Hope Has Returned

Chapter 35

Hope Has Returned Chapter 35 (Harry's POV)

Mcgonagal just told everyone there will be a memorial service at Hogwarts to honor those who died and those who helped win the war. I had to speak at it because I destroyed Voldy. I also lost 3 loved ones.
"Are you okay Harry? You don't look so good?" Ginny asked with concern in her voice because I was speaking today and then doing exams tomorrow.
"I just want to forget it all and not have to explain it all AGAIN!" I said nearly breaking into tears.
"Harry I know what you're thinking it's not your fault!" Ginny said trying to cheer me up.
"I guess" I said lying because I know deep down that it is my fault. We walked into the Great Hall and she went to sit at the Gryffindor table while I went up to the podium. Mcgonagal raised a hand to silence everyone.
"Well errm I would just like to ask if the families who lost loved ones to stand with me while I make this speech." The families walked up with tears in their eyes. "Now-" I droned on for about a minute about how we wish the best for those who lost loved ones. I broke when I got to the names.
"One year ago today we lost Lavender, Colin, Severus, Fr-" but I couldn't say it. "Sorry I can't do this anymore" and I but down my paper and ran. I didn't stop running when I got to the front door of the hall. I pulled it open and ran out into the night. Behind me I heard whispers about why I mentioned Snape. I heard lots of footsteps running after me but I didn't stop. I didn't realize that I had reached the forest. I ran into it.
"HARRY JAMES POTTER YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!" I heard Ginny yell from outside of the forest.
"NO I'M NEVER GOING BACK! THE REASON THESE PEOPLE DIED WAS BECAUSE OF ME!" I yelled back crying. I kept running in till I hit someone.
"Harry what are you doing here!" Hagrid asked with concern.
"Running away!" I said and got up and ran a different direction.
"HARRY GET BACK HERE!" Hagrid yelled trying to keep up. I cut out of the forest and went to the lake were I saved Sirius from the dementors in my 3rd year. This made me cry more. I pulled my knees to my chest and cried. Little did I know the Weasleys, Hagrid, and Mcgonagal. I turned around, saw them, and ran again. This time I ran to the Hogwarts gate. I climbed up it and jumped down into Hogsmead. I ran to the Shrieking Shack and laid down on the bed in there. I sat up and laid my head on my knees. I looked around and saw torn cloth and pillows. I cried. I wouldn't and couldn't stop. Everyone came in and saw me crying so they rushed over to comfort me. Mcgonagal sent a partrounas to the school saying they found me in the Shrieking Shack. Ginny was hugging me and whispering nice things in my ear. I was still crying but I was doing it quietly. Tears were just streaming down my face. I got up and looked at everyone.
"Sorry I just need to get away for a bit" I said and then turned and ran again. I heard yelling behind me put I didn't care. I ran back into the castle and everyone looked at me expecting to everyone with me but they then realized that I was still running away. I ran up the stairs to my dorm. I grabbed my broom and ran to the Astronomy Tower. I mounted and kicked off. I flew to the Quittage Pitch and flew up as high as I could go. I was in the clouds. I dove back down to see everyone there. As everyone I meant the whole school waiting for me to come down. I then flew back into the school and was flying through the halls. Paintings and armor were chasing after me to stop or at least slow down. I flew out back to the pitch and then towards the Whomping Willow. I grabbed a stick, poked the stump, and then flew down the passage. Once I got through I looked back to see people struggling with it. I flew out of the Shack and to the cave that Sirius lived in during my 4th year. I sat in it and saw old Profits rolled up on the ground. I also saw paw prints on the ground. I sat in the corner with my knees to my chest crying. Outside I heard a conversation.
"-let him stay here overnight Minerva he will have to come back." Hagrid said.
"But Hagrid he might fly away and never turn back!" Mcgonagal said.
"What was this cave used for anyway?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"It was where Sirius lived during our 4th year. You can see paw prints everywhere and there are Profits laying everywhere." Hermione said.
"We shouldn't let him stay out here he'll freeze!" Ginny said panicking.
"We will deal with him later but does anyone know why he mentioned Severus at the service?" Mcgonagal asked. I walked out of the cave, shoved the glass in her hand, and walked out.
"I've keep that on me 24/7 so watch out with it and us it in the pensive. It will tell you why I went to the forest that night and why Severus didn't deserve to die. It proves me wrong all these years and it makes him even more likable." I said and I turned around and marched back to my cave with Ginny hot on my tail.
"Harry are you okay?" she asked quietly.
"No it is all my fault that everyone died and I should have died in the forest! I meant to die! I knew that so many people had died and to make it up to them I went to die! I had to for another reason because I was a horcrux. I can't see visions, and I can't hear horcruxes anymore. I don't care about any of those. I enjoy talking to snakes because they understand you and you're feelings! I wish there was a snake here so I could talk to it! Humans sometimes just are annoying! They die and don't blame people! Blame me already! I wish all of my problems were gone! I'm done here!" I said. I then grabbed my wand and broom and took off. I flew down to a field.
"Hey is any snake willing to talk to me?" I called out in Parasol-Tongue. A snake slithered up to me.
"Hello Mr. Potter what isssss your problem today?" a snake asked.
"Humans!" I whispered back. "They should be blaming me and not thanking me! Also what is your name?" I asked the snake.
"I'm Jacksssson" he whispered back.
"And Harry I sort of understand why they aren't angry at you." He said.
"Why is that?"
"Well you sssssaved them from the Darkest wizard out there."
"Good point"
"Ssso go back home Harry. Go back to Hogwartssss" he said.
"Thanks Jackson." I said back paring his head.
"I'm here 24/7" he said with a smile.
"Anything bothering you?" I asked.
"Nope. Live asss a sssnake is ssswell."
"Have fun and I will back if I have any troubles." I said.
"Come again Harry!" he said while waving his tail. I got up, grabbed my stuff and turned around to see everyone staring at me weird.
"Harry did you just talk to thy snake about your problems?!?" Mrs. Weasley asked shocked.
"Yes. Everyone this is Jackson." I said pointing to the snake by my side.
"Harry you just get weirder and weirder." Ron said in awe.
"I like you're friendsss they're nice!" Jackson told me in Parasol-Tongue.
"Thanks Jackson!" I said back patting his head. Everyone looked at me weird.
"Oh he says that you guys are nice" I said filling them in.
"Oh thanks Jackson!" Ginny said sitting down next to him patting his head.
"That is nice of you Miss Weasley!" Jackson said. She looked up at me when he hissed.
"He says 'that is nice of you Miss Weasley'." I said. Ginny patted him on the head and I helped her up.
"Now Harry are we calm enough to go back without breaking?" she asked me raising her eyebrows at me.
"Yes I have NEWTS tomorrow." I responded. I looked at Jackson and then at Mcgonagal.
"I don't have an owl so can I have Jackson as I pet/friend?" I asked her.
"Sure Harry. Everyone dreams of having a pet/friend that understands how the feel." she said nodding. I sat down next to Jackson.
"Do you want to come back with me to the castle?" I asked him.
"Yesss Harry yesss!" he hissed waving his tail.
"Can you poison people?" I asked him.
"No I'm a snake that people would have as pets." He responded.
"Come on." I said putting out my hand that he curled up into. I walked back with everyone giving me concerned looks. I never did finish my speech I made that night. I never ever did. I used my speech as fire paper in the tower that night during late night studying. I made a home for Jackson that he told me personally that he loved. Apparently he has always wanted to me a pet. I swore that I would never talk at another war service again. I only told Jackson that because anyone else would freak and say that I need to. I never spoke at one again.