Dragons

Around eleven thirty that night, two figures appeared outside the castle.

Eli and Harry had agreed not to meet inside the castle. It was too risky. If either of them had to wait, they might run into Peeves, who would bring Filch, the punishment fanatic, down on them.

"What took you so long, Eli? Good grief, you look awful. Did you get into a fight?"

When Harry saw Eli drop the Disillusionment Charm, he noticed that Eli's usually handsome face looked as though it had aged several years overnight.

Eli was listless, almost as bad as Harry had been a few days ago when anxiety had kept him awake.

"I'm fine. Let's go." Eli seemed reluctant to speak, as though even talking would drain his strength.

Harry hurriedly bundled the Invisibility Cloak under his arm. He could use the Disillusionment Charm now, but the cloak was easier.

"Shouldn't you get that checked out? By Madam Pomfrey?" Harry asked as they walked down the path. They always took this route to Hagrid's Hut, and even in the pitch dark, they could find their footing easily.

Eli took a deep breath. "No need to trouble Madam Pomfrey... She can't fix this."

Harry thought it over carefully. Whatever conclusion he reached, he sounded surprised. "Is it still about Hermione?"

"It's not a what. It's a who." Eli kept his answer short. Harry really was terrible at comforting people. All he knew how to do was ask questions, and hearing that name brought another wave of exhaustion over Eli.

Understanding dawned on Harry. He tilted his head toward the sky with a world-weary expression, the sort that might occasionally appear on Dumbledore's face.

"Just like Ron and me, right? I don't know what's got into him. It's like I don't even know him anymore.