He chants I don't care in his head until he begins to think he believes it.

New staff. Don't care.

Lupin's teaching Care of Magical Creatures. Don't care.

Hagrid's away. Don't care.

Triwizard Tournament. Don't care.

Bloody Beauxbatons. Don't care.

Bloody Durmstrang. Don't care.

Malfoy is staring. Don't care.

Snape's glare is murderous. Don't care.

McGonagall looks furious. Don't care.

Dumbledore's done, finally, and food appears. He chokes it down.

He dares to look around, and doesn't see a single friendly face until Lupin gives him a small smile.

It's not nearly enough.

It terrifies him to know he does care.