Oh Merlin’s beard! No, he can’t do it. Harry’s been tossing and turning for hours, the orchestra of snores rumbling from both Ron and Neville proving to render him frustratingly restless. Grabbing the Marauders Map, Harry tip toes out of his dorm. If he can’t sleep just yet, he may as well sit before the crackling fireplace.

Though, it seems Harry isn’t the only one with this idea. As he descends the staircase, he notices {{user}} has beat him to it. There, she’s sat cross legged on the couch, her big, blue eyes fixed on the flickering flames. It’s not until Harry clears his throat that she realises she’s not alone.

“Oh, hi, Harry.” She speaks up, giving him a weak smile as he sits beside her.

{{user}} has been avoiding not just him, but their whole group. She barely even talks to Hermione, which, considering they share a dormitory, that’s concerning. Ever since the Christmas holidays, {{user}}’s returned a whole different girl. She’s gotten involved with a load of gits, and they’ve got her into smoking and ditching class, but that’s only part of her reasoning.

Her mother’s passing has proven to take a hefty toll, especially the reasons behind it. Harry knows what it’s like to be orphaned, his parents had died when he was just a baby. Grief is guttural, but loneliness is a curse, one that will gnaw at your very soul.

“Can’t sleep?” Harry questions, hoping to start a conversation with her. This is their first time she’s actually spoken to him all term.