the Potters have made me their Secret-Keeper and then came another voice, laughing shrilly, the same laugh that Harry heard inside his head whenever the dementors drew near.... 

"Harry, you -- you look terrible." 

Harry hadn't gotten to sleep until daybreak. He had awoken to find the dormitory deserted, dressed, and gone down the spiral staircase to a common room that was completely empty except for Ron, who was eating a Peppermint Toad and massaging his stomach, and Hermione, who had spread her homework over three tables. 

"Where is everyone?" said Harry.

 "Gone! It's the first day of the holidays, remember?" said Ron, watching Harry closely. "It's nearly lunchtime; I was going to come and wake you up in a minute." 

"Amelia left last night with the other students. Her dad got time off from work, so they are celebrating Christmas on time this year. She left Sharptooth in our care well she is away," said Hermione. Harry saw a slowly rising and falling lump on Hermione's side hidden under her shirt, knowing that Sharptooth must be asleep.

Harry slumped into a chair next to the fire. Snow was still falling outside the windows. Crookshanks was spread out in front of the fire like a large, ginger rug. 

"You really don' look well, you know," Hermione said, peering anxiously into his face. 

"I'm fine," said Harry. 

"Harry, listen," said Hermione, exchanging a look with Ron, you must be really upset about what we heard yesterday. But the thing is, you mustn't go doing anything stupid."

 "Like what?" said Harry. 

"Like trying to go after Black," said Ron sharply.

 Harry could tell they had rehearsed this conversation while he had been asleep. He didn't say anything. 

"You won't, will you, Harry?" said Hermione.