86 Allegiances Shift

Harry stood just outside the Beauxbatons Carriage, watching as Ron, Hermione, Seamus, Dean, and the rest of the fourth year Gryffindors came closer towards him. He was certain that they would be asking for forgiveness, as they had no other reason to come to him. He already decided how he would be handling the situation, and it was in a way that both Salazar and apparently Fleur would approve of.

Neither of his two best friends had told him about the dragons, which Harry was beginning to suspect they knew about. After all, Hagrid had told him that he asked Ron to talk to him, telling him to visit Hagrid after dark. When that had finally happened (no thanks to Ronald), Harry had learnt what he would be facing in the task.

Even if Harry was wrong about that, Ron would have still known about the dragons in a different way. He had recognized Charlie as one of the dragon handlers in the Forbidden Forest - he had been the man talking to Hagrid. Harry also knew that Charlie often sent letters to Ron, complete with detailed descriptions of whatever he was up to at the moment.

But if Harry were to ignore the entire dragon incident, there would still be issues. Both of his friends had jealousy issues: Ron of his wealth and fame, and Hermione of his improvement in classes. Neither of them had made sense to Harry.

He had never had access to his wealth, and had lived most of his life thinking he was a nobody. Even now, the only thing he had ever used his money for was school supplies, as well as a few ingredients for the rituals he and Hedwig had taken. If Harry was being honest, he doubted he would ever use so much as a percent of his wealth. He was more than content with settling down in a small cottage in a remote village, or something similar. That was how the Weasleys lived, that was how his parents had lived - he was more than willing to do the same.

As for his improvement in school, Harry had only been improving in practical work; his written work had remained as worthless as ever (something Snape had often reminded him of). He hadn't exactly attended any classes in quite a while, however, so there might be a chance that he had improved his writing. For some odd reason, he highly doubted it.

Harry had always been better than Hermione when it came to using magic. The only reason she might have thought otherwise is because she practiced each spell hundreds of times. Harry, on the other hand, didn't practice at all. This had led to Hermione seemingly being better at using magic than Harry was.

Regardless, Harry could no longer handle being around them. Ron had been causing him to act lazy, a luxury Harry could not afford if he wanted to increase in power and skill. As for Hermione, Harry had a feeling that he would do better without her. She cared about him a great deal - Harry was not blind enough to not notice it - but she certainly had a funny way of showing it.

Harry had simply decided he no longer wanted to spend his time around them. They were no longer people he could trust with his life, no longer people he could count on. They had left him when he needed them most. Harry would have to make new friends, people whom he knew would never waver as Ron and Hermione had.

Perhaps, given time, the two of them would improve. Harry did not truly expect them to resolve their flaws, such a thing was irrational. He himself had flaws, flaws which he would be unlikely to resolve. They would never be as close as they had once been, Harry knew that. But all of that was something that would occur in the distant future, both a long and short time from now.

As for the others, Harry would do the same. None of them had been there when he needed them. He would not be forgiving them simply because they finally learnt how to use their brains and think logically. Besides, he barely knew most of them.

He would, however, accept an apology from the three chasers. They were the only ones who did not ostracize him with the others, even if they didn't necessarily talk to him. They should have been the worst, considering that Angelina and Alicia had been trying to enter. Yet they still made a point to smile at him the few times they had spotted him roaming the halls, something he appreciated. Regardless, he would not be seeking them out; if they wanted to talk to him, they would have to find him.

The same could be said for Neville Longbottom. Harry had been able to tell that the timid Gryffindor had believed him the entire time, and had merely remained quiet due to his shy and nervous nature. As with the chasers, Neville would have to seek Harry out himself.

"Harry, you did brilliantly!" said Hermione as the many Gryffindor students finally reached him.

Most of the fourth years bent over slightly, panting from exhaustion.

"Listen, mate." said Ron seriously, "We believe you. We don't think you put your name in the goblet."

There was a moment of silence between the trio, which was eventually broken by Harry.

"Isn't that what I've been saying for weeks?" he asked coldly.

The Gryffindors all flinched as though they had been struck.

"Yeah, but we were being stubborn and all that. We weren't thinking right, even though we should have been. What we're trying to say is, we're sorry."

Harry shook his head at Dean, who had just spoken.

"When I needed you most, you weren't there." noted Harry, "Now that I'm doing better, you've suddenly come back."

"Harry, please!" whispered Hermione, a lone tear falling from her cheek.

But Harry had already walked away, heading back to the Chamber of Secrets. Best to keep it short and sweet (if sweet was even an appropriate description).

Maybe Salazar and I can throw an afterparty.