Harry, Hermione and Ron walked into the Great Hall for breakfast the next morning. Ron was still being sour about his room assignments, but Hermione didn't seem to mind. As they walked up to the Gryffindor table, Dean and Seamus were whispering about something, but stopped when the trio walked up and sat down next to them. Normally, Harry would have gotten suspicious and asked them about it or something along the lines, but he had hardly even noticed them. He was more focused on staying awake.

Harry hadn't slept in at least two weeks. He couldn't, he got nightmares everytime, filling him with more guilt and grief than thought possible. The problem with not sleeping, was that he could hardly keep his eyes open anymore. Countless times, he'd almost fallen asleep during meals with the Weasley's.

Harry's head had almost his the table as he began drifting off again, but Hermione caught him at the last second. "Harry, you really should be getting more sleep. Have you tried the Dreamless Sleep potion?"

"Doesn't work," he mumbled, getting up to leave the Hall.

"Wait, Harry! You haven't eaten anything yet!"

"I'll get something from the kitchens," he lied. "See you in class."

She sighed as he walked out, before engaging in conversation with Ginny.

-----------------------------

Harry walked around the school, just going where his feet were taking him. Eventually he ended up by the lake. It reminded him a bit too much of the one he almost died in less than a year ago. It had been a freezing, icy lake, that he'd almost drowned in. He would have to, if Ron hadn't saved him. Harry was starting to think Ron should have just left him there.

He sat down in the grass, feeling a small morning breeze in the air. It smelled like it was going to rain, which was a bit odd since the sky was nearly clear, hardly a cloud in sight. Harry didn't mind though, he loved the smell of rain, it was so...calming. He took a deep whiff of it, then sighed.

He heard a stick or something break behind him, and he jumped. "Sorry!" Someone said quickly. "I didn't think anyone would be here." Harry turned around and saw Malfoy standing there, looking quite red in the face.

"Malfoy?"

"Sorry." He breathed again before turning to leave.

"Where're you going?"

"Well, I don't want to be a bother."

"Nonsense." Harry replied, looking at him like he was crazy. "When have you ever been a bother?"

Malfoy looked at him like he was insane. "Do you really want me to answer that? Do you not remember our first six years of Hogwarts? Do you not remember right now?"

"But your not bothering me. Your being completely civil right now, and I have decided that the first six years between us never happened."

"Ok." Malfoy bit back a smile. Harry stood up and walked over to him, him stomach twisting, though he wasn't sure why. Nerves, probably.

"Hello, I'm Scarhead," Harry said, holding out his hand.

"Pleased to meet you Scarhead," the blond said, taking his hand. "I'm ferret."

Harry smiled, remembering fourth year. "What a lovely name. Shall we?" he asked, gesturing toward the castle.

"We shall." They walked off to their first class, laughing and talking all the way.

------------------------------