Let Memories Unfold

Chapter 6

Harry awoke feeling empty. The previous day had taken a serious toll on him and his body felt it, mainly his head that pounded against Harry's best interests. As he leaned himself up from his bed, whilst pleased to not have classes as it was a Saturday, he couldn't help but feel worn out. The lesson had gone terrible, as predicted, but it had given Harry true confirmation that regardless of what his teacher saw in his mind, he didn't care for it.

Harry knew, deep down that no one would really care and merely find it laughable or something like that, but to have it spat in his face so decidedly really took it out of him. He sighed and sat up fully leaning against his headboard and just let his mind wander. It had hit a deep insecurity of his, that everything he went through as a child and even now didn't matter. Dumbledore had so graciously provided a dig at said insecurity, when he made Harry return back to Privet Drive. He just never thought it would be poked at again, let alone so viciously. Snape's words echoed in his head, practically calling him a liar alongside threatening to punish him.

Harry wasn't a liar, the ragged silver scars that glittered his body was proof of that. He would rather die than show Snape those though, so he conceded with the belief that it wasn't that bad after all, and if he were to try tell someone again it would only attract the same reaction as given twice before. Even more concerning to Harry, it seemed Snape had no qualms about punishing him, and punishing him 'hard'. Was it normal then? If Snape was so easy about hurting him, and didn't seem to blink twice at the thought of it. It burned through Harry, and settled uncomfortably in the pit of his stomach.

As much as it hurt to convince himself once and for all that really, what went on at that house was nothing to complain about, he couldn't help but do so. Even Mrs. Weasley didn't bat an eye when Ron rescued him with the twins from his bedroom, and Ron had blurted out about the bars on Harry's windows and the catflap, even if it was to save his own arse. She had merely shook it off, continuing to scold her children and completely walking past the fact that Harry was essentially living in prison.

He could feel tears well up in his eyes, but furiously rubbed at them. He would not cry. That's just another attention seeking mark to play, and Harry avoided the train of thought that no one was there, so how could it be? The only thing truly dancing around his head was that he needed to suck it up, and just move on with his life. He had bigger things to worry about, like the first task. Which was way closer than Harry ever remembered it being.

The task was next Tuesday, and he had little time to practice the summoning charm further. He had gotten a grasp on it now, with Hermione's help of course. He had to put real intent behind it, basically begging for the thing to come flying at him, and it only looked like he needed to amplify the intent tenfold. Easy peasy! As if.

Shaking his head, he checked the time to see he had missed breakfast. He panicked slightly, seeing how long he had slept in, knowing Hermione would be throwing buckets about his whereabouts. He quickly got out of bed, gathered his things and showered, fast to follow his routine and get down to the common room where hopefully Hermione was now waiting for him after breakfast.

Almost tripping with how fast he was going down the stairs, he entered the common room and beelined for where he and Hermione usually met every morning, and breathed out a sigh of relief that she was there. He ignored the emptiness leaking into every part of his body, in favour of seeing Hermione light up when she noticed him there.

"Harry! There you are, I was wondering when you would come down." She smiled gently at him.

"'Mione! Sorry, I slept in. I didn't mean to, sorry for missing breakfast." He responded sheepishly as he neared her.

"Oh don't worry about that. I'm glad you slept, you look like you've been needing it," Harry winced, "Anyways, I've discovered a few more spells to help you in the task, come sit!"