Percy Jackson and the Department of Mysteries

120) Yay Hermione (:

It felt like Harry was living in a different universe.

The rest of us would eat meals in the kitchen, hang out in the living room, and just generally talk to each other.

Harry stayed in bed even as the rest of us started putting up Christmas decorations. He didn't even bother to come out and listen to Sirius sing Christmas songs (the only good rendition being Baby It's Cold Outiside).

"Harry, do you want to come put up ornaments? I made one for you, it's you riding a broom. It doesn't really look like a broom, and it really doesn't look like you, but it's the thought that counts, right?" I peeked my head into the room, staring at the lump on the bed. It just rose and fell with Harry's breaths, but I knew he was awake.

I hesitated, then said, "Do you want to... talk about it? I'd be happy to listen —"

"No, Percy."

"Okay," I said, feeling strangely as if I were knocking on my sister's door, asking to build a snowman. "Bye..."

The others looked up at me with expectant faces, and all collectively groaned when I shook my head.

"I just don't understand what's got him so down," Mrs. Weasley breathed out worriedly. "Arthur's going to be all right!"

"He'll come around," I said, not quite sure of it. What could I say to reassure him? The truth? That'd make him feel worse. A lie? He'd known me since before Hogwarts, he'd be able to tell. There wasn't anything I could do. Nothing anyone could do.

Finally, at six, there was a knock at the door.

"She's here!" I shot up, running to the door, ignoring Walburga's temper tantrum. I practically tore the door of its hinges, grinning at Hermione's stunned face.

"That was fast," Hermione said, blinking. Her cheeks were pink and snow blanketed her hair.

"Thanks! Hi!" I pulled her inside and shut the door. "It's been awkward and weird, and I expect for you to fix it."

"Why should I?" Hermione said, already peering up the stairs, ready to fix it.

"Because none of us have the capacity to initiate serious conversation," I shrugged, taking her bags from her and setting them by the stairs. "Now, come on, he's in his room. Ron! Ginny!"

"He won't answer it," Ron said from behind me as I held up my fist to knock. "I've tried."

"He'll answer," I smiled. I then promptly started banging rapidly against the door, very loudly (still barely heard over Walburga's screeches). All while chanting, "HARRY! HARYY! HARRIET PORBER! OPEEEEENNNN UUUUUUUUP!"

A second later and then door opened, an unkempt (hungry) Harry staring back at us. His eyes landed on Hermione, "What are you doing here? I thought you were skiing with your mum and dad." Harry didn't look pleased to be forced by social convention to let us in.

"I told them I'd rather focus on my studies, that that's what all the good students at Hogwarts were doing," Hermione sat herself on the edge of Harry's bed, casually patting at the snow on her head. "I came on the Knight Bus. Dumbledore told me what had happened first thing yesterday morning, but I had to wait for term to end officially before setting off. Umbridge is already livid that you lot disappeared right under her nose, even though Dumbledore told her Mr. Weasley was was in St. Mungo's, and he'd given you all permission to visit. So..." she trailed off, then looked up at Harry. "How're you feeling?"

"Fine," Harry said flatly.

"Oh, don't lie, Harry," Hermione shook her head. "Ron, Percy, and Ginny say you've been hiding from everyone since you got back from St. Mungo's."

"They do, do they?" Harry glared at us. Ron looked at his feet and Ginny raised an unimpressed eyebrow.

"Well, you have!" I said. "And you won't look at any of us!"

"It's you lot who won't look at me!" Harry scowled, though he'd been clearly looking away from us.

"Maybe you're taking it in turns to look and keep missing each other," Hermione's mouth twitched as he refrained from smiling.

"Very funny," Harry frowned.

"Oh, stop feeling all misunderstood," Hermione sighed. "Look, the others have told me what you overheard last night on the Extendable Ears —"

"Yeah?" Harry turned to look at the window so he wouldn't have to look at any of us. "All been talking about me, have you? Well, I'm getting used to it..."

"We wanted to talk to you, Harry," Ginny said, "but as you've been hiding ever since we got back —"

"I didn't want anyone to talk to me," Harry prickled.

"Well, that was a bit stupid of you," Ginny's eyes darkened, "seeing as you don't know anyone but me who's been possessed by You-Know-Who, and I can tell you how it feels."

Harry stilled, then turned to look at her. "I forgot."

"Lucky you," Ginny said heavily.

"I'm sorry," Harry said genuinely. "So... so do you think I'm being possessed, then?"

"Well, can you remember everything you've been doing?" Ginny asked. "Are there big blank periods where you don't know what you've been up to?"

Harry looked thoughtful, "No."

"Then You-Know-Who hasn't ever possessed you," Ginny concluded. "When he did it to me, I couldn't remember what I'd been doing for hours at a time. I'd find myself somewhere and not know how I got there."

"The dream I had about your dad and the snake, though —"

"Harry, you've had these dreams before," Hermione said. "You had flashes of what Voldemort was up to last year."

"This was different," Harry shook his head. "I was inside that snake. It was like I was the snake.... What if Voldemort somehow transported me to London —?"

"One day," Hermione said, exasperated, "you'll read Hogwarts: A History, and perhaps that will remind you that you can't Apparate or Disapparate inside Hogwarts. Even Voldemort couldn't just make you fly out of your dormitory, Harry."

"You didn't leave your bed, mate," Ron nodded. "I saw you thrashing around in your sleep about a minute before we could wake you up..."

Harry sat on the bed, twiddling his thumbs. After a moment, a soft, almost invisible smile showed on his face.

"So," I said, unable to stop myself from smiling. "Who's down for ravioli?"

Last day in Alabama. It wasn't intentional, but I only ended up at the beach (other than today) once. We didn't go down there too often, and I even less. Like... three times. Yesterday... I don't know what we did yesterday. Looked for sunglasses I think? We ate at this Mexican restaurant that has a name really similar to our Mexican restaurant and there was this guy singing. He was really cool, played Prince and Beegees and Johnny Cash and took a request from my family. He sang Sweet Caroline, and the whole restaurant had people singing, and I am not pleased. The dude was great, though. This lady would also sing sometimes, and my baby cousin just adored her. He was great. Favorite place I've eaten. Today we went parasailing. And by we I mean not me. I'm not doing that no no no. They paid for five parasailers and an observer, so I was just going to stay on the beach. My aunt wore pants though so I ended up being the observer. We rode in this banana boat tube thing to the boat, in which we all struggled to get on, but my grandmother the most. It was amusing in a sad way. Like when people fall. Kadee fell on a guy, and my cousin high fived a guy who was trying to help her. I had a kid guess I was 13. Close. Just four years off. We ate lunch at this place that throws rolls at you. They were really good rolls. If I ever meet any of you guys, you have my permission to throw rolls at me. Toss bread like I'm a duck eagerly awaiting your blessing. I am a duck. Give me your blessing.

Anyway, I hope you guys have had a productive Friday, and I'll see you on Sunday CT. Love ya!