Helium | Harry J. Potter

08

The following day, Alura was walking with Blaise to her first class when she saw Cedric and Cho leaning against the wall in a deep conversation. Alura recognized his smile, his eyes; they were the eyes he used to look at her with. Alura tried so hard to hate Cedric, but she couldn't. It was that she hated the most. His reason for breaking up with her was justified; she couldn't find a reason to be mad. Just as Blaise was about to say something, they arrived at the potions classroom. Blaise separated from Alura to sit at his assigned seat with Goyle. Alura went to sit at her assigned seat with Theo.

Snape stormed down the aisle, his robes flying behind him. He looked angrier than usual, and that says a lot. "It has been required that I assign you seats with the opposite house..." he began.

Draco's hand was the first to fly in the air. After Snape approving him to talk, he said, "and who was this approved by? My father will-"

"Please shut up," Harry grumbled. His hands were clenched into a fist, and his veins popped out.

Draco was shocked that Harry had replied to his comment. Throughout their years at Hogwarts, Harry had never once retaliated against him except once in first year. Snape glared at Harry before continuing,

"Dolores Umbridge." Snape clearly was disgusted by the name coming out of his mouth. He cleared his throat, "the partners that you worked with on the essays will be your new desk mate. So everyone, please rearrange quickly. If you worked with a person in the same house as you, you are allowed to pick your desk mate."

Blaise let out an audible groan before reluctantly going to Ron's table. Harry knew Alura was going to pick up the conversation that he'd left in the middle of, although he hoped she'd respect his wishes to not talk about it.

The truth is, the stinging when he sliced his so-called fragile skin felt good, deserving almost. What had happened in the graveyard drove him over the edge. He tried to feel something, but he'd only felt anger and numbness. Nothing else. When he first began cutting, he didn't feel what he wanted to, causing him to do it more and more until his entire arm was covered in scars. Although Harry doubted Alura was going to tell anybody, he couldn't help but think of what everyone's reactions would be, most importantly Stefan's.

JULY 12TH 1995

Stefan heard wincing from Harry's room as he walked past it. Wanting to make sure he was okay, he opened the door. Harry had a wet rag soaking on his arm as his eyes darted up. A look of worry came across Stefan's face as he shut the door and sat next to Harry.

"What happened?" he asked worriedly.

"Nothing. Just an accident," Harry quickly made up.

Stefan's eyes drifted to the bloody razor on his desk. A look of realization came to him.

"I promise this is my last time," Harry said as he noticed Stefan's look.

"Yeah, I told myself that too when I was your age," said Stefan.

"Look, I know you're gonna say something like, "it's okay to be sad," or some shit like that. So say it and get out, please."

"Since you asked so politely, no," he answered. "I understand if you don't want to talk to Sirius or me, but you should talk to somebody. I can't say that I know what you're going through, but I can always be here to listen." Stefan patted Harry's knee and began to leave before Harry stopped him.