Harry Potter One Shots

Forgotten Boy

In a quiet little house on the outskirts of Little Whinging, a year passed in a haze of forgotten memories. Harry Potter, once the centre of his parents' attention, was relegated to the shadows when his sister, Lily, was born. With the arrival of the new baby, Harry was all but forgotten, left to navigate the world alone, his parents blissfully unaware of the neglect they inflicted upon him.

By the time Harry turned two, he had learned to fend for himself. He watched the world with curious eyes, absorbing everything around him. He learned to wash his own clothes in the small basin in the garden, improvising with soap and water. He taught himself how to dress, pulling shirts over his head and tying shoelaces with determined focus. When hunger struck, he raided the pantry for bread and peanut butter, often burning his fingers on the stove while trying to cook something more elaborate.

As the years went by, Harry discovered a dusty old book filled with spells and potions, hidden in the attic. Each page was a new adventure; he would practise wandless magic, transforming mundane objects in the house. He made the flowerpots bloom and the dishes wash themselves, all while dreaming of the day he would attend Hogwarts.

When he finally received his acceptance letter at eleven, it felt like a dream. His heart raced with excitement and trepidation as he boarded the Hogwarts Express, clutching his new wand tightly. The journey brought with it an overwhelming mix of emotions, and as he stepped into the Great Hall, he was swept away by the grandeur of it all.

Sorting Hat perched upon his head, Harry felt the weight of expectations. "Ravenclaw," it declared, and he joined the table of scholars, excited but apprehensive. Yet, the other students eyed him with curiosity and trepidation. His parents were teachers at the school now, but they seemed to take no notice of their eldest son among the sea of new faces.

Despite being top of each class, Harry struggled to make friends. He spent his days in the library, pouring over books, mastering spells and potions with a speed that astonished even the professors. It was here he caught the attention of Severus Snape, the Potions Master, who recognized a spark in Harry that mirrored his own troubled childhood.

Snape took an interest in Harry, seeing his potential and the shadows of neglect that haunted him. After class, they would share quiet conversations about potions and magic, and for the first time, Harry felt understood. Snape would share his own stories of hardship, and in those moments, Harry found solace.

As Harry settled into his new life, the arrival of his sister Lily for her first year at Hogwarts marked a turning point. Their parents, now occupied with teaching, finally began to realise they had another child. It was not long before they were overwhelmed by the chaos of a new school year, but they remained oblivious to Harry's existence.

Harry, now thriving in his own world, formed a bond with the Slytherins. They appreciated his wit and intelligence, often including him in their plans and discussions. To his parents' surprise, he often spent his evenings in the dungeons with Snape, learning not just potions but also lessons in resilience and self-worth.

In his second year, as Lily eagerly navigated the world of Hogwarts, she began to mention her brother. "Harry? The one who used to play with me at home?" she asked their parents, confusion clouding her innocent eyes.

But it was too late. Harry had carved out his own path, no longer longing for the family that had neglected him. He was happier among his friends in Slytherin and with Snape, who had become a mentor and a protector.

One evening, as Harry worked late in the dungeons, he found a letter from his parents, addressed to him, apologising for their neglect and expressing a desire to reconnect. But Harry, with a newfound confidence, crumpled the letter in his hand. He understood now that family was not defined by blood but by the bonds he had forged. He had created a family of his own, one filled with understanding, knowledge, and acceptance.

With the flick of his wand, he conjured a small flame and set the letter alight, watching as the ashes swirled away into the air. In that moment, Harry embraced the life he had built for himself, ready to explore the vast world of magic, friendship, and self-discovery, no longer the forgotten boy, but a brilliant young wizard destined to shine.