Freedom is fleeting || Prisoner of Azkaban || Ch 7
“Happy birthday Hermione.” Harry congratulated one more time before heading off to bed. She smiled back at him and went her own way. They didn’t do much for her birthday, she didn’t want too ‘It’s only my 14th’ she stated like it didn’t matter one bit to her. He understood, it may be for different reasons but she didn’t enjoy her birthdays either.
-.-.-.-
Divinations was a wreck, especially for the first thing on a Monday morning.
Harry had woken up nicely and done his morning routine in peace, made soft convocation with Neville through their study time before breakfast when lavender had joined them at the table, she had offered Harry to join her and Parvati in Divinations since they could see he was struggling. Harry had thought to take them up on that offer only to be half strangled back to the table by Ron claiming “Where are you going mate? You can’t leave me here with that Crazy killer cat lady!” He laughed as he spoke too but Harry caught the sorry glances Lavender and Parvati had given him – ah so they did have ulterior motives – he waved them an apology and sat down, adjusting his tie and robes as he listened to two of the golden trio argue. His head in his hand he wrote notes best he could, it was hard to take Divination seriously without having sight but Harry truly wanted to learn.
They had started to give Harry a headache throughout the day, Harry knew it was bad when not even Hagrid’s lesson could cheer him up. Little did he know someone happened to notice and decided not to pick a fight. Instead opting to watch the boy secretly.
It was for the best, they thought, someone will have to catch him if he passes out and none of these twats have noticed just how faint he looks.
They watched until Transfiguration when McGonagall sent him to the medical wing for a pepper up potion, until they knew he was safe. And watched cautiously when he sat closer to the back with Neville, who didn’t say a word, instead of the fighting duo at the front of the room.
Lunch rolled around and Harry had had it. He went to the dorms as quickly as he could and grabbed his invisibility clock. He’d rather not eat then have to listen to them anymore. The library was empty, minus Madam Prince and…Malfoy? Who is that with him? Shoot, stay under the cloak. The blond girl was wearing some weird looking glasses that almost glowed a blue and pink hue, she looked up, made eye contact and winked at him. Harry – startled – just winked back and ran to a table near the back where no one could see him. What-?
“Luna no, if you do that the potion will explode” It was a fond tone, Harry had to assume it was familial.
“Oh!” she- Luna. Giggled. “Sorry Draco! I just prefer the colour it would changed to” Her voice was so dreamy Harry vaguely wondered if she was a siren, He was drawn to listen to the two blonds talk in cloud like tones while he studied, his headache gone.
~
By the time potions rolled around at the end of the day Harry had been without the other 2 for hours and was surprised, albeit disgusted by, just how happy it made him. Don’t get him wrong, he loves them really but they were getting on his nerves recently.
Snape had the cauldrons set up and had decided to torture them by picking the partners himself, Harry couldn’t find it n himself to be upset when he got put with Malfoy. Instead choosing to shut up completely and do as the blond said and getting a perfect potion as a result. A blessing disguised as a curse. Obviously while Malfoy couldn’t complain, he was confused and pleasantly surprised by how efficient the 2 of the working together was, especially when he misspoke and instead of laughing or making a point on it, Harry had done the right thing anyway – like he understood what Malfoy had meant.
~
Double potions was over and Harry hadn’t eaten since breakfast so he strolled leisurely over to the dining hall when he was stopped by Ron, “Tough luck mate being partnered with Malfoy.” His nose scrunched up like he had said a slur. “You’re a better man then me, I’m telling you, I would’ve complained and complained!” He barked a laugh and smacked Harry’s back. Harry stumbled from the force, the headache he had just gotten rid of creeping it's way back and picked up his pace. He opened his mouth ready to speak however-
“Oh you should’ve seen poor Scabbers earlier! That crusty cat must have gotten him again! I swear I’m going to kill-“
Harry tuned him out in favour for the scuffling of shoes on the floor.
“Harry!”
He turned to see who had said it, who brought him out of his very pleasant daydream. When he noticed however, he was more than grateful.
“Oh hey Nev!”
-.-.-.-
Harry’s life continues for a few weeks, nothing bad happening, nothing great either. Everything was just mildly pleasant as he looked after himself, hung out with Neville and avoided Ron and Hermione.
Then the Hogsmeade trip rolled around and Harry wasn’t allowed to go. “If the consent form wasn’t signed by a parent or guardian you cannot go. Since I am neither it would be inappropriate!” and Harry wanted to scream, ‘YOU’RE MEANT TO BE’ or ‘YES YOU ARE!’ but he said neither, opting to stay silent, she didn’t know – no one told her, it wasn’t her fault. Neville, bless his heart, offered to stay with him but Harry insisted he went and had fun. So an hour later while Harry was strolling the castle he found himself on the bridge.
Looking through the perfectly cut windows over the lake that surrounded the school, Harry was approached by Professor Lupin, the man that saved his life. The man that was so familiar Harry could feel it, His magic telling him it knows this man and he should too.
“You have questions, I believe I have the answers too.”