It was a strange bridge upon which Harry found himself seated. Much like Ron's families house, it seemed to be held together by magic, as there was no other explanation as to why it stood. A space in the railing where a few boards were knocked out allowed him to hang his feet over the edge while he watched as the sun made it's way below a patch of western mountains.

He had been there for the better part of the afternoon after parting ways with Ron and Hermione. Alone and in solace, Harry had spent his voluntary seclusion lost in thought. His world was a mixed blessing. Hanging between the balance of the muggle world and the wizard world, Harry was privy to insight on both sides, and he felt awkwardly out of place in both-- like a puzzle piece that almost fits but in the end is slightly misshapen.

There was no middle ground for him. He couldn't be 'just Harry'. He was either no one in the muggle world, or the center of attention in the wizard world. Just once it'd be nice to come to school at Hogwarts and go to his classes and play quiditch like any other student. No one trying to kill him, no Voldemort, no Umbridge, no article's in the Daily Prophet featuring him, just- him… Harry… a student at Hogwarts like any other. As a muggle-born, simply being a wizard was amazing enough; he didn't have to be a celebrity… Why was nothing ever simple?..

The sun had dropped behind the mountain peaks leaving a cast of fiery rays of red and orange reaching through the clouds shading the sky in a lovely shade of pink. The valley below however had already been swallowed in shadow and Harry knew it wouldn't be long before the final light was cast and the sky would fade to black, exposing the galaxies of stars' that hid behind the atmosphere during daylight.

Dinner would have already been well under way in the great hall, and Harry was sure that both Ron and Hermione were worried about him. He didn't exactly like the idea of worrying them, but he needed to be alone. Out here it was just him and his thoughts-- out here, he could be 'just Harry'.

- - - - - - -

It was approaching curfew when Harry emerged from Myrtle's bathroom once again-- this time female. Myrtle was thankfully absent, though as to where she had disappeared to Harry hadn't a clue.

It didn't take her long to find herself face to face with the fat-lady to whom she whispered the password and carefully let herself in through the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. Only a couple of people still occupied the dimly lit room, both using the light of the great hearth to finish what looked like a bit of homework. Harry couldn't tell if they had even seen her, but given what little light they had, she doubted much if they could even make out who she was should they have cared.

She passed by without hesitation up the stairs to the girls' dorms and up the spiral staircase to her new room, and without a second thought pushed her way inside. What she found made her nearly miss a step. The room was occupied… At her entrance, the eyes of three girl's getting ready for bed met her own. Ginny Weasley, Katie Bell, and the young second year who had flown with her earlier, Natalie… Natalie McDonald Harry thought was her name. "I'm sorry-" Harry said hesitantly. "I, uh- must've come to the wrong room."

Harry backpedaled through the door she had just come through, feeling a little embarrassed, until she heard, "Harry!"

Harry poked her head back through the door and found Hermione's head sticking out from behind the curtains of a four-poster. "This -is- you're room," she said with a vaguely concealed smile.

Harry's attention bounced uncertainly to each of the faces she was certain were not there the night before.

"Were your new roomies," Ginny smiled.

"That is, until you try to molest us like you did Lavender last night," Katie giggled.

Harry's eyes widened and she found herself stammering as she searched for the right words, "That was- I mean, I didn't… It was an accident! I mean not an accident to molest Lavender, because I didn't… Obviously, I mean… It was a misunderstanding and-"

All four of the girls began laughing heartily, "Harry," Ginny said through her elation. "She's just joking! We know you didn't molest Lavender," she gave another burst of laughter.

"Well that's good," Harry said, not finding the joke. "Because I didn't you know!"

The laughter carried for a moment more before the girl's finally settled down and Hermione turned her attention on Harry, "Professor McGonagall had to find room for the three who left last night, apparently they feel a little awkward sharing a room with you, girl or no."

"And you three?" Harry asked of her new roommates.

"The situation is a bit strange," Katie admitted. "But we've flown enough together for you to have my trust."

"I'd sleep with you even as a boy," Ginny said a bit prematurely, only just realizing what she had said. Her eyes went wide as the three other girls burst into a fit of laughter. "I didn't mean you know- like that. I was just saying I trust Harry! You know what I mean!" Ginny shouted indignantly.

"Oh yeah," Katie said wiping the tears from her eyes. "We know -exactly- what you mean!"

Harry felt a blush at the implications, despite however out of context they may be. Once the laughter again began to die, Harry turned her attention to the girl Natalie. "And you?" She asked, leaving her question hanging.

Natalie smiled faintly "I just want to see how it all turns out." She said enigmatically.

"How what turns out?" Harry asked puzzled.

"Oh you know- 'just want to see what happens. Exciting things seem to happen around you."

"Yes thrilling," Harry said sarcastically.

"Well you wanted to know," The second year stated flatly.

I did at that, Harry thought silently. At least the three girl's seemed fine with these new sleeping arangements. Harry hoped they could get around as much awkwardness as possible, otherwise she didn't see herself sleeping very well for the remainder of the year.

Finally she turned her attention on Hermione. Having heard the other three girl's assurances, she remembered that she hadn't actually ever heard how Hermione felt about all this. "What about you?" She asked simply.

"What do you mean, 'what about me'?" Hermione asked honestly.

"Yeah, what about you Hermione," Katie asked. "We never got your opinion."

"Harry's my friend," Hermione answered simply. "I guess you could say I'm with Ginny."

"Oh so you'd sleep with Harry as a boy?" Katie snickered. Ginny's eyes narrowed.

"Wouldn't that be interesting," Hermione said blankly, before finally adding, "Well then, good night," and pulling her curtains shut.

The three girls exchanged slightly stunned expressions, but Harry was certain that behind her curtains Hermione was having a silent laugh at their expense. At least-- she hoped...