Harry Potter the School Kid

8 - Escalation

This chapter by yours truly is made to bring awareness to bullying.

Harry's POV

Hogwarts had become a battlefield, and Harry was on the losing side. Every corner he turned, it seemed like Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle were there—waiting for him, taunting him, looking for any chance to make his life miserable.

Harry tried to keep his head down, focusing on catching up in lessons and mastering the material he had missed. But the bullying was relentless, a constant shadow that followed him through the halls of the catle.

♡<---

It happened after Potions one afternoon. Harry had stayed behind to finish his notes, trying to keep himself out of sight while Snape and the rest of the class left. He thought maybe, just maybe, he could avoid Malfoy today.

But luck wasn't on his side.

As soon as Harry stepped out into the corridor, there they were—Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, leaning against the stone walls, waiting for him.

Harry's heart sank. He tried to walk past them, ignoring the snickering that echoed around him, but Draco wasn't going to let him go that easily.

"Well, well, Potter," Draco drawled, stepping in front of Harry and blocking his path. "In a hurry? I'd be in a rush too if I was as worthless as you."

"Leave me alone, Malfoy," Harry muttered, trying to keep his voice steady. He didn't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing how much their words stung.

"Or what?" Draco smirked, motioning for Crabbe and Goyle to close in around him. "You going to run and cry to Snape? Oh wait—you won't, will you? You don't want anyone to know how much of a failure you are."

Harry stood his ground, staring defiantly at Draco. "I don't need Snape to deal with you."

Malfoy's smirk faltered for a moment, but then his eyes glinted with malice. "You hear that, boys?" he said, turning to Crabbe and Goyle. "He doesn't need Snape. Maybe he needs a lesson instead."

Before Harry could react, Crabbe grabbed him from behind, twisting his arms painfully. "Thought you were tough, didn't you?" Crabbe growled, his hot breath hitting the back of Harry's neck.

Harry struggled against Crabbe's grip, but Goyle stepped forward and punched him in the stomach—hard. Pain exploded through Harry's torso, and he gasped, doubling over as the air was forced from his lungs.

Malfoy watched with a twisted grin, clearly enjoying the show. "You think you're so special, Potter," he sneered. "But you're just a pathetic little boy pretending to be something you're not."

Goyle shoved Harry to the ground, and Harry's knees scraped painfully against the cold stone floor. Crabbe followed up with a kick to his ribs, sending a wave of agony through his side.

#Let me at them!# Ivy hissed furiously from Harry's pocket. #They deserve a good bite.#

#No,# Harry thought, gasping for breath as another kick landed. #I'll handle it.#

Draco knelt down in front of him, grabbing a fistful of Harry's hair and yanking his head up so their eyes met. "My father's in Azkaban because of you," he hissed, his voice low and venomous. "Do you even remember what he did to you? Do you remember how you begged?"

Harry blinked, confused and dazed from the pain. What was Draco talking about? He didn't remember Lucius Malfoy. He didn't remember having to beg. But Draco seemed convinced that Harry was to blame.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," Harry croaked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Draco's face twisted in anger, and he slammed Harry's head against the stone floor, sending stars dancing across Harry's vision. "Don't lie to me!" he shouted. "You ruined everything!"

Crabbe and Goyle both snickered, looming over Harry like hulking shadows. Harry tried to get up, but his body felt heavy, battered and bruised from the beating.

#Let me bite them, let me bite them, let me bite them!# Ivy chanted furiously.

But Harry shook his head, his mind swirling with pain and confusion. He didn't know why Draco hated him so much, didn't understand what had happened between them before he was de-aged. And it hurt more than the punches and kicks that they kept delivering.

"Maybe next time you'll remember your place," Draco sneered, standing up and brushing imaginary dust from his robes. "You're nothing, Potter. Always will be."

With one final kick to Harry's side, Draco motioned for Crabbe and Goyle to follow him. They walked away, leaving Harry lying on the cold floor, gaspig for breath.

♡<---

Harry didn't know how long he lay there, his body aching, his thoughts muddled. Eventually, he managed to push himself up onto his hands and knees, wincing as pain shot through his ribs. His whole body felt like it had been crushed, but the worst pain was in his mind.

#You should have let me bite them,# Ivy hissed, still angry.

#Maybe next time,# Harry thought weakly, pulling himself to his feet. He clutched his side, limping slightly as he made his way back toward the dungeons.

His heart felt heavy, weighed down by more than just the physical pain. Malfoy's words echoed in his head, cruel and cutting. Harry didn't understand what had happened between them, didn't know why Malfoy was so determined to make his life miserable.

But one thing was clear—this wasn't over.

♡<---

The next morning, Harry limped into the Great Hall for breakfast, still sore from the beating. His ribs ached with every step, but he forced himself to sit down at the Slytherin table, ignoring the whispers and stares from the other students.

He wasn't going to let Malfoy win. Not now, not ever.

As he reached for a piece of toast, Ivy's voice slithered into his mind again.

#They won't stop until you fight back, you know.#

#I don't want to fight,# Harry thought, taking a bite of his toast.

#But you will have to.#

Harry sighed, rubbing his sore ribs. Ivy was probably right. He couldn't keep taking this forever. But for now, he had to focus on surviving another day at Hogwarts, step by step.

<3

oml was that painful to write

if anyone is bullying u, even if it may seem way less than what Harry has recieved, then i urge you to speak out. tell  someone.

im acc being serious

anywhooooo

whats ur least fave colour?