to blame."

"Who's blaming yeh for what, Harry?" Hagrid asked, turning as they approached. "That toad isn't loose again, is he? I told Neville to make sure he was shut away somewhere."

"No, I haven't seen Trevor anywhere," Harry said, as Ginny excused herself to get a drink. "No-one's blaming me for anything, Hagrid."

"An' well they shouldn't, either," Hagrid growled. "Feeling a bit stressed about this year, Harry?"

"Yeah," Harry admitted, surprising himself slightly with the answer. Even as he said it, however, he knew that it was true. "Every year seems to mean something new and dangerous. I'm just wondering what this year will be. I'll probably be involved at some point. People will look to me to do the right thing. . . I don't even know how to pack my trunk, or travel by Floo powder."

"Ah," Hagrid said. "Now then, no-one's good at everything. Seems like I've heard Professor McGonagall say that a lot these last few months."

Harry brightened. "Really?"

"Yep. Reckons that we all play our part. Can't do more than we can do is the way I figure it. Whatever yeh have to do, Harry, you'll do fine. Yeh always have done, yeh always will."

"Thanks, Hagrid. I'm just feeling a bit nervous, I guess."

"Perfectly understandable, Harry," Hagrid said. He lowered his voice slightly. "Still, I was talking to your godfather the other day-"

"You were?" Harry asked eagerly.

"Yeah, I was. I was telling him that this year looks like it might be pretty quiet. 'Course, we'll have them Ministry lot hanging around the school, but with any luck they'll stick to the library. If they try and stick their noses in to how Dumbledore's running the school, then it may be that me an' Fang'll have to have a little word with them."

"Hagrid, you can't go around threatening Ministry wizards!"

"No, not threaten, just explain to them that Professor Dumbledore is doing things like they ought to be done. We've not had any complaints this year, even after that nasty business in Hogsmeade. It's a record. Reckon everyone thinks that Dumbledore is doing things properly."

Harry grinned. "I always thought that Professor Dumbledore liked getting complaints."

"Yeah, well, there's complaints and there's complaints, if you catch my drift. Stuff about you kids getting too much homework -or not enough homework- well, it just doesn't seem as important when You-Know-Who is back."

"I guess not. Still, it's nice to know that people think Dumbledore can beat him."

"Not just that Professor Dumbledore can beat him, Harry," Hagrid replied with a wink.

Harry felt a little uncomfortable under Hagrid's beetle-eyed gaze. He'd never really believed that he was the one who was destined to take on Voldemort, despite the number of times their paths had crossed. Surely Dumbledore would be the one to defeat the dark wizard. He, Harry Potter, might play a part in it, but he couldn't believe that the final confrontation would involve him and Voldemort.

Mainly because I don't think it will be a final confrontation if it's him and me. He'll beat me easily, and then kill everyone I care for.

Ginny appeared at Harry's side, and offered him a cool glass of orange juice.

"You looked a bit hot," she said.

"Thanks, yeah, I was," he said, taking it gratefully. Hagrid had turned away and was welcoming some third year Gryffindors Harry vaguely recognised.

"Did you find out who the mystery woman was?" Ginny asked.

"What? Oh, no, I didn't. Hagrid and me talked about other things."

"Such as? Getting information from you is like pulling teeth, Harry Potter."

"Well, about Voldemort, and how he'll be beaten. Hagrid seems to think it'll be me who does it."

"Don't you?" Ginny asked. Harry looked at her in surprise.

"No, I don't. Dumbledore or someone will beat him. An adult. Not me. I couldn't beat him last summer and I'm no more powerful now then I was then."

Ginny smiled. "But everyone thinks it'll be you, anyway. That bothers you?"

Harry laughed. "Yeah, it's like I said, everyone expects me to be this fantastic wizard, but I'm not. Hermione knows loads more than I do."

"But it's not Hermione that Voldemort marked with that scar."

"Right, it's me, how could I forget?" Harry sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm just having one of those days where everything seems to be against me."

"We all have them," Ginny replied. She slipped her hand into his and squeezed it gently. "I still think you can do anything, even if I have seen you carrying a pink suitcase."

Harry laughed, and followed his girlfriend as she led the way over to where the Gryffindor fifth- and sixth-years were congregated. Among his friends, Harry quickly forgot his feelings of inadequacy as the afternoon wore on, and a fierce game of Truth or Dare took hold of most of the room.

*

Ron grinned at Harry as his friend stood in the middle of the circle. He'd just been forced by Seamus to admit that the Ballymena Bats had a better chance of winning the title that season then the Chudley Cannons, and was feeling an a vengeful mood.

"Okay Harry," he said. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth," Harry said, looking his friend directly in the eye.

"Okay, let me see. . ." Ron glanced at Ginny. "What was the first thing, the very first thing that made you think of Ginny as anything other than a friend?"

The girls in the room, for the most part, smiled. The boys, for the most part, scowled.

"Well, it was this time last year," Harry said. "We were standing in the kitchen at your house, and I was watching Ginny, and I just thought she looked really pretty. That was it."

Harry sat down to a loud call of "Boring!" from Seamus, Dean and Ernie McMillan, none of whom had so far been called upon to answer questions about their love lives. Harry caught sight of Lavender Brown looking a bit exasperated with Seamus, and privately thought that it was probably just as well.

"Well done," Hermione said, leaning around Neville to whisper to Harry. "You got that right."

Harry smiled. "First time for everything, I suppose."

Harry stood back up again and drew a name from the bag on the floor.

"Dean Thomas!"

Dean stood reluctantly and walked into the centre of the circle, a near empty bottle of Butterbeer in his hand.

"Okay, truth or dare?" Harry asked.

"Truth," Dean replied guardedly. He looked back to Seamus and Ernie, who gave him a cheery thumbs-up.

"Right. . ." Harry thought for a second. "If the Yule Ball was tomorrow, which non-Gryffindor girl would you ask to go with you?"

Dean drained the dregs of his bottle, and looked around, as though judging the girls around him.

"I reckon. . . I dunno. There's a lot to choose from. Probably not a Slytherin," he said to general laughter. "There's lots of Muggle borns in Hufflepuff, so I don't know if I'd want to go with someone who was brought up like me-"

"Get on with it!" Ron yelled. Dean ignored him pointedly.

"-I reckon I'd go with someone who was brought up a witch, so it'd give us something to talk about. Someone from Ravenclaw'd be my best bet. Maybe someone who plays Quidditch? What about that Cho Chang? She seems alright."

Dean bowed as people appaluded his long-winded answer. Ginny leaned past Hermione to whisper something to her friend Luna, a Ravenclaw fifth year. The blond girl seemed to think for a second, before deciding Ginny's comment was funny and laughing loudly. Dean smiled, and took a slip of paper from the bag and spun instantly to face Seamus.

"Finnigan!"

Seamus strode out into the circle, and stood nose to nose with his friend.

"Truth!" he yelled, before Dean could say anything.

"Good grief!" Dean exclaimed with a grimace. "You need a breath mint mate, there's a truth for you."

"Just ask the question."

"Okay, okay, uh, how many times a week do you dream about Ireland winning the Quidditch World Cup?"

This question got a laugh, and a round of applause from the Quidditch-loving members of the audience.

"At least once," Seamus said happily. "'Course, I dream about other stuff, too-"

The details of Seamus' dreams were cut off by Dean quickly slapping his hand over his friend's mouth. The two made their way back to their seats, and Ron stood up again. He pulled two names from the bag.

"Hannah Abbott will ask Ernie Macmillan!"

There was a sharp intake of air from the Hufflepuffs among the crowd. Hannah stumbled into the centre of the circle as though she had been pushed. Ernie made his way forward with a look on his face that said quite clearly that he was unhappy to be there.

"T-truth or dare?" she asked, stuttering a little.

"Dare," he replied, looking her in the eye. Behind him, Seamus rose and opened his mouth to yell something, but was quickly pulled down by Dean. Katie Bell grabbed Seamus' hands while Dean held his mouth closed.

"I want you. . ." Hannah said. "I want you to. . . I want you to do a handstand," she finished quietly.

Ernie looked at her for a long moment, and then shrugged.

"If that's what you want," he said, sounding disappointed. He bent over double and set his hands on the floor, bringing his legs up smoothly until he was poised, arrow straight, upside down. He held the pose for several seconds before bringing his legs back down again and standing up straight once more. There was a scattered round of applause as he turned to face Hannah again.

"So, was that okay?" he asked. She nodded, biting her lip, and walked out of the circle.

"I'm off to bed," she muttered as she headed for the stairs. "We have an early start tomorrow."

Ernie stood in the circle, looking deeply frustrated. Bending down, he drew a name from the bag, trying to look interested as he did so.

Ginny leaned across Harry, and caught Hermione's attention. She nodded towards the stairs, and the two got up, heading after Hannah. Harry watched them go, and was absently thankful that it was one problem which he wouldn't have to solve.

Turning back to the game, he watched as Terry Boot failed hopelessly in an attempt at breakdancing.

*

Hermione and Ginny walked slowly up the stairs.

"We don't even know her that well," Hermione protested.

"She'll still want someone to talk to. Her and Ernie are the only sixth year Hufflepuffs here. I mean, it's pretty obvious that she likes him. I reckon he likes her too."

"We can't interfere," Hermione said.

"Of course not, but I was really grateful that you and the others came to see me last year. I think Hannah won't mind seeing a friendly face or two."

Ginny knocked lightly on the door of the room Hannah was sharing with Lavender Brown. There was silence for a second before the door opened a crack. Hannah's eye could be seen in the darkness beyond the door, but little else was visible.

"Hannah, do you mind if we come in?"

Hannah hesitated for a second, but then the door opened wide enough to admit the two girls.

A few minutes later, Hermione and Ginny were sat on Lavender's bed, facing Hannah who looked positively wretched.

"I'm just being silly," she was saying. "But ever since we started playing on the Quidditch team last year, he's been really, really nice to me. He hasn't said anything that makes me think he likes me, not like that, but we've become really good friends."

Hermione and Ginny exchanged looks.

"I'm stupid, I know, but he's just so kind, and so confident. He's helped me a lot. I was so silly before I made it on to the team, but he really helped me. When I started to like him, I just thought it was a silly crush and I ignored it. I live near Dean Thomas, and I saw him a few times over the summer, but it didn't work out. I knew I liked Ernie, and it wasn't fair to Dean to go out with him like that."

"And Ernie doesn't know how you feel?" Hermione asked gently. Hannah shook her head.

"No, I've never said anything, and, well. . ."

"He's a boy," Ginny and Hermione said together.

"I know what you're going through, really I do," Ginny said, leaning forward and taking Hannah's hand. "This time last year I was in my room and ready to cry my heart out because of a stupid joke Fred and George played on Harry and me. At least you don't have your brothers poking fun at you all the time."

"I guess not," Hannah said. "I just hate the way I act around him. I can't get two words out without stammering and stuttering."

"I really know how you feel, in that case," Ginny said with a smile. "I was like that around Harry almost from day one. It wasn't until I'd known him for nearly three years that I was able to be around him easily."

"So am I going to be like this for another two years?" Hannah asked, appalled.

"I don't think that's quite what Ginny meant," Hermione laughed. "She got over the way she acted around Harry because she stopped thinking about him as this superstar hero figure-"

"Thanks, Hermione," Ginny interrupted.

"Well, it is true," Hermione pointed out. "There must be things that you and Ernie have in common. You both play for the house Quidditch team, right?"

"Yes, but we've pretty much talked that to death," Hannah sighed.

"And he still talks to you? He must like you a lot," Ginny said.

"Maybe," Hannah said. She looked a little brighter.

"There must be other things you can talk about. Music? Films? Books? What else do you have in common?"

"I don't know," Hannah said. "We've never really talked about that sort of thing. Whenever we start, someone interrupts. Ernie gets a lot of people wanting him to help with work and stuff. I'm being stupid, really. He's really popular, and I'm just. . ."

"Who did he take to the Ball last year?" Ginny asked.

"He didn't go," she said. "We spent the evening in the common room, playing Exploding Snap with a couple of second years who couldn't go home for Christmas. It was really fun."

"Didn't he have anyone he could go with?" Hermione asked, glancing sideways at Ginny.

"He said he didn't want to go. I know that he was asked by a couple of girls, but he said he wasn't interested."

"Really? Didn't you think that was weird?"

"Well, not really. He told me from the start that he wouldn't go unless he knew he'd enjoy himself."

"But everyone else in your house went?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah. Well, except for one or two boys who couldn't get dates."

"Right," Hermione said. "It sounds to me like he wanted to go with you."

"Me too," Ginny said.

"But. . . Why didn't he ask me?" Hannah asked. "I would probably have said yes."

"That's why. He likes you, but you've never given any sign that you like him, he liked you before you liked him. . ." Ginny tailed off.

"So. . . I should let him know that I like him?" Hannah said, going very pale at the prospect.

"You don't have to be blatant about it," Hermione said. "Find some excuse to spend time with him. Not just at Quidditch practise. You must have classes with him. Be one of the people who asks him for help with your work. And then don't talk about your work."

"He's very serious about his work," Hannah said, laughing. "You should have heard him during the build up to our exams. He was going on and on about how much time he was spending studying."

"How did he do?" Hermione asked.

"Five O's, four E's, one A," Hannah said promptly.

"It must be love," Ginny giggled. "I can't believe you know what he got in his O.W.Ls."

"Well, don't you?" Hannah asked in surprise.

"No," Ginny said. "I know Harry passed them all. I probably would've known his marks backwards and forwards before we started going out. Hannah, I'm going to say something you might not want to hear. . ."

Hannah nodded for Ginny to go on.

"You know a lot about Ernie, or so it seems. Do you actually know Ernie? As a person, I mean? I knew a lot about Harry, even going back to when I was about five or six, but I didn't really know him until much later, maybe not even until last summer. I wasted a lot of time. You don't have to."

"Ginny's right," Hermione said. "I was very lucky with Ron. We knew each other so well that we didn't really have any problems when we started going out. It's nice to have my boyfriend be my best friend as well.

"But I wouldn't worry about it tonight. A good night's sleep is what you need, or at least a good night lying awake thinking about tomorrow, which is what I think Ginny managed last year. Tomorrow morning, though, I want to come down to breakfast and find you sitting there, chatting to Ernie about nothing at all. Just getting to know him better."

"She may be bossy, but she's right," Ginny said. "Even about me not sleeping last year. You'll be fine tomorrow. Trust us. If you do need any help, get us to come over, okay? But you'll be great."

"We should be going," Hermione said. "It's lights out in a few minutes."

Hannah nodded. "It's a lot to think about," she said. "You're right, though. I should get to know him better. I might have a crush on someone who doesn't really exist."

"Ernie's a nice guy," Hermione said. "You might find something even better than you imagined once you get to know him."

"I know I did," Ginny said, as the girls walked out of the room.

*

"Is she okay?" Ron asked. The four teenagers had met up for a last glass of water before going to their rooms.

"I think she will be," Hermione replied. "How was. . ."

"Ernie?" Harry asked. Hermione nodded, and he went on. "Quiet. He's usually pretty easy to hear, but I think he's thinking about other stuff right now."

"Yeah, something with blonde hair and pigtails," Ron said quietly. Hermione smiled to herself, pleased that Ron was learning to be more considerate of others.

"It's quite sweet, really," Ginny said. "They say that the path of true love never runs smooth." She smiled, and reached out for Harry's hand, but he reached for his glass at the last second and drained it without noticing her.

"I guess not. Not in their case, anyway," he said. He smiled at Hermione and Ginny. "See you in the morning, I 'spose." He stood, and walked away from the table, climbing up the stairs to his and Ron's room.

"Is Harry okay?" Hermione asked.

"Just tired, I think," Ron said. "He seemed okay earlier. Did you hear him talking to Hagrid?"

The girls shook their heads.

"I only caught a bit of it, but he was saying about having people looking up to him, about how it gets to him sometimes, and he reckons this year even more people will be doing it. He said something like that to me when we heard about the prophecy a few weeks ago."

"Well, Harry has had a lot to deal with," Hermione said. "It's not surprising that he's a bit tired of it. We just have to be there if he needs us to be."

"I wish he'd talk to us about it if he is feeling bad," Ginny said. "Sometimes I just think there's a part of himself that he always keeps locked away."

"He's been like that as long as I've known him," Ron said. "I guess it's the way he was brought up, those ruddy Muggles."

Hermione nodded sadly. "He never really had anyone who appreciated him, who cared for him unconditionally. Sometimes he just sits there, looking around at everyone, and its like he doesn't feel like he belongs, like any second now everyone's going to turn on him."

Ginny bit her lip. "He must know that's not true," she said. "He's Harry. He's the best friend anyone could have."

"We know, Gin," Ron said heavily. "But it's not the sort of thing you can say to Harry, is it? ''Scuse me Harry, you know we think you're great, don't you?' He'd think we were barking."

"I'll just have to show him," Ginny said. "I'll make him realise that he has people who care about him, who love him, that he doesn't need to always be the one who sets an example, or whatever. Just being Harry is enough."

Hermione nodded. "You're right, of course, but Harry thinks that being Harry Potter means that he does have to be that example. I'm not sure that anything any of us can say will change that."