Harry Potter One Shots

Silent Struggles

On the seventh birthday of Harry Potter, a young boy living a life of silent suffering, something unexpected happened. Locked away in the dusty attic of Number Four, Privet Drive, Harry discovered a small, worn chest buried beneath old blankets. Curiosity sparked in his emerald-green eyes as he lifted the lid to reveal a collection of small, leather-bound spell books, all marked with the initials L.E.

These were his mother's spell books, hidden away for reasons Harry couldn't know. Though he couldn't read very well yet, Harry spent hours studying the diagrams and simple charms. No words passed his lips, but in the quiet, he began casting spells with silent determination. By the time he turned eleven, Harry had grown skilled with charms, especially non-verbal ones. He had also taught himself a few defensive spells-some small, but strong enough to help him feel protected from his life with the Dursleys.

When his Hogwarts letter arrived, Harry felt a spark of hope, a chance to escape the painful existence he'd known. But things didn't go as he imagined. His silence, now more a wall he'd grown to protect himself, set him apart. On the train, he found himself sitting alone, and his quiet nature earned him only puzzled looks from the other students.

At the Sorting Hat ceremony, the ancient artefact spoke into Harry's mind as it read his thoughts, sensing the boy's silent strength, a fierce resilience amidst his vulnerability. "A Slytherin, I see," it mused. "Resourceful, determined, not quite what they expect." And with that, Harry was sent to the green and silver house of ambition.

Life in Slytherin was challenging. His housemates, keenly observant, noticed Harry's silence and saw it as weakness. Whispers followed him in the common room; some older students sneered, calling him "the mute snake," mocking his inability to speak. Days turned into weeks, and the teasing grew harsher. Still, Harry pressed on, enduring the taunts, relying on his mother's spells for solace.

The only adult who seemed to care was Professor Snape, his Head of House. Professor Snape, who had also once faced the cruelty of school bullies, saw in Harry a boy who didn't ask for help, but desperately needed it. He began watching Harry closely and noticed the way he cast spells non-verbally, with a precision beyond his years.

One evening, Snape found Harry in the potions classroom, quietly studying a book he'd borrowed from the library. He sat down opposite the boy, breaking the silence. "Potter," he said with an unusual softness. "I know the Slytherin dungeons are not the most... welcoming. You can come to me when you need... assistance."

Harry looked up at the professor with wide eyes, surprised by this unexpected kindness. His lips twitched, but no sound came out. Snape, however, didn't press him to speak. He only gave Harry a knowing look and offered a small, understanding nod.

Over the years, Professor Snape became a quiet guardian for Harry. He offered extra lessons in potions, spells, and even silent casting techniques that would help Harry further hone his skills. As their sessions continued, Harry began to feel safer, if only in Snape's presence.

One day in their fourth year, during an otherwise quiet moment in Snape's office, Harry managed his first spoken word in years. "Professor..." he whispered, his voice soft, barely there.

Snape looked up, momentarily stunned, but he gave no indication that this was an unusual occurrence. He only responded with a simple, "Yes, Mr. Potter?"

From that day forward, Harry continued to speak with Snape, though never in the presence of others. Outside Snape's office, he remained selectively mute, a decision he made by choice now rather than necessity.

The two of them became allies in silence, and Harry grew stronger, learning that even without words, he could be heard. And though he was still a Slytherin, still misunderstood by many, he had found a voice-and a confidant-in Professor Snape.