When We Just Began - *Prequel to Shy*

Just the Beginning

 Harry woke up the next morning at an earlier time than usual considering it was a Saturday of all days. He rubbed the grogginess from his eyes and placed his glasses on. Sitting up, he peered outside the tower window. The sky was fading from the dark early morning blue to a pale grey.

 He then looked around the room to see if anyone else had awaken as early as he. No luck. Dean, Seamus, and Neville were still fast asleep and his ginger haired friend, Ron, was unconscious with occassional snores escaping him.

 Harry groaned quietly and flopped back down onto his pillow pulling his bed sheets over him and staring at the ceiling trying to lull himself to sleep. However his mind was wide awake and he couldn't drift back into another peaceful slumber.

 Finally he had come to the conclusion that he should just get up. If he could take his time while getting ready, maybe by then one of his room mates would be up. So, he took his sweet time while brushing his teeth and bathing, making sure that he was entirely clean. He even put more effort into trying to get his hair to stay flat on his head.

 However when Harry had finally finished, not one of his room mates had awaken. Were they really these deep of sleepers? Then he thought that Hermione may be up already, probably getting ahead on lessons or whatever Hermione does when she's got spare time.

 That thought in mind, he set off to the Common Room. Sadly, when Harry had arrived in the cozy area, Hermione wasn't sitting on the couch, in one of the armchairs, or at the study tables. 

 "Oh! Good morning Mr. Potter!" one of the portraits on the wall greeted Harry. It was of a man sitting cross-legged in a plush maroon armchair, he seemed to be posing for the portrait.

 "Morning." Harry said simply. He dropped onto one of the couches. Why had he waken up so early? It wasn't nearly as easy waking up early on other days as it was today.

 As he stared at the high ceiling of the Common Room somebody else had walked in. Once she set foot into the room she stared at him as he was lazily sitting on the couch. Should she say something? Start a conversation? How could she when she wasn't particularly social when it came to talking with others?

 With a tilt backwards of Harry's head he finally caught sight of her as she stood awkwardly across the room.

 "Hi." he greeted quickly sitting up and turning around so he could make eye contact.

 "Did you just get up?" he asked. She seemed a little timid since she wouldn't look him in the eyes. She nodded in response.

 "How long have you been standing there?" questioned Harry. She shrugged, it was kind of obvious that she wasn't planning on speaking. Harry, however, was determined to get her to finally speak. By the looks of it she didn't have any friends, so why not be the first?

 "You can come sit down if you'd like." he motioned to the vacant spot beside him. "We could talk for a bit. Everyone I know is still sleeping." with a hesitant expression Leah cautiously sat down beside Harry.

 There was a pregnant pause as they sat there, in the Common Room, all alone. The rhythmic ticking of the grandfather clock's arms counting off each second echoed throughout the room. They both just sat there awkwardly sitting. Harry tried to think of something to talk about but it was difficult. He didn't know anything about Leah so how was he supposed to carry on a conversation with her. Finally Harry managed to figure out a topic which was general enough.

 "Did you finish the homework?" Maybe she would respond? It was worth a shot.

 She nodded looking a bit relieved.

 Harry smiled "Great! I need some help with Transfiguration. Could you, you know, help me?" he asked a bit sheepishly. He was never great at Transfiguration and he was having trouble with the previous lesson.